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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This review may contain spoilers
A masterpiece
This series is a raw and emotional look at teenage love, identity, and loneliness in a hyperconnected world. Following four teenagers in Bangkok, it explores messy crushes, jealousy, insecurity, and the complicated ways young people try to understand what love actually means. It doesn’t present romance in an idealized way instead, it leans into the chaos and confusion of being young, where feelings change quickly and nobody fully understands themselves yet.One of the biggest strengths of the show is how realistic it feels. The characters spend a lot of time on their phones and social media, which might feel excessive at times, but it reflects how modern teenage relationships actually work. Playlists, messages, TikTok posts, and online validation shape the way the characters interact with each other. The series captures the awkward push-and-pull of having a crush, trying to look “cool,” and wanting to be loved while still figuring out who you are.
Fou4Mod is at the center of the story, searching for romance and validation, but what makes the series interesting is that the emotional dynamics don’t revolve around just one love story. The relationships constantly shift between the four main characters, creating a messy but believable web of feelings.
Baa is easily one of the most heartbreaking characters. He has been quietly in love with Fou4Mod for years but can’t bring himself to confess. His introverted nature and fear of hurting others keep him trapped in silence, which slowly builds into emotional pain. Some of the most powerful moments come from Baa’s perspective especially when he tries to express his feelings and then pulls back at the last moment. His loneliness and internal struggle feel painfully real, making him one of the most sympathetic characters in the story.
Bua, on the other hand, represents a different kind of vulnerability. As a mixed Thai-German teenager and a TikTok creator, he constantly seeks validation through attention and popularity. At first he seems confident and carefree, but underneath that image is someone who feels deeply lonely and unsure of what love actually looks like. His dynamic with both Chian and Baa adds another layer to the story: with Chian there’s confusion and mixed signals, while with Baa there’s a quieter emotional connection between two people who are both hurting in different ways.
Visually, the series stands out a lot. The cinematography, music, and editing style give it an almost scrapbook-like or documentary feel. Filming in real locations around Bangkok especially Siam Square adds to the sense that we’re watching real teenagers navigating their lives rather than a polished fantasy. The use of natural lighting, phone footage and street scenes creates a very intimate atmosphere.
The characters themselves are messy, impulsive, and sometimes frustrating, but that’s intentional. Teenagers make bad decisions, chase the wrong people and struggle to communicate their feelings, and the show doesn’t try to hide that. Instead, it embraces the emotional chaos of first love and growing up.
Overall, this is a unique coming-of-age series that feels very different from typical BL dramas. It’s messy, emotional, and sometimes painful to watch but that honesty is exactly what makes it powerful. With strong performances, a distinctive visual style, and complex character dynamics especially through Baa and Bua’s stories the series becomes a memorable exploration of youth, loneliness, and the search for connection.
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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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Go watch it RIGHT NOW.^◡^.
This had been on the PTW list for a while now and idk why I took so long to getting around to watch it.All I can say is there really are masterpieces out there that we haven't watched and don't know what we are missing out on.
It's experiences like this that show me that there are so many fantastic shows to watch. It's just that they havent yet made their way to us. This fact makes me sad. May all those shows that will leave a spot in our hearts find us.
Whoever is second guessing to watch this, don't miss out on such a show. Just watch it.
From the story, to the acting, to the music 10/10. It lit up the giddy child in me.
I'm talking giggling in bed, pausing and rewinding, reminiscing, feeling alive, 2nd hand embarrassment, and puttting yourself in the characters shoes (some things seem cringy when viewed in a straight lense but when viewed in a yeah I've done that when I'm crushing on someone lense, it's fun)
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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?
