This review may contain spoilers
Second Time Around - Still 10/10
I watched Shine (Orchestrated) twice - big screen and small – hoping that I would be able to write a review that could show the excellence of this drama, as a straight-out drama, and not just a BL drama.I did not succeed. Shine will go down, in the annals of Thai tv drama, as the best script, acting, cinematography, OST (who else listens to the OST on Spotify) and authenticity of the era in which it was shot. I was 10yo (in Australia) when the Americans landed on the moon, so the whole hippie era was all around me.
Let’s look at the BL side of this show, as that is the overriding theme–
Miles and Apo had their roles reversed from those in KinnPorche, and how amazing were they? There was a real depth to their characters that was only hinted at in KP. Miles, as the free-wheeling hippie, was both attractive and funny, but later on showed his deep side. Apo, as the clean freak, buttoned-up academic made the viewer want to call out to the screen “take off your tie”. In fact, that first scene in the back yard of ‘Tanwa’s’ shop, where ‘Tanwa’ got him down to rolled up trousers and shirt, was ‘Trin’s’ awakening. In contrast with KP, they only had one sex scene, and a cheeky skinny dip, but, even as a Yaoi, I didn’t find that a problem. The scene was so tastefully done, that it was worth the wait.
SonEuro – wow! Just Wow! They were so well-suited to their roles -so different, yet perfectly-matched. How explosive were their sex scenes?! The piano scene, where they switched roles! I hated the ending of this pair, and the character that instigated their separation – ‘Dhevi’! Someone else, who hated the ending, an amateur BL writer, Esther Down, has written an alternate story of ‘Krailert’ and ‘Naran’, but changed the names, and most of the background – although the era is the same. (You can find her story on Wattpad, under Esther Down, “Ballan and the Colonel”)
The script writing – I am in awe of the writers – Ning, Pond, Den, and Bua – their collaboration alone on this complex script is legendary. The way they wove storylines together – Tanwa’s mother’s novel, the letters between Sarasawadee and Krai lung, the student protest content and Trin’s diary – was perfect. Who wrote the humourous lines and scenes? – so funny! However, it was the poignant, heart-wrenching lines that really made this show the epic tale that it is.
I held off watching ep8 again for as long as possible – it still had me in floods of tears, though! Why did ‘Dhevi’ have to be so cruel?! The wrenching scene where ‘Trin’ gives his uncle the letter from ‘Sarasawadee’, and after, when ‘Lert’ cries uncontrollably! ‘Tanwa’ in the depths of despair, in a continual drug-induced fog, being brought back to life by his father, whom we all thought was a cold-hearted man. ‘Lert’ writing a beautiful song to his beloved, who is miles away from him, and probably never to return. ‘Tiva’ kneeling down to ‘Victor’s’ parents, blaming himself for his death!
This show also had three brilliant – and beautiful - actresses!
‘Moira’ (Nok Sinjai Plengpanich) who could believe that this amazing woman is 60 years old?! She *was* Moira – a strong, independent woman of her time.
‘Dhevi’ – as much as I hated the vindictive person that she became – I mean, how can you say you “love” someone, when you treat them like that? – I found her acting magnificent. Didn’t we all want her to hook up with the sweet ‘Veera’, at least once?
And ‘Dao’ ("Punpun" Sutatta Udomsilp) – she owned that shoe “bitch slap” in the café after ‘Naran’ told her he loved a man! (seems the actress has bounced back from a bit of controversy, perhaps with maturity?– so, good on her)
I have only one thing to point out to the Production Designer - "Tum" Pawas Sawatchaiyamet, - who did a phenomenal job in reproducing 1969 Bangkok – the type of plastic bags (“freezer” bags) that ‘Victor’ used to bring ‘Trin’ his meal, were not around at that time. An absolutely miniscule error, that this pedant picked up on – sorry.
This is a 10/10 show, that I will probably revisit in years to come.
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BOC’s production is flawless, with breathtaking cinematography and meticulous attention to detail. The cast delivers deeply nuanced performances, making the characters feel heartbreakingly real, especially Mile Phakphum, Peter Deriy, and Senam Rakphu. The romance between Krailert and Naran is raw and symbolic, brought to life with powerful chemistry by Son and Euro. Dhevi’s character adds complexity, brilliantly portrayed by Kob Pimolrat.
The soundtrack is more than music, it elevates every scene. It’s a voice for freedom, echoing the characters’ inner worlds and the series’ political undertones. Shine doesn’t shy away from confronting Thailand’s historical wounds, using its story to spark dialogue about justice, identity, and the power of art.
Beyond its emotional impact, Shine dares to revisit a dark chapter in Thai history, subtly critiquing systems of power while promoting dialogue on freedom, justice, and diversity. More than just a love story, Shine is a call to reflect, resist, and reimagine a freer, more compassionate future.
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cinema !
That mustve be one of the best thai drama they released this year, its soooo worth whatching ... the actors are really good (im kinda sus to say cause i LOVE Mile and Apo, but the other actors were dazzling too) THE SOUD TRACK HELLOO ?? IM OBSESSED (giving a especially praise to slot machine)The final EP made me cry like a baby for one hour and a half.
Congratulations to the cinematography on this show everything is beautiful, the relationships are portrait in a very real way, the problems are real and nothing is perfect just like in real life and i love the way they did that
Its a political and queer story that pass a really important message .
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Drama of the Year
Be on Cloud have never been afraid to take risks and right from their origins with KinnPorsche they have prioritised quality in all aspects of their drama creation.With Shine they have reached their zennith, the costumes, the music, the cinematography, the complex, flawed characters the actors bring to life - all of it was outstanding.
The only thing i would change is having maybe 10 episodes so certain scenes could have played out longer with a bit more time to breathe.
The ending wasn't quite perfect but it was very close.
Their decision to set a story within such a complicated poltical time with characters defined and constrained by the expectations of society at the time felt authentic and bold.
I waited years for this drama and it did not disappoint. I am just greedy for more. At least i can console myself with the excellent soundtrack and a rewatch. A 10/10 drama for me.
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YOU NEED TO WATCH IT, TRUST ME
This is my first review, I've never done a review because I'm kinda shy😅 but this series is so good that I must do a recommendation. THIS IS A MASTERPIECE and I'm not exaggerating, this could rival any Hollywood production. The story is original and I love the fact that they show the "bad" part of Thailand like corruption. The acting is so freaking good, way better than kinnporsche. The songs are masterpieces (y'all should listen to "the far side of the moon" and "hold my hand"). This will make you feel real emotions, I was so invested the entire series. The budget is budgetting and the historical accuracy is on point. This is the best bl I've ever seen in my life.Was this review helpful to you?
Watching This Series Means Feeling Different Kind of Emotions
If you’re looking for a pure, feel-good romance, Shine might not be the one for you. But if you’re into something more mature — with historical and political drama set in the 1960s — then this series is definitely worth checking out.There’s a lot going on in Shine. The romance between Dr. Trin and Tanwa is a slow burn, but don’t worry — the emotional payoff is worth the wait. In the first three episodes, they barely have scenes together because the story focuses on other characters, subplots, and political events. Surprisingly though, I enjoyed those parts just as much. The storytelling feels layered and intentional.
One of the things I really appreciated is how every character gets their moment to shine — yes, just like the title. Even the supporting cast has depth, and I found myself caring about their stories and what they were fighting for.
Dr. Trin is serious, reserved, and idealistic. Tanwa, on the other hand, is outgoing, cheerful, and always has a smile on his face — though behind that smile is a painful, traumatic childhood. He masks it well, but you can feel the heaviness underneath. Dr. Trin has his own emotional baggage too, which is probably why, despite their contrasting personalities, they find comfort in each other.
Then there’s Krailert and Naran — two people instantly drawn to each other, even though Krailert is already married. That’s where the infidelity begins. Aside from their forbidden romance, they’re also on opposite sides of a political fence — Krailert is a soldier, and Naran is a journalist. Their love is tangled in the same national conflict that affects everyone else in the story.
Let’s not forget Victor. His character plays a surprisingly important role, and whoever decided to include his arc made a smart choice.
By episode 7, I honestly felt disappointed with how Dr. Trin treated Tanwa. He blamed him for what happened during the protest, when in reality, it was Victor and the other students who organized it. They should’ve taken responsibility. I get that Dr. Trin saw Victor as a younger brother, but putting all the blame on Tanwa — your own lover — felt unfair. And he just left him without any explanations. It was also at this point that I realized something: I thought Trin was the one totally smitten, but turns out, he may have fallen first, but Tanwa definitely fell harder.
The emotional rollercoaster really hit me when it came to Tanwa’s backstory, especially his relationship with his father. They argue a lot early on, but in the end, when Tanwa was at his lowest, his father just couldn’t turn his back on him. That moment hit hard.
Tanwa’s character development was probably my favorite — from a carefree, almost reckless hippie to someone who eventually becomes a novelist. Meanwhile, Dr. Trin’s character felt a bit monotonous. He didn’t really evolve much compared to Tanwa.
If I had one gripe about the ending, it’s the way they broke up and only reconciled after two years — especially considering there were no phones or easy communication back then. It felt a bit unrealistic. The only thing that reconnected them was the book Tanwa wrote and dedicated to Trin, which is romantic in theory, but still a stretch.
That said, Shine might just be one of the best BL series of 2025 so far. The performances were solid, the production quality was excellent, and the visuals and cinematography were top-notch. If you’re looking for something deeper and different from the usual BL formula, Shine is definitely worth watching. 💙
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Masterpiece!
This drama has all the elements you could ask for. A great story about love, but also about the corruption and power of the milatair leaders. It made me smile, feel worried and even made me cry in the last episode.I liked it that they used actors for the role of the French friends who really spoke French as their native language.
The visuals were stunning, the music so good!
All the actors did a gret job!
The chemistry and dynamics between both couples were amazing and so were the kiss and bed scene's!
Really a must watch and i definatly will watch this again in the future.
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It is one of the best BLs you will ever watch! Don't miss it!
HUNDRED PERCENT RATING! 5 out of 5! Well-deserved! THE TOP NOTCH ACTING deserves another 100/100 specially!
Everything was perfect! The acting, the story, the writing, the direction, the heartbreak, the ending, couldn't have been better! The screenplay, the cinematography.. I am in awe!
Shine the Series is easily one of the top BLs out there and the goated BOC delivered a masterpiece with this series. It served it on a high-end mature platter and upped itself. KinnPorsche seems a child in front of this series. BOC promised and it delivered.
Mega thanks to all the Shine team and creators for bringing this project to life. I will never ever forget Shine the series. MileApo or ApoMile, you guys are one in a million! Keep up the good work and keep choosing great scripts and team to work with! Thank you so much!
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This review may contain spoilers
Simply Beautiful, poetic and a beautiful Story !
I decided to give it that Headline because this time writers did really amezing job, for once we get a well balanced story, both in narriting and the telling.And OMG the acting is perfect. Actors (i mean all actors) did a very Good job they portrayed the emotions of their characters really well.
Of course Mile and Apo never fail to deliver the amezing job.
Im just heart broken for the death of Victor and Veera. I think the Death of Victor was inevitable when you put it in political perspective, for Trin character to have a purpose i think it explains that outcome for Victor.
Yet im glad Neran and Krailert made out alive given that the general knew about them from the beginning (and his wife) the sacrifice Krailert have indure just to keep Naran safe is the ultimate love you can give someone you love as a last gift, i hate Dhevi (a character) may she never be happy either.
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More than just a bl series
The acting in this series is brilliant. The soundtrack was one of the best I have ever heard in a bl. The direction, the sets, the settings, the fashions, the cars...etc all captured the era. The script itself is also very good. I did take a 1/2 point off, because I really was hoping for a happy ending for everyone. It is a show not to be missed.Was this review helpful to you?
must watch
really well written and acted, this is not a good bl but a seriously good drama period a serious must watch! I was really surprised at how good this really was the acting, plot it was so done not a boring moment, I just wanted to keep watching.you do not have to be a bl fan to watch it is about love and relationships and touches on a historical time in Thai history although a piece of fiction I think it provides great insight into how far Thailand has come. I am not sure why the reviews have to be so long it is very excessive.
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This review may contain spoilers
Three months later, I still think about this show everyday
Shine is beautifully written, with a top-tier cinematography, and tackles topics that are, to a certain extent, still relevant today. The characters (and their relationships) are complex, nuanced, and there is an explanation for all of their actions — which makes them painfully human.Trin is the character that stole my heart the most. By the end of the fist episode, I was already attached to him, and my love for him kept growing after that. He’s endearing, touching, and even if I found him a little frustrating at times, I could always see the deeper reason behind his actions/reactions, and I could never stay mad for long. Thank you to Apo Nattawin for bringing him to life so brilliantly — his acting was flawless and he should get an award yesterday.
I could say the same about Tanwa: I adore him, and i believe that even the moments where I felt like he was annoying me were proof of how well-written his character is, because as soon as I’d take what I knew about his character into account, I would completely understand him. Mile excelled in this role too, I love how there was no trace of his previous character.
Maybe it’s because Kinnporsche wasn’t my cup of tea, but it was in Shine that Mileapo really came into their own in my eyes. This time, I could fully appreciate their chemistry, and I was taken aback. This is one of the reasons why I have to disagree with most of the comments I’ve seen, saying that SonEuro stole the show. The other reason is that Trintanwa have everything I like in a romance (a fictional one, at least.) They made me cry, they made me laugh, they made me melt — sometimes all at the same time — and they kept me at the edge of my seat until the very end. I can’t say I disagree with those who said they wished we could’ve seen more of them, but I also feel like what we got is enough to see how beautiful their love is.
Though I can’t say the same for Krailert and Naran, I like their characters individually, I liked the idea of their relationship (enemies (kinda) to lovers, forbidden love, doomed because they are on opposites sides…you name it.) and the actors really did have great chemistry. Even if this is the kind of love story that I generally stop finding interesting after the characters get together, that didn't make me love the series any less, as I at least liked the angst.
However, in the last episode, I couldn’t help but feel like their ending was a little drawn out. It was heartbreaking and also beautiful in its own way, but I wish some scenes weren’t as long so we could’ve seen more of Trin and Tanwa. But despite it’s flaws, the last episode (and the series in general) still gave me everything I wanted or needed.
And last but not least: Victor. If Trin is my favorite character, he and Tanwa both come in a close second. What I liked the most about him was his relationship with Trin; the love and protectiveness they had for each other was beautiful and touching, even if Victor’s romantic feelings always remained clearly unrequited (especially because of it, in my opinion.)
As for the political aspect of the series, it was fascinating, and like I said, still relevant today. I love how it showed different sides, how conflicts were represented at the intergroup level and at the intra-individual level, with characters questioning themselves, torn between their social position, the duties weighing on them and/or the orders they have learned to follow, the pressure from society and their families; and what they think is right or wrong, their morals, their loved ones — their hearts.
Shine also shows us the reality of the damage homophobia has done in the past in a raw, sometimes really brutal and graphic way. Therefore, some scenes are quite heavy and hard to watch, but even if they make us want to look away, I think they should make us reflect on how homophobia is still rampant nowadays, on the damage it still does.
One one hand, this series isn’t for an audience that needs to be spoonfed to be able to understand the plot and/or the characters, or that there’s more to a love story than the ship, who’s top and who’s bottom and etcetera. On the other hand, this is the kind of series that is always worth watching, for the message it carries and for all the things it teaches us.
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