23.5 (2024)

Yes! A good Thai GL!

I have been waiting for GMM to release a GL and 23.5 did not disappoint! Whether or not you like the school-type romance, it is a genre that GMM has managed to perfect. I loved MilkLove in Bad Buddy, so when they announced they'd be starring in a GL, I knew I'd be watching it.

Ongsa recently transferred from the countryside to a school in Bangkok, where she happens to run into Sun, a girl she's been following on social media for awhile. While Sun and Ongsa become friends in real life, they also start chatting on social media - except Sun doesn't know she's texting Ongsa, and thinks it's a boy named Earth. Scared to reveal her true identity, Ongsa plays the part of Earth as long as she can, but knows Sun will eventually find out. She can't help but wonder: what would Sun do if she knew she was texting a girl? Even if Sun likes Ongsa, what would other people say behind their back about them?

This show is very cute - again, it's your typical high school romance but between two girls in the same class. The main conflicts bring up points that a queer high schooler would likely relate to - issues of internalized homophobia, the fear of other people's opinions, and the possibility of rejection. It's a great show that isn't too intense and is just a light and fun watch. I think that if you enjoyed GMM's BLs like My School President or Bad Buddy, you'd really enjoy this one. There are conflicts I wish they would have fleshed out a bit more, but overall I had a great time watching this weekly.

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Breaking Boundaries with Heart: A Review of '23.5' – A Sapphic Triumph in Thai Drama

"23.5" isn't just a Thai GL series; it's a beacon of inclusivity and warmth in a landscape often fraught with stereotypes and biases. As I reflect on its profound impact, I find myself compelled to share my heartfelt review of this precedent-setting show.

In a genre where representation often falls prey to sensationalism or marginalization, "23.5" stands tall as a testament to what can be achieved with sincerity and heart. The creators have crafted a narrative that transcends cultural barriers, inviting viewers of all ages and backgrounds to join in its heartwarming journey.

What truly sets "23.5" apart is its ability to entertain without relying on tired tropes or sexualization. As a 46-year-old who grew up with content that often failed to capture the depth and beauty of sapphic love, this series feels like a breath of fresh air. For once, I can sit down with my family and immerse ourselves in a story that celebrates love in its purest form, free from the burden of unnecessary sexualization or problematic storylines.

At the heart of "23.5" lies a narrative brimming with endearing characters, heartfelt moments, and a genuine sense of wholesomeness. Ongsa and Sun's journey from misunderstanding to friendship to love is portrayed with such sincerity and authenticity that it's impossible not to be moved. Theirs is a love story that resonates deeply, not just with LGBTQ+ audiences, but with anyone who has ever yearned for connection and understanding.

The cast and crew of "23.5" deserve immense praise for their commitment to authenticity and representation. From the stellar performances to the impeccable direction and cinematography, every aspect of the series comes together to create a truly unforgettable viewing experience.

As I eagerly await the possibility of a continuation in "24.0," I can't help but feel hopeful for the future of LGBTQ+ representation in media. "23.5" has proven that stories of love and identity know no bounds, and I can only hope that more creators will follow in its footsteps, embracing diversity and inclusivity with the same grace and sincerity.

In a world often divided by fear and prejudice, "23.5" serves as a reminder of the power of love to unite us all. May its legacy endure as a beacon of hope and acceptance for generations to come.

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a breath of fresh air; worth all the hype

bl and het shows have a wide range of silly romcoms to choose from, but the sapphic genre is mostly filled with angst, so this is really a breath of fresh air. i usually don't like highschool plots, but this one in particular is very enjoyable. for something so highly anticipated, im glad that i havent felt any disappointment so far. all the characters are rly interesting and im glad the side charas dont seem to be treated like mere foils (like alpha, for instance. my fave. im looking forward to how theyll unravel her chara's depth as we go on). i love when showrunners treat most charas with respect and not like theyre disposable, even if some of them are just for comedic relief. i think its nice that theyre gradually developing the romance between ongsasun as they establish their dynamics with the ppl around them. i like that even tho some elements are cringe and comical, it just feels humorous and not distasteful. it's a feel good show that rly represents the youthful sapphic experience of self discovery, fitting in, and falling in love while finding a community of queer friends. im excited to see more of ongsasun and aylinluna. every interaction of the two lesbian couples so far has been so "kilig" and i cant wait to see their relationships grow deeper as we uncover more layers of each of their charas individually.

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So many wasted chances

I really wanted to like this series. And even though I kind of do, I have some major itches for it (there are also a few great things).

Things I disliked:
1) I hate the "I text with my crush but they don't know it's me and we become emotionally attached" so much. Especially when all the lying goes on for a few episodes (MSP had this also but they gave it up after a short while). The fact that Sun fell for Earth was already like starting a romantic relationship in a very toxic way.
2) Outing each other. Since Ongsa didn't want to tell her parents about her relationship with Sun, we clearly do not have here a world where queerphobia doesn't exist. And if so, why is Luna outing Aylin (and calling her her girlfriend even though they did not talk about their status) and why is Sun outing Ongsa to her parents? Take a hint, Sun. This kind of things should be talked about first.
3) The whole alien treatment. Aylin is clearly autistic-coded and she was constantly (for the first few episodes) forced to do stuff even though she very obviously was not comfortable. For some things, she didn't even get Luna's apologies.

Things I liked:
1) The teachers' storyline. I hope this actress' pairing will be cast in other series cause it was very adorable.
2) How Charoen hasn't fallen for Ton's flirting. Otherwise it would have felt forced.
3) The overall cuteness.
4) How they developed Alpha's character and problems.

There were a lot of moments where the creators could have done the right thing and add a little apologizing here and there, and simplly not include some of this toxicity. But overall, for first proper GMM's GL, it was good and adorable and I sure hope they keep improving.

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Literally the cutest show ever
A milklove show is something people have been waiting forever and we finally got it.
Such a warm show with even more cute characters. Ongsa is such a cute loser, I can’t help but laugh (and slightly cringe) when she does embarrassing things. Sun stays true to her name, being the positive light throughout. Aylin, Luna, Alpha, the teachers and friends, honestly such a loveable group of characters. And don’t get me started on how cute Aylin and luna were. How their relationship started and progressed were beautiful. All the actors were great too, an ensemble cast actually.
The sets were great too. The attention to detail is amazing, Ongsa’s room filled with space stuff, her phone case, Sun’s handkerchief and her bike, Aylin’s room and caps etc. All the aesthetics were great too.
Many people complain that the focus was too much on other characters, I would not say the issue was the focus on the other characters but the fact that the series was too short for 3 couples + 1 side character story and 2 conflicts for the main couple. They could have made the series a bit longer. 23.5 being the first gmmtv gl has to open new doors for other wlw couples and they did it for viewjune. Many people have started to pay attention to view-june as a pair and have started to ask for a show for them, even view has gotten attention individually. They have also given a space for godji and golf to be another couple. All of them deserved their own space. The show needed more time
They could not develop the characters much, especially Sun, we kind of know her character but not that deeply. After the earth conflict was solved, there wasn’t much to do about ongsa-sun and the last fight did not do anything. They just created a conflict for the sake of it. It could have worked if they addressed the issue of Sun outing multiple people and not seeing this out of perspective but they turn it make it seem like Ongsa is the one wrong here without addressing their lack of communication. Luna and Aylin’s relationship also seemed to have issues but they didn’t show it properly. Even the scene where Aylin opens up about bullying, they inserted Mawin, they could have made him relate to her or something.
Another issue I have is that they didn’t try much to make them ‘real’. Where are their parents most of the time? They are high school students but we didn’t see them studying or having classes much, especially after they started dating. What is their school routine? Alpha and Luna were in the school head club but never seemed to be helping the other students or interacting with them. Even the astrology club was left to dust. They could have included them in their dating era too. The teachers weren’t even seen teaching. Sun wasn’t seen with her friends after they started dating etc etc
Their past was also confusing, how does ongsa already have friends if she just moved there, did she move there alone or was alpha already studying in that school? What about aylin’s parents? Her past? Why is onsga so distant with her parents? Many were not clear
Anyways this was a very cute show. Milklove were great and made me happy. I hope they get more projects together. Hoping for a viewjune gl next year! Ongsa-sun and Aylin-luna will be always in my heart

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GMMTV's GL Experience is Awesomeness

Ongsa’s (Milk Pansa) high school life will never be the same when she carelessly wishes her cute and cheerful classmate Sun (Love Pattranite) “sweet dreams” using the Instagram name Earth. Unfortunately, the masculine name leads Sun to believe she’s talking to a guy, but Ongsa doesn’t want to lose the opportunity to talk to her. She chooses to keep it a secret and go on talking to Sun as Earth. "23.5″ is a really engaging coming of age drama which reminds us of our first crush, first love and all those beautiful feelings that are reminiscent of those memories. After watching the first three episodes of the show, I became hooked immediately and honestly can’t wait for more. The appealing story line coupled with the irresistible and engaging cast members make it impossible to skip the episodes. It’s not a fresh story line but the way that story has been executed is so cute and endearing that I was giggling all along while watching.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/03/29/23-5-first-impressions-ep-1-to-3/

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Masterpiece made by women and for women.

I want to start by saying that I’m so happy that lesbians and wlw in general finally have something that was entirely made for us and is incredibly good quality in every aspect.
When I see someone saying that the tropes and dynamics are ‘cliché’ I just wonder if they have consumed any sapphic media before, because yes, they might be cliché but ONLY in heterosexual/mlm media. Also, Milk, Love and the rest of the cast are talented actresses, meaning they give their own touch to the story, so please abandon that prejudice.
It makes me emotional to think how impactful it will be for young queer girls to see that it’s normal to have a crush, regardless of the gender of the person.
Seems like this series will also deal with topics like changes/adapting to a new environment, comphet, mental health like self esteem and expectations and a lot of things that people experience not only during high school but also every day of our lives. Just in the first episode they addressed bullying and the importance of never contributing and leaving on their own a person who’s being harassed.
Details like the osts being sung by sapphic artists, openly queer cast and crew members, and the sexualities being addressed and confirmed since the beginning (in the intro) just prove that it’s so easy to give sapphics the same things straight people have always had. The team behind this series did an amazing work and this will definitely mark a new era for gls and lesbian media in general.

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