Only Boo! (2024)

What this show lacks on drama and acting it compensates with cuteness

The first thing to say is, this show is the cutes BL I have ever seen.
While fresh actors are always a risk, Keen did a superb job, Sea was a bit stiff in some scenes but he hold up well. The side couple was not as interesting and cute, but it worked ok for me.

This show was made for teens I suppose, but while the story is not really dramatic, it was fun to watch, was executed in a great and cute way. Production value was high, the OST much better than most GMMTV shows and the commercials inbetween were kept to a minimum.

There is not much else to say, if you like cute, this show is for you!

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Good Series But Poorly Titled

This story, series, and production would not have worked without the two main characters. While I truly detest the concept of ‘shipping’, these two have such remarkable chemistry together that I was mesmerized by both. They captured me from the beginning. They played right to the camera as if it was not there. They were natural, real, genuine, honest, and projected a close physical connection to one another rarely seen for me in Thai BLs of late. When they say they ‘loved’ each other, I believed it because they made me believe it. That is rare for two actors so young and frankly with not much acting experience to portray with such depthness the meaning and sincerity of the abstraction of ‘love’. The secondary couple, however, is disappointing and written with standard clichés .

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Only boo is a show that doesn't disappoint

Before this show came out I didn't have high hopes for it. I had watched some trailers for GMM 2024 pt 1,and i didn't frist think shows was gonna be the best. OH HOW I WAS WRONG! The first bl that i had watched was MSP,and this show gave me nostalgia for that show and soooo much more. Im start with the acting. For Keen and Sea's frist show i think did a pretty good job in show the emotions that the characters felt. In my opinion Keen really stood out in showing how silly and playful that the characters Moo was. Sea did pretty well too.In show how at frist he found Moo to be annoying. He did feel a little stiff , but did better later on i. The show, showing how Kang felt about Moo. The MUSIC IS AMAZINGGG. This show has soo many good songs and are all soo catchy. Especially because Moo wants to be am idol. The music captures the feel goo funees of this show. All i have left to say is this show is soo good to watch as a starter bl. Its cute.,fun,heartfelt,funny,and all around a amazing show. I would highly recommend ?

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I was NOT expecting that..

When I saw that this was going to be a high school drama with relatively new actors as leads, I was preparing myself for an awkward, juvenile story with mediocre acting and entertainment value at best.

But what I got couldn't have been further from that. Honestly, I'm glad I binged it because I would have hated waiting each week for the next episode, for sure. It was just that good and I needed to know what happened next after each episode.

In that respect, the story never lost momentum and interesting happenings to hold my interest as many series do. Or, rather, it didn't have a lot of random storylines coming in and out of nowhere to mess with the couple and the entire series flowed seamlessly from start to finish.

At the very beginning, I was a little worried that I wasn't going to like Moo's character because he came off as a whiny brat who was going to hate his mother for trying to do right by him. But it soon became evident that he was going to have an arc of self growth after he had his ego knocked down a few pegs by realizing he really did not know how to do anything for himself. I was also a bit concerned that his high energy, Golden retriever nature was going to become annoying. But Keen did a fantastic job of keeping it endearing instead of distracting and I feel like whenever he was on screen, it was very hard to look at anyone else. It almost made Sea look stiff next to him but I feel like a huge part of that was due to the character as Kang was supposed to be this gruff, bad-mouthed guy that people mostly stayed away from except when he was working.

The supporting cast was just as entertaining and I feel like any and every character who had lines was important in some way at one point or another. The side couple was fine for the most part but they did ruin the shows track record for having THE BEST communication in any series I've ever seen before.

This was a drama done right in regards to showing you don't need miscommunication or misunderstandings to create tension or problems for the couple. You also do not need a villain in every story as life in general throws enough punches to mess with relationships, as seen perfectly well here.

