Memoir of Rati

Aouboom saved the heck out of this!

I won't say much. I'll only say that the plot was not anything much at all. The storyline was pretty basic and boring. The main couple bored me to death. GMM had the perfect opportunity to make a period WWI drama, make it heavy and emotional and forbidden romance typa style but they completely did not grab the chance and instead gave me diabetes of how overlt sweet and cheesy (in a bad way) Thee and Rati were and how every obstacle they faced was faced as if it was not of great importance (oh yeah, your grandma forces you to get married. Let me tell you to get married like 5 times, then let's talk about never breaking up like 5 time and then let's not talk for 5 years. WTF?!)

On the other hand, I ADORED AOUBOOM! They are the reason I did not drop this thing. They were amazing! Sweet as much as they needed to, funny and the chemistry was overflowing! Their storyline was also really much better and had more depth (I would want to see more heavy stuff tbh (Dech's father beat the shit out of Mek (great acting by Aou btw) but they passed it off pretty easily). I would say that I woudl only recommend this show only for them. Just skip Theerati,, you ain't missing anything.

Overall, I feel like the show lacked some seriousness. It was and overly sweet, suppy romance.

(BTW, the French were atrocious!! And mind you I'm not even French but I couldn't stand the way In was speaking. I get it that you cannot get fluent in a language that quick but he could have tried harder...)

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FORBIDDEN GAY PANIC, FRENCH ACCENTS, AND ME LOSING MY MIND AT 3AM

GIRLIEEEEEEEEEE 😭😭😭

First of all, I genuinely forgot how BEAUTIFUL Inn is until he appeared on screen and I just—

PAUSE.
REWIND.
SQUINT.

“Why is he glowing like that??? Who authorized this face card???”

GAH DAMN.

And can we talk about GMMTV lately??? WHY ARE THE SERIES GOOD??? HELLO??? I used to sit there judging and now I’m like… was I the problem? Was I tasteless? Was I blind??? Because this series almost.. ALMOST had me SOBBING. And I do not cry over series.

I watch people die in dramas like 🙂. But this one??? It tugged. It poked. It whispered, “feel something.” And I hated that I liked it. Anyway, let’s break this down before I spiral.

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a) Plot - FORBIDDEN LOVE BUT MAKE IT STRESSFUL

So the story revolves around Rati and Thee being in love during a time when society said “no ❤️” to anything outside hetero tradition. Watching this series felt like I was holding my breath every episode. Every time Thee grabbed Rati’s hand in PUBLIC I was screaming internally like:

“WHY ARE YALL HOLDING HANDS IN PUBLIC???”
“THEE PLEASE LOOK AROUND.”
“YOU ARE FROM A NOBLE FAMILY. PEOPLE HAVE EYES.”

Thee really said “idgaf.” And I was like "WELL I DO. I CARE. I AM SCARED FOR YOU.” The tension?? Delicious. Anxiety-inducing. Historic gay panic at its finest. Then the grandmother enters the chat. Grandma said: “Homosexuality? Not in this bloodline.” And of course she blames Rati. Because clearly the adopted French boy is the villain in her narrative. Speaking of which, Rati being adopted by a French man during political tension with France??? Working as a translator during France’s visit??? And then openly saying he considers himself French???

Oh grandma’s blood pressure was doing Muay Thai. The layers. The politics. The identity crisis. I was like okay… this is kind of eating. So now he’s:
• Gay
• French-adjacent
• Educated
• Close to Thee

Also, can we talk about the scene where Thee’s shirt got torn after chasing a thief and Rati just stood there looking at his chest??? THAT WAS HIS GAY AWAKENING AND YOU CANNOT TELL ME OTHERWISE 😭 You could SEE the “oh.” on his face.

“Why is my heart… racing?”
“Why am I staring?”
“Oh no.”

The concept of this series is basically forbidden love but make it double illegal. Moving to side pairing, we have Mek and Dech. Mek is a rickshaw carrier and Muay fighter. Dech is a literal noble baronet. So being gay is already one problem. Being gay with a servant??? Might as well hand him a knife and say “go ahead.” 😂

Their first meeting??? ICONIC. Blindfolded Muay fight. Dech fighting by listening to footsteps but then Mek wins so Dech becomes obsessed but DOESN’T EVEN KNOW WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE. It’s giving enemies-to-lovers but make it a little bit sensual. Their relationship building from there? Chef’s kiss. BUT IF IT WERE ME??? I would’ve added a scene where they practice blindfold fighting together and Dech accidentally bumps into Mek’s chest and suddenly it’s breathing heavy, hands lingering, tension rising. Picture this:

Dech practicing blindfolded again. Accidentally bumps into Mek’s chest. Pauses. Hands linger too long.

