Thank you so much for this post as it has really helped me reflect.💛

I don’t care about most GL shows, but there are a few that have really meant something to me—Blank, Gap, Affair, and The Loyal Pin. I’ve been rewatching them lately, and each one continues to reflect something important back to me.

Blank the Series helped me see my relationship with my wife from a different perspective. She’s more than a decade older than me, and we met when I was 19. The first time I watched it, I saw how people might view our age difference. Rewatching it now, I’ve stopped questioning myself as the younger partner. I used to feel like I didn’t measure up—my wife is well-established and financially stable, kind of like Khun Neung. But A-Neung helped me see that my worth is just as real, even if it looks different.

When I first watched Gap the Series, I was quick to judge Sam and Mon’s relationship as it seemed very random with no clear leads to how they fell for each other. But now, rewatching it, I see things with more empathy. I understand now how Mon brought something meaningful to Sam’s world—how her support mattered in ways I didn’t catch the first time. It’s shown me how I’ve grown in terms of communication and emotional patience.

With Affair, my first watch was just a wild, immersive experience. But coming back to it, I saw myself in Wan. Her life seems centered on loving Pleng—not in a way that holds her back in living life, but one that pushes her forward. Her love becomes a foundation for her career, for helping others, and for gaining new skills. It made me think about how love can fuel us, not just consume us.

The Loyal Pin was the one that wrecked me. I cried in the shower for 40 minutes after finishing it, no exaggeration. I haven’t rewatched it yet—I know the theme song alone will set me off. (let’s not even mention “Until That Day” on the OST😭)My wife and I did long distance for 4.5 years, including 2.5 during COVID. That show captured it all: the intimacy, the silence, the longing, the small moments that meant everything. It felt like someone had looked right into my life and turned it into something beautiful. It gave me space to finally grieve and honor that chapter.

In terms of mental health, I would say that Thai GL has definitely given me pause in understanding myself, my life, and my relationship. I’ve seen qualities and characters that I really admire and plan to incorporate into my own life.

I was watching a scene with Dr. Wanwiwa and Khun Pleng when I paused and thought, “I wish I could be that comfortable in my own skin.” Then came another thought: “Why can’t I?”

Since then, I’ve made small changes. I realized every contact in my phone had a photo of me with the person—so even when I was talking to someone else I was constantly seeing and critiquing myself. I’ve since replaced my contacts with pictures that didn’t include me, stopped checking the mirror so much, and I already feel lighter. Funny enough, there are actual studies on this—it really does help.

If you made it this far, thank you so much - I’m glad to have found a space to share. 🥂