I feel like the writers were playing with the idea of making Shone into a bad guy but honestly, I see no real issue with what he did. Throughout that whole scene in the hospital, I got the vibes that he didn't really think he had a chance with Kang, but more like he was defending himself from Moo's verbal attack. After all, Moo and Kang had already been apart for a year yet Moo made it clear he felt entitled to claim ownership of Kang, even though the guy had ghosted him all this time after their very clear break up. Every time we see Shone and Kang together, it's clear that every time Kang shoots down Shone, he's not surprised or overly upset. I don't think he ever really held out any tangible hope that Kang would be with him but he also didn't appreciate Moo's attitude of saying "You said you wouldn't go after him when I was with him." It was definitely a moment of... yeah, it's a bit of a crappy move on Shone's part but really, he did keep his promise and waited more than enough time before showing interest in Kang again. In a way, I almost felt bad for him for trying to toe the line of being respectful of his family but also wanting to follow his own heart.

Speaking of... Hooooo boy, this series totally hit the feels hard. And so quickly too! One minute, my heart is pulled one way and the next I'm laughing at something else. An example off the top of my head being when Moo tries to stay away from Kang to focus on school, and Kang keeps trying to get his attention, it hurt. But then they show it from Moo's perspective of him trying to keep his cool and it was the funniest thing ever. Like, smelling the jacket after Kang washed it and he says to his friends "Guys, he made it smell so good!" and they're just like "Dude, keep it together."

I know I said it before but I really liked that Moo never lost his playfulness. I feel like, a lot of the time, when a series has a very forward character like that, they always seem to come off strong in the beginning but then either mellow out or lose that spark at some point along the way. But Moo was very consistent and I think that's why it never became a bad thing.

Also, special shout out to all the adults in this series. The teachers, the parents.. they were all beautifully written and acted. Honestly, there's not much I didn't like about this series. I'd almost prefer they didn't put any kissing in it because the kissing was distractingly awkward but I get it.. new pairs, first major role, high school adolescence. But it kind of took away from the idea that they supposedly wanted each other. But really, other than that, they had good chemistry bouncing off each other and reacting to each other in a way that felt natural.

Very solid series and it makes me excited to see where these actors go next.

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Modern Love, Classic Charm

This GMMTV romcom takes the classic high school formula and injects it with fresh air. Exuding silliness, goofiness, and innocence, the show nevertheless portrays a mature relationship. The leads navigate personal struggles, nurturing a healthy dynamic through unwavering support and care for one another. Highlighting the modern perspective on queer love and relationships, it also delves into the hardships faced by aspiring artists in the demanding world of their dreams.
The second couple's slow burn wasn't for me (sorry!), but the overall show was my Sunday mood brightener...until episodes 10 and 11. Tears and angst replaced the usual fluff, making me question my choices and curse out Shone ?

With a captivating plot, talented cast, catchy osts, and an adorable love story brimming with "orange cat x black cat chemistry," this series is a must-add to your watchlist!

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So simple and yet so memorable

This story mainly revolves around Moo, a boy at his last year of high school who dreams of becoming an idol. Since this dream is making him neglect his studies, however, his mother decides to make him go study in the countryside for his last few months of high school. She also forbids him from following his dream at least until he graduates and gets a place at a university.
In an unfamiliar place, lost and alone, Moo quickly grows attached to Kang, who works at a restaurant near his apartment building and is kind and helpful to him from the start.

I will never get tired of saying this: the content of the story matters, but the way it is told matters way more, and I believe that Only Boo is just another proof of that. The story is simple and it's mainly about Moo's crush for Kang and his continuous efforts to win his heart, all while he still chases his dream of becoming an idol and tries to keep up with his exams. While the details about Moo's new life are little, it's clear that they were crafted properly: I've never felt like anything during the story was useless or out of place. There were parts of the story that I wish were showed more, mainly Kang's passion for art and his trauma, which I've felt were introduced and then resolved too quickly and easily, but the story flows very nicely as it is and I can't say I missed that aspect too much while watching.

Among the cast members, Keen is with no doubt the one who shone the brightest from the beginning to the end. He portrayed a very cheerful and lively Moo and his facial expressions and body language were on point all the time. It was also a relief to notice that he's actually very good at singing and dancing, making him just perfect for the role. Unfortunately I can't bring myself to say the same for Sea: I don't know if it was just because of the character, because Keen looked so alive in comparison, or if it's just how Sea is; what I know is that he looked very stiff to me all the time. I had the impression that their couple worked so well because Keen did most of the work to make it believable on camera, rather than for their efforts combined.
The secondary characters all contributed to the general atmosphere of the series, making it a true delight to watch. Moo's new friends Potae and Payos, Kang's best friend Neth, even the principal created both hilarious and heartwarming moments that contributed to make me devour the show in less than three days. Big props to Aun and Ashi for their chemistry as the secondary couple of the story, although I didn't feel as captivated by them as I was by the main couple.

