Sand

A Surprising and Dynamic Season 2

I absolutely loved this season! It has a more mature vibe than the first, with great introductions of characters (Go Tak, Hu Min, Jun Tae as allies; Seong Je as the enemy).

The series is a quick watch, even if a few questions remain unanswered (thanks to only 8 episodes!). I especially loved Sieun's evolution; I preferred him this season. The fight scenes are excellent, and the friendships between the characters are beautifully developed.

Season 2 is less melancholic and more focused on fun action than Season 1, which I really appreciated. The actor playing the villain is good, though his motive lacked clarity. Park Ji Hoon's performance is incredible, a true talent.

Highly recommend!

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Appealing character

What a day with this series! I really didn't expect to enjoy it so much. I particularly liked the characters of Megumi and Hiroko, and the evolution of their relationship, despite the emotional obstacles they faced on both sides. The series is really beautiful and aesthetic, and the cinematography is very captivating. I also really appreciated the emotional support one of the characters offered, an aspect not often seen in GL series.

The actresses had excellent chemistry, and I'd love to see them together again in another project. I would caution, however, that there are scenes of abuse, so watch out for triggers.

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A Romance in Prison

This series is very different from what we are used to seeing in the GL world, both in terms of where the story takes place and the show’s budget.

The series is clearly well produced from a budgetary and cinematographic standpoint. It is visually appealing, well shot, and features many beautiful shots.

I especially loved the character of Claire and Mable’s performance. Despite all the rage within her, Claire is ultimately just someone who is willing to do anything to protect the people she loves. In my opinion, she is the best-written character in the series.

As for Bell, I’m not sure whether the issue lies in the writing, but I had the impression that she wasn’t entirely sincere with Claire. I think this mainly comes from the way their relationship was developed, which felt too rushed or poorly handled. If it had been done better, the audience would have been able to feel the sincerity of their relationship more clearly.

The secondary characters are not developed enough. For example, the Dao sisters—except for the eldest—are mostly there to torment Bell.

Kae is truly one of the best villains in a GL series. I can only appreciate the show because of her: this is real, unapologetic cruelty, and you almost enjoy hating her in every episode. She perfectly shows how a single event can completely change a person.

The chemistry between Bell and Claire is a big yes—they work extremely well together.

I initially thought the series would be a critique of prison conditions, but that is not the case at all. The series should not be viewed from that perspective.

Even though the series has many flaws and leaves several plot points unanswered, I truly had a great time with Claire and Bell.

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A Disappointment Despite Good Ideas

I just finished Pit Babe, and frankly, watching it was quite a chore. The concept (alpha, enigma, child trafficking, charismatic villain) was promising, but the execution was confusing and messy.

The acting was inconsistent, creating a jarring disparity. The product placements were often poorly done and totally broke the immersion.

But the worst part is Babe: easily one of the worst BL characters, selfish and rude. The dynamic with Charlie is toxic, with Charlie constantly letting himself be walked all over. It's frustrating and makes the relationship uncomfortable.

I absolutely do not recommend it.

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Not for me

First series of this mega project.

I really liked the telenovela and lakorn vibe it clearly shows on screen. The budget is there, and you can feel that the series is well-crafted, well-acted, and thoughtfully produced. The main couple has good chemistry and works well together.

However, I don’t think this series is really for me. I found it quite slow and sometimes boring. The only moments I truly enjoyed were the ones with the cousins.

I also feel like Rose and Din’s personalities are too bland and a bit too polished there’s a lack of passion or conflict, which is something I was hoping for.

Hopefully, The Water will do better.

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Entertained

I really enjoyed watching this series, even though it isn’t really a love story for me . It’s more of a lakorn, with over-the-top villains and dramatic scenes, but it’s still entertaining.

I especially liked Pheem’s character, particularly his development, which was interesting to follow. However, his obsession with revenge sometimes made him really annoying.

Than, my poor baby, should never have ended up with that crazy Pheem he clearly deserved better. Even though he had his flaws, I really liked him. The antagonists were over the top but fun to watch. Still, I would have preferred a different ending for them than the one we got.

If you like lakorns, I would still recommend it.

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A Gem

The dynamics between the main characters are really well developed. The show takes its time, and honestly, it’s hard to explain you just have to watch it to get it.

I also really appreciate that the series doesn’t try to force us to feel sorry for Jomkwan. She’s scary and clearly unhinged. And yet...

The slow burn between Boon and Win? I absolutely love it. You can really feel that they’re drawn to each other, but there’s always a monster to kill, so they don’t have time to talk about it. The soulmate concept? I’m obsessed with it.

I feel so bad for Win. She’s such a tortured character nothing goes right in her life. Her mother hates and belittles her just to highlight her older sister. Her father tries to support her, but he can only do so much, and her sister ends up being her emotional anchor.

On the flip side, Boon is cherished and protected by her mother. I really liked this contrast it makes sense and adds depth to both their personalities.

Jomkwan is absolutely a crazy, desperate villain, but I still kind of like her. The series actually managed to make me feel sympathy for her.

You also learn a lot about spirituality through the show the prayers, rituals, the meaning of water, and the importance of monks.

I especially love the past timeline in the series. I don’t know what it is, but it brings something fresh and different to the story.

This was the best final episode I’ve seen in a GL. Usually, I skip the last episodes because you already know how it ends but here, it was a pleasant surprise.

And overall, the acting is really solid. The main trio works so well together.

