Review: Thai drama ‘Absolute Zero’ tugs at your heartstrings


A man goes time travel to change the past and save his lover from a tragic end. 

This is the essence of the new Thai BL (boys’ love) drama “Absolute Zero,” a heart-wrenching 12-episode series directed by New Siwaj Sawatmaneeku and is currently streaming (with English subtitles) on iQiyi. 

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The stars of the Thai BL drama "Absolute Zero" (Photos from Studio Wabi Sabi on Instagram) 

“Absolute Zero” (องศาสูญ) based on the novel of the same name by author Salil, stars Thai actors Tor Supakorn Wuttinansurasit as Ongsa and Mix Wanut Sangtianprapai as Suansoon. 

Playing their adult versions are actors Toey Puwanat Ruengves as Ongsa and Teng Kanist Piyapaphakornkoon as Suansoon. 

Also in the series are actor and director Rong Kaomulkadee, actress Sine Inthira Charoenpura, actress Um Apasiri Nitibhon and actor Tom Phollawat Manuprasert. 

In the series, Ongsa and Suansoon are high school students who meet in a movie theater, get closer and fall in love. 

Suansoon is an orphan who feels sadness with the death of his parents. This changes when he meets Ongsa. 

Ten years later in 2018, Ongsa and Suansoon are living together. However, tragedy strikes on  their 10th anniversary as a couple when Ongsa gets into a car accident and falls into a coma. 

From the hospital, Suansoon boards a taxi to go home but when he reaches his destination, he finds himself in a time travel 10 years earlier in 2008 and meets the younger Ongsa and his younger self. 

IQiyi has released four episodes to date and each of the four episodes showcases brilliant dramatic scenes that will make viewers cry and empathize with the characters. 

“Absolute Zero” is a different take on the BL genre with its storyline on teenage romance against a fantasy backdrop of time travel.  

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Thai actors Tor and Mix in "Absolute Zero" (Screenshot from iQiyi, photo from Studio Wabi Sabi on Facebook) 

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Tor and Mix with director New Siwaj Sawatmaneeku (left) (Photo from Studio Wabi Sabi) 

For stars Mix and Tor, “Absolute Zero” became their vehicle to play lead roles.  

“But I didn’t expect to get this chance,” said Mix, 23, in his first-ever starring role in a drama, according to the “Absolute Zero” documentary uploaded by  entertainment company Studio Wabi Sabi.

He added, “If ‘Absolute Zero’ didn’t enter my life, I would have gone to find a job.” 

Director New said Mix is a good actor and he just needed to be put in a project where he could show his talent. 

“Mix is an excellent actor. He just needs someone to take him under the spotlight. I also told him, ‘Mix, this is your chance,’” he said. 

New has directed many series including “Double Savage” starring Ohm Pawat and Perth Tanapon Sukumpantanasan, “Our Skyy2,” “Between Us” and “A Boss and a Babe.” 

Through “Absolute Zero,” the director was able to draw out deep emotions from Mix and Tor especially in dramatic scenes. 

According to Tor, who is a new actor, “I was afraid that I couldn’t do it. I thought this role is different from me.” 

The director said after extra acting workshops, Tor improved a lot. 

“Working with Tor is a success for me. He’s always ready to learn and improve himself,” said New. 

The director urged viewers that “I hope you can pay more attention to ‘Absolute Zero.’ Because we spent three years on this project.” 

A new episode of “Absolute Zero” is released every Wednesday on iQiyi.