Bad Buddy Series Episode 1 RECAP and a Quick Episode Breakdown
Bad Buddy Series is literally taking the whole BL universe in a storm for its premier episode. The whole story is both exciting and cute, and it also sets up a whole new environment in the genre. Forced to act as if they never knew each other, we are introduced to two boys who were in each other’s throats even before they’re born – or are they?
EPISODE 1 Recap and a bit of a breakdown
We have an epic love story in the making with GMM’s new 12-episode BL series, and like many dramas in the same genre, the drama opens up with a BAM.
A literal BAM. Yeah, a fight.
Because the whole drama centers around hot-blooded teens that have nothing in their minds but bloodshed, we are introduced to each character through fights. So there’s no other choice but to prepare ourselves, not only for their cute attacks but also literal punches to one another. Stupid as it may sound.
The drama started with a BAM, a literal BAM as I’ve mentioned, as the first frame shows as Wai (Jimmy Jitaraphol Potiwihok) running away from the Engineering dudes. It’s a scene foreboding for a fight. And fight it may will when on the other side, he was cornered and met with Pat (Ohm Pawat Chittsawangdee) – the Engineering Class Leader.
Wai retorts that it’s unfair because he was alone and cornered and they’re a whole bunch of people. He says that if want to fight, they should fight square and not gang up on someone.
Pat breathed in a deep sigh, and nodded, agreeing that he should call people and fight.
Safe (Lotte Thakorn Promsatikul) is running through the corridors, sliding through a room. He walked over a guy who was sitting alone in the table, his art tools laid down perfectly as it should be. He called to him.
The guy was revealed to be Pran (Nanon Korapat Kirdpan). A collected, order-oriented Architecture Class Leader.
Soon, Pran and Safe arrived at the scene and upon assessing the situation, jumped over to help. The scene was like movie-like, an action movie to be specific. With the some students lying on the ground and some still fighting one another, Pran looked for his friend in the chaos. There he saw Wai about to receive a punch from a guy in another workshop uniform; resolved to save his best bud, Pran rushed in and kicked the guy on the side causing him to fall over.
When Pat comes to, he turned to the guy who just kicked him unannounced to his surprise. He saw Pran standing there, equally stunned as him. They’re both speechless.
The fight ended when the teacher came and they both ran on different paths.
It has been revealed that the fight started because of a stupid football match. Pran thought it was stupid to fight over something that insignificant, but realized almost immediately that no matter what he says, they’d fight anyway. It’s inevitable as even their faculties are enemies from the start
Both gangs intended to settle the deal, but because their leaders would be going home, the Engineering gang decided to settle it on another day.
Pat and Pran are revealed to be neighbours, with their own parents in each other’s throats for a very long time making Pat and Pran long time “enemies” to begin with. They were raised in different households but one thing was common, it is the fact that the family on the other side is enemy and nothing else.
Both kids met outside and started a kiddie fight in front of their trashcans; Pat accusing Pran that he followed him in his college, with Pran denying the accusation. All this while fighting over their family’s trashcan going off the line border on the street’s shoulder.
At night, Pa (Love Pattranite Limpatiyakorn) comes in Pat’s room to collect his sullied clothes. Pat comes in and gave Pa more sullied clothes to her dismay. (Love is so cute by the way) Pa asked Pat if it was bad enough and Pat said to check the footprint on his shirt. Pa retorted that she meant Pran and not Pat, to Pat’s dismay.
Pa opens up the topic of them being separated for three years and was brought back eventually, calling it a soulmate-thing. Pat shook his head, telling her that it wasn’t but an enemy-thing instead.
As Pa was walking out the door, she, finally asked Pat in a serious tone not to hurt Pran. Pat turned to ask her reason, only to tell him that he knows why.
Then as Pa was walking out, with Pat mulling over his promise, he turned to his window seeing Pran who just went out from the bath. His eyes widened with the sight of a shirtless Pran in front of him. Pran realizing this from the other side, immediately pulled in the curtains as Pat turned away, sighing deeply.
