Mandate (2025)

Impressive political drama with some romance

First of all this review is for the uncut version, where every episode has a runtime of about one hour. On youtube you see a very cut version which runs only about 45 minutes per episode. Also this series is not a BL. It's just a drama where the main protagonists happen to be gay, one open and the second one not so open. There is a romance part in it but not in the typical fluffy BL style. We see that Vee does admire Nong from the start and he warm ups to him very early. Nong is a grumpy type and very stubborn and it takes time to "warm up" to Vee.

The star of this show of course is the story and the superb acting. Every character has his flaws, some have more, some have less, but nobody is perfect. They depict the backstabbing and horse-trading in any politics, but they focused on actual events in Thailand which is a novum. While the series is more a slowburn, there are so many characters to keep track of that I'm happy we had the time to do so.

And the final episode was also atypical to any BL. This season ends on negative and positive notes but they clearly aimed to have a second season because the story is not finished with only eight episodes. So there is hope, we get another eight episodes to get a real happy end.

Because this is not GMMTV, we get a realistic story, with a great cast, good production design and overall an amazing series. If you are only in the fluffy stuff, this series is not for you. If you liked "Shine" you will like this series also.

Read More

MANDATE - a groundbreaking political "BL" series from MONOMAX

Even though 2025 has blessed BL enjoyers with a number of diverse themed BL series, tackling a wide range of issues and social problems, Mandate has unexpectedly become my #1 favorite out of all the shows I watched, even when I had little to zero expectations for this.

Mandate managed to deliver exactly what it meant when it promised a POLITICAL series with a queer romance. It is so heavily political that audience are almost forced to stay on high alert at all time to keep up with all the events happening in the story.

I deeply appreciate how realistic Mandate dedicates itself to portraying the modern landscape of Thai politics through contemporary political issues such as vote buying culture, smear campaigns and party switching, political attacks, nepotism and family politics, politics mixed with media spectacle, real reforms often blocked by vested interests, ruthless power struggles, the law being used as a political weapon, scapegoats in political fights, rigging in government contracts.

The show is so damn realistic, prophetic even considering the time the script was developed and filmed, I even wrote several posts about the similarities between Mandate and what's happening in Thai politics https://www.tumblr.com/clairedaring/795821734669500416/mandate-and-its-parallelssimilarities-with-thai?source=share
https://www.tumblr.com/clairedaring/798416997266358272/mandate-and-its-parallels-with-similarities-to?source=share
https://www.tumblr.com/clairedaring/795858807263821824/first-of-all-thank-you-so-much-for-making-so-much?source=share

The cast is full of veteran actors who are giving S+ tiered acting performances. Boy Pakorn is truly a star and he finally got a role that could fully showcase his full potential as an actor after years of being boxed as CH3 "action romcom male lead". Nong is such a wonderfully well written character and I particularly love how the screenwriters don't try to justify every bad/controversial decisions he makes. He's not the cookie cutter perfect male lead with perfect morale. He's just very human, very flawed, very vulnerable and I love everything about him.

I had my reservations about the chemistry because this was only Ben's second series ever but I think they really put a LOT into those workshops prior filming because even when the romantic scenes are limited in number, you can really feel how Vee and Nong gradually develop feelings for each other amidst the lack of mutual trust and reservation because of the precarious state that they're in.

Because there was only 8 EPs and the show had a LOT to tell, I felt like some plotlines move very fast, some are better paced. That being said, I enjoyed how they didn't spent a single second for filler scenes and the editing was done very well to gradually unpack the suspense and twists of the story. I usually spend a full hour going WTF?!!!!? (positive) at the end of every episode and then rewatching each ep 1-2 times and pondering on the ingenuity of the critiques of and jabs at Thai politics in Mandate.

Although this show probably wasn't as high budget as other MONOMAX's dramas (their action/thriller/horror stuff probably? usually? cost more), it was still very well made with care put into every aspect of production from wardrobe to props to script. So even if this wasn't a high value production, classy, cinematically color graded production, I appreciate the sincerity of P'Moo and ASA studio for taking so much risks and being bold with Mandate in their first ever production. They've truly written a groundbreaking and unique political series featuring a gay romance without even trying to market it like "it's not a BL series" or things like that, even when indeed many aspects of Mandate do not fall within the framework of a typical BL series.

OVERALL
I FUCKING LOVE MANDATE. PEAK TELEVISION. please give this a try if you are a politics enthusiast, likes slow burn, minimal gay romance in a plot heavy show or just likes shows that are a lot of people talking to each other, making political deals, playing tricks on each other, twists and turns 🤗

Read More

Well-written and acted, Engaging political drama with a small but impactful Romance

Wow…What a fantastic drama! Let me just say, I don’t usually watch politics-focused drama as I am a romance lover. But I was browsing and came across “Mandate” that has great reviews. I finally found myself in the right mood and sat down to watch it. I am so glad I did. I hope my review does this drama justice and entices you enough to give it a chance.


