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kess-in-the-perthchimzone · 7 months

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Sailom & Belonging to Kang

Sailom toed a fascinating line this episode with letting Kang “buy him” or, in other words, own him.

He let Kang pay for hotel, meals, and clothes:

I think in his mind this didn’t bother him perhaps because Kang would have spent the money anyway? Kang needed to get his frustration and hurt out. And there was a transactional element there too: Sailom would have needed many of those things to stay with Kang on this trip and he had to stay to stay on the trip to make sure KANG DIDN’T GET KIDNAPPED FOR WAVING THOUSANDS OF BAHT AROUND.

But then when Kang offered to pay off his debts — something Sailom genuinely needs, and therefore would have felt indebted to him him for — Sailom said no:

He playfully jokes — and to me it is clearly joking the first time (look at that raised eyebrow!)— about Kang buying him:

But what Sailom really wants from Kang is to belong to him — to know that he’s Kang’s person; that Kang isn’t going to stop wanting him or needing him. He showed us last episode how afraid he still feels that Kang is going to slip up and revert back to the person we saw in the first two episodes; abandoning him in the process.

He hints at this need in the bath tub, when he first tells Kang —

After Kang tells him so sincerely how he feels “you are ESSENTIAL to me” (absolutely necessary to my existence) Sailom repeats the earlier dialogue.

The tone is much more serious here than the first time. Because they’re not actually talking about Kang buying him. They’re acknowledging that Kang just told Sailom how much he loves him.

Only then does Sailom admit the reverse — he’s already Kang’s (he loves him too):

And he goes further to prove it — he gives himself physically to Kang as well.

For all that Sailom adopted this language about Kang buying him this episode, the refusal of the debts was key — he isn’t going to let Kang do anything that would truly make him feel like he owes Kang. Because in his mind, Kang already owns his heart and body.

And he needs to be able to know the reverse is true — that he’s essential to Kang as well. In Sailom’s mind, he won’t be able to know that for certain if Kang feels owed something else from him. Because then Kang might just be sticking around waiting for his debts to get repaid, right?

That’s why Sailom is going to turn to escorting instead of asking Kang for help. And that’s why he’s going to have to actually get vulnerable with Kang soon and tell him how scared he feels.

#kanghansailom #dangerous romance #dangerous romance the series #meta meta meta #kess babbles about dangerous romance #sailom homchan #kanghan kirttin sukprasert

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kess-in-the-perthchimzone · 6 months

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In defense of Kang

Deep breath. I know it probably won’t help if you already hated him but I’m going to tackle it.

This line is horrible. It’s inexcusable. I am writing this also still angry at Kang.

But Kang does not truly mean this. He is deeply grieving. Call it bargaining, call it anger, I don’t know exactly what stage this is, but he is not thinking rationally.

He’s already in this episode been reminded of his mom whose death fundamentally changed him as a person — left him hopeless for many years. Now, when he’s finally thought he might be able to connect with his dad again, he’s been told his dad may never wake up.

He’s also broken up with his boyfriend who he loves deeply, who he just slept with for the very first time, who he bases a significant portion of his self esteem on. I fully recognize this is on his initiative— he is the one who told Sailom to go — but Sailom didn’t fight for them either. He walked away, he didn’t knock on the door. I say this not to justify Kang’s actions but to explain how easily in his low state this can warp — Sailom never needed me the way I do him, look how simple it was for him to pack up and go, look how he hasn’t tried to get in touch even once.

Kang in part has to embrace the narrative that Sailom was never fully invested in their relationship for his own mental stability. Because we see later that the moment he admits to himself the truth of what he did to Sailom by throwing him out, he completely breaks. He can’t handle knowing he did something so horrible to the person he cares about most in the world. He’s saying those awful things to Grandma Ging to keep himself from drowning.

She is saying “what if Saifah is innocent?”. He is at his very core saying, Saifah can’t be innocent because then I threw Sailom out over nothing.

It doesn’t help that usually Kang regulates his emotions WITH SAILOM. He had become ‘dangerously’ (no pun intended) dependent on Sailom and is now spiraling without him there.

No matter what Kang says aloud, at the end of the day, he answered this call. And he came to rescue Sailom.

He starts crying here first. He is sobbing so hard he is shaking because he knows he was wrong. He knows he hurt Sailom. He knows he was just as cruel if not more so than the debtors.

He is a 17 year old boy who is struggling with a traumatic event and the fear of becoming an orphan. He handles it in the worst possible way, by pushing away the person best positioned to help him, but that is grief. It never manifests the way it should.

