F4 Thailand: The Bow and Infinity Necklace

So we have 5 episodes remaining of F4 Thailand and I think I have formed a more coherent review on how I feel about this adaptation. While writing my first F4 analysis, I had done so on the pretence that this adaptation will be a guilty pleasure watch, one that I can watch in-between shows that were actually good. What I did not expect to happen was me counting down the days till the next F4 episode would be released and camping on the internet to read every tiny analysis one could make for an hour long episode. I think what made this such an exhilarating show to watch was in large due to the extensive sphere of discussions and opinion from the F4 fandom itself. I don't think in my many years of watching asian dramas I've come across such wide breadth of varying perspectives. And while I don't agree with all of the discussions, I can't deny the creators of the show have certainly made a drama we'll be talking about long after F4 Thailand has finished airing.

Analysis

In this review I want to continue the focus on the shows costume choices but this time pinpoint a specific element that has become of interest to me: The use of bows/ribbons and the infinity necklace. The creators of the show intentionally or unintentionally have really sculpted this show in a way that it is impossible to not theorise over the smallest choices made and especially when it comes to the wardrobe. The transition between the bow to the necklace is intriguing to me because it symbolises the state of ThymeGorya's changing relationship. In my previous style analysis for Thyme, I had briefly mentioned the wardrobe choices surrounding the first instance we see the bow. On my first rewatch, I had a vested interest in what this bow would come to symbolise later on in the show, which became more and more apparent to me as the show progressed. 

The Pussycat Bow and Rosalyn/Lita

 

The first instance we see Rosalyn is the scene where she talks about the analogy of the red card. Here, we see her wear this oversized black pussycat bow. The Pussycat bow according to fashion history states in the early 1900s it first became a popular choice for women to wear in the work place during WWII. The Pussycat bow provided a feminine alternative to the more masculine tie. This attire especially came to prominence when women moved to more powerful positions into the workforce, one of the most notable person to have worn one; Margaret Thatcher. This parallels Rosalyn's character and is especially of note as this relates to how she is essentially in the most powerful position in a mostly male dominated field. Her analogy of a football match (a highly male dominated sport) and giving a red card to those who don't abide by her rules, places her character into a ruthless figurehead and much like the iron lady previously mentioned. 

In the episode titled "The Atonement", Talay exclaims how the cycle of violence will only truly be broken until the root cause is not addressed, the scene then shifting to show Rosalyn as the cause of the violence. Rosalyn's power comes from her own experience within the patriarchal system and this sets the course for Thyme to be the one to break it. Once Thyme is able to confront his past behaviour, is he then truly allowed to form a meaningful relationship with Gorya. But ultimately, Thyme and Gorya's relationship will only know true happiness untill Rosalyn's belief system is also changed. One feature of the Pussycat bow are the two long tails it forms, convenient for the right person to unravel them.

Special mention:

Lita's Pussycat bow is significantly smaller to the one Rosalyn chooses to wear. Lita in many ways is in a very similar position to Rosalyn herself. Being born into a wealthy family has given Lita a type of power neither Rosalyn nor Gorya can relate to. The choice to make Lita wear the Pussycat bow is in a sense showing us how she would be the perfect candidate for Thyme's future bride. Ultimately however, their relationship does not last as the choice of Lita being Thyme's future bride is directly made by Rosalyn herself. For Thyme to truly break from the patriarchal society he himself must unravel what he has learnt to be the 'right' choice and begin to formulate his own decision regarding his relationship with Gorya.

Gorya forming a Bow

Gorya's makeover scene in episode 2 sees her donning a black dress with a rhinestone bow detailing. Thyme here is attempting to elevate Gorya to his level but does this by force. A tactic that has been taught to him by his mother. This is perhaps the only time Gorya is seen wearing anything with a bow detail in a clothing item. However, what she does wear frequently is her fabric tote bag with this half bow/knot detail. 

Gorya wears this bag constantly throughout the show, but when she chooses to wear it is fascinating. The two instances I would specifically like to mention is in episodes 6 and 7; the zoo date and the reconciliation scene at the stadium. In both these instances Gorya chooses to come to Thyme. Before these instances Thyme had initiated most of their interactions making their relationship seem more one sided. With these episodes however, Gorya chooses to go on a date with Thyme and chooses to trust Thyme in their previous misunderstanding regarding Tesla. In these instances Gorya carries her half ribboned tied tote bag, which not only represents her humble background but her beginning to accept her feelings towards Thyme.

Special mention:

With Gorya carrying her tote bag, despite beginning to form a bond , she also carries heavy baggage (literally and figuratively) which shows her reluctance in accepting Thyme. 

Episode 10 perfectly encapsulates Gorya fluctuating feelings for Thyme. In the montage scene depicting Gorya and Thyme's date with Talay and Lita respectively, Gorya does not wear her ribboned tote bag. Instead we see her outside a window display with her reflection transposed on to a mannequin wearing a pussycat bow, similar to the one Rosalyn has worn previously. This is especially significant to where Gorya is within her own journey. Not only does the reflection serve to symbolise her identity crisis but it also mirrors episodes 5 main themes of identity aptly titled 'The Glass Mirror'. Gorya struggles to find her place in the world and thus gives her the perspective in how she does not fit into Thyme's world. The Pussycat Bow being associated with Rosalyn shows Gorya insecurities towards the large class difference both her and Thyme exists in.

Thyme's infinity necklace

While Gorya struggles to come to terms with her feelings towards the relationship, Thyme has known how he has felt all along. This is perfectly portrayed by this scene in episode 7. After his violent outburst Thyme begins to question himself and comes to terms with his ugliest facet; Violence. The cinematography of this scene is so interesting to me as it seems as though they are both seated in the middle of an infinity symbol. Similar to the use of reflection previously mentioned, the water here creates their reflection to show how both need to be present for each other for both to truly grow. The fact that they are seated within the middle of the symbol additionally highlights how they are mid way in reaching the strength and stability the infinity sign symbolises with a relationship.

So how does the bow transition itself into the infinity necklace? It is of note that before the term infinity was used another term was utilised; lemniscate. Originally driving from the Greek word meaning "ribbon" specifically made of "wool", shows us how these two interlock with one another. The ribbon aesthetically itself resembles the infinity symbol, but the choice to make it a necklace shows us the significant growth in the ThymeGorya's relationship. The fact that Thyme has this custom made mirrors the symbolic nature of the Pussycat bow Lita had worn. Both are items that are worn around the neck shows how their relationship has been replaced by something more tangible and everlasting. And while even in later episodes the necklace is misplaced or locked away in it's box the relationship with Thyme and Gorya have formed is now eternal.