Rak Diao (2022)

The Lost Art of the Sitcom!

As someone who grew up watching classic American sitcoms, Rak Diao is a like a favorite warm blanket, or a comfortable old chair. Three years ago if you'd told me I would be addicted to a sitcom from Thailand, I would have looked at you like you were crazy, but here I am singing the praises of a show that has become a weekly treat for me.

I was three episodes in when I found out it was a "Y" or "BL" sitcom, and was impressed at how cleverly the bromance and "BL" aspects were woven into a classic sitcom format. This show provides a lighthearted and whimsical break from a lot of the heavier BL dramas that seem to be everywhere right now.

The show may initially turn folks off due to it having a laughtrack instead of a live studio audience, but don't forget it was filmed during the Covid-19 pandemic, when many shows had to either shutdown, or enact sweeping restrictions to keep in production. This show gets big props for being able to do this.

The cast is very lovable, especially the two titular characters Rak (played by Earth Thanakrit) and Diao (played by Win Songsin). These two are relatively new to the entertainment industry, but man do they have a ton of chemistry on screen, as well as presence! For BL fans, both are absolutely handsome for sure, but their real appeal is their awesome performances. To be so young, they are doing some fantastic dramatic and comedy work!

Ask any soap actor or sketch comedy actor and they will tell you that comedy is HARD, mostly because you need to not only be a great actor, but you also have to have great timing. All the cast has great comedic timing and chemistry with each other, even the supporting cast.

Week to week, hilarity ensues as the two main characters rivalry kicks into high gear. Though this is not a typical BL, it does contain several tropes found in BL, but they are so expertly embedded into the sitcom format that they feel natural. Don't worry, there is no accidental "dead fish kiss", lol! (EDIT: Sorry, spoke too soon...there is one).

-Enemies to lovers/bros
-Dutiful brother/son
-Meddlesome sister/mother
-Flirty same sex innuendo/situations

As I mentioned before, I was a fan of classic American sitcoms. This show hits all the marks of one with absolutely funny moments, some somber and thoughtful moments, and some dramatic moments. The cast and crew handles them beautifully. In terms of a BL, it seems to be a 'slow burn' between the two main characters, where each week, they get closer and closer and do not realize that they are falling for one another.

Those expecting realistic sex scenes or anything like that may be disappointed, but the show does have many little romantic and sexy moments that will make your heart race and you will be rooting for the two characters to get together. All of this is still done perfectly in the context of a sitcom...just masterful.

So I would recommend BL fans who are looking for a whimsical break from the heavy stuff to check this out. Don't let the laugh track turn out off...it becomes a non-issue by the third episode. Grab some snacks on your favorite comfy spot and just relax and laugh! The music is also fantastic! You will find yourself humming or singing the themesong, and even the show's background music is beautiful and fits every scene.

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This was a real surprise

When I first watched Ep 1, I could barely get through it - it just seemed so ridiculous, slapstick, and annoying. But a friend urged me to go back to it, and I'm so glad I did.

When you first watch, the laugh track and sound effects will be annoying. If you're not Thai, some of the laughs appear to be in the wrong places, but remember, a lot of wordplay is missed in translation. But soon you stop noticing the track, and it is toned down after the first episode.

This is a classic enemies to lovers trope, but there are some original spins on it. The series appears at first glance to be episodic and without progress in the relationship, but it's there. It moves at a different pace for Diao than it does for Rak, whose feelings are fairly clear by the middle of the series, overtly revealed in a powerful moment - you'll know it when you see it. And by the end things start moving so fast that it's quite surprising, but never feels rushed or unearned. There are many, many moments that you'll really feel. Yes, there are the way-too-long stares (a LOT of these), but somehow they work (and when you're watching the full-episode version, you're getting both ends of a segment break, so that makes these even longer). But by the last quarter of the series, the way Rak looks at Diao could make a block of ice burst into flame.

I've seen commentary and reviews deriding the seme/uke dynamic between Rak and Diao, but there's a point being missed. First, Rak holds "power" at work because he's the boss, but Diao does at home because he's Rak's landlord. Rak is older and much more mature than Diao, but Diao isn't a classic uke at all - this is highlighted by the opening scene, with him showering and showing off his ripped body, usually the preserve of a seme. He's smart and capable, strong-willed, and can walk without tripping and chop vegetables without cutting himself. In fact, it's Rak that ends up having the physical mishaps and Diao has to take care of him.

