Sangmin Dinneaw – Series Review & Episode Guide

Dinneaw lives with his mother on the riverside of Ayutthaya, a popular tourist destination with many attractions nearby. They run the Dinneaw Homestay, offering accommodations in a scenic environment. After his father passed away, it became just the two of them managing the business together. Dinneaw dreams of becoming a tour guide and travelling the world. However, Dinneaw puts his dream on hold because he doesn't want to leave his mother alone.

One day, Sangmin arrives at the homestay. He's a Korean exchange student who lived with them ten years ago. Dinneaw's mother, Orn, recognizes Sangmin immediately. She's shocked but overjoyed by his arrival. Back then, Sangmin was a sweet and lonely boy. Orn's nurturing side emerged as she grew deeply attached to him. Even after he left, she remembered him fondly. However, Sangmin hasn't stayed in touch for the past decade, making his return a complete surprise. He remains vague about his reasons for visiting Thailand.

Sangmin and Orn reunite happily, catching up on the past. The communication barrier isn't an issue for Sangmin, who knows a bit of Thai. While Sangmin occasionally gets some phrases wrong, he can express basic commands. However, Dinneaw isn't as enthused. Dinneaw was just a young child when Sangmin first stayed with them and doesn't remember him well. His mother dotes on Sangmin, even calling him her second son. Sangmin responds by nicknaming her Mom. Their close bond irritates Dinneaw, who secretly feels jealous.

Orn wants Sangmin to feel at home and asks Dinneaw to help him settle in. However, Dinneaw treats the new guest coldly, using a harsh tone and playing mischievous pranks. He teases Sangmin with a gecko and corrects his pronunciation of coffee. Hoping to ease tensions, Orn sends them to the local market to sell homemade products. To Dinneaw's annoyance, Sangmin's good looks attract many customers. While Orn is thrilled with the profits, Dinneaw grows even more frustrated. He feels inferior and lashes out at Sangmin.

After a heart-to-heart talk with his mom, Dinneaw apologizes to Sangmin. They decide to start over on better terms. Dinneaw takes Sangmin out for drinks with his friends, sneaking out late at night without his mother knowing. Sangmin meets Tor and Athit, who also run small businesses at the market. Tor sells meatball sticks, while Athit makes herbal liquor. Athit has a crush on Tor and openly flirts with him, but Tor doesn't return his feelings. Despite their friendship, their relationship remains complicated.

The first two episodes of Sangmin Dinneaw are set in a cozy homestay, a scenic location with rustic charm. The story follows a Korean foreigner reuniting with the Thai family who hosted him as an exchange student. While the series highlights the lead's language barriers and cultural differences, he adjusts well to his surroundings. Many BL dramas have tried bringing in actors from other nationalities, but it often feels awkward. Sangmin Dinneaw is one of the best attempts and handles this cross-cultural journey smoothly.

I enjoy the charming scenes where Sangmin learns Thai (including the phrase "endless erection") or shares Korean customs with his new friends. Another delightful plot is the relationship between Sangmin, Dinneaw, and his mother. Dinneaw feels jealous of how much his mom dotes on Sangmin, like an unusual love triangle with a platonic twist. Orn has a maternal side and a quirky artist's flair, making her a fun character. From playful banter to heartwarming chats, the trio's chemistry shines naturally. I'm grinning from ear to ear during the first two episodes. What a wonderful start to this series!

All Sangmin Dinneaw needed to do was continue on the same path. Create eight relaxing episodes of Sangmin's journey at the homestay, where he makes friends, falls in love, and opens up about his struggles. The series finds the formula for a winning BL drama, but it throws everything away. Starting in Episode 3, the plot suddenly changes directions when Dinneaw leaves his home and works at a hotel. The story shifts focus to dumb comedic antics and over-the-top melodrama. The quality takes a nosedive as Sangmin Dinneaw becomes far less enjoyable.

After a promising start, the remaining episodes fall apart. A devious villain stirs up conflicts, stealing focus from the leads and their romance. The humour misses the mark with forced jokes. The worst offender is Pony, an annoying caricature who exaggerates everything. Her loud, attention-seeking presence seems more like a distraction than comic relief. There's also an outrageous sex addiction subplot, which involves anal penetration in public and using a cucumber for self-pleasure. The series thinks its raunchiness is funny. Instead, the lack of decorum feels off-putting.

As Sangmin's backstory is revealed, even more ridiculous events follow. The exaggerated drama overshadows his romance with Dinneaw, making their relationship hard to enjoy. I actually prefer the secondary couple. While Tor & Athit's subplot doesn't get as much attention, they have a solid friends-to-lovers arc. Whether kissing or bantering, the actors (Non and Joke) share decent chemistry. I also crack up at their sex scene. Dramatic music plays in the background as Athit slowly struts up the stairs to meet his lover. The theatrical flair is why I love watching BL!

Dinneaw's actor (Petch) is charming and emotes convincingly. His co-star (Sang Min) seems less dynamic, but I appreciate his bilingual skills. A Korean actor who speaks Thai helps with the story's immersion. Around the end, the series almost improves when the cast returns to the homestay. A few heartfelt scenes remind me of what I loved early on. Yet, the poorly-written finale is impossible to defend. I'm sad to give Sangmin Dinneaw a low review score since it showed early potential. But with so many awful storytelling choices, the flaws are too glaring to ignore.