Ron Does Stuff

It’s literally been two weeks since I started watching this show but I unfortunately have not been able to follow it up. A cursory look on YouTube shows that it’s already on its 10th episode, so I fear I will not be able to catch up in time. I’ll just have to watch it on my own pace then!

The previous episode saw Kongthap leaving Atom with a phallic symbol in his hand and him screaming his head off. As episode two starts, we find out pretty quickly that it will be the Cinderella stage play episode from the Japanese original. But it’s going to be a Thai version called Destirella and I’m curious if that references anything in particular in Thai culture.

I gotta say, the actors they got for the lovebirds are pretty good and carry a lot of the Japanese original’s DNA. In fact, I think the actors are doing pretty okay but I am just not vibing with the background music choices. It’s something that I didn’t vibe with in the first episode and I guess is going to be my consistent complaint with the show.

And there’s chemistry there between Atom and Kongthap when they talk about the props that Atom is working on. The endeared look on Kongthap’s face? Good job, Gemini! It’s just that freaking background music. Is there a way I can turn that down? Because it undercuts some great scenes! The music swelling during the trapped under the umbrella scene would have been great but it’s hard to appreciate it when there’s constant scoring happening throughout the show. SOME SCENES CAN BE SILENT.

I haven’t watched a lot of Lakorn or Thai BL, so I’m going to need some answers from regular consumers of it. Is the constant background music a thing? I don’t think it was this present during SOTUS and 2gether but maybe those two are the exception? Either way it really undermines the good work and chemistry of the two male leads. The music is so insistent on telling you the leads have chemistry when the audience can see it anyway. We’re not all dumb! When Kongthap rubs the paint of Atom’s face? Kilig!

Now I may be misremembering, but didn’t Atom’s character in the Japanese version of the show very quickly became Cinderella? Wonder why we’re taking a different route here but let’s see where it goes! Rather than playing the female lead, Atom is the servant of Konthap’s prince and Mudmee is playing the Cinderella role.

I do like that they’ve chosen to expand a little on this Cinderella bit, giving Atom a chance to talk about what he thinks falling for someone is like. AND THE SCENE WHERE THEY LOOK INTO EACH OTHER’S EYES AND ATOM ASKS IF KONGTHAP IS FEELING IT YET? MARVELOUSLY DONE! I was smiling the whole time!

AND THEN WHEN KONGTHAP ARRIVES ON THE DAY OF THE PLAY WEARING THE PRINCE OUTFIT AND ATOM IS EYEING HIM FROM HEAD TO TOE? I ABOUT SPLIT MY FACE IN HALF FROM SMILING. I think the chemistry between these two is so overwhelming I haven’t even been annoyed by the background music so far!

OKAY, so Atom isn’t going to be in drag but will be a male character in the play since Mudmee just can’t do the role. And you know what, I feel like this is the better decision than the one they did in the Japanese version. No pretending this is a lady this is MAN ON MAN action.

Of course, Atom takes to the role like a fish to water and I like that they turned it into a musical performance. The crowd of extras watching the performance could do a but better at looking amazed though. There was this one guy that was stone-faced throughout I kept spotting him.

And then we get a musical number again! I like Gemini’s voice more than Fourth’s. Which isn’t to say that Fourth isn’t good! Just a matter of preference!

I do have to question how they were able to quickly whip up a costume for Atom to wear as the glammed-up Cinderella. BUT I can suspend my disbelief for that because Gemini really sells that lovestruck look. And they’re singing again? I am very okay with this! It’s giving this show an identity that is very distinct from the Japanese one.

We also get that ridiculous tripping into the love interest’s arms trope THAT WE ALL LOVE and I am clapping like a seal as I watch it. AND THEN when Kongthap stands up for Atom? I mean I am barking.

The musical play is really the highlight of this episode so I can fully understand why the scene where Mudmee and Atom finally realize who they like are two different people is more of an afterthought. But that happens in this episode too!