Released in 2019, He She It was the first starring role of Thai superstar Jeff Satur. It’s a strange and surreal look at the trauma of having to live a double life because society refuses to accept who you really are.
The story centers on the handsome and seemingly popular Mike (Satur), who is leading a secret double life. On one hand, he has a loving and adorable girlfriend Pear (Rattaporn Sukpun, Praew) who is completely in love with him. But on the other hand, so is Peem (Garnapaphon Laolerkiat, Gameplay) his best friend, with whom Mike is having an affair.
Episode One – He: opens with an acting class. The professor has set up a boy’s love sort of scene and wants to see true emotion and passion coming from her students. Mike is paired with Peem who comes in late. The two start the scene and end up sharing a passionate kiss. In a flashback, we see the two at the pool, horsing around, and enjoying some alone time.
They talk about their friendship and their relationship. Then Mike pushes Peem into the pool. Peem instantly sinks. Believing he’s joking at first, Mike laughs, but when Peem doesn’t break the surface he dives in to save him. Back on the safety of the deck, they laugh. Mike asks if Peem was joking. Peem laughs.
Back in class, Mike jerks away from Peem. Suddenly sick he starts to cough and choke. Falling to the ground he’s looking at his lover in absolute fear. From his Point of View something in Peem shifts, and he becomes a darker and more sinister version of himself. The lights go dark and when they turn back on Peem is gone.
Episode Two – She: This episode introduces Pear as the doting girlfriend, while Mike and Peem are staying with their friends and Mike’s roommate, Korn (Nattapong Promprasert, Korn). Later, after everyone has left, and Korn has gone to bed, Mike propositions Peem for romance, not knowing Korn is still awake. Korn later approaches Pear with video evidence of Mike and Peem’s relationship.
On the evening of their third anniversary, Pear breaks up with Mike. When he asks why, she shows him the video of him and Peem. Believing Peem is behind the video leak, Mike rushes to confront him. The two fight and Mike blames him for ruining his life, stating that he loves Pear, not him. After punching him in the face, Mike pushes him into the pool. Peem drowns.
Episode Three – It: Mike confronts Korn about leaking the video, blaming him for ruining his life. Bigger and stronger than he is, Mike doesn’t physically confront Korn the way he did Preem. Korn also tells him that the only one he has to blame for ruining his life is himself. That night, Peem’s ghost haunts Korn, causing him to have a mental breakdown.
The series ends with Mike on the sofa, playing a song Peem used to like to listen to.
Thoughts: Released intentionally out of order, It’s a strange piece, but interesting. Though it does feel more like the passion piece of a film student than an actual television production, but honestly, that only adds to the emotional tension of the piece. Also, even when they were young, Jeff and Gameplay had incredible chemistry. Anyone who’s ever been on either side of a secret relationship with someone in the closet should watch this piece.
10/10
More film/drama reviews soon so…
Stay Tuned!
Life In Cartoon Motion 