ClaireBell

CLAIREBELL A MUST WATCH GL SERIES

ClaireBell is a rare and powerful GL series that transforms an unlikely place into a space of tenderness, hope, and love. Set within the cold walls of a prison, the series dares to tell a story where humanity survives even in confinement. What emerges is not just a romance, but a masterpiece GL that proves love can bloom even in the most unforgiving circumstances.

At its core, ClaireBell is a story of connection formed in isolation. The prison setting intensifies every emotion—fear, longing, vulnerability, and quiet courage. Within a place designed to strip people of freedom, Claire and Bell find something deeply liberating in each other. Their love is not loud or dramatic; it is built through stolen moments, soft conversations, and shared silence. This restraint makes their bond feel raw and painfully real.

What sets ClaireBell apart is its emotional depth. The series does not romanticize prison, nor does it use it merely as a backdrop. Instead, it acknowledges the harsh realities while allowing love to exist within them. The contrast between the rigid environment and the softness of their relationship makes every scene more impactful. Love here is not easy—it is brave, fragile, and deeply earned.

The performances are beautifully understated. The leads convey longing and affection through subtle expressions and body language, making the romance feel intimate and sincere. Their chemistry carries the story, reminding viewers that love does not need freedom to be real—it only needs truth.

Visually, ClaireBell balances heaviness and warmth. Dim corridors, barred windows, and quiet corners are softened by gentle lighting and close framing, emphasizing emotional closeness despite physical confinement. The soundtrack further enhances the experience, echoing the characters’ inner struggles and unspoken feelings.

More than a prison love story, ClaireBell is a statement about queer love’s resilience. It honors GL representation by portraying its characters with dignity and depth, showing that even in places defined by punishment, love can be healing.

In the end, ClaireBell is a masterpiece GL—heartbreaking, tender, and unforgettable. It reminds us that love can survive anywhere, even behind bars, and that sometimes, the most beautiful love stories are born where hope seems least possible.

Can't wait to rewatch it for the nth time!!

Read More

Favorite Thai GL as of the moment

Recommended if: you're looking for a GL with a unique setting and is visually appealing
Not recommended if: you want a mind-blowing or groundbreaking story or an upfront social commentary (it brings up important points but doesn't drive them home)

***

Clairebell pulls off a lot of things really well: acting, cinematography, set design, music choices, editing, and directing. There are room for improvements in the writing and some threads could have been explored further, but the story and its execution successfully evokes emotions from the viewers. It has thought provoking moments as well. It's a well-produced show overall. I can tell that the makers poured in so much effort and care in this work. ClaireBell is a valuable step in diversifying and marking up the quality of Thai GLs. I'm currently rewatching it, and would definitely do so again in the future. Kudos to everyone involved in making this show! 🌹

Read More

A beautiful tale of love and redemption!

ClaireBell is most definitely the BEST GL to come out of Thailand. Honest, real and so raw. It was absolutely brilliant— and an absolute must watch!

Lets start with the story— the writers have written such an engrossing tale of love, friendship and redemption . Its an action-packed 8 episodes that leaves you on the edge after every episode. Bell— falsely accused of possessing of drugs lands up in a women's detention centre. She is bullied and crushed by fellow inmates as well as a corrupt and unjust system. There, she meets Claire, a violent "rabid dog" inmate who is feared by everyone and has supposedly killed a man for which she is incarcerated. In 8 episodes, we get to see how Claire and Bell find "home" in each other despite the bleak and hopelessness that surrounds them.

I love that from Claire, Bell learns to stand up for herself, and leaves her meek and timid personality behind when she gets out of prison. The shot of her eating ramen on the staircase after the brilliant ploy she pulls is proof that prison has led to personal growth for her. In Bell, Claire finds a confidante, and more importantly, the hope that she has all but forgotten. Bell teaches Claire to imagine a life beyond the prison walls that have made up her routine for so many years.

Even the side characters have lessons to impart. Through DeeDee, we see a girl who mends her ways, and has learned to hope and atone for her mistakes. From Top, we see that cowardice and true love can never go hand-in-hand. Since Bell goes to prison, he's not had a moment of peace. He's drinking himself into a stupor each night because of his guilty conscience, and yet, his cowardice prevents him from doing anything about it.

Next, lets talk about the acting. Brilliant performances by the entire cast, but especially the two leads. A huge problem with Thai GLs is how "glossy" they are. Girls go to bed with perfectly dolled up faces and walk out of their rooms, in head-to-toe couture. The characters never feel lived in or real. I loved that the actresses for Claire and Bell were "barefaced" for most of the show— we saw their skin, texture and all. When they cry in their grief, its not the fake tear rolling down from one eye. But genuine emotional outbursts, snot and all. This is how real people cry.

The ending was perfect— its not a happily-ever-after, but it IS a happy-for-now and I'll take it. Claire and Bell deserve it and more. I saw a few takes that the show could have been longer, and I am split about that. On the one hand, yes, it would have given more room to flush out a few characters more. The redemption of 3D is something I wished got more time as well as the last episode's storyline. BUT, this is such a tight script and the show keeps such a good pace throughout, that I would have hated a slow down just to fill episode space.

The NC scenes are also well done and feel genuine rather than gratuitous. The romance feels real, their love is heartfelt and the chemistry is soft and believable.

Overall, a brilliant sapphic tale of 2 girls who discover themselves and each other, and pull each other out from the depths of despair.

TLDR? ClaireBell is EASILY the best GL to come out of Thailand and is an absolute must-watch!

Read More

I'm done!

The first 3 episodes worked for me, but then I lost interest. I didn't see episode 4 in full, just shorts, but it was enough to make me not want to continue.

I'm not going to lie, I watched it for Claire, I found her character super interesting, especially as she was introduced in the first few episodes.

I know it's only 8 episodes, but it still felt like they rushed the relationship between Claire and Bell. I would have preferred to long for their intimate interactions rather than receive them on a platter so quickly and suddenly.

I'm just sorry because I was super excited all this time and it didn't end well for my taste.

Read More

THIS is the GL I want!!

I don't think I can put into words how incredible this show is. A tense, drama-filled plot mixed with a fantastic romance, all tied together with some of the best directing and cinematography I've ever seen in a Thai show. Just. WOW. This show had me locked in from start to finish. I love a show where the romance isn't the only plot, and the drama and conflicts in this show outside of the romance really drew me in.

Bell is celebrating finishing college with her boyfriend and his friends at some club her boyfriend wanted to go to. Though it's not quite her scene, she tries to have fun. When the cops show up, Bell tries to find the car keys in her purse and instead finds drugs that aren't hers - but when the cops catch her throwing them in the trash, there's no way she can talk herself out of it (not to mention, her boyfriend is clearly not going to help her). Once in prison, she quickly learns the social hierarchy there: her and her cellmate Kae keep away from top dog Dao and her sisters, and Bell's told very clearly to avoid the murderer Claire, known as "rabid dog," at all costs. But when Bell gets in trouble with Dao's crew, it's Claire that ends up helping her. Once a loner, Claire starts to taking a liking to Bell, and Bell seems to feel the same way. However, between Kae's jealousy, Dao and her sister's business, and power-hungry guards, having one person by your side is never quite enough to keep you safe.

This show delivered on EVERY front. The tension, the drama, the romance, EVERYTHING was great. Prison plots can go either way for me, but this one was so good every episode that I cannot recommend it enough. I feel like there are a lot of mid GLs, but this is NOT one of them. I loved the characters so much, and thought their story was so well done. If you're looking for a GL that is totally different and still hits every mark THIS IS IT!

Read More

A Masterclass in Emotion, Craft, and Storytelling

Clairebell is truly one of the best GL series ever made, and from the very first episode it’s clear how much care, intention, and love went into every aspect of its creation. The craftsmanship behind the filmmaking is remarkable, especially the cinematography, which is consistently breathtaking and used not just for beauty but to enhance the emotional weight of each scene. Every frame feels thoughtful and purposeful.

What makes Clairebell stand out even more is its writing. Every character serves a meaningful role in the story, and each one is written with depth and complexity. The narrative takes time to help the audience understand why characters make the choices they do, which makes their journeys feel honest and deeply human. The presence of an intimacy coordinator also deserves recognition, as it results in some of the most respectful, emotional, and well-executed love scenes I’ve seen, adding authenticity rather than distraction.

Finally, the ending scenes of each episode are unforgettable. Simple yet powerful, they carry immense emotional weight and left me in tears week after week. Clairebell is a beautifully made series that resonates long after the screen fades to black.

Read More

The Best GL!!!

This is genuinely the best GL I've ever seen. The story is different and compelling, and the acting is phenomenal. My attention span isn't the best, so I tend to feel a little bored when watching the first few episodes or the middle episodes of a show. With Clairebell, I never felt bored. I ended up loving so many of these characters so deeply, empathizing with them and rooting for them the more I watched. The ending was satisfying and so, so, so touching. I love this pairing and I absolutely love this show with all my heart!

There are some things that could have been better. Bell seemingly moved on from her father's death too quickly, and same for Claire with Pon. Maybe this was due to such a short season, but I think there could have been a few moments to show how grief continues to creep up on you. Some people also critiqued how quickly Claire and Bell got together. In my opinion, I think this makes sense since they are in a prison. Of course I don't know what that sort of life would be like, but I can imagine trauma bonding is common between women in prison and also the fact there is no one else to hang out with besides each other. We live in a different pace and life on the outside and have different responsibilities than them. It made sense for me at least, so I don't care for that critique as much.

Overall, an amazing show! I still give it 10/10 because it touched me so deeply, and I believe everyone involved in this series gave it their all - the writers, directors, actors. etc. I thank the creators of this show tenfold for bringing such a gem to queer media.

Read More