The Boy Next World (Thai Series)

Aah! This series would have been so much better if it stayed true to the concept it introduces us about 'parallel worlds'. Instead, they take audiences for granted and fool us into thinking one thing and then very conveniently squashing the whole idea to make it yet another love story which then has absolutely nothing to offer. The parallel world concept is what would have made the show stronger. A good premise ends up being a mess. With 10 episodes plus one special episode each of 55-60 minutes long, it's not like it's a quick watch. You spend all this time only to feel cheated was not good.

Our characters are Cir and Phu. Cir meets with an accident and in hospital. When he wakes up, he is frantically looking for someone called Phu and shows up at his dorm. Phu has no idea who Cir is. But Cir seems to know a great deal about him. He says he is from a parallel universe where Phu and Cir are boyfriends and are together. Phu dismisses the whole idea and then Cir shares info about Phu that not many would know. I mean an unhealthy amount of information that would indeed indicate what other option would there be but to at least consider Cir is from a parallel universe. His room's lock password, mole on his body, his school memories etc. Phu eventually gives in and says, he will help Cir and see where this goes. Anyway, Cir starts pursuing Phu and eventually Phu stats to fall for him as well and before you know they are a couple. We also see Cir's family background, where he has some evil mother, who has a contract of sorts that Cir will obey everything she says once he has graduated. I did not understand that whole family thing because it just did not make sense to me. In between there is mandatory sudden fiancé who shows up from the mother's pressure, Cir again having an accident where he loses every memory of Phu but it then comes back. Towards the 10th episode, Phu finds out that Cir has been lying all along. He is not from parallel world. Instead, he has been in love with Phu since high school and has been very closely following him since in hopes for love (Stalker much!) Eventually they all talk in out. The special episode shows that there is indeed a possibility of a parallel world and they show a scenario where Phu is shy and has liked Cir always and how he pursues him through in the university. As it is mandatory, there is also a parallel love story of friends of Phu and Cir, which again did not excite me at all.

If you take out the whole idea of parallel universe, this show has absolutely noting new to offer. Its the age old story of one boy falling for other and how he curses him making the other one fall hard for them and then usual love stories, taking care, misunderstandings, sudden arrival of a girl who threatens to destroy the relationship, some evil family history etc. What this series shows us good were a few first time sex scenes between a couple who is just starting to get to know each other. The awkward first steps and what to do or not do was more realistic. We see them wanting to please the other with carnal pleasure which is what happens! However, the rest of this series was definitely not honest and real. It twisted and distorted what would have been a great premise. Taking the audience for granted utterly destroyed its credibility and the integrity of this story. I mean did Cir have some mental instability? Is it all because of the mental torture he got from his mother and he created some other world in his mind. Like a split personality of sorts? He does say that he almost died in that accident which is when he decides to strongly pursue Phu, but he could have done that before as well. What about his mental breakdowns? Why did he pretend to lose memory? No matter how much it was explained, I simply could not get a coherent picture of this series. I am also quite fed up of people not wanting to talk. Sit down like adults and talk through. When Phu finds out that Cir has been lying, he just doesn't give him an opportunity to explain himself. Although more than love, it feels like Cir was more of a glorified stalker here.

The lead actors do a good job and have. Decent chemistry but thats the bare minimum expectation here. Sadly most of their scenes are all filled with the usual cliché-driven setups we have seen before. Phu, a delicate boy who needs caring, who would almost melt every time it rains. The straight looking senior, gorgeous and handsome whom every girl wants and who somehow always have an umbrella ready. I mean.. come on!! . You get my drift !! (5/10)