Rated One - Warning 'Rape to Romance' Tag! AVOID!
In 2016, the 1st ethical regulations for Thai TV channels regarding the media portrayal of gendered violence in soap operas was published - sparked by series "Game Rai Game Ruk" watchers in Thailand lobbied to ban such violence.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3047227/metoo-bangkok-thai-tv-soap-operas-rape-and-sex-attacks
Rated One
Rated One, is a work in progress. It's not a critique; and SPOILERS do happen. If a rape happened between romantic leads in a drama I watched - It will be here. Proceed accordingly.
Whether it was romanticized, forgiven, ignored, regulated to second mains, or a significant other of any gender; rape is not romance. It does not belong in the romance genre.
Rape for a revenge is a violent tool. No less than torture and degradation. I can distinguish that. Assault in a criminal story line. I get that. Power and torture in an abusive context - domestic or otherwise. A powerful narrative. Just don't romanticize it. Make it less than it was and hand over the victim to their abuser. With only the story box toggled; these dramas are all rated one (1/10) and tagged accordingly.
"rape is not romance. without that rated;"
Rape is violence pure and simple - Not a segue into romance. That outdated mentality needs to change and to do so; directors and writers need to be cognitive that such behavior is not tolerated, but criminal. It needs to be addressed properly in story-line, or omitted completely. The context in which a couple becomes intimate is important, and shouldn't 'blossom' from criminal sexual assault. Industry could be a voice for change. I may not have much of an impact, for my soul it does wonders.
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1. Barp Rak Talay Fun
Thai Drama - 2005, 28 episodes
Whether out of silence, sanctioned, or direct involvement - Everyone associated with the male lead abused the female lead. The difference between this, and the 2017 remake is the rape. But, unlike that version, 2005 has some repercussions. Barb Rak Ta Lay Fun (2017) was a toxic and abusive mess under the guise of revenge. I rated it a 1.5 for being a generic remake of a bad drama. As for this version; rape is not romance and without that I would have rated it a 5. (reviewed)
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2. Bow See Chompoo
Thai Drama - 2004, 13 episodes
No visible rape tag- That hidden spoiler designation coming into play. I went in trusting. So toxic, so insane, the gossip and misunderstandings burying the female lead until the male lead planned the rape and executed it. The rape is off screen. That is until the director used the full version as fond memories in flashbacks. Rape is not romance and without it I would've rated it a 7. (reviewed)
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3. Game Rai Game Rak
Thai Drama - 2011, 21 episodes
This was unrated at zero for a long time and not because I was put off by all 3 parts; beginning, middle and end. It was the criminal toxicity of one male lead and his equally abusive side-kick female lead's sister for 2/3 of it. I was inspired to finally rate it after a reading a like minded reviewer. Rape is not romance. Without a rape - still 1. (reviewed)
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4. Jam Loey Rak
Thai Drama - 2008, 18 episodes
Revenge. Straight up revenge tool for a dead brother. The rape had nothing to do with love and everything to do with hate. Guilt immediately, and remorse comes later. I still have to give it this: Rape is not romance and without it rated 7.5. (reviewed)
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5. Gengibre é Picante, Galanga é Quente
Thai Drama - 2019, 34 episodes
I assumed the 2019 version was going to by-pass the outdated rape tag (now with spoiler add-on) - Never assume. Unneeded on a honeymoon, or in story-line. The male lead does admit he raped her in dialogue. That is an unusual occurrence. Again, rape is not romance, but without it rated 7.5. (reviewed)
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6. Gengibre é Picante, Galanga é Quente
Thai Drama - 2006, 29 episodes
With it's ramped up toxic 'team 2nd FL' - rape did nothing to move this story forward that a 'real romantic moment' wouldn't have done. Even a drunkin' one-night-stand for the newlywed couple would have made more sense. He does admit he assaulted her - Notice the word rape was omitted. Still, one scene tarnished a good drama and without it I'd rate it 7.5. (reviewed)
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7. Gengibre é Picante, Galanga é Quente
Thai Drama - 1990, 30 episodes
Original sin, and the parent story. Where the 1990's fashion is outdated, but rape is not. Since then, adapted twice (2019, 2006) with only the costumes and sets updated. I'm pretty sure production knew this when they made the ML a rapist in all 3 versions - Rape is not romance, without that rated 5.5. (reviewed)
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8. Likit Kammathep
Thai Drama - 2007, 12 episodes
The 'why not' scenario?. There are so many missed opportunities from first meeting, till that point. For an intimate moment that will drive this plot forward. The rest of the story needn't have changed. But, included anyway. Rape is not romance - Without that rated 7.5. (reviewed)
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10. Plerng Payu
Thai Drama - 2005, 15 episodes
Shades of sexual assault. Traumatic past rape, with someone trusted. Then kidnapped and raped repeatedly by the male lead. Obviously, rape in all its shades of criminality is not romance. Without that, I'd still rate it a 1. (reviewed)
Watch the current remake Poisonous Passion (2022) - where rape wasn't included.
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11. Pleng See Rong
Thai Drama - 2009, 14 episodes
Repeatedly raped by the male lead, the female lead is abused and deprived of dignity by many. This could be a good drama, but for the physical assaults by the male lead. Rape isn't romance - without that I'd rate it a 7. (reviewed)
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12. Prom Pissawat
Thai Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
When writer and director have lost their minds. Rape by significant other is just as criminal as a stranger and in this case an extra helping of trauma was heaped on in the form of domestic abuse. But, in the end and seven years later, friends and family handed the victim and her son, over to her unrepentant ML abuser. While the male lead and his toadies escaped their karma; with a 7 year disappearance (ML), a plane ticket complete with tearful airport scene (2FL/mistress), and redemption in death (Mom). Rape is not romance - without that rated 6.0. (reviewed)
I'm still bitter. lol
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13. Proong Nee Gor Ruk Ter
Thai Drama - 2009, 30 episodes
That did not belong there. I still don't understand why the writer was so moved to escalate blind jealously to rape. It did little but create a 'what the hell', 'no they didn't', 'wait - what?' moment. Because, the scene ends in a consensual second pairing. Rape is not romance. without that rated 6.5. (reviewed)
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14. Roy Leh Sanae Rai
Thai Drama - 2015, 14 episodes
This is a near perfect lakorn. Like the original from 2002 - Drama drips from every episode, But, sadly they included a rape scene. Which, makes this drama something to avoid. Rape is not romance, and without it rated 8. (reviewed)
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15. Roy Leh Sanae Rai
Thai Drama - 2002, 18 episodes
I think this version is a little more down to earth. But, the rape scene is just as uncalled for, as the remake. Even in 2002, production knew rape is not romance. Without that, rated 8.5. (reviewed)
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17. Sanaeha Ngern Tra
Thai Drama - 2009, 13 episodes
The more ambiguous moments in rape; the segregate revenge plot. Can't get revenge on the ex, let a stranger (FL) take the karma. Sometimes you can't differentiate, from forced, or coerced. I lean toward motive, and the victim's reaction. Rape is not romance. without that rated 6.5. (reviewed)
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18. Sanaeha Sunya Kaen
Thai Drama - 2014, 15 episodes
Revenge. Rape as torture to instill fear and punish the male lead's captive. Pure and simple. White hot rage calculated to bring the ML's victim (FL) close and in control. Rape is not romance - without that rated 7. (reviewed)
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19. Sawan Biang
Thai Drama - 2008, 12 episodes
Revenge. Rape a tool to rage against someone else. Instilling fear and control the male lead repeatedly rapes the female lead, and tries to kill her. The difference here, it follows a revenge plots redemption route. But, rape is not romance, and without that rated 8.5. (reviewed)
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20. Suparburoot Jorm Jon: Maturot Lohgan
Thai Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
Debated tag. If a female lead is unconscious and has become a pretend blow-up-doll for the male lead's lie. Reconsider your side of this debate. Stockholm syndrome was real. Rape is not romance. without that rated 7. (reviewed)
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21. Tang Parn Kammathep
Thai Drama - 2001, 15 episodes
Both this, and the 2015 version have very little romance between the leads. But, unlike the remake, 2001 included a rape of the female lead by the male lead. Initially, disbelief my reaction, and boycotting of the better of the two dramas the outcome. Rape is not romance - without that rated a 6. (reviewed)
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22. Tawan Tor Saeng
