Gen Y – Series Review & Ending Explained

Breakup

Wayu and Pha's relationship becomes a significant focus in Gen Y. The couple was happily in love at the start of the series, and Wayu appeared smitten with his boyfriend. However, the first episode ends with a shocking twist: these lovebirds have broken up. Pha suddenly dumped Wayu without any prior warning. He also quit school and went into hiding afterwards. Everyone was alarmed, confused, and shellshocked by his inexplicable actions.

This breakup is a brilliant bombshell dropped into the plot, sparking a long-term mystery around what happened to Pha. It leads to much intrigue, emotional drama, and several poignant moments during the story. I was compelled in the beginning and came up with many wild theories about Pha's disappearance:

• Pha was diagnosed with a terminal illness. He broke up with Wayu to spare him the heartbreak. He went into hiding to receive treatment overseas.
• Pha committed an illegal crime, possibly involving a death. He broke up with Wayu to avoid implicating him. He went into hiding to evade the police.
• Pha was blackmailed by Wayu's wealthy parents. Wayu's stern father disapproved of their relationship and forced them to break up. Pha went into hiding after being paid a lofty fortune with the condition of never contacting his boyfriend again.

Clearly, none of my theories came true in the end. 😂 However, I liked the speculative part of this storyline, appealing to the side of me who likes solving mysteries. The problem is that Gen Y dragged on this mystery for too long, making little progress and providing zero clues. I lost interest in finding out what happened to Pha when it seemed like the series wouldn't offer any answers. The storyline was a bust with no satisfying resolution after twelve episodes.

Wayu and Mark

Wayu doesn't respond well to his breakup. The scenes where he cries in the rain and the shower are a bit over-the-top, but they demonstrate the severity of his heartbreak. Getting dumped is bad enough, but it's even worse when you're blindsided. Plus, you have no idea why your boyfriend uprooted his entire life to avoid you. The shock, confusion, and misery contribute to agonizing circumstances, and I sympathize a lot with Wayu.

In the aftermath of Wayu's breakup, Mark is always there to play the role of a supportive friend. I like how this storyline brings out a different side to his character. Typically, Mark seems flippant and his life revolves around flirting with Kit. However, he shifts his priorities and focuses on comforting Wayu. There're various instances of Mark cheering up his friend or getting angry about Pha. Mark's contest to find Wayu's next boyfriend might seem silly. However, it comes from wanting to make his friend happy again.

Wayu also acts as a good friend to Mark, giving him gentle encouragement in his courtship with Kit. I love the support and solidarity between these two university buddies. They genuinely care about each other without any romantic feelings involved. The friendship between Mark and Wayu is one of the aspects that Gen Y gets right.

Mark vs Kit

Obviously, Wayu is the most affected by Pha's breakup and disappearance. However, there's also a ripple effect on the other characters and their relationships. The breakup causes loyalties to split between Mark and Kit over their difference of opinions. Mark is staunchly supportive of Wayu and sees Pha as the bad guy for dumping his friend. However, Kit remains defensive over his best friend and still takes Pha's side.

This storyline cleverly introduces a new dimension of conflict to Mark and Kit's relationship. Previously, their rapport was pretty one-sided. Mark would pursue Kit, only to get rejected. This dynamic is fine, but it's simple and limited in scope. However, the breakup pits these characters against each other and both sides have a valid rationale. The different allegiances complicates their relationship dynamic, making it more complex and compelling to watch.

Love confession

Later in the series, Kit's loyalty to Pha becomes a source of tension in his relationship with Mark. In Episode 6, Kit is so focused on arranging a secret rendezvous between Wayu and Pha that he neglects Mark's stunning love confession. Mark planned for many days to prepare this special moment, gathering signs, flowers, and all their friends in one place. Imagine someone pulling out all the stops to display their love for you, and your first reaction was, "brb! ttyl!" 😓

It wasn't the first time Kit rejected Mark, but this crushing blow made him give up on their relationship. Mark asks a valid question about why Kit is so mindful of Pha's love life and pays little attention to his own. While the scenes were somewhat awkwardly written, I like this kind of nuanced conflict between their characters. I think Gen Y is clever, using Wayu and Pha's relationship drama to cultivate tensions between Mark and Kit. The two BL romances aren't isolated, but they're intertwined to create a cohesive narrative.

After witnessing Mark's despair, Kit reflected on what he did wrong. He vowed to stop getting involved in his friend's relationship affairs. Instead, we see him focus more on Mark, showing increased affection and taking their relationship seriously. As a result, Mark and Kit's feelings strengthen due to their characters overcoming this conflict. 

Mark and Kit

Admittedly, I didn't warm to this couple in the beginning. Mark came across as a nuisance, refusing to leave Kit alone even when his feelings weren't reciprocated. He oversteps the line between 'cheeky' and 'creepy' on several occasions. His actions quickly approached harassment territory, not a favourable look for a BL romance. I needed him to tone down his annoying antics.

Fortunately, Gen Y finds the sweet spot with this romance soon enough. After a rocky start, the pairing settles into a more tolerable relationship dynamic. Mark still pesters his love interest immensely, but Kit seems more than capable of standing up for himself. Kit is the one in control, entertaining Mark occasionally and telling him off whenever he oversteps any lines.

The couple engages in plenty of fun interactions, where they flirt, banter, and tease each other harmlessly. Sparks flew, and I really liked this electrifying rapport between them. Every time Mark tries to pull his love interest closer, Kit would push him away but with less resistance each time. Their courtship becomes a test of perseverance until Mark's sincere displays of affection finally penetrate Kit's defenses.

Wayu and Pha

Despite taking up a lot of airtime, there's virtually no romantic content between Wayu and Pha. Their relationship moments are restricted to the first episode and several short flashbacks afterwards. Pha's name comes up constantly, but we never meet his character. This faceless stranger remains an enigma, making it tough to engage with his storyline because we have no attachment to him.

Gen Y doesn't reveal the reason why Pha dumped Wayu, at least not in the first season. However, I can't think of any justification that would make me understand or sympathize with Pha's character. Maybe I'm wrong, and there's a possibility Gen Y surprises me with an insightful explanation in the sequel. Right now, my opinion is that Pha broke Wayu's heart cruelly and insensitively. I can't imagine a scenario where Pha could redeem himself enough to change my stance. As far as I'm concerned, his romance with Wayu is a sunken ship.

Wayu and Thanu

My first impression of Thanu was a positive one. In Episode 3, Wayu hugged a stranger and mistook him as his ex-boyfriend. When Thanu turned around, we saw a tall, strapping stud with long mesmerizing eyelashes. The pretty cinematography, soothing soundtrack, and Thanu's wistful expression enhanced the lovely atmosphere. These elements harmonized together, creating a dreamy vibe that captivated me. I was hyped about Thanu's character after this romantic introduction.

However, none of Thanu's storylines developed interestingly. His character was involved in numerous prominent plots, including his two romances and an ongoing feud with Padbok. Despite taking centre stage, Thanu seems distant and I can't muster strong feelings towards him. He's a reserved character with a boring personality. His many scenes come and go without leaving an impression on me. Thanu is a charisma vacuum, draining any excitement from the plot.

Originally, Pha asked his buddy Thanu to look after Wayu. However, Thanu ends up falling in love during their time together. I'm not a fan of this messy relationship dynamic, which adds an unnecessary complication to the romance. I wish Thanu was a separate love interest with no baggage or connections tied to Pha. Between Wayu's two boyfriends, I do prefer Thanu over Pha, but it's not exactly a high bar. Overall, I'm indifferent to this BL couple and believe a spark is missing in their moments together.

Thanu and Phai

Thanu and Phai's love story relies heavily on the concept of serendipity. Although the characters haven't officially interacted, they'd show up at the same places and miss each other by a few seconds. Oddly, Thanu becomes fascinated with Phai and I'm not quite sure why. The basis of his attraction is perplexing when he doesn't know the guy and never communicates with him. Those repetitive scenes where they ~almost meet~ feel kinda random and meaningless.

In Episode 9, Thanu and Phai have their long-awaited first encounter. Shockingly, their romance takes an even more inexplicable turn after they meet. When their hands touch, both characters experience psychic visions of their future together. They foresee many passionate yet heartbreaking memories of themselves as a couple. It was a massive WTF curveball considering Gen Y had zero fantasy elements up until now. I was shocked and confused about why this series suddenly changed genres!?

The rest of Thanu and Phai's relationship moments are pretty boring. Their interactions are highly abstract, speculating over a romantic future that hasn't happened yet. Their serious discussions about destiny have a different tone from the fun, lighthearted vibe in Mark and Kit's dynamic. I also don't like how Thanu behaves indecisively near the end, flip-flopping between his two love interests. Just about the only thing I appreciate are the beautiful aesthetics in their scenes together. Otherwise, this bizarre BL couple fails to connect with me.

