Shine ⁞⁞ BL Spotlight

Shine was the highly-anticipated 2025 BL release from WeTV, sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand. The WeTV original series was a period drama, set in 1969, at a time of political turmoil in Thailand, as society was evolving, pitting a rising generation of youthful unrest against the established order of the government and military. Under that backdrop, the series told the story of multiple relationships that develop on conflicting sides of the changing world. Young political economist Trin ("Apo" Nattawin Wattanagitiphat) finds his career on the upswing until he crosses paths with hippie musician Tanwa ("Mile" Phakphum Romsaithong). The free-spirited Tanwa quickly garners Trin's attention, opening the door to a whole new side of society that catches him off-guard. Tanwa is estranged form his businessman father, as he rejects the structures of society that Trin is building his career upon. Trin stays with his uncle Krailert ("Son" Yuke Songpaisan), a military colonel who finds his dedication to his career reaching a crisis point as he is charged with quelling the growing political unrest, heightened by student protests, and the outspoken journalism of Naran ("Euro" Yotsawat Tawapee), a righteous writer looking to expose the truths being hidden by the government.

As with most BL dramas, things get steamy between the men. Trin's focus waivers as he strikes up a romance with Tanwa, which gets further complicated by his growing connection to the young student protesters, especially Victor (Peter Deriy), who develops his own crush on the older Trin. His feelings, however, are never reciprocated, as Trin's heart becomes squarely focused on Tanwa. Meanwhile, a clandestine affair develops between Krailert and Naran, despite their straight relationships. Through flashbacks, it's revealed to not be Krailert's first time hiding a homosexual relationship. They work to keep their growing romance a secret, as Naran continues to rise on the military's radar, putting Krailert in an even tougher position. Feeling spurned by Trin, Victor's political protesting increases putting him on a dangerous path that ultimately leads to his death and a major rift between Trin & Tanwa, after the former discovers that Tanwa kept the latest protest a secret from him, leaving him unable to save Victor. In the end, Krailert & Naran are forced to make a choice between love and their places in society, leading Naran to leave town. Trin also abandons the city, but later comes to understand Tanwa's world, after it all falls apart for the musician, leading him to make amends with his own father. The two reconnect and find their happy ending.

Like most productions from BeOnCloud, including the previously featured 4 Minutes, Shine fits into the new generation of BL series, with depictions of multiple queer male romances throughout the series, and even inclusions of male nudity.

Country: Thailand

Number of Episodes: 8

BL Pairings: