This Love Doesn't Have Long Beans (2024)

More fun than expected

I already guessed from the trailer that this would be a comedy of some sort, but I wasn't expecting to have this much fun.

The plot revolves around a cooking competition where the winner will become the new owner of Chef Oab's stir-fried basil restaurant. Plawan is a model with a passion for stir-fried basil who is having trouble making ends meet, so he makes a deal with the rich businessman Methas: if he wins the competition, he will give Methas the restaurant for a big sum of money, and Methas will be able to do whatever he pleases with the property. Chef Oab, however, hates Methas with a passion, and he is on high alert against anyone he suspects to be allied with him. Plawan needs to learn how to cook and win all the challenges prepared by Chef Oab, all without raising his suspicions.

I'm not a big fan of plots that revolve around scams, but this one made it work by making the entire situation very lively and entertaining from the get-go. Plawan is silly, but his energy really made me root for him despite everything; his attraction to Chef Oab and his scent also made me look forward for when Plawan would finally win him over.
The plot is fun, but it has the flaw of not being very believable. I don't have issues with plots that are unlikely to come true in real life, but I had to suspend my disbelief for more than one aspect of the story and ignore a couple of plot holes. The pacing, on the other hand, is very good! I always appreciate it when the directors are aware of how much space they have for the episodes and are able to use it well. I didn't feel like any part of the story was dragging for too long, nor did anything feel rushed.
It's a story that mainly relies on the character dynamics and the events around them rather than character introspection, so don't expect much to be discovered about anyone's likes and dislikes, but it does its job well. The growing attraction between Plawan and Oab is not only believable, but very visible, and I was happy to see that as a couple they are never shy with skinship, breaking the usual dynamics of BL couples in other series. The unexpected pairing of Methas and JJ also worked great, although it probably had less sparks flying than the main couple. Last but not least, the friendships! I really like how Plawan and JJ felt like real best friends - something that is often neglected in BLs.

I didn't watch with many expectations, so maybe that's why I enjoyed this series so much and felt like being this generous with my ranking. I still want to recommend it to whoever is looking for something fun, light, and moderately spicy to watch.

Leia Mais

Well Done !

I'm assuming this series is from the same production company as Pit Babe, seeing as though there were familiar faces, and of course, the brilliant BTS at the end of each episode. But this company (Change, I'm presuming the name is?) once again, hit the nail on the head.

Let's Dive In.

Like I spoke about in Pit Babe, this production has money, and they know how to use it well. Some very beautiful locations and settings, great wardrobe options for all the characters, and really well-thought-out cinematography. They go all the way for their series, and it definitely does not go unnoticed.

Moving onto the actual plot, they executed the story so well, and it's seriously why I love this production company so much. They don't do the unnecessary long stares or dragged-out conversations or irrelevant side plots. They stick to the story, going from point A to point B, and everything that we see in the series happens for a reason. The conversations are all what they need to be, and the story flows with little to no unnecessary bumps.

Moving onto the relationships, Sailub and Pon once again, hit it out of the park. They played complete 180s to their characters in Pit Babe, and they still were able to execute perfect chemistry. They take their NC scenes to a completely different level, one that I don't feel like I see often. it's obviously well acted out, and the actors are comfortable enough with one another to execute such amazing scenes. But even with the jaw-dropping sex scenes, my utmost favorite part of the series is Oab holding Wan accountable for his actions and them having an open and honest conversation before getting back together. Lots of time the plot can be lost for a quick resolution between two characters, but the writers ensure to the audience that it's going to take much more than that, and that makes me happy. They had great comedic timing, the kisses were next level, and I'm waiting patiently for their next series together.

Metas and JJ's relationship was another one that surprised me. I didn't think that I would hate it, but I also didn't think I'd end up loving it as much as I do. At first, Metas' ways of trying to attract JJ are all sorts of wrong, and it starts to feel completely dis-genuine until you see how much he changes because of JJ. I also like the fact that JJ actually did physical therapy and wasn't just sitting around doing nothing (like a certain other series called physical therapy *cough* *cough*). Some of his work seemed a bit much (like stretching Metas the way he did or helping him pee by holding his you-know-what), but overall, this was great. Again, really great chemistry, they also had a very nicely done NC scene, although not nearly as explicit, but still very romantic.

The dynamic between the friends was all great and well, especially between Wan and JJ. Personally, I think Kluea should've been more reprimanded for trying to kiss Wan while he was "unconscious", especially even when Oab saw him trying to kiss Wan. But that's my only gripe about the series. Other than that, there was great comedic timing, really nice, heartfelt conversations, and so much incredibly looking food that will make you immediately hungry (also loved the play to Oab's character being kind of like Gordon Ramsay and his competition being similar to the real competition "Hell's Kitchen").

