A television mini-series review, by Rich Paschall

Jom is a young architect given the chance to renovate an old house. There he finds familiar items, including drawings packed away in a trunk from a previous time period. At times he has visions and sees things that may or may not be there. Who is he seeing in the distance or in the mirror? What is it about that house?

I Feel You Linger In The Air historical fantasy drama

For two years Jom was waiting for his partner to return from a university abroad. When he arrives he tells Jom they will not build a life together. He is leaving and marrying his girlfriend. Jom is crushed. He goes out and gets drunk, beaten up, crashes his car, and gets thrown into the Ping River. Jom is saved from drowning by Ming. When he comes up from the river he finds himself in front of the house he is to renovate. He runs off to the nearby town and tries to find his way home. He thinks there must be a street fair where all are dressed in old costumes. Soon he discovers that he was tossed back in time to 1920s Chiang Mai.

The people at the market are suspicious of Jom and he is once again rescued by Ming. Frightened and confused, Jom returns with Ming who is a servant at the house of the foreign master along with some others. Next to that estate is the mansion of another master and the building Jom was to renovate. Without any other choice, Jom must become a servant there.

The mansion is lived in by Khun Yai, the son of the master of the estate. He is someone who seems familiar to Jom as do a few other people Jom encounters. Yai’s father is suspicious of the new servant and does not like the idea of keeping him. Khun Yai sees the potential of Jom and tries to protect him.

Jom claims he was injured and could not remember his accident or anything from his past. How can he admit to being 100 years from the future? He hides his past. Sometimes he speaks up for change from the old ways, but Khun Yai warns him that it is not the time yet for change.

Jom progresses from servant to “majordomo” (chief steward of the household) for the young master, Khun Yai. Jom seems to be adapting to his circumstances, but visions of the future keep encroaching on Jom’s memory and spirit, including visions of his future self.

This fantasy/historical drama/romance unfolds slowly with a number of storylines being developed. This beautifully photographed BL drama is not the typical fare. It is carefully crafted to tell a multi-layered story from a previous period.

Chanon Santinatornkul, also known by his stage name Nonkul, does an excellent job as the architect lost in another world and time. The young actor’s resume includes a wide variety of projects. This is his first BL (boys in love) series.

Will Khun Yai accept the arranged marriage?

Rapheephong Thapsuwan, aka Bright, does a fine job as Khun Yai. The chemistry between Bright and Nonkul is apparent early on. He is able to show his confusion over the things Jom knows and pretends not to know. Due to Jom’s obvious intelligence, Yai takes an interest in the young servant who has literally appeared out of nowhere.

A few actors take on dual roles. Auttharinya Uengsilpsrikul is both Jom’s sister (Somjeed) in modern times and Khun Yai’s sister (Ueangphueng) in the past. This will cause some confusion for Jom when he thinks he has found his sister, only to discover that she is someone else. Not only that, but she is the first wife of the foreign master. Khun Yai will have to step in to save Jom from the anger of the foreign master who thinks Jom has been bothering his wife.

Kanokchat Munyadon is the boyfriend of Jom in the modern time (Ohm). In the past he was Khamsaen. In both time periods, he appears to have the same girlfriend Fongkaew (past) and Khaimuk (present). Seeing the pair again in the past is upsetting to Jom at first.

Guide Kantapon Chompupan is Ming, the servant who helps Jom. Ming has been rejected by one of the servant women and is upset by Jom’s growing friendship with Khun Yai. Guide Kantapon does an outstanding job as someone who must show a variety of emotions throughout the series. Also turning in excellent performances are Attila Arthur Gagnaux as the foreign master, Robert, and Kimmy Thitisan Goodburn as James, a business associate. In fact, you will not find a disappointing performance in the large cast.

Nonkul shines as Jom in the fantasy drama.

For those who are tired of BL dramas that rely on the same tired school themes, enemies to lovers, and other frequent tropes, this will be the antidote. It is a story of a much different nature. The time travel element is clear, unlike some other dramas that count on this trick just to provide a new setting. The story is beautifully photographed to maintain the idea that we have gone back a hundred years in time.

Will Jom be rejected again or find love in the past? Will he be able to return to the future? What does he sometimes see in the mirror or in the distance that confuses and frightens him? Will he be able to tell Khun Yai the truth someday? There are a variety of questions that present themselves throughout the series. As the questions brought forth by some of the storylines start to be answered by Episode 10 (of 12), one can only wonder what the future will hold for Jom in the remaining episodes of this intelligently presented fantasy.

To speak of anything in the last three episodes would be to give away too much, The series cleverly avoided any scenes from Episode 12 at the end of Episode 11, unlike the usual format of the other episodes. Some series mislead you or give away spoilers with scenes from the final episode. I Feel You Linger In The Air chooses to keep you on the edge of your seat.

The series is based on the novel Violet Rain. The TV version (about 45 minutes per episode) and the Uncut version (about an hour) are on YouTube. The series is also available on other streaming platforms but some of those sites may be geo-blocked in your area. I watched on the GagaOOLala website with my VPN set to Taiwan. Watch the hour-long version. The language is Thai. Turn on captions.

Categories: Anecdote, Entertainment, Rich Paschall, Romance, Television Review

Tags: BL drama, bright, fantasy, historical fiction, mini series, Nonkul, subtitles, Thai Language, TV Review