GMMTV unveiled their much awaited projects for 2022; ushering early “Christmas Presents” for the entire BL fandom.

Titled “Borderless”, the media giant’s announcement of eight candid stories has skyrocketed the anticipation to feverish pitch. Each show has a promising storyline and star studded casting. Add to the fact, that some of the most popular BL couples in the GMMTV forte will be joining this array, the excitement is understandable. Surprisingly, this year’s line-up is in contrast to 2021, where the number of BL shows was pretty restrained. Runway hits “A Tale of Thousand Stars” and “Bad Buddy Series” might have been the precursor for this sudden change in their business plans. Without further ado, let’s review the available information relative to these upcoming shows!

Star and Sky Series

If you are a die-hard fan of the 2moons2 series, waiting for the Six Moons to foray into different streams; then this show should be high on your watchlist. Returning to the silver screen almost 2 years later, Joong Archen is making a comeback with this duology. The first half of the seven minutes trailer is quite resplendent of the 2moons2 journey (I couldn’t help compare the football scene to PhaYo’s introduction scene).

Adapted from novel แล้วแต่ดาว written by author Peachhplease; the first story titled “Star in My Mind” pairs Joong with rookie actor Dunk Natachai. They will be playing high school sweethearts Daonuea and Kabkluen. The storyline seems to be pretty angsty, focusing on themes like rejection, long-lost love and reconciliation. The pairing is refreshing and comparisons with J9 are inevitable (Joong’s previous BL partner Nine Kornchid). But GMMTV might just deliver another hit with this pairing and I’m looking forward to their dynamics.

Adapted from novel ขั้วฟ้าของผม by the same author, the second story “Sky in Your Heart” focuses on the blossoming love story between Kuafah (Daonue’s friend) and Prince. Starring newbie actors Mek Jirakit and Mark Jiruntanin, this storyline promises a slow burn romance between our resident doctor Kufnah (as he goes to attend a voluntary camp in a remote village) and Prince, the volunteer teacher at the camp. Their relationship undergoes a lot of changes as their antagonistic attitude slowly morphs into affections. Both actors are utterly gorgeous and I’m definitely looking forward to this drama (the village set up reminds me of “A Tale of Thousand Stars”)

Trailer-

Cupid’s Last Wish

I’m not a huge fan of “Soul Swapping” stories (I was burned badly by GMMTV’s The Shipper Series). And yet, I’m pretty enthusiastic about this show. Reason- the iconic pairing of Earth Pirapat and Mix Sahaphap. After delivering one of the most well-received hits under the GMMTV label, EarthMix are hot property. Their popularity can be gauged from the fact, that “A Tale of Thousand Stars” has been raking awards on the global platform. The show recently won “Howe Hottest Series Award”, while EarthMix won “Howe The Best Couple Award”.

Their first project for 2022, “Cupid’s Last Wish” is adapted from a novel “พินัยกรรมกามเทพ” by author Dezair. Mix will be portraying the main lead Sawin, Earth will be playing Thapakorn while Jan Ployshompoo will play Lalin, Sawin’s sister.

Synopsis-

Sawin and Thapakorn are childhood friends and quite close to each other. Unexpectedly, Sawin’s Father leaves a part of his inheritance in Thapakorn’s name. This enrages Sawin and he cuts ties with Thapakorn. Sawin doesn’t like the fact that his own sister supports Thanaporn. One fateful night, Sawin crashes his car while driving with Lalin. When they wake up, Sawin realizes that his soul has been swapped with his sister’s. If he wants to return to his body, he will have to find holy water from 4 temples with ‘Thapakron’. Thus begins their “Enemies to Lovers” journey as Sawin realises that he might have been wrong about Thanaporn and they grow closer again.

