Bad Buddy (2021)

This is a real 10/10!

I can honestly say without any hype or bs, this show is a perfect 10 for me. I adored every episode, it never got old and it left me with an enormous happy feeling. I did read the book first and honestly this is quite different, which I love. I would almost pit the book as it's own stand alone and try not to compare, both are worth your time though! I think we all know by now chemistry is king in this industry and these two had it. I know quite a few people complain about other epic BL series and their toxicity, but I personally have never been bothered and I love a wild ride. This show is not a portrayal of toxic love and I still felt myself floored by other elements. The excitement for each episode and the immense amounts of intimacy kept me going. There is no reason to skip this one now that it's finished, it is now one of the "epics" and is a must watch for any BL fan. I am whole heartedly satisfied and I would for sure watch this over again!

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So good at being good that this may be its flaw

Bad Buddy is probably the best conventional Thai BL series to come out in 2021. At the beginning of the year, there was A Tale of Thousand Stars, which was excellent and different from many conventional BL series. Then there were plenty of average to above average BL series that did not really shine.

The thing that first made me excited about Bad Buddy was the casting of Ohm and Nanon in the leading roles. Ohm has always been great in the roles he’s given, even the less important roles while Nanon always thrives with a well written role. Seeing Ohm and Nanon in the leading roles meant for me that Bad Buddy would not be one of those series with first-time actors trying their luck in a BL production; and most likely, the production team would not be amateurish as well.

Indeed, Bad Buddy did not disappoint. It is the perfect textbook example of how to do a conventional BL very well. The premise is not exactly original, but it is one that lends itself to endless variations. We have the sons of two constantly fighting families in the fashion of a Romeo-and-Juliet tale. At first, the two sons themselves seem to be engaged in a similar sort of rivalry, but soon it becomes clear that they are different from their parents.

Everything seems to hit the right notes in this series. Tension is mixed well with light humor. The portrayal of Pran’s love is suitably moving without being sappy. The pacing is also excellent. I doubt anyone will find it draggy or too fast. Quite quickly, we get to see Pran’s love for Pat, but the “unrequited love” part of the plot is not protracted for Pat also realizes soon enough that he loves Pran. When they become a couple, they face more problems together. (Not only are their parents always fighting, but their friends and faculties are always fighting too.)

There are the sorts of problems that drag on for too long in other series, but they get resolved fairly quickly in Bad Buddy. The effect is excellent as we get an overall lighthearted mood even though the problems that the couple faces become increasingly serious, culminating in their parents finding out about their relationship. We also get to see that two men may face problems but they love each other enough to not childishly fight and prolong any conflicts.

The series manages to avoid the problems that some other BL series have. It eschews having many side couples that can make the storytelling awkward and lacking in focus. It seems as though the team behind Bad Buddy has gathered a whole lot of feedback on other BLs and resolved to make one that doesn’t get all the usual criticisms. We see this when it makes fun of how BL characters claim that they are not gay (“I’m not gay–I only love one man.”). It also consciously avoids references to the BL couple as husband and wife. The series even cleverly manages to avoid the Penultimate Episode Curse (or the Episode 11 Curse which has the worst things like a break-up occurring in the second last episode), with Episode 11 focusing on the couple’s temporary “elopement” while showing their increasing awareness that they have to return home eventually. And instead of having multiple BL couples, the series is used as a means of testing waters for featuring GL. (The GL is cleverly kept ambiguous until the episode in which the women become a couple, so even if it is not well-received, any negative impact is likely minimized.)

What could possibly go wrong with such a series? Not much, to be fair. But perhaps Bad Buddy is so good at being good that we find few risks being taken. It is a lot of conventional stuff being done very skilfully. With such good actors and such a good team making the series, perhaps there could have been a stronger risk-taking spirit. Bad Buddy is a better production in so many ways than some of my favorite Thai BL series like Sotus, 2gether, He’s Coming to Me and Until We Meet Again. Yet, each of these other favorite BL series of mine has something that makes it more distinctive despite its flaws.

