Khemjira

Khemjira

The series portrays traditionalism, religion, and beliefs in a way that keeps you entertained by the characters and makes you wonder what will happen in the next episode. The episodes are numerous and lengthy, which is why I deducted some points because it became a bit tiring towards the end; it could have been a little shorter. However, it's an impeccable piece of work, with good actors who managed to convey their characters effectively. However, it's necessary to point out that the ending seems a bit anticlimactic, as there were many good scenes only for something that seemed very simple to happen at the end. I would like to praise the performance of Rampueng's actress , who was a very important part of this story and managed to raise the level of acting in this series. I would probably think twice before rewatching it because it's very long, but it's interesting how they managed to incorporate elements of Thai culture and finally for Domundi to get something right. Charn&Jet my beloved <3

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This will haunt me forever

I came into this expecting a horror story that somehow devolves into lakorn territory making everything convoluted or ridiculous. But the story took itself seriously from the first episode and kept the same gravitas all through.

While some world building elements leave more questions than answers, I'd say that's ignorance of Thai shamanism/mythology on my end than the show's problem.

The endgame being Khemjira's survival didn't erase the stakes within the game. Ramphueng was an actual threat and did cause harm making her simultaneously frightful and in need of compassion. I do love that the story didn't feel the need to add dumb fight sequences but some choices left a lot to be desired. (A CGI boar comes to mind).

PS. Thailand decriminalised homosexuality in 1956. But only made gay marriage legal in 2025. Adoption by queer couples there is also legalised by the Marriage Equality Act. You see world? That's how you do it 🥰 (But really Thailand, let single people adopt kids too).

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If in the future thai start doing horror bl, world must thank Khemjira in advance.

I said what i said. This series hold more than a story to kengnamping and all fans who love the novel and them, All thank to the production team, actors and actresses, writers, local guide, and we are for make it truly happen. We know how long we have to wait and strugle behind the series (there litterally documentation about the dedication, either it's marketing or not, we couldnt turn blind to see how mush people behind this series learn and trying their best at potray the culture and story in story)

As someone who read the novel, some part of it still questionable because im not really understand about thai culture, but khemjira bring a wonderful experience to the table. a lot of thing is hinted as the culture, the study about it, and a lot of thai fan explain about it makes me really understand about the culture more. and as bl watcher, it isnt bothering me with such a little screentime kengnamping have, cause as in novel they also have really slow burning plot (mush slower than the series) and ooh god keng as pharan and namping as khemjira makes me kneel. their potraying chacter is so good, like subtle touch, lingering eye contact and yearning. espicially keng, as an actor who act wih eye he's really good with it, and his cold demenor really make me want to slap him. well namping trully need some study on some part, but most of all i just want to hold him in my arm seeing how fragile he was, and how everytime i see him on screen he looks like he's gonna breakdown everytime, another with rampheung actress, green really did such a great job potraying rampheung's ghost, as she also the main character. person who hold so much grudge againt patriach, acting as a mother who lost her child i always cry thingkin about it. and all the actor who did a great job, the production team really put so much thought chosing actor and actresses with how much similiar they are. i mean janis and namping basically twin.

another thing i forget to mention is how all the actor in here can sing? like wow you guys should check it out grandma si singing, she's a popular singer that if you wacth this series and novel there's no way you're not gonna shed a tear hearing her singing.

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enjoyed the unique premise

Overall: I was impressed with the horror/supernatural elements in the first episode, but several plot elements/pacing were disappointing. This series was based off of a book which I haven't read and I reviewed the series on its own merits. 12 episodes about 1 hour each. Aired on iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/khemjira-episode-1-wraawu50u8?lang=en_us

Content Warnings: jump scares, attempted murders, blood, intimate partner abuse and violence, punch, suicide (it's complicated); (past: infanticide, torture, suicide, blood, manipulation, death on and off screen, grief, kidnapping)

Watch Suggestions (to focus on sweet/steamy parts)
- read the synopsis
- skip episodes 1-4
- episode 5 watch 8-end
- skip episode 6
- episode 7 watch 7:45-20:40 and 49:20-end
- episode 8 watch 37:30-end
- skip episode 9 (many major content warnings in this)
- episode 10 watch 21-23 and 57:30-end
- episode 11 watch 7-13:20 and 52-53:10 (watch all of episode 11 and 12 to get the whole plot resolution)
- episode 12 watch 38:30-end

What I Liked
- Jet as a supportive friend
- mystery of what happened in the past, how things came to be the way they are
- that Khemjira helped someone (or rather 2) in episode 1
- good consent and intimacy with the side couple
- the Thai culture and spirituality (not sure if that's the right word) aspects
- the finale
- production value

Room For Improvement
- the second domestic violence was handled very poorly, why didn't Khem tell him right away, it seemed like they only stepped in to help her because the guy was possessed and then how everything seemed fine and dandy at the end
- there is a difference between a slow burn and one character constantly rebuffing/hurting a sweet character, it was not enjoyable to watch for several episodes
- the horror aspect kind of vanished during some episodes
- love rivals
- a few writing tweaks would have made a character's actions much more understandable (specifically with ep 9 flashback of who did what/was at the most fault in that scenario then not being the ones punished forever)

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Easily my top 10 shows

Excellent pacing, story, sets, production, music, acting, effects.

I think because of how seriously they took basic concepts like karma or prayers, the world feels realistic. Ex: Karma is correctly used in this show. Here, you see it across lifetimes- which is how it is supposed to work. (The results of karma aren't seen in this life.) Karma at its core is an "explanation" for inequality and suffering- people suffer due to their bad karma in past lives. Once they repay their debts/atone for their bad karma over several lives, they can "move on" or be reborn with better karma. That is a complicated concept for many people so it is shocking how they have shown it pretty well here.

(Karmic curses are not out of vengeance, they are about justice. So, everybody involved in the original sin will suffer only until they "pay" for their crimes. Then they will be free from the curse, and the ghost's soul will also be finally able to move on to her next life. This is a very common concept in Karma. That's why we should do good deeds, because we pay for our bad deeds. But it is a fair system. The pain is not eternal, you suffer exactly as much as you deserve and then your soul moves on. This is also mentioned in this show- for example, Khem's father becomes a monk in the hope that his earned good karma/merit can help Khem. I am amazed at how beautifully this show describes it. I know many westerners will still have trouble understanding but to anybody familiar with karmic concepts, this is a really intricate story.)

SPOILER: For example before they are about to become intimate, the priest/shaman is reading a book called Dharma, and the chapter he is on is about Patience. And then Khemjira tells him to join him on the bed and he closes the book. That is what I mean about excellent storyteling, direction etc. That is so clever. In a lesser show, he would have been reading a random book or even been on the phone. But this detail adds layers to his character while still giving a comedic twist.

This isn't horror after the first episode. It is more tragedy/fantasy. I am genuinely taken aback every episode at how good this is. This is up there with Goblin almost (actually the story is much deeper than that show). It won't get as popular worldwide as it is BL, and most people just wont watch it due to prejudice. Which is why I am impressed they put in so much love into making this. It is also true that most BL audience doesn't care about the plot and will watch anything that contains their ship. Which is why most shows have no storyline, bad direction, same sets, etc. So, I am genuinely grateful to this team for making something amazing that BL fans can show to their friends IRL and go "See, you are missing out."

Even if ep 10-12 are awful and the ending is awful, the first 9 episodes are enough to give this show 1000 /10 stars. I am actually grateful they made this. We rarely see such well made shows, even straight shows with a wider audience and funding. So amazing.

Update: Finished watching it. Still amazing. Ep11 had a lot of filler IMO. But it's still an amazing show. Glad I watched it. Wish we had more BL shows with this level of production. I hope they make lots of money from it!

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Overall Thoughts

Khemjira is a great series across the board, and I have no complaints in terms of acting, script, plot. However, the fx are so corny, and I hate them. Not everything can be perfect, but I feel like with that budget they could've done better. No issues with the cast or script. I only disliked the fx. Maybe there's also things that could've been depicted a bit better if i nit pick. For ex the CPR scene, and the scene where they're supposed to whip Rampheung to death. Those small little lashes were not enough to kill her. That's an obvious oversight on their end. My complaints are mainly just nit picking.

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A BL So Slow the Ghosts Have More Chemistry

Let's start with the positives - the horror genre is definitely present and well-developed. At times, the atmosphere is tense and the mystical elements are visually well-executed. However, there's "too much" horror. It completely dominates the screen time, leaving little room for the development of other storylines. Some rituals are just plain weird, often feel out of place, and at times are outright cringe. It's hard to understand their purpose or why these unnecessary scenes take up so much time.

Now, about the BL aspect (yes, that's boys love, in case anyone didn't know). The relationship between the main characters progresses painfully slowly. Meanwhile, straight drama is somehow front and center - which really shouldn't be the case in a BL series. By the end of episode 7, we "do" see some progress between the leads, but even the "one" kiss that was clearly supposed to happen gets cut off. They leave the audience hanging at the most crucial moment - and it's not exciting, it's just "frustrating".

The contrast is especially clear when it comes to the secondary characters - their relationships develop "too" quickly, with barely any buildup, as if the writers were in a rush to check boxes. In the end, it all feels chaotic - some things move at a snail's pace, others race ahead without any balance. The story doesn't unfold in a natural or harmonious way.

Honestly? After episode 7, I'm not sure it's even worth continuing. If things keep going like this, there's really not much point in watching further.

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Meu 10000/10 BL

Primeiro BL que sinto que houve uma conversa humana com o telespectador e personagens na trama. O diretor, e toda a equipe teve muita empatia com os sentimentos retratados, mesmo tendo uma novel em pauta (já escrita e finalizada), conseguiram adaptar e dar um novo olhar para Khemjira, a ambientação, a sonoridade. A OST foi tão bem estilizada e lançada em momentos corretos, colocadas em takes específicos, há tantas camadas - fica muito difícil de falar tudo; personagens marcantes que fazem você se apegar e entender todos os seus lados, suas angústias, suas crenças e tradições (sem esquecer dos seus medos).

E por último, não tão menos importante, as cenas de beijos e NC, parabéns a todos da equipe de edição, filmagem, roteiristas, e diretores, e claro os atores, desde o retrato do primeiro beijo de Khem e Por Kru, que foi tão delicado, mas ao mesmo tempo “estranho”, pois um homem que “não tem” contato físico e um rapaz que não havia beijado ainda na vida, as cenas NC, foram tão bem feitas, tão sensíveis que nunca, jamais já havia visto isso, tanto em conteúdo BL, quanto ocidental heterossexual, achei surreal.

E extra: cultura, tradição, misticismo, xamanismo, etc.
A série não traz apenas o termo “boys love”, mas quebra a parede, de que ali está mostrando o seu valor também, com a cultura, tradições de uma nação: Tailândia.

(Se você nunca assistiu nenhuma série assim, deveria começar por essa)

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A Must-Watch Masterpiece from Mandee!

I’ve watched several Mandee productions, and for me, this is their best one so far. I absolutely love the blend of horror and historical elements—it adds a unique depth that sets this series apart.

What truly stands out is the storytelling. I know there’s a novel behind it, but the drama adaptation delivered incredible satisfaction. Because of this series, I officially became a Kengnamping fan. And seriously, credit to the screenwriter—the script is exceptional.

The ending is probably the BEST ending I’ve ever seen in a BL series. Perfectly wrapped, emotional, and unforgettable.

I only signed up here because I wanted to recommend this brilliant series. Mandee’s channel is growing fast, and with works like this, it’s no surprise why.

Highly recommended! 🌟

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