Finally buddies! Finally, after a long time I found a BL series that really excited me and kept me breathless as I watched it! Shine is the gift I gave myself for Christmas and I really want to share this excitement with you! (yeah, I know it’s almost June, but Heated Rivalry has totally consumed my life since then, so sorry for the very late post). Here are all the reasons why I loved it and think you should watch it too!

Shine (2025)
Country: Thailand
Episodes: 8 (~1h’ each)
Genres: Romance, Political
My Rating: 10/10

Main Cast

Apo Nattawin as Trin Suwannaphat
Mile Phakphum as Tanwa Chatbodi
Son Yuke as Krailert Suwannaphat
Euro Yotsawat as Naran Pitayatorn

Plot
The story takes place in the late 60s and portrays people who are desperately trying to fit into the standards and social expectations of the era, alongside the political turmoil.

Trin is an economist who comes back to Bangkok to work as a lecturer at the university, after years in Paris. He lost his girlfriend while she was protesting and now, he’s eager to find a more peaceful way to change things. There, he meets a man who seems to be the complete opposite of him.

Tanwa is a careless musician who lives freely as a hippie and makes a living by doing music gigs. He always felt alone. Nobody could ever understand him, especially his father, the person who raised him after his mother’s death. He lived as if nothing mattered and he seemed like he didn’t care about anything. But actually, he cares. A lot.

The plot is captivating from the very start and the political side of the story unfolds in a very interesting way. It slowly introduces many unique characters, most of them trying to survive in their own reality and fighting to see a brighter day.

Main Couple

As unlikely to happen as it seems, after Trin and Tanwa met, they became an important part of each other’s lives. They both carry a heavy past which they don’t express easily and they’re not fully healed yet, but when they’re together, it feels like time stops.

As always, Apo and Mile’s chemistry was insane. I loved how I could feel all their emotions just by looking at their eyes. Their characters grew a lot throughout the series, especially Tanwa’s, who was finally able to express his emotions, be honest with his father and allow himself to grieve. I liked how at the end, Trin gave Tanwa the time he needed to stop relying on him and let him get back when he felt it was the right time. Sometimes, time really can heal everything, and that’s exactly what they needed.

Second Couple

Krailert and Naran are an artistic couple, whose love felt impossible from the start. They are perfect for each other, passionate and deeply in love. Unfortunately, Krailert made a choice years ago and he has no other option than to follow the life he chose then, for everyone’s safety.

I can’t even imagine how hard it was for a couple like this to be together. Both trapped in a life they don’t want, which was very common in those days. It was hard watching them not end up together, but I believe this was to point out the hard truth people who are forced to live behind a mask have to face. Happy ending isn’t always possible and the hardest part is that this happens, even nowadays. Their ending was a reminder for all of us that following our dreams isn’t always an option, so we have to grab the chance while we can.

Production

The series immediately puts you in the atmosphere of another era. Even if I wasn’t born then, I could clearly feel the way they lived. All the angst and fears these people had and the recklessness of this era.

The screenwriters did an incredible job. The plot is unique and not rushed. It creates a lot of angst and it’s full of quotes and life lessons. The characters are also well-written and realistic, each one with their flaws, but all of them with the need to forget the cruel reality and be free. Along with the top-notch acting, you can easily put yourself in their shoes.

And, of course, a beautiful soundtrack couldn’t have been missing from such a good production.

Conclusion

To be honest, Shine is a total work of art that comes with many lessons. It’s a raw and realistic series, with a lot of painful moments, but also hopeful and heart-warming. I believe everyone should watch it, even if it hurts, because the amount of love that was put into creating this series is immeasurable. I loved everything about the series and I have a lot of respect for Apo and Mile for taking their time to find the perfect series, with the perfect script and production behind it.

The whole point of the series is that our hearts sometimes live a life of their own and everyone has the right to follow them. We live in the now, not forever. It’s all about questioning your life and facing who you really are and what you really want.

“I crossed to the other side. I took a risk. I loved. I failed. I learned. I saw what the far side of the moon looked like. I used to be afraid of the outcome of my own choice. But today, I finally understand — that choosing, in itself, is what truly matters. Regardless of the outcome. It’s still better than not choosing at all.”

I’d be glad to hear your opinion in the comments! And if you want, you can subscribe for more!

Thanks for reading,
Utaku 🌼