Bad Buddy (2021)

Happy, Fluffy and Intense!

First and foremost, I have never watched a single BL from GMMTV. Hence, I dove into this one with no expectations, without any prior knowledge about common BL tropes. I was immensely surprised by how popular Bad Buddy was. Everywhere on Tumblr, I couldn't escape it. Well, lucky for me. I'm so happy that I watched this drama while it was still airing. One of 2021's good surprises.

Two rival families and also next-door neighbors attempt to etch their grudge upon their sons, starting a chain of events from Kindergarten to University. Pran and Prat, the aforementioned sons, have their own cliques, friends and interests. After a few years of separation, they are flung together in the same University. But, this time, they get to decide whether they really need to rekindle their grudge, or start anew.

Is it cliché plot? Yes. But, it was a cliché done right. Right upto the ending.

The drama was a wholesome package. It had family, siblings, friendship, career, character growth and everything so neatly arranged, acted and directed that right now, I have nothing to complain about. I've not seen a single drama of both the leading actors. Their performance literally blew my mind and there were scenes where I would simply feel their emotions and smile like crazy because it was so unbelievable. That's some Oscar level acting. •_○

We slowly watch the two opposing rivals grow closer and support each other, ready to force real conversations when things go wrong. It was a simple plot, but the depth of sincerity and time the entire crew took to bring it to screen is palpable from the final product.
There were no unnecessary misunderstandings or time leaps that were senseless.

(I'll forever remember that one tumblr post that went: P' off, I'll be under your bed tonight.)

Shout out to characters like Wai, Korn, Pa, Ink, the theatre Big-Bro and Nang Nao who were a few memorable ones.

And last but not the least, the people who chose the BGM better get a pay rise. Because it was absolutely heavenly and pulled all the right strings, making the scenes indelible.

My review sucks and I know it. Bad Buddy is a story that needs to be experienced and I'm at a lose of words to describe my feelings.
9 is much too high a score, but this is definitely one of the most excellently made dramas I've ever seen. I'm so happy I watched it. The hype didn't lie for once. And thank you, tumblr, for bringing this to my dashboard and eventually making me watch it.
If you are seeking a satisfying and sweet, yet slightly angsty and serious escape from reality, definitely give this one a try!

Leia Mais

Healthy healthy healthy all the way!

Food analogy: Pure guilty sweet chocolate..best cheat diet as well as not cheat food.
I probably can't say anything new that already hasn't been said in other reviews. I can just agree on all the 10 on 10s this series is getting and argue with everyone who is not giving this a 10 on 10.
By far, the best. Just the potrayal of the characters in this modernized romeo juliet is out of the bounds. And let it just get out of the way that they couldn't have casted better. I am so glad to have given this series my time of the day and you would too.
Story: Quite generic tbh but you won't be bored for a second.
Music: Keeping the title track in my workout playlist forever. And the Ost's are mind blowing.
Acting: Least amount of overacting and oh that chemistry.. oh that kiss.
Rewatch value: you will be crazy not to rewatch and revisit this sweetness.

Leia Mais

a show filled with all the best tropes in the best way

Bad Buddy was my first foray into the world of Thai BL's which was a world i was hesitant to step into because of how much content there is, but i gotta say...what a show to pick as your first.

I spent 12 weeks watching the story of Pat and Pran and their journey from being so called enemies to the most loveliest couple that I have seen on tv in a long time. I contribute that all to the fantastic chemistry of Nanon and Ohm and the very apparent comfort they have with another that translated so well on screen for their characters. The show had such a nice balance of high comedy moments and then moments where you're crying because you can't bear the thought of something bad happening to these boys who deserve the world and more!

AND THE MUSIC! i would be remiss to not mention the music in this show! It helps that they had Nanon as Pran because that boy can SING. He provided two very lovely and heartfelt songs that are so very special to the show and i will forever have them on my playlist to remind me of the 12 weeks i got to spend watching this series.