It’s covered up by the music, but I’m very certain in that room that he is whispering things like “I’m sorry” and “I love you” to Sailom over and over again.

He made mistakes but he knows he made them. He was wounded and lashed out in protection, and now he has two episodes to make up for it.

#kanghansailom #dangerous romance #dangerous romance the series #kess babbles about dangerous romance

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kess-in-the-perthchimzone · 7 months

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The parallels between the gun scene and the fever scene have been anguishing me all week.

Both times, as many others have pointed out, Kang dresses to the nines in his all black ensemble, jewelry, and deep vee (Kang, this type of getup made a lot more sense under the cover of darkness). The second time, though, his outfit is a little softer — it doesn’t have so much metal tracery.

And he’s missing his most signature accessory.

Both times, he enters without being invited in:

The second time, though, he knocks. And he also calls out to see if Sailom will let him in.

(@thirstkanaphan adds: Kang is not afraid of barriers - he is brought up to believe that no door is ever closed to him; he can go wherever he likes. His entitlement ends up saving Sailom’s life in ep 2; but this may be the first time he’s unsure of his welcome, because now he cares about Sailom’s feelings. He still enters uninvited, but his hesitation is tremendous character development.)

Both times, he instantly becomes concerned by what he sees when he steps in the door and looks towards the sofa:

Both times, he goes to his knees in his nice clothes to make sure Sailom is okay — he prostrates himself without a single second’s thought:

Both times, he reaches out in a clumsy but determined attempt at caretaking:

And both times, he feels emotions he’s never experienced in his life — the first time, the sheer force of a swelling protectiveness combined with the uncertainty of what to do with a crying, broken boy in his arms.

The second time, the terrifying force of love, the full realization of it, striking him.

The two scenes are so similar — and they mark two such important turning points in their relationship — but Kang’s starting intent could not be more different. He goes from showing up under the cover of night with the intent to scare to visiting in broad daylight driven by worry.

#dangerous romance #dangerous romance the series #kanghansailom #kanghan krittin sukprasert #meta meta meta #kess babbles about dangerous romance #parallels my beloved #DR parallels

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kess-in-the-perthchimzone · 6 months

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I actually am not going to have much to say about this episode because to me it is perfect in every single way.

We had to see that Kang was still scared. He still felt like he had to choose loyalty to his father. Because in his mind, Sailom’s brother hurt Kang’s family and that meant they had no future together.

This was important because it makes the weight of what comes later that much more significant.

And we had to see that Sailom was still further and further isolating himself.

Everything that happened in part 1 was very hard to watch!! It was the worst of both their personalities, dialed up to ten! Even I (briefly) doubted that they could win me back over to Kang.

But when it broke, it broke beautifully!! And THIS TIME, unlike in the escort scene, they were able to shape themselves into better versions of themselves, together.

After the shooting, Sailom let Kang lead. Let him make the decisions for him at a time when he couldn’t process anything, let alone make a plan.

He let himself be taken care of.

And he let himself CRY — openly, even knowing Kang could see through the glass door. He let himself grieve their relationship for the very first time.

And Kang!! Kang finally realized the true weight of his words. He understood fully how he had failed and how he needed to be better.

And he spent Every Single Minute after that making up for it. Holding Sailom while he slept.

Protecting Sailom.

Truly listening to Sailom and putting his faith in him.

Protecting him some more!!!

Reassuring him.

And THEN in the moment when it most mattered, Kang risked his life to save Sailom’s. He literally took a bullet for him.

This completely unspoken exchange means everything. This is Sailom CHOOSING TO BELIEVE that despite everything that’s happened Kang loves him.

This is Kang saying, I am always always going to take care of you. Even when it’s hard. Even when it physically hurts to do so

This is Sailom finding true peace in that. Him knowing his life will be easier moving forward because he has someone who can share the load.

I love them so much. I’m so grateful for this beautiful love story we’ve gotten to experience.

#kanghansailom #dangerous romance #dangerous romance the series #kess babbles about dangerous romance

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kess-in-the-perthchimzone · 8 months

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Sailom & the simple joy of having a crush

I’m having a lot of feelings about the inherent escapism Sailom gets in the act of liking a boy. Sailom has a hard life. The last episode put him through very real hell. He stands distinctly apart from his classmates - and even two closest friends - in the severity that of that daily stress and fear. For one instance, @poetry-protest-pornography explains very powerfully how the constant financial pressure dominates his thoughts, ruining a subject he used to find joy in.

