The essential Thai queer dramas to add to your watchlist, from KinnPorsche and 2gether: The Series to I Told Sunset about You and Gap: The Series.
LGBTQIA+ romance dramas have experienced surges in popularity throughout the last couple of decades. Over the years, the genre has evolved, birthing many global variations, including Japanese Yaoi and Thailand’s Y series.
With global interest increasing, queer dramas have exploded onto the mainstream scene, garnering loyal viewerships around the world. Thai entertainment, in particular, has explored LGBTQIA+ romance productions to great acclaim, quickly becoming a standard-setter in the industry. In Thailand alone, a study conducted by Thammasat University’s Institute of East Asian Studies found that the number of Boy Love (BL) series produced every year grew from 2 to 75 between 2014 and 2022.
With such an exciting television scene propelling stars into the limelight, it isn’t any wonder that Thai television has introduced some of the most iconic duos in modern media. For those unaware of the impact, keep reading. Class is in session.
No Manners rounded up 7 essential queer romance series to discover the booming Thai television scene.
23.5
Starring: Milk Pansa and Love Pattranite
Network: GMMTV/ Netflix
No. of Episodes: 12
Putting a spin on classic high school dramas, 23.5 explores a hidden identity storyline between pen pals. The two main leads, Ongsa and Sun, first meet through social media. However, Ongsa’s masculine-sounding username leads Sun to mistakenly believe she’s talking to a guy. Drama ensues, but as the episodes unfold, the couple navigates the mix-up and slowly develop feelings for each other.
Actresses Love Pattranite Limpatiyakorn (Sun) and Milk Pansa Vosbein (Ongsa) deliver a performance fit for the feel-good drama. If you’re updating your watchlist, consider 23.5 for its soft romance and slice-of-life plot.
Petrichor
Starring: Engfa Waraha and Charlotte Austin
Network: One 31
No. of Episodes: 10
If you are into crime procedurals, Petrichor may be your cup of tea. The 2024 drama taps into the Brains Versus Brawn dichotomy, portraying a flourishing romance with crime investigation as the backdrop.
Engfa Waraha and Charlotte Austin command attention with their convincing performance as Tul and Cherran. The duo portrays a criminal investigator and a forensic physician who, despite butting heads, work together to deliver justice. Highlighting their characters’ contrasting yet complementary personalities, the on-screen couple creates a tension that flows through every criminal case.
I Told Sunset about You
Starring: Billkin Putthipong and PP Krit
Network: Line TV
No. of Episodes: 10
I Told Sunset about You is a coming-of-age story exploring the relationship between Teh and Oh-aew, childhood friends turned rivals, turned lovers. If this sounds like a lot, buckle up. The drama follows the story of two childhood best friends who meet again after growing apart. Now, regarding each other as competition, they are confronted with feelings from the past and newly-found romantic sentiments.
Gripping viewers, undeniable tension hangs in the air as the two leads vie for a future in the Communication Arts faculty. Actors Billkin Putthipong Assaratanakul and PP Krit Amnuaydechkorn bring the characters to life with critically-acclaimed performances and off-the-charts chemistry.
KinnPorsche: The Series
Starring: Apo Nattawin and Mile Phakphum
Network: One 31
No. of Episodes: 14
Disrupting the BL genre, KinnPorsche proved that queer dramas can be more than romance-filled plots and cute quips. The show gripped its audience with an action-packed love affair between a mafia boss and his bodyguard. Exceptional cinematography pictured fight scenes while romantic moments were portrayed through a well-cut lens.
Perhaps more importantly, the drama introduced the addictive on-screen chemistry between actors Nattawin Wattanagitiphat (Apo) and Phakphum Romsaithong (Mile). The acting duo soon became household names outside Thailand, expanding their influence beyond the television landscape. Recently, Apo and Mile announced their newest project, Shine, a period series premiering in August.
2gether: The Series
Starring: Win Metawin and Bright Vachirawit
Network: GMMTV
No. of Episodes: 13
Adapted from the 2020 book series Because We … Belong Together, 2gether: The Series is a bright university romance that follows the classic tale of a faux relationship turned real. The story stars Bright Vachiravit as Sarawat Guntithanon, a popular student and musician, and Win Metawin as cheerleader Tine Teepakorn. Both characters become entangled as they pretend to date, without anticipating that love would blossom.
Now household names, Win Metawin and Bright saw their breakthrough with the 13-episode show, earning recognition for their charismatic performance. The drama’s easy-to-digest plot and lovable character arcs make it a perfect watch to immerse yourself in the world of Thai television.
Gap: The Series
Starring: Freen Sarocha and Becky Armstrong
Network: Channel 3
No. of Episodes: 12
Gap: The Series brings to life the beloved trope of “opposites attract.” The “Gap” stands for the contrasting aspects in the main character’s story (age, career stage, social background and personality), which seem to pose an obstacle as they inevitably fall in love. In the romantic comedy, actress Freen Sarocha gives life to the chic CEO Sam, while Becky Armstrong plays her subordinate, Mon.
Their natural chemistry and remarkable acting made this drama a household name in the early 2020s. The series quickly garnered an international fan base by exploring the idea of overcoming “gaps” in the name of love. Plus, Gap: The Series quite literally filled the gap in representation for girl love dramas in the Thai industry, becoming the first GL series to be broadcast on national television.
Cutie Pie
Starring: NuNew Chawarin and Zee Pruk Panich
Network: Workpoint TV
No. of Episodes: 16
Cutie Pie solidified the contract marriage trope in the Y industry. The story focuses on musician Kuea, played by NuNew Chawarin Perdpiriyawong, who navigates a double identity as a university student by day and popular underground musician by night. Zee Pruk Panich plays opposite to NuNew, bringing to life rigid businessman Lian.
Promised in marriage by their families, Kuea and Lian navigate ups and downs of their relationship and family dynamics throughout the show. Despite Lian’s initial denial of his feelings, the duo’s real affection floats to the surface. But, you’ll have to watch the drama to find out Kuea and Lian’s relationship evolve.
