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Reset — Incredible Performances Carry an Overly Ambitious Story
Reset is one of those dramas that reminds me why I still get excited when a BL tries to do something different. Instead of relying on the usual university romance or office relationship, it combines fantasy, mystery, romance, and the entertainment industry into a story that constantly asks whether fate can really be changed. It's ambitious, visually polished, and emotionally engaging. At times, it's also confusing. But somehow, it still became one of my favorite BLs of the year.
The biggest reason is Pond Ponlawit.
I've admired his acting ever since 180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us. Even back then, he showed an emotional maturity that actors much older than him sometimes struggle to achieve. Since then, I've often wondered why he wasn't getting more leading roles. Reset finally gave him another opportunity to prove just how talented he is.
And once again, he delivers.
Pond has a very unusual screen presence. He's masculine without trying too hard, naturally handsome without relying on his looks, and emotionally expressive without becoming theatrical. He can make you understand what his character is feeling with nothing more than a slight change in expression. That's not something every actor can do.
Honestly, he's exactly the kind of actor I could imagine leading almost any genre, not just BL.
Peterpan Tadsapon also surprised me.
This was one of his biggest leading roles, and he holds his own remarkably well opposite Pond. Their chemistry isn't built around excessive fan service or exaggerated intimacy. Instead, it's subtle. They feel like two people slowly learning to trust each other rather than two actors trying to convince the audience they're in love.
I actually appreciate that both actors have stayed away from the typical shipping culture that dominates the BL industry. Neither of them constantly plays into fan fantasies outside the drama, which makes it easier for me to judge their performances purely as actors. Their connection feels professional, natural, and believable because it's built through acting rather than marketing.
Where Reset struggles is its storytelling.
The series tries to juggle multiple timelines, mystery elements, emotional trauma, entertainment industry politics, and romance all at the same time. When everything connects, it's fascinating. But there are also moments where the narrative becomes difficult to follow, and I occasionally found myself having to think back to earlier episodes to understand why something was happening.
Some viewers loved that complexity.
Personally, I think the script occasionally became a little too ambitious for its own good.
The production, however, is excellent. One thing that immediately stands out is how cinematic the series feels. Director A Natthaphong Wongkaweepairod gives the drama a much larger scale than most BL productions. The lighting, framing, and transitions often resemble mainstream Thai dramas rather than a niche BL series. Every timeline has its own atmosphere, making the visual storytelling one of the strongest aspects of the show.
The soundtrack also deserves praise. Instead of relying on generic romantic songs, the music follows the emotional rhythm of the story, knowing exactly when to stay quiet and when to heighten the tension.
One thing I particularly enjoyed is that the fantasy never completely overshadows the characters. At its heart, Reset remains a story about regret, second chances, and learning to move forward instead of trying to rewrite the past. That's what ultimately gives the series its emotional weight.
Final Thought
Reset isn't perfect. Its story sometimes becomes more complicated than necessary, and there were moments where I wished the script would slow down and let the audience breathe. But incredible performances—especially from Pond Ponlawit—more than compensate for those weaknesses. He's one of the most naturally gifted actors of his generation, and Reset is further proof that he deserves far more leading roles. Even with its narrative flaws, this is exactly the kind of ambitious BL I want to see more often.
The biggest reason is Pond Ponlawit.
I've admired his acting ever since 180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us. Even back then, he showed an emotional maturity that actors much older than him sometimes struggle to achieve. Since then, I've often wondered why he wasn't getting more leading roles. Reset finally gave him another opportunity to prove just how talented he is.
And once again, he delivers.
Pond has a very unusual screen presence. He's masculine without trying too hard, naturally handsome without relying on his looks, and emotionally expressive without becoming theatrical. He can make you understand what his character is feeling with nothing more than a slight change in expression. That's not something every actor can do.
Honestly, he's exactly the kind of actor I could imagine leading almost any genre, not just BL.
Peterpan Tadsapon also surprised me.
This was one of his biggest leading roles, and he holds his own remarkably well opposite Pond. Their chemistry isn't built around excessive fan service or exaggerated intimacy. Instead, it's subtle. They feel like two people slowly learning to trust each other rather than two actors trying to convince the audience they're in love.
I actually appreciate that both actors have stayed away from the typical shipping culture that dominates the BL industry. Neither of them constantly plays into fan fantasies outside the drama, which makes it easier for me to judge their performances purely as actors. Their connection feels professional, natural, and believable because it's built through acting rather than marketing.
Where Reset struggles is its storytelling.
The series tries to juggle multiple timelines, mystery elements, emotional trauma, entertainment industry politics, and romance all at the same time. When everything connects, it's fascinating. But there are also moments where the narrative becomes difficult to follow, and I occasionally found myself having to think back to earlier episodes to understand why something was happening.
Some viewers loved that complexity.
Personally, I think the script occasionally became a little too ambitious for its own good.
The production, however, is excellent. One thing that immediately stands out is how cinematic the series feels. Director A Natthaphong Wongkaweepairod gives the drama a much larger scale than most BL productions. The lighting, framing, and transitions often resemble mainstream Thai dramas rather than a niche BL series. Every timeline has its own atmosphere, making the visual storytelling one of the strongest aspects of the show.
The soundtrack also deserves praise. Instead of relying on generic romantic songs, the music follows the emotional rhythm of the story, knowing exactly when to stay quiet and when to heighten the tension.
One thing I particularly enjoyed is that the fantasy never completely overshadows the characters. At its heart, Reset remains a story about regret, second chances, and learning to move forward instead of trying to rewrite the past. That's what ultimately gives the series its emotional weight.
Final Thought
Reset isn't perfect. Its story sometimes becomes more complicated than necessary, and there were moments where I wished the script would slow down and let the audience breathe. But incredible performances—especially from Pond Ponlawit—more than compensate for those weaknesses. He's one of the most naturally gifted actors of his generation, and Reset is further proof that he deserves far more leading roles. Even with its narrative flaws, this is exactly the kind of ambitious BL I want to see more often.
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