Mate (2024)

The most unhinged Chao Planoy adaptation

Disclaimer: I have not read the book this series is based on, or any other Chao Planoy novel. Everything I know about her work is gathered from opinions I’ve read online, and other dramas adapted from other novels of hers, so take this review with a grain of salt.

One thing you often hear about Chao Planoy’s books is that they aren’t, well, good. Her plots rely on the same five or six tropes and two or three character types, and her work is frequently criticized for glamorizing toxic behavior. But most shows set in her GL extended universe (and there have been many: Gap, Blank, My Marvellous Dream Is You, Affair, Apple My Love, Pluto, Us…) seem aware of the problems in her writing and make an effort to soften the rough edges. And most of those efforts have been pretty successful so far—Lady Sam is made into a sympathetic protagonist in Gap, for example, despite being a terrible person on paper.

I’m not sure how faithful Mate the Series is to its source material, but this feels like the unfiltered version of Chao Planoy—Chao Unchained, if you will. Like the showrunners didn’t realize how unhinged the book was, or didn’t know how to make it more palatable, or didn’t care because they were only trying to cash in on the GL craze. I’m leaning towards the showrunners just being incompetent (although this series is a quick and dirty cash-grab, no question), because Mate is real bad, y’all. The dialogue is bad, the editing is bizarre, the music is bewildering (half the time it sounds like Looney Tunes music, and the other half it sounds like the soundtrack of a historical movie set during the French Revolution where one of the lovers dies tragically of cholera), the treatment of heavy topics like PTSD is clumsy, the characters are insufferable (I would murder Great on sight and feel no remorse), the acting is uneven, the love scenes have too much male gaze and lack chemistry…I could go on. This is a show where Genlong’s entire family is forced to flee the country due to her father’s criminal business activity, and not only is he never held accountable for his actions (which, by the way, indirectly lead to Gen and Aoey’s separation for three years!!), he is basically portrayed as a cuddly teddy bear for the remaining episodes. Um, hello, what?

So Mate is a disaster at the trash factory. And yet…it is weirdly compelling, in its way. If nothing else, it made me laugh out loud at least a few times per episode. (It’s childish, but Dr. Thot’s name kills me, I’m sorry.) And every once in a while the script stumbles sideways into some genuinely good drama. There is some great tension after the timeskip between Vengeance Aoey and Sadsack Genlong. Of course, the screenwriters don’t know what to do with it, or how to resolve it in a way that makes sense, so it ends up mostly wasted (although we do get one surprisingly excellent monologue from Aoey, the one about how everything is messed up). The later episodes make me think that Mate would have worked better with a non-chronological plot structure—we probably should have started with Gen and Aoey reuniting after their separation, à la The Secret of Us, and then moved backwards in time from there—although do I think the creators could have handled that well? Absolutely not.

On one hand, I’m thrilled by the recent success of the Thai GL industry, and the explosion of new series being announced. On the other hand, Mate could be a warning sign of things to come, once every entertainment company realizes they can make a quick buck (or baht, as it were) with a shippable couple and some adaptation rights—which is what seems to be happening. I can’t recommend that anyone watch Mate unless your brain is broken like mine and you can appreciate the absurdity of it. However, Grace and Oaey are cute as heck and I wish them all the best. Hopefully this series will be the launching pad they need to achieve bigger and better things.

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A Rollercoaster of Emotions and Missed Opportunities (But A Great Ending)

Trigger Warning: One of the leads, Aoey, is a victim of SA and Cheating

If you’re not a fan of shows where one character repeatedly forgives another despite constant mistreatment, this might not be for you. Aoey endures a lot from Gen, tying into the show’s soulmate theme wherein no one else seems to understand or tolerate them as they do for each other.

The show has some notable flaws. The repetitive conflicts, unresolved issues, and mistakes made the story feel tedious over time. Dialogue often felt awkward and unengaging, which weakened the romanticization of darker themes that the show aimed to explore. Gen’s inability to learn from her mistakes, even after seeking advice, was particularly frustrating and made her character development feel stagnant. Additionally, the editing and coloring didn’t align with the melodramatic, angsty tone the show tried to achieve, making it harder to immerse in the emotional scenes.

Despite these drawbacks, there are several positives. Gen’s actress was stunning and perfectly embodied the role, particularly in the earlier episodes. It would be exciting to see her in a better-written but same premise GL show. The show’s emphasis on the importance of asking for help added meaningful moments, and the emotional childhood flashbacks helped foster empathy for the leads’ relationship. Gen’s protectiveness over Aoey was a charming sight, and the verbal accountability shown by those who influenced Gen’s actions was a refreshing take that stood out in the narrative. Lastly, the show's finale was extremely satisfying.

While watching, a few thoughts came to mind. Both Aoey and Gen clearly needed mental health support. Gen’s toxic perfectionism seemed rooted in unresolved trauma, but the lack of exploration into her backstory was a missed opportunity. Delving into her past would have added depth and made her character more relatable. The sudden addition of sound effects halfway through the series was unintentionally hilarious, disrupting the tone. When Aoey finally learned the truth about Gen leaving her, the moment lacked impact and became underwhelming. The show’s focus on repetitive and dragged out dialogues robbed critical scenes of emotional weight, especially in the final episodes.

However, all of this was made up for with that simple yet impactful and meaningful proposal scene. We rarely get proposal scenes in GLs and I'm so grateful they gave us one. The line "I figured that being just a mate isn't enough." followed by "How about a soulmate?" They absolutely did wonders with these lines. How I wish the rest of their dialogues had this kind of magic in them. Mate's final episode was a breath of fresh air from all the GLs I've watched which was a joy to witness, giving me the positive closure we desperately needed after that stressful ride. They did wonders with the last episode and I was gratefully fan serviced to the max.

Overall, this is a flawed but decent show. While the writing is weak, the performances and chemistry between the actresses are commendable. It has a fulfilling conclusion, so don’t let the negatives dissuade you from giving it a try, as it will definitely give you the feels in one way or another.

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Dare to say best GL I've ever seen

Brace yourself for drama, angst, and trauma because Mate the Series has it all—and it’s absolutely fantastic.
This is probably the best story I’ve ever seen in a GL. I was captivated from beginning to end.

The love story between Gen and Aoey, two childhood best friends who reconnect after years of separation, is a beautiful portrayal of friendship, love, longing, and heartbreak. Their relationship is not easy to navigate; it’s intense and raw, but ultimately filled with all the love and affection they have for one another.

I adore the two main characters so much. Gen is bossy and arrogant, but deep down, she is incredibly gentle, caring, and selfless. We see how much she grows and changes for the better throughout the series. Aoey, on the other hand, is such a pure soul—she deserves the world. Seeing her on screen made me smile every single time. Yet, she also has a mischievous side that was an absolute delight to watch.

The chemistry between them is undeniable right from their first meeting. It’s so strong that you can’t look away. They effortlessly deliver both the most dramatic and the sweetest moments, making every shared scene a joy to watch.

Speaking of acting, Grace and Oaey did a phenomenal job. Grace excels in using her facial expressions to convey Gen’s emotions, often expressing what Gen cannot say out loud with just her eyes. Oaey, meanwhile, had a particularly challenging role. Aoey goes through so much, yet Oaey’s performance always feels genuine, even in the most intense moments—it’s never cringe-worthy or overdone.

One of the reasons I love this story so much is that it’s not just about them. There are external factors that play a significant role in shaping and influencing their relationship. The story feels broader in scope, as they face challenges and obstacles that are complex and not always easy to overcome.

While Mate excels in storytelling, character development, and acting, it does fall short on a technical level. The production, directing, and especially editing could use improvement. The editing, in particular, sometimes makes the story feel disjointed, and the narrative doesn’t always flow smoothly. The cinematography is almost nonexistent, and visually, the series can feel a bit dry. Apart from two beautifully executed moments, there aren’t many memorable scenes in terms of visuals. The series relies heavily on its intense emotions and performances to carry its weight.

Overall, I loved this series so much that I’ve grown deeply attached to Gen and Aoey. It’s hard to say goodbye. Every single episode had me hooked, leaving me craving more. I laughed, cried, and felt their pain and joy. It was truly a rollercoaster of emotions. Though it’s bittersweet, I’ll send them back to the novel with so much love.

10/10 <3

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Mate" is a Thai GL series that starts off strong with a cute and engaging storyline, but unfortunately loses its charm as it progresses. Initially, I was obsessed with the chemistry and the potential of the plot, but as the series went on, it became repetitive and lacked excitement. While the story itself had promise, the execution felt underwhelming, making it hard to stay invested. The pacing dragged, and some scenes felt unnecessary. Despite its flaws, it had sweet moments and likable characters. Overall, it’s a decent watch but not outstanding. I’d rate it a 5/10.

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Bad story line and romance was mainly centred for male gaze

I am writing this review as someone who has proudly never read the book and never will. I know this series has a lot of fans, but I am definitely not one of them.

The storyline itself is bizarre. A girl randomly spawns in Bangkok and immediately reaches out to her old school friend, whom she supposedly had a fallout with over a "hair lice" issue? That's probably one of the most unrealistic setups ever. Anyone with an ounce of self-respect would have better things to do. Sure, Aoey had a valid reason—getting kicked out of her house—but that whole situation was another level of weird drama. Honestly, no girl with a little bit of common sense would make half the decisions Aoey did.

It was nice of Genlong to let Aoey stay with her, but realistically, it felt forced and unnatural.

I know, I know—fans will say, "It's just a series, it's fiction, get over it." But my issue is how incredibly messy everything felt. The representation of SA and PTSD was the worst. These heavy topics deserve better representation, with a focus on the victim’s experience in a way that feels real, respectful and the viewer should be able to feel and relate to the character, even if they haven't experienced such a thing. Mate completely failed at this. Instead of a good portrayal, all we got was Aoey screaming, yelling, and throwing tantrums whenever someone touched her. I get it—she went through something no one should ever have to. But seriously? There were so many better ways to depict her trauma rather than reducing it to repeated outbursts.

The romance? No comments. It was good. But I felt nothing watching 90% of the romantic scenes. It felt like the romance was catered entirely to the male gaze. If that was the goal, fine, but they could’ve at least adjusted the plot a little instead of completely ruining the whole thing.

The cast was alright, but the characters were frustrating. What was Thot’s purpose in the story? Why was Genlong so unbearably cringe about everything? Even Aoey, for the matter of fact was indeed very cringe too. Speaking of which, the cringe factor in this series was on another level. Nearly every episode had at least one scene that made me want to skip forward. I genuinely said "WTF" out loud at least once per episode.

Aoey's marriage was hands down the most out-of-pocket scene ever. Like, the story would've been better even without it. The couple could’ve worked things out even if the groom didn’t exist. Instead of those unnecessary makeout scenes during fights, they should’ve focused more on Aoey and Genlong reconnecting through actual conversations after their separation.

Also, Aoey’s soon-to-be fiancé cheats and gets all the hate, but let’s be real—Aoey kinda does the same by making out with Genlong while engaged. And yet, she still makes Genlong her bridesmaid and introduces her as her dear friend? Girl, what? If you like her that much, just call off the wedding. The fact that she even entertained feelings for someone else while engaged says a lot about her. This isn’t love—she’s just deceiving herself.

Overall, this series was just a mess. The writing was weak, the execution of serious topics was terrible, and the romance was unconvincing. If you enjoyed it, good for you, but personally? Not my cup of tea.

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Surprisingly good!

Firstly, the production company has chosen the right person to portraits Genlong and Oaei. Both MC, Grace and Oaey managed to brings the characters to life.

Secondly, I like how the screen writer altered the novel.
It was adjusted beautifully without destroying it's original plot. I can feel the care given to ensure most of the details and storyline intact.

Thirdly, i appreciate the attention to the costumes, make ups, hair and locations. Love the OST, but how come there's only 1?

Lastly, this show has got high rewatch value. In fact, i write this review immediately after my 1st rewatch and certainly won't be the last time watching.

Good job，I look forward to more great series by Grace and Oaey.

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Hate some part yet love it will watched it again for sure

thing I love chemistry between
actresses who playes Glen and Aoey.
Of course love HAPPY ENDING
love relationship Glen and her brother even if like sibling bickering.
love the side BL couple, it's like with their stories, it'slike they both help each other.

But things I find unnecessary
Glen make Aoey HATE her

Why they didn't make Aoey successful with her novel and move on slowly, even if they will show us she still in love with Glenw instead of what they decided for her character.
And Aoey mother who didn't believe her daughter.

So basically I love Glen development character but hate how she treat Aoey.
I wish a couple who can communicate.
Like other comments said, I wish a background about Glen, maybe explain why she's like this, acting cold, overthinking.
But despite that I will watched it again for sure.

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The Series – A Melting Ice Queen, Some Solid Chemistry, and a Lot of Frustration

GL Grading Disclaimer
My ratings are “for a GL,” focusing on the love story, chemistry, and plot. I grade on a curve, recognizing the production context and genre norms. A 10 means it fully delivers in one or more of these: undeniable chemistry, high enjoyability, or a standout storyline.

Plot
Mate: The Series really didn’t need to be 12 episodes. The story should’ve wrapped before Gen left—everything after that felt drawn out. The criminal subplot was full of holes and lacked urgency; the threat never felt real.

Gen’s arc as an ice queen softening over time could’ve worked, but her decisions were often frustrating. Her anger at Aeoy over a lie—while lying herself the whole time—felt hypocritical. And her choice to stay gone even after the danger passed made no sense.

Characters
Aeoy was easily the heart of the show—sincere, grounded, and clear about what she wanted. Gen, though, was tough to root for. While she softened by the end, her choices often made her character hard to connect with.

Chemistry
Despite the writing flaws, Gen and Aeoy’s chemistry was believable. The emotional connection was there, even if the physical intimacy felt held back. Watching Gen gradually open up had its moments, but the passion was inconsistent.

Chemistry Rating: Warm (teetering on Steamy)
(Scale: Hot AF, Steamy, Warm and Cute)

Final Thoughts
The core romance had promise, but the pacing, character decisions, and underwhelming tension held this back. If you love ice queen stories and can overlook some bumps in execution, it might still be worth the watch—but it left me more frustrated than satisfied.

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A Good Adaptation But Could Have Been Better

Adapted from the novel of the same name, “Mate the Series” is a love story between Aoey (Oaey Ponchanok) and Gen (Grace Budsarin), which tackles serious and dark issues like “Sexual Assault”. Initially, the start of the show was good and steady-paced but as the show kept moving forward it became boring; which was very surprising for me because I felt that it had a good potential, as the show was focused on dealing with heavy topics and how support and love are important. I love how Gen was supportive and understanding, but the only drawback that everyone’s pace in getting better is different and just forcing someone may not be an ideal situation; especially if we take into account Aoey’s case, because what she went through is hard. This may be one of the few series where I couldn’t stand some side characters because of the role they play in the series especially Thot (Fame Chawinroj). I mean what kind of doctor and person does things like that. They have a very strong foundation in their relationship, starting with friendship but it suffered due to plot.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2025/03/13/mate-the-series-series-review-ep-1-to-12/

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Different yet the same old Thai GL

For first 7-8 episodes of the show, the story was solid in my eyes. There was a little conflict, little tension , little romance and then, they get together.

like other few Thai GLs, I have watched , almost all of them run into this weird forced separation/new conflict type trap in the last few episodes of the show. Whether it was Live senior before , or Gap for that matter, When main leads after resolving the first main few conflicts of the series, story give them one final "enemy" scenario for last 10-30% of show, which may not be needed that much.

Overall, the performance from main leads was good, especially in emotional scenes. Characters did , what they could with the story in the end. I did watch it completely, but 1st 7-8 episodes were watched continuously and the last scenario separately.

All in all its a decent watch.

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