In Pran’s room, Pran, in the darkness, pulled out a box from the bottom of his closet, pulling out a broken black wristwatch, he inspected its unmoving hands. He got a quick flashback of a kid giving it to him, before turning to the window he previously closed, a small smile forming from his lips.
The next day, as per plan, Pat’s gang was looking at Pran’s gang, hoping they’d get to corner Wai alone to get revenge for what happened. They, unfortunately, pulled it back seeing how it was going; and they decided to take one person to look for, with him looking out for Pran – hoping to follow through his sister’s request.
With everyone dispersing, Wai and Pran was left alone standing in the corridor. Wai turned to the bulletin and saw a poster, immediately calling Pran that they should enter. Pran declined but with Wai’s persuasion, Pran told him that he’d think about it. Wai immediately smiled telling Pran that he’d go get an application form to Pran’s disagreement.
And so, it was Pran who head out to get the application form instead.
Seeing Pran move, Pat made his move too, stalking the guy to his destination. He doesn’t know it, but Pran caught up to his little game soon enough.
Pran arrived at the music room and with Pat following after him. Pat curiously looked inside the room, and paused when a guy asked him to come inside if he was interested. He gave him a wai and followed the guy inside. The guy then asked the two questions which they both answered brief and short, and finally, he asked them if they were interested to join the contest, both of them replying yes.
However, there was only one form left so the guy left to photocopy the form leaving the two alone in the room. Pat immediately sat in front of the drums, taking the sticks and started banging on the instrument, while staring at Pran, sizing up the Architecture Class Leader. In response, Pran picked up the electric guitar and played with it with great precision and style.
The short intermission was immediately cut short when the guy came back telling them that the office ran out of ink, asking one to just photocopy in the photocopy both somewhere else. Pran taking the liberty; and as he walks out, Pat immediately stood following the man with the form.
As he was following Pran, Pat receives a call from Korn (Drake Sattabut Laedeke) and as he asks what was happening, Korn replied that he lost the guy he was following. Pat then ended the call and checked on Pran to his dismay. Pran was long gone and the bill was on him for the photocopy.
Pran, successfully escaping from the guy who was annoyingly following him, was walking back to his friends when he was ambushed by the Engineering guys. He turned to them to their dismay that they got the wrong person, but went on anyway saying that Pran was Wai’s friend anyways. Judging the situation to his disadvantage, Pran parried their attacks before running away when he got the change.
As Pran was running through the narrow passways, he met with Pat and was pulled to the side by the latter. Pat pressed Pran unto the wall, covering his mouth with his hand while gesturing him to shut up. They stayed in that position until Pat’s friends passed by shouting to disperse to look for Pran. They stayed there for a bit, looking at each other’s eyes before Pran pushed him off asking him what he was doing.
For Pat, this was his other end with the deal with Pa. He was supposed to save Pran and he did what exactly his younger sister wanted. He pulled Pran to their car and fled the scene with the still confused Pran.
After awhile, Pran calls out to Pa to drop him off and he went out without saying a word. Pat called out to him giving him an extra set of shirt, asking him to change because he don’t want Pran’s parents to blame him for what happened. Pran accepted the shirt but went off without even saying ‘thanks’ to Pat’s disappointment. He complained to Par but was silenced with their deal. He whined, unable to do anything.
In a short flashback after Pat and Pa’s conversation, we’re shown a kid version of Pat and Pa racing over with a bike with Pat telling Pa that if she lose, she’ll be the one to wash the dishes. Pat loses and Pa tells him that he’d do the dishes before running off. Pat saw Pran there and as kids, Pat claimed that they got there first and started a fight. Then they heard Pa’s cries and saw that she was in the water, asking for help. Pat stood frozen and seeing this, Pran immediately rushed over to help Pa.
Later that night, Pran was in his room chilling when he heard soft taps on his windows. Curious, he went over and checked and found no one, he sighs and walks back to bed when Pat jumped up poking his back, immediately clasping his lips with his hands the second Pran turned.
