A contender for the best BL of 2025
Khemjira from the first episode had me hooked.Beyond having an intriguing premise, it handles the subject matter maturely and Khem's emotional state given his day-to-day life of constant peril. Almost every episode has edge-of-seat action and storyline sequences, albeit there are a few episodes that this slows down primarily to flesh out the boys' relationship, but it quickly picks up where it left off.
However, none of the plot would have the emotional impact it did without the work of the cast. All actors felt extremely well-suited in their roles and captured their unique personalities very well. Namping especially delivers a phenomenal performance given the amount of range he had to portray episode to episode. The acting is A-grade and only enhances the immersion of the drama overall.
I also want to compliment the series for its inclusion of Thai culture, religion, and history. Although I'm no scholar on the subject matter, it gives the feeling that a lot of care went into its world-building and writing. The character of Rampheung especially just really embodied how much thought went into the writing.
It's hard for me to think of ways Khemjira could improve. Perhaps it could have benefitted from more substance in its less action-packed episodes, or hit more emotional beats than it did, but overall, this show is exceptional. The writing, the cast, the production value are all highly polished. It's hard for me to imagine another BL beating it quality-wise this year.
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This Show was Amazing
I went into this show not really knowing what to expect other than it would have some horror elements along with a lot of Thai culture sprinkled in. I was not sure if I would like this show as shows can take these elements and end up not doing it justice or being boring. However, not only was the plot of this show amazing but so was the acting. I love how these actors brought so much to each of the characters they played. I was able to enjoy so much of this show especially with how they added to aspects of Thai culture into the plot. I went in unsure and came out of the show loving how the story was done and of course now I’m obsessed with these actors even more than I was before I watched it. This is definitely a show I hope everyone will give a chance as i feel it has something in it for everyone.Was this review helpful to you?
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Love the visuals and effects! The ending was super fulfiling and completed.
First of all. If you are a scaredy cat like me for horror movies , skip those scary parts but persist to continue watching. Some parts cant be help as the scary supernatural part is part of the story. Is crucial. But just half open ur eyes haha2nd . Chemistry is amazing , eyes are very expressive especially the longing and the pain. I wish the main couple had more expressive moments cause i feel 1 is too shy and the other held back too much but can be understandable from their positions and experience.
The second couple chemistry and interactions is natural n pure so is very light hearted to watch
3rd thing i like about the show is how it is all explained in the end. The questions are answered and certain things are made clear and explained. When we watch the show , there is bound to be moments where we feel that certain people should have or not have done certain things . But it is all for a reason... be patient with the plot and the rationale behind it
4th is all the effects and costume and subtle things to show the powers or intensity like glowing tattoo or the eyes the blood the veins etc . Subtle details that added alot of levels and contrast
5th the culture , the respect , the authenty of the whole show... i dont know much before watching but after watching this , it really reminds ourselves to always be mindful and why our actions whether selfish or self defence or even out of love may hurt someone or affect someone unintentionally .
6th the music and the link to the actors actions and video edit is amazing. (Spoiler) example the lyrics is like will always be with you i promise - then they hook pinkies. Or like its a seperation or fighting for each other scene n the music just matches so well with the lyrics. Usually its just the ost that means something by default but the acting continue as normal. But this show makes me feel like the scenes are coming alive n following the lyrics.
7th the actors and actresses visuals are off the roof (i love tattoos too so yes im bias) hahahaha
1 thing i dont like is how some misunderstandings could have been avoided or not dragged for too long with just open and honest communication. Like overall speed wise for the 1st couple could be faster but yes understandable that there were alot of concerns . The uncertainty and master's position and duty also make us confuse on whether they can do what they wish to.
More things you may like or dislike ,watch the show ;)
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The chemistry was chemistrying, but the romance wasn’t romancing for the main couple
As someone who's been dipping my toes into the Thai BL dramas for a few years, I have been expecting a lot more from Khemjira. Let me tell you, this series had me feeling some pretty mixed emotions.On one hand, I truly enjoyed watching the rich cultural and supernatural elements woven throughout the story. The show's deep dive into Thai mythology, shamanism, and the paranormal was a refreshing change of pace from the typical BL fare.
It was like a crash course in fascinating local folklore, and I ate it up. The production quality was also top-notch, with the longer episode runtime allowing the narrative to unfold at a more leisurely pace. As someone who appreciates a slow burn, I definitely liked that we had a lot of fleshed out scenes.
However, despite all these enticing aspects, I have to admit that Khemjira didn't quite live up to the hype for me. When I saw that rating here was 8.8, I was really expecting something extra extraordinary, especially in the romance department.
And the biggest issue I had with the drama is the lack of properly developed romance between the main leads, Khem and Peem. While their connection was rooted in a past-life narrative, the present-day development of their relationship felt incomplete and almost one-sided. Khem, in particular, came across as a passive and rather uninteresting character, failing to garner my sympathy and investment in his journey.
Khem's character development, or lack thereof was very disappointing. Of course, I did not expect from him to be doing some unnatural acrobatics, but he was reduced to cooking and washing dishes. He didn't seem to have any other interests. I think if the storyline about him being into art was developed a little bit more that would probably make him at least a bit more interesting.
Compared to Knockout," where the physically weaker protagonist actively participates in problem-solving and team efforts, Khem's passivity and reliance on others felt frustrating. As a viewer, I found it challenging to root for a character who seemed to be merely a "damsel in distress" rather than an active participant in his own story. I basically agree with everyone that I have seen said the same thing about the character.
Acting:
Keng’s performance of the shaman was a particular highlight. His Master was way too believable. I also am not going to put down Namping’s acting because I think he had to work with whatever was in the script. And as I have mentioned above, his character was not written very well. So I am not going to compare their acting because I haven't seen them in any other drama before.
In contrast, the secondary couple's storyline felt much more well-rounded and engaging, with a stronger sense of chemistry and emotional investment. This disparity between the main and supporting narratives was a bit jarring. I mean, the writers missed an opportunity to truly capitalize on the potential of the central romance.
NC scenes: they were well done, especially Charn and Jet’s scene. I thought it was the best one of the series. The NC in the final episode for lead couple wasn’t as good as the first scene they had in the earlier episode. But that’s just me.
Let’s put it this way: the chemistry was chemistrying, but the romance wasn’t romancing for the lead couple.
That being said, I did like the series for its bold departure from the traditional BL formula. Its cultural depth and production value is great, but ultimately the drama falls short in the crucial area of the well-developed romance between the main characters. While it may not have lived up to the hype for me, the series still offers a unique and thought-provoking experience. With more attention to the main character development and a stronger central romance it could have been a 15 out of ten for me. It's still worth a watch if you like slow burn.
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Past and present dance until they collide.
This is a tough show to rate because my feelings about Khemjira are a bit scattered right now.Yes, I know he’s very loved — hey, I know!
If I rated the series solely on its horror elements, it would be a one-star watch. There’s nothing that gives me the creeps, makes me look over my shoulder at night, makes me sleep with the lights on, or makes me afraid to peek out the window.
That said, I can’t judge an entire show just on the creep factor. After all, horror is only a small part of the whole story.
But It’s a Love Story
And you know what? If you’re looking for a romance with a ghostly backdrop, it’s actually quite good. It’s about love that doesn’t look the way we expect — and about the quiet, stubborn courage it takes to keep existing fully in a world that keeps trying to erase you.
The romance is definitely more of a slow burn, but I feel like it had the perfect pacing and just the right balance between friendship and chemistry.
The characters themselves were fascinating, each shaped by rich and complex backstories that made them feel alive.
Peem
On the outside, he’s cool, composed, maybe even hard to read.
But inside? There’s ache. There’s hope — the kind that shapes his drive, like he’s always chasing something just out of reach.
Khem’s connection with him isn’t just romantic — it’s liberating. It gives him permission to be soft, to feel deeply, without losing his edge.
Khem
Oooo, boy… He shows that bravery isn’t about being unafraid of what others fear — it’s about being afraid and doing it anyway.
I loved Chan and Jet. Especially Chan — a man of action.
I love words of affirmation, but I’m a sucker for acts of service — those little things that show love without needing to say it out loud.
The show starts off strong, and the final episodes are great too.
The middle, though, has its ups and downs when it comes to keeping my attention.
And while the ending was powerful and satisfying, it was also a bit predictable.I just wanted one more twist — something to make me gasp, even if just once more.
So… looking back, I should’ve known my expectations were too high. This is a love story, after all. But the heart wants what it wants — and mine wanted a scary ghost story.
Still, I can’t deny it: this is a incredible show. Flawed, yes. But full of heart.
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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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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 tries a little, unlike his current official onscreen partner.
Suggested rating: 5.5
Personal rating: 5
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A Series So Boring It Should Come With a Sleeping Pill Warning
After watching two episodes, it's already possible to draw some conclusions. Honestly, it's a waste of time. The acting is terrible, the plot is very weak, and don’t even get me started on the special effects. The episodes are long—more like full-length movies—but incredibly boring. There's a ton of advertising, and ironically, it's filmed better than the show itself... The series doesn’t really evoke any emotions or feelings... To sum it up, there’s almost nothing good about it, except for the attractive actors—but that’s not what I’m looking for when I watch something.Was this review helpful to you?
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The story could’ve been developed better.
Well, this is the story about a character named Khem, whose family is cursed, and who is destined to die when he turns 21. Because of that, he decides to seek help from a shaman to banish the demon from his life and survive. The premise is actually interesting, especially for those who enjoy horror and suspense stories.The problem lies in how the plot unfolds. The shaman quickly starts creating obstacles instead of helping Khem. So, what does the viewer expect from that? That the main character will look for other alternatives but no. Instead, we get tedious scenes of the character washing dishes, working as a house servant. We spend long stretches watching scenes from past lives showing that the two already had some kind of connection. It’s the kind of plot I personally don’t like.
I felt the story lacked substance, especially considering that each episode is almost two hours long. The acting is really poor, especially from Namping. The other actor isn’t great either, but people always use the excuse that he’s supposedly handsome to justify never taking any acting classes.
The positive side is that DMD is investing in its BL series, unlike its competitor GMMTV, which is becoming more and more disappointing by focusing on so-called heterosexual series. The story lacked rhythm, and the episodes should have been condensed to 40 minutes at most.
The romance part is also weak and practically nonexistent..
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KHEMJIRA IS INDEED THE SERIES OF THE YEAR 2025??
We waited two good years just to get this show and trust me, believe me when I tell you that it has goated beyond normal. it has exceeded, it has transcended all expectations because it was just that good.When I talk about Khemjira the first thing that comes to my head is love. platonic love between friends, romantic love between lovers the love parents have for their children.I tell you this show has described and it has pointed out too many good factors that literally shape our destinies.
The music, the casting, the plot, the storyline, that pacing like everything about this show is just God damn amazing 😍 😍 😍. I have to accept it at first I might have had my doubts but right now I tell you without reasonable doubts that Khemjira is indeed the series of the Year 2025.
Domundi got a fantasy series and you put it to it's best. There was nothing to complain about everything was perfect.
Shout out to the cast, shout out to the directors shout out to the fans, shout out to everybody who has made this show reach where it is.
Domundi indeed deserves it's place in the Thai entertainment industry and trust when l say that they have outdone themselves with this one❤️❤️❤️😍😍
Thank you so much and we are anxiously waiting for your next project.❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️💯💯💯💯💯💯
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the script should be written in a more interesting way
Domundi’s two BLs this year didn’t really work for me. Both The Next Prince and Khemjira felt like sleeping pills. I think if they had been condensed into fewer episodes and with shorter runtimes they would’ve turned out much better. The story simply didn’t have enough substance to stretch that long; at times, it felt like psychological torture for the viewer.On the positive side, the actress who played Ramphueng really stood out. In terms of acting, I thought she was the best in the whole cast.
The special effects were great, the songs were beautiful, and I liked that the main characters shared a connection from the past it gave them a bit more depth.
But that’s about it.
I found the leads’ performances flat, bland, and unconvincing. There wasn’t much chemistry between them, and especially Namping’s acting felt weak it lacked energy, passion, anger, and intensity.
The story also dragged a lot, with long stretches where nothing interesting or meaningful happened. Overall, I didn’t enjoy it.
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