But the simple pleasure in a gift given with no expectation of anything in return; or in the way a beautiful boy’s eyes look, focused on him across a dimly lit table; or in the warmth of that boy’s hands covering his — that feeling is universal. And it's pure in this really lovely way that cuts through the darkness of the rest of his life. He can get lost in those sparks of joy and not have to worry about anything else for a few minutes.

And Kang has given him that at two different times in his life:

First, the boy with the umbrella. Whether or not Sailom remembered that that boy was Kang (I personally read him as surprised but can absolutely see both sides), you can tell that memory has stuck with him. He’s thought about that boy a lot over the years. Probably wondered about him on rainy days and sleepless nights. The boy with the umbrella became something like a talisman for him, reminding him that people could be kind, even on his darkest days.

Then, Kang post 2.4. This episode showed us that Sailom hasn’t forgotten how Kang treated him before. At the same time, Kang is very very handsome, being sweet and thoughtful to Sailom, and ostensibly trying to be a better version of himself. He is a tortured romance hero come to life. Sailom gives in and allows himself to start to fall in part because it feels good to.

Those moments when he lets himself enjoy his growing feelings mean so much to me because they are at complete counter to the strain we’ve seen in him for so much of the rest of the show:

When else has Sailom ever gotten to have something like this, all to himself? When has he let himself have something for the pure enjoyment of it?

I want him to get to be a lovestruck teenage boy with Kang! I want to see them giggly over video games and hugging after soccer practice and giving each other sniff kisses! Because that will make Sailom happy and he deserves to be happy. I like that Kang makes him feel that way -- for me, it goes a long way to make up for the past treatment.

Now with part 2: Sailom and the equal footing in Kang’s vulnerability

#dangerous romance #dangerous romance the series #kanghansailom #sailom homchan #meta meta meta #sailom meta series #kess babbles about dangerous romance

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kess-in-the-perthchimzone · 6 months

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The complete collapse of Sailom’s walls

Sailom stands at a precipice at the beginning of episode 10. I’ve written before about how he consistently holds Kang at arm’s length, always maintaining walls between them, despite Kang’s many bids for affirmation.

During their trip to Korat, he started to let those walls down. He kissed Kang, then made love to him, presumably his first time. He even began to describe to Kang the depths of his feelings:

I AM YOURS AND I NEED YOU TO TAKE CARE OF ME. Such an honest truth, couched in extra layers. What he wants from Kang at his core, but never lets Kang give him, except for that night in the press of his lips down Sailom’s chest.

The day after, he has to be the happiest he’s ever been:

He’s so giddy with it that he puts on Kang’s jersey and makes him a special meal. He clings to Kang on the motorbike and enjoys the thrill of the road. He enthusiastically hugs Kang on the sideline.

But he’s not ready to fully jump. He’s still maintaining walls with Kang, even after. When Kang tries to ask him about their night, Sailom deflects. He’s not willing or able to say, ‘that was the best night of my life’.

Even when Kang compliments him later at the game, Sailom reverts to making fun of him:

A few weeks ago, @criticallyobs said something that has never left my head since — Sailom has always thought this relationship would have an end date. He never believed they would last.

And I think that explains his unwillingness to speak to Kang as sincerely as Kang does him. He wanted to be able to hold onto his pride when Kang inevitably left him behind. He didn’t want Kang to understand exactly how badly Sailom needs him.

We don’t know exactly where these abandonment issues stem from — losing his parents, or some other life event — but it’s been clear throughout the entire series that the only person Sailom truly believes he can count on is himself. He’s let himself have Kang and enjoy this Cinderella story with him only because he’s justified it to himself that Kang needs him — to fix his grades, fix his relationship with his dad, and become a football player.

When they first get back to the house from Korat, Sailom is initially just worried out of concern for Kang and his family. But from the moment Saifah is escorted out, you can see his mind start whirling.

As Saifah is led away, you can see Sailom look down at the ground. He goes deeply introspective. Then he abruptly looks up at Kang with misery written all over his face. At this point, Sailom already knows that he cannot stay in this house anymore. And he knows that almost certainly means the end of him and Kang.

@thirstkanaphan says it well in this piece — the threat of being evicted from (Kang’s) house and from his life was always hanging over his head.

When the police station scene starts, what’s interesting is that Sailom believes Saifah is guilty. It’s further proof to him of what he’s always known to be true — he can’t rely on the people in his life. You can see how even before Kang arrives, he feels utterly and completely alone.

