The Sign (2023)

A Wild Ride Through Rainbow Uniforms and Thai Folklore

Rated = 10 ~ 44/50 ~ 8.8
RPG Scene // Rainbow Cops, flying on their rainbow Unicorns through Sky City, wielding the biggest ass swords like Thor's hammer screaming 'Get the FK out of the way!"

I never thought I could give a BL a 10 and I especially didn't think I could give a Thai BL a 10 but karma likes to prove me wrong and my mistress never misses her shot.
This was awesome. It's not perfect, but it's gloriously camp, dramatic and incredibly sensual.

The weakest element of this show is that there are two very different plots, running simultaneously beside each other. This is a reincarnation plot and that's often the case. But with The Sign, it's two very different themes trying to blend together and that can get a little disjointing and over the top for some people. I can understand that.

The 'front' theme, is of the two ML's and their gang, training to be and becoming special investigation cops. It's gritty, brutal and a lot of questions about justice and the law. Where does justice stop and revenge begin. Are they the same thing?
All of the men are beautifully buffed out and our protagonist, Tharn, is persistently seen in his little red speedos by the pool, showing off his beautiful figure. It's brutal cop life with homoerotic visuals. This show was not afraid to have man bulge, chesticles and ass in your face as often as it could.

On the back theme, and arguable the main theme, we switch to sparkly cgi and Thai folklore of mythical creatures, tragic lovers reincarnated, and a really jealous prince. These are two very different concepts, that can be difficult to reconcile together. You'll either love it or you wont and that's ok.

And in the middle of these opposing concepts, we have our leads, Tharn, an orphaned psychic, raised by a monk in the temple for his safety with his grandmother's approval, and Pyah, at first, an ambitious and sharp trainee cop who softens into devotion and absolute loyalty when he falls for Tharn. Tharn believes he can never love anyone or they will die, and Pyah refuses to leave Tharn alone despite attempts on his life by his naga love rival. But both unequivocally love and are devoted to each other, despite their denials, refusals and blockages.

It's a bit of jumble but I loved it. It was very different from I'm used to from the genre and especially from Thailand.

Our side characters also have romantic relationships, and we do get some insight into that but just enough to give the character's interactions some weight, without taking away from the main couple.

I really loved the sex scenes. I usually don't, finding them a little too much for my taste. However, the love making scenes are exactly that. There's pink lights, ambient music, panting, and slow. It gave off a very kama sutra vibe, which matched with the soulmate theme. I liked this more sensual approach rather than just throwing each other around the room.

The CGI isn't the best, and it's a little corny but I'm pretty immuned to this now with cdrama's and given that this is a Thai show, it didn't take away from the plot for me. I really loved having the glimpse into Thai folklore.

There were a few things that were kind of dropped a little too early I think. Such as the first murder and the artist, we never get closure there but that's the thing with having only 12 episodes, some things just have to be wrapped up quick. I would absolutely be down for a second season.

The music I loved. They went with hard hitting rock themes to pump you up for the action, and soft, slightly native sounding for emotional moments, and then there was the erotic, sensual ambience for the love making.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this mad ride and will definitely be rewatching.

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A gay romance with fantastic touches and the whitewashing of the homophobic Thai Police

The Sign is a captivating drama that stands out among other BLs for its ability to balance multiple stories and themes. Broadcast on Channel 3, this production by renowned Thai director and screenwriter A Natthaphong Wongkaweepairod, perfectly intertwines elements of gay romance, the complexity of first love, religiosity, the exciting world of fantasy, the supernatural, the resolution of crimes and political and police corruption.
This unique combination of genres, its compelling narrative, the pair of irresistible protagonists and a direct story of love-overcomes-adversity, guarantees that 'The Sign' will hit the mark among fans of BL products, always in search of a series that show an engaging and exciting experience. All this positions the audiovisual among the most outstanding in the BL universe of all time.
Professional critics and fans alike praise its emotional depth and the cast's sincere performances.
Its director has to his credit the dramas 'My Hero Series: Spell of The Swan Mark', from 2018; 'School Tales The Series', 2022; and the lesbian 'GAP The Series', from 2022, and 'Dream', to be released in 2024. In addition to directing, he is also the screenwriter of the serial 'Lipgloss Spy' and the film SLR', both from 2022.
Based on the great success of 'GAP The Series', its first GL series, the Idol Factory company put all its effort into producing a BL criminal investigation project. This is how 'The Sign' comes about. The series is a television adaptation of I-Rain-Yia's novel of the same name, with a literal translation into English, Premonition, which was produced by Saint Suppapong of 'Love By Chance' and 'Why RU?'.
Billy Patchanon, star of 'Secret Crush On You' and 'War Of Y', and promising actor Babe Tanatat, are in charge of taking on the main roles. I have no doubt that both because of their on-screen chemistry and their genuine performances, the two young actors will consolidate themselves as a ship within the BL universe.
The story centers on two young people who loved each other for centuries and were separated in several past lives, but in a twist of fate they were reincarnated as Phaya o Sakuna (Billy Patchanon Ounsa-ard) and Tharn Wansa (Babe Tanatat Phanviriyakool). This allowed them to meet at an academy where future police officers are trained, in order to enter the Investigation Detective Force (IDF).
During their training, they both experience unique visions related to their pasts and common future, which ignites their romance as they embark on the investigation of some criminal cases shrouded in mystery. Phaya and Tharn's love will be tested by an enigmatic man.
Other talented actors and actresses bring the characters to life in a way that has resonated with audiences.

