Thai Stars Captivate South Korea: The Rise of BL and GL Content

《Lee Min-kyung's Siren》
Lee Min-kyung from TenAsia sounds the alarm on the rapidly evolving entertainment industry, highlighting unseen issues and alerting us to threats and changes surrounding the entertainment world.

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Recently, a wave of famous Thai actors and singers have been visiting South Korea, sparking interest in how Thai content is making its way into the Korean market and capturing public demand. Analysts have noted that Thai-produced BL (Boys Love) and GL (Girls Love) content, which focuses on same-sex romance, is gaining popularity among some South Korean audiences in their 20s and 30s.

Thai star actor and singer NuNew Chawarin is set to release his Korean debut single 'LEAVE ME WITH YOUR LOVE' on the 30th. This marks his official foray into targeting the Korean audience. The album and its title track feature lyrics in both English and Korean.

NuNew Chawarin, along with Zee Pruk Panich, a renowned Thai model, actor, and singer, who has been performing under the couple name 'ZeeNuNew' since November 20, 2021, will also visit Korea. They are scheduled to hold a fan meeting and showcase at Yes24 Live Hall on the 1st of next month.

The competitive edge of Thai cultural content is growing in South Korea. The increasing visits of Thai stars like NuNew Chawarin and Zee Pruk Panich are evidence of this trend. The unique approach of Thai content, particularly the surge in BL and GL dramas and films since 2020, has resonated positively with the 20s and 30s demographic in Korea.

For instance, NuNew Chawarin, currently in Korea, gained international attention as the lead in the Thai drama 'Cutie Pie Series.' In Thailand, it's common for actors to also pursue music careers, and NuNew has been recognized as a singer, topping local music charts with five singles over two years, starting with 'Anything' in 2023. Last year, he collaborated with Korean singer Paul Kim on the single 'A Few Things Needed for Flowers to Bloom,' marking his entry into the Korean market.

On the 2nd of next month, Thai actor Film Rachanun will visit Korea to attend the 'Seoul Drama Awards 2025.' His drama 'Pluto,' where he stars as a same-sex couple with Thai actress Namtan Tipnaree, won the Asia Star Award in the International Invitation category at the event.

Namtan Tipnaree, who collaborates with Film Rachanun, also visited Seoul on the 2nd to attend the 'BE@RBRICK in MCM Wonderland' exhibition at MCM HAUS in Gangnam. The event featured participation from Korean artists like ATEEZ's Mingi and Mamamoo's Moonbyul. Although she did not hold any solo events, numerous fans gathered at the exhibition to interact with her.

Cultural critic Kim Sung-soo noted, "There is a significant trend of openness towards LGBTQ+ issues among the 20s and 30s demographic," adding that "BL and GL content is widely consumed by this age group." He believes that "such culture can foster diverse imagination and creativity, encouraging broader enjoyment of content."

Lee Min-kyung, TenAsia Reporter 2min_ror@tenasia.co.kr