“Bad Guy My Boss” is your run-of-the-mill office BL romance between a pouty boss and a hardworking, eager-to-please assistant. Despite the questionable acting and over the top airbrushing, the story is interesting enough to keep one tuned in. The time-tested appeal of office romance seems to always hold up for me, because the formula is quite straightforward, and “Bad Guy My Boss” does not shy away from following that formula, therefore giving us a good enough story that is easy to follow along with and interesting enough that you will not be bored, regardless of how overdone the trope may seem. After all, there is a reason why it became popular to begin with.

Pat (Kad Ploysupa) and his boss Mr. Elyes (James Hayward Prescott) have a relationship that blurs the lines between normal boss and subordinate because Mr. Elyes expects him to go far beyond his line of duty, including making appointments for his casual relationships despite this making Pat uncomfortable at times. Despite Mr. Elyes’ cold demeanor, he has come to rely on Pat for every aspect of his life and doesn’t want to do without Pat. Pat on the other hand develops an attraction to his boss, despite him having various men on his rotation, whom Pat has to fend for and make arrangements with to meet Mr. Elyes. Will the two be able to move past these barriers and overcome their shortcomings to be together?

Pat is always there for Mr. Elyes and understands how insatiable he can be when it comes to his sex life, however, having seen him in such situations, he is entranced by Mr. Elyse and wants to experience what these men have been experiencing with him. Pat however realizes the importance of maintaining boundaries with his boss, regardless of how much these boundaries are constantly pushed due to the demands of his work and duties. Mr. Elyse on the other hand is constantly taunting Pat, which does not make things easier for Pat, whose feelings for Mr. Elyse grow by the day.

Things quickly become clear for Pat after a sexual encounter with him, that Mr. Elyes can never change his ways, particularly regarding meetings with his long-term friends with benefits Khim (Zax Nattapat Suthisawan), so to get out of the cycle, Pat decides to quit his job. Mr. Elyes won’t accept Pat quitting, but realizes that his actions hurt Pat, however, this hard shell he created was due to trauma from a previous relationship, and he cannot seem to shake it off, hence he has become accustomed to casual relationships that do not require letting anyone in.

While the push and pull in these types of series can be tedious, the emotional relationship between Pat and Mr. Elyes being slow burn is understandable due to Mr. Elyes’s past which is highlighted and will further be explained as the series progresses. Pat has a reasonable head on his shoulders and isn’t merely being taken advantage of by Mr. Elyes, however, he does need to become more unwavering in his resolve to show Mr. Elyes that he cannot be pushed over. The series is interesting and will hook you in if you give it a try.

Rating- 3 out of 5

Streaming on- Gagaoolala