While traditional TV shows are serving us endless boy-meets-girl tales. Thailand has been a pioneering force in the creation of the Boys Love (BL) series, establishing itself as a key player of this genre in Asian entertainment.

Now, an exciting new chapter is unfolding as Girls Love (GL) stories begin to capture the spotlight. These narratives are not only captivating audiences but also sparking fresh conversations and pushing the boundaries of LGBTQ+ visibility in Thai media. By amplifying the voices of the community, GL series are offering a powerful lens into love, identity and representation.

For years, BL series have paved the way for queer storytelling in mainstream entertainment, and now GL content is following suit, carving out its own space in the pursuit of equality. These thoughtfully crafted series bring new perspectives to Thai drama, offering complex, authentic portrayals of same-sex relationships between women in a time of significant social change—particularly after the passing of marriage equality legislation.

Today’s GL series packs a punch, blending complexity with sharp social commentary, from career-driven heroines to family dynamics. As the Thai creative industry continues to elevate LGBTQ+ narratives to the same prominence as other mainstream stories in Asian entertainment, the rise of GL series marks a cultural milestone that aligns with broader social progress. Shows like GAP: The Series starring Freen Sarocha and Becky Patricia, along with newer releases such as Only You: The Series starring Ling Ling Kwong and Orm Kornnaphat, are achieving unprecedented viewership and attracting international audiences. This growing phenomenon demonstrates how meaningful storytelling can bridge communities, foster understanding and deliver compelling entertainment.

Let’s unpack the standout elements of GL narratives that are fuelling this celebratory wave of gender equality.

The Plot Thickens 

What’s captivating audiences now is how these shows are moving beyond the typical “will-they-won’t-they” plotlines, diving into stories that don’t just end at a confession or a kiss. They reveal the real struggles and sacrifices required to make a relationship last. These narratives push past familiar tropes like enemies-to-lovers or slow-burn romances and dig into the complexities of building a lasting connection—one that survives external pressures, societal expectations and even internal doubts.

These stories highlight the challenges that come when love collides with real-world obstacles. Family traditions and social expectations often force them to choose between love and belonging. These shows are exploring the weight of these issues in ways that resonate deeply. They show how navigating these pressures requires patience, compromise and resilience, portraying love as a choice made every day, not just a fleeting feeling.

Going Global, Staying Local

The 2023-2024 period marked a major breakthrough for GL content in Thailand, as it captured not only local hearts but also international audiences. GAP The Series, Thailand’s most in-demand show in May 2023, showcased the genre’s rising mainstream appeal and attracted fans from countries including the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, the United States and Brazil. These global fans found themselves drawn to the universal yet uniquely Thai storytelling that GL content provides.

This is a celebration in every frame, as the Thai GL series blends the familiar with bold new perspectives on acceptance, identity, family expectations and social bias. At its heart, this taps into the universal human struggle in modern society—a narrative that resonates deeply with people from all walks of life, uniting us through shared experiences and collective hope.

This surge in engagement has catapulted Thai creative productions onto the global stage. Fans from Thailand and beyond have not only become avid viewers but passionate advocates, sharing series recommendations on social media and fostering fan communities that drive visibility. The impact is undeniable: as Thai GL series continue to build cultural connections, they are also elevating Thailand’s profile in the global entertainment landscape, redefining the reach and influence of Thai media.

Saying “I Do” to Marriage Equality

With Thailand recently saying “I do” to marriage equality, GL content is riding the wave of the zeitgeist while helping shape it. Viewers from all corners of the globe are tuning in, adding their voices to this unfolding chapter.

Thailand has become the first country in Southeast Asia to pass marriage equality, marking a significant step toward acceptance and inclusion. This historic legal milestone stands strong as a reflection of a broader cultural shift, influenced in part by the growing popularity of the GL series. These shows, which portray same-sex relationships with authenticity and depth, have played a crucial role in normalising diverse sexual preferences and breaking down societal barriers.

The widespread success of the GL series has challenged the so-called traditional norms that uphold the gender binary—the legal validation of only heterosexual relationships—while elevating our understanding of love beyond restrictive boundaries. 

As the love stories portrayed on screen gain traction, they’re influencing real-world attitudes, fostering greater acceptance of every individual, regardless of their sexual identity. This rise in representation is proving that love, in all its forms, is worth celebrating and protecting under the law.

Lastly, at Koktail, we wholeheartedly applaud the phenomenon of Thai GL series, which has evolved beyond entertainment to become a powerful cultural movement. GL shows reflect and actively influence social change, particularly in the context of LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance across Asian societies. 

What emerges is a bold reimagining of love—not as fragile or idealised, but as a transformative force that bends if needed but doesn’t break. This love grows stronger, not just through sweet moments but through shared struggles and the resilience to stay connected despite societal pressures. These series touch on the complexities of same-sex relationships, confronting the external forces that question their validity, from societal perceptions to the ongoing fight for legal recognition.