THE PROMISE (2023, THAILAND)
A COMPARISON STUDY
This is basically for myself, I got enamored with this pair with the airing of PHUPHA (AUGUST 2022) and NANFAH (NOVEMBER 2022) on the DEVONTE296 OFFICIAL YOUTUBE CHANNEL. Thinking that was all there was to be until at the end of the NANFAH mini an announcement for an upcoming series.
Now in the NANFAH mini Phupha has already left after being unable to confess to Nan after seeing Nan with Gigi in what he thought was Nan becoming a couple with Gigi. But Nan and Phu's landlady made Nan aware of Phu's feelings so Nan began a 10 year search for Phu.
This series is comparable to many series in my opinion like My Only 12% (because of the close friendship from childhood except See-iw and Cake were basically together since birth) or Our Dating Sim (where one ran away from the other for multiple years except Lee Wan confessed then ran because it seemed to be a rejection)
At the end of the 2 minis Nan came to realize he was in love with Phu. But the series didn't pick up with that, it instead chose to go back to the close friendship even after Phu's disappearing act.
So this story wasn't a story at all, it seemed to be a commercial for Devonte Skincare for Men and two reunited friends promoting this brand as it was Nan's job and soon to be Phu's job as he was pursued as a presenter or brand ambassador. Until the end of Episode 5 when Nan learned Phu lied about his whereabouts for 10 years. Then the drama ramp up as Nan declared I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN YOU LYING DECEIVING DUPLICITOUS ASSHOLE.
Then a Hiatus until April 19...a month away
What was expected upon the return, Phu trying to explain why he ran off for 10 years or at the very least groveling at the feet of Nan begging for forgiveness but no it came back to Nan still stressing as Phu ran to check on his grandmother making Nan think he lost Phu once again and literally suffering because of it.
If that didn't prove how much Nan loved Phu what else could. Because Nan had options. But he could not and did not let go of Phu mentally (when Phu wasn't there) or physically (when he was there)
Nan never got an apology even when he asked for one when he went after Phu after their Episode 5 blowup.
Then there is the bombshell that Khunkhao (another guy in love with Nan) and Phupha are half brothers as they share the same mother but they don't know that.
So the series throws out that Nan doesn't believe in dating a friend because it would ruin the friendship so this further pushes Phupha into his shell as far as a love confession.
It further pushes Phu into this shell when he watches as Party confesses to Nan and Nan reiterates that to him friends are just friends.
Furthermore Nan and Phu are two healthy grown men and neither had a relationship with someone else in the entire time of being apart? That's pining.
Phu seemingly disappointed Nan over and over and he had a chance with a stud like Party and and Khunkhao yet he did not show the slightest interest.
Then Episode 9..Phu's Confession was so out of character. Phu is an introvert. He keeps all his feelings inside (think Khabkluen in STAR IN MY MIND)
Phu doesn't like social interaction. He has crippling stage fright in front of people yet he confesses to Nan in a club in front of their friend Joe and ALL of Nan's work colleagues and the brother he never knew. If that isn't out character.
Then Phu learned his grandmother has died. For Phu he has only been close to 3 people. His father, his grandmother and Nan.
So one episode left. But the story such as it is, is over what else is left.
My prediction is...Phupha meets Khunkao in their official capacity as Brothers. Perhaps including Phu and Khunkhao's mother. And the actual lovemaking of Phu and Nan for the first time. And possibly Nan deciding if he's moving to China for this promotion with Devonte. May 24 ends The Promise pushed back from May 19. Will WeTV and Devonte show the last episode on the same day?
