Wedding Plan BL Review: A Toxic, ‘Romantic’ Mame Extravaganza

Wedding Plan is a newly released Thai BL series adapted from a novel by Mame, Thailand’s celebrated BL writer. The screenplay of the series is written by Mame. She is also credited as the director along with  Ne Neti Suwanjinda. Here is my review of the show.

In line with Mame’s previous works like TharnType and Love in the Air, the Thai BL series Wedding Plan features manipulative characters and a narrative that I would call “toxic-romantic.”

Mame’s Writing

Since I describe Mame’s writing as toxic-romantic, I would like to explain it first. I find it troubling because of its portrayal of love.

Her shows depict toxic relationships as ideal and even romantic. The characters are often possessive and manipulative, resorting to violence at times.

Examples are Type in TharnType and Payu in Love in the Air, where Payu’s manipulative behaviour made me uncomfortable to watch, as he receives recognition as the “best boyfriend” in the series.

This type of narrative can be harmful and misleading about what real love and healthy relationships should look like.

Let’s discuss Wedding Plan. While the toxicity in the first two episodes of the series may seem mild compared to Mame’s previous works, it is still present. But more about that later.

The Cast of Wedding Plan

One of the highlights of the series is its cast. While many of them are relatively unknown, they work well together and have great chemistry.

The standout performer is Pak Naphat Leelahatorn who plays the main character Namnuea with ease and conviction.

The Making of Wedding Plan

The series starts off with a lighter tone, especially in the beginning. Its creators are the same as those behind Love in the Air, but the production quality is not as high.

While the costumes and production design are good, there are some aspects that feel forced and the main issue lies in the writing.

The Writing

The writing lacks depth and falls short in certain areas. Comparing it to Love in the Air, the latter has better writing. Some scenes are prolonged and redundant, adding no value to the overall story.

However, the most disappointing aspect is the stereotypical characterization, particularly with the main character Namnuea, who is forced to act cute in a way that feels unnatural.

The Elephant in the Room aka the Toxic Elements

It seems as though the writer hasn’t quite understood the importance of consent, despite receiving multiple criticisms.

In the series, there are two kissing scenes that happen without one party giving their consent. Furthermore, the character Sailom displays manipulative behaviour.

Is It Worth a Watch?

One positive aspect of this series is its representation of lesbian love, which is frequently overlooked in the male-dominated BL industry.

But, the series falls short both in artistic and entertainment merit. Moreover, the messaging is very misleading. The love story lacks depth and will probably be compensated with spice like Mame’s previous outings.

So, my verdict is; no, it’s not worth your time.