I have to shout out to the inclusion of the ink/pha side couple which was VERY unexpected but oh so welcome! So often we see the female addition to the main couple be there for drama and then have little to nothing in the show to offer after, but bad buddy thankfully did not go down that path and instead gave us a sweet little romance that was presented so sweetly even with the short amount of time.

Overall, this show had a lot to be happy about: a feel good romance, well crafted angst, sweet side couples, hilarious group dynamics, GREAT soundtrack, and a general good vibe about everything.

I wouldn't take back a single moment spent watching this show whether it was alone or with a group of friends and I hope others who decide to give the show a chance also have the best time getting to see the beautiful and heartfelt romance and story of Pat and Pran - two boys who weren't allowed to be friends and then decided they couldn't be Just Friends ):)

I could not recommend this enough! Well worth the watch!

Leia Mais

This is a real 10/10!

I can honestly say without any hype or bs, this show is a perfect 10 for me. I adored every episode, it never got old and it left me with an enormous happy feeling. I did read the book first and honestly this is quite different, which I love. I would almost pit the book as it's own stand alone and try not to compare, both are worth your time though! I think we all know by now chemistry is king in this industry and these two had it. I know quite a few people complain about other epic BL series and their toxicity, but I personally have never been bothered and I love a wild ride. This show is not a portrayal of toxic love and I still felt myself floored by other elements. The excitement for each episode and the immense amounts of intimacy kept me going. There is no reason to skip this one now that it's finished, it is now one of the "epics" and is a must watch for any BL fan. I am whole heartedly satisfied and I would for sure watch this over again!

Leia Mais

So good at being good that this may be its flaw

Bad Buddy is probably the best conventional Thai BL series to come out in 2021. At the beginning of the year, there was A Tale of Thousand Stars, which was excellent and different from many conventional BL series. Then there were plenty of average to above average BL series that did not really shine.

The thing that first made me excited about Bad Buddy was the casting of Ohm and Nanon in the leading roles. Ohm has always been great in the roles he’s given, even the less important roles while Nanon always thrives with a well written role. Seeing Ohm and Nanon in the leading roles meant for me that Bad Buddy would not be one of those series with first-time actors trying their luck in a BL production; and most likely, the production team would not be amateurish as well.

Indeed, Bad Buddy did not disappoint. It is the perfect textbook example of how to do a conventional BL very well. The premise is not exactly original, but it is one that lends itself to endless variations. We have the sons of two constantly fighting families in the fashion of a Romeo-and-Juliet tale. At first, the two sons themselves seem to be engaged in a similar sort of rivalry, but soon it becomes clear that they are different from their parents.

Everything seems to hit the right notes in this series. Tension is mixed well with light humor. The portrayal of Pran’s love is suitably moving without being sappy. The pacing is also excellent. I doubt anyone will find it draggy or too fast. Quite quickly, we get to see Pran’s love for Pat, but the “unrequited love” part of the plot is not protracted for Pat also realizes soon enough that he loves Pran. When they become a couple, they face more problems together. (Not only are their parents always fighting, but their friends and faculties are always fighting too.)

There are the sorts of problems that drag on for too long in other series, but they get resolved fairly quickly in Bad Buddy. The effect is excellent as we get an overall lighthearted mood even though the problems that the couple faces become increasingly serious, culminating in their parents finding out about their relationship. We also get to see that two men may face problems but they love each other enough to not childishly fight and prolong any conflicts.

The series manages to avoid the problems that some other BL series have. It eschews having many side couples that can make the storytelling awkward and lacking in focus. It seems as though the team behind Bad Buddy has gathered a whole lot of feedback on other BLs and resolved to make one that doesn’t get all the usual criticisms. We see this when it makes fun of how BL characters claim that they are not gay (“I’m not gay–I only love one man.”). It also consciously avoids references to the BL couple as husband and wife. The series even cleverly manages to avoid the Penultimate Episode Curse (or the Episode 11 Curse which has the worst things like a break-up occurring in the second last episode), with Episode 11 focusing on the couple’s temporary “elopement” while showing their increasing awareness that they have to return home eventually. And instead of having multiple BL couples, the series is used as a means of testing waters for featuring GL. (The GL is cleverly kept ambiguous until the episode in which the women become a couple, so even if it is not well-received, any negative impact is likely minimized.)

What could possibly go wrong with such a series? Not much, to be fair. But perhaps Bad Buddy is so good at being good that we find few risks being taken. It is a lot of conventional stuff being done very skilfully. With such good actors and such a good team making the series, perhaps there could have been a stronger risk-taking spirit. Bad Buddy is a better production in so many ways than some of my favorite Thai BL series like Sotus, 2gether, He’s Coming to Me and Until We Meet Again. Yet, each of these other favorite BL series of mine has something that makes it more distinctive despite its flaws.

Bad Buddy is like a textbook example of how to make an excellent conventional BL series. But if I may have the audacity to be greedy, can everyone trying to make a BL series please learn the lessons that Bad Buddy has learnt but come up with something more convention-defying, something not as safe?

Leia Mais

THE STANDARD THE BLUEPRINT!!

yall when i say this is the best show ever i MEAN IT! like i dont mean best bl ever NO i mean best show ever in television history worldwide. i have watched plenty of kdramas, cdramas, western shows and bad buddy has been by far the best show ever created i am not even exaggerating one bit.
pat and pran are the most healthy and cutest couple ever and the actors ohm and nanon did a phenomenal job bringing them to life. the side characters have meaningful growth and come so far and it all feels natural and realistic. the conflict is established rly well and the angst hurts sooo good!
i got so many butterflies from watching patpran throughout the show. i was audibly squealing and kicking my legs in the air. ive never been this whipped for two ppl before other than the leads in hometown cha cha cha.
this show breaks so many stupid stereotypes bls have placed in the past in such an effective way! i hope future bls take notes for real. this is a new era for quality bl productions i think.
the music slapsss!!! normally im not always too fond of the music in thai bls but this show got literal bangers. every song hits even the background music in the rooftop scene in ep 6 T_T
words cannot explain how much this show means to me. i think it transcends cinema and media in general. it is its own category. a true masterpiece that is fun, witty, swoonworthy, and charming. i would recommend this to locals who dont watch asian shows bc its that good!

Leia Mais

a very good BL drama

Well, I started watching this because I like BLs especially Thai BLs and I saw this was the latest one and people were giving very high reviews so it piqued my interest and I started watching.

The first two episodes were not my cup of tea, what with two groups of gangsters fighting constantly and I thought the male leads also looked weird. That was the initial impression so it didn't spur me to want to continue watching, I halted for a week or so and only decided to continue after again reading the high reviews, people giving 10/10, it must be something good.

So I continued watching on, and the story did get better when they moved to the university dormitory. Things became interesting when the male leads stayed opposite rooms by coincidental, yes, really too coincidental and cliche but anyway I didn't bother about such cliches because dramas are mostly like that, otherwise how can they create a story out? More importantly, I started enjoying seeing the leads' interaction with each other, their constant teasing of each other and the realisation that what they feel for each other was more than just friendship. The pace was just right, I didn't feel bored at all. In fact, I enjoyed the scenes in the uni dormitory the most, every time when the scenes moved to the uni dormitory, I was eager to see what interesting interactions the leads would have this time.

As for intimacy of the leads, when they realised their liking for each other, I did not expect their kiss to be so soon and I want to specially mention, the kiss was really hot, I mean, that to me was a real kiss and a passionate intense one, not just lip-touching I see in numerous dramas. This drama has one of the best kiss scenes I have ever seen in any drama, if not the best, it was so good that I have to rewind and watch again and again.

