City of Stars was totally off my radar for the longest time. As someone who's watched hundreds of BL series, I had never even heard of it, not even a whisper on social media. I only discovered it by chance while browsing someone's watchlist on MDL.
I'm a sucker for stories where character is an actor like Top Form, My Stand-In, and Reset but those were close to perfection. City of Stars follows a similar concept, but with a simpler and more realistic storyline. It's about an actor, Fueangnakorn, who falls for an ordinary but adorable guy named Krommattha, a developer for a social media app called Zendaya. They meet at the airport, randomly end up as neighbors, and somehow Krommattha becomes his temporary manager.
To be honest, the first few episodes (1 to 5) felt kind of flat. I even fast-forwarded through some parts. I was close to giving up, but I'm glad I didn't because it started picking up around episode 6. The story became more engaging, and the chemistry between the leads started to grow on me. They're both charming in their own ways, though it wasn't instant fireworks. The kisses and bed scenes, though? Some of the most passionate I've seen in a while
Acting-wise, they're decent. I appreciated the inclusion of a transgender woman character in this series. City of Stars is definitely on the softer, slower-paced side, not too fluffy, not too heavy. What I really liked was how the leads communicated with each other. No unnecessary drama, just honest, clear conversations. Plus, they're both green flags.
Of course, the classic conflict for this storyline is the issue of them having relationship with a celebrity similar to it's Lovely Writer, Thamepo, and Only Boo. But love always finds a way. And without spoiling too much, there's another twist that adds tension. I also appreciated how the show touched on the darker side of fame, especially the issue of obsessive fans.
All in all, it's not a groundbreaking series, but it's a decent watch if you're into something light, slow-burn, and a little different. This series is long but the ending felt rushed to me. If you're just looking to chill and pass some time, City of Stars might be worth checking out.
