Memoir of Rati

Romance so soft, that it forgot to break my heart!!

The drama is set against the backdrop of a war period, and oddly, it feels very light and almost a little too blissful. The central story revolves around Rati, an interpreter from France and Thee, an aristocrat in Siam, and the second couple, Mek and Dech, explores the theme of class divisions in society.

Starting with the positives, the show is screensaver pretty. The wide shots of the river, the whole period theme and cultural touches were to the point and really helped set up the whole mood. You just can't stop taking screenshots.

Another strength of the drama is the chemistry between the two couples.. Rati and Thee are the softest and sweetest things. The moment they saw each other, I felt they knew this was it. It was all sugar, sparkles and heart eyes.
Mek and Dech were very different from them. Their love story felt a bit realistic or less fairytale-ish. I loved their strangers to friends to lovers arc and the intimacy they had. There were no grand gestures here, everything between them just felt natural and meant to be.

But it isn't without any flaws, and ironically, its biggest “strength” also doubles as its downfall. For a story to unfold in such a turbulent period, there was surprisingly very little tension. It felt too polished and happy.
The romance of the main couple was dreamy, and I somehow missed that forbidden love hesitation and tension. Here, that edge was softened and I thought it would pick up in the later episodes once the angst hits but it was lukewarm and all the issues resolved too soon. Don't get me wrong, their chemistry is really evident and good but I was maybe expecting something soul-shattering.
And I got all I wanted in the second couple, but they were not given enough screen time. Their love story had so much potential. Mek was really grounded and Dech has that softer side of him, and every scene we got of them hinted at something deeper than what we see on screen. It was a wasted potential to me.

I felt they played it too safe and far from the reality it was set in. I don't mind bending a little to accommodate the story, but maybe with an ounce of realism. No one in that time period would have gotten away if they acted like Thee or Rati. The build-up around family opposition, social divide and cultural barriers just glossed over the real and required tension.
And while the ending was heart-warming and very GMM style, but it was sadly too neat for this.

Acting-wise, it was very convincing across the board. Great and In had beautiful chemistry, but I really wished we could see them in their angst era more. Aou and Boom were fantastic too and it's about time they get the series as main leads.

Overall, while I did enjoy the overall romance and visuals, I feel the execution fumbled the bag a bit. The themes were crying to be fleshed out more to give us a perfect historical BL without time travel. It's not exactly ground breaking, but it partly does get things right.
Will I recommend it? Yes, I will but think of it more as a fantasy historical drama that doesn’t sweat the historical accuracy.
7.75/10

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Disneyifed

My overall thought...you saw the title. But outside of that, I think there is such a disconnect for me when it comes to this series, and I was seriously excited about this one. Memoir or Rati showed us a beautiful take on love in a Thai historical setting, but the overall presence of everything: characters, plot, romances, political upheaval, etc., unfortunately did not meet the mark for me.

Let's Dive In.

I want to dive into my statement about this being Disneyifed. Because that's exactly what it feels like. When I was first introduced to the premise of Memoir of Rati, I had so much hope that this was going to be less fluff more grit. Unfortunately, that was the complete opposite. I wanted to see fight, I wanted to see tragedy, especially in an historical piece like this. But, everything, even the more tragic scenes, had this veil of fluff that followed. I didn't hate the comedic parts of this, I think it worked, but it just completely threw me off of what was at stake here. Too many times, when I wanted to feel something for a scene, it cuts into a moment where it's trying to make me laugh. Urgh. And then by the end, everything worked perfectly for everybody, which is completely unrealistic for a setting taking place in 1915 CE. But GMMTV just had to make this happy-go-lucky, just had to make everyone's scenarios so perfect. Personally, I wanted more. A lot more tears and less comedic background music. On top of that, I really disliked the cinematography. I try not to compare every Thai historical BL to one another, but this was so white-washed and dreamy-looking, I hated it.

In my humble opinion, I think this series was rushed, as in, they made this too quickly, and because of that, the plot and the characters fall short. I really think they had an idea what they wanted to happen, and then, because of whatever obstacles or challenges, it just didn't end up being what it was suppose to be. And to also add to my point, some scenes felt like they were oddly cut, or the music would start and then randomly cut, not fade out, or have a smooth transition. I think in all aspects, this was rushed, the editing, the performances from the actors, and the overall plot.

Now, moving onto the plot. I was confused. I won't lie, I have zero idea who anyone was, what their roles played, or how historical Thailand worked. That might've been a me-thing, but I couldn't keep up. Also, with what little time Inn had to learn how to speak French, I personally didn't find it to be just god-awful, but I also don't speak french, so this is coming from a person that could obviously hear the struggle in his voice when speaking french, but I think to learn a language in a short amount of time, he did good. This also goes back to my point of, why not a hire somebody that is Thai who speaks fluent French (i'm sure they're out there somewhere) to play the part. Because GMMTV priorities the actors before the piece of work they're trying to create.

Moving onto the romances: I think they were fine. I think both couples do well, with Aou and Boom coming first. I think there was a giant disconnect for me when it came to Inn and Great's romance. It felt... awkward almost? Aou and Boom performed great, and, even though I wasn't a huge fan of the comedy, it was nice to see them play these funny dudes. I think should've seen more from them, but oh well.

But, don't worry, there was some stuff I liked! Again, I really liked Aou and Boom's characters, and their romance. I did enjoy seeing the wardrobes, especially Thee's outfits, which were immaculate. There are also some scenes that I did find beautifully told, or just beautifully shot. The plot with Rati's aunt is whatI found as the most interesting, especially as we learn that his real mom died and his aunt was the one that raised him.

Rating:

Story: 6.5/10 - Eh. Okay. kinda boring, won't lie. Thee and Rati's romance felt stale and stiff most of the time, also seemed extremely awkward in some cases.

Acting: 8.5/10 I think everyone did well. Nothing spectacular, but good.

Music: 6/10 - Didn't pay much attention to it.

Recommendation Value: 5/10 - I'd recommend only if you just love AouBoom or GreatInn, but otherwise, this historical BL can be skipped. Not even Great's abs could help save this for me.

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Mostly boring and bland with stunning pictures...

As usual that was a top notch GMMTV production with very pretty pictures and overall exceptionell production quality. But as usual for GMMTV it was a very bland and partly boring show. It does cater to the fangirls but I could not care less. Also as usual the side-couple was more fun :)

This thing with french speaking was also a sore irk because they are all not "David Asavanond" (playing Ratis adoptive father) who has a french background and you can't expect someone to learn to speak fluently in three months or so. While they really tried, it breaks the illusion.

The most boring part was the finale... man that was a chore to watch through. So yes, this was a fantasy BL but I did not feel for the characters at all. AomBoom were the comic relief I expected and which made the series more enjoyable. The badies, (Thee's) grandma and (Dech's) father were very two dimensional. There was not much character growth and overall GMMTV had not the balls to make a BL with a bad ending. So they all live happily ever after or so. Besides pretty pictures the show has nothing going for them, so it's an average show in the end.

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Sticking Around for Mek and Dech, Because the Leads Are Just... There

This series? Honestly, pretty boring. I kept skipping through scenes that felt either irrelevant or just downright dull. The leads have this calming effect—too bad it just made me want to take a nap. Sure, they have some sweet moments and the usual funny jealousy scenes, but the plot? Not my cup of tea. In fact, the side characters are far more interesting and hilariously funny than the leads. Dech and Mek? Now they have chemistry, energy, and a storyline that actually keeps me watching. I just wish Rati and Thee had the same effect instead of putting me in a coma.

=====MAIN COUPLE RATI AND THEE=====

Rati stays in Thailand for a year to help Thai officials learn French, as part of an effort to strengthen the Thai-French alliance. Phi Thee, a marquis in the Ministry of Education, is the one overseeing Rati’s stay. Their love blossoms over time, but it feels too fast. Thee falls hard for Rati and relentlessly pursues him, sometimes forgetting that they live in an era where being gay is taboo. I’m going to be honest—I don’t care about their love story. It’s all sweet, gentle, and yawn-worthy; if you’re expecting some spicy romance or drama that actually moves, nope. Instead, you get a painfully slow love story that feels like a history lesson no one asked for. After fast-forwarding through most of it, here’s what I got: jealousy? Check. Rati's mom's issues? Double check. Thee’s engaged to a woman? Triple check. The fiancé seems very understanding — kind of like that. Grandma doesn’t like that her son is gay (I mean, can we blame her? This is set a long time ago).

