Daidaeng

This series has to be reviewed in the context of the BL genre, specifically those made in Thailand. So, compared to other Thai series, this one stands out from the rest by a mile. And it's as good as anything you'll ever see from Korea, Japan, or China. The high concept and great production values put this series almost in a category of its own.

This plot is actually kind of ingenious and the way it's told through the editing of two separate but connected stories is absolutely first rate. The actors are all well suited to their roles, and are skilled performers. The two leads do an exceptionally good job. I don't recall ever seeing actors produce tears on cue as often and as convincingly as is done here.

Be warned... although the ending is satisfying, as they used to say of the 1940s movie genre called Women's Weepies, this is a five handkerchief series. If you are not moved to tears episode after episode, well, you're a better man than I, Gunga Din.

For lovers of the BL genre, this is unquestionably one of the best out there. For those unfamiliar with the genre, have patience, and stick with it. There is payoff after payoff as the plot unfolds. And, it has one of the sweetest, most satisfying, and longest first kiss sequences I've seen. You know, we wait and wait for these kiss scenes, so it doesn't take much to satisfy us. We have learned to take what we can get. Here we get one that is really, really worth waiting for!