What is not to love about Kitchen Scholar? Every episode warms our hearts and makes us anticipate the next hurdle. We are very close to our climax- the inevitable truth about Cha-aim’s identity- and whether the ending will satisfy our avid dedication to this series. What I would say though, is that the romance between Mr. Tum and Cha-aim is so gradual and believable and the character developments for our core cast is well done.
Starting with Mr. Tum, it took one episode (Ep 8)- which is a few days in the lakorn world- for Mr. Tum to decide to throw caution and society’s disapproval to the wind. At first he is a little depressed that he is in love- with a maid to boot- and tries to make her jealous by flirting with Ms. Aon in Chiang Mai, whom he considers as a sister. But it took a risky reminder that life is short and he didn’t want any harm to come to her, that he is propelled to confess his feelings. It doesn’t matter that she is a maid or has questionable moral behaviors, he loves her, accepts her, and is willing to make his family accept her too. If we learn anything about Mr. Tum in these last few episodes, it is that he is a good and decent hero, and a true romantic. Just to reveal his feelings, he contrived to bring Cha-aim to his family’s beach house to get her alone. But even being stranded alone on an island due to a harsh storm, he still couldn’t utter the words. Will he finally find the gumption to profess his love for her? How will he react to the pending revelation that she’s really not a maid, but someone who is absolutely suitable for him? Can he overlook her lies, especially when he promises to persecute anyone who lies to him? Let’s hope he won’t be noble, heh.
Even though he tries to stick to her like glue, Pong is the saddest fellow in this lakorn. Think about it, even though Cha-aim hasn’t reciprocated her feelings for him, she never denied his love. Moreover, one can assume she is leading him on. She tells her parents that he’s just a good friend and that she hasn’t thought that long and hard about who will be her future husband. Pong, as a boyfriend who doesn’t want to lose his girl, attempts any mean necessary to keep her. So I don’t blame him, even though his attempts always backfire. What is sad though is that he is using Ms. Aon as a means to keep Cha-aim. He thinks that if he could hook Mr. Tum and Aon up, Cha-aim will be his. He doesn’t realize that he is worst than Cha-aim: even though she is masquerading as a maid, she never ever plays with people’s emotions. At least with her, what you see is what you get. But at the end of the day, Pong has grown closer to Ms. Aon through his charade and doesn’t realize she is falling for him.
Which brings us to Gubgib’s character, Ms. Aon and I must say that I love her honesty and refreshing attitude, even if she tends to screech a little much. You always know where you stand with her. She is clueless at best, which could be blamed on her mother, who has forced her hand on everything, and in essence took her ability to think independently. But despite that, she is beginning to realize her own emotions (for Pong) and learn that you can’t force someone to love you, no matter how hard you try- as she has been trying to get Mr. Tum to fall for her- just so she could win her mother’s approval for once. Hopefully we get to see Ms. Aon mature and be able to think on her own- well, for the next three episodes anyway. This lakorn is way too short for my liking.
As far as parenting skills, both Khun Cheun and Khun Phi are lacking in that area. It takes a 21 yr old maid to make them aware of their neglect of their parents. To this day they haven’t realized how neglectful they are with their own daughters. How sad. Khun Phi is interested in only researching for his nephew. He’s terrified of his wife and has a laissez faire attitude towards his daughter. Khun Cheun on the other hand is too busy with her social events to discipline her kids or give her kids enough attention to ensure their psychological health is as well as their physical. Like Cha-aim says, people need more than a roof over their heads. They need attention and love. Hopefully this is what the parents will learn.
The person in need of the most self realization though, is Amika or Cha-aim. The obtuse girl is so blindsided by her need to win this competition that she practically does everything to achieve it. Despite that, I like her. She is learning so much about people and life in general by impersonating a maid. She is willing to help others and make others realize what they can’t see. In a way, her presence changed the household. But the biggest question and concern is, has she been changed? Is she going through her own revelations? We know that she keeps thinking about Mr. Tum, that she only considers Pong as a good, close friend and that she has grown to adore the family she takes care of. But as of yet, I haven’t seen a huge character development for her, hopefully we get more of that in the climax. Maybe she just needs time to sort out her feelings? Or perhaps some sort of catalyst will force her to reveal her feelings for Mr. Tum?
The Kitchen Scholar has performed better than I’ve ever imagined. If they continue to make us smile, provide abundant Cha-aim-Mr.Tum scenes, and tie up important questions and show character depth, I could not be more happy. As it stands, this lakorn has already made its way to my heart and I can wholeheartedly say, hats off to Thong Production. For those skeptical of Kim and Mark pairing, I’m sure this lakorn can change your mind.
Now let’s sit back, relax, and watch the final three episodes this weekend. Someone pass the popcorn!
*pic credit to Asianfuse Forum
Tagged: Kimberly Voltemas, Mark Prin, Panyachon Kon Krua
love your writing. thx a ton
This is my favourite recap so far, thanks fia! 🙂 It has been a long time since I grinned stupidly at the screen, all thanks to this drama! Heheh
@pakawayay @Anna Phan
Aww thank you, both your comments made my day!
This lakorn is ridiculously good and makes me beam like a fool too, albeit a very happy fool…
Thank you very much for your thoughts. I read your blog for a couple of months now and never commented. I have to admit I was very sceptical with this lakorn and never planned to watch it as I don’t like hystercial and slapstick comedy. Because I like both actors I gave it a try and found it like you very heartwarming and enjoyable. Although I understand Thai I love to read your recap and your thinkings about the episodes. So thank you Fia 🙂
Sawaddee ka Tuyah, thanks very much for taking the time to leaving me a comment. Each and every feedback means a lot to me. My favorite part about blogging is exchanging thoughts and insights with like minds.
I’m glad that despite not being a fan of certain genres of lakorns, you still gave Kitchen Scholar a gander, after all, “really good” lakorns are hard to come by. What are we going to do with ourselves once it ends?
After it ends I think I will rewatch all cute scenes 🙂 Hopefully one of the next lakorns will be as good and will make us anticipate as much as this one. Maya Tawan oder Raeng Pratana maybe? Anyway, one day left for the last 3 episodes. Can’t wait to watch how things will unwrap and how K Tum will react when he learns that the persons he loves had lied about almost everything in her life. And can’t wait to read your recaps on the last episodes of course 🙂
I’m so terrible, I’ve been rewatching their cute scenes. I am going to miss them after the finale. I actually went back to watch the first few episodes of 4 hearts of the mountain and can’t help but fall in love with Nam, Din, Fai and Lom all over again. It’s bittersweet because they have grown so much and play off each other so well. When I first watched them, I don’t appreciate them as much as the second time around lol.
I’m thinking about recapping Rang Pratana too but it depends on when it will air and if I have time. Maya Tawan is already on my next project list.
ooohhh i love the picture of anne at the bottom. she’s looking lovely, isn’t she? i’m so happy that her first produced lakorn (correct me if i’m wrong) is doing really well. i can just imagine her helping the actors to get into their roles, or directing the script NOT to create moronic characters… or maybe this is the fangirl in me speaking wistfully. i’d say this is a much superior pairing of Kim – Mark, especially if you compare it to 3NNT. somehow they just fit really well here.
This is Ann’s producer debut- her baby, so to speak. She is very much involved with all aspect of the lakorn, from arranging the clothing to tweaking the acting, script etc. Needless to say that she is always present at the lakorn shooting. She wants this to come out the best that it can, and it shows. If we know anything about Ann, she is a hard worker and I love her even more for that. Despite this being their third lakorn together, I feel that this is the first time Kim-Mark pairing has really stood out for me. I can go on and on, because I’m just so pleased!