The Wicked Game

Soap opera level chaos in designer packaging!

I can’t believe I’m rating a Daou & Offroad series this low, but it is what it is.
This is one of those dramas that seduces you in the beginning with attractive leads, dramatic tension and mystery around them simmering in the air and for a moment, it would fool you into believing that you have stumbled upon something gripping and intense. And then slowly...the realisation sank that all jazz and pretty people can't hide the fact that the story underneath is paper-thin and strangely uninterested in making ANY EMOTIONAL SENSE whatsoever. I won't say it didn't have the right idea or ambition but there was too much going on all the time and it kept tripping over and collapsing its own over-the-top drama.

The plot has a bit of everything except mystery or good action drama. It was like a daily melodrama stuffed with family revenge plots, emotional manipulation, corruption, and narcissistic parenting. And I am not talking about it in a fun or self-aware way, no. This is the kind of lakorn style exaggeration where logic has little or no place. The tone swings wildly. One minute passionate, the next unhinged and instead of intensity, it simply feels exhausting.

Let's start with the main couple, Pheem and Than, I don't know how to categorise or describe their relationship. It is disturbing in many aspects. There is morally grey, and then there is downright vicious. They fall into the latter. The manipulation isn’t cathartic either and neither does it teach either of the characters anything meaningful. It’s simply cruelty turned into a plot device. And because the drama never properly confronts the consequences of the behaviour, the entire relationship begins to feel hollow and unsettling.

Coming to other supporting characters, all of them I repeat, all of them, including Than and Pheem need to be in jail or in therapy. The so-called father figure is a walking nightmare. Even though he hasn't done the most vile things out of all the antagonist, he fuelled the feud between his 3 children. The siblings don’t fare much better either. The brother is a caricature of entitlement. The sister is written like the drama wanted her to be a cunning heir but forgot to give her depth. It’s difficult to root for anyone when half the cast is unbearable and the rest barely makes sense.

If there is any redeeming quality about this, that would be the chemistry between the leads. The weak script didn't help at all, but it would have been worse without them. Their interactions whether tense, tender or morally questionable still managed to bring a reaction out (happy or sad). Their chemistry felt like a flame trapped in this storm of weak writing. I feel like dialling down the melodrama and maybe bringing them on more screen would have worked better.

Production looked fine. The fight sequences were okay too but the CGI editing, like the bullets, was very lame. Acting-wise, I was not impressed with anyone. It wasn't bad at all, but nothing to run home about or anything that I will remember after today. I really hope their next projects have better script than this.

Overall, this was a good-looking drama with very little to say. It wanted to be edgy, dark, and with morally grey dynamics but it didn't translate on the screen. I will not recommend this but if you really want to watch it for the leads, please keep in mind the messy plot and lakorn-level drama.
Do not go in expecting to look for substance, tension, or character-driven storytelling.

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I do not like trashy soap opera style BLs....

This series has the same problem as "Love in the Moonlight", with the exception that it was not painful to watch, just cringe. The overdramatized bad guys/gals and the excessive pathos was still the same. And what also obvious, they can't do action right. While it looks nicely coreographed especially in the beginning, you see that the punches do not connect in the slightest. I won't write about the shooting scenes which were just embarrassing.

The only positive I have to say is that DaouOffroad are very good when they act alone or in a serious setting, their chemistry just works. Also the other actors were not bad, but I don't like the overacting and over-dramatization. They could have done this in a serious more thriller-like setting and then the story would have had much more impact, But no, they went the thai way which in this case is bad way.

Spoiler:
The finale was also bad: Pheen has a plan and of course he does not tell his husband. We all know, he can't die, because a BL has to have a happy end (very few exeptions), so he left for a long time, hurting Than again (and again). The reason: Because he needed to change his name, so he can disappear. WTF? Is that, because he don't want to face the consequences of his actions? And he was already married, so he could have taken the name of his husband. And of course everyone dies, so there are no real consquences, no court session to exploit all the bad things the characters did. It's a lazy and cheap way of story-telling.
Edit: Of course the whole inheritance arc did not make any sense, because: if Pheem was decleared dead Than would have inherited the whole company with all the hospitals. Because he was the last legal heir before any uncles and cousins. So Pheem changing his name would not let him get away from his family background because his man would own EVERYTHING. And would be richer than he alone was. And because Than would then be famous Pheem could not be with him. So the writers had no clue what they wrote about and this makes no sense whatsoever.
End of Spoiler

So considering everything, this is not even a medicore show and I know many will hate me because I think so. But that's what I felt when I watched this and sadly this is also one of the shows I will never watch again, because it's a waste of my time.

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The Soap Opera Game

It wasn't cute when Jack and Rose did it in the Titanic, and it sure as hell wasn't cute when they did it here. First off, yes, there was plenty of room on that damn door, and here, I spent the whole finale going, 'there wasn't room in that car for him to get inside too?' Cuz, why the eff did Pheem stay behind? And no, no explanation would justify that nonsense. The Wicked Game took itself way too serious, and ended up falling into the predicable hole.

Listen, that brother Chet. What the hell was his problem? I felt like he personally hated me, cuz Mfker spent the entire series overreacting and throwing childish tantrums, instead of giving me what I wanted. The whole time, every time he was on screen saying whatever, and doing whatever the hell he was doing, I was busy staring from him to his bodyguard, you know that one dude who looked like the best regret. Like, whenever Chet opened his mouth, I kept going, 'Yeah, yeah, good for you, now kiss' Only for the mfker to up and die, and saying nonsense like, 'live your life and be happy, bodyguard.' Eff that happiness, what about me ,huh? Sure, bodyguard crooked two seconds later, still... they spent 10 episodes wasting all of that chemistry, and for what? This felt like a personal attack. Boooo!

Pheem and Than.
The drama wasn't called 'The Nice Game', so imma need all the people who keep being on Pheem's case to sit back down. Personally, I get him, he needed to be wicked to heal that child in him who was totally destroyed from how cruel the world treated him. Was he right in what he did to Than, hell no, but that ex-police officer knew Pheem was there for revenge and he still went all in with both eyes closed and heart wide open...only to immediately got shot, twice. LMAO, the eff he thought was gonna happening falling in love with a guy who hit him with a car on their first meeting?

Than is such a nice person it made him dumb. Like, come on officer, wake up a little. Dude got shot twice and spent 5mins looking real sad at the camera, and immediately went back and married the guy who literally dug a grave and shoved him in. Ain't no one that in love. May this level of in loveness-ness never locate me. Sure everyone think he's a dirty cop, but at least he got super rich, and has a not so dead husband, who loves running away, so, yaaay him.

Plot
The cartoonish shooting scenes. Literally, did they all aim at the air beside their targets or what? In the finale, I kept shaking my head, cuz what even are we doing at this point? Like all that shots and mfkers kept running around for like 10 more minutes, only for one to end up dead in a flashback... meh. The plot was also very predictable, cuz who among us believed for a second Than was dead, or that Pheem died? Both times I was like, stop wasting screen time and just show him already, I know his arse still alive, y'all won't even dare.

Characters.
The plot was okay, over the top in how it was directed and acted by some, but it did entertained me. Offroad's character was very interesting, and I liked him. I was actually rooting for Risa cuz the men were annoying. Please, I won't even start on the father, cuz that mfker doesn't even deserves me to waste pixels talking about his arsholeness-ness. I did like DaouOffroad, I always enjoy their work, so although this one wasn't the best they've done, I still enjoyed myself.

All-in-all, a watchable show, very soap opera-rly, so expect nonsense, over the top crap, cartoonish scenes. Apart from that, very decent, and I'll recommend it, especially for DaouOffroad fans. I look forward to their next work.

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Some Games Are Wicked, Some Are Messy.... and This One is a Wicked Mess but it's worth a try

"The Wicked Game" wasted no time pulling me into its world of power plays and family secrets. From the very first minute when Pheem stepped into the conference room with his smug face, the intrigue did not stop, it was gripping, stylish and tragic all at once- at least in the beginning. But as the episodes go on, things get increasingly dramatic, messy, and at times downright ridiculous. The CGI does the series no favors, and every gun scene felt over-the-top and hard to take seriously. But hear me out, it's entertaining and worth a try.

Spoilers Alert!!

Pheem's backstory is harsh enough to explain every cold edge he has now, and Offroad brings out his layers so well- the loneliness, the anger, the sharp tongue that cuts like a weapon and the mind games. On the other hand, Dao as Than is warm, grounded, and instantly likeable. There's a sincerity in the way he smiles, moves, and speaks and he's far too forgiving when it comes to Pheem- I honestly don't know if that's a good thing or not. He's an absolute goner for Pheem, and it shows. Their chemistry? Absolutely electric. It's messy, charged, and impossible to look away from - honestly the biggest reason I stayed hooked even when the plot went off the rails. Also, when Pheem shot Than for trying to expose the company, there's no universe where that's defensible, in fact, like the title promised, it was truly wicked. Did it leave me stunned? It did. Did I curse Pheem out? Absolutely. But did I devour the angst anyway? Guilty. I did that too. Their chemistry made me forget everything else at least to some extent.

And I absolutely hate Thanet. He is a complete failure in the name of father and such a misogynist that it's painful to watch. In the very starting, the project idea was clearly Risa's, yet all the credit went to his "legitimate" son, Chet. And then he has the nerve to say very controversial things. But the worst part? People like him exist and it's infuriating. The way he treats Risa is awful, the way he treats Chet isn't much better and the way he treats Pheem is even worse. He abandoned his own son after everything that happened- as if losing his mother wasn't enough. Pheem didn't just grow up alone, he grew up forgotten. No wonder he's all cold edges and quiet anger now.

Also, Chet and his bodyguard, were my eyes playing tricks on me or was there really something there? I mean I could see the sparks flying from the very starting. And Chet himself- what a villain. The kind you want to scream at and yet can't deny the charisma. Not that Pheem is any less chaotic. Jason too was unexpectedly charming; his scenes with Pheem carried a tension that never fell flat. And Risa- I went from cheering for her to wanting to throw something at her. A true mastermind, but dangerously so. And I don't know what to say about the finale. The whole gun fight seemed ridiculous but yeah well it is what it is but I did enjoy watching this every week.

So yes, it gets messy, ridiculous, and overly dramatic. But the cast and their chemistry kept me glued. "The Wicked Game" isn't perfect, not even close, but it is wildly entertaining, and filled with the kind of chemistry that's worth watching at least once.

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Revenge, Violence and Trauma; the trio that sank this wicked ship!

A wicked game that started with a thrilling pace, later ruined its own game by repetitive trauma-porn.

As a fan of DaouOffroad, I had my faith in them, and they didn't disappoint. But I am HELLA disappointed with how the storyline was aligned. It was faulty, full of nonsense violence and hate.

Hear me out, I inhale red flags like I need oxygen, but this was beyond toxic and infuriating. I cannot fathom how it turned into this mess. The three step-siblings are THE WORST. I haven't seen such trashy characters. Okay, I understand that they were exposed to hate and negativity throughout their lives, but that doesn't mean I SHOULD SUFFER IN HELL PIT OF NEGATIVITY LIKE THIS!?
Where's my redemption arc? No one is going to jail? What about Than proving his innocence?

*sigh*

Overall, watch it if you want your brain to fry like bacon, because it'll squeeze your last brain juices as it ends. Don't tell me I didn't warn you.

P.S: A disclaimer from @Jelena Petrovic to you guys "If I had paid any money to watch this, I'd demand it back" 🤣

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The Wicked Game: When Love Turns Into Cruelty

I’m giving “The Wicked Game” a 4/10, and honestly, that score exists only because of two things: the amazing chemistry between the main leads and the beautiful OST. The connection between the actors is undeniable — their glances, their tension, the emotions they pour into every scene… you can feel it. And the soundtrack? Absolutely stunning. It gives the few emotional moments a pulse, something almost magical. But sadly… that’s where the good ends.

Because the story itself? It’s an absolute mess. Watching Pheem manipulate Than in every possible way just to get revenge was horrifying. It’s not tragic, it’s not “dark romance” — it’s just cruel. His actions went beyond revenge; they were pure emotional destruction. It’s hard to even recognize him as human at that point. The way he toyed with Than’s feelings, breaking him piece by piece — it made me angry, not sympathetic.

And then there’s Pheem’s father — honestly one of the most disgusting and terrifying “parent” figures I’ve ever seen in a BL. Beating his own sons, humiliating them in front of everyone, showing zero remorse… it was sickening. Watching Pheem and his brother just stand there, unable to fight back, broke my heart. I get that he’s their father, but that doesn’t excuse the abuse. It was painful and hard to even watch those scenes.

But the real downfall came in Episode 7. That episode ruined everything for me. Pheem hurting Than so brutally — watching him destroy the person he claims to love — it was unbearable. Seeing Than suffer like that, and knowing Pheem was the one causing it, made me lose all hope for redemption. That wasn’t love. That was torture.

And honestly, if Than ends up forgiving Pheem after all of this… I’m done. My rating will drop to -1000/10. Some things can never, and should never, be forgiven — no matter how deep your love is, no matter what your past was. Revenge doesn’t justify cruelty. Love doesn’t erase abuse.

“The Wicked Game” could’ve been something powerful — it had the chemistry, the music, the potential. But the story turned into something so dark, twisted, and painful that it left me more angry than moved.

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The Wicked Game Has Me in a Chokehold. Dark, Emotional, and Addictive

Story
Is it just me, or is anyone else completely drained after watching these siblings tear each other apart for ten episodes straight? The nonstop fighting, betrayals, and attempts to kill one another felt endless. When they all died at the end, the only thing I felt was relief. The silence that followed the chaos almost felt peaceful.
This drama shows how greed can consume a family from the inside. It reminded me of tragic historical stories where princes and princesses shed their own blood for power, losing everything that once mattered. I have eight siblings myself, and even though we argue, the idea of harming them is unimaginable. Watching this family destroy itself felt painfully personal, like witnessing the darkest possible version of how money and spite can twist human hearts.
Pheem’s backstory is the emotional core. A young boy forced to watch his stepmother run over and kill his mother. Then pushed down the stairs so her own son could inherit the hospital. Abandoned by the father who should have protected him. Deported. Unloved. Broken. That night carved itself deep into his soul. He later covered the scar with a tattoo, but the pain never left. His return is not a reunion, but a reckoning.
Every episode hits harder than the last. The story is dark, emotional, and layered with revenge, heartbreak, and passion. It is rare to see a BL that balances action and emotion with such intensity.
Still, some parts held it back from being a perfect ten. The endless sibling violence becomes draining. The constant shootings feel unrealistic, with characters getting shot and somehow healing instantly. The police feel useless, adding nothing to the plot.

Acting and Cast
Offroad delivers one of the strongest performances of his career. His portrayal of Pheem is raw, wounded, and deeply human. Every expression reflects years of trauma. Every quiet moment holds a lifetime of pain. Daou brings a warm, steady presence as Than, the perfect counterbalance to Pheem’s chaos. Their chemistry simmers slowly before burning into something powerful and magnetic. Seeing this pair again after Century of Love and Love in Translation felt like a small light inside a very dark story.

Music
The music elevates the drama beautifully. Soft, lingering themes bring out the loneliness and grief in Pheem’s journey, while the tense tracks heighten every confrontation. The soundtrack blends seamlessly with the cinematography, pulling you into the emotional weight of each scene.

Rewatch Value
This is not an easy drama to revisit because of the heavy themes and family cruelty. But Offroad and Daou’s performances, along with the powerful emotional storytelling, make certain scenes worth rewatching. The intensity and depth of the characters leave a lasting impact.

Overall
I began this series thinking it would be a perfect ten, but after everything, I settled on a strong nine out of ten. Despite its flaws and overwhelming chaos, the emotional depth, acting quality, and tragic beauty of Pheem’s story carried it through. It left me drained, heartbroken, and deeply moved. And in the end, I can honestly say I truly enjoyed this drama.

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The Despicable Person Game

Overall: episode 7 completely ruined the romance (I would have rated this higher if this was not a romance with a certain type of ending). What Peem did was unforgivable and there was no redemption arc that could make me want him in a romantic relationship. 10 episodes about 45 minutes each. Aired on iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/the-wicked-game-episode-1-1afm4z006fc?lang=en_us

Content Warnings: murders, attempted murder, drugging, non con touching/sexual assault, attempted rape, non con kiss, manipulation, blackmail, slaps, non con video recording/sharing, addiction, slaps, kidnapping, past: murder, child abuse, grief, bullying, beaten up

What I Liked
- chemistry
- visuals
- easy to understand premise but also some mystery elements
- dad got what he deserved
- Than's parents

Room For Improvement
- I thought smashing the love of your life in the head with a pipe was bad, but when Peem shot the supposed love of his life in the back it destroyed the romance, Peem also caused a woman to be killed.
- production value including continuity errors with blood on his face in episode 1 being in different locations
- nonsense writing/actions and nonsense like tons of bullets hit no one and then later they hit every target
- love rival
- did not care about all the hospital/business drama
- missed opportunities for 2 romantic couples
- unsatisfactory ending and I can't believe Peem inflicted more and unnecessary emotional damage

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A boy with unresolved daddy issues and a guy with the emotional availability of a puppy.

Yeah.
Made in BL heaven.
Clearly.
It’s one of those series that tricks you into thinking it’s okay—because you’re too busy sighing and too annoyed to leave. But once the distraction wears off, it’s all downhill from there.

Let’s start with the positives. Not many, but they do exist. The chemistry between the actors is great. The music is great. And… that’s probably it.

There are so many issues I had with this one. The first is that the characters are incredibly bland, with no defining traits that make them memorable. Pheem is manipulative and driven by revenge, and Than is… I honestly don’t know what he is. He’s just the former police officer who somehow becomes the only person capable of forgiving Pheem. Forgiving him everything. Absolutely everything.
Jet is annoyingly spoiled, and most of the time I just wanted him to stop talking.
Risa is… well, if she were a boy, she’d be their father’s true heir, and that’s the whole problem.
Thanet will never win Father of the Year, but I don’t think he ever aimed for it.
I understand why they are the way they are, but at some point, it becomes too much.

The plot was very… very… I don’t even know. It was screaming lakorn the entire time.
I liked the idea of “getting revenge at any cost,” but the execution fell short. It had the potential to be good, but there really wasn’t much substance to this series. If you asked me what the plot actually was, I wouldn’t be able to tell you. There’s a bit of everything—revenge, romance, corruption, a dysfunctional family, rivalry, characters who desperately need therapy… and on and on and on.
It’s just not for me, and it turned out to be extremely difficult to write a summary for a series I thought I liked.

In short: overall, the series was okay, but it definitely had problems. I liked the premise, but the execution lacked. Pheem and Than had some adorable moments, but the show just wasn’t for me. It was fast-paced, and I think others might enjoy it more than I did.

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Disappointing…

This show started off strong, but eventually it became so over the top and exaggerated so i lost interest. Chet’s character, in particular, was exhausting to watch , his scenes felt repetitive, always screaming or losing his mind on loop. Because of that, I couldn’t get into the bodyguard ship at all; he was just too unlikeable for me, even though I know the role must have been draining for the actor (I have nothing agaisn't the actor ,i'm annoyed at the character).

The moment Pheem shot Than was the turning point to me. After that scene, I couldn’t root for the couple anymore, no matter how much I tried. It completely changed the way I looked at their relationship. This hugely ruined it for me tbh. it doesn't help that it feels like Than forgive so easily.

Aside from that, the show turned into a nonstop mess ,if it wasn’t Chet’s repetitive scenes, it was constant shooting scenes, as if everyone lived permanently in a forest. I really wish they had toned things down and found other ways to keep the story engaging, because it all become repetitive.

I ended up finishing it only because of DaouOffroad and because I was already close to the end. It’s not that the show had zero good points, but for me, the bad definitely outweighed the good. I hope they give them a better project next time

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