Lovely Writer – Series Review & Ending Explained

Story

Hit-and-miss story

Despite a solid premise, Lovely Writer suffers from some patchy storytelling issues in certain places. Not all the plots landed with success. For every interesting story, there are also a few flops and clunkers along that could've been done better.

In my opinion, the weakest link in the story is Aoey. His character was written too hazardously, just there to stir up drama for the sake of manufactured conflict, with a few overwrought angst scenes thrown in for good measure. Any plot to do with him just fell apart.

Some of the stories in Lovely Writer are fantastic though, taking place in an immersive universe that feels vibrant and colourful. I like it when the series plays around with narrative tropes, subverting our expectations of cultural norms that we take for granted. I also like the self-referential social commentary, subtly reflecting on the hot-topic issues in the BL genre.

Gene and Nubsib have intricate characterization, showing a lot of depth in their personalities and backstories as the series develops. The same courtesy is extended to minor characters like Hin, Tum, Tiffy, who all get their chance to shine in the spotlight at times. You'll find many of the characters lovable, with some interesting journeys for you to champion.

Romance

Strong romance

Lovely Writer is powered by a very strong romance between Gene and Nubsib. Both are complex protagonists with engaging personalities and an electrifying rapport between them. The beginning of their romance is cute and sweet, while a surprising twist at the midway point adds an even deeper layer to their relationship.

As a couple, Gene and Nubsib share so many memorable moments together. They kiss each other passionately with plenty of adorable and lighthearted interactions together. Nubsib is really charming and flirty with Gene from the start, which can be so fun to watch. At times, I wish he showed some agency outside of his feelings for Gene, since his character almost seems too lovesick over a guy.

Nonetheless, this is a sweet love story that develops superbly. It's a very satisfying journey to watch Nubsib win Gene over and have his feelings be reciprocated. There's enough romantic content to make watching all twelve episodes feel worthwhile.

Acting

Good acting

The acting in Lovely Writer is pretty great. Gene's actor (Up Poompat Iam-samang) is outstanding in his role, really embodying his character and making all the little quirks in his personality feel so authentic. His performance is so natural and relaxed that I have no trouble connecting with him. Plus, he's fantastic during the emotional scenes, nailing those powerful moments with nuance and sensitivity.

Nubsib is a good on-screen partner for Gene, and the two of them have excellent chemistry together. The actors are very comfortable with physical affection, which lends to the credibility of the couple. My initial reaction is that Nubsib's actor seems a little mismatched with his character's personality. However, I think the actor worked hard to overcome this discrepancy. By the end of the series, I felt like he really embraced the role and made this character his own.

Maybe I'm biased because I didn't like Aoey's character, but I couldn't connect with the actor playing him. His scrunched-up facial expressions irk me, whether he's fake smiling or fake crying. His character is a very complex role and I can feel the actor trying his best with the material. However, his performance just didn't work for me.

Ending

Boring ending

I didn't enjoy the final act of Lovely Writer, which felt slow and boring despite all this drama unfolding. It felt like the plot stopped in the first half of the final episode, with not much happening other than a lot of sulking and moping. You'd think the scandal involving Nubsib is the catalyst that triggers a lot of excitement, but the storyline never feels capitalized to its full potential. The plot seems deflated, as if all the action and momentum got leaked out.

Many of the storylines feel hastily resolved. The relationship between Aoey and Tiffy deteriorated so quickly, just eradicating a narrative that they spent time crafting over the series. Meanwhile, the relationship with Tum and his sister never achieved that intended impact, since she only appeared in a handful of scenes. As for Aoey's character, his character got the ending that he deserved, but his scenes have felt miserable for so long that I'm just numb to whatever happens to him.

After so much unnecessary angst about their breakup, Gene and Nubsib just got back together in such an anticlimactic way. The rest of the episode was dedicated to filler scenes that felt like pandering fanservice with no substance. There are so many other storylines that could've used more development in the finale, but they chose to spend the time on fluff instead.

There was a subplot about Gene not knowing how to finish the last chapter of his BL story, and I felt like Lovely Writer suffered from the exact same problem. The whole episode was just aimless, like they didn't know how to wrap up the storylines. This ending made me feel like the series gave up after eleven episodes of building a consistent plot. I was very disappointed, and it affected my overall review of the series.

Special episode

A month after the series ended, Lovely Writer released a special episode (surprisingly lengthy at 1 hour and 45 minutes long) that takes place two years later. Although the main characters are still together as a couple, they have grown distant as Gene works on his next novel. To reignite the spark, Nubsib tries to coax his boyfriend into filming a commercial together, but Gene seems quite uncomfortable about appearing on-screen.

As someone who didn't like the final episode of Lovely Writer, I thought this special served as a much better ending. The storytelling isn't completely smooth, suffering from a bizarre plot that could be way better executed. Nonetheless, the special episode is packed with humour, sincerity, and charm, reminding me why I liked this series in the first place. The episode ends sweetly and happily, wrapping up the Lovely Writer franchise on a triumphant note.

Social commentary

One of the most interesting aspects in Lovely Writer is its self-referential nature. This is a BL drama about the making of a BL series, as well as a BL story that focuses on a BL storyteller. Inevitably, there will be a lot of tongue-in-cheek references about the genre it is representing, making this series feel very "meta".

The references are pretty comical, usually involving Gene's hilarious editor. It's a hoot every time Bua makes a saucy remark about his work, such as her incessant need to include more steamy sex scenes. Of course, many a truth is said in jest. You'll notice Gene voicing his concerns that these romantic exchanges don't add anything to the story, