Sereno (Filipino Series)

This marks the third time I have encountered a Merman BL show lately, as the genre seems to be having a moment with that specific merman fantasy vibe. While the initial setup feels somewhat intriguing, the series quickly descends into relying on the cheapest tropes available, prioritizing skin and shock value above all else. I experienced many moments that caused me to cringe hard. However, once you realize this is an Oxin Films production—the same studio responsible for Hermoso, which I also watched—you realize exactly what to expect. Every single episode features a random sex scene crammed into the runtime, and they even include a little message prompting viewers to subscribe for VIP access to see the uncensored version, which is gross. The series consists of ten episodes, with each one lasting around fifty to sixty minutes.

The initial ten minutes establish the premise: Kai is a merman held captive by a tacky witch named Ursula, whose resort thrives on his innate good luck energy while surrounding areas struggle. Isolated and longing for his sea family, Kai falls for a local islander named Mario, but just as their connection deepens, Mario vanishes into the ocean and is presumed dead. While Kai blames himself, it seems far more probable that Ursula is responsible for the disappearance. Ursula’s older sister is the only person who shows Kai genuine kindness, yet she remains trapped under her sister’s control. Years later, two friends, Alfred and Elios, arrive at the resort. Elios is a handsome young man captivated by merman legends, and when he happens upon Kai relaxing in the sea, a hesitant connection begins to brew between them. Simultaneously, Alfred starts a fling with a woman in the neighboring room who works as a webcam content creator, though she is secretly working for a shady guy for unknown reasons. The plot then spirals into unnecessary chaos and drama as Elios and Kai attempt to uncover the truth about Mario’s disappearance and navigate their own relationship. As Alfred and his cam girl fall deeply in love, it is revealed out of nowhere that Alfred is actually half merman too. The mysterious buyer eventually arrives, intending to purchase the resort because he suspects something bigger is happening there. Following his arrival, everything descends into madness, with kidnapping and nonsense flying between Ursula, the shady buyer, and the rest of the cast. To add to the mess, Mario actually returns from the sea at some point, thrusting Kai, Elios, and Mario into a complicated love triangle.

The entire series feels scattered and somewhat out of control. It could have actually worked if it had just committed to a single storyline, but instead, it starts with a strong merman mystique angle only to lose its way by chasing silliness and pointless side plots. The show eventually goes full trashy, which cheapens the entire merman fantasy concept; much like Hermoso did, the production throws in random characters just to pack in more sex scenes. Regarding the acting, there isn’t much positive to report. While the two leads were fine—passable at best—the side characters were rough, featuring straight up amateur acting. I don’t even have words for how over the top Ursula and that other resort worker guy were. The ending left me completely confused, as I couldn’t figure out why Kai needed to stay in the sea for as long as he did, and even after his return, I wasn’t sure anything was actually resolved between him and Elios. Realistically, how is that relationship even supposed to work? Between the insane amount of innuendo and the plain silliness, I’m not even sure what the creators were going for here, or if they ever intended for this to be taken seriously. This is one of those shows that falls into campy, cringe BL territory—the kind you watch while complaining the whole time but still secretly enjoying. The one saving grace is definitely the eye candy and all the shirtless guys on display. Aside from that, keep your expectations low. Just watch it, roll your eyes, secretly have fun, and then move on with your life.

Ultimately, it is a campy and messy experience, though it remains oddly watchable provided you don’t take it seriously. (4/10)