Even as Kang touches his back and takes hold of his wrist, Sailom barely looks at him. Because he already heard the conditional statement in what Kang said to him.

It’s not confirmed. Sailom thinks it’s a matter of time until Saifah is proven guilty, and he knows as soon as that happens everything will change.

And less than a minute later he’s proven right. After Kang hears Saifah confessed, he drops Sailom’s hand, demonstrating exactly how meaningless his earlier promise was.

Sailom doesn’t look anything other than resigned and miserable from the moment Kang lets go. I don’t think him saying Kang’s name was an attempt to call him back. No, I think it was his analytical mind needing to know for certain — this means we’re over right?

MY HOUSE. Kang’s response only proves what Sailom had already known to be true — it was never his home. He only got to live there on the generosity of Kang’s family.

I was initially frustrated that Sailom didn’t try and fight back, but now I can understand why he didn’t. Why would he lower himself trying to beg Kang, if this was always going to be the conclusion of their story? And how could he stay, knowing the kind of negative attention that would only bring Kang and Grandma Ging? He’s once again focused on outward image and the perceived happiness of others instead of what would make him truly content.

What’s especially heartbreaking is that the confession means something else to Sailom entirely. He knows his brother would never admit to guilt like that — he would side step and try to explain away. So as Kang resolves himself of Saifah’s guilt, Sailom is suddenly filled with confusion and fear for his brother. His brother, who only has Sailom to look out for him.

Sailom is denied the chance to speak to Saifah at almost the exact same time Kang starts to pull away from him too. He loses the two most important people in his life in one fell swoop.

After Kang walks away from him, Sailom only becomes more determined to be a one man fortress. He throws back up his walls and retreats behind them.

As he leaves Kang’s house, he’s clearly heartbroken — the flashbacks are there to show us that he’s remembering his time with Kang: of Kang giving him a second umbrella; confessing his feelings; holding him to sleep. But Sailom doesn’t cry. He leaves the room pristine. He can’t even bring himself to knock and say goodbye even after taking a deep breath to steel himself to. It’s like he’s determined to exit with the absolute least amount of fuss possible.

Again, this is at his own expense — it deprives him of the chance for closure. Plus, if he’d knocked, he would have gotten to see exactly how upset Kang was on the other side of the door. If he’d knocked, I don’t think Kang would have been able to watch him go.

From then on, Sailom consistently turns down any external offers of help.

He changes the subject when Guy asks if there’s anything he can do:

He turns down his friends’ offer to help with the attorney, even faking a convincing smile:

He assures his boss when he expresses concern about working a double shift:

He even downplays their situation to Name (we know this is downplaying now because if it were actually true, he wouldn’t need to escort, especially after Name waves the debts):

But the cracks are there. You hear the deep breath he lets out when he hangs up with Guy. He keeps staring at his phone after — either because he’s lost in his own swirling thoughts, or because he’s thinking of calling Kang but can’t work up to it.

He can’t quite hide how his face slips after he turns his friends away:

And most tellingly, he seriously thinks about stealing the watch — an action that is completely unrecognizable from the Sailom we know:

What we see in the jail is probably the closest we get to how Sailom truly feels inside. He’s angry — he swears three times — but he’s begging too. He actually reminds me a lot of Kang in this scene as he alternates between hitting the glass and pleading with Saifah to let him help him.

And like Kang, he gets reminded of his parents who are no longer around, only exacerbating his sense of loss. Not only is he an orphan, but his only sibling is about to be locked away for the rest of his life.

Which brings us to Sailom escorting— where he almost certainly wouldn’t be if he had accepted the offer of help from his friends. I physically can’t watch much of this scene so am sure I am missing details. I know from the trailer that he is uncomfortable with this old man. He seems to sense something is up as he takes the wine.

With full respect for how upsetting this scene might have been to many people, I do want to acknowledge how genius it was for Dangerous Romance to have Sailom get slipped something. Because it instantly removes every single one of his walls. He’s left physically and mentally unguarded.

In that weak state, his most instinctive reaction is to call Kang. Guy is higher on his phone list. We KNOW he has talked to Guy recently. Sailom isn’t lucid enough to remember Guy is in the hospital. But Sailom specifically wants Kang. He trusts Kang above anyone else to be there for him. And he doesn’t have the self defenses up to talk himself out of asking Kang to come for him.

