Thread by @raikantopinisms

How #TharnType The Series and #MewGulf raised the standards of BL dramas higher and changed the game forever: 

AN ANALYSIS THREAD —

Disclaimer: This thread is not meant to bring down other BL series. The BL industry is thriving and we should support as much as we can. This thread is only created to CELEBRATE and APPRECIATE TharnType's excellence. I invite you to do the same with your favorite BL series. 💕

This is not about TTTS being the first or being the best. Comparison by competition is an unhealthy approach that will never benefit this industry. Rather, this analysis is about why TTTS is DIFFERENT and why it actually WORKED — and what it contributed to the world of BL series.

BL dramas, like any other genre of dramas or media contents, usually rely on one strength; either they have stellar actors or excellent writing or outstanding direction. TharnType is an anomaly because it's the RARE TRIFECTA 🔥. MewGulf + P'Mame + P'TeeSinta are a killer team.

You could say: "But I also know other dramas that have all three!" And that's great! Abundance of awesome BL content always means good news for this budding industry. ♥️

Hyping TTTS is not equivalent to putting other dramas down or invalidating other series' achievements.

This analysis is written to analyze what makes TTTS special and to dissect how all these three factors converge in such a way that makes everything NECESSARY for its entirety; where writing, directing and acting all massively contributed in its completeness and overall success.

Between Writing, Directing and Acting, the one most frequently debated is the WRITING aspect of TTTS, and it's understandable why there are mixed feelings about some plot elements. When was the last time a series has sparked that much commotion?

Episode 1 was THAT effective.

It is one thing to get BL fans gushing and swooning over how cute a series is. But to have the BL community TALKING AND DEBATING PASSIONATELY about the skewed morality of the character traits and actions from the beginning? AN UNDERRATED TRIUMPH we haven't fully appreciated.

Not every BL drama starts on a sweet, meet-cute where they either flirt irrationally on first sight or bicker adorably over childish schoolyard fights.

TTTS opened its world with the introduction of two people divided by this huge, seemingly impossible wall of gender prejudice.

The thing is, most people perceived it as if the writer was condoning non-consent and dismissed it as nothing more than that.

There's a reason THAT happened on Episode 1. Because it wants to assure you that it's NOT THE END OF IT. It's an invitation to broaden your horizons.

The story effectively establishes this loud and clear: It is not just here to merely show you what you WANT to see. It will show you what you NEED to see. This is what's real and relevant in our generation and guess what? IT'S NOT GONNA SUGARCOAT ITSELF FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE.

If you've watched TTTS as a WHOLE, you would know the intention of this story is to present love in its raw, honest form. To show us that love is not always pretty; that often, relationships really start on the ugliest of misunderstandings, that no one is ever perfect—

— that we sometimes do mistakes we'll regret for the rest of our lives.

Their wrongdoings and past traumas weren't shown to defend their actions or to convince you that they're correct; it just wants you to see that we are all suffering, but our pain are not always the same.

Its objective is not to elicit sympathy or pity; on the contrary it proves to us that we as humans are so much more than our wounds. That our personalities should never be defined by pain or suffering. That we are creatures of love, that we are designed to cherish each other.

You can accuse a series of romanticizing abuse if it is merely used as an excuse or a cheap tactic to please the fans with steamy love scenes. TTTS has never treated abuse as glorified fanservice. It was INTEGRAL AND IMPORTANT to the story it was telling.

I love that scene in Episode 4 so much because 99% of haters try so hard to pretend that scene didn't happen at all. Why? Because it singlehandedly shown:

√ Fantastic Character Growth
√ Astonishing maturity and ownership of mistakes
√ Very rational and dignified resolution

On top of being levelheaded and calm, it even managed to sound light hearted because it even inserted a bonus meta joke poking fun at how their setup sounds like something out of a BL novel plot. 😂

The writing is very self-assured and also very self-aware.

Haters: "the author is obviously ROMANTICIZING ABUSE! She just wants sex scenes!!! this is so inconsiderate of lbtq people!!!"

Actual member of the LGBTQ community, affirming how realistic the shower sex scene was and how grateful he was because it reminds him of his own story:

Some haters say that sexual abuse is not art and therefore shouldn't have been shown in TTTS.

