#bad buddy episode 1

[telomeke-bbs]

BAD BUDDY AND THAI POLITICS

It's well-known that Director Aof has an activist bent, especially with regard to queer causes, but Bad Buddy seemed mostly apolitical to me (also because I wasn't attuned to a lot of Thai politics at the time of my first watch).

The series did comment on same-sex marriage during its run (see these links here and here) albeit in a somewhat oblique way.

But more than two years later, while checking Twitter about MilkLove's 23.5, I found a post about a little political Easter Egg in BBS: 🤩

The rough translation for this post in Thai is:

Nanon was gagged next to the number 112

And the political underpinnings of this little scene at Bad Buddy Ep.1 [3‌/4] 1.12 (as well as the significance of the number 112) go deep.

Section 112 of the Thai Criminal Code deals with Thailand's controversial lèse-majesté law, that critics maintain is constantly used by those in power to silence the opposition. By alleging breaches of this law, dissenting voices on the political scene can be swiftly and efficiently dispatched to prison. A significant proportion of these cases have also been heard through the military court (which is seen by many as a sign of the military's undue influence still over the government) even though the government of the 2014 army-backed coup is officially no longer in power.

Pran with his voice firmly silenced and Pat with his fingers to his lips, all while the number 112 looms large over them, is a potent visual metaphor for how many young people in Thailand feel about Section 112 🤩 (and it may not even be a coincidence that Pat clamps his hand over Pran's mouth at timestamp 1.12 😂).

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[social-media-shy]

Bad Buddy Rewatch - Episode 1

Things that got me hooked on my first watch (sorry, a bit out of theme):

1. Rainbow representation within the first 3 mins

2. The moment I fell in love with Pran (yeah, it didn't take long)

3. The wink and the dimple. Need I say more?

4. The "I am the only one who can hit him" trope played for laughs 🤭

5. Followed by their ridiculous and hilarious fake fight

6. Their amazing, natural chemistry, which truly made Bad Buddy seem different from any other show I had watched.

7. And saving the best for last - Pran's looks of love. My boy didn't stand a chance, just like me.

[dribs-and-drabbles]

#BADBUDDYREWATCH

Ep 1

A year ago, I knew I was going to love this show the moment Pran took his headphones out and the music stopped. And then he proceeded to pack away all his pens and stationary before going to help Wai. SOLD.

As much as I love that Korn and Wai are just friends by the end of the series, I also wish we had gotten an enemies-to-lovers arch with them too. Sigh.

Also, we were ROBBED of Pran's dad's tattoos...I see them there peeking out from under his collar...but I want to see moar!

I just realised it cut straight from the Valentine's Day scene as kids back to the fight...almost as if they were subliminally telling us these boys are gonna be in love (I know we knew that anyway but the juxtaposition of it!)

THE SONG. THE FRICKING SONG. OUR FRICKING SONG.

I'm STILL so salty that we never got the two groups walking together as in the opening credits clip. SO SALTY.

Pat's dad, "Back then they (architecture) always hit on girls from my faculty." He's not wrong there...since Pran went on to hit on Pat during their bet 😂

I've often wondered about Pat's shirt here - "turn up the saturation" - I guess it could symbolise how the return of Pran infuses Pat's life again with increased life, colour, happiness...everything really, even trials and tribulations. There's never a 'dull moment' anymore now they're back together.

The Freshy Day music festival started at 8 AM!

I just realised...Pat, Pran and the others must all be in their second year of uni already since they're not in the uniform of black trousers, white shirt, and tie. I'd always assumed they were all in the first year but now I realise that Pat's gone through a whole year of uni without Pran...a whole year of 'fierce eyes' and fighting and mis-directed energy. 🥺😭 Edit: The general consensus is that the show starts at the second half of their first year since the time-skip does say they go into 'year 2' in ep 7.

These young kids were SO GOOD.