Plot:
Every country probably has a politician like Dr. Nong. He’s the one who sees injustices and inequality, and wants to fight for the people. But Dr. Nong is not an idealist or typical perfect ML. He’s flawed and makes poor decisions. Throughout the drama, we see him swim though the dark and dangerous waters of corruption and run into roadblocks to achieving what he originally sets out to do. Is he able to stay true to himself? Or did he get polluted along the way? “Mandate” packs in a lot within 8 one-hour long episodes. It was able to keep me focused and engaged. Each character is layered and plays a role in the grand scheme of things. There are no fillers here. As I was reading other reviews, I learned that the drama mirrored the political landscape in Thailand. I believe many countries probably have similar issues with backdoor deals and scheming within and between political parties. Selfish and corrupted officials who claim they work for the people but are filling their own pockets. Gathering secrets, forging documents, setting traps and collecting intel on your enemies are all tactics that happen everywhere. “Mandate” is able to tell a story that feels very realistic, even though I have no way of knowing what’s actually happening behind the scenes in the real world. I don’t see any glaring plot holes either.


Acting/Characters:
Excellent acting all around! From the veterans to the younger actors. I have no one to pick on and is genuinely happy to find a drama without overdramatic lakorn acting, or cheesy and cringey BL acting. This is only Ben’s second drama after "Step by Step” and I am so impressed with his acting. “Mandate” came 2 years after “Step by Step” and I wonder if he intentionally tried to find the perfect script, thus, waited a little bit. He still has room for improvement, especially in scenes when he’s angry. Wi (Ben’s character) is smart, professional and very mature for his age. He’s born into a political family and knows all the dirty little secrets. He’s not the perfect, idealistic angel but also uses dirty tactics to get what he wants. Working alongside veteran Boy, and other veterans probably helps elevate his acting. Boy plays the main lead, Dr. Nong and he’s fantastic. Dr. Nong is rough around the edges, stubborn and quite the opposite of Wi. I also love the other two members of Team Dr. Nong, the intelligent and cool-headed social media guru Ni, and the young and enthusiastic Jump. I even love the ‘villains’, Wi’s ex + political rival, and the sassy and tenacious reporter Gale. No one is perfect in this drama, yet I like every single one of them.


Romance:
Don’t expect this to be a BL romance. The romance between Dr. Nong and Wi is slow burn and not the main focus. Even though Ben and Boy have a large age-gap in real life, you don’t feel that in the drama since Dr. Nong can be playful, and Wi is so mature. The two of them have excellent chemistry, right from the beginning when they are just political colleagues and comrades. As feelings develop, the relationship develops naturally. I was not expecting the romance to be impactful in a way that leaves a deep impression on me in the last few episodes. Romantic moments are few but scenes of the leads together are plenty. For romance lovers, we are treated to maybe 15-20 minutes of kisses, fluffiness, and intimate scenes total in the whole drama. But those moments are precious and a nice palette cleanser. They do have some emotional conversations and you can see how they support each other throughout this journey together. But with a drama that focuses on politics, romance is not immune from lies, secrets and behind-the-scenes deals.


Do I recommend “Mandate”? ABSOLUTELY, especially if you are a fan of political dramas or any of the actors. Even though the episodes are an hour-long, it goes by really fast. It’s rare for me to come across a Thai drama that has an engaging plot with great execution, characters that are interesting and well-portrayed by every actor, and a romance that is not the main focus yet delivers an impactful punch. After finishing this drama, I have to immediately tell my friends I LOVE IT! This gut reaction warrants "Mandate" at least a 9.0 rating from me. Why not a 10? Because of the ending 'spoiler' below.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Ending (may or may not be spoilers)
I want to share, not about the events of the last episode, but how it ended. The final scene wraps up the first year of Dr. Nong’s political life, after barely survived. However, it’s very obvious that there should be a season 2. But will we have one? I sure hope so because I look forward to a reunion and happy ending. Because it doesn't totally wrap up the whole story, I am docking 1 point from my rating (for now).


Completed: 2/23/2026 Review #669

Read More

A New take on BL genre

I have never written any reviews for the series I have watched, and I absolutely love watching series. I am an avid BL fan being watching BL from 2010 onwards.
I'm writing this review for those that are still contemplating whether to watch this series or not.
First of all, this is not BL (as in boy's love), the couple are both mature adults(character age) that work in politics. So those expecting cheesy romance with lots of kisses, NC scenes your gonna be disappointed. Also no love at first sight, no I'm gonna not care about anything and just be with you, none of those.
Honestly I loved it. The couple slowly falls in love so its a slow burn but its done well. Certain series when they make it a slow burn it can really piss off the audience as its frustrating, but in this I feel like the plot progress was done well and it was engaging (this is from someone that hates politics and doesn't follow it), and they clearly showed they journey to falling in love, mind you the one of the ML was not a gay character so you can't except him to love another guy just all of a sudden.
But the best part of this was the characters. No one was a white prince, everyone was just human, making mistakes, being selfish. I honestly loved the character of Wi, really well written and I think Ben did a good job in portraying him. Boy Pakorn was amazing as usual his facial expression and body language really made him seem one with the character.

