BLISS RATING: ★★★★
“Everything in this world will pass away. In eternity, only Love will remain.” – Pope Benedict XVl
Simple, sentimental, but slow. This is sort of, kind of a continuation of SOTUS. This time, Arthit (Krist Perawat), is working full time. Kongpob (Singto Prachaya) has become the head hazer. Of course, his methodology for the freshmen understanding the rules of SOTUS is different and has been modernized to reflect the changing times and mindset of young people today. While fun to watch, this whole process is a bit perfunctory. One of the seniors, Nai (Nammon Krittanai) takes an interest in a transfer freshman, named Dai (Fiat Pattadon), who acts similarly to how Kongpob did as a freshman. He seems angry, aloof, very distant, and always questioning the need for such activities and exercising his right to not join in. Nai, who is soft spoken and genuinely caring is persistent in wanting to help Dai out.
What made this whole interlude likable is it never more than what is presented. Basic caring for another individual. There is obviously some sexual attraction with the two of them, but it never really bubbles to the surface or manifests itself more than in a glancing stare, smile or an occasional head on the shoulder. Is it romance or bromance? It is too bad that this relationship was not explored more as these two characters are quite likable. Sure, Dai is angry but as we find out it is more to do with the overwhelming burden of his life’s issues. Once those are identified, a more relaxed and agreeable person appears. These two make a fine couple and I would have liked to have seen more of their relationship. Both characters have great chemistry together, even if it is very subtle.
There was another somewhat superficial relationship development that occurred between an intern named Tew (Oaujun Korn) and the supervisor of the Production Department, named Yong (Guy Sivakorn). Again, this relationship remains sheathed, but it is developed so nicely and so casually that at times it is hardly noticeable. One can sense an attraction between the two that honestly never really develops but is underlying.
This again, like the other unsung relationship, is underplayed to the point that if there was extra time, more would have been developed. One can sense that they both wanted more from this casual connection as friends but are afraid to do so. So unfortunate as both characters are so likable, relatable, and had good chemistry and I wanted more. It is so unfortunate that there was not a greater development of their relationship. There was another fleeing and flickering relationship between two of Arthit’s coworkers. There is such good chemistry between them. Todd (Kun Kengkarnka) has a crush on Earth (Proud Oranicha). But the reality is that she only thinks of him like a brother. Painful to hear but an actuality that sometimes must be faced. Their relationship throughout this series seems to vacillate to perhaps, just perhaps, something more could develop in the future. Or not. Frankly, these were more interesting relationships to watch in this series, than the relationship between Arthit and Kongpob.
Who really S.T.O.L.E. the series? Krist and Singto are so much more into their roles than they were in SOTUS and their chemistry together is a joy to watch. Their timing and connection are a thing of beauty to watch. Even if the two characters have their difficult moments, you know somehow that these two will find a way to make it work. So there no issues with their acting skills which are so good as well as both being physically beautiful and stunning. Therefore, these two deserve this distinction as the story is about them.
But what bothered me the most about this series, is the lack of development, growth, or understanding of who they are either to each other or as a couple. Arthit remains throughout most of this series unable to truly express himself or his feelings for Kongpob. While a lot of it is normal bantering and teasing among lovers (using that term loosely), some of it is downright nasty and hurtful. It seems like a ton of bricks must fall on Arthit’s head for him to realize how much Kongpog is so deeply, deeply in love with him that he is. Kongpob’s love for Arthit is so deep it is palpable. In a sense, so is Arthit’s for Kongpob but he employs his usual sarcasms and quips to express it and only occasionally expresses his true feelings. But when he does, it is so genuine and sincere that it is believable. But this goes on and on and on in this series until the final 2 episodes where there are genuine true honest exchanges between the two that make this series what it should have been all along.
There is realization and awareness. It is so unfortunate that there is no real growth in understanding themselves until the end when it is nearly too late. Konpob is not without his faults as well. He seems at times utterly clueless as to how Arthit would react to certain situations. A prime example is when he gets accepted and starts as an intern in the same company that Arthit is working at. What!? And you did not think it would be important to tell your boyfriend this from the very beginning? He did this on at least two other major ways with the same response from Arthit. Arthit’s response to all of this is so understandable but Kongpob seems incredulous to it.
I could not, did not, and would not accept this if this had been a real relationship. I sort of maybe understand these behaviors on both parts IF they are so new into being a couple or new into their relationship. But they have been a couple for a long while now and have confessed to each other their love for one another. So, this weird behavior of scoffing to express yourself to your boyfriend and, on the other hand, not telling your boyfriend of major issues affecting him seems counter-intuitive at best and utterly stupid at worst.
Therefore, I did not feel these characters developed any great understanding of themselves until the end. So unfortunate because we could have seen at a much earlier stage a real sense of love for one another and a blossoming of a true relationship. It all seemed so superficial and never intense. There was some beautiful dialogue between them that we know and feel that they were capable of intense feelings, but it just did not blossom until the end. When Kongpob says to Arthit, “Thank you for allowing me to walk into your life”. Dear God, that was beautiful and so romantic and touching; yet they go back to their old ways of dealing with each other. When they finally are both able to intensely connect, Arthit, does a remarkable gesture that is stunning romantic and a beautiful overture. He takes his gear symbol and Kongpob’s gear symbol and creates two bracelets comprised of half of each. He then says to Kongpob, “These gears just don’t represent us each anymore. Our hears are now merged together in each of them”. How can you not be moved by that gesture and not cry? I sure was moved and cried. We know they had it in them to be intense and to bring out the beauty in their relationship. I wanted more of that.
This series simply left me empty and wanting more and just felt that there was such a missed opportunity to intensify their relationship and make it so beautiful. However, there was a saving lifeline. They did make a follow-up series called ‘OUR SKYY”. This is a stunningly beautiful one-hour addition occurring sometime after they have been a couple.
Kongpob is considering going away for two years for an internship to China. He does get accepted but through this major life change for them, they must realize what and how that could alter their relationship forever. Both must grow, accept it, and deal with it not in the way they have before but in new ways. They do (I had to give that one away). But what they did in that one-hour follow-up is what should have been done through this series. It was lovely, poignant, and made my cry as anyone who has had to face the reality of needing to give up someone you love, even if it is for a brief or short period of time, knows the pain and anguish that decision is about. THAT was well done. I did have such mixed feelings about this series. It was like a yo-yo experience for me.
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