Sailom next wakes up to the shock of water across his face and Kang yelling at him. We know why Kang is angry — it is very clear to us how traumatizing this experience has been, from receiving that phone call to walking in to find that man leaning over Sailom. Sailom has no idea, though. All he knows is his head is foggy and Kang is finally in front of him again, touching him, and it’s all wrong.

When Kang tells him his drink got tampered, you can see panic overtake Sailom. Despite his state, he puts together the room he’s in with his last memories before everything went dark. He figures out exactly where the night would have gone had Kang not arrived.

Yelling back at Kang is his final attempt at self-preservation. He insults himself before Kang can.

And he intentionally tries to flip the focus off him — what the hell does Kang want?

But from the moment Kang starts throwing money at him, the remnants of fortification Sailom had managed to scrounge for himself once he woke up again start to fall apart.

He looks up at Kang with this look that is the embodiment of how he’s already told us he felt back in the gym — love and hate warring together. He made the call to his Kang, the one who held him so protectively in the living room after the thugs came. This person who is hitting him in the face with bills is not that Kang.

But Sailom is also tired, and miserably lonely, and has been missing Kang since the day Kang pushed him away. He’s loved Kang since he was 13 through all of Kang’s MANY ups and downs. Sailom very clearly decides to take anything he can get, even as you can see how pained his face looks when Kang first touches him. He’s finally being selfish, even if it’s at his own self detriment.

What I appreciate most about this scene is the way Kang breaks first. Because I think Sailom could have let the horrible charade play out even longer. He’s actively bracing himself for what’s to come — while at the same time clenching his hands in Kang’s jersey to keep him near — when Kang starts crying. It actually leaves Sailom stunned for a second or so. He can’t understand what he’s hearing.

As soon as Sailom processes what’s happening, he completely breaks. Only then does he understand he finally has Kang back — the Kang he knows and loves so much. Like the night with the iron, he’s helpless to do anything but cling as tightly as he possibly can.

To once again quote @thirstkanaphan: He wants the boy he loves to hold him. He wants to be held. He wants Kang to worry about him. He wants to belong to Kang. He wants to be taken away from this nightmare. He wants to let Kang save him.

Sailom spent the entire episode trying to self-isolate and prove he could survive on his own. Only when he was entirely stripped of his walls did he pick up his phone and reach out to Kang. And Kang was then able to save him in time.

However hard Sailom has tried to prove that he doesn’t need Kang, in this moment when he’s entirely vulnerable he can’t hide how desperately he needs Kang to hold him and comfort him when he’s upset. He just needed to see Kang break first to know it was safe for him to.

(Read Kang’s version here)

#dangerous romance #dangerous romance the series #kess babbles about dangerous romance #sailom homchan #kanghansailom

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kess-in-the-perthchimzone · 7 months

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This scene has been haunting me:

This was one of Sailom’s first nights. He was feeling a little overwhelmed, tossing and turning, and his first instinct was to go to talk to Kang.

it’s so telling of how much of a source of security Kang has become to him that Sailom went to go find him in the first place.

And also, what was he going to say?? Was he going to knock ever so gently to see if Kang might happen to still be awake? If so, was he going to suggest they play video games or did he just want to stay up talking?

What kills me is Kang probably was awake! We’ve been shown repeatedly that Kang has trouble sleeping — he was probably laying in bed thinking about how Sailom was just one bedroom away. He probably would’ve been excited for the company!

I feel so robbed for what could have been but also am hopeful for the possibility of a late night visit making a return later —

#These two boys who are so reluctant to admit how much they need each other #dangerous romance #dangerous romance the series #kanghansailom #kess babbles about dangerous romance #What is your guess about what Sailom wanted to say?#inquiring minds want to know

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kess-in-the-perthchimzone · 7 months

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Kang does not behave towards Sailom like a normal, sane, heterosexual person would for one single second of episode 6 and I’m obsessed with his sheer belligerent self denial. Just looking at the first half:

First, Sailom helps his classmates push him towards Pimfah and Kang gets annoyed ONLY at him, no one else. This one I almost can defend, because it’s sweet how it shows that they are usually a united front. But also, he is just irrationally irritated with Sailom for reasons that have NotHinG to do with thinking about how Sailom will like Pimfah back because she is smart and pretty and has leadership qualities and then they’ll be dating and he won’t have Sailom around anym—

Then when Kang realizes Sailom was actively matchmaking him and Pimfah, he gets PISSED while also still seeming like he’s ten seconds from bursting into tears like a frustrated toddler.

Kanghan, if the reason you are upset at Sailom is for ‘stealing your girl’ or whatever alpha male BS you are playing at, then this makes NO SENSE. He is actively trying to back you up here. You should appreciate this as it should in theory be helping you avoid your current worst nightmare of the two of them going off to be in love and abandoning you.

You are definitely not at all jealous of the fact that he isn’t jealous of you liking Pimfah.

(also, Kang … if he actually left you alone your life would lose all meaning. We’ve already seen this story play out. But please feel free to kid yourself)

Then, Kang gets what should be his wish and Sailom rejects Pimfah! And he should be relieved, because wouldn’t you think he could find hope that Pimfah will move on? But no, he freaks the fuck out.

“Why CAN’T you like her?” There’s no projecting there, definitely not at all.

Also relevant — at this point Kang has been straight up avoiding Sailom; not answering calls or coming to tutoring. He’s been punishing the boy who has no interest in stealing his crush, and who has spent most of the episode being incredibly kind to him — learning a cheerleading routine for him and helping him figure out how to get into his dream faculty!!

Well then Sailom confesses his feelings. And instead of doing what basically every other ‘straight’ emotionally stunted boy in the entire world would do and avoiding him, THAT is when Kang seeks him out.

What was he going to say?? Why do they always leave me with this question?? When will they get to be in the same room together at night??

And Kang starts touching Sailom again. Openly, in front of other people. It’s like Kang went “oh, he’s mine again. All is right in the world” and thought he could immediately return to the way things used to be even though he basically REJECTED Sailom.

He’s deranged and I love him so much I can’t stand it sometimes!!

#Someone needs to save his brain to be dissected for science #kanghansailom #dangerous romance #dangerous romance the series #kess babbles about dangerous romance

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kess-in-the-perthchimzone · 6 months

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Roleplaying: the greatest callback of them all

The incredible scene that ends Dangerous Romance builds on a pattern that we’ve seen play out between Kang and Sailom since episode one. Kang and Sailom regularly adopt different roles and personas with each other. And this is usually led by Sailom — who often is a more flirty and confident version of himself when he does so.

In the bullying era, here are a few of these scenarios:

If you watch back — particularly the Tutor Sailom scenes — Sailom’s entire demeanor is different. He even has a dedicated tutor voice.

And Kang seems to fundamentally understand that adopting a role brings comfort to Sailom. Look at how get gets Sailom to snap out of his trauma stare.

When they become friends, this continues. In the scenes below (and many more!), Sailom is playing “Tutor Sailom”. It’s more than just tutoring. He’s cockier. He once again pulls out a dedicated voice.

Most of their adventure in episode 3 involves various levels of role playing (they are in costumes! They speak another language!). And this is when they start to grow close and Kang opens up for the first time:

(I’m already scared I’m going to run out of images so I won’t put the alley kiss but I would argue that should count!)

This line, which we have gotten many a callback to, is the first time we’ve had Kang try to initiate a scene between them. Sailom just isn’t willing to play along (until later when he can use it to torture Kang).

Once they admit their feelings they only get more into it.

They have fun with the wind/windmill dynamic.

Kang in particular starts using roles to flirt with Sailom or get Sailom to go along with things he might not otherwise. He seems to sense that Sailom feels more comfortable playing someone else sometimes.

They start using these roles to explore the financial difference between them and their feelings for each other. In fact, they make love for the very first time on the heels of fantasy scenario.

And Sailom when looking to pamper Kang the morning after, plays the role of a hotel staffer offering a “special room service”.

Even here they are role playing. They are going through the scenario of Kang buying him because they both desperately want to be touching each other and don’t think they can otherwise. Plus, it briefly offers them a bit of a shield against all of their swirling hurt and fear and grief.

So all this said, the absolute best conclusion for me of their story was them getting to fully play out roles and be 100% on the same page.

In this part they get to be happy and in love and doing something they both genuinely enjoy while also working through some of their past hurt and regret in a space that is safe for them — one that offers them separation from themselves in case negative feelings do come out.

As they reenact some of their worst moments together, this time it is fully consensual and rooted in their trust for each other. Together, they are making a new memory to erase the bad.

Kang and Sailom have consistently used roleplaying as a tool in their relationship - it’s a space where Sailom in particular feels more confident and more comfortable sharing his feelings (and Kang loves making Sailom happy).

These two boys are only going to keep role playing in the years to come. And if they’re this good at 18, I can only imagine how much better they get with time.

#kanghansailom #dangerous romance #dangerous romance the series #kess babbles about dangerous romance

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kess-in-the-perthchimzone · 7 months

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Little details in episode 7

I FINALLY got to rewatch episode 7 so sharing a bunch of the tiny things that jumped out at me:

This angle!! The way his face is so scrunched!! He THAT desperately wants Sailom to understand what he is trying to tell him.

The way Sailom doesn’t look at him once while Kang is focused on him —

But then when the boys burst in he steals this glance

And Kang seems to sense it, but he’s too late and Sailom has already looked away again

This little pleased smile when Kang realizes he’ll have more chances with Sailom

Sailom pretending like he can just hide in his blanket cocoon and Kang won’t be able to find him

The way Sailom instantly knew when Kang gave up at the main door that he would come to the bathroom—

And Kang likewise knew he wasn’t asleep

The way after Kang asks this question—

He makes this adorable nervous face

How they are a package deal at KANG’S FAMILY EVENTS now

How Kang instantly puts a hand on Sailom’s shoulder and then they have an entire wordless conversation by making faces at each other. VISIBLE FROM MARS

I just love the idea that Kang and Pimfah immediately went back to close friends now that all the awkwardness is over

Sailom’s little hidden smile after Kang flirts with him on the bus

The fact that after Kang asks this question he LOOKS AT SAILOM FOR PERMISSION. Husband behavior!!

Sailom has a dedicated voice just for teasing Kang (see also their first tutor session and I know I’m missing at least one more)

And Kang has a dedicated voice just for protesting when his grandmother is teasing him about Sailom

the first time one of them has admitted it out loud to someone else!!

Another wrist drag!! I’m really into it, as is Sailom, I imagine despite all his protests

The song playing is Wind! I think it was @lamonnaie who talked about the idea that Perth & Chimon could exist in this world as real people. I keep laughing at the thought of Kang talking about how Perth is his favorite and Sailom teasing him because “that’s because he looks like you!” But now I’m also charmed at the idea of the reverse — that Kang has a thing for Chimon because he looks like Sailom

I LOVE this stumble fall because of COURSE it would lead to an (almost) kiss!! They’ve been flirting nonstop. They are touching in multiple places!! It is the only natural conclusion and I admire the writers for showing that progression. (We were ROBBED)

This is astonishingly brave of Sailom. This man clearly terrified him and could fire him in an instant and he still sticks up for Kang

This is after Guy rejects him. Kang gets this cocky “challenge accepted” smile and you know? This feels like really important growth for him. Also it’s a good look for him. Both seem like important observations

Kang scores a goal! He’s GENUINELY good. (I see you, Kang’s Dad, you DICK)

After Kang misses, Sailom makes sure to smile so that if Kang looks up to see him he won’t see him looking disapproving or sad. MY HEART

Sailom is RUTHLESS with his tests (affectionate). He lets Kang get through an entire pretty self-deprecating speech while sounding on the verge of tears without comforting him and waits for the most important line, which is this — that Kang is motivated on his own to get back up and keep trying. Only then does Sailom tell him he’s already got the friend’s approval. But Sailom needed to see that Kang was willing to keep trying first before he personally was willing to go all in. I love him.

And ending on this look. Sailom’s Look Of Love got a lot of attention, rightfully, but this is a pretty amazing one too.

#I LOVE THIS EPISODE #dangerous romance #dangerous romance the series #kanghansailom #kanghan kirttin sukprasert #sailom homchan #Kess babbles about dangerous romance #little details series

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kess-in-the-perthchimzone · 6 months

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As usual with Kang & Sailom, the hands are telling a second story in the scene that has been haunting my (our?) dreams. As angry as Kang is outwardly projecting, his touch reveals the love underneath his actions:

This doesn’t look like a gentle touch, but it is — it’s open faced, he isn’t clenching his fingers or applying any pressure. What he’s doing is guiding Sailom’s head up. Sailom had been starting to fall forward, and needed the initial help to stay upright.

Gradually Kang’s hand slips to the back of Sailom’s neck— a more protective gesture. And if you watch back, he tilts Sailom’s face in several directions. He’s checking him over.

And then this is what absolutely kills me, and photos don’t remotely do it justice. As Sailom more fully awakens, Kang realizes he should let go. And he has to force himself. He clenches his fist, meaning to pull back, and then actually caves and touches Sailom one more time as his hand falls away from Sailom’s neck.

The minute he touched Sailom in this scene, he was done for. He’s wanted to be holding Sailom every minute since he kicked Sailom out of the house.

And every minute he can’t touch Sailom — or the touch is wrong — only accelerates Kang’s heartbreak.

#dangerous romance #dangerous romance the series #I promise I am having just as many feelings about Sailom #That meltdown is coming any day now #Kess babbles about dangerous romance #kanghansailom #kanghan krittin sukprasert

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kess-in-the-perthchimzone · 8 months

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Kang/Sailom and competing meanings of 'security'

Kang: "Let me ask you this. If I were to wake up tomorrow with no money, would you still like me?" Sailom: "I. Like. You."

Episode 4 made it clear that Kang and Sailom enjoy each other’s company, that they mutually missed one another after Sailom lost the tutoring job, and that they would like to continue spending time together moving forward. It’s particularly important how well Dangerous Romance demonstrated that this goes two ways - that for Sailom his sadness wasn’t just about losing Kang’s financial support (seen below in the scene with his brother and also in his disappointment after Pimfah hires him)

These scenes show us that he missed Kang outside of the bounds of tutoring him. Said differently — that he gets more from their relationship than Kang’s family’s money.

This is so interesting to tease out because right now, Kang is obsessed with making sure Sailom is financially secure -- specifically with Sailom having enough money to pay off the monthly debtors so he won't be beaten or have to work as an escort.

For Kang, his money is the most important thing he has to offer Sailom. He agonizes over his midterms, not because he personally feels driven to pass them all, but because he's terrified of what will happen to Sailom if he gets fired. However, while money is particularly important to Sailom at this moment in time while his brother is 'injured' (side eyes Saifah real hard), it is not what he values most about his relationship with Kang. For Sailom, Kang gives him an emotional security he doesn’t get anywhere else.

Kang does this in several ways. First, he offers Sailom the space, lack of judgement, and often encouragement to just be a teenager:

To play video games

To take naps

To experience the joy of a late night ride

To be kind of a troll:

((I don’t believe for ONE SECOND Sailom would talk to any of his other tutoring clients like this)) Kang also puts Sailom first in a way in a way no one else does (I love this post by @jojotichakorn about this being important). He constantly worries about Sailom and his needs. LOOK AT ALL THESE MOMENTS IN JUST THREE EPISODES:

And finally, Sailom can relax and be himself with Kang in a way he doesn't seem to with anyone else. While he does lighten up a little with Auto and Guy, he still seems to play a caregiver role for them. And he’s quick, when he does start to let his guard down, to snap back into his top student role.

The way Sailom is with Kang is actually best contrasted with how uncomfortable Sailom is at home. However much he adores Saifah, he is always on guard with him, perhaps even more than Sailom himself even realizes.

He doesn’t admit to his full emotions about losing Kang

And he constantly worries about Saifah’s spending habits and behavior with his clients

While Kang’s money is helpful for Sailom, like Sailom said, he could have found another job. We saw that on screen when Pimfah offered him the tutoring gig. But Sailom would have been (almost) as miserable as Kang in that scenario. Because Kang gives him an emotional security that Sailom has been desperately missing in his life. It may seem surprising to hear that Sailom’s former bully is now his biggest source of comfort, but I think there are a few reasons Sailom feels this way about him:

He never truly feared Kang to begin with; Kang started to really frustrate him towards the end, but Sailom didn't ever get scared by his attempts at physical intimidation

Kang has already seen him at the absolute lowest point in his life (the night of the beating)

Kang saved him and then cradled him protectively in his arms while he cried

Sailom has already seen Kang at one of the lowest points of his life in return (his birthday); he's also seen Kang at his abject worst (any one of his many bullying attempts) -- so there's no pressure to impress him

Since they started spending time together, Kang has never done anything but reward that trust. He hasn't made fun of Sailom or made him feel any lesser, even in situations where Sailom was clearly out of his element (the steak, the VR)

In summary -- Sailom needs and wants to be around Kang just as much as Kang does him, and for reasons that are intrinsically Kang.

However as long as Kang continues to think the most important thing he can do is buy Sailom's time, they are going to keep having conflict. Because:

And the more Sailom falls in love with Kang, the less he is going to like the idea of feeling like Kang is trying to buy him.

#kanghansailom #dangerous romance the series #dangerous romance #kanghan kirttin sukprasert #kanghan krittin #sailom homchan #meta meta meta #sailom meta series #kess babbles about dangerous romance

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