Do we realize how ENTITLED that sounds? Do these people realize how SELFISH it is that they reject representation of realism in BL dramas and just wants the cute fluffy light stuff?

Before you yell at me, listen: I am not saying cute BL dramas are wrong.

Cute, lighthearted BL Dramas are VALID.

The point is, TTTS proved that a BL drama can BOTH be cute and realistic without compromising substance. It can be funny and gutwrenching. BL Dramas can be MORE. 💯

If you hate on TTTS because of its serious themes and you just want BL stories to be shallow and fluffy to fulfill your escapism fantasy fetishes, and if you want BL couples to be sweet all the time with zero conflicts, please i beg you, just go and watch Teletubbies.

Because honey, SELECTIVE adoration is a scary thing. Only wanting the cute, pastel-colored fluffy things is nothing but blind worship. IT'S AS IF YOU JUST WANT GAY PEOPLE TO ENTERTAIN YOU, and then you have the audacity to refuse to honor their struggles and their sufferings???

Haters: "TTTS is so dark and heavy!! just give us the cute domestic stuff!!!"

Actual member of the LGBTQ community who has reacted to a lot of cute BL series, appreciating the realistic themes of TTTS when it shed light to the pain of sexual abuse:

"BEST SCENE OF THE YEAR."

Sure, the plot may not be the most groundbreaking story in terms of narrative, but the biggest strength of the writing aspect can be attributed to the way the complexity of the characters were designed.

Isn't it so perfect that the series was named after its two protagonists?

Let's admit it: BL Series creators (and all of us, too) love SUPERLATIVE characters— the most popular hearththrob, the smartest genius, the sexy playboy, the richest kid, the most talented guy in insert-club-here, the head hazer, the campus Moon, the voted cutest freshman etc.

And it's totally fine! It's my guilty pleasure too. It's inexplicable, but it seems like the more popular the characters are, the juicier the plot becomes because their status elevates the scenarios a notch more interesting.

And then comes TTTS— full of everyday, normal people.

TTTS is refreshing because even though it introduced Type as a Soccer Varsity Player and Tharn as a Drummer, it chose to focus on their identities based on what they love and hate.

Type hates gays. Tharn loves men. As simple and straightforward as that.

As the story progresses, we see layers and dimensions of their personalities being revealed through their interactions. We understand them, root for them, get annoyed and angry with them, fall in love with them, cause somehow, they look, sound and act exactly just like all of us.

For the longest time, watching BL series always felt to me like staring at billboards or magazines. Like I'm just admiring love stories of high profile stars. But watching Tharn and Type fall in love is like looking at the mirror. So shockingly familiar, and painfully intimate.

Watching them felt like eavesdropping on a conversation between my dearest friends. There are moments when the thrill of it almost feels voyeuristic cause it feels like I'm intruding on their privacy. Every scene, every dialogue is so precious, leaving us curious and excited.

And you know why? Because somewhere along the line we have also seen their quirks and what makes them distinct and memorable and real, and somehow they feel so authentic and alive. WE CARE. WE BELIEVE. We feel every quarrel, every sulk, every reconciliation, every makeup kiss.

I love how Type's character represents GROWTH and how Tharn represents CONSISTENCY. This series shows us that life often makes us go through bad things. But Type is proof that we can CHOOSE to EVOLVE to something good. And Tharn is evidence that we can REMAIN good till the end.

The Writing on TTTS is not perfect for sure, but it is still the soul of the series. No matter how brilliant the direction is or even no matter how phenomenal the acting of the characters were, if the story sucked, it will still be nothing more than a mediocre forgettable mess.

Say what you will about its many weaknesses, but for what it's worth, TTTS is a bold, radical tale of how love will always always triumph over hate. It is refreshing, fearless and necessary. There is a reason why a lot of us keep coming back to this show time and time again.

Cesar Cruz, a Mexican Poet Activist said this in 1997: Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable. TharnType the series has managed to become that: to be shocking, controversial, uplifting and empowering, hilarious and heartbreaking and so, so fun ALL AT ONCE.

TharnType is so much more than a love story; It is, I believe, first and foremost, a story of hope.

