BL does gay Blacklist with a good boy/bad boy pairing (paladin/rogue). Starred First (The Shipper) & Khaotung (Tonhon Chonlatee) plus the side dish pair from FUTS NeoLouis (neo was shockingly good). This is a good show but the cast was excellent and the leads were absolutely flawless. They portray a nuanced and multifaceted burgeoning relationship: philosophical (and socio-political) conflict contrasted to moments of empathy; flirtation contrasted to moments of genuine affection. This show has the sophistication of Not Me and balance of Bad Buddy - the best we can expect from GMMTV. Aye is so damn pushy but with emotions as well a physical affection, he exposes his own vulnerability as a kind of benevolent attack on Akk to instill trust and self-worth and safety. Akk is just so scared and closeted. This whole narrative is less about love than it is about courage and tenderness. Whether that is courage to live or courage to love. The eye contact with these 2 is beyond eye fucking into something more like eye soul-mating.

However, 3/4 of the way through, the pacing started to feel off and I got frustrated with the plot. I don't think this show will hold up to a binge watch, with the twists both predictable and totally out of no where (in a bad way) and the resolution rushed. It felt like the first half of this drama rested on
Khaotung’s acting and the second half rested on First. In both cases, the actors remained entirely in control of the narrative, it’s just that First got shafted by the fact that his section of the story was curtailed. Despite these flaws, this is an enjoyable watch, with an ending that features verbal consent and a funny blooper reel.