Mek: “…are you okay?”
Dech: “Yes.”
Me: NOT OKAY.

HELLO??? WHY WAS THAT NOT WRITTEN??? Also the scene where Lord Ruj beats Mek and Mek cries??? I ALMOST LOST IT. The way he looked so hurt but still trying to be strong??? NO. I CANNOT DO THIS.

I actually love the memoir element. Rati writing down his feelings fits the title perfectly.

BUT.

Imagine if Thee found the memoir first. Didn’t know who wrote it. Fell in love with the words. Started searching for the writer. Only to find out it’s RATI??? THE MISSED OPPORTUNITY.

Also I wanted more angst.
I wanted them caught.
I wanted public scandal.
I wanted consequences.
I wanted drama.

The farewell scene between Thee and his grandmother almost got me. ALMOST. It was sad… but I wanted it to stab me deeper. I am an angst addict. I admit it. Also why are they obsessed with French but struggling to speak it 😭
Just use English babes. It’s less stressful for everyone.
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b) Characters - WHY IS EVERYONE SERVING??

✧ Rati played by Inn Sarin ✧

First of all... INN IS INSANELY BEAUTIFUL. Not only hot but can ACT. His French pronunciation started a bit stiff, I’m not gonna lie. It was giving Duolingo lesson 1. But it got better near the end and I was like SIR THAT’S TOO LATE I ALREADY JUDGED YOU.

Rati as a character though??? KING. He is not the typical “misunderstanding bottom who cries in the rain.” He’s rational. Firm. Gentle but strong. He trusts Thee. He doesn’t spiral over imaginary rivals. He knows who he is.

AND I LOVE THAT ❤️

Also he 100% knew he was gay before Thee did. There was no “what is this feeling towards a man.” No babe. He knew. He just fumbled because feelings are scary. Bottom coded but dignified. We love to see it.


✧ Thee played by Great Sapol ✧

THIS MAN GAVE ME A HEART ATTACK EVERY EPISODE. Why is he so touchy in PUBLIC??? SIR THIS IS OLD TIMES. PEOPLE ARE NOT PROGRESSIVE. But I respect that once he realized he loved Rati he was like “yeah I’m not marrying a woman. Try me.” His conflict with his grandmother? Pride vs love. Ego vs heart.

Also why did his French sound more natural to me??? And when he said “disrespectful” in English??? SIR YOU CAN DISRESPECT ME ANYTIME 😭


✧ Mek played by Aou Thanaboon ✧

Mek is adorable.

He never questioned loving Dech even though society said he should. He knew the class difference. He knew the risks. And he STILL chose him. CAN WE ALSO TALK ABOUT the kiss scene in Mek’s room??? FROM PECK TO FULL KISS??? BROOOOOOOO I WAS KICKING MY FEET. He plays the role so well that I feel Mek the most in the series especially the part when Mek became partially deaf and feared he couldn’t hear anymore but hid it from Dech??? That vulnerability??? Aou ate this role. I did NOT expect this range from him.

Also why does Aou’s French pronunciation sound better than Inn the literal teacher??? I was cackling.


✧ Dech played by Boom Tharatorn ✧

Okay I’ll admit it. I didn’t expect much because he doesn't interest me. But MISS GURLLLLL. Boom changed my mind. He expressed concern for Mek so well. His kisses??? Aggressive but in a good way 👀 Dech starts spoiled and prideful but not evil. That’s important. He’s just… privileged and confused and when his father was beating Mek and he just stood there being held back?? BOY. FIGHT. BITE. SCREAM. DO SOMETHING.

Still, his character development at the end? Soft. Cat-coded. Suddenly clingy and sweet.

I approve.

And the kissing? He did not look awkward. He understood the assignment. His chemistry with Aou also undeniable so that's that.


✧ Jam & Kui played by Best Ronnachat and Win Thanakom ✧

LOYAL SERVANTS OF THE YEAR.

They knew Thee liked Rati and they were worried but not because they were homophobic but because they were scared Rati would get blamed. They helped them meet secretly. Protected him. Stayed loyal until he left for France.

Side characters done RIGHT.


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c) OST

Historical OSTs never miss. Soft. Slightly tragic. Romantic.

I’m adding it to my playlist and pretending I’m yearning in the 1900s.

_____________________________________

d) Overall - The Final Emotional Damage Report

There were at least 5–10 scenes where I was kicking my feet at 3AM like a teenager.

Slow burn? Good.
Pacing? Good.
Acting? Consistent.