Bad Buddy is like a textbook example of how to make an excellent conventional BL series. But if I may have the audacity to be greedy, can everyone trying to make a BL series please learn the lessons that Bad Buddy has learnt but come up with something more convention-defying, something not as safe?

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I really enjoyed this much much more than I expected!!

I have not read the novel so all I know is the summary and the trailer, and I went in with pretty average expectations for the plot. But I am aware about how good Nanon's acting is after having loved him in The Gifted franchise, so I'm excited nonetheless.

Having watched this week by week, I did not expect to love it so much!! I thought the end was clever too and found it realistic and hopeful. One of the most interesting endings to a BL if I may say. Sharing my weekly episode reviews below:

Episode 1: Very promising start! We got an introduction to the characters and the main plot point of why their families hate each other so much. Pat and Pran are shown to not be on friendly terms (at least on Pat's side, because Pran seems very polite and generally chill). The music is a BANGER! I might be biased because this is totally my type of music, but for some reason it totally fits the aesthetics of the shots and the cinematography. I also love the domesticity in the ending credits!

Episode 2: Pat and Pran's dynamic seems to be much deeper than what we were first shown. From the first episode I thought Pat couldn't tolerate Pran at all, but here it seems like he let himself more, idk, loose? Like he's comfortably bantering and bickering with Pran and it feels very natural, so I guess this is actually his true nature that he has been suppressing for quite some time. The flashback also confirms this, but there has to be more than that because I'm not convinced that the "playing in a band together with the son of our family's worst enemy" is the reason Pran got transferred. Also hats-off to Nanon's acting. Ohm is also very good, actually, but more so Nanon. Anyway in terms of the leads' acting, this by far is on another league compared to other Thai BLs.

Episode 3: OKAY I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START. This episode basically confirms that Pat likes Pran somehow, and his antics are like a silly school boy having a crush. What was interesting to me was the episode opened with showing how Pran was Pat's "secret crush", but the scene was actually showing Pran doing something special for Pat, which is not something friends, or even bestfriends, would do! This episode was just full of heart-fluttering moments and there was no cheesiness or awkwardness at all, the acting and writing are so natural. I feel like the show is starting to bring out its big guns!

Episode 4: OH MY GOODNESS NANON. THIS GUY CAN ACT. LIKE /REALLY/ ACT. I have so many emotions during this episode and for me this episode went by the fastest compared to the previous ones; I just felt so empty after finishing it. I really like how they made the characterizations. Pran can't hate Pat no matter how much he wants to because he's already in so deep. Pat...wow idk where to start. Let's just say I feel so complicated about him and it says a lot at how Ohm and the crew put a lot of thoughts into his character. In any case, Nanon wins this episode hands-down. I literally felt Pran's pain. His character is so layered yet soft-spoken and I'm so glad we are able to fully experience this, all thanks to the role being in the hands of a very talented actor.

Episode 5: This is my favorite episode by far! So many things happened here without feeling too rushed -- from the "night after" and how Pran quickly bounced back after getting his heart broken, to Pat testing Ink's feelings, to Pat /finally/ realizing his true feelings, and so much more up until the climax at the end with the kiss. My favorite part is definitely towards the end with the Pat-Pran-Wai fistfight and how things are suddenly starting to explode. Pat is ready to risk it all while Pran, even without Pat saying anything explicitly, knows where things are going and he is not ready to deal with it. And finally during the rooftop scene. It was obvious how Pran has his walls built up but it has slowly crumbled down hearing Pat confess. When Pat kissed him, he just gave up and gave in and I love how this moment just feels so raw and intimate. I'm not lying if I said that I literally hear their feelings while kissing -- their emotions during that part was THAT good. Cue to after the kiss when Pran wakes up to his senses again and comes back to his demeanor of being "not ready" and walks away. The last time I cried for a BL was during ATOTS which says a lot; and all credits go to the director and especially OhmNanon, because it didn't feel like them at all, but PatPran coming to life.

