1
This review may contain spoilers
"NOT ME" A SERIES THAT LEFT A MARK
As we are about to enter 2026, I decided to bring to light more reviews of series I’ve watched over the past five years. And of course, Not Me is one of those series that left a powerful mark on the industry. Anyone who says otherwise is either lying or simply hasn’t watched it.
Because Not Me is not just a BL series, it is much more than that. Beyond being one of GMMTV’s strongest productions, it brings complex and deeply relevant themes to the forefront. It doesn’t focus solely on romantic relationships. Instead, it presents a fight for justice, a fight against corruption, a fight for LGBTQ+ rights, deep family bonds, and a dangerous, transformative love.
All of this is woven into a Boys’ Love series led by the well-known actors Off and Gun in the main roles, alongside an exceptional supporting cast. Whether we’re talking about First, Mond, Fluke, Papang, Sing Harit, Film, Lookjun, Filmshy, Pae, or Bosszo, every single one of them delivered an incredible performance. It is one of the few series where I can honestly say the cast was perfectly chosen.
From the very first episode, Not Me pleasantly surprised me. It’s the kind of series that pulls you in before you even realize it. The story begins with a difficult and controversial choice: two parents decide to raise their twin sons separately a decision that breaks a natural bond, yet opens the door to a profound story about identity, loyalty, and courage.
White, raised under the strict control of his politician father, is disciplined and reserved. Black, on the other hand, grew up free, rebellious, and deeply involved in the fight against corruption. Black is strong-willed, convinced he can change the world alongside his friends, and willing to take any risk for a fairer society. Still, White remains his weakness, the brother he would do anything for, even risk his own life.
Despite their differences, the twins are bound by an unconditional and sincere brotherly love. They are willing to sacrifice everything for each other, even though they didn’t grow up together. White is not weak, he is a complex character who takes real risks to uncover the truth behind Black’s assault. In Black’s absence, White assumes his identity and steps into a dangerous world dominated by injustice and social struggle.
If you’ve ever felt that characters in other dramas fail to tell a convincing story, that is not the case with Not Me. Every character here has a motivation, a trauma, or a mission that contributes meaningfully to the narrative.
Sean, perhaps the quietest yet most intense of them all, is deeply marked by his father’s death — a man who worked for the powerful and corrupt Tawi. He struggles with anger, revenge, and the need for justice.
Yok lives with a disabled mother who cannot find work because of a corrupt and indifferent system. His story stands as one of the most honest social critiques in the series.
Gram may not carry a personal trauma, but he understands the importance of equality and justice. He is the voice of reason and social conscience.
Gumpa, a former political activist, acts as the group’s mentor. He brings them together, guides them, and gives them direction. Despite his age, he remains active and deeply committed to change.
Dan, a police officer and apparent idealist, faces an internal conflict between his professional oath and his loyalty to the group. Under pressure from the system, he ultimately betrays them — a choice that both humanizes and condemns him.
Tod is an ambiguous yet crucial character. A childhood friend of White and Black, he may have started with good intentions but was corrupted by the system. His relationship with Black is deeply emotional, making his betrayal even more painful.
Tawi, the authoritarian and corrupt figure, stands as the series’ main antagonist — a symbol of a broken society.
Unlike many BL series where female characters are often decorative or built on predictable tropes, Not Me offers a much stronger and more realistic representation of women through Eugene, Namo, and Nuch. Each of them plays an essential role, proving that the women in this story are not background figures, but fully realized characters who strengthen the narrative and the world of Not Me.
One of the series’ greatest strengths is the love story between White and Sean. It is not built on clichés, but develops gradually through suspicion, fear, painful truths, and moments of vulnerability. Sean is hardened and emotionally guarded, carrying a heavy past. White comes from a world of rules but finds freedom in Sean’s presence. Their relationship grows naturally, sincerely, and emotionally. The forest kiss remains one of the most intense moments of the series — not just romantic, but deeply human.
Gun Atthaphan is undoubtedly the pillar of this series. His dual performance as White and Black is remarkably subtle. He created two completely different brothers, not just through appearance or attitude, but through the smallest gestures, tones, and expressions. It’s a performance that transcends the BL genre and raises the acting standard within the industry.
Off Jumpol, as Sean, delivers one of his strongest performances to date. Sean is quiet, hardened, with a simmering anger that doesn’t need dramatic lines to be felt. Every hesitation, look, and movement conveys pain and loyalty. His relationship with White humanizes him and reveals vulnerability a balance Off portrays with maturity and authenticity.
Not Me is deeply rooted in Thailand’s social and political realities, reflecting recent movements for democracy and equality. Episode 7 perfectly captures this commitment, featuring a protest scene inspired by real-life demonstrations for marriage equality and LGBTQ+ rights. The moment when White and Sean march beneath a massive rainbow flag is a powerful symbol: love, dignity, and courage cannot be silenced.
Looking back, Not Me is not just a series with a gripping plot or a piece of entertainment. It is a voice. A voice that dares to speak about inequality, corruption, justice, love, and identity. It transforms the story of two separated brothers into a metaphor for our inner and social divisions and our attempts to heal them.
The ending is a happy one(book has a different ending), marking the triumph of good over evil. Everyone dear survives and finds safety. Yet for me, there remains a deep emptiness caused by Black’s absence. Until the very end, Black protected his brother and the group unconditionally, and although he was forced to disappear, he left behind hope and unwavering trust in White’s strength to continue the fight
What remains after the final episode?
The image of a generation unafraid to fight. The unbreakable bond between brothers. The love between White and Sean, built step by step. And the courage to say things that are usually left unspoken.