I want to mention about the interaction between the main leads, unlike other BLs I have watched before, their dialogues/interactions are filled with sarcasm most of the time, they like to tease and make fun of each other, all done with an underlying love and want for each other. This, I really thought was a refreshing change and the main reason why their interactions were so interesting to watch. In fact, obviously they liked each other, but they refused to admit to each other, and instead played this game whereby whoever admitted having fallen in love with the other first was the loser and thus each of them started to do things for the other, treat the other especially lovingly to entice the other to admit having fallen for him. It was meaningless, yes, but it was interesting and refreshing to watch, all executed well.

If I were to say something negative about this drama, it would be the ending when Pran and Pat were in Pat's house drinking. When they started chasing each other around the house towards the end, I did agree with a comment made by one of the reviewers who said that their relationship in this very last scene felt more like very close brothers/friends than lovers, it felt like the main leads became their real selves, not acting anymore, they wanted to have fun themselves and wrap up filming LOL. But still, just this very last scene during the ending did not affect the rest of the drama much, just a little blemish there, would have been perfect and I would have given 10/10 if they had ended making love on the bed LOL. In addition, not sure whether it was because the director did not want to show much when they were in bed, unlike other BLs, there was no passionate kisses etc, every time when they were sleeping together in bed. I felt there was still some conservativeness there.

Overall, as my headlines goes, it is a very good BL drama, one of the best I have watched: good relationship development, interesting and refreshing interactions and passionate intense kisses. I recommend anyone who likes to watch BLs to watch this drama, it should be one of the BL dramas you should not miss if you enjoy watching BLs.

And I have to specially mention two things, I was surprised by the GL between Pa and Ink, never expected to find GL in a BL drama, well, more of pleasantly surprised because it was executed well and the other thing was the looks of the main leads grew on me, I mentioned above in the first two episodes, I thought Pran's and Pat's looks were weird to me, but no, I was wrong, their looks grew on me as the episodes moved on, I became attracted to them and yes I liked Pran's mesmerising dimples too!

Leia Mais

it's just plain delightful

This is my first time writing a review, so bear with me, but I absolutely had to in order to give Bad Buddy the praise it deserves.

STORY

Bad Buddy's bare bones plot isn't necessarily anything we haven't seen Thai BL do before; GMMTV loves engineering and architecture university students and an enemies to lovers plotline (not only is it enemies to lovers, but it's Romeo and Juliet inspired). While this plot structure tends to be a drag for me (this is the only BL in my top five to take place at a university), the execution is so well done it feels like you're watching something completely different from other university-centered BLs.

To me, this is because of two reasons:

First, the simplicity of the plot allows them to lean into the characters and their development, and they really take advantage of that. From each lead's first scene—Pat and his gang chasing after Wai and Pran taking his time to put his art supplies away before going to save Wai—they feel like real people and we care what happens to them. And by the time they get together, we know them each as individuals rather than some kind of ship dynamic. I've also never seen a BL manage to carry on this same development with its side characters; Wai, Korn, Paa, and Ink all stood out in their own ways, and I never felt the urge to skip their scenes so I could get to the main plot quicker.

Second, it's more self-aware than most BLs of its era are. We're seeing a bit more of a shift toward that now, but Bad Buddy is one of the first I've seen this from. They poke fun at some of the tropes often used by BLs, especially the "wifey" thing. I think we as an audience can get more enjoyment from a show that's willing to lean into some clichés while subverting others.

One last thing I'll say about the plot because I think it's important to my love of this show, and just how well the plot was executed: I hate, with every fiber of my being, the trope where we find out they knew each other in the past, whether it was a secret or they forgot about it. I always find it incredibly annoying and it never adds anything to the plot. But, you guessed it folks, it just works here. I think it's partially because it's never really kept a secret. We learn more about Pat and Pran's past friendship as the series continues, but it's never poised as some kind of big reveal. Second, it DOES contribute to the plot in this show. Without spoiling, it gives us further insight into the characters' lives and families, as well as helps us understand their present motivations.