Meanwhile, Mek’s dad is out to get Rati. That’s the only part I actually like. He brings all the fun factor and chaos. Honestly, every time Mek’s dad shows up, you know things are about to get wild, and I can’t help but root for his glorious downfall...... because, honestly, the guy’s stupidity is top-tier entertainment.

Rati leaves and returns after 5 years, reuniting with Thee. I really dislike time skips, but GMMTV seems to love them. Do they have CHEMISTRY? Definitely, they do—but it’s so sweet and gentle. The last episode was so romantic. Their love seems to burn forever from the moment they first met.

=====SECOND COUPLE MEK AND DECH=====

The second couple, however, is far more interesting. Mek is a hardworking, lovable character, while Dech is the son of an official who secretly participates in Muay Thai fights. He stands up to his father, calling him out for his wrongdoings, showing a lot of strength and moral conviction. Their love story starts as a friendship and slowly deepens into something more. They become each other’s safe haven, finding solace in each other's presence. They confide in one another about their hopes, dreams, and ambitions, supporting each other along the way. Their love is sweet and genuine, and honestly, that’s what’s keeping me watching. Not going to lie, they make this series so much better. They make you smile like crazy, and I can’t help but enjoy their moments together. Their chemistry is fire 🔥..........

I’m honestly obsessed and wish they got way more screen time. Dech constantly helps Mek improve his life—even when Mek suffers partial hearing loss.—and preps him for a French translator exam. (Thanks, Mek’s grandpa, for being a rare beacon of sanity.) And then there’s Dech’s dad—oh, the villainy! He makes me so mad, but I have to praise the actor. That water scene in episode 11? Pure gold. I felt their love deep in my soul. But real talk—did he seriously use turmeric to scrub Dech’s back? That yellow stain was hysterical. I’m still laughing, thinking about it!

Ahhh, someone get me some water, like AouBoom was serving in the last episode.

=====SOUNDTRACK/PRODUCTION/ACTING========

I don’t know why, but the soundtrack in the last episode was just great. I don’t know why I didn’t notice it before. I liked the costumes and set design for the series—it truly looked like it was set in that time (that's what is looked like to me). I think the actors did a great job, especially the older actors.

=====FINAL THOUGHTS======

Would I recommend the series? Meh, only if you’re here for Mek and Dech. (Let’s be real, I’m just watching for them.) They bring the kind of heat and chemistry the main couple can only dream of—honestly, they’re struggling to keep up. The show seriously lacks that wow factor, but honestly, it’s Mek and Dech’s love story that saves this snoozefest from total disaster.

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Second Couple Paved the Way but we adore Thee & Rati .

I was waiting for this series eagerly , periodic dramas are always my favourite . This is my first Great & Inn show and somehow they impressed me a lot .

The storyline is good , after watching episode 9 , I changed my opinion about this drama. They portrayed each scene perfectly such as the struggle of LGBTQ couple in this homophobic society. Here Thee is a green flag , the way he always protects Rati ...wow .

Another excellent character is his majesty. He always gives us a calm ,safe environment.

Talking about the second couple Aou & Boom ...agghhhh they stole my heart in the first episode . I was literally skipping everything to watch their scenes . They have excellent chemistry . Their story was completely different too . In this drama , definitely they stole the spotlight .

The cinematography & visuals are top notch . Everything was looking perfect , in this budget GMMTV did a good job .

If you like to watch pure romance then this drama is waiting for you .

( Edited )

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A Beautiful Step Back in Time

From episode one, watching Memoir of Rati felt like stepping into a beautiful old dream. 🌙 I love period dramas, no phones, no rush, just peaceful, quiet moments. The early 1900s setting is absolutely stunning, every outfit, every little detail feels authentic. 🕰️🧵 It’s clear so much care went into bringing this world to life.

My two handsome princes, GreatInn are back, and AouBoom are just as charming as ever. 👑💫 Twelve weeks of this story ahead, I’m ready for every second. 💖📺

I was honestly shocked by Thee and Rati’s relationship. I expected rejection from the mother, especially given that same-sex relationships were illegal in 1915 CE. Instead, she embraced them with warmth and understanding. That scene genuinely moved me. What an incredible mother, so open-hearted and ahead of her time.

The cast is stunning, the scenery gorgeous. It’s not a perfect series, some episodes are a bit slow, the plot simple, and nothing extraordinary happens at times. But overall, it’s a beautifully crafted BL that’s well worth watching.

