Gently toxic
One interesting creative choice in this series is that none of the three main characters is likable. They’re all toxic to varying degrees, which gives a certain charm to their interactions. The story strays a bit from the beaten path to explore emotions that are less conventional than usual. The three actors know their craft and deliver strong performances; it’s good casting.That said, even when the show surprises (in the script, the narrative, etc.), it never really takes risks — as if the viewer always has to stay on familiar ground. That’s somewhat unfortunate, because the series loses depth because of it. The ending is a good example: very conventional, and inevitably a bit disappointing. A little more boldness might have turned this good series into a very good one.
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Artsy, dark vibes, oozing toxicity and bad decisions...And frustrating!
This Thai BL features a trio of characters that meet in a bar and are trapped into ultra toxic relationships (professional and romantic) inspite of themselves. The series can feel highly frustrating because of the waste of potential, however, there are also quite a lot I appreciated. Do I regret spending time on it ? No, certainly not because it made me think a lot. Unfortunately the attempt at social commentary regarding Art and AI fell apart with the conclusion, which was truly disappointing.Cast is one of the strong point of this series but also one of the downside. Indeed Gun, Off and Dew are doing a very good job at acting out those broken human beings. The tension scenes with the intimate moments or the painful moments were also very well acted. However, the way couple pairing are working in Thailand clearly removed part of the interest / turmoil of the series as the ending seemed predictable because of the CP but was not convincing because of the plot itself.
I would recommend this drama to people looking for an artsy BL featuring a fare share of angst and pain. It is for sure not without flaws because of its odd and too slow pacing, unconvincing ending and frustrating because of the waste of potential. But it is also a very different kind of story, truly thoughts provoking, with a captivating muse-artist relationship. Even if it unfortunately does not hold its promises, the actors and the very good production value with some truly impactful and memorable scenes, make it worth the watch.
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Sizzling
This series is surely fresh, electric, overwhelming with chemistry, and incredibly sensual. OffGun is the perfect couple to execute the story. The overall dark theme of Burnout Syndrome mirror the reality of people who've lost their spark and through emotion they gain it back.The story is well-written up until the final two episodes where they faltered which is unfortunately common to a lot of BLs that I've watched. Episode 1 was a great set up for the rest of the episodes, its a slow burn but once you get to settle in, the rest of the episodes pull you like magnet. While the plot is sensual, mirrors reality, and gets you invested, there are a few details that missed. Overall, you have got to sit and be patient to let the story establish itself.
The acting in this cast is perfection. OffGun is already an established couple and they've proven their versatility time and time again. Mew surprisingly has a great chemistry with Gun and he definitely did a phenomenal job. The supporting casts also did a very good job.
I don't have anything to say about the music. It's perfect. The song choices matches every scene, the tone, the theme, it's cohesive.
While I don't necessarily recommend the series as an introduction to OffGun, I would definitely rewatch this series.
Overall, this is another great series from OffGun. Their chemistry is beyond perfection yet they still have a lot of room to explore in terms of their acting prowess.
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This review may contain spoilers
In this drama, I mainly see two different friends getting caught in a situation involving a money-hungry, feminine boy. That feels like the core conflict of the story. Personally, I’m not blaming Koh for what happens. For me, the worst person in this drama is Jira. I feel like he is playing with the feelings of both boys, and he’s actually very good at manipulating people’s emotions.Even though Koh comes off as rude and emotionally distant, he is actually the most sensitive person in the entire drama.🥹 And yes, I am sad for Pheem too 🥺 I really felt bad for him. He’s such an innocent guy—honestly, truly innocent. A big part of this drama revolves around emotions and art, which gives it some depth.
One of the funniest parts is when Jira paints on a shirt using wine and calls it “art,” a so-called wine-stain shirt. Honestly, if anyone else did that, it would just look like a mess. But when a boyfriend does it, suddenly it’s art. I guess love really is blind.
