Calculating Love : SineTan (2020)

Short and Cute

As soon as I played episode one, I could tell that this series felt completely different than other Thai BLs, and not necessarily in a bad way, but not good either. This series was obviously not given a big budget (or even a freaking budget at that), so all of the camera work looks like it was taken off of an iPhone (which was how Gameboys was, but it was like a 13 year old filmed it and forgot to bring their selfie stick). By the end, I couldn't tell if I'd gotten used to it, or if it had gotten better, but either way, I gave this series a shot, and I actually enjoyed it. While the production value takes it down by a lot, the acting and story help to bring it back up.

Let's Dive In.

This is a friends-to-lovers trope which just automatically makes me love it even more. While there were some very apparent problems in their relationship, for the most part, I really loved it. Both actors are attractive, which helps. Tan was my favorite character by far. He was super eccentric and vivacious that carried over to Sine and helped to take him out of his introverted and shy personality. Their ending was precious and cute. I didn't pay much attention to the other characters in the show, seeing as they were pretty small.

Overall, it was a quick and fun watch, and I really enjoyed it. If you're wanted to see it, I would say to not take it too seriously, and just really watch for the benefit of watching a BL.

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Occasionally nice cinematography, weak story

The idea of using mathematical references in relation to the love between the main characters is interesting though I must admit to being a little lost.

There isn't that much of a story here though. Sine and Tan are two good friends who are in love with each other but neither dares to express his love. Since this is a relatively short and lighthearted BL series, there is probably only one reasonable way for the story to proceed, which is that they eventually express their love for each other and end up as a couple. Unfortunately, this trajectory seems to be dragged out a little too long. This is a complaint I rarely have (usually the complaint is that some episodes suddenly become ridiculously short, like in Cupid Coach), but I suspect that the story has been extended needlessly for the sake of product placements.

The characters' behaviors after they become aware of each other's feelings are a little inexplicable. They could have just kissed and lived happily ever after. Instead, some conflicts are added in a little haphazardly: despite having no romantic feelings whatsoever for Lin, Tan behaves affectionately towards her for a moment and Sine sees it. There are nicely filmed scenes (especially in the last couple of episodes), but the cinematography doesn't make up for the weak story.

I think the filming ran into problems halfway, so the intended product could have been significantly better. It's not "better not touch it" sort of bad, however. I guess this is something I don't really mind watching though I'm not really bowled over by it.

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