Pat said he came in peace and they stood there looking at each other, with Pran telling her mom who was calling for him that something fell and there was nothing to worry about. Pat immediately sat on Pran’s bed while Pran took the other side.
Pat immediately opened the subject up and complained to Pran about his friend, Wai, telling him to stop protecting him. Pran being the guy as he is asks Pat to stop chasing for Wai instead. Like kids, they bicker once more. Pat told Pran that he doesn’t want to fight him which made Pran think for awhile; then Pat pulled out the sister card on Pran to make it more convincing. Pran once again thought about things and decided that he cannot. Telling Pat that Wai is his best friend and if he doesn’t back off first, and then he won’t too.
Pran’s group and Pat’s gang came face to face with one another the next day, Pat asked Pran to hand Wai over so there won’t be any more fights and Pran refused. Instead of Pran giving Wai to Pat, he delivered a very convincing speech and apologized to Pat in behalf of Wai.
Unbeknownst to everyone, this was their plan to begin with. Since they can’t arrive to a conclusion, they devised a plan that would benefit the both of them – with Pat not fighting with Pran over the issue and Pran being able to protect his friend.
Pran knew that Wai, even though like that, is a man who cannot accept someone to just apologize for his behalf so as planned, Pran would gauge the apology out of Wai by taking in the blame. And as expected, Wai caught the bait and apologized to Pat, to Pat and Pran’s satisfaction.
However, it seemed like an apology was not enough and again, a fight broke out between the two groups. Pat and Pran lamented their failed plan as they nervously looked at one another, scratching their heads.
As an impromptu act, Pat asked Pran to hit him and their charade started with each other throwing fake punches and occasional unprecedented kicks to each other. When someone tries to hit each from their respective groups, one would act as a shield to the other saying that ‘I’ll take care of him’.
That went on for the whole while until the bell rang, and as they ran on different directions, the fight ended.
Both of them unexpectedly met somewhere and threw slews to each of their group of friends; but ultimately were satisfied that it’s done as the video was deleted and the other party already apologized. Pran said that nothing good happened whenever Pat is involved but Pat just said that he’s thankful that no one’s transferring that time around.
They were about to seal everything with a fist bump when the teacher came and asked them to come over.
Later that night, Pat went to the pharmacy to buy some medicine only to be told that they were sold out, the last one be bought by another guy. Disappointed, Pat walked out of the store. Pran was sitting on the stairs when he called out to Pat which the other replied that he was out to buy some medicines. Pran offered him some and Pat accepted it, sitting next to Pran.
Pat then complained about how their charade ended in a complete failure with both of them ultimately still injured. Pran just looked at Pat. Pat then leaned closer, rousing Pran to think that Pat wanted him to treat him so he turned him down. Pat then told him to point where the bruise was to his dismay. Pran immediately poked his cheek, hard enough to make the other guy groan.
After a moment of silence, Pran asked Pat what they are going to do with what the professor told them to. The professor asked them to stop fighting or else the school will ban both of the faculties in joining official events together.
In a rather short time, they realized that it was impossible as they would literally fight even after drinking some booze. With a light chuckle, Pat said that if they were banned, it would be a shame not to join the music contest with Pran telling him that he wanted to compete with the other. Pran, agreeing, proposed that they would avoid any confrontations for now not until both of their friends get bored. Pat asked how would they do it when they don’t know each other’s whereabouts anyway, telling Pran that planning ahead isn’t going to work – as what happened before.
Pran offered that they exchange IDs, to Pat’s surprise. Pran just went on and told Pat that it would be better than Pat coming over frequently. Pat agreed and pulled out his phone, he was about to give his ID to Pran when he retracted back. Pran asked what was wrong and Pat pointed out that it looked like he was adding Pran to his friends list then asked why should he be the one doing it (lol, cute Ohm). Pran rolled his eyes and retorted back. But when Pat asked him to do it first, he had the same reaction.
So not to be complicated about it, Pran just told Pat that they’d add their IDs together which Pat agreed with an indecisive smile. Both of them gave each their IDs, Pran doing it first then Pat.
As witty as Pran, he did not add Pat before Pat added him. So, it ended with Pat adding Pran first anyway. He teased Pat to the other’s dismay as he walk off telling the other he’d rather buy ice cream on the way.
Pran was all smiles when he changed Pat’s nickname to ‘Just Friend’ from his phone.
Just when he was about to hit the sack, he looked over his study table and saw the black wrist watch he brought from home. The old watch wasn’t functioning and as held it up, a smile formed from his lips, a flashback of Pat coming over his room for the first time flashed through his eyes.
The episode ended with them going inside their rooms, which was adjacent to each other at a different time.
MY THOUGHTS AND A SHORT COMPARISON WITH THE NOVEL
Okay, the series, I must say is heading out with a good start. They completely captivated the viewers’ with Ohm and Nanon as the main casts. As far as I knew, this was Ohm’s fifth BL series after Make it Right 1 & 2, He’s Coming to Me, Dew the Movie and The Shipper (which ended up not being a BL role but a straight role) and Nanon’s first (I think?).
Thailand is known for their adaptations of novels to series. Some just follow the novel with minor or minimal major changes (Love Sick, 2gether and LBC) and some just go and changes the story a bit for a spice. And after reading the novel myself, I would say that the series is in the latter category.
But how different was the novel from the series anyway?
Actually, very different. Because of P’Oaf’s artistic directing, they made it possible and still have the same BOOM. And I understand too given how fast paced the novel was, they really needed to change it and slow it down a bit. And P’Oaf is as far as the series is concerned, did the finest job doing so.
But my job here is not only boxed on showering the casts and production team the praises they deserve but to also give my opinion on the series’ adaptation of the novel.
WARNING: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS AS SOME INFORMATION WERE FROM THE NOVEL, IF YOU’RE NOT INTERESTED, PLEASE DO NOT PROCEED, ELSE, PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
So now that we’ve laid out everything, let’s proceed!
As I’ve mentioned, there is a great deal of differences from what we see in the series and the novel. They have their own charms and they are both good and superb but that doesn’t change the fact that there are differences that we need to take note of.
NOTE: Again, I’m not comparing the novel and the series to criticize but to appreciate. I’ve read the novel and I’m still waiting every week for each episode, I think that would say much.
If you were able to read the novel, you would think that it’s different but at the same time exactly similar. For one, there are characters that exist in the novel and never made it in the series; there are also scenes and events that never happened in the novel that made its debut in the series – events that I will be explaining later onto the next chapters.
What makes it exciting is that, because they’re different, you will be in your seat waiting and anticipating for what’s next.
Then let’s proceed to breaking down Episode 1:
The first episode was probably trying to incorporate chapter 1 up to 4. But because of their fundamental difference, even I cannot say what scenes were.
As per the general gist, the novel’s differences from the series are not exclusive to these information (as per the first to fourth chapter)
First: Pat and Pran’s story actually happened in their last year in the university. Both of them were working on their respective theses and are busy because they’re graduating. In a reader’s perspective, I couldn’t even imagine how they’re managing to fight in that state because to be honest, Architecture and Engineering theses are hard as hell. I, for one, can relate as a former Engineering student myself. Even the lower years are hard, I can’t imagine being up in the last years.
In the series, they are probably in their second year or third? I’m not sure but something tells me that they’re not first years because of the absence of the initiatory rights in the scenes. And there’s just no way first years would be able to do what they did in the next episodes.
Second: In the series, it’s introduced that Pran transferred schools after that one incident during High School. This slight change actually made the relationship of Pat and Pran a bit deeper as it may seem especially after Episode 5. P’Oaf made it quite clear by giving out some Easter eggs such as this:
The novel’s version is quite different. Pran stayed in an all-boy’s school and met Wai during that time. There wasn’t a clear cut explaination if Pat and Pran were in different schools but it was clear that Pat was still in contact with Pran because of a line saying: ‘He (Pat) was the one who first discovered what I want to be’ (rough translation) in the later chapters.