The OST is very good; it features multiple songs from different GMM artists in the first episodes, and then introduces new songs by Keen that I found very beautiful. Believe it or not, nobody plays the guitar in this series!
The production was very good as well. I really liked the bright colors and the bright environment, which definitely contributed to make the story feel warmer and cuter overall.

I highly recommend watching this. It's not a cinematic masterpiece, but it's so cute and heartwarming that I believe it will stay in my memory for a very long time.

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Light and Fluffy

If you love romantic, fluffy and cute shows with cute characters without too much complexity, THIS IS THE SERIES FOR YOU! For all the romcom lovers out there, this is a must watch. Sea and Keen are amazing together and managed to make the show into a great show by showcasing their on-screen chemistry. They managed to take what obviously was a low-budget filler show that were meant to showcase singing and dancing ability of the aspiring musicians in GMMtv and turn it into the Young Adult Romance show it should have been from the start.

I gave this series overall a 9, but I struggled to keep watching it weekly. It was not a show that could keep my investment, but for what it is (cute, funny, fluffy and romance) it is amazing. I'm not usually someone who loved those kinds of series however the acting abilities and the chemistry between the characters made me love it anyway. For me this is definitively a show that is a binge-show when you need some comfort, cute vibes and an escape from you daily struggles.

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Cuter than expected!!

The main characters Moo and Kang come from different worlds but fate has brought them together in the random province of Nakhon Pathom, and showed them that home is a person, not a place.

Together, they have a relaxed but natural chemistry. My only complaint would be that this same chemistry could be said of close siblings. The romance aspect had to work a little harder for the story to be sold because the kisses seemed a little stiff and awkward.

Still, it’s a great effort from the two new actors, who currently still lack flourish and polish in their acting, but I’m certain they will get there given the right storyline and experiences.

It was a pleasant surprise that the storyline didn’t involve childish conflicts and misunderstandings, which are, sadly, all too common in high school and college BLs.

BUT. Special shoutout too to the side couple. I’m glad Aun got his time to shine with Only Boo. His relationship with co-star Ashi is a close-friends-turned-lovers type of arc, and truth be told, I’m a real sucker for it. Compared to the main couple, their moments felt more natural and romantic at some points.

Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2024/06/27/only-boo-2024-bl-review/

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Simply a wonderful story

General overview
This is a well written, almost classic BL and coming-of-age story, which stays consistent and focused on the plot and the main characters. With good pacing for almost the entire span of the series, proper presentation of the plot and solid performances of the main couple, the story flows nicely and is easy to follow. Despite apparent cuteness and occasional comedy it deals with serious issues like family relations, character growth, following one’s dreams, realizing and expressing one’s feelings, communication, love, relationship, breakup and longing for a loved one, making choices and accepting responsibility of those choices and – in the latter part of the series – reality of becoming and being an idol. The story is accompanied by a decent soundtrack performed exclusively by cast members.

Plot & script
The main plot line revolves around Moo and Kang’s love story; the secondary plotline is about Potae’s and Payos’ situationship. The two storylines are, at times, opposites or reflections of each other (when Moo and Kang are coming closer, Potae and Payos are friendzoned; when Moo and Kang separate, Potae and Payos are frozen in a relationship limbo), which seems to be a deliberate choice of the showrunners and it works well. The script is pretty tight, with no filler nor longueur. We get a good introduction of the main couple from the very start of the series and the scene gets set for episodes 1-8, which deal with events spread over about 6 months; each episode marks a step in developing of the main couple’s story, which progresses at a steady pace. Events accelerate in ep. 9-12, which cover about 14 months of in-show time. There’s a time skip in ep. 10 of 12 months, but – contrary to horrible GMMTV fashion – we do learn (through retrospection) a lot of what happened during that time; this is what “saved” the time jump for me. It’s noteworthy that up until ep. 10 the story develops without major drama, with mere hints at potential problems and some foreshadowing of trouble to come. The writers did a good job setting up the emotional cliffhanger of the series and building up the tension. The resolutions of both the main and secondary plotlines are okay, although predictable (as this is a BL show) and a bit rushed (especially the Potae-Payos part).

