OFFGUN IN THE KITCHEN HITS SWEETLY DIFFERENT
I must say that people are being just too paranoid about this. After Not Me, Senior Secret Love Puppy Honey, Theory of Love. Everything about Offgun makes these guys undoubtedly one of the best and most successful onscreen couples in Thai BL. While of course each of these shows portrays them as relatively mature characters, I guess Cooking crush has given me something different.We've seen these guys act cute before, I mean there was I'M TEE ME TO but that was literally like a pure bromance, Cooking Crush on the other hand has given me a chance to appreciate these guys as a pair of naive Campus kids and the Comedy in this story feels right.
First and foremost, I feel it's worth noting that for me, seeing these two in a rom-com kind of plot after a full year is quite good, I have seen funny shows like VENUS IN THE SKY but on Screen I have never seen a couple that makes it seem that they are so meant to be like Offgun.
The Offgun Chemistry never dies out as I feel each of the actors are comfortable in their roles. Besides, I feel that they have got a more sincere progression in their onscreen Cooking Crush relationship than in pretty much any of those other shows that make the actors look like hungry sex addicts that I do not want to mention.
On top of that, a rom-com like trope is one you'll hardly expect to see Off and Gun executing very well but Cooking Crush will surpass your expectations. Trust me, the storyline feels simple, and we have seen how very many so called "simple and complicated storylines" have ended up this year, but Cooking Crush is nothing like that.
Is the show worth it? Yes. Cooking Crush will most likely drop in my top 10 BLS of 2024 because it has a catchy opening theme, it is a well paced narrative and shows you that even something simple doesn't need a lot of effort to become beautiful as long as it is sincere. Besides for Offgun fans, I dunno about most of ue but for me, this show hits just right.
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1Love OffGun But Losing Brain Cells.
You should be able to tell if this show is for you within two episodes. You may enjoy this if you love Off/Gun, want something light and easy to watch with some sweet/cute moments, and are in the mood for simple/silly humor.At Ep 9/12: My previous review of Ep 1-5 holds. I decided to give it a try again for OffGun's sake and watched Ep 6-9. Apparently the YouTube version is cut (in the USA). I switched to the uncut version via Telegram after Ep 5, but it didn't change my lack of enjoyment with the show.
Previous review: At Ep 5/12. This may not be a popular sentiment, but from my perspective, this show is a slog through simplistic boredom. Apart from Off & Gun's characters, most everyone else acts like middle-schoolers (around 11-13 years old) instead of university students. The 'humor' is extremely basic and simple. There's no cleverness in this screenplay at all. Most characters are more like caricatures and what little plot there is, is so far predictable.
I was so impressed with the series Not Me and Gun and Off were so fantastic in their roles. They acted with nuance, depth, and authentic emotions. The production of Cooking Crush is a huge downgrade for what their talent is capable of.
I'm watching the scenes with Off & Gun together at normal speed because they manage to elevate the generic material to bring some interest and depth to their interactions. For everything else I'm watching at 2x the speed to keep myself from dropping this show entirely.
I really want to support OffGun, but the screenplay is so shallow/simple/boring/predictable, and the secondary characters so annoying and often over-acted, that I really can't bring myself to rate this higher currently. If OffGun weren't a part of this show, I would have no qualms about rating it a 4 and dropping it.
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Something's off
Unky the best acted character in this show. Off and Gun were oddly not as magnetic together in this one. If this were to be the first series I ever watched with them in it, I would think they had no chemistry together, which leads me to wonder if this production was not rushed. I still would have given this show at least at 7 and 1/2 though if it weren't for the competitor cooking team. Their overacting and sneering was so annoying that I almost called it quits on the whole show. Every time they come on it just ruins the episode for me. I'm on episode 11 and they're in the pool plotting and the way they sneer is so animated and ridiculous. I'm still finishing it for the sake of the top 5 leads.Was this review helpful to you?
