Great Occult/Horror Story! BL Falls Flat
There are only two reasons to watch this series. One is for the metaplot to the story itself. The horror fantasy theme of it is simply engrossing. As long as that portion was involved, this story was most extraordinarily entertaining. The second reason is for the antagonists; as they far outshined the protagonists. They were more engaging in terms of depth of quintessential personifications, acting, emotional impact, and frankly just the spirit of the story (no pun intended). The story rapt you with its supernatural elements, including magic, mystic incantations, and frequent exorcisms. Since a lot of this is foreign to me as a Westerner, I am enthralled and captivated by the spiritualism of it all. As I stated, the story is very entertaining and its production value and special effects are some of the best I have seen in a Thai series. Because the protagonists for the most part have no real personalities, the series dragged on with mundane storylines only carried on by some fine acting and scenes by the support performers. This whole series frankly would have fallen apart without the eclectic array of antagonists and the plethora of tragedians propping up the dullness in who the protagonists were. Once again, gay relationships are shown as being unserious and are presented as pre-pubescents exercises that never show any real depth to commitment and/or devoid of any desire of physicality to love. Or those acts are too ‘shameful’ even if they are done contextually or innocuously and therefore must be backtracked and made to go down a right (acceptable) path. Or worse than all that, a relationship is presented as to what an idealized version of what a gay couple reside in the Land of Oz, ought to be, devoid of a serious tethering to any reality.Was this review helpful to you?
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Had hopes but it was crushed
First 2 episodes we good, side couple was heavenly but beside that? Boring, mediocre, main couple was not it, poor acting even. For me they could do so much better with the story but they did not. The actor who played Khemjira, was not it or probably his character was so poorly writen? He was really useless the whole show. He was the main boy who is cursed but beside that? He did nothing just cooked for his crush and be saved all the time by others.Was this review helpful to you?
Wasted Potential
Note: Since this comment is literally a rant-review, I decided to post it here with a couple of editing here and there.You know the drama's doomed when actors only getting cameo roles have more sass and spunk than the main actor whose role is literally the title of the drama.
Could have been great if Khemjira had been written better. For the life of me I just don't understand how could anybody write a character like that. He's BLAND. Period. Except, crying, cooking and waiting to be saved, he does NOTHING, he's got no agency and I'm fed up with him. He's got nothing compelling but the awkward acting doesn't help either. Not gonna go about a rant about giving more experience to actors before casting them as lead since throwing inexperienced actors onto a main role as soon as they start their careers seems to be the norm in the Thai BL industry...
But in this case, give these actors a GOOD role. Because if the character is written terribly, you can imagine how difficult it might be for a seasoned actor to make that character compelling let alone an inexperienced one.
One would expect the romance aspect would save the show... But there's literally no chemistry with his co-lead. The kisses between Khem and Paran are the worst I've seen in YEARS in a Thai BL.
I'm sure some people stuck with the show only for the second couple... And they certainly were better... But I personally scarcely ever care about second couples and this drama is no exception. The second pair do make the drama slightly better... but only slightly.
The pace is also terrible. Slow as fudge. I had to take several breaks watching this. I thought I would binge it... but sadly I wasn't able to due to the terrible pace.
This is a typical example of great ideas with poor execution and bad casting choice. I have not a lot to complain about regarding the whole cast... except for Namping...
OOPS, he's the MAIN CHARACTER.
The Thai lore was fresh and intriguing especially in a BL setting... which is one of the only reasons why I'm gonna rate this show above the passing grade.
The silver lining was the OST. Best one I've heard in a while... Too bad the show didn't do it justice.
Sad for what it could have been.
And I so wanted to like that one...
PS: Learn to tone down your filters Domundi. Sometimes your actors' faces look like they'e AI generated given how smooth their skins appear.
PS2: Well the kisses got better in the NC scene of the last episode but Keng clearly did the heavy work. He really was into it... Too bad his partner wasn't. Either closing his eye or smiling awkwardly... I get it, such scenes are awkward... But I'm not supposed to feel how awkward you feel, I'm supposed to feel you DESIRING your co-star. JESUS. You've got one of the most gorgeous stud almost completely naked in front of you and I couldn't feel even an ounce of desire from Khem. Which made the whole scene really awkward.
And they have another drama already planned together... 😒
Well hopefully Namping gets better... Hopefully...
But I'm gonna be honest... I'm crossing my fingers this ship soon tanks REAL BAD and Keng is paired with somebody better. Or not. He could just act like Peterpan and Pond as free agents. These two had insane chemistry and they're not even an official pair. Given how Keng tried SO HARD to sell this ship during the whole drama, I'm sure he could do wonders with anybody who would at least try a little, unlike his current official onscreen partner.
Suggested rating: 7
Personal rating: 6.5
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So so ...
I’d give it a 6 out of 10, and honestly, I think it’s extremely overrated.Sure, it had a lot of potential, and you can feel it in three, maybe four episodes — but that’s about it.
Oh, and if you’re looking for horror, this drama is not really horror at all, except for maybe two or three scenes.
The episodes are slow and boring.
The actors are good, but that’s not enough to save it.
Honestly, they should have made only seven or eight episodes, because the finale doesn’t live up to the rest.
In short, it had potential, but it wasn’t fully realized.
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sigh... horrified i spent time on this
I honestly regretted putting in time to complete this series, even though I skipped parts and played this back at x1.25. I think it tried too hard to incorporate suspense, horror (that was mainly manifested in make-up and unnaturally echoey voice effects), star-crossed lovers type romance, introduce thai culture and rural thailand, and do justice to the fans. The base material and dialogues were written like it was ripped off some soap opera in the 90s. Story was predictable (with the exception of final plot twist) and characters were poorly designed...I was hoping for a sassy, resilient, 'fuck-off-death' type protagonist and a hopeless yet restrained type of romance since the character Khem is destined to die and the character Paran should technically be completely resolute in protecting him. Instead we got a Khem who couldn't make up his mind if he was going to fight fate tooth and nail or just let his kharma be and a Paran who didn't give the audience confidence that he was committed to protecting Khem right from the start (think my commitment to finishing this series beat his). The character Khem was jealous, filled with self-pity and just cried a lot. The character Paran flashed a lot of skin (I'm guessing much to his fans' delight) and was full of inconsistency (turning horny all of a sudden like some switch had gone off in his head).
Saving grace? The side story with the second leads (who had more personality) was mildly entertaining and thai culture was interesting for the first part. The choice of music was also decent.
Had high expectations and now I want my time back.
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1A 10/10 Masterpiece
Khemjira is nothing short of a masterpiece. Every single episode was captivating, drawing me deeper into its haunting yet beautiful world. From the very first scene to the last, I felt completely immersed, unable to look away.The setting was breathtaking, each location chosen with care and filmed with a polished eye. The cinematography was crisp and fresh, never once falling into the overdone or cringey trap that sometimes plagues BL dramas. Instead, it carried an elegance that elevated the story into something truly special.
The plot itself was a revelation. Layered, emotional, and unpredictable, it unfolded like a tragic poem, blending supernatural horror with the tenderness of human love. The flashbacks were perfectly woven in, never forced, always meaningful, giving us the heart-wrenching backstory of the family’s curse. The explanation of why the mother named her son “Khemjira” tied everything together so beautifully with the title, leaving me in awe of the storytelling.
The cast delivered performances that were nothing short of brilliant. Every emotion felt real, every moment of pain or love carried weight. The chemistry between the leads was powerful and believable, and the supporting cast gave depth and soul to the entire narrative.
The ghost effects were surprisingly realistic and heightened the sense of dread without overshadowing the story. The music score, meanwhile, was perfectly matched, haunting, emotional, and often lingering in my mind long after an episode ended.
What makes Khemjira stand apart is its balance: a supernatural tale laced with tragedy and horror, yet still deeply human and emotionally resonant. It never dragged, never lost its rhythm. Every episode was a 10 out of 10 experience, the kind of rare drama that holds your heart hostage until the very end.
This is one of the best BL series I have ever watched. It is powerful, tragic, and breathtaking, a drama that will stay with me for a long, long time.
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Khemjira – My Final Review (3 Months Later)
Three months ago, I wrote a review after watching the first episode of KhemJira, completely blown away by its start. The production, the acting, the atmosphere—everything screamed 8.9–9 material already. I couldn’t understand how anyone was rating it low unless it was out of petty fan politics. Back then, I said, “If the rest of the series keeps this momentum, we’re looking at something truly memorable.”Now that I’ve finished it, I can confidently say: it did keep that momentum—and even exceeded it.
From start to finish, KhemJira is one of the most captivating series I’ve seen this year. The story is so well written, and the acting is just phenomenal. Every emotional beat lands, and the chemistry only grows stronger with time. I’ve tried to find something to complain about, but honestly, it’s near impossible.
A lot of people commented on the horror element fading midway through, but that’s actually one of the most logical progressions in the story. At that point, Khem was living with Master Peem, who was protecting him spiritually. Of course, the haunting would stop—he was no longer vulnerable the way he was before. It’s not inconsistency; it’s development.
And let’s talk about the OSTs again—because not a single one misses. They’re stunning, atmospheric, and emotional. I actually made a mixed playlist of all the KhemJira songs because they blend so beautifully together.
The ending left me with such a strange, indescribable feeling—bittersweet in the best way. It was happy, but it still lingered with me long after the final scene.
KhemJira was an experience. And honestly, I don’t think any other company could have delivered it the way Domundi did. They absolutely outdid themselves.
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boredom
I was really excited to watch this BL, because it's a relatively underexplored theme in BL series, but I thought there were some misguided decisions. The story is extremely boring and dragged out, the acting is really bad, especially Namping's, and what’s the story? The main character is cursed by a spirit from the past, and at first, the master, played by Keng, can’t help for some personal reasons. As a result, the story drags on through incredibly long episodes, over 1 hour each, with very little substance being developed in those episodes. I found it boring, and in every episode, I felt like skipping the video.Was this review helpful to you?
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Khemjira finish 12/12 episodes with review of ep 9 too
end with the drama now.and how do i explain properly my fave. when i saw the adoption paper in the end and i saw tong and Aek (don’t remember they’re new name) i smiled like crazy and actually gay parents in a series i do love. gonna miss them alot and this series.
still a 10/10 for me💛
aaah where should i start😭..
this whole episode was a downfall rollercoaster 🎢. Khem blaming himself because of The curse and when Grandma Si passed away, she passed away by a heart attack, and Thong soul leaving but was because he wanted to save khem, now Thong can be reborned, i cried alot on when khem kept trying to save grandma si, and cried alot that knowing that Rhampueng have went through.
seeing Ake heartbroken to lose his best friend/brother and wanted to see him again and begging.
ive cried the whole episode.
Khem don’t blame yourselves it was never your fault in the first place, you where told by your mom in past to lie to be safe.
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Khemjira - BL Horror that Broke Me
Tropes: horror, paranormal, ghost story, I see dead people, countryside setting, shamanistic rituals, tsundere/sunshine, paladin/damselTriggers: jump scares, blood, horror, obsession, child endangerment, child loss, infanticide
Summary
The story of a boy laboring under a curse, haunted by ghosts and demons, who’s family, found family, friends and lover all try to help him through various spiritual and physical means. While horror is not my genre, I’m very glad that I gave this a chance. This is a diaphanous magical BL of the kind that only really comes along once a year these days (with lingering notes of I Feel You Linger in the Air rather than any actual BL horror I could name). I’m not sure it’s going to be much of a rewatch for me, but I admire its (and its actors) otherworldly beauty, cultural relevancy, and elegant execution and impact.
If someone asks me to recommend a ghost story BL, this is now the first one I’m reaching for. To climb to a pinnacle in such a crowded market is high praise indeed.
Standing in the Zeitgeist
I normally would have waited and binged this, but I'm glad I watched it week-to-week. It elevated the end of summer 2025 in a way that will not be soon forgotten, partly because it held its own against the outrageously loud ridiculousness of Revenge Love and Desire in a sentimental yet quietly refined way.
What is most remarkable about Khemjira is that is had so many people in a chokehold during its run. We have had quite a bit of BL horror before, but it was this show that struck a gold vein of public appeal, even outside of BL devotees.
Cast & Character
I'm going to give props to Domundi, they cast Khemjira perfectly. After a string of poor offerings based on existing branded pairs, they took two of their newer couples and front loaded this show with a perfect combination of talent (unexpected) and optics (expected).
And while I, personally, wasn't wild about the archetypes and dynamic of the lead pair (stern paladin + imperiled ingenue doesn't do it for me), the secondaries were all glorious and contrasted enough to give chronic BL watchers like me something to latch onto.
Not to mention the fact that the sides were also given character development, backstories, and enough screen time to carry the weight of fan interest (if the leads didn't engage).
All of which I to say, this was a very well-balanced offering, with production, cast, and script being equally great.
The Horror Conundrum
I, who does not like horror at all, found that this one's reliance on makeup and acting over advanced special effects (or high concept) more "down-home amusement park" than actually scary. But your milage may vary.
For me it was not the horror component, but the attention to detail, particularly historical and cultural, and the thorough glimpse into Northern Thai shamanistic traditions that engaged the most.
However, I cannot deny that all other aspects of this show were also of a particularly high quality, including its scary narrative.
Final Thoughts
Not only was Khemjira a unique Thai BL in quality of story, it's handling of intimacy was also special. This is a high heat show, but it is very classy about it. The NC scenes were different from normal expectations, plus very hot, with extended air time, and very well done.
Finally, and most importantly for me, Khemjira really really REALLY stuck the landing. The final episode is truly spectacular and worth watching towards. It would have gotten an 8/10 from me, but the ending was just so wonderful, it earned that 9 honestly at the last gasp.
In conclusion, even if you don't like horror, you might want to give this show a chance.
I genuinely do not say that lightly.
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The overall score of the first 2 ep
Despite the fact that "Khemjira" has only just started airing, I already believe that this series will be a success! The actors are well-chosen and very similar to the characters in the novel. I also can't help but notice their visual appearance. The series is beautifully shot and features pleasant colors, as well as spine-chilling music. It immediately immerses you in the atmosphere of a Thai village and its traditions. I love how everything unfolds gradually, allowing my thoughts to coalesce into a cohesive narrative. I highly recommend watching this series.Was this review helpful to you?
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Could have been amazing but....
Oh where do I even start from?Khemjira should have been my favourite show this season because I adore anything supernatural/horror/bl but it left me with conflicting feelings.
Let's start from the positives:
The music was amazing. I literally cannot express how much I adore Mantra. I think this was the best part of the whole show.
The plot was interesting and a nice break from all the stereotypical BLs. I also liked the fact that they icluded so much Thai lore and culture. The multiple reincarnations were also interesting to me.
Some of the side characters were very interesting, especially the villain. Her back story was so heavy and interesting, explaining her motives perfectly. Additionally, I really loved the second couple,.
The acting of some of the actors was amazing. I especially liked the Villain, the female Khem and the Peem's brother from his previous life. The second couple actors were also very talented.
Now for the bad...
The main couple. There, I said it. The main couple was, i think, the worst part of this. I don't know what went wrong. The characters were so one dimensional, I couldn't really see them as real people. They almost seemed soulless. The acting? Not that good. There were some scenes that I was so frustrated by the lack of emotion it made me want to stop watching. Khem getting tortured? He was emotionless. Khem almost getting killed? Barely blinked. Khem believing that peem was going to die? Blank expression. I needed him to cry, scream, do something instead of just standing there looking pretty while a tear rolled down his face. Was the actor so inexperienced? Did he not want to look ugly or something? Real humans don't just have blank expressions when sad or scared. Same for Peem. He didn't even cry when he watched the person he loves getting tortured. They also never convinced me that they were in love. The only times that I actually saw some emotion were surprisingly the NC scenes. I don't know what happened but the acting there seemed so much better.
Well, thats it overall. I hope the actors improve because they are both stanning.
Overall, an enjoyable watch mainly because of the supernatural elements and the side characters.
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