Thanu and Padbok

Technically, Thanu and Padbok aren't presented as a romance, but I must admit to shipping them at the start. Both characters were introduced around the same time in Episode 3, a bit later than the rest of the cast. I'm not one to complain when a BL drama suddenly parachutes in two hotties, so they're very welcomed additions to Gen Y. Without knowing much about their backstories, I already entertained the idea of these guys hooking up. My BL gears were turning~ 😚

Thanu and Padbok used to be friends until they fell out over a past misunderstanding. Annoyingly, the series never clarifies what happened between them. Padbok implies he was betrayed by his friend who left him in jail, but Gen Y hints that isn't the full story. Whatever the incident might be, it was significant enough to cause Thanu to defer his studies. While the mystery intrigued me initially, the lack of clarity made me lose interest over time, just like the Pha storyline.

Any fantasy of Padbok & Thanu going from enemies to lovers quickly got dashed. Padbok crosses the line with his aggressive antics. I was wary of his disturbing behaviour from the start, but thought his character could be rehabbed. However, the breaking point was when Padbok strangled Kit in the classroom. He escalated from campus bad boy to violent psycho, and I couldn't ship him anymore. This guy needs anger management classes more than he needs a BL romance. I'm starting to think Thanu left his friend in jail because Padbok deserves to be there. 

Pok and Tong

Oh my god, I hate this couple so much. Pok and Tong begin as a standard high school romance, but their relationship dynamic grows increasingly toxic. This BL couple raises many alarming red flags, from physical assault to emotional manipulation. I have no idea what was happening in the incoherent blackmail plot, but the scenes were unpleasant and uncomfortable to watch. Worst of all, Gen Y tries dressing up these problematic scenes as sexual tension when their interactions make my skin crawl. 🤢

I despise Pok and Tong equally. Both have unlikeable personalities, commit corrupt wrongdoings, and have zero rationales for their infuriating actions. Tong hires thugs to beat up his love interest, jeopardizing the latter's cherished swimming career. Pok coerces Tong into having sex with him, forcing his lustful feelings onto an unwilling target. These guys don't empower each other. Instead, they tear one another down through abuse and manipulation.

Besides their appalling behaviour, Pok and Tong also have dubious characterizations. They don't come across as complex villains because the writing feels superficial and inconsistent. These guys change their personalities based on whatever the plot demands for a specific moment. In my opinion, Pok and Tong are easily the worst part of Gen Y. The last few episodes are excruciating every time these characters appear. I shudder to think how Gen Y 2 will continue condoning their toxic dynamic to sell a palpable romance to the BL audience.

Phai and Sandee

Sandee doesn't have a significant presence in Gen Y. The first few episodes establish his character has a secret crush on Phai, but these feelings never amounted to anything. The pairing slipped out of my mind and I didn't think much about it initially. However, the Phai & Thanu romance was so dull that the Phai & Sandee relationship seemed more appealing by default. I rooted for Sandee to snatch Phai away from Thanu, if only to spare us from the endless destiny discussions.

For most of Gen Y, Sandee appears to be a mildly pleasant character with an affable personality. His character suddenly changes tracks in the last few episodes, turning into a secretly evil mastermind. Sandee was the one who blackmailed Tong. He also stirred the pot by meddling in Wayu and Thanu's romance. His diabolical actions aren't explained clearly, leaving us confused about this abrupt character transformation.

My theory is that Gen Y realized Sandee didn't stand out previously due to his bland personality. So, they crafted a new storyline on the spot and added a sinister twist to make him more compelling. It worked to a certain extent, prompting me to reassess his character. However, it also made Sandee far more annoying and much less likable. After his plotting and scheming, I can't picture him in a BL romance with Phai anymore. Overall, I think Sandee was slightly better as a boring nice guy than a contrived evil villain.

Jack and Koh

Gen Y teases a romance between Jack and Koh, who are good in small doses. They are comic relief characters who bring lighthearted silliness to the proceedings. Their flirting with Wayu is harmless fun, not meant to be taken seriously. While Jack and Koh aren't essential to the plot, I think their small contributions are pretty positive.

These two characters started out as competitors, vying for Wayu's affection. Even though Wayu has no interest in either of them, Jack and Koh continue being intense love rivals. They'd butt heads, bicker about everything, and undermine each other. As their feud continues, these two guys have developed a strange bond from disagreeing all the time. Although they deny their feelings, these former enemies are on their way to becoming an odd couple.

Jack and Koh might be minor characters, but their interactions are more enjoyable than most of the canon romances. They're the only couple to replicate the same upbeat energy as Mark and Kit, something sorely missing in the other relationships. The Wayu and Thanu romance is too angsty, while the Thanu and Phai scenes are too serious. And the less said about the miserable Pok and Tong couple, the better. Gen Y needs more cheerful joy in their storylines, which Jack and Koh can deliver.