standard Thai romcom elevated by Off & Gun
Overall: this is a pretty standard Thai romcom, but I will watch anything with Off & Gun. 12 episodes about 45 minutes each. Airing on GMMTVs YouTube channel cut and WeTV uncut.Content Warnings: past death, grief, stalking/harassment, bullying, dead body covered, slap
What I Liked
- reverse personalities/dynamic from their previous characters
- laughed a few times
- sweet moments
- dream sequences
- motivations/responses of the main leads make sense
- how Prem checked in about Ten's boundaries
- Prem/Ten's mutual affection
- supportive grandma
Room For Improvement
- started with an inner voice exposition dump
- not a fan of an aggressive pursuer/reluctant pursuee for the side couple (like them more starting in episode 7)
- quite a lot of the intended humor was a miss for me
- the dad's girlfriend hanging around in the kitchen in episode 5 was odd
- choppy at times, heard the uncut is less choppy
- the long press and hold kiss with zero lip movement
- comedy sound effects made things less funny
- could have condensed into 8 episodes
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Light-hearted, funny, romantic sweet
I never did a review in MDL but I felt that I could do this with Cooking crush as this show is not that serious or deep but stills bring a meaning and great feelings. Feels like a sweet show to watch if you're feeling down and got used to making a confort in Thai BL (It has classical effects of this kind like stickers randomly on screen, "funny" sound effects etc) and I think it stills diverge into the norm with health relationships and characters well developed. Watch if you want some thing like this :)(Non native so, bad english srry)
As boring or annoying it might seems in the beginning it will get better as you create connexion with all this well constructed characters and once you get used to the silly acting and editing you will fall in love.
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Super cute!
This is a really sweet and light hearted series with no over the top dramatic breakup etc. The two ML actors are great in everything they do and pair up really well. If you want something on the lighter side that still has romantic scenes and kissing with funny moments then try this. The cooking elements of the show are fun and I have grown to like these types of show. We defiantly need more light-hearted softer shows like this to contrast the more dramatic shows currently airing such as pit babe. Even though the trend is becoming more towards dramatic and sexualised content, shows like this still have their place and help cheer us up.Was this review helpful to you?
TenPrem... seriously, father stopped bothering them, there's nothing in their way anymore, had several horny kisses but no sex? If it was japanese bl, it'd be actually better because you don't even count with it but from Thailand I thought they wouldn't make such a big deal out of it. Tbh, if it was Ten delaying it because he was afraid of touching, I'd understand it but it's Prem who delays it because of the contest and if Ten thinks it's because of Victor, idk the characters name, I wouldn't really blame him. How can even sex distract you and make you lose focus? If he's scared of the first time, delaying it would actually make him more nervous and unfocused.
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Cute lighthearted series from OffGun
I was excited for Cooking Crush as it is OffGun's series right after an iconic NotMe. ( which got me into BL world )Though i watched their individual series, i craved for them being together on screen once again and cooking crush it is !!
I loved how this series is lighthearted and easy going, it is all about developing a crush and romance + cooking. The plot is good so far and the characters are lovable. Off Gun are killing it with their subtle expressions. Firefly is one interesting character to watch - cat before mom but becomes a free to fly butterfly later and it being played by our mischevious Neo adds to the fun. Aungpao is kinda surprising me with his acting, though this is his debut series. Fire and dynamite together are cute and their story is gonna be unique as dynamite is very open and persistent about pursuing Fire.
This series has the funny part in it, not the laugh out loud type but definetly the Hehe - giggle type.
I love how both Prem and Ten are developing crush on each other simultaneously. This series is kinda collecting some iconic lines here with the second couple
1. Fire starts swearing on phone
2. "I told goddess lakshmi about you"
So far it is fun
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A comedic relief
This is the perfect series to watch after we had just gotten some darker themed dramas such as Only Friends and Dangerous Romance. It’s the perfect drama to watch right now alongside Last Twilight because of the perfect contrast between the two. OffGun have shown us exactly what they’re capable of with Not Me so it’s so refreshing that they can have such an easier laid back series. The entire cast are just so hilarious and I’m enjoying the comedy aspect of the show.I’ve waited a while for this show and can not wait for more from OffGun in the future.
You should watch it because OffGun has great natural chemistry and you can see Neo act as a “straight” man *insert crying emoji*.
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A step backwards for OffGun after ‘Not Me”
I love OffGun and watch everything they are in, whether it’s together or their solo projects, but I really have a soft spot for them, as they are one of the 1st BL couples that I fell in love with, in both dramas and reality shows.Cooking Crush is not a bad BL, it is a rom-com BL, heavy on goofiness and comedy, but very light on storyline and character development.
