Affair (2024) Series Review

『A Fate Intertwined Since Childhood, True Love Beyond Reality and Prejudice』

🎥 Drama Overview

🎬 Title: Affair the Series (Original Title: รักเล่นกล)
🌍 Country: 🇹🇭 Thailand
🎞️ Genre: GL (Girls' Love) / Drama
🗓️ Airing: August 30, 2024 – October 18, 2024
📺 Channel: One 31
⏳ Total Episodes: 8
📖 Original Work: Novel by Chao Planoy (เจ้าปลาน้อย)

👩‍💼 Cast: Lookmhee Punyapat Wangpongsathaporn – Wan
Sonya Saranphat Pedersen – Plaeng

🧩 In-Depth Story Exploration (Spoilers)

🌿 A Special Bond and the Sprout of Emotions from Childhood

Plaeng is the daughter of a wealthy family, while Wan is the daughter of the household's maid. Wan often told Plaeng, "We must marry someday," and Plaeng, not wanting Wan to be left alone, devised a plan to find a good man for Wan. During this process, Plaeng realizes her feelings for Wan are more than friendship—they are love—which throws her into confusion. Plaeng’s plan inadvertently strengthens Wan and Ex’s relationship, deepening Plaeng’s jealousy and regret.

💔 Trials, Loss, and the Reunion Beyond

Plaeng's father becomes embroiled in a conspiracy and commits suicide, and her mother dies of a heart attack, leaving her with nothing. Devastated by the loss of family and inheritance, Plaeng stays at Wan’s home, sharing their wounds, but due to realistic conflicts and external pressures, the two ultimately part ways.

⚡ A Fateful Reunion After 13 Years and Restoring True Feelings

13 years later, Plaeng is continuing a difficult life. Meanwhile, Wan has become a successful and competent doctor and is currently engaged to Ex. Plaeng and Wan unexpectedly reunite at the hospital, and despite the long passage of time, their feelings for each other reignite. Wan begins to display intense affection and possessiveness toward Plaeng once again. Starting with Wan’s birthday, the two grow close, revisiting a passionate love reminiscent of their past relationship.

🔍 Family and Societal Prejudices, and Confirming the Truth

Ex discovers their relationship and reacts violently, resulting in injuries and hospitalization. Complicating matters, Wan's mother claims that the two are biological sisters, escalating the conflict. Plaeng struggles with guilt and attempts to distance herself from Wan. However, DNA tests confirm they are not blood relatives, and Wan and Plaeng reaffirm their love and trust, emerging as true partners.

🦋 Emotional Resonance and Significance

🎬 A Narrative of Love Beyond Social Status and Prejudice

Affair realistically portrays how social class differences, family conflicts, and societal prejudice affect the love between two women. The emotional development and maturation of the two characters, who grew up together, evoke deep empathy and demonstrate the sincerity and strength of love.

⚡ Challenging and Triumphing Over Forbidden Love

Beyond the secretive relationships symbolized by the title ‘Affair,’ the series depicts heartfelt love that persists despite taboos and prejudice. Wan and Plaeng face significant obstacles in reality, yet the process of love growing within these constraints delivers profound resonance and hope.

📖 Understanding the Word “Affair”

💞 In the context of love, “affair” carries the following meanings:

🤫 Secret Romance
→ A discreet relationship carried out without others knowing

🔥 Passionate Relationship
→ An intense love involving both emotional and physical attraction

🚫 Forbidden Love
→ A risky relationship socially or morally unacceptable, like adultery

⏳ Temporary Relationship
→ Driven by emotion or instinct rather than reason, short-lived, eventually leading to an ending

🧠 Reflecting on Why “Affair” Was Chosen as the Title (📝 Purely Personal Speculation)

💖 This love (between Wan and Plaeng) must remain hidden, is intense, and unacknowledged by society… yet love is important regardless of gender or relationship form. So even if it appears like a brief love affair to outsiders, Wan’s devotion never wavers from start to finish. This sincerity may well be the true meaning behind the series’ title.

🎯 Personal Rating

💕 Love Scene Intensity: ♥♥
⭐ Rating: ★★★★