Brief characterization of the characters

Tharn: He is the cheerful and kind young officer of the IDF. He loves Phaya, with whom he has a romance from the past. That is why he constantly risks his life to save him from the danger he is in. He has a strong sense of "instinct."
Phaya: He is the young, handsome, intelligent, cool and upright IDF officer. Love Tharn.
Khem (Tack Pongsakorn) is the young officer who has a flirtatious personality, likes to have fun and plays with all the other IDF members, especially his boyfriend Thongtai.
Thongtai (Poom Natthapas): Khem's boyfriend. He studied psychology and has a good sense of duty. He is a very observant young officer.
Yai (Gap Jakarin) grew up alongside Tharn since childhood. They both consider themselves brothers. He is a young member of IDF.
Singha (Surprise Pittikorn Siripornsawan) looks weak on the outside but is the brains of the team.
Doctor Chalotorn (Heng Asavarid) an attractive psychiatrist who is close and protective of Tharn.
Captain "Akk" Akkhanee Assawawaisoon (Akk Akarat Nimitchai), leader of the investigation team.
Wansarat (Freen Sarocha Chankimha): The GAP The Series actress is part of the cast as a Guest.
The resounding success of the series has led to the creation of other content, such as The Sign Special and Behind the Sign.
A must-see drama for fans of the BL genre and those who enjoy a good mix of romance, mystery and the supernatural, The Sign brings a captivating story that, together with its talented cast and unique combination of genres, will leave a lasting impression on the spectators.

Underlying reality of the series

On the same day of the premiere of The Sign, after watching the first episode, I wrote in MDL: “I find it commendable that in a hostile, sexist, homophobic environment, which exalts masculinity, as the Police Force of any country is supposed to be, tell a story (maybe two, if we take into account Khem and Thongthai's relationship) of a romance between boys. But I wonder if this series is not a 'whitewash' for the Thai Police. I hope that the series is not a tool to apply cosmetic touches to a Police accused of repressing members of the Thai LGBTQIA community.”
With these words I meant that homosexuality is still illegal and considered taboo in that country. Same-sex unions are not recognized under Thai law, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman. This prevents gay couples from applying for bank loans or joint health insurance. It also prevents the possibility of adopting children. Thai homosexuals do not enjoy the same rights as heterosexuals. Thai law denies transgender people from changing their sex on their national identity card.
Homosexuality was decriminalized in 1956, but was considered a mental illness until as recently as 2002. Many Thai Buddhists believe that homosexuality is a punishment for sins committed in a previous life. Thai homosexuals suffer physical and verbal harassment in the classrooms by their classmates, and discrimination at work, under the permissive gaze of society, despite the image of tolerance towards this group in order to attract tourism to the country. The Thai Police, the result of the Military Juntas that emerged after successive coups d'état, is accused, both by the local population and internationally, of being corrupt, torturing and repressive.
The Royal Thai Police is the most corrupt state department in the country with tens of thousands of complaints annually, according to regular reports from the Ombudsman's Office, and many of these complaints come from members of the Thai LGBTQIA community, who go unheard mostly.
The high-profile crime and dismemberment of the Colombian surgeon Edwin Arrieta, known as the “Daniel Sancho Case” (name of his confessed Spanish murderer) confirms this. This macabre murder once again brought to public attention the dynamics in the Asian country, the excesses, the parties and the mechanisms of privilege when the victim is a homosexual.
The LGBTIQIA collective is openly discriminated against and even with criminalizing laws, which, to wash its face before the international community, welcomes all those foreigners who will be part of the collective, but without displays of public affection
At a legislative level, Thailand has much more permissive LGBTIQIA policies, but at a factual level, there is discrimination, taboo and extensive stigma. Perhaps that explains the media treatment that has been given to the Sancho case from within the country itself: half-hearted, without fully clarifying the relationship that the two men had, and the eagerness that the police have shown to close the case. In addition to trying to maintain the idyllic image of the country before Thai and international public opinion so that tourism is not scared away.

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Don't snooze on this masterpiece. it's a must watch

Going through all type of emotions while writing this review, wanted to hold on to it, but I can't anymore(considering this review has been on my notes for weeks now, which I keep adding and making new adjustments come every week/new ep)

First, I want to wholeheartedly thank sign production team for showing us the beautiful culture of Thailand. The myths, folktales, culture, storytelling is just beautifully done and depicted. This is the type of series you honestly learn from and may even help you in exams or random historical/mythological conversation. Gosh I'm in awe😵. Now I want to visit Thailand so bad.

Second, you needed to see how my jaw dropped when I learnt that this is Tharn's first ever acting job, he is everything but a rookie actor. I do call him a monster rookie actor, far much better than those several years in the game. Job well done. I'm not joking when I say this is the best work I have seen so far from Thai bl production(I'm sorry but I hate Thai bl production, just overly saturated, terrible actors who can't act for shit, zero to half baked storyline, unnecessary cringy ass talks, and NC scenes). But this was literally the opposite of all that. Everything was properly depicted. Or is it the chemistry of all the couples?. No this guys did a great Job, well done, like take your flowers for a job well done🌹. I try as much as possible to stop myself from watching the new EPS so I can binge watch at once and that I have failed terribly😭😂. I knew I wasn't the only one feeling this series when I saw the rating and number of comments on here😵, good to see that we still have people with taste. Like do away with NC scenes in this series and I will be very much still be seated for this masterpiece, that is how much I love this series and I just hope it continues this way till the end

Lastly, this series isn't for you if you are looking for some burnt out rinse and repeat storyline sprinkled with unnecessary NC scenes everywhere alongside zero to mid ass acting/actors, in summary fast paced very common mediocre production, not my fault you are more into garbage just so you can satisfy your horny ass. So don't come here saying shit.

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Good effort, overcrowded plot

The Sign is a very ambitious project by Idol Factory and I have to give them kudos for their efforts. The efforts aren't wasted either, most of the series was highly enjoyable, and you can feel that this was made with passion. However, this series is overcrowded with ideas that the execution for each doesn't feel 100%.

Here are the good:
- Amazing chemistry between Billy and Babe. I was not familiar with their game before this but now I am hugely obsessed because of how electrifying their chemistry is on screen. Even from the very beginning where they had minimal physical contact, they've always maintained an amazing amount of tension that keeps the viewers going.

- Their first case as detectives was actually interesting. Honestly this was the more interesting case compared to the main case that they worked on - it was also presented better. I was actively rooting for the murderer to succeed because of how good they sold the motives to me but also I didn't end up hating the cops either. They showed a good balance of humanity for both sides which made an interesting watch.

Room for improvement:
- Premise is super interesting but you need moderation with everything, including excitement. The reincarnation, detective case, and the whole folks tale/fiction thing proved to be too much for one series. The plot is overly crowded and I wish they toned it down slightly or expanded it over a longer series. 12 episodes and 1 special episode is not enough to properly contain all of these stuff.

- Some characters are not written with enough purpose. What was the purpose of Dai? What's the purpose of the last scene with the murder of the employee? What was the reason that the first death happened in the training area? I get that they are used to progress the plot but I wish there was better writing around this.

- I do wish that the handling of the one case with a mentally unwell suspect was done with more sensitivity. The doctor was actively feeding incriminating answers to a mentally unstable suspect and the detectives just let it be. I think it's important in crime series to highlight that people with mental illnesses are way more likely to be victims than perpetrators. This series did manage to kind of relay that in a not so obvious way, but the initial hammering and emotional pressure they put unto the suspect was quite triggering.

The bad:
The acting of the girl who played Dai really needed huge improvement. All lines delivered were stiff and felt like she was reading off a teleprompter. Surely there were better actresses.

Overall this isn't bad but it's a case of flying too close to the sun with this one.

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Highly ambitious, but faltered along the way

The Sign has everything I adore in a series: romance, mystery, action and that infallible touch of mythology, which is my weakness. Under these circumstances, my rating should be higher, also considering the story is interesting, the plot is airtight (plot holes are one of my peeves), and the chemistry genuinely chemistry - fies.

Not that this is a bad rating, but again, I would generally rate something like this much higher. So let me explain my thought process, starting with the mystery/action aspect. It's solid, it truly is. Albeit slightly predictable and simple, it was consistent. I genuinely loved that they solved multiple cases that umbrella - ed as one big case, and as far as I took note, there were no loose ends or plot holes. Every case they worked seamlessly tied up with the major case through the players, and it even seemed like they would link the mythological aspect to this plotline.

That's where I was wrong. Let's clear this up first: I know it's difficult to incorporate mythology/history into a fictional account. It requires tons of research, poring over books, journals, documents, and so much more. I also understand that when you're working with mythology and history, it's a difficult situation to maneuver, (especially when you're talking about two major characters who's stories have wide and varying interpretations). But there's still room to work with. Without giving away too much, let's just say I expected more. They promised grandeur and complexity, but what we got was absolutely none of that. The entire mythological plotline was tied up to the romance between the leads and not much more.

Which then leads us to.. the romance. I'm going to be completely honest, Billy and Babe, they have chemistry. I did say the chemistry chemistry - fied, and I wasn't lying. They have a hot and cold relationship in the beginning, which I'm going to chalk up to a genuine plot point, it was understandable. Even when you felt they were being bratty, frustrating or just a teensy bit hypocritical, they turned the situation around pretty smoothly and soon. It's really too bad we didn't get to see enough though. This is a totally subjective opinion, but they spent so much time focusing on solving the cases, and the mystery of their past that there was barely any romance. At least for me. And I know it's ironic because I said I appreciated the well developed story, but I wanted romance as well. That's more of a me thing, but I just wanted to mention it.

Let me segue back to my rating now, because despite the positives, I did kind of end up saying they could have improved upon it. That is the reason for my rating.
The truth is, I genuinely enjoyed watching the series. The plot was innovative, the characters were endearing and you all know that I already have a slight bias because of the mythology plot they used. When you watch the series, you can tell they put a ton of effort into this. The cast, the crew, everyone. But I just wanted that little bit more. Again, that's a me thing.

While I do wish they had changed a few things, tied up the loose ends that inevitably cropped up, it was a decent series, and truly one of a kind: I don't see a lot of mythological BLs and it was a rare treat in that sense.

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Interesting & Complicated Plot but falls short in Writing/Execution. Could have been better!

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25 (0.25 bump for an interesting plot)

“The Sign” started off really strong with a lot of fun scenes while the characters are in training. The action scenes are fun, and the interaction between the characters are interesting. The flirting and naked men took over the feeds when the drama first started airing.

The biggest selling point should have been the very interesting plot. It’s quite uncommon to find a Thai drama that mixes folklore, action/crime investigation, past lives and romance all in one. This is a very brave attempt. If the writing and execution are done right, this would be a winner. Unfortunately, I feel that the drama falls short. I wonder if the novel is a lot better.

Instead, the best thing about “The Sign” is the chemistry between Phaya and Tharn. Of course, romance takes center stage in the plot, and it’s not a bad idea to have strong chemistry between the leads. Initially, I thought Phaya would be the cool and cold-on-the-outside character. I was quite surprised when he became clingy and totally smitten. Not the direction I anticipated or liked, but it sort of works out since Tharn has been the more cautious one in this relationship. Billy (Phaya) and Babe (Tharn) deliver great scenes together. Their kisses are passionate and believable, while their intimate scenes do feel very intimate and romantic (give me “I Feel You Linger in the Air” vibes).

Acting is average (at times above average) all around. Even for the leads, there are some scenes that call for more subtle acting but I don’t think the actors quite deliver. It’s Babe’s first role and for that, I think he did a really good job. I do think the acting gets better as the drama goes on. I’ve seen some pretty bad acting in Thai dramas but at least no one sticks out like a sore thumb, just a few below average (Doc and Dao). It’s also a nice change to see Akk/Captain not playing an evil character. I’ve seen Akk in other dramas before and his acting is always pretty good. He’s solid here as well and looks mighty fine in uniform.

I was hoping for more action and police work, especially when the drama started off strong with all the training and missions. So, I am a little disappointed in that respect. The middle of the drama has a lot of talking, and not a whole lot of action. It’s probably also because the folklore/past connection takes more of a center stage. It’s interesting to see how Phaya and Tharn are truly connected together and Babe looks quite pretty as a girl/Naga. I am still a little confused about the Naga, and not quite sure what Tharn has done in the past to warrant being ‘cursed’ in the present time with people trying to hurt him. The writing is weaker in the second half. It either glosses over certain things (e.g. why Doc is so obsessed with Tharn, or how someone could be saved so easily), or when the drama decides to tell us instead of show us (e.g. the last episode and what happened between Tharn and the Doc). If the drama is longer, maybe it can really show us and explore the background story all characters in

Overall, I applaud the attempt to create such a drama with an interesting and complicated plot. Although I wish it had been better executed, I still had an enjoyable time watching. Babe/Tharn’s first role and he did quite well. I wish to see more of him in future.