My beef is mostly with GMMTV, for using veteran BL couples who have proven their worth- starting their careers with several lesser roles on several so-so series, and have now worked their way up to a certain level of stardom and credibility.
I feel like their apex was definitely hit with last year’s Not Me. Not only was it worthy of OffGun, it had substance, serious subject matter, and was thoughtfully executed by these the entire amazing cast.
I thought “great! now that everyone has seen them at their best, they won’t have to do high school or college roles anymore.” SMH 🤦♀️
GMMTV has such a huge catalog of teen- early 20’s actors that could have easily slipped into these Cooking Crush roles.
IMHO, it’s a waste of OffGun’s talent to put them in these types of series that they have already done many times and now can do in their sleep.
Just one fan’s opinion..🤷🏻♀️
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From BL as a social and cultural phenomenon to Thai series and their hidden meaning
With dozens of productions each year, Asian BL dramas have skyrocketed international audiences, winning the hearts of global audiences.From the bustling streets of Taipei to the no less noisy universities of Bangkok, passing through El Nido beach, on the Philippine island of Palawan; bordering the Han River, on foot or by bicycle, before flowing into the Yellow Sea, or exploring the luminous avenues of Shanghai or Hanoi, the series from that distant continent transport us to a world full of drama, romance and intense emotions.
But what is it that makes these television productions have captured the attention and obsession of people from all over the world?
Convincing performances that touch the heart, acting talent as a strong attraction, ingenious scripts that combine romance with other genres, actors and actresses recognized for their convincing and emotional performances that manage to connect deeply with the public; The use of popular idols, the skills to transmit emotions, whether love, hate, rage, joy or sadness, make viewers feel part of the story and become emotionally involved in each chapter.
High quality works that rival the best produced in other latitudes, Asian BLs have raised quality standards in the television industry. With high budgets in most cases, and a passionate dedication to excellence, these productions manage to compete with European, Australian, Latin American, North American and Canadian homosexual-themed series.
From the stunning cinematography to the detailed sets and impeccable production techniques, each episode can be a visually stunning experience. On the other hand, they also stand out for their focus on cultural diversity and the representation of different ethnic groups and religions.
The visual aesthetics and attention to detail in each scene transport the viewer to a fascinating world, presenting characters and plots that reflect the rich diversity of Asian societies, connecting with audiences from different backgrounds.
For many, perhaps, it may seem like something totally new and strange, but it is not for millions of young consumers of these series around the world. With production companies in charge of creating and adapting literature in live action, BL series emphasize the not-too-distant cliché scenes of love between heterosexuals seen in novels and television series from any country.
The contrast arises when on this occasion the story is transferred to a different social context. One, due to its geographical and cultural position distant from many of the spectators. And two, because it deals with romantic relationships between young men (particularly high school or college students).
The representation of lesbian love is practically non-existent on the television screens of BL-producing countries. There has not been the same interest and dedication on the part of manga and anime authors, as well as television screenwriters and directors, to reflect these stories, as there has been with the romance between boys.
However, GL series (i.e. Girls Love), which feature romance between women, have slowly made their way in recent times. To do this, first a couple of loving girls were inserted as friends or study partners of the male protagonists, within a BL series. We can now count on dramatizations where they are the true protagonists.
The interesting thing about these works is that they address a theme as universal as love, which resonates with a global audience. Very everyday themes that show youth, disappointments in love, fictitious loves, the bad boy, the family, interest in sports or the arts, studies in secondary schools or universities, entry into the world of work after graduation, office work or love, friendship, cooking and typical dishes, fantasy, the supernatural, the dynamics of youth, first loves, the discovery of sexuality, power, political and administrative corruption, and fight for justice are just some of the recurring themes that run through these productions.
With their universal stories, people from different cultures and nationalities make us identify with the characters and immerse ourselves in the complexities of their lives, no matter how foreign they may seem to us at first glance.
There is no doubt that the Asian BL drama fever is a social and cultural phenomenon that was born at the beginning of this century.
The BL inside
At the beginning of the 1970s, BL content could only be found in Japanese anime, manga, or novels. At an accelerated pace, this genre spread to other Asian countries, mainly South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, China and Taiwan, and has led to new formats and fashions.
Its objective is to represent the romantic relationship between two male characters. Generally, the profiles of the main character are that of the high school student, university student, or young heterosexual professional who meets love for the first time in a boy of the same sex. On many occasions, they exhibit social differences.
