Tawan Tor Saeng (2012)

Ignoring the usual plot holes of a lakorn (direct communication between characters, for instance!), I was intrigued by this drama. How far is someone willing to go for revenge?

Plot-wise, the story of Tawan Tor Saeng is quite believable although it starts out like a typical “meet cute but hot” rom-com drama. Horne Davika plays the lead role of Rasa very realistically. She obviously enjoys her work and her family. She is very caring to her adoptive parents but not a doormat. In the course of her work as an interior designer, she is hired to renovate a house belonging to Pakaphong, played by Lum Pakorn. She’s put off by his playboy lifestyle and they clash. Eventually, though, he is attracted by her warm family life and sincere personality and they begin to date.

Now, here’s the intriguing, almost awful part (and it is not a spoiler) - Pakaphong was an abandoned child and eventually, he discovers his mother is still alive. She refuses to acknowledge him and, in fact, her new family doesn’t even know she’d been married before. Pakaphong’s revenge? He plans to date his mother’s daughter, Prangthip, until his mom acknowledges him.

I think this is the part of the plot summary that turns people off. It just seems so - icky. How far can he take this? What is even worse is that his half-sister is really quite nice and even Rasa likes her, although she doesn’t understand why Pakaphong seems to be stringing them both along.

When Rasa finds out about Pakaphong’s plans for revenge, she is horrified. It is almost like watching a car accident happen in slow motion at this point - she sees him walk this path of revenge and tries her best to save him but he refuses. He’s basically sending himself to hell for this revenge and everyone in the know - his old nanny, his friends - understands this. It’s tough to watch! My only problem with this plot is that in this modern age of emails, texts and Instagram, no one steps up to let Prangthip, the unwitting victim of Pakaphong’s revenge, know about her brother. Like a whirlpool of revenge, Pakaphong pulls everyone down with him.

One good thing about this drama is all the side plots. Oftentimes, in lakorns, the side stories are very slapstick but these secondary actors do a fine job. There’s a troubling romance for innocent Pim, Rasa’s adoptive family’s sister, and a wonderful second lead for Rasa in Chewin. The back story of Pakaphong’s mother is also very well written.

Music wise, it’s fairly typical for a lakorn. There are no standout pieces but there aren’t any obviously innapropriate musical pieces as well.

Rewatching - I’d recommend it. I’m already thinking of doing this. I think I want to go back and see if I can catch some of the subtle cues that indicate the upcoming horrors of revenge. Did I miss how Pakaphong became so determined to hurt everyone, including himself?

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