More. More. More. Another Thailand lakorn with a pra’ek with special powers, this time it seems like our hero can read minds. The Mind Game (2021) stars Bank Thiti (Bpai Hai Teung Duang Dao) and Peak Pattarasaya (Leh Ruk Bussaba (2018)) and will air June 14, 2021 on channel GMM One, so it may be english subbed.
Credit: one31s yt channel
Synopsis: When he became a suspect in a robbery case, he had to do everything he could to prove his innocence. Meet a young man with special powers and his special team to go out and pursue real criminals! (Source: MyDramaList)
The nang’ek looks older the pra’ek here in the above teaser. But there seems to be two pra’eks, the other one is played by Oab Oabnithi and he looks good in the 2nd teaser, paired with Patty Phetii I believe. This lakorn seems based on an older one called Chit Sanghan (2002). I like the poster and this might be interesting, so we’ll see if it gets English subbed.
Will Dao Kon La Duang (2021) be the action lakorn done right? Not sure, but the teaser is out and the action sequences are varied and look good. Very, very cautiously optimistic. I’ve been burned too many times by action lakorns to have high hopes. The lakorn airs January 25, 2021 on Channel 3, and is a remake of a 1999 lakorn. Great action crew here starring Great Warintorn, Pop Thagoon, Boom Suphaphorn andMew Piatha. So there should be at least 2 couples, and can we get some bromance as well in this police drama? Neko will be English subbing this lakorn.
Source: Channel 3’s yt channel.
I haven’t been able to embed some links, so if you can’t see the trailer, here it is here and Neko has an English subbed version here.
Synopsis: Thanat and Wasan are the sons of police officers who grew up together. Since childhood, both wanted to become a police officer with the same ideology as their fathers. After taking the position of inspector at the Crime Suppression Division of Narcotics, Thanat has the opportunity to work together with Wasan in finding drug dealers. They also meet Supika, a talented female police officer. She’s close to Chalanthorn, a beautiful girl who’s popular in the same social circle as Sia Sunai, who has a background in the drug dealing business. Chalanthorn starts working with the police by giving them confidential information, which puts her in danger. Thanat is always by her side to protect her and they develop feelings for each other. The same happens with Wasan and Supika, after going through many dangerous situations together. (Source: MyDramaList)
Another shorter selection of 2020 actions lakorns for me to talk about when compared to 2019, so I’ve included both english subbed lakorns (only the best) and some unsubbed lakorns that should be subbed (uh, maybe). I’m putting here action lakorns that had lots of action, but also couldn’t be put in other genres such as comedy, horror or historical. I looked at trailers too to see where the lakorn belongs. You’re welcome!
I put all the 2019 English subbed lakorns in part 1 and if they were not subbed, but sounded interesting, or different and should be subbed, they were part 2. So you can check out these posts to see what you may have missed out on in 2019. So 2019 action lakorns part 1 here, part 2 here, 2019 comedy lakorns part 1 here, part 2 here, 2019 drama lakorns (slap n kiss included) part 1 here, part 2 here. 2019 historical lakorns here.
ENGLISH SUBBED LAKORNS
Lah Tah Chon (2020) – Because of the brutal killing of his family, making the young engineer take revenge without waiting for the justice system. But due to carelessness, he is arrested for murdering the father of a woman he secretly loves and is sent to train as an assassin of a secret organization that eliminates evil people illegally. There was a turn of event when he realized he was being used so he decided to withdraw and expose the organization’s evil plans. With his own life and his loved one at stake. (Source: ohsweethaven)
Source: Channel 7’s yt
Reasons it’s interesting? The trailer looks good and the synopsis. The director Oliver Bever is an old hand at action lakorns, having directed 2019’s Insee Daeng, and Kularb Kror Petch (2019) which also starred Es Kantapong. Preaw Tussaneeya is the love interest who also worked with Es before so a lot of reunions within the cast and staff which can be a good thing. This lakorn is still airing, but it is being English subbed by Thippy .Trailer above
Jark Sadtroo Soo Hua Jai (2020) – Jett is a handsome man forced to become a hired gunman because of his dark past and problems. And one day, he is hired to kill a woman. It was suppose to be a simple job, however, it is complicated by the fact that his target, Sophita, is his ex-girlfriend’s sister. This leaves him with only two options. To either protect Sophita or to kill her. What will he chose? (Source: Collin Hypercuz and Wandering Queen at MyDramaList (Source: MyDramaList)
Source: Channel 7’s yt
Reasons it’s interesting? A lot of people have loved the chemistry between the two leads, Aum Patcharapa and Mik Thongraya, but at 19 episodes, it better have a tight plot, or there will be lots of filler! It is English subbed by Muse and Neko. Trailer above
Singha Na Ka (2020) This drama is based on the writings of Seal Writer Mala Khamchan, and is directed by Chatchawan Watthamon, who holds this title. Singha Na Ka is a story of young people who have the magic power to be occupied.
