Someone, save me from the flirty banter of Khun Petch, the eldest of Juthatheps. Thanks to him, I am trying to get my first impression of Dujupsorn out so that I can watch episode 3. There is something about the 90s era, with his sleek boyband hair, oversized suit, gorgeous smile, and devil-may-care attitude that has everyone around him in a chokehold. I dare say, I’m invested.

Episode 1& 2 Recap

We open in Bangkok, 1992 during a violent political protest (this was known as Black May or Bloody May) where our heroine, Dujupsorn (pronounced Du-up-sorn) (starring Mint Ranchrawee), meets our hero, Asira Juthathep (Kongthap Peak). He was serving his country as a soldier (Army Major) when he noticed that a young woman was helping the wounded into her place of residence. There were crackdowns on demonstrators, but the Major ordered his men to escort the wounded to safety. When Dujupsorn came eye to eye with the handsome Major, she blurted out “he’s just like Koburi”, referencing the Japanese soldier in the infamous story Koo Kam. (I love the 90s and dying from all of the 90s references by the way).

He smiled his cheeky smile (with stripes down his face mind you) and whispered, “I guess you’re my Angsumalin”. Sparks flew, and chemistry sizzled, as they beamed at each other beneath the dangerous night sky. They did a brief introduction where the Army Major surmised that her name must mean angel (Nang Fah), but Dujupsorn’s smile froze when she heard his last name: Juthathep. To many, that name bears respect, praise, and even reverence. But Dujupsorn’s wide smile faded, and she avoided his eyes. This is exactly how Angsumalin met Koburi, the Japanese enemy. Our hero made a note of the name of the small dessert shop for future reference.

Two years later, in 1994, Asira Juthathep enjoyed civilian life and cleaned up nicely. Instead of his army uniform, he is adorned in a loose-fitted suit and promenades through the Juthathep palace in his main character’s aura. He owns the JT Real Estate enterprise and plans to build three condos in Thong Lo (which is known as Soi Sukhumvit 55 today), which at the time was a risky move and spoke to his visionary ability to set the trend. His company required a public relations team, and his goal today was to hire a PR person who shared his vision and could bring it to fruition.

This man is so incredibly charming, that it oozes off him. Help. He could even make his skeptical younger sister see the vision he has for Thong Lo: the ability to attract the Japanese expat community and create a metropolis.

Khun Petch – this is his known name, which means diamond. He peered at the list of interviewees and recognized the name and picture immediately. Dujupsorn, 25, recent grad, zero experience in PR. It was all going according to plan. He is practically humming in anticipation. Charming as he is, Khun Petch is also a walking nightmare for his human resources team.

Dujupsorn was the last person to be interviewed after being informed by the other candidate that the position was practically filled, and the interview was merely a formality. As she takes her seat in front of a panel of interviewers, someone points out that she has zero experience. Dujupsorn relents that experience can be gained, and that she is ready to take on the challenge with her degree. Without waiting for a breath, the same person asked her thoughts on whether to build condos in Soi Sukhumvit 55, hoping that she would share the same opinion as the brainless idiot before her. But much to the panel’s surprise, and much to Khun Petch’s pleasure, Dujupsorn agrees that there is value in building a community there and the return it can produce by drawing in the Japanese expats.

The next question caught everyone by surprise. Khun Petch took a drink of water (we later learn that this is a habit to alleviate his nerves) and asked whether she was taken. It was a bit inappropriate for an interview question, but what made it more surprising was that he called her by her nickname “Fah”, which caught Dujupsorn off guard. She gathered her thoughts (pretending all along that she did not recognize him) and answered that she was currently single. However, she mentioned that she plans to focus on her career and life before considering dating.

The sun could not be brighter than this man’s smile. He declares that she is hired, again much to the panel’s horror, because the president is bypassing every company protocol. Then he continued by dismissing everyone and asking her to a coffee date. (I am dying).

During coffee, Khun Petch pouts and asks why she does not remember her Koburi. I am dead. He proceeded to ask her to call him Khun Petch, instead of President or his government name, because it wouldn’t make them feel so distant. Dujupsorn asked why he said his name meant diamond instead of sun, which she thought would be a more apt description. Koburi, I mean Khun Petch, said there is already a sun in his family (his mother), and two suns could annihilate the world, so he opted to be referenced as the diamond instead.

Dujupsorn smiled at his apparent love for his family and commented that even though he is retired from the military, he still acts like a soldier. She observed that he does not take orders from people, but Khun Petch relented that he will only listen to people whom he wants to listen to. Why is he so adorable? Next level flirting!

