Only Friends (2023)

The Friends We Made Along The Way

There was one thing that annoyed me about this series once it started, I did not believe the core group of friends actually liked each other, if anything it felt like they only hang out together out of convenience but wouldn't miss an opportunity to belittle or mistreat each other.
But I think it was concise, since the story starts when the group starts to fall apart, when they reach the limit of what they can take from each other. It almost feels like a coming of age story where the main lesson is self love and worth.
The acting was top notch, while I think that Force and Book struggled with their characters and had a more lackluster performance compared to the others, at the start everyone still needed to break in their roles, Neo was the one that I felt was the most comfortable and ready for the challenge from the get go, Boston was probably the most different character he has played and it fit him like a glove, I was in awe by him. Khao had the hardest scenes to film and just like he did in Moonlight Chicken, he showed once again that he is one of the greatest actors in GMM, his character can give you a lot of mixed feelings from hate to pity, but it's certain that he will make you cry. While I think First bit a little more than he could chew with Sand, he still gives a strong perfomance, the chemistry he and Khao have is undeniable and allows the relationship between the characters to be believable and captivating even when it shouldn't. Mark was a pleasant surprise, Nick is a character to feel sorry for, with a lot of vunerability, I think Mark's performance was well done.
I feel that Cheum as the only girl of the group and the lesbian representation you rarely see, could have had more space in the drama, I would like to know more about her relationship with her girlfriend, while they treated her as the glue that keeps the group together, she seemed so out of the loop most of the time, her character was the hardest to relate to.
The story wasn't the best, but the execution justify why Only Friends got so much attention and praise, it is about people, about relationships, friendships, drugs, sex and betrayals.
I can't even say if it has a happy ending or not, because the end doesn't feel as a end, because life doesn't end after the credits roll, it keeps going, so I can only imagine that it will be the same for these characters, they will keep going and we will see Nicks and Sands and Rays and Mews walking around making mistakes and trying to get things right just like everybody else.

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Solid Acting and toxic relationships.

This was a RIDE!!! Kind of a guilty pleasure series filled with toxic characters and messed up relationships. But the actors did a splendid job. Since the series did not have a unique storyline or anything, the acting was holding it up. Display of emotions are done excellently and i am right there with them when the characters are hurt or heartbroken. I almost liked all the couples but i absolutely ADORED FirstKhao pair because these two were magical. And damn those smiles First had were the star of the show.

The character that took my heart and will hold it forever was Sand. I cried for him, fell in love with him and just whole-heartedly wished for his happiness. What he and Ray had was magic and the way he cared for broken Ray was worth watching.

Highly recommend!

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They're all idiots, your honor

This so clearly needs a second season.

I'll keep things vague but maybe add a reply with hidden spoilers below, but in general the comparison to The L Word is spot on. I love overly dramatic soapy shows, and this brings the DRAMA. The music is outstanding, everyone is beautiful and impulsive, the production values are pretty good but not perfect, and the connection to real world things like jobs and how many stripey shirts any one individual should own are tenuous at best.

AND. I finally get why some of the popular pairings appeal to fans, which I didn't before. I might even give A Boss and a Babe another chance based on watching this. I am now officially a Mark fan. I see you, GMMTV.

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Love the drama.

Love SandRay and the pool scene with Boing, this show is pretty much problematic people trying to put their shit together while being depressed and drunk I guess but still love it.

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BEST GMMTV series of the year?

STORY: I didn't expect a good story from a series that focuses on messiness & (let's be honest...) sex. But the story has some twists along the way. There are 1-2 magic moments that wows you in (almost) every episode.

ACTING: Khaotung as Ray deserves acting awards! He's (arguably) the best Thai BL actor this year. First as Sand supports him so well. FirstKhaotung is the Thai BL CP that shares a similar level of acting skills (which is rare).

Neo & Mark Pakin's acting are surprising GOOD! They need to be main leads in other series.

Book has 2 scenes that wows me. I was like "Book can act!"

Force is good at side eyes (which he does often in Only Friends.) He's also hot so he fits the character (Top).

MUSIC: The team has great taste in music (3 music types for 3 CPs). The music fits the scenes well. It helps you feel the characters' emotions.

Rewatch value: SandRay (FirstKhaotung) have MANY memorable scenes. Gonna watch them again some time.

At least 2 of their scenes should win (or at least be nominated) for BEST Thai BL scene of the year.

SUMMARY: Only Friends is Director Jojo & Ninew's BEST work so far. They should do a season 2 in the Only Friends Stay (hostel) setting. And add new main characters like Mix, GUN, & Earth...

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It had potential

In the first 9 episodes this series was addicting. After that, it became a little bit boring and I really lost any interest in Mews and Tops story.I think the last three episodes could been shorten into two or even one. Or they could written a better storyline with Boeing.

First of all, I didn't forgive Top and I don't feel like he actually redeemed himself enough, but maybe it realistic that Mew forgave him anyways. But I still felt really annoyed watching their cute scenes after they became a couple again.

Secondly, the Boeing storyline was really weird. It would have been interesting if he actually had wanted to date Mew, but instead he was a one-dimensional bag guy. Also, It was really unnecessary that he tried to get together with Sand. And why did Sand just accept it? I feel like this should have been resolved better, as it seemed like sand wasn't sure if he should pick Ray over Boieng.


Anyways, I still like Sand and Ray together, even though it was unrealistic that Ray suddenly became a better person and suddenly forgot his trauma. To be fair though it makes sense, as Ray is very impulsive and changes his mind easily, I still feel like him improving this quickly should have backfired.
Another "couple" was Boston and Nick. In my opinion, they were the best written couple, even though they broke up, which was the perfect end for them. Boston couldn't have changed that quickly and he didn't. Also, I liked watching Nick's character development!

Would I recommend watching it? Actually, I would, if you like messy drama. It may not be the best written story, but it sure was entertaining.

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Not what I was expecting

I hope this isn’t going to be the norm for GMMTV BL series now. Too mature. I love my sweet, cute, funny GMM actors. There was very little of that. The storylines for each couple was dark and intense. Lots of backstabbing and lies. Focused mainly on addiction. Alcoholism, Drug use, and Sex addiction. Some of it was resolved, some not. My heart broke for Nick and I was disappointed there was no happy ending for him. Hopefully he got together with his coworker. He seemed nice. I’m sure lots of people like this but I was too upset the whole time to enjoy it.

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Cette série fraichement sortie vient de ravir mon cœur.

J’attendais Only Friends depuis l’annonce de sa sortie. Étant admiratrice du FirstKhaotung, les voir à nouveau comme tête d’affiche a tout de suite réveillé mon intérêt. Chaque fois que ces acteurs sont à l’écran, ils crèvent les yeux grâce à leur talent et leur chimie indéniable. De plus, le reste de la distribution est remplis de talent. Book, Force, Neo, Mark… Quoi de mieux pour une série qui a été présenté comme étant LE BL de l’année? GMM n’a pas menti et la marchandise a été livré avec succès.
Il s’agit d’une série qu’on aime ou qu’on déteste. Les sujets crus, les nombreuses scènes osés et les personnages chaotiques peuvent faire fuir une partie des spectateurs qui préfèrent se contenter d’amour douce plutôt que d’empiéter sur ce territoire sombre, mais captivant. Aucun personnage n’est tout blanc et c’est ce qui fait le charme de cette histoire qui a osé s’aventurer là où aucun BL n’avait mis pieds. Les garçons passent leur temps au bar, plusieurs ont des penchants pervers, les plans culs sont fréquents, bref… aucun n’est parfait. Malgré leurs mauvais côtés, on en vient à s’attacher même aux pires connards, les détestant un instant et les adorant l’épisode suivant.

Chaque personnage est dépeint avec talent, reflétant une personnalité complexe aux multiples facettes. Le texte a magnifiquement été pensé, car aucun dialogue n’est inutile. Lorsque l’on apprend à les connaitre, on s’attache à eux. Je pense au mignon chanteur pauvre qui rêve d’assister à des festivales partout au monde, à l’obsédé sexuelle qui prends des photos de ses conquêtes, à l’alcoolique amoureux de son meilleur ami… Ils sont davantage uniques les uns que les autres et interprété avec brio par des acteurs de talent. C’est agréable de voir une distribution qui n’a pas peur des contactes physiques. Personne n’est gêné de s’embrasser.

Bref, si vous désirez une série de qualité qui traite de sujet que vous n’avez jamais vus dans d’autres BL, Only Friend est pour vous. Lorsque le dernier épisode s’est terminé, j’ai ressenti l’envie d’en voir davantage. Je veux une seconde saison! L’arrivée surprise à la fin ne peut pas être vaine!