Overall, this is not a boring drama. It has a storyline that keeps you watching continuously. The actors are also very talented—they express emotions incredibly well, especially through their eyes and facial expressions. However, I do get irritated when Koh is always wearing sunglasses because I can’t read his eyes properly. Other than that, the drama is decent
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Dew as Pheem adds such a messy, chaotic energy to everything, and even when the love triangle gets a bit loud and stressful, it really fits the vibe of the story. I loved how the director focused on the quiet, desperate moments instead of trying to make everything look perfect. It’s definitely a heavy watch about people reaching their breaking point.
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Gritty, Raw, Emotional & Real.
This series covers so many emotions and shared experiences from just being human. There is a darkness coupled with bright and light themes. Some of it feels raw, gritty and dirty bordering on forbidden. While some of it comes across as sweet, gentle, loving and fragile. All of this is reflected in the at pieces used.Dew, Gun and Off did such an incredible job delivering their roles and putting exactly right emotion into each scene. It was powerful when needed and it was delicate in the appropriate places. Emi & AJ's characters also fit into the story perfectly. They added extra flavor and allowed the main characters to express so many more feelings without coming across as "extra", superfluous or repetitive.
This series also touched on AI art and how human artists often feel about AI generated art. They also presented the programmer's view regarding AI generated pieces, which was interesting. I was able to see both sides with a little more understanding, though I admit I am still firmly in favor of the live artist's side as it's portrayed here.
In terms of who I would recommend this to -- if you are a big fan of the actors then it's a "must watch" for them. But, I also believe that anyone who enjoys looking a bit deeper into character motivations, people who enjoy art and deciphering what an artist is trying to convey and those who want series where the meaning is much more than how it appears on the surface then this will be the perfect series.
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Acting Chops!!!
It truly was the acting and tje complex wanna-be artsy story, showing extremely intricate characters, that reeled me in. I wanted to watch their acting as I love Gun's acting beyond anything. He is a marvellous actor and super cute to look at too. That cutie really did play some truly antagonising characters, but his character, Jira, in this show, was so complex and so less understood. The show becomes one of the more mature storylines for me. Not as reckoning as Shine but still, not a fluffy cute drama, and actual story. Dew's acting was too good as well. Plus, I was constantly rooting for PheemJira because Dew's chemistry with Gun was on fire. Shows how great actors they are! I think it deserves a watch.Was this review helpful to you?
One of the most genuinely relevant things I've watched in this genre — and OffGun deliver
This series opens with a conversation that stopped me immediately. A man in burnout being told by his "girl"friend to take a break, go to therapy — and him answering that he can barely afford rent, so how exactly is he supposed to afford therapy. That exchange alone signals what kind of show this is going to be: one that's actually paying attention to the world it exists in.The burnout bar as a concept is inspired — a place where customers therapeutise each other because professional help is out of reach for most of them. It's absurd and completely believable at the same time, and it sets up a story about art, AI, labour, and the very specific exhaustion of trying to be creative in a system that doesn't support it. These are not themes I expected to find handled this thoughtfully in a BL series, and I found it genuinely exciting.
OffGun carry it fully. The chemistry is there, the performances are strong, and the three-way dynamic at the center of the story is genuinely compelling — chaotic and messy in the way real human entanglements are. What I found most interesting is that the main character isn't positioned as a victim of circumstance but as someone who is himself flawed, himself capable of toxicity. That honesty gives the series a texture that most shows in this genre don't attempt.
In terms of story and acting, one of the strongest series I've seen. The kind of show that makes me wish more BL trusted its audience this much.
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A Work of Art
A very well-made series, with a lot of care put in it and attention to detail. It stands out for its unique aesthetic and beautiful direction, surrounded by music pieces that make it feel earthy, yet so atmospherical — like it's otherworldly. The story itself is mature and complex, addressing the very fresh concept of the AI and its impact to art, through the lives and decisions of its characters, while cleverly drawing parallels to represent each side. Every scene and line has meaning and purpose to the story.Regarding the characters, they are neither pretty nor act the way they should. They are very flawed, with weaknesses and their own distinct way of thinking, which makes them frustrating, but also real. Their development was quite good overall, but at times I felt that pieces were missing, disrupting the natural flow of that development, particularly when it came to Off's character, Koh.