Thai Drama - 2012, 15 episodes
This was a revenge plot that didn't include the FL, but in the center of that revenge plot suddenly the male lead rapes the female lead. Couple screen time? Rape is not romance, without that rated 6. (reviewed)
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23. Wimarn Sai
Thai Drama - 2005, 16 episodes
There is no rhyme or reason. Nothing. But, then the 2021 remake is consensual only in she didn't know he was actually punishing her, degrading her, and raping her by omission. This criminal. Both awkward. Both male leads bastards. Both characters some of the stupidest MLs ever written. Rape is not romance - without that both rated a 5.5. (reviewed)
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24. Wong Wien Hua Jai
Thai Drama - 2009, 16 episodes
The 2021 version escaped this list, but not the 1 rating. Both female leads are abused mentally and physically by her family, his family and friends. This version went so far as the ML joking with the FL about the rape. Rape is not romance, without that rated 7. (reviewed)
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25. Peek Hong
Thai Drama - 2020, 15 episodes
Rape and the self-righteous man. Born in the obsessed 'holier-than-thou' male lead's mind, everyone's' sins and misfortunes lead back to the female lead. Unfortunately for the female lead, the male lead's punishment of choice; rape. Victim daydreams of those moments - were surreal. Rape is not romance, and without that I'd rate it a 5.5. (reviewed)
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26. Jao Sao Prissana
Thai Drama - 1999, 17 episodes
Anger induced sexual assault - times two. Original airing ambiguous, but male lead admits it in story. Guilt happened. Remorse maybe. Why don't I feel resolved? Because rape is not romance, without that rated 7. (reviewed)
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27. Leh Ratree
Thai Drama - 2004, 12 episodes
The settling of a debt: the sins of the father laid upon one child. One punishment for having jerks for parents - rape. Or, as in the remake; same scene, slightly different context, & same outcome. A bad remake, of a dated story-line. Both families were 'a piece of work' in both versions. Rape is not romance, without that, both still rated a 1. (reviewed)
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28. Wiwa Wah Woon
Thai Drama - 2010, 15 episodes
Rape in a romcom and fandom. Male lead's motivation not an excuse. Female lead's reaction not open to interpretation. The writer should've have known; rape is not romance, without that rated 7. (reviewed)
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29. Rahut Rissaya
Thai Drama - 2007, 12 episodes
Sanctimonious rape. Saved from a kidnapping and attempted rape by the second male lead - The male lead saves her to be raped by him instead. Going as far as, to threaten her he'll do it again if she defies him. I prefer this version over 2020 remake, even without the rape rated 5.5. This is a train wreck of female and male cliches in dialogue. But then, rape is not romance, without that rated 7. (reviewed)
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30. Sapai Look Toong
Thai Drama - 2008, 15 episodes
Rape and the final plot twist. Male lead and family are toxically entitled - Karma and sins rolls off them like the golden children they think they are. Toss in a final hour rape and holding the female lead hostage - You now have one of the weakest and pathetic of male leads I've ever encountered. There was no reason to rape the female lead. Rape is not romance, without that rated 7.5. (reviewed)
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31. Mafia Tee Ruk
Thai Drama - 2007, 15 episodes
The lies that bind and blind an otherwise capable male lead to see everyone else for their actions. Except, when it comes to the innocent female lead, and jealousy. The aftermath? A forced cuddle session with a tearful FL and her unrepentant rapist (ML). Rape is not romance, without that rated 6. (reviewed)