With Thailand enhancing their soft power via BL/GL world, the entertainment circle is abuzz with pairings that are strongly imprinting the said genre at a global level. With that being said, it also means that the industry is hugely dependent on socially confirming pairings that remain steadfast. Diverse companies invest in these pairings, promote their chemistry and launch new shows based on their popularity. Whether these ships are real or not, remains the question?

Engfa Waraha & Charlotte Austin

Possibly the most popular GL pairing in the Thai industry, Engfa and Charlotte started their journey as contestants in Miss Grand Thailand 2022. Engfa won the first runner-up at Miss Grand International 2022. Since those days, Charlotte has been popularly paired by fans with Engfah. Their popularity has led them to debut roles in the romantic miniseries, ”Show Me Love.” Their phenomenal chemistry landed them the lead role in their next project “Love Bully”. They were next paired together in the crime thriller “Petrichor” which made waves across the globe because of their acting skills and fine-tuned camaraderie. Given their popularity, they are going to be appear in two ensemble cast ventures, helmed by famous production houses in Thailand. Fondly called as “Englot”, Engfa and Charlotte have redefined the meaning of GL trope and helped the genre ascend to new heights.

Freen Sarocha & Becky Armstrong

If Englot are the pillars of GL industry, then FreenBecky are the very foundation. Starring as a lesser known couple in the 2022 hit “Secret Crush on You”, Freen & Becky got their big break in 2022 adaptation “GAP The Series”. The show got millions of views and it solemnly established them as the next “Global Icons” from the Thai industry. Popularity always comes at a steep price and Freen’s reputation was smeared by scandals that revealed her secret relationship with co-star Seng Wichai. Throughout this upheaval, Freen was able to maintain a calm stance and Becky remained supportive of her co-star. They grew stronger and were next paired together in the Sci-fi movie “Uranus2324”. Following up on this success journey, FreenBecky choose a pristine historical as their next venture. “The Loyal Pin” was received with the same kind of attention that its predecessor “Gap” evoked. Currently, they have two new upcoming shows in their bag and FreenBecky will only grow stronger. More to Girl’s Power!

First Kanaphan & Khaotung Thanawat

It has been a long journey for these two; prior to playing main leads, First & Khao were cast in supporting roles in a significant amount of dramas and had fleeting partners but nothing permanent materialized of those pairings. It wasn’t until they were paired in the 2022 psychological thriller “The Eclipse” that FirstKhao became a household name. They were yet again paired in the “Moonlight Chicken” as supporting cast and still they managed to steal the thunder. After reprising their “Eclipse” characters in “Our Skyy 2”, FirstKhao had a breakthrough starring in the ensemble drama “Only Friends” which went onto became the biggest hit of 2024. Being a part of ensemble casts became their thing, and they were paired opposite JoongDunk in “The Heart Killers”. FirstKhao didn’t disappoint and the show’s ratings are a testament to their fervid popularity. They are one of those couples that have a guaranteed return every year!

Gemini Norawit & Fourth Nattawat

There is one thing common between our youngest couple on the GMMTV block. They both started their journey in supporting roles in the 2021 sleeper hit “Bad Buddy”. I’m not sure if they met on the sets or even knew each other back then. As fate may have it, “My School President” was their biggest breakthrough. Fresh faced and barely out of the oven, Gemini and Fourth made an endearingly sweet couple. Fourth’s high frenzied energy matches Gemini’s calm & composed demeanor. Their personalities are a characteristic part of their roles, and they somehow balance out each other. The cute couple were next featured in “Moonlight Chicken” following which they reprised their “My School President” roles in “Our Skyy 2”. They quickly became GMMTV’s constant as they were next cast in the Japanese remake “My Love Mix-Up!”. The script didn’t do maluch justice to their acting talents but GeminiFourth still managed to make their mark. They were recently cast as the supporting cast in the advertisement for “Grab Food” and despite having less screentime, their presence was commendable!

Aou Thanaboon & Boom Tharatorn

AouBoom might very well be called as the “Superstar Supporting Couple”. They first starred together in the harem style romance “Enchanté”. Though not together, they made their presence known. Next they were paired in the 2022 adaptation “Vice Versa”. Even though they had a few minutes of coupling in the finale episode, their chemistry was a breakthrough. Fans noticed them, and they were cast as an official couple in the 2023 college romance “Hidden Agenda”. Working alongside an established couple like JoongDunk, they gave a commendable performance. Reckoning enough, they were cast back-to-back in the ensemble shows “We Are” & “Perfect 10 Liners”. Despite the enormous number of pairings in both shows, AouBoom’s sensuous chemistry stuck a chord with the audiences. Fans rallied to get them a main lead role and concurrently, they were cast as one of the main couples in the upcoming sequel “Only Friends: Dream On” in place of Ohm Pawat & Leng Thanaphon.

Max Kornthas & Natasit Uareksit

Max & Nat were first cast as supporting characters in the 2020 drama “Why R U?”. Times were tough because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the show was shot and broadcast haphazardly and yet it turned into a sleeper hit. Max & Nat barely had enough scenes in the show since Nat was only 18 years old at that time. A year later, they were cast as a part of the ensemble shows “Y-Destiny” & “Close Friend”. They made quite an impression and were cast as the supporting couple in the 2022 adaptation “Cutie Pie”. Their chemistry was much appreciated and it led them to being cast as the main couple in the sequel “Naughty Babe”. MaxNat quickly rose through the ranks and became one of the most popular couples in the Thai industry. They were again cast in the main lead roles in the 2024 adaptation “Two Worlds”. Currently, MaxNat are starring in the sequel “Suntiny” and their awe-inspiring performances is winning hearts all over!

Billkin Putthipong & PP Krit

Very rarely you get to meet a legendary couple, who acting talents will leave you stunned & speechless. BillkinPP are one such pair. They were first cast as a supporting couple in the 2019 romance “My Ambulance”. Even though they weren’t in main lead roles, their camaraderie stuck with the audiences. They rejoiced when Billkin & PP Krit were announced as the main leads in the 2020 hit “I Told Sunset about You”. Their chemistry spoke to the masses and their pairing became because for celebration. Fans were rejoiced when the couple returned to reprise their roles in the sequel “I Promised You the Moon”. It took another four years for this phenomenal couple to return to the silver screen and yet their popularity never diminished. With just three projects under the belt, Billkin & PP Krit are one of the most admired couples in the Thai industry!

Yin Anan & War Wanarat

Possibly the only pairing from the “En of Love” universe that survived time & tide, Yin & War were first paired together in the second show “Love Mechanics”. People appreciated their refreshing chemistry and from there, it was an upswing for them. They were yet again paired as the main leads in the 2021 school romance “The Best Story”. Their popularity grew so much that WeTV decided to do a elongated version of “Love Mechanics”. The storyline was expanded from 4 to 10 episodes, highlighting their camaraderie. Two years later, YinWar reunited for “Jack & Joker: U Steal My Heart!”. It was a dream come true for the actors and the audiences who long awaited their return to the silver screen. YinWar did not disappoint and the show’s ratings skyrocketed, establishing their supremacy as the most famous of the Thai BL industry!

We will back with a new feature, next weekend!