On one day, there was a very greedy scientist who discovered this magical power and meant to take possession of this world alone. So young energetic youngsters such as Haha and Nana have come out to stop this scientist. And to save the world not to fall into the hands of the villains. The mission is to stumble upon the love story. Make sure to make sure that you have the right one.
Source: Mello Thailand’s yt
The scientist led by Mantra brought science and technology to use as a tool to take over the world. Haha and Nana have to use magic and tactics that are trained by the top teachers to protect the world. Haha is like water because he is calm, but Nana is like fire, because he is stubborn and impatient. But both of them are like the perfect mix because they help each other. But the friendship came to a breaking point when Katie came into their lives. The love issue is so aggressive . To fight alongside protecting the world. The brand is inventing a tool by using scientific technology that can make him dominate the world. But to destroy the tool is only one way. It is the magic power of both Haha and Nana !! Finally, Nana will cooperate with Haha to protect the world or not to watch.
Reasons it’s interesting? So the twist here is there are magic powers and most of the fights are done with these powers and a whole lotta CG. Some of the CG in the trailer looks fine, some not so much. It is English subbed by neko. Trailer above.
UNSUBBED LAKORNS
Dek Seple (2020) In 1977, there’s a fight between soldiers and communists in a village along the border. Sak, a teacher in the village, loses his wife and his young daughter but his son is saved by Pew who later adopts him and changes his name to Tin. Because they are poor and no education, Tin starts to hang out with a gang of thieves. Tin snatches a lady’s purse and runs into the school where Sak is teaching. Sak helps him out and wants Tin to come to live with him. But once a thief always a thief and this time Tin gets arrested. Sak bailed him out and wishes to adopt him and put him back to school. But it might be too late… (Source: Five Star Production) (Source: MyDramaList
Source: Channel 7’s yt
Reasons it’s interesting?Dek Seple (2020) is a remake of a 1996 lakorn, and I thought the trailer was very emotional and dramatic. Too often in action lakorns, the story or relationships take second place to the action, but there seems to be plenty of story here. And drama, lots of drama! Trailer above.
Roy Pah (2020) – The story is about a ranger who stands firm on his ideology against illegal logging, even if it makes him arrest the father of the woman he loves. His love life is ruined when he’s framed of killing her mother, and he needs to prove his innocence to get her back. In the meantime, she ends up engaged to the heir of a millionaire just to spite him, but she doesn’t know that the guy plans to build his resort on a forest. (Source: MyDramaList)
Source: Channel 7’s yt
Reasons it’s interesting? Honestly feel like I’m scraping the bottom of the barrel here. Cuz really there aren’t a lot of options and this lakorn had half way decent trailer and stars BigM Krittarit and newer actress Kessarin Noiphueng I’m not familiar with at all, but she does seem to have decent chemistry with BigM. Trailer above.
Singh Sang Pa (2020) Male lead used to work for the baddies. After he retired from the group, he returned to his hometown only to find out that his family members were killed. He later joined a thief gang lead by female lead in order to fight the baddies. They both had a bad past with the bad guys lead by Anun Amarin who is actually his brother-in-law.
Source: Channel 7’s yt
Reasons it’s interesting? Ok, wait a minute, now I know I’m scraping the bottom of the barrel. Cuz that trailer was laughable, what is it with blatantly fake wigs? Spend some money or do something to make it less obvious! Jeez. Anyway, this has a female gang leader. Yep, you’re welcome. Well, it also stars Louis Hesse and Pinkploy Paparwadee Chansamorn. Trailer above.
A game of survival in an alternate version of Tokyo? Oh yes, Imawa no Kuni no Alice (2020) is coming to Netflix on December 10, 2020. This Japanese dorama stars Yamazaki Kento who was also in 2018’s hit Todome no Kiss and Tsuchiya Tao (Ani ni Aisaresugite Komattemasu (2017)). The dorama should be English subbed on Netflix.
Synopsis: Arisu—a listless, jobless and video-game-obsessed young man—suddenly finds himself in a strange, emptied-out version of Tokyo in which he and his friends must compete in dangerous games in order to survive. In this strange world, Arisu meets Usagi, a young woman who’s navigating the games alone. Together, they set out to unravel one mystery after another as they risk their lives and confront what it means to live. (Source: Netflix) ~~ Adapted from the manga series “Imawa no Kuni no Alice” by Haro Aso.
