Star's Room

You see, I found ThamePo during a period of my life where everything was changing and I was running to keep up with the change. It was exhausting, scary and quite lonely despite the fact that I was actually surrounded by my family. Changes, no matter if it was bad or good, took a lot of your energy and needed a lot of courage to do. I was and am still a coward pretending to be brave because at the end of the day, I still had to do this no matter what.  

Finding ThamePo was an accident that I would forever be grateful for. After all, ThamePo is essentially the story of lonely people facing changes in their life, no? Po who freshed out of a break up, struggling to find a job (like me), and Thame, the boy who had always been lonely, currently facing the biggest changes in his life. The way both of them found each other, lightened each other’s loneliness and fought for each other, brought me so much comfort. 

Somehow, ThamePo became my safe place, my respite from the real world. When I felt the world was too overwhelming, I found myself back at the group house, surrounded by MARS and Po. When I needed a moment to breathe, I was back with Baifern to fangirl about MARS. ThamePo helped me get through one of the defining moments of my life by just telling a simple story that some may call cliche, yet so full of life. 

Through ThamePo, LYKN finally is in my focus and no longer just a blurry foreground ( I just had to for that one, it was right there),I rediscovered Est who had become much more charming since the last I saw him and most importantly, I found WilliamEst. I don’t know how but at one point, every single social media I had was filled with them. And to be honest, I am not complaining. I can spin a thousand word thesis on how much WilliamEst meant to me but, today is not the day for that. Today is all about ThamePo.

ThamePo gave me Thame, a lonely boy struggling to hold on to the connections he had. He went about it the wrong way the first time, but he learned from his mistakes and worked his way to ensure he did not make the mistakes again. The way he loves with his whole being is just so comforting to watch and actually drove me crazy for like a week after I finished watching. I mean look at how he treated Po, look!

Talking about Po, he has such a steady and reliable presence. Sure, he had insecurities about himself but, he never made it someone else's problem. In the midst of the chaos, Po had been so understanding and reliable in helping everyone that it came to no surprise he managed to attract two of the members (him being a cutie also did not help). Po is just so precious and I understand Baifern so much in terms of protecting him because he is not exactly naive but, the way he loves invited people to take advantage of him. And his love is precious and only should be given to the worthy ones.

MARS, oh my MARS. It was obvious that they love each other so much. And because of that love they were hurt so much from the miscommunication. I love that above everything, they truly love each other, they love performing with each other and they wanted to chase their dream together. Thame who puts MARS first and devoted his entire being for the group. Jun who despite his outward personality, is actually the one who held on to MARS the longest. Pepper who is always calm headed, the north star of the team. Dylan who not only lost his friends but his family, his home when MARS almost disbanded. Lastly, Nano, the youngest who was always protected but also desperate to protect his older brothers. They were young when they started out, and they were surrounded by adults who were continuously disappointing, misguiding and manipulating them. They love each other but, with things thrown to them continuously including the betrayal by the one they are supposed to trust, it was never going to be easy. But, I am so proud of them to be able to see past all of those things and come out stronger and together.

MARS became that lifeline. It was more than a group or a team, it was Thame’s family, the one place where he felt he belonged. The only reason he let go of that rope was because he believed MARS had already left him, just as Jun had said. But it wasn’t Thame who walked away first, MARS gave up on him first. That tragic truth was born from a painful lack of communication.

The moment Thame sensed even the smallest hope that his members still wanted to be part of this family, he clung to it with stubborn determination. Because underneath it all, Thame is just a boy who wants to be loved.

His relationship with Po reflects this deep need for connection. After the misunderstanding between them was cleared, they instantly clicked. Why? Because Po offered Thame what very few had: a lifeline, a rope to hold onto. Po created a space in his life where Thame could simply be himself, honest and unguarded.

While Thame initially does not recognize the romantic nature of his feelings toward Po, having never experienced such emotions before, he is aware that Po holds a unique and special place in his life. Po arrived at a time when Thame had no one else to hold onto, making their bond indispensable.

This is why Thame’s letter to Po was dripping with desperation, begging Po not to let go of his hand. Thame was willing to face anything, to fight for anything, because he would never be the one to let go. He wanted the people he loved to be happy with him, even if it meant he alone suffered.

A line from the the book that I wish was in the series, perfectly captures this spirit: “If we rise, we rise together. If one of us falls, let it be me alone.”

That’s why Thame was willing to sign the contract, to work himself to the bone, as long as MARS could continue to exist and stay in his life. But in his desperate grip to hold on, he forgot something crucial—communication. He forgot that those around him also loved him and needed to be heard.

That’s why Jun stepped in the way he did. If he hadn’t (in Jun’s point of view), Thame would have continued to suffer under the weight of that harsh contract. That’s also why Po took action—he had seen the fallout from the cover-up of their dating scandal and feared it would break MARS apart. Yet, neither fully understood the depth of Thame’s loneliness, a boy desperate simply wanting to be with the people he loves.

When I rewatched the series, I started paying closer attention to Po’s character arc. His dream of becoming a famous director wasn’t his real goal, it was his insecurity speaking. What he truly wanted was to feel like he was enough. Earn leaving him, especially citing their different life trajectories, devastated him. We’re led to believe that Earn never really respected Po’s work at the suit shop, even though that job was what supported their life together. When someone you love doesn’t value what you do, it slowly wears you down. Add to that the societal hierarchy that places creative, prestigious careers above service or retail jobs, and it’s no surprise that Po felt like he had to become a director. Not just for himself, but to prove to Earn, and the world, that he was good enough.

