A Timeless Classic in BL Drama - worth watching and rewatching
This was one of the first Thai series I watched, and I’ve just rewatched it. Bad Buddy is a standout series in the BL genre, offering a great mix of romance, humor, and drama. The actors deliver strong performances, with great chemistry between the leads that makes the story even more engaging. The series has earned its place as a classic, with a story that remains fresh over time. It beautifully mixes forbidden love, personal growth, and overcoming challenges, while also exploring the complex relationship between children and their parents. What makes Bad Buddy special is its balance of light moments and emotional depth, making it enjoyable to watch again and again. The story flows well and keeps you hooked from start to finish. Fans continue to love it, and it’s easy to understand why. If you haven’t seen any Thai series yet: Bad Buddy is definitely worth watching and offers a timeless experience in the BL genre.Was this review helpful to you?
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This review may contain spoilers
Simple Predictable Bl
**Brief Synopsis**B (Student): Pran
T ( Student): Pat
Beginning: B and T are rivals because their parents are rivals as well. However one day they decide to stop fighting and exchanges numbers, starting a friendship. The more time they spend together they more they start to see each other's good points. Even if at the beginning B is not all that enthusiastic about spending a lot of time with T even if they called a truce but T is insistent, always there. They start thinking about each other when they are apart. Despite this their relationship is slow because T still seem to like girls, talking to different girls. There is also a girl he likes. B is obviously not too happy about it but still doesn't know why he's feeling that way. But before he confess to the girl, he realizes he likes B and goes to find him. Because he doesn't know what to say and is confused about his feelings, they kiss but the whole exchange ends up on a sad note with B leaving.
Middle: Despite having not confirmed their relationship, something has changed. They stated flirting more, getting more intimate and even made a bet that whoever first falls in love loses. But B soon gives in, using the excuse that he needs Ts help on a play. They start officially dating at that point but in secret.
End: Before they could have their happy ending, they are discovered by their parents and they have a big fight. B and T run away together, not wanting to break up. When they come back however, the parents obviously softened so in order to give them some time, B and T pretend to break up until graduation. Eventually the parents finally gave in and they became lovers again. The series ends with a few years after graduation showing B and T's life. Although they are still together, they aren't always together as they have to go on business trips. This is a realistic ending that gives us hope they will stay together for the rest of their life.
**My Opinion**
WHAT I LIKED ABOUT IT
- I really like their cute little interactions. Even if they cant be obvious about their relationship but they still finds ways to show affection. I loved the scene B gives T his shirt.
- Although the ending is bittersweet in some sense but I like how realistic it is. And since they are still together and their parents have accepted them in some way, I count this as a happy ending.
- I like how the girl T used to like for her own happy ending. The show didn't treat her as a simple tool.
- I like the efforts they go through to convince everyone they have given up. Although it's sad they have to do this but the boys actually seem to enjoy their situation.
- I really enjoy the fact that these boys actually communicate and solve problems together as a couple. I'm happy to see two lovers despite their parents refusal still finds a way to be together while finding ways to get their parents to accept them. They don't give up for one of them doesn't run away. I'm glad the angst don't make them break up.
- The leads really did have great chemistry together. They do a great job in making the affection between B and T realistic and believable. Although there aren't many intimates scenes, we can still feel their love.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE ABOUT IT
- The plot is very predictable and cliche. Everything revolves around their relationship. If you aren't interested in that them the plot is very thin and boring.
- The family drama is also predictable. I actually liked the part where they try to find out what made their parents fight but unfortunately nothing came out of it.
**Conclusion**
A simple relatively angst free BL.
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enemies to lovers but realistic, until one point
starting this drama made me rethink my decision, is it good? is it bad? was a bit confused, but it got better in time. their friendship was built pretty fast though, i wanted to see more of their enemies era.the teams that are fighting should’ve made more messes, it would’ve been more interesting nd yeah…
ohmnanon acting was realllly good i’m remarking this. especially nanon, i really like his acting and his character done well. ohm played it well too, the playful yet loving boyfriend, both were perfect!!
the last two episodes left me one question mark, like why are they going on an island out of a sudden lol. maybe if they were enemies again and like things took a turn again?? that would’ve been more realistic, but it got fixed quickly.
very good, definitely recommending it:)
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Not Your Average Romeo & Juliet Story!
