My jumping into Thai entertainment has been a fun ride so far with many satisfying discoveries. I was first introduced to the couple affectionately known as #PeteKao when YouTube recommended a three-part compilation of scenes from the series Kiss Me Again which featured the characters Pete and Kao.

How YouTube recommended it to me may have to do with me looking up Love of Siam after I watched it for the first time in late 2018, I think it was.

But I ended up waching the #PeteKao compilation. I then went on to watch Kiss: The Series (which I learned actually aired first, but its events take place after Kiss Me Again). And then I ended up officially becoming a fan.

So count me as one of the many people who looked forward to their story continuing with Dark Blue Kiss (รักไม่ระบุสถานะ). The series aired from October to December last year and I watched every episode the day after they first aired in Thailand. (Had to wait for the English subtitles of course, but all episodes were quickly uploaded to GMMTV’s official YouTube channel. Thanks GMM!)

Dark Blue Kiss was a fun, turbulent, but fully satisfying ride. A very soapy ride, to be sure. But a very satisfying series.

Dark Blue Kiss focused on Pete and Kao’s relationship hitting a bumpy patch with the arrival of troublemaker Non. Setting his sights on Kao, Non was the scheming villain wanting to steal the leading man away from the, well, other leading man.

It undoubtedly frustrated many fans watching the series. I can understand, but not agree with fans only wanting to see all happy scenes. Romantic scenes with kisses and perhaps more… action. Dark Blue Kiss was a drama series that showed how Pete and Kao’s relationship was tested and how they overcame it.

It had the type of story where the frustrations, misunderstandings, hurt feelings and difficult moments all piled up to help set up and culminate with a thoroughly satisfying conclusion. A conclusion that resulted in our main couple being stronger than they were at the start. But understandably, reaching that point requires an investment from the viewer. A commitment to see the entire series through in order to reach that fulfillment instead of just giving up on the series halfway through because there haven’t been enough kiss or bed scenes.

Now that’s certainly not the case for all fans. But it was a very loud faction of the audience and it was unfortunate that they were missing out on a well-developed story and thoroughly fun ride.

The second couple of Sun and Mork were also a highlight and perhaps got even more growth and development in the series than Pete and Kao. Of course, Sun and Mork were only peripheral characters in the previous Kiss series, so this was their opportunity to shine and have the spotlight on them.

Both couples’ stories though were equally engaging and in different ways. An established couple hitting an unexpected speed bump. And another couple just coming to terms with their new feelings for each other.

Dark Blue Kiss also had some very poignant and emotional moments, especially when it came to Kao struggling to keep his sexuality from his mother. Perhaps the best scene of the entire series was the moment Kao is able to honestly speak with his mother who comfortably reassured him that he never had any reason to worry about her possible reaction in the first place. A wonderful moment of unconditional love between a mother and son.

The series also certainly had plenty of lighthearted moments and balanced the heavier moments well.

The cast delivered good, solid performances. No question about the chemistry between Pete and Kao themselves, Tay Tawan Vihokratana and New Thitipoom Techaapaikhun. They have an undeniable chemistry that pops off the screen and are talented actors that can deliver any type of scene required of them, whether dramatic, romantic or something lighter.

Podd Suphakorn Sriphothong and Fluke Gawin Caskey as Sun and Mork also shared a great chemistry. Their complicated relationship was believable thanks to their performances.

AJ Chayapol Jutamat as Non, however, was a revelation. Having to walk the tightrope between a villain you love to hate and a broken character you can empathize with takes some skill. And AJ was able to show he could handle it.

Pluem Pongpisal as Sun’s brother Rain and the Gang of Sandee, Thada and June (Mild Lapassalan Jiravechsoontornkul, Mek Jirakit Thawornwong, Nicky Nachat Juntapun) helped provide much needed relief from the drama. And Ploy Patchatorn Thanawat as Manow rounds out the cast.

Oh and can we also appreciate these epic opening credits?