Oh...Ohhhh...it's the way Pat and Pran use fists to fight, to fake-fight, and to put on a show of rivalry for others...but also to compromise, collude, and unify in secret. 🤯

Pran's so in love! But he's also so doomed! The dichotomy! 😂

[amalkathewitch]

Was rewatching the first episodes of bad buddy with my friend until 3am this morning and my main takeaway is that I love Pat, but if I had a friend like him in real life I would have to hit him at least 4 times a day

[heymacy]

IAN GALLAGHER + his journey with bipolar disorder

╰┈➤ “At times, being bipolar can be an all-consuming challenge, requiring a lot of stamina and even more courage, so if you’re living with this illness and functioning at all, it’s something to be proud of, not ashamed of." - Carrie Fisher

[airenyah]

bad buddy music in 23.5 degrees: ep12

(ep1 | ep2 | ep3 | ep4 | ep5 | ep6 | ep7 | ep8 | ep9 | ep10 | ep11)

in episode 12 of 23.5 degrees there were a total of three (3) pieces of royalty free music that have been featured on bad buddy too:

1. a tiny tumble - josef falkensköld

bad buddy timestamps:

ep8 pt2 - 1:15

23.5 degrees timestamps:

ep3 pt2 - 9:50

ep4 pt2 - 6:21

ep6 pt1 - 7:33

ep12 pt1 - 3:33

2. fine by then - ray ft. phil waters

bad buddy timestamps:

ep8 pt2 - 0:17

23.5 degrees timestamps:

ep12 pt3 - 8:15

3. moonshiner’s turn – martin landström

bad buddy timestamps:

ep1 pt4 - 1:16

23.5 degrees time stamps:

ep1 pt4 - 1:28

ep7 pt2 - 5:28

ep8 pt4 - 6:42

ep12 pt1 - 13:20

ep12 pt4 - 4:40

[criminalgays]

they’re not even airing s7 this fall and i’m already beginning my clown era oh no

just give us buddie. i know you want to abc. think of the ratings. think of the views.

[unrealisticlea]

I know buddie is canon because in my homophobic country they change almost all their dialogues and they like to play this game called “how many times can we fit the word FRIEND in a conversation before it gets weird”.

“he’s hanging out with his Buck-> he’s hanging out with his FRIEND Buck”

“you said it, brotha” -> “you said it, FRIEND”

“when you sued the department did you stop to think what it would do to us”-> “did you stop to think what it would do to other people?” (Like who????)

Eddie and Buck both call Chris “buddy” but when Eddie says it they translate it to “sweetie” and when Buck says it they translate it to “FRIEND/Christopher”. When Oliver says him “Chris”, no he didn’t. He said “Christopher”, are you deaf. (they really really don’t want you to see any kind of parental relationship between Buck and Chris. Here gay couples can’t adopt children. I’m connecting the dots)

“There’s no one in the one I trust with my son more than you”-> “I’m giving you my son because there’s no one in the world I trust more than you” (yeah, okay, this turned out gayer)

I can’t wait to see what they’re gonna do with “go get them, cowboy”. my guess is it’s just gonna be “good luck, FRIEND!”

[yellowloid]

only way i'm accepting the apology video that's no doubt going to come from watcher in the next few days is if ryan and shane decide to throw steven out altogether

[head-empty-just-sigma]

i am so unwell

[smply-sktchng]

just girly things (depressive episode)

[ponytailcoby]

Seven is the worst season

[dribs-and-drabbles]

So it seems the consensus is that at the start of Bad Buddy, Pat and Pran are somewhere in the second half of their first year at university (mainly because the time-skip at the start of ep 7 does say 'year 2'). And that either the production team took artistic liberties with the wardrobe so that the characters could have more distinguishing clothes than just the usual black and white, or that by this point in the year their 'uniform' does allow for different coloured pants, shirts, and the blue/red jackets anyway.

Thanks for helping out @jemmo @seeking-moonscapes @grapejuicegay and @sharingfandoms! (and in case you're interested: @heaven-hell-and-humanity @lost-my-sanity1)

[kyr-kun-chan]

Bad Buddy Rewatch 2022 Episode 1

How do you feel today? ):)

[aestheticsfandomsandmore]

In defense of Wai

PART 1. EPISODE 1.

