Vice Versa

I'm already used to product placement in GMMTV series but this time they exaggerate it. Let's talk about the series, after brushing our teeth with dent toothpaste. The couple was cute, eating KFC in both universes. With the inhaler stick and nivea anti akne the plot idea was quite interesting. Lets drink a 0% sugar ice tea and look at the nice sixpack of Jimmy. The problem of the series, that is as tasty as the two new Lays flavors, is, that if you would cancel all advertisement, it had only 5 episodes, which would be as creamy as the cake snack. But so there are episodes, where they forget the story line by just making an overkill of advertisement. The guys are cute, the story idea quite cool, but I recommend to make a drinking game of it. If you drink every time a shot, if you find a product placement, you will be very drunk after two episodes and will enjoy even more the series. So GMMTV, please don't do this to your characters, it makes a good idea to a big. Sometimes rather awkward commercial.

The plot of Vice Versa is very fresh. It is a new plot to the bl industry. You may find soul switching boring but here, they do not only switch souls, also travel to the other universe. Parallel universe aside, the story is so beautiful. Believe me. I am so picky with any series or drama. But Vice Versa got me. I have read the novel too. Don't tell any bad about vice versa if you haven't watched a second of it. Just give it a try.

I am a bit conflicted as to how to rate this series. Don't get me wrong, I know exactly what I liked and didn't like, how much stars I want to give it, it's just it's so charming, it might let me stray away from my path. I will try to stay on it.

I really liked the initial idea and what they did with it. At times, it could be cheesy, but overall, I am content with the result. There were surprises and twists and turns, funny and heartwarming moments and most important of all, there was romance.

My problem is that the main couple has zero chemistry. They are both lovely, they do their best with the material given to them, but Jimmy (Tan/Puen) is just not a good actor. He is mediocre at best. He is okay in supporting roles, but I don't think he can carry a whole movie/series. The worst was watching him in kissing scenes, those were awful. His partner, on the other hand, Sea (Tess/Talay) is absolutely lovely and a decent actor. He carried most of the movie on his back and ties everything together. I kinda felt bad for him that he had to act with the acting partner given to him (and even more so, kiss him).

What totally bugged me was the blatant product placement in this series. Usually, I don't mind product placement, but did they have to shove it in our faces every five minutes? Yes, we get it, this drink has zero percent sugar, no need to repeat it three times.

But, like I said, I liked the idea very much, I liked the script very much and I am simply in love with the acting of the supporting cast, especially the two guys playing Aou and Up, but actually, they were all wonderful and a delight to watch. What I also absolutely loved was seeing Ohm and Nanon from Bad Buddy again. They didn't have much screentime, but they made the most of it, especially Nanon.

My recommendation would be: If you can turn a blind eye on the main couple's lack of chemistry and Jimmy's acting, you might actually enjoy this one. I definitely think it is worth a watch. Thus, I give it a solid 6/10.

If there was an award for plagiarizing dialogues and scenes in Thailand it could be awarded to this series. The sheer number of people that appear on screen to just show their support towards the newly launched CP is distracting. Attempting a plot based on a book, that talks of two people falling in love in the alternate universe but carry back their feelings, is commendable yet the execution is terrible. The Art, Properties, Styling and Make up, Editing and Mixing team did well but their efforts went in vain due to bad scriptwriting. The camera person should understand that Jimmy, Pepper, Boom, Neo and Aou (character artists) are amateur, lacking the technique to act with their expression thus panning a frame over to their façade for a whole while doesn't emote anything. The viewers may misunderstand that the recording is stuck up. N' Sea, keng maak... (finger hearts)

Lastly I would want to rant about the exploitation of established fame of Nanon and Ohm in this series. In an interview, P'X, mentioned great significance of the characters in the alternate universe. I hope he compensates them according to the amount of unfair utilization of their name to promote this drama. Their faces were everywhere, poster to the prologues of successive episodes. But where is their story? The director even used a personal picture of OhmNon photographed by P'Aoff on the sets of My Precious, directorial of P'Fon. I wonder if there was anything original.

Sea, you are a natural actor. Well done for your debut drama. I shall look forward for your works.

As I've read the novel, when I watched the series I am quite overwhelmed how they've managed to tackle the 5 chapters in just one episode but despite that they've elaborate the plot well for episode 1. Still don't get it why others find it hard to understand the plot when they've already told everything in the mock trailer and episode 1. So far, I liked the happenings in the series. I love how they added and changed some scenes from the novel that I think turns out better. It also quite exciting for me because even though I've read the novel, I am still confused what is go to happened next. I also loved how they applied the colors/palette to the series (A LITTLE SPOILER 👀, it has a part to the plot so pay attention to the palettes). Overall, the series is so good and I am looking forward what will happen in the following episodes.