Not Me is proof that stories that truly matter are the ones that dare to go further.
To challenge.
To move.
To leave a mark.
Because Not Me is not just a BL series, it is much more than that. Beyond being one of GMMTV’s strongest productions, it brings complex and deeply relevant themes to the forefront. It doesn’t focus solely on romantic relationships. Instead, it presents a fight for justice, a fight against corruption, a fight for LGBTQ+ rights, deep family bonds, and a dangerous, transformative love.
All of this is woven into a Boys’ Love series led by the well-known actors Off and Gun in the main roles, alongside an exceptional supporting cast. Whether we’re talking about First, Mond, Fluke, Papang, Sing Harit, Film, Lookjun, Filmshy, Pae, or Bosszo, every single one of them delivered an incredible performance. It is one of the few series where I can honestly say the cast was perfectly chosen.
From the very first episode, Not Me pleasantly surprised me. It’s the kind of series that pulls you in before you even realize it. The story begins with a difficult and controversial choice: two parents decide to raise their twin sons separately a decision that breaks a natural bond, yet opens the door to a profound story about identity, loyalty, and courage.
White, raised under the strict control of his politician father, is disciplined and reserved. Black, on the other hand, grew up free, rebellious, and deeply involved in the fight against corruption. Black is strong-willed, convinced he can change the world alongside his friends, and willing to take any risk for a fairer society. Still, White remains his weakness, the brother he would do anything for, even risk his own life.
Despite their differences, the twins are bound by an unconditional and sincere brotherly love. They are willing to sacrifice everything for each other, even though they didn’t grow up together. White is not weak, he is a complex character who takes real risks to uncover the truth behind Black’s assault. In Black’s absence, White assumes his identity and steps into a dangerous world dominated by injustice and social struggle.
If you’ve ever felt that characters in other dramas fail to tell a convincing story, that is not the case with Not Me. Every character here has a motivation, a trauma, or a mission that contributes meaningfully to the narrative.
Sean, perhaps the quietest yet most intense of them all, is deeply marked by his father’s death — a man who worked for the powerful and corrupt Tawi. He struggles with anger, revenge, and the need for justice.
Yok lives with a disabled mother who cannot find work because of a corrupt and indifferent system. His story stands as one of the most honest social critiques in the series.
Gram may not carry a personal trauma, but he understands the importance of equality and justice. He is the voice of reason and social conscience.
Gumpa, a former political activist, acts as the group’s mentor. He brings them together, guides them, and gives them direction. Despite his age, he remains active and deeply committed to change.
Dan, a police officer and apparent idealist, faces an internal conflict between his professional oath and his loyalty to the group. Under pressure from the system, he ultimately betrays them — a choice that both humanizes and condemns him.
Tod is an ambiguous yet crucial character. A childhood friend of White and Black, he may have started with good intentions but was corrupted by the system. His relationship with Black is deeply emotional, making his betrayal even more painful.
Tawi, the authoritarian and corrupt figure, stands as the series’ main antagonist — a symbol of a broken society.
Unlike many BL series where female characters are often decorative or built on predictable tropes, Not Me offers a much stronger and more realistic representation of women through Eugene, Namo, and Nuch. Each of them plays an essential role, proving that the women in this story are not background figures, but fully realized characters who strengthen the narrative and the world of Not Me.
One of the series’ greatest strengths is the love story between White and Sean. It is not built on clichés, but develops gradually through suspicion, fear, painful truths, and moments of vulnerability. Sean is hardened and emotionally guarded, carrying a heavy past. White comes from a world of rules but finds freedom in Sean’s presence. Their relationship grows naturally, sincerely, and emotionally. The forest kiss remains one of the most intense moments of the series — not just romantic, but deeply human.
Gun Atthaphan is undoubtedly the pillar of this series. His dual performance as White and Black is remarkably subtle. He created two completely different brothers, not just through appearance or attitude, but through the smallest gestures, tones, and expressions. It’s a performance that transcends the BL genre and raises the acting standard within the industry.
Off Jumpol, as Sean, delivers one of his strongest performances to date. Sean is quiet, hardened, with a simmering anger that doesn’t need dramatic lines to be felt. Every hesitation, look, and movement conveys pain and loyalty. His relationship with White humanizes him and reveals vulnerability a balance Off portrays with maturity and authenticity.
Not Me is deeply rooted in Thailand’s social and political realities, reflecting recent movements for democracy and equality. Episode 7 perfectly captures this commitment, featuring a protest scene inspired by real-life demonstrations for marriage equality and LGBTQ+ rights. The moment when White and Sean march beneath a massive rainbow flag is a powerful symbol: love, dignity, and courage cannot be silenced.
Looking back, Not Me is not just a series with a gripping plot or a piece of entertainment. It is a voice. A voice that dares to speak about inequality, corruption, justice, love, and identity. It transforms the story of two separated brothers into a metaphor for our inner and social divisions and our attempts to heal them.
The ending is a happy one(book has a different ending), marking the triumph of good over evil. Everyone dear survives and finds safety. Yet for me, there remains a deep emptiness caused by Black’s absence. Until the very end, Black protected his brother and the group unconditionally, and although he was forced to disappear, he left behind hope and unwavering trust in White’s strength to continue the fight
What remains after the final episode?
The image of a generation unafraid to fight. The unbreakable bond between brothers. The love between White and Sean, built step by step. And the courage to say things that are usually left unspoken.
Not Me is proof that stories that truly matter are the ones that dare to go further.
To challenge.
To move.
To leave a mark.
Was this review helpful to you?
