Nang Eye 2016 Episode 1 Recap

Recently I've been watching Nang Eye (a.k.a. Nang Ai/Nang Ay) headed by Great Warintorn and Nicha/Nychaa Nuttanicha. Nang Eye aired in September and has recently been temporary suspended for a month along with all other entertainment in mourning for the recent passing of the Thai King. Nang Eye has aired up to episode 8 and so far I've not found any English subbed versions, partly due to the short and hardly unique title of the lakorn. I've been watching it Chinese subbed as a result, so feel free to share should you see any English subtitles available.

Nang Eye tells the story of 17-year-old Apiradee's (or Nang) growth from a reckless spoilt child to a matured young lady, building friendships and eventually finding love through her journey at an all girls convent school in Penang, Victoria Convent School. It focuses quite some on the school life of the girls, less so on the lovelines, though the lovelines are slowly coming clear, as of episode 8. It leans towards teenage school lakorn, which is not usually my preferred genre, but I watched it purely for Nychaa's first attempt at lead role and Great, who filled the role of Thai Consul in Penang really well. So far I'm really enjoying the chemistry between all three couples, Great and Nicha, Ball Jitpanu and Gap Chanoksuda, and Gap Jakarin and Carissa Springett. I've got to say the casting was good and all the characters were developed and portrayed really well, though I would have loved to have more focus on our lead couple.

I'm actually somewhat reluctant to recap the first couple of episodes, mainly because they set the background for the characters, and focused mostly on Nang's entry and adaption into a new extremely old-fashionedly ran and strict school, which quite bored me out. If you're one for school lakorns, you may like it, but I'm just gonna brief through the important points.

Apiradee or Nang (Nicha) is the only daughter of a minister. She is adventurous and enjoys risky activities such as riding on a motorcycle (back seat). The final straw came for her parents when she unknowingly got herself into a scandal "fighting over a man with two other ladies" and the news got plastered all over the papers. In reality, she was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time. Her parents decided she was getting out of hands and sent her to her mum's alma mater which is an all girls convent boarding school all the way in Penang completely run by nuns. The old and strict school seemed like a nightmare to Nang. While attempting to post an Instagram photo, she tripped and fell into the arms of the handsome but stern Thai consul Thanatip or Tip's (Great) arms. He is responsible for the well-being of the Thai students studying in Penang. Nang was ruthlessly rejected when she tried to take a selfie with Tip.

At the school reopening assembly for Thai students, Saisuda or Sai (Carissa Springett) and her two lackeys (resident school bullies) tricked Nang into following Tip when he entered to give a speech. Nang tripped and grabbed Tip's hand, which earned her a scolding in front of all the students. Sai made several other attempts afterwards to bully Nang like they did with the other students, during which Nang stood up for herself. As a result, she and Sai became enemies.

Nang eventually befriended Sineenart or Si (Gap Chanoksuda), a sweet and gentle girl who took the initiative to introduce herself to Nang. Nang was also introduced to rigid regime of the school, which included confiscation of her mobile phone (the school still uses snail mail for communication) and uncompromising rules and schedules. No talking during meals and self-study sessions, only having five minutes each for bathing and saying prayers before meals and sleeping. They are also forbidden to speak with the boys from Georgetown Academy the all boys school separated by a fence, which Compun (Gap Jakarin), Nang's parents' friend's son studied at. In the process of adapting, Nang broke several rules and was punished.

Chaipong (Ball Jitpanu) is a motorcycle-riding pastry chef who helps Tip manage restaurants. He is also the elder brother of Compun. He hopes to find his true love before having to return to Phuket to help with his father's business.

That night, Nang could not sleep as she missed her parents. She sneaked out of the school and followed Tip's piano melodies to the the wall separating the consulate from the hostel, as she remembered how her father had played the piano and sang for her when she was young. Sitting on the wall, she cried her eyes out to the image of Tip's back and the melodies. However, as she prepared to leave, she was caught by the teachers, who punished all the hostel room mates for allowing Nang, their room mate, to leave the room without permission.

Joycam, Saisuda, Mina

Compun

Silina

Chaipong