A masterpiece

I fell in love with this drama in 5 minutes. I had read the summary some time ago and it was confusing, so because of Okada Masaki I decided to give it a try. I knew nothing about rakugo and I'm so glad I watched this! It is so good, simple yet compelling. I did not expect such story.
Poetry and japanese culture are the basis of this historical drama and although this may not appeal to everyone, love, hate and jealousy are universal. The story is slow, all the characters are well developed, you love and hate most of them at different moments. Their personalities are complex, conflicting and often full of sorrow. It made me cry many times.
The friendship between Yakumo and Sukeroku felt so real that we almost forget their flaws. And the relationship between Konatsu and Yakumo is a delight - their interactions are full of meaning in the silence and in the harsh words. It is impressive, that was what I loved the most and it makes me smile when I recall the story. Because, can you really hate a person who takes good care of you? Isn't it a parent-child common relationship? Love and hate? Ah amazing! Okada Masaki is often cute, but here he is a rock with a soft side and superb acting skills. His Yakumo was awesome and his shinigami voice will appear in my dreams. I fell even more in love with him.
This is highly recommended, the story is slow, but it unfolds beautifully. I didn't binge because I wanted to savour every episode and I felt a sharp pain in my chest at every turn.

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A ghost never looked this good - Wen KeXing is bae❤️

WoH stole my heart and is my favorite cdrama

What I love most abt WoH is how both leads are damaged people, I mean, they are good and kind, but for their own reasons they were evil. For someone or many they represent hell, so imperfect and at the same time so perfect for each other - I loved them. There are so many details and hidden messages in the acting and actions that I indulged myself in how clever and beautiful it was.


✨️Story/Production

The water from the Five Lakes gather around the world
Who else deserves supremacy in the martial arts world?
The iridescent clouds are scattered and the glaze is shattered
Who will cry with the Ghosts on Mount Qingya?
Children of Yue, Nursery rhymes that doesn’t rhyme as gossip

WoH is based on the novel Faraway Wanderers and although some things were changed, the adaptation is very well done. The beginning of the story, when the leads are getting to know each other and interact like cat and mouse is so good, one of the best starts for a relationship, be it romantic or friendship, I've ever seen!
We follow the story of Zou ZiShu ZZS, a man with his days numbered due to his past but with incredible martial skills and sense of justice, who happens to save a noble orphan and get involved with Wen KeXing WKX, a man of great wit. WKX is a ghost in disguise trying to seek revenge for his family and destroy the world/society they live in. They become friends, they care for each other and together take care and ‘adopt’ the boy. They become a family in no time. Tragedy befalls them many times, like when very dear characters die (I write this and get teary eyed) or a sacrifice must be made to save his soulmate.
Towards the end some things do feel rushed and some plots like the Window of Heaven x Prince Jin and even the Scorpion sect x Glazed armor feel a bit incomplete, but still everything goes well.
The story is addictive and so elegantly told that I couldn’t take my eyes off of them. The word choices and lines were carefully made and gave the flirty ZZS and WKX’s relationship a very unique poetic tone. It was clear how much WKX was interested in ZZS, and it was great to see ZZS through his passionate eyes. I’m still amazed by all the poem references and details they put in the lines. Perfection! Some scenes are among my favorites of all time, such as WKX’s sacrifice in the end to save ZZS when they both say ‘Ai ni’. Fascinating!
Even with a low budget the script was so good and the interactions between Zhou ZiShou and Wen KeXing were so good it makes my heart overflow with love, like watching true soulmates.


✨️Favorite quotes

WKX: “Who knew that I would spend my entire life living in the wrong moment?" This line is one of the many that touched my heart, because I can relate to it. Hopefully now in my life I’m living the right moment.

ZZS: “Lao Wen, I always knew what you wanted. I had hoped you'd change. Who would have thought it would be me who would ultimately change?” I love this quote too, because it shows how well ZZS read WKX.


✨️Acting/Cast

The casting work in this series is a gift, every single character had great presence and played their part very well. I loved Gong Jun from the moment I heard his beautiful voice, it was like he put me under a spell. His WKX was always so elegant and poised, even when he said the harshest things. His eyes were so expressive no words were necessary to know exactly what he was thinking. Kudos.
Zhang Zhehan is also a monster, his work here was great, his character was troubled, kind and he spoke with his eyes even in the silence; Gu Xian and Weining who also stole my heart, they were like rays of warm sunshine and Chenliang who was such a cutie.


❤️✨️Wen KeXing✨️❤️

Wen KeXing's chaotic good persona and story really moved me here. He has bewitched me. I loved how he brought chaos to the martial world, using the poem and his intelligence. I love his brains! Of course the deaths saddened me, but at the same time that made me root for his revenge, made me curious about who he was, made me question his kindness and most of all made me cry when he cried. He is so smart and powerful. From the characterization, with the fan to the color red that I love and his make up - I adored him. His reasoning was always a delight to watch. Flawed characters like WKX are the reason why I love reading and watching series so much, they are never boring. Although they always plot something, they often suffer the most… My heart breaks for his losses.


✨️Music

I love the main song sung by the leads, it is very romantic and sad at the same time.


✨️Rewatch value

This series has one of the highest values for me, there are so many details and the story is so rich with top notch acting that a second watch is more than advisable, it is a must. If you are asking yourself if you should watch this, don't hesitate. I came here to share a little bit of my love. I am sad by the reality of the actors and scandals, and I will support them as much as I can. If I could I would rate it a 1000.

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Not Me shows how much potential BL Thai series have - It's addictive!!!

Not Me is awesome, all the elements work well together. There's great acting, especially from Gun portraying multiple characters and personalities. There's the music that follows brilliantly love, hate, dangerous and sad scenes setting the mood perfectly and making you feel excited. And there's a story full of social justice issues being discussed, so here I have to pause to applaud and reflect on that.

It is rare for me to see a series not only tackling social issues but also making the viewers stop and think about their realities. I'm originally a jdrama fan, that's how I entered the world of asian dramas, but honestly I never really felt connected to their reality. The cultural difference is what attracted me. With Thai dramas, and more especifically BL Thai, however, it is the opposite. As a third world country citizen I can empathize and see myself in many things, and this series blew my mind. All the human rights, corruption, same sex marriage, law enforcement and issues presented here are part of my life as a Brazilian under my current government. I don't trust the police... This series really made me happy to see people fighting against the system. Kudos to the writers. It was impossible not to root for them and cry along when they got caught. The only thing that fell short for me was the open end, I really wish we could see if they're going to jail or not, and we have the unresolved issues with Todd. I could watch much more of it and there is enough material for that. You don't even get to know what happened to Tawi... Like, please, have another season or a movie to tell me?

The acting is superb, you understand both White and Black, you see the small differences in Gun's acting and you love their interactions. Gun is exceptional. I felt like hugging my sister even tighter next time we see each other, bc brotherhood should be like this, having each other's back no matter what. Off was also amazing, his Sean was so sweet under his hard skin, their love was beautiful to watch. Yok and Dan were also great, I totally understand Dan, he was forced to help the status quo, and although I'm happy they got to end up together, I wouldn't mind him dying lol. Kudos to the actors.

I can't recommend and compliment this series enough, if you ever come across this gem please don't wait and watch it. It is amazing!

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A review as a love letter

ITSAY bewitched me. From the very start I'd say the quality surprised me. The shots were stunning and I really wanna go to Phuket one day so that added to my amusement. But 3 things really pulled my heart strings:

1. Oh-Aew.
I guess it was when PP's Oh Aew appeared that my eyes widened. I loved him and his puppy face from the moment he popped up till the end. Like, what a beautiful soul Oh is, I wish someone would tell him that everyday.

2. Oh + Teh.
Second to my boy comes the subtlety and sensibility in the scenes between Oh and Teh. The silences, the stares, their touch, their body dance, in my mind many times they were dancing like magnetic forces drawn to each other. Their chemistry is alucinating.

