Khemjira

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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so very close to being perfect

is this (for me subjectively) the best series of all time? sadly, no, but it's still a masterpiece and it deserves the hype.
anyone can see from just one episode how much care and dedication has been put into this series.
- the cast fits their roles very well and everyone did a great job acting (you cannot seriously look me in the eyes and tell me anything bad about the acting let's be serious)
- the cinematography and soundtrack are gorgeous, actually the best i've seen i think
- the story is well crafted and adapted, especially the "villain" and the past lives, and despite the quite lengthy episodes i've never felt bored

now, i couldn't give it a maximum rating because:
- at times i felt that the pace was a bit off and there were a few plot points and arcs that i didn't particularly enjoy (such as the jealousy scenes leading up to peem and khem confessing)
- i'm so sorry but i didn't care about charn and jet like... almost at all. i didn't dislike them and i loved their past life and rooted for them but not in the present. i have nothing against the authors either, i guess it's just a matter of taste?

i'm really hoping for special episodes and bonus scenes, i need to see more of peemkhem's married life

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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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A possible sign of what's to come

One can certainly understand the wide praise given to Khemjira. Being lauded as one of the most important BLs of 2025, it is certainly a production worth seeing.

And yet, it possesses irritating flaws. Some writing choices leave much to be desired, bordering on the absurd: for instance, why is Khem so very often alone despite the seriousness of his situation. Jet and Chan are supposed to be watching over him, but is often left unattended. Aspects like this make the series poorer.

Green, who plays Ramphueng, gives a particularly powerful interpretation of her character. So does Pung as Yos. The series gains strenght from its supperb supporting cast. The four main actors try their best, and yet one could wonder what they'd do if they had more experience under their belts.

One is left scratching one's head over the introduction of Khachen. A missed opportunity, for this character is not in any way instrumental to the plot; contrary, for instance, to the monk introduced also later in the plot, who proves essential to the resolution. Khachen's introduction should have been 2 to 3 episodes earlier, allowing for further delving into Master's past.

The series could have gained more from going deeper into the backgrounds of the characters. As such, Khem is left bordering the dangerous territory of damsel in distress and Master the role of the emotionally distant, all-powerful knight in shining armor.

Khemjira as a series does try to stray away from the common tropes of Thai BLs. Certain innovations in storytelling, the architecture of its filming, certain acting choices, do provide the outlet for it. And yet, sometimes it tends to go back to known territory. Old habits tend to die hard.

As such, I tend to see Khemjira as a work signaling a wider transition in the Thai BL industry: from somewhat poor BLs to those who encompass complexity. It is a work worth seeing, perhaps mostly for providing the tone for richer productions in the future.

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This is one of the most or the most overrated series ever!!!!!!!

The only thing that motivated me enough to watch this series was Keng's facecard but at the end that failed too. This series could have been executed way better, the storyline could have been better, it had a lot of loopholes and lets not start with the acting and the chemistry between the actors. It felt like all the actors were plucked out and put in the same screen side by side. The overall chemistry and stage presence was very stiff and awkward. It had no build up or development at all. Never realized when the main characters fell in love, it was just meh. It was below average in every aspects and if i could use only word to describe this series it would be stiff. The only team related to this show that did a very good job was the PR team . The reason i gave any rating to the rewatch value section because i had to .
The last nc scene between the main actors felt like a teacher grooming a student.

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Why Khemjira and not PeemKhem or just Khem?

It’s been a minute since I’ve seen anything outside of GMMTV, and thanks to GMMTV, I’ve become accustomed to criticizing everything about a show. However, Khemjira was a good change of pace and a reminder of what a good Thai BL is capable of.

What I enjoyed about the show:

1. The visuals, cinematography, sound, and writing.
- Visually, the color palette, theme, and filler used were all nice and go hand-in-hand with the horror theme. The actors are also visually pleasing, to a degree. Companies tend to find talents with similarities, so we got FirstOne, who looks like a mix of GMMTV’s Mix, Sea Talay, and Domundi’s Jamessu, and gave strong Yim vibes. Tle (Charn) is a mix of Bible and Mark Tuan. And Namping gave me Nunew vibes. I’m assuming all of this is intentional. I’m a big fan of the supernatural and love me a good horror show now and then. When it comes to ghosts, no one does it better than Thailand and Japan. The ghosts in here were well done, from the makeup to the CGI. Sure, I’d catch shadows here and there, but they weren’t enough to distract me from the ghosts’ appearances.
- I appreciate the cinematography here. I enjoyed the variety of camera angles, though I wish we got more zoom-ins. Overall, not much to complain about. Given that it’s a horror series, I expected good angles, and good angles were present.
- I have to say, every OST piqued my interest, and I found myself searching for the BGMs used throughout the show. The sound effects were nice, pleasant, and reflected the mood of what was going on on the screen. Although I appreciated the sound, I noticed that either there was an audio issue in ep9 or they had added Namping’s (Khem) breathing/hyperventilating over the original audio, so Khem was echoing, which was a sloppy moment.
- The writing was self-aware, and the call-backs were satisfying. At times when a character does or says something, I’d ask myself why he/she does/says that. Then, not even a few seconds later, another character will clock it, and we’ll get a reason why. This makes characters less one-dimensional and more lifelike. Some characters even held grudges over time, and this again amplifies the realistic aspect of the characters and the show.

2. I particularly enjoyed Jet, Thong, and Ake. Jet was the most consistent character, and I love a good comedy relief character. I thought this series did a good job expanding on its side and supporting characters’ lives, desires, and goals, too. No character is truly flat or useless to the plot. Domundi is superior when casting older and younger actors who can pass as the same person.

3. For the longest time, I was begging for the details of Ramphueng’s past. What was her grudge about? Why did she curse a whole bloodline? What exactly happened to her that she’ll put innocent people through hell before their 21st birthday? Admittedly, I became team Ramphueng halfway through ep9. Her backstory had me in tears, and it was the only time I cried. In my eyes, her hatred is justified. We also got to learn that she was a mother earlier on and is against killing babies, despite having been slaying other people’s adult children for nearly 260 years. I have to admit, I was rooting for Ramphueng to get her revenge and got a little too excited when Khem was willing to step outside the ring. I’d love a side story of just Ramphueng and her next life, where she reunites with her son.

4. I love that, unlike other series, it took a while to defeat Ramphueng. Showing just how truly powerful she is. I’m tired of "powerful" villains being wiped out within 10-20 minutes of screentime.

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What I didn’t enjoy about the show (in no particular order):

1. I’m going to get heat for this, but I did not like Khem. Be it Namping's limited acting or bad direction, Khem was capable of five facial expressions. Trying to cry, on the verge of crying, trying to look worried, staring, and smiling. Namping’s cries piss me off. I hate that Khem is coddled, the damsel in distress, slow, and can’t sympathize with other people. He saw the Madam throw Ramphueng’s baby into the water, and dared to act like he was the ultimate victim. I hated that Ramphueng genuinely apologized to Khem and offered to make up for her actions, whereas Khem couldn’t understand that her actions up until then were because of what was done to her baby and her being flogged to death. Khem really thought Ramphueng was just seeking revenge for herself, even after the fact. He seriously didn’t realize this until after it was over and they got to ask the monk questions. This further pissed me off. But seriously, I stopped liking and caring for Khem earlier on when he was going back and forth with Peem about lifting his curse. Peem made it clear he wouldn't help because he promised his grandfather that he wouldn’t intervene with others’ karma. Which makes sense because if he interferes with Khem’s karma, others would expect him to help them as well. Every time Khem pushes it, Peem always asks, “Do you want me to break my promise to my grandfather?”. Khem would never say yes, but would keep begging, basically asking Peem to break the promise so that Khem could live past 21. Not only did Khem want Peem to break his promise, Khem also decided to low-key gaslight and manipulate Peem by cooking and cleaning up Peem’s place. Like boi, you’re asking to stay at his place and don’t pay any bills, the least you can do is cook and clean. When Peem said Khem had ulterior motives for becoming Peem’s student, Khem acted oblivious when it was clear as day that he did have selfish motives. Khem’s selfishness doesn’t stop there; the guy constantly tries to make Peem jealous just because Khem himself liked Peem. Khem didn’t act like a 20-year-old who’s on the verge of being horrendously killed. He’s worried about love and was pouting when Peem, who has a long life ahead of him, didn’t reciprocate right away. I can’t root for a manipulative, selfish, and weak character. I refuse to. Khem's relationship with his mom was sweet when he was a kid, but as he got older, it felt forced. He'd forget about his mom until she shows up to protect him.

2. The chemistry between Keng/Peem and Namping/Khem wasn’t chemistrying. The romance was painfully dry, bitter, and confusing. Their past lives were constantly a factor in how they SHOULDN’T and AREN’T currently into each other. The show tries in more ways than once to convey that they love each other, but not because of their feelings from the past. Since it came up so much, I started to wonder if the show even believed Peem and Khem’s love was genuine. Peem and Khem’s romance was a slow burn and not worth the burn. They should have bypassed the romance or at least developed it more naturally.

3. The timeline was a mess, and the math wasn’t mathing. About 20 minutes into ep1, Khem said in 6 months he’ll be 21. And not even 10 minutes of screen time later, they go on their volunteer camp, which supposedly happened one month before Khem’s 21st birthday, per Charn's claim in ep11 of how long since he’s met/known Jet. So, within 10 minutes, there was a 5-month skip without superimposition? Also, Ramphueng was 21 in 1767/1768, so how has she, to quote Peem in ep11, “been growing her power for over 400 years”…? That’s less than 260 years, sir. The loophole of Khem being born at 6 AM was a nice touch, though predictable. Also, appreciate Peem for letting us know what exactly will happen if Khem doesn’t die before 21.

4. School and the volunteer camp were afterthoughts. Other than doing it for Khem, why did Jet suggest bringing a whole group of students to a dangerous place where possessions and spirits are common? And besides the painting, what was ‘volunteering’ about the camp? The whole time they were there, it didn’t feel like a club trip for students. We never found out what happened to those three bullies, and the girlfriend of one of the bullies didn't seem to care all that much about him on multiple occasions.

5. Just me nitpicking, but when Charn and Jet were being pursued, Charn turned the wheel left, but the car went right…

6. Another serious confusion is, was Ramphueng chasing both Khem’s soul and Khem’s bloodline? Or how was Khem and his mom so unlucky as to be born into the same cursed line twice/thrice?

7. What angers me the most was the revelation in ep10. You mean to tell me, these characters spent a whole lot of their break at this shaman’s house when the curse could have been lifted if Khem had just survived past turning 21..? WHAT!? Then what help did Khem really need from the Master? Peem’s place itself was relatively safe as long as Khem wasn’t dumb enough to fall for all the red flags, so why not just stay there until his birthday? Is it really a curse if Ramphueng was responsible for most of the incidents? Also, why did Khem run away instead of taking responsibility for falling for Ramphueng's tricks? I get that Grandma Si wasn't Khem's fault, but Thong and Ake, too? Peem really concocted that BS so that nothing's Khem's fault.

8. I understand why there were fewer ghosts as the story progresses, but the cutback was very abrupt. Except for the forest scene where Ramphueng jumped in front and mind-controlled one of the purer spirits, all of the jump scares were predictable. They were given away either by the music, utter silence, or camera placement/angles. I don’t mind it, but I wish there were more ghosts and jump scares.

9. The fact that their past lives seem to have an impact on their current ones is concerning. But also not worth diving into.

10. I didn’t care for the latter half of the final episode. Sorry, not sorry.

All in all, if Khemjira were 2-4 episodes shorter, it would have gotten a 10 from me. But because of how lengthy it is, including some episodes ranging from 1 to 2 hours, it became draggy and boring at times. Still, it’s a good watch and I’d recommend it to anyone who can handle dark and horror.

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How is the rating so high?

The story started off well. I was hooked on episode 1, but then by episode 4 it lost me. I got to episode 10 and was absolutely confused by what was going on. The second lead couple have more chemistry than the main couple. Its not because of how the characters were written (boring), maybe it was the director. Maybe the actors. I had a hard time believing they actually liked eachother. There's nothing anyone can say that could convince me this show deserves more than a 6 rating. The production value is good, music is good. The actors are good looking, but not good enough to overlook the actual acting.

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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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It doesnt get any better than this

Story – Exceptionally complex and rich in detail, told from beginning to end without leaving out a single thing. Every question finds its answer; nothing is left hanging. The antagonist has a deeply tragic backstory that allows you to understand her — something rarely achieved. The entire process is explained, from the very beginning of their first life, with perfect pacing. The story develops naturally from the first day onward; nothing is rushed. You’re given the time to feel every emotion, right up to the ending, which is complete, meaningful, and deeply satisfying.

Quality – The cinematography, costume design, and CGI are flawless — something that’s rarely seen even in mainstream series, let alone in a BL production.

Music – Every song was created and performed by the actors themselves, and each one is exceptional — emotional, powerful, and beautifully produced. They’re the kind of songs people would listen to even outside the context of the series.

Acting – Starting with the leads:

Namping portrayed a character who is emotionless, frightened, and very young — someone who could easily have come off as dull — yet he made you want to protect and love him. Truly mesmerizing.

Keng brought to life a shaman who seems cold at first but is actually yearning for love and peace — his performance left me speechless.

Tie and Firstone were both incredible: playful, loyal, brave, and full of love — their chemistry and warmth were unforgettable.

Ramphueng gave an Oscar-worthy performance. She made us hate her for the terrible things her character did to innocent people, yet by the end, you find yourself wishing her happiness and peace because of how much pain and emotion she conveyed.

All the supporting actors were outstanding in their own ways — from the grandmother who radiates warmth and love, to the two children whose talent is astonishing for their age, to the brother and sister who appeared briefly yet felt so real and grounded. Every single actor contributed something unique and heartfelt.

Message – The series carries a rare and powerful message: that persistence, courage, understanding, care, and love truly conquer all.

This is not just a story or a show — it’s a feeling. It stays with you forever and raises the standard not only for BL dramas or Asian television, but for storytelling and filmmaking worldwide.

Bravo to everyone involved — you deserve an Oscar.

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Might be the best series I've watched in a long time...

I don't often leave reviews on series but this one deserves my time. Amazing...TRULY AMAZING. I was hooked from the very beginning, and my attachment and interest in the series only grew over the episodes. The entire plot was perfectly formed and executed throughout the series. Each character was beautifully written and thought out to give us endearing souls. Ramphueng was for me a perfect villain with the most painful backstory, who redeemed herself at the end. People may say that her end wasn't the best but personally it was exactly how I imagined it, she deserved her "happy" ending too...
As for the romance part, it was perfectly executed too. I saw many people saying that the slow burn was waaay too long, but I think that it gave time to both of the couples to really forge a strong and passionate bond. And also I'm happy that it was, of course, part of the curse plot BUT that it didn't take over it.
The whole cast was made in heaven, every single actor had their place and added a unique touch to the series. Very refreshing acting from everyone, especially Keng and Namping whose next projects I am eagerly awaiting. As well as Tle and Firstone whose chemistry also was of the chart, very pure and beautiful.
And of course, how could I end this without talking about the whole visual aspect of the series...As a huge cinematography fan, this entire production was a blessing to the eyes : the sets all came out of paradise, same goes to the entire visuals/magic effects and THE COLORIMETRY ??

So yes, dare I say this is the best series of 2025 and THE series that's changing and shaking the whole BL world

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Really hope this is the new standard for BL!!

I LOVE that they wrapped up the Rhampeung stuff within the first half an hour and spent the rest on the aftermath. Her stuff really didn't need to be dragged further. Charnjet were so cute ahhhhh!! Also peemkhem, omg my heart. THE WAY THONG AND AKE CAME BACK AS THEIR KIDS WAS SO ADORABLE!!!! ? I really really loved this series so so much. I actually feel contempt with this. Like ususally I am so sad because they resolve the issue and by the time that's done, we only get to see the characters for another 10-20mins. This was lovely though. It didn't feel rushed or dragged out. I'll miss them so so much though, it doesn't need a special ep but I would love one ? What a wonderful series. I really didn't expect anything going into this and feel like I won the lottery lmao. Hoping that other bls take notes on this series because wow. I love it with all my heart. So creative, and beautiful, and ahhh just I can't even put my feelings into words because it was just that amazing. I'll really really miss this series. I fell in love with the ost's, the characters, the storyline, the chemistry... It will be so hard to find another series like this, but right now I am so glad to be alive to have witnessed this beautiful piece haha. The gl storyline was so good too ahhh (honestly, I really enjoyed all the backstories) . The whole thing with the wedding and all that, Jin asking if there is a time where the same gender could get married... ahhh all of it was just so so good. They did such a good job I can't believe it ? This series made me laugh, cry, squeal, jump, all the possible emotions out there. I feel so thankful for all the emotions and moments this series has given me, from actually watching it, to discussing it with my friends. It was truly wonderful. I have watched a lot of bus, from really trashy ones, to genuinely good ones. But damn, this one really blew my mind. I had a wonderful time watching this, and I hope to see many more amazing series like this in the future, it will be hard, but I really hope it does happen. There are many more things that I could mention, because this series has so so many amazing features and I would be talking forever if I started, so I'll leave it at this. I feel like you could really tell that everybody involved put a lot of care and thought into this, and it really paid off.

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