Welcome back!
Have you been binge-watching lakorns and are back for more recommendations? Part III will be about period dramas, with the first two set around the 1960s and the third set in Ayutthaya Kingdom during the reign of King Narai (1656-1688).
Yaya's character was raised by her aunt family as she lost both parents at a young age. Due to her chubbiness, she was bullied by James Ji during play dates between the two families. When they met again as adults upon James' return from Europe after completing his studies, Yaya remembered him and wanted nothing to do with him. James, on the other hand, couldn't recognise the beauty before him as a young girl who used to be bullied by him. So he was shocked when she refused to dance with him at a party and angry that she publicly embarrassed him - a popular dream guy for all the girls in town. The story follows them as he kept picking fights with Yaya.
I appreciate that Yaya's identity was quickly made known early in the show and James Ji understood why she felt the need to avoid him. I was glad to know that my concern about awful foster families who want the lead guy for their own daughter was unfounded. Sibling love between the 3 cousins was heartwarming and trust they have for each other was admirable though various trials.
James was an educated young man further blessed with the advantage of good looks, reputable family background and accompanying wealth so I could see why he felt the need to provoke Yaya for ignoring him. Their Hua Hin trip was full of delightful moments which caused multiple butterfly colonies in my stomach.
But instead of giving us more enchanting moments like those, the show forced us to suffer through the drama of inexhaustible arguments and misunderstandings, brought on by their unyielding stubbornness and unwillingness to be honest about their feelings. The sad thing was lack of significant progress in their relationship to cut the tedium of the fights. Finally in the last 3 episodes, James came clean about his feelings while wrestling blindly against a dark angel of despair for his sacrifice. Rather than making us sit through the hospitalisation and recovery for 2 whole episodes, it could be done in one chapter to give us more sweet moments between the couple after they admit their feelings. If that was the case, Neung Nai Suang could have been ranked higher in my rating.
I appreciate that Yaya's identity was quickly made known early in the show and James Ji understood why she felt the need to avoid him. I was glad to know that my concern about awful foster families who want the lead guy for their own daughter was unfounded. Sibling love between the 3 cousins was heartwarming and trust they have for each other was admirable though various trials.
James was an educated young man further blessed with the advantage of good looks, reputable family background and accompanying wealth so I could see why he felt the need to provoke Yaya for ignoring him. Their Hua Hin trip was full of delightful moments which caused multiple butterfly colonies in my stomach.
But instead of giving us more enchanting moments like those, the show forced us to suffer through the drama of inexhaustible arguments and misunderstandings, brought on by their unyielding stubbornness and unwillingness to be honest about their feelings. The sad thing was lack of significant progress in their relationship to cut the tedium of the fights. Finally in the last 3 episodes, James came clean about his feelings while wrestling blindly against a dark angel of despair for his sacrifice. Rather than making us sit through the hospitalisation and recovery for 2 whole episodes, it could be done in one chapter to give us more sweet moments between the couple after they admit their feelings. If that was the case, Neung Nai Suang could have been ranked higher in my rating.
Padiwaradda (Beloved Loyal Wife)
After getting rejected by his lover of more than 10 years for not being rich enough, James Ji felt the heartbreak of loss and vowed not to love again. His resolve was tested when Bella entered his life as his betrothed, thanks to a promise made between two families before his father committed suicide due to bankruptcy. But Bella has a secret that she was only an adopted daughter sent to marry James because the family's two real daughters didn't wish to. What would James do when he finds out that he has been deceived? How would Bella deal with James' ex-lover who was determined to get him back?
I adore both James and Bella's characters, their explosive chemistry, jealousy-free sibling dynamic between the three girls as well as a kind mother-in-law. I didn't really understand black magic though - was it real or just an image created to cause fear of White Tiger among villagers? Nonetheless, the only major issue I have with this drama was how the malicious ex-lover could get away with all the stunts she pulled all the way till the end. I could understand James forgiving her initially due to their decade long friendship but her shenanigans became increasingly vicious towards the end and James should have prioritised protecting his wife from these emotional aggressions.
Thank you drama gods for blessing us with a humanly flawed guy who was not afraid to own up to his mistakes instead of beating around the bush. When Bella accused James of sleeping with his ex-lover (prior to Bella-James wedding), he readily admitted it, shared his reasons and rationalised with Bella not to let it interfere with their marriage. When his thoughts fed on his insecurity and grew to be a monster that threatened to break down their marriage, he was upfront about the reason why he felt the need to leave his wife, instead of dragging us through nonsense justifications. Upon realising the importance of Bella in his life, James didn't hesitate to push his heart in an unaccustomed direction and fought his self-doubt.
I enjoy following the journey of Bella from the time she entered arranged marriage as a show of gratitude towards her adopted parents to turning a house into a home and putting effort into making their love work. The fact that she was introduced as no pushover character since their wedding also helped us root for Bella to get the happy ending with her own loving family. Her kindness as well as acceptance of his values and sense of duty healed James' broken heart. Forging ahead with her father's advice about putting effort in love, Bella stood by James through his own insecurities regarding her real family. Our female lead is too solid a character we can't help but cherish.
Overall, Padiwaradda is a wonderful show which goes beyond falling in love but questioning us the type of compromises and values required in a life partner. Because boys and girls, fairytales we read in storybooks end with a happily ever after wedding and riding off into sunset but our real life as a couple starts from that point on. Remember, you have to be like water which assumes the form of its container, without any ego holding it back.
Bpoop Phaeh Saniwaat (Love Destiny) (available on Netflix)
Love Destiny with its immense fame had not only fuelled the demand of Thai traditional costumes but also influenced Ayutthaya (UNESCO World Heritage Site) tourism to multiplied (from average 3300 visitors each weekend to more than 9000) during the airing back in 2018. Local authorities developed a map with QR codes so fans can follow the route featuring key filming sites of this sensational romcom. How has this drama taken Thailand by storm?
Bella of Ayutthaya was nasty, selfish and possessive of her properties - including her betrothed Pope. When her anger got the best of her and caused death of one of the servants, she was punished by a spell and subsequently died. Her soul haunted Bella of modern time, causing a car accident and her eventual death. Thereafter, soul of modern day Bella took over Ayutthaya Bella's body. The story follows our female lead as she faced the task of doing good deeds for Ayutthaya counterpart as well as altering her rude image to a kinder, more gracious version, and winning her betrothed's heart along the way.
I will be the first to admit not being a fan of period tales, especially from a few hundred years ago as I find the drama of royal court politics and cultural norms entirely stifling. However, you have got to make an exception for this lakorn with wonderful romance at its heart. As an archaeology student, it was entirely reasonable for modern day Bella to be bursting with excitement upon meeting actual historical figures and visiting temples during their heyday. Well executed and contextualised scenes offered us a glimpse into Thai history.
Although time travelling seem to belong to solely sci-fi genre but oh boy, Love Destiny team completely did a terrific job with changing my perception. The storyline about dying in the 21st century and waking up in the 17th century was accomplished convincingly.
Bella did a marvellous job with her versatile portrayal of two characters - one seething with contempt and the other brimming with buoyant spirits. While atoning for sins of her Ayutthaya counterpart, Bella managed to navigate this unfamiliar, new world with her sass, kind heart, resourcefulness and resilience in tact. Plodding down the road of life in the unaccustomed 17th century, she refused to be a wallflower and stood by her values despite being told countless times that it was not how things were done in Ayutthaya. I relish that Pope and Bella did not let misunderstandings dwell on for a prolonged period of time and ironed out their issues with compromises in an endearing and matured manner.
We are treated to a brilliantly written and an expertly shot love story, without all the cliches of a soap-opera ranging from an annoying second female lead, messy love triangle, draining drawn out misunderstandings to spiteful revenge. Lack of such distractions allow viewers to focus on evolution of the relationship between our main couple with legion of squeal inducing moments. You can't possible fathom how tired my cheeks are from smiling at the screen during the 30-hours binge watching of Love Destiny (unless you do so yourself).
Another incredible thing about this drama was lack of one dimensional characters. Even Bella's awfulness stemmed from circumstances which turned her into an insolent child, especially when things did not go her way. I couldn't help but wish for brisk redemption. Only complaint I have is abundance of scenes with Pope standing too close to Bella causing the latter to trip over him, and allowing him to catch her. Other than this minor affair, this lakorn will punch you right in the feelings. You won't regret watching this enthralling drama, specially if you are a romance junkie like me.
Adios!
xoxo
Miss N
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