The Thai BL (Boys' Love) industry is basically a factory for tropes, but every once in a while, a series like Love in the Air hits the scene and just... stays there. Even years later. You’ve likely seen the clips of Rain and Payu, or Sky and Prapai, but there is this specific, almost rhythmic obsession with the way the characters are named and coded. Specifically, the "Koi" element—referencing the character Meen, played by Fort Thitipong—has sparked endless threads on Twitter and TikTok. It’s not just a name. It’s a vibe.
People get confused. Honestly, if you're new to the Mame-universe (the author behind the original novels), the naming conventions feel like a fever dream.
Why Love in the Air Koi is More Than a Name
In the series, the character Meen is often associated with the "Koi" moniker because of how the Thai language handles nicknames and the specific wordplay used by the author, Mame. "Meen" (written as มีน) is his primary name, but the "Koi" aspect comes from the Thai word for a small fish or, more specifically, a playful diminutive. It’s a contrast. You have these towering, dominant leads like Boss Chaikamon (Payu) and Fort Thitipong (Prapai/Meen), yet the fandom latches onto these delicate, water-based metaphors.
It's about the duality.
Fort Thitipong’s portrayal of Meen—who eventually becomes the "Prapai" we see in the second half of the series—is a masterclass in how Thai drama uses "fish" imagery to denote someone who is slippery, hard to catch, or deceptively deep. When we talk about Love in the Air Koi, we are talking about the transition of a character from a secondary thought to a romantic powerhouse.
The Mame Universe Connection
You can't talk about this show without mentioning the creator, Mame. She’s the one who wrote TharnType and Don’t Say No. Her characters are always connected through a massive, sprawling web of friendships. In the Love in the Air novels (originally Love Storm and Love Sky), the character Meen serves as a bridge.
Think about it this way: Rain is the "Storm." Payu is the "Wind." Prapai is also a "Wind" (specifically a refreshing breeze), and Sky is... well, the Sky. Where does a fish fit in? It doesn't, really. That's the point. The "Koi" metaphor often surfaces in fan discussions because it represents the fluid nature of the second half of the series. While the first half is about a literal storm, the second half feels like navigating deep, sometimes murky water.
📖 Related: Who is Really in the Enola Holmes 2 Cast? A Look at the Faces Behind the Mystery
The Chemistry That Broke the Internet
Let's get real. The reason people are still searching for Love in the Air Koi is because of Fort and Peat. Their chemistry is borderline radioactive.
I remember watching the "Special Episode" where the intensity just cranked up to an eleven. There’s a scene involving a race track that basically redefined how BL fans view tension. Unlike the first couple, who had a very "pursuer and pursued" dynamic, Prapai and Sky (played by Peat Wasuthorn) had a trauma-informed narrative. It was heavier.
- It wasn't just flirting.
- It was about healing from past sexual assault (Sky's arc).
- It was about Prapai learning that persistence isn't always romantic—sometimes it's creepy—and he had to learn the difference.
That’s a huge leap for a genre that usually prioritizes "forced proximity" tropes. Meen/Prapai had to stop being a predator and start being a protector.
The Production Quality Gap
Me Mind Y, the production house, clearly spent more on the second half of the series. Look at the cinematography during the rain sequences. The lighting on the actors' skin is different. It’s warmer. They used anamorphic lenses in several of the "Koi-themed" or water-centric scenes to create a dreamlike blur. It’s high-end stuff.
Usually, BL series suffer from "second couple syndrome" where the budget runs out by episode 8. Not here. If anything, the Prapai-Sky arc (the one most closely linked to the Love in the Air Koi searches) felt more cinematic than the Payu-Rain start.
Misconceptions About the "Koi" Label
A lot of casual fans think "Koi" is a secret character. It isn't. I've seen theories suggesting there’s a missing brother or a spin-off lead named Koi.
👉 See also: Priyanka Chopra Latest Movies: Why Her 2026 Slate Is Riskier Than You Think
Nope.
In the Thai fandom, "Koi" is often used as a slang term for "the little finger" or something small and precious. When fans refer to Love in the Air Koi, they are often referencing the soft, vulnerable side of Meen/Prapai that only Sky gets to see. It’s the "little fish" in a big pond.
Also, we have to talk about the "Meen" vs "Prapai" naming confusion. In the novels, the character's name is Prapai, but in the casting calls and early production notes, the actor Fort was often referred to by his character's nickname Meen in other projects. This created a search engine "hallucination" where people started combining the terms.
It’s a mess of meta-commentary and real-life casting.
How to Navigate the Love in the Air Fandom in 2026
If you’re just getting into it now, you’re late to the party, but the party is still going. The "FortPeat" ship is one of the most stable in the industry. They’ve done multiple shows together since, including Love Sea, which—funny enough—returned to that water/fish imagery.
- Watch the Uncut Version: Don't bother with the TV edits. You miss the nuances of the emotional beats. The uncut versions on platforms like iQIYI are where the real story lives.
- Follow the Authors on X (Twitter): Mame is incredibly active. She often drops "lore" that isn't in the show.
- Check the Side Stories: There are "special" chapters in the novels that explain why Prapai (Meen) is so obsessed with the idea of being a "Koi" or a small, loyal creature for Sky.
The series handles heavy themes. Sky’s trauma isn't just a plot point; it’s a character. Seeing how Prapai navigates that—moving from a playboy to a literal pillar of support—is the meat of the story.
✨ Don't miss: Why This Is How We Roll FGL Is Still The Song That Defines Modern Country
The Visual Language of Water
There is this recurring motif. Water. Rain. The "Koi" in the pond.
In the Thai BL context, water usually represents a shift in power. When Payu (The Storm) meets Rain, the power shift is immediate. But for Prapai and Sky, the water is calmer. It’s a pool. It’s a place where things reflect.
Critics often argue that Love in the Air relies too heavily on "spicy" scenes to carry the plot. I disagree. If you strip away the fanservice, you're left with a story about a guy who didn't know how to love (Prapai) and a guy who was too afraid to be loved (Sky). The "Koi" metaphor fits perfectly there. A fish doesn't survive without the right environment. Prapai had to create that environment for Sky.
Practical Steps for Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into the Love in the Air Koi rabbit hole, start by looking up the "FortPeat" fan meetings from 2023 and 2024. They often perform skits that clarify the character motivations that were left out of the 13-episode run.
Also, look for the "Box Set" exclusive scenes. There is a specific sequence involving a gift—a small charm—that solidifies the "Koi" naming convention in the minds of the hardcore fans. It’s a tiny detail, but in this fandom, details are everything.
Stop looking for a character named Koi. Start looking at the metaphors. The "little finger" promise, the fish out of water, the calm after the storm. That’s where the real story of Love in the Air is hiding.
To get the most out of your rewatch, focus on the color grading. Notice how the blues and greens become more prominent when Prapai is on screen. That's the visual "water" element at work. It's intentional. It's brilliant. And it's why we're still talking about it years later.