Then Thame came along. Thame acknowledged Po’s value, not just as a director, but as a suit shop employee, too. He didn’t offer vague praise; he highlighted specific things like Po’s attention to detail and strong work ethic. These were things that Thame himself understood and appreciated. He never made a comparison between jobs. He just saw Po for who he was and not what he offered, and in doing so, made Po feel like he didn’t need to prove anything. Thame’s love was steady, not dependent on status or success, and that gave Po something he’d never had before: the sense that he was already enough.

It’s true that Po lost his job at ONER because of his connection to Thame and MARS. But what matters most in his story isn’t whether he ended up a successful director, it’s that, by the end, he had finally accepted himself. He no longer needed validation through career success or others’ approval. He could show up to the reunion, speak openly about his current job, and feel at peace. He was no longer chasing empty approval. He had found contentment. He had found himself.

I’m not here for confirmed relationships, I’m here for the shenanigans, the talent, and the chaotic energy they bring together. That’s the real gold.

As someone who lived through the TayNew divorce of 2020 and is the emotional child of the OhmNanon breakup, I’ve learned one thing: what actually matters is that they love and respect each other, no matter the label, and most importantly, THEY ACTUALLY INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER AND ACKNOWLEDGE EACH OTHER'S EXISTENCE (iykyk... LOL 2021/2022 and 2023 press tours were painful to witness).

It’s kind of wild how obsessed I’ve become. I’ve never seriously considered paying for a fancon stream before (except for BTS), but now? I’m literally saving up just to watch theirs.

I think I know why I’m so drawn to them. First of all, they’ve got a solid series. ThamePo was genuinely good, and it helped me see them in such a positive light. Then there's their visuals — they just fit together. William and Est are both insanely good-looking, but in such different, complementary ways. Someone on Reddit described Est as “delicately handsome,” and it stuck with me. He has these soft features balanced by a quiet masculinity. William, on the other hand, is more striking — that bold kind of handsome that turns heads. He still has a touch of boyish softness now, but give it a few years, and he’s going to be even more jaw-dropping.

But beyond looks and series, it’s their relationship that’s truly captivating. They’re this soft-spoken duo who sneak in little moments of physical attacks. I love how they make time for each other, even with their packed schedules. The vacation vlogs are gold — those private little glimpses into their time together are so precious. The dinner date, the way they constantly mention choosing to stay by each other’s side, how they talk things out when facing outside pressure — it’s all just so genuine.

Watching them, I find myself wishing for a relationship like that. Something grounded in mutual care, deep conversation, and quiet effort. The ease they have with each other didn’t happen overnight — it’s clearly something they’ve built intentionally. And it’s heartwarming to witness. It reminds me that meaningful human connection, regardless of label, is real and possible.

Thame and Baifern’s relationship? Comedy gold.

Earn is so much worse in the book. What do you mean you're publishing a book about your “solo journey” to success? Get out of here, Earn.

Seriously, Earn is the worst. Your boyfriend quit his job, fed you, went into debt for you, and you really had the nerve to claim you did it all on your own? Absolutely not.

Book Thame gives full Diva energy—like, the water bottle scene? Iconic and dramatic.

Peemika's manipulative hold on Thame is even clearer here. She's a top-tier, S+ level manipulator. All she sees is profit.

The trauma bonding was real. Didn’t expect Po to open up that quickly, but thinking back, he did share that story in a public interview, so maybe I shouldn’t be surprised.

Book Thame and Po are not the soft, gentle versions we got in the series. This feels way closer to the vibe of that original pilot trailer—and honestly? I want both versions. If we can get two Justice Leagues, we can get two ThamePos. They were cheaper anyway (don’t mind me, I’m deep in delulu land).

The phone number scene? It made more sense in the book, but the show definitely made it more romantic.

I get why scenes had to be cut, but it kind of hurt that they didn’t include how Thame helped Po get the footage. These two just want to help each other. And Thame’s quick “don’t say no first, tell me” line? Ai Thame, why you not exist in my life huh?

No storeroom forced proximity (rip), but Jun is an even bigger menace here than in the series.

Thame’s jealousy is adorable. Full stop.

I LIVE FOR JUNPO FRIENDSHIP!!!!

Jun, with love, please stop bothering Po about his age. I didn’t pencil in an age-related existential crisis today, thanks.

Wait—we didn’t get the 9-hour phone call?! Or the “good morning” serenade?!?

BUT that hug where they confirm their feelings? It hit even harder in the book. Screaming.

I momentarily forgot “faen” is gender-neutral. When Pepper said “boyfriend” in the translation, I did a double take.

Pepper and Thame out here making “I like older people” a lifestyle choice. Icons.

The book makes it clear that Jun’s “I didn’t actually like Po, just testing you” thing at the arcade was 100% a lie. And Thame knew. Tsundere Jun strikes again.

Sadly, no adorable mutual walking-each-other-home scenes. Still can’t believe that they did that. People in love do be doing some crazy shit.

We didn’t get that kiss or Thame’s full-on jealousy, but we did get him secretly replacing Earn’s stuff with his. Power move.

Pemika, the asshole extraordinaire (derogatory).

Aside from a few cuts and tone shifts, most of it lines up with the series.

Final Thoughts: