For pure entertainment and good, clean, fun peppered with a good dose of moral lessons thrown in for good measure, there is nothing like a good Vietnamese BL to do the job for you. To get there, however, you might have to sift through some unorthodox translations that may or may not make sense. But that doesn’t matter, because the overall story will. You will see at the end when the story is presented in full, how absolutely adorable the whole story is.

Stupid Genius is the story of a misfit class of high schoolers- the worst students in the class. Thu Khoa (The Bang) wants to be a national badminton champion but in order to do so, he must improve his grades and so he solicits the help of the class genius, who happens to be in the same class because of his mouthing off. Although he really does not want to help, The Vinh (Tien Hai), he finally does so because he finds himself attracted to Thu Khoa. The Vinh happens to be the brother of the homeroom teacher.

Of course, in the class, are a cast of characters who are interesting, funny, quirky, and with a bit of manipulation, misinterpret what they think they hear and end up studying very hard to try to pass the exams. It is a twist of irony as they think they are pulling a ‘fast one’ on a dislikable teacher, but in reality, they have been masterfully conned.

This is a very good ensemble cast of characters, but there is one here that is exceptionally quirky and extremely entertaining. She is the class monitor named Bich Phuoung (Tieu Thanh). She has a certain presence while in a room and can read situations very well. Stoic, yet opportunistic; she has an odd side business by reading tarot cards to others. She is quite a formidable individual and is a take-charge person. While appearing to be tough, she is rather gentle once you get to know her and is fiercely loyal. As an individual who sees things as they are and wants to help bring about positive change, I found her rather refreshing and a real force for good. Tieu’s acting skills are so laid back that it makes her appear to be even funnier as she reacts to very little around her and when she does so, she does so she does it with such a dismissive flair. It is quite funny.

This series has no real ‘ending’ which I was pleasantly surprised by. It does not conclude. We honestly do not know whether they passed their final exams or not, except that we do find out that they have been manipulated into studying in a most thought provoking, imaginative and creative way. They did it by making someone become a ‘fall guy’ but did it for all the right reasons. The remarkable screenplay was so deliciously cunning that I wanted to give the screenwriter a big hug for being so morally cute and creative in their approach to education.

This was not just their moral compass to providing direction to keeping a steady focus on the value of education. At every turn, the emphasis was on the value of finishing and the importance of an education, no matter what your dreams are. A worthy and valued sentiment that was pushed along with humor and firm warnings. Completion of education was the major focus in this series; nothing else. Kudos for such an important and valued message in the lives of teenagers that was presented basically and matter-of-factly without being preachy.

The BL in the series is cute, awkward, and so clumsy. But guess what? Because it is. They are teenagers, not fully understanding their sexuality and certainly only playing with it. The kissing was awkward but at the so adorable stage. We, or at least I, am rooting for Thu Khoa and The Vinh and for the stirrings and the budding of the other couple to blossom.

One scene in this series is simply worth noting as it is so hysterical, and for me, is an instant classic; I am not sure I have seen in any other series- ever. Out of the blue, a foreigner in broken English is asking for directions, but she is not being understood. But one of them understands Thai. And the girl, flirting with him, asks how such a cute young man learned to speak good Thai and he says by watching Thai series. I just howled. I am guessing that is a reference to and paying homage and respect to Thai BLs that are so prolific. Perhaps English may no longer be the Universal language anymore. Could it be replaced by Thai!?

I know I gush about Vietnamese BLs, as they are clearly my favorite country for Boys’ Love. They are solid, unpretentious, simple, life-affirming, and easily graspable in an everyday living kind of way. They present the life of ordinary people in an ordinary way with just enough quirkiness or strangeness that makes them unique. All done in most cases, with production budgets nowhere near the financial consideration of other countries. Not all, of course, are masterpieces, but all have heart, human beauty, and a nexus to acceptance of equality yet to be determined.

Rating- 4 out of 5

Streaming on- RL Studio YouTube