This is highlighted in contrast by the fujoshi, who throughout the series is writing a BL about Rak and Diao - and in her story, the guys are an extremly classic seme-uke duo, and their interaction in her scenes, which are adapted from observing the "real" Rak & Diao are far more overtly romantic and tropey. And as such, they lack the electricity of the real interaction, and the power struggle and heavy ribbing are smelted down into stock BL cliches. This is a critique of the seme-uke duality, and underscores how pigeonholing characters into these boxes removes a dynamism in their interaction which has so much more heat when there's an equal give-and-take. Normally all the teasing is done by the seme, which makes the uke sulk. When Rak teases Diao, Diao hits back just as hard, and occassionally even wins the exchange.

As an example, there's a scene where Diao is going on a date, and he wants Rak to stop him. The fujoshi sees it, and in her version Diao wants Rak to give him a reason to not go, and Rak says "because I love you." and Diao responds "that's all I wanted to hear" and they embrace. The "real" scene is wrenching and the desolation and longing are visceral.

The main pair are the usual heteronormative types that are ubiquitous in almost all BL - but neither show any interest in women at all. Diao expresses an interest in the idea of finding a woman, but is never interested in any actual women, and when he realizes who he loves, he accepts it without any of the common "but we're both guys!" And their chemistry is insane.

The two leads are excellent. They both have great comic timing, but are also capable of subtle emotion and speaking without saying anything - Diao is especially good at a glance that is not OTT, but clearly says "f&*% you." Both of them are easy to look at, espcially Rak, who is absolutely gorgeous, and the wardrobe is outstanding - their outfits are often wow moments, although there are a couple that won't age well, like Rak's fluorescent blue plaid suit. Rak tends toward a masculine wardrobe, and Diao is high fashion, with beautiful color combination.

I would never have expected it, but this is one of my all-time favorite series, and I can't recommend it highly enough - but give it time if you decide to watch it. You may not like it much at first, but I guarantee it's not as silly as it first seems.

Story: 9 - the episodes are tightly written and almost all of them are self-contained, and yet part of an overall arc. Things that happen don't disappear never to be referred to again - in fact, there are things that happen in the first episode that are very important towards the end. The balance between the characters is handled with great skill, and nobody behaves like an idiot just for the sake of the plot (although there is immaturity, but that's not the same thing).

Acting : 9 - excellent with surprising range, especially Win as Diao, which is a tough role. He's impulsive and immature, often almost obnoxious and often ridiculous, but fundamentally sweet, and when he's sad it hits you, and his drunkenness is the most realistic I've seen in a BL.

Music: 9 - some of the best I've encountered in BL. It doens't just support the story, it elevates scenes and gives them quite a bit of extra power.

Rewatch: 10 - I've seen each ep three times - once raw, once with fan subs, and again with the offical subs. There are scenes I've watched a dozen times.

Overall: 9.5 - I'd have to put this in my top handful of BLs. It's not the most profound thing you'll see, but it's a real pleasure to watch, and it's a lot smarter than it first appears.

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Rak Diao is worth your time provided that you [drowned out by canned laughter]

Rak Diao is a vexing show to review. Heck, it’s a vexing show to watch. This series has the most intrusive laugh track I have ever encountered. (Note: I grew up watching U.S. sitcoms that routinely overused the device, but Rak Diao’s artificial laughs are other-level.) The canned laughter not only sounds unnatural, but the sound editor seemed under the impression that every line of dialog warranted hysterical guffaws to sweeten the comedy—irrespective of whether the writers were attempting a joke or not. The sound team was apparently paid per interjection because the corny sound effects that plague most Thai dramas infest Rak Diao like flies at a dump. Sound editing should have nothing to do with the quality of a series in terms of acting, writing, direction; yet, I’ve chosen to lead this review by addressing these issues up front as a courtesy to those in the viewing audience who quit watching Asian shows in frustration because they cannot tune out such artificial noises. Rak Diao is not a series you all should even bother to start, as the vexing bonks, bops, and laughter assault the senses in an unrelenting barrage. For everyone else, Rak Diao delivers a compelling BL plotline that manages to save the series from some inane (and vexing) plot choices in the early episodes.

