The Wicked Game

Lies, lies and private revange leading to...

This studio rarely disappoints me... in terms of “action” lackorns, we're usually well served!
Let's offer some positive criticism for these. I've often found that I have differing opinions and feelings about many average series. It must be said that not all viewers are looking for the same thing in a series.

For my part, I look for series that mix several genres in just the right proportions. A beautiful chemistry between couples, a touch of romanticism, good pacing... an interesting and fast-paced story with interesting characters.
Here I found my “perfect” balance of tones and emotions that I look for every time : we go through everything: anger, humor, frustration, sadness, gentleness, tenderness, violence, with some passages being harsh, others serious, and others lighter...

Even if there are some rather common elements in terms of plot/story here we have a quite well-crafted plot with wists and turns that are fairly well paced (never dull): you never get bored and I didn't find it dragging (the series is just the right length: not too long or too short). This is a huge plus! Because the problem of pacing in this kind of series is very common. OF COURSE it is perfectly objective!

I was also pleasantly surprised by the couple portrayed: I was expecting a more “mature” romance, I would almost go so far as to say toxic (well, their relationship was built on a unilateral lie), but no: we have a very sweet, very cute couple, an almost too naive love that feels very “school life” and/or “first love,” which is quite surprising because it contrasts greatly with the overall mood of the series. They really have great chemistry, and their relationship is frankly touching amid all the violence (gunshots, fights, blood...). Their looks, their tears, their smiles, their kisses: everything is perfect in that regard.

The characters are more or less interesting (I'm glad there are also women and that they have an important role, which isn't always the case in BL series, go figure).
Within the hospital, all the characters (especially the family) are gray (some more than others): between a totally volatile and violent father, an opportunistic sister, and an angry brother who is probably disturbed and paranoid ( felt that Jet's character was really overplayed). However, I kinda liked the subtleties of his relationship with his bodyguard, Park: you can tell that the writers didn't dwell on it (which is a shame but understandable, as it would have been a “duplicate” of the main couple).

Obviously, it's Pheem's development that carries the whole series: a character we love and “hate” at first (from episode 1, I thought to myself: “He's a real bastard, but I kinda like him anymay”, ‘cause of course he may have “his reasons”): a true manipulator and unscrupulous schemer who will stop at nothing to get his revenge, at the expense of others, hidden beneath his angelic features. He does have a “softer” and more mischievous side, but it's definitely hard to trust him at first.

Blinded by revenge for two-thirds of the series, he makes a series of decisions (particularly regarding Than) that we know he will regret. We just wait for the moment when everything comes to the surface: and although it is gradually obvious that he is “changing” through his contact with Than, it takes him a long time and, despite everything, he still shoots himself in the foot at a crucial moment.

To illustrate: /!\ spoiler
The scene where Pheem shoots Than is quite powerful: we think until the very end that he's not going to do it, but no one is surprised when he actually does. We suspect that the act is somewhat “desperate”: his “selfishness” coupled with his fear of losing one of the only two people who care about him (we too often forget his aunt, the goat) take over.

At that moment, he reaches the point of no return and his “true colors” resurface after a whole episode of tenderness, where the couple has officially come together, where we think that this is the right moment for him to “change.” His mistakes catch up with him and in just a few minutes his lies come back to haunt him. Karma? Not exactly. Justice? Perhaps.

If he is going through a rough patch, you can't say he doesn't deserve it. He's just “reaping what he sowed.” It was satisfying that no one “forgave” him so quickly.

However, he does experience a REAL redemption arc after and during “the breakup.”

Than, on the other hand, clearly embodies the pure hero: an honest, loyal, gentle, and kind character, but far from being a fool, and above all, one who doesn't let himself be pushed around. He makes all the decisions we (as viewers) want him to make. Honestly, this guy is an absolute GOAT (too perfect for this world but perfect for Pheem). He's going to suffer a lot, and let's be honest, Pheem clearly doesn't deserve him (for three-quarters of the series): we know it, he knows it, Pheem knows it, everyone knows it (it's often like that in fiction), but he has the merit of having been able to change the latter for good...

To the detriment of his career: I was very disturbed that this point, which was a central pillar in the series, was literally pushed aside. I don't know if it was intentional (the moral of the story?) or just a hole/oversight in the script. In any case, it's even more sad for Than, whose personality is partly built on that.

The soundtracks were not bad . Of course the series has a lots of minor flaws, but honestly, I had a great time watching it.

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God it’s irreparably flawed, but I loved it.

I struggle so deeply with giving The Wicked Game this rating, as this was a drama I was truly enthralled with. Pheem’s characterization was incredibly strong and well-rounded, Offroad had a hell of a job with this character and he did fantastic with it.