As for the acting, it was really good. Everyone gave their best, but the one who stood out for me the most in this series was Dew. It's the first time I saw him in such a challenging role, and it was a real pleasure to see him showcasing more range in his acting and doing such a good job.
Overall, this series is certainly not for everyone. It's one of a kind, it's different, but it's not made in a way to be pleasant or appealing and it doesn't attempt to do so either. It's a story that is meant to be viewed for what it is. It doesn't try to teach, to satisfy or embrace the idea of conventional beauty, but rather shows the beauty in imperfection.
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.
What I thought of the series:Okay… OffGun proving AGAIN why they are one of the strongest BL pairings ever. 10 years together and they STILL have insane chemistry. Like… how is that even possible?! 😭💚
I was honestly not disappointed at all. The mix of love, friendship, and that messy love triangle drama kept me hooked. You can really feel how comfortable Off and Gun are with each other, and it makes every emotional and cute moment hit harder.
Watching them feels like coming home to something familiar but still exciting. OffGun really know how to make fans smile and suffer at the same time… and I’m totally okay with that. 😌✨
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This review may contain spoilers
Lost me after 7th episode
I am confused and a little speechless. I was incredibly invested and fully enjoying the show up to it’s 8th episode. When Koh manipulated the three of them into meeting each other in his hotel room was the highlight for me. The moment with Pheem and Jira in the rage room was great, and the moment of Koh interrupting Jira’s painting process of Pheem was very well done as well.But what the hell happened afterwards? The next morning Koh was suddenly all lovey dovey which felt a bit out of pocket after what happened and Jira just went along with it. I felt like I’ve missed a whole episode or two in between. Suddenly Koh was in love with Jira and Jira was also in love with Koh but it felt a little too sudden imo. Their relationship started at a super slow burn pace and there should’ve been at least one or two more episodes of complex emotional buildup between them before their feelings reached the level of ‘love’.
An intense love triangle story should’ve been more than enough to concentrate on in only ten episodes, added to the mess that Jira is a broke artists who has to work for a rich IT guy who has no qualms about using him to lie to people to get his way. We already have enough of a moral dilemma here to go in depth with: Jira’s artistic integrity vs doing what he feels he has to do to survive in this world plus his complicated feelings towards his boss and Pheem.
The AI discourse here felt very performative and bare bones, unfortunately. It’s an important topic to discuss and as an artists I do feel for Jira and the overall need to include the debate into the show but it felt like a half-formed thought. The short exchange of arguments between Koh and Jira felt like they were parroted from the internet with only the barest understanding of the subject. I in no way doubt that Nuchy is much more knowledgeable about the subject than the show would make me believe based on the superficial argument exchange between Koh and Jira, so why so tame?
The subject needed a more in depth discussion than what the show gave us.
The show made a bold move by making Koh use Jira’s art to feed into AI but never fully committed to the consequences. I personally wanted a more intense fall out between Koh and Jira, their confrontation felt too quick, too parroted without many layers such an argument could and probably would believably have.
I called it a bold move bc considering it’s a BL and OffGun it is expected by the average viewer to end in a happy OffGun ending (which it did, poorly) but how would a show make the both of them get back together without compromising it’s integrity? Not to mention in only one episode.
Well, the answer is it doesn’t. The ending was an expected disappointment bc they didn’t even try to make Koh apologize or understand Jira. One could say Koh learned to be less selfish by respecting Jira’s wish to stop pursuing him (and respecting the sleeping boundary to a degree) but what about the AI situation? That was never mentioned again and that was their biggest fallout. What happened? Idk, nothing I guess.
Jira moved on with creating his art but not really bc he still kept painting Koh and then suddenly realized that he wanted to see him still and sell him this new painting of them that he painted bc it was special. That’s nice and all but where is his character growth? What changed? Did he not care anymore about what Koh did? Did he suddenly not care that his and Koh’s ideologies did not correlate at all? It felt like a forced happy ending.
