Khemjira

Beautifully Produced With Some Plot Issues

FANTASTIC production and an incredibly interesting concept, but i was super disappointed by certain aspects of this show :(

firstly, i wish Khemjira had committed to fleshing out khem's character (its literal namesake) more. he didn't do anything except ??? cry ??? and ask for help ??? and then cook ????? throughout the entire show. he had almost no agency and it was lowkey so hard to watch. he became a walking, sometimes talking damsel in distress trope. so so so sad to see especially as so many other characters were really intriguing.

there were also so many random exposition characters who showed up, fixed a problem or answered a question for khem & company, and then disappeared into irrelevancy again for no reason. let khem do things for himself!! he's a grown man!!! i promise it isn't that scary!!!!! like why did his dad randomly show up again at the end, why did his ghost mom protect him so much, and WHY can't he have any personality!!!!!!!!

also, i personally don't like the way these two "fell in love"... there was hardly any buildup, and even though the characters kept insisting that they were different people from their past lives, the only reason they got together was due to that past connection. however, perhaps this lack of prior interaction stems from the fact that, as i said before and will say again, khem has 0 personality.

as a final nitpick, i really didn't like that it was such a "thing" that peem saved khem from forest spirits when he was ~16 and khem was like????? 6-10?????? weird af, barely relevant, could've been left out so easily.

i will say that i did enjoy jet and charn as a duo much more. they had some semblance of an actual connection, far better communication than khem and peem overall, and some moments that were actually quite sweet.

ugh. i wish i could've liked this show. if khem was given any character traits other than cooking and crying, and if the romance was driven by any sort of actual connection rather than trying to fulfill the desires left over from their past lives, this would've been awesome.
despite it all, for the beautiful execution by production and the wonderful performance from most of the actors, i can't go any lower than 6/10 on this one. i unfortunately can't go higher than that, though, because why was khem so uninteresting and useless omfg i'm genuinely so pressed about it.

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The curse broke but so did my expectations at the end! Overall a fun watch!

The drama had the idea and bones of being an exceptional and unique story with its horror theme, curses lingering across lifetimes, ghosts seeking vengeance, star-crossed romances and a richly layered backstory dipped in Thai folklore and karmic justice. Very heavy and ambitious themes, and for the most part, it did manage to successfully capture my attention. Where it stumbles for me is the last episode! 

The entire story revolves around Khemjira, a young man suffering from a curse stemming from his tragic family history, where every male heir is destined to die before turning 21. To seek help, he meets Pharan/Master, a skilled, reluctant but very hot shaman.

For me, the drama excelled at handling the curse part (for the most part). The main theme was reincarnations and choices made across lifetimes and karma being carried over. I don't agree with them in real life, per se, but if I just speak in context to the drama, it did make sense to me. It's a story about how knowingly or unknowingly, lies can be weaponised into something tragic.

Where it falters is the last episode. Before the finale episode, this was an easy 8.5- 9 to me and I kind of expected them to explain all the plot points logically. But watching the last episode felt like unwrapping a humongous present that is wrapped in layers, only to find something very underwhelming inside. You still appreciate the effort because it’s a gift… but that doesn’t make it any less disappointing.

My disappointment stems from the fact that, after building up such a solid reason for the curse, performing rituals and maintaining that tension for so long, and then resolving it so anti-climactically, was part shocking and part disappointing to me. I want to keep this review spoiler-free, so I won't discuss the details of the curse, but the resolution was more of "because it had to happen, because it is the last episode" rather than answering the actual whys. Also, I still didn't get answers as to why this was the last timeline. Not answering it looked like plot convenience and a loophole that should have been addressed.

Another thing that took me out a bit was the dialogue delivery. I don't know if it was me, but sometimes there were huge pauses and gaps between the lines. I don't know if it was a deliberate directing choice but it came out more as distracting than meaningful.

Coming to the Romance aspect, I have no complaints. I found both couples very endearing. Pharan and Khem’s chemistry is basically a masterclass in denial. Like, they could write a whole thesis titled “How to Not Be in Love While Obviously Being in Love.” I enjoyed the slow-burning vibe until it lasted.
Our second couple, Jet and Chan, had this chaotic, goofy vibe around them, and I love how good the communication was between them.
Also, props to the team for managing both couples so well. I never felt they ignored or sidelined the second couple for the mains. We got two love stories that stood on their own, yet they still fit perfectly into one larger narrative where everyone mattered. It felt balanced, intentional, and genuinely well-woven.

Another aspect of drama that impressed me was Rampheung as the antagonist. I loved how layered she was as a villain. I am glad they didn't make her a love-sick cartoonish ghost. Her backstory had reasons that justified her centuries of resentment. She was terryng and while she hasn't done great things, I couldn't help but empathise with her.

Acting-wise, there were some solid performances on the board, but a few misses too or should I say a miss. Starting with Namping as Khemjira, the centre of this storm. There is no denying that his character demands that fragile, scared look, but honestly, his performances don't match the intensity that the script demands. He came off as too blank. Instead of seeing his true vulnerable side, I see hesitation. I know it's his first project and by no means am I hating on him but when I put him in contrast with every other actor in the drama, he is weak in comparison.
Keng, as Master on the other hand, carries his role like someone who understands the emotional language of stillness. As Pharan, the reluctant shaman drawn into Khem’s cursed orbit, he manages to project both weariness and care with minimal dialogue.
Green as Rampheung is easily the drama's heart. Every scene she’s in feels ten degrees more charged. Rampheung’s blend of vengeance and sorrow could have slipped into caricature, but Green keeps it simmering rather than boiling over.
FirstOne, as Jet was like the emotional palate cleanser this series desperately needs. Where others drown in curses and guilt, Jet brought spontaneity and warmth. He nailed all the emotional scenes so well.
Tle as Chan isn't the most dynamic character, but his presence feels reliable. Tle nailed the needy vibe.

Production-wise, it was excellent. The sets were detailed, and all the rituals and supernatural battles were choreographed with care. The horror elements, though not plentiful, were executed nicely too. Make-up and costumes were on point. The choice of opening credits is also praiseworthy. It matched the overall vibe perfectly.

Overall, while it was not perfect or how I expected it to tie all the knots, I did enjoy it. It was a very ambitious project from DMD. There are definitely a few "it is what it is" moments, but for a one-time watch, it was an entertaining ride.

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Step into the right direction, but we are still walking, not running.

On one hand I want to give big props since this drama is a massive improvement in terms of directing, editing, storytelling and acting compared to many Thai bls. It includes genres that are not often used, being more daring and bold in tags. On the other hand the execution still feels sloppy. The pacing was draggy at a few points, the horror aspect slowly vanished as the drama focused more on the romance. There were times where I felt like they tried too hard to be artsy, fancy and serious. And I don’t even want to talk about the conclusion.

What Khemjira does well is create a cohesive and rich in cultural details world. What I mean by it - the culture was an integral aspect of the story, not just decoration. For most parts I understood the strength and limitations of everyone's powers and the impact they have on them and people around them. They also did a good job showing how capable Ramphueng was in action not narration - that’s always a big plus.

What’s more, I actually strangely enjoyed the sometimes questionable moral takes this show presents. Personally I find the idea of Karma that follows you in different reincarnations unjust, but because of that I found the reasonings the characters gave for certain storylines fitting the overall themes, even if I personally disagreed with them.

I also truly appreciated all the characters, not only the male leads. With how much was already happening plot wise, I felt relieved that they did not create unnecessary mundane drama with cheap cliches. Rather than that, they used what usually is an annoying trope for a little bit of a mood change with positive characters that brought a smile to my face (looking at you Phong).

I was also extremely surprised with how good the special effects and styling was. Visually speaking this drama is a feast (yes, Master is a whole damn meal alone, main course if you ask me). Especially Ramphueng - the way her styling and make-up gradually changed, you don’t notice it at first, but by the last episode you see how badly she is affected by everything that happened. With how supernatural was not just a little part, but the driving force, all the magic, ghosts and various beings were presented in a really… tasteful manner? I could see that they took their time making sure all the details matched and it was not some “stock idea”.

On the positive side I have to talk about acting. First my favorite - Green. Her performance was so strong I started to root for her in the second half. The more we knew about Ramphueng, the more I connected to her character. Her delivery was so strong, I could feel every emotion she portrayed.

Then we have FirstOne. This man managed to show so much depth in what could be easily presented as just a comic relief character, I have to applaud him. Be it silly jokes and remarks or truly raw and heartbreaking moments - he aced them all.

Truth to be told, I loved almost everyone in the cast. Keng was able to balance Peem’s stoic persona with deep emotions, Tle balanced the nerdy, but also mature side of Chan well.

And then we have Namping… I am sorry, but for me he cannot act. It was not obvious at first - he does well with simple daily mundane scenes. Happy, surprised, little scared, hesitant, flirty. But when the story took a more serious turn and required to tap into these deep and raw emotions, he failed every scene. He was trying to squeeze these tears, sometimes managing to get one or two, but I felt nothing watching him on screen. His level of reaction was less “life or death” and more “dropped the last piece of pizza on the floor”. He also struggled with switching and moving from one emotion to another. He always pulled that hard cut between being heartbroken and fine.

Though I do think some of the issues with his performance came from directing choices too. There were a number of scenes of him crying, stopping for the dialogue to happen, and then crying again - like the emotions were being paused to deliver the lines. Some other characters also had similar issues - weird pauses between words, weird pauses between replies.

Since I was not convinced by the performance, I did not connect to the character, which led me to truly not care for the overall plot. The only reason I could potentially feel emotional is the reaction other characters would have, rather than what would actually happen to him. This is bad, real bad. He is carrying the whole story, everything revolves around him, everything is connected to him… and here I am not caring about him at all. Boy was the center of it all, but he also did nothing.

Here’s the thing though about the story - with how much the villain went through and with how poorly Khem was portrayed, I kind of was on her side. Sue me, but I will die on that hill.

Another issue I had was the fact they truly did not know how to hold the tension and transition between different scenes that had different moods. They built something up just to break it up with silly jokes and comedy so neither the serious nor the fun actually landed.

Then we have the conclusion, the lack of explanations and the “because it had to happen” as if this would be enough for me to just accept and move on, when the whole plot was built on the mystery of the curse and how to break it. The drama ended and I still do not fully understand the curse… I asked around and honestly no one gave me a proper explanation just “maybe it’s this or that”... The ending was just disappointing.

Strangely I think I have more positive feelings about all the side stories rather than the main one.

Anyway, I'm done, but it feels more like the show is done with me after slapping me in the face with random shit over and over again in that last episode. I was obsessed in the first half, but when my expectations were not met I got more and more disappointed.

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Beautiful series transcending genres while showcasing Thai culture

I did not expect to feel so strongly about Khemjira, but I can't seem to watch anything else at the moment, even after finishing it a week ago. Although it's not a perfect show, I thoroughly enjoyed watching it and can definitely say it's one of the best of 2025. The first half felt a bit stretched out, but the rest really captivated me, especially Episode 11 was a highlight!

You can tell how much DMD invested in production; I'm very impressed with the cinematography, effects, and locations. What makes this BL stand out is of course the fantasy-horror aspect, which was executed very well!
So many interesting themes, such as Isaan culture and Buddhist traditions, were incorporated with respect and accuracy. As it is a novel adaptation, there is also the pressure of executing a satisfying show for the novel readers.

This is the first big series for the four main actors; there are improvements to be made but overall, I liked all of their performances and believe they will only get better. Tle, Keng and Green stood out to me most. When it comes to Namping, I was a bit conflicted as some scenes were done perfectly (e.g. acting as Jet), while others were less realistic (e.g. the crying scenes).

In terms of the character Khem, I also wish he was not portrayed as a "damsel in distress" the whole time. It would have been nice to show more development when it comes to his personal strengths and will to live (since he kept wanting to give up). Although the title of the show ("Khemjira must survive") demonstrates how he obviously had to be saved, it was frustrating to watch someone so helpless while everyone was doing everything for him.

I really love how they approached the topic of queer marriage and adoption – very important to have this representation in the genre! Calling it a BL does not do it complete justice in my opinion, as it is a beautiful queer story that demonstrates both gay and lesbian couples, with characters who are proud of their sexuality and who express love openly.

The OST is wonderful as well, I've been listening to it every day!

Hopefully, Khemjira will inspire other BLs to experiment more with diverse genres and topics like this. Would love to watch more horror/dark shows!

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Take your time for this experience

Honestly, I really liked the slow pacing. Some episodes are definitely much longer (up to 2 hours) compared to the usual 45–60 minutes I’m used to, but they never felt too long. In fact, they often felt better paced than shorter episodes, which sometimes fail to fully engage me. The extended runtime gave the main couple enough space to properly develop, which I appreciated a lot. Also, we actually got a real plot that wasn’t only focused on romance, and that really made the series stand out compared to many others I watch. Overall, I enjoyed the village setting more than the city scenes. The atmosphere there just felt richer and more engaging.

Unexpectedly, I didn’t enjoy the former lives storyline as much as I thought I would, even though I’ve seen and liked reincarnation plots before. Objectively, it was well executed, and the past versions of the characters were unique and added important layers to the story. Still, for some reason, I was mainly interested in the present timeline. I liked the main couple – and the side couple – so much in the present that I constantly found myself wanting to get back to them. It felt like when you only watch a series because you’re waiting for your favorite couple’s scenes. This is purely my personal feeling, and I’m pretty sure it’s an unpopular opinion.

When it comes to Khem and Peem (his master), their chemistry was undeniable, especially since they were living together most of the time. That closeness really worked in their favor. However, I wasn’t a big fan of the two characters who were mainly introduced to distract the couple from each other and create jealousy – that part was pretty meh for me.

As for the side couple, Chan and Jet, I was pleasantly surprised. Their relationship developed very differently from the main couple’s, which made it refreshing to watch. Additionally, I really loved that we also got GL representation.

Honourable mention goes to Thong and Ek, the two adorable child spirits. They worked perfectly as comic relief, but I also got emotionally attached to them.

Regarding the villain, Ramphueng, I appreciated that she felt genuinely different from typical antagonists. She was powerful without being overpowered – the same goes for the protagonists – and her characteristics were clearly shaped by her past. One thing I personally didn’t like, though, was that Khem sometimes felt too passive or helpless and too dependent on Peem, almost like a damsel in distress.

Lastly, I absolutely loved the production quality. The visuals were stunning, atmospheric and truly beautiful - e.g. the ghosts or the ritual scene in the rain.

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A story of "ghostly love"... or rather, a "formidable fate." :)

The serious version: A tale of two "chosen ones" who choose each other in every lifetime.

Khemjira Must Survive. And indeed, Khemjira survived. Not only that, he saved the souls of the dead. This series explores a very fresh angle compared to others in the genre, and this clever strategic move successfully created a buzz for this long-awaited project, elevating the new Thai entertainment duo to "rising star" status. That alone is enough to indicate that Khemjira has successfully nailed the standard aspects of an entertainment series: it has depth and is meticulously invested in both visuals and content.

First and foremost, the series makes a strong initial impression with its unique premise—a spiritual theme deeply intertwined with folklore and belief. I am not easily scared, so naturally, Khemjira didn't strike me as a terrifying horror series that kept me up at night. It is clearly a ghost story in every sense, but beyond the exorcisms, spirit summoning, and wandering souls, the romance remains the standout element. In fact, Khemjira balances the investigation and curse-breaking plotline parallel to the romance quite well. The two halves complement each other, walking hand in hand, just as Wat and Khem resolve past-life grievances while nurturing their love, forging a bond for this lifetime.

Beyond the spooky vibes, the theme introduces the audience to the fascinating and diverse customs of a specific Thai community. Cultural diversity is expressed through imagery, music, colorful details, and primarily through the chosen subject matter. There is also a diversity in human expression—a person can exist in any version, gender, or identity, but at their core, they remain simply human. And when two people fall in love, they just love; gender becomes irrelevant.

Watching the series, I always felt the filmmakers followed the original novel’s progression sequentially and completely, resulting in a smooth, fluid narrative with a clear, layered structure. This is the first clear success in terms of the film's construction. Thanks to the sequential handling of issues, the character introductions, the setting, and the links between sub-plots connect seamlessly without causing boredom (weaving through the past, the present, the previous life, the life before that, and even the future). The series truly built a relatively massive timeline spanning generations, constructing a systematic and substantial universe that successfully conveys the story's underlying meaning: succession. It is the succession between generations, the guardians of the village, the cursed, the old and the young, the living and the dead. It is the connection between those linked from a past life to this one, creating a bridge between past, present, and future through "spiritual" ties. Indeed, the quote at the end was incredibly powerful and encapsulated the film's atmosphere: "Bound by fate, kept by love, strengthened by never giving up." To me, the paramount factor—the alpha and the omega of every event—is always fate. Whether it is the main couple, the side couple, or any character, everyone is connected by a destined arrangement. It is an element that couldn't be more idealistic. And fittingly, that is the dominant atmosphere of the entire film: the color of destiny and idealism.

Witnessing the story unfold in a world permeated with mysticism—full of magic, spirits, and rituals that elevate religious senses—is an interesting and fresh way to perceive the world. Lovers, whether in this world or the next, will eventually be together; those who need to meet will meet. Faith, belief, and most importantly, love, create power. Love becomes the dominant force that neutralizes every curse: because Khemjira is full of love, and because the world around him is filled with love, Khemjira must survive.

Beyond the spiritual meaning and content, a huge plus point is the production value—cinematography, visuals, and sound were all handled with great care. The setting gives the film a vintage, nostalgic feel, like a period piece within a modern space. This is especially true for the smooth, romantic relationship of the main couple. Their dynamic feels fresh because both characters are written seriously with clear backstories, giving them ample space to develop according to the script without feeling shallow or jarring. Their love doesn't feel out of place; you can clearly see the trajectory of their affection and why they love each other so deeply—even if that reason leans heavily on "fatalism."

However, among all these elements, my favorite part of Khemjira is the soundtrack. The music is perfectly timed, ensuring the film rarely feels empty, creating atmosphere and storytelling through sound effectively. The chemistry between the characters lands well. While it’s evident that the actors still have room to grow, one cannot deny that the couples have a natural chemistry that doesn't rely too heavily on technical acting. Because of this, watching the film often feels like watching a "puppy love" romance—innocent, endearing, and cute. It might not perfectly fit the serious character settings, but it’s still very sweet (accidentally capturing the true essence of a first love for both of them).

The secondary couple actually has a clearer setup, and their characters stick closely to that setup from start to finish. Speaking strictly about the romance, I preferred the side couple’s dynamic slightly more, simply because I found it a bit more interesting. The main couple's relationship felt a little "safe" and occasionally relied on clichés. It seemed that, contrary to the deep connection mentioned earlier, Wat and Khem's relationship relied more on their past-life feelings than on a deep, present-day bond. I wish the film had given Khemjira a bit more time to develop their feelings in the now before introducing the tragic romance of the past. That said, the intimate interactions were well-executed. When the opportunities for kisses and conversations arose, the filmmakers—using lighting, sound, camera angles, and direction—did not miss the chance to create polished, emotional, and sweet scenes that fitted each stage of the relationship.

In general, Khemjira is a complete and well-rounded series, a standalone work with genuine depth that doesn't just chase after fan service. It is quite sophisticated, attempting to weave a story that respects the viewer's IQ and EQ. However, there are still elements that could have been developed further, as I sometimes felt something was missing. The story was somewhat predictable; because love was the dominant factor, the sub-plots weren't overly gripping. I expected more suspense and better construction in the "curse" storyline. The romance was gentle and sweet, but there were simply too many coincidences. :) The film is perhaps better suited for those more idealistically minded than I am. The final twist was impressive, even though I saw it coming, and held significant meaning. There were lingering questions—like why the villainess from the past life didn't appear, or why Nampeung only followed Khemjira—but by the end, the film made its message clear: some things happen simply because they must. So, let’s just call it destiny. :)

Finally, regarding the performances: as this is their debut project, it is understandable that the cast has room for refinement. Keng’s role was slightly more complex and demanding than Namping’s, which naturally presented a greater challenge. However, I personally felt that Namping successfully portrayed Khemjira’s various emotional ranges quite clearly. And honestly? The actor who delivered the best performance was Nampeung (the spirit). :D

The main reason the film scores an "average-good" for me is that it meets the standards—it’s stable, it’s good—but it didn't truly break through or create enough intense emotion to keep my eyes glued to the screen.

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A genre mix that serves both genres well--supernatural chills and romantic thrills

Khemjira stands out in at least two notable ways. First, it is the rare Thai BL series that prioritizes storytelling over couple moments. In service to that mission, the series musters a large company to tell the tale of the main couple; yet, a wide swathe of this ensemble plays little to no role in encouraging the blooming romance. Instead, they supplement the otherworldly angles of the supernatural story that entwines the leading men. Second, and perhaps more impressive, Khemjira is also the rare supernatural series whose phantasms deliver a genuine sense of menace. Goofy comic relief ghosts, they are not. Victims of tragic endings to incite viewer empathy, they are not. These specters threaten doom; danger looms where they appear. Light romantic comedy, Khemjira is therefore not. If there is a third notable achievement it may be the panache with which the makers blend the expected sinister chills of one genre with the expected warm, fuzzy thrills of the other. That few such genre hybrids manage this feat attests to its difficulty.

The title character, college freshman Khemjira, fears a curse on his family will result in his own early death. Following some near-miss accidents on campus in ep 1, his best friend, Jet, redirects a volunteer student break trip toward his own hometown, small and rural. Will the local shaman be able to help avert Khem's doom and neutralize the curse? Surely it helps that the aforesaid Local Shaman, Peem, proves to be young and handsome. Viewers quickly ascertain that the winsome young shaman has a connection with Khem’s family. Indeed, adolescent Peem first met young Khem years prior. (Ever seen a K-drama? Any K-drama? Then, you know what it portends for the main characters' future when an episode establishes they first met as children.) In this case, the destiny implied in the trope "destined lovers" also combines with the sense of destiny implied in the reincarnation trope. Two reincarnation tropes, in fact, as a third student on the trip, Charn, turns out to have been connected in a past life to Jet. These two meet as strangers but feel an immediate spark. Over several episodes, Charn and Jet realize that spark emanates from an unfinished romance in their prior lives (as women). Those “older souls” also connected to prior incarnations of Khem's and Peem's souls. That earlier coupling, likewise star-crossed, supplied story fodder for one of the ghost-of-the-Week episodes. On a recurring basis these soul bonds explains why Jet and Charn feel compelled to take extraordinary efforts on behalf of Khem. All three same-sex relationships (main couple, side couple, and flashback GL side couple) have some chemistry. The romances in Khemjira manifest palpable spirit.

Chiefly, the romances work because they flow from events in the ghost story. Rather than developing romance between shaman and student as the engine to drive the story forward, momentum stems from the need to address the deadly curse hanging over the student's head. In the first few episodes, the series follows a format we could dub "supernatural threat of the week." Early episodes center around Peem’s attempts to exorcise spooks and demons via his shamanistic magic. The group of students is caught up in that effort. Thai BL is replete with examples of college students undertaking a service trip to rural areas during a school break. These boondoggles comprise a veritable genre staple. Such endeavors typically depict students in bucolic acts of mundane service. Perhaps they paint a school or plant some trees. Khemjira is the only series where the service entails eradicating poltergeists in and around the rural village. (The villagers seem quite blasé about the level of wraith activity in their immediate environment. Perhaps their ubiquity explains why a family of shamans chose that village to make a living.) Using a threat-of-the-week format also ensures tension and foreboding inflect the series’ tone rather than silliness (from ineffectual ghosts) or lightness (from treacly romance). By the time the series reveals its true villain, inevitably a vengeful spirit with a grudge against Khem’s family that spans generations, Khem, Jet, and Charn have determined a prudent respect for Khem's safety dictates they remain in the village with the shaman. Peem’s attempts to reverse the curse dominate the series' second half.

An array of secondary characters serve a clear purpose to the story. They pop in and out when necessary. Especially well-crafted figures were an old village woman and two very young ghosts. The old lady aids Peem-as-shaman by contributing her own considerable magic to supplement his combat with otherworldly forces, but she also plays a grandmotherly role to Peem-as-person. There the magic stems from sage advice, tender affection, and an occasional home-cooked meal, ministrations also extended to Jet (who grew up in the village) and Khem (the newcomer in danger). Meanwhile, the boy specters add an infectious childlike whimsy that leavens the series' darker moments. Peem-as-Shaman uses the duo as intermediaries betwixt the worldly and otherworldly realms. He also apparently had used them as babysitters for young Jet, who bonded with his childhood playmates despite the fact they were not, technically speaking, alive when he played with them. Their endearing manner of literally "popping in and out," as a physical POP, must be seen to be appreciated. For the most part, the rich panoply of side characters contribute to a perception that the writing staff had a clear command of their tale's convoluted permutations.

Notwithstanding this praise, Khemjira (the series) has some mentionable flaws. One side character, introduced in the penultimate episode, felt truly out of place. That character felt so extra(neous), one speculates Domundi had contractual or publicity motivations to rope that actor into the show somehow. Despite maintaining a suspenseful atmosphere most of the time, the plot occasionally feels sluggish. A few episodes feature sequences whose exorcism from the storyboard might have reduced bloat. (For example, a love rival for Peem, smitten with Khem; a love rival for Khem, smitten with Peem; shenanigans at a rural country fair; arrogant bullies among the college students.) In addition, the writers might fairly be knocked for taking too long to explore the origins of Khem’s family curse; likewise, the romances progress along a similarly protracted timeline. But these are minor complaints. Considering the level of intricate plotting necessary to tie together the story’s disparate threads, the writers can be forgiven these minor pacing issues.