It tells of how imperfect and fragile we are as humans but also of how we are capable of growth and change, understanding, and even more amazingly, of forgiveness. ♡

Now that we've appreciated the depth and substance of the writing, it's time for us to gush about the brilliant way this series was directed.

Oh god. @teesinta really took this material and crafted such a delightful, remarkable vision on how to navigate the heart of this tale.

I love SO MANY things about the direction of TharnType that I literally don't know where to start.

But I guess we begin with its most obvious, most remarkable accomplishment: SOME OF THE MOST ELECTRIFYING, MOST COMPELLING KISSES IN THE HISTORY OF BL SERIES.

hot damn.

Fact: The BL industry thrives on kisses/ love scenes. Arguably, we can even say it's the heartbeat of BL dramas, because it's usually the peak or highlight of the couple's relationship arc and usually becomes the barometer of the actors' compatibility and professionalism.

So how did TharnType manage to break through an industry so congested with a gazillion sex scenes and set themselves apart in a sea of torrid kisses and wild skinship?

What makes their intimate scenes so special and meaningful and ADDICTIVE AF that you can't stop replaying it?

I mean...

ASIDE FROM THE INSANE, RIDICULOUS OTHERWORDLY INTERGALACTIC PHENOMENAL SUPERNATURAL ONCE-IN-A-CENTURY CHEMISTRY OF MEWGULF, OF COURSE.

BECAUSE DUH.

Answer: Every Kiss/Love scene actually MATTERS TO THE STORY AND PLOT AND THE CHARACTER GROWTH.

To this, we give credit to both the writer and the director of the series for coming up with a concise and straightforward adaptation and screenplay of the novel/book.

TharnType the NOVEL has indeed MORE explicit scenes than what may have been necessary visually (It's Yaoi literature, of course) but the writer and the director exerted great effort in just selecting which scenes mattered enough to contribute in what propels the show forward.

Intense Kiss/Love scenes usually happen halfway through a BL drama or even saved until the end, but TTTS really shook everyone by giving such a spine-shivering, thought-provoking, morality-questioning introduction of its world by giving the infamous scene on episode 1.

And you know what's even more legendary? EVERY episode that followed contained a kiss scene, each one more MEANINGFUL and INTENSE than the last.

TTTS is not the type of show that saves the best for last; IT GIVES YOU THE VERY BEST IN EVERY SINGLE EPISODE WITHOUT HOLDING BACK.

It's exhilarating and sensational because you really see the progression of kisses along with the CHARACTER growth as well as the RELATIONSHIP growth. A sexy bathroom scene on episode 3 may be hot but those pure tiny baby kisses on episode 10? HEART FLUTTERING LIKE NO OTHER.

It always excites me whenever I feel how confident and self assured the director's hand is. I love it so much that this director has struck a wonderful balance of sustaining both the angst and humor elements of TTTS without making the scenes look forced or awkward or rushed.

Look, I don't even care what everyone says. This 47 second- sequence will always be iconic and genius to me. 😂

The symbolism and contrast of physical and sexual thirst. The dramatic crack musical scoring. MewGulf's 200% commitment as actors.

I WILL NEVER GET OVER THIS SCENE.

I was blown away by the director's perfectionist mindset when he decided to postpone this pivotal scene for an entire week just so MewGulf can workshop and deliver the emotions right.

We stan professionals who won't compromise quality and will never settle for second best. 🔥

—which then brings us to one of my favorite things about this series' direction: the small, quiet details that often go unnoticed.

This director loves showing parallels from episode to episode to visibly show you the contrast, the change and the evolution.

And it's awesome. ♥️

In case these two shots look the same to you, the first one was actually Tharn trailing kisses on Type's chest on episode 1 and the second one was Type worshipping Tharn's body on episode 13.

This director had a vision from beginning to end and he was faithful all throughout.

I think it's so powerful how on episode 4 Type talked about how his abuser was a roofer at his dad's resort and then on episode 7, when he was already at a much better place emotionally after being officially in a relationship with Tharn, he comes home to fix a leak on the roof.

Somehow, it speaks volumes about how Type is now trying and exerting effort to break free from the burden of his nightmares, after having shared some of his pain with Tharn and allowing himself to accept and give love. It was so simple and subtle and yet so symbolic.

