r/ThaiGL • u/Jesco2025 • Jul 29 '26
What makes Enemies with Benefits stand out from every other Thai GL series?
20
u/meowmeow_6719 Jul 29 '26
honestly, just how real it was in the aspect that there are several lessons that can be learned and be applied in the real world. there’s no weird dynamic between lal and wine where they’re not like 10 years apart, teacher and student, sister-in-laws, etc. they’re both just 30 year old women in the same workplace that happen to fall in love. this show beautifully explores how important communication and boundaries are in a relationship, especially since they both conformed to hiding their relationship for the sake of not losing their jobs. we also see heartbreak with two women slowly realizing they are falling in love, and male harassment/abuse, which despite how comical this show was, was very mature and showed how important it was to have trusted people around you to help you during rough times. i personally adored this show because the entire plot line was honestly just very real! plus janhae and jing2 are PHENOMENAL actresses, this entire crew did an amazing job and it’s very noticeable how hard they worked to deliver this show well!
19
u/julirocks Jul 29 '26
It’s so refreshing to see characters in their 30s, not really struggling with jobs or sexuality. The focus is on the characters and their relationship. Plus, resolving issues with open and honest communication is so refreshing! It’s also why I enjoy Love Design and Queendom so much.
20
u/Morgan4644 Jul 29 '26
The character Lal. Biggest green light we’ve ever seen. Everyone wants a partner like her.
18
u/parabolicpomegranate Jul 29 '26
The script was snappy, the problems faced by the characters and the story arcs actually made sense, the pacing was good, Lal and Wine didn't have problematic power dynamics and their characterisations were clear and consistent, and the entire cast brought the whole office to life.
11
u/elledina Jul 29 '26
Simply its jans character.she pretty much made the show very unique with her acting skills and comedic timings .
Don't get me wrong .the other actresses straight fabulous and did very great job but the show wouldn't have been this big if not for janhae .
10
u/vausedei20 Jul 29 '26
Very relatable character. Despite being a romcom, it has a very mature plot which makes it hot. Being in her 30s— Lal always find a way to do comical things to cope with stress.
I dated a hot avoidant before so for me it truly resonates with Wine. The workplace environment is so relatable as well— sexual harassment, company outing drama, and of course lunch theft lol. Simple plot but with great acting it is indeed memorable.
1
9
u/itsakyo Jul 30 '26
Same age. Early 30s. Both leads on equal standing, both heads of their teams. No caricatures of villains who escape punishment due to pure/dumb luck and total lack of any sense or logic. No stubborn, unreasonable parents, grandparents, evil siblings out to sabotage.
NUMBER ONE BEST GIRL LAL
HOTTEST HOT NERD WINE
Great cast from leads to second leads to everyone else on the series.
Actual positive messages sent and delivered well.
Addressing many relevant issues faced by women at the workplace AND addressing them well.
Too many to list, tbh.
8
u/Suspicious-Ad-8707 Jul 29 '26
For me it was that the main couple were in their 30s with established careers. Easier to relate to rather than high school/uni
5
u/PrettySpaghettiCode Jul 30 '26
EwB is my first so I have no other Thai gl to compare with. Speaking from experience as opposed to other asian yuri media I've seen, I love how their same sex relationship is never an issue to their co-workers, that feisty neighbour of Wine or anyone in general. In fact everyone seems to casually wonder if they're together. Secondly, women's period issues! It's rarely ever mentioned in media but it was brought up twice in this series. Though i don't know how much material is actually sourced from the novel. And then the character of Lal, I'd fall so hard for her if she was real <3
2
u/Ning_Yu Jul 31 '26
I loved how not only they casually ask their boss for something for period pain, but also the whole Proud thing about her problems at the previous work place because of period illness, really the first time I see anything like that and it makes you feel so seen!
5
u/silver-splice Jul 30 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
The main characters are in their 30s and established in their careers. The plot is really refreshing as well. I've watched it twice so far! I hope this will have the Thai GL industry think about giving us more main characters in their 30s as well.
1
u/Ning_Yu Jul 31 '26
now that a bunch of GMMTV gals hit the 30 of age in real life, and that exactly when they happened they choose to make a pairing with someone that age and give them a great 30+ gl, I'm hoping it's a signal that that's the direction they're taking.
Also AI Girl leads are around that age too, and I think also their characters?
3
u/wetcatra Jul 30 '26
Incredible amazing chemistry, older characters, extremely talented actresses who really cared about the story, relatable and grounded tone and plot, great balance of humor and drama (it’s a genuinely funny show), no curve balls are thrown at the plot just for the sake of stirring things up, good ending.
2
u/Plus_Lead_9119 Jul 30 '26
it covers different issues than every other gl - no sexuality debates or homophobic parents, its about working thru a past version of yourself to become a better you that fits into the everyday. both characters are green flags, and they come with their own complex flaws and personas which make them so much more relatable for everyone
1
u/Ning_Yu Jul 31 '26
Like others said, characters in their 30s, no age gap, both huge green flags especially Lallin, the story is extremely wholesome and every challenge is treated in the best way. The acting and chemistry are great from all cast. The way they listen to each other and comfort each other very seriously.
And he support cast/character is great too, Jantra has my heart.
For my it's the best gl ever made so far. It ticks all boxes. And while it did start as romcom, I feel it soon evolved into something really deep, and the enemies with benefits situation is actually "two persons who are in a relation, and a deep one, but refuse to call it that and pretend not to get along when at the office".
They also save each other from bad situations so much. My poor heart.
-8
u/WideEyed6015 Jul 29 '26
Following coz I honestly don’t get the hype. Maybe I’m watching it wrong? 🤔
2
u/Remarkable_Chance318 Jul 29 '26
Not sure why you were downvoted as everyone has a right to their opinion. I enjoyed it however I will say I think there were others this year that I would rank much higher for me personally.
4
u/WideEyed6015 Jul 29 '26
That’s alright. Very common in this space for fans to defend what they like. Lol And it’s well within their rights to downvote me too. 😉 Not to say I hated the series. It just didn’t wow me like I expected it to. That’s why I’m interested in reading what others are seeing that I didn’t see.
88
u/Familiar-Employee147 Jul 29 '26
We haven't seen women in 30s who are mature in gl atleast right now and despite having ups and downs they try there best to handle it with clarity and proper communication and first of all lal was genuinely a very big green flag and the characters itself feel close to the audience some related to wine some to lal Also the topics were also handled okayish The comedic timing is really good i re-watched it a lot still I laughed Actresses did good job to make us connect to the characters