I really like this drama, I wish I could write a recap article about it. Alas, my article quota is full. So, here is my full review:

STORY
First, I will write the synopsis from the Female Lead point-of-view. Parichart comes from Bangkok with a mission to educate tribal children. Upon her arrival, her ride broke down, so she continues her journey on foot through the jungle. Unfortunately (or fortunately, lol), night comes, and it is red moon (Prajan Daeng, the native title means red moon), where Tiger King roams around to hunt down poachers. She passes out during her encounter with the ghostly tiger. Nontha, a young tribesman who is also the son of the late chief, saves her and takes her to Dr. Sama’s clinic. Upon knowing that Dr. Sama has dedicated himself to working in the remote area like that, Parichart is happy that she finds someone like her, an outsider who has a heart for tribal people. The romance blooms between the two.

This is where the forbidden romance is: As you know in the synopsis, Dr. Sama gets possessed by Tiger King’s spirit since young. Something happened in the past. He’s not supposed to have any romantic relationship. Also, the tribe doesn’t want the two to be together, as Tiger King should stay with the tribe.

Some attempts to thwart Dr Sama and Parichart relationship are planned by the tribesmen. On top of that, plans from bad outside parties who are money hungry.

Finally, this drama is heavy on the message of nature preservation/forest protection. So, if you don’t like that kind of advocacy agenda, better think twice about watching it. Since I like nature, I don’t mind on the messages.

ACTING
First, I’d like to commend the acting of Tono, who played as Dr. Sama. ‘Cursed’ from young with Tiger King spirit possession, Dr. Sama has to live forever with the tribe as he can transform into the ghostly tiger to protect the jungle. He’s a complicated character: remorse of past, conflicted of present, and fear of future. The actor delivered all emotion. His transformation to aggressive tiger-like characters is also great.

Richy, as Teacher Parichart, is misunderstood as an unemotional Female Lead. Her character is calm and quiet, thus doesn’t show much of emotion. Besides, she’s a city girl with a high education background and logic, facing with bizarre phenomena and myth. If I were Parichart, I will be confused and disbelief most of the time too, especially when I found out my boyfriend is also a tiger, lol.

Dr. Sama and Parichart form a calm and quiet couple, unlike the second one I’ll describe below.

Nontha, played by March, is a conflicted character. Born as the son of late tribe leader, he is supposed to inherit the Tiger King spirit from his father. Unfortunately, it goes to an outsider. Nontha delivers conflicted character between envy/jealousy and admiration/fear of Dr. Sama. Having seen March in a similar character in Sand Princess, I knew he could do such characters.

At first I hate the character of Kahlong, played by Xiang, She seemed a typical bitchy second female lead of lakornland. However, after watching sometime, I understand she’s just a young tribe girl who groomed by her dad to marry Tiger King since little (which they thought the Tiger King was in Nontha).

Nontha and Kahlong form an explosive couple full with bickering most the time, not realizing that they actually care of each other, like an old married couple. I’m glad that both characters mature in the end.

There is a third couple, Saksit (Ak) and Dr. Atchara (Ticha), whom I really like, uncommon since I don’t actually like multi couples I thought as fillers. A filler or not, they have great chemistry and I wished to see more of their romance. The female character is really cool.

An individual character whom I also like is Euang, Dr Sama’s nurse/assistant (who was also his dad’s nurse). I watched the actress Rudklao, in You’re My Destiny (Thai remake of Fated to Love You) as the Female Lead’s mom and she was great there. Euang is like a mother figure to Dr. Sama. The only thing that distracts me is her black lipstick, not sure why they made her wear that.

The supporting actors who played as the tribesmen did well with their respective characters. I especially like the comedic relief from the duo boys Lee (Yoon) and Za (Graphic). The villain characters are forgettable.

PRODUCTION
With only 12 episodes I don’t have any complain about the pace, no draggy scene. But I think the ending is rushed. Probably since the filming is taken during the pandemic. There are some unbelievable explanations in the end. I docked 0.5 point for the loose ties/rushed ending.

VISUAL
I docked another 0.5 point for the CGI. The tiger is actually not bad, because it’s supposedly a ghostly tiger, not a common one anyway. But the other CGI, especially towards the end is bad.
The nature setting is beautiful. Dr. Sama’s old house, with antique furniture, looks creepy like in horror shows, with flowing curtains blown by the wind through open windows. The house really represents the beast’s mansion.

OST
Opening song รักคืน (Night Love) by Bowkylion
Ending song บนเส้นด้าย (On a Thread) by Tono and the Dust
Insert song สัตว์ร้าย (Beast) by Tono and the Dust