Breaking away from standard Boy’s Love tropes to offer a fresh, authentic, and vibrant look at youth relationships, GELBOYS has established itself as one of the most distinctive series in contemporary teen drama. Through a visually rich setting and delightfully imperfect, deeply relatable characters, the show explores the raw complexities, confusion, and genuine emotions of growing up.
Ahead of their appearance at The A Festival in Paris, we spoke with the four lead stars of the series: New Chayapak (FourMod), Pide Monthapoom (Chian), PJ Mahidol (Baabin), and Leon Zech (Bua). From their initial reactions to the unique script and stepping away from traditional BL expectations, to the essential Thai comforts they pack in their suitcases while on the road, here is what they shared with us.
Contemporary youth series often rely on familiar environments, but GELBOYS stands out for its distinct atmosphere and narrative setup, which diverges from typical BL tropes. For New Chayapak (FourMod), Pide Monthapoom (Chian), PJ Mahidol (Baabin), and Leon Zech (Bua), what was your immediate reaction to this unique world when reading the script, and how did the setting help shape the way you brought your characters to life?
Pide: I felt that it was a very fresh and expansive world, with a really distinctive atmosphere. Honestly, when the series came out, I was even more surprised because it was so much more beautiful than I had imagined. I feel very honoured to have had the opportunity to bring colour and energy to this vibrant world and share it with audiences.
New: I was really excited to be part of the project. GELBOYS is something I’m genuinely proud of. When I first read the script, I remember thinking, “This is so good. The writing team is amazing.” I’m also very grateful that they trusted me with this role. The youthful and colourful world of GELBOYS makes every day on set exciting and fun for me.
PJ: I was really excited because it felt very new. I hadn’t seen the series where the characters’ relationships are connected and intertwined in so many different ways. The GELBOYS universe is also very colourful, fashionable, and visually distinctive, which made it easier for me to step into the character and understand the world he lives in.
Leon: When I first read the script, I felt like the world of GELBOYS was very close to real life. It wasn’t trying to make teenagers look perfect. They could be messy, confusing, selfish, sweet—sometimes all at the same time.I think the setting also helped a lot because it felt very familiar. It gave me little details that I could use to understand my character and imagine how he would actually live and behave in that world.
Instead of following standard romance formulas, the series explores unpredictable, multi-layered relationships between FourMod, Chian, Baabin, and Bua. As actors, how did it feel to step away from traditional BL expectations, and did you anticipate how strongly audiences would resonate with these more realistic character arcs?
Pide: To be honest, when I first read the script, I didn’t have very high expectations. I simply wanted the audience to understand this young person who was trying to deal with a life full of questions while searching for love in his own way. Most importantly, I wanted viewers to have fun with the characters’ problems and grow alongside them through every scene and every episode.
New: When it came to portraying the emotions, we didn’t overthink it. We simply felt what the characters were feeling and expressed it that way. It was almost like capturing a moment in the life of a young person who is growing up. I never expected people to connect with it this deeply. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who watched, connected with the story, and appreciated what we were trying to create. Thank you so much.
PJ: It was challenging at first, but the director helped us understand the emotions and relationships, which made the process much easier. I also felt that audiences would connect with the story because every character has their own reasons behind the things they do, even when their decisions may not always be right.
Leon: It was definitely challenging because the relationships in GELBOYS are not simple. There are a lot of feelings happening at the same time, and sometimes even the characters themselves don’t know exactly what they’re feeling. I honestly didn’t expect the audience to connect with them this deeply. But I’m really happy that they did, because I think it means people saw something real in these characters.
Navigating long flights, hotel stays, and packed international schedules requires finding small ways to maintain a sense of familiarity on the road. What is the one essential comfort item or favorite snack from Thailand that New, Pide, PJ, and Leon always carry in their suitcases to make any destination feel like home?
Pide: I always carry a Buddhist amulet ring and a bracelet that I received after visiting a temple. I keep them with me whenever I travel abroad for work. I also always pack Thai herbal medicine such as Fah Talai Jone. My dad always tells me to bring it just in case I get sick, so I figure it never hurts to have it with me.
New: For me, it would be my favourite pajamas—the ones I wear at home—and a Thai herbal inhaler. Having those little familiar things with me makes travelling feel much more comfortable.
PJ: Thai Instant noodles. Just having that familiar Thai flavour can bring back memories from childhood. Eating them abroad somehow makes me feel like I’m back home again.
Leon: For me, it would probably be Thai snacks. I always need to have something a little spicy or something with that Thai flavour when I travel. And honestly, sometimes it’s not even a specific thing. Hearing Thai around me, eating Thai food, or just talking to my friends can instantly make me feel at home—especially when I’m somewhere far away like Paris.
Elisa Cutullè