Overall I’d consider the show to have a strong start, strong middle but a very weak ending. Truthfully, I expected better from Nuchy knowing how much I loved Not Me but it is what it is. Maybe it’s bc it’s a Jittirain novel, I never liked any of her previous works so that could be a potential reason for me not liking it despite Nuchy but still.
Also, this show absolutely needed to have more episodes to dive deeper into these complex societal and relationship problems. Ten episodes were not enough, things felt rushed. There was a part where Ing pointed out that a muse does not have to be synonymous with a lover and I thought the show would do something with that idea, like make Jira realize that Pheem could become his muse after Koh’s AI betrayed but no, his muse and lover has always been and continued to be Koh, which was a bit boring.
I’m still giving it a pretty high rating bc it had a lot of good things going on for it as well and I would like for BLs to have more of these mature, complex storylines, just done better.
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This review may contain spoilers
This Could’ve Been an Email
Jira (Gun Atthaphan) is a contemporary artist who, while struggling with a mental health relapse and desperate for a job, meets Pheem (Dew Jirawat) at a bar called Burnout—a man who sparks some deep reflections in Jira. Eventually, Jira lands an odd job with Pheem’s coworker, Ko (Off Jumpol), the CEO of a tech company. Suddenly, Jira finds himself in a love triangle and an ethical dilemma, torn between what he believes in and the one he loves.The series is directed by Nunchy, who—for those who don’t know—is the same director as Not Me, so I’ll admit, I had extremely high expectations.
And they weren’t exactly met.
Come on, I thought the premise was interesting. A love triangle, one of GMM’s longest-running couples who starred in one of the company’s best BLs, and Dew is a great actor. We had every right to have expectations.
I’m not going to take away all the credit from the production. It’s a good series; it’s visually beautiful and the soundtrack is really good. I find the whole aesthetic aspect quite interesting—it was a good production.
The characters are real. Too real, even. So real that they bore me after a while. The critique in the series is super valid—Art vs. Artificial Intelligence and where we’ve ended up with all of this—I think it’s a super interesting topic. But Jira made me SO SLEEPY that the debate didn’t even hold my attention anymore.
The love triangle was interesting and fun to a certain extent, and I think it would have been more interesting if no one ended up together, but following the GMM, obviously Jira and Ko were going to end up together, and honestly I found the dynamic between the two characters a bit forced and codependent; the series had the capacity to bring the two closer without the cliché of Ko not being able to sleep without him.
The series is shot in the same style as Asian indie films, which prioritize overall aesthetics and continuous takes; it’s an interesting aesthetic choice for this series, as it values poetry and the aesthetic appreciation of everyday life. The friendship dynamics are interesting, both between Jira and Ing (Emi Tharsorn) and between Pheem and Mawin (AJ Chayapol). They’re cool and realistic—fights, arguments, help, and advice. I see friendships like this in everyday life (except for the part where Mawin throws urine at Pheem, but I think that’s more of a boss-subordinate thing). I found those parts entertaining. I believe Pheem was a more deeply written character than Jira and Ko. Pheem was created to be a character who makes sense and is profound on his own, while Ko and Jira were made to make sense and be profound in each other’s stories. You know what I mean?
Their relationship wasn’t exactly treated as something that adds to their individual lives as characters, but rather as something that defines them. If you analyze it deeply, you realize that both have their own individual problems that are resolved only by the other; neither learns anything on their own for their own personal growth. Even with the timeskip, which for some reason brought the two back together in the last 45 minutes of the second half, leaving an open ending. I mean, why did I even watch all of this?
In short, the series is visually beautiful, and even inspiring to a certain extent—the part where Jira pours wine on her shirt makes me want to pour wine on my own shirt and appreciate how poetic my daily life can be. But it wore me out quickly; I started getting bored and only kept watching because I kept putting off stopping, and before I knew it, I’d finished it. Ideally, everyone should end up alone, because clearly everyone needs therapy.
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