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Passionate Piece of work

It’s clear that Shine is a true success in terms of writing and depth. The work on the characters, both main and supporting, is remarkable and makes them both interesting and memorable.

The five main characters are all very different, but they are united by common circumstances. I particularly liked Trin, Krailert, and Victor, who, despite the trials they face, continue to fight and do their best.

I found the historical context very relevant, as the series highlights the protests in Thailand and the weariness of a youth suffering from political corruption and deprived of their freedom and money. This subject, unfortunately, remains current even in 2025.

I would have liked the series to explore the potential love triangle between Trin, Tanwa, and Victor more deeply. Victor was rejected too soon. I also felt that the relationship between Trin and Tanwa deserved more development. Their couple doesn't exude great passion; it feels more like two people just having a good time together without worrying about tomorrow, even if Trin tries to clarify things. Tanwa's indecision and his inhibited side don't help.

In contrast, the relationship between Krailert and Naran is much more intense and passionate. They understand each other without needing to speak, but they have a lot to lose. Both are already in relationships, making their homosexual love impossible to live out in the open, which makes them very complex characters.

My favorite characters remain Krailert and Victor.

Krailert leads a difficult life. As a soldier, he is a victim of blackmail and repeatedly loses people he holds dear. He tries to do his best, but fate is against him. Furthermore, he suffers in silence from not being able to openly live his homosexuality. This is reflected in his personality: he is constantly on guard, as if he expects to be attacked at any moment.

As for Victor, he brings a breath of fresh air to the series. However, his character, initially described as a determined activist aiming to start a business, was relegated to the role of a student madly in love with his teacher whose love is unrequited. I like him a lot, because he represents what many young people should do: fight for their rights.

I would have loved if the politics on the show were not toned down but hey it is what it is. They take a side.

To conclude, Shine is not a classic BL. Far from being a simple romantic comedy, its political approach and authenticity set it apart from other series in the genre, and I wonder if the usual BL audience will appreciate it for what it is.

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Lovely story

I recently discovered Sea and Keen through this series, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed the story, which was both sweet and had a very satisfying ending.

With so few episodes, GMMTV managed to create endearing and well-developed characters. I especially loved the character of Mawin, who, in my opinion, is one of the best love interests in a BL: caring, a little clumsy, but always doing his best to help others, especially Err.

I also found it interesting, even if handled lightly, how the series showed the pressure of schoolwork and the jealousy it can create among young people. It added a realistic touch while still being heartwarming.

Finally, I have to admit I was a bit surprised by the kissing scenes: I thought that style was a little outdated. I wasn’t expecting anything overly passionate, but I found the choice quite curious.

Overall, it was truly a sweet and enjoyable series to watch. I definitely recommend it!

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An Enjoyable Confusing Show

Milklove released their second series, featuring June and Mewnich as the second main couple, aiming to give the story more depth. The series had a promising start and an interesting plot, but, as usual, the writers seem to enjoy throwing ideas at us without ever developing them or giving them any real impact on the storyline. As a result, the whole thing ends up feeling confusing and sometimes frustrating.

There were quite a few issues with the show :

The lack of conflicts between characters, as everything gets resolved too calmly.

The way the relationship between Champoo and Toonam was handled very poorly, even though Champoo’s emotional scene was touching.

That said, there were also positive aspects. The series nicely highlighted :

The importance of a supportive community and how it can help you overcome hardships.

The way grief was portrayed, handled with sensitivity.

And especially the relationship between Wan and Maewman, which was absolutely adorable and heartwarming to watch.

Lastly, I want to emphasize Milk’s acting performance, which genuinely surprised me in this series. I’m looking forward to seeing how she grows and what she will bring to her future projects.

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A Refreshing and Well-Built Surprise

Honestly, I really enjoyed this BL! The concept was original, and I felt there was real character development—for both the main and supporting roles.

I was especially moved by Thun. He seems cold and violent at first, but he turns out to be the complete opposite: sweet, deeply loyal, and ready to do anything for the people he loves. Keen also pleasantly surprised me. I was afraid he’d be portrayed as passive or fragile, but not at all—he truly takes control of the situation with strength and confidence.

I also liked Sian Therp. At first, he didn’t leave much of an impression, but later on, he becomes a proper antagonist, which added good tension to the story.

If I had one small regret, it’s that I wish we had seen more moments of friendship within the group. It would’ve emphasized even more how Keen found a new family. Still, the emotional build-up was definitely there.

Visually and story-wise, it was refreshing to watch. Some episodes were over an hour long, which could feel like a lot, but honestly, the pacing made them fly by.

And I can’t finish without mentioning Itt and Mawin’s love story—I loved it! They’re totally different from each other, yet so complementary. And Mawin is such a brat—it’s incredibly entertaining.
I recommend this BL!

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A Visually Impeccable and Moving Series

I absolutely loved ! The direction is excellent, with beautifully shot scenes and colors that tell a story.

Akin is the most striking and endearing character. He endures every misfortune and cries from episode 3 to 11, but his sincerity makes him very human. On the other hand, Jin is often in the background, and his behavior is sometimes strange, even aggressive (the hospital kiss, his reactions to Akin's assaults).

I was disappointed by the lack of development for Johnny and Jade. We didn't get enough time to truly despise Johnny, and Jade deserved more depth.

The series effectively exposes agency tactics for promoting or ruining artists, which is sad but realistic. Boom's acting is excellent, and I hope he wins awards!

I highly this series!

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