Khemjira

Filled with unnecessary plots and is an overly long show that shouldn’t be

I was dying waiting for this series to be finished because it looked so promising, but I ended up a little bit disappointed. Don’t get me wrong , I’m not going to talk all bad about this show. There are a lot of elements that deserve to be praised, and I’m here for that too. First things first, let me start with the elephant in the room.

The main problem with this show is that it drags on for way too long. By the time I'm writing this sentence, I’m on episode 8 and the storyline leading up to this point should’ve only taken about 4 or 5 episodes. Not to mention, each episode is over an hour long , episode 8 is almost two hours! I feel like most of the screentime in each episode is just filler. At first, I thought I’d get a story firmly based on the culture of shamans and mediums, as well as countryside superstitions. But that plot ended way too early , just by episode 3 ,and was barely included in the later episodes. It would’ve been great if they had focused on that storyline instead. It would’ve made the show much more interesting and given it a stronger climax, rather than focusing only on the characters’ intimacies. I just wish they had explored more stories about shamans and their culture, because there was so much potential , especially with such long episodes. Don’t get me wrong , I definitely enjoyed it until the end and liked the background story. I was just frustrated because the screenplay wasn’t what I expected.

Another thing I wish had been better is the makeup. I know the genre is BL, which often relies on fan service , leading most production companies to focus too much on making every character look flawless all the time. But since this series was nearly perfect and detailed in most aspects, I also wish the makeup had been more subtle and natural-looking.

Especially Keng’s character, “Master.” He’s young, stylish, and very attractive , someone who is found attractive by both genders, which explains why he has to wear glasses whenever he goes out. (Though that plot reveal didn’t quite fit the situation perfectly, but let’s move on from that.) Still, as a shaman or medium living in the countryside, I can accept the fact that he dresses well , but his hair and face always looking perfect, even in life-and-death situations, is something I just couldn’t accept.

I first noticed Keng in Paradise of thorns, and he caught my attention there. He didn’t wear any noticeable makeup in that film , which perfectly suited his character ,and he still looked incredibly attractive. That’s why I genuinely think they should’ve toned down the makeup in this series if they truly value their production quality.

Besides all that, I actually liked the show and got along with it quite well. One advantage of having such long episodes that focus mostly on the characters’ intimacies is that I felt very familiar with them and genuinely grew fond of the show.

The production quality is the main aspect that deserves every bit of praise. The production design, setting, and lighting are undeniably above standard. The acting is also worth praising , especially for a BL series, where acting and directing are often the most noticeable weaknesses. None of the performances were perfect, but they were still better than in most other BL series that are filled with cringey moments and awkward acting.

I’m also glad the production team decided to change the character “พ่อครู” from how he appeared in the pilot teaser. The current version, with a more serious personality, feels much more appealing to me. And the performances of all four main actors have improved significantly compared to the pilot teaser.

Another great thing about this series is the music. Offering such a generous number of soundtracks , enough to make up a full album , is something you rarely see in BL series. All of the songs fit perfectly with the show’s theme and are genuinely enjoyable.

To be honest, I wasn’t very impressed with Keng’s singing ability in Paradise of thorns , maybe he was still inexperienced or easily got nervous at that time. But now, the soundtrack “Mantra” has become one of my current favorite songs, and Keng’s vocals are truly impressive in it.

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"BOUND BY FATE, KEPT BY LOVE, STRENGTHENED BY NEVER GIVING UP."

STORY - 10/10
The story of Khemjira is rich in Thai culture, tradition, and folklore. I even learned a couple of new interesting things by doing some quick research while watching and stumbling upon some terms I was not familiar with.
It's the first time that I like the side couple just as much as the main one. I loved all the characters and think that the story is at its best when it focuses on the main cast. But I found the side "adventures" also quite interesting and entertaining.
The story has a quite slow pace in the sense that dialogue is spoken in a very intentional, slow manner, where the actors have time to breathe a couple of times before speaking their next line. I didn't mind this very much, but it resulted in quite long episodes, with two of them being 2h long. I don't really know what you could've made shorter or cut out without reducing the overall quality of the story. Thus, I think that I'm just not used to series that are this long yet XD.
"Khemjira" has many intense emotional moments, many of which made me cry. I think the story is a masterpiece with a perfect ending. YOU absolutely need to watch it sometime if you haven't already!

ACTING/CAST - 10/10
Keng Harit (= Master/Peem) is gorgeous and extremely talented. He and everyone else sings in the OST of the show, which is amazing. Namping (= Khem) is very adorable and gives off major teddy-bear vibes. Both of them did an exceptional job at portraying the relationships and chemistry of their characters. I really hope that they end up acting in more dramas together!
Tle (= Charn) and Firstone (= Jet) were also very cute together and also made me laugh a lot.
The special effects are pretty good too.

MUSIC - 10/10
PLEASE just listen to this: https://youtu.be/F5yXpItDZVo?si=R7xzksCDuRDLpuEY

"If there were a magic spell that would make you never disappear
I would cast that spell so I could have you by my side
I'd give up everything if it would keep you from leaving

Even if there is no spell, I will use my whole heart
Use all of myself, my entire life, just to hold you in my embrace
If fate has a heart, don't take you away from me.
I cannot lose you, please don't leave me"
(translated lyrics of "Mantra" by Keng Harit)

The soundtrack is absolutely exceptional! And it's amazing that most of it is sung by the actual actors. I really recommend watching all the MVs after finishing the series (because some of them contain spoilers). I also loved all the variations of the main themes in the soundtrack. Furthermore, I loved everything about it and liked that they even had some tracks inspired by traditional Thai music in it.

REWATCH VALUE - 10/10
On a rewatch I will probably see everything in a bit of a new light now that I know all the story and the context of the characters. Maybe I'll even notice some new details of foreshadowing. Other than that, it's absolutely worth a rewatch, because the series is great!

P.S.:
Watch this after you're finished with the series. "BL Crack" pokes fun at some moments of the series and is really entertaining: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n59VDlCOFcU

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Pretty disappointing

I blame my high expectations.
I expected too much and ended up with crumbs.

Now I'm not saying that this is a bad show per se, it's actually the best quality domundi had ever made, but still it's not flawless and not at all deserves this high rating.

Now I shall say what I liked and didn't like about this.

1- acting: everyone was amazing and I was really impressed by Keng, the first scene he appears in was spectacular, and the way he carries his character till the end was really good, also side characters were amazing specially FirstOne and Tle.

On the other hand, Namping was terrible, and I'm really sorry to say that, but him being the MAIN character is a heavy weight I'm not sure he is ready to carry yet, and I'm more sorry to judge him like that but the show is in his character name, mate literally just standed there, said the bare minimum he has too little script to deliver, his hands are glued to his side, he walks without moving his arms at all, and his shoulders are slightly up as if someone spilled cold water on him in the middle of December's winter, with little to no facial expressions at all, so I'm absolutely and utterly disappointed that Domundi focused on improving the show quality and yet this is who they decided to give the role of Khemjira to.

2-story: the beginning was amazing really catches your attention, but after a few episodes everything is so random, we have things that happens thoughtlessly, where is the ghost? What is she doing? Why did she stop harassing him? No answers, also some inconsistency in the plot like they are at school but don't attend it, and then we learn that they are on a break but once Khem decide to go back on a whim, he is back to school again like this part is confusing, and the end was really really anticlimactic, like a monk and a few chantings? Why didn't they do that earlier!! Why didn't they solve that grudge before it got to this point, and how was he alive all that time, if she is that strong why couldn't she take revenge earlier?

I skipped some other illogical things because they are necessary for the plot, still I couldn't help but having them spinning in the back of my head while watching.

3- characters: I said that a billion time before but personally it's hard to like a show if I hate one of the main characters, and here I didn't like both, I could stand Peem slightly more than Khem because of Keng, but he still was annoying in some parts, like mate why are you complicating everything? And Khem, why are you so damn pushy!!? Khem's character is just so ridiculous too, I know he has a female name, but I didn't know that he was also brought up as one!! He is so mushy, that's not someone surrounded by ghosts and scary stuff his whole life!! That is a 10YO girl, but it's a Domundi thing to cast the Uke as too feminine character, I just want to say if you really want a feminine MC, just cast a woman!! ALL female characters were so pretty and MORE masculine than Khemjira, he was the most feminine out of all the female characters in the show.
And that is not a compliment.

Am I being too harsh? Maybe, it's just too average and I expected too much that's why I'm slightly pissed off and disappointed tbh.
This had a few good things too, like Mix doppelganger and his blind lover, they were so sweet, actually FirstOne is the reason I continued watching, sadly I can't seem to be happy enough about any other tiny thing I enjoyed to write them down.

Lastly, lower your expectations and watch it. I would not necessarily suggest it if someone asks me about a show, but if you are contemplating whether to watch it or not, just give it a try, you may like it more than I did.

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KHEMJIRA SERVED what I wanted it to serve!

As someone who can usually finish a 40-episode C-drama in just two days, it took me just as long to finish Khemjira — and halfway through, I realized why. I was savoring it. Every scene, every emotion, every frame. It’s one of the rare shows I’d genuinely call a masterpiece, even beyond the realm of BL.

Khemjira feels like a perfect blend of The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor. The early episodes gave me the kind of horror I crave — chilling, tense, full of well-timed jump scares — and as the story unfolded, it melted into something unexpectedly tender. It gave me all the feels and butterflies I didn’t expect. I found myself wanting more with every episode.

The production? Flawless. I can’t praise it enough. Every detail — the cinematography, color palette, and sound design — built the hauntingly beautiful world of Khemjira. And what’s even better is that everything inside that world — the acting, chemistry, plot, character design, and soundtrack — lived up to it. Nothing fell short.

Usually, even when I adore the side characters in a series, I don’t connect deeply with the second couple. But Khemjira was different. I loved everyone — every character, every relationship, every story it told. There wasn’t a single filler scene or unnecessary character, and I couldn't be more satisfied.

I honestly wish I could forget the entire show just to experience it from scratch again — because KHEMJIRA is a MASTERPIECE.

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Ambitious but lengthy and with disappointing male leads

They say that writing a good short story takes more skill than coming up with a sprawling epic. I don’t know how much I agree with that. What I know for sure is that this series’ runtime should have been cut by a third. As it is, some parts of the show are barely watchable even at 1.75x speed. It’s a shame that the plot drags so badly, because many conditions for success are met: We've got stunning sets, convincing horror elements and spiritual rituals, as well as a talented cast of side characters with captivating past lives. I mean, the lovable Khemmika? JinDa and their present-day reincarnations? Ramphueng as a sympathetic but reasonably frightening karmic enemy?

Would a tight story on top of that make me forgive Domundi for pairing a block of tofu with a slab of marble (both giving middling performances), though? I’m just glad Khem is a man and not a woman, otherwise this character would be a parody of meek femininity. And don’t get me started on Thong and Ake or Grandma Si. My dislike for child companions and sick elders is more of a personal failing than a storytelling flaw. But it sure didn’t help whenever I almost dropped this show. Apropos nothing: Did I mention the series’ imperfect handling of domestic abuse and infidelity? I guess the pacing was just one of several issues after all. And yet, there’s no denying Khemjira its strengths, which drew me back in every time I was about to give up.

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Boring

I just found it very boring. Each week before the episode I'd check to see how long the episode was and I'd have to hype myself up to watch it. But I found myself being distracted whilst watching, going on my phone and watching reels or just responding to messages. I can see why a lot of production companies are switching to Reels format because nobody has the attention span for episodes this long. I think if the episode allowance stretched to 14 episodes and could have been watchable. Or if they couldn't do that, they could have cut A LOT of it down with editing to make the episode duration bearable.

I just felt like scenes were dragged out and the director should have shouted "cut". I don't know how anyone can stare at one another for that long and keep eye contact. It also took so long for the characters to get out a sentence. One of my pet peeves is breaking up a sentence. Throughout the series it was very one note. Peem (Master) was very cold through out. He didn't let up or show much expression. Khem was always this fragile/delicate boy. I didn't feel the romance between the too very much. That emotional connection that Peem really had feelings for Khem and would do anything to protect him. And for Khem it just seemed like he had a crush on the Master but had no real reason to fall for him.

The final ep didn't need to be as long as it was. The resolve/plot was completed in the 40/50 mins. The rest of is should have been a separate special episode. The climax of the plot was very mellow dramatic. When Peem was being surrounded by Ramphueng servants Khem wasn't screaming out in worry for Peem. When Khem was getting whipped by Ramphueng he was screaming out in pain as you would expect when getting whipped. And that's also going back to the episode when Ramphueng was getting whipped. I know she was casting a curse but every time she was being whipped she could have screamed out in pain and in-between she could have carrie do with saying her curse. And Peem wasn't really fighting or objecting when Khem was getting strangled by Ramphueng. It was just all very melodramatic for a climax of the plot.

However, despite my complaints, I think it was a well written story just poorly executed. The special effects were immaculate, the best ones I've seen in a BL. The make up of Ramphueng and her servants were astonishing. And for this is the reason why I'm giving this series a 6. If it wasn't for these it would have been a much lower score and I probably would have dropped it much earlier.

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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.

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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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Was Khemjira Worth the Hype?

Okay, I’ll admit it. I started watching Khemjira purely because of the hype. Everyone was talking about it, edits were all over my feed, and I thought, “This has to be THAT show.” Well… let’s just say my expectations were a little too high, and the finale did not do me any favors. That last almost-two-hour episode? Painful. I’m still not sure what they were trying to do there, but it definitely wasn’t the right way to wrap up everything.

And it’s not just the finale. Some episodes dragged on forever. I’m not exaggerating when I say it took me two days to finish one episode, I literally thought my eyes were getting bad, but nope, the episode was actually two hours long. Don’t ask me which one, I think it was ep 7 or 8. I get that they wanted to build tension and atmosphere, but honestly, trimming down some scenes would’ve made the story flow way better.

I’ve gotta give credit where it’s due, this is the first time I’ve ever found myself shipping the main character with literally everyone around him 😅. Khem (played by Namping) might not have delivered the strongest acting performance, but his chemistry with every side character was surprisingly good! I didn’t know Namping before this, so I’m giving him a pass since it’s his first big project. I did the same with Nanon before eventually falling in love with his acting, so maybe Namping just needs more experience. Luckily, the rest of the cast was solid and totally carried him through the rough spots.

What actually impressed me most was how the show tried to mix horror, reincarnation, karma, and Thai folklore. The cultural and religious layers were so interesting and made it stand out from your typical BL or supernatural drama. You could really feel the thought behind the setting and rituals, it wasn’t just for aesthetics. If only the pacing had matched the storytelling quality, this could’ve been a masterpiece.

But yeah… that last episode. Why was the timeline so unnecessarily complicated? It felt like they were adding flashbacks and backstories just because they could, not because the story needed them. I wanted answers, but instead I got more confusion and dramatic pauses.

Still, I won’t lie, even with all the chaos, Khemjira is better than average. It’s ambitious, beautifully shot, and packed with emotional moments that hit harder than I expected. So yeah, despite my rants, I don’t regret watching it. Just… maybe don’t start it at midnight unless you’re ready for two-hour episodes and emotional damage. 😅

Khemjira had the potential to be great, it’s just trapped inside too many long scenes and one confusing finale. Still worth checking out if you love folklore, curses, and complicated love stories with a side of ghosts.

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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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