While delving into the Boys’ Love universe, many will understand that most dramas are inspired by Yaoi manga or light novels that exist online. The tall dark-haired man, the lily white skinned auburn-haired, feminine man who often submits to the whims of the dark haired man like a wife- troupe or classic style of storytelling. This is entirely the characteristics that most viewers experience from the onset of the series. I haven’t read the novel by “Littlebbear96”. So, I do not know if the vision was from Yaoi, but the live action version is definitely a living, breathing Yaoi and I adore the boldness of the vision with which Cheewin Thanamin directs this show. After last year’s “LoveStage”(not the same director), I was hugely wary of live action Yaoi’s. Mainly because in the past, actors didn’t seem like they wanted to commit to the roles they play; or the script changes the key aspects relative to the characters. It created a disconnect for me as a viewer and made me feel like I wasted my time.

Thankfully, from the first scene of this series, the content was unmistakably Yaoi exclusive and remains one. Beautiful shots of a city in Thailand, a beautiful red-haired man looking lavish in a bubble bath, dresses in a simple red sweater, saying the iconic lines we all have read in a manga at some point “I’m just an ordinary salaryman”. The correlation between his thought process and the future events that befall him give those words an ominous line of foreboding. Through stylish transitions, you see him in the office building where every surface gleams, and every man’s eye is on him. Walking with a commanding presence, he pretends to ignore the heads turning as men look at him in awe, but Uea Anol, played by “James” Supamongkon Wongwisisut, is very much aware of them.

It gave a sense of the male entitlement that projects the thought process-“the way they dress says they are asking for it”; something I thought was very, very bold to include. As the series revolves around sex and the way it is used defines the characters, it’s a lovely detail that unfortunately most of the viewers I saw on social media overlook. As the first section begins to explain the different characters with and over the head narration by Uea, his character is played with a cold indifference. That level of detachment drew me to his character almost instantly. He seems to be a part of every scene he describes, but visibly is apart from it by his own choice. Jade (Yim Pharininyakorn) as the cute younger man running up to their boss Bas (Mark Somcast) and wrapping him up in a hug was perfectly acted. I needed to learn more about Jade and Bas and why this kind of behavior is acceptable (Ghost ship activates).

The dark-haired man is King played by Net Siraphop, Uea’s coworker, whom he dislikes aggressively for no real reason. The main cast is one big found family unit. I enjoyed the way the series make a point to identify every character and the camera pans or uses transitions to make sure the viewer knows them. It helped me connect with each character. The show makes a point to not linger in on using warm color tones for long as it focuses on using the dark tones instead. For a dramatic effect, as Uea walks, he is called by his boyfriend Pock, but his joy turns to dismay when Pock is interrupted by his actual boyfriend Tar. With a simple flicker of the lights, Uea is triggered and as the lights go out, his world descends into blackness. The episode transitions into a much younger Uea being abused by his mother and thrown into a dark bathroom. The boy is frightened and clearly claustrophobic, screaming to be released. The way James portrays the triggered Uea shows that in his mind, he is still trapped in that bathroom decades later.

The way the show creates this scene of abject helplessness so randomly was what had me stopping the video to just say wow. I went into this series blind and with the understanding that it was about sex, but the level of attention given to defining this cold man as a well constructed puzzle is praiseworthy. The way James uses his eyes and lips in a flat line to display no emotion at all while on the inside, he is terrified, is a true testament to his acting prowess. His mother is a dark cloud, emotionally manipulating him into funding her life. Throughout the first two episodes her attempts, at getting money trigger him every time she texts or calls him. That coupled with King’s attempts at flirting and helping where he can has Uea keeping his walls up.

The first episode never felt cluttered as it moved through scenes, creating a mounting tension between Uea and the different situations that demanded his attention, whether he was willing to give it or not. It was clear he wanted to enjoy things like a normal person, but for most of his childhood he was told that his sexuality was wrong, that any joy would be used against him. So instead he watches the world around him warily and with lots of caution. Pock cheating on Uea creates a situation where he begs King to stay with him after drinking heavily. The discussion ascertaining Uea’s consent is concise and the two quickly move to having sex. The portrayal for the act was so surprising to me. Uea, who had spent the entire time keeping himself boxed into his own skin, becomes a whole other person when he takes control of the kisses. King who has clearly wanted Uea for more than sex is grateful for the experience. In the dayligh, though, it is clear from Uea’s stricken expression that he had regrets their one-night stand.

