“Believe in your infinite potential. Your only limitations are those you set upon yourself.” – Roy T. Bennett

Summary: Model Plawan (Pon Thanapon Aiemkumchai) has been a pad kaprao—no long beans—enthusiast all his life. Offered a hefty sum, he’s hired to train in a competition at a well-known chef’s table restaurant under head chef Chef Oab (Sailub Hemmawich Kwanamphaiphan). His secret mission is to make Chef Oab fall for him and become his successor. Unfortunately, he’s shaken by the harsh and stern-looking chef who smells like holy basil. Apart from being known for his skills in the kitchen, he’s also said to be a serious perfectionist, instilling fear even in his peers. How, then, can amateur Plawan hope to measure up?

(Source: MyDramaList)

The title “This Love Doesn’t Have Long Beans” is based on the Thai dish Pad Kaprao. It is a popular dish that some believe traditionally comprises meat, holy basil leaves, chili, and fish sauce. However, there has been some controversy over these ingredients as others prefer to make their Pad Kaprao with chopped long beans, baby corn, and mushrooms.

In “This Love Doesn’t Have Long Beans”, Pad Kaprao is more than just a dish, it’s a way of life. As the series unfolds, we discover the motivations, and passions of Plawan, Oab, and the rest of the ensemble. The show blends humor with heartfelt moments that together create a “flavorful” series. Here are 3 things I loved and hated about the show.

Loved: Intimacy

There were quite a few intimate scenes in “This Love Doesn’t Have Long Beans”, especially toward the end of the series when Oab and Plawan start dating. The actors have good chemistry and are not awkward physically with each other which is refreshing to see. I think it helps that the two have already worked together. Because there is nothing worse than actors who sign up for a boy’s love series and seem like the last thing they want to do is kiss another boy.

I do wish they hadn’t had nearly all the intimate scenes take place in the restaurant, specifically the kitchen. Let’s be real, that’s just nasty. It’s also a quick way to have the health department on your back if they find out. Like, why would I want buttcheeks and who knows what else near my Pad Kaprao? C’mon guys, let’s be professionals here.

Hated: Confession Scene/Resolution of Oab’s past relationship

After Kao Suay, Oab’s ex-girlfriend comes back on the scene, she works hard to weasel her way back into Oab’s life. Eventually, he tells her that he loves Plawan and doesn’t see her romantically. He believes that perhaps he never saw her in that way but only wanted to protect her like a brother. He also confesses to Plawan, telling him that he likes him and can perhaps heal from his relationship with Kao Suay by dating him.

The main problem I have with these scenes is that they don’t make sense. Oab spent most of the series seeming like he hadn’t healed from the end of his relationship with Kao Suay only to say he only had brotherly feelings towards her? He even fashioned his whole restaurant after her, and didn’t remodel after she left. Is that something a brother does? Because as someone who has siblings, I’m doubtful. I understand growing and learning more about yourself and your past relationships as you become more mature, but this seems like it came out of nowhere. I wish they had just left it at Oab genuinely loved Kao Suay in the past but wants to move on now because his love for Plawan is greater.

Loved: JJ

I love a man with standards. JJ (Garfield Pantach) was not only an extremely supportive best friend to Plawan, he was someone that held himself and others up to a certain standard. After becoming “involved” with Metas (Benz Atthanin) because of Plawan, JJ constantly stays on Metas’ neck. Metas is used to being able to buy everything and everyone with money, but JJ sticks to his morals and doesn’t let that fly with him. This eventually forces Methas to stop being so greedy and selfish and consider new perspectives.

I love the scene in episode 6 after Metas buys JJ’s clinic, in which JJ asks him “Do you think using money will make people respect you? Do you think harassing me will make me give up?”. JJ shows that he’s not like everyone else Methas has encountered before and he won’t be bullied. Plawan and Oab are nice, but I think in terms of characterization, JJ is the best.

Hated: Plawan getting the restaurant

I know this might be a controversial take, but I wish Plawan hadn’t gotten Oab’s restaurant at the end. Plawan had great potential. He’s a creative, who has a great knack for flavors and holy basil dishes. And I do think that he grew and learned a lot by the end of the series, especially as it relates to cooking. However, becoming involved with the owner of the restaurant you are competing for muddy the waters. Oab said that he wouldn’t be biased but he was, teaching Plawan directly how to do things, giving him desirable roles, etc. It just felt a little off seeing Plawan as head chef/restauranter at the end taste-testing everyone’s dishes when he hadn’t even trained that long or gone to cooking school. I would have liked to see his food influencer career take off or see him start his own restaurant or food truck from scratch.

Loved: Everyone has potential

I think a theme of this series is that greatness lies in everyone. Even if you get rejected or others judge you based on perceptions, you can defy the odds. There is always room to grow and learn, you just have to put in the effort.

Hated: Non-Consensual Scene

If you’ve read some of my other articles you know that the one thing I hate most in these series is no consent. In a scene in episode 5, Oab advances on Plawan and starts kissing and grabbing him while Plawan tries to push him away. Even though Plawan eventually accepted the kissing and the two had sex, it was not initially consensual. And make no mistake, just because someone likes someone or is in a relationship with someone does not mean they have given automatic consent to their partner. Consent is on a case-by-case basis. You have to make sure you both are on the same page before engaging in sexual or intimate acts EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. I wish the writers would stop including these scenes. There is nothing sexy or alluring about them.

Conclusion:

Overall, I thought “This Love Doesn’t Have Long Beans” was a cute series with great chemistry, fun characters, and yummy-looking food. I didn’t realize that a lot of the actors from the series are from the series “Pit Babe” because I didn’t watch that when it came out. However, after seeing this I might give it a try.

You can stream all 8 episodes of “This Love Doesn’t Have Long Beans” on iQIYI.

Rating- 3 out of 5