Third: In the novel, Pat, Pran, and Par (Pat’s younger sister) have a very good relationship with one another. Par is in college and she’s living with Pat, and Pran is living next door. Par might also be the reason why Pat and Pran never really fought for real all these time.
One proof of this is the fact that Par trusts Pran enough to ask Pat to let Pran treat him whenever they fight. Maybe, the reason why they aren’t taking each other on seriously is because they’re both responsible for each other anyway and it would be a pain to deal with Par later on if something really did happen (there’s a chapter about this lol. Par lost her wits)
And Par actually looks like Pat’s boss than his sister, with her influence reaching Pran as well. Pat can’t do anything to his sister, and what his sister wants, Pat follows.
Though it’s true that they actually got along well because of what happened in the past – that time when Pran saved Par. They seemed to be living peacefully together, with Pat sleeping over Pran’s room as often as twice or thrice a week, equal to times their gangs fought. Par is actually strict with Pat’s notorious reputation and his love life, that whenever he fights, he throws Pat out to Pran’s.
This is a minor detail but Pat actually had long hair. I imagine him having the same style with P’Sin (played by the actor Ja) from Until We Meet Again, brandishing his ponytail every single time.
In terms of similarities between the series and the novel, I must say that there’s a lot. As much as both of them are different, they’re also the same in some aspects:
First: It’s true that every time the Architecture and Engineering faculty members meet, it always ends up in a fight. For some reasons, the smallest thing like staring always ends up in a brutal, child-like fight. And I do not understand why.
This had become a problem with Pat and Pran always being in the middle. And this has become a problem as well especially later on with the novel.
Second: Although in different degrees, Pat (novel version) and Pat (series version) are both impulsive. Though the Pat in the novel brings it a notch above, the Pat that’s played by Ohm, Ohm’s Pat is more lovable.
Third: Pran is a real clean freak. In the novel and in the series, it seemed like cleanliness is on top of his priority list. And he hates Pat for being a dirty, nasty individual from the bottom of his heart – that’s not even a joke. Because Pat actually crashes in his place often, he always makes it a struggle to even just drag Pat to the bathroom. That part of his daily routine is like the most tiresome for Pran.
And if there’s a time when Pran forgot that he’s a clean-freak that should be during his last stretch for his thesis. He was too busy with his model that he had not taken a bath for four days. Normally, this guy takes a shower two times a day in Pat’s dismay.
Fourth: Par is too overprotective. She’s overprotective to her brother, and she’s overprotective to Pran too. If you read the novel, you might even think she’s Pran’s long lost sister. She literally sends her brother to protect Pran and make up with him every single time. I think that’s what’s happening in the series as well.
Okay, I think I’ve laid out the general gist on the similarities and differences of the series and the novel. Though these were just laid out in Chapter 1 up to 5, these are important things anyone critical to details (me) needed to take note of.
However different, I think the difference made it more interesting to watch – the series I mean. Ohm and Nanon are basically giving a new flavour to the character of Pat and Pran, and it’s quite amusing.
Let’s say for example, the fact that Pat actually thought that the one using the room adjacent to his room was a female (EP.2) was already hilarious as it is because it never really happened in the novel. In the novel, it was Pran who occupied the room first. But because Par is going to college in the same university as them, they needed a larger room so they transferred to the room close to Pran’s.
Another one is when they literally have to pretend that they do not know each other at school. Well, that’s only possible if it’s their first year, you know. In the novel, they never really need to pretend. Since they’re always at each other’s throats, it’s a given that they wouldn’t care for one another in any way rather than killing each other.
Now on the next episode, we might need to brace ourselves with the second hand embarrassment throughout the series. It’s cool but I guess we would see more interesting casts and familiar faces.
With these strong plot setup and a whole, unique story ahead, I’m looking forward to seeing more – particularly how the two would confess their feelings to one another and how the long time rivalry would end in their generation, and to answer whether Pat is just another Bad Buddy or someone special Behind the Scenes.
PS: Please check the wattpad version: here
And finally, my ever sweet potato:
