A patriotic watch
One of last year’s biggest TV hits, Tae-Yang-Eui Hoo-Ye ( Descendants Of The Sun) had distinguished followers including Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who encouraged Thais to watch the South Korean series too.
Starring Song Joong Ki as Captain Yoo Shi Jin and Song Hye-Kyo as Dr Kang Mo Yeon, the popular K-drama portrays their love in a war-torn land.
His only complaint was that in real life, a captain should look older than the dashing Song Joong Ki. Nevertheless, Gen Prayut appreciated how the series conveys patriotism, sacrifice and fulfilment of one’s duties, and urged Thai producers to make substantial soap operas that promote the same values.
His request was heard by Por Dee Kam production house, whose TV epic featuring protagonists from police and armed forces premiered last Saturday on Channel 7.
Parakij Rak ( Mission Of Love) comprises four stories starring heartthrobs, namely Sukollawat Kanaros, Akapan Namatra, Saran Siriluksana and Mik Thongraya, who look even more handsome in uniform.
From the very first episode of the high-action series, the four gorgeous hunks as their characters get together as a special force in fighting evil-doers.
Each of the four related stories then focuses on the missions of each officer. The first, “Kneal Hua Jai Sud Kai Puen” (The Spirit Of The Ruler) resembles Tae-Yang-Eui Hoo-Ye in the soldier-doctor love story but with the army captain on a mission to combat drug trafficking.
The three other romances then come between a navy lieutenant and a writer; a flight lieutenant and a scientist; and a police captain and a journalist.
Even though it’s fiction, the TV series reflects the duties and sacrifices of the military and police while reinforcing patriotism. This resonates well in promoting a mutual understanding with the public as Thailand is under military rule.
The production is even supported by the Royal Thai Armed Forces and the Royal Thai Police, who provided locations, weapons and even troops for the realism of the filming in order to make it an enthralling prime-time watch.