This review may contain spoilers
Not only did Khemjira defeat his curse, but also defeated mine.
So here’s the thing about Domundi… they are a company that prioritises quality over quantity any day. And that has been very much true with every one of their series. But here’s the thing, I have never liked a Domundi series. Ever. Even the “The Next Prince”, I had such high hopes for it, and the beginning of it was amazing, but they ended up dropping the ball so quickly. So, when I picked up Khemjira because everyone and their dogs were talking about it like every other Domundi show, I expected the same thing. I was not gonna like it. And if I did, it would drop the ball fast.
And yet, against all odds, not only did Khemjira defeat his family curse, it somehow defeated my Domundi curse as well. Because when I say with every bone in my body that this is the best 2025 BL I have watched, I am not joking. This is by far the most beautiful and heartbreaking series I have watched right up there with I Feel You Linger In The Air, Tale of A Thousand Stars, 180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us and Last Twilight. This series deserves ALL its praises, all its flowers, all its standing ovations, and much, much more.
Okay, now that I have sung my praises, let's talk about it.
The plot of the series is pretty simple: a boy who has been born into a family that has been cursed for generations seeks the help of the most powerful shaman. We have seen dynamics like this been done before. But it's how they executed it that made it chef’s kiss. The entire series leaned into Thai culture, fully immersing itself in it, making the whole show feel so alive and authentic. It didn’t shy away from any aspect, from talking about the culture, to the clothing, the setting, and even keeping things so accurate for the 1700s flashback. The world just feels lived in. It makes you feel like you are there with the characters, which I just loved so much.
Khem:
This boy could have easily been turned into generic bottom number 145. I was fully expecting him to be whiny when things don’t go his way, constantly make those pouty faces, act stupid to be cute/endearing, always talking back to the ML or not listening to him, I could go on and on. But nope. Khem was none of these things, and I have never sighed such a huge sigh of relief before. He was just a kind-hearted, warm, uni student trying to survive this stupid curse. He could have very much been the most jaded human ever, and yet, he always leads with kindness. And when they explored how hopeless he feels, and how ready to give up he was, I cried. You could feel the helplessness Khem was going through, feel the pain he was experiencing and the grief he was going through. Namping knocked it out of the park with this character.
And the biggest thing, I hugely appreciate the fact that they didn’t make him dumb.
So many of these BL bottoms suffer from what I like to call “dumbbitchites.” Khem, luckily for him, did not fall into that category. Boy knew how to stay away from trouble, listened to Peem cuz god forbid I know half the BL MCs on my watchlist could never, and knew how to stand his ground. Did he have his flaws? 100%. But I just loved how they made him a reasonable and sensible character without making it seem unrealistic. And the best thing? When he didn’t forgive Ramphueng. SO MANY characters would have forgiven her so easily because they’re “kind”, but Khem didn’t. And that made him so much more realistic. More human. And made me love him even more. Because while at his core he is kind, he also knows when that kindness isn’t enough.
Peem:
First of all, can I just say how HOT this man is. I genuinely spent most of this show just admiring how attractive and handsome this man is. I think I paused episodes just to stare at him. And don’t even get me started on his voice. I have never so attracted to a voice before. I don’t even know if that’s his actual voice, or if Keng made it deeper for the role, but god fucking damn, I could listen to this man speak for days and I would still ask him to carry on.
Second of all, Keng is a phenomenal actor, there is no two ways about this. He was made for this role like the gods had crafted it just for him. The way his face could be set on neutral, but you could tell from just the look in his eyes he was in love with Khem or wanted to eat Khem alive was just beautiful. Give this man more roles like this, cuz I don’t know what was in the water he was drinking, but he needs MORE.
Peem all around had to be one of the best written characters. Was he extremely cold at the start? Most definitely. But despite all that, you could tell he cares about Khem. Yes, the lives of everyone in the village were his top priority, and yet, man would risk his life for Khem’s no matter how many times he tells the boy to go away. And it all came down to his mum. Having her die because of a curse, only to fall in love with someone with a curse, it’s no wonder he wanted to push Khem away. And on top of that, he made a promise to his grandfather that he wouldn’t involve himself with someone’s karma, and that the villagers' lives would always be his priority. So not only did he have to fight with the fact that he would potentially be losing Khem, but also struggle with his promise to his granpa, and having that resolve be shaken so badly because he cared and loved Khem resulted in him putting up all these barriers and cold exterior. And once he let himself come to terms with both of those, he let his guard down, let himself find happiness and love.
Jet:
If you ever need a best friend, this is the one you go for. He is the best friend of best friends. He can join my wall of BL best friends because he sure as hell fucking deserves it. Not only is he a ride-or-die, but also a cutie.
But if I’m being completely honest, I genuinely thought I was going to get annoyed with his storyline because it was giving bickering enemies to lovers with him and Charn, but thank god it wasn’t that. I’m so glad they didn’t spend like 10 episodes with him trying to act like he hated Charn and all that bs that series usually do. I’m just glad they made him like Charn quickly as a friend, then like like him, and be so fucking cute and natural about it all. And communication with him and Charn might not be 100, but it was close it enough so I’ll take it. They were so fucking adorable, and I just wanted to pinch their cheeks.
Charn:
He's my favourite. “Hello, dad. I’m gay. Jet’s also gay. We’re crazy in love.” Like boy, I fucking can’t. That had to be the funniest fucking thing ever. And this boy was also a ride-or-die. He met Jet and Khem once, and was like yep, gonna give up my life for them. I mean, it makes sense considering their past life, but still. Gotta find friends like this in real life people.
I just love how he is a no bullshit character. Absolutely no filter on this man and I love that for him. His pettiness when Jet made them “just friends” was one of the best things ever. I thought he was going to act all robotic and stuff, but fell in love with how he wore his emotions on his sleeves. Even if I did get annoyed when he was being the devil’s advocate with Khem and Peem. Boy, stop being so logical!!
And the way he asked all those questions to the monk made my day. He really said, nope, no today. Ain’t no one about to start digging up plot holes. And yeah, some of those questions I would have asked as well. And luckily, Charn asked for us, and glad the writers aren’t cowards and actually know their story front to back to give the audience answers.
Ramphueng:
Ramphueng has become part of my amazing villains list. They didn't make her cartoonishly evil, nor did they make her the sympathetic villain that gets her redemption arc in the end. The writers struck a perfect balance with her character, which came to life in the best way possible. She was just a mother who was so grief-stricken that it turned into anger, and that anger in turn morphed into vengeance with the betrayal of the clan. Honestly, I could perfectly understand why she did everything she did. But revenge blinded her so much that she could not see sense. She could not be reasoned with. She hunted a whole bloodline, took their children the way they took hers, but she could not see that the very thing she was hunting, she became. And the ending with her monk? Yeah. Magnificent. I was in tears, and I had goosebumps. She was just a woman who wanted to be with her son. That is all she wanted. But fate could not give her that. And her need for vengeance being so strong that she didn’t even think for a second that her son could have reincarnated or that she could be with him in their next life was just heartbreaking. And having her come to realise that while she was about to murder her own child with her bare hands had me holding my breath. That had to be one of the most gut-wrenching moments of the whole show for me.
Episode 9:
Yes, this episode deserves its own section because what the actual fuck were the writers on? Why bother destroying me emotional? Why not do it physically as well, because I ran out of tears to fucking shed. The audacity to make PheemKhem official and give us that hot NC with them only to slap us back to reality with this is just horrible from their end. Cuz not only did we get one death. Not only did we get two deaths. Not even three. We got four. FOUR!!! Are you shitting me right now? And that’s not even including the quick death scenes of all the past Khems. I was a fucking mess. I’m suing for emotional damages.
The whole backstory of Ramphueng had to be one of the most devastating backstories ever. When that bitch threw her son into the water, I physically recoiled and froze because I was that appalled. And then we watch Ramphueng beg that little girl for help and the girl lying to safe the lives of her maids and god… I just couldn’t do it. It was just tragedy after tragedy for Ramphueng and I felt so bad for her. But then she killed Tong and I was going to throw something at my screen because what do you mean SHE KILLED TONG?!?! And then Ake is unable to live without him and Master has to send him to Tong and I just couldn’t. I honestly don’t even know how I was still able to cry through Grandma Si’s funeral scene after that.
And then. AND THEN. If all of this wasn’t already enough, Khem decides to fucking leave. Because of course he does. I’m not surprised, it's just more of a, why not wait until next episode because I’m too emotionally exhausted for this. This always happens, even though like ten million people told Khem it wasn’t his fault. It’s annoying, but I really get it, so I don’t hold it against him. But you know what I do hold against him? Just leaving Peem like that.
“I have no one left, Khem.” Yeah, pack it up. Wrap up this stupid show. I’m done. Done. In the span of one day this man went from being the happiest he’s ever been, to losing the only three family members he’s ever had – Grandma Si, Tong, and Ake. And he TOLD Khem this, and Khem KNOWS this, but what does his very smart brain decide to do? STILL LEAVE. LIKE???? And that note he left behind???? OMG I WAS GONNA GET SO ANGRY. Logically, I know I shouldn’t because Khem is in a very vulnerable state of mind, and he genuinely does think all of this is his fault, and thinks him dying is much better than anyone else dying, but like— Ugh! “May every day ahead of you be full of smiles, Peem.” Excuse me???? I beg your pardon???? You just left him when he had no one left. Even Jet and Charn left him to be with Khem. And yeah, the villagers are there. But it's not the same thing!! That really triggered me. I hate it when they do shit like this, like their partner is just gonna be all fine and dandy and nothing’s ever gonna happen.
Honestly, I just pity Peem through the whole show, if anything. And this ep hit especially harder after finding out about his past with the naga. I guess that is the punishment he has to suffer, but its just so sad. And every time Grandma Si would start singing, my eyes would start to tear up like a Pavlovian response. I hate it here, get me out!!
Things I didn’t like:
Quick rapid fire because this review it far longer than it should have been.
- The whole Khem leaving Peem situation I already ranted about. I think I’m gonna be salty about that for a while because I hate this troupe of leaving your lover to keep them safe bullshit. Not my cup of tea, even though it happens EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
- The communication. Fucking hell, I thought CharnJet were gonna be the ones with godawful communication skills, but it’s the main couple. I know this is a slow burn, but it wouldn’t be burning this fucking slow if they just SPOKE. Well… more on Peem’s end, but still. It wasn’t so bad, but it got annoying sometimes.
- The ending. I know there’s going to be a special episode. But I really wished we had more time to delve into what the characters were up to during the time skip. Like what they’re lives were like now that they weren’t fighting for their lives. How Khem and Peem navigated the distance. We just got graduation, proposal and then a tiny snippet of PeemKhem being parents. And while I squealed through it all and loved every second, it all just felt too rushed to get them the maximum happy ending possible. Which felt weird considering how everything else was slowly paced.
- CharnJet not being the ones to get married. Their past lives ended with Jin asking if there would ever be a world where they could get married, and I really thought they would do a scene with Charn proposing and being like there finally is or something along those lines. It just would have made more sense if it were them getting married than PeemKhem?? But that’s just me, I guess.
- And finally, my biggest gripe with this show that has been bothering me since they brought it up. What’s with the vow of celibacy in this world? Peem’s mum tells him he can’t have a lover, so I was like, oh, okay, makes sense why he can’t be with Khem. But then grandma say’s he’s a Shaman not a monk, so he can, so then we’re back to being happy, and I thought that meant Peem couldn’t do anything sexual with Khem. BUT THEN, they’re hotly making out and jerking each other off????? I was so fucking confused. I thought being celibate meant they couldn’t self-pleasure either. But okay. That’s fine. Maybe it means they can do things as long as Peem doesn’t have sex. BUT THEN ONCE MORE, they do the do cuz he wasn’t practising to be a shaman again yet. But that brought on more questions because that means he can’t do anything after he gets his powers back, but would that also be the case after he got married???? And this. This whole thing has been bothering me so much since I finished this series, cuz it just doesn’t make sense, and I still can’t find answers.
This show has been a roller coaster of emotions. I laughed, cried and cheered for these characters. The OSTs are fucking beautiful, and best believe I’m having them on loop until I get bored of them. For a debut series for KengNamping, they knocked it out the fucking park, and I’m terrified I’m not going to like their other series because this was just that amazing. And I genuinely don’t think Domundi will ever get this close to perfection with another one of their shows for me. I
I’m gonna miss this show and its cast of characters so much. Welp… until the special episode then. Until then, I shall cry myself to sleep because I finished this series too quickly. Thanks Khemjira once again for breaking my Domundi curse. I wonder how long before another series manages to break it a second time.
