I picked this show up on a complete whim, only knowing that it was written by the same author as IFYLITA (Violet Rain) and that people liked that show (I haven't watched it yet) and it has really made my autumn! The Hidden Moon is slow, atmospheric, and winding... but on purpose, and done well. It's the perfect show for anyone looking to sink their teeth into a ghost story that's more melancholic than scary. It comes off rather like one of the individual ghost-of-the-week stories from Peaceful Property (especially the ones with bittersweet endings), but stretched over ten episodes. While that won't be a pace and tone for everyone, I think the right audience will really enjoy this story. The same goes for the production, which carries the haunting in unique of creative ways.

-The Full Review-

STORY:
Personally, I found this story really intriguing. It had a creepy, eerie quality throughout most of the series that drew me into the story. I was never quite sure where the characters stood or what was really happening in a way that meshed quite well with the reality (or, rather, the unreality) of the story. I especially enjoyed that scenes/dialogue that felt strange, foreboding, or awkward, usually revealed themselves later down the story. There were some really good clues!
My only real negative to the storytelling is that the plot dropped a bit in the middle and hit a lull for a couple episodes. Right in the middle the reality got so muddled it was difficult to keep all the threads together. It was unfortunate that some of the eerie tension is resolved at this point, leaving a bit of a dull spot. If you stick with it, though, the story definitely picks back up as Khen starts putting the pieces together.

ACTING:
This cast is almost all rookies, and you can tell--but I don't think it hurts the story in anyway. The characters themselves are quiet, thoughtful, and halting, so any stumbles made by a young cast are absorbed pretty easily into the narrative. It's a bit genre specific though, with both the haunting and the historical context playing into acting choices--so don't be taken by surprise when stiffer choices are made.
In particular, I really enjoyed Kin's work as Khen. The character is a quiet, peaceful personality that isn't truly suited to be the main character of any story, which makes it quite fun when he's put in that position and only has his stubbornness to hold onto. He's difficult to get a feel for, and that really enhances the various turns this plot makes on his story.
I also very much enjoyed David, especially when he was being a slightly sinister and suspicious man. His take on haunting was quite a lot of fun, and the slow fall into romance was quite deftly done. I wasn't originally sure on their chemistry together, but they developed a really pleasing patter by the end, something I don't think is quite easy to do in this tone of story.
The ensemble was good together--there was a constant polite friction that fit the way these characters are half-friends-half-coworkers-half-something-more. The way that politeness is eroded by the haunting was one of my favorite parts of the early story.

PRODUCTION:
I'm going to be controversial here--I LOVED the cinematography and editing of this show. Here me out, because I know that a lot of people hated it. The editing of this show is abrupt and jarring, but it does this on purpose. Our POV character is experience an unreal/supernatural phenomenon and the cut is accordingly non-real. I loved the way that editing would make me feel like I missed a step, only to learn that Khen had also missed that same step. It was very good use of visuals to tell the story and did contribute to my ability to "solve" the mystery.
I also have to give major props to the costuming, which full of texture and truly gorgeous. I loved how the costumes both separated the time periods and erased them--choosing "timeless" pieces that could exist in both eras for many characters. The textures and colors on Mas's accessories in the opening scenes were so good I had to pause and screenshot to talk about them at length on twitter. Really good work.
On the flip side... the CGI was. Something. I wish the team had perhaps found different solutions to some of the CGI. I'm sure at least some of the more ridiculous moments could have been re-framed or covered with practical effects. I'm not even that picky with CGI (I watched Dhevaprom happily!) but it was... pretty rough in a way that frequently broke my engagement. And that's hard to recover from in such an atmospheric story.

INTIMACY:
I loved the chemistry between the lead characters. So much of this show is about tension, and it was easily felt in their performances. I especially liked the cyclical nature of their development--sometimes threatening, sometimes sweet, sometimes teasing... constantly trying to find that balance between worlds and states of being. The intimacy in this show isn't for fanservice, and I felt served the narrative very well. I would happy to see this couple again (or, honestly, any of the side couples).

In all, I don't think this show is for everyone--especially given that the Thai BL audience tends towards louder, campier, and more energetic productions. But if you are a fan of more romantic, quieter pieces.... this is a really, really good one. It is the perfect mood for a rainy, chilly autumn night. I really enjoyed myself.