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It’s a painfully beautiful love story worth watching over and over again

Unknown is a classic take on the “brotherly love” trope, but the Taiwanese BL industry elevates it—especially through its heartfelt storytelling and hauntingly beautiful music. At its heart, it’s unconditional love in its purest form: the sacrifice of an older brother for his family, and the deep, reciprocal affection of an adopted younger brother. I found myself completely pulled into their family dynamic—rooting for the younger brother’s growing feelings, yet understanding the elder’s struggle as he grapples with the unknown.

The OST is among the best I’ve ever heard, with both leads lending their voices to songs that deepen the emotional impact of the story. Their acting is superb, making it impossible not to empathize with each character as their bond grows more intense. Watching them is like observing two opposing ions—destined to be drawn together despite the forces that push them apart.

Unknown will always sit in my top five BL dramas, competing closely for the number one spot alongside another Taiwanese masterpiece, Your Name Engraved Herein.

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A meandering story of love and growing up

Though it is a coming of age story what makes this short story so beautiful is how it was written, the cinematography using a film like images juxtaposed with rendering of various scenes in the beginning and end, drawing you deep into the characters wondering what their going through, the pain of loving and the act of ignoring love. It isn’t filled with filler stories that just drags on nor characters that distracts you and has no bearing to the story. The actors are presented simply allowing not their looks but their talent to show effortlessly. The music, oh the choices of instrumental music appropriate to the scenes adds more depth to the show. I would watch this over and over again just to pick up the conversations I missed reading the micro captioning but mostly to actually ignore the close caption and focus on their emotions. It just tells you that in love it’s never over until it is truly over. I would like to see more Thai BL focus on these type of shows and less on the commercialization and sensualization of BL shows that are ypoorly acted.

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What happens after Alice falls into the rabbit hole

Whereas the first six episodes were dark and filled with hurt, Episode 7 marks a turning point. The healing begins, and placing both characters in a different environment allows the story to progress naturally. And what a story it has been. The screenplay is written with such careful tension and character development that it effortlessly pulls you into their world. Every misunderstanding and preconceived notion Little Jane has about P’Jane lays the groundwork for the emotional pain that follows.

What I’m waiting for now is the moment Little Jane stops being a doormat and begins to develop into the person P’Jane has always wanted him to become. Every time P’Jane tells him, “Don’t be emotional,” it isn’t meant to dismiss his feelings but to correct a self-destructive pattern of behavior. Ironically, human nature often reacts in the opposite way, with defensiveness or aggression. It almost feels as though a psychologist wrote this series. It’s a dark and emotional journey down the rabbit hole, watching our own Alice struggle to find his way back out.

One of the show’s greatest strengths is how it continually shifts our perception of its characters. The emotional roller coaster isn’t driven by plot twists alone but by our changing understanding of who these people really are. Characters we once judged harshly become sympathetic, while others reveal unexpected flaws. It’s remarkably well-crafted.

Perhaps that’s why this story resonates with me on a personal level. The recurring theme of making deals mirrors how I was raised by my parents and how I’ve approached my career. I’ve often told those close to me that life is about making deals, not in a manipulative sense, but in understanding that every relationship is built on give and take. Sometimes you receive; in return, you give back or pay it forward. That philosophy has shaped much of my life, and seeing it woven so naturally into this story makes it feel surprisingly authentic.

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It’s a vampire show that’s a little pale

When I started watching My Golden Blood, I was excited to see how Joss and Gawin would perform as a team. I’ve followed Gawin before specially his songs but not familiar with Joss. However this show definitely shows all of Joss and his handsomeness.

The story was shallow and lack direction yet there have been so many Vampire shows to draw comparison. Reminds me of the “Twilight” series with its lame acting and convoluted storyline.

Joss and Gawin deliver performances that are good but not great. Great acting comes from either digging deep into once life experience or excellent coaching. I’m not sure what was lacking here but their acting did not convince me at all. Again, why do thai fight scenes looks so rehearsed and staged. However, what’s lacking in their acting skills is made up by their chemistry. Their chemistry is felt and seen. The way Joss looks at Gawin there is a sparkle in his eyes. When Joss kisses Gawin there is absolute electricity.

Gawin’s song is beautiful and haunting and that’s expected from him. The production looked very cheap and the quality of the video camera and lighting was subpar.

Though the ending was expected I feel the character development of the main and support actor was very weak. Let’s hope their next project would be given the budget to create a show that highlights their skills and abilities.

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Warning: this show could be hazardous to your heart!

Maybe it’s the acting, maybe it’s the undeniable chemistry—but for me, it’s the cast that truly carried Revenged Love. Although it’s a remake, I honestly think this version surpasses the original. The editing is excellent, keeping viewers hooked and eager for the next episode.

The story started strong, but I feel the “snakes” subplot distracted from what could have been a deeper exploration of the characters. Each one had a rich backstory worth telling, and they were all beautifully placed within the narrative. As a viewer, I wanted to know more about each of them—enough that I’m tempted to download the book just to dive deeper.

Without giving away too much, I appreciated the lighthearted yet meaningful portrayal of a straight man discovering his attraction to another man. Not everyone is “born” gay; sometimes circumstances, emotions, and human connection create unexpected paths—a reality still very present in many Asian societies.

There are also countless subtle hints and clever Easter eggs scattered throughout. One that stood out for me was late in the series, when the male leads were watching Stay with me. It felt like a quiet but powerful nod to the BL world, especially since that show like Addicted was famously cut by Chinese censors, leaving fans longing for closure.

The intimate scenes were handled with taste, making the series approachable even for those not typically into BL. A great example of this style was the film Birdcage—gentle yet impactful. The relationship between the mother, son, and son-in-law was deeply moving. It’s rare, yet beautiful, to see parents openly embrace same-sex relationships, and it added an important emotional layer to the story.

Overall, Revenged Love is a standout series. I think Thai BL production companies could learn from its approach—and maybe even try to replicate its balanced storytelling. Still, finding an actor like Ziyu, who so perfectly embodied his role, would be no small task. He truly deserves all the praise he’s receiving.

I hope this series nudges Chinese censors toward being more open to BL productions from the mainland. In the meantime, I know I’ll be rewatching Revenged Love—just like I do with Addicted and Unknown—again and again for years to come

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Queer as Folks Thailand…maybe

The much-awaited return of WilliamEst is finally here. Since their debut series, their popularity has skyrocketed, and the simultaneous world-wide release on Netflix, IQIYI, VIKI and GMMTV shows just how much they have helped define the rapidly expanding Thai BL industry. As Uncle Ben told Peter Parker, “With great power comes great responsibility.” The expectations placed upon these two are now enormous. For sure GMMTV brought out their big guns (and money) to produce this series.

A breakout series may rely heavily on chemistry and production, but lasting success also depends on choosing the right script. As William and Est gradually move into more mature roles, You Maniac has the opportunity to prove that their appeal extends beyond the characters who made them famous.

The series enters Thailand’s openly visible gay culture through two opposing personalities…Dean, a seemingly open-book player, and Moth, who is far more guarded and reserved. It is a familiar pairing, told many times before, so I hope the writers develop them into something deeper than another hormone-driven gay romance. With its large ensemble of men navigating their own relationships, the series already reminds me of one of my favorite gay shows…the American version of Queer as Folk. Thankfully, WilliamEst were never trapped in high school roles, which should make their transition into this more adult world feel natural.

Perhaps I am asking too much after only one episode, but the potential is clearly there. If You Maniac can come even close to the emotional and sexual intensity of Queer as Folk, WilliamEst may finally break free from the shadows of Thame and Po…and begin defining who they truly want to become as actors.

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