180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us

This isn't a BL story. Well it is and it isn't at the same time. It belongs to a particular genre (which I personally love), in which a few people (usually couples or families) spend some time together in a rather secluded place and all the skeletons in the closet each and everyone hides come out. Usually after that the lives of all participants are irrevocably affected. As is typical for those stories the acting is rather theatrical and the emotional changes which the characters undergo after each revelation or after facing known but untold truths lead to breakdowns, reevaluation of their lives and coming to terms (to the extent possible) with their respective pasts.

Here we have a successful mother (acclaimed soap opera director), her son turning 20 and the best friend of the father, who passed away in a tragic accident. No romance, no kitties, no flowers or rainbows, just brutal truths that hurt and thus everyone tries to avoid. But not everyone can. The ending is not happy (at least not in the usual sense), but rather demonstrates that life goes on, no matter what.

The performance of the mother is excellent, of the father's friend quite good. That of the son is simply stellar! The quarrels at the end (after the elephant is released) are breathtaking and captivating. And they do not revolve around love as much as around life and how it's supposed to be lived. Love is just the ignition of everything .

Interesting detail: none of the actors are actually BL actors.

This is a gem that you should definitely watch. However, do not expect a romantic comedy. It's neither romantic nor funny, but brutally blunt. Thus, make sure you watch it while in a good mood and able to handle distress.

This is not a traditional BL, though the main actor is known as a BL actor. This is an artfully told, highly emotional, incredibly introspective story about complex humans and relationships. The acting was flawless. You could feel the emotion that went with the script. All the symbolism was connected and not overdone or far fetched. I found the characters to be very relatable given their backstory, and could empathize with all of them.

The other reviews are more verbose and descriptive, but I will tell you to bring your tissues, and make sure you are emotionally ready for an emotional journey you won't forget.

I had never heard of 180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us until someone recommended it on MyDramaList. Usually, I discover BL series through YouTube or TikTok, but this one never popped up, almost as if no one's talking about it. That surprised me, because this series is seriously underrated.

180 Degree isn't your typical fluffy romance. It's not a show you can casually watch; it demands your attention and invites analysis. Despite the emotional heaviness at times, I genuinely enjoyed the first to fourth episodes.

Even though the character Wang is quite young, the show feels more mature than most BL dramas I've seen. It leans heavily on unspoken emotions and lingering glances rather than overt dialogue, yet it still manages to keep you engaged. There were moments, especially during some of the extended conversations where I felt bored.

One thing that stood out to me was how often Wang's father is referenced, yet his face is never shown. I think the story would've been stronger with a few flashbacks or at least a short scene involving him and In. Just seeing him in photos didn't feel like enough given how central he is to the plot.

The pacing is slow, and the themes are heavy. It's not purely a BL series, it dives deep into grief, loss, alcoholism, forbidden love, self-discovery, homophobia, acceptance, and forgiveness. One aspect I really appreciated was Wang's relationship with his mother. They argue at times, but their bond is strong and endearing, more like close friends than just parent and child.

Pond, who plays Wang, was a revelation. I was shocked to realize he was also in Century of Love, he was so compelling here that I barely recognized him. The actors playing his mom and In were also excellent in their roles.

Visually, the series is stunning. The cinematography is gorgeous, and the grayish color grading fits the mood perfectly.

Unfortunately, I ended up dropping the series around episode five. The pacing felt too slow for me, the conversations dragged on, and it became repetitive, especially with the ongoing focus on Wang's father. Even after In had shared so much about him, the topic kept circling back.

Still, I think 180 Degree is an emotionally rich and mature BL series with a unique storytelling approach. If you enjoy slow-burn dramas that make you think, it's definitely worth checking out, even if it didn't quite work for me in the end.

This is truly an amazing series.

It looks gorgeous but the looks also have a purpose the lines (grades/latitudes in Geography are, after all, lines separating and uniting humans, it's in the title, it's mentioned through the script and it's also all over the photography), the colors, the house interior, where the house is... Fantastic.

And then there is the script itself...

The series can be read on multiple levels, you can just follow the personal dramas as they are told, you can focus on the diversity aspect or you can do a whole lecture on generations. All of them, for me, are valid interpretations. But the most just towards the script is probably to take in all its layers.

Wang, the main character, is probably the most "fantastic" character of the 3, he's quite realistic, but he also represents unlimited possibilities of a maybe better future so he's also the most idealistic of the 3. While Mol and In are hardcore reality.

I can't say much about Inthawut, because I didn't get to meet one IRL. But I did grew up as the child of a Mol, and I can say she's extremely well written and absolutely consistent. It was entertaining (but also true to reality) to see how other viewers perception of her changed through the episodes. From initially seeing her as a cool Mom until the last seconds where they got one last realisation of how truly nightmarish she is in that last scene.

All in all... If you come across this series... This is, IMHO, a must watch. But... It's probably not for everyone. If you are not sucked in by the 2nd episode, if you feel uninterested and bored... Then just drop it, it's probably just not the type of story you'll enjoy and there is no point in torturing yourself. But if you fall in love with it... keep going, it won't disappoint. But maybe don't binge it, leave space between episodes to digest them.