The Thai BL series Payback (2026) is a production consisting of 10 episodes, each running for 45 minutes. Adapted from the webtoon originally titled Payback (페이백), this series does not offer an all-out, sweet romantic narrative from start to finish; instead, it heavily focuses on revenge. The BL theme unfolds in a far more complex manner. Revenge serves as the core catalyst behind the personal and emotional development of Sun, a former loan shark collector, following the tragedy he endures. Love actually begins quietly in the shadows when a one-night stand from years ago finds him once again.
Love always requires trust. Sun, however, has lost his trust in people and does not easily trust his sponsor. The acting and fame tropes in the series merge this time with themes of revenge and past love. It progresses at a slightly slower pace and possesses a structure distinct from previous acting-themed BL dramas. For this reason, it kept me engaged until the very end.
🏳️🌈🇹🇭 Curator’s Choice: The best BL catalog
Plot and Summary of Payback (2026)
Sun works as a collector for a loan shark to raise money for his mother’s medical treatment. The dark business he conducts eventually harms him. During this period, he lives with his lover—an idealistic university student aspiring to become a famous actor. Sun is an uneducated, street-hardened young man. The bond between these two gay youths will be severed forever by betrayal.
Meanwhile, Sun’s sibling is murdered for revenge, and his mother passes away shortly thereafter. Quitting the dirty business, Sun decides to participate in acting auditions five years after the deaths of his mother and sibling. One day, he encounters his ex-lover Sunny—the man who betrayed him and holds responsibility for his sibling’s death. Hearing the truth directly from Sunny’s mouth fuels Sun’s motivation for revenge: he is determined to ruin him.
Sun completes his preparations and crafts a solid plan to execute his revenge against Sunny. To step into acting and break into the series industry, he begins working with a relatively obscure manager. Along the way, he witnesses and experiences the dark side of the entertainment industry and its sexual exploitation. To escape his trainee status, he seeks a sponsor, who turns out to be Director Arthur. It will take time for Sun to discover that he shares a past connection with this man.
He also encounters the mysterious Jay, who offers protection. Jay provides support while simultaneously making confusing, demanding requests. Unknown to Sun, a one-night stand took place between them five years prior. As Sun searches for that mysterious man, he fails to realize he is right beside him. Jay elevates both the mystery and tension within the drama. Although this past encounter and coincidental reunion may seem somewhat forced, a strong sense of love permeates the series.
Review and Commentary
This BL drama does not offer a sweet, love-filled romance from start to finish. Instead, it moves forward with a narrative built on revenge, past mysteries, and the dark underbelly of the acting industry. The romantic tension is remarkably successful. Thai series generally offer generic university and youth stories, most of which are hardly worth watching.
I personally enjoyed this series. I appreciated the absence of the ormai standardized “sweet love” cliché of the Thai BL industry—especially the lack of superficial, screaming fans running around. It stands as an above-average drama.
Sun patiently takes every step to exact his revenge and snatch the lead role in the new series from his enemy. Jay recognizes Sun from the very first moment he sees him, though he rarely shows it. While the romance between the duo initially appears tense and transactional, the truth unfolds in later episodes, allowing their dynamic to soften into a gentler romance.
Is it worth watching? Dozens of similar BL series have been produced, mostly revolving around fights within the acting industry, conflicts between production companies, and the exploitation of actors. This series’ plot leans more heavily into revenge and actually delivers a story of transformation. The psychological and emotional evolution of Sun’s character is exceptionally well handled. As the series progresses, we also glimpse the fragile, soft layers beneath the characters’ hardened exteriors.
If you enjoy intrigue and revenge, and if BL romance blooming amidst total chaos appeals to you, the series isn’t bad at all—in fact, it’s quite decent. Nowadays, the BL industry is practically engaging in mass-produced, low-quality filler. Amidst this decline in quality, Payback offers a storyline that is genuinely worth watching. While it might not rank among the absolute best, it certainly deserves a place among watchable dramas. As a side note, the characters Kajorn (the manager) and Sky act as fantastic catalysts. For further technical details, you can check the MDL site; I simply wanted to share my personal impressions here. Additionally, I have included Payback in my list of the best Thai BL series to watch in 2026
