Honestly, the Thai "Boys' Love" (BL) industry is getting crowded. Really crowded. You can’t scroll through GMMTV’s YouTube channel without bumping into three new trailers for shows about engineering students falling in love. It’s a trope. It’s a meme at this point. So when the We Are series was first announced, a lot of people—myself included—kinda just rolled our eyes. Another university setting? More white lab coats?
But then it actually aired.
Directed by New Siwaj Sawatmaneekul—the same mind behind the legendary Until We Meet Again and Love By Chance—this show didn't try to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it just made the wheel spin really, really well. It’s based on the popular novel by Khun Paroy, and it follows the interconnected lives of four couples. It’s messy, it’s fluffy, and it’s surprisingly grounded. While other shows are busy trying to be "high concept" with time travel or ghosts, We Are series just wanted to talk about being young and dumb in Bangkok.
What the We Are series gets right about friendship
Most BL shows treat the "friends" as mere background noise. They are there to give a thumbs up or look shocked when the main couple finally kisses. In this show, the friendship group feels like the actual protagonist. Phum, Peem, Q, Toey—these guys actually seem like they like each other.
Phum (played by Pond Naravit) and Peem (Phuwin Tangsakyuen) lead the pack. Their "enemies-to-lovers" arc is the hook, sure, but it's the group dynamics that keep you watching. It captures that specific Thai university vibe—the late-night study sessions that turn into drinking rounds, the teasing that goes just a little too far, and the absolute chaos of a group chat that never stops pinging.
Pond and Phuwin already had a massive fanbase from Never Let Me Go, but their energy here is totally different. In their previous work, they were dealing with literal life-and-death mafia drama. Here? Phum is just a rich guy who gets his expensive shoes ruined and decides to "extort" Peem into being his personal servant. It’s low stakes. It’s silly. And that’s exactly why it works. Sometimes you don't want a tragedy; you just want to see two cute guys bicker over a drawing.
The four-couple structure: A risky move that paid off
Usually, when a show tries to juggle four different romances, things get thin. You end up not caring about the "C" or "D" plots. However, the We Are series manages to balance the screen time in a way that feels organic.
- Phum and Peem: The flagship couple. It’s the classic "I hate you but I’m obsessed with you" dynamic.
- Q and Toey: This one hit different. Winny Thanawin and Satang Kittiphop have this incredible chemistry that feels more domestic and quiet. Q is the moody artist; Toey is the persistent junior.
- Tan and Khaofang: Aungsunthan and Marc. This is the "secret crush" trope done with a lot of heart.
- Chain and Pun: Marc Pahun and Pawin. They represent the more "mature" or steady side of the group.
The show doesn't rush these transitions. It lets the scenes breathe. If you’ve ever been in a large friend group, you know that everyone’s love life moves at a different speed. Some people are already "married" after two weeks, while others take three years just to admit they like someone. The We Are series mirrors that reality.
Why the "New Siwaj" touch matters
Director New Siwaj is a polarizing figure in the BL world. Some critics say his pacing is too slow. Others think he leans too hard into "slow-motion staring." But you can't deny he knows how to capture longing. In the We Are series, he pulls back on the heavy melodrama he’s known for and leans into the sunlight. The lighting is warm. The colors are bright. It feels like a long summer afternoon.
He also has this habit of using very specific recurring motifs—food, art, and shared spaces. These aren't just props. When Peem is drawing, it’s not just "filler." It’s how he processes his feelings for Phum. When the group eats together, the seating arrangements tell you everything you need to know about who is fighting and who is flirting.
Addressing the "Engineering BL" fatigue
Let's be real: we are all a bit tired of the gear pins and the faculty rivalries. The We Are series exists within this world, but it feels like a love letter to the genre rather than a lazy copy. It acknowledges the cliches. It leans into them with a wink.
What makes it stand out is the production value. GMMTV put a lot of money into this, and it shows. The wardrobes are curated. The locations don't look like the same three hallways we've seen since 2016. Even the soundtrack—which features the cast members themselves—became a staple on Thai music charts during its run.
But it’s not perfect. No show is.
Some viewers felt the 16-episode runtime was a bit much. In an era where Korean BLs are eight episodes of 20 minutes each, a 16-episode Thai epic can feel like a marathon. There are moments where the plot drags, particularly in the middle acts when the misunderstandings start to pile up. You’ll find yourself yelling at the screen, "Just talk to each other!" But isn't that the point of a soap opera?
The cultural impact of PondPhuwin in 2024 and 2025
By the time the show wrapped up, Pond and Phuwin had solidified themselves as one of the "pillars" of GMMTV. Their popularity isn't just about looks. It’s about the "shipping" culture, sure, but it’s also about their ability to adapt.
The We Are series proved they could handle comedy just as well as they handled the heavy-duty angst of their earlier work. This versatility is rare in the BL industry, where actors often get pigeonholed into one specific "vibe."
Key takeaways for new viewers
If you’re diving into the We Are series now, don’t expect a fast-paced thriller. That’s not what this is.
- Watch for the side couples: Seriously, Winny and Satang (Q and Toey) steal almost every scene they are in. Their "slow burn" is arguably more satisfying than the main lead’s story.
- Pay attention to the art: Since Peem is an arts student, the visual metaphors involving sketches and colors are actually quite deep if you’re looking for them.
- Don't skip the OST: The songs are genuinely catchy and provide a lot of the emotional heavy lifting during the non-verbal scenes.
- Pace yourself: 16 episodes is a lot. It’s better as a "weekend binge" than trying to cram it all into one night.
The series succeeds because it respects its audience. It knows you’ve seen a hundred of these shows before, so it focuses on making the characters likeable rather than making the plot complicated. It’s the ultimate "comfort show." It’s like a warm blanket on a rainy day—predictable, maybe, but exactly what you need.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you’ve finished the series, your best bet is to check out the "behind the scenes" specials on GMMTV's official YouTube channel. The cast chemistry off-camera is famously chaotic and explains why their on-screen friendship felt so authentic. Additionally, looking into the original novel by Khun Paroy (available in some English translations online) offers a bit more internal monologue for characters like Q and Chain that the show couldn't quite fit into the runtime. For those looking for more from the lead actors, Never Let Me Go offers a much darker, high-stakes contrast to the breezy vibes of this series.