Hey there, Bad Buddy fandom! No, I am not about to write a 10k words long post in which I will justify Wai for what he did to Pran (and Pat) at the end of episode 8; what he did is unjustifiable, so I won’t even make an attempt. All I want to do is to—maybe—let you all see him in a different light—especially those who have either never rewatched the show or who have only rewatched the PatPran/InkPa scenes (understandable tbh): there are so many little details spread all around the episodes that may go unnoticed on a first watch. 

I also read many people talk really bad about Wai as a friend overall, even before what happens during (and after) the curtain drop scene; and I heavily disagree, so here’s my personal perspective on this character.

[NOTE: I do not like Jimmy’s acting and the only reason I’m able to ‘stand’ it in Bad Buddy is that most of the scenes in which he appears are pretty light-hearted, or meant to be comic relief, so his cringey acting does not look (that much) all over the place. Despite this issue, I still believe Wai is a well written character who has layers to him and I would love to explore them.]

The show literally starts with a close up of Wai’s feet [EP1, part1, 0:44], introducing his character while he tries to run away from his bullies—yes, Pat and co. are acting like bullies and I do not care about how amazing of a person Pat actually is, I don’t care how goofy and likeable Korn becomes later in the show: they are introduced as assholes who are willing to resort to violence the moment someone gives them a middle finger. That is not okay (yes, I will be talking about Wai and his tendencies to resort to violence as well, don’t worry about it), especially when you watch the show in retrospect and know what they’ll do to Wai in his workplace (but we’ll get there).

We are immediately given some info about how much Pran cares about Wai: when Safe tells him [EP1, part1, 2:29] that Louis is in trouble, Pran only retorts ‘He gets himself into a fight everyday’, but when Safe mentions that Wai’s there too, Pran changes his mind and decides to go to his rescue. This is important because a) we’ll get to know Pran over the episodes and we’ll realize he doesn’t like violence at all and is way less inclined to piss people off as well, favouring manipulation and politeness to get what he wants; b) Pran is not about to help Wai because he believes he’s innocent, considering what he asks him [EP1, part1, 8:31] after the fight: ‘What did you do to them this time?’; Pran goes there fully aware that, despite Wai being the victim in that specific situation, he probably did something that led things to go the way they did. And yet, he still puts himself in danger to help him, and assists him [EP1, part1, 8:02] in getting up before running away, making sure he’s safe and sound. 

Wai is therefore introduced as a troublemaker, as someone who doesn’t shy away from a fight, who’s quite immature and doesn’t know how to read the room; of course, it’s not his fault Pat and his guys decided it made sense to chase down someone over a middle finger, but all I’m saying is that Pat had a well-known reputation, and Wai still decided to provoke him and his friends well aware of that. Safe even tells him (EP1, part1,9:08): “I just don’t get it, Wai. Why did you have to mess with that guy. I heard he’s the boss of his faculty. Even our seniors don’t want to have problems with him. Who are you to dare?”, to which Wai replies: “I’m not scared at all.” and then suggests to take revenge on the Engineering gang as soon as they can. So, he didn’t learn much from what just happened, but I can’t say I blame him entirely, to be honest: I never liked giving in to bullies either. The mature and wise thing to do would be to report them: to have them act like bullies in front of a camera, then show the video to their professors and get them all suspended or expelled. But as we already established, Wai is everything but mature, or wise. 

When Pran refuses to help them in their plan for revenge (<3), he then turns to Wai and reccomends him [EP1, part1, 9:36] to be cautious (he doesn’t give the same advice to Safe or Louis, focusing entirely on keeping Wai safe). You can then see Wai thinking about Pran’s words and nodding, as if he’s actually giving it some thought (in other words, Pran’s opinion is important to Wai, and since he actually doesn’t seem to be plotting anything against Pat and his friends later in the episode it’s fair to assume he realized Pran is right). 

