This review may contain spoilers
Love Against the Crown: A Tale of Devotion, Deception, and Defiant
This series masterfully intertwines themes of forbidden love, unrequited affection, greed, homophobia, and corruption. Beautifully paced, it delivers an outstanding screenplay, complemented by breathtaking cinematography and a well-balanced soundtrack that enhances every emotional beat.
Set in 1963, the story follows Prince Saenkaew, Sasin, and Pin through a journey of love, secrecy, and sacrifice. Prince Saenkaew has always known he was gay, but when his parents discover the truth, tragedy ensues. Burdened by his father’s strict expectations, he suppresses his true self, until he meets Sasin.
Sasin and Pin are cousins who share a close, sibling-like bond. However, Prince Saenkaew is forced into an arranged marriage with Pin, despite not loving her. Sasin begins to suspect something is wrong and pushes Prince Saenkaew to open up. After witnessing the prince’s father physically abuse him and hearing unsettling words, Sasin starts uncovering the painful truth.
Determined to help, Sasin joins Prince Saenkaew in plotting to stop the wedding. During their secret late-night meetings, the two develop deep feelings for each other. Once there plan succeeds, they would confess everything to Pin, but disaster strikes.
Prince Kamfa, Saenkaew’s father, becomes aware of their closeness and resorts to despicable measures, threats, manipulation, and even attempted murder, to separate them. His cruelty is horrifying; blaming his son for his mother’s death because of his sexuality reveals the depth of his corruption and greed. Even with his reasons, it doesn’t excuse anything.
When Pin learns the truth about Prince Saenkaew and Sasin, she is consumed by heartbreak and anger. Despite knowing Saenkaew can never love her as she wishes, she chooses to go through with the marriage, saying bitterly, “I will end up in pain no matter what, so I should just get married, and all three of us will end up in pain together.”
Her pain intensifies when she discovers that nearly all of their friends already knew. Though it’s understandable she felt betrayed, she fails to fully recognize that in that era, being homosexual was considered deeply taboo, something one could not speak of openly. Her reaction, while human, is guided by love, jealousy, and sorrow.
Rachawadi, the owner of a nightclub and a voice of wisdom in the story, offers Pin a poignant warning:
“One day you could wake up and realize that a man who loved you with all his heart looks at you full of hatred. One day you could hear Prince Saenkaew call your name, but it isn’t in the gentle tone like he used to. Instead, his voice will be full of anger and torment. That is the day you will finally realize the taste of real pain.”
This prophecy comes true as Pin’s attempts to force Saenkaew’s love only deepen her suffering. Eventually, she sees the truth of Rachawadi’s words. When her parents, Bodin and Wad, discover the affair and plot to exploit it for financial gain. Her parents are truly despicable and it shows with the measures they were willing to take to get what they wanted. Pin finally chooses to do the right thing knowing she would still be in pain but it would pass over time. She helps reunite Prince Saenkaew and Sasin.
In a touching moment, Saenkaew’s grandmother discovers their relationship after witnessing them share a kiss. Fearing rejection, Saenkaew apologizes, but to his surprise, she accepts him warmly, saying that if he had confided in her sooner, she would have helped. Her compassion provides a rare moment of light and hope in their turbulent journey.
However, more trouble follows as Prince Saenkaew and Sasin plans their big escape with the help of Pin, his grandmother and Homthip. It’s deeply unsettling to witness how every parent in the series manipulates their children for personal and financial gain. The sheer greed and selfishness displayed are both heartbreaking and infuriating, adding another layer of tragedy to an already emotional story.
One character who truly stood out was Homthip. From the beginning, she empathized deeply with Prince Saenkaew, understanding the pain of hiding his true self to please a cruel father and survive his uncle Inthra’s constant attempts to expose him. Homthip supported the couple steadfastly, proving herself to be the story’s true MVP.