Dujupsorn was doing a good job keeping it together, and not melting into a pool of water at his feet, as she remembered that she had another important date to attend, and that was her idol’s (and everyone’s idol at the time) TV show interview. The 90’s heartthrob, Num Sornram, the leading man in the famous lakorn Dao Prasook (morning star). That is two 90’s show reference that you should check out if you have not already.

Khun Petch is summoned home due to a family emergency. This is like the avengers uniting, the five lions and their five monkeys join forces to protect the great granny from Wilairampa. Even the name gave me chills, bringing back memories of the scariest Dhewaprom of them all, and this wasn’t even her full form, just her representation in a letter. But it was enough to befall great granny, who took ill and made Khun Petch promise to bring her Wilairampa. Great granny has been living with guilt and needing to beg for forgiveness from Wilairampa. The grandsons and great grandsons do not understand the extent of great granny’s guilt, but are determined to put an end to this. But first, they need to find her.

Perhaps they won’t have to go very far. I love seeing all of the five lions in their aging glory! They are dads now, and I think my favorite so far is Daddy Chai Yai, not because his son is the hero in his own story, but being the eldest, he has that authoritative aura about him, which I did not get from the younger Chai Yai.

First day on the job, Dujupsorn has to prepare for an upcoming presentation. It was clear that she was being tested by the person who did not want her to get hired. Khun Petch peered at her scattered desk full of photos and noticed her frowning. That will not do, she will not frown on his watch. Khun Petch volunteered to take her to see the condo itself and welcomed her questions. Dujupsorn would be crazy not to take him up on his offer, so she agreed and got a personal tour of the selling unit. He enjoyed watching her react to the condo’s design and intention, but what’s more, she truly humored him. When he said “Make yourself at home” he had no idea she would role-play as the owner of the unit (with a robe and all) and play to his wild imagination. I giggled so hard in this scene, her freak matches his freak.

Khun Petch has it so bad for her. He wants to give her flowers, but he can’t make it too obvious or suspicious, so he buys flowers for everyone in the office. He wants to be able to get a hold of her, so he gives pagers to her whole team. I cackle. He thinks he is being slick, but his executive assistant can see right through him, his driver can sense how happy he is when he is around Dujupsorn, and even his dad can tell something is up. But like the tough soldier that he is, you can’t get a word out of Khun Petch until he is good and ready.

I love this father-son duo, Khun Petch admired that his father followed his heart and married for love instead of succumbing to the pressure. He did wonder why his father was so close to giving it all up though, because he was a strong believer that he would never let go of the person he loved. Famous last words? I sure hope not.

Will Khun Petch be able to change Dujupsorn’s pessimistic view of romance? Khun Petch believes that love always finds a way, while Dujupsorn argues that it may not, especially in tragic situations like the ill-fated relationship between Kubori and Angsumalin. Dujupsorn faces daunting challenges as a direct descendant of Wilairampa, the villain among villains, while Khun Petch comes from a family that caused her a difficult upbringing. Despite this, Dujupsorn, true to her angelic name, possesses a kind and calming nature, often soothing her mother during her angry outbursts. Aware of the strife caused by the Juthathep family, she walks into the wolves’ den, knowing full well that the leader of them all is a charming wolf, and she won’t stand a chance.

I couldn’t stop grinning when she realized that Khun Petch had been a customer at her aunt’s dessert shop for two years and knew all about her, including her nickname Fah, and her studies in Australia. She came home feeling disappointed that Khun Petch might already be spoken for, only to find him enjoying a sweet snack at her home. His cheeky and incorrigible demeanor made her give up arguing with him. She said, “You are the most stubborn man I know. I can never win an argument with you can I”. Not because Khun Petch ever argues, but because he addresses issues with his sincerity and attentiveness to her emotions – her sadness and anxiety. Thus, she never has to say anything because he would beat her to the punch. Who knew drinking a glass of water could make you more thirsty?

Comments

I am smitten with the charming Khun Phet, and cannot wait to watch episode 3. His flirting skills are next level, but that’s because I adore clever banter. Like Dujupsorn, it feels like we are all under Khun Phet’s spell. However, I’m particularly intrigued by how he will handle the challenges that have already been hinted at, especially when it comes to her true identity. I am also excited to see the development of the romance, as the internet likes to say, the romance is romancing. I admire his carefree and assertive attitude. It seems that not only will Dujupsorn not stand a chance against him but neither will we. Let’s just hope that his perspective on love will eventually triumph over everything, and that he is only similar to Koburi in charm and not in fate.