Episode 6: I'll be honest and say that nothing major really happened this episode for me, but I still like the pace nonetheless because it's very realistic. Now that I think of it, while this is a romcom so far, I'm getting strong slice-of-life vibes from it which is different from other school BLs that have dramas every episode just for the sake of it. This episode we watch Pran avoiding Pat as he keeps his feelings in check, while Pat does all that he can to step into Pran's walls. The faculty rivalry (and Pran's friends planning to beat Pat up wtf?) is getting too tiring for me now tho, and my only hope is that there's a purpose for this conflict which can lead into a good character development that will help PatPran's relationship in the future. I also find the bet interesting because we know that they already know that they like each other, but their pride and competitiveness against each other that they had all their lives are getting in the way. Anyway I'm not too nervous about this because they'll eventually give up in one way or another, and seeing the preview for episode 7, looks like they're getting there soon! I really enjoyed this episode especially the new OST and ending credits! <3

Episode 7: PatPran boyfriends T-T Anyway before I go into that, this episode highlighted the chemistry between the actors from all the flirting up to their moment in the end. I'm not lying if I said that I was grinning from ear to ear the whole time because their domesticity and back-and-forth banter were so sweet, and if the acting wasn't this good it would have become cringy. Pran teasing Pat was definitely a delight to see after seeing him hurt in the previous episodes, and Pat as always is a very colorful character. What I did not expect to see though (or at least this early) was Wai. Him guilt-tripping Pran into helping him was so uncomfortable to watch and is definitely not a good thing to do even between the closest of friends. I'm interested to see how he would impact PatPran's already delicate relationship seeing how he seems to be a significant character. Finally my favorite part is the ending when Pat gave way for Pran and confessed his feelings. He set aside his pride for Pran and stepped up so they can stop wasting time on their little game, and now they're officially boyfriends T-T

Episode 8: This was the most emotionally-charged episode for me so far, and yes even more than Episode 5. The whole episode is filled with PatPran cute boyfriends scenes, but actually underneath all of that is a conflict that was brewing to happen with a secret that they literally have to hide from everyone, Pran's hesitations, and the differences betwen Pat and Pran's POVs. For me this episode is actually very smart because these sources of conflict were not presented in our face all the time -- it was sometimes masked with fluffy domestic moments, but actually if you watch deeper there is so much more under the surface. The big scene at the end was also a game-changer, and I think this is what will set the tone for the rest of the series.

Episode 9-12: These were a whole rollercoaster of emotions and I thought the ending was such a smart twist! I BAWLED during the end of episode 11 and what I loved is while you see this kind of thing coming, you also don't, so while waiting for the "will they separate will they not", it hit me a lot harder when it finally happened. Again, huge props to Nanon and Ohm's acting! And when the twist at the end was revealed, I LOVED it. It's always my main gripe with mid-show breakups, like how do these people not stay in contact with all these technology? But PatPran went beyond that and was brave enough to devise their plan, living up to their general theme of "fooling the world". I thought it was really smart and realistic too that the parents did not immediately approve, but still optimistic that they will surely get there :)

All in all, I highly recommend this show. A common plot made extraordinary with thoughtful acting and a writing that is full of heart.

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Pleasant series, not terrible, not great

While I am fully aware the Bad Buddy made a huge impression on a lot of viewers, for me it was just okay, a nice enough watch but nothing too special. Here are my pros and cons:

PROS:

OHM AND NANON. They are both very good actors, especially in more dramatic roles. They carried the series and were the reason I watched.

INK AND PA. Kudos to Bad Buddy for introducing a real girl couple! Fantastic development.

MUSIC. I enjoyed the soundtrack, and especially Nanon's singing.

CONS:

WEAK STORY. All the physical fighting was something that MIGHT happen in middle school, not in a university. Very juvenile. And did we really need another university setting? I checked my BL list: this is the 45th university-based Thai BL I've watched. Yawn. Pat's friends were jerks in the first half. Pat/Pran went from hate, to Pat liking Ink, and then... with NO buildup whatsoever, they're suddenly lovers. When exactly did Wai and Korn become gay? The last episode was weak, the "four years later" was a copout. And no scene with the parents, seriously? No acceptance (or dismissal)? Just... no.

BORING. Yep, I said it. The kiss came early on in the series. After that, the story itself pretty much fizzled, it was mostly cutesy-pootsy, lovey-dovey moments between the main leads. Pretty much just extended fanservice, no actual story.

I'll probably be tarred and feathered by all the BB uber fans for not giving the series a 10. Sorry, it just wasn't that for me, it was okay but just very ordinary.

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THE STANDARD THE BLUEPRINT!!

yall when i say this is the best show ever i MEAN IT! like i dont mean best bl ever NO i mean best show ever in television history worldwide. i have watched plenty of kdramas, cdramas, western shows and bad buddy has been by far the best show ever created i am not even exaggerating one bit.
pat and pran are the most healthy and cutest couple ever and the actors ohm and nanon did a phenomenal job bringing them to life. the side characters have meaningful growth and come so far and it all feels natural and realistic. the conflict is established rly well and the angst hurts sooo good!
i got so many butterflies from watching patpran throughout the show. i was audibly squealing and kicking my legs in the air. ive never been this whipped for two ppl before other than the leads in hometown cha cha cha.
this show breaks so many stupid stereotypes bls have placed in the past in such an effective way! i hope future bls take notes for real. this is a new era for quality bl productions i think.
the music slapsss!!! normally im not always too fond of the music in thai bls but this show got literal bangers. every song hits even the background music in the rooftop scene in ep 6 T_T
words cannot explain how much this show means to me. i think it transcends cinema and media in general. it is its own category. a true masterpiece that is fun, witty, swoonworthy, and charming. i would recommend this to locals who dont watch asian shows bc its that good!

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a very good BL drama

Well, I started watching this because I like BLs especially Thai BLs and I saw this was the latest one and people were giving very high reviews so it piqued my interest and I started watching.

The first two episodes were not my cup of tea, what with two groups of gangsters fighting constantly and I thought the male leads also looked weird. That was the initial impression so it didn't spur me to want to continue watching, I halted for a week or so and only decided to continue after again reading the high reviews, people giving 10/10, it must be something good.

So I continued watching on, and the story did get better when they moved to the university dormitory. Things became interesting when the male leads stayed opposite rooms by coincidental, yes, really too coincidental and cliche but anyway I didn't bother about such cliches because dramas are mostly like that, otherwise how can they create a story out? More importantly, I started enjoying seeing the leads' interaction with each other, their constant teasing of each other and the realisation that what they feel for each other was more than just friendship. The pace was just right, I didn't feel bored at all. In fact, I enjoyed the scenes in the uni dormitory the most, every time when the scenes moved to the uni dormitory, I was eager to see what interesting interactions the leads would have this time.

As for intimacy of the leads, when they realised their liking for each other, I did not expect their kiss to be so soon and I want to specially mention, the kiss was really hot, I mean, that to me was a real kiss and a passionate intense one, not just lip-touching I see in numerous dramas. This drama has one of the best kiss scenes I have ever seen in any drama, if not the best, it was so good that I have to rewind and watch again and again.

I want to mention about the interaction between the main leads, unlike other BLs I have watched before, their dialogues/interactions are filled with sarcasm most of the time, they like to tease and make fun of each other, all done with an underlying love and want for each other. This, I really thought was a refreshing change and the main reason why their interactions were so interesting to watch. In fact, obviously they liked each other, but they refused to admit to each other, and instead played this game whereby whoever admitted having fallen in love with the other first was the loser and thus each of them started to do things for the other, treat the other especially lovingly to entice the other to admit having fallen for him. It was meaningless, yes, but it was interesting and refreshing to watch, all executed well.

If I were to say something negative about this drama, it would be the ending when Pran and Pat were in Pat's house drinking. When they started chasing each other around the house towards the end, I did agree with a comment made by one of the reviewers who said that their relationship in this very last scene felt more like very close brothers/friends than lovers, it felt like the main leads became their real selves, not acting anymore, they wanted to have fun themselves and wrap up filming LOL. But still, just this very last scene during the ending did not affect the rest of the drama much, just a little blemish there, would have been perfect and I would have given 10/10 if they had ended making love on the bed LOL. In addition, not sure whether it was because the director did not want to show much when they were in bed, unlike other BLs, there was no passionate kisses etc, every time when they were sleeping together in bed. I felt there was still some conservativeness there.