Khemjira will, in some respects, always be linked in memory with its contemporaries from 2025, The Next Prince and Revamp. The latter's association, coincidental, reflects both chronology and genre. For ten weeks Revamp and Khemjira overlapped broadcast runs, even sharing Saturday as their mutual broadcast day. Bigger coincidence, they aired finales on the exact same Saturday. Many viewers would have experienced the two series in lockstep. Yet, their more salient connection is genre. Each aspired to tell a compelling love story which simultaneously entangled mortals with supernatural beings. Khemjira got the tricky formula right; Revamp failed that test. By contrast, the link to the former required no coincidence at all. Both Kehmjira and The Next Prince sprang from the creative and production teams at Domundi. Indeed, they are production siblings: the two series gestated in pre-production simultaneously; filming blocs overlapped; they made it to air within months of each other. But The Next Prince always was the studio's Favored Child. Being second-fiddle may have saved Khemjira: perhaps executives who might have interfered with creative choices concentrated instead on The Next Prince and its high-profile cast. At the final analysis, both Revamp and The Next Prince disappointed, in part, because their plots too often catered to their popular leading men's shipped pair rather than the characters. That outcome reeks of executives interfering with creatives. That the business model for Thai BL relies on couple pairs for financial prosperity is no secret. The resulting tendency to write toward couple moments (as opposed to character moments) practically ensures that many series, even decent ones, will serve up an emaciated plot—if the story bothers with plot at all. Series like Perfect 10 Liners and We Are managed to subsist by stringing together a pastiche of warm, fuzzy moments. Viewers overlooked their anemic storyboards. Meanwhile, Revamp and The Next Prince received no such grace, and they have become instant lessons in the ignominy that faces series when they choose to stint on fidelity to worldbuilding and character development. Whatever the reason, the makers of Khemjira managed to create a series built around story and character rather than relying on sweet moments between a shipped couple. They got right the worldbuilding. That, more than any other factor, made Khemjira a fun watch.

Khemjira therefore overcame several obstacles on its way to success: the tendency of ghost stories to descend into comic hokeyness; the challenge to blend seamlessly two genres while doing justice to each; being an afterthought in its own company; the challenge to create, then sustain, a vibe that exuded baleful danger; and the tendency of the Thai BL industry to prioritize couple moments over story quality. The creative team and actors navigated these shoals to deliver a series that runs far more than it plods.

[Note: I dinged the rewatch value solely because I believe any suspense thriller works best the first time. On any rewatch, the viewer knows what is happening and why. That awareness leeches some of the atmosphere.]

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Come for the yaoi, stay for the supernatural trauma symbolism

This was an okay show. It started very strong, with a story that was both intriguing and entertaining. The biggest problem with this was an unstable quality across the board from plot to acting, which diminished a good part of my enjoyment. This went back and forth throughout the show causing both frustration and confusion. But still, it had enough redeeming qualities to make the time spent on it, worthwhile.

First on the plot: So the story follows Khemijira who carries a centuries-old family curse on his back that will result in his death, once he turns 21. He already has terrible luck and ghosts follow him everywhere, trying to harm him. Desperate and inching closer and closer to his birthday, he and his best friend petition for a great shamanic master's protection but the master is reluctant, for unknown reasons.

Right out of the gate, the setup for the story is great! We have flashbacks across multiple timelines to help tell the story, we have ghosts and murder attempts, we have mysticism and spiritual rituals, and I would say the strength of this show was in its scenes of traditional practices and focus on religion and folklore rituals. When they worked with those elements, the show was a ten out of ten for me. Showing the vicious cycles of resentment, revenge and karma was brilliant here. Not only was it interesting to watch, but it was also executed with care and attention to detail. The ritualistic chanting was beautiful. The ways that karma is shown to be felt cross lives was enlightening. Even the simplest subplot about ghosts and karma was interesting enough and in "some" cases, it was connected to the main plot, so the story wouldn't feel stagnant. The thing that was dragging the show down, however, was the main plot!

So the romance plot: In my opinion, the romance was weak, underdeveloped, ham-fisted, and not engaging enough. The show does this very boring thing where we are told about a past connection between the main characters, and then no more attempt is made to make this romance work! There is no attempt to build a connection between these characters as they are now. There are only external elements pushing them together; a pre-destined connection, jealousy of potential rivals, and the forceful jeering of side characters. These are alright situational plot devices to draw characters together; however, the show needs to actually build a basic chemistry base for these characters, first. They barely talk to each other! The master is constantly avoiding Khemjira like he killed his pet kitten as a child, and Khemjira just cooks and cleans like a modern cinderella, giving kicked-puppy eyes to everyone but mostly the master, as if doe-eyes and a dream are enough to build a relationship around. The two of them are not put in enough one-on-one plot situations to build any kind of dynamic together. They are mostly kept away from each other in the main episodes focused on their romance which not only made those episodes drag with barely anything happening but also, just wasted those episodes because the curse-plot was sidelined and nothing was happening on the romance front, either. Well, unless we count the really boing romance between the supporting characters as development, which I don't. On that note, I did not like the second couple. It was just very forced. Their scenes bored me. Most of the romance was focused on their lame dynamic, and there was this sense of "this is gonna happen, anyway" to them which made it feel like this was not happening because the story was naturally headed in a romantic way but because this was a genre trope that could not be avoided. This was true for the main romance, too. There is an automatic feel to all of it. Like two great hands are grabbing these characters like dolls and smashing their faces together for a kiss. As a result, I did not enjoy the romance. I like my romances with massive build-up. I like them heavy on the conversations and building of connections, so when we are just expected to accept they are destined to fall in love, and no one actually tries to explain their attraction in any way besides "Pretty boy! Me kiss kiss!"...yeah, not my cup of tea!

To make matters worse, the actors had NO chemistry. I get it! They are handsome men! But you can't just put beautiful people together and call it a day! They were so awkward together. The actor who plays Khemjira is so obviously a tall and broad man, while the actor who plays the master is clearly lean and delicate in the features, and they tried SO HARD to make the master seem domineering and macho while Khemjira was delicate and dainty...and it was not working! I could SEE Khemjira slouch in on himself to appear smaller when the men were clearly the same height! lol (also his head was way bigger than the other actor which lol, doesn't mean much just...the doe eyes were not working!)This made everything feel so odd. Like, why are we making this giant man act like a sweet, feminine, tiny person?! It was just odd, and the effect was unsuccessful, which made Khemjira's character uncomfortable to watch. I wish they would just let the guy be an ordinary, not-dainty, but just kind and sweet, person. Which is how the show started, before the romance was introduced and how the book depicts him (heck yeah! I read enough of the book, to judge the show's adaptation skills, for it!) but once the romance starts, they start to feminize the character which while there is nothing wrong with more feminine male characters, it was just not working here!

None of this was helped by the fact that the core four main actors are bad at acting. There! I said it! I'm sorry. They could not act. They stood out like sore thumbs too because the supporting cast was good! The subplots about ghosts and folklore that made up the best parts of the show were the parts that mostly dealt with side characters, and I would say these supporting actors were doing the heavy-lifting when it came to acting. Even the child actors were better! I guess these guys were cast for their looks and to sell that yaoi aesthetic because they have to work a lot harder to sell...anything! The crying was awkward, the lovey-looks they gave each other made me cringe, the sex scenes were a torture to watch (weird choreos there, too), the line delivery was bad! I suffered! The acting was bad. Not the support cast, though. They were fine! Some of them were actually good! Not the mains, though.

I will say one good thing about the casting, the casting team's ability to find past lifetime equivalent actors who look so similar to the mains was astounding! The female counterparts of the male actors looked so similar to them that I was totally speechless! In fact, all of the production on this show was great. I will give them that. The multiple past lives were gorgeous and I loved those parts.

So, to sum it up, this show had 4 solid episodes of intense plot, focused on the curse and developing the base for the show. Then the next 4 episodes that focused on romance were boring, not good. Then from episode 9 onward, one episode would be amazing, and one would be lackluster. This level of unstable quality across the whole run of the show is what was slightly disappointing to me. However, I gave this show an 8 because I thought the good parts were very good and I was invested in the show thanks to them. Shoutout to my favorite character, Ramphueng. She was what held this show together. Vengeful, wronged, chaotic, yet pitiful. She was so compelling that you both felt for her and feared her and resented her actions all throughout the show. I honestly would have given this a 5 if the show had messed up the ending with her but the show ended the plot surrounding the curse so beautifully (at the 11th hour, too! lmao) that I raised my rating from a 7 to an 8, just because of how emotional it made me. The plot was dragged though...
I also enjoyed the past live plots. I will not spoil anything but what was happening there was told much better than the modern era. I liked those moments so much. I wish the show had been more focused on those lifetimes.
There is also plenty of fan-service after the main plot, which I know a lot of viewers will be happy about.

Overall: I do recommend this show! Weirdly enough, though I didn't like the romance, I loved the other parts of this show enough to recommend it. The production is great, and sans romance, the story is compelling too. It's not too scary either, as far as horror stories go, since the show breaks a lot of tension with cheap BL-exclusive humor. You will enjoy it even if (like me) you don't like horror.

Fun fact: There is a scene at the end when one of the characters just lists all the plot holes. Very funny! lol

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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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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/damsel

Triggers: 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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