And yet, against all odds, not only did Khemjira defeat his family curse, it somehow defeated my Domundi curse as well. Because when I say with every bone in my body that this is the best 2025 BL I have watched, I am not joking. This is by far the most beautiful and heartbreaking series I have watched right up there with I Feel You Linger In The Air, Tale of A Thousand Stars, 180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us and Last Twilight. This series deserves ALL its praises, all its flowers, all its standing ovations, and much, much more.
Okay, now that I have sung my praises, let's talk about it.
The plot of the series is pretty simple: a boy who has been born into a family that has been cursed for generations seeks the help of the most powerful shaman. We have seen dynamics like this been done before. But it's how they executed it that made it chef’s kiss. The entire series leaned into Thai culture, fully immersing itself in it, making the whole show feel so alive and authentic. It didn’t shy away from any aspect, from talking about the culture, to the clothing, the setting, and even keeping things so accurate for the 1700s flashback. The world just feels lived in. It makes you feel like you are there with the characters, which I just loved so much.
Khem:
This boy could have easily been turned into generic bottom number 145. I was fully expecting him to be whiny when things don’t go his way, constantly make those pouty faces, act stupid to be cute/endearing, always talking back to the ML or not listening to him, I could go on and on. But nope. Khem was none of these things, and I have never sighed such a huge sigh of relief before. He was just a kind-hearted, warm, uni student trying to survive this stupid curse. He could have very much been the most jaded human ever, and yet, he always leads with kindness. And when they explored how hopeless he feels, and how ready to give up he was, I cried. You could feel the helplessness Khem was going through, feel the pain he was experiencing and the grief he was going through. Namping knocked it out of the park with this character.
And the biggest thing, I hugely appreciate the fact that they didn’t make him dumb.
So many of these BL bottoms suffer from what I like to call “dumbbitchites.” Khem, luckily for him, did not fall into that category. Boy knew how to stay away from trouble, listened to Peem cuz god forbid I know half the BL MCs on my watchlist could never, and knew how to stand his ground. Did he have his flaws? 100%. But I just loved how they made him a reasonable and sensible character without making it seem unrealistic. And the best thing? When he didn’t forgive Ramphueng. SO MANY characters would have forgiven her so easily because they’re “kind”, but Khem didn’t. And that made him so much more realistic. More human. And made me love him even more. Because while at his core he is kind, he also knows when that kindness isn’t enough.
Peem:
First of all, can I just say how HOT this man is. I genuinely spent most of this show just admiring how attractive and handsome this man is. I think I paused episodes just to stare at him. And don’t even get me started on his voice. I have never so attracted to a voice before. I don’t even know if that’s his actual voice, or if Keng made it deeper for the role, but god fucking damn, I could listen to this man speak for days and I would still ask him to carry on.
Second of all, Keng is a phenomenal actor, there is no two ways about this. He was made for this role like the gods had crafted it just for him. The way his face could be set on neutral, but you could tell from just the look in his eyes he was in love with Khem or wanted to eat Khem alive was just beautiful. Give this man more roles like this, cuz I don’t know what was in the water he was drinking, but he needs MORE.
Peem all around had to be one of the best written characters. Was he extremely cold at the start? Most definitely. But despite all that, you could tell he cares about Khem. Yes, the lives of everyone in the village were his top priority, and yet, man would risk his life for Khem’s no matter how many times he tells the boy to go away. And it all came down to his mum. Having her die because of a curse, only to fall in love with someone with a curse, it’s no wonder he wanted to push Khem away. And on top of that, he made a promise to his grandfather that he wouldn’t involve himself with someone’s karma, and that the villagers' lives would always be his priority. So not only did he have to fight with the fact that he would potentially be losing Khem, but also struggle with his promise to his granpa, and having that resolve be shaken so badly because he cared and loved Khem resulted in him putting up all these barriers and cold exterior. And once he let himself come to terms with both of those, he let his guard down, let himself find happiness and love.
Jet:
If you ever need a best friend, this is the one you go for. He is the best friend of best friends. He can join my wall of BL best friends because he sure as hell fucking deserves it. Not only is he a ride-or-die, but also a cutie.
But if I’m being completely honest, I genuinely thought I was going to get annoyed with his storyline because it was giving bickering enemies to lovers with him and Charn, but thank god it wasn’t that. I’m so glad they didn’t spend like 10 episodes with him trying to act like he hated Charn and all that bs that series usually do. I’m just glad they made him like Charn quickly as a friend, then like like him, and be so fucking cute and natural about it all. And communication with him and Charn might not be 100, but it was close it enough so I’ll take it. They were so fucking adorable, and I just wanted to pinch their cheeks.
Charn:
He's my favourite. “Hello, dad. I’m gay. Jet’s also gay. We’re crazy in love.” Like boy, I fucking can’t. That had to be the funniest fucking thing ever. And this boy was also a ride-or-die. He met Jet and Khem once, and was like yep, gonna give up my life for them. I mean, it makes sense considering their past life, but still. Gotta find friends like this in real life people.
I just love how he is a no bullshit character. Absolutely no filter on this man and I love that for him. His pettiness when Jet made them “just friends” was one of the best things ever. I thought he was going to act all robotic and stuff, but fell in love with how he wore his emotions on his sleeves. Even if I did get annoyed when he was being the devil’s advocate with Khem and Peem. Boy, stop being so logical!!
And the way he asked all those questions to the monk made my day. He really said, nope, no today. Ain’t no one about to start digging up plot holes. And yeah, some of those questions I would have asked as well. And luckily, Charn asked for us, and glad the writers aren’t cowards and actually know their story front to back to give the audience answers.
Ramphueng:
Ramphueng has become part of my amazing villains list. They didn't make her cartoonishly evil, nor did they make her the sympathetic villain that gets her redemption arc in the end. The writers struck a perfect balance with her character, which came to life in the best way possible. She was just a mother who was so grief-stricken that it turned into anger, and that anger in turn morphed into vengeance with the betrayal of the clan. Honestly, I could perfectly understand why she did everything she did. But revenge blinded her so much that she could not see sense. She could not be reasoned with. She hunted a whole bloodline, took their children the way they took hers, but she could not see that the very thing she was hunting, she became. And the ending with her monk? Yeah. Magnificent. I was in tears, and I had goosebumps. She was just a woman who wanted to be with her son. That is all she wanted. But fate could not give her that. And her need for vengeance being so strong that she didn’t even think for a second that her son could have reincarnated or that she could be with him in their next life was just heartbreaking. And having her come to realise that while she was about to murder her own child with her bare hands had me holding my breath. That had to be one of the most gut-wrenching moments of the whole show for me.
Episode 9:
Yes, this episode deserves its own section because what the actual fuck were the writers on? Why bother destroying me emotional? Why not do it physically as well, because I ran out of tears to fucking shed. The audacity to make PheemKhem official and give us that hot NC with them only to slap us back to reality with this is just horrible from their end. Cuz not only did we get one death. Not only did we get two deaths. Not even three. We got four. FOUR!!! Are you shitting me right now? And that’s not even including the quick death scenes of all the past Khems. I was a fucking mess. I’m suing for emotional damages.
The whole backstory of Ramphueng had to be one of the most devastating backstories ever. When that bitch threw her son into the water, I physically recoiled and froze because I was that appalled. And then we watch Ramphueng beg that little girl for help and the girl lying to safe the lives of her maids and god… I just couldn’t do it. It was just tragedy after tragedy for Ramphueng and I felt so bad for her. But then she killed Tong and I was going to throw something at my screen because what do you mean SHE KILLED TONG?!?! And then Ake is unable to live without him and Master has to send him to Tong and I just couldn’t. I honestly don’t even know how I was still able to cry through Grandma Si’s funeral scene after that.
And then. AND THEN. If all of this wasn’t already enough, Khem decides to fucking leave. Because of course he does. I’m not surprised, it's just more of a, why not wait until next episode because I’m too emotionally exhausted for this. This always happens, even though like ten million people told Khem it wasn’t his fault. It’s annoying, but I really get it, so I don’t hold it against him. But you know what I do hold against him? Just leaving Peem like that.
“I have no one left, Khem.” Yeah, pack it up. Wrap up this stupid show. I’m done. Done. In the span of one day this man went from being the happiest he’s ever been, to losing the only three family members he’s ever had – Grandma Si, Tong, and Ake. And he TOLD Khem this, and Khem KNOWS this, but what does his very smart brain decide to do? STILL LEAVE. LIKE???? And that note he left behind???? OMG I WAS GONNA GET SO ANGRY. Logically, I know I shouldn’t because Khem is in a very vulnerable state of mind, and he genuinely does think all of this is his fault, and thinks him dying is much better than anyone else dying, but like— Ugh! “May every day ahead of you be full of smiles, Peem.” Excuse me???? I beg your pardon???? You just left him when he had no one left. Even Jet and Charn left him to be with Khem. And yeah, the villagers are there. But it's not the same thing!! That really triggered me. I hate it when they do shit like this, like their partner is just gonna be all fine and dandy and nothing’s ever gonna happen.
Honestly, I just pity Peem through the whole show, if anything. And this ep hit especially harder after finding out about his past with the naga. I guess that is the punishment he has to suffer, but its just so sad. And every time Grandma Si would start singing, my eyes would start to tear up like a Pavlovian response. I hate it here, get me out!!
Things I didn’t like:
Quick rapid fire because this review it far longer than it should have been.
- The whole Khem leaving Peem situation I already ranted about. I think I’m gonna be salty about that for a while because I hate this troupe of leaving your lover to keep them safe bullshit. Not my cup of tea, even though it happens EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
- The communication. Fucking hell, I thought CharnJet were gonna be the ones with godawful communication skills, but it’s the main couple. I know this is a slow burn, but it wouldn’t be burning this fucking slow if they just SPOKE. Well… more on Peem’s end, but still. It wasn’t so bad, but it got annoying sometimes.
- The ending. I know there’s going to be a special episode. But I really wished we had more time to delve into what the characters were up to during the time skip. Like what they’re lives were like now that they weren’t fighting for their lives. How Khem and Peem navigated the distance. We just got graduation, proposal and then a tiny snippet of PeemKhem being parents. And while I squealed through it all and loved every second, it all just felt too rushed to get them the maximum happy ending possible. Which felt weird considering how everything else was slowly paced.
- CharnJet not being the ones to get married. Their past lives ended with Jin asking if there would ever be a world where they could get married, and I really thought they would do a scene with Charn proposing and being like there finally is or something along those lines. It just would have made more sense if it were them getting married than PeemKhem?? But that’s just me, I guess.
- And finally, my biggest gripe with this show that has been bothering me since they brought it up. What’s with the vow of celibacy in this world? Peem’s mum tells him he can’t have a lover, so I was like, oh, okay, makes sense why he can’t be with Khem. But then grandma say’s he’s a Shaman not a monk, so he can, so then we’re back to being happy, and I thought that meant Peem couldn’t do anything sexual with Khem. BUT THEN, they’re hotly making out and jerking each other off????? I was so fucking confused. I thought being celibate meant they couldn’t self-pleasure either. But okay. That’s fine. Maybe it means they can do things as long as Peem doesn’t have sex. BUT THEN ONCE MORE, they do the do cuz he wasn’t practising to be a shaman again yet. But that brought on more questions because that means he can’t do anything after he gets his powers back, but would that also be the case after he got married???? And this. This whole thing has been bothering me so much since I finished this series, cuz it just doesn’t make sense, and I still can’t find answers.
This show has been a roller coaster of emotions. I laughed, cried and cheered for these characters. The OSTs are fucking beautiful, and best believe I’m having them on loop until I get bored of them. For a debut series for KengNamping, they knocked it out the fucking park, and I’m terrified I’m not going to like their other series because this was just that amazing. And I genuinely don’t think Domundi will ever get this close to perfection with another one of their shows for me. I
I’m gonna miss this show and its cast of characters so much. Welp… until the special episode then. Until then, I shall cry myself to sleep because I finished this series too quickly. Thanks Khemjira once again for breaking my Domundi curse. I wonder how long before another series manages to break it a second time.
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