With the premiere of a weekly episode, lasting approximately half an hour to an hour, Japanese, Thai and Taiwanese television has broadcast popular BL dramas. Other countries spread the word through online platforms, as this phenomenon also comes to life on social networks, when millions of followers from all over the world share their opinion on X, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook, adding new followers as these discover the works.
Most BL are written from a female perspective. They reflect everyday problems, such as the stereotypes that exist in society about homosexuals, the complexities of gay men when coming out of the closet, the fear of rejection from family and society, the representation of women (familiar or close to the protagonist). in the sad role of decorative object in the home, in the role of being a mother or dedicated to domestic tasks.
Due to the conservative social atmosphere, the discrimination that still exists towards the LGBT+ community, the series rarely mention the problems and conflicts of its members and the struggles for their rights. However, the popularity of these dramas has promoted society's openness to BL culture and understanding of the situation of the LGBT+ community.
Despite BL being mostly known for content created in Japan, it is in Thailand that it has had the greatest boom. While in many nations it remains taboo, in the Thai kingdom it is quite normalized and consumed. This is mainly due to the fact that a very significant sector of the LGBTI+ community resides or is passing through this nation.
The reality is that, despite homosexuality appearing to be such a normalized issue in audiovisual media and in everyday life, legally it is not. Issues such as same-sex marriage or adoption between people of the same gender are not legalized in Thailand. On the other hand, these programs serve to promote sales of items from companies, such as those dedicated to the cosmetics and beverage business, responsible for providing money for serial productions, thus imposing their interests, as well as promoting the country as a destination. paradise tourist.
Its plots do not escape a certain homophobia or misogyny. The above is confirmed when one of the protagonists believes he is heterosexual until he meets the other and realizes that only with that male character does he feel happy and fulfilled. It is also very common to find characters who justify their sexual orientation based on their dislike of women after having been deceived by them.
On the other hand, it is extremely common to encounter clichés that also occur in series and movies whose main characters are a heterosexual couple, only, for some reason, this predictable plot is mostly accepted by the public when the genre is BL. For example, the romanticization of violence between partners.
Cooking Crush
Unlike audiovisuals from other latitudes in which the acting couple rarely meets again in another program in the same role, Thai BL series usually pair the actors, especially when there is chemistry and they are popular with the public.
This is the case of Jumpol Adulkittiporn (Off) and Atthaphan Poonsawas (Gun). With the formation of OffGun, both have participated in numerous projects, from the first of them in 'Senior Secret Love: Puppy Honey' (2016) and 'Senior Secret Love: Puppy Honey 2' (2017), 'Theory of love' ( 2019) and the critically and fan-acclaimed 'Not Me' (2021), and in the special anthology of couples boys love titled 'Our Skyy', from 2018.
With the drama 'Cooking Crush', of the romantic comedy, food and BL genre, released in November 2023 on the GMM25 network, the two reappear. Like good wine, both actors, now 33 and 30 years old, respectively, underpin their artistic talent and consolidate themselves as ships within the BL universe.
The series reminds me of one of the most famous romantic comedies in history, 'Pretty Woman', from 1990 and directed by the American Garry Marshall. In it, the protagonist (Richard Gere) hires a prostitute (Julia Roberts) to accompany him for a few days, and they end up loving each other.
In 'Cooking Crush' the characters also come from two different social strata: Ten (Off), a rich medical student, hires Prem (Gun), a humble cooking student, to teach him how to prepare exquisite food dishes.
Prem dreams of becoming a chef who revolutionizes the culinary art. Determined to compete in a reality show that will choose the best chef in the nation, he must improve his culinary skills. That is the reason why he accepts Ten's proposal. Prem uses this as an opportunity to make money. The clash between both worlds will end up causing both of them to end up deeply in love.
A skilful script written by Pong Pattarawalai Wongsinwises, Noolek Sureechay Kaewses, M Rittikrai Kanjanawiphu and an effective staging, in addition to the good work of the two protagonists, allows us to find ourselves before a sentimental and romantic comedy with a lot of fairy tale and little of everyday reality.
The main characters add depth and emotion to the plot. The series promises a mix of touching moments and immersive drama, as both boys navigate between Ten's causes of stress and Prem's desire to overcome challenges.
