We have four main characters here. Fou4Mod starts to crush onhis senior Chian since he sees him at the train station. The two start bond by getting their nails done together, however, Chian is only using Fou4Mod as a distraction, while crushing hard on his own friend Bua, with whom he often records TikTok dances. Taking a cue from this, Fou4Mod starts using his best-friend Baabin as bait to make Chian jealous. At this point we also find out that Baabin has been secretly crushing on his best friend Fou4Mod. Clearly, this leadsto a chaotic love triangle, or square in Siam Square; where heart breaks, unsurity, friendship v/s love; everything plays out in a fashion as if you are watching a French style mokumentary. Chian makes it clear to Fou4Mod that he is interested in someone else, but that doesnt stop Fou4Mod to continue to flirt with him, and even kissing and fondling occasionally in hopes that one day this may lead to love. But keeps Chian on the hook while Fou4Mod keeps Baabin on the hook. You know that this 'situationship' is not going to go anywhere and you feel like telling them, "Grow Up!! Make a move" but then you need to remind yourself that we are talking teenagers here. And in today's time being a teenage is a royal mess. It's only towards last episode that finally Baabin of all, confesses their love which will still be left unrequited. Eventually by the end, Fou4Mod & Chian get together and at some point Bua and Baabin start to get close with a possible 'situationship'. Until then, the boys keep getting their nails done in a small shop in Siam Square, which are more like dates than just two people hanging out. And they don’t just go for simple manicures with a bit of glitter, but opt for elaborate 3D nail art featuring cute characters, fruits, stickers, and all sorts of quirky add-ons.
GelBoys isn’t content to be just another Thai BL. It’s a cultural artifact, this series is a love letter to Gen Z’s chaotic heartbeat, filmed against the graffiti-tagged walls and skytrain tracks of Siam Square. The makers use mobile phone footage, natural lighting, and guerrilla-style street shooting to create a documentary-like intimacy. The show like many Gen-Z rituals like sharing Spotify list, jump cuts on phone conversations, making tin-to videos, sharing reels, waiting for their crush to see their reel and like it etc etc. Actor playing Fou4Mod does a good job of a teenage on Grade 10 full of hope and love in his puppy eyes. He is so young but desperate to be in a stable relationship. He knows that Chian’s using him but thinks “maybe if I get gel nails with him…”. Chian is suspicious and also a player and you see that clearly. He is the unintentional heartbreaker. His gel nails and coy smiles are weapons of mass destruction. Initially it feels Bua and Baabin are going to be just bystanders, but soon their stories also come to the forefront, much to my surprise. Bua has his emotional vulnerabilities being only half Thai, while Baabin's character IMO is the best, as someone who places more value on friendship than romantic entanglements. To review it critically, this series is a sis a very interesting step in giving us a series which is very unique in its executions. It feels extremely real. The dynamic direction style will either immediately suck you into the chaos of teen crushes, confusion, heartache and heartbreaks or maybe will put you off. Sadly I was somewhere in between. I was not completely bowled over, but at the same time I was quite fascinated by this unique style and the teen mess of love, crush and friendship. The vibrant graphics, the stickers, scenes with teens getting nails done, while also constantly scrolling through their phones; might be an all-too-real portrayal of the current generation; but at some point failed to instantly connect with me. Having said that, I can see why the younger generation will completely lap this show up. Also, it is important to pint out here that Siam Square and getting your nails painted were like another 2 core central characters in this project. And so is the music and dances.
I am sure I will be in minority here, but I feel anyone under 25 will greatly appreciate and love the show while folks in the other spectrum may have mixed feelings like me. Also the hour long episodes is just too much to sit t through especially when there is so much happening on the screen. To follow all thats happening while also reading subtitles just tired me out. Make your own decision to watch this, because this teen struggle story with their emotions and desires ended up being too exasperating for me, despite its many merits. (6/10)
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