surprisingly good
I’ve been a big fan of LYKN, especially William, ever since they debuted as a boy group. They are so talented, and I was really curious to see how their acting performance would turn out.I went into this series a bit anxious because I was scared GMMTV would mess up the pacing towards the end like they usually do, but WilliamEst's chemistry completely saved me. Honestly, even though this is LYKN's first actual acting project, they all did so well. William’s talent combined with their lack of awkward, stiff movements made them so easy to root for, and their connection felt simple yet interesting.
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Too tame
I want to start this review by saying that I don't mean that 'there weren't enough NC scenes'. That's not what I mean with too tame before y'all come for me!!!Let me first start with the good things.
I loved the cast! I especially thought that Nut shined in this - I can't believe it's his first acting series! He really knew how to show all the nuance and roughness that was Jun.
In one episode you think he's just a heartless d*ck but then in the next you realise it was all a façade to hide how he really felt. And moreso than what was in the script, but the incredible editing (props to the editors!!!) and the acting choices made by Nut when he didn't have lines gave even more insight to Jun's character which I absolutely loved. I can't wait to see him act as Jimmy's little brother in 'my magic prophecy' EEEEEEEE!!!!
And the rest of LYNKN was there too I guess.
But imo they also underutilised sammy and drake LIKE CMONNN THOSE ARE SEASONED ACTORS!!!! I wish they'd gotten a bigger support role
I also adored the villains in this: well played miss Pemika, well played. I don't agree at all with the character but damn if she isn't that girlboss office siren? Hats off to you miss, she devoured that villain role.
The costume department was really good most of the times and really builds that idol image for all of MARS, although for Nano they leaned a bit too hard into the 'quirky main dancer maknae' aesthetic for me and less into who the character really was? For all the other characters it was great;
Thame - cool, popular boy clothes per his leader status but also his more down-to-earth nature
Dylan - streetstyle per his rap background
Jun - not that distinct but i remember him wearing a lot of beige pants and timeless clothes like soft sweaters and cardigans, which reflects his personality of prickly and thorny on the outside but soft within and also just fits with who he's trying to become (movie star and all).
Pepper - cleancut, well dressed - at times basic, but it fits his all rounder status; he's very palatable and easily fits in everywhere
Now let's get to the part where I thought it was too tame. The story.
It was alright, I mean Po is literally living that y/n life and I love that for him! That being said, there's a reason why wattpad self inserts are just that...they're not that good.
The story and pacing started out great for the first half:
We are told all the members have things they want to achieve (producing own songs, acting in a movie as the lead, pursuing a relationship, being more than just the dancer) but then as Thame and Po get together that all just doesn't get handled anymore and every conflict that made the characters and the world they live in interesting, just falls away.
Moreover, the conflict that is present just doesn't translate as well - the stakes the audience is given just do not feel relatable to me at all, and given the company that produces it, it just feels hypocritical and tonedeaf? @GMMTV you are aware that you are one of the main sources keeping this kind of culture alive in Thailand right? And I'm not saying that i don't participate in it or that it's immediately bad, but the point that they are then trying to make just doesn't land because we are still in this situation in real life without a real structural change!
And there's also no change in the thamepo world! Sure, MARS leaves their company and gets to perform together using their old name and everybody's back together living happily after...but for the other artists at the company nothing changes!
This story is trying to present itself as 'punk' exposing and dismantling the system, and portrays the protagonists as going against the system and changing it, but they don't! In the end, they get dumped, a new boygroup fills the void and will probably at some point have the same issues about creative control, romantic relationships, career paths etc. and nothing changes.
Now I get that this is just a romcom and not every series has to have a serious message and be life changing or pioneer lgbt activism, but with the tone they set in the first episodes and the seeds they sowed I expected them to really lean into it and have a fierce message to change things, but in the end they decided to play it safe which is so disappointing.
I am also aware about the double standard for queer media and that it is often held to a higher standard, but you know what's the worse thing about this whole thing?
It's the fact that the episodes after ep 7/8 completely bored me. I literally skipped through some of the domestic fluff and the crying scenes because it was boring. And normally I love domestic fluff, but for thamepo the fluffy scenes did not feel like a reward after the hardships of pining, it just felt like fanservice.
The crying did not feel like a release of emotions between the characters but it felt fake and I could feel very little sympathy for the characters.
I saw many people praising thamepo for having a mature storyline because of the lack of drama and so on but like...it is a drama series. And what's a drama series without the drama? I want to be entertained!
Besides, a storyline doesn't just become mature because of a lack of drama, it should also discuss mature topics and the series also fell flat on that - but I'm going to blame this part on the lack of time.
I would've liked it if they dedicated a few scenes to show how Earn's treatment of Po would affect Po's relationship with Thame. We know that Earn wasn't physically abusive but it is presented that he was emotionally neglecting Po for a while, manipulating him into doing free work, and in general being toxic. That had to have an effect on Po's worldview! I mean we begin the series with the fact that Po is clearly still not healed from his break up with Earn (he has all the couple stuff, pictures and even EARN'S CLOTHES IN HIS DAMN CLOSET).
Maybe he would feel like he had to be perfect because otherwise thame would leave him just like Earn or that his view on love has become warped and that he sees it as a transactional thing. That people do nice things because they want something from you (this could also be an arc for thame). Or maybe how Earn's abandonment would affect Po's self-esteem and how he gets that back because of Thame - but we don't see that kind of growth.
No, they kiss and are basically married now.
That being said I do hope they get married, i wish thamepo all the best <3 they are a very cute couple
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WilliamEst electric Chemistry
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8y6HN79/I put this series on hold earlier this year, because despite it having some of the best yearning it is very slow paced and to long.
William and Est have magnetic chemistry and are both fantastic at heavy and emotional scenes. I wish that Est had more of a chance to be playful, because at times he did seem cold.
I enjoyed the front half storyline way more the second half. The members of Mars all did a fantastic job and would have loved more perspectives from them.
The overall story is very unrealistic and did take me out of the fantasy multiple times.
For a GMMTV show the production did feel good and like they put money into. I'm glad I finished it and look forward to WilliamEst future performances.
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If you haven't watched this series yet, you're missing one of the best BL series of 2025.
I didn't expect this series to be that good. The storyline is different from other Thai BL series and the casts are really good at acting. The cinematography of the series also plays a vital role and sometimes I feel like watching a k-drama. The chemistry between two main leads is just undeniable. Plus, the OSTs are so good.So, if you haven't watched this series yet, just give it a try. I'm sure you won't be regret.
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GENUINELY ONE OF GMMTV'S BEST
Ok the only reason I didn't give this as 10 is because I wasn't obsessed with WilliamEst the way that I went feral over JimmySea or GeminiFourth. Like. They're a really good pairing, but I think there's room for growth and I highly anticipate another one of their shows that could be coming out in the future. It's good, but I only give 10's to shows that really change my brain chemistry.The main selling point of this show, I would say, is the friendship between the MARS members-- the initial 1-7 episodes have a really good momentum that really make you invested in making sure that this group of individuals stay together and have a very fulfilling career! Thame and Po are really really cute, and they have the textbook greenflag romance. I really didn' t expect Thame to have such a sweet and mellow speaking voice, and it made all the romantic scenes with him and Po so much more exciting. Basta they're very sweet! But I really think they should have had a OT3 with Jun! Like goddamn, Po and Jun had a lot of good chaotic chemistry together, and Jun and Thame had this really nice unspoken care for one another-- too bad Thame is too much of a jealous bitch to have my vision be realized LMAO. I just think it would have been way more interesting as OT3, I have no idea where fans are pulling the Jun/Dylan pairing from at all!
Ok so maybe that is why I only gave it a nine. Sigh. If only they were OT3. Overall, this was a drama that tackled the issues it presented seriously, and with a lot of heart. The characters are the soul of the show, and I fell in love with every single one. DEFINITELY A CLASSIC.
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Cutiee love story and reality check
Hehe, it was quite the typical love story but it was kind aunique for me. Maybe because the set-up is like a Korean vibe? I also love my WilliamEst, tbh, it is the very first WilliamEst series I've ever watched.It also show how idols experienced outside of their work and there are a lot of moral lessons here.
1. Always seoarate your work from your personal life.
2. Fans will be fans, they must not go beyond it becaus eit can hurt anyone.
3. Words are hurtful.
4. Anyone can threathen you especially when you are involved in a relationship.
5. There will always be one person who will support you no matter what.
There is a lot to write but I'm kinda tired :((
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A beautiful Slow Burn
I went into this with zero expectations. Honestly, I don't even know how I ended up seeing this show. I didn't know who William or Est were; I just decided to give the show a chance because of a TikTok recommendation, and I am happy that I did. I have seen many people saying they dropped the show because it was "too slow" for them, but being a KDrama girlie, that was not a problem for me at all. I actually loved the pace, seeing Po helping Thame get the group back and falling in love, despite what he went through with his ex. Watching Thame fall in love and allowing himself to want something just for him. Seeing the character development. I also loved how there was no miscommunication; everything was resolved within the same episode.. I also loved the topics the series covered: the conversation of fans' expectations from Idols and how much pressure the Idols are put under to maintain a perfect persona, as well as the business side of being an Idol and the treatment of Idol groups by their management companies. This series was very well-written; at no point did I feel like the series was dragging or that there were unnecessary filler scenes. The plot, storyline, dialogue, and cinematography were just perfect. And I have to say, the acting was very good, given that this was William's first acting role and Est's first Lead role. I truly enjoyed this series.Was this review helpful to you?
WilliamEst carry it — and I'd watch them in anything
I'll start where my attention kept going: WilliamEst. Not just in the series, but in everything around it — live shows, behind the scenes moments, the way they exist together on and off camera. There's a young-love energy between them that I don't think you can manufacture, and whether that's fanservice or something more genuine doesn't really change how it reads. It's there, and it's sweet.The backstory also adds something for me personally. Est is a professional swimmer, William is an idol in Thai pop group Lyken — and somehow they end up as the leads in a BL series together. I find that kind of accidental pairing genuinely charming.
I believe them as a couple and I'd go back for them without hesitation. Where the series itself loses me a little is in how it handles the dynamic between the characters. Po has relationship experience — with a man — while Thame has none, yet Thame is consistently the one driving things forward. That imbalance felt slightly off to me, not wrong exactly, but like the series didn't fully explore what that gap between them could have offered. The overall tone also skews younger and more naive than I personally needed it to.
Still, WilliamEst make it worth it. And I'm genuinely excited to see what they do next together.
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Honestly all the OSTs are so good ofc it would be cuz it's comeing from LYKN
Their 1st time acting specially William and Nut did an amazing.
And when it comes to the story it's more of a comfort BL and it also shows that not having to much of NC scenes can also make the BL series great 🩷
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It’s watchable.