I didn’t get bored once. Will I rewatch? No. Not because it’s bad. But because I don’t rewatch series unless they absolutely ruin my life. Once is enough. I have processed the emotions.

Final rating: 9/10

The missing 1 point? I am an angst addict. I wanted MORE pain. MORE societal pressure. MORE emotional devastation. Still a really good watch. And yes, I am still sad that Great and Inn won’t continue pairing.

Life is unfair.

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Nice but boring

Just those two words, nice and boring.
Nothing to write home about ~

It's a nicely done series, but it was so slow and boring, I wish it only had like 6 episodes with everything happening too fast, it would show everything perfectly and wouldn't be as boring.

Cast is nice, if you like the two leads you will definitely like them here, I enjoyed watching Great, I like him but his character here was too pushy and
pliable

Story is by no mean an original, you have seen it a billion times before, and this time isn't one of the best versions either, I'm even surprised the show is over 8 but anyway ~

I won't recommend it tbh, but I don't really regret picking it up, despite skipping a lot in the second half of it ~

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Mek & Dech Saved The Show

I'm a big fan of historical dramas, so when I saw the trailer for Memoir of Rati, I immediately added it to my watchlist. I’ve also seen Inn and Great in other projects, and I love their chemistry—it’s really something you can feel.

Now that I’ve finished all the episodes, I can say I have mixed feelings about the show.

The Characters:

Rati is a translator who teaches French to VIPs in Siam. His character is modest, soft-spoken, and gentle. Then there’s Thee, a marquis from the Ministry of Education. He’s instantly drawn to Rati from the moment they meet and keeps finding ways to be around him. Even though his grandmother is pressuring him to get married, he starts falling for Rati and clearly wants something else for himself.

Mek and Dech — the side couple — honestly saved the show for me. I really loved their storyline. They went from strangers, to enemies, to friends, then lovers. Mek went through a lot because of Dech’s father, but seeing them end up together was such a joy. They're not super expressive with their feelings, but you can feel how much they mean to each other. Their dynamic added a lot of heart and depth to the story.

As for the overall plot, I liked it, but I can’t say I loved it. There’s something missing that I can’t quite pinpoint—it felt a bit bland at times. That said, what kept me watching were the stunning costumes, the great chemistry between both couples, and how visually beautiful the entire production was. The story of Mek and Dech especially brought the whole thing to life.

I’m also happy that AouBoom were given decent screentime—their acting was solid and added value alongside the main couple.

We all have different tastes, so I’m not sure if Memoir of Rati will be your cup of tea. But if you're into historical BL dramas, it's still worth checking out—just don't expect it to be a masterpiece.

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Historical elements were wow-- but the story was lacking. Secondary Couple is a must watch!

Overall reflects my subjective enjoyment. Objective? 6/10.

Great and Inn had that initial chemistry, but I'm not really a fan of instalove-- why did they fall in love? Idk maybe I'm just a slowburn lover. Anyways, once the initial chase was finished, they just weren't that compelling to me anymore. It was just so boring... I'm not sure why myself. Everything was so low stakes, and there wasn't much conflict to get me hooked at all. The villains were just so. agh.

However, I did love the secondary couple in this show-- played by AouBoom. Mek and Dech have my whole heart! I would have watched a 6-episode miniseries just dedicated to them. So freaking cute! And wholesome! And their story is much more compelling than Rati and Theerathorn's, as they started out as friends, eventually falling in love and making a future where they could stay by each other's side.

I would only rewatch this for scenes with Mek and Dech. I spent a lot of time post ep 5 just breezing though the main storyline and directly skipping to their scenes lmao

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When Love Is Quiet, Honest, and Real.

“Memoir of Rati”felt like a masterpiece from the very first scene, quietly capturing my heart without trying too hard. The story moved at a calm, steady pace that never felt boring or rushed, and the emotions felt real rather than dramatic. It showed love the way it exists in real life gentle, complicated, and honest, with struggles, silences, and moments that felt deeply familiar.

Both male leads portrayed their characters with sincerity and emotional depth, making every feeling feel natural and believable. Their bond did not rely on grand gestures but grew through subtle moments, which made it feel mature and real. As a BL drama, it stood out by avoiding clichés, while the second couple added a soft, sweet charm like two gentle souls slowly falling in love, balancing the story beautifully.

What truly elevated the series was its overall atmosphere and presentation. Set in a historical time, every scene felt thoughtfully shot, with visuals, music, and cinematography blending effortlessly. Each frame carried emotion and meaning, making “Memoir of Rati”not just something you watch, but something you quietly feel long after it ends.

The only thing that I felt is lacking, was the intensity of love that was shown after the separation could have been more intense.

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It's good but could be great if GMM-TV had some nerve

It's excellent to see Great and Sarin in a series that truly showcases their talents. Memoir of Rati is a series that truly deserves more recognition. It's a very interesting story but unfortunately something is missing.

I love the chemistry between Great and Sarin and they're excellent actors, but the characters are very shallow here.

For a story with the depth and impact of a romance between two men from different nations in an era where such a relationship would be scandalous, to say the least, the script never manages to create the tension or the feeling of a forbidden romance.

The characters lack personality; they're there but they barely add any impact to the plot. They begin and end the series the same way. Rati could be a spoiled and arrogant boy sent to Siam as punishment by his father. Thee could be a man full of charm and dreams that conflict with his image and what his grandmother wants him to be.

But what we have here is a very subtle romance, a very peaceful narrative and characters who simply accept their status quo. Thee has an interesting arc and I like the conflict between him and his grandmother but there's no interesting development there.

The supporting couple works well and while they don't have any big moments, it's great to see Aou and Boom get more screen time and decent development.

It's a fun series, it's light, it has great moments but it lacks emotion. It's all very dull and I miss a greater depth. It lacks conflicts that take the characters out of their comfort zones, it lacks more elaborate cinematography that captures the beauty built there, it lacks courageous direction that can bring out more expressive performances that embody emotion.

Rati's departure for France and his return five years later is an example of this. This should be an impactful and moving scene but it's so boring and predictable with weak dialogue that doesn't convey any feeling.

And I'm really tired of GMM-TV's pattern of adding time jumps at the end of its series and its lack of courage to tackle more serious topics or create more impactful stories.

It's certainly much better and superior to Wandee Goodday and is far from being a bad series but unfortunately, it's a series that borders on forgettable and lackluster.

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Another Great & Inn drama. Of course I will watch it…

The story follows Rati, a young man who was born in Siam (now Thailand) but raised in France as the adopted son of a French diplomat. He returns to his homeland as a French interpreter for the Ministry of Education.

In Siam, he meets Thee—a warm and friendly young man who quickly offers companionship. At first, Rati appreciates the kindness, unaware that Thee is no ordinary man: he is, in fact, a high-ranking nobleman. When Rati discovers the truth, he feels betrayed and distances himself, upset that Thee didn’t reveal his status from the beginning.

But fate pulls them back together. Rati is asked to teach French in Siam, and Thee’s father appoints him as the one responsible for overseeing Rati during his stay. Thee uses this opportunity to make amends.

Rati, still hurt and stubborn, tries to ignore him. But all his resistance crumbles when Thee is injured. Panicked and overcome with concern, Rati rushes to his side, marking a turning point in their relationship—a bond that soon blossoms into something deeper.

Meanwhile, Rati faces challenges within his Siamese family. Though officially adopted by the family’s daughter, he was originally the son of a maid in the household. This makes him the target of constant disdain from his adoptive mother’s brother, Ruj, who belittles him. Even as a pointed teacher, Rati receives no respect from Ruj. Thankfully, his grandfather remains the head of the family—and unlike Ruj, he shows respect toward him and values both Rati and his French father.

Rati’s cousin, Mek—Ruj’s son is very different from his father, Mek is kind-hearted and open-minded. He befriends Dech, a working-class man who treats him as an equal, unaffected by titles or status. In Dech, Mek finds honesty and warmth—and soon, their friendship blossoms into something deeper.

Now the questions:
? With the societal expectations of the time, how will Thee and Rati handle the pressure—especially with Thee’s duty to carry on his noble family’s name and bloodline…
? What will happen to their relationship when Rati must return to France…
? Can Rati find peace within his Siamese family? And will Ruj finally face the consequences of his demeanor…
? And what will Ruj’s reaction be when he discovers his son Mek’s special relationship with Dech…

That's pretty much the story without giving anymore spoilers. Now what I like and don't.

What I like:
+ Great & Inn chemistry never a miss.
+ Although quite different than I Feel You Linger in the Air, at least this is a finished story…
+ Jaem & Kui are a funny couple.

What I don't like:
- A little too perfect story…
- Unnecessary drama at the end of the story.

Overall this is quite a good drama.

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It's worth it

I didn't realize that there wasn't a plot until I read the reviews. It's true, it can be boring in some parts but the chemistry...the longing in the eyes...the power of their love...It was amazing. Slow burn but with a force of love in those slow but intimate moment. It was what I was expecting, good acting and AouBoom were amazing, their story had more plot tho. There were some parts were I was confused, especially at the end, but overall you can miss those parts if you aren't that focused on second characters. I laughed, I cried, I screamed...that was all I wanted from a serie like that.

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