Underneath all that noise, Rak Diao is uneven: cringey and dull at its worst; sweet and satisfying at its best. The series takes its time to find its footing, but with a 15-episode run, it had the luxury of time. The last half-dozen episodes are quite good (when you can hear them). In the opener, Rak and Diao meet randomly on the street and instantly dislike one another. The audience knows Diao is on his way to a job interview, and anyone who ever watched Any Sit-Com Ever knows Rak will turn out to be the interviewer. When Diao returns home, convinced this opportunity won’t pan out, his elder sister mollifies his chagrin with a piece of good news: she’s managed to rent the spare room at their house to a pair of brothers, who will move in that same day. As anyone who has ever watched Any Sit-Com Ever knows….hmmm, I bet you, Gentle Reader, can finish that sentence yourself. And that’s the set-up for the whole series: a solid premise both for a BL series and for a sit-com. The two men dislike each other, until they don’t. Rak is the boss at work while Diao, as landlord, rules the roost at home. They take turns provoking one another until feelings bloom. Given how much energy each devotes to annoying the other, all that attention transforming to romantic sparks was inevitable. The BL aspect is one the series’ best assets, particularly after the two enemies begin to comprehend their emerging attraction. For those who consume BL for the fluffy love story, the emotional resonance of this late arc overcomes many of the series’ more shaky elements.

The weakest aspects of Rak Diao are the supposed comedy and the character building. Humor depends on sensibility and cultural cues to a greater degree than does drama or action or thrillers. But even allowing that some humor will get lost in translation, I found Rak Diao notably unfunny in most episodes. All great situation comedies (or individual episodes thereof) succeed when the “sit” portion appears to be grounded in some plausible reality. The “com” follows as viewers relate to the universal human element and to the characters caught up in that crazy situation. (Any person who ever worked an assembly line job knows the seemingly simple task includes built-in pressure to keep pace with the conveyor belt; so, when the beleaguered Lucy and Ethel start stuffing chocolates into their mouths and clothes, the moment remains rooted in a reality familiar to viewers. That episode is iconic 70 years after it was filmed because it earns the hysterics from being true to life and true to the characters.) Situation comedies flail when the “sit” and the “com” fail to connect, or when the audience cannot sympathize with the characters. The writers of Rak Diao generated some truly bizarre “sits,” but they often forgot about the “com” altogether. It was if they thought dumping Rak and Diao into an awkward situation sufficed for laughs on its own. There are exceptions: the episode with the fortune teller was genuinely funny, in part because in this instance the “com” derived from the characters reacting to the “sit.” Their reactions felt more grounded than most of the contrived sit-com plots. For me, that was the episode where Rak Diao found its footing.

The most glaring liability in Rak Diao is Diao. Here, I mean primarily how the writers wrote the character. The actor playing the part was the weaker of the two leads by far, but his performance perked up noticeably in the last episodes. Not coincidentally, that’s when the writers gave him good material to play. In any event, “inexperienced actor” was never the character’s problem. Being an insufferable human being was his problem. Immature at home and unprofessional at work, his asshattery drove most of the conflict between himself and Rak. But, seriously, why would anyone, let alone the even-keeled Rak, ever crush on such a self-centered jerk? You’d just want to crush the creep instead. If we take a step back, and look at Diao’s character arc as a whole, the entire series could be understood as depicting Diao’s journey from callow child into responsible adult. In that regard, it’s worth pointing out that the later episodes rely on the emotional resonance created by Diao’s slow realization of his attraction to Rak. The BL portions of this situation-comedy, especially in the final half-dozen episodes justify the time viewers need to invest in the early episodes.

I recommend Rak Diao…but expect to find it a frustrating, vexing ride until it begins to deliver.

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a slapstick comedy that ended abruptly

Overall: this has the slapstick comedy feel of YYY along with the enemies dynamic of TharnType (but waayyy less kissing/steaminess, it's a slow burn). Unfortunately the series was cancelled and the ending is pretty abrupt (watch past the credits of episode 15). Watched on One31's YouTube channel.

Content Warnings: manipulation

What I Liked
- I'd like to see the two lead actors in something else, either together or apart
- overall production value is good
- I liked the mirror and the bubbles at the end of the first episode, it was neat
- ep 8 and onward there is more sexual tension which I enjoyed
- I did laugh a few times

Room For Improvement
- I think some jokes didn't translate well, but this isn't my style of humor and I didn't laugh that much. I really disliked the laugh track (it also has A LOT of comedy sound effects)
- the main character Diao is super immature and it annoys me instead of making me laugh, he is the immature/prickly character while Rak is the calm/patient character
- wasn't a fan of Rak's manipulation with Diao and the probation thing in episode 10
- (neutral), there is a trans woman (not sure how they identify)/effeminate male character but I wouldn't say that the comedy is making fun of that person. The other colleague character is a woman and she is also comedic.

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Enthusiastic and Refreshing Sitcom ❤?❤?❤?

One love or RakDiao is a fresh new outlook on the BL universe that has raised new possibilities and outcomes to the viewers. It's a new open concept show that not only shoe the usual comedy and romantic drama we use to but also gives some great opportunity for real life advices in different moments during the series. Along with character development RakDiao shows GREAT Promise ? and is A ABSOLUTE MUST WATCH ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤??packed mature topics, Friendship, Siblings bonding and so much more that my heart ❤ is full of joy after watching truly one of a kind ???????

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VERY RECOMMENDED! NO REGRET!!

I binge watched this series once it has completed. At first I was contemplating, because its a sitcom. And I watch first ep, but it kinda awkward with the sound effect, thus I decide to wait till it complete. And I am not lying, as I watch this show, I wanted more!! This show is very light, funny, fluffy, and easy to understand. Most of us will find many situation relatable to our real life. Problems at work, problems with friends, colleague. So many it might be a long list.

Rak is a person that I craved for my whole life. The trauma I've been through, in working place, secret crush, he has handle it very well.. if only I've meet someone like Rak in my life, my life will be much more fun, full of great memories.. Earth has varieties of face expression which help to deliver emotion of Rak, without words. As Diao, Win really able to present annoying-ness, cuteness, lovelyness with great expression and body language. And their chemistry is very well combined!!

Also their cat-dog fight is really interesting to watch! There's always something to learn from them. ??? Rak as first born are able to handle the youngest naughty-ness. Perfect for each other.

And finally, I would say among all Thai series that I've watched, RakDiao series is the only one that I don't mind repeating/rewatching again and again of all the 15 episodes it has.

With the ending that given to us, I hope, soon, we will be given with season 2 of RakDiao.

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Watch with Low Expectations

I give them kudos for trying something different. This series was ok, but it could have been a lot better. I think the BL sitcom concept is interesting. Unfortunately, this series did not execute it very well. I kept watching it because I like the characters and hoped the writing would get better.

The positive: The cast is great and their acting was awesome. They did a great job considering what they had to work with. The one good aspect of the script is it makes you care about most of the characters. The scenes involving Pleng’s imagination was great and found myself waiting each week for them. The theme song is very catchy. I wish the MV had subtitles. The series also had great sets.

The negative: The script is not the greatest. It took me awhile to figure out why many of the episodes seemed off to me. The reason is many of the scenarios that they place Rak and Diao in are the usual ones you would see in a regular dramatical series which does not work in a sitcom format. The scenarios also take away the BL enjoyable factor for me. The workplace jokes are over the top and are often very offensive. The jokes remind me of bad 70’s/80’s American sitcoms. There are also some running themes that became very annoying after a while. The very ending of the last episode was cute, but anticlimactic. It was done in the hopes of a possible 2nd season. As for production, the laugh track is annoying. They placed it in random spots that don’t fit in. There is also an overuse of sound effects. Using both in a series does not make it a sitcom. The content of the script also has to match the sitcom concept which this series fails to do.

Random Note:
The subtitle timing can be off-track. It’s either too slow or too fast at times. Some of them also include the timing notes for the subtitles.
If there is going to be a 2nd season, I’m not sure I will watch it. My wish list is that they keep the cast and set, but use a different screenwriter.

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A new favourite

Excellent acting! This has topped my list of favourite sitcoms. Even without English subs, I'm captivated watching the live broadcasts on YouTube. Each episode is worth waiting a week for. The scripts are well-written and the actors perform the scenes brilliantly. The suspense in the latest episodes is thrilling yet nerve-wracking. Whoever is in charge of the actors wardrobe and styling also deserves an applause. I desperately wish there are more episodes or a second season because this is a masterpiece. The show was recommended by a friend and I'm watching from a far-away continent. I say "Kudos" to the entire team for this refreshing series.

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Very unique and funny series.?❤️❤️❤️

I love this series so much it's very unique in comparison to other Thai series in which I've watched..it's hilariously funny and had me wanting more.. also the storyline and place for which things happen are different nice and refreshing not your same typical scene or scenario.. the actors did a fantastic job ..I will surely be sad when this series has ended .I hope to see these two main actots together again ..love you guys .. everyone did such a great job .this series is one of my ultimate favorites in which I'll never forget.id I would love a second season of One Love Rak Diao sitcom..that would be awesome...