3. Intention.
Last but probably the most important, the intention in every scene thanks to the production and director. Kudos.
I guess it was with the coconut that Teh hated that I started to ask myself, why are they using this, like, focusing on this? But then Oh is taking a bath and I realize. Nothing is unintentional in ITSAY! Mouths half open close, the angles, the amazing soudtrack, the eyebrows, them side by side, their actions, the study materials (Teh cutting his books, giving Oh his materials, the flashcards), the hungry hands close over the chest, the red bra, the kiss hidden underwater, the red hibiscus, the hammock and the chinese words - rival, secret, love, the sunset palette, so many things!! Everything is there for our delight and as important elements of the story. And also, there were many constructed parallels between the leads, T is blue and Oh is red, red x purple hibiscus, hands stopping at the chest x the red bra, young Oh asking if he should have given up the part x Teh actually giving up his position at uni, smart x dumb, accepted son x criticized son, confidence x lack of self-teem, rivals x lovers, the food in their names, egoism x altruism, all bottled up together and crashing beautifully.

Where else do you see that? You don't. This is pure magic, it brings me to tears. I caught myself reminiscing about my first love, my school years, missing my friends and feeling every pain they felt. That is what a masterpiece does. When you disagree or hate a character you feel the after taste in your mouth, the salty tears and when you love a character their happiness brightens your mood. My review is a love letter to the team and these actors, PP my baby. I'm now a fan, I hope we are blessed with their long life and many works. Together they were perfect, just like Oh and Teh, imperfectly perfect. ❤

ps.The sountrack is the cherry on top and their videos on yt, there's so much love.

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One of the greatest experiences I've ever had with a series!

KinnPorsche is a series you either love or hate, I loved it.

✨️Story

Storywise, KP seems quite simple, a mafia boss falls in love with his bodyguard and you get to know the lives of the mafia family. However, what looks like a boring story then comes to life with the characters that range from excentric to borderline in a family that is anything but ordinary. The raw emotions in their relationships is something I’ve never seen before in BLs. I have to commend the team for such bold choices.

The family ties and their conflicts serve as the background for the story. There is family drama soap-opera style, iconic fashion sense with Vegas wardrobe/Tankhun wardrobe, comedy, kisses that feel real and sex scenes that are not fan service or unnecessary. And of course, sometimes you remember this is a mafia story, especially in the moments they show torture, headshots or fighting scenes. When the main CPs interact their relationships are both controversial and addictive and you get so immersed, and they pull at so many heartstrings that you have to remind yourself this is mafia and that you should open your mind. Deceit and hunger for power are also shown, but if you analyze things, what you really get is mafia men damaged for different reasons - mafia work, ex-boyfriend, tragedy, fathers - struggling to find answers and love in the most soppy way. The pain is so real and the reasons are so humane that you can’t help but empathize with them, root for them, cry with them.

VP story from the book to the series has really swept off my feet. Some people may feel triggered or that they are deranged, the thing is, they make us feel something. In a world of boredom and plots that feel all-the-same-obvious thing, VP made me feel too much and too many feelings. The fact that I went from ‘this bastard’ to ‘my beloved’ is everything someone can look for in literature and film. Redemption that feels impossible and yet happens, plus love that is meant to have a happily ever after (even when we know that is not gonna happen). The details they put since day one in the eps have really filled my heart with joy and made watching the episodes more than once a must, looking for information about the scenes online a necessity and discussing it with fellow stans irresistible. Watching it while airing was a great decision, because this was one of the greatest experiences I've ever had with a series.

Based on a novel that is even more aggressive and problematic, the team made a lot of changes and the final product is not only more palatable, but also more logical and appealing. I agree that some things could be different, like Porsche's mom arc and, yes, many parts did feel rushed, like the end and VP. I understand those who say that there are some plot holes and unfinished business, but I stand by the fact that some questions were left unanswered to guarantee season 2 hooks. Overall it was a great and enjoyable watch with a lot of angst and some unforgettable moments.

✨️Cast

All my love to the cast. I say we all won big time with the casting work in this series, from Tong and his sunny crazy Tankhun, who stole every scene, to Bible, a rookie who showed a range of emotions and the attitude not even big shots can. I have to say Bible as Vegas was a gift, but VP wouldn’t be the same if Build weren’t Pete - brilliant, he was brilliant.

