My Dear Loser: Edge of 17 (T) (BL Side Story)

 

My Dear Loser: Edge of 17 managed to capture the allure of youth in a way that felt very genuine and sincere. The cast did a great job of filling the space with the awkwardness and failed attempts that marks late adolescent (at least in my mind).

The story was a little slow to start and really hook my attention, but I'm glad I stuck with it. My 17-year-old self would have eaten plot like this up with all the emotions and drama, but I'm glad I can view it from a much older age and really appreciate the nuances of each character.

Each of the characters was a little dramatic and self-centered in a way that felt realistic and they felt like true individuals trying to find themselves. The show deals with a lot of bullying, which is unpleasant. It also deals with a lot of rejection and heartbreak. The main characters basically fall into 2 love triangles, so I will break them down that way and go over each character one by one. 

Oh x Peach x Copper

Oh (Nanon Korapat Kirdpan) is the main character. His name is short for Mario, the kids at school call him Mushroom (because of his bowl cut) and he is a MESS. I love this boy. How could I not, with the fantastic Nanon playing him. At first, you mostly feel bad for him. His childhood friend, Copper, turned on him and is the leader of the bullies that torment him on a daily basis. He is a sincere person who has feelings for Peach (omg there are so many Mario references). That all being said, even Nanon's cute dimples couldn't stop me from getting some incel vibes off of Oh, which is unfortunate. This may be due to the time period this show was released, or it could just be because that is the heteronormative narrative. Nerdy boys falls in love with hot popular girl, who should dump her hot rich boyfriend who treats her like crap for a NiCe bOy..... excuse me while I barf a little in my mouth. I mean, this character is the lead of like every single male-led rom-com and then some. He even pulls the plot device of talking to her online through a fake name, which makes her feel seen and appreciated but ultimately lied to and betrayed. I wish Oh wasn't so generic, but he is the main character, so it is what it is. Nanon did a great job of showcasing all the sides of Oh. He gets a nice glow-up although I miss the cute ass glasses he started with. I do like his little biker gang he randomly joins. They help him mature as a person and build his self-esteem, which is the main thing is was lacking. 

Peach (Jane Ramida Jiranorraphat) is a character I struggled with a little, because she also falls into a generic trap, although it feels more real I guess because of that. Although I was a little disappointed her character mostly revolved around her relationship with Oh and Copper, I was glad that she at least had some moments to herself and her character was fleshed out. She is dating Copper, because everyone expects her to. Later in the series, you see that Copper does really care about her, but he is really toxic and their relationship is very unhealthy. Copper is controlling and unstable, but Peach realistically portrays someone trying to manage their partner's mood swings and maintain the relationship. It's not easy for her to just walk away from him, even after she realizes she is starting to have feelings for Oh and Oh treats her much better than Copper. She was a more complex character than I initially expected her to be. She has her own flaws and insecurities, and she doesn't always make the "right" choices. Overall, I liked her character, even though she actually kind of deserved better, imo. 

Copper (Plustor Pronpiphat Pattanasettanon). Oh, Copper. He starts off just being the asshole bully that you expect him to be as the most popular boy in school. Over time, you see he has more to him than that. He is very immature and doesn't treat Peach well, although he realizes too late that he really loves her and doesn't want to lose her. In the end, I started to pity Copper. He is someone who you leave feeling like he has a lot of growth ahead of him. It's just a shame we didn't get to see it. But then again, maybe he never really changes, because it's easier for him to keep acting the way he knows how. 

Sun x In x Ainam

Sun (Chimon Wachirawit Ruangwiwat) is someone who deserves the world. He is our sad little gay boy in this tale, who gets his heart trampled more than a few times. He is a new kid in the school, but he is kind and aligns himself with the school loser, Mushroom, aka Oh. I thought it was nice of him to take the risk and befriend Oh, but that's just the kind of person Sun is. He is fairly mature for his age and pretty selfless. He even reaches out a hand to his temporary bully, In, when he gets kicked out of the bully club. They quickly become so close and I just know it is because Sun is a kind and loving person. Chimon played him so well, with his smirky, sassy personality and sweet smiles. I need more Sun!

In (Pleum Purim Rattanaruangwattana) was a character that had probably the biggest changes, although more of that was continued in the Sun and In "Our Skyy" episode. He starts off as a bully, just one of the gang going along with whatever is happening. However, one day he is cast adrift and takes refuge with Sun and Ainam. He very quickly and tightly bonds with Sun, to the point where they are wearing the same clothes and Sun is always staying over. They connect partly because they are both lonely children. In has the same issue throughout the series, however, which is that he can never make a decision. He is a vacant person, absorbing the qualities and preferences of those around him, because that is easier. It's a survival technique, but it backfires. Sun develops feelings for In, but In has a crush on Ainam, who in turn has a crush on Sun, who is gay. It's a mess. In is very selfish in this series, even going so far as asking Sun to help him court Ainam, knowing full-well how Sun feels about him but ignoring it. He wants them to stay as they are, even though Sun is the person he is clearly most drawn to and most attached to. I can't help but think this was another survival tactic, because if he and Sun are never more than just friends, then they can't breakup. Simple as that. The show leaves them in a vague area, with In saying he needs Sun next to him but refusing to label their relationship even though Sun wants and needs clarity. Their episode of "Our Skyy" resolves this issue, luckily. 

Ainam (Puimek Napasorn Weerayuttwilai) is hands down the best character in the series. She is the most likable person, at the very least. She is a fantastic friend, standing up to the bullies when they mess with Oh or Peach. She handles Sun's rejection of her very well. She seems to be the only one sensing the tension between Sun and In, and when Sun says he is not interested in her romantically, it hurts but she stays a true friend to him because she values him in her life. She helps In with his gay panic, even, telling him that instead of worrying about labeling himself and his feelings, he should just know that it's just about one person falling in love with another person. She is very kind and loyal and such a lovely person. I would definitely want her as a best friend!

As I said before, this show started a little slow, but I'm glad I stuck with it. It was a fairly light, but sensitive show about youth and the struggles of finding yourself and your place in the world. Some people only watch the Sun and In scenes (which I mean, I understand since they were the main reason I wanted to watch the show to begin with) but you really do miss out on a lot of great scenes and character development if you skip everyone else. Very cute show if you like some high school drama and romance!