Lost in the Woods (2025)

Give it a chance

! There Might Be Spoilers !

Yes, there are no spice scenes at all, and yes, there is no kissing (the little one while Hem was asleep, doesn't count)

But I think everyone should watch this series at least once.

This is a MAJOR SLOW BURN, so don't go in expecting anything else. With that being said, there is a lot to it, honestly, the underlying message that the series gives overall.

The whole series is stunning, the secenry was enough to make me watch but the tension that Fifa and Hem give off was enough to make me stay, there is no spicy scenes at all or even kissing and I kept yelling "Just kiss already" may times in the last episode but after thinking about it, it doesn't need all of that, the tension between the two was some of the best in any Thai BL's.

It's easy to forget that we don't need heavy spice scenes to make a good series. I think if you're reading this and on the fence about watching it, give it a chance because I believe you will be missing out on a fantastic series.

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gorgeous vistas, underwhelming script (watch suggestions)

Overall: I enjoyed the countryside setting/cinematography and it was okay as a coming of age series but failed with the romance aspect. See my spoiler comment for how it ends which might help you decide if you want to start it. The series was based on a book which I haven't read and I reviewed the series on its own merits. 7 episodes about 40 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5169/lost-in-the-woods-2025-e01 and Viu.

Content Warnings: past slap, alcoholism?, animal death, blood, non con kiss

Watch Suggestions (to focus on the romance aspect)
- watch episode 1
- skip episode 2
- episode 3 watch 3-5:30, 22-32:30, 39-47
- episode 4 watch 11:45-12:30, 19-24:30 and 26:30-40
- episode 5 watch 4:30-9:30 and 17:30-end
- episode 6 start at 16 minutes or if not interested in the het side couple skip to 28 minutes and watch until 30:30, 34:25-end
- episode 7 watch 9:30-16, 29:20-41:45, stop there and pretend they had a totally consensual kiss

What I Liked
- setting/vistas
- black nail polish
- Fifa is shown to be musically talented and academically intelligent
- clear premise
- two supportive female friends
- that Fifa stayed true to himself/his life goals
- production value (cinematography*)

Room for Improvement
- starting with a flash forward/voice over though at least it was just 2 days in advance and not months or years
- a parent acted comical in a scene where it seemed they were going for serious/angsty in episode 1
- episode 2 a character had so much flack for total nonsense stuff
- the grandma's plan didn't make sense, she should have eased him into things, I'm sure she was not staying in that type of accommodation and she chose the most prickly person to be his guide?!!!
- the scholarship application timeline seems a bit late compared to what it would be in the real world but I didn't deduct points for it
- not much chemistry, just started in episode 4 but they didn't even have a scene together until 16 minutes into episode 6
- *some night scenes were too dark
- what happened at the end of episode 4
- the ex plot took up way too much screentime, in episode 5 it was 10 out of 43 minutes or about 25% of the screentime!
- in episode 6 how Hem apologized for doing his job and Fifa was immature
- the non con kiss and how they never properly communicated

Note: in the series the younger guy Fifa graduated high school so the character should be 18 (played by Ton who is 25); they said that Hem is 30 (played by Arm who is 30). I did not have any issue with the age gap between the characters in the series.

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Slow Burn at It's Core, Boring at It's Surface

I had anticipated Lost in The Woods since it was announced Nammon would be in it (one of my favorite Thai actors) so, when this started airing, I immediately started watching. What I got was half of what I had anticipated, and the rest was ehh, but with how short this series was, including the very few actors in this, I think it worked.

Let's Dive In.

What I had predicted before watching LITW was that it would remind me a lot of ATOTS. I know now, I have to stop expecting and comparing series, or otherwise, I'll end up disappointed. They had their similarities: city boy meets country boy, rural country side, slow burn, but it doesn't quite hit the nail on the head as ATOTS does, which is fine, and my own fault for hoping it would.

LITW is not bad by any means, but it is extremely tedious to get through. Lots of beautiful scenery/nature shots, but I kid you not when I say that that's what half of the episodes are: shots of the gorgeous setting they were in. Which isn't bad, but it gets to a point where it's entirely too repetitive.

I love slow burn, and this series gave me just that. When I say slow, I will now be referring to Fifa and Hem's relationship, cause it's exactly the kind of thing I yearn for. Which is what kept me to watch, but it's hard with a lot of the episodes dragging and giving us, at times, pointless scenes. Ton and Arm do a good job at building the tension between them. I loved the longing stares, the nights spent together, adventures taken. They did leave it very open-ended/ambiguous, which is another reason this series doesn't get much of a reaction out of me. Also, their one and only kiss is sorta non-consensual, and that really kinda sucks. I think with a better ending, and a mutual yearning kiss, this could've been everything.

Nammon's character has some kind of relation with Padme, which felt a little weird, but I can't complain too much since Hem's and Fifa's relationship had some maturity difference, but between Prod and Padme, it felt just really off.

I think what could've made this work better is a bigger cast. I would've loved maybe a few side characters, maybe another solid side couple, and a plot that differentiated from Fifa and Hem's story. Then, I feel like this wouldn't have been so draggy and felt so forceful to get trough.

Ratings:

Story: 6.5/10 - Beautiful shots of their rural country side, but it got to a point where it was too repetitive. Some really boring scenes, like anything to do with Padme or Fifa working and sitting around looking pitiful. Skipped the whole "Hem in the forest looking for bad men" part. Lots of this can be skipped so that you can reach the point faster. Loved LOVED the slow burn, which is where most of this score comes from.

Acting: 8,5/10 - Ton does a great job as the lead. Lots of character development by the end. Arm is good, but he had one facial expression, which kind of diminished his role a little bit. Everyone else did good.

Music: 7/10 - I liked the nature sounds, Not really the music, but I'll count it.

Recommendation Value: 5/10 - I don't see myself really ever recommending this to anyone. It felt like another generic BL in the sea of BLs we've gotten and will get this year. I would recommend it for a slow burn, but the tedious plot leaves me a little iffy.

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In the heart of the forest, sometimes being lost is the best way to find yourself, even in the dark

The story of a passionate young boy, Faifa, who got exiled in a forest by his own grandmother and entrusted him to another man, Hem, who didn't want another distraction which would eventually threaten his peace.

—From the beginning of the story, the audience's eyes are blessed with beautiful scenes of lush green Thailand. Watching this show correlates with healing. It was love at first sight for me. I didn't know what would happen in the future, but I completely lost myself in the scenic woods like it was calling me.

—Aside from the senary, the characters were also interesting and the storyline itself was enough to make me seated.
Faifa's optimistic attitude towards life was refreshing. No matter how demotivated he felt inside, he always kept his chin up, motivated himself and never stopped dreaming. On the contrary, Hem was a hardworking young man, but he was always demotivated inside, so he kept himself busy with taking care of elephants, the duties of a forest ranger, and overall in charge of the Pokpa sanctuary.

—Fifa's rabbit mask representation was crucial as it wasn't just a cool accessory but a shield to escape. By hiding his face, he hid his true emotions and feelings and gulped down his unspoken words; his coping mechanism was masking. He was optimistic outside, but deep down he too was suffering in fear of losing his dream. That mask helped him to hold onto his emotions when he knew he couldn't control his facial expressions.

—Hem and Faifa both had opposite views of each other, but as they got to know they realized how much they'd healed each other. Faifa's innocence infiltrated Hem and melted his hardened heart which was hurting him. Both of them are unfamiliar with their feelings, just coexisting like earth and water. Water softens the Earth. Fifa brought out the more emotional side of Hem, while Hem helped Fifa understand better how to manage real-world struggles from a more rational perspective. Once separated, they let you know why they are inseparable. Hem's tenderness towards Fifa showed a bit of his overflowing emotions. As usual, sulky Fifa is the cutest; who can resist teasing him?

—It was a 7-episode drama, but I felt like I had known them for ages. I devoured each and every second. It was like a warm cup of hot chocolate hugging your body with a warm embrace, slowly, gently and gradually. For some, this can be a boring, slow show, but to me this was good because it was slow and let us view their characters from every angle. They gave each other time- a time to realize, to heal, to start again in life with happiness and prosperity.

—This was a show I would be happy to watch once a week, to slow down, forget about everything and just concentrate on nature, humans and salving every moment. The slow burn is so slow that it makes you forget about romance and just concentrate on their character growth episode by episode.

—This is the charm of independent projects. Their content can be low budgeted and not so frequent sometimes but they never compromise quality over quantity. They never relied on NC scenes but built the storyline based on their precious bonds of the characters slowly. That's how Lost in the woods was born.

Aahh, I loved this. This show was truly my weekly dose of fresh oxygen, which made me look forward to every Wednesday. Overall, if you are up for something peaceful, slow and simple, then you'll love it. But if you are looking for a quick romance, fast-paced relationship growth, then this might disappoint and frustrate you. Otherwise, I would recommend this to everyone.

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One of the most beautiful stories I have watched in a long time....slow, but definitely worth it

This has to be one of the most beautiful shows that I have watched in the recent times....the forests, the sounds, the moon, the camaraderie, and the love.....it was just so poignant....While the ending was bitter-sweet and real, it ended on a note of hope and was plain beautiful...... I still hope that they will think of making another season...but even if they don't, this will remain one of the most cherished Thai shows that I have ever watched...my verdict is just go for it....even if it seems slow in the beginning, keep at it, it is worth it.

BL-needle score: 6. Low to Moderate BL-ness so far with interesting themes on life connections

I started this one with zero expectations..... since anything with a forest theme attracts me, I started watching this out of sheer curiosity.... but I never imagined that I would end up loving this so much......the gentle and yet deeply symbolic tone of this story grew on me with every new episode...and in essence it was way deeper than just the tale that it seems to be telling at the surface...even though the script does have loopholes, I loved how deep and metaphorical the narrative was.

I loved how they show the un-rushed pace of life in the forest, the mundane and small things like eating, getting together to eat, drink and sing for a birthday, raising a nursery, trying to make a difference by drawing the faces of the people for each meal box, picking some beautiful wild flowers for your loved one ....and all this while knowing pretty well that one tiny spark of fire can change the entire scene in a just a few moments and burn down an entire forest that has grown up like that...slow, quiet, and through small but painstaking effort by all beings that love the forest and call it home....I also loved how the simple, hard, and yet joyful life in the forest was juxtaposed with the starkly contrasting sparkle of the bustling city, of Fifa's big dreams, the reality and disappointment of Fifa's results....and then Hem's holding, almost protecting him, like the tall trees in the forest..

I also loved how Fifa and Hem inched closer in small, miniscule ways and yet there was no denying the strong connect between them...the restrained love was almost hurt and yet was so damn beautiful.....and then, those small things...Hem deliberately not taking the crutch from the forest office store so that Fifa has to depend on him to move around....the insistence to sleep on the same bed....they waited untill the very last to show explicit signs of closeness and even that was so superbly restrained, as it should have been.....in tandem with the tone of the storytelling all through....

Both the leads did a fantastic job and their subtle, restrained and yet undeniable chemistry was mesmerising.......This show really, really surprised me and in such a lovely way....

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The ending of 'Lost in the Wood' isn't the problem. Your need for a happy ending is.

This is one of those series that usually generates consensus: a masterpiece, even though the two protagonists don't end up together: a boy who loves deeply, and is loved in return, and yet decides to leave in pursuit of his dreams. A choice shaped by his personal history, duty, desire... and by everything that comes with being a young man who, from a very early age, has been preparing to obtain a scholarship and go to Japan to train as a professional. I'd like to show the layers I find beneath that final decision. Because love doesn't always win. Nor does it need to.
It's clear that many viewers are upset that the series doesn't have a happy ending. And not just any ending, but the happy ending we all "want to see". That Fifa, the cheerful and outgoing 18-year-old, gives up his dreams of studying Art and Creative Design in Japan and decides to stay at Hem's cabin, hopping on his motorcycle to watch the sunsets together, and continue delivering food to the locals. But no. He doesn't. And that, for many, seems unforgivable.
I understand that the obsession with the "happy ending" goes way back. It's instilled in us from childhood with stories, movies, songs. And yes, it's comforting. But TV shows, when they get serious, sometimes remind us that life doesn't always end well, that there are choices that hurt, loves that can't be, and goodbyes that don't always bring us back together. And that, precisely, is what the ending of 'Lost in the Wood' does: it grabs you inside, squeezes your heart, and leaves you thinking. Not about what happens, but about what doesn't happen. Sad endings serve that purpose: to make us look at the world without sugarcoating.
Some people claim that "happy endings are unfinished stories", but it's true that there's a certain honesty in those outcomes that don't try to sugarcoat reality. We'd all prefer to remember the image of Sarawat and Tine in '2gether' or that of Doctor Bun and Tutor Tan in 'Manner of Death', but there's no denying that Wang and Intawut's final image in '180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us' has a lot of truth, at least a plausible truth. In this latest series, as in 'Lost in the Wood', greatness lies in surrender, realism lies in not consummating. In letting love hang suspended, untouched, like a photograph left untouched lest it spoil.
In 'Lost in the Wood,' the story is over. Not as we would like, but perhaps as it should have been. Fifa —the character who has the power to bring back memories of a GelBoys with his black nail polish and muddy white sneakers— ends up saying goodbye to the family-owned elephant farm and sanctuary, where he agreed to go for three months, seeing it as a good opportunity to prove he's ready for college dorm life in a distant country. He says goodbye to the elephants and the people he's grown to love in such a short time, because he knows what that entails. Because he doesn't live in a fantasy. Because his world wouldn't be complete if he didn't make his dreams come true.
However, seeing Fifa's decision as pure resignation is, to say the least, reductionist. We're not dealing with a superhero driven by duty, but with a boy who chooses to leave. And that's the point.
One of the keys lies in the idea of preserving the memory. Fifa knows that the time he shared with Hem in the shade of the forest is unforgettable. That it was probably the most luminous thing that has ever happened to he. But he also knows that if he stays with him, that perfect love could be corrupted. Turn into another routine. Another disappointment. He'll constantly wonder about her shattered dreams, about what would have happened «if I...». So he decides to freeze it in time. Make it eternal. Keep it like a secret gem.
For his part, Hem is not indifferent to the harm he would cause if he declared his love, if he demanded that Fifa stay by his side. Therefore, although it pains us, his decision does not imply cowardice. It is not an absence of love. It is a consciousness.
Jeab Napassarin Prompila, the director, shows this with elegance: the shots focused on Fifa's face, he broken gaze, the tension in him hands as he grabs the guitar and throws it over the shoulder before closing the door behind he, the tears streaming down he face as he leaves Hem the mask as a souvenir, the psychological torture he suffers when, in an act of farewell and, why not, a declaration of love, he brings he lips close to Hem's to offer him a kiss, the only kiss they will both experience, while he lover pretends to sleep... everything points to a brutal internal struggle.
There is no one forcing him to leave. There is no blackmail from any of his family members. There are unspoken words, unspoken declarations... There is a silence full of meaning. And a decision that hurts.
I insist, we may disagree with Fifa, we may think he should stay in Hem's arms, we may yell at him for abandoning his idea of traveling to Japan to follow his dreams, we may even, why not, get angry at him; but the series never says that this is the right decision; it only says that it's the one our main character made.
And, of course, we can't ask Hem to run after him, to take the next flight to Tokyo, to renounce the respect and admiration he earned in his work. That would be disrespecting the decision of a young man torn between two loves: romantic and professional, and choosing, however he can. The series doesn't judge him or absolve him. It simply follows his steps. And that makes it more real. Because there's no clear lesson.
What 'Lost in the Wood' does stealthily, but effectively, is blowing up the rules of the romance game on television. Because yes, we're dealing with a story of obvious love, even if it's not declared... but there's no happy ending, no kiss in the rain, no two boys watching the rainbow every rainy sunset in the mountains, no promise of "we'll see each other again". What there is is a renunciation. And not for lack of love.
BL is a genre that usually prizes passion above all else. This story opts for the exact opposite: containment... containment and tension, maintaining it all until the end credits. And that, in itself, is transgressive. Because there's nothing rarer in Boys' Love stories than a young man in love who decides not to act in the name of desire, in the name of love.
And the best part is that the series doesn't do it with a trick. There's no surprising plot twist or tear-jerking final speech. The transgression lies in its simplicity: two people who meet, transform... and separate. Because life is like that. Because not everything is rosy. Because there isn't always a second chance.
Instead of offering an escapist fantasy, 'Lost in the Wood' settles into an uncomfortable reality. A relationship where one of the boys decides to reject his dreams and the other demands that he do so in the name of love isn't always possible, and where passion would have to confront every day the eternal doubt of what would have happened to their lives if FIFA had stayed, if he hadn't set out to make his dreams come true, if Hem had urged him to give up everything he'd achieved with effort and talent. Subversion doesn't come in the form of a dramatic breakup, but rather a painful acceptance.
'Lost in the Wood' doesn't need sermons or morals. What it offers is something more uncomfortable and, for that very reason, more valuable: a love story that never comes to fruition, a boy who loves deeply but decides to pursue his dream, while the other respects and accepts his decision.
I believe that, even with minimally serious analysis, we can't criticize series simply because they don't end the way we want them to. It's one thing to question the decisions of directors, producers, and screenwriters —that editing that ends up confusing the audience, that script that fails to develop the characters, that pacing that doesn't fit with the narrative, that music so loud it prevents us from hearing the dialogue— and quite another to reproach them for not following the path "you" wanted them to follow.
I'm one of those who oppose telegraphed series, chewed over and explained to the point of exhaustion. I wish that as viewers, we would make an effort to see all the nuances and layers that complex series have. It's easy to analyze the mechanism, but harder to explain why this series is so deeply moving: why Ton Tonhon Tantivejakul and Arm Varot Makaduangkeo have turned it into a wonderful television love story, playing Fifa and Hem, respectively.
The emotional high point of 'Lost in the Wood' is the relinquishment, when Fifa comes down the stairs of the treehouse where she's lived with Hem and, with tears in her eyes, acknowledges that saying goodbye to the people she cares about isn't among her virtues. This moment, and not the moment when the characters first look into each other's eyes and discover their inner selves, is the passionate climax of the series.
'Lost in the Wood' isn't about love, but about an idea. The series begins with the information that two boys met and fell in love, but decided not to spend the rest of their lives together. The implication is: had they acted on their desire, they wouldn't have deserved such love.
Almost everyone knows the story by now. The novel of the same name, written by theneoclassic, adapted by Kesiny Pontam, has been a huge bestseller both in Thailand and around the world. Its captivating story offers the fantasy of a "lost bunny" who believes his perfect life is ruined when he has to fulfill family obligations. While waiting for the 129,600 minutes of his life away from his routine in the big city to end, and waiting for confirmation of whether or not he has won a scholarship, he witnesses how a "ferocious lion", or rather a virile stranger with a mustache that gives him a certain air of class, wisdom, authority, maturity, and power, waits for him with open arms at the foot of a tree to prevent him from falling, while he tries to get an internet connection to send an urgent message.

SLOW-SMOTHERED LOVE

Fifa and Hem's relationship isn't one of perfect beginnings or lightning-fast love at first sight; it's not one of hasty declarations or one in which an exchange of glances marks the beginning of a romance as frenetic as the world we inhabit, where there's no time for stumbles, doubts, or reflection, and where "I love yous" are thrown around with absolute ease, like sentimental confetti.
The protagonists' love is one of those that simmer over a slow fire, where emotional intimacy is based on building a genuine emotional connection that begins in friendship, in which both come to feel seen, heard, and understood.
It's as if the two have agreed on the rhythm of the relationship, where shared moments (even some of them filled with animosity and arguments), deep conversations, and challenges that they overcome together prevail. And it couldn't be any other way.
First, both partners are aware of the age difference, that one has a certain emotional maturity and life experiences, while the other lacks.
Therefore, the success of the relationship will depend on the extent to which the two share similar values, beliefs, and goals; support each other in achieving personal goals; foster commitment, trust, and intimacy in the relationship; and resolve problems constructively.
Secondly, both are aware of the culture shock they face. One is so rural, the other so urban. One is accustomed to the rigors of work and life in a rural area, without electricity or internet access, and the other, with a supermarket five minutes from home, now needing to change their lifestyle and cultural context for extremely different ones.
Thirdly, both are aware that Fifa is only planning to be there for three months, so it would be difficult for them to accept the idea of establishing a lasting relationship.
And finally, both are aware that they have so little in common that they never feel lonelier than when they are together.
How then can a couple make it work, when they have different lifestyles, unequal hobbies, incompatible life plans, such disparate ideas about love and the type of relationship they want...

IN CONCLUSION

Four key points to summarize this very funny, beautiful, and hopeful series: counting time, as Fifa usually does, 322 minutes of love under the treetops in the middle of summer, and two leading stars who bring great chemistry to the series. And a fifth, Nammon's farewell as a supporting actor, before we can see him as the lead in the highly anticipated "Pass to Your Voice" and "Restart," expected to be released in 2025.
I conclude this review, convinced that, like FIFA, once you enter the forest, you'll never be the same when you return...

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Lost in the Woods – A Seriously Underrated BL Gem

I don’t even know how to explain how good Lost in the Woods is—it just hits different. The nature setting? Stunning. Every scene feels peaceful and refreshing, like you're also escaping into the forest with the characters. And the soundtrack? So, so good. I didn’t dare skip the end credits because the OST is just that amazing. It really sets the mood, and I even replayed a few episodes just for the music.

The story has a slowburn feel, but it doesn’t drag at all. Even when things aren’t focused on the romance, you’ll still be hooked by everything else happening—like the wildlife, the quiet moments, and the message about nature and conservation. It’s really unique compared to other BLs I’ve seen.

Fifa starts out a bit annoying and immature, but you’ll see his growth throughout the series, and it makes you root for him. Hem, on the other hand, is more reserved and closed off, clearly dealing with pain from his past. But little by little, you’ll see him start to open up, thanks to Fifa. Their bond is slow and soft, but very real.

If I had to complain about one thing, it’s how short the series is. Only 7 episodes! I wish there was more time to really get to know the characters even better. It had so much potential to be longer, but they did a good job with what they had.

As an international viewer, I feel like it wasn’t promoted well at all. I just randomly found it, and honestly, I’m so glad I did. It’s a hidden gem and I feel like one of the lucky few who discovered it early.

If you’re into BLs that are calm, heartfelt, and set in nature, give Lost in the Woods a try. It deserves way more love.

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Hoping For A Deep Romance But Stay For The Woods

Lost in the Woods follows the story of 18-year-old Fifa, who dreams of studying in Japan. But before that happens, his grandma sends him off to work in the woods. There, he meets Hem, a quiet park ranger, and that’s where their story begins.

This BL series is definitely a super slow burn. Like, they only start to realize their feelings around episode 5 and there are only 7 episodes total (about 40 minutes each). There’s not much actual romance going on. It’s more about two guys forming a quiet, emotional bond. They never even confess properly—it’s all subtle hints and lingering looks. Most of the story is told from Fifa’s point of view, especially how he feels about Hem.

What really stood out to me was the cinematography—it’s stunning. The rural setting is absolutely beautiful and really adds to the overall mood. The acting is solid too, and thankfully, there’s no cringey or nonsensical dialogue.

As for the chemistry between the leads... it’s okay, not amazing. I had mixed feelings overall, some parts were really slow and kind of boring, while others were more engaging.

The ending? It was alright. Not everything tied up the way I hoped. I really wouldn’t mind a second season to explore their story more and give it the depth it deserves.

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Give it a shot!

It took me 2 days to finish this series since I was kind of busy with work and other duties. I started it yesterday since I was waiting for my other series episodes to be released. At first, this series made me think on ATOTS. I wouldn't blame you if you find this similar in the beginning. However, it has its own charm and is way different from that one. Lost in the woods was a very special surprise for me. The plot was pretty simple and some times predictable, but the way actors conveyed those feelings to us made it remarkable.
Being honest, this is the very first time I've a series in which the protagonists almost didn't kiss during the whole show. I was eager for more of it, even though deep down inside of me I knew that was not going to happen. This made me realize there are many more sub-genres in a bl and it's not always necessary to have a 5 min. long scene about the two guys making it. Those little romantic interactions came in the most precise moment, when the story needed them and left us starving of more, lol. I loved that to be honest. On the other hand, I didn't want to include this, but the grandmother was such a pain in the butt. I did understand what she tried to do, but that wasn't the way. Even at the very end, she still wanted to control his grandson's life decisions by making him doubt if he should stay or should go, and yeah, I know he ended up loving the place. It's just that that wasn't his original intention and was forced by circumstances to do so. I hope not to see any other similar character in another bl series, ever.
Just to conclude, this series will demonstrate that there will be people in our lives, who even weren't there that much time, can affect in such a wide variety of ways in our lives. And who knows? Perhaps we could meet them again in the future...

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