The Sand Princess is one of the Lakorn / Thai series I already watched while we’re in enhanced community quarantine and I am working from home. This made my breaks more relaxed and entertaining. Today, I will share my insights and review of The Sand Princes starring Pimchanok “Baifern” Luevisadpaibu, Danuwong ” Dan” Worrawech, and Chutavuth ”March” Pattarakhumpol.
note: please forgive me if I misspelled their names, (I find them challenging to memorize and spell hehehe)
The Sand Princess: A Taste of Modern Produced Lakorn
The last Thai Series I watched were Luerd Kattiya (half) and Roy Leh Sanae Rai that both top-billed by Aom Phiyada Akarasenee and Tik Jesdaporn Pholdee. These two series, which I watched last year, were broadcasted about 17 years ago so I adjusted my expectations in terms of production quality. But they were good (acting-wise of the leads) that’s why I get excited to discover more interesting Lakorn. Fast forward, I saw a video clip of The Sand Princess in GMMTV Youtube Channel, recognized Baifern ( because of the Crazy Little Thing Called Love which also starred Mario Maurer), and thought its an interesting story.
A love square story that revolves about lies. In general, The Sand Princess is about Kod (Baifern Pimchanok)’s journey to survive her poor orphan life through earning money from Ji’s ( March Chutavuth). Ji is her rich friend and employer, who is an easy-go-lucky guy and impregnated one of Kod’s friends. Kod agreed to take care of Ji’s daughter (named Moji) because of money and she wants the kid to experience the love of a mother she's deprived to have.
Their story becomes more colorful because of Ji’s shotgun engagement with Aff (Gina Virahya Pattarachokchai), daughter of a family business investor and an old flame of his older brother Ki ( Dan Warrowech). To cover Ji’s secret and to protect their family business, Ki decided to marry Kod. From there, you know where the story possibly revolved and who’s in the love triangle err love square (or love pentagon).
The Sand Princess has a predictable modern complex tweak of Cinderella’s storyline, but full of heartwarming and nakakilig moments. It has a smooth blend of comedy antics, romantic gestures, and punchy dialogues. Okay, not all the parts are convincing, but the majority of them contribute to the idea that The Sand Princess is a feel-good series to watch.
Some weak spots though. Perhaps what’s noticeable here is it seems that it’s easy/ convenient for the male lead (Ki) to fall in love with the female lead (Kod)--but not so unconvincing like in the Boy for Rent. Yes, nakakakilig and I understand (and even appreciated it as a viewer), but that’s what I observed as a reviewer. Ki marries Kod for practical reasons and it’s clear that he’s not ready to fall in love (at least for the reason that his younger brother and ex-girlfriend just got engaged), but why it’s easy for him to care and caress Kod. Or just let’s resolve this by describing him as a busy businessman with a lot of time and a big heart to be romantically involved with a woman--who’s the (fake) mother of his brother’s daughter. #SanaAll !
But the good thing about it is it shortened the love attraction between Ki and Kod and made The Sand Princess a feel-good na rom-com pa series. #TripNaTrip
I would like also to commend the love triangle among Kod, Ki, and Ji. It’s strong especially with the present of Aff in their life. But I think, even if it’s nakakilig, Chot’s angle weakened the love triangle err love square. Should I believe that Kod’s is the most beautiful (fake) single mom? #SanaAll
The Sand Princess’ Love Story
In my opinion, the gems of this series are
- Baifern’s acting
- The chemistry between Dan and Baifern
- Duangta Toongkamanee's effective comedy antics
Baifern’s acting. Aside from Crazy Little Thing Called Love, I also happened to see other Baifern’s acting performance through video clips of Friend Zone (trailer), Yuttakarn Prab Nang Marn ( Wicked Angel in the Philippines), Secret Garden, and Bai Mai Tee Plid Plew. Based on these varieties, I can say she’s not only an effective but versatile actress. She has a wide range of acting skills that she could be good in rom-com, heavy drama or something else. Here in The Sand Princess, her Kod’s is the wacky and relatable heroine you are looking for. Baifern delivered what was required for her character, and in effect, affects her strong on-screen chemistry with Dan and made The Sand Princess even more dramatic.