Ray (Khaotung Thanawat) & Sand (First Kanaphan):

Ray et Sand forme de loin mon couple favori. En tant que fan des acteurs, mon avis est peut-être biaisé, mais leur histoire est captivante. Ray est un alcoolique malheureux qui vie dangereusement. Un jour, le musicien du bar, Sand, l’empêche de conduire en état d’ivresse et c’est ainsi que débute leur belle histoire. Malgré un début épineux compte tenu de l’amour non-réciproque que voue Ray à son meilleur ami, Mew, ce couple devient rapidement le plus solide de la série. Ils ont souvent des conflits, Ray a un caractère horrible à gérer, mais ensemble, ils franchissent toutes les épreuves. Sand est une bonne influence. Tous les deux, ils se hissent vers le sommet et c’est ce qui est beau.

L’évolution de ces deux personnages, particulièrement de Ray, est très intéressante. S’il a débuté l’histoire en tant qu’ivrogne au cœur détruit, voir Sand lui rendre le bonheur et le sortir de ses vices est magnifique. Il fallait une patience de fer pour venir à bout de ce débauché que la vie a abimé. Il prend souvent des mauvaises décisions, il a fait souffrir Sand, mais il s’améliore pour le mieux. Les moments que ce couple passent ensemble sont si mignons. Leur lien semble si naturel. Peut-être est-ce grâce à la merveilleuse chimie de leur interprète?

Boston (Neo Trai Nimtawat) & Nick (Mark Pakin):

Franchement, Neo m’a agréablement surprise. J’ai toujours adoré cet acteur, particulièrement dans Fish Upon the Sky et The Eclipse, mais je n’avais jamais réalisé à quel point il est talentueux avant de le voir dans ce rôle. Il semblait fait pour interpréter Boston. Les expressions qu’il fait, sa façon d’agir avec nonchalance, tout fait de ce personnage un être aussi détestable qu’attachant. On aimerait parfois le frapper, d’autre fois le réconforter, bref… Quand un acteur parvient à faire ressentir tant d’émotion aux spectateurs, c’est qu’il est doué.

Boston est un connard, mais un connard attachant. Incapable de garder tous ses membres rangés, il couche avec tout ce qui bouge. Bien qu’au premier abords, il puisse sembler cliché, ce n’est pas du tout le cas. Il est intéressant et différent des coureurs habituels. Rêvant de devenir un photographe, il prend des photos des hommes avec qui il couche. C’est sa collection. Il est peut-être un salopard au point de coucher avec le mec de son ami, mais il ne forcera jamais personne à faire quelque chose. Il est peut-être égoïste, mais il est honnête dans ses intentions. Sa fin m’a rendu triste.

Le personnage de Nick m’a fortement plus. Je crois que de tous les personnages, il s’agit du plus gentil. Son cœur est si énorme qu’il est prêt à encaisser tout ce qu’on lui fait. Il n’est pas rancunier, préférant offrir une chance à un amour difficile que d’abandonner. Son romantisme m’a fait l’adorer. Plus d’une fois, j’aurais voulu traverser l’écran pour le câliner et frapper Boston à sa place. Nick mérite le bonheur, quelqu’un qui l’aime. Il aurait dû se laisser charmer par son ainé. Au moins, ce dernier l’aurait bien traité! Mark Pakin était parfait pour le rôle.

Même si Boston et Nick ont la relation la plus toxique de la série, ils ont été mon second couple favori. Quand Boston décide d’agir en bon gars, je trouve leur chimie plus que parfaite. Nick ferait absolument tout pour son homme. Ils se complétaient bien. Lors de leur activité de couple, ils sont si mignons que j’en oubliais à quel point Boston est un connard. Je comprends la décision finale, mais une part de moi aurait aimé que ce courailleux réussisse à contrôler sa libido et qu’il forme une équipe soudée avec son homme.

Top (Force Jiratchapong) & Mew (Book Kasidet):

Voici le couple que j’ai le moins aimé. Peut-être est-ce parce qu’il s’agit des deux personnages les plus ordinaires de la série, mais je ne me suis pas attaché à leur histoire. Dès le début, on pense que Top veut sortir avec Mew juste pour lui prendre sa virginité. Il est étrangement trop insistant, rendant chacune de ses actions louches. Quand il couche avec Boston, c’est là que les choses partent en cacahuètes. Non seulement il a menti à Mew, mais il a eu une relation sexuelle avec l’un de ses meilleurs amis. J’ai particulièrement aimé quand Top apprends que Mew connait la vérité. C’est là qu’il doit commencer à patiner.

Bien que je comprenne sa déception, Mew change radicalement après ces évènements, passant d’intello attachant à fêtard dérangeant. Il va même jusqu’à sortir avec Ray pour rendre Top jaloux, ce qui a donné un coup dur au SandRay. C’est égoïste de sa part. Sa relation avec Ray n’a peut-être jamais été sérieuse, mais c’était tout de même un mauvais coup. Oui, Top méritait de ramer pour récupérer son homme, cependant, j’ai trouvé Mew parfois insensé dans sa façon de le traiter. N’est-il pas censé être intelligent? Son plan avec Boeing m’a donné envie de me ranger du côté de Top.

Malgré tout, une fois en couple, Top et Mew sont mignons. En même temps, qu’attendre d’autre du ForceBook, un ship aussi alaise qu’attachant?

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One of the Best "Gay BLs' Ever Made

One can argue until the cow comes home as to whether it is a BL, but it is without doubt a solid and outstanding gay series, surprisingly. The whole series belabored the negative issues with each couple without concentrating on the thing that would have taken this series to greatness. It lacked human warmth. It tried to do too much to show us the issues that it lost sight of its humanity. What humanity it showed was ugly. What I did greatly admire about this series is that it is GAY. This represents the gay world. This is how the gay world is in reality. I am not sure if this series recognized what it had on its hands. I wish it would have gone just a bit deeper into what motivates these characters.
You can read my full review of this interesting and raw gay BL series at BLBliss.com.

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Bagunça!

Apesar da história ter como foco principal a história dos amigos que administram um hotel, ela não conta realmente a história deles. Isso pq logo de EP 2 o conteúdo se espalha e cada vez aquilo que deveria ser o foco se torna apenas pano de fundo.
Todos os personagens compartilham da falta de desenvolvimento, a série tem vários arcos importantes mas não traz impacto o suficiente pq os personagens não tem intimida com o público, não são apresentados da maneira correta para o público.
O casal protagonista (Mew e Top) também é apagado, não tendo química ou qualquer tipo de brilho eles acabam sendo ofuscado toda a série pelo casal secundário (Ray e Sand)
Apesar de ser um personagem que claramente foi feito pra movimentar o enredo, Boston ao decorrer dos episódios se torna o melhor personagem da série pois mantém sua veracidade, história e personalidade.

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Finally the real gay community

I was so excited to see the chaos this would be. I was so proud of GMMTv for the audacity. Realistic stuff always get me, it's a love-hate thing.
But let's go to the character analysis.
Everyone sucks. The only character who is an actual angel is Sand.
Mew: was descent until he became Harley Twink and turned toxic as well.
Force and Boston: both can't keep it in their pants. Except Force was willing to join monogamy at the end, but Boston couldn't, that's not who he is.
Nick: did some fucked up shit and was very colorblind when it came to red flags, but he was not a bad person at the end of the day and I'm glad he teamed up with the best person in the "group".
Ray: messed up, poor little rich kid... nah 'cause Ray fucking sucked and would make a scene out of every little thing. He definitely doesn't know how to deal with anything and that could be because he doesn't got a mom and a present dad but took him too long to even want to try to be a better person. He hurt too many people. Sand was a saint for pulling up with all that shit.
Sand: I think he is flawless, but he gave too many chances to Ray, also kinda colorblind. It went well at the end, thankfully.
Chuem: I was so happy that this actress would be gay in the show. Also was so happy that she was dating Nanon's sister. But damn, she was so annoying and had no own opinion. She would just believe anyone that came up to her and said like '"your girlfriend said "blah blah"'. She wouldn't even ask or talk about it, she would just come for the person. There was also kinda of a lack of chemistry between her and April tbh.
April: is only there to be Chuem's girlfriend, barely appears.
Yo and Plug: I wish their story had more screen time, cause they meant nothing to me (which is sad 'cause I love Jennie)
Atom: bro was filthy. I tried to understand that he was very confused and fell for the first guy he hooked up with right after he found out he likes men too, I was kinda sorry for him but he fucked up still.

We can see most characters are very well written and developed. I really liked that and the fact that everything was very real, like getting out of that romantic perfect bubble. I kinda wish the couples wouldn't end up together, because that could be like a lesson about real life: some things don't work out and that's okay. I loved that Nick and Boston didn't get together in the end, Boston tried but he was unable to be monogamous, so he should just try and stop making other people's lives miserable. Overall the drama was very nice to watch, chaos is very entertaining. Seeing our beloved actors getting out of their comfort zone and playing shitty characters was an experience.

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