perfect gen z gay representation
itsay quality cinematography and a really modern plot. all of the social media usages felt very realistic to my age group, and added a lot to the show’s tone and plot. the close friends tactic is a classic move in high school 😭it’s not a traditional bl in the sense of a clear cut relationship forming but moreso a slice of life, coming of age show with gay themes. i enjoyed it and it’s super relatable as a gen z gay guy in the same age range as the characters. i’d honestly watch for the aesthetics alone
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Réal « gel » boys wihtiut usual Thaï cliché
I binge-watched it — and I can confidently say: it’s a masterpiece. A serie I almost skipped because of the cover and the title. Thank God I gave it a chance.If you’re looking for pink unicorns, Porsche-driving tops, and glossy boys — this is not the show for you. This is a story about regular guys, a bit rough around the edges, dealing with real, awkward, and painful love issues. There’s no clear division into tops and bottoms, no obvious pairings. You never know who will end up with whom — the only thing that’s clear is that everyone has a broken heart.
The four main characters might not have equal screen time, but each of them is fully fleshed out and relatable. There are no clear-cut good or bad guys, no love at first sight. Everything is messy and complicated — just like in real life. Honestly, if I didn’t know it was from Thailand, I would’ve thought it was a European series. It feels that raw and grounded — no glitter, no sparkles, no fairy dust. Just teenagers and their feelings.
Special shoutout to that running gag with the ridiculous nails — such a small detail, but unforgettable.
A solid 10/10. I’ll definitely be following the actors — they all nailed it. And Leon (the redhead)… you know what I mean.
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Reached The Top But...
Undoubtedly, this is one of the best BLs to come out of Thailand in a long, long time. Assuredly, it will be like nothing you have ever seen before. It is realistic, fresh, and reflective of today’s fast paced adolescent living. Antithetical to when I was their age? I hate to tell you this, but little has changed! It is exactly what it was like when I was their age. While the forms of communication, clothing styles and slang, and certainly the awesome freedom to express oneself are all vastly dissimilar, what the internal feelings and emotions are and how those are established and exhibited are exactly the same way that we expressed them some 60 years ago and I suspect goes back much further. It is comforting to know that egocentrically and emotionally little has changed. If this is representative of today’s generation, then the reality is we have always been generational gelboys. Where I wanted to see this unique series succeed was to tell a more truthful story. I wish they had used actual teens for the roles so as to have captured the genuine immaturity of the substantive times; not the reflections of the past memories of the current performers. I am not a proponent of using older performers for roles that are clearly contemporary and in the here and now. There is no reason to do so. That IS what the story is about. We want to see, sense, feel, and genuinely grasp what they are experiencing in real time. Not a reflection of what was but a reality of what is. If they had used contemporary performers this would have been a dynamic masterpiece and set the standards for others to follow. It would have lent a greater level of sincerity to the production and the story, and we would have grasped the deeper meaning of the emotions because they would not have lived them yet. We would have watched them project their raw emotions, and for me that would have given it a greater sense of uncertainty. After all, they are teenagers, and they have their whole lives ahead of them. Let us see how each of them would have portrayed their own ‘tabula rasa’.Was this review helpful to you?
The adolescent queer human experience as a show
This is not a story about everlasting love, nor is it about finding the right person or making the right choices. It is a story of four flawed young queer people and the consequences of their intertwined lives. As the audience, we are mere observers, watching attraction, lust, and heartbreak unfold through the lens of a modern, social media-obsessed world. This is one of the best coming-of-age stories I’ve ever seen.The city itself feels like a character, alive in every frame. Each shot is masterfully composed, with something compelling always unfolding around the protagonists. The use of music—and its absence—heightens the impact of every scene.
If you're looking for a break from fluffy, romanticized BLs and want a glimpse into authentic, messy, and bittersweet queer love, this is it.
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my review
Gelboys is super fun to watch! The story is engaging, and the characters feel real and well-developed. It can get confusing at times, but that only adds to its uniqueness and makes it feel more grounded in reality. The mix of mystery and realism keeps you hooked, and every episode leaves you wanting more. Totally recommend!Was this review helpful to you?
I saw few comments about how long each frame is and the ep being 1 tiring hour 🥲. But It felt natural for me. 🥹 Am sad it has only few more eps to go. Expected it would be nice from the director of itsay and paradise of thorns and he delivered a new concept. Enjoying a lot
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Genius and Calculated Series
I have nothing but admiration and awe for this series. The production is absolutely insane—can you believe it was filmed using a phone? The acting is phenomenal; the casting is flawless, and every actor delivers with such precision, from their nuances to their micro-expressions.I also love how the story unfolds without spoon-feeding the audience. It trusts us to understand each of the Gelboys characters, their complexity, and their deeply human teenage struggles. The show captures the reality of being a teenager—the impulsive decisions, the lack of long-term thinking, and the way we act purely based on how we feel in the moment. The characters are beautifully flawed, making them feel real and relatable.
