Chains of Heart – Series Review & Episode Guide

Ken and Din used to be a couple who lived happily together. Din, a forest ranger, encountered trouble in his line of work. A group of dangerous criminals chased after him and threatened his life. During an intense showdown, the evildoers cornered the couple at the end of a cliff. Both fell off the edge.

Ken survived the fall. However, his boyfriend disappeared without a trace. Two years later, a heartbroken Ken relocated overseas to work at his father's restaurant. He continues to grieve over his missing boyfriend. His father and friends are concerned about him. They encourage Ken to move on with life.

Ken's friend DeeDee fights with a pack of street thugs. Ken joins the brawl to rescue him. They are initially outnumbered. However, a nearby pedestrian helps them and scares off the attackers. This man introduces himself as Lue. Ken is thankful for his help. Later, Lue shows up at Ken's restaurant to order food. The two men chat casually and form a friendship.

Din's sister Sai informs Ken that Din's body is found near the river. He solemnly returns to Thailand for the funeral. Ken reunites with Din's father and mother, both devastated by the loss. Din's brother Hin is also present at the funeral. His boyfriend, Payu, accompanies him. Din's parents and siblings treat Ken kindly. They have always viewed him as part of the family.

Recently, Ken's life has been at risk. First, a pack of thugs vandalizes his father's restaurant. Also, a strange man dressed in black keeps harassing him. After the funeral, an aggressive driver targets Ken's vehicle, causing an accident. Fortunately, Lue rescues him. Ken is surprised to see his Taiwanese friend in Thailand. Lue explains he is here for business. As the two men spend time together, Lue encourages Ken to move on from his dead ex.

Chains of Heart is hard to take seriously. Many illogical events, like senseless deaths or random masked assailants, are implausible in the real world. The narrative becomes increasingly convoluted as it unfolds. Expect bizarre twists, ridiculous theatrics, and one-dimensional villains overtaking common sense. Sometimes, the outrageous shenanigans amuse me. In other instances, I'm bewildered and bored by the cheap thrills. Chains of Heart loses my interest because it doesn't seem like a thoughtfully crafted story.

Beyond unrealistic scenarios, Chains of Heart has an incoherent narrative. It relies on excessive flashbacks, doesn't explain key plot points, and barely develops the supporting cast. The weakest part of the series is anything to do with the criminals. The characters waste time scheming and investigating, none of which is exciting to watch. Some uneventful episodes have slow pacing with little action other than tedious dialogue. Generally, the predictable story takes too long to unravel. It suffers from extensive downtime between confrontations and revelations.

Chains of Heart has an emotional premise as the protagonist mourns over losing his boyfriend. At times, his broken spirit tugs at my heartstrings. However, most of the melodrama falls flat. Ken cries about missing Din in almost every episode. These angsty scenes are excessive and repetitive. The constant tears are an unimaginative way of portraying his character's grief. I want to see a multifaceted range of feelings, from subtle expressions to understated mannerisms. Yet, the story diminishes its impact by defaulting to the same tearful responses with no nuances.

Ken's performer (Hiaa) is a handsome leading man with a suave demeanour. However, the crying scenes challenge him. He exaggerates his emotions and appears overwrought without showing restraint. In contrast, his costar (Boom) handles the dramatic exchanges convincingly. He can control his expressions and emote vividly with his eyes. As one of the strongest cast members, Boom brings sensitivity to his portrayal. Yet, the outlandish plots take me out of immersion, undermining his sincerity. I can't focus on the acting when the scenarios are egregiously dumb.

Chains of Heart features stylish aesthetics. This beautifully filmed BL drama creates ambiance through skilled camera work, scenic locations, and an eye for visual flair. In addition, both leads are attractive studs with beefy physiques. This telegenic couple isn't shy about displaying their shirtless bodies or indulging in physical affection. The actors kiss their on-screen partners keenly. I wish the series included more BL scenes to showcase their chemistry. Despite a handful of intimate encounters, Chains of Heart would benefit from emphasizing its romance.

Over the years, I have developed an immunity to dumb plots in bad dramas. I wouldn't last long as a BL fan without learning to laugh at much of the absurdity. That's how I approach Chains of Heart, treating it like mindless entertainment. I overlook many narrative flaws and enjoy the campiness, especially in the action-packed finale. However, I can't endorse the lousy ending. This series finishes the story awkwardly and fails to provide closure in an unsatisfying conclusion. With bitter feelings of disappointment, I won't remember Chains of Heart fondly.