Cinematography is giving.
I guess I’m just so used to a certain standard of quality when it comes to Thai BLs that when we actually get high production values—and none of those cringy sound effects—I’m always blown away.This was honestly a really strong start. It’s clear this series is going to be gritty, raw, and emotional, and honestly? I want that. It’s rare that we get stories like this, so I’m absolutely here for it.
Also, this might be one of my favorite dual-language mashups we’ve seen so far—though, honestly, that dad probably should’ve just spoken Korean. But I’ll forgive it.
I also have to give a shoutout to Top. I know he’s only in a supporting role here, but dang, he’s such a good actor. He blew me away in Every You Every Me, and this just proves even more how talented he is.
And let’s be real—I'm here for the eye candy too. This whole cast is seriously easy on the eyes.
After an intense first episode, I'm officially locked in and seated. Let’s watch this raw, emotional, gritty drama... and probably end up booking a few extra therapy sessions afterward.
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Between Revenge and Love
Love, crime, homophobia, justice, street fights, revenge, forgiveness, struggles for control of the city, disputes between youth gangs of various nationalities, multiculturalism, sports-related gambling, immigration, and betrayal, 'The Bangkok Boys' is much more than a romance: it is the story of a young man's struggle to rebuild his shattered life and uncover the truth behind the murder of two loved ones.Sun's sentence for the murder of Kong (Ball Peeratad Promted, remembered for playing Jay, X's brother in 'Every You, Every Me', 2024), his best friend, someone who was preparing to confess his love to him, ends after serving three years in a high-security prison.
Now Sun, who like his father enjoys combat sports, can start his life over, return to Thai boxing training, perhaps catch up on his interrupted studies, and finally mourn his father and his friend, killed in actions that have a dark connection to each other, right on his 18th birthday.
The young man, faithful to the teachings of his father, who recognizes himself as an old-fashioned gangster for refusing to put the inhabitants of his community at risk due to drugs, a source of disagreement with rival international gangs, dreams of becoming a professional MMA fighter.
Despite being the son of a second marriage, Sun had the perfect life: a loving father, "Chief" Songpoom (A Passin Reungwoot), beloved by his employees and the common people, but hated by those trying to smuggle drugs into Bangkok, such as the Thai Madame Yao (Russamee Thongsiripraisri), the South Korean Mr. Jo, and Aim (Akadech Jaroonsot), the latter's eldest son, who conspire to get rid of the community leader; the love of three siblings: Jack (Bodinphat Aphonsuthinan), the eldest, a young man very dedicated to his studies and also a lover of combat sports; Jinny (Khongkwan Woraphat) and Mei (Jaja Jinjutha Siripheng); and a boxing gym as a family business.
I'll briefly dwell on the character of Mr. Jo. Although the character is played by actor Ton Siradhanai Panthrap on camera, the AI dubbing of his voice seems empty, distant, and absent. This is perhaps my biggest negative criticism of the first episode.
Sun also has a group of loyal friends, including Tan (Paythai Ploymeeka, remembered for playing Phupha in 'The Outing', 2024), the gym's boxing instructor; Kawin (Top Piyawat Phongkanitanon, who played Jade in 'Every You, Every Me'); and Nap (Dom Petchtamrongchai), the latter two being excellent fighters. He was a spectator's dream.
These supporting characters, however small, are part of a larger harmony. Everyone assumes that every dramatic work is like a classical piece of music: every instrument must be in tune. If even one is out of tune, it shows. Even if a role seems insignificant, it's equal to all of them. Because if it isn't, the "sonata" won't sound as it should.
So when Kong dies in her arms murdered by Jun Ho (Shin), the leader of a South Korean gang who, along with Ji Hoon (Phee Phiangphor) and Chin Woo (Andrew Jaewon Choi), has the mission assigned by Mr. Jo to blend in as best as possible with the Thai people, which is why they even have to speak their language (Spoiler that I allow myself to explain why some characters mix several languages), Sun is accused of his death.
His imprisonment and, furthermore, the neutralization of the other members of the family clan are also the objectives of the people behind the two seemingly unrelated crimes.
Directed by Chankacha Prathuan, 'The Bangkok Boys' also tries to find the truth about this sinister crime, whether the murders are interconnected, or if they were just the result of chance, and whose real culprits may still be at large.
This is the story of a man who gets up and starts over, facing almost insurmountable obstacles. It's about what it feels like to be labeled a monster when you know you've done nothing wrong, but also how you can find love and inspiration in the most surprising places, with the most unexpected person, someone you're supposed to hate for being... precisely... Peach (Cho Si Hyeon, in his debut), the son of his father's murderer and his best friend. As Sun faces an impossible choice, the two will wage a battle between love and revenge.
Peach, a young man eager to renounce his father's wishes of succeeding him in the family business to pursue his dreams of returning to Britain and becoming his professor's assistant once he graduates from university and pursues a master's degree in Western Philosophy, is forced to travel to Thailand to fulfill Mr. Jo's order to teach his older brother Aim a lesson for causing trouble in the Southeast Asian country's capital.
Another of the series' strong points is its change of tone. At first, 'The Bangkok Boys' might make us believe we're watching a comedy, thanks to the performances of Tape, his father, brothers, and friends, but little by little we realize that this is anything but. The series effortlessly shifts toward drama without it being noticeable, making the result work so well that we can go from a moment of comedy to a moment of maximum violence, intrigue, and crime without it coming across as awkward or forced.
And 'The Bangkok Boys' is one of the best examples of all this, as from what could have been a simple comedy, they are able to create a dramatic thriller full of conspiracies, murders, suspense, prison drama, martial arts, and high-flying betrayals.
Here is a series that has everything you can (and should) expect from a production that seeks to entertain:
- A fluid, witty, coherent, and relatable script. It moves between comedy (in almost the entire first episode), drama, and tension with great skill.
- A staging and setting that vividly recreate the era in which the story takes place (the present), to the point that the landscapes, emotions, flavors, and aromas captured are "perceptible" to all the viewer's senses, in addition to hearing and sight.
- The photography and soundtrack are beautiful.
- Well-rounded characters: The protagonists are very endearing, so genuine that they inspire almost immediate empathy. The antagonists (especially Madame Yao, Mr. Jo, Aim, and the three young South Koreans in Thailand) inspire resentment and fear, but also condescension, as the origin of their flaws is explained and justified, making their actions understandable.
- Simply brilliant performances.
- Meticulous, demanding, and intelligent direction. Nothing is out of place.
TAPE AND THE DIFFICULT ART OF MOVING, THINKING, AND CREATING ON STAGE
What I like about the character created by Tape is that his external characterization must be closely connected to his internal one. That's quite a challenge for any actor.
I think the casting of Tape Worrachai Sirikongsuwan, best known for playing Sichol in the BL series 'The Tuxedo' (2022), is a very fitting choice. Who would have thought that at 32 years old, he could pass for an 18-year-old, dressed like a high school student in a school uniform. On the other hand, it's evident that he's trained hard to be able to portray a boxer.
This actor's film career began in 2013 with the supernatural horror comedy "Make Me Shudder" (followed by its 2014 and 2015 sequels), written by Poj Arnon, where he forged the foundations of a versatility that he later brought with equal intensity to television. Since then, he has consistently taken on memorable roles in films such as "Who" (2020), "Zombie Fighters" (2017), "Oh My Ghost 4" (2015), "Iron Ladies Roar!" (2014), and "Dangerous Boys" (2014), as well as unforgettable series such as "The Tuxedo" (2022), "Siew Sum Noi" (2021), and "Love Smart" (2015). His versatility has also led him to win over audiences in the theater. Possessing a keen sensitivity and an unwavering professional ethic, Tape has left his mark on works that are now part of the heritage of Thai BL and LGBT+ stories.
However, it will be 'The Bangkok Boys' that will demand the most from him as an actor, but also the one that allows him to contribute something more profound.
This actor has embraced the motto that to learn, you have to do it. If anyone interested looks at his filmography, they'll notice that more than two years pass between projects, and this works against things going well for him. However, he's aware that each project is an opportunity to learn, to improve, to grow. And Tape has made up for the lack of new projects by working and developing as an actor behind the camera.
FINAL CONSIDERATIONS (AT LEAST FOR THE MOMENT)
A use of emotional and intense fight scenes beautifully photographed through the lens of Kritsanut Seemanachaiyasit, and solid performances from the entire cast, characterize a series that uncompromisingly attacks the dark and perverse underworld of Thai and South Korean culture.
With a mix of languages, specifically Thai, Korean, and English, the series begins with the protagonist's release from prison and return to his childhood home. These images, that of Sun's release from prison, anticipate the fate of the entire story. The skilled fighter has been waiting for this day to exact revenge.
Through the chronological evocation of his memories of the day of the crime, Sun presents his relationship with his father and Kong in order to deconstruct the connections of violence and betrayal that led to the murder of both men.
Meanwhile, family and friend scenes overlap to show the viewer the normal life of a young Thai high school student and his connection with those around him.
With editing and montage that work with the precision of a Swiss watch, 'The Bangkok Boy' employs flashbacks as a dramatic device (one that develops an idea over several scenes) to recount the events that occurred before the story's opening sequence, show the viewer the character's past, and explain how the events that led to the deaths of his two loved ones and the cause of his prison sentence occurred. Ultimately, it serves to complete the characters' crucial history and the current plot.
This dramatic device not only satisfies the audience's need for the characters' lives before the crimes. It also allows for the construction of multifaceted characters, characters whose actions, as well as what they did, will be remembered. Furthermore, telling the story in a nonlinear manner, from Sun's perspective, establishes a connection between the audience and the characters. In other words, it's easier to connect with images from the past than with dialogue and exposition.
I'll come back later to update the review.
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It's good
Mafia/gang style kinda show with an interesting plot. It looks promising to be honest.At first i thought i wouldn't like it but after watching 2 episodes I must certainly am on the hook. If you enjoyed Kinnporche, Jack and Joker or even Highscool Frenemy then you would probably like this new title. Give it a change. It might surprise you aswel
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First Impression: The Bangkok Boy
Overall: excited for a grittier story. 12 episodes about 55 minutes each. Airing on GagaOOLala worldwide (except Thailand) https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5273/the-bangkok-boy-2025-e01Content Warnings (a lot but I'm keeping this spoiler free for now)
What I Liked
- different plot/aesthetics
- fight scenes seemed well done
- visuals
Room For Improvement
- started in the present and then moved into a flashback which wasn't super clear at first
- what sounded like AI English dubbing
- a lot of characters, not clear on who everyone is, their motivations, etc
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A great Shakespeare adaptation of "Romeo & Juliet"
How would the love story of Romeo & Juliet have unfolded if the action had taken place in the mafia milieu of modern-day Bangkok? "The Bangkok Boy" provides the answer. A dark, action-packed story that's also fun to watch as an adult. For me one of the best BL series of 2025 so far and the best Mafia BL series since "KinnPorsche".Was this review helpful to you?
So far so good it's a sad one but have so many actions. Im looking forward to it even though one wrong move boom💥
So far so good it's a sad one but have so many actions. Im looking forward to it even though one wrong move boom💥
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This review may contain spoilers
Could've been better, after ep 2 it seems to get better
To be honest, the plot is interesting and good, some actors are better than others, still, the fighting scene wasn't so good at watching especially after i watched something better choreographed like weak hero class, anyway:Its not bad, but it was awful to watch the english dub, better a less powerful accent than a voice who sounds fake, the son was good in that father son scene with the english, at least its not awful the acting in general.
They shouldve worked more on the choreography, and more acting class for some of them.
I have to admit first episode was not satisfacting like the other two, ep 3 is actually very beautiful,
must continue to follow this series.
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The Korean Daddy
Ep 4 - the romance is heating up, some nice chemistry hapenning and the story is developing but I can sense some tears are coming!K Dad is still hot lol.
Still a lot of negative comments and low ratings and Indefinitely know some sre from seeing the dubbed version which is terrible, so people just watch the WeTV version only trust me it’s like a normal BL series, the dubbed version has got lots of terrible sound issues.
Hmm 3 eps in and it’s middle of the road for me.
I see a lot of comments that people are confused as to why this hasn’t been doing very well and why it’s not well known. I think we have to remember that some series get backing through their marketing campaigns and some series actually put a huge budget towards promoting the series through many different avenues and media types, promoting the lead actors, live appearances, sponsors and marketing the OST. Without that kind of backing it has to rely on word-of-mouth and online activity which can only get you so far. Without some serious coin it has to fall back to the cast, production value and word of mouth. But these need to be done extremely well. There are many smaller budget BLs that have achieved this so it’s not impossible.
I also think the semi dubbed version that was released was seen without knowing about the Gaga version like me so at first I woukd have given this a very low rating.
It is still early days for this one so who knows.
Likes: script is pretty good with an interesting grass roots bad boy done good storyline.
Not so much: some minor issues, the sound and background music is more like a background concert so over emphasises/overbears the scene. Acting is solid in parts then drops. Casting 43 yo for 28 yo is just too far a reach. Major issue for me is the editing, many earlier Thai BLs struggled with this and they still haunt me so I’m getting those kinds of flashbacks lol.
Outcome: I’ll keep watching, the story is too intriguing and Korean daddy is daddy’ing 🤣.
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