Overall, as my headlines goes, it is a very good BL drama, one of the best I have watched: good relationship development, interesting and refreshing interactions and passionate intense kisses. I recommend anyone who likes to watch BLs to watch this drama, it should be one of the BL dramas you should not miss if you enjoy watching BLs.

And I have to specially mention two things, I was surprised by the GL between Pa and Ink, never expected to find GL in a BL drama, well, more of pleasantly surprised because it was executed well and the other thing was the looks of the main leads grew on me, I mentioned above in the first two episodes, I thought Pran's and Pat's looks were weird to me, but no, I was wrong, their looks grew on me as the episodes moved on, I became attracted to them and yes I liked Pran's mesmerising dimples too!

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it's just plain delightful

This is my first time writing a review, so bear with me, but I absolutely had to in order to give Bad Buddy the praise it deserves.

STORY

Bad Buddy's bare bones plot isn't necessarily anything we haven't seen Thai BL do before; GMMTV loves engineering and architecture university students and an enemies to lovers plotline (not only is it enemies to lovers, but it's Romeo and Juliet inspired). While this plot structure tends to be a drag for me (this is the only BL in my top five to take place at a university), the execution is so well done it feels like you're watching something completely different from other university-centered BLs.

To me, this is because of two reasons:

First, the simplicity of the plot allows them to lean into the characters and their development, and they really take advantage of that. From each lead's first scene—Pat and his gang chasing after Wai and Pran taking his time to put his art supplies away before going to save Wai—they feel like real people and we care what happens to them. And by the time they get together, we know them each as individuals rather than some kind of ship dynamic. I've also never seen a BL manage to carry on this same development with its side characters; Wai, Korn, Paa, and Ink all stood out in their own ways, and I never felt the urge to skip their scenes so I could get to the main plot quicker.

Second, it's more self-aware than most BLs of its era are. We're seeing a bit more of a shift toward that now, but Bad Buddy is one of the first I've seen this from. They poke fun at some of the tropes often used by BLs, especially the "wifey" thing. I think we as an audience can get more enjoyment from a show that's willing to lean into some clichés while subverting others.

One last thing I'll say about the plot because I think it's important to my love of this show, and just how well the plot was executed: I hate, with every fiber of my being, the trope where we find out they knew each other in the past, whether it was a secret or they forgot about it. I always find it incredibly annoying and it never adds anything to the plot. But, you guessed it folks, it just works here. I think it's partially because it's never really kept a secret. We learn more about Pat and Pran's past friendship as the series continues, but it's never poised as some kind of big reveal. Second, it DOES contribute to the plot in this show. Without spoiling, it gives us further insight into the characters' lives and families, as well as helps us understand their present motivations.

ACTING/CAST

I mean... come on. This entire cast is just fantastic. I could spend paragraphs praising all of the side actors before we even get to Ohm and Nanon, but I'll spare you. Let me just say this: all of the actors are great on their own, but it's like they managed to put together the most complementary group of all time. No matter the combination of characters put together on screen, there was so much chemistry and it felt like watching real (if a bit exaggerated, of course, but I digress) interactions between people with histories with each other.

Ohm and Nanon are some of the best I've ever seen, and for guys so young, it's incredible. I think they particularly shined in Bad Buddy because the roles of Pat and Pran played to their strengths. Ohm seems to have the same kind of ball-of-energy athlete vibe that Pat has, while Nanon's got the chill musician thing that Pran has. It's also quite obvious that they're close in real life, because their chemistry is just off the charts. I've watched so many BLs where characters get together because it's "supposed" to happen. But throughout Bad Buddy, I could just feel the love they shared for each other, even when they didn't even know it.

Last thing I have to note about the acting is THAT scene. I'm really avoiding spoilers in this review, so if you know, you know. If you still haven't watched, when you get to the scene with Pat, Pran, and Wai... you'll know. Literal chills.

CRITICISMS

Can I just say this show is perfect and move on? No? Okay, well, while this show is nearly flawless, in my opinion, I do think the storyline had a few hiccups.

For me, the major one is that there wasn't enough discussion about the outing of Pat and Pran. I was very happy to see a show where everyone was very accepting of the characters' sexualities, so the outing had more to do with certain "alliances," for lack of a better word, but I wish the show would've touched on the effects a bit more. We also forgive the character who's at fault a bit more quickly than I would've liked.

CONCLUSION

Overall, this is a must watch on the BL scene. I laughed and cried several times, and would sell my soul for a season 2 (or even just a Between-Us-Special-esque series where we get to watch Pat and Pran being domestic and cute with no actual plot).

Everyone say thank you, P'Aof.

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WHY BAD BUDDY REPRESENTS THAI BL INDUSTRY'S SUCCESS STORY ?

You know a show is great when you purposefully ignore its flaws and focus on its enjoyable aspects. This choice does not stem from a bias but from a desire to appreciate the uniqueness of the show. Bad Buddy is everything and much more a BL fan can ask for. This show represents more than ten decade journey of Thailand attempting to hone its craft and ultimately becoming the premier BL industry in the world. My review will try to answer…. why this show is gaining massive praise? Why it’s not over hyped and worth a watch? And most importantly, why fans will remember this for a long time? I have avoided spoilers so feel free to read.

1. Script is GOD
This might sound like a cliché taught in every film school class, but alas this is the golden truth. The most satisfying aspect of this show is the level of attention that was paid at the scripting stage. The pre-production of this show i.e. story writing, scripting, character developments and narration was well thought off. The two main characters were drafted with great attention to details. The story wasn’t unique but Bad Buddy is the example of how good writing can be the key factor behind a show’s success. Of course, a massive amount of credit goes to the novel “Behind the Scenes”, but the production team did a great job in making the story authentic.

2. Music on Point
Over the years I have started giving great importance to the OST of a show. A good soundtrack can either accentuate the atmospherics or understate the emotions of characters, both decisive for the reception of a show. Bad Buddy has an excellent soundtrack which adds a new dimension to an otherwise generic story. The retro synth-pop with slight pop-rock influences will give nostalgic feels of 1980s teen movies (especially prom centric scenes). It’s hard hitting yet easy on the ears. The standout tracks are Just Friends by Nanon, Same Page by Tilly and Secret by Kacha.

3. Right Focus
For a long time, one of the most consistent criticisms I’ve had for Thai BLs is their unnecessary attention to 13574789 numbers of couple in a specific series. The biggest reason this show has hit the right chord with the audience is because it paid undivided attention to the protagonists. Even though there was one more GL couple, they appeared in the second half of the series and did not divert the story narration. This was good decision making at the scripting level, which heightened audience’s interest in the main leads.

4. Avoided Problematic Trends
BLs are many times notorious for misrepresenting the LGBTQ community. One of the most commonly seen tropes is a protagonist denying his sexual identity. With statements like “I’m not interested in other boys but only him” constantly used in so many shows, it was refreshing to see that the main characters were more accepting of their identities. Similarly, consensus, communication and trust seen as hallmarks of a good relationship were ever so present in their relationship. This positive development signals how far the industry has come and enthusiastically welcomed by viewers.

5. Basic Done Right
The story is very Romeo-Juliet-esque, frequently portrayed by thousands of movies and dramas across the world. The lovers trying to keep their love alive in a society that’s hell bend to tear them apart has been a textbook romance formula. You add enemies to lover progression and you get a delectable series with a right amount of buildup, angst, tension and chemistry. Bad Buddy has all the classic old school basics of romantic movies. The buildup of their relationship is just right, not instant love neither slow zone galore. These choices prove that the audience do not mind cliche, barring they are presented convincingly.

6. NANON-OHM EFFECT!!
And finally, the crown jewels of the show are the lead actors themselves. It would be a gross understatement if one would say that they had a “good chemistry”. These two actors did not live their characters, they reincarnated as Pran and Pat. If the characters were written beautifully, then Nanon and Ohm did glorious justice in breathing life into them. And this is why this show is a must watch. The X factor, the USP, the único trait, the crème de la crème, the daebak factor of this show are Nanon and Ohm aka Pran-Pat. Because the story was well executed and the actors did a tremendous job in keeping their relationship natural, Bad Buddy successfully abated the need for cheap thrills to grab eyeballs, found in abundance in other shows. Pran-Pat will go down in the history of BL couple as one of the most endearing, passionate and healthy couples portrayed onscreen in recent times. This is their show, their journey, their pain, their friendship, their love and their quest in understanding emotions. As an audience we can only be glad to witness their transformation.

As a longtime BL watcher, it’s an absolute delight to witness Ohm’s growth as an actor. He has come a long way and his progress is displayed throughout this series. He was born to be onscreen and one can only hope for good projects to come his way. This was my first Nanon show, and he smashed my preconceived notions scene by scene. When I initially saw the poster and the trailer, he left me significantly underwhelmed. But he presented nuanced expressions and good awareness as an actor, which was not only delightful to observe as an audience, but also testament of his performing abilities.

Has Bad Buddy dethroned “I told sunset about you” as the greatest Thai BL show ever? No (Acc to me) But it is one of the BEST shows produced by the industry. Bad Buddy is hands down a spectacular show that deserves all the success that it is enjoying. Definitely in my top three Thai BL shows of all time. I cannot stress enough how good it is and why it deserves to be watched by the fans of this genre at least once.

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Great 'Romeo & Juliet' Remake and a Wonderful Emotional Rollercoaster Ride

I loved the story of this BL. It was fun, annoying, sad, upsetting, uplifting… a wonderful emotional rollercoaster ride.

The actors did a great job of executing their parts. Ohm Pawat Chittsawangdee (https://mydramalist.com/people/11765-chittsawangdee-pawat) was really the standout performer in this series. I love watching him act. I have watched him before in other series and you can see his skills improving.

I have the habit of always comparing the affection shown between the main couple in all the BLs that I watch to the performance of the actors in Tharntype (https://mydramalist.com/32555-tharntype-the-series). They are my shining example of the affection and romance I would love to see demonstrated in any and all BL series that I watch and Bad Buddy came really close.

As for re-watch value, I started rewatching scenes even before I finished watching the complete series. A scene that I have watched over and over again happened on the stage during rehearsal that involved a tshirt. I will not put a spoiler here but I really recommend watching it.

I have definitely added this to the list of my top 10 favorite BL series.

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Best BL of 2021

I began watching this series before it was completed and had to wait patiently for new episodes. Never have I been so anxious to know what happens to fictional people. I have never seen a story that captivates the unpredictability of emotions so perfectly. The complication of having family drama and the pressure of keeping everyone will be happy at what may seem to be the cost of your own happiness.

The story centres around Pat and Pran and builds so much that I honestly was wondering where they can go, but they found a way to not only keep it fresh but captivating. They are separated both at school and at home, due to faculty wars and family wars, which had me wondering if this series is really a BL because their was no one for them to be in the same space unless they are fighting. Then in the heights of emotions and battles, emotions get out of hand and then that balcony scene happened. I was literally holding my breath. The actors really showed of their skills in this scene, the will they wont they dynamics came to a head. the tension, the intensity, the emotion and the uncertainty had me at the edge of my seat. I was so worried about what was going to happen that I had removed the subtitles and tried to judge what was going on from their actions. This had me broken from the moment Pran walked off and left Pat standing there. I literally could not process it and I had to re-watch the scene with the subtitles only for every word to pull at my heart to have it finally ripped out when he walked off.

When it finally began to look like they got everything figured out, the curtain drops and its back to square one. I felt for Wai the most because he actually was genuinely hurt by his best friend keeping secrets. The writing on this show truely captured the essence of having to keep things a secret for everyone to be happy. While also showing that love has no limits and doesn't require much for you to have all you need. That moment when they returned home because they realise it isn't all about their happiness, made it worth so much more for me because too many times people forget your actions affect others.

This show truly was a rollercoaster of emotions with highs and lows, the best part about it is that, no matter which emotion they had someone right there with them. It was an amazing experience going through this part of their lives with them.

PS: If you have made it to the where the Pat's dad refused Pat's friend gift. Congrats to their parents for possibly turning into adults.

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