I honestly can’t think of a better way to open this review than with how the show ended:

“To a love unbound by gender, standing resolute against the tides of time.”

Because that’s what Love Upon a Time brings us. A love that transcends time while also standing up against it for the people willing to fight for it.

Adapted from the novel of the same name by littlebbear96, Love Upon a Time stars Net Siraphop Manithikhun as Phop/Tinnaphop and JJ Radchapon Phornpinit as Klao/Nakhun. The series follows Nakhun, a university student whose life takes an unexpected turn when he is transported four hundred years into the past to the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Mistaken for a man named Klao, Nakhun finds himself entangled in a mystery that spans centuries, reconnecting with souls whose bonds have endured across lifetimes while discovering a love powerful enough to challenge fate itself.

When I first started Love Upon a Time, I was drawn to the idea of a connection so deep it could survive the passage of time. I found myself intrigued by the friendships, the mysteries, and the promise of both laughter and heartbreak waiting somewhere ahead. What I didn’t expect was how thoroughly this series would immerse me in its world.

Everything I said in my first review still stands, but now it’s expanded upon in the best possible way.

While JJ carried the first two episodes for me because they centered so heavily on Nakhun’s experience, the series as a whole belongs to every member of its cast.

It would take pages upon pages of praise to properly recognize every performance, but I genuinely encourage people to look up this cast and support their work. No one left anything on the table. Every actor gave everything they had, and together they created a series that relied just as much on its ensemble cast as it did its leads. Every one of them deserves a standing ovation.

Which brings me to JJ Radchapon, Net Siraphop, Latte Thanutchon, and Kim Pongsaton.

Bravo. Every single one of you did it.

Love Upon a Time became one of those rare series that I completely lost myself in every Friday. It made waiting for work to end feel like torture while simultaneously turning Friday nights into the highlight of my week.

As a writer who works in animal welfare, I spend my days witnessing both the cruelty and kindness that exist in the world. I spend my time trying to put complicated emotions into words so others can understand the stories behind the animals and people I meet every day. I am the voice that bridges the public with the work we do. Because of that, I know firsthand how difficult it is to capture certain feelings and make them resonate with an audience.

Love Upon a Time does exactly that.

From humor to grief, hope to heartbreak, it delivers emotions that feel genuine and earned. It’s a time-travel romance, yes, but it’s also an inspiring story about friendship, sacrifice, family, and the connections that shape who we become.

This was my first time watching a series featuring JJ, Latte, and Kim, and none of them disappointed.

I especially feel the need to reiterate how impressed I am with JJ. When the series began, I spent some time watching snippets of interviews he’d done, listening to his music, and even catching up on the book he’s currently writing. Somewhere in all of that, I caught glimpses of someone who seemed unsure of himself at times.

I don’t know much about his personal story, but I do know that everything I’ve had the opportunity to see until now has impressed me. As a writer, I’m especially fascinated by his writing, but he first won me over through his performance in Love Upon a Time.

I believe I read somewhere that Net felt JJ would be a perfect fit for Nakhun.

Net wasn’t wrong.

JJ brought both Nakhun and Klao to life in a way that allowed them to feel connected while still existing as distinct individuals. He managed to balance humor, vulnerability, grief, and hope while giving both characters room to breathe.

And then there’s Net.

He understands how to tell a story with his entire body. Every glance, every subtle shift in expression, every piece of body language contributes to the story he’s telling. He gave Phop the depth, duality, and unwavering green-flag energy that made it possible to understand why Nakhun loved him so deeply.

Latte and Kim deserve similar praise. Their friendships with Nakhun and Phop, along with their own complicated love story, add richness and emotional weight to the series. Their presence rounds out the world and creates the kind of supporting relationships that make stories like this feel complete.

And finally, the love scenes.

Over the last few years, Domundi has established a particular approach to intimacy. While I don’t need love scenes for a story to work, I appreciate that these moments rarely feel gratuitous. They build toward them carefully, using vulnerability and physical intimacy to deepen emotional connections between the characters.

There is something inherently intimate about two people choosing to share themselves completely with one another, and Love Upon a Time captures that beautifully. The cinematography, direction, and performances transform those moments into something meaningful rather than simply physical.

To the director, crew, and cinematographers, you brought the past and present together beautifully. You delivered an incredible series. I am speechless. Thank you for the world you created.

For a series that embraces love and ultimately uses it to open hearts and minds, check out Love Upon a Time now on iQIYI.

Rating- 5 out of 5