Yeah, this was disappointing, and I might've lost a few brain cells in the process. The so-called plot was way too convoluted and more often than not downright stupid, and I probably would've dropped the series in its sudden honeymoon phase if not for a super entertaining group watch. But before I go on a long rant, here are some things I actually liked:

Nat as the usurping uncle. He nailed every scene he was in. No complaint there, even though his character made some dumbass decisions.

Perth and Chimon as the secondary couple, I guess? They were criminally underdeveloped and had barely any (shared) screen time, but they made the series bearable at least. They both deserved so much better.

That's it. Now on to the problems:

The writing is a complete train wreck. The entire plot hinges on a premise that screams “KinnPorsche in kindergarten” (or high school, I guess) and it could've been so entertaining. A billionaire heir who ends up with the most unlikely candidate as a bodyguard because everyone and their mother is trying to kill him for his money? And they're just trying to survive high school? Sounds campy and amazing, sign me up!

Sadly, that's not how Never Let Me Go turned out, because the series ended up taking itself way too serious. It tried to tell this super serious story about the problems of the elite few while also trying to include the struggle of the less fortunate, and it ended up being a forgettable mess. In fact, how Nueng constantly talked down to Palm was quite infuriating after a while, because the series never addressed how shitty and spoiled its little prince was behaving. Instead, it tried to hammer in how devoted and loyal Palm was, even though Nueng did NOTHING for him. Except throwing his money around, of course. Got to make up for treating Palm like a subhuman somehow, am I right? And they say romance is dead, urgh.

I think, they originally aimed for an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers kind of dynamic between a spoiled teen billionaire and his dirt-poor bodyguard, which – again – could've been interesting. But then there were other “love interests” (more like plot devices) and in the end their relationship jumped from one textbook-BL-stage to the next because stuff happened. I can't even give you a proper recap, because there was no suspense curve. Stuff happened, was resolved after five minutes tops, and then the episode ended. Nothing except the main conflict carried over to the next episode, and for some episodes our “charming” main couple noped the fuck out of that by fleeing (and staying) at a beach resort. After Nueng's mother was gunned down, I might add. But sure, take your time. Good thing the main plot just conveniently takes a break while they're away being in a relationship that came out of nowhere. A relationship they both end on more than one occasion for the stupidest reasons. So yeah, not feeling it. Sorry not sorry. But maybe don't get your boyfriend's name tattooed after three days. Seems like a bad idea, especially after watching this mess of a series.

But what made the series near unbearable for me was the nonexistent story arc. It started as a high school show, then they were on vacation for several (!) episodes, and then they went back trying to be a convoluted pseudo-thriller for the last two episodes. Where's the connection? Beats me, but if I have to see another pointless beach episode ever again, I'm going to lose it. Seriously, so much stupid “plot twists” happen, I can barely recount all of them, but here are some of my personal highlights:

Ben and Nueng have more screen time than Ben and Chopper, and they even share a kiss. It's a plot device, because although Nueng is already getting bullied, we have to add some homophobia to the plot. Dead parents and bullying wasn't bad enough, I guess. Why sacrifice the actually compelling secondary couple to a cheap-ass plot device, though? The series wasted so much time on a relationship that was doomed to fail that Ben and Chopper barely got any development, but in the end they get together either way. Good for them, but why not dedicate some time to two actually decent actors? The deserved better.

Maggie, Palm's “love interest”, shows up at the beach resort one day. Why? Beats me, she's just another device for some subplot that doesn't even matter. And it's always good to add some jealousy to the mix, am I right? Because why waste precious time on actual attraction between two characters. Maggie also deserved better, by the way.

Both mothers essentially got fridged, and I hated that. Especially at the end, when Nueng (?) had the audacity to insinuate that Palm's mother sacrificed herself for their happiness. No, shut the fuck up! That's not what happened, and there's nothing romantic about that. Oh my god, I'm still so mad about it.

Also, the last two episodes desperately tried to make up for all the time they wasted at the beach resort. Palm's dad went to prison because Nueng's uncle framed him, and now Palm has no one left? No worries, Nueng simply buys his freedom, because apparently that's how justice works. Nueng has some scores to settle? No worries, he just grabs some bodyguards (not Palm though, because he left him behind in the middle of nowhere after DRUGGING him – and they say romance is dead²) and slow-walks up to his uncle and his bullies. Turns out his uncle isn't as easily intimidated as a bunch of high school bullies, so he retaliates with the most evil and original plan ever: Use Palm to pressure Nueng into signing the company over to him. In a truly hilarious scene, a lot of people get shot (sadly not Nueng) and then Chopper saves the day. Nueng could've apologized or thanked him at this point, but he doesn't. And why would he? The crown prince of main character syndrome country hasn't done anything wrong. Urgh.

Anyway, to wrap this overly long review up: Never Let Me Go is a convoluted mess and the lead characters aren't able to safe their sinking ship. So if anyone needs me, I’ll be over there, waiting for Dangerous Romance to hopefully give Perth and Chimon the spotlight they deserve.