The story of Pran and Pat is not just about the struggles two people from rival families face when forming a relationship, but also about the strength the relationship gives them to face the challenges life throws at them.In my opinion, this series has set a remarkable standard for BL Dramas. Everything, from the compelling plot and outstanding acting to the talented cast and captivating OST, comes together to create one of the most amazing stories I've ever seen. It made me laugh, cry, and moved me in various ways. I'm uncertain if anything else I watch from this day forward will be able to compare to the brilliance of Bad Buddy.
The story begins with a classic enemies-to-lovers trope, providing the audience with a backstory of the two main characters. Initially, I expected the series to revolve around the same narrative, but I was pleasantly surprised. By the third episode, I found myself sitting in my room, giggling at my phone like a teenage girl, rooting for Pran and Pan to hurry up and get together.
Although there is a lack of physically intimate scenes compared to other BL series, Bad Buddy compensates for it tenfold by utilizing emotional intimacy to keep us engrossed.
One crucial aspect for me when watching a series is the acting, as some performances can be poor, lacking life and making it seem as if the actors are merely reading the script. However, Bad Buddy immerses me in its world, making me feel like I'm there with them, experiencing all the emotions that Pran and Pat undergo throughout the entire series.
I definitely recommend this series to anyone!
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One of the Best I've Seen...
Loved this series to the point I am watching it again - all the way through to catch more of the details. Well written. Well acted. Great cast. Found it disappointing that some viewers/reviewers are treating it as a Romeo and Juliet again type of thing. Who cares? If it is well done - enjoy it.Loved the level of acting from the main two. You can see that they got along off screen as well - otherwise pulling off some of those very emotional moments would have been more difficult. And, as we all have seen - it is easy to over-act when it comes to emotionally charged scenes.
On those cliché notes from other reviewers - I disagree. The writers and director worked very hard to show you that there was something there between them that went back to when they were young children. For me - I can remember having the "more than friends" feeling for those around me back to an early age. Pran's longing for Pat went back years. Pat's connection only took more time because he hid behind a tough guy image.
Side characters are all believable. My only concern with GMMTV productions is when they feel they have to make everyone gay for the story to happen. All three children from the same family? Lazy writing? Loved that they showed that Pat's family still didn't get it. The "It's just a phase" reaction is telling. My guess is that until they get married - there will be a form of denial on both parent's parts. Pran's mother seems to just want to love her son - appreciated that.
Love the little details. My favorite scene is when Wai wants to meet/talk with Pa and while discussing this with Pran - we see Pa leaving school with Pat waiting. Understandable - Pat has the car and he is driving his sister home. While Wai is talking with Pran and getting up the courage to talk to Pa - you can hear and see in the background Pat and Pa having a brother sister conversation. When Pat explains that he got five mosquito bites while waiting for her and then shows her (while counting) - it made me laugh out loud.
I will save this in my library to watch again when I want to watch something and can't immediately decide. Just like Tale of 1000 Stars - love that one too!
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This review may contain spoilers
A Beautifully Emotional Love Story with Some Pacing Issues
Bad Buddy shines with its deep characters, emotional storytelling, and a pure, healthy relationship at its core. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, and the acting and music elevate the experience. The series takes its time, placing great importance on emotions, making moments like the first kiss incredibly impactful.However, the last episodes felt inconsistent. After years of successfully hiding their love, the sudden openness in their reunion didn’t make much sense. They would get busted long time ago. The transition from friends to lovers also happened a bit too fast, considering the show’s otherwise slow pace. Additionally, the product placement was distracting, and while some appreciated the lack of physical intimacy, it felt slightly unrealistic for teenage boys.
Despite these flaws, Bad Buddy remains a touching and memorable love story.
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This is gonna be the best BL series of the year! (or even the best BL series every existed)
Everything is incredible! The chemistry is incredible! The characters are incredible! Ohm is incredible! Nanon is incredible! Love Pattranite is incredible! Milk Pansa is incredible! Drake is incredible! Jimmy is incredible! Everyone was amazing! This is the best cast list I've ever seen, each and every actor was so good! The chemistry between Ohm and Nanon is out of this world! Not just that, the director did an amazing job on this series! For me, this is definitely gonna be my FAVORITE BL SERIES I've ever watched!Was this review helpful to you?
First Episodes Worth Watching. Good Scenes and Distracting Elements
After the 6th episode, the series acted as if it was the 2nd season, but this is not the main problem. In the second half of the series, it started to repeat every event and scene that was beautiful in the first half in a more mediocre way. If I had to, I would only watch the first 1-6 episodes because they are worth watching. There are some very beautiful scenes that stay in my mind, I love this series for those scenes (room fight and lift etc.).Since I watched less scenes of Pat's retarded, unevolved friends, whom I hated and fast-forwarded their scenes, I am examining the series from the more BL part. Again, these unnecessary people were tolerable in the first episodes, hated in the middle, and towards the end it seemed that normalisation had begun. I didn't watch the continuation anyway
Tavsiyeye gerek yok, BL dünyasında zaten bu puanı almış bir yapımı izleyin. Herkesin bildiğini bilmemek ayıp olur.
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MAJESTIC. JUST MAJESTIC
One of those cliché stories where your initial expectation was it'll be bad. But because it was well-written, directed, acted and produced, you just see yourself, engrossed and smiling every segment of each episode. Never a dull moment. From the OST, Cinematography, Acting, etc. Everything...just beautiful. Amplified by the superb acting and chemistry of Ohm and Nanon, I’m just in love with this series. It keeps getting better each episode. Probably the only BL series I haven't had a complaint thus far. Brilliant<3 <3 <3 And I cant wait to get crushed and cry my heart out by ep 8-11 and be revived by it’s majestic ending. I’m sure Backaof won’t disappoint. But I maybe wrong.Was this review helpful to you?
For all the hopeless romantics, this is an absolute treat.
For all the hopeless romantics, this series is an absolute treat, delivering a heartwarming experience.In the beginning, I expected another cliche and not properly thought-out university drama. Been overdone now, but I carried on. While reading this review of Bad Buddy 2021, keep in mind that I started watching this movie expecting it to have a lot of NC scenes (No Children scenes).
Bad Buddy was a generally great series, the actors did a good job in bringing the characters to life. It has the power to make you burst into laughter, shed a few tears, and even feel like dancing around the room.
Firstly, the acting is truly commendable, with the cast delivering impressive performances. What sets it apart is how genuine the reactions and physical interactions feel; there's a naturalness to their chemistry that never comes across as awkward or forced. The relationship depicted in the series steers clear of toxic dynamics. Instead, it keeps you engaged and wanting more.
Pat brought sugar and fun to Pran's uptight character. Pat was the comedian of the duo. And I think they had one of the most beautiful kiss scenes I've seen in a Bl series(Pat and Pran's first kiss)
If you're like me who starts certain BL series with NC expectations, perish that thought because, on a scale of 5, this series is at 0.5 with the steamy content but is 4 out of 5 stars in general. This is a 4 because while it's an overall great performance, I refused to see the hype behind this Bl series and in my books, I've watched better like Kinnporshe, and even The Eclipse.
Maybe my opinion is biased because these series that I consider better than Bad Buddy are more recent and the industry has progressed.
Also, I still found bits of this series cringe, and the plot is not very new. It is still another university BL drama but was just executed better.
👉Read my full review through the link in the comment section.
All in all, I do recommend it.
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Great acting, Typical Storyline
The 2 actors acting are great! What adds to it is they fantastic chemistry. Other than EarthMix, they are the one that I felt with really good on-screen interaction in a series. What's lacking is the story line. To be honest, we dont have to finish the series to know what is going to happen the next few episodes. The story is probably going to be like the other BL drams that we have watched - i would say something along the lines of Kiss Me Again. However, i think it's already performing better than Tonhon Chonlatee and Fish Upon The Sky though :)But will i be watching though? Yes. I think it still serves as a good entertainment value with high rewatch value - easy to watch and have fun on a friday night.
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