This review may contain spoilers
It is really good but not perfect
It took me a long time to watch this series. First of all, the chemistry is really good and you really got into it. I didn't understand the argument between the two departments at all and it was a bit too brutal for me.At first I thought the story got progressively more intense but I didn't like the ending at all. Why did four years go by, why didn't they change in the dynamics of the two families? It just didn't feel logical. Despite that, it's a pretty okay plot with good chemistry, so it's worth watching. I can understand why a lot of people are fans of it, but in terms of plot, it's unfortunately not a masterpiece.
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What makes it special to me is how sincere it is. It’s funny, emotional, romantic, and comforting all at once. I laughed, I cried, and I got completely attached to the characters. It’s the kind of series that stays with you even after it ends. I could rewatch it over and over and never get tired of it.
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This review may contain spoilers
I wish I could inject this show into my veins
Before I get into my review, I find it imperative that I mention my list of Pat’s best t-shirts:- “I’d rather hunt with Dick Cheney than ride with Ted Kennedy” (absolutely wild pull and a wild statement)
- Tim Hortons (which has 10 locations in Thailand to be fair)
- Baseball mom (Worn in one of the most pivotal scenes in the show)
- Hilton Head (Pretty sure this is a town in South Carolina)
- White Castle (which has no locations in Asia lmao)
- Proud to be a Noles Hater (I get the whole rivalry thing, but why college teams in Florida?)
- California shirt with “heir bin ich mensch heir kauf ich ein” below the logo which means “here I am human, here I shop” in german
- Sex Air & Sun
- Lucky Charms
Also, why does that bar have a near-life-size Hulk statue with a hole in the pants opening up his entire asscrack to the world? Nbd, just wondering…
Acting:
Everyone did an amazing job in this. They really brought this story to life it wasn’t stilted at all even in some of the cornier scenes. Ohm and Nanon were so absolutely phenomenal. Nanon’s side eye had me cackling and his look of incredulity was so real 10/10. The supporting cast were all amazing too. BRAVOOO
Writing:
Were there a couple of questionable story decisions in this? Sure sure sure. I mean, be so ffr rn with that rugby player not only being strapped w/o a holster, but then pulling it out to threaten/fight someone because of a rugby match in a nice area of the city? But I digress, this shit still slapped through and through like idec lmao. Some of those lines were evil to my little gay heart. Pat unknowingly casually destroying Pran a little bit inside when he said, “let’s see you find someone half as good as me” is diabolical writing in that scene… Idec if it made no sense that they had to not only fund and find the materials for the bus stop (that as it was before the fight definitely cost around $500 at most plus the cost of the security camera), but they also had to design and build it for some reason. And did the sponsorship thing make any sense either? No. But again, all of this will not keep me from rating even the story as high as I am abandoning rationality for this one. Plus, overall it's a great story so whatever.
Chemistry/Romance/Kissing:
The chemistry was utterly insaaaane, my guyyy. They were so good at portraying rivals, normal young guys, maybe friends, two bros in a limbo of ambiguity, two dudes openly yearning for each other, bros in love, boyfriends, etc. It was weird going to MDL to check info about a character and being reminded that Pran and Pat are fictional and not a married couple somewhere in Thailand rn. This was such a good romance. Beginning to end, through and through. The kissing was well performed, believable/realistic.
Side characters:
I just want to note that Korn and Wai and the rest of those idiots had me ready to throw hands. Korn became a homie and then I was left with all that hate directed at Wai bc how are you gonna act like that at your age smh. Then Wai became a bro so ig it’s alright… I’ll still beat the shit outta those parents though. Grown ass adults holding grudges to that extent… You’d think someone was murdered and Pat’s dad got away with it or some shit. Girlypop, I get you’re mad and I’m not saying you can’t be but like look at your life now, you’re fine, work this out with a therapist or like meditate on it for a while, geez.
Music/SFX/Audio:
Just Friend? a certified banger. 10/10, on repeat, crying in my room, in the car, in the club, at the dentist. My first GMMtv drama so SFX took a second to get used to, but I grew to like them pretty quick. But most notably, how many times did they peak the mic in this series LMAOOOOO. I stg I was cackling every time that mic peaked, it was hilarious.
This was just so amazing. First episode started out and I was like wtf is happening, why are these freshman architecture and engineering majors having a fist fight? Go do your homework, nerds. But after a little while, something hit me and my eyebrows shot up and my smile got all big and goofy and I had to laugh because damn, they really got me with this one. GOOOD SHIIIIIIIII. Someone find a way to put this into a liquid that I can shoot into my veins regularly.
Edit 10/7/25 - it's been like 2 months since I watched this and somehow only a couple weeks since I learned about everything that conspired afterwards...:
If there's an alternate universe out there where Ohm and Nanon perform a duet version of Just Friend? together I'm finna be in the pit. That would be my 1997 Silver Springs.
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It's best
The acting, the story everything is perfect and soothing. The characters are well played by all the actors. The music is good. The storyline is cliche but the acting and direction makes it fresh.blast plot twist is sooo good. I wish these actors could work again together but they can't do it's fine.Was this review helpful to you?
cliché yet memorable:"
This is proof that a BL series doesn't always need a unique, heavy, or unconventional plot to be great. Sometimes, a cheesy, cliché story works perfectly if the acting is good and the chemistry is on point (also big applause to the director). I watched it back when it was airing and so many people were talking about it. It was trending on Twitter every single week—not because fans were just forcing the hashtag to trend, but because the show was genuinely so engaging to talk about (omg the good old days).What really stood out was Ohm and Nanon’s acting. There were absolutely no stiff or awkward gestures; they felt incredibly natural. Even though there were quite a few minor production slips in some scenes, Ohm and Nanon’s talent was so distracting that viewers (at least, me) didn't even care.
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10 estrelas
achei q o bl em si foi um "breaking stereotypes" mesmo a história sendo "cliche" tiveram bastante coisas q eu e talvez muitas pessoas não esperam em um bl, como por exemplo um casal safico, o fato do pat ser o cara muito músculo e mesmo assim ser um bottom. Eu particularmente gosto bastante da história, achei legal esse lance de Romeu e julieta versão gaykkkk, além do cast ser impecável, caras nos temos o Drake e o mark no mesmo cast, nanon, love, milk, ohm pawat, Jimmy!!!( lembro q na época de estreia o elenco era super unido, postavam coisinhas toda hora, sem dúvidas um dos melhores casts se não for o melhor. No geral, sou apaixonado nesse bl, o melhor bl do aos!Was this review helpful to you?
NOT MY BL ROMANCE TOTALLY
Yes, you've seen it on my headline. This is not my BL romance that I need but this is one hella CUTEST, CHEESIEST and MOST ADORABLE couples in the BL Drama world.The plot goes from your usual enemies to lovers. This shows the struggles of two young men who fell in love with each other despite of their family circumstances. I love how they choose the parents' rivalry as the reason of the two main characters competing with each other. The setting of the drama is very common but they made the atmosphere of the whole series to the next funniest level, Thanks to the non-stop comedy!
What can I say about this epic casts aside from nailing their roles so hard? Nothing but praise-worthy!
This is a must-watch! Although I was a little bit worried in the first episode, but I was smiling and laughing so hard all throughout the series.
Recommendable drama!
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This review may contain spoilers
Bad Buddy: Collateral Damage
Bad Buddy is beloved by BL fans, and rightly so. Its charismatic, natural performances fit the characters as if they were written for the obvious onscreen chemistry of the two leads, Ohm and Nanon. When you add Aof’s trademark cinematic vision and emotional depth, you have a BL series that continues to resonate around the world.It took me one or two episodes to begin to really appreciate it. As someone who works in academia, “a dangerous gang of architecture students” is … a bit of a stretch. Besides, if you’re going to do the Sharks versus the Jets, at least dance to music.
After the rival armies were nudged to the side, however, I was able to focus more on the story and characters. One thing that makes “Bad Buddy” more interesting - and more poignant - than most enemies-to-lovers stories is that, in a way, there’s nothing personal between them. Instead, they are both fighting a battle their parents started; Pat (played by Ohm) and Pran (played by Nanon) are merely collateral damage.
What makes the heavy weight of parental expectations believable is the performances of the two leads. Nanon is achingly subtle. You can feel the tension and pain Pran experiences as he tries to internally rationalize loyalty to his parents with his growing, if confused, pull toward Pat.
And Ohm … Ohm is a revelation. As an actor, he is grounded and warm, and the camera loves him. That’s a good thing because he is forced to do much of the heavy lifting. Pat becomes aware of his feelings first and throughout the series, Pat emotionally puts himself on the line and does the work of trying to build a relationship against the weight of their families' feud.
In contrast, Pran responds with passivity and hesitation. Pat takes bold steps forward, Pran refuses to reciprocate, and the dynamic stalls because the emotional labor isn’t shared. That’s not a reflection on Nanon’s acting; you see his internal struggle. It does, however, place an almost unfair burden on Ohm’s character—and on Ohm as an actor—to constantly generate the momentum needed to keep the romance from collapsing. It’s a testament to Ohm’s ability that he could carry much of the show without breaking a sweat.
One small moment stays with me. Pran rejects him once again, saying “I don’t want to be friends with you,” and Pat says, softly, almost to himself “Why not? I have many good qualities….” Haven’t we all thought that? Haven’t we all wondered why someone doesn’t like us? Haven’t we all thought “I’m a nice guy, I’m kind to dogs, I recycle…why doesn’t that person like me?” That one, very small moment was deeply, deeply human.
That works because Aof is not afraid of small, quiet, unpretentious moments. Instead of introducing big “D” Drama, Aof reduces a generation-long conflict to its core: two souls trying to find each other.
This reveals Aof’s genius for visual storytelling. He lets the camera do the work. His lingering closeups, beautiful color and shadow, and use of space make scenes feel intimate instead of staged. When Pat and Pran speak, Aof lets them speak, but when they are quiet, Aof lets you know what they’re feeling without a word being spoken.
And that, I think, is an important clue as to its lasting appeal. By giving us unsaid truths, Aof trusts his actors, he trusts his audience, and he treats them with respect. That respect transforms a simple BL youth story into something that continues to resonate.
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Romeo & Juliet, BL style :)
PLOT: The two leads have been neighbors since childhood, secret allies, because their families hate each other and argue daily over petty things. At university, they also belong to two rival departments (lots and lots of fights). But nothing prevents their feelings from evolving into something romantic, even passionate.+++ The two leads are amazing, subtle, and cute (✿◠‿◠)
+++ The OSTs are pleasant.
### The friends (especially Wai) act more like middle schoolers than college students. You can't be that immature at 20-22 years old!
### The parents (Pran's mother & Pat's father) are unbearable, stubborn, and immature... Appalling!
=> The quality of this show is not the story or the production, it's the cuteness and the chemistry beetwen Nanon and Ohm (the 2 leads).
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Roméo & Juliette à la sauce BL :)
PLOT: les 2 leads sont voisins depuis l'enfance, alliés cachés, car leurs familles se détestent et se disputent quotidiennement sur des mesquineries. A la fac, ils appartiennent également à 2 départements rivaux (bcp bcp de bagarres). Mais rien n'empêche leurs sentiments d'évoluer vers qqchose de romantique, voire passionné.
+++ Les 2 leads sont extraordinaires, subtiles, mignons (✿◠‿◠)
+++ Les OSTs sont agréables.
### Les amis (en particulier Wai) ont plus des comportements de collégiens que d'étudiants. On ne peut pas être immature à ce point à 20-22 ans !
### Les parents (Pran's mother & Pat's father) sont insupportables, entêtés et immatures ... Affligeant !
=> La qualité de ce show, ce n'est pas la story ni la production, c'est la cuteness et l'alchimie de Nanon et Ohm (les 2 leads).
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The best bl
This series is the best bl series I've watched.First,I chose to watch this to see the first bl for nanon.He has high acting skills, he should gain more attention.
I recommend you all to watch this if you haven't seem any bl series because, it does not include any of sexual activities that somehow ruins dramas.I enjoyed the way plot twists.I was just happy to see the combination of nanon and ohm.i pay respects to gmmtv and all the casts😃
Since this drama has quite good ending,it worths rewatching over and over:)
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This review may contain spoilers
A relationship built on trust and kindness
🌿 Spoiler-Free ReviewBad Buddy was such a comforting drama to watch.
What I loved the most was the relationship between Pat and Pran. Their chemistry felt natural, their relationship was built on trust, respect and genuine care for each other. Even when they faced difficult situations, I never doubted how much they loved one another.
Pat ended up being my favorite character. I simply loved the way he handled things. He respected Pran's boundaries, never forced him to do anything, and always tried to understand him instead of making everything about himself. He felt emotionally mature and incredibly reassuring.
Pran was absolutely adorable. I understood his fears and why he struggled with his feelings. There was only one moment where I wished he had communicated a little more openly instead of keeping everything to himself, but that never made me like him any less. His intentions were always kind, and that made all the difference.
I also have to mention Ink and Pa. They were simply adorable together. Their relationship was sweet, gentle and full of warmth. Every scene with them made me smile.
The only part I struggled with was the parents. I understand that they had unresolved issues from the past, but I found it frustrating that they let their conflict affect their children. Pat and Pran deserved better than carrying a rivalry that was never theirs.
Overall, this drama left me with such a comforting feeling. It made me laugh, smile, and genuinely care about its characters. It isn't perfect, but its kindness, healthy romance and lovable cast made it a wonderful experience that I'll happily remember.
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⚠️ Spoilers
One scene that stood out to me was after Pat and Pran's first kiss.
I completely understood why Pran was overwhelmed. His feelings suddenly became real, and considering everything they had been through, his reaction made sense. However, I personally wished he had simply told Pat that he needed some time to process everything instead of avoiding him completely. Not because I thought he was wrong or a bad person, but because I believe honest communication would have been healthier. Thankfully, Pat respected his space without pressuring him, and I loved him even more for that.
Another thing I appreciated was Wai's character development. I honestly struggled with his attitude when he found out about Pat and Pran's relationship. It felt like he focused too much on his own disappointment instead of trying to understand how difficult the situation was for Pran. Thankfully, he eventually grew, accepted their relationship and moved forward, which made me appreciate him much more by the end.
I also loved that Pat and Pran never truly gave up on each other. Even after pretending to break up, they stayed together, continued supporting one another and proved that distance couldn't weaken their relationship. That ending felt realistic, peaceful and full of hope.
Bad Buddy reminded me that love isn't only about romantic moments. It's also about respect, patience, trust and choosing each other, even when life becomes complicated. And that's exactly why this drama touched my heart.
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One of the best BLs to exist.
This was almost perfect. Because honestly nowadays we come across more lust focused or slightly overdone and cringe thai BLs and it makes me sad. But this was such a delight to watch. This was the most naturally done enemies to lovers and how their relationship grow over time. Their chemistry is everything and those damn eye looks were well done. Its makes you smile and cry for these two rivals turned to lovers and we can see it from day one because thats how they are towards each other!The actors are so naturally comfortable with each other that sometimes you forget this is not real. Nanon is such an expert with expressions, its brilliant. Definitely watch this one for enemies to lovers, friendships, banter and beautiful chemistry. I wish something this profound is created again.
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