KIDNAP (ลับ-จ้าง-รัก) is the latest GMMTV (จีเอ็มเอ็มทีวี) BL drama to debut in 2024, starring one of the company’s most seasoned BL actors, Ohm Pawat (โอม ภวัต), alongside one of their newest talents, Leng Thanaphon (เล้ง ธนพล), and a cast of incredibly talented performers.

The series’ basic premise is that Min (Pawat) would do anything to see his younger brother Men (Ohm Thipakorn, โอม ฐิภากร), who is all he has left in the world. Min also has a serious and expensive heart condition. When his friend James (Title Kirati, ไตเติ้ล กีรติ) asks him to kidnap spoiled rich kid Q (Thanaphon) for an incredible price, Min can’t refuse. However, when he’s asked to kill Q, he can’t bring himself to pull the trigger. Instead, he invites Q to stay with him and Men until it’s safe for him to return home.

While the plot may not be the most complex, KIDNAP has something that sets it apart: Pawat. I first became aware of the actor in the 2019 series He’s Coming To Me (เขามาเชงเม้งข้างๆหลุมผมครับ), but it was the 2021 romantic comedy Bad Buddy Series (แค่เพื่อนครับเพื่อน) that put the young actor on international radar.

What I love most about Pawat is that he has palpable chemistry with his co-stars, regardless of whether they’re male or female. His character’s feelings are always believable. While I enjoyed his pairing with NANON in Bad Buddy, he shares something special with Thanaphon, and the two work incredibly well together.

This is Pawat’s first BL series since Bad Buddy (excluding the anthology series Our Skyy22), and it’s Thanaphon’s first starring role. The young actor has impressive acting skills. With the third episode airing on Friday, September 20, the 12-episode series has become a favorite among international fans, much like Bad Buddy. On Friday, the company also released the first music video from the OST, “Love Leads” (รักพา), which is incredibly catchy.

Another reason I’m enjoying this story so much is the writing. The original story, penned by PingPong Suwanun Pohgudsai (Cherry Magic), Chalermpong Udomsilp (Never Let Me Go), Sornpanath Patpho (Vice Versa), and Nontachai Vinyousupornchai as his first series, marks a departure from the typical school boy dramas GMMTV is known for While the company has earned its reputation as the king of light-hearted comedy BL (and for good reason), it’s refreshing to see them exploring new directions – a continued commitment to diverse storytelling.

Episodes one and two did an excellent job of establishing the characters, their motivations, and desires, and added fuel to the fire. However, episode three is where the story truly starts to gain momentum. The introduction of backstory elements (especially surrounding Q) adds depth to his character, revealing where he’s come from and what it means for his blossoming relationship with Min.

It’s an incredibly well done series and one I truly hope does well for the company. Currently airing on GMM 25 in Thailand, the series streams on gagaOOlala for international viewers.

There will be more BL reviews soon so..

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