School Trip: Joined a Group I’m Not Close To
If someone asked me what series I’d pick as a Christmas gift, without a doubt I’d say School Trip: Joined a Group I’m Not Close To. This show is just perfect. It’s an unforgettable adventure about discovering first love and finding your place in the world. It made me smile, laugh, and even giggle shyly, leaving my heart with that warm, cozy feeling.
Honestly, I didn’t expect a teen series to be this mature and such a total green flag. Hioki is a quiet, introverted guy who suddenly finds himself in a world he never thought he belonged to. Watching his journey of growth was truly moving. He starts out insecure and withdrawn, afraid of being just a passing figure in someone else’s story, but he learns that vulnerability isn’t weakness and that he deserves to be loved for who he is.
But the real standout is Watarai. Seeing him put in the effort to win Hioki over is absolutely adorable. He’s confident, caring, and emotionally open. He respects Hioki’s feelings and is always tuned in to them, never pushing or pressuring him. Instead, he faces Hioki’s fears and insecurities with honesty and reassurance, making it clear that his feelings have nothing to do with gender, looks, or circumstances. He likes Hioki simply for who he is.
Another highlight is “The Guys,” Watarai’s friends. They’re the popular kids, but they’re kind and thoughtful. They welcome Hioki and later Hioki’s friends, without any prejudice. And when they find out Watarai and Hioki are in love, they accept it in the same warm, supportive way. They’re the kind of friends anyone would be lucky to have.
The whole cast is wonderful, but the chemistry between Fujimoto Kodai and Kan Hideyoshi really deserves special mention. Both actors are naturally expressive, with intense looks that conveyed emotions words couldn’t capture.
BL Challenge Day 23 - Most improved actor or couple in 2025
Hmm, that’s a really tough question to answer. For me, judging an actor’s performance depends on a lot of factors because it never happens in isolation, it’s always tied to external elements that shape the final result, especially the script and direction. Barcode delivered a brilliant performance in KinnPorsche, but in my opinion, he fell short in Revamp.
Speaking specifically about Thai actors, I think it’s important that they get the chance to take on more challenging and intense roles, ones that really push their acting skills. So, thinking about how they’re managing their careers, I’d go with Mile Phakphum, Pavel Naret, Pooh Krittin, and Pond Naravit.
I’d also like to mention Peter Deriy (Shine) and Liu Yi He & Hu Yi Chen (Secrets Happened on the Litchi Island) as the best breakout actors of the year. They made their debuts this year with performances that were solid, genuine, and full of intensity.
Deannablack:dora:
Ju Moon:
