This is a brilliant work of art. I detest calling something a masterpiece, but this comes so close to what that definition truly means. It is like nothing you have ever seen before.

This series requires some explanation. It is neither a BL nor a LGBTQ series. It is a solid and profoundly moving story of the uglier underbelly of the sex industry, which is as old as humanity itself. You see what lengths individuals have to go through, to provide for their families and themselves.

Its formation is similar to that of a docudrama and is so painfully realistic that my emotions ran from being apoplectic to inconsolably weeping for what was lost. You cannot watch this brief series without feeling pain. It touches your soul with despair. Yet, deepens your inclinations to see how easy it is to perceive humanity not as a collection of individuals but as objects; sometimes to be used and discarded as mere toys for our own pleasures. Still, we also see in this series, a glimmer of light, flickering but shining, that an act of love illuminates a path to a lifelong cornerstone to a bond of love between two people based on reverence, respect, and resoluteness to each other. You will know it when you see it. I wept at its beauty, its quiet intensity, and unheralded devotion.

It is a story of Max (Klong Boonruang) who, at an early age, is thrust into parenting and taking responsibility of his younger brother, Min (Prince Mahayotpunya). He turns to becoming an ‘escort’ mainly for male clients but will escort for any and all. The first episode is a cacophony of reasons that Max gives as to why he has chosen this profession, what the aim of his services is, with a sprinkling of justifications from two older men who seek and request Max’s company. The reasons all cover up loneliness and an escape from the pain of having to live a secret life, not thought of as moral, decent, or acceptable. All of it is presented so matter-of-factly that their pain just glances over at you with little effect until you finish watching. Then that pain hits you like a reality slap in the face, and you burst into tears. It is so real, genuine, and honest. While scripted, the story is so organic that it felt true in so many ways with so many individuals of today. And then you weep some more.

Max is saddled with the additional burden of a love-hate relationship with his younger brother. Max is completely and totally devoted to his brother and his well-being. No matter what insults and anger and disgust Min heaps upon Max, he will devote his life to his brother. The pain on Max’s face due to his brother’s rejection is so powerful that it sears into your consciousness as something real. Max weeps at the stabbing pain of rejection but maintains his focus on assisting his brother at any and all costs.

This is one of the finest dramatic series I have ever watched. It is melancholic, sad, foreboding, with no glimmer of hope. Presented as a docudrama, the realistic feel about it gives it added dimension. If there was such a thing as a “Best Actor” in this type of genre, I would nominate Klong Boonruang as Max without any reservation. This is one of the finest acting performances by a male I have ever seen, be it gay, straight, or anything in between. He portrays Max with complete conviction. Knowing his work is less than honorable, he makes it honorable. He gives himself dignity. And in a sense, gives his clients sincerity. Yet underneath, he is still a scared little boy, craving and wanting acceptance but never ever receiving it. He keeps a happy façade with his clients as they are his number one focus, but underneath he is crying and in so much despair, being rejected by his brother and society. When he cried, I was his empath; I felt it. It is impossible for one to not be moved by this brilliant performance. He captured all the characteristics, feelings, emotions, and pain of a person whose life will never be happy, content, or full of love. He lives only in the here-and-now. He is a remarkable actor who conveyed emotions on a level that was so profound that it seemed intrinsic and not acted.

The characters in this series are neither saints nor fools and yet they act like both. They justify their exploitation of Max by thinking, ‘if not me, then someone else.’ And they lessen their guilt by paying, as if somehow that gains you point for a “Good Samaritan Award”. The woman who operates the bar is the most insidious of the bunch. She is eloquent in her justifications of the services she provides and proves everybody wins. Nothing could be further from the truth because all this ‘service’ does is cheapen sex and brings it to the lowest common denominator. And that is money. And secondarily, a momentary satisfaction. Both fade in memory and importance rather quickly.

I wish I could tell you, even though it is tragic, something good comes out of this at the end. But that would be a lie. In the end, Min is now alone, and poor. He takes up the mantle where his older brother left off. He becomes the new K-7…I wept. For I know, that is all too real.

This series is not for everyone, and I would recommend that if you are a highly sensitive person, you take care while watching this. The docudrama format is at times a bit too real, and you could get swept up into its content. The things that draw you to BLs are not here. But if you want a real story told with complete conviction with one of the finest male acting roles I have seen in a very, very long time, then watch. The only criticism of this series that I have is that it is shot almost entirely in the dark, making the scenes too dark and therefore hard to make out. I realize that was for effect, as its theme is so dark, but the content is compromised if we cannot make out what is happening. I do wish there had been more light so we can see the faces and emotions in clearer detail.

This series has left me feeling empty and profoundly sad. There are ‘Maxs’ all over the world. This is a sober look at their life and experiences in all its ugliness. This is cinema at its best, and most potent. But be forewarned – you will need lots of tissues to get through it and perhaps a support group to help you through the malaise.

While NOT a BL, this is for me, in this moment, THE best series I have seen this year. Its message is so unfeigned.

Rating- 5 out of 5

Streaming on- Wayufilm Production YouTube Channel
This article is adapted from BL Bliss which is an entertainment site dedicated to reviewing Asian BL shows.