some people run on caffeine. i'm currently fueled by Thai OSTs and it's like my brain is on shuffle for random snippets from three different Khaotung tracks and the OST from The Shipper.
The Shipper (GMMTV on their youtube) is really rather brilliant both in message and how they pulled it off.
Goofy, intelligent, silly, relevant, over the top, ridiculous, shocking, surprising, and heartwarming.
And the acting. Pitch perfect.
in things no one here will understand: watching The Shipper (put off bcs plot but omg so funny so far) and see the name Piploy in the comments. what? how? HAS to be a different Piploy. nope. in between haughty above it all Laila and spoiled bratty pop diva Jaya & confused vengeful Namsine, Piploy was adorable naive little Soda.
don't give me this shit that Thai actors are less. this is the 3rd Thai actress I've not recognised because she's so different in her roles.
For those of you who are willing to give some time to #ThaiDrama, 55:15 Never Too Late is exceptionally well done, which makes a few questionable decisions in the writing sting harder but overall it is excellent.
Nanon absolutely smashes his character. Best roles for women I've seen in Thai series, especially a meaty one for View. Prigkhing & Khaotung as niece and uncle are priceless.
Eps 2-6 are the best IMO, when they're setting up the characters' stories.
End of the Year Drama Challenge 2023
I'm gonna try to make this a thread. Yay for the ability to edit posts, I suppose? I'll also link in the post(s?) that isn't (aren't?) in order.
Day 2 (Delayed):
Favourite actress discovered in 2023
I've mentioned her before, but Aya Orapan Phongmaykin. She's a face genius. By that I mean, she's just really good at animating her face. It allows her to breathe life to Yiwa, a character that both feels real, and strategically deploys larger than life mannerisms.
I love her portrayal of Yiwa. She's one of my favorite parts of the show.
I think the usual suspects for beautiful dramas -- for good reason -- are period dramas with sweeping views, and elegant costuming.
Which is why it might, on the surface, be surprising for me to pick #Enigma, given the modern setting, and the often enclosed, sometimes claustrophobic sets.
I think the beginning and end of the first episode should clear up why I chose it. It's gorgeous, in a horror way. And I love that.
#EYDC2023
Day 15: A trope you loved seeing in 2023
“The person who they thought was their love rival is now their love interest.” Especially when somewhere in there, said “rival” agrees to help the character woo their initial crush.
Honestly, I was having so much trouble with this one initially— then having 2 to 3 candidates, and having trouble choosing. But I think I’ve got this sorted now.
First off #PrimChanikarn Tangkabodee for her role as Fa in #Eclipse. Fa as a character has a lot of range to me. From adventurous, to terrified, to smugly ahead of the game, the role really gave Prim the opportunity to shine, and she did.
🤯 😱 Thun's really great accepting mother Kwan (He's Coming to Me) is the same actress as the mean intimidating teacher Waree in The Eclipse AND the terrifying ghost in Nang Nak.
i know it's acting but my brain can't quite take this in 😂
the first 5 episodes of The Eclipse are better than i remembered. or maybe realised is more accurate, knowing the plot already leaves more space for catching small details.
the urge to ration it because it is so full is currently at odds with the urge to keep going to stay with those characters.
End of the Year Drama Challenge
Day 2: Favourite actress discovered in 2023 (this is how noob I am 😂): Zhao Lusi, because she rocks a screwball comedy (Romance of Tiger and Rose); Park Eun Bin (Do You Like Brahms? but then she turns around and pulls off Extraordinary Attorney Woo); Ployphach Phatchatorn (Bam in Midnight Museum, Teacher Sani in The Eclipse); Prigkhing Suriyaret (55:15, Yiwha in Engima, Blacklist)
Day 3: Favourite actor discovered in 2023: First Kanaphan (Not Me, The Eclipse, Moonlight Chicken, Only Friends, Blacklist);
Ohm Pawat (He's Coming to Me, Bad Buddy, Blacklist)
Day 11: A drama that kept you riveted: The Eclipse. I don't binge. I watched 12 episodes in 24 hours because those boys were so vulnerable and needed to be safe.
4 eps one evening, woke up next morning and watched 4 more, but wore myself out so had to wait to finish.
Enigma, although that was 4 eps in 5 hours so a bit more relaxed ;)
Not Me was more my usual, riveted but also found it so rich and satisfying I slowed right down.
Li Ming and Wen. Another from Moonlight Chicken, because it is all about the relationships between the friends
Li Ming is 18 yo and constantly at odds with his uncle who is raising him alone. Wen has become close friends with the uncle but also makes a strong friendship with Li Ming separately. He helps Li Ming and Jim understand each other whilst respecting Li Ming's privacy. Great example of how to do this right.
Day 14: A production crew member who caught your attention
Everyone behind the scenes for Enigma. They did so much with lighting, acting and some simple props whose significance had been skillfully set up earlier in the story telling.
Editing was excellent of course, to make it all work.
Bias against it, because it's set in a girls' high school, because it's Thai, because whatever, means you lot missed out on a gem.
Day 20: A drama that made you cry (part 2)
Moonlight Chicken helps me grieve, with story lines which speak to parts of my pain and characters supporting each other, and in a sustainable way instead of the usual 3 minutes before chronic fatigue shuts it down. It's why that series is so special to me.
He's Coming to Me had me so completely wrapped up in the story I went right along with Thun and P'Med.
Both directed by P'Aof. #ThaiDrama#ThaiBL