BLISS RATING: ★★★★
“Every parent knows what what their kids are; they choose whether to talk about it or not.” – Quote from Dark Blue Kiss
This is a BL series mainly, but not exclusively, centering around Pete (Tay Tawan) and Kao (New Thitipoom). They have a relationship already but through a series of misunderstandings, it is tested, strained, and cracks but does not break completely. Summarily, this story is filled with angst, emotional pain, and exigency. There is a sincerity about their relationship and the acting is appealingly performed.
But, at least for me, I did not feel an intensity to their relationship. I felt just a bit flat for me. New has this face where he is able to express such pain that it can affect you. Tay is more laid back and reserved but is able to display his possessiveness with true emotions and at a very deep level. Their acting is all very good but for me, their scenes together never quite rose to the level I was hoping for.
What this series did tackle well, however, was the incredible support that they received from their parents. Kao’s mother discerned her son’s gayness but waits for him to acknowledge it. She is the type of mother that so many of us wish we had growing up. She ‘knew’ and is willing to accept it.
Pete’s dad is a pillar of acceptance as well. He knows and accepts with full embracement his son’s gayness. I applaud the writers for taking this path, as it allowed people to see that not every parent is always irrational with their child’s sexual preference. Pete’s dad is a hero in my book. Strong, accepting, but quiet and graceful. A dad for all dads to emulate. Well done! (And well-acted too!)
There are two other couples throughout this series. The second relationship is between Sun (Pod Supakorn) and Mork (Fluke Gawin). Sun in the beginning distrusts Mork as he thinks he is leading his brother down a negative path. What makes this so unique is that these two represents the ‘older’ guys (and I use that loosely). So, a lot of the awkwardness of youth does not come into play here. The series did do a nice job of developing this relationship. There are some stunning scenes when they go looking for coffee beans (you will know it).
But, yet again for me, there is just something missing here. I understand that Mork is a macho man, and he wears it like a badge of honor. Playing hard to get or pretend anger if Sun comes on too strong, wears thin as a plot theme. I totally get it in the beginning, but if you are literally living with someone and everybody knows about your relationship, it seems about time to accept your status as ‘boyfriends’.
What bothered me about their relationship is the playing ‘hard to get’ attitude. If someone were playing with my emotions all the time, even in a jovial manner, I think I would eventually explode. It is not funny and cute after a while. Either accept it or move on. I do wish that had been explored a little more. Perhaps there are cultural nuances here at work that I am not aware of but nonetheless, overall, I do think this type of behavior is hurtful and could lead to someone not fully understanding what the other’s intentions really are. I think we would all feel hurt if we think someone might be playing with our emotions and perhaps not being sincere especially when we are thinking that we are.
There is a third relationship that is explored in this series that is cute and charming and worth mentioning. It is between Sun’s brother Rain (Pluem Pongpisal), and his girlfriend Manow (Ploypach Patchatorn). I really liked these two. They brought a certain innocence into the series and a niceness to their roles. Rain is an incredibly accepting brother and this role for me is an integral part of the series. Well-acted!
Who really S.T.O.L.E. the series? The acting in this series overall is very good. But there are two individuals who put their heart-and-soul into their roles which intensifies their personas. Pete’s dad, played by Plai Noiam is a hero in my book. Strong, accepting, but quiet and graceful. A dad for all dads to emulate. Well done and portrayed with complete conviction. Another equal shout-out needs to go to Yangi Singkharawat, who played Kao’s mother. A serene portrayal of a mother who knows but is willing to wait until her son is able to tell her. Throughout her performance all you saw was compete acceptance of her son.
This is just a very charming series that pulls it off in the end. While it does not quite get to an intense level for me, I liked it a lot. It is worth watching if nothing more than for the scenes with their individual parents. I am not sure what or how the title fits into the story, however. It has always mystified me as to why the title is named what it is. But this series presents for its time a good reflection of the trials and tribulations of what it is like to be in a functioning relationship and trying to make to work without any real tangible outward ties to bind a couple together – except their love for one another.
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