✨️Characters

There is no saint in KP, every character is flawed and you even hate or want to punch them at different moments. But at the same time, when they hurt, you want to console them and destroy whoever is between them and their happiness (and that is you Korn). I will talk about my favorite ones. I can't express in words how much I loved Vegas and Pete. It is quite impressive how much their story touched me and I'm a proud VP stan.
**Pete** is a fallen angel with all his complexities and insecurities. It was a joy and great surprise to have a glimpse of his background and his dark side. He puts on such a good facade you don't believe such smiley man could be this sad, hurt and emotionally damaged too. What a great character in the series, you see he is absolutely the only one who can stand up to Vegas. Pete showed me many things, that we should forgive and that others might affect us but we can control our reactions and above all, that honesty is the only way.
**Vegas** is my love, he has all my heart even when he is this monster, when he is despicable, cunning, uncontrolable, stupid, a cry baby, a slap magnet, ignorant and also because of all that! He is damaged in every level, he feels worthless, he has been used, abused and wrapped in his father's fingers. His ugly was so interesting, I couldn't help but fall in love with him when he softened up. He caught my attention when he first said things in English and when he treated Macau so well I was even more intrigued. I asked myself 'how could such a lowlife love his brother so much?' Not being a complete monster after all. He made me uncomfortable, made me want him to suffer and made me almost have a heart attack when he was shot. Vegas also showed me many things, that we all have something bad in us that we have to fight and most of all he shows change is possible.

✨️My experience

There were some bumps along the way, but it was an amazing experience and the first time I joined a fandom. It also gave me a new pov on how people interact on the internet and how fandoms work.

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Oh really deserves the moon, Teh not so much but he got it anyway

I thought about not watching IPYTM, I really did, I read some spoilers, I knew I was gonna be hurt. I loved both characters and understood Teh’s pains so I was asking myself - what would make him do that?

Curiosity won and I watched it. I wasn’t expecting much, but it blew my mind. Not only because of the story (honestly I would have done so many things differently), but because of the characters' changes, what had happened to them? In the first ep Oh was different and scared while Teh was too optimistic... They were vibrating different frequencies from the start, for the first time I feared that would be their end. And it almost was. I kept watching thirsty for reasons for that damn thing.

IPYTM disturbed me, it was the opposite of the good feelings of love and nostalgia I had felt before, it was uncomfortable, distressing, sad. I wanted to punch Teh, I don’t know how many times, punch his naivety, his ego, his lack of consideration for Oh (especially when he decides to transfer and the homophobic audition), his blindness, then I remembered life is like this. You fall out of love and in love in the same relationship, you admire ppl and think that is love, you can’t control your feelings, you love what they can give you, you love an idea, you idealize your future, you get lost, you seek perfection and you forget perfection does not exist.

Although I find cute/happy love stories great, I also understand ppl make mistakes and stupid things. Clearly, Teh did not think he would lose Oh, then he did. Also clearly, they did not communicate well, nor Oh nor Teh... For a moment I was rooting for them to break up, shaken, hating Teh. When I saw how his perfect life was actually meaningless I was content, when he deleted their photos I said “well deserved”, but I lost everything with his final project play… And I lost all my arguments when they were finally together on screen. Can you see a world where those 2 are next to each other and don’t touch? I can’t!

Oh-Aew did not forget Teh, he became a silent fan, a working grown-up, he evolved so much and he was so brave all the time. How I wish I could have seen his previous resolutions, to have the tattoo done, to dye his hair red, and then to go back to his dark colors in their break-up. His words for Teh “I can’t give what you want" "you're gonna leave anyway" or the idea that Teh should’ve fought for him really pierced my heart, he loves Teh so much it hurts. In their reunion he was so cool, that scene when he says goodbye is so beautiful, but was he fully happy? Bas the wise comes to tell him to follow his heart, so maybe he wasn’t? The fact that he was still single and didn’t even look at Q might’ve meant he was just fine by himself, but the magazines hint at lingering love for Teh, not only that, but the camera showing the magazine was there together with his new photos. I just love Oh-Aew. For me this is Oh’s love story, he made the final call and he really deserves the moon.