All in all this is a series about Politics and how one falls in one and navigates through it. I loved all the episodes and really hope they make a season 2 cause of the plot twist. Hopefully they will release an announcement for it soon.
I really hope that people can promote this series more on social media, that way the series will get more popular and more people might be interest in it. This way the BL genre can branch into more complex storylines rather than just cute college romance or NC dramas.

Read More

Dirty Handshakes and Fake Smiles

Politics is a dirty game and Mandate brought everything and served it well. Corruption at its core with back door deals, murders, payoffs and power hungry derelicts who refuse to die quietly and continue to rage against time. Their personal lives used as chess pieces for gain and strategy. Yes, Mandate was the one to watch and truly enjoy.

This is not an ordinary bl as many would have began viewing to enjoy seeing love spark and blaze bright to the end. This was a political drama that happend to have a bl secondary story. It was sobering in every way. Their meeting, the disagreements, Dr Nong's learning curve, their both failings and ultimately the inevitable fall out from their actions. Dr Nong and Wi lacked one critical part in their relationship - trusting that communication between them would always be truthful and open. Desparate to hold on, Dr Nong's unwise decision would almost be his most fatal act. Thankfully, Wi proving in the end, his experience and the ability to see the end game, would be his saving grace. They will have their moments.

Of all the deals made the most disheartening was Jump. Allowing himself to be used as a distraction from Dr Nong. Loyal to the core but at what price.

Boy's acting, especially his last scene, was supreme. Ben proved how much he has grown as an actor and was beautiful to see. The rest of the supporting cast rounded out what could be the most solid acting after Shine. Nong, Pitta and Akk were believable and committed to their roles.

The pacing, cinematography, direction and script tied perfectly together to create the intrigue, emotional pangs and revengeful schemes. The suits and ties of deception. The few moments of bl between Dr Nong and Wi were as it should. Tender, savoring and deep. Their moments together would be just as captivating as the primary plot. I loved it all.

Read More

This is a gem.

I used to think Shine was the only series that really felt like "man-love" instead of the usual "boy-love," but Mandate totally joins the list. The plot is engaging and doesn’t need all the typical BL scenes to keep you interested.

I feel like a lot of people might’ve skipped it because of the political storyline or the lack of obvious BL content, but I’m so glad I kept watching. It’s honestly refreshing to see a BL series with a more mature relationship and a deeper, more complex story and not just the usual romantic drama.

The score doesn’t quite match how good the show actually is, and that ending definitely left me hoping for a second season.

Read More

hit by a truck of emotions and intensity of love

- its not a light watch. not something u watch to unrevel from stress. it gives u stress sometimes lol. it was a whole rollercoaster for me, gave me so much intense emotion.
-tbh around ep 7 and the beginning of 8 it took so much for me to continue watching because i felt like i was waiting and the punchline not coming. BUT BRO DEFFO THE PUNCH CAME AND IT HIM LIKE A TRUCCK
-i read long fanfics and slowburn. so the romance deffo did it for me. UM LIKE POLITICIANS IN LOVE AND I IMAGINE THIS IS WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE
-there are some stuff that just gets doesnt get addressed like his family but the actual harm tht he does. but the plot is so thicc tht u dont really have time to think of it.
- if u want fluff and shipping moments this is not exactly for u
-IMAGINE LOVING A MAN SO MUCH THT U GIVE HIM AN IN INTO UR LIFEWORK AND DROPS LIFE'S COMFORT FOR HIM.
- Dr. Nong a cog in the machine and ultimate loverboy

Read More

kisskh Review

MANDATE The Series is a rare Thai drama that uses BL not as its core attraction, but as a lens to examine politics and power.

Non, a dedicated rural doctor in his late 30s, has no interest in politics. His life revolves around saving patients in an understaffed medical system—until a tragic accident involving his sister forces him to confront the limits of medicine alone.
Motivated by a desire to protect rural healthcare workers, he steps into politics with the support of Ui, a sharp political strategist and the son of a party leader.

The first half resembles My Fair Lady: Ui refines Non’s blunt idealism and turns him into a viable local candidate.
As the story progresses, the tone darkens. Non is forced to accept political compromises, balancing party interests, regional benefits, and corporate pressures. The drama portrays these struggles with surprising realism.

By the final arc, Non chooses to remain in politics despite personal loss and responsibility for failure, while Ui moves to a rival party—an ending that rejects idealism in favor of harsh political truth.

This is not a romantic BL in the conventional sense.
It is a serious political drama that questions whether “clean politics” is ever truly possible.

Read More