Warning: This Review Contains Spoilers 

If there is only one thing that viewers of Step By Step can agree on, it will be about how the show stuck true to its name. The show has an almost agonisingly slow burn with viewers having to wait until episode ten to watch Pat (“Ben” Bunyapol Likhitamnuayporn) and Mr Jeng (“Man” Trisanu Soranun) finally reciprocate their feelings for each other. 

The show begins with Pat, the youngest and newest member of the digital marketing department, being forced to carry out the tasks of everyone on the team as he cannot say no due to the respect for his seniors – a key part of Thai culture. Pat initially meets Jeng when he is trying to return to the office whilst having to hold everyone’s drinks orders with peril ensuing as he drops one of the drinks onto the expensive shoes of the man behind him; a meet-cute if you will. Jeng is later introduced as the new head of the department, the CEO’s son who is disliked by the rest of the team. 

At first, it is easy to believe that Ying (“Tui” Puttachat Pongsuchat) is the villain of the show but she quickly becomes one of Pat’s closest supporters at work along with Nan (“Praew” Hassaya Isereekul) and Chot (“Bruce” Sirikorn Kananurak) who are firm favourites among the viewers.

The series is full of cliches and typical romantic tropes such as forced proximity when Pat and Jeng have to share a bed because there is only one room left when they are away on a work trip. Or how Pat becomes concerned that Jeng is in a relationship due to the nail polish in his lounge and the elaborate skin care products in his bathroom when they in fact belong to his niece and brother Jaab respectively. Of course, it also falls victim to the age-old episode eleven curse, something that fans of the genre will be more than familiar with. 

Not only does Step by Step share a cast with Dee Hup House’s previous drama Lovely Writer but it also shares the main plot point of making a fictional BL with drama within itself (a BL drama). This has allowed for both to show more nuanced opinions on the industry that other dramas do not reflect on. For example in episode five when Pat is sat in a meeting deciding on which actors to cast for their advert he makes a statement about how the BL industry profits off of those in the LGBTQ+ community without necessarily supporting them. As correct as his statement is, it unfortunately upset the fans of two of the actors mentioned during the casting discussion; as they viewed the statement as referring to them; resulting in the removal of the scene from the show. This is not the only time that the show gets real about LGBTQ+ issues with an intense discussion in episode eleven about how Jeng’s sexuality is apparently detrimental for the company’s reputation and future, with the show once again giving a nod to the Thai culture of respecting your elders and following what they say.

Despite its triumphs, the show does have its downfalls with the questionable Jen (“Wind” Theerameth Phirabawornsuk) and Jaab (“Saint” Paramee Matthanadul) plot that begins so well but becomes explicitly messier as the series progresses and is not even given a proper ending. As well as the unforgivable decision of Pat briefly getting back with his ex Put (“Up” Poompat Iamsamang) a man who he cannot even look at when they are first reunited but yet seems to forgive due to a crocheted shark. Finally of course there was the singing of the confession which many Thai BL fans will agree is overused in the genre and can frequently ruin a show. 

Even during its most questionable plot points “Step by Step” managed to maintain beautiful cinematography. With fans online noticing how Jeng is always placed within a box as a metaphor of how he is trapped by his father’s wishes to take on the family company and always follow his every command. One of the most impactful parts of the show is the colouring with yellow and blue hues always surrendering Jeng and Pat even in the promotional images. It is symbolic to the plot with the amount of yellow or blue in the shot hinting to viewers as to what the outcome of the plot will be. 

The final episode begins with a two-year time jump, an easy move but an effective one with the characters all having grown and happily progressed with their lives. It seems a little like an easy fix at first but the cyclical nature of the show strikes as Pat and Jeng both celebrate their birthdays which had been pivotal moments in the past and once again mark changes in the relationship. And the final scene of the pair drinking bubble tea with grass jelly is a delightful throwback to their first meeting. 

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Written by Claire Campion

_{View of the Arts is a British online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}