Trailer-

Moonlight Chicken

What do we get if we mix the summer tones, mood and Chinese romantic theme of ITSAU with the cheating trope of IPYTM? The answer is Moonlight Chicken. A part of another duology series, this drama follows the reclusive journey of EarthMix’s characters. We don’t have much information about their character profiles; apart from two facts. Mix plays an openly gay character in a relationship with First Kanaphan’s character. Earth portrays a Chef who runs his own restaurant while taking care of his temperamental nephew. Their first meeting sparks interest, as they embark on a new journey; all the while Mix’s character struggles with his feelings for his long time partner. I’m not a huge fan of storylines cataloging the “Cheating” theme. Yet, EarthMix draw attention with their smoking hot kisses and you can’t help being intrigued. Their camaraderie here is even better than “Cupid’s Last Wish” and I’m guessing that the makers are banking on their sensual chemistry. Totally surreptitious or rather delicious!

Trailer-

The Eclipse

The premise for this show is quite dark as well as confusing. Starring close friends Khaotung Thanawat and First Kanaphan in the titular roles of Aye and Akk, The Eclipse focuses on their rivalry as they tackle the curse haunting their school grounds. Akk is the School Prefect who is a staunch follower of the school rules; while Aye is a troublemaker, who often gets onto Akk’s nerves. The second highlight of this show are the “Fish Upon The Sky” couple Neo Trai and Louis Thanawin. Both couple’s relationship begins from antagonism and slowly progresses to love. The romance is vibrant and the supernatural phenomenon that ties the curse to the eclipse seems interesting. I’m just hoping that the show doesn’t go off the track with odd school politics and sticks to the original plotline. Fingers crossed!

☆ These two are really adorable together

Trailer-

Never Let Me Go

The scream that left my mouth; when I saw this trailer was inhuman. Phuwin Tangsakyuen and Pond Naravit are definitely one of my favorite BL couples. Their easy camaraderie is endearing and this show is a dream come true. Oddly enough, the mafia-bodyguard angle isn’t new. Mafia romances seem to be the favor of the season and I’m not complaining. The trailer made me giddy and I haven’t stopped smiling. Their characters profiles are quite different when compared to their polished acts in “Fish Upon The Sky”. Pond plays the rugged bodyguard Palm, who is tasked with protecting the Young Master, Nueng (Phuwin). Their chemistry is lit as the storyline delves deeper into the politics plaguing the mafia world. Palm’s Father plays the antagonist, who wants to usurp Nueng’s power and position. The oddities faced by this couple are discerning as Palm has to face off with his own Father to save the “Love of his Life”. The story promises lots of angst and jealousy as both the main leads come to terms with their attraction for each other. Definitely high on my watchlist!

☆ Pond & Phuwin gracing the covers of popular fashion tabloids Posh Thailand and Kazz Magazine.

Trailer-

Vice Versa

Adapted from popular author Jittirain’s novel of the same name (the novel is still undergoing translation), Vice Versa Series is set in two alternate universes where the main characters transmigrate into their lives of their counterparts. Starring Sea Tawinan and Jimmy Jitaraphol in the lead roles of Talay and Tun, popular BL couple Ohm Pawat and Nanon Korapat will be playing their counterparts.

Synopsis-

Talay is a talented new graduate. He receives confirmation for his new job as a colorist and is ecstatic. Unfortunately, on a beach trip with his friends, Talay drowns. Only to wake up in an alternate universe, inside someone else’s body. He discovers that the person is named Tess. Tess is a troublesome spoiled rich kid. In the hospital, Talay meets another nurse from his universe, who has transmigrated there as well. She explains the existence of the two parallel universes and stresses on the need to find the “Portkey”. She also reiterates that there might be some deep connection between Talay and the key. As Talay reaches out to Tess’s friends, he comes across a primary school friend, Tun. On meeting Tun, Talay notices some oddities and realises that the original Tun’s soul has transmigrated as well. Talay confesses to the new guy that he came from the other universe as well. As they both work together to find their port keys, their bond strengthens. But what will happen when they return to their own universe? Will they meet again and recognize each other?

☆ Sharing their Instagram pictures, because they look so good together!

