Not Really-First Impression Review: “ThamePo Heart That Skips a Beat”

TYPE OF REVIEW : FIRST IMPRESSION REVIEW
BIG spoilers up to Episode 9. Click here for Hindsight Review.

So I was going to write and post this before Episode 9 aired. But I forgot new episodes aired on Friday. (lol)

But anyway, it has been a lot of fun watching GMMTV’s ThamePo Heart That Skips a Beat every week since its premiere. I didn’t get to do a First Impression Review of the series, not knowing if I’d be able to keep up every week. But the series has been so good, that I have definitely been awaiting every new episode each week.

ThamePo centers around Po, an aspiring videographer tasked with filming the final concert documentary of boy group Mars before their bitter disbandment. But while doing interviews with the group, Po unexpectedly becomes close to the group’s leader, Thame who is set to move to Korea and pursue a career there.

Once Po learns about Thame’s true feelings about his bandmates, he helps him bring the group back together and they work to prove to their management that they are worthy of continuing on as a group.

As they work on that, Thame and Po develop feelings for each other. And in today’s world of entertainment and pop music, they must work on keeping their relationship under wraps as well.

Now, of course, we know what the endgame is for this series. It’s in the title after all.

But aside from the familiar romantic and fan-pleasing scenarios of typical BL dramas, ThamePo has actually been less on fluff and more on a nuanced and surprisingly deep look at today’s industry. Telling stories about the difficulties and struggles that could easily be seen not just in Thailand but Korea, Japan and other idol-focused entertainment cultures in Asia.

The fierce competition between talents, the stresses of being merely seen as a product by companies and the personal limitations that this idol life puts on these young men and women; the series does an unexpectedly great job at portraying that all.

The series has been quite insightful and even more grounded than some of the recent attempts at similarly-themed series in Korea.

But for me, and the reason I’m writing this now instead of waiting until after the final episode for a Good Ol’ Review, I have most enjoyed what has turned out to be a momentary detour for our main couple.

For a couple of episodes, one of the main focuses was the seemingly emerging feelings of Jun, Thame’s group mate, for Po. Of course, this apparent love triangle caused much consternation to the devoted fans of the title couple. But for me, it was some of the most fun I’ve had watching a romantic triangle in a long time.

Not only that, it was also the first time in a very long time that I was struck with Second Lead Syndrome.

Now, this post would’ve been perfect going online right after Episode 8. But for the sake of my incoming appreciation for what the series did in the previous episodes, let’s just set Episode 9 aside for now.

The series did what not many are able to effectively do. And that is to build up a love triangle where not only would both options (Thame and Jun) be suitable endgames for our one lucky guy Po, but if the series wanted to, they could have even explored potential feelings between Thame and Po themselves too.

First off, I have definitely enjoyed the developing relationship of the title couple. Thame and Po are great and William and Est have shown great chemistry in bringing their characters and the couple to life.

But Jun, as portrayed by Nut Thanat, has also shared excellent chemistry with both as well. The series featured Jun and Po with initially an antagonistic dynamic. Jun teasing and messing with Po, especially when it came to his evolving relationship with Thame. But in the best romcom fashion, it turns out Jun would start falling for Po as well. Many times even treating Po a bit better than Thame was even capable of doing at the time.

Jun and Po’s dynamic is probably my favorite romcom trope. And ThamePo did it amazingly well even if it has turned out to be a mere detour rather than major storyline.

In what has been one of the best moments of the series so far, Thame and Jun’s air hockey match allowed the best friends to hash out their feelings. And in the end, Jun explains that his actions toward Po were just his way of nudging Thame and Po closer together. While also showing Thame that he needed to step up more if he truly did have feelings for Po.

Do we believe Jun? Absolutely not! Of course not. It was the most Second Lead of Second Lead things to do. Giving up on his own feelings, knowing who was actually in Po’s heart while also cherishing his sincere friendship with his best bro.

I haven’t succumbed to Second Lead Syndrome while watching a drama in a long time. But Jun and Nut’s portrayal of him definitely changed that. And I’ve listened to LYKN since their debut. And now I think I have my LYKN bias after watching ThamePo.

One of my other favorite moments so far was the scene where Jun sings directly to (a sadly uninterested) Po. The perfect and most heartbreaking depiction of unrequited love. But also one of many scenes that showed Jun really did start falling for Po.

Now, after Episode 9, it would seem the show is done with that angle of the story. But I think the series missed a huge opportunity for some truly engaging story. Of course, there’s still four episodes (I think?) left.

But if I were writing this story, my scenario would go like this: Jun has harbored feelings for Thame for a long time now. And anytime Thame might be getting close to someone else, Jun promptly put a stop to that while he struggles to keep his feelings for Thame in check for the sake of the group and their friendship. When Po entered the picture, Jun was ready to jump into action once again. But sometime between the teasing and messing with Po, Jun started falling for him as well.

Even as he did everything to get Po to notice him instead, Jun realizes that Thame is the one that Po truly likes. But at this moment, Jun also realizes that his feelings for Thame are much stronger. So he is back to figuring out how to deal with those feelings. Continue to keep them hidden inside or would he finally take the opportunity to confess those feelings. Naturally, throwing a wrench into our title couple’s blossoming romance.

But I don’t write the series, so now after Episode 9 it appears they will be moving forward with the side of the idol entertainment industry and the control over their personal lives. Especially when it comes to how idols must present themselves to their fans and the public.

So after the enjoyable (for me and for some others, but probably not for the majority of the series’ viewers lol) romantic detour, the series returns to its sincere and nuanced portrayal of the industry.

I’ve been very impressed with how serious the series has truly taken its material. It’s not the typical fluff you might see with current BL dramas. But an emotional and deep character-driven story. With of course still plenty of that addictive fluff as well.

I’m happy I decided to watch ThamePo as its airing. It’s been great to be able to follow a Thai series weekly again. Especially as I’ve been falling behind on my K-dramas too. Looking forward to seeing the series finish off strong in these final weeks!