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Please never ruin a good sitcom like this again

A BL as a sitcom... that could be interesting. And it really is! BUT BUT BUT there are also some serious flaws and bad choices in this. It's like the creators had a checklist of what makes a sitcom a sitcom and tried to check all of the boxes without checking if it would be beneficial as a viewing experience. I imagine the checklist looked like this:

- Decor. Should look like cardboard, obviously studio-filmed. Bright colors. Not more than 2 or 3 locations.
- Cast. Not too well known actors. They need to be good looking. no other specific requirements. Chemistry is a plus.
- Comedy. No need for actually funny jokes. Use noises to emphasize.
- Audience. Since no actual comedy is provided, a live audience would not know when to laugh. Use canned laughter. Every other sentence will do just fine.
- Situations. Since it's a romance, we can focus all situations on that. Take the enemy to lovers trope and stretch the enemy part as far as possible. Then a jealousy-bit and finally the lovers part should take up no more than 2 seconds,

As bad as this may look, it was actually quite nice. It really had that 80's/90's sitcom feel. If only they had not over used the laughter-button it would maybe even be funny. The actors (who both made their debut in this) actually did a decent job and had amazing chemistry that really built up towards the end. But that chemistry also made for a huge disappointment when there was NO real kiss. Just lips touching. Twice, of which once by accident. Such a shame!!

I would like to see this genre explored in BL. Give me more sitcoms, with better checklists!

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WE NEED SEASON 2 Y'ALL !! I MUST SAY THIS IS A GAME CHANGER IN BL WORLD

When I first saw this Series, I never thought that it is a sitcom, I searched what Sitcom means on google when I started watching first and second episodes, I really didn't get what does it means up until now, like what is the difference between a normal comedy and a sitcom which is short for Situation Comedy, I ended up not minding it anymore because as I go on watching I realized I am so in to it !

I love ALL the character's interactions with each other, if we really go through reading their lines , in a normal set up it wasn't funny at all, but they make everything they say and do exaggerated that it really becomes funny, maybe that's what Sitcom means like they make every situation a COMEDY !

Daisy and Khanom is the kind of friends I want to have !! they are really funny and it is not over acting, they are funny as if it was really natural to them, About Dao, Kun Dew's sister, I like her acting also, she contributed a lot on the story.
Pleng and Rit are so cute, they are the comfort side couple here, very light very young. About Manow she is really funny also , I would just say everyone is funny!

There is no part of the story that I don't like, every thing made sense ! My favorite part was when Dew conformed to a I don't know if that is a Talisman, when he was told that His Soul mate was wearing a blue, He will meet Him by accident, Someone who is close to Him, someone who will give him a heart, and someone who will return something lost to Him. And then they flashed back all what happened from the start ! It all made sense and Ruk was his Soul mate!! I really loved that part of the story!

Also about the Interactions of Ruk and Dew, it was funny that they always picking up with each other, but it was really good like Diao nags at everything and Ruk receives them all and at the end Dew looses , I liked their facial expressions !
Dew had a great acting, like he was always angry and curious , and it was funny , while Ruk lets go of all Dew's stubbornness , picks and tricks. I loved when Ruk defended Dew's passing on His probation. “ If you want to fight, I'll fight for you “ Rak said to Dew when he was giving up !

I also love the part that Dew is confirming whether the reason of his heart beating fast when Ruk is near Him is that if he likes him or not.., His facial expressions made it all ! How he was shy and how Ruk is throwing Himself to Him I really loved it.
The Kissing scenes here are the kinds that I like, I rather go with this kind than those of steamy. The kissing scenes here are simple but you will be out of control watching it because the romantic excitement , and you want to scream and shout !
I really enjoyed watching this after work, this is my comfort series of all the stress I encountered the whole day, To be honest I dont' want to write a review yet here because I am really hoping for season 2 and there I will write after watching because the ending is just their love confession ! There are many parts of the story and cast that seems to be left behind like literally you would say; What ? Is that it ? No ! Its not the ending !!
I would fight for the fact that this is not the ending we really hope here that they will have second season or even more ! I don' t really have an idea about sitcom but after watching it , I loved sitcom already !
This is maybe all I could say about here AND if you would ask me if this is a series that is worthy of rewatch ? DEFINITELY YES !!! Just give us season 2 we are willing to wait !
And everyone who is reading this, please appreciate this ! This is a hidden gem everyone !!they deserve to be seen even more and be known to all !

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