You Are My Favorite

This pairing surprised me the most. One of the most popular actors on the GMMTV roster, Krist Perawat returns to the BL world (albeit without his onscreen partner Singto Prachaya). Adapted from another novel by Jittirain, You Are My Favorite partners Krist with his best friend, Mike Chinnarat. Although both of them aren’t new to this genre, it is Mike’s first time playing a main lead role. Their offscreen friendship and camaraderie is well-known, so obviously the expectations are going to be high. Starring Mike as Pisaeng, Krist as Botkawee and actress Aye Sarunchana as Prae Mai, the show is a riveting love triangle that engages time travel.

Synopsis-
In 2029, Kawi, a single lonely guy, was about to attend the wedding of Praemai, the girl that he had a crush on since college, and her groom, Pisaeng, a flirty guy who was like a love rival that he lost Praemai to. Kawi regrets that he was too scared to confess to his crush. That‘s why he has to accept the consequence and watch them get married. He wishe to travel back to the past to fix it. His wish is granted. He travels back to 2019 but only for one day. Every time he travels back and changes the path, the consequences in 2029 are even more unacceptable for him. He gets a chance to travel back for several times to choose a new path again and again. But then he starts to learn that no matter how many times he travels back to the past, he couldn’t run away from Piisaeng who was supposed to be his love rival. Kawi starts to question himself what if the fate didn‘t bring him to be with Praemai but to know someone else more..

(Source: @OGTNAF at Twitter)

My School President

I wonder if Thai BL’s will ever outgrow their phase of “High School Romances” and “Engineering Love Stories”. Because, it doesn’t seem to be happening anytime sooner. The last entrant on the BL bandwagon, My School President pairs rookie actors Fourth Nattawat and Gemini Norawit as the show’s teenage main leads. For some reason, the trailer reminds me of the Thai BL “My Gear And Your Gown”. That show was a literal disaster and if this one follows into the same footsteps, it will lead to colossal damage. The pairing seems refreshing though and I’m hoping that GMMTV does a better job with the storyline. High school romances aren’t my cup of tea, but I will be waiting for this show to surprise me!

Trailer-

Exclusive Update

Not Me The Series

One of the most anticipated BL drama of 2021, Not Me will FINALLY premiere this weekend. Joining the current favorites “Baker Boys” and “Bad Buddy”, this show will further boast GMMTV’S TRP ratings. Famous BL couple Off Jumpol and Gun Atthaphan’s third romance, Not Me is a mystery thriller focusing on mafia politics (Yup, mafia stories everywhere, literally). While Gun plays the twin roles of Black/White, Off will portray his love interest, Sean. I’m pretty sure that not just the OffGun fandom, but the entire BL world is anticipating the release of the pilot episode. OffGun have an evergreen chemistry and everyone is looking forward to watching them together. The trailer was pretty scintillating and promises definitive themes of revenge with retribution. The drama starts airing on 12th December on GMMTV’s YouTube Channel.

Synopsis-

Black and White are twins with a powerful connection. After their parents’ separation, though, White’s father took him out of the country, their family effectively severed in two. It isn’t until fifteen years have passed that White—now grown—returns to Thailand. One day, seemingly from nowhere, White feels an agony like death. He recovers in the hospital, but they’re unable to determine the cause. Then he picks up a call from a childhood friend, Tod. Tod tells him that Black is in a coma following a vicious attack and he learns that Black is in a motorcycle gang. Unable to endure the harm done to his brother in silence, and suspecting it was one of Black’s close friends—Sean, Gram, or Yok—who betrayed him, White disguises himself as Black to root out the traitor. But White doesn’t know his brother as well as he thought; he’s not behaving like the Black Sean knows, distrustful and uncaring about the feelings of others. Sean’s suspicious. The difference gets under Sean’s skin and makes him feel things he shouldn’t.

(Source: adrien at MyDramaList)

Trailer-

Keep watching this space as we bring you further updates about Boys’ Love dramas from all over the Asian Subcontinent!

(Picture Credit- Original Sources

Synopsis Credit- MyDramaList)