Only Friends (2023)

“Hope is a difficult thing to kill, just a spark of it can start a fire.”

“Hope is a difficult thing to kill, just a spark of it can start a fire.”

The story brings a depth of anguish to the characters and engages our compassion no matter how unflattering and biased the gaze through which we see them. We feel deeply for them because they’re not simply good or evil, they’re flawed people who hurt and were hurt.

Despite their deep abiding wrongness sometimes, we are drawn to their honesty and rawness. This is not a story of niceties after all, it is a tale of people who are not socially (or morally) acceptable. Under this light it is effortless to love, understand, hate and pity them.

The real-life situations push at us, challenging us, all the while knowing that we have to keep watching because redemption awaits. Given this dynamic, it seems almost inevitable that these characters would not just make only themselves, but everyone around them miserable for life.
Human nature personifies itself, subtly saturating every scene with the threat of doom.

The point is, while the drama may not be the wistful romance one expected to be, it is a particularly satisfying one for all its dark and layered complexities.

The entire cast simply excels at their craft, the writer remains true and realistic, and the music blends wonderfully every time.

I recommend this one!

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if only I could binge watch the whole series at once.

so I’m going to keep this short and sweet since there are plenty of other reviews here that reflect the same thoughts as me.

Only Friends was a show I didn’t expect a lot from, I don’t know why.. maybe because it’s very ambitious considering all the actors in this. Let me say though.. instead of shooting itself in the foot this drama is just so gritty and raw and graphic and it’s good!

Only Friends has a range of relationships and the characters are all weaved together with characters hooking up with eachother and being friends. The amount of stories and things going on isn’t overwhelming to me. Instead I am finding myself buying into the stories and commentating aloud about who is a red flag, who is getting the short end of the stick, and who I want to get together.

In short this drama is entertaining. It’s got so much it’s doing and it’s a lot more than I thought it would be. A lot more sexy, a lot more thought provoking, it’s got so many good things going for it. GMM isn’t getting stale at all, here they are thriving.

This whole drama from start to finish had twists and a plot running through and weaving through multiple characters and scenarios. My only problem I guess is blatant fanservice with pairings doing certain things and he last episode has a lot of fluff that some characters didn’t act in their right mind of like themselves.

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Best so farrrr

This is my first review I've ever written..but I can't keep calm this series is fab.
I'll start with my fav sand and ray omg!!!! Acting 100 chemistry 100 they got everything what this series demand
I'm not big fan of force and book but they were also good ..and they have same typical story line but it's okay there acting made it look good.
I'm not interested in other couples but they are good.
First and khautong I hope they do more projects in future ...they look so good together.....
I'm watching this series only for them and it is worth it
Do watch
I'm gonna watch it back when it ends.

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If you feel like the insane hype for this show has been lying to you, I know how you feel.

If you love basically everything GMMTV puts out, odds are you'll love this too. For me though, this show has everything I dislike about Thai BLs all in one place: mediocre directing and writing forcing mediocre performances out of otherwise perfectly good actors resulting in a story that, while it at least makes sense so far, I couldn't possibly care any less about. Everyone's kinda shitty, a couple guys are alright, a couple have room to grow, but it's all so bland and flat I could scream. Including the music, the try-hard lighting, etc etc. None of it has enough authenticity to feel even the slightest bit convincing.

Even the sex scenes so far--the thing everyone is really here for--are just...bad. The making out is mostly fine, but the actual intercourse is *hilariously* awful. Hire better intimacy coaches, I'm begging you. And do they want us to watch these guys jerkoff or not? Because those scenes are so poorly and rapidly edited that it feels like they're trying to edit around their own eroticism.

I'm a firm believer in the right for "I didn't say it was good, I said I liked it" content to exist, and I could hardly begrudge anyone for liking anything because that's silly. But wow is this show not for me, and the way people go on and on about how great it is and how good the acting is makes me feel like we are literally watching two different shows. I'm only sticking around to skip through episodes in case the sex scenes get better.

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We need season 2 for Nick and Boston happy ending

This series was sooo good. I really enjoyed watching it.

I would make it a 10, but I have to say that Mew and Ton weren’t the kind of couple I liked. It was sometimes boring for me to watch their story, because (for me) Ton is the typical perfect-rich boyfriend, who did something wrong, yes, but TOO perfect, like rich and a good person. I’m sorry, I don’t intending to make anyone uncomfortable, it’s okay whatever couple you like.

The couple that amazed me was SandRay, since the very beginning. They way it changed through the time they spent together, and juat how powerful they are. The fact that they are the only couple that had things clear since the moment they started dating; even though Boeing appeared and messed up everything a little, Ray always had things clear about his feelings for Sand since they were together and managed to handle everything just like a total BOSS. Sand and Ray are so cute and hot at the same time and they are the kind of couple that inspires other people.

It was a very good decision, making Nick choose himself instead of fake or little love. And even though Boston is a bit too much, it is a very very important character for this series cause he is the start of almost everything and the one that opened Nick’s eyes, for what he really wanted. I just feel like I need season 2 for a happier ending for Nick and Boston, because I really liked them as a couple, even though they where painful sometimes… But I really think Boston is gonna change into a better person when living in NY, so I’d love to see him coming back to Thailand and seeing Nick again and them starting all over, like adults and amazing strong new people… I would be awesome, truly awesome.

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Successful series

Only Friends the series is a completely different kind of bl series. This series is wild, spicy, interesting, but towards the end it is also a bit romantic and cute. The series starts very wild and exciting right at the beginning and I think that is why the series has aroused the interest of the viewers. The series itself is perfect, but I would have liked to see a different ending, for example that Boston and Mew are friends again or that Boston and Nick get together. I would have hoped and wished that the ending would have been different, but that's just the way it is. I would still give this series a 10/10 because it is still a successful series and I think the story is perfect. The series has also one of the best OST. theme songs.

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Toxicity never ends

Stunned. GMMTV did a great job of pulling another project with wild and extremely intimate scenes with numerous actors. There were too many problematic characters and I am well-entertained by the messy turn of events now and then. Yet, the plot twists weren’t as impactful as I expected them to be but at least they show how to properly deliver a complicated Western-like way of living. Almost all of them taste each other lips, not by a simple smack but literally in an assertive way of kissing.

This show also served as Force and Book Redemption acting compared to their previous projects with bland and non-sense storylines. I guess that they perfectly fit bad boy characters and they survived with the help of the other actors who did a great job playing their respective roles. Mark Pakin once again, ate this show. He was too fragile, bold, and crazy in love with someone who didn’t even consider him a romantic partner. Boston is all about lust and I am happy that in the end, Nick realized how important self-love is, and chose to cut ties with Boston.

All of them have their red flags but if I were picking my favorite character, it would be either Sand or Plug. Although Sand is another man who is admittedly weak for Ray, compared to the rest of the gang, he is probably the least person who will cheat when he's in a relationship. Plug, on the other hand, left me an impression despite his short screen time. The boy was too sincere to be in a serious relationship with Yo, the bar owner. Maybe, he stole my attention because of his handsomeness and being someone new in the industry.

The OST is a banger too. It has an energetic vibe and upbeat music that fits the tension between the casts. The angst was somehow dynamic and cool but I still believe that they can do better. Subjectively speaking, I was hoping that either of the three couples would end up together in the finale since it was more mature and acceptable. But in reality, you can’t hide the fact that such people exist, those who re-entered a toxic relationship and tried to fight the pain of the painful past within themselves.

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Absolute Banger

Other than being completely bored by our main (?) pairing, everything else was absolutely amazing. There was not an episode that went by that didn't have me screaming and questioning the morality of my own life haha. These characters are so loveable and the ones that aren't you hate so much that you love them anyway. I have rewatched it twice since the first binge and can't believe GMM pulled out such an absolute banger. You're even forced to care about the most minor characters, on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen with them in their own lives. I haven't found a drama like this in ages and I'm not sure I will again for a long time.

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beautifully shot and well acted - raw and real and fun - but still a victim of theatrics

i was really impressed from the beginning with this unique look into LGBTQ+ life in Thailand, because i don't think any other drama has been as realistic as this one. they didn't hold back in exploring character flaws as well as relationships and all the good and bad that can come with them, and for that i have to applaud it. the premise was interesting - a messy group stumbling their way through romantic entanglements while still trying to maintain their friendship, not realizing how delicate of a balance must be struck in order for both types of love to thrive.

spoilers below:
top and mew were never that interesting to me, despite their sweet start. mew's quest for revenge, while initially a fascinating twist in character, soon turned into a drawn out ordeal that i could no longer stomach. in the end they just didn't have enough substance. i wish we learned more about top's issues, and saw mew coming back to himself, but it all just fell flat.

boston and nick were doomed from the start. i liked them together, but i always knew it would have to fall apart. i could see boston being in an open relationship easily, but nick was always too invested for that. in the end i think that this was a nice example of two people coming together to learn more about themselves and then move forward. but i am upset that boston's character regressed a bit in the final moments, and he was sent off with essentially no resolution, while being continuously punished. i think his friendship with the group would have been a better focus for his story.

now, my loves, sand and ray. their storyline gripped me the most. an ill-advised friends with benefits situation that turned into something more, while one of them was clinging onto somebody else. they ran into every obstacle, faced heartbreak at every turn, but among that rubble, they did love each other. ray was a character that was painful to watch, whether i was sad or angry at him, but i think it really was an exercise in understanding. a beautifully told story from start to near finish, until boeing came into the picture. i would have much rather spent the time focusing on ray's recovery and the repairing of their relationship, but instead, we had an oddly placed will they-won't they that served no purpose.

there's no way around it, the ending was unsatisfying for me. i didn't feel that things closed in a well-rounded and logical way. it was stilted and awkward, strangely paced. this was a pretty good rollercoaster for the most part... but it doesn't stick the landing. i think it's because of the changes made to the story based on fan opinions, but no one can say for sure.

solid acting from the whole cast, but first, khaotung, and mark were standouts, and i hope to see them leading future series!

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They all NEED therapy! But OMG i love this chaos!

I have to say straight off the bat, I love this show. It's by far one of my favourite BL's and shows in general. Hell I wish we had more of it! Let's start with an easy section, music. I have not stopped listening to Kahotungs Ost for this. I love his music, and the song for this show is fire! I love the references to all the rock and indie bands in the show as well, seeming as I listen to a lot of rock music myself. It was nice to see so many bands I like being referenced, As for the rest of the music it was amazing, and every song fit perfectly with the show.
Next we have the story. Holy hell, I don't know where to start with this beautiful chaos. I both love the story and in some ways hate it. I feel like it could have been more brutal and realistic than it was. But i'm someone who like mentally messed up scenarios and psychological messes, so.... But overall the story was brilliant. we got to see a lot of different aspects to each character. We got drama, love, hate, mental health problems, addiction, anger, sadness, comedy, just everything all wrapped up in 12 episodes. They got quite realistic with a lot of scenarios which I enjoyed. It really was like watching a bunch of 20 year olds doing what 20 year olds do. Try and figure out life and mess up a lot (but obvs on a more dramatic scale). I like how to show touched on some serious topics, like Ray's addiction for example. Most shows may add these topics in, but hardly touch on it. But with this show they actually showed us quite a bit and didn't just brush over it, which is really refreshing to see.
Now the cast! There couldn't have been a better cast! Every single actor in this show did amazing, and i'm not just talking about the main cast or the cameo's. I'm a big fan of some of the people who were in this show, so some may say i'm biased. But i'm being 100% honest when i say they all did such an amazing job. Everyone had very different characters, with their own stories and problems. And every single one of them made their characters their own, and made us feel everything those characters were feeling. Whether it was a simple scene which made us laugh, or an emotional one that made us cry, they all made us feel. And for that i applaud every cast member! You guys did amazing!!!

To conclude, this is one of those shows where no matter what i write or try to tell someone, it can't fully express how good this show is. It's one of those you have to watch yourself to see why people love it so much. If you haven't watched this show, i recommend you do. Part of me wishes i waited until it was fully released so i didn't have to wait a week each time for a new episode. Cause once an episode finished i instantly wanted to know what happens next. This is one of those addictive shows, that throws every emotion at you, and no matter how much you shout at your tv cause someone is being stupid again, you can't help but keep watching the chaos unfold. So if you haven't watched it, i say get to watching and i hope you enjoy. And if you have watched it, how you doing?
Now i'm off to re-watch this amazingly chaotic series again!

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It's a hot mess and I am here for it!

It’s fair to say that this series was a mess. Mostly in a good way, but it also had a few downs. But let’s start with the good first. I liked the plot, it gave us a little bit of everything – love, hate, friendship, cheating, breaking up, second chances… The OST was amazing, it definitely made it onto my playlist. The cinematography fit the plot well, I liked the darker tones. The styling was on point too.

The characters were very different from one another, which made following their stories all that more interesting. They were not stereotypical and there was more to them than just being queer. I think that’s important, and I am glad we are moving further and further away from those kind of queer representation in media.

The acting was amazing. All the actors and actresses did an amazing job, not that I expected anything less. Their chemistry was incredible, they showed so much emotion through their eyes or simple touches. There were a lot of emotional scenes, many of which included Khaotung. He is so expressive in such scenes; he really gives his all.

Top & Mew: I absolutely hated the whole idea behind Top being a “top guy” and how Mew is below him. This is something that has been especially pushed forward by Mew’s friends, and I think that is what bothered me the most about it. Top is rich, good looking and popular, and can get anyone he wants. And he makes it a game to get with whoever he sets his eyes on. Mew is supposed to be sweet, innocent, and reliable. He is the most serious member of the friend group. Once things start to go wrong between Top and Mew, I think they both show their true colors. Top is manipulative, he doesn’t like being told not, and doesn’t respect other people’s boundaries. Mew is not as innocent either. He can be just as manipulative, vengeful and knows how to play dirty. I liked how at some point they both realized the trust between them was gone. There will always be hurt and betrayal lingering in the back of their minds. So, to give each other a second chance requires more than just love.

Sand & Ray: There are people who need to be needed and there are people who need others. Sand and Ray are very much like that, with Sand being the one who is always there for Ray. Ray is battling an addiction and has other mental health problems. He is used to solving everything by throwing money at it. Sand doesn’t have much to his name, but he is proud of who he is. He is loyal, caring and often goes above and beyond for others. I liked Sand’s confidence, he refused to be second best to Mew who Ray thought himself in love with. Neither of them is perfect, they both got their hands dirty one way or the other. I can’t decide if they are good together or not. As Ray said, when he beats his alcohol addiction, he might end up addicting to Sand. Personally, I don’t think that’s the solution. If he relies on Sand too much, the other might start to resent him for it. At one point, Sand is bound to get tired of always giving and taking care of Ray. And Ray might resent Sand for not letting him be free.

Boston & Nick: The two really took us on a ride of love, hate and longing. They started of as friends with benefits, but Nick wanted more. I am sure Boston knew that and took advantage of it by constantly telling Nick he is his favorite. Boston doesn’t like commitment; he doesn’t care about school. He likes being free and doing whatever he wants, whenever he wants it. Nick is a cutie with a darker side. He is very possessive and when he gets attached to someone, he doesn’t see their flaws. Most of what they did either to one another or to those around them is inexcusable and nasty. However, both of their shortcomings are addressed and talked about, between the two of them and with others. I can understand the two of them forgiving each other, but I was bothered by the fact that Boston only turned to Nick when everyone else left him. It made it seem like he only sees him as his last option.

Cheum & April: they might be the only solid couple. We don’t really get to see the two of them that much as the series is focused on the other couples more, but I liked the two. Cheum seems to be the most level-headed member of the friend’s group, even with all of her flaws. I did find her too pushy, especially when she was trying to get Mew and Top together. She is very loyal, which can also be seen as a flaw as she often lets that cloud her judgement. April is a sweetheart. She puts up with her girlfriend’s crazy group of friends the best she can. The two of them were able to talk through their issues, even if that talk was brought up due to others. They still did the mature thing, talked things out and were honest with one another after.

A lot of the things were not properly addressed or talked about enough. Atom, Cheum’s little brother, and what he did to Boston. Even after telling the truth, Atom was just patted on the back. What Atom did promotes a very problematic idea about people lying and victimizing themselves when things don’t go their way. Last but not least, Boeing. What was his purpose? He literally went from character to character, trying to hook up or / and date them. His reasoning is never explained or addressed.

That ending though… I mean, we all expected him to show up at some point, but does that mean there is a possibility of S2?

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