This review may contain spoilers
this is a loooong review lol - after 4 years, i finally decided to make a review
when gmmtv released bad buddy series in 2021, it instantly became a standout in the bl genre—and for good reason. instead of leaning on tired clichés or melodrama, it gave us a story that was light, funny, heartfelt, and groundbreaking in the way it handled lgbtq+ themes.
the plot follows pat (ohm pawat) and pran (nanon korapat), neighbors turned rivals thanks to their feuding families. what begins as playful competition slowly grows into a tender love story, filled with witty banter, quiet longing, and the kind of chemistry that makes every moment between them sparkle.
ohm and nanon’s performances carry the series effortlessly. nanon gives pran a gentle but firm depth, while ohm brings pat’s impulsiveness and warmth to life. together, they create one of the most natural, believable romances in the genre—funny, vulnerable, and utterly captivating. the chemistry between ohm and nanon is undeniable; every glance, every smile, every argument feels charged with authenticity, making their pairing one of the strongest the industry has seen.
but what really made bad buddy special was how it challenged common bl stereotypes. unlike many series where characters feel the need to justify themselves with lines like “i’m straight, but i like him,” pat and pran never once questioned their attraction or identity. their love was treated as natural, not something to be explained away. the show also avoided the outdated “husband and wife” dynamic often assigned to queer couples—instead, it portrayed them as equals, partners who balanced each other beautifully.
the family angle was another refreshing touch. while pat and pran’s parents initially opposed their relationship due to long-standing grudges, it was never about homophobia. in fact, the show was clear that both families were perfectly fine with whoever their sons dated. the conflict was rooted in rivalry, not prejudice—a small but meaningful shift that set this series apart from many others.
the side characters added richness, too. ink and pa (love pansa and milk pansa) became an iconic sapphic pairing, bringing more representation and chemistry that resonated strongly with fans. their scenes, though fewer, were impactful and celebrated just as much as the leads. pat and pran’s friends also played crucial roles in shaping the story—wai with his protective loyalty toward pran, whose conflict with pat added layers of tension and realism, and korn, pat’s best friend, who served as the voice of reason and constant support. their involvement didn’t just fill space; it grounded the series in friendships that felt just as important as the romance itself.
another standout element was the soundtrack. songs like “just friend?” and “our song” didn’t just act as background music—they carried pat and pran’s emotions, narrating their hidden feelings when words weren’t enough. the lyrics mirrored their journey from rivalry to love, making the music feel like a second storyteller. it’s rare for a soundtrack to align so perfectly with the narrative, but here, it amplified every stolen glance, every heartbreak, and every moment of joy.
of course, the series wasn’t flawless. some pacing dips happen midway, and certain family conflicts wrapped up a little too neatly. but these are minor compared to the larger achievement: a bl that managed to be both entertaining and quietly revolutionary.
---
final thoughts: bad buddy series is not just one of gmmtv’s best—it’s one of the most important bl dramas of its time. it proved that love stories don’t need to rely on harmful tropes, stereotypes, or forced identity struggles to be compelling. instead, it gave us a romance that was equal, sincere, and full of warmth—supported by standout performances, unforgettable side characters, a soundtrack that beautifully told the story of pat and pran, and the kind of chemistry between ohm and nanon that feels rare and magical. years later, it remains a benchmark for how to tell lgbtq+ stories with both heart and respect.
even years after it first aired, the series still holds a special place in fans’ hearts. people continue to talk about it, rewatch it, and recommend it because it wasn’t just another drama—it was a love story that felt genuine, respectful, and timeless. bad buddy didn’t just set a new standard for bl dramas, it became a comfort show, one that reminds us that love—when it’s true—doesn’t need to explain or justify itself.
the plot follows pat (ohm pawat) and pran (nanon korapat), neighbors turned rivals thanks to their feuding families. what begins as playful competition slowly grows into a tender love story, filled with witty banter, quiet longing, and the kind of chemistry that makes every moment between them sparkle.
ohm and nanon’s performances carry the series effortlessly. nanon gives pran a gentle but firm depth, while ohm brings pat’s impulsiveness and warmth to life. together, they create one of the most natural, believable romances in the genre—funny, vulnerable, and utterly captivating. the chemistry between ohm and nanon is undeniable; every glance, every smile, every argument feels charged with authenticity, making their pairing one of the strongest the industry has seen.
but what really made bad buddy special was how it challenged common bl stereotypes. unlike many series where characters feel the need to justify themselves with lines like “i’m straight, but i like him,” pat and pran never once questioned their attraction or identity. their love was treated as natural, not something to be explained away. the show also avoided the outdated “husband and wife” dynamic often assigned to queer couples—instead, it portrayed them as equals, partners who balanced each other beautifully.
the family angle was another refreshing touch. while pat and pran’s parents initially opposed their relationship due to long-standing grudges, it was never about homophobia. in fact, the show was clear that both families were perfectly fine with whoever their sons dated. the conflict was rooted in rivalry, not prejudice—a small but meaningful shift that set this series apart from many others.
the side characters added richness, too. ink and pa (love pansa and milk pansa) became an iconic sapphic pairing, bringing more representation and chemistry that resonated strongly with fans. their scenes, though fewer, were impactful and celebrated just as much as the leads. pat and pran’s friends also played crucial roles in shaping the story—wai with his protective loyalty toward pran, whose conflict with pat added layers of tension and realism, and korn, pat’s best friend, who served as the voice of reason and constant support. their involvement didn’t just fill space; it grounded the series in friendships that felt just as important as the romance itself.
another standout element was the soundtrack. songs like “just friend?” and “our song” didn’t just act as background music—they carried pat and pran’s emotions, narrating their hidden feelings when words weren’t enough. the lyrics mirrored their journey from rivalry to love, making the music feel like a second storyteller. it’s rare for a soundtrack to align so perfectly with the narrative, but here, it amplified every stolen glance, every heartbreak, and every moment of joy.
of course, the series wasn’t flawless. some pacing dips happen midway, and certain family conflicts wrapped up a little too neatly. but these are minor compared to the larger achievement: a bl that managed to be both entertaining and quietly revolutionary.
---
final thoughts: bad buddy series is not just one of gmmtv’s best—it’s one of the most important bl dramas of its time. it proved that love stories don’t need to rely on harmful tropes, stereotypes, or forced identity struggles to be compelling. instead, it gave us a romance that was equal, sincere, and full of warmth—supported by standout performances, unforgettable side characters, a soundtrack that beautifully told the story of pat and pran, and the kind of chemistry between ohm and nanon that feels rare and magical. years later, it remains a benchmark for how to tell lgbtq+ stories with both heart and respect.
even years after it first aired, the series still holds a special place in fans’ hearts. people continue to talk about it, rewatch it, and recommend it because it wasn’t just another drama—it was a love story that felt genuine, respectful, and timeless. bad buddy didn’t just set a new standard for bl dramas, it became a comfort show, one that reminds us that love—when it’s true—doesn’t need to explain or justify itself.
Was this review helpful to you?
