Deep Night – Series Review & Episode Guide

Khem is a business administration student whose confidence often borders on arrogance. At university, he frequently clashes with Wela, a nerdy classmate who takes his studies seriously. Wela is the model student, which annoys Khem to no end. He enjoys taunting Wela and challenging his answers in class, turning each interaction into a playful rivalry. While Khem and his best friend Japan find the tension amusing, Wela is less entertained and sees Khem as a constant nuisance.

Khem is the only son of Freya, the owner of a Deep Night, a popular host club. A former showgirl, Freya has transformed her business into a high-end entertainment venue. She charges premium prices for admission and alcohol. In return, she provides spectacular acrobatic shows where entertainers perform artistic routines in mid-air. In addition, the club's handsome hosts accompany guests as they drink, earning generous tips whenever alcohol is purchased. However, the business has strict rules. Sexual activities are strictly forbidden. The hosts are only there for companionship, not physical intimacy.

Freya wants her son to learn the business and eventually take over the club's operations. However, Khem has little interest in the idea. Khem's divorced father and his aunt also disapprove of Freya's line of work. Aunt Sroi-Neng is especially critical, calling it "dirty money from a dirty bar run by a dirty woman." She believes Freya is a bad influence and insists Khem should work elsewhere. Despite this, Khem stays loyal to his mother. While he has no desire to run the club, he agrees to visit once and observe the nightly activities for her sake.

Khem watches the acrobatic show at the club and is shocked to see Wela performing in the air. Unlike his nerdy persona at school, Wela has transformed into a charming entertainer. Khem is even more surprised to learn that Wela is the top host at Deep Night, popular among clients who enjoy his company and tip him well. Curious about this new side of Wela, Khem decides to work at the club to learn more. However, Freya only gives him a parking valet job. She wants her son to start from the bottom and understand the business properly, even if the work isn't exciting.

Khem meets the staff at Deep Night, including Seiji, the club's second-best host after Wela. Seiji's best friend is Ken, and they often perform together. Other employees include Great, James, and Dai. However, Khem keeps his family connection a secret from his coworkers. Wela is annoyed to see his university rival working at the club. The two argue, and Khem threatens Wela since it isn't appropriate for students to work here. Wela insists he needs the job and takes it seriously. While Khem agrees to keep his secret, he becomes even more curious about Wela.

Deep Night has stunning acrobatic performances. The actors soar and glide in the air while showcasing graceful choreography. They swirl around, sway elegantly, and even hang upside down. Wow, what a sight to behold! The rest of the series doesn't look as glamorous. The visuals, decor, and styling lack the trendiness you'd expect from a modern BL drama. Even so, Deep Night deserves kudos for the aerial stunts, which are extraordinary and easily the most impressive part of the series.

Initially, Wela intrigues me because of his double life. By day, this nerdy business student takes school seriously. By night, he transforms into a charming Casanova who entertains customers for money. I also enjoy his feisty attitude. Even though Khem acts like an arrogant tool, Wela isn't intimidated and knows how to stand up for himself. However, his feelings change too abruptly. After setting up an enemies-to-lovers arc in Episode 1, Wela suddenly falls for Khem in Episode 2. Instead of a satisfying journey where the rivals win over each other, the series rushes their relationship and dives into a random sex scene.

Khem's flirting is so cringy. He has the sleaziest pick-up lines and gives off massive douchebag energy. I don't understand why Wela is attracted to him. Their romance feels contrived and doesn't develop naturally. Soon, another frustrating storyline begins. Khem gets jealous because Wela flirts with clients at work. This leads to repetitive scenes of Khem sulking and throwing tantrums. Wela is already mistreated by scumbags at the club, so I want his love interest to behave differently. Wela deserves a sweet and supportive partner, not a possessive control freak.

Deep Night hits a rough patch in the first few episodes. Khem's sleaziness and jealousy make him unlikeable, while Wela spends all his time fawning over rich men. Thankfully, the series improves in the second half. Khem has a redemption arc, learning from his mistakes and becoming more tolerable. It also expands on Wela's backstory, exploring personal details like his financial struggles and the dynamic with his mother. However, these subplots come too late in the story. By the time Wela finally gets character development, I have already lost interest in him.

Khem's actor (Shogun) dazzles with his modelesque good looks. In terms of handsomeness, he outclasses many BL stars in the industry. But besides being telegenic, he doesn't bring much personality to the role. His co-star (First) is a cute heartthrob with an angelic face. However, his performance is average. Most scenes don't do much to show off his charm. The rest of the cast is mediocre. The only spark comes from Freya's actress (Tanya), who commands attention with her charisma. Her scenes with Khem have genuine warmth, making their mother-son bond feel real.

The secondary romance is an annoying love triangle that drags on for too long. While their storyline has a surprise twist, I don't care about these three side characters or their relationship. The finale delivers a majestic acrobatic performance between the leads, along with some sweet relationship moments. I believe Khem is a changed man and Wela truly loves him, yet their romance still feels unengaging. Deep Night has failed to build the couple's chemistry early on. Even with a happy ending, I remain indifferent. Sadly, this mediocre series never manages to win me over.