Now, here’s where the issue lies. That ending. It was almost the same as Laws of Attraction. Also killing off everybody in that show except for Than and Pheem? So Risa was never actually brought to justice? It made everything we had been building to feel in vain, which is not a good feeling as a watcher. Just lazy writing that I’m quite disappointed with.

I really believe they should have made more episodes, because that final episode felt as though they were just trying to cram everything together in a horribly messy little bow.

Now, all that said. What a ride. I truly loved this show. Though I was disappointed with how it ended, I was locked in every episode that came out. It was edge of your seat drama and it was incredibly entertaining to watch the power plays that happened each week between the siblings. I wish Chet and Risa would have lived to the end to see what would happen to them. But at the same time, with the constant violence in that family, perhaps they were bound to wind up like this.

Oh, The Wicked Game, how I hate you and I love you. Oddly fitting given the dynamic between Than and Pheem. I look forward to the next one.

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Daou Pittaya and Offroad Kantapon in another drama… Sign me in… Haha…

The story follows Pheem, the youngest heir to the powerful Yossinpaisarn hospital empire. After spending years in exile following severe childhood abuse and betrayal by his own flesh and blood, Pheem returns to the fold with an icy demeanor and a calculated plan to seize absolute control of the family business. He is no longer the defenseless boy they cast aside; he is now a man determined to dismantle his family's legacy piece by piece.

During the grand opening of a major hospital project, an assassination attempt is made on Pheem’s life. He is saved by Than, a former elite police officer whose own career was destroyed after being framed by corrupt, influential figures. Impressed by Than’s abilities and unwavering instincts, Pheem hires him as his personal bodyguard.

At first, they clash constantly. Than is honest, warm, and driven by justice. Pheem is secretive, emotionally guarded, and willing to manipulate anyone to survive. His return isn’t just about power—it’s about revenge. He means to make those who hurt him pay.

As Than is pulled deeper into the toxic world of the Yossinpaisarn family, he faces lethal traps, media scandals, and more assassination attempts. But the hardest part of his job isn’t the danger—it’s Pheem himself. Cold, manipulative, and always testing limits, Pheem even stages risky situations just to test Than’s loyalty.

But as danger closes in, things begin to shift. Than starts to see the pain beneath Pheem’s cruelty—the scars no one else notices. And Pheem, for the first time, begins to rely on someone who treats him not with fear or greed, but with genuine care.

Meanwhile, secrets also begin to surface—about illegal drug trafficking hidden within the hospital business, long-buried betrayals, and the dark games each member of the Thanavej family has been playing. Power is the only rule. Trust is a weakness.

Their relationship evolves—from distrust and duty, to dependency, and finally to something deep and real. Despite the deception and constant threat, a complex romance forms between them.

Than becomes the emotional anchor, seeing past the icy exterior to the wounded soul underneath—one that has never known safety, or unconditional love. And Pheem, for all his plans, finds himself changed. His heart, once locked away, begins to feel something he can’t control.

Now, Than must decide how far he’s willing to go to protect Pheem. And Pheem must choose: continue down the path of revenge… or risk everything for the first person who ever truly stood by him.

That's pretty much the story without giving anymore spoilers.

I am always fond of the chemistry between Daou and Offroad. But the story overall is quite basic & honestly quite easy to forget…

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There are some things you just can’t come back from

The show started out ok. I have yet to see a Thai bl pull off a great gun fight scene. The way they wave those things around is painful to watch. This series had a lot of those terrible moments. But I’ve pretty much just accepted that this is the way it is. So other than that, the actors did a pretty good job. The story just pushed things too far, and towards the end of the series I didn’t even want to see them together. There had been too much pain, too much physical damage, too much betrayal.
The writers didn’t even try to fix the relationship problems. They just said “oh well, I forgive him because I love him and I’ll happily accept all the garbage.” I mean really- what’s the big deal about your boyfriend shooting you in the back, anyway?
It would be one thing if they tried to make amends or dig into the issues. But they didn’t. The guy is an idiot for staying with someone who hurt him so much and that makes it unenjoyable to watch. Won’t be watching it again. Hope the actors get better roles next time.

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Pheem is evil. Than is stupid. Risa is a girlboss. Chet is a victim argue with the wall.

Maturing is realising that Chet is the true victim in all of this. Say what you will about this manchild, because I too wanted a car to run over him at the start of the series, but by the end of it, I just felt bad for the guy cuz of how terrible everyone else was around him. He was one of those villains that couldn’t even fully be one cuz everyone else was an even bigger villain than he was, so now he’s just there suffering all the consequences since he put himself in the line of fire. Quiet literally in this case.