The Thai setting adds a unique cultural backdrop to the seductive love story between medical consultation rooms and kitchens, offering viewers a captivating journey through the complexities of discovering sexuality and romance. While the information provided provides insight into the series, watching it will certainly offer a more complete and immersive experience.
'Cooking Crush' stands out with its tone of sentimental and romantic comedy and a talented cast, also composed of Pakin Kunaanuwit (Mark) as Dynamite, and Jaruwat Cheawaram (Dome) as Samsi. These two, along with Prem, will make a trio of friends. It also features Trai Nimtawat (Neo) as Fire and Warawut Poyim (Tum) as Metha, who make up the other friendly shortlist.
The members of these groups, who are not united by anything at the beginning, will not only find love in each other's members, but also strong ties of friendship and companionship. Together they will contribute humor to the program.
Rounding out the cast are Chatchawit Techarukpong (Victor) as Changma, Bhasidi Petchsutee (Lookjun) as Jane, Sukhapat Lohwacharin (Suam) as Bun, Pimwalee Phunsawat (Pim) as Paeng, and Lapisara Intarasut (Apple).
The trust in the ability of each of the members of the main couple in the other, and the way in which they promote each other, is striking. An example of this can be seen in the fact that Ten does not believe he has what it takes to succeed as a doctor and Prem encourages him. Prem, for his part, operates in a very competitive world such as culinary art, and if he has any doubt or circumstance, Ten supports him. Ten's love for Prem's cooking is what finally convinces him to sign up for Super Monster Chef.
Without being the best in the filmography of this acting duo, 'Cooking Crush' is a visual delight and fulfills its purpose as a romantic comedy, showing Off and Gun's undeniable chemistry while Ten and Prem flirt adorably in every interaction. . Theirs is a charming, beautiful, fun, natural and wonderful couple.
Although dynamite is so stable that generally new dynamite cartridges in good condition do not explode even if exposed to fire, Dynamite will not need a detonator and detonator to explode as soon as he meets Fire and encourages a fun game of cat between the two. and the mouse with a slight and subtle harassment on the part of the former at the beginning of the plot.
Without a doubt, 'Cooking Crush' is guaranteed to be popular for various reasons. The breadth of social media, such as YouTube and others, allows more people to connect with this and other BL series. The Western mentality is today much more open to viewing (without prejudice or hatred) content that is part of the LGTBIQ+ community. And finally, a growing need for the viewer to have the possibility that all sexual diversities can be expressed through the artistic formats within their reach.
Just as 'Cooking Crush' is another successful Thai BL by being a media product with an undeniable communication effect, we, as viewers, must be able to appreciate the content without ignoring its hidden meaning.
However, I must add the following criticism: throughout the history of film and television, homosexuals have been portrayed in a stereotypical way or in roles of ruthless killers, disturbed suicides, caricatures of human beings. On many occasions their effeminacy was exaggerated so that an audience could distinguish the gay characters without words. In this way, the audience could easily identify them as homosexuals because they reflected the clichés that still existed in society towards them. These consisted of portraying them as extremely mannered, prim characters, with thin mustaches and often grotesquely made up. In addition to repudiating this “perverted behavior,” filmmakers and television channels or film companies seek to provoke laughter in the viewer, since in comparison to them, men could feel more masculine and women more feminine.
This has been the case since the short film 'Lot in Sodom', by James Sibley Watson and Melville Webber, produced in 1933, which treated homosexuals as depraved sex-hungry satyrs. A film like 'Brokeback Mountain', by Ang Lee, from 2005, had to arrive, already in the 21st century, to present homosexuals to the general public as "common" men, with traditionally masculine appearance and without any type of pathology. that justified the presence of the character himself in the film.
This situation has been gradually transforming to the present day in which the major film and television production companies, especially European ones, pioneers in this subject, make films and series aimed almost exclusively at the LGBTIQ+ audience, showing more realistic characters and settings, films that are shown in commercial theaters or in the numerous film festivals on this theme that are held on all continents, or series broadcast on television channels in much of the world.
Although these current audiovisuals show how difficult it is to “come out of the closet” and project to the viewer the reality in which homosexuals find themselves, series like 'Cooking Crush' do not escape from reveling in stereotyping queer characters. Thus we see how Prem's three fellow students and also participants in the culinary contest, only with competitive, malicious objectives, are able to constantly harass and mock another member of that human collective.
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