The 2018 Thai series Love by Chance is one of the cult BL series. It is one of the first productions that come to mind when school, campus, or university youth is mentioned. Perhaps it is one of the earliest examples of the BL genre. I must add that the series is one of the productions that made the BL genre known worldwide. It is one of the milestones of this genre.
The series deals with emotional relationships, friendships, and personal struggles taking place in a campus environment. Of course, besides romance, there is also comedy. It is one of the indispensable series for the BL viewer or BL culture. You must definitely watch it.
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Love by Chance (2018) Plot and Synopsis
A series that is quite suitable for teens and young adults. Actually, watching a series has no age, so I take back this generalization. The series tells about love and sexual orientation in a simple language, far from clichés. I really liked this simplicity and sincerity. The series doesn’t just offer you an empty “sweet and cute” BL to tell an emotional story. At the same time, it shows that homosexuality is a natural orientation and everyone can love equally. The important thing is perhaps to live beautifully, isn’t it?
At the center of the series are Pete and Ae, whose paths cross as a result of a collision in the campus environment. Pete is someone who does not hide that he is gay and lives his identity openly. Their friendship, which starts as a result of this coincidence with Ae, soon turns into closeness and from there into a deep love. However, this love will be tested by the influences coming from their surroundings.
Pete’s rich and distant friend Tin initially tries to get involved in this relationship. Tin, whose help Pete seeks due to a problem from his past, gets involved in the events. Tin’s character is a lonely young man inside who hasn’t seen love from his family and doesn’t trust people. Even though he constantly clashes with Ae’s friend Can, these frictions evolve into an unexpected closeness over time. The contention between Tin and Can lays the groundwork for an understanding and emotional bond developing between them.
In the side stories, the relationship between Tump, the leader of the football team, and Tar, who has a tragic past, is handled in a mysterious and sensitive way. While Tar hides the trauma he experienced from Tump, the emotional tension between them gradually increases. Ae’s roommate Pond takes on the humorous aspect of the series while embarking on his own romantic journey.
Pete is a quiet, shy, and fragile young man born into a rich family; he is constantly bullied at school. Ae, on the other hand, is a kind-hearted, honest, and protective character. One day, while escaping from bullying, Pete runs into Ae, and Ae becomes the first real defender to step into Pete’s life. This encounter will lay the foundation for the bond of trust and affection that slowly begins to take shape between the two.
Ae is determined not to leave Pete alone and to protect him from bullying. In this process, the duo begins to spend more time together. While Pete trusts Ae more and more; Ae also begins to feel an undefinable attraction towards Pete. Pete’s past traumas and feeling worthless cause Ae’s protective attitude to become more prominent.
Ae realizes that the affection he feels for Pete is a romantic feeling. Pete, on the other hand, both falls in love with Ae and tries to stay away from his own feelings with the fear that it will not be reciprocated. However, Ae’s patience and reassuring approach help Pete open up his feelings.
The problems remaining from Pete’s past relationship, his ex-boyfriend’s threats, and the social circle pressures at the university begin to challenge the couple. While Ae stands by Pete at every obstacle; Pete also begins to act braver with the desire to deserve Ae’s love. The side couple Tin-Can duo forms the second focal point of the series; especially Tin’s family and Can’s shyness become conflict points that constantly delay the duo.
Series Review and Comments
A Simple But Sincere BL Journey
Love by Chance, even though it doesn’t have an in-depth dramatic structure, is a sincere series. The relationships between the characters are quite natural. It was a series that didn’t bother my eyes. Normally, I approach university series with prejudice. The cliché elements of today are also present in this series. But I think these elements in this series are not clichés, they are the first examples of the genre. For this reason, these “clichés” are quite original. Don’t say “can a cliché be original”, it happens. 🙂 It is one of the first examples of the enemies to lovers and rich – poor themes.
The series also explains that it is not gender but emotion that is decisive in human relationships. This narrative is very valuable to me. The series, especially for young viewers, carries a strong message in terms of showing the sincerity underlying loving and being loved.
The series starts with accidental encounters in a school environment; love starts with chance. Drama scenes can sometimes be long and boring. Repetitions disrupt the pacing a bit. But the finale ends well.
A cute BL classic that tells about honesty, self-confidence, confronting traumas, and social acceptance. There is no need to explain much; if you haven’t started the series, start watching it without wasting time.
Love by Chance (บังเอิญรัก) (2018) Series Details
An emotional BL story woven with feelings going back and forth between friendship and love, starting with a campus collision. Sequel season: Love by Chance Season 2: A Chance to Love (2020). You can also watch the TharnType series set in the same universe. Number of Episodes: 14 + 1 special episode. Where to Watch: iQIYI, Viki official broadcasters. For more and trashy info, fan fights: mydramalist awaits you.
 is a pioneer Thai BL series offering a sincere college romance, genuine chemistry, and a cult classic storyline.){kind=link}