A "secret" historical romance
Such a nice change for a gmmtv series. This historical approach was refreshing for me. The gentle love, all the yearning. My heart melted each time. Although I started it bc of AouBoom (wish we got more scenes of their couple, for me their story was more interesting) i enjoyed GreatInn enough as well. Their story was so sweet. Thee valued and loved Rati with his whole heart and he made it loud and clear. He has fallen so hard for him! They both waited for each other. Even after their separation they truly stood by the "my heart belongs to you and only you". Every scene was full of emotions that you had to read them in their eyes and gestures.We got a glimpse for both economical statuses at the time. The wealthy ones and the ppl that worked for them. AouBooms couple was a great way to show how each one valued money. While Dech took part in muay matches for fun, Mek did it to get more money exposing his body in danger when he should be taking better care of it bc his strength was what was keeping him into work. I loved the fact that all Mek needed was a chance into education to get him do great stuff. He prooved that poor ppl are also intelligent when given the right tools.
My only complain is that we didnt get to see Thee's father relationship with his other son. I wanted to see them get even closer then just one dinner together. And also get a lityle more development on the brothers character too.
For me the rating isn't unfair. Having more subtle shows isn't bad. It was serious and romantic at the same time. While we also got some funny moments from MekDech (classic AouBoom that teases each other on their own way and we love that).
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Very touching
Although the love of the lovers involved is called into question because of class arrogance, traditional stubbornness and greed for profit, I am enraptured by the realisation of the theme, the acting talent of the protagonists, the scenic setting and, last but not least, the emotional musical accompaniment to the events. A captivating series that I am happy to recommend.Was this review helpful to you?
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Why am I watching?
I know it’s not a documentary, but still! Could we at least have a minimum of coherence, both historically and within the story itself? Early 20th century, with multiple LGBT people more or less openly living their truth? Unthinkable. A male couple holding hands in front of one of their fathers? Unthinkable. A low-class Thai man who’s never been to school—likely illiterate in his own language—yet learns French effortlessly? Unthinkable. Honestly, the story could be transplanted to 2025 without changing a thing. And what a story… it’s so bland! Nothing much happens—just nobles taking French lessons, endlessly repeating “Bonjour, comment ça va?” And unlucky for them, I’m French, so I can confidently say that Inn is not speaking the language at all. No effort there. No more effort in character consistency either, except for Thee, whose determination I appreciate, though it’s hardly believable for the era.Truthfully, the real question is: why am I watching this? I know there’s an audience for this kind of series—a large audience that just wants harmless little love stories—and that’s perfectly fine. Maybe I just need to accept once and for all that GMM is no longer what it used to be: the leader of BL in every sense—scripts, actors, budget… I’d rather stick to my memories: the good series Dark Blue Kiss, Bad Buddy, 1000 Stars, Last Twilight, Friendzone, Sotus (1st season), Be My Favorite, and especially the excellent Moonlight Chicken. From now on, their increasingly identical and overly bland romance series just aren’t for me. In Memoir of Rati, they spare us the classic mutual hair-drying scene (there are limits to how unrealistic they’ll go), but don’t worry—you’ll get it in My Magic Prophecy.
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1. P’Thee and K’Rati — a love that defies the world
“Our story is a testament that heaven could send someone to love another with an unwavering heart.”
This line perfectly sums up P’Thee. He’s quiet, reserved, and easily the most idealistic character in the series. He challenges the rigid norms of aristocracy for love, but he’s also weighed down by tradition and family expectations. His inner conflict is between who he’s supposed to be and who he truly is. But from the moment he met K’Rati, his love never wavered — not once — despite all the social and hierarchical barriers.
K’Rati, coming from a humble background, is constantly aware of the gap between himself and the elite. His past taught him to be cautious, which makes him guarded and sometimes even distrustful. He worries that his history makes him “unworthy” in the eyes of society and P’Thee’s family. That fear leads him to hold back emotionally, and at times, even push Thee away, which honestly frustrated me a bit.
But P’Thee’s affection and emotional stability help K’Rati realize that his worth isn’t defined by where he came from, but by who he is. Their romance is built on tenderness, mutual respect, and admiration.
Great and Inn always deliver heartfelt performances. Their chemistry is undeniable, and I’d love to see them together on screen more often.
2. Mek and Dech — a love that battles itself
They stole every scene they were in. Unlike the quiet, mature love between P’Thee and K’Rati, Mek and Dech’s relationship is impulsive, almost youthful. What started as rivalry turned into friendship, and eventually blossomed into a romance full of discovery and conflict.
Mek is a hardworking, disciplined man who takes pride in his strength and independence. He’s blunt, firm, and never hides his humble roots. He’s loyal and honest, and beneath his tough exterior, he’s surprisingly vulnerable, especially when he feels “less than” because of his background. He protects the people he loves with fierce intensity, and his relationship with Dech reveals a softer, even shy side that makes him one of the most compelling characters in the series. He represents the raw, honest, and resilient spirit of the working class in that era.