I really did enjoy this because I dug leads. they’re both extremely likable actors, even though they have the zero range. I’d imagine if they keep it up they’ll get better. Po is literally the most one dimensional character in history of the world. The guy literally had two facial expressions the entire show. There was one scene, which is not a spoiler don’t worry, where they go to his apartment and he has clothes everywhere that he has to put away. Typical thing for me, but for him, it was a little strange since he wore the same two things the entire show. I’m not 100% sure when he wore any of the other clothes. These guys had incredible chemistry together, but I did find myself rooting for the other guy for the first half of the show, because believe it or not, all three people had similar chemistry. It would be really hard to choose if I was that guy. You know years ago a bunch of friends and I went to see this movie that was called This is my life. It was written by North Ephraim and it was a movie about a comedian. We both walked out of there, thinking this might’ve been a good movie if they would’ve actually had a comedian play the role of a comedian. There were plenty of people out there at the time, of that age, that were hilarious, but they chose to cast a woman who was basically an Actress and was not funny at all. This was kind of the problem I had with this show. There were plenty of established groups that they could’ve inserted this character into, but they ended up putting together a bunch of guys that seemed to have zero musical talent at all. Their voices were horrible, their songs were bad, and none of it made any sense at all. There’s no way that the song that they sung would’ve gone to number one. The production company could’ve very easily cast and existing tpop group, and then just inserted William into it. All in all this was a pretty cool show. I didn’t binge it or anything, I 100% kept coming back to it, I guess that would be my review. It’s 100% worth going back to 0% worth binging.Was this review helpful to you?
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Everything in life has its own rhythm
Everything in life has its own rhythm: the beat of a song, the steps on the way home, the roar of an engine, a blink of an eye, the thump of a heart. All these "speeds" come together to create a unique flow, what we call the tempo of life.A SOLID 9.
Gentle, warm, sweet, and deeply touching. This truly feels like it was written by a woman. That's all I could think of while watching "Thamepo" and even after it ended. The film is like a fresh, green meadow, a safe haven in a storm, able to mend a heart after broke it open. It doesn't try to hurt or torment you, but rather encourages you to look deep inside, facing those tough, nagging questions: "What am I living for?" and "What good do my actions bring to this world?"
Of course, these are universal questions of our time, for every individual; those big life questions are always there, and people never stop asking them, then coming up with different answers. Some believe that living means making an impact, and to show that impact, you have to be really successful, reach a high place, so your name is remembered in history, or at least leave something behind from the life you've lived.
I once read in a novel that each life on Earth is basically a temporary stay; eventually, the guest leaves, moving to another place, unburdened, leaving nothing behind. Is it true that life only has meaning if we leave our name in this world? Isn't it true that by the end of our lives, everyone's name will be carved onto a tombstone anyway? So, perhaps, everyone will have their name etched somewhere, precisely at the moment they return their temporary room and leave this world? Honestly, what the world expects of us is exactly what we expect of ourselves. People long to be recognized, respected, and loved; no one wants to live a pointless life, a life that's just existing. But how do you live a life that matters?
"Thamepo" tackles that question head-on, using a mix of comparisons, trial, and error to give answers that are direct but not shallow. I've noticed that GMM series always try to slip in some kind of social message, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, and this time, GMM really hit the mark.
The storytelling is clever and subtle, keeping the plot from being predictable or boring, even though it's just about two lovers, an idol's complicated romance, or the dark side of showbiz – themes that have been seen hundreds of times. While dealing with these familiar topics, "Thamepo" this time brings in a different story, a different message, told in a fresh way. It explores the bond between idols and their true fans (also mark a gentle reminder), friendship, family love, love as a safe place to return to, and most importantly, the very tempo of life itself. Live at your own tempo, listen to your heart's beat, just live without worrying – that's the answer to everything.
The segment that truly gave me goosebumps was the one about the tailor's dream. He had lived over 60 years, doing the same job, so happy and positive that people assumed it was his dream. But then he chuckled, admitting it wasn't a dream at all; he had never had one, yet he was still living. I believe that many others, not just me, saw themselves in that statement. No dreams, no goals, no destination – do these alone predict that we cannot succeed because we have no way to reach our aspirations? Does it mean our lives are meaningless, and we ourselves are worthless?
Actually, for a long time, I haven't thought that way. And this time, I was amazed, because the truth is that many others share my feelings. Our mere existence in this life, the way we interact with the world, is enough to leave our mark. What defines me is not an IELTS certificate, a gold medal, or millions in my bank account, but the tears I've shed, the half-eaten cake in my fridge, the glass of water I've drunk, the paths I've walked. I exist in this world through the image I leave in others' eyes, my smile, my foolishness, and through the image I leave in my own eyes – my helplessness, doubts, and even my worries and anxieties.
Every second, every minute, every step we take, every breath we draw, adds to the flow of the life we live, and that of those around us too.
What are expectations, what is peer pressure? One is a set tempo forcing us to follow it, the other is the tempo of others – people who are also struggling, taking steps just like us. It's still the same truth: "fuck it" – just ignore it. Being selfish for yourself isn't truly selfish; instead, it's respecting your own tempo, as long as you also respect the tempo of others.
I've written too much about my thoughts and ideas in a review again, but a film that can spark such reflections in me proves it's still a good film, capable of making me connect deeply enough to feel its hidden message, instead of just watching for surface entertainment. "Thamepo" isn't outstanding in terms of keeping you glued to the screen, nor is there explosive chemistry, but everything unfolds gently, naturally, telling a story of pure and incredibly "green" love. Talking about love (a pretty main theme) in the film, this is a healing love, a comfort zone for both characters; one finds peace for emotional wounds, the other finds themselves through that love. Their love is very pure, like a first love. I have a piece of music to send to Thame and Po:
"The rain falls, gently watering the soul
And the rain is regenerating us (regenerating us)
The rain brings you gently into my life
And after the rain, the heart also blossoms
The sky is so blue, sunlight bathes the young leaves
Morning embraces the soul since you came (since you came)
And love begins when we look into each other's eyes
I see my heart reborn after many pains"
That's it. Watching the film, even though Thamepo's love story doesn't involve complex misunderstandings or overly intense drama, perhaps only situational issues, it still makes you want to love and be loved. I like the scenes where Po cries; his crying makes you feel heartbroken too, both fragile and strong, mature and cute (kudos to Est). I like listening to Thame's voice, gentle, clear, easy to listen to, very soothing (kudos to William). Although their relationship is naturally soft, so their conversations felt a bit cheesy to me, that's just their style of romance, and I find it quite charming. Another kudos for the pretty intimate kissing scene.
The story of friendship, love, dreams, and life is told very completely, with an ending that closes one chapter and opens a bright future for youth and love, continuously moving forward with one's own tempo – and that of their lover – I'll wait for you, you'll wait for me, everyone living the most meaningful life, in this temporary stay.
But of course, there were still some moments that threw off the film's tempo for me. Some details felt forced and unnecessary (like Jun and Po parts), some parts were a bit too slow; I prefer the problem-solving parts to be a bit more fast-paced. The metaphors and imagery were really good (the steps, Jun and Thame playing at the amusement park, their gazes...) but it felt like they were worried the audience wouldn't get it, so some explanations made the film feel a bit less deep. The film is a bit too idealized, everything's a bit "unrealistic," and there are some plot holes (like Thame being famous but walking around holding hands like a normal person), but hey, that's also a way to get the message across, so it's fine.
The film still gave me a full experience – the emotions I look for when watching a movie: joy, excitement, sweetness, depth, touching moments, warmth (truly super heartwarming, especially the parts about the boyband, it just melts your heart). The film surprised me quite a bit when it needed to, and throughout the whole thing, because I had watched the first few episodes and found the tempo too slow, not engaging enough, a bit boring, but watching it again, I realized how lucky I was to give the film another chance.
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"Behind the fame, beyond the romance—ThamePo tells it like it is."
Finally, a BL series with a real storyline from start to finish. ThamePo offers an honest look at the music industry and the pressures artists face—from fan expectations to personal struggles—without relying on unnecessary romantic scenes.The members of LYKN deliver surprisingly strong performances, and Est stands out in a refreshing role beyond his usual athletic image. The show doesn’t pull punches, and it respects its audience by focusing on character and authenticity.
If you're looking for a series that blends emotional depth with industry realism, this one hits the right notes.
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