#for an opinionated person i'm very unconfrontational lmao

[pharawee]

I've seen a lot of interfans (and I in no way consider myself *not* an interfan - I'm definitely part of that audience) being confused and dissatisfied with the last episode of I Feel You Linger in the Air and - fair enough - that's a completely valid opinion to have and in no way wrong.

But I also keep seeing how that (completely valid) confusion and dissatisfaction is blamed on the show's storytelling and direction, and I honestly think that's a little unfair.

Leaving things open and unexplained doesn't make a story bad - especially if said story hasn't ended yet. It doesn't even make it unfinished.

And telling things in a way that many (international) fans aren't used to doesn't mean that the narrative is lacking. Because stories aren't really universal (even though, yes, the most beloved and successful stories are often built on motifs and themes that are fundamentally valued and understood across cultures). They rely on culturally shared norms and narrative cues that are inherently understood by the intended audience. Even the narrative flow and structure of a story varies wildly, with some cultures preferring meandering or circular narratives and lots of repetition and backtracking (case in point: the many, many flashbacks in Thai dramas).

I'm in no way an expert on Thai literature, but as someone with a degree in Cultural Sciences and (Socio-)Linguistics I'm very curious about examining cultural differences and how they shape who we are and why we do what we do (it's not a very exact science; we mostly just listen, record and bullshit talk a lot lmao). So when I read/watch a story and something doesn't add up for me (in an otherwise reasonably constructed narrative) I always assume that there's something I'm missing - not because the director/writer was sloppy or I'm too stupid to understand, but because I'm simply not picking up on the cultural breadcrumbs the narrative left for the audience to find and build upon.

And it's the same with IFYLITA's themes of reincarnation and karma and forgiveness, its lingering on certain themes and moments.

And, to be honest, sometimes it's best to take things at face-value and just accept what the narrative has given you. Maybe some things are meant to be puzzling and surprising. Maybe you're not supposed to be 100% sure about where the past and present versions of Yai come from; about who they are. Jom accepts them, isn't that enough?

That being said, it's an absolute outrage that Ming wasn't in the finale. I am devastated!!

#i feel you linger in the air #ifylita #jane watches stuff #bl meta #i'm really nervous to post this ehhhh #for an opinionated person i'm very unconfrontational lmao