Dech, despite being from a noble family, is kind and curious. He shows genuine empathy toward everyone around him. Sometimes he’s a little too trusting, which makes him come off as naïve. But his love for Mek is sincere and free of arrogance. He doesn’t see Mek as beneath him but as someone he can grow with.
I’m really happy to see Aou and Boom getting the recognition they deserve. They’re incredibly talented actors.
3. Nareerat — the character that made my blood boil
She was hands down the most infuriating character in the series. Honestly, she’s tied with Thida (Uea’s mom from Bed Friend) for the top spot on my “most annoying characters of all time” list. While Dech’s father is just an ignorant, spoiled man who can’t handle being challenged, Nareerat is downright cruel. I get that she represents the conservative voice of the Thai elite and the resistance to social change that Thee faces, but that doesn’t make her someone I can sympathize with.
Even when faced with the possibility of never seeing her grandson again, she still chose family honor and reputation above all else. That made me want her to spend the rest of her days locked away in that cold, lonely room.
That said, Tarika Thidathit deserves all the praise. She brought Nareerat to life with such quiet authority, no dramatic gestures needed. Her subtle expressions and calm demeanor carried the full weight of family expectations and tradition.
I didn’t expect to write this much about the series, but it’s just so rich and layered. It really got under my skin in the best way.
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Finnally an history drama from GMMTV. That's something new!GreatInn and Aouboom did deliver a great performance as expected from them!!
Kapook character was really a good one, she is really nice and caring toward Thee!
As a French person, it was funny trying to listen to their France, Inn did a great job, even though it wasn't perfect.
The other guys speak well French but they all have the same tone. I'm sorry they can't act TT
BUUUUUT
It was too soft for me. I expected more angst. And why not a dead character. That would be something really new. Give me tears, give me dead characters, give me trauma. I need to cry! That's the only cons, it was really too soft for what I expected... But GMMTV wouldn't do a sad ending..
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I just wanted to sit and bask in the landscapes.
The charming natural scenes and the soft, lovely coloring are such a treat for the eyes - —like a little visual spa day. It’s wonderful.I wish I had liked this more than I actually did, to be honest. It makes me sad because I genuinely loved the premise—it was incredibly unique and so promising. It was cute, beautiful, emotional… but I feel like there wasn’t enough happening, or it became too repetitive. Honestly, ten episodes probably would’ve told the story just fine. Yep. Sadly, the execution stumbled. Not terribly, but enough to trip the magic a little.
I still want to give it credit, though.
This soft and quiet story is about self-discovery, identity, and the freedom the characters slowly uncover. It’s about the relationships they build, making space for your true self, finding love that feels right, and learning to trust—yourself and others. It’s also about facing problems head-on and standing up for yourself. That’s really it. For both couples. Nothing more, nothing less.
And yet… I don’t know.
It had the aesthetic. It had the tropes. It looked like a fairytale.
But under all that pretty packaging was a slow, slightly messy rhythm and a romance that left me feeling oddly dizzy—like eating too much cotton candy. Sweet, but a little much. No. it's never too sweet.
P.S.: Thee had total golden retriever energy, and I adored every second of it.
Would I rewatch? Maybe.
Would I rewatch just for Thee? Definitely.
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Historically interesting, main couple lacks a little but still worth it
The series made me really curious about Thailands history and the relations between France (or Europe in general) and back then Siam. History I had not yet learned about in school. I‘d really recommend anyone to read a little about it. That knowledge makes the series that much more real and makes us non Thai viewers understand Thai culture and history even better. <3So, I‘d also like to point out the effort all the non French speaking Thai actors put in to learn French dialogue. I had 9 years of French lessons and still needed the subtitles when any French was spoken. Some applause to that. 👏👏👏
Also loved that they used (at least) bilingual speakers to portray the ‚French‘.
Overall I really enjoyed my time with all the characters we met, even the ‚enemies‘.
To me Aou and Booms perfomances stood out the most. Their acting felt so naturally flowing it was a joy to watch them. Also crediting the writers that they gave them these lovable characters and a compact story.
Because Rati‘s and Thee‘s story was there but also not really. They had a very insta love beginning and once they got together their story just kinda trickled along. The only reasons for conflicts came from outer sources, which is okay but... here it just wasn‘t quite enough. Maybe it‘s the characters themselves that lacked a little bit. Idk. I will have to expand on this when I rewatch it sometime.
Overall there was something missing in their story. Not 100% sure what.
I think one possible reason that might‘ve played into it is the confusing passing of time. I never really knew how much time had passed. Suddenly it was months. Some indicators were when Rati would leave again or how far away the wedding or a ritual is but that‘s about it. They don‘t mention it enough. That annoyed me a little.
This last episode… I will elaborate in a separate episode review to keep this review as mildly spoilerish as possible: It was edited weirdly and jumpy. Again the passing of time felt really odd, as if I should already know it has passed without any visual help to let me know.
I would recommend this if you like historic dramas and lovable (and some hateable) characters.
spice level: 🔥🫦 (explanation on my profile)
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Memoir of Rati – A Beautiful, Timeless Love Story ?