ACTING/CAST

I mean... come on. This entire cast is just fantastic. I could spend paragraphs praising all of the side actors before we even get to Ohm and Nanon, but I'll spare you. Let me just say this: all of the actors are great on their own, but it's like they managed to put together the most complementary group of all time. No matter the combination of characters put together on screen, there was so much chemistry and it felt like watching real (if a bit exaggerated, of course, but I digress) interactions between people with histories with each other.

Ohm and Nanon are some of the best I've ever seen, and for guys so young, it's incredible. I think they particularly shined in Bad Buddy because the roles of Pat and Pran played to their strengths. Ohm seems to have the same kind of ball-of-energy athlete vibe that Pat has, while Nanon's got the chill musician thing that Pran has. It's also quite obvious that they're close in real life, because their chemistry is just off the charts. I've watched so many BLs where characters get together because it's "supposed" to happen. But throughout Bad Buddy, I could just feel the love they shared for each other, even when they didn't even know it.

Last thing I have to note about the acting is THAT scene. I'm really avoiding spoilers in this review, so if you know, you know. If you still haven't watched, when you get to the scene with Pat, Pran, and Wai... you'll know. Literal chills.

CRITICISMS

Can I just say this show is perfect and move on? No? Okay, well, while this show is nearly flawless, in my opinion, I do think the storyline had a few hiccups.

For me, the major one is that there wasn't enough discussion about the outing of Pat and Pran. I was very happy to see a show where everyone was very accepting of the characters' sexualities, so the outing had more to do with certain "alliances," for lack of a better word, but I wish the show would've touched on the effects a bit more. We also forgive the character who's at fault a bit more quickly than I would've liked.

CONCLUSION

Overall, this is a must watch on the BL scene. I laughed and cried several times, and would sell my soul for a season 2 (or even just a Between-Us-Special-esque series where we get to watch Pat and Pran being domestic and cute with no actual plot).

Everyone say thank you, P'Aof.

Leia Mais

WHY BAD BUDDY REPRESENTS THAI BL INDUSTRY'S SUCCESS STORY ?

You know a show is great when you purposefully ignore its flaws and focus on its enjoyable aspects. This choice does not stem from a bias but from a desire to appreciate the uniqueness of the show. Bad Buddy is everything and much more a BL fan can ask for. This show represents more than ten decade journey of Thailand attempting to hone its craft and ultimately becoming the premier BL industry in the world. My review will try to answer…. why this show is gaining massive praise? Why it’s not over hyped and worth a watch? And most importantly, why fans will remember this for a long time? I have avoided spoilers so feel free to read.

1. Script is GOD
This might sound like a cliché taught in every film school class, but alas this is the golden truth. The most satisfying aspect of this show is the level of attention that was paid at the scripting stage. The pre-production of this show i.e. story writing, scripting, character developments and narration was well thought off. The two main characters were drafted with great attention to details. The story wasn’t unique but Bad Buddy is the example of how good writing can be the key factor behind a show’s success. Of course, a massive amount of credit goes to the novel “Behind the Scenes”, but the production team did a great job in making the story authentic.

2. Music on Point
Over the years I have started giving great importance to the OST of a show. A good soundtrack can either accentuate the atmospherics or understate the emotions of characters, both decisive for the reception of a show. Bad Buddy has an excellent soundtrack which adds a new dimension to an otherwise generic story. The retro synth-pop with slight pop-rock influences will give nostalgic feels of 1980s teen movies (especially prom centric scenes). It’s hard hitting yet easy on the ears. The standout tracks are Just Friends by Nanon, Same Page by Tilly and Secret by Kacha.

3. Right Focus
For a long time, one of the most consistent criticisms I’ve had for Thai BLs is their unnecessary attention to 13574789 numbers of couple in a specific series. The biggest reason this show has hit the right chord with the audience is because it paid undivided attention to the protagonists. Even though there was one more GL couple, they appeared in the second half of the series and did not divert the story narration. This was good decision making at the scripting level, which heightened audience’s interest in the main leads.

4. Avoided Problematic Trends
BLs are many times notorious for misrepresenting the LGBTQ community. One of the most commonly seen tropes is a protagonist denying his sexual identity. With statements like “I’m not interested in other boys but only him” constantly used in so many shows, it was refreshing to see that the main characters were more accepting of their identities. Similarly, consensus, communication and trust seen as hallmarks of a good relationship were ever so present in their relationship. This positive development signals how far the industry has come and enthusiastically welcomed by viewers.

5. Basic Done Right
The story is very Romeo-Juliet-esque, frequently portrayed by thousands of movies and dramas across the world. The lovers trying to keep their love alive in a society that’s hell bend to tear them apart has been a textbook romance formula. You add enemies to lover progression and you get a delectable series with a right amount of buildup, angst, tension and chemistry. Bad Buddy has all the classic old school basics of romantic movies. The buildup of their relationship is just right, not instant love neither slow zone galore. These choices prove that the audience do not mind cliche, barring they are presented convincingly.

6. NANON-OHM EFFECT!!
And finally, the crown jewels of the show are the lead actors themselves. It would be a gross understatement if one would say that they had a “good chemistry”. These two actors did not live their characters, they reincarnated as Pran and Pat. If the characters were written beautifully, then Nanon and Ohm did glorious justice in breathing life into them. And this is why this show is a must watch. The X factor, the USP, the único trait, the crème de la crème, the daebak factor of this show are Nanon and Ohm aka Pran-Pat. Because the story was well executed and the actors did a tremendous job in keeping their relationship natural, Bad Buddy successfully abated the need for cheap thrills to grab eyeballs, found in abundance in other shows. Pran-Pat will go down in the history of BL couple as one of the most endearing, passionate and healthy couples portrayed onscreen in recent times. This is their show, their journey, their pain, their friendship, their love and their quest in understanding emotions. As an audience we can only be glad to witness their transformation.

As a longtime BL watcher, it’s an absolute delight to witness Ohm’s growth as an actor. He has come a long way and his progress is displayed throughout this series. He was born to be onscreen and one can only hope for good projects to come his way. This was my first Nanon show, and he smashed my preconceived notions scene by scene. When I initially saw the poster and the trailer, he left me significantly underwhelmed. But he presented nuanced expressions and good awareness as an actor, which was not only delightful to observe as an audience, but also testament of his performing abilities.

Has Bad Buddy dethroned “I told sunset about you” as the greatest Thai BL show ever? No (Acc to me) But it is one of the BEST shows produced by the industry. Bad Buddy is hands down a spectacular show that deserves all the success that it is enjoying. Definitely in my top three Thai BL shows of all time. I cannot stress enough how good it is and why it deserves to be watched by the fans of this genre at least once.

Leia Mais

Great 'Romeo & Juliet' Remake and a Wonderful Emotional Rollercoaster Ride

I loved the story of this BL. It was fun, annoying, sad, upsetting, uplifting… a wonderful emotional rollercoaster ride.

The actors did a great job of executing their parts. Ohm Pawat Chittsawangdee (https://mydramalist.com/people/11765-chittsawangdee-pawat) was really the standout performer in this series. I love watching him act. I have watched him before in other series and you can see his skills improving.

I have the habit of always comparing the affection shown between the main couple in all the BLs that I watch to the performance of the actors in Tharntype (https://mydramalist.com/32555-tharntype-the-series). They are my shining example of the affection and romance I would love to see demonstrated in any and all BL series that I watch and Bad Buddy came really close.

As for re-watch value, I started rewatching scenes even before I finished watching the complete series. A scene that I have watched over and over again happened on the stage during rehearsal that involved a tshirt. I will not put a spoiler here but I really recommend watching it.

I have definitely added this to the list of my top 10 favorite BL series.

Leia Mais