The Vincenzo Success Formula: A Game Changer for K-Dramas
Dramas have long been a major staple of our entertainment entourage even before the lockdown days, and the lockdown just amplified our love for dramas even more. These dramas ended up keeping us emotionally strong through the most difficult of times.
Here’s to the superstars of drama, the stories which had us glued to our television screens, then to our mobile screens, driving us crazy with their many twists and turns! Here’s to some of the most powerful and iconic dramas which have not just successfully ended our boredom, but have effortlessly managed to make their way into our conversations, discussions, social media, and have inevitably become a part of our lives.
Thanks to the dramas, we can easily escape our sordid reality and dive into a world of unbelievable romance; a perfect world where the apt background music plays every time something important happens; a world where bad hair days don’t exist, where everyone looks as though they live in the gym; a world where nobody needs to work even a single day; a world where exotic locations are always a stone throw away and exuberant foods are a part of everyday life!
Here’s my list of the top 10 iconic Thai dramas which have left an unforgettable mark on our lives for the best. These are Thai dramas that we always binge-watch over and over again!
#10 - Girl2K
Girl2K is a 2021 drama starring Aom, Off, and Toy, and follows the story of Momay, an immortal girl who has been living for 2000 years. She’s trapped endlessly in this world and desperately wants to be mortal. Then a fortune teller reveals she could become mortal if she finds her one true love in a year. The only problem is she has four amazing suitors. (Source - MDL Synopsis)
One year, four suitors, one amazing actress is what Girl2K has to offer. You will surely be hooked on the drama.
This is a fantasy drama with all the ingredients to entertain you through Momay’s search for true love. Aom’s chemistry with Off and Toy is beautiful and you will definitely feel sorry for her plight.
This was Aom’s relaunch back into the world of dramas after she was missing in action for quite some time. Although so much more was anticipated from the drama, it’s still a fun ride with a fantasy romantic backdrop and an unbelievable twist. Aom just goes on to prove that she’ll remain immortal in the world of dramas!
#9 - ThirTEEN Terrors
ThirTEEN Terrors is a horror anthology of 13 stories under the school backdrop. Every student has a secret, and when their secrets get revealed, they’ll unleash a lot more than the truth.
ThirTEEN Terrors is on the list simply for its unique take on horror and its attempt to make short horror stories not more than 45 minutes long that’ll definitely scare you. It’s the perfect weekend binge and definitely a laudable attempt in the Thai drama scene. Although not all the stories are scary, you’ll find quite a lot of them spooky enough.
A Tale of Thousand Stars is a Thai BL drama starring Earth and Mix and follows the story of Tian and Phupha. After a volunteer teacher dies in a tragic accident, her heart is transplanted into Tian. He learns about his donor’s life through a series of diary entries that reveal her secrets and interests. Included is her promise to count a thousand stars with Chief Forest Officer Phupha.
Tian then decides to follow in her footsteps and fulfill her promise. Now a new volunteer teacher himself, Tian attempts to befriend Phupha, who initially gives him the cold shoulder. Eventually, they grow close and they discover their love for each other. (Source - MDL Synopsis)
It’s one of Earth’s best performances to date. His whole demeanour is very believable as a forest officer. Mix, who is stuck between fulfilling Torfun’s wishes, finds himself enchanted by Phupha. A Tale of Thousand Stars is a breath of fresh air in the world of BL dramas which showcased first life, a brand new storyline, and extremely emotional dialogues with a fantastic star cast who brought this amazing drama to life. Earth has proven beyond doubt why he’s one of the finest actors today in the Thai drama world, and this is by far one of the best dramas of 2021.
#7 - Project S: Skate Our Souls
Project S is a sports drama anthology featuring different stories revolving around different personalities and different games. But the one that I’ve chosen for the list is Skate Our Souls, whose story is about Boo, a student whose grades aren't promising and who knows well enough that if he falls short of his father's standards, it will push their relationship over the edge. Quietly, Boo has been suffering from depression for a long time. He doesn't eat or sleep well and has no friends, no one to turn to; he self-harms. When he finds himself unexpectedly coaxed to try skateboarding, his despair is momentarily lifted. On the day he first resolves to commit suicide, it's the sight of his expropriated board that pulls him back from the edge. He can't let his father know that he's hanging out with skateboarders or the fact that he's been skipping school. How he overcomes depression with skating forms the crux of the story! (Source - MDL Synopsis)
Project S is featured here because of its unique attempt to inculcate sports as an integral part of the drama. Although many of the dramas before Project S had featured a sports backdrop, none of them have placed it at its focus! Oftentimes the sports aspect was just a part of many dramas' storylines, but here it takes the centre stage. This drama exemplifies the spirit of sportsmanship with the emotional understanding of the characters who discover themselves around the sport.
#6 - He's Coming to Me
He’s Coming to Me, starting Singto and Ohm, was a sensational attempt in the BL drama genre and follows the story of a ghost who wanders the earth endlessly because nobody performs the ritual for him, and he meets a young boy who can see him. The boy grows up and invites the ghost to come live with him as they try to figure out the mystery behind how he died. In doing so, they also figure out their love for each other. The overbearing reality of the fact that no matter how true their love is, it can never amount to anything, makes it heartbreakingly painful.
Ohm and Singto who play Thun and Med, respectively, have this charismatic chemistry that gets better with each episode. The ghost discovers modern living by getting on Facebook, shops at a mall, and even learn to cook. The ghost soon realizes the reason behind their magical connection and together they crack the mystery behind Med’s death, and they eventually fall in love!
This drama had a very powerful plotline that played beyond the engineering college love stories that most Thai BL’s are based on. It’s an emotional journey that will definitely keep you cheering for the ghost and praising Ohm and Singto’s fantabulous performances!
#5 - Girl from Nowhere
A mysterious, clever girl named Nanno transfers to different schools, exposing the lies and misdeeds of the students and faculty at every turn. (Source - MDL Synopsis)
Girl from Nowhere is a deceptive, manipulative, dark shade centred drama masterpiece, which makes it both brilliant and a unique attempt in the Thai drama world on the whole! The drama’s success is 100% attributed to the brilliant acting skills of Kitty, who plays from strength to strength in every expose!
#4 - The Crown Princess
The Crown Princess is one of my all-time favourite Thai dramas, simply because of the magical chemistry between the lead couple, Yaya and Nadech, or, as we shippers like to call them, Yadech. The Crown Princess follows the story of Princess Alice Madeleine Theresa Phillips, who, after facing grave danger after her coronation, is sent away to Thailand where Darwin, a Thai navy seal lieutenant commander, becomes her bodyguard.
Yaya is the most authentic personification of Princess Alice, and she looks regal right from the get-go! The chemistry between the leads is pure magic, and will make you come back for more! Yaya plays a powerful character who aces the action, romance, and family drama with grace.
The exuberance of the royal wardrobe, along with powerful supporting characters and the intensity of action sequences, makes for the perfect drama which is The Crown Princess.
The Crown Princess packs a punch by establishing Princess Alice not as a damsel in distress but rather as a powerful character who is mindful of what’s happening around her, which makes this character my all-time favourite female lead ever to be cast in any drama to date.
#3 - Until We Meet Again
Until We Meet Again is a Thai BL drama that follows the reincarnation of two star-crossed lovers starring Ohm and Fluke. Until We Meet Again’s emotional depth of handling unrequited love at a time when it was not accepted, coupled with Earth’s earth-shattering performance, sets the bar way too high, making this an emotional rollercoaster for anyone who watches the series.
Although they might have overused Thai dessert cooking in the drama, the interloping of the past love and the promise of discovering their present love story make Until We Meet Again a classic watch that celebrates love in its purest form beyond time.
#2 - Full House
Full House, starring Aom and Mike, is based on the Korean drama of the same name, but it turned out to be way better than the original, and this is majorly attributed to the expectational chemistry of the leads, the emotional dialogues, and the simplistically effective comical appeal of the drama.
Although released in 2014, Full House is still one of my go-to Thai dramas for its universal romantic appeal and the leads who are heartthrobs even to this day!
Full House starts with a deception plotline where the female lead, who is a writer, is sent off on a free vacation by her sister, who in her absence ends up selling their ancestral home. After she returns to Thailand, she finds herself homeless thanks to her devious sister, and ends up with a year-long marriage contract with the man who now owns the mansion, Mike, a British actor, with whom she has a strong backstory! (Source - MDL Synopsis)
Full House’s success is attributed to the sensational acting skills of the leads and their subtle expressions which set the scene on fire, that it makes an amazing watch even years later. It was also one of the very few Thai dramas which was much more powerful than its Korean counterpart.
If you’re looking for a feel-good romantic journey with mushy moments and sensibilities of today, then look no further. Curl up with a cup of coffee and binge-watch Full House, because the whirlwind affair in this drama will remain for a lifetime!
#1 - Kleun Cheewit
Kleun Cheewit is a 2017 Thai drama starring Mark Prin and Yaya, which follows the story of Jeerawat, a famous and hardworking actress who is constantly gossiped about. Her mother ends up marrying a rich man who secretly lusts after Jeerawat. After he attempts to drug Jeerawat, she manages to escape by driving away, and she hits a young woman on the road, who later dies at the hospital.
The dead young woman has a fiancee, Sathit, who happens to be a lawyer. He vows vengeance on the female driver who killed his beloved fiancee. Unfortunately, Jeerawat's stepfather and mother use their influence and money to hide all evidence. Sathit decides to stalk and bother her to find evidence that she's an evil and manipulative temptress. But in the end, he finds out she's actually a good and kind person, despite her lowly beginnings, and gradually falls in love with her. (Source - MDL Synopsis)
Yaya and Mark Prin’s chemistry is simply off the charts. The supporting characters give the story the edge every now and then. Yaya keeps the character extremely real with her portrayal of an actress who is emotionally distraught and conscientious at the same time.
Their love story progresses very naturally as Sathit discovers the truth about Jeerawat! Why this is my #1 pick is because of the unique and real plotline, the sensational cast, the superb chemistry between the leads, the amazing emotional depth of Yaya’s character, and the manipulative supporting characters which keep you on your toes, making this an unforgettable experience for anyone who watches it! Since there’s never a dull moment with Kleun Cheewit, Yaya and Mark Prin end up stealing your heart, which makes you want to binge-watch this again and again, no matter how many years have passed!
This is my list of the top 10 iconic Thai dramas that have impacted my life. Do you agree with my list or do you feel differently? Comment below and let me know.
Until the next drama!
Yours dramatically,
Scarlet Rage
Editors: BrightestStar (1st editor)