Overall, this series was an emotional triumph, beautifully acted, thoughtfully written, and profoundly moving. Every performance felt authentic, every scene deliberate. I’m very pleased that almost everyone got the ending they deserved. It’s one of the strongest Thai BL dramas of 2025, and without question, one of my personal favorites of the year.
Set in 1963, the story follows Prince Saenkaew, Sasin, and Pin through a journey of love, secrecy, and sacrifice. Prince Saenkaew has always known he was gay, but when his parents discover the truth, tragedy ensues. Burdened by his father’s strict expectations, he suppresses his true self, until he meets Sasin.
Sasin and Pin are cousins who share a close, sibling-like bond. However, Prince Saenkaew is forced into an arranged marriage with Pin, despite not loving her. Sasin begins to suspect something is wrong and pushes Prince Saenkaew to open up. After witnessing the prince’s father physically abuse him and hearing unsettling words, Sasin starts uncovering the painful truth.
Determined to help, Sasin joins Prince Saenkaew in plotting to stop the wedding. During their secret late-night meetings, the two develop deep feelings for each other. Once there plan succeeds, they would confess everything to Pin, but disaster strikes.
Prince Kamfa, Saenkaew’s father, becomes aware of their closeness and resorts to despicable measures, threats, manipulation, and even attempted murder, to separate them. His cruelty is horrifying; blaming his son for his mother’s death because of his sexuality reveals the depth of his corruption and greed. Even with his reasons, it doesn’t excuse anything.
When Pin learns the truth about Prince Saenkaew and Sasin, she is consumed by heartbreak and anger. Despite knowing Saenkaew can never love her as she wishes, she chooses to go through with the marriage, saying bitterly, “I will end up in pain no matter what, so I should just get married, and all three of us will end up in pain together.”
Her pain intensifies when she discovers that nearly all of their friends already knew. Though it’s understandable she felt betrayed, she fails to fully recognize that in that era, being homosexual was considered deeply taboo, something one could not speak of openly. Her reaction, while human, is guided by love, jealousy, and sorrow.
Rachawadi, the owner of a nightclub and a voice of wisdom in the story, offers Pin a poignant warning:
“One day you could wake up and realize that a man who loved you with all his heart looks at you full of hatred. One day you could hear Prince Saenkaew call your name, but it isn’t in the gentle tone like he used to. Instead, his voice will be full of anger and torment. That is the day you will finally realize the taste of real pain.”
This prophecy comes true as Pin’s attempts to force Saenkaew’s love only deepen her suffering. Eventually, she sees the truth of Rachawadi’s words. When her parents, Bodin and Wad, discover the affair and plot to exploit it for financial gain. Her parents are truly despicable and it shows with the measures they were willing to take to get what they wanted. Pin finally chooses to do the right thing knowing she would still be in pain but it would pass over time. She helps reunite Prince Saenkaew and Sasin.
In a touching moment, Saenkaew’s grandmother discovers their relationship after witnessing them share a kiss. Fearing rejection, Saenkaew apologizes, but to his surprise, she accepts him warmly, saying that if he had confided in her sooner, she would have helped. Her compassion provides a rare moment of light and hope in their turbulent journey.
However, more trouble follows as Prince Saenkaew and Sasin plans their big escape with the help of Pin, his grandmother and Homthip. It’s deeply unsettling to witness how every parent in the series manipulates their children for personal and financial gain. The sheer greed and selfishness displayed are both heartbreaking and infuriating, adding another layer of tragedy to an already emotional story.
One character who truly stood out was Homthip. From the beginning, she empathized deeply with Prince Saenkaew, understanding the pain of hiding his true self to please a cruel father and survive his uncle Inthra’s constant attempts to expose him. Homthip supported the couple steadfastly, proving herself to be the story’s true MVP.
Overall, this series was an emotional triumph, beautifully acted, thoughtfully written, and profoundly moving. Every performance felt authentic, every scene deliberate. I’m very pleased that almost everyone got the ending they deserved. It’s one of the strongest Thai BL dramas of 2025, and without question, one of my personal favorites of the year.
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