Memoir of Rati is a stunning series that masterfully blends romance, history, and cultural depth. From start to finish, it captivated me with its storytelling, visuals, and heartfelt performances. 💖Rati Dier and Theerathon 💑
The love story between Rati and Theerathon is genuinely beautiful. Considering the time period—when LGBTQ+ relationships were largely taboo—the series handled their romance with sensitivity and grace. Their connection felt instant, almost like love at first sight ✨, yet it was developed slowly and meaningfully throughout the series. I especially appreciated the cultural blend between Rati’s French background and Theerathon’s Siamese heritage 🌏, which added depth to their relationship. The series’ visuals are elegant and tasteful, never overdone, making every scene feel authentic and immersive 🎨.
Mek and Baronet Dech 💕
Mek and Baronet Dech’s storyline was equally compelling. It began as a master-servant dynamic, layered with misunderstandings, and gradually evolved into a deep, supportive love. Dech’s dedication to understanding and helping Mek grow was inspiring 🌟—it beautifully illustrated how the right person can change your life for the better and help you achieve your dreams. Their chemistry and emotional development made their story incredibly satisfying.
Overall Thoughts 🌹
I thoroughly enjoyed this series and would recommend it to anyone who appreciates heartfelt romance and historical depth. It’s a show that requires patience and attention, but the payoff is more than worth it. Every character, plotline, and moment contributes to a rich, emotional experience 💫.
Memoir of Rati is a love story that lingers in your heart long after the final episode ❤️.
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Quite enjoyable
I am a big GreatInn fan and I started watching it because it was them in a period series.It was good, lacking at certain parts, but I enjoyed it quite a lot. I am not sure what happened in their kiss scenes and why Inn wasn't really responsive, but Great did amazing job. He needs more roles in which he wears a uniform/suit because he has a body build for it. Inn was also a great don't get me wrong but those staged kiss scenes get boring at some point.
Storywise quite good, I personally do not like the time skips, but it didn't really bother me that much in this context.
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Intermittent review: Annoying ML has redeemed himself slightly
I know there's only a few episodes released yet, but the way Thee has been written after the first 2 episodes annoys me so much. I liked him in the first 2 and thought he was perfect male lead material - caring, funny, witty, handsome - and then with the reveal that he's actually a nobleman with a lot of influence as the Deputy Minister of Education...WHOO BOY!But then they suddenly butchered him? His caringness made him ignorant of boundaries. He is clueless of the prejudices that Rati faces and does very little to protect him or put the ones that are bullying Rati in their place (of course it was also not his place but he's supposed to be the ML so there has to be a moment where he's trying to stand up for Rati but then Rati says 'I'll handle this.' but that doesn't happen yet). I absolutely disliked him wanting to be friends with Rati because to me it came from a selfish place. Rati is rightfully angry with him and Thee is not doing much to prove he deserves to be friends by being all up in Rati's face. Even his apology felt lame and self-servicing (the physical touch, the insistence of helping -> crossing boundaries).
I'd much rather like it that Rati on his own accords would listen to Thee and then decide whether or not he wants Thee back in his life as friends, instead of all the pushing from Thee's side. It really rubs me the wrong way.
Especially also when sexuality comes to play into this. Like c'mon can you be any more obvious??? You're supposedly in a time and society where it is not accepted and where you are rumoured to swing the other way, and now you're implicating Rati in it too? The man already has to deal with the prejudices against foreigners and social status and now you're doing this? I hate that Thee's not doing anything to deny it either as if it's just a walk in the park...maybe it will become better later on but I'm not a fan of the script. It just doesn't feel authentic to Thee's identity and that saddens me.
EDIT: OKAY HE HATH REDEEMED HIMSELF WITH THAT MONOLOGUE IN FRONT OF THE SHRINE ALTHOUGH THE PDA WAS UNEXPECTED I REALLY LIKED IT!!!
I do like AouxBoom of course. Nothing of note yet except that they are simply adorable.
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great story, poor continuity
i love the story of this series, especially mek and dech’s storyline, i think aouboom have done a great job. the thing that bothers me is the continuity and passage of time. in ep 9 we see mek being beaten and bloody, refusing help from dech and implying their relationship is declining bc of dech’s dad. cut to ep 10, mek is in dech’s house, no injuries to be seen, talking to his grandfather. we saw none of the reconciliation between the two, and somehow mek has no scars or bruising? no injuries at allWas this review helpful to you?
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THEYRE SO!!!!
This has got to be one of the best bls this year. Really well made historical drama that did not dissapoint!! Thee and Rati are such a green flag and conforting couple. I loved their relationship and how despite Rati being a servants son/orphan, Thee still loved him with all his heart and was not scared to express his love for Rati despite the times they lived in.But, there's also Mek and Dech. They are such a perfect couple!! Mek just being a commoner and Dech wanting to be friends with him even though they were in totally different rankings. The scene that really got me to love them SO MUCH was definitely when they were praying for that one festival and a straight couple got in between them and as the couple prayed, they looked at each other knowing they were in love and wishing it was them... I cried... ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.
I so recommend!!!!
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