Bed Friend (2023)

A deeper story than FWB

If you read the reviews and discussions, you'll notice many people didn't get the storyline, doubted whether there a plot at all, or just skipped around to see NC scenes. And there are some like me who were thoroughly invested in the characters and the story, even though it may not have been what we were expecting, given the Bed Friends title. And there were some who were upset about having to deal with and to be triggered by Uea's trauma. As someone who can be triggered myself, I do ask on Reddit, check MDL Discussions and/or review the MDL Tags, so I have some idea of the content. Tags: Gay Romance, LGBTQ+, Trauma, Mean Mother, Adapted From A Novel, Child Abuse, Expressed Consent, Family Abuse, Sassy Male Lead, Workplace Setting

At first, I thought this would be just pure fluff, but given the MDL tags and the first couple of episodes, it started to become clear to me that it would be a much deeper story. Things that stood out to me:
- King was already fascinated by Uea the first time he set eyes on him at the club. And he made it his goal to get Uea's attention ever since, which only back-fired because Uea just thought King was a player.
- Uea's cold demeanor is his wall. Trauma survivors often need this, or some other survival mechanism, to function.
- Even though they had clearly spelled out FWB rules, they each acted more like boyfriends even from the beginning. True FWB don't necessarily check in that often with each other. Nor do they have meals together, text good night, text "I'm home safe."
- The mother-child relationship is complicated. As many times as your own mother abandons/uses/abuses you, you keep hoping she still somehow loves you. It's easy for people to judge Uea for returning home, but it's a really difficult boundary to set, esp. when you have siblings still at home.
- I felt powerless when Uea's boss Krit showed up on the screen. He was creepy and my relief was palpable when he was gone.
- Early childhood trauma have been shown to change brain chemistry. Instead of perpetuating the stigma against mental health, the producers and writers normalized therapy and prescription meds. We don't often see that in BL.

I highly recommend this series. The main leads' acting was great. Their NC scenes were incredible and their chemistry was scorching!

Lire davantage

Great Leads and OST

"Bed Friends" gets off to a slow start but builds to a strong conclusion, giving my final rating a solid 10.. Net and James are outstanding in the lead roles, probably because their off-screen chemistry is off the charts. Unfortunately, this is the main weakness of the plot in that Uea (James' character) plays it a bit too cool with King (Net's character) right to the end of the drama. Yes, Uea and King do get a bit closer as King comes to understand Uea's backstory on sexual abuse, but even in the final scene, Uea seems a bit too surprised or skeptical of King's offer of marriage. I think there was a missed opportunity to do more with Jade's (Yim's character) as he's a real scene-stealer whenever he appears. HIs best scene is when he joins King to select a ring for Uea. (I'm going to have to go look for dramas where he's the lead.) Thai BL dramas set the gold standard for romantic scenes and "Bed Friend" breaks new ground over its DOMUNDI predecessors like "WhyRU?" Still, it seems a bit odd that shows like this go out of their way to avoid shirtless scenes. Maybe the actors don't feel they have the "6-pack" physique to pull it off? I also have a minor complaint with the Uea being drawn as a stereotypical BL uke. These dramas would be far more interesting -- and realistic -- if the characters were equally masculine. If you're new to BL, "Bed Friends" is probably one of the best dramas you could start with. The 10 episodes move along without being burdened by too much padding. The plot is fresh and the main characters are all likable. Highly recommended. I'd love to see Net & James in another drama where their characters are more like their real-life personalities, though.

Lire davantage

Not much impressed

Although actors had very potential but script didn’t go well with them I felt really bore at some plots unnecessary scenes were too much believe it or not I finished this drama in 1 day that means I forwarded more scenes continuously I wasn’t impressed with the script it is really a kind of lousy but I like the actors and somewhere story was good but they dragged it like a war I hope bl series directors shud understand although we expect intimate scenes but that doesn’t mean entire series will be based on those scenes lol you can see tharntype kinporsche series we have such bold scenes but drama was good they had story but here it literally nothing but most of the korean dramas I’m giving 3 4 5 ratings compare to those this drama was good anyway all the best to actors I really hope they can get a well drama next time they are so cute and chemistry and their acting was so dawn amazing

Lire davantage

Shocked

I gave my rating and I wasn’t going to write a review but I am too shocked at some of the low ratings. I gave this 10/10 and it’s one of my favorite series. At the time of this writing, I have watched this series 3 times and I’m sure there will be more.

There are many reasons why I love this:
- Visuals - Net is gorgeous and James is beautiful. Put them together and, wow.
- Net and James can both ACT. Net has one of the most expressive faces I have ever seen. I could feel exactly what he was feeling.
- This series hits EVERY EMOTION.
- As the title alludes to, the bedroom scenes are plentiful and steamy. Episode 6 is especially great. Meow.
- The cinematography was outstanding. The beach scene with their silhouettes was absolutely stunning.
- True love triumphs over every obstacle.
- Loyal friends are invaluable.
- The bad guys get what they deserve.
- The music was spot on.

Don’t let the reviews dissuade you from watching. Decide for yourself.

Lire davantage

TO BE HONEST I LOVED IT AND FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART !! SORRY IF YOU DIDN'T

This was more than the title "BED FRIEND" .
It was not only about the NC scenes it was about life, healing, acceptance. I don't know why people are finding so many flaws where i actually liked it this much !! Nvm this is the postive review you probably need.


Their acting was the plus and biggest point. They nailed it and only because their acting was so natural some scenes didn't feel cringe to me or even if it was i would just blush and giggle!!! You can just tell by the KISS SCENE when they kissed while only being BED FRIENDS and then as LOVERS. Their first kiss as lovers got the whole ZOO in my stomach!! I almost had diabetes ༎ຶ⁠‿⁠༎ຶ coz the last few eps were too SWEET for meee !!! They just stole my heart 😭❤️ and i was giggling like crazy !!


The cinematography was so beautiful!! Especially the beach scene in last ep and the song, King's stare and the atmosphere it was alllll just magic ✨.


Their story was all about " you can find that someone in anyway, anywhere coz everything is fare in love 🤷🏻‍♀️ and then the person will say 'we can fix this together' 'you don't have to be strong when you're with me' and yesss just like that UEA found his little happiness KING who was head over hills for him ~ AND I'M HOPELESS ROMANTIC coz of them 😭


However i don't think this series deserves these much hate or criticism !! People are so negative nowadays, no series literally nothing can fully satisfy them 🤷🏻‍♀️ .

It was cute sweet funny a little sad and i loved itt !! If you're up for a decent storyline, rom-com, good acting, amazing chemistry and acting and a little cringe cliche plot then yess go for ittt ❤️❤️

Lire davantage

Still confusing storyline :(

First, I wanna say that this series really excites me because it's from Mandee Channel but until to the recent episode I am using the skip button more often, I can't see where is the storyline was heading or is it leading onto somewhere. Net's acting is good and expressive but James is kinda stiff and awkward especially to those sad scenes where he has to cry, it's kinda force when he try to cry but not a single tear will drop you can just see his face scrunching but nothing more, you can't feel any emotions when you see him acting sad. Meanwhile, Net is kinda good with his acting, you can see every emotions in his eyes when it is a sad scene and his eyes will always turn watery like he was about to cry when his character is hurt or sad. BUT my biggest concern was the abusive plot towards Uea, he experienced a lot of it until the recent one with his boss. I really though the main plot of this series is just 2 friends or workmates who hates each other being engaged in physical contact with each other and eventually fall in love, have some issues ahead and misundertandings but it seems the plot is much more complicated than I thought it will be and until now I really thought that the storyline is really confusing and putting a lot of question marks in my head. I don't know if I will continue watching it but if I do maybe I will just keep on pressing the skip button :(

Lire davantage

Too Depressing to Watch Such Helpless Uke

I really want to like this series. It started ok, although I thought it was funny to see Uea so snobbish.

And then, the story tried to win sympathy from viewers, portraying Uea as such a helpless, and even useless uke. I think I have seen such portrayal too often, in the past. It was a turn-off.

Is making audience crying for the uke still a trend in Thai series? It is so boring.

Such a pity. The series is still worth watching for the hot Net. He is dreamy.

I do hope the future series of NetJames would be better and not recycling the same old line of hopeless Uke.

Lire davantage

this is a drama

You will either love it or hate it. Is it perfect...NO.. Is it good ...YES,,

I can understand why some people dropped it, it's hard to watch a series about hard topics. There was some unnecessary silliness in the office and in a couple places i felt like the attempt to what they were trying to convey fell a little short of the mark but overall I liked it.

This story does more than just touch on the sensitive issue of sexual abuse and assault. I think they handled the sensitive subject well. It does a good job of showing how it messes with a person's life but you can over come it, Especially if you have support It also showed how he dealt with. i liked how they didn't make him an angry character out for revenge, It was very realistic the portrayal of the sexual misconduct in the office. i like how Uea cut ties with his mom but still kept in touch with his sister. He still cared about the mom which was evident by him asking about her but he was able to cut that toxic relationship out of his life.

I liked how King's character stood up and took action even though he was nervous, I also liked how UEA resigned because that too was very realistic. (i would be like him. In fact I once quit a job because of problems at work from an over friendly boss) I will admit I have re-watched the scene in episode 8 where King handles the problem with the Boss a couple of times. I wish more people would have that kind of courage. (coming from the standpoint of hiding that I'm so good at.) I liked how king took action for the problems. I liked how the girl said something to the effect of "I didn't know how to handle it," I also liked how they showed that UEA was targeted by other people that preyed on the weak, that also was realistic.

I liked how UEA 's character was portrayed with a multitude of emotions, I think the actor did an excellent job, I liked how king's character was supportive but also wasn't perfect, It was a huge blunder when he went on a date with someone else but that also was realistic, It showed how we can be pressured into doing things we don't want and how that effects things. i liked the ending. I like happy endings.
I don't often give a 9 but for this series it deserves it. The actors did an excellent job.

Lire davantage

I liked them a lot as a couple. But that's it.

I liked these two. I really did. But the story was a little too hard to watch. The thing I hated the most was that they made us watch Uea being harressed and sexually abused too many times. They would repeat those scenes to "remember" us what happened, but it was just unconfortable and sad. The writers could've left Uea alone for a second. He had too many traumas and 3 guys abused him in the show. I don't like watching this stuff repeatedly and with detail like that, it's triggering. King and Uea were great together, they had great chemistry and King was very supportive (there was this one time where he wasn't very nice with Uea insinuating he was actually hitting on their boss, but after that I would say he compensated a lot by getting him fired and putting Uea's stepfather in jail.) I loved Uea and Jade's friendship, Jade was so sweet all the time and I can't wait to watch his spinoff.

Lire davantage

Decent story mediocre writing and production

The main plot/arc is interesting enough. Friends with benefits struggle with the usual problems plus the effects of sexual abuse and harassment to eventually become partners. What works best is the sympathy that is built for Uea, who has to endure a breakup, an evil mother, sexual harassment, and the lingering effects of sexual abuse as a child. You want the relationship to work out for him because he really seems to need it.
What doesn't work so well are many of the distractions thrown in here and there to bolster some pretty thin writing in the main story. Also the acting tends to be stiff and manneristic even in dramatic scenes that need a more realistic performance. So even though I'm inclined to be sympathetic with Uea, I often have a hard time believing him as a character, and what would otherwise be fairly effective drama falls flat.
The music is un-memorable. The production values are pretty low (continuity errors, confusing cuts, sound glitches, etc.). At one point the product placements come so frequently and aggressively that I felt like I was being waterboarded with bottled drinks.

Lire davantage

Honestly not that great but I still finished it

Bed Friend felt over the top and frankly, unnecessarily so at times. While there was an abundance of spicy love scenes, some intimate sequences felt out of place and had awkward transitions. All this made the show slightly cringey and hard to fully appreciate as a realistic romance. 

Uea's character was disappointing. It sometimes seemed like he was constantly trying to prove how cold he is. I appreciate his backstory, but I think the writing/Uea's character was poorly executed.

But did I finish it? Yes, I did. Now, I even have a huge crush on Net’s smouldering gaze. No idea how he does it but am I living for it? Also yes.

All in all, if you’re coming here for superb writing and storytelling - don’t. If you’re here for the steamy sex scenes and lots of toe-curling flirting, yes, this might just be what you need.

Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2023/05/02/bed-friend-2023-bl-review/

Lire davantage

The Uea Chronicles

I was completely captivated by this drama. From the enchanting original soundtrack to the flawless performances, everything was exceptional. The chemistry between the characters crackled, and the romance was beautifully depicted. Those intense scenes? They were scorching hot! I found myself glued to the screen, grinning like a fool. This drama truly swept me off my feet.

In every drama I watch, there’s always a character I deeply connect with. In this one, Uea was my absolute favorite. From the moment I laid eyes on him, I thought, ‘That’s the one.’ He exuded sass, sexiness, and incredible handsomeness, yet he carried the weight of his painful past with strength. His graceful movements and expressive face drew me in. His journey was heart-wrenching, but when he finally found someone to lean on, someone who cared for him, it was a moment of relief. His mother never believed in him, his stepfather was… his ex was a pain in the *ss. Every time he was hurt, it pained me, and I despised seeing him cry. To me, he was nothing short of an angel—someone worth protecting. His performance was outstanding.

And then there’s King—handsome as hell, possessive, patient, loving, and protective. That jawline? Absolutely mesmerizing. I don’t know if I’m the only one obsessed with it, but it’s impossible to ignore. Anyways, he has my utmost respect. The way he safeguards what he loves is incredibly sweet. His patience with Uea, understanding him and giving him time, speaks volumes about his character. I vividly remember when Uea asked him if he’d wait for him, and King simply replied, ‘Tell me when.’ That’s a green flag right there. I adore him, and I’m thrilled he saved my beloved Uea and was always there for him.

Now, let’s address the red flags: Uea’s mom. I can’t fathom why someone would carry their own flesh and blood for nine months, endure the labor process, and then emotionally and physically abuse their child. It’s beyond my comprehension. Uea, despite everything, even saved his mother’s number in his phone. When he heard she was in the hospital, he rushed there, only to be mocked. I officially despise that woman.

And Uea’s stepdad? Well, let’s just say I wouldn’t mind someone snipes him or chops off his limbs and makes sure he feels that pain but doesn't die in the process before I do.

The other actors delivered flawless performances—I love them.

This drama is definitely worth watching.

I highly recommend it.

Go watch it!

Lire davantage