Cast & performances
Keen gives the strongest and most memorable performance of the whole cast. His portrayal of Moo is very genuine, and the character itself comes across as very likeable, bold, optimistic and wholesome, relatable in his dreams and a certain (almost childish) belief that those dreams will come true. Moo’s saddest moments – and there’s plenty of them, despite of the show’s general lightheartedness – is where Keen really shines. As far as I’m concerned he’s not just a performer (like many other GMMTV employees), but an actual actor. A good singer and dancer, he’s even better at acting – he can proudly follow the likes of Fourth, Gemini, Khaotung, Mix and Nanon (to name those on GMMTV’s payroll who can actually act and sing).
Compared to Keen, Sea’s performance is almost muted – which actually fits Kang perfectly. Reserved, sometimes defensive, Kang moves at his own pace – though pretty often he feels Moo’s pull and follows him. There were several instances where Kang was opening up, coming out of his shell (and literally coming out) – and I wasn’t sure if it was just the character or the actor as well. That blinding, radiant smile, which brightened Sea’s face was far too rare… And – despite of all his apparent acting shortcomings – Sea managed to pull off some of the most emotional and intense scenes of the series; the gut-punching delivery was on point.
Opposites attract – and that rule applied beautifully to Moo and Kang; the chemistry is there from the very first scene. It’s easy to form an emotional connection with the main couple played by Keen and Sea – which can’t be said about other currently running GMMTV-made BL series. When together on screen SeaKeen are in their element – the show relies heavily on those two and they carry it with ease.
The secondary couple of Payos, played by newcomer Ashi, and Potae, played by Aun, is a mixed bag. Ashi mostly does a decent job, while Aun struggles to go beyond 2-3 poses (making fun of something or someone, crying and pouting).
Three GMMTV “veterans” were cast in supporting roles: Book as Moo’s cousin Shone, Louis as band leader Jang and Milk as Neth, Kang’s best friend and confidant. Milk does a decent job while Book and Louis give lackluster performances – and it’s not due to the script nor direction; I’d argue that both of their roles were miscast. Shone should have been played by someone like Mark Pakin, who can actually act (which Book can't) and elevate even an underwritten character (see his performance in “Only Friends”); Jang – given this character’s respect for the rules – should have been played by First.

Music
The soundtrack consists of seven songs written for the show and released by GMMTV Records: the title song “แค่ที่แกง” by Keen, “เกินกว่า Friend (Situationship)” by Ashi, “Check Me” by Louis, “พี่(อย่า)แกง (Don’t be fooled)” by Keen and Sea, “ดังกว่าเก่า (Louder)” by Keen, “ติดกลางใจ (Gump)” by Aun, Ashi, Keen and Louis and finally “สถานีที่ศูนย์ (Station No. 0)” – which is the strongest part of the soundtrack, with heartbreaking lyrics and a very good delivery by Keen.

Final thoughts
While the show had its ups and downs, SeaKeen kept going strong - "Only Boo!" is worth watching and rewatching mostly for this new ship. Hope GMMTV can appreciate this new gem it got.

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This was the cutest thing I ever saw

First of all I'm happy to see new and old faces in this drama. Im my opinion Keen and Sea had a very good chemistry, so I really want to see them in more bl's. Also I'm happy to finally see Aun with a partner. Last but not least I think Louis was the center of atettion here.
The plot was something similar to my school president's but different at the same time. It was very cute and easy to watch, I finished it in a day. Of cource and it was a high school romance because we all know how much gmmtv loves high school romance dramas. Now let's talk about their clothes, Moo's style was just perfect that goes for Kang too. However, when I saw Kang's clothes I thought of Mhok's clothes in Last Twilight.
Finally my favourite part, the ost. This must be one of the series that deserve award for their ost, like my school president. I believe that everyone agrees that Keen's and Louis's voices are angelic. My faourite ost was Check Me by Louis. What about you guys?
All in all this series is one of the series you must watch. I highly recommend it.

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