We don’t know the circumstances in which these two met—we only know it was before they started Uni. My personal headcanon is that they became friends when Pran was transferred, in his boarding school; on the other hand, it’s likely that they met Safe and Louis during University (therefore these two friendships are still very new to Pran, which explains his blatant favoritism towards Wai). Wai must have done something to earn Pran’s trust and affection—and I only wish the show dived more into their past—, we don’t know what, but he must have done something! Pran isn’t a person who makes friends easily (we have canon confirmation of this in ep10, but it was pretty obvious from his personality alone), so for him to be this attached to Wai something huge must have happened. We do know, though, that Pran never talked to Wai about liking Pat, or liking boys as a whole; so we do know that, while theirs is clearly a deep bond, Pran never really managed to fully open up with Wai; then again, we also know that Pran doesn’t easily open up to anyone, that he has issues doing so even with Pat; and being transferred somewhere else must have been a trauma for him, to the point that he may have just wanted to forget all about his previous life, never mentioning anything concerning Pat or his family situation to avoid thinking about them. 

Next time we see Wai [EP1, part2, 4:44], he’s hanging around with Pran, Safe and Louis, and they’re being cute together, laughing and smiling without a care in the world. They’re walking in pairs, and Wai is—of course—standing next to Pran. After they get an interruption by another Architecture student, they split up, Safe and Louis heading to the canteen, Wai and Pran to the workshop studio. But before they go, Wai catches Pran’s attention and shows him a flier on the wall [EP1, part2, 5:50], the one that’s spamming the Freshy Day Music competion. When Pran points out that the layout isn’t great, purposely ignoring the real reason why Wai showed him the flier, he seems amused [EP1, part2, 6:01]—actually, he looks at Pran with a fond smile the entire time, clearly looking forward to his reaction. 

Now, I know most people will probably say that this is the first time Wai tries to guilt-trip Pran into doing him a favor, but Wai doesn’t even mention anything about how much he wants to take part into the competition, or how great it would be for him if Pran agreed, he just points out he knows Pran wants to do it, and spurrs him into action. He doesn’t even pressure him, simply stating [6:35] that he’ll go get an application form, which Pran can decide whether or not to sign later. I genuinely believe Wai was doing this with the best intentions. Did he want to join this competition? Sure. He obviously likes to play guitar, considering he’s got money issues but still owns one of his own. But he also mentions he knows Pran wants to. What does this mean? It means Pran told Wai about his love for music. He didn’t bring his guitar with him when he got transferred: we know Pat is currently holding it in his closet; therefore the topic must have just popped out at some point during their friendship, and Pran must have felt comfortable enough to talk about it. 

The scene that follows is very light hearted and fun. Pran points out it’s for the best if he’s the one getting the application form, since Wai likes to slack off and the last time they went to get a coffee they ended up getting no work done at all. It’s a little detail that tells us Wai is not really the most diligent person in the world (who would have thought?) but also that these two really enjoy spending their time together, to the point that hours can pass and they barely notice. 

The next scene that’s important in terms of Pran and Wai’s friendship is the conversation Pran has with Pat in his room (EP1, part3, 6:29). Pat asks Pran to stop protecting Wai, to back off, and—despite the feelings we know Pran has for Pat—he refuses to do so. “Wai has been my close friend since before I transferred here.” 

Pat and Pran come to an agreement: Pran will avoid Wai getting hurt by asking him to apologize, and Pat will be the one backing off consequently. Wai agrees to this, and I firmly believe it must be because of something Pran told him, otherwise he would have never apologized to them (especially since, sure, he gave them a middle finger, but they’re the ones who resorted to violence, so they’re really the ones at fault).Things don’t go the way they planned, because Pat’s friends are complete assholes, but at least they gave it a try; the trade-off scene is so fucking cringey—seeing University students acting like mobsters gives me chills—, so I won’t dive into it any further.

So, what did we get out of episode 1? 

- Wai is Pran’s closest and most important friend and Pran cares deeply about him;

- Wai gives credit to Pran’s words and opinions; 

- they truly enjoy hanging out together; 

- they most likely had some personal conversations over the years, in which Pran opened up to Wai about his love for music, and Wai remembers what Pran told him. 

[hanthecannibal]

rn the warp effect is shaping up to be the only other thai series that i give a 10/10 to in my review doc