Only Friends

Too realistic to be realistic

First time here, I never thought I'd write a review, but 'Only Friends' made me want to share my thoughts because why not.

Only friends is a true queer experience. it's not just about surface-level representation, but about capturing joys, struggles, and complexities of being queer. Only Friends had a promising start, but it started to feel tedious and lacking in the later episodes. While I was disappointed with the direction the show took, I still have a lot to say about the complex and compelling characters.

Spoilers ahead



Sand : Sand has to be my favorite character in the show. He's the greenest flag, he has a very big heart and is the perfect ideal boyfriend. Despite everything Ray did to him, he still stood by him, and the way he took care of Ray. Sand stole the clip from Nick and gave it to Ray, which was hella wrong, but it earned my respect. He never thought about his own feelings, knowing that Ray would leave him. He cared so much about his friends. He is a true definition of friendship, love and trust. It is natural feelings for an ex, and there's always a soft spot, but Sand should have avoided Boeing. He shouldn't have used the word friend for him. But he is truly a good guy. I'm glad he got his happy ending with Ray.


Ray : Ray is one of the most troublesome characters in Only Friends, but I'm glad he didn't hook up without anyone, like Sand didn't also hook up with anyone either. His drinking and loneliness stemmed from his sad home life. He was the most miserable character in the show and he was always drinking during his scenes. But thankfully, Sand saved him. I'm glad he got over his feelings for Mew. To be honest, I don't think he loved Mew. He was just lonely, and Mew happened to be there for him. You can't say you love Mew and then sleep with Sand multiple times, that's not love broo. Asking Boeing to kiss sand was not only annoying but also wrong like tfff. Who does that? But I'm happy he realized his mistake. Ray's story showcases the struggles that children of irresponsible and neglectful parents face. It shows what it takes to escape that kind of life. I love that his story is the best in that show because it's so inspiring. And I loved seeing his cute side amidst all the Intense plotlines. It was refreshing to see a softer side of him.


Ray and sand : Ray and Sand's relationship's eternal, as shown in the show. They both realized what they wanted, and they were able to achieve it in the end. I love that they got a happy ending.


Mew and Top : Mew is the most innocent character in Only Friends, but he became more jaded after Top came into his life. Top did love Mew from the beginning, but he never trusted anything Mew said. Even though Ton showed Top the clips that he had secretly recorded, what happened two years ago was none of his business. Top having sex with Ton was not related to the clips he had seen but rather what Top wanted lol, especially because the kiss between Mew and Ton didn't even last ten seconds. Mew didn't immediately agree to date Top. It's clear that they weren't dating, and Top was just pursuing Mew when Top and Ton had sex in the car sleep, but I guess it's all about being realistic. He even had the gut to show his face to Mew the next day, it was also selfish and wrong of him to keep the airplane model from his ex. Like who does something like that? After Mew found out what happened between Top and Ton, he shouldn't gone out with Ray to spite Top. it was immature and wrong for him to change from a good person to a bad one, but heartbreak kills, so I get him. While it made sense that they got back together, I'm not sure that was the best decision. It's possible to forgive, but not to forget, and I think Top did change doe the better. He truly loves Mew, but he was stupid to make that mistake. I really loved Mew, but he made a huge mistake by allowing Boeing to gaslight him. I think it was very out of character for Mew to consider sleeping with Boeing out of revenge. It's good that Top was able to make him see reason and stop him from making a huge mistake. Top was truly sorry for what he did, life isn't always perfect, and he learned from his mistakes. I personally think their relationship could last a long time, maybe even forever. After all, we're all human, and we all make mistakes.


Ton: Boston is a major red flag in the show. He sleeps with anything that breathes. He betrayed his friends for his own selfish desires, and he almost ruined Mew's life in the process. He is not a good person, and people like him deserve to be alone forever just like Nick said. I'm glad that Boston never forced anyone to sleep with him, but he is still a bad person!!! I know he can never change, he deserves all what he got trust me. Atom's actions were wrong, even if Boston was a bad person. It's not okay to lie about someone, even if they've done terrible things, I must admit I felt a little bit of pity for Boston. He has a lot of issues, and those issues are likely to affect him for the rest of his life.


Nick: Nick was the true good/bad guy in the show. Ton was so lucky to have him, but he was a fool to not realize what he had until he lost him. If it weren't for the car being wiretapped, the truth would never have come out. Boston didn't deserve someone as good as Nick. I'm glad Nick and Boston didn't end up together, Nick deserves better. He's not innocent, but he knows what he wants, and he acts accordingly. He did a good job tho.


Boeing: Boeing's character felt very unnecessary. He was just like a ghost in the show, adding very useless character added nothing to the plot. The pool scene was nonsensical and pointless. His entire character should have been cut from the show (if anyone is watching Only Friends I would recommend skipping his scenes)


The acting: The actors in 'Only Friends' did a great job with their roles, and their chemistry really shone through. Even though the writing was a bit messy at times, the actors were able to carry the show through. I look forward to seeing them in future projects that showcase their talents. It's clear that they love what they do, and they give it their all. My favorite pairing was first FirstKhao


Romances: No episode went by without me screaming and jumping up and down. The actors gave me butterflies. The romances were on point, which was the greatest thing about this show. All the actors cast were so fine and hot.

The story : the writer was when writing some parts, because it's all full of unnecessary kissing. What was the need for every character to kiss three or four people? The writing was mediocre at the beginning, but it got interesting in the middle and ended poorly. 'Only Friends' is a show about friendships but the theme wasn't executed very well. Everything seems very messy. If it weren't for the talented a actors, I don't think anyone would have been interested in a story with such a dark theme.


Overall, 'Only Friends' is one of the most emotionally impactful series from GMMTV. It made me cry hard and laugh out loud. It's not for the faint of heart. I don't think I'll get over it anytime soon. It showed us that life isn't perfect and that it isn't a fairytale, sadly. This show portrayed the complexity and imperfection of real life.

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Enjoyable and funny but far from a masterpiece !

There are a lot of good stuff like the acting, the messiness or people theories so I enjoyed myself.
But we need to talk about the sl*t shaming in this story. You cannot sell your story as really sexy, explicit and progressive and then have all characters who don't want to be in a relationship and just want to enjoy s*x be the bad guy in your story, they're just bad to be bad, no background, no reasons for their actions. They are just sl*t because life I guess (Boston best example). For me, it's really problematic.
That's being said, almost all characters don't really make sense too, they act to make the plot move forward :
- Mew calling Boston before having s*x with Top when they don't seem to be that close
- Nick putting the listening device in Boston car before the party for no reason
- Ray having a breakdown in front of everyone after telling the truth to Mew
- Mew hitting Ray in the face after the breakdown even if he does the truth
- Daddy Dan character just came and disappeared
- Boieng character same
- the token lesbien duo
- the r*pe accusation plot....
And it's just what came out of the top of my head.
Now, the relationships and characters !
- Mew and Top were really boring for me sorry, I don't like the virgin who's gonna change the bad boy from his bad habits because he's just soooo perfect. Not my cup of tea I guess. And I didn't like their characters as individuals too. I just remembered that Top used to take dr*gs and stopped thanks to the power of love ! With no consequenses
- Ray and Sand were cute but Ray did a lot of f*cked up things. Not respecting Sand boundaries and all of it being played as if it was funny just doesn't sit right for me. (The scene were Ray interupted Nick and Sand vacations after Sand told him not to come...) Or Ray calling Sand a bunch of names when he's mad and never really apologised for it either. Like there is nothing cute about this relationship if you think about it. They could have shown us the impact of that kind of codependancy but no. I'm happy they take Ray alcoholism kinda seriously even if he's pretty clean, his friends drink next to him as if he was not an addict, no discomfort... It could have been really interesting to also see the burning for Sand, being the only reason for someone sobriety is not easy.
- Nick and Boston were cute, I really liked them at first but they didn't get enough screentime in my opinion. It could have been really interesting to see their characters and the reason behind their actions. But I think the writer's opinions really shaped their story, especially for Boston.
And I'll finish by saying that if you don't know how to write about serious topics like addiction, abusive relationship, r*pe accusations, you SHOULDN'T !
But yes, It was an entertaining show ! So watch it if you want to have fun ;)

(sorry for the mistakes

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A rollercoaster in the most positive way possible!

This was the very first series that got me to ACTUALLY wait impatiently for every new episode. Usually I watch one or two episodes during their “premiere” and then wait till the whole series is out but this one? Once you get into the story you’ll keep on wanting more and more and you won’t even notice when the final episode ends. Trust me.

Since there are 4 couples I want to kind of “rate” their storylines separately and then sum up everything at the end so bare with me through this long review ><

Couple no.1 - Mew x Top
Since the series basically starts off from Mew’s pov at first I kind of automatically assumed that they’ll be the “main couple” and at the beginning it was true - most of the screen time was dedicated to Mew and his personal experiences but (thankfully) it all evens up as you go through more episodes.
As for Mew - a “good boy gone bad” trope really came through with his character throughout the whole series and I’m so happy that happened. It’s like he finally got out of the nerd cage he’s trapped himself in. A truly interesting character development, despite the toxicity he served his friends because of it but I’m glad they didn’t try to make him that one angel with no flaws (cause at first that’s the vibes you’ll get from him).
As for Top - man had a true “personality glow up” and I’m here for it because it wasn’t done in that cliché way that’s supposed to play on your emotions just to make you feel bad for the “poor lost bad boy” he’s introduced as.
Together they make a really predictable yet somehow unique couple. They turned the cliche trope into a more interesting one with the whole “revenge plan” of Mew’s which shifted their storyline onto the new track. And I really like how it wasn’t only Top chasing after Mew with a big sign “I’m sorry that I slept with your friend” but also Mew having to swallow his pride in order to save the relationship once Top was about to give up on “trying”. It made it all more unique.
Acting on point, both Book and Force have a great chemistry especially for this type of a simple sweet relationship. One thing I wish for is for the scriptwriters to plan out the last two episodes a bit better since it was just too much. So many things happening at once and even more “quick answers” for the questions that formed throughout the series.
Would love to see how their relationship develops in season 2 since there’s still so much to their characters that can be told (hopefully we’ll get it soon).

Couple no.2 - Sand x Ray
Personally my favorite ship of the series but I may be biased since I’m a big fan of First and Khaotung’s acting skills. They’re one of the most talented yet still underrated actors in the industry and I’m so happy they were offered these roles because they really delivered their characters.
As for Sand - man deserves all the love from this world and is truly a walking green flag among all the red ones in this wonderful (feel the sarcasm) friend group. His character brought so much safety and comfort to the series yet still didn’t lack strong and characteristic personality - it just amazes me how well done his whole presence along with his own personal storyline was.
As for Ray - a character with so much hidden trauma it makes your heart ache. He’s basically a self-destructive, broken to the core man standing on the edge ready to push himself down the cliff and it’s all done in this raw, unfiltered way. So good and so… human. In my opinion he’s the one who makes Only Friends the series it is. There’s not a lot of characters with this type of a story and it was a fresh breeze in the BL world (or just cinematography world overall).
Together they’re like the missing pieces of one another and the development of both characters is so damn satisfying. Sand rescuing Ray from the self-destructive wheel he’s been living in and Ray teaching Sand that you can’t fix everyone is the most intense thing you’ll see in the series since it influences all the other couples.
And as I said - SO glad they chose First and Khaotung for these roles. Not only their chemistry and acting skills are a great match for this series but also their level of awareness of the characters they’re playing… While watching “behind the scenes” and different interviews of Only Friends you’ll find out how many of their scenes were improvised (for example: the iconic “cigarette kiss/smoke kiss”? Khaotung’s idea!) and it makes everything even more impressive.
Some things I wish for to be developed deeper in season 2: Sand & his father, Ray’s trauma & how he’s copying with it, building their relationship while healing and IF the healing is successful.

Couple no.3 - Boston x Nick
The most “whatwhyhow” couple in the series. Both want something completely different and end up in this weird (but somehow so close to the real life) type of a relationship which can’t lead to anything good. The Romeo and Juliet but drunk version of the 21st century.
As for Boston - I didn’t like him from the very start and I still stand by that (which honestly only proves how GOOD was the acting and the whole “concept” for this character) Man needs to talk to a sex therapist and work through his desires and narcissistic personality and I don’t say this because I hate him, cause I don’t. I don't LIKE him but not HATE him if it makes sense.. I just think that he should in the first place focus on himself but in a different way than he’s used to - work on your problems, figure out why are you hurting the ones you love and just overall notice that sometimes it’s you who’s the problem (even if you don’t mean to be the problem). That’s why his character is so real. Cause how many Bostons do we know? I can name a couple and I’m sure you can do that too. Sad reality but I’m glad they decided not to give him the “happy ending” for this season since it only adds humanity to it. Let’s normalize characters who need a bit more time than 2-3 episodes to heal/fix their issues.
As for Nick - the hopeless romantic who fell for the wrong guy and missed on the right one (yes, I’m talking about the green-flag-Dan). But who's to blame? It’s not like we can control our heart, right? Honestly even though he’s done some messed up things for love and caused a BIT of trouble (chaos even) I still can’t hate him. He’s just the type of person who needs to be loved and cared for just as much as they need to breathe in order to survive and his character in my opinion is so underrated. He started off as that “creepy stalker” and went through the “lovelorn boy” era just to end up as “finally ready to love myself” and I couldn’t be more happy to see him choose himself over the destructive love he was stuck in for a very long time. This is one of the most unexpected yet precious character developments I’ve seen.
I wouldn’t mark their story as any “unhappy ending” but it’s not the happy one either. Would love to see more of them and I’ll look out for season 2 mostly for these two. Hopefully we’ll get to see these two happy together some day in the future!

Couple no.4 - Namchueam x April
I have so many regrets regarding this couple. I was really hoping for them to be in the same group as other “main couples” but they didn’t do these two justice. It’s like they were in the series just to keep the plot running when there was a need for some push or “gender equality” cause they only focused on the male couples completely ignoring Chueam and Pril…
As for Chueam - she took the role of the real “caretaker” of the friend group and I feel like if it wasn’t for her they would have split their ways a long long time ago. She strikes me as that one lively, out-going but a bit silly friend that we all have and love and I’m sad they didn’t give her more chances to show herself or at least have her own storyline that isn’t based on what’s going on with the main couples…
As for Pril - girl really got like 5 minutes of the screen time for 12 full episodes. HOW?
This couple had so much potential. They could show them more especially after Ray’s iconic drunk expose of his friends’ secrets at Mew’s bday party but they literally cut off their thread after Chueam admitted to “not understanding” April’s indie movies. Why not give them an actual storyline? Well, maybe in the future GMM will notice what they’re sleeping on.

One more thing I really want to mention is the OST choices and visuals Only Friends is serving left and right. I’m a sucker for any good soundtrack especially when it comes to series kept in that old-vintage-cigarette smoke-raw-unfiltered-vibe. And this definitely passed as one of the best eye and ear pleasing series (similar to Not Me so if you’ve watched this one you’ll know what I’m talking about).
Camera work is amazing, acting is so on point, script is well-written (a bit rushed since they had to fit all that in only 12 episodes but still did a good job), OST matches the scenes, every character is unique in its own way yet they make a perfect mix together… Deserves 10 stars cause I honestly cannot name any similar (storywise) series/movie to this one. And since episode 12 ends by introducing a whole new character I hope we’ll get another season soon.

So happy I was able to watch this while it was coming out :)

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The Only Friends You Need

Talk about a ride! Only Friends was a highly anticipated series and in many ways, it did not disappoint. I had very high expectations for this series, not only because of the stellar cast, but also because the story looked so damn good and messy and intriguing. While it didn't get the perfect 10 I initially thought it might, I still thoroughly enjoyed myself watching it.

Only Friends is not a plot driven drama by any means, but rather is very character driven. There's a very thin plot connected to the hostel and developing it, but otherwise the focus is entirely on the characters, their interactions with each other, their growth, and their relationships. For me, character driven dramas require a truly impressive cast to work because all that focus is on them. They need to have the talent and chemistry to shoulder the entire show and for the most part, Only Friends has that. The pacing of the show was relatively decent. Not perfect, but there weren't too many spots that lagged. Instead the issue was sometimes that the pacing was too fast, especially toward the end. There was a lot going on and it felt a bit frenetic. And because there was so much drama and a certain amount was added towards the end, there were some story lines and characters that didn't get the attention or closure that I felt they should. If there's one major aspect that Only Friends struggled with, it was balancing the drama with the character development. There is a LOT of drama and, in some cases, I think it could have been cut down to allow more screen time for certain characters as well as showing more of that growth.

Despite the entertainment value, Only Friends does actually touch on some more serious topics such as alcoholism, depression/suicide, cheating, and though it's not labeled as such, hypersexuality. Aside from the cheating and the alcoholism though, they more served as plot points than as real points of exploration, unfortunately. Ray's alcoholism is at times concerning to his friends and other times seems to be viewed as a bit of a joke. While they occasionally tell him he shouldn't drink so much, none of them actively seeks to help him that we see. It's not until Sand enters his life and does actively encourage him to go to rehab that he goes and begins making changes. Ray's depression and suicidal thoughts are brought up in a single episode to further establish his relationship with Mew and then are pretty much swept under the rug. Depression is not something you just get over and I think it could have been better worked into the story. The cheating is a focal point of the series and gets the most attention. The various emotions that may come with cheating are explored as well as the reactions and the fall out. Sometimes things work out between people and sometimes they don't. Boston's hypersexuality, like I said, is never really addressed as such, but that's what it seems to be considering he can't seem to go without sex. And while it wasn't a focus, it was shown in the last episode the kind of damage it can do to relationships.

I truly loved most of the characters. There was a rawness and realness to them that made most of them feel very real and very human. Each character had their own demons to battle, some bigger and some smaller. But what I found especially compelling is the way they were filmed. Even though we, as the viewers, knew that their actions were inappropriate or even criminal, there's no judgment and the way they're portrayed makes it harder to judge them. They're not evil, they are simply young men and women full of flaws, faults, quirks, hopes and dreams. I also appreciated that there was none of the gay for you nonsense that still worms it's way into many dramas these days. It was just, yup, this character's gay/lesbian/straight/bi, no questions asked, just the facts. Also had to appreciate having Sand be openly bi as I haven't seen many dramas embrace that. The way the word "friend" is interwoven in their stories is also interesting. There are moments of true friendship, moments where you wonder if they'll ever be friends again, and moments where they teeter on the edge of friendship and something more. It's a complicated word in some ways and I appreciated the utilization of it.
- Mew's journey was an interesting one to follow. He starts out as the sweet, innocent virgin and he's definitely put through the wringer, but in the end, he comes out more world wise, but ultimately still himself. There were aspects of his character that I connected to personally, some his views and opinions. I found the way he handled Top initially to be intriguing with playing hard to get and almost toying with him at times. I did appreciate though his determination not to just be prey and that while he did eventually give in to Top, it was on his terms. His reveal that he knew Top had cheated on him was deliciously devious and while the acting left something to be desired, I liked the scene overall. His reaction to that betrayal felt realistic and while I can't condone his use of Ray to get revenge on Top, it didn't feel out of place either. It also wrought a fairly major change in his character. While he previously displayed a fairly mild personality, post-betrayal he becomes more assertive and confident. He also becomes self-destructive. In his quest to get back at and hurt others, he does damage to himself and those he calls friends. After the Halloween party though, I struggled more with his character as he kept bouncing between forgiving Top and wanting to continue hurting him. I was glad when he finally decided to go ahead and forgive Top, though their reconciliation felt a bit fast as did the decision to move in together. His decision to not rekindle his friendship with Boston felt natural and was understandable. The conclusion to Mew's story felt complete and like he and Top had a solid future together.
-Top was initially somewhat interesting, but he quickly fizzled out for me. Part of the problem with him was just the complete lack of character content. We know he's heir to a fancy hotel and he had a traumatic experience as a child and that's about it. His character's not given the same attention to detail as others are and it shows. I was initially curious to see if his relationship with Mew would continue to be a game or if he would truly develop feelings for him. Given his narcissism and massive ego, it was hard to tell if he was actually capable of loving someone. Even when he started making changes, like no longer taking drugs, it was hard to tell what his endgame was. His decision to cheat on Mew felt weak. He'd proven that he had a solid head on his shoulders so why he so easily gave in to and believed Boston regarding a picture and video from two years previously is a mystery. It was also disconcerting the way he refused to admit to cheating, despite multiple chances to do so, until faced with irrefutable evidence and even then he tried to brush it off and focused more on how Mew got the recording. His decision to win back Mew and the efforts he went to in order to do so felt a bit abrupt. There was less of a gradual change and more of a, suddenly he's a good guy, kind of thing. I will give him credit that he did make changes and he truly did want to be a better person for Mew. And though it was disappointing that Mew had to prompt him, he did eventually apologize to Sand and reconciled with both him and Ray. All that being said, I think the character could have been more effective and interesting in the hands of another actor.
-Boston was one of the most layered, fascinating characters. You want to hate him to some extent, but it also must be acknowledged that out of the group, he is one of the most open characters and least secretly toxic. He calls things like he sees them and he makes no secret of his behaviour. He also has one of the more compelling character arcs as he moves from being a selfish ass to realizing that his actions truly do have consequences. He begins as an emotionally sadistic narcissist who's basically willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wants, in this case, Top. He manipulates Top and those around him expertly, his natural charisma helping to disguise his toxicity. What's especially telling though is when Ray confronts him with the recording of him and Top, he showed no remorse and instead tried to justify his actions. Once his friendship with the others implodes though, he starts to realize that actions have consequences. His confrontation with Mew clearly shakes him, Atom's lies cause his friends to cut him off completely and although Cheum does forgive him once the truth is revealed and Ray eventually does as well, his relationship with Mew is irreparable. His relationship with Nick, which initially seemed like a positive change, also implodes when Boston has a quick fling while out on a date. His ending is left somewhat ambiguous. He does move to New York, but whether he's happy there and how his future looks is up in the air.
-Nick is an easily sympathetic character because of the way Boston uses him. He's obviously in love with him, yet it's clear that Boston view him as more of an object than an actual person. He's convenient and he's willing, nothing more. Yet the more you look at his actions, you realize that he's not quite as sympathetic as he first seems and is, in fact, a red flag himself. He made the conscious decision to look through Boston's phone, not once, but twice, and masturbate to a picture found on said phone. He also took a selfie of himself with Boston's phone in an effort to seduce him which worked, but is left unhappy when he wants more and Boston doesn't. He also chose to bug Boston's car presumably in an effort to catch him "cheating" even though they were not in an actual relationship. And there is an element that he's not actually a bad guy, per se, he just goes about things the wrong way. He places so much value into how he's perceived, more specifically how Boston perceives him, going to so far as to try to emulate Top in terms of his style and physique. There comes a point where, after the recording gets out and Boston has rejected him several times, that he's moving on. He gives one final confession to Boston and seems ready to start something with Dan until Boston shows back up and they get together again. That goes up in flames though when Nick witnesses Boston's fling while they're on a date. It's the final straw for him as he comes to the realization that he needs to focus on himself and learn to love himself more. I'd like to hope that he found his happiness in himself and with someone who would truly appreciate him.
-Ray was riveting to watch. He initially came across as arguably one of the most heartbreaking characters. He had a severe drinking problem that, his mother drank herself to death which he blamed himself for, his father is largely absent, and he's lonely and depressed. He's also been in love with his best friend for at least two years. It's a lot for anyone to handle. He feels deeply and you want to protect him from further pain, but he's not blameless in all of this either. He's a toxic narcissist in his own right with an ego to match. He's in love with Mew, but also falls for Sand and proceeds to string him along, knowing exactly how he feels. He refuses to let Sand go and is possessive of him even when Sand is clearly trying to move on. Things eventually come to a head and they confess their feelings for each other and Ray and Mew acknowledge that they really weren't in love, that Mew had been using Ray and Ray knew it. With Sand's help, Ray finally starts taking steps to heal, going to rehab and working on paying his debt to society following his drunken crash. But their drama doesn't end there as a misunderstanding threatens to tear them apart as does the reappearance of Sand's first love and the ex Top stole, Boeing. Boeing mixes things up and causes both Ray and Sand to question their relationship briefly, until it's revealed that Boeing doesn't really love Sand and is promptly put in his place. This instance is another example though of Ray's self-destructive behaviour, as Sand reveals that if Ray hadn't forced them to kiss, his feelings would have remained buried. Still all's well that ends well and Ray seems on the path to continued sobriety with Sand firmly by his side.
-Sand throws the least red flags of the group. There's a sincerity and simplicity to him that is very appealing. He is who he is and if you don't like it, oh well. He's not rich by any means, he works for what he has, and his love and friendship absolutely cannot be bought. Not that all of his work is exactly legal since he sells alcohol on campus and seems to have some other questionable endeavors, but times are hard, I get that. He's a bit of a hot head, that's made clear based on his interactions with both Top and Ray. He has no tolerance for other people's crap and he doesn't appreciate being used. And while he is mostly a green flag, his betrayal of Nick was definitely a red flag. Regardless of his reasoning, stealing the recording was wrong. The repercussions for his actions personally were fairly mild. While Nick was upset, they quickly reconciled. I did love their friendship and support of each other. Sand served as a good sounding board for Nick and gave him solid advice and when he needed it, a shoulder to cry on. His relationship with Ray was definitely a journey. Sand fell hard and fast and he clearly struggled with where he stood with Ray. I appreciated though that even though he loved Ray, he was not willing to sacrifice his own happiness and self-worth for him. He made it clear that he was not going to remain as Ray's second choice. He proved himself to be a deeply caring and loving person throughout, constantly looking out for Ray and helping him. And while he did forgive Ray repeatedly, he also had his boundaries. Boeing's appearance shook him though, understandably once it's revealed that he was his first love. However, once Boeing's true intentions are revealed, there's no further question in Sand's mind and he firmly stands with Ray. It's clear that they make each other happy and the future for them is bright.
-My thoughts on a few other characters are in the comments.

The cast, by and large, did a phenomenal job. The main reason I was so excited about this series to begin with was the cast, particularly First, Khaotung, Neo, and Mark. These are the most mature roles I've seen any of them play and I am once again just blown away by their talent and chemistry. The tension between Sand and Ray is almost palpable. Khaotung nails every emotional scene. I don't know how, but he just dominates them every time. And he's so expressive, it's fantastic to watch. First is more stoic, but he does so much acting with just his eyes. You can see the emotion in them and it's amazing. Neo and Mark were a new pairing, and as it turns out, a very successful one. Their chemistry was a bonfire and they played their roles so well. Neo is such a versatile actor, he absolutely nailed Boston's character. He struggled a little bit with some of the more emotional scenes, they didn't feel quite as authentic, but otherwise, perfection. Mark is equally versatile and really managed to pull on those heartstrings. He maintained that sweet, innocent appearance despite the crap that Nick pulled and made it so hard to judge him. The only two I was uncertain of were Force and Book and justifiably so. There were times when their chemistry was decent and times when it was completely absent. Frankly, Book had more chemistry with Drake and Mond than he did with Force. Book struggles with consistency in his acting as well, sometimes doing really well and absolutely killing a scene, only to struggle in the next. Force maintained his use of only a few expressions that were recycled throughout. I know the man's good looking, but he really cannot act. Their lack of consistency and chemistry was made all the more glaring by the fact that they were surrounded by other very talented actors and it did create an imbalance.

I really appreciated the production value. The cinematography was great, there are some really fantastic shots and angles. The sets are amazing, particularly Ray's music room at his house. Each character's living space felt distinctly theirs. And don't even get me started on the costuming. I like how each character has their own distinctive style that suited both their character and lifestyles. And last but absolutely not least, the music. God I loved the music and there was so much of it! I found so many awesome new songs and groups thanks to this series. But seriously, it was obvious that a lot of thought and care went into choosing the music and it added just another layer to everything.

Only Friends started out incredibly strong and although it did falter along the way, it managed to come to a satisfactory conclusion. While I may be in the minority, I was glad that it didn't end with all the couples working out. I feel that would have been cliche and the way it actually concluded was more realistic and true to the characters. Truly the highlight for me though was getting to see such talented actors spread their wings and explore roles that were very different from what they'd portrayed previously and kill it. If you enjoy messy dramas, I highly recommend Only Friends and even if you don't, I still recommend it. It's a great ride and I have absolutely no doubt that I will be rewatching it again and again. It's one of those ones that never gets old because there's always something new to discover.

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Love hexagon

GOD!! what did I just watch!! my literally going crazy but I can't just stop watching it . I don't perticularly understand what this drama is about Problems before love? Problems facing in love? dating life? ( absolutely not) . Non of them are actually dating. Even top and mew didn't confirm their relationship but call themselves boyfriends and sometimes not .

TOP:-
such an a*shole . he can't really love anyone and get bored with them soo soon . but I guess he have some special feelings for mew but still he he cheats on him whenever he doubts him or get bored .

MEW:-
Nerd?? I guess not ! May be in further episodes he might show his true colours. He can't be that innocent to date a top tier .

RAY:-
I can't really confirm his character because everyone are saying he is using sand but I think he is just a coward how can't express his true feelings. because in episode 5 he showed his feelings for sand and he might actually fall in love but Boston suddenly created a dispute. But I agree that in starting episode he is really such a Playboy who wants to play with sand feelings.

SAND:-
MY MOST BELOVED CHARACTER from this whole drama . He literally deserves better. I can't see him sad. I wish he'll get what he deserves. Why would anyone hurt him like that 🥺🥺 he is too good for anyone.

BOSTON:-

The most hated character. If he likes top then why would he sleep with nick . if he thinks Nick is special then why would he again go to Top . Okay but , why the hell would he interfere in Ray's relationship. He is the person who literally ruin all the relationships .

NICK:-
At first he was my favourite character. I mean he still is but I guess he changed a lot . now everytime I see him he either sleep with Boston or do some pathetic thing for Boston or obsessed with Boston. I wish he would leave Boston and find him own happiness.I want to see Boston to beg nick to love him lol.

so the mind map i pictured from this messed up relationship is ..

Top likes mew , mew likes top, Boston likes top and thinks Nick is special, nick is obsessed with Boston, Ray liked mew now he is slowly developing feelings for Sand, Sand absolutely love Ray

( I may change this after all the episodes are released)

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Good acting but lacks real interesting story.

Sadly this is boring and I hate how they make it only look like a one-sideded gay mock-up. Not every gay man wants to sleep with everyone around him and all his friends. Have to say lacks story and chemistry at times. I am a big fan of all the actors and they all do amazing in acting and showing emotions, but their chemistry is off at times and I feel like the story is not going anywhere. Feels like we have seen this way too many times, and as a gay man, it is not always how it is for all of us, we all don't want to sleep with friends and lie and cheat. I respect the idea of the story but sadly comes up short on anything else. Wish the story was better the only thing it has going for it which I think is the only reason people are watching is for the intimate moments only, it is very sadly written and half the time looks like nothing is really centered for the story. Great actors but nothing else.

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Oof, it's painful

I'm struggling to make it through this one. I can commend them for trying to make a "grittier" BL, but if I have to see much more of Boston's face I'm going to lose it. Also, no one is likable. Even Sand and Ray (who I'm still watching it for), are messy as hell. I guess if you can let go of the mess and just embrace the melodrama, it's fun. The acting isn't terrible and the music is good.
However, it's hard watching these characters come up against the same "stuff" that's been holding them back, over and over again, not face any real consequences of their actions, and then do the same thing all over again the next day.

Just don't show me Boston anymore.

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A drama full of drama queens, passion, hate, spicyness and the thing with loyalty to those you love.

The trailer makes us believe that it is superficially all about sex. Even though there are many hot and sometimes explicit scenes, it's about much more than that. It's about friendship and what true friendship means. What highs and lows you experience, how you can solve problems. But it is also about true love and how human desire, which is inherent in each of us, can be a problem and a problem solver at the same time.
The acting is overall very good, only cheaum's performance can't quite keep up with the others, and yet her character is fun to watch. I also like the fact that the series doesn't have the heavy involvement of parents, which is something new in the bls I've seen so far. I especially like the theme music, finally a theme music that you do not want to skip. Even though I didn't quite understand the forshaddowing at the end of ep12, I'm hopeful and excited if there will be a second season. I'm sure they wouldn't have cast a well-known actor for the first guest if it didn't make sense.


If there is a second season, here are a few thoughts on my part:
- Can Boston really change? Will he continue to live his life as before? Will his dream of having his own art exhibition come true and will his ex-friends or Nick visit it? and what will become of Nick, will he maybe get together with his boss? I thought they were very cute.
- The storyline of top and mew seems to be told at first sight, but the newcomer aka first guest looks like a troublemaker. Will there be tension between mew and top? What will their life together look like? I think Tharntype has shown us that even an everyday life on the screen can be exciting.
- Sand and Ray. I would love to see the two of them travel around the world and sand play concerts. But it will probably be too expensive to produce. Will ray make it through his rehab? I really hope so and hopefully he will find something to do in life. It's a shame to see him so completely without a plan.

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Only Friends - A Disappointing Watch

"Only Friends," a series that promised a compelling story and dynamic chemistry, unfortunately fell short of expectations. As someone who was eager to dive into this show, I found myself struggling to stay engaged.

One of the biggest letdowns was the story itself. Despite its potential, the plot was sluggish and uninspiring. There were moments that felt repetitive, and the narrative seemed to drag without any significant developments. Instead of being gripped by the drama, I found myself frequently checking the time, hoping for something more engaging to happen. The pacing issues made it difficult to invest in the characters or care about their journeys.

Adding to the lackluster storyline was the disappointing chemistry between the lead actors, Force and Book. Chemistry is often the cornerstone of a good series, especially when it revolves around relationships and emotional connections. However, Force and Book’s interactions felt forced and devoid of any real spark. Their on-screen dynamic failed to capture the essence of their characters' supposed bond, making their scenes together unconvincing and awkward.

Interestingly, the only parts of the series that managed to catch my attention were the sex scenes. It was unusual for GMMTV actors to participate in such explicit scenes, and this unexpected departure from their typical roles added a fleeting element of intrigue. However, even these moments couldn't salvage the overall experience of the series.

In conclusion, "Only Friends" struggled to deliver a captivating experience. The slow-paced story and the lack of chemistry between the lead actors made it a challenge to stay invested. For a series that had so much potential, it's unfortunate that it didn’t quite hit the mark.

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A very realistic description of the gay scene... unfortunately!

Having experienced the gay scene from the inside, I can tell you that it's unfortunately just like in the show: everyone sleeps with everyone else, fidelity is a dirty word, friendship is a concept, alcohol flows freely and drugs are all too easy to come by.
The series can't be faulted for its desire for hyperrealism, and in that sense it succeeds. But we're not here to watch a documentary, and Only Friends doesn't have the stature of an Oscar-winning film, so a little levity would have been welcome. The characters are in 100% toxic mode at all times, and we'd have appreciated it if this had been softened by a bit of a bitchy moment. I was expecting to watch this series all smiles with a glass of wine in hand and found myself sighing and thinking "someone get them a psychologist!".

Apart from Sand and, to a lesser extent, Nick, the characters are not really likeable: Mew is falsely candid and rather bland, Top is infuriatingly "I want to control everything", Rey is ultra-toxic, Boston is the epitome of the well-built bitch who doesn't give a damn about anything, Nick is touching but goes too far in his actions. Then there's poor Sand, in whom I kind of saw myself.

As for the acting, Neo and Mark are excellent. As for the others, it depends on the moment.

In conclusion, I'd say it's a good series, but if you have to compare it to Friendzone, which is in the same style, Only Friends is worse.

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loved it.

My friends made me watch this series and I loved it. The cast is great, especially First and Khao are just incredibile, immense chemistry and they’re both very good actors, always believable in their performances. The story is very nice, intrigues of friendships and romantic/sexual relationships that never fall into ridicule, and the plot twists, unexpectedly, were definitely surprising. The several relationships feel overall natural, and all the conflicts take the right amount of time to be resolved, nothing ever feels rushed. And last but not least, is a very hot series, lol, many interesting scenes indeed…
I would definitely recommend!!

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It shows real world or...

It really shows real world outside of our dramas. It not about bl but a person. His emotions, living ways and so on...

But at some points i found this show is really crazy u find any characters hooking up with each other but i kinda expected it.

Everything has come to MIDLE. Nothing compled like a hole drama i think but this also shows that life can change any time and cs of anyone.

It's good to watch but not to rewatch nevertheless u want ur head goes crazy


PC i want to know why did the director end them like that really want.. cs their casting contains really good actors. Maybe this way director thinks they can attract viewers

All of the my opinion..

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