Dan Worrawech. I watched the whole The Sand Princess I guess almost three times. The first time is to complete this 14-episode series, the second time is to rewatch the interesting episodes, and the third time is to rewatch the interesting/ entertaining scenes. In the first run, though I feel kilig, I felt the awkward/ unnatural/expressionless Dan in some scenes, examples:
- his flower base arrangement
- the way he looked ( while holding a guitar) at Baifern from afar while they’re camping in Chiang Mai
- when he’s on the beach to convince Kod to comeback.
- At the bar when Kod confessed her love to Ki
Dan is good in facial expressions and body movements. Except in the few times that he looked not serious or is it because of his charming dimples. Sometimes he (seemed) about to laugh like when Ki’s auntie caught Ki and Kod fighting for the pillow/ where to sleep. He’s looking, intensely, in Baifern’s face to exude romantic feeling ( when Kod accidentally tripped him on the bed). But his expression is like he’s about to laugh.
Dan and Baifern’s chemistry. Overall, Dan’s acting is good. Because if not, his chemistry with Baifern is not effective. In a way, he exuded cold and yet, soft-hearted Ki that perfectly matched with Baifern’s chatty and pretentious Kod. And he’s an effective young vibrant businessman. My top favorite Ki/Dan’s scene is when he shows a frustrated look when Ki is questioned by his auntie, who just found out that he has (fake) daughter and wife.
March Chutavuth. I just finished watching Kiss Me Again ( thank you again GMMTV!) so I have another reference in terms of March’s acting. He’s effective as annoying, irresponsible and funny Ji. You hate and love him for making Baifern’s Kod life stressful, if not miserable. I have no particular favorite Ji's scenes and perhaps it's because he’s portrayal is consistent.
Unlike Dan’s few underacting performances, he tends to do a little bit overacting in some scenes and showed same-face reactions for different situations. But again March Chutavuth effective as annoying, irresponsible and funny Ji.
Duangta Toongkamanee’s serious comedy. Three of my favorite scenes in The Sand Princess include Ki and Ji’s auntie Krongthong. The actress is superb in her portrayal of a loving, but teasing auntie. She delivered the dialogues well enough that even if she’s acting seriously she would make you laugh. My favorite scenes of her are
- (as mentioned above) when she sermoned Ki for being irresponsible (fake) father
- (as mentioned above) when she caught Ki and Kod on the bed. Her surprised reaction is the best!!!
- When she teased Ki when he informed her that Kod is sick
Other good and bad points in this Lakorn
- Gina’s good Aff acting. Aff is really the beautiful villain you hate for being intimidating. Gina is good in this role. And the only Aff’s scene that is ineffective for me is when she interrupted Ki and Kod’s argument the morning after She went to their condo. It’s in the walk and delivery. Se’s not an actress there but a fashion model trying to act something.
- Narumon Phongsupan’s Ladda. Ladda’s side story is a subplot and a good arch. I think the writer(s) established the character well from earlier dialogues of Kod. But IMHO, Ms. Phongsupan’s acting is not impressive enough ( except for that one heavy scene when Kod talked to explain why Ladda abandoned Kod).
- Ae Maneerat Kam-Uan’s Puang Petch. If there’s another funny character and effective portrayal in The Sand Princess, it would be Puang Petch ( Ki’s secretary) of Ae Maneerat Kam-Uan. The beautiful actress is natural in her punch lines and facial expressions. You would feel as well how concerned she is to Ki.
- Alice Tsoi’s Meaw is a little bit good particularly if her Meaw is teasing Kod. But I think her role ( bff of Kod) and Mek Jirakit Thawornwong’s character ( bff of Ji) are too plain.