It was equally devastating to see the contrast of the scene from episode 5 where Tharn and Type were coming to terms about being more than friends and episode 11 on the verge of them breaking up.

One was a desire for a love to begin, one was a desperation for a love not to end.

Consistency of style and vision is just so damn powerful and the director really showed that from the first episode to the last. It's so satisfying to witness how things come full circle with Tharntype not just in terms of the story but the visual journey that illustrated it. 💯

Last but certainly not the least, we now cry and celebrate this series' ultimate all-encompassing strength: MewGulf, their explosive science-trandcending, surreal chemistry and their superb caliber as actors who love their work and gives nothing short of excellence every scene.

Anyone who has seen this series could believe this: the universe and all the stars really aligned perfectly the day Mew Suppasit and Gulf Kanawut got casted as TharnType. This pairing has the sort of chemistry that truly happens once in a lifetime. It's destiny's power move. ♥️

In one of the earlier interviews/press con before the show aired where P'Mame revealed how Gulf got so shy and blushed red when he did the casting audition with Mew, Gulf was asked why.

His simple and honest answer?

"My body responded by itself."

Hence, the magic: their chemistry was born and rooted out of pure attraction. The charisma of their togetherness is so organic.

For P'Mame to risk it all just solely based on that is the boldest, most radical business decision ever. And it paid off. By god, it did.

There were many reasons why their pairing may have NOT worked: they are 6 YEARS apart. BL couples usually have cute size differences and theyre the SAME height and built. Mew is a BL veteran fresh out of a messy ship drama and Gulf is a newcomer with literally zero BL experience.

So why is it that when they look in each other's eyes, banter in dialogue or just stand next to each other, do they radiate so much heat and intense desire?

Why is it that when they touch or speak, you just see two people who are born to love and adore each other? HOW?????

In Tharntype, MewGulf brilliantly capitalized on all the supposed negatives and turned them into positives. Mew's BL experience translated in the masterful way he kisses and makes love as Tharn. Gulf's newness made his portrayal of Type endearingly raw, poignant and refreshing.

Somehow, this beautiful collision of MewGulf made TharnType such a great blend of two very powerful things: SENSUALITY AND SINCERITY.

They made you feel the hunger and the lust but they also tugged at your heart in various shades and depths of emotions.

The way Mew exhibits passion is breathtaking. He truly embodies a lover who thrives on giving and seeking pleasure. Gulf amplifies the heat by producing the most erotic expressions. The way his face contorts in gentle pure desire is so incredibly arousing.

THIS IS THARNTYPE. 🔥

Gulf was a revelation as Type. In every scene, you would never see a rookie actor making his debut; you'll just see Type Thiwat brought to life. He is a force to be reckoned with. This is a gifted actor who can naturally wear a character so seamlessly and make it his own. Damn.

In the hands of a lesser actor, the Type character would've been nothing more than yet another annoying, ungrateful loudmouth tsundere stereotype. But Gulf portrayed him with so much rawness so you can't help but see the vulnerable boy who loves just as ferociously as he rages.

Gulf portrayed this difficult character with ZERO sense of self-preservation. There was never any hesitation, never an ounce of holding back. He just...let go and became Type 100%.

His bravery was stunning. It makes me so excited for all the roles he will play in the future. ♥️

Mew's portrayal of Tharn was the career-defining performance he so rightfully deserved and earned. Not only did he have the flawless physical aura to match Tharn Kirigun's perfection, he also gave this character's personality so much warmth and heart.

Much has been said about his phenomenal command in bed scenes but his line delivery and emotions is just as impactful. This scene is so underrated but can we just admire how Mew brilliantly and effectively showed pain, exhaustion and utter brokenness in his eyes and voice?

See, the challenge in playing likeable characters is the very thin line between being genuinely nice and being a doormat. There may have been moments when we felt so much pity for Tharn but Mew really made us believe through this role that kindness is also a form of strength.

Through TharnType, MewGulf has boldly made a statement. Gulf has sent a loud warning that he is the power actor to watch out for in this era. Mew has strongly proven that he is the dream lead actor any series could ask for.

Brace yourself, Thailand and the rest of the world. ♥️