Monster Next Door

This is a green flag series. If you want a nontoxic show where all the characters aren’t problematic, you will love Monster Next Door. Did I love it? Read on to find out.

Synopsis:

Cute introvert Diewdai likes to live in his ultra-private world, hiding away in his apartment. His best friend is a turtle named Khun Shy. However, Diew’s life of peace is destroyed when God—an extroverted senior from another faculty—moves in next door.

God throws loud daily parties. Diew does his best to endure them—he likes this building—but one night, he can’t take it any longer. He slams his door shut to let God know he has a neighbor. After being there a month, God feels inadequate and—unsure how to apologize—addresses him from the balcony. Diew responds unconcernedly and goes back and forth, but the pair’s conversation turns to friendship, with the caveat that they mustn’t meet face-to-face; Diew insists.

Adapted from the novel “Godzilla Next Door” (พี่เขาบุกโลกของผม) by Jiwinil

(Source: Thai = booksreviewbyme2.wordpress.com || Translation = MyDramaList)

Cast:

Big Thanakorn Kuljarassombat as “God” Kittidet Sapphaisansakul

Park Anantadej Sodsee as Diew

Kade Tanapon Hathaidachadusadee as Wan

Ole Thanakorn Sangwan as Beer

 Proud Urucha Sirichaiwongsakul Biu

Krismon Thanawat Sutthijaroen Game

Pik Supawit Vichitrananda as Win

Mhing Thatsaphon Ruengkitrattanakun as Pi

Thoughts:

Kungfu Nitivat Cholvanichsiri directed Monster Next Door. His previous LGBTQ+ work was Lover of Siam in 2007. Since then, he’s directed many Thai lakorns and BG series, but not a BL series.

Executive Producer Li Kai Chen worked on many successful BLs before this series, including one currently airing, I Saw You In My Dreams. He produced Manner of Death, which was excellent. My expectations were high.

Right off the bat, the actors felt green, even though this was not their first production. I had never seen Big Kuljarassombat before, but he’s starred in OMG! Vampire, Knock Knock Boys!, Big Dragon, My Mate Match, and other series. Park Sodsee previously starred in 2 Moons: Ambassador and Knock Knock, Boys! This is his third acting role. 

The acting was fine. The story was fine. The series was fine. This is the most I can say about it. God is a green flag character. If you haven’t heard this term before, it means someone who is the opposite of a toxic boyfriend, aka a red flag. A green flag boyfriend or relationship relies on mutual respect, consent, understanding each other’s boundaries, honest communication, and a host of other wholesome tropes. God’s kindness is what draws shy Diew to him.

Diew is also honest, communicating what he wants and needs from the very beginning of their relationship. He is an introvert who doesn’t want to see the person he’s talking to; he only wants to talk on the balcony, hidden from view. God agrees to Diew’s terms, and the two begin to share more of their lives with each other.

God even wears a mask so that Diew can come to hear and see the concert he and his bandmates are performing at a club. He doesn’t want to make Diew uncomfortable until Diew is ready to see and be seen. He is kind and considerate of Diew’s feelings.

Eventually, the two met face-to-face and began dating. Of course, there are side characters who are best friends, and one is in love with the other. Then we have Diew’s introverted friend, who is interested in God’s friend. I will give the show credit for not making the lone female friend in the group toxic. This is a rarity in BL, but it appears we are moving away from that trope I hope.

So far, it sounds like a good series, right? Well, kind of. 

The problem I have with Monster Next Door is twofold. There may be small obstacles to overcome, but there is no real tension or drama in the series. Diew’s past includes a traumatic, but not too traumatic, ex-boyfriend, and there are trim levels of tension elsewhere, but not enough to carry the story.

 My second issue is that the story could have been told in six episodes instead of twelve. There is too much filler and too much sitting around talking. I need some action. I can see that it would make a good book. However, talking with your best friends in the library for many scenes is superfluous.  The last two episodes saved it from getting a lower rating because there were a few lovely moments. The series could have easily been not an 18+ series because the two love scenes didn’t add to the story. They felt added in to give Monster Next Door a more mature feel, but it didn’t work. I don’t mind love scenes if they fit the story and the characters. These didn’t do that. So, if you are bored and need a smile, watch an episode or two when you have time. But if you are like me, you may find it easier to move on to a series that you actively want to watch.

Overall Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars. [See our Review Guide]