Domundi 2026 Lineup Ranking + Thoughts!
I had to take 5 whole business days to process the entirety of the lineup because DAMN.
This is just my personal opinion!
Unknown Lover (ThomasKong)
This is absolutely #1 on my will-1000%-watch list. Being from the East Coast and having visited NYC several times, I was bracing myself for the level of belief I was going to have to suspend to be convinced by a campy green screen background version of Manhattan, but they filmed everything on site!! It feels slightly meta to see them in such recognizable locations, but NYC as the setting choice seems almost like an intentional metaphor for Kong's character losing and finding himself again in this sprawling crucible of a city that is the pop culture symbol of new beginnings and chance encounters. Plus the jazzy background music, beautiful color grading, sparse but intense dialogue, Anwar being a casual dater who is not portrayed as a one-dimensional piece of sht, the subtle, hushed acting... The storyline and location choice is ambitious, but the mature, indie-film aesthetic was absolutely the right move, and Domundi is truly expanding the horizons of Thai BL with this one. I need it yesterday!!
2. Still Holding Up Like the Moon (KengNamping)
Wow. This trailer absolutely blew me away, and KengNamping refuse to make bad shows because I know this one will be just as achingly beautiful and superbly crafted as Khemjira. The time-travel element is multilayered, and I loved how the trailer slowly revealed what actually happened as we got to find out, alongside Namping's character, the truth to Duean's story. Keng's acting sent chills down my spine, and although I really do not want to see Mean Phiravich in any BL again, I will not let that stop me from loving this show. It is not only a romance but a glimpse into the Thai film industry in the 80s, and its approach to navigating queer identity during those times feels similar to MileApo's Shine (give or take a decade) in the best way possible. 100% sat and ready to be emotionally wrecked!!
3. The Scent of Sorrow (TutorYim, TleFirstOne)
Not this being a literal horror story when I was so ready for a soft, fluffy period romance 🤡 But finally something that will showcase all that TutorYim have got to give!! I was reminded of how much I love TutorYim after starting ChermChey; that spark that I saw in CutiePie was finally back, and I dare say it is even stronger in this trailer. Dramatic, steamy, mysterious and gory was definitely not on my TutorYim bingo card for 2026, but it absolutely works, and the love triangle with Tle is kind of perfect. The folk horror element feels familiar but the historical setting gives it a fresh twist, and FirstOne in uniform is the cutest thing ever. Khemjira has increased my tolerance for horror/gore in BL, and TleFirstOne as the side couple could convince me to watch literally any show on this earth, so I'm definitely sat for this one.
Just hit me with a brick at this point, it would hurt less ☹️ I definitely did not see this type of plot coming for NetJJ, but I was sold from the moment I saw that first relationship snapshot sequence. I'm such a sucker for soft indie aesthetics, and the muted color palette, symbolism and framing are so perfect for this story. Another new location, and what is Japan if not for its emotionally damaging plots? The characters feel so raw and real, and I'm literally tearing up just thinking about them because that feeling of wanting something to work out so badly, and thinking it will, but also knowing that everything is fleeting and nothing is perfect and no one is guaranteed, is so painful yet so universal. I am definitely not ready for this one, but I know it will be so stunning.
5. Into Racha (NorthOtto)
Maybe it's the Duang With You recency bias, but I truly cannot get enough of NorthOtto's chemistry and dynamic. At first glance, RachaA-zhen might seem like they lean into more typical power imbalance dynamics unlike JamieMarvis (who are more on the "walk 'em like a dog" end of the scale), but them being exes levels out the playing field a bit. Scenes that might feel contrived or overdone, like Racha protecting A-zhen from touchy customers or cleaning his wound after hitting him with his car, have more layers because of their complicated relationship, and A-zhen is more than capable of protecting himself, which is why Racha doing it for him despite that feels like more than just the action itself. Plus Ohm playing the mean girl is the absolute cherry on top. Somebody get this man a partner asapppp
6. Passenger Seat Number X (ZeeNunew)
Domundi really said, "Go text your ex!!" This is cute, vibrant, and I love college sweethearts (well, at least for one of them). Though the CEO x flight attendant trope that it ultimately becomes is...a choice, I believe it's negligible in light of the exes-to-lovers trope, so in ZeeNunew's chemistry we trust. I do wish the captain trying to hit on Nunew's character was played by a different actor, but I'm sat as I always am for ZeeNunew shows, whether I intend to be or not.
