How long has it been?? Any way, still alive and kicking. Lately I've been Netflix bingeing and getting up to date with the series I've been missing. Virtually up to date with Outlander and have been through Timeless twice (crime it was cancelled). However, the best I've seen lately isn't from Netflix. Gap : The series is currently on the IdolFactory Youtube channel and I fully recommend it if you like romantic drama/ comedies. Recap below. (Taken from my FB page)
I had been looking for a new series to follow for quite a while. I'm an avid fan of Outlander, but have to be in the mood to watch it. I recently watched Timeless through twice, which was great but Sci-Fi.
I have no idea how Gap : The Series came to my attention, I think it was on one of the Outlander Forums, but I can't be sure about that.
Anyway I decided to give it a go. After watching the first and second 4th of the first episode (each episode is split into 4 separate mini-scenarios, which I've learned is par for the course on Asian TV), I had doubts as I seemed to have stumbled onto some sort of hybrid teen drama (I knew nothing about the plot/characters beforehand only that it was set in Thailand). Nope, how wrong was I and how pleased I continued to watch.
So, what's it all about? (SPOILERS but light).
It's a romantic drama/comedy.
Mon, a commoner is going to work for the company of one of her idols Lady Sam, who is part of the Thai aristocracy. Now this may not seem realistic, but read up on caste differences in Thailand and it will all make sense.
Lady Sam is portrayed initially by the other employees as something of a tyrant, very demanding and somewhat more than a little unfair. (Why she's like this becomes apparent later on.)
Her company is web based and in trouble, though that's something you cannot say to an aristocrat, and she's looking for new ideas.
Mon is fairly outspoken (again in the context of the Thai caste system) and catches the eye of Lady Sam who tasks her with coming up with a new direction for her company (new = new ideas).
The supporting cast are totally whacky, but generally supportive of Mon, while suggesting that it is just Lady Sam trying to kick out another intern.
Needless to say, after a trials and tribulations Mon comes up with a plan and Lady Sam is suitably impressed to keep her on.
What follows is their developing relationship from colleagues, to friends, to you guessed it, this is a romantic comedy after all.
This series is a triumph for the LGBT+ cinema (and cinema in general).
The chemistry between the two main leads Sarocha Chankimha (Sam) and Rebecca Armstrong (Mon) is off the scale and sets a new standard (IMHO) for leads in the romance genre.
The producer Nuttapong Wongkaveepairoj gets everything right. The romantic scenes are just right, the cast interaction is just right, not to absent neither too encroaching. He highlights the problems with the caste system, taboo relationships and what is being done about it to perfection. While marriage between same sex couples is not yet possible (not far off though), relationships are no longer taboo.
The Gap refers to Mon (22) and Sam's (29) age difference, company positions and more so their birthrights (commoner and aristocrat).
What you will need to watch this series :
As mentioned, brush up on Thai society and the caste system.
Go with it, the plot is far from original (a love story with difficulties), but it's the way the two leads throw themselves into their roles to overcome all the taboos in their way and an excellent supporting cast.
Do not expect complex dialogue, nor groundbreaking plot twists. The humour is light but appropriate, there are no sex scenes at all (it's a romance), but there is some hard swearing from time to time and drinking.
My recommendation : It's tagged as 13+, I think this is reasonable, but the underlying taboos mean you'll need an open mind (no worries fro SG). If you like romantic comedies/dramas this is an absolute must, though the first two scenarios of episode 1 are a little light and a bit too teen-boppy for my liking, episode one received a very lukewarm response and is considered the least favorable of the series, but afterwards it took off big time.
The series is in the Thai language, but on the Youtube site for IDOLFACTORY you have the whole series (12 episodes) with English subtitles.
Something similar : Just about any romantic drama/ comedy that has what is perceived as a "modern" taboo.
Bern
VIEW 3 of 3 COMMENTS
rare:
I need to watch that one asap! Thanks Bern <3
bern1106:
@rare Don't be put off by the first episode, it's really just introducing the characters, but goes a bit overboard with idolizing bit.