I understand this but at the same time i felt the amount of time given to the hide and seek game they play was a bit superfluous. They work in a small department. There aren’t that many places he could hide and stay employed. The compilation of scenes as King searches for Uea throughout the building was visually pleasing. But the slow motion edits and the following dialogues felt a bit stilted. The way Uea dismisses King’s concern, as well asking for it never to be mentioned again, with close ups on King’s face could have had more resonance if he had shown more emotion. Uea’s supposed to be the cold one, yet King barely blinked at the dismissal. I was confused because Uea believes that King is a player, but there is no real indication of the same beyond them being mere assumptions. The entire episode, King seems genuine about his affections for Uea. So taking Uea’s dismissal at face value so numbly was lost on me. Ironically, when Uea walks out of his sight, his face crumples into disappointment. It made me wonder about his disjoint responses.

The second episode features King as a lost puppy needing confirmation that Uea is actually fine and his mother’s manipulations take center stage. Starting with King catching him in the bathroom and locking the door, oblivious as to how that would look to anyone who caught them in that state seemed frivolous. But that is exactly what he does, only to be interrupted by Jade. Uea learn’s his mother was rushed to the hospital and he must go see her, King is his ride. The camera work here was perfect as Uea’s world seems to tilt. That’s the level of detail this show presents for every moment and I truly adore the fact that its given that sort of love. In episode one, when Jade did karaoke, the way the camera followed him was like watching a music video.

At the hospital, his mother is physically alright and, as usual, ungrateful. It becomes evident her “accident” is just a ploy to get to him to the hospial, so she could directly demand money for her expenditure. The mask of indifference that Uea wears cracks at her tone and King, who once again being a loyal friend (puppy), follows Uea to meet his mother. The venomous way she talks to Uea melting into saccharine sweetness as he puts money in her hand will probably leave you disgusted. The entire scene was uncomfortable to watch, but it was needed as it shows King’s seriousness with regard to Uea. It reflects his self-perceived role by taking responsibility for the man he admires. Something I rarely see in a BL, King and Uea both get tested for sexually transmitted diseases and the results are negative. It was commendable since King always takes responsibility for his actions.

Later, they go for a meal where King displays his attentiveness by knowing Uea’s aversion to spicy food. The sweet moment sound tracked by soft electric guitar is undercut by two men walking hand in hand off in the distance behind King. The way they come into focus and Uea’s apprehension to them is punctuated by his voiceless mouthing of the word “Pock”. At this King turns and sees them as well. On the drive back, the two have a healthy conversation where Uea tries to understand people better. The close ups versus the music add weight to the double entendres they use throughout the conversation. The two circle the edge of flirting, but neither take the next step into it. It isn’t till they go for a walk that King brings up being “Friends with Benefits”, here the scene fell apart for me.

The over dramatic music versus the way the two look at one another just didn’t hit whatever mark they were aiming for. It’s as if the amount of cuteness and sexual tension that was required to accentuate their attraction to each other had evaporated at the sight of Pock; whether this was intentional or not, I don’t know. But when they walked back to Uea’s apartment, and he gives his answer, the sweetness is back. In the final scene, Uea tries to rally Jade into helping him report their lazy coworker who is getting paid but contributes nothing. Jade refuses because both of them are relatives.

The first disappointing scene occurs at the ending when Uea submits the wrong photo for an advertising advertisement. Bas confronts him about and King steps forward, claiming it was him. What I don’t understand is that if the campaign was canceled because of the photo, what is King fixing? Almost instantaneously, he is grabbing Uea’s purse and walking him out. Having done literally nothing to fix the mistake. The subtitles are spot on, so we can’t blame them. Leaving it to editing, and not the best writing to get them to leave together. The series so far is exactly what a Yaoi should be- handsome men who seemingly act well, beautiful lush music complements the stunning settings. The use of past trauma and how it was used as a springboard for Uea’s personal growth is well planned. Creating moments where King got to prove himself also was a stroke of genius story telling and I look forward to more.

Rating- 3 out of 5

Streaming on- YouTube and IQIYI