Other Random Observations:
1. There are also many shower scenes of men posing naked with blurred out butts in weird positions.
2. The blurred butts also take away the very romantic feel I get from the intimate scene.
3. Thai dramas have the best grandmas! We have 2 in this drama. Thai dramas have the worst parents, and luckily we see none of them here.
4. The classic music played is a little too much during the art case arc.
5. I like Yai. I thought he would be a useless sidekick, but he ended up being the better cop than the leads. Tharn was so strong at training camp and seems to lose the ability to fight later. Yai beats him big time!
6. In C-dramas, you know to expect your fav supporting character might not survive till the end. With Thai dramas, it’s harder to tell which way it will go.

Completed: 2/24/2024 - Review #407

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The sign

The overall concept is unique and interesting. Even the chemistry between the actors is so electric. But here's the deal: as the series rolls on, the drama cranks up, and at times, it's like they're pushing the limits of over-the-top. Still, it’s a fun ride, and you might have to roll your eyes a bit, but hey, it's still got that something that makes it worth a shot.

"The Sign" is a mesmerizing blend of fantasy, mystery, and romance that gripped me right from the opening scenes and though towards the later half it gets dramatic and I feel like it could have been executed better but it's still good. The fantasy and mystery element keeps you hooked. This series is intense from the very first second. To add up, there's a mystery surrounding the leads, and when I say mystery, I don't just mean the supernatural mystery but also murder mystery. Also, the chemistry between the leads, Phaya and Tharn, is the beating heart of the series. Their chemistry is seriously electric. I can see the sparks and concerns so clearly. They are absolutely adorable, and the tension between them is seriously intense.

Now, let’s talk about the crew. Yai, Thongthai, Khem, and Singh – these guys are the real MVPs. They bring the laughs and the serious vibes, fitting into the story. Whether they are playing the role of doting or teasing friends or serious comrades, they ate up their role. And may I add I am in love with the chemistry of Khem and Thongthai. Khem is seriously so whipped for Thongthai and they are so adorable together.

Also, Freen, portraying Wansarat, deserves special mention; she looked incredibly pretty and radiated in every scene, from her appearance to her expressions. Also, Doc Chalothon I don't really like his character. Oh my godd!! he gets on my nerves. Heng really did a good job portraying Doc's character. Talking about Mayris, I think she is kind of cool but her airpods kind of annoys me. The whole cast really did an amazing job portraying their character.

Definitely recommending it.

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Captivating from start to finish

I stumbled on this series after watching an edit of it and I’ve been captivated from episode 1. It has some really high quality CGI, great acting, an amazing storyline and great directing. Babe is a brand new actor and had a few consistency issues but other than that he has great acting chops. Billy is a seasoned actor and he really brought Phaya to life. My only complaint is that editing seemed a little choppy here and there, but honestly it didnt take anything away from the series for me. Now the ending was one of the best, it wrapped everything up perfectly, explained everything and gave PhayaTharn a really nice ending. People were worried about plot holes at the ending but I think they did a great job with the ending.

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One word - masterpiece

Oh my god.. what a 1st episode. Amazing. I didn't expected anything from this series, but from the start to the end, i didn't even get bored for a second. 'Masterpiece', that's what I want to say about the starting. 1st episode have to be engaging and they have done it so well mainly by developing the characters and portraying the tension between the main leads. And by the way, their chemistry was overflowing. who made this casting deserve an award, because they were living in their role. And my precious baby kaownah , he made a guest role and gave his best.
Overall I loved everything from its 1st episode itself and I'm going to watch the rest of the episodes for sure. Do not miss this series because nowadays it's rare to find a different story like this.

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This movie came in like a rocking ball

Honestly, so far, i avoid thai bl because of their cringy storyline, romance and acting. When i saw the sign trailer on YouTube,i wanted to avoid it because billy had acted in "secret crush on you" and the romance and story is cringey but i had a second thoughts because of the new actor 'babe'. God! I'm so happy that i had a second thoughts. The actions are worthwhile,the story is not filled with unnecessary suspence and it's not sloppy as it developed itself fast. Also, the romance is 'a good one' . i fantasise having the kind of romance between phaya and tharn in reality. The OST!🥰 . God! I love the slow and fast tune and the lyrics is catchy. I plan to memorise it despite the fact that i don't know Thai language. I don't think I'm getting tired of 'The sign' anytime soon

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