Happy ending

The good news is that Gen Y has a happy ending where Mark and Kit remain a happy couple. Once they started dating a few episodes ago, there wasn't any contrived drama between them. In fact, they go under the radar in those last few episodes, disappearing from the action as the supporting cast takes over the spotlight. The final stretch of the series suffers significantly because we're missing the lighthearted scenes from this couple.

We still see Mark and Kit in several scenes, being adorable as always. Mark dotes on his boyfriend constantly. Kit pretends to be annoyed even though you can tell he doesn't mind the affections. The couple is in a good place by the end of the series, especially compared to how they were in the beginning. Mark's goofy sincerity has touched Kit, who enjoys having a boyfriend completely smitten with him. 😙

Pok and Tong sex

Mark and Kit don't get a full-fledged sex scene in Gen Y. The couple comes close in Episode 10, but they don't proceed with the deed. I guess they're saving themselves for the sequel? Surprisingly, the pair that consummates their relationship in the last episode is Pok and Tong. It's shocking because their characters have the worst relationship and they don't even like each other. Yet, an intoxicated Pok returns to his room and aggressively forces himself onto Tong.

After resisting the first attempt, Tong doesn't want to live with Pok anymore and wants to move out of the room. When Tong screams NO, Pok hears YES and continues harassing his roommate with invasive sexual advances. The interactions are predatory and incredibly uncomfortable to watch. Tong tries to exit the room, but Pok SLAMS his hand on the door and refuses to let him leave. "If you stay here, I can't guarantee what I will do to you!" Pok declares in a threatening voice. Well, maybe take your hand off the damn door handle then, you psycho! 😩

Nauseatingly, this problematic exchange is supposed to be "steamy" and the characters proceed to have sex. Tong makes up some bizarre rule where Pok can do anything except kiss him on the lips. After their sexual encounter, Pok pretends to be sweet and manipulates Tong emotionally. "Are you hurt?" "I'll take care of you." "Don't leave me." It's like watching an abusive boyfriend trying to sweet-talk his way out of trouble. Ugh, I hate this pairing so much and wish they'd disappear from the series.

Thanu chooses Wayu

The love triangle between Thanu, Phai, and Wayu gets resolved in the Gen Y ending. Phai has another psychic vision in the last episode and foresees Thanu getting hurt. He arrives just in time to prevent a potential accident. However, Thanu finally makes up his mind between his two love interests, choosing Wayu in the end. Subsequently, he tells Phai they should stop seeing each other.

Afterwards, Phai recreates their first encounter in the coffee shop. He asks Thanu to draw another message from the bowl. If Thanu picks the same note again, maybe their destinies are actually intertwined. However, a different piece of paper was picked, confirming they don't have that predestined connection. After Thanu leaves the store feeling reassured, Sandee reveals that Phai rigged the draw and filled the bowl with the same messages. Phai is satisfied with his deception as long as Thanu and Wayu can be happy together.

Earlier, Thanu gave Wayu the cold shoulder as he sorted out his feelings between his two love interests. That made Wayu upset, who thought they forged a meaningful connection. It was the first time he opened his heart after breaking up with Pha, only for Thanu to act insensitively towards him. Seeing Wayu's upset reaction prompts Thanu to realize where his feelings lie. Thanu confirms he wants them to have a romantic relationship. They almost kiss in the last episode, but Thanu hesitates in the final second, leaving their relationship on an ambiguous note.

Who is Pha?

Gen Y makes a deliberate decision to conceal Pha's identity from the viewers. We never see his appearance, which is always obstructed from the camera. There's an air of intrigue about someone you've never met, piquing your curiosity about him. It successfully builds the suspense and intensifies the mystery surrounding his character. With that said, it's annoying how we don't find out what Pha looks like until the final scene in the last episode.

For the viewers, it wasn't that surprising Pha shows up in Gen Y's cliffhanger ending. The series hid his identity for so long that it seems obvious they were headed for this shock revelation in the finale. However, all the characters are stunned to see Pha on campus again. We see his face for the first time, and Pha announces that he's back for good. Seeing his ex-boyfriend again takes Wayu by surprise. And then, the first season draws to an end at that exact moment. We'll have to wait until Gen Y 2 to hear Pha's explanation for leaving Wayu.

To be honest, I thought it was an anticlimactic ending. Pha's mystery was dragged out for twelve episodes and we still don't receive any answers until the final scene. They wanted to build a cliffhanger that encourages viewers to watch the Gen Y sequel. However, this series could've cut the awful subplots in the last few episodes and used that time to clarify Pha's mystery instead. I'm not that excited to watch Gen Y 2 and feel skeptical about the trajectory of the storylines. Whatever reason Pha has for leaving Wayu, I don't think it will be satisfactory.