Drama Digest
Phetal, an archeologist, dreams of herself in traditional clothing one day. While the dream starts pretty standard, she finds herself in an incident where she is killed. In her real life, she is contacted to analyze an artifact but finds that it is a fake. In an attempt to find the genuine artifact, she meets Songhop. However, Songhop looks like the person who killed her in her dream, and because of this, she begins to hate him. But even through all this hatred, they keep coming back together. It turns out that their fate is connected by the legend of “Nak Usa” or the land protected by the Four clans of Serpents (Nak). The two eventually find a slab that acts as the door to the Nak Usa. Later on, this information is leaked to Artifact collectors that wish to possess the treasures. It is up to Phetai and Songhop to find the treasures in Nak Usa before the others do. What secret lies within the Nak Usa? What significance does Phetal’s dream have? Was it a warning? Why do the two hated colleagues keep coming back together by fate? Watch the drama and find out.
The Feel-Good Part
The drama excitingly employs the beloved enemies-to-lovers trope. There is certainly chemistry between the two leads, but it does not take away from the goal of their mission and what they have to accomplish. The two leads also make wise decisions and never leave you feeling frustrated or like they missed a gigantic piece of a puzzle. The best part of the show is the historical elements at play. The cultural aspects at play within the show’s universe give it that extra push it needs. The action in the drama is pretty good, and the tension created within the drama gives it a nice touch. The story also leaves you on the edge of your seat throughout an entire episode.
The Disappointing Factor
The drama can be a bit overbearing with how long the season is. The show is 45 episodes long and 45 minutes per episode. Due to this long runtime, there are a lot of filler and redundant moments that do not service the overarching plot. The drama is also G-rated so any grit and darkness that can come from an action drama like this is lost and watered down. While the enemies-to-lovers trope is used interestingly and is one of the critical elements of the drama’s appeal, it could be a little more intense and have a little more depth. The fight scenes might come across as a bit comical, and the storyline might get lost along the way, but it makes up for it with charismatic acting.
In-Depth Analysis
The drama teaches us a lot about how to build mythology. How having a story mythos can aid in creating excitement within a show. It also employs the enemies-to-lovers trope and shows how it can go from strangers to enemies to teammates to lovers. There are a lot of elements within the drama that can be expanded on and explored.
Star Power
The screenwriter of the drama is Worawan Chaisakulsurin, who is known for her projects such as Porn Prom Onlaweng, Mr. Lipstick, Mae Nak Phra Khanong, and Leh Ruk Bussaba. She can craft a great story around our lead Phetal played by Pinky Savika Chaiyadej, and create a fantastic universe where the legend of Nak Usa exists. Pinky Savika Chaiyadej plays a special role in the drama and excitingly conveys emotion. She is known for starring in movies and dramas such as Kassatriya, Bla Boo Tong, Kadee Ded Haed Haeng Ruk, Thida Satan, Daughter, The Holy Man, Train of the Dead, and The Maid. Art Pasut Banyam plays our second lead, Songhop. He works in great chemistry with Phetai and can deliver some great moments within the show while still standing as his character. Art Pasut Banyam starred in several dramas and movies, including Look Mai Kong Por Series: Hua Jai Klai Roong, Theptida Pla Rah, Mae Hua Lamphong, Mae Krua Kon Mai, and Love Score. Whether it’s the opposing archeologists or their teammates, this drama has an extensive cast of supporting characters played by some fantastic actors and actresses such as Geng Chartchai Ngamsan, Poom Phuripan Sapsangsawat, Na-Chatra Vanessa Herrmann, Pookpik Sholajhan Wannapks, and more.
Overall Opinion
For the most part, this drama is a bit watered down, but it is still an exciting journey from start to finish. Some great moments and compelling mythology make it definitely worth the watch.
