Beautiful series transcending genres while showcasing Thai culture
I did not expect to feel so strongly about Khemjira, but I can't seem to watch anything else at the moment, even after finishing it a week ago. Although it's not a perfect show, I thoroughly enjoyed watching it and can definitely say it's one of the best of 2025. The first half felt a bit stretched out, but the rest really captivated me, especially Episode 11 was a highlight!
You can tell how much DMD invested in production; I'm very impressed with the cinematography, effects, and locations. What makes this BL stand out is of course the fantasy-horror aspect, which was executed very well!
So many interesting themes, such as Isaan culture and Buddhist traditions, were incorporated with respect and accuracy. As it is a novel adaptation, there is also the pressure of executing a satisfying show for the novel readers.
This is the first big series for the four main actors; there are improvements to be made but overall, I liked all of their performances and believe they will only get better. Tle, Keng and Green stood out to me most. When it comes to Namping, I was a bit conflicted as some scenes were done perfectly (e.g. acting as Jet), while others were less realistic (e.g. the crying scenes).
In terms of the character Khem, I also wish he was not portrayed as a "damsel in distress" the whole time. It would have been nice to show more development when it comes to his personal strengths and will to live (since he kept wanting to give up). Although the title of the show ("Khemjira must survive") demonstrates how he obviously had to be saved, it was frustrating to watch someone so helpless while everyone was doing everything for him.
I really love how they approached the topic of queer marriage and adoption – very important to have this representation in the genre! Calling it a BL does not do it complete justice in my opinion, as it is a beautiful queer story that demonstrates both gay and lesbian couples, with characters who are proud of their sexuality and who express love openly.
The OST is wonderful as well, I've been listening to it every day!
Hopefully, Khemjira will inspire other BLs to experiment more with diverse genres and topics like this. Would love to watch more horror/dark shows!
You can tell how much DMD invested in production; I'm very impressed with the cinematography, effects, and locations. What makes this BL stand out is of course the fantasy-horror aspect, which was executed very well!
So many interesting themes, such as Isaan culture and Buddhist traditions, were incorporated with respect and accuracy. As it is a novel adaptation, there is also the pressure of executing a satisfying show for the novel readers.
This is the first big series for the four main actors; there are improvements to be made but overall, I liked all of their performances and believe they will only get better. Tle, Keng and Green stood out to me most. When it comes to Namping, I was a bit conflicted as some scenes were done perfectly (e.g. acting as Jet), while others were less realistic (e.g. the crying scenes).
In terms of the character Khem, I also wish he was not portrayed as a "damsel in distress" the whole time. It would have been nice to show more development when it comes to his personal strengths and will to live (since he kept wanting to give up). Although the title of the show ("Khemjira must survive") demonstrates how he obviously had to be saved, it was frustrating to watch someone so helpless while everyone was doing everything for him.
I really love how they approached the topic of queer marriage and adoption – very important to have this representation in the genre! Calling it a BL does not do it complete justice in my opinion, as it is a beautiful queer story that demonstrates both gay and lesbian couples, with characters who are proud of their sexuality and who express love openly.
The OST is wonderful as well, I've been listening to it every day!
Hopefully, Khemjira will inspire other BLs to experiment more with diverse genres and topics like this. Would love to watch more horror/dark shows!
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