BLISS RATING: ★★★★★
“Even if the sun and moon share the same sky, they can never cross paths.” – Quote from I’m The Most Beautiful Count
There is something seriously wrong with you if you do not find this series entertaining at the very least. I thoroughly enjoyed this silly series from the beginning to its end. It is cute, funny, enchanting, and so tongue-in-cheek. It is satirical and yet at times so sincerely poignant. And, to a surprising extent, shatters the stereotypical BL world in a f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s way! It introduces a no-holds-barred flamboyant, over-the-top, out and proud LGBTQIA+ character with an extra emphasis on the plus. A first that I can recall where the protagonist is truly not afraid, ashamed, or inhibited in what he wants to be. Or should I say, ‘she’ wants to be!
Prince (Nut Supanut) is a superstar in the entertainment industry and is brashly above being showy and glitzy. However, he collapses and is confronted with his ancestral self when he enters a dream world. His past self gives Prince a task to complete. Apparently, ages ago, he was Khun Woradet, a young nobleman from the Thongburi Kingdom. He fought in the resistance and wanted to see freedom for all people and for a state that would permit and allow gender equality in marriage. When he awakes, Prince finds himself back in those early times, trying now to understand and adjust. He has been tasked to complete the mission for the original Woradet so that he can return to his time.
Although Prince, now Woradet, finds himself somehow transited back in time, he might be recognized and thought of as Woradet, he certainly is not. Prince’s personality, rather obviously, has not changed and so he becomes this dynamic figure and character quickly. There are two bellwethers who have influenced the old Woradet and both happen to be in love with him – even now. One is Banjong (Pop Pataraphol) who the present Woradej (now Prince) finds attractive. The other is Kosol (Ping Orbnithi). From the past, Kosol has been in love with Woradet and despite the new Woradet’s personality change, still accepts him and wants him. It becomes a sorting-out process as to who will win Woradet’s heart. This then tends to be a love story for the ages. And indeed love, true love, wins out.
I found the development of the renewed relationship between Woradet and Kosol not only interesting but quite endearing, as unorthodox as it appears to be so. The writers did a good job of blending the old thinking with the new Woradet’s reasoning of how the world has changed and how individuals can indeed still be themselves. He teaches that love should be earned and accepted freely, not imposed by others.
Kosol has a brother who happens to be in line to become the future king. Chaiyachet (Aton Thanakorn) besides being so adorably handsome is a rather indescribable character. While just supportive in nature, I could not keep my eyes off him. I adored his optimism in life. His zest and zeal for wanting to be normal and a hunger for experiencing all that life has to offer. He genuinely loves life and is so willing to give up his position for the good of the country; not just because it is the right thing to do for the future of his country, but because he knows deep down, he is not suited to be king. He simply also wanted to stay friends and connect with his servant, Jade (Lee Asre). If there was a pure visual definition of a platonic relationship, their bond would stand the test of time. Both understand each other and more importantly need one another, despite the fact that one was ‘master’ and the other ‘servant’. Their friendship is a work of art and a thing of beauty to behold. These two indeed form a deep and lasting friendship that is just nice to discern. One of the best examples of a bromance I have ever seen. It is pure delectation. As a side note, do not read into this connection anything more than what is presented. There is no reason why a pure friendship cannot be explored in a BL besides some hidden or underlying undertones. Sometimes, it just is what it is.
Who really S.T.O.L.E. this series? Rarely do I distinguish a main lead for this acclaim but Nut Supanut as Woradet is truly extraordinary. However, he needs to share this will all the other cast members. While being the glue to making this production work cohesively, he did not do this in a vacuum. Nut brought a refreshingly different approach to being a protagonist. He did not miss a beat in terms of who Prince is and what Waradet was. Even if he understood he was in a different time, he would not change. Sure, I know the set-up is all make-believe, but Nut had to be feeling that if time travel was possible, Prince would be the kind of person who would change the ugliness of some of the things from the past. Why? Because he was unwilling to change who he was. Nut gave Prince this quality about him. He was secure, content, and most of all, happy with who he was. And Prince, now Waradet found someone who was willing to accept him for who he was, even if that person resided in the past. It showed that the character of Waradet (Prince) had integrity and morality and strength. Well done for showing us that a strong character can be shown as one of us! And that strong character traits are true to nature within us. Nut made both Prince and Waradet believable and genuine in a make-believe world.
Does this production have issues? Of course it does! The story itself is ridiculously corny and sanitized. The ending is so saccharine sweet one could die of diabetes. The villains were about as believable as the munchkins from the Wizard of Oz. And the fight scenes were laughable. Yet none of that mattered. I did not care. The whole series is just so funny and entertaining. And I laughed.
Why is it entertaining? Well, it has a crazy off-the-rails love triangle. One of the protagonists is so flamingly over-the-top that he redefines the whole genre and takes a BL into a new direction. It has a pet tiger called MooMoo. Who does not like pet tigers? There are poetic love sonnets between Woradet and Banjong that would melt the coldest of hearts. You have an ardent friendship between two of the unlikeliest individuals who would have gladly died for one another. You have an earnest brotherly love between Kosol and Chaiyachet that simply grows stronger as the series progresses. And you had a cause to fight for that was principled and noble – freedom, independence, and the right to marry who we want to marry. So, did I see issues with this series or story? Nope. I only saw whimsical entertainment (although there are some troubling scenes but only a few), creativity, with the whole production made for fun. For me, it gave me a chance to laugh in these troubled times.
I am sure there are some out there that will not like this series which means you have no heart since you missed the theme of freedom for everyone that is told in a funny, witty, comedic tongue-in-cheek style, which further means you also have no sense of humor. Too bad.
Do not skip this one. It is just pure fun! One of my favorites for this year. It made me laugh, genuinely, in a year where we do not have much to smile about.
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