In the end of ep4 I was skeptical, like, how were they going to make it work and save Teh’s ass? That also kept me going through the sadness, I felt physical pain. The final ep was brilliant. Teh’s play showed me he was really trying, maybe too late? Maybe too little? Yes, but there he was finally doing something! I liked the end, the parallels and the subtlety in their interactions were diminished in IPYTM, you did not see much of the blue x red. I will always associate Oh's love to the red colour. In the final scene, however, although Oh wasn't wearing anything super red and a black suit, his hair, which was darker when he reunited with Teh, was now faintly red in coordination to the hibiscus in the background, simply majestic. And there were white flowers not a sunflower, because maybe we've reached a point where Teh is not Oh’s sun anymore, or where Oh is not needy anymore and they can restart anew? Maybe now they can walk even, side by side? Nothing here is unintentional. Oh wants to be together, to try, to know the answer, to see if the future with Teh will be better. Relationships are choices and prayers of a happier future, of the happiest future possible. When Teh posts their pic and shows his love to everyone, despite his agency views, I know some ppl didn't like that, but I did, not bc of the post per se (we know how selfish Teh is, and honestly I don't think that is smth he can turn off 100%), but bc of the pic + message, showing off their love in a proposal lol. Ah, and Oh's face in the pic is priceless, maybe now they will face it together? Or not? I don't know, I can only pray together with them.

Sadly, the magical interactions, the silence, the touch and Oh + Teh screen time were so reduced in IPYTM that I feel like crying. There were still some interesting parallels, the blue x red tie, the doubt x the assertiveness, but it was like the magic had worn off, and I also think that was intentional. Real life is here, the struggles. Opposite to Phuket, we have the city and its hardness. I was not satisfied, sometimes I feel like I am, but I don't know. No back scratching, no body dancing, a love making scene with Jai’s interference, ugh!!!! At least they gave us beautiful insights on their 1st and the aquarium scene, another great parallel to their 1st kiss underwater. The play when Teh was working backstage, Teh’s final project play, the flower hitting scene and the end when they came full circle were also carefully and beautifully made.

Again so many feelings I can’t ignore and once more a superb production!!!

All the feelings these series caused in me are indiscribable. Microcosms. Love.

I'm glad I watched it, plus the soundtrack is amazing, a lot more of PP filled my heart <3 and coming of age with the most perfect clip ever almost killed me.

ps. a lot of people say Oh deserves better or that Teh ruined their beautiful love story, but I'd say real happiness and blessing is to be able to follow your heart's desires, like Oh did. They get back together in the end exactly because of their beautiful love story!

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If you are a hopeless romantic this is for you

Or, if you like romantic comedies in general :P

The plot is simple, friends who fall in love, but beautifully executed. Most people can relate to that, friends can become lovers and some of us know it bc we had a crush for or even dated our best friend (me, in High School). ALSO, I'm a sucker for romance movies from de 90/early00's because they shaped my life, my adolescence and my views about love! Noticing the references in this drama was so much fun, I wasn't expecting that! They were so carefully used, the scenes the Third played were great. So this series is definitely made for the hopelessly romantic.

I really loved Third, he is honest and the best friend a person can have. He is also romantic, dramatic and he lives too much in his head. I was really happy he decided to stand for himself and not accept Kai's behaviour at some point, because he must've been mentally exhausted. He was so brave to confess. He was such a kind soul to still be friends with Kai after his stupid behaviour. I wanted to give him a hug and in the end to tell him to follow his heart.

Kai was everything a lame young adult is, overbearing, egoistical, selfish and inconsiderate of others. I hated his guts in the first half, so to see him suffer and change was a good ride. When he started to fall for Third I ended up forgiving him because he suffered a lot to redeem himself. To be in a position where the person you love changes with you, ignores you or leaves you is very sad and that made my heart ache together with Kai's and reminisce my own experiences. When we see ourselves in the characters and have this connection is so good, kudos to the acting and directing.

The end is a bit draggy, but great. They seem like those couples who would always remember each other, either ending up together eventually or being stars-crossed longing for each other.

Overall, good acting, many feelings of love in different intensities, a lot of crying, good nostalgia and a warm fuzzy feeling inside when it's over. Lovely series.

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