Here is a poem I wrote about the second couple

What is wrong with Dech’s father?
Each time he appears, my heart sinks.
He belittles Rati in the classroom,
humiliating him with every word.
He scorns Rati’s mother for being a kitchen maid,
as if honest work were a sin.
And now, he goes further still,
ordering men to strike Mek,
stripping him of his dignity,
leaving him jobless and broken,
all because he is poor,
all because he dared to stand beside his son.

Yet even through this cruelty, love flickers.
Mek loves Dech. Dech loves Mek.
Two hearts that beat in silence,
but cannot meet in the open.
Mek cannot accept Dech’s open heart,
for the world has made him believe
that he is worthless,
that his love is forbidden,
that a father’s pride is stronger than their bond.
What could be more tragic?

And then the bridge…
that bridge destroyed me.
It was no longer just wood and rope.
It was the space between them,
a fragile line stretched across despair.
Dech reached forward with trembling hope,
Mek stepped back with silent pain.
He pushed away the only light he had,
not because he did not love,
but because he was taught he did not deserve love.
In that moment,
the river carried away more than reflections.
It carried away their hope,
their chance,
their tomorrow.

Dech’s father is the cruelest villain of all.
His arrogance poisons everything it touches.
And I pray, I beg, that karma finds him,
because people like him
turn love into tragedy,
and watching it unfold
brings tears I cannot hold back.

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It's not horrible...but disappointingly it's not the next "I Feel You Linger in the Air" either.

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

Objectively, “Memoir of Rati” is not a bad drama. It’s light and sweet, and perfect for those who want to see Great and Inn together again in a period setting. However, I was hoping this could be the next “I Feel You Linger in the Air” that could touch my heart. Unfortunately, “Memoir of Rati” isn’t it and I was disappointed.

Plot
The plot is simple. Two sets of lovers facing familial and societal pressures due to their ‘forbidden’ love. There’s not a lot of angst nor too many evil characters. I was actually quite surprised that there really isn’t a lot happening in these 12 episodes. There are many scenes of the two sets of lovers together and hanging out, and definitely a selling point for their fans. But as a drama, it is rather bland and could probably reduce a couple episodes.

Romance
If you are looking for a sweet and cute romance, this is the right drama for you. There’s barely any angst that could rip your heart out. Everyone is nice, honest and communicative. The main romance blossoms quite early, since we have a love-at-first-sight situation going on, and Thee isn’t shy in showing affection both verbally and in action. Thee is the doting, smitten Mr. Green Flag, and Rati is the more naive and shy Mr. Green Flag. The secondary romance between Mek and Dech is more fun and more innocent. They’re like best buddies until friendship becomes more. Their kisses are few but are better than those from the main leads. Maybe I was expecting a lot more passionate kisses and better sexy scenes.

Acting/Characters
The acting isn’t bad. I think Great did better than when I last saw him in “Wandee Goodday” and he definitely looks handsome in the white uniform, a lot better than in flowery boxing shorts. Inn, Aou and Boom all met my expectations. Aside from a couple ‘villains’, most of the supporting characters are lovely. I’m especially thankful that there aren’t any loud slaves/servants, which typically always show up in a historical lakorn. None of that here and not a whole lot of shouting either.

Production
Compared to “I Feel You Linger in the Air”, this drama pales in comparison. It’s not bad, but the cinematography is not as good and the sets appear simpler. I was quite worried in the first scene of Inn when his face was layered with white and thick foundation. The makeup artists aren’t doing a great job in this drama. Inn and Boom are already pretty pale, and they look whiter here. Aou seems to have a fake/spray tan on him but I do appreciate the drama at least try to darken his skin since he’s a commoner who needs to earn a living. Great probably looks best out of the four of them. At least the costume department did a pretty good job in dressing up the guys in nice clothes.

Would I recommend this drama? Probably if you like the leads, or are interested in a sweet romantic drama in a historical setting.

Would I recommend this drama if you’re looking for something similar to “I Feel You Linger in the Air”? Nope. Unfortunately, “Memoir of Rati” is subpar in almost every single category, especially if you are looking for a good emotional roller coaster. After watching this, it makes me miss IFYLITA even more and I want to rewatch some of my favorite and memorable scenes.

