Skip to main content

Journey With You (Chinese Series)

By Golu
I've always had kind of a love hate relationship with Chinese historical BLs. Some are genuinely excellent, but then there are others that cram in so much plot that keeping track of all the layers of betrayal and scheming gets exhausting, and I end up checking out mentally. Part of the issue is also just how much content is out there in this space, so something really has to stand out to keep me hooked. In this case, the production value is genuinely impressive, top tier stuff, but story wise, I just couldn't bring myself to actually care about these characters. There's a ton of political scheming and backstage manipulation running throughout. Somewhere in the middle of all that chaos, a hostage ends up falling for his own Prince Charming. The show runs eight episodes, each around 50 to 60 minutes long. After spending three years guarding the border, Fifth Prince Yin Qi gets called back to the capital because of a secret letter, only to end up walking straight into a deadly...
Post a Comment

The Ex-Morning (Thai Series)

By Golu
Just the other day I was thinking of SOTUS series and how I never saw the two lead actors from that show again! And it was funny when I started watching the show, to my surprise, here comes the two leads on this brand new BL series from the good old production company. The show never really offers anything new or ground breaking but I believe that the idea here was to bank on the nostalgia and appeal of one of the beloved couples from back in the day. The average show, makes up for it by a very fun last episodes where they show some traditions from Thai culture of a very dreamy wedding. The show is 10 episodes of 45 minutes each.

Phi is a well-known weather anchor on a TV show. However, he faces public disgrace after a live broadcast where he throws coffee at a colleague. His reputation suffers, and he gets suspended from his show. To save his career, Phi must work with a new producer, who happens to be his ex-boyfriend, Tam. Tam is calm and professional, having studied media abroad. Their reunion is awkward and filled with unresolved feelings. Through numerous flashbacks we see Phi and Tam’s college life, their journalism journey, and how they came to be a couple. Eventually they both figure out that they have unique working styles. For some reason, Tam randomly calls off the relationship (we are later told that this was for Phi's professional growth). Anyway, after some disagreements, they both agree to work with each other. In comes, boss's sister and his ex-girlfriend to help these two to come up with an idea for a new show. They both again disagree but finally the boss helps them come to a happy medium. Since all sponsors had backed off after Phi's reputation suffers, enter a new sponsor Paul. Paul is someone on whom Phi used to have a huge crush in college. This makes Tam a bot insecure, but eventually the two continue to flirt and keep their distance at the same time, trying to figure out if they both can get back together. Sparks soon fly and they both give into temptation becoming a couple. In episode 9 an unnecessary drama happens where they uncover Paul's secret of being involved in shady business which leads to Phi winning the best journalist award. But the show ends with a happy wedding which also shows us some beautiful Thai customs.

At its heart, ‘The Ex-Morning’ is all about second chances, both in the professional and private lives of its lead characters. Sadly the show treats media employees as pop idols dressed in jackets and girls screaming for their names. Oh well! I get it. Its fantasy. The film solely relies on the couple's charm, chemistry and nostalgia. Phi exudes the sassy, egoistic charm of a popular, snobby TV news anchor, and his onscreen chemistry with Tam is cute in the romantic scenes. Tam seems more at ease in the college flashbacks and doesn’t carry Tam’s personality with the kind of confidence the older, working professional version demands. Their natural aura and charm create a dynamic that makes them not only a stunning pair but also a joy to watch together. Their banter was genuinely cute and effortless. It didn't feel forced or cringe. Honestly the show is just straight forward and I like the old style which was just fun on romance and two ex lovers getting back together, given the circumstances. t’s actually one of those light-hearted shows that’s easy to binge, low on angst, high on cute moments and has good chemistry. The emotional depth and big dramatic wreckage weren’t really there for me, so if you are looking for something very intense, you might feel a bit underwhelmed. But it definitely has its own charm. (7/10)
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Tuxedo (Thai Series)

By Golu
When I saw this series with 8 episodes of about 20-25 minutes each, I thought, good: Finally someone has come to senses and made a show which is not stretched out and they have tried to squeeze in a decent storyline in a good small episode format. But unfortunately, despite a decent premise on hand, the clunky writing, bad screenplay and an extreme tasteless portrayal of mental illness makes this show, not a fun watch. By the time it finishes, you just want to laugh off at the entire absurdity of it all. Aioun is talented tuxedo designer and very much in demand but he has handful of clients and he builds suits only for people who he feels a connection to. One night when his younger brother is about to get mugged, he is helped by a total stranger named Sichol. Since he tears his suit in the fight and has an interview the next day, Aioun gifts him a suit form his design as an expression of thanks. Sichol's interview is for. Personal assistant of a man named Nawee, a wealthy heir to h...
25 comments
Read more

Heartstopper: Season 2 (Web Series) (UK)

By Golu
Heartstopper Season 1 was a universal hit. You could not have read one bad review or heard from anyone who has seen the show not liking it. It was the kind of series that is easy to love, with sweetness exploding out of every scene without overwhelming you. So naturally, when Netflix greenly Season 2, expectations were naturally high and the same happened with me. I didn't know what to expect, but I had high expectations of this very very sweet teenage love story. And with eagerness and being a little late to the game by a few days, here I am, pouring my t thoughts down having just finished one of the most anticipated shows of the year. The second season also has 10 episodes and has all of our loved ones from the original season. The show continues from where it had left off in Season 1. Charlie and Nick are a couple and only their very close circle of friends know about it. This includes Charlie's best friend Tao and his trans best friend Elle. The center of the show is still ...
19 comments
Read more

Gaya Sa Pelikula (Filipino Series) [Like In The Movies]

By Golu
Pinoy BL series seem to be catching up to the popularity of the Thai shows. And I must say that they are doing a pretty good job at it. Where Thai series started to get repetitive with so many shows based in a college setting with seemingly similar storylines, Pinoy series are offering the viewers with new and interesting stories and some really good sets and surroundings. This series was 8 episodes of about 25-20 minutes each. Karl, a 19-year old introvert architecture student is in the middle of an identity crisis. Prior to the start of the second semester in college and forced by his parents, he moves into his uncle's condominium unit so that he can learn to be financially independent. Karl takes on odd jobs online to do so. But when one of his major clients suddenly goes MIA, he is left short on funds and without a means to pay for his utilities. An opportunity presents itself when his cocky neighbor Vlad has to hide from his family and proposes to share Karl's space for th...
23 comments
Read more