7. Friend Benefit (TeeteePor, AuauSave)
Now, when I said I wanted red flag Teetee...I didn't mean I wanted emotional damage for Por and everyone watching, too 😭 This is giving me war flashbacks to Theory of Love in which Off's character was so insufferably selfish, ignorant, and overall such a terrible person that the story was essentially irredeemable and all I wanted was for Gun's character to end up with literally anyone else 🤡 While a complete 180 from Duang With You is one way to ward off any sort of typecasting, I think that as a fandom, we are collectively not yet ready to let go of the emerald green flag that is Duang Cheewin. Thankfully, we probably have 1-2 business years to wait for this show, but that does not guarantee that I will be at all emotionally nor mentally prepared to witness TeeteePor go through a Theory of Love-level friendzone emotional damage wringer. I will watch this for the Teeteepor and AuauSave content...but at what cost
8. 20 Lists (RyujinPatji, TheeWave(???))
I have a major soft spot for highschool BLs, and this one is no exception, even if it has basically the exact same plot and character dynamics that I have seen a million and one times. I sense a bit of Boys Over Flowers sprinkled in with the conversation about wealth disparities, the "social gathering", the very brief love triangle(?) with Phupha...it's cute, it's fluffy, and it suits RyujinPatji well. I very intensely wanted TheeWave in a university BL because I feel like they would have such good adult chemistry, but I'll take what I can get...! Will be watching primarily for the TheeWave crumbs (and I may be hallucinating but PeteReeonn????)
9. Did You Know (ClaudinePraew)
Domundi is (finally) venturing into the GL scene!! I love that they are immediately giving us working adults with complex conflicts. The color grading is gorgeous and vibrant, and I like the mixed settings of the hospital, the hotel and everywhere in between. I love a good yearner in a GL, and Claudine is already pulling it off flawlessly. While the plot is familiar, the faces are new and their chemistry is convincing, so I will definitely check out at least the first episode.
10. My Merman (TleFirstOne, LatteKim)
So...if I ignore the first 2.5 minutes of this trailer, it is an absolutely charming, soft-tinted, sparkly little gem of a show. I adore TleFirstOne with all my heart, and I have (slightly desperate) faith that the mermaid attire and special effects in the final cut will be much improved. Props to Domundi for always trying something new; I am hoping for The Next Prince level costumes and set design, as this show ultimately has so much potential, from its leads to its side couple to its unique twist on a literal fairytale.
11. No. 1 Student (CopperFifa)
I have to admit I am not super familiar with these faces, but their chemistry has piqued my interest. The family angst feels a bit contrived, but when done right, it can really add to a character's depth and provide necessary context (a recent Domundi example of this being Duang With You), so I will definitely be tuning in, especially if they overcome the initial angst/enemies arc earlier on (if it's a school BL, I'm here for the romance!!)
Bonus: UKE (Namping, Otto, Kim, Ohm, Plustor)
The way this almost made me cry?? This topic is clearly personal to many of the actors involved in this show, and I truly have to give hats off to Domundi for not only piloting something like this, but also casting the very people whom the conversation often involves to represent the unfortunately real experiences of feminine and/or queer men in the BL industry. This is a wakeup call for consumers of queer media; that these roles, expectations and stereotypes that have formed as a result of rigid frameworks for BLs have warped perceptions of what is ultimately the identity and lived experience of real people in this world. I am 1000% watching this, and I hope many others will, too.
Domundi has truly pulled out all the stops this year! I am waiting with bated breath for each and every one of these shows. There is only one way forward...and that is deeper into obsession!
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