Unlike all the other versions (Chinese, Taiwan, Korean and Japanese), which all follow the storyline almost exactly the same, the Thai version managed to add a twist in the show without changing the original story of a smart, aloof genius guy and a cute, kind and a little dumb girl. However, this version adds more depth to the story and in my opinion more explanation which the rest did not offer.
Kiss Me showed more emotions towards TenTen and not just blindly following Taliw's courting story. It showed the process of how TenTen ACTUALLY fell for her and the reason why he keeps on pushing her away which i think was a great change to the story. Furthermore, the entire flow of Kiss Me felt right and the pace was just nice. Not to mention how much chemistry our main leads have already seen in Full House Thai.
I think the two main factors why I thought this version won the others HANDS DOWN was because it answered ALL my questions for TenTen and also showed a more caring and sensitive side of him. Additionally, Taliw is also more understanding and also thinks more before she acts making her more likable and interesting. Another factor is definitely King. HE IS SUCH A CUTIE IN THIS SHOW. I usually don't like his role in the other versions as I always found him quite loud and usually does everything without much thought. However, King is such a charmer by his every move and how he is always so thoughtful and sweet towards Taliw. (To be honest, I think I have a little second lead syndrome because of him now....)
To add on to the awesomeness, ALL the characters did such a great job in their roles and every love line managed to tug a little at my heartstrings with their chemistry and how no one is really bad or hated in the show.
In conclusion, I will strongly recommend this drama to everyone. Its like the producer did everything that made Itzunara Na Kiss a success and omitted everything hateful about it. The difference made was definitely significant as the characters, especially TenTen, felt more complete and bearable in Kiss Me.
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Itazura na Kiss is a fantastic story but reality is that is a bit outdated and doesn't really reflect society nowadays no matter how romantic one is or is not on my opinion. Kiss me instead of sticking to the original and become known as just another remake of the story, it elevates it to an entire new level by giving it their own spin of it and make it actual without compromising the essential storyline.
Naoki aka Tenten is fantastic to watch. He's relatable as a person, not the arrogant genious every other version tried to make him as. Yes, he's a genius but he's human and the humanity of the character that Mike D'Angelo portraits is what differs Tenten from all the other versions for me. Tenten is by far the most complete character of all the versions.
Kotoko aka Taliw...she's sweet and clueless at times and she's simple but she's caring and genuinely in love with Tenten without going overboard or being annoying like other versions I believe, which makes me like the character and empathize with her.
Kiss me is not a copy paste of the other versions, making it more authentic and interesting to watch. The soundtrack is also quite good.
Overall, it is a great adaptation of Itazura na Kiss!
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And of Kotoko's low selfrespect?
Then this is for you!
Kiss Me was my first Thai Drama, and it unbelievably hooked me up since the first episode!
Kiss Me is just a mix of ItanaKiss original elements and new ones given to us in a more realistic way, beautifully dipped in thai sauce!
The story goes on smoothly and lightly, starting with the main characters's first meeting at school.
TenTen is not the usual Irie since the beginning: he shows a human side smiling brightly at Taliw (Kotoko) and accepting her caring ways.
Taliw is not the 'crazy' girl that kicks vending machines at school, she is just a cute normal girl with a lot of friends.
I really loved the fact that she was very close with King (Kin), treating him as her best friend and not a classmate.
TenTen starts to act coldly just after hearing her name, this thing adds a little bit of mistery to the beginning of the story.
Episode after episode we follow the cute moments not only between the two main leads, but between the friends, the family, the teacher.
I really loved how unlikely other nowadays teen dramas this one analyzed high school life without putting only teenage rebellion problems in it, but showing how high school can be a peaceful place in which learn also about big issues.
For example, Taliw and her friends follow their teacher in a journey to learn how people living in the jungle can suffer from not having an hospital, but also how much can be dangerous not to listen to adults.
Both families of the main characters are cute and caring, and they don't interfere much in their children lives.
I appreciated how Mom Kaew is not the obsessed mom that ItanaKiss portrayed. This makes her character lose the 'funny' side, but the loss is replaced with good features. She actually gives precious advices to TenTen and does not force him to love Taliw even tho she is cheering for her.
As I already said I also appreciate King's character: he is not a secondary character at all, he has his personality and you really get affectionate to him.
Also the NamKang and P'Dan story is very sweet, showing us how bad can it be to actually not see the one we love because we are running after someone that will never be ours.
But the thing I loved the most are the main characters.
I love that Taliw is not the low self respect girl that everyone knows. She is not stupid, she doesn't follow TenTen everywhere. She only takes the chances she has, she never gives up on him but she never interferes with his choices.
She is just being herself cooking for him and being kind with him without following him everywhere. At the end she also rejects him, standing up for herself!
On the other side, I love TenTen's sweetness. In other versions we always have the feeling he's too cold. Even while kissing her, we actually don't feel that much till the end.
Well, forget about that. In this version, he's the one that wants her to be with him. He hugs her even when she didn't mean to hug him, he accepts with a smile to take a walk with her, he kisses her while they're having fun, he ask her to smile and be strong.
But at the same time, you can actually see him struggling with the fact that he can't understand why he does that. And trying to solve the problem sometimes ignoring her. He is still a mean guy, but somehow he's the first version of Irie that's not mean because of his personality,
but because of a certain reason.
Overall I totally loved this show. It made me understand how much love can change, grow, be mistaken for admiration and also end.
And everything in a cute, sweet, peaceful high school/college atmosphere.
To be said, I also enjoyed the amount of thai culture I got to know thanks to this show. I found myself craving for King's food more than once!
Also, the music is perfect: not only the melodies, but also the lyrics are totally made for the show and played when they completely suit the mood!
A lot of people didn't enjoy it saying it was not very close to the original story, but I have to say that I really enjoyed that. We have plenty remakes of the story, and I think that doing something different is good.
Itazura na Kiss is catchy and cute, but honestly it has weak points. The first of them is that the two main characters are seriously unbelievable.
I think that this remake suits perfectly what fans love of the story, and gives also what the fans would like to see from the original story.
It has some good extras and it erased some unrealistic features, which I find perfect.
I totally reccomend this one if you are looking for a sweet, everyday, romantic drama about love and growing up with two main leads with a lot of chemistry!
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Tenten ( Naoki Irie) actually has FEELINGS, and very early on too. Taliw ( Kotoko Aihara) has a backbone, and isn't particularly desperate or clingy. King (Kinnosuke Ikezawa) was not nearly as over-exaggerated in this version. The actors/actresses' portrayal of these characters made them seem like normal, reasonable humans.
Plot-wise, this lakron changes it up a bit. The main elements are there but many events have been cut out, which is not necessarily a bad thing. As a die hard fan of the series, after many many rewatches of the other adaptations, this still managed to give me an avalanche of feels and kept me in suspense as to what is going to happen.
I definitely wholeheartedly recommend watching this!!!
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While Kiss Me does follow the story and premise of Itazura na Kiss, this version had its own twist to the tale. While I don't dislike the other versions, I didn't need another perfectly accurate-to-the-manga adaptation (I already got that with Mischievous Kiss: Love in Tokyo). Instead, Kiss Me provided a new and interesting take on the classic story, without completely changing the plot. While there were some changes to the story itself, I thought that they were well thought out and made sense. Of course, there were a couple scenes omitted from this version that I wish I could have seen, but I'm not too bothered by it. One of the biggest surprises was when they changed one of my favorite scenes (the rain scene for those who've seen it). It's one of my favorite scenes in all of the adaptations, yet they totally changed it in this version. But I actually liked the change and really liked what they did instead. While I love that scene, this version did something unexpected and it was refreshing, since I've already seen the other versions.
The acting was fantastic. I loved the whole cast and everyone had great chemistry. While I love the characters in the other versions, I'll admit that the male lead is a jerk and the female lead is over the top and annoying. Yet in this version, we got to see a nicer (not always nice) male lead and softer portrayal of the female lead. I was able to relate to both of their characters more and thought it was a nice change from the personalities that I'm used to. Plus the two leads had absolutely amazing chemistry. I haven't seen Full House Thai yet, but that will probably be the next Thai drama I watch. I was extremely impressed with Aom and Mike and can't wait to see them again in different roles. Another character that really surprised me was the 2nd male lead, King. In the other versions, while he loves and cares for the female lead, he's a little bit of an idiot. In this version he was more calm and collected, and extremely sweet. This is probably the worst case of 2nd-male-lead-syndrome I've gotten out of all the adaptations.
I really liked the music as well! I especially love the song that Aom and Mike sing together. I'm amazed how I can even feel and see their chemistry while they're singing. Plus I'm a sucker for OSTs where the actors actually sing. The soundtrack was a wonderful combination of instrumental and vocal pieces, none of them iconic, but all enjoyable.
Overall I was really impressed and pleased with Kiss Me. It's not the most accurate adaptation, but it is in my top 3 favorite adaptations. I've very excited for season two especially since I don't know what to expect. I'm assuming that it will also follow the basic plot of the manga, but due to the changes in season one, I'm sure that season 2 will also be a refreshing take on the story. I would highly recommend watching Kiss Me. Whether you're a fan of ItaKiss, or are looking for a good 1st Thai drama to watch, it's definitely one to check out.
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First off, I attempted to watch this months ago but couldn't get past episode one because it involved things, including a cat, that was never in the original Itazura Na Kiss nor other adaptions. It can be uncomfortable seeing scenes, in an adaption, you've never seen before and almost like okay, what the heck am I watching? Is this even the right show?
But I decided to give this a second chance and... well... You could look at it through two different lenses. This could be considered a more "tamed" version of Itazura Na Kiss, one that people that can't handle other versions would probably like because it's not as "outrageous", or you could look at it as being a "watered-down" version where basically all the characters' personalities are the bare minimum of what they should be. I'm more on the latter's side of perspective.
It's not that this drama ruined the story. In fact, once you get past so many new scenes and takes on relationships you can appreciate the breath of life it gave to a story that continues to be adapted. But there's a fine line between making something feel new and taking away ESSENTIAL roles and characteristics that make a story great to begin with.
For example, this adaption seems to focus more on Tenten's side of the story. We see a lot through his eyes and are given reasons for his "motives". But at the same time, I honestly believe the character of Kotoko (or Taliw) really suffered in this telling and ironically, that's why I'd refer to this as the version that other people might like because all of her comedic moments, her embarrassment, her yelling, her annoyance, her plain fierceness in the face of love is taken away and without any of that, she's not Kotoko. And Naoki is suppose to be a cold butthead. So when people praise this adaption like "yes, Kotoko isn't as stupid and Naoki isn't as mean" it's like, no. They're suppose to be emphasized, that's the point of the story. If you don't like them when they're that way then you just don't like them and don't watch Itazura Na Kiss. Simple as that.
Now Kotoko is one of my favorite fictional characters of all time so seeing her being portrayed this way (which I won't fault the actress for, but rather the writers) has been a hard thing to get over because it takes a lot away from why Naoki falls for her to begin with.
One of Kotoko's most important roles, if not her most important, is the fact that she makes Naoki realize the potential of his potential. He already knows he's smart but he doesn't know what to do with that intelligence. She tells him that he needs to share his gifts to make the world a better place, that it's not just about being smart but about intentions and what your heart wants.
In Kiss Me, this lesson isn't taught by Taliw but by moments from teachers, medical professionals, and Tenten's parents. Through bits of their conversations, we see Tenten slowly enlightened and figuring out what he wants to do for a career and I don't understand why these people were chosen when that's always been Kotoko's place and adds a huge layer to why her and Naoki balance each other out.
In general, all of the characters' personalities were flattened but I'm just particularly upset about it with Taliw and Tenten because they're the point of the story, but also Tenten's mom who is usually such a gem and riot was not as ship-y in this version and I always look forward to seeing her because she's so hilarious and a reflection of exactly how viewers, like me, act when it comes to shipping Kotoko and Naoki.
I think the hardest thing about reviewing this version is that there are many ways you can review an adaption. I could review this as how good it was as an adaption, I could compare it to other adaptions, or I could review it as a standalone piece without bias from watching previous versions. You have to separate what you think of this version from feelings you already have from the story and once you've watched a lot of versions of a story, you'll find yourself kinda morphing all those versions into one big gunk of pleasant feelings and filling in the empty bits of maybe this version with things that happened in, say, Mischievous Kiss so it feels like the portrayal is better than it actually is because you're watching Kiss Me but thinking of ISWAK or MKLIT. If that makes sense.
I've already done my comparisons so I'll just have to say as a standalone, I didn't enjoy this as much as I wanted to which is why the rating seems harsh but that's how I honestly felt. I personally wouldn't rewatch this.
The acting was standard for a romcom drama, the music so-so (I think I'm just not used to Thai singing, I did like a lot of the lyrics though). Aomike's track is my favorite. It gives me delicious butterflies-in-my-stomach feelings.
But before I close this review, I want to bring it back to Kotoko whom I'm severely defensive of because she seems to be disliked by even people that claim to love the drama. Kotoko is not a weak person. A lot of people say she is because they equate weakness with crying or not being smart or being any kind of a woman outside of the variety that wears leather suits or shoots guns.
This is a girl that loves a boy for so many, many, years and does not give up. Loving someone isn't easy, it's especially not easy when you don't know how they feel in return. But that is the definition of hope and hope is the opposite of weakness. Being hopeful is being strong. Being knocked down and getting up and refusing to give up is being strong. And that's all Kotoko has ever done.
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Unfortunately, Kiss Me decided on some major structural changes to the story that I'm really not pleased with. This adaptation is definitely the most loose with the story in comparison to the others, but there are certain things that happen in their lives sooner in this version than in the other versions that are a major detriment to the story. Most of this is around TenTen's decision to become a doctor and how they go about that journey. It's radically different from the source material, and unfortunately I think it really messes with the potential story of any potential season 2.
Season 2 is consistently my favorite part of their story, as I enjoy this story so much more because you get to see their lives and how they go through the challenges of their marriage. That is a much more interesting story for me, and the structural changes that they've made to their respective careers are going to have a major impact on how they can even tell the story of their marriage. Almost to the point that I don't even think they will do it. Which really drops this version's value in my eyes.
But what really hurt it the most for me is what another review by babysmurf highlighted really well: why their relationship even exists. Both of them actually need each other to be the best versions of themselves.
For Irie, she straight up gives him a reason for living and getting up each morning to go to work and do what he does. This version doesn't even touch the depression that he goes through when he legit can't figure out what to do with his life and the strain of the expectations his family has on him. Kotoko can give him that clarity of direction and sees him as the best version of himself to give him that guidance. Furthermore, she gives him that connection with others to make him a more empathetic person. Most criticize the story because Irie is too cold, but if he's not cold then you don't really see the changes that Kotoko has made to him and his character. Here he's just a guy that's in love with a girl, but is really really bad at showing it and understanding his feelings. Dude, if that's the case she really should have ended up with King, because he has a hell of a lot more going for him.
For Kotoko, his honest belief that she can do better than she expects of herself makes her a better person and gives her the direction in life that she has. This version touched on this, but not incredibly well. Admittedly this is something that neither the TW or the J versions did very well either, but this version was horrible. He sets that bar high for her, and she has the determination to reach every goal he sets for her. He is proud of her, but this version didn't show that in the slightest and that was a super bummer for me.
Now the good:
I really have to look at this outside of the other versions and kinda outside the source material to understand enjoying it. When I do, it's really a great story. Very much your standard drama, with a few additions (a decent side couple for one) that make it a fun story. I thought the story (as a standalone and without a potential Season 2) was really well thought out and I think some of the changes they made make it a lot easier for people to enjoy these characters. He's cold, but not too cold. Man does he have a melted golden center of goo for Taliw in this version. I adored that they were "fated from childhood" to be together. I thought that was a really great addition to the story. Taliw isn't the brightest in the room, but clearly more average and has a great group of friends around her.
King is fantastic. I think the decision to make him a cuter looking character has a lot to do with this. As the macho friend who loves her and fawns over her it can be hard to believe in his love and it comes off as very comical and artificial. But King is a great character by being much more cute and average, and his wide eyes of happiness any time Taliw shows her happiness toward him definitely sell that even more.
I also loved the bond that Taliw and the little brother had in this version. It's a refreshing change to the strong disdain he has of her in the other versions. It was kinda fun to see him also rooting for Taliw, even though it meant the brother bonding scenes weren't as strong where Irie would make a discovery about why he loves Kotoko through his chats with his brother.
The OST was great. I loved most of the songs and am happy to add them to my OST Playlist.
Mike and Aom were great, have great chemistry, and I look forward to seeing them in Full House. The rest of the cast was also pretty strong, with King being the most notable strong point. I enjoyed this side couple a lot over the traditional version of this side couple. P'Dan was awesome and I really want to see him in other things now.
Rewatch value: Nope. Much of what I love about this story is totally gone from this version, so while it is cute I don't really want to turn around and watch it again to see if I can catch the things that I might have missed or rewatch those moments of discovery. Them realizing they can be more than what they are through each other is really my favorite part. Since that's not present I don't feel the need to watch this version over again.
The only thing that could make it better I would have to see in Season 2. But again, even though it's been announced the story changes they made make me think that I'm probably going to be even more angry with that version of Season 2 than I am with the changes they made to Season 1. And that they probably shouldn't have one.
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Firstly, I was happy that finally, finally they didn't make the heroine a brainless idiot who just drools over male lead. Even though at some things she was described as stupid but this drama made every scene look like real and not just "overacted drama" if you know what I mean... Male lead was eye candy and not as cold as in other versions of "itazurana kiss" so that was also a plus! I didn't really like how they made male lead's character especially in chinese version. Of course to fan of the story this remake might be a bit surprise or even a disappointment. But for me, it was enjoyable thoroughly.
Chemistry between main leads were great and from other roles I enjoyed King's the most. His character was sooo cute, I was feeling so sorry for him most of the time not getting the girl. I even ended up cheering TenTen and King both which has not happened when I watched Itazurana kiss or other remakes xD
But I have to say that I felt some roles, like Taliw's friends, were only written there as an accessory. I think writers should have given them a little more screentime to fit naturally into the plotline and giving it some depth.
Some scenes from "itazurana kiss" I missed and would have liked them to have in this drama but I think that maybe it would have been too much of a copy then?
I so hope they make season 2! I enjoyed this because it was original and different from other remakes, even though I knew the story I was surprised how they portrayed it and it made me guess what is going to happen from time to time. Really kept excitement going on :D Now it makes me wonder how they would continue it if they would make season 2~
Overall this is a cute, professionally made thai drama. You should watch this if you want a lakorn that makes you laugh and go awwwww~
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1. I've previously watched Itazura na Kiss and the anime version (I prefer to watch the original adaptions or adoptions from the countries where the stories were created). And Itazura na kiss became one of my favorite dramas.
2. I love the chemistry between Aom & Mike
What I liked:
The acting was top notch. Aom & Mike always have memorable kisses, this show is no exception.
Taliw is definitely more likable and has a bit higher self-esteem, which is always a plus. Her personality is completely different from the Japanese version, which I’m sure a lot of people will appreciate (not me personally but I know others will).
There are some really adorable bonding scenes with Taliw and TenTen’s younger brother.
Taliw’s friends in this version actually care for her and aren’t annoying and air-headed.
Most of the characters seem to respect other’s decisions and are not judging or pressuring, which I found very nice and refreshing.
Why the low ratings:
I came for the storyline and the characters to find out that the story is twisted beyond recognition.
I loved the original storyline since it reminded me of beauty of the beast. His behavior is monstrous and she brought out the good in him, they balanced each other out. Yes, he was crueler in the other adaptions, but it was also more obvious that he loved her compared to this one IMO. Even though Tenten’s supposedly nicer, in this adaption I never came to understand his reasons for being mean.
The pace with which the plot evolved was ridiculous. At one point between their birthdays it seemed like an episode went missing - there were only a few scenes in between. That was a bit confusing. Also, I miss the after “happy ever after part”.
Although I don’t miss Taliw’s character being clumsy and it’s not that I want her to be stupid, but…
if you keep calling the lead dumb, you better make her dumb. It really gets me, Taliw didn’t seem stupid at all (yeah, she’s not very good at her studies but that’s about it). The same with Tenten - there weren’t much scenes showing off his IQ. These traits are their hallmark traits. This is something the director had to Show the audience not Tell and expect to be accepted as given.
The humor that made my stomach hurt; the emotional rollercoaster thanks to the stupidity & low EQ of main character; the mother, my favorite side character EVER – all gone.
If you watched the other versions and liked the plot but were not satisfied with the main characters you’ll love this show. If you’re looking for something extremely similar to the previous remakes you’re bound to be disappointed.
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Totally diverted from the original plot in certain key areas, but they pulled it off so well I had to forgive them XD The female lead is so flipping adorable, I wanted to pinch her cheeks>< They make a wonderful couple and GAH! THE FEELS!!!! Truly adorable and I wholeheartedly recommend it to fans of this story :)
Bonus: the music is perfect. It didn't get on my nerves like it usually does with most dramas and stayed in my head for days later and I didn't care haha
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There is much more backstory and I feel watching this show gets you more involved, pulls you in more. I also like that Taliw (Kotoko/Ha Ni in the Japanese and Korean versions) is much more likable and is not portrayed as a idiotic and childish figure. She is smart in certain areas and then is lacking in some others, something that is much more realistic in my opinion. There is also no blind following on her part, she can make her own decisions and even get mad - a vital character trait i think was lacking in the other versions. King was especially better, he was not portrayed as a village idiot or obnoxious, but a charmer that is trying his best to win the girl. There were times I found myself getting worked up about the competition, much more than with the other versions.The relationships between all the characters were great in my opinion: friendships, family ties, and love interests all were spot on. The actors did well in each of their roles and I even picked up a few new favorites again. (My list just keeps getting longer!)
Of course, I also loved the music and the placement of the music. Nothing was distracting and every time I would start to get bored a song would change subtly or not so subtly. I actually went out of my way to download the full soundtrack.
I have already watched this show multiple times and I highly recommend it to others. I know some people are die hard fans of the other versions, but everyone should at least give this one a try as well. Personally, it is my favorite version!
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