I had so much fun watching this series and it has happened after a long time in the Thai BL landscape. The stories are all starting to merge into one another, especially the university love ones. Of late a lot of makers are making some sort of historical dramas. But this was different. Making the lead actor identify himself as a trans, this show is the right mix of drama, laughter, emotions and politics. I will talk in details but the lead actor of this show is an absolute hoot in this show and if not for his enjoyable and addictive OTT acting, this show would have fallen flat. The series has 13 episodes of about 45-50 minutes each. We meet Prince, an out and about flamboyant pop singer who has as many fans as he does haters. We see both the adoration and the vilification he faces for openly embracing his queerness. One day after a freak accident, he finds himself in the body of a count (a young nobleman) in hostly in Thonburi Kingdom. He is now Woradet and the series goes full throttl...
We meet Prince, an out and about flamboyant pop singer who has as many fans as he does haters. We see both the adoration and the vilification he faces for openly embracing his queerness. One day after a freak accident, he finds himself in the body of a count (a young nobleman) in hostly in Thonburi Kingdom. He is now Woradet and the series goes full throttle on comedy as Prince goes through fast-tracked stages of disbelief, denial, and acceptance – induced by a vivid dream – coming face-to-face with Woradet, who was driven by heartbreak to consume poison. He must uncover all of it in an unfamiliar world – where same-sex love is forbidden – laden with politics, secrecy, and betrayal. Enter various characters - we meet Jade, who is count's loyal aide and always there for him, the rebellious hot and string Kosol for whom eventually Woradet falls for. With fierce fighting skills and ambitions to right some wrongs, Kosol is gruff yet clearly more caring than he lets on. We meet Kosol's half brother, the king, whom he aims to overthrow but not harm. And we finally have Lord Banjong, an intellectual romantic described as being close to Woradet. He is also the leader of the rebellion (opposed to what Kosovo) is doing. Initially they are in opposite sides but thanks to Woradet, they come together to unravel the political conspiracies trying to bring down th young king and take over the kingdom. The show focuses on the budding relationships between who is the real lover of Woradet (which is eventually Koslo, even though Banjong never accepted his feelings), we see how their love blossom, how the count, despite his feminine energy becomes a part of rebellion and make sure that people in the kingdom have their rights to live and love. We see the budding friendship between the young kind and Jade, who soon becomes the aide for the king.
This show is something else. When Prince time travels in first episode, I rolled my eyes thinking this is going to be another one of those silly shows. But how wrong was I! The show had drama, says, lot of laughter, a proper story and plot, some extremely charming actors totally playing their characters and political scandal. Actor playing Prince and then Woradet is an absolute hoot and you can't help but totally get immersed in his charm. He's a whole spectacle, and every dramatic entrance, every unapologetic moment, every over the top flourish, and every scandal Prince/count just make this series worth watching. Kosol is the picture of restrained power: broad shouldered, stoic, devastatingly handsome, and trained to kill with both blade and stare. But beneath all that lethal charm, this man is in love with the count and the way the count finally makes him fall for him is just amazing. I also enjoyed the little banter that the count would do with Banjong to make feel Kosol jealous. The triangle between Kosol, Woradet, and Bajong is pure comedy gold. I never thought I'd enjoy a love triangle this much, but here I am, laughing till my cheeks hurt. These three are serving chaos, laughs, and tension in equal measure. The scene where they are all in the jail was the best one. Even the scene where the three of them sleep together. I very much enjoyed and rooted fo rohr friendship that the kind and his aide jade shared. It was not love here but respect and admiration and want for a true friendship. Their scenes are very heartwarming and you really root for the care they both have for each other. The plot here is quite complex and while the fun goes on, we witness how the two half brother are trying to over thrown each other and also very much care at the same time. The other political parties trying to take advantage of the situation, how rebellion grows in small bursts, how a leader emerges, women's and trans right, right to freedom and speech and many such things are beautifully handled by this show and script. It may get confusing at certain times but just go along and I am sure overall you will remember this as a fun ride. The ending felt a bit rushed and also maybe too convenient, but. Having said that who doesn't want a happy end.
A visual appealing and a comedy, historical where every actor just fits their part and the lead character just stealing it all from everyone. The pacing and fun will keep you hooked. (8/10)
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