Having said all that, I have a decent time watching “Memoir of Rati”. It’s not the drama’s fault that I was expecting it to be something that it’s not. Therefore, I am rounding up my 7.75 rating to 8.0 instead of down to 7.5. It’s not a must watch but since there aren’t too many Thai historical BLs, it’s worth giving it a shot.


Completed: 9/6/2025 Review #621

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historical romance/drama

Overall: I enjoyed the historical setting (spoiler for the type of ending in a spoiler comment). This is based on the book "Memoir of Rati" (จาฤกรติชา) by P.PICHA which I haven't read and am reviewing the series based on its own merits. Aired on GMMTV's YouTube channel everywhere except Southeast Asia https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb6_2JamS9iM2MJATWfoFPY-piHFDtvEC and Netflix in Southeast Asia https://www.netflix.com/watch/82056609

Content Warnings: fight, blood, past death, bullying, punches, beaten up, non/dub con kisses, past death, attempted murder

What I Liked
- historical setting
- tension/chemistry
- intimacy
- styling
- supportive characters
- Lady Pa

Room For Improvement
- exposition dump to start the series
- unrealistic to volunteer him in episode 1
- the pacing felt slow
- nonsense writing particularly in episode 12/1

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Not hot or cold, lukewarm bland cup of tea.

So-so series. It's not good or bad. Middle of the road. Memior or Rati is not a terrible way to pass an hour if you have nothing else to do. But the story is not uplifting and it feels hopeless. I'm at episode 8 so maybe the story will get better.

I'm a big AouBoom fan. Just love them, I also enjoy GreatInn so it's not the actors or thier chemistry.

Must be the characters because the writing isn't the issue either. The production value is decent and the OST is fine.

Just can't put my finger on what's missing besdes the characters are bland and stiff. Except AOU, he could play a broomstick and I would still love him. AOU is one of the most underrated actors on the BL scene. He and Boom deserve thier own series. They don't need a bunch of other leads like the upcoming Only Friends series. GMMTV needs to put them front and center.

Sidenote:

GMMTV is not having thier best season. So far the 2025 season has just been ok. Good but not great. In my opinion Boys Love is the best 2025 series from GMMTV, so far The problem is there have been several amazing BL series this year and GMMTV is faling behind the competition. I hope they can turn it around because GMMTV as a great star rooster. Very handsome, beautiful, talented actors and actresses. Most of them can dance too. Singing well that's another conversation.🤣🤣🤣 They sing as good as me and I can't hold a note.🤣🤣🤣

Just joking, I like thier songs, I watch thier music videos and concerts. Very entertaining!😍😍😍

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Great to put in the background as you get shit done

The story is so gentle, calming and so damn slow.. I "binge" watched the whole thing in 3 days because nothing is happening to keep my attention enough to wait for a week and come back for a new episode......

This is a period drama featuring same sex couples so you would expect a lot angst and hurdle but nope... The main couple is Thee and Rati.. Thee falls for Rati literally at first sight. Rati falls very soon after. They be all up in each others business in all the public places but never really gets caught!!! Considering the time period, affectionate hand holding, longing gazes between two males are scandalous! There is almost no angst in their relationship despite how doomed their situation would appear. Everyone (Thee's father, Rati's mom, the fiancé, the prince and all the attendees) except the two "villains" are very accepting and helpful! And they get a happy ending 👏👏👏👏👏👏

Then there are Mek and Dech. Their story had more going on. Mek is of a lower class and befriends Dech through muay fighting.. They started off as friends and it was interesting to see their friendship grow and then out of nowhere they be smooching???? Umm why though? Personally I felt it would have been better to keep them as friends than lovers. Their story is already interesting enough without pairing them up romantically with such short screen time. Maybe if they had more time on screen, it would have worked better?? 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

I was looking forward to seeing how the relationship between Thee's father and his other family progresses but alas we get none of that! Rati also didn't say bye to his ma when leaving for France and I was side eying him so hard for that.. Also whatever happened to Dech's A-hole father.. like is he in jail? working as a servant? getting beaten to death?? Of course we don't know! Why waste precious time tying up loose ends when you can do time skips and sweep all the questions under the rug??? *smh*

That being said, the cinematography is great.. Rati is so beautiful it hurts... It's all shots after shots of GreatInn being romantic.. So yea, put on the show and catch up on those dishes or fold those laundries you all.. Cause you don't really need to pay attention but still have beautiful and romantic scenes in the background to make you feel single and lonely while you adult! 😹😹😹

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