When Thailand’s prestigious Channel 3 announced its first venture into GL territory with “The Secret of Us,” few could have predicted the sensation it would become. From its very first episode, this sophisticated drama has been hailed as potentially the greatest Thai GL series ever made—and here’s why.
Based on the novel “Jai Sorn Ruk” by Meenarm, this 8-episode series weaves a compelling tale of love, betrayal, and redemption. Dr. Fahlada and actress Earn’s romance began four years ago during a chance meeting abroad. Their love story, tragically interrupted by family manipulation and misunderstandings, reignites when Earn becomes the spokesperson for Fahlada’s family hospital.
Plot
Inspired by the popular novel “Heart of Love,” this series shifts perspective from the doctor-centered story to follow her ex-girlfriend, a famous actress determined to win her back. The drama explores their unresolved feelings, creating a passionate “chase-after-ex” narrative that has quickly become a sensation among Thai audiences, with viewers captivated by the chemistry between the leads.
The production boasts impressive visuals thanks to Channel 3’s substantial budget, with stunning costume design and aesthetically pleasing scenes. The actress (affectionately nicknamed “Little Golden Retriever”) demonstrates remarkable persistence in her pursuit, willing to set aside pride and face numerous obstacles to prove the doctor still has feelings for her.
Meanwhile, the doctor character is portrayed as composed and professional – a straightforward woman from a privileged background that sheltered her from life’s darker aspects. While maintaining strong boundaries with others, she completely loses her cool only around her ex-girlfriend, revealing her lingering feelings despite her harsh words.
charged encounters. After accidentally reconnecting physically, the doctor pretends to be indifferent while internally battling conflicting emotions. Despite some pacing issues in the first episode and occasional logical inconsistencies in the plot, the series captivates viewers with its portrayal of unconditional acceptance and unwavering love.
Charactor
The doctor is a calm worker who hides strong feelings behind her cool exterior. From an affluent background, she has strict limits with everyone except her ex-girlfriend around which her composure totally collapses. Her protective instincts and body language expose her actual emotions even if she is verbally pushing her away, therefore revealing a complicated internal conflict between her logical head and emotional heart.
Ling Ling Sirilak Kwong brings international flair as Dr. Fahlada. Born in Hong Kong with Chinese-Thai heritage, this multilingual actress (fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin, English, and Thai) captures hearts with her sophisticated portrayal of the wounded doctor.
Earn is a driven celebrity who puts aside pride in search of the doctor’s heart. She exhibits extraordinary emotional intelligence and tenacity; she knows when to forgive and when to remain strong. She shows development and maturity over her path and keeps her professional obligations even in sad events, grabbing any chance to mend their relationship.
Orm Kornnapat Settharattanaphong, at just 22, proves she’s more than just industry royalty (her mother is Thai TV3 actress Koy Narumon) with her nuanced performance as Earn. Together, their chemistry has set new standards for GL partnerships.
CAST HIGHLIGHT
Dr. Fahlada’s actor is a veteran performer who made her Thai GL debut in “The Secret of Us” (2024), marking her breakthrough lead role after years in supporting parts. She will next star in “Only You” (2025).
Earn’s actor began her career in 2019’s “Hotel Stars” and gained recognition for playing Anya in “Evil Hunt.” Her role as celebrity Earn in “The Secret of Us” (2024) significantly elevated her profile. She returns in “Only You” (2025).
TOGETHER ON SCREEN
Only You (2025)
The Secret of Us Review
Review
👍 Drama Review Score: 4.5/5
The show’s success has already secured Lingorm’s future collaboration. Their upcoming series “Only You” (premiering mid-2025) will feature Ling Ling as a skilled bodyguard protecting Orm’s superstar character – a testament to their overwhelming popularity.
The Secret of Us Novel
The “The Secret of Us” series is based on the novel “Jai Sorn Ruk /Heart-Hidden Love” by Thai author Meenarm.
The screenwriter has taken the plot and made it more coherent, ensuring that the storylines flow seamlessly and the characters come alive.
Unfortunately, because the series is only 8 episodes long, many scenes from the novel have been omitted. If you’re someone who struggles to keep up with a series, it might be worth considering reading the entire novel beforehand.
The Secret of US marks a milestone as the first GL series produced by Thailand’s national television network. While there’s still space to refine the storytelling and cinematography, the electric chemistry between the two lead actresses has captured the hearts of fans everywhere.
Many are already hailing it as a contender to outshine the widely celebrated Gap the Series and Blank the Series, solidifying its place as the best Thai GL drama of 2024. Of course, we’re also eagerly anticipating their follow-up project, Only You set to debut next year.
“The Secret of Us” marks several firsts:
- Channel 3’s debut GL series
- A prime-time slot (Mondays at 10:30 PM Thai time)
- International distribution through Netflix and YouTube
- 13+ rating, allowing for mature storytelling while remaining accessible
