GL shows are on the rise, and it could be attributed to the fact that Thailand has some popular GL authors whose novels are selling like hot cakes. Various media houses are rushing to buy their rights and adapt them into live action series. The same kind of action can be seen in the Japanese shores, with the genre picking up taciturn!

Dangerous Queen

Adapted from the web novel “Dangerous Queen” (Dangerous Queen #คนโปรดของควีน) by Khun Phuying (คุณผู้หญิง), the show focuses on Queen (Tangkwa Phinyanech), an attractive high-society woman from a prominent family. She is ruthless and thorough businesswoman. Men don’t want to cross her, for the fear of the havoc she will wreck. Things take an interesting turn when she meets Bonita (Nur Desoraya), a young woman who has to support her mother, who is addicted to alcohol and gambling. Queen is attracted to Bonita who has a firm resolve while working at a bar, even though she gets relentlessly bullied. The main leads have a natural chemistry and the storytelling is evenly paced!

Love Design

A clear case of “Enemies to Lover’s” trope, this show focuses on Aokbab (Kao Supassara), a young architect who returns home from Japan, to save her mother’s architectural firm from bankruptcy. Her brothers who lead the company haven’t done a good job at maintaining their clientele and Aokban is tasked with damage control. She unexpectedly meets Rin (Jane Methika), a brilliant architect who is quite famous on social media for her designs. Their first meeting ends in a heated arguement, so Rin refuses to work with Aokbab when they meet again. Aokbab has to bend backwards and meet her every demand, until Rin relents to work for her firm. In the midst of this turmoil, Aokbab is forced to compete with her ex-girlfriend, Mind, who stole her work. The main leads have an interesting chemistry and it drives the narrative forward!

Player

Adapted from the novel “Player” (Player ไม่อาจห้ามรัก) by SIIX, this show is pure chaotic energy. Pun (Memi Muanfun) thought her life was falling apart when Pethai, the man she hired for a fake marriage, took her money and ran away. Now she’s back in Thailand, determined to track him down and get some answers. But it’s not going to be easy. Her only hope? Ploy (Ice Amena), a stunning, sharp-witted actress who holds the key to Pethai’s secrets. To get what she needs, Pun will have to charm her way into Ploy’s heart. But the more she tries to trick Ploy, the more she falls for the alluring actress who seems to have abundant secrets of her own. The main leads look so good together, you can’t help but cheer for their characters!

Queendom

Adapted from the novel “Queendom” (QUEENDOM #ซ่อนใจไว้ที่เธอ) by Salmon (แซลม่อน), this show is another Enemies to Lover’s” trope attempt. Enemies since school up to entering the entertainment industry, Rey (Arhoung Nattawadee) and Print (P.amp Tarradee) meet again when they land roles in a highly anticipated series. One week before filming’s to begin, however, something strange happens: their souls switch bodies. Afraid that this secret might leak, their managers force them to live together. As they start living together, lines begin to blur, and they discover their true feelings for each other. The main leads have a beautiful chemistry, they are especially consistent in scenes where they have to embody the other person’s behavioral patterns.

Unlimited Love

I never imagined seeing Englot in a comic role, but here they are and it seems to work. When office worker Plu (Engfa Waraha) is fired from her job after hitting a leering senior, she’s left in state of distress as she has her mother and younger sibling to take care of. In low spirits, she meets Ray (Charlotte Austin), a beautiful and wealthy-looking woman who proposes she opens a company called Unlimited Company, a company that will do absolutely anything as long as clients have the money to pay them. Her family owns a building available for rent, and she’d be happy to be a partner. Whether it’s the beauty of the woman before her or her drunkenness that persuades her, Plu doesn’t know, but she’s soon opening up applications for employees with unpredictable talents. The main leads obviously have oodles of chemistry, but apart from that, the show has an ensemble casting and as such, quite a few interesting pairings in sight!

Special Mention-

Futari Escape

This show deserves a special mention despite the fact that it doesn’t have an international release, so you have to rely on fansubbers. Adapted from the manga series “Futari Escape” (ふたりエスケープ) by Taguchi Shoichi (田口囁一), the show depicts two young women– Kohai (Tomisato Nao) an overworked manga artist, the other, Senpai (Iwamoto Renka) a complete slacker–try to escape the realities of adult responsibilities. Whether it’s running off on a day trip instead of being productive or going into debt for an epic meal, the two always have fun when they’re together. I’m not sure if this show classifies as GL, because the main leads seem more like good roommates than actual love interests. But the storytelling is interesting, so we definitely recommend watching it!

We will back with a new feature next weekend!