(Source: mydramalist.com)
Source: Netflix Japan’s YT channel
The death game or survival game genre is not new, look at the hugely popular Death Note (2006) which has spawned numerous reiterations or the iconicBattle Royale (2000), so it will be interesting to see how Imawa no Kuni no Alice (2020) puts a fresh spin on the genre. I can also see this dorama, depending on its success, as having multiple seasons as well. Regardless, December is already promising to be a good drama month.
Another action lakorn from Channel 7. Jark Sadtroo Soo Hua Jai (2020) caught my eye because it stars Mik Thongraya and Aum Patcharapa, not to mention its plot suggests there will be plenty of conflict and angst. It airs on October 30. Muse has this on their list, so it looks like this will be English subbed.
Source: Channel 7’s yt
Synopsis: Jett is a handsome man forced to become a hired gunman because of his dark past and problems. And one day, he is hired to kill a woman. It was suppose to be a simple job, however, it is complicated by the fact that his target, Sophita, is his ex-girlfriend’s sister. This leaves him with only two options. To either protect Sophita or to kill her. What will he chose? (Source: Collin Hypercuz and Wandering Queen at MyDramaList)
(Source: mydramalist.com)
Source: mydramalist.com
I like both Mik and Aum, so while I think Thailand action lakorns are often bad in the action department, I might just give this a look. Besides, the two great together, although the fact that she’s his ex-girlfriend’s sister is a bit weird. It airs 3 days a week, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
I’ve been in the mood to watch more suspense/mystery/thriller dramas and Search (2020) looks to be right up my alley. Kdrama Search (2020) starts October 17, 2020 on OCN channel and should have 10 episodes a hour each. This is a survival story that pits Jang Dong Yoon (The Tale of Nokdu) and Krystal (Player (2018)) against creatures. Hopefully, someone will English sub this!
Synopsis: A survival story about a search party that battles against monstrous creatures. It will highlight the heartwarming bond between the members of the search party as they struggle to escape the demilitarized zone together. The story begins as a military dog handler who’s only a month away from his discharge date gets seconded to the search party and encounters a monster in the demilitarized zone. (Source: Soompi)
I’ve decided to take a break from all things It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020) to highlight this video. In Mafia Luerd Mungkorn: Krating (2015), we have two wonderful actors Ken Theeradeth and Cherry Khemapsorn who look great together.Actually, I’ve always had the Mafia series on my plan to watch list, and I’ve watched several episodes of different parts of the series, but nothing compelled me to watch more. This mv reminded me why I want to watch this lakorn.
Synopsis: Seven years ago, all member of his great mafia family were killed in the bomb led by Black Dragon gang after sending “Janchompoo” a young girl decoy to be his lover, only “Chonlathee” managed to escape this murder plan. Chonlathee flees to live with his father’s close friend in Hong Kong. The wound from that fire incident drove him into a facial plastic surgery and he even changed his name into “Tham” and later gets back into the mafia business again to wait for a revenge. He’s named the ‘fierce bull’ of Yaowarat China Town.
Tham gets to meet Yah-ya, a beautiful girl that he feels familiar. With his curiosity ’cause she’s too skillful to be just an ordinary waitress at a Chinese restaurant, Tham intended get closer to Yah-ya and unexpectedly fall in love with her. Yah-ya falls in love with him too. But she has to get shocked when his past secret is revealed.
Gun fights are quite common in most lakorns, especially in action lakorns of course, but even in non-action lakorns, there are often gun battles between the bad guys and the heroes or cops. The ramifications of all those guns didn’t really penetrate my subconscious until February 8-9, 2020, where the deadliest mass shooting in Thailand’s history occurred. RIP.
That’s when I started wondering about Thailand’s gun culture. I started with basic questions. The only real knowledge I have of guns in Thailand is from lakorns, so I’m starting real basic here. First, I set out to read more about gun policy in Asia itself and decided to share what I learned here.
Please note: I’ll try to keep it as light, but this is a serious subject, a matter of life and death. Skip this if you need to and feel it’s too triggering for you.
What is gun ownership like in Thailand?
Civilians are legally permitted to acquire and possess handguns and low-power rifles like shotguns and .22 rifles and ammunition. But the process of obtaining licensing is strict and only processed through the interior ministry.
A firearm license in Thailand is only granted for the following uses: self-defense, property protection, hunting, or sporting.[231][232] Applicants for a firearms license must be at least 20 years of age (the age of majority under the Civil and Commercial Code), have a record of good behavior, have an occupation and receive income, and have a permanent address in Thailand with a name “listed in the house registration specifically in the area where you are applying for a license, for at least six months”. A license may not be issued to anyone who is a repeat criminal offender or mentally unstable.
Gun ownership in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is regulated by law. Generally, private citizens are not allowed to possess guns. Civilian ownership of guns is largely restricted to authorized, non-individual entities, including sporting organizations, authorized hunting reserves, and wildlife protection, management and research organizations.
Sidenote: This lead me to getting very distracted and wondering if I would find any drama posters from China that showcased guns like Thailand’s posters do. I found a few, but the majority of China’s action genre seems to consist of a whole lot of wuxia, historical dramas with swords as the main weapon.
The weapons law of Japan begins by stating “No one shall possess a firearm or firearms or a sword or swords”, and very few exceptions are allowed.[208] Citizens are permitted to possess firearms for hunting and sport shooting, but only after submitting to a lengthy licensing procedure.[209] As part of the procedure, a shooting-range test must be passed with a “mark of at least 95%”.[210] A mental-health evaluation taking place at a hospital, and a thorough background check
Another side note: This, of course, lead me to explore Japan’s action posters Featuring Guns. I thought I had found one…
I thought I had found a gun poster, but then realized he was holding… a banana?
So I continued my search. And found this.
And this.
So then I remembered, oh yeah, Japan has a lot of manga, and Tokusatsu doramas featuring superheroes and special effects, like the Kamen Riders’ series.
South Korea has strict gun policies. Hunting and sporting licenses are issued, but any firearm used in these circumstances must be stored at a local police station.
Side note: What about South Korea? Well, I’d already looked at their action posters in more depth here, so I knew I wouldn’t find many with guns. There are some, but action dramas aren’t a big thing in South Korea.
Do you see the difference? I don’t want to just compare and contrast Thailand and other countries, but already it looks like Thailand’s attitude towards guns is much more aligned with the USA then other Asian countries. In the USA, gun ownership is considered a right and are sold with less restraints than in Thailand often. Why is Thailand more aligned to the West than other Asian countries in this regard? Is gun violence in Thailand really as frequent as it is in lakorns? These and more questions play across my mind, but I think this post is already too long, so those questions will have to wait for another day.
I’ve talked about the action genre before, discussed 2019 action lakorns here and here. This time, I’m looking at a wide swath of lakorns from the early 2000’s to now. So if you want to see what’s out there, take a look at this list! Not a complete list by any means, this focuses on lakorns that are English subbed only. Want to know where to watch these lakorns? Look at my complete lakorn list here or check youtube.
Action – Ooh, lots of guns and punches flying here. Usually involves cops and revenge is a common feature in these lakorns. And of course, there are bad guys and good guys and the hero usually has a love interest.
Part 2 of 2019 action lakorns includes the good, the bad and the weird? But it’s up to you to decide which lakorn fits which category. Part 1 is here, that post was about the 2019 action lakorns that were English subbed. These are lakorns that haven’t been English subbed yet, but there’s one especially I want to see English subbed.
NOT ENGLISH SUBBED
Sarawat Yai (2019) – Weroj, a young accomplished policeman is moved from the frontier to be the new chief inspector at Phra Lan Provincial Police Station, Phra Kamphaeng Province. Phra Lan is a remote area and full of illegal business and corruption in civil service circles. He tries to solve crimes and be a good role model for other policemen. He has Kampaeng, a beautiful wife who always supports him, as well as Pittayatorn, a greenhorn young policeman to assist him. (Source: Wikipedia)
Reason it’s interesting? This was one of the top rated lakorns at Channel 7 this year, it has a married couple and it’s got a rating of 9.2 at mydramalist!
Kamnan Ying (2019) is a tomboyish girl who protects the village from bullies. Her father who is a kamnan (village chief) got killed in the middle of the night. This made the villagers concerned about who was going to be the next village chief. The bad rich guys decided to participate in this village chief race because they have bad intentions of using it as an illegal site to do drugs. Daoroong decided to partake in this event too. No females had ever became a village chief which her sister thinks that it’s some childish act and discourages her. Thanop is a deputy who was assigned to go to Daoroong’s village to host the race in a righteous way. He fell in love with Daoroong at first sight. She wins the race and began to make the village a better place. Thanop was impressed by all the things she had set. This made him fall in love more with Daoroong but all the women in the village had fallen for Thanop too, including her sister. (Source: MyDramaList)
Reason it’s interesting? A female village head who’s also the nang’ek? Cool.
Pha Dong Payak (2019) – No synopsis, though it seems to have people who can shape shift into tigers. Reason it’s interesting? Ok, there’s only one reason. Some guy literally licks a girl’s face in the teaser. That’s unique.😅
Pleng Ruk Pleng Bpeun (2019) -Two guys who grew up in a temple are misunderstood as jailbirds. They come back, then meet a tomboyish girl and a undercover policewoman who disguised herself for an investigation. At first the four are enemies, but later romantic relationships are developed. (Source: MyDramaList)
Reason it’s interesting? Music plays a part of this lakorn, and comedy, it reminds me of Weir’s lakorn, Poo Bao Indy Yayee Inter (2019). I also think the premise is promising.
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