Sure, he kept screaming at my screen every two seconds and kept saying shit and did nothing about it, but I could mute the series and I wouldn’t have to hear any of it. Pheem, on the other hand, even if I muted this show I could still see through the fucking bullshit. Not like he tried to hide it, Than was the only gullible idiot here, but I saw so many people defending this boy that I thought maybe he did have a justifiable reason for all his actions towards Than. Um, yeah, no. He doesn’t. This man is just straight up evil.

And I’m not even angry about that. If anything, I’m totally down for a morally grey character. His past shaped him to be who is now, and every single one of his actions makes absolute sense to me. Even if all of his actions ended up with him being completely alone after achieving all his goals. And him realising that maybe not all of it was worth it was heartbreaking. And it surely doesn’t help that Offroad is a phenomenal actor that managed to deliver all of these emotions so perfectly. No, what got me angry about his character, and why I don’t like Pheem, is the fucking audacity.

I’m sorry, but he made the conscious decision to shoot Than after his back was turned to him. Than and him put the guns down at the SAME TIME, and the moment Than TRUNED HIS BACK he decides to shoot him. And the kicker? The fact that he immediately starts crying and apologising about “hurting” Than. I’m sorry, HURT?!! HURT?!! YOU FUCKING SHOT THE MAN!! Talking about hurt like he kicked him or something. And the orange juice and flowers in the hospital the next day while he acts like nothing happened?? Asking his aunt to speak to Than on his behalf because he didn’t mean to FUCKING SHOOT HIM?? Delusional. Absolutely, 100% delusional. You enter a delulu contest but this man is your opponent, pack it up.

And let’s not even mention the fact that he showed Than the ring just to emotionally manipulative him so he wouldn’t be mad at him anymore. I genuinely laughed at that scene.

I honestly thought I couldn’t hate anyone more than Ming from My Stand-In, but I was so wrong. Ming wishes he could be as bad as Pheem. Though, Pheem is still better than Day from Love Syndrome in my eyes, so I guess that’s a win. Bar is in hell I tell you.

But speaking of My Stand-In… just like Joe, Than is a fucking idiot. He’s so kind hearted to the point of stupidity. I don’t wanna say naïve, cuz he does know that Pheem is terrible and is using him, but at the same time, he lowkey is as well. So imma just stick with stupid. Because essentially, that is what he is. Love makes him so stupid that when he agreed to forgive Pheem again and marry him, I wasn’t even surprised when Pheem faked his death. I mean, what did you think was going happen? Pheem has constantly been shown as the type of person that never does anything without reason. So why weren’t alarm bells ringing when he proposed? Than should have known something was up, but nope, he was so happy and in la la land in his mind that he once again went through a whole depressive phase cuz Pheem “died”. I felt bad for him, but at the end of the day, you asked for this when you got back with that psychopath.

As for the other characters, Risa was interesting until she got fucking unbearable. Miss girlboss became someone I was rooting for to someone I wanted dead. Which Chet’s bodyguard did the honours for me.

And speaking of, the bodyguard deserved more. He was the one character in this melo-dramatic family drama that was catching strays for no reason. He should have packed up his bags and left the moment Pheem showed up into the building. But again, just like Than, he’s also fucking stupid because Chet was his everything. They deserved so much more than this show gave them. Should have ran away to a far away island and lived their best lives or something. The true victims, I don’t care what anyone says.

Also, the dad. If Pheem was the villain of this series, then his dad was the final boss. This man didn’t have to lift a finger and he was already the mastermind behind all of this shit. If only all of these siblings realised the fraud he was and got together to kill him off, none of this would have happened. No wonder all his kids are insane. It’s in their blood.

In conclusion, out of all the DaouOffroad shows, this was my least favourite. Which makes me upset to say because there was no much going for it. But I guess the premise got lost in there somewhere, and the only thing keeping it alive was how phenomenal everyone in their roles were and the undeniable chemistry between Daou and Offroad. Istg these two could be two plastic cut outs of characters and they’d still make a show interesting. I’m so glad they keep exploring different genres for all their series and I can’t wait for their project.

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SADLY A GOOD IDEAS DISTROYED BY DESPERATION

i cannot not say much about the serie itself because i think other reviews did say it correctly.
Actors here (specially main leads) did a very good job showing their skills in a new angle, her they take on roles of villains in action series so rest assured this is not on Actors themselves.
To be honest ,i think that BL series have entered era where the writers and production team have lost their mind ,they are pushing violance in form of love ,cruelty and call it love .
Im worried that they no longer care that these shows are actually watched by teenand young people, what are you trying to promote to them???
They don't care about logic anymore and this is disrespectful to audience, and to the country itself: if a crime is committed, you upheld the law ,to presents a lawless contents is to imply that no law is respected, once you are poweful.
The cartoonish shooting scenes will make Indian movies look good 😅😅😅😅 to be honest use logic whil editing, because this doesn't help actors ,it make them lose the credibility as actors.
I don't know if this is on writers or directors, the script is bad that it destroyed the potential the series had
In any case the actors did well under these circumstances.