Ratings:

Story: 8.5/10 - it's very nicely done, and completely flows naturally without any complications. Even the part of the story with Oab dealing with his ex-girlfriend is played out incredibly.

Acting: 9.5/10 - Great, GREAT acting. All the characters were actually crying when they needed to, and they delivered great lines honestly, everyone in this did a superb job.

Music: 7.5/10 - I actually really liked the theme song!

Recommendation Value: 8/10 - There's a story to be told here, and they did that excellently. It's really hard not to like this series considering the amazing acting, the great writing, and the perfect production value. Also, if that's not enough, the men in this are beautiful and they're shirtless for a perfect amount of time.

Leia Mais

funny BL drama

One aspiring actor and skinny model ML is trying hard to make ends meet, so he joins a cooking contest without having any knowledge abt cooking... Here starts a comedic journey with a strict - and oh so handsome! - chef and the clumsy apprentice in a mouth-watering environment, sensually dominated by basil.
There is a lot of sexual tension, sexual innuendo and - thank god - more mature scenes. The settings are really pleasant to the eyes, the camera movement is flawless and there is a realistic touch to the story, that many recent dramas miss big time.
Of course, nothing new or unpredictable - i guess half of the romance drama should have the tag "ex comes back"... Also quite everybody is gay, that's a given for BL dramas. But still it's very enjoyable and funny and hot!
Thanks for all the smiles!
Later edit: I personally dont like how most comedies turn into melodrama... and cliche too. But who cares? The two ML'2 are just so pretty!

Leia Mais

PLEASE WATCH

I am actually obsessed with this show, having to wait a whole week for each episode is probably the hardest thing I have ever done. I really liked the main couple when they were in pitbabe together and so when I saw that they were going to be starring in their own BL I knew I had to watch it. The first episode was a little slow but after that its literally perfect. The second couple isnt my fav but I am also normally not a huge fan of side couples in general, but if you like that then I think you will enjoy them.
Also the soundtrack is absolutely fire and its like different from the normal bl soundtracks that we always hear.

Leia Mais

Came for basil, stayed for rich boys and therapy

The main couple/overall plot has the potential to be interesting. I personally found it too angsty, but if you're a fan of love triangles, friendly competition, and interesting restaurant dynamics, then it's one of the better restaurant competition-themed shows I've seen. They have good chemistry, but I ended up double-speed/fast-forwarding through most of the main plotline so I could watch the side couple's part. The side couple was definitely the redeeming quality of this show me- a classic rich boy and a hard-working, morally strong love interest. There story was easy to follow, and a breath of fresh air from all the drama and angst in the main plot. HIGHLY RECOMMEND watching for the side couple Metas and JJ!

Honorable mention of the music/audio design- it stood out to me! I enjoyed how they played with beat drops and overall music design.

Leia Mais

Cliche with a side of Cute and Funny.

First impressions: First 2 Eps: Oab is an ass, Plawan is kind of dumb, in a cute way., If it wasn't for his friend JJ I don't think he would have made it to far in his life.

Even after the first few Eps, I still thought Oab was an ass, but he got better, though I still couldn't help but thinking of Gordon Ramsay in Hells Kitchen when ever Orb were yell at Plawan, or even the others. lol

I can't say everything was perfect, there were some places where it could have of had more to it, or could have added a bit more in the whole of the series so it wouldn't have been a bit longer then what it was, so it wouldn't has seem there at the end to be so rushed. I'm not saying a lot, but a bit more, it seem at t he end no time went by and there bang Oab is there..

I think they shouldn't of had Khaosuay in this for as long as they did. She just annoyed the hell out of me, thinking she was going to get Oab just because she came back, so shew tried to make it out like he wasn't going to sell all because of her.... The whole thing should have been over the 2nd eps she came back! I do have to say that I loved it when Plawan kind of told her off in a way, then Oab had to be a dick and agree with her... Ah!

Oh and when Kluea cooked "Stir fried with long beans" there at the end, Oab gave a stupid reason about his dish. You are not keeping the restaurant so why doesn't it matter? I just wanted to slap him then.

OH I loved the with Oab and Plawan, I even loved how Plawan didn't back down and was blunt with Oab lol It was just so funny how he was. I couldn't help but laugh at so many scenes in this series. I can't say I really felt it with JJ and Methas but I liked JJ told him off all the time. LOL

All in all a good series to watch, or even re-watch.

Leia Mais

THE ENDING

i was so ready for a fast little joined wedding in the end and we didn't get one!! it even said in the series that gay marriage was legal and that gave me hopes that their would be a wedding in the end but NOPE! overall though the ending was cute and i genuinely enjoyed the show and would definitely re-watch!! i also think that we got a little robbed off of a cute duo (AutoPansip / LeeTiger) but hopefully in the nearer future they will have a series either as a lead or side but either way im happy and overall i loved this show and the chemistry felt better then what it was in pitbabe may i say..

Leia Mais