‘What if’ is an age-old question, a simple two words often full of regret. As we age, we look back on life and wonder about what we’ve done and what we could have done differently.

While short at only five quick episodes, the Thai BL What If starring Smart Wattana (Smart) and Peach Phiravich (Peach) does just that. It begs the question “what if?” even as it resolves it.

Centering around two life-long best friends who grew up next door to each other, it takes viewers on a poignant coming-of-age journey about growing up and falling in love.

While I don’t mind short mini-dramas, I don’t often seek them out as a first-choice watch. What If wasn’t immediately on my radar, but the first episode surprised me. The two younger actors portraying the younger versions of Peach (Nobel Pitchanan) and Smart (Pupa Inthanon) did a brilliant job of immediately drawing me into the story.

I’m always impressed by child actors who portray the younger versions of the main characters. They have the difficult job of laying the groundwork for the bigger story. Although they’re only on screen temporarily, they are pivotal to making a drama/film work. Nobel and Pupa make this drama work. Without them, I don’t think I’d feel the same about this series. They created the bond that makes Peach and Smart’s relationship feel stronger after the time skip.

And then they grow up.

Portraying characters of the same name, actors Peach and Smart step effortlessly into the older roles. They take viewers through a succession of episodes that dive into their close friendship, the distance they face when Peach leaves for college, and the feelings they realize because of the same distance.

What if is a cute drama that manages to feel full despite its length. But my favorite thing about the series is how they portray Peach and Smart’s friendship. They help, motivate, and inspire each other from the beginning, which never stops.

Watching What If felt like getting a loving pat on the back and a genuine “good job” from the person you love, and that’s a good feeling to take away from a drama. The intimacy is low, making it a series that all ages can watch.

The theme of the series is delivered in a song, and it concludes on the same hanging “what if?” that it begins with. Peach and Smart sit at an audition waiting to hear the results, and that’s how we are left–waiting. And I love that. Open endings aren’t always satisfying, but when the ending is part of the bigger picture it is.

If you are looking for a happy romantic ending neatly tied together with a kiss, you won’t find it with What If. But if you are looking for a drama that defines the title of the series itself, then you will.

For a motivating quick watch about two friends who grow up to seek their dreams together, check out What If on WeTV/Tencent Video.

Rating- 3.5 out of 5