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This series wasn’t that good, honestly. I really didn’t expect Than to forgive Pheem that easily. I thought the story would go in a completely different direction — that Risa and Parn would end up in jail, that Than would return to being a police officer, and that Pheem would face real consequences for everything he did.

I also expected Chet to get proper help in a mental hospital, because everything he went through since childhood was too heavy for him to handle alone. And Park… I really thought he would follow Chet and take care of him. Their connection felt so strong and meaningful.

Everything that happened in this show turned into a complete mess. The plot didn’t give justice to the characters or their experiences.

But one thing I can’t deny — the cast was absolutely amazing. They carried the entire series with their acting, and they deserved a better story.

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A Dizzying BL Road Trip

Honestly, this could have been a really solid BL. The ingredients were all there—the drama, the tension, the big emotional swings—but somewhere along the way it just spiraled. If this series were a road trip, I’d be in the backseat clutching the door handle because the plot kept swerving left, right, upside down… it was dizzying. There were so many twists, so much over‑the‑top drama, and then the lead characters suddenly feeling borderline immortal. The production looked expensive. Big cast, big sets, big moments—everything screamed high budget, but the storyline just didn’t snap together the way it needed to. It felt like they had all the puzzle pieces but forced them into the wrong places. Daou and Offroad’s chemistry was the only thing that consistently made sense. And of course, Tongtong being gorgeous as always was a nice bonus. Every time he appeared, it felt like the show suddenly remembered what charisma looks like. So despite the chaos, I’m still giving it a 3.5 stars out of 5. There were a few good moments—it just needed a tighter story to match the ambition.

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Amazing performance amazing acting if they don't get a award for the acting I'm gonna be pissed

After watching episode 8 I'm so tired of everyone blaming Pheem for everything it's kind of exhausting Even Risa too I get especially at Risa because whatever she does she blames it on Pheem because she knows people will believe her

Risa killed their mother and framed it on Pheem what the heck we thought pheem did it this is insane. She knew people would believe it was pheem who murdered her because his mother died because of her mother. She worked with pheem to take Chet down and now pheem found out kicked her out she is trying to get into Chets head saying "you have no choice to work with me I will help you get revenge on Pheem"

she's very compelling she tries to get into everyone's head and it's working because she knows everyone's weakness. Explains why she didn't cry or mourn when her mother died but chet did she's very well written

Pheem is not innocent either. He's calculating he knew Risa's play from the start but He shot than And did it twice he's a manipulator too but he did it to protect Than if than dies they'll leave him alone he didn't kill than the aunt put some kind of drug in him to make him live pheem Shot him on the vest he didn't die but than won't forgive him either way. What he did was understandable

Chet chet chet... What do I say about him he's a very emotional person too emotional to be exact. But it was rooted by his mother his mother is the cause of everything the sibling rivalry between pheem and Chet because "Pheem is Mistress son he'll never be a part of the family" he throws tantrums Alot He rules with his emotions he's narcissism often feels exhausting. He's deeply insecure and that makes him dangerous but also exploitable for Risa I want to say I have empathy for him but idk. Just sympathy

Than. The true antagonist and the plausible true villain of everything even though we know he's innocent he knows everything about everyone he knows about the whole family but The thing about Than is. He will never Betraye anyone he loves even if they hurt him. He'll need more time to Forgive Pheem but he will forgive pheem because episode 9 preview said he does love Pheem still. Pheem also loves than.

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It was worth the wait!!!

Many people argue that Pheem’s character is unacceptable, because he shot his beloved one and manipulated him in order to exact revenge for his mother. Yet, if we consider Pheem’s background — a child raised alone, far from family; deprived of love, attachment, or a helping hand; surrounded only by hate, negativity, and people who sought to exploit him, then his drive for revenge becomes understandable. In that context, yes, Pheem becomes a person whose life mission is consumed by vengeance.

But if we think about how Pheem intends to save Then from his father, that might be the safest way for him to keep his beloved alive. Of course, from a moral standpoint it is unacceptable. Still, there was no other viable option unless Pheem turned over all the evidence to the police. Yet Pheem remains determined: he still needs to avenge his mother.

That’s a fair and thoughtful point. Especially once we consider Pheem’s background and motivations, it’s hard to judge him simply as “horrible” without understanding the context. And yes, given that the final episode of The Wicked Game airs tomorrow, it will be very interesting to see whether Pheem survives, whether he redeems himself, or whether his “life mission” ends in tragedy.

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