Another thing I admire is how seamlessly they incorporate T-pop culture into the narrative. The music is incredible—my personal favorites so far are 9PM by Pide and Noid-Ah by Leon. I’m really into slow and melancholic songs, so these two resonate with me the most. But honestly, every OST released so far perfectly fits the characters and their emotions.
At first glance, Gelboys may seem like a lighthearted and fun story, but it’s so much more than that. It delivers valuable lessons and allows us to reflect on our own teenage years. It makes us realize how we used to think and act at their age—perhaps minus the super colorful aesthetic, but the thought processes and decisions feel very familiar.
I also love how Siam is not just a backdrop but an integral part of the story. The setting isn't just there for aesthetics—it plays a role in shaping the characters, their experiences, and the way they navigate their lives. The show captures the essence of its culture and environment, making it feel immersive and authentic rather than just a pretty location.
Lastly, I am absolutely in love with Gelboys’ cinematography. Every frame tells a story. The wide shots are brilliantly placed, subtly conveying shifts in emotions and character development. You can feel when a character is lonely, longing for something, or going through a moment of change—all without words, just through the visuals. That, to me, is pure genius.
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an authentic masterpiece !!
won't be spoling anything for anyone reading this review, but trust me this series is not like other BLs , in the time where there's so much saturation in the entertainment industry, boss kuno's work stand out the most with his new coming of age series GELBOYS. I'm obsessed with this series, the raw emotions of the generation, the cinematography, the visuals, the sets, the acting, direction is top notch and one of it's kind ! trust me when i say this should be in ur must watch series ! it got a moderate pace build up so dont get bored because as u progress, so does ur excitement, surprises and yes the mess this show got resonates with most of the genz. i won't say much or else i could spoil the things, not revealing any plot or names, but i assure u will be obsessed with this show !Was this review helpful to you?
you either LOVE it or hate it…
I honestly had 0 expectations for this and only convinced myself to watch it bcs of the OST. But when I tell you it was one of the best decisions I’ve taken, I really mean it.Most of the bad reviews you’ll see will tell you it doesn’t have a unique or interesting storyline, but in my opinion, that’s the beauty of it. I’m not saying that it’s boring but it’s not really something new either, in my opinion it’s more than that.
The characters and their stories feel so real, you even get to see yourself in them. And don’t let me get started on the way they portray social media, it feels so on point and doesn’t feel forced or weird.
Just give it a chance and see for yourself whether you’ll love it or hate it.
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A Show Destined to Outlast the Longest BL Ship
Two decades ago there was a cop show called The Wire that told its story on its own terms about the decline of an American city, and the growing distrust of institutions, all of which have played out just as the show had warned. Today college courses are still taught about that series. While obviously completely different, Gel. Boys is way more than a Thai BL genre show. It’s a cultural touchdown about the messiness of teenage years in ane the age digital superfluousness. The more connected we become more disconnected we are. Gel Boys told its story unflinchingly and on its own terms through images and words not spoken.. You had to work to see the layers of the onion that Boss and his incredible crew and cast were pulling back Gel Boys makes you feel things and sometimes it’s uncomfortable. But it’s honest, cathartic, and truly a work of art. Put that show in a time capsule It will outlast the longest BL ship and remain relevant.Was this review helpful to you?
Horrible
This is literally about nothing. I can't believe this is even a series. Just terrible! I mean there is really no story line. It's almost as if an entire bunch of 17 yr olds filmed this. The main protagonists look like they are in there middle 20's and they are passing them off as school kids. Just wow. I just don't get it at all. They barely even have conversations with each other. It's mostly everyone staring at their phones for almost the entire episode.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
you will be obsessed, or you will hate it.
i have love/hate relationship with Gelboys. i love how realistic and great it is, how it shows true teenage crush/love, how toxic relationships work and what is happening to a person who is in “ hot and cold “ situationship with someone. I LOVED the details, they are giving us informations without outright saying it (for example time passing with grown nails, ect.) . On the other side i HATE how much my anxiety rises while I’m watching this BL, How angry i am because of Fourmod tossing his self respect aside and being desperate. He is lying to Chian and especially himself that he is fine with that kind of relationship with him, but in reality his eyes just lost its sparkle, he almost cried in front of Chian (Fourmod was breaking glass TikTok sound 🥲) I Hate watching him in this state. We will cry after second episode i think, it’s getting too messy. If you look at the poster closely you will see that Baabin is hugging Fourmod and has sad face, Fourmod and Chian are almost kissing. I originally thought that Chian and Bua were holding hands, but it can’t be Chians’s hand, they are standing too far from each other (or if they are than for me it means that he likes Fourmod and Bua at the same time). So im thinking that Baabin likes Fourmod, Bua likes someone else and Chian will get over Bua and will like Fourmod back. I know we are in good hands because of crew, so I’m not worrying about them messing up this series. (You can check out their work and you will know what i mean) i predict an open/sad ending, i can’t see them end up happy together. I will update this recommendation after i’ll see last episode.Was this review helpful to you?
