WeTv’s new Thai Boylove series “Knock Knock, Boys!” is a surprisingly intriguing series. Four strangers move into a boarding house, each with pasts their secretive about. But three of the four share the same fate of being broke twenty-something’s, a fate the youngest of them doesn’t share. The virgin, Almond (Nokia Chinnawat) is quite rich and offers a deal to his new roommates. Whoever can help him “pop his cherry” with the man he crushes on will have their rent paid for a year. Something Peak (Best Vittawin), Thanwa (Seng Wichai), and Latte (Jaonine Jiraphat) jump at.

The series follows the more zany side of modern Boys Love series being churned out of Thailand. Almost to the point that calling it a Yaoi wouldn’t be too far from a stretch. Each of the four boys move into a large lavish home where they have a room to themselves and share the living room and kitchen. The series doesn’t take itself too seriously most of the times. Utilizing well done camera work and the actor’s ability to react well in comedic timings was commendable. The subtitles are actually really well done. So the fast paced speaking and the over dramatic responses to what’s being subtitled felt really cohesive to me.

Latte, the most outrageous of the group wows them each with references to his sexual antics in. The silly “getting to know you game” of “Never Have I Ever” turns into a truth bearing session. He has no issue detailing his sexual experiences to the trio watching him with rapt attention. One of which, Peak seems to have sexual interest. With the script leaving the more sensitive details of their lives to be discovered as more episodes air. The way Peak watches his lips and his presence seems to enrapture him was interesting. Almond doesn’t notice but Thanwa who seems to like everyone does.

The series relies on individual character’s presence as there doesn’t seem to be any real plot outside of getting Almond laid and or getting him a boyfriend. The only character with any real situation that kept my interest was Peak (he has a girl who keeps calling and texting due to his past actions). The script of the show at times seems a bit light as we don’t get to know much about everyone’s motivations or reasons for being in the house. Thanwa broke up with his boyfriend and needed a quick place to start his life over. Almond wanted to get out from under his mother’s thumb. Latte simply wants to live close to his college.

At the same time it’s clear each does have a story, but we get to know them only because of their sexual exploits during the game in Episode One. The back and forth of those scenes (shot in near darkness versus the bright light of day) could mean something to the context of each person’s flashback. But the show doesn’t go much farther in delving into their past: instead the episodes seem to have more of small moments than their respective flashbacks.

That style of introduction might not be for everyone. Utilizing the established mood and knowledge of the characters from those glimpses, the second episode is almost entirely about the group learning more about the crush, Jumper (Pak Varayu). The means though are ridiculous- Thanwa sees Jumper while doing a review of a restaurant for a freelance writing job. Then stalks him to a fitness gym in a corporate building. He tries to sneak in like a paparazzi after a famous pop music idol. Walks up 20 flights of stairs. Just be told to leave. Peak’s accidental flirting leads to an alliance with Thanwa.

The series is lighthearted yes, but it also doesn’t make any sense. Each episode ends with some mini cliffhanger of intimacy among the men that isn’t referenced or mentioned later. Why the men, two of whom have a job would rather spend their time stalking or manipulating Jumper was a mystery to me. Peak’s many moments of staring at men blankly (I guess it was supposed to be with lust but Best’s acting wasn’t hitting the mark for me) seems bland. The random hijinks happening wasn’t consistent with what was being said. It made it hard for me to remain interested in the show as a whole. Latte flirting with Peak and making it seem like he was playing gay chicken (where two men move in for a kiss to see which would stop it first and lost) is the main reason I’m into it. I ship those two characters and even though most of the series has randomly badly written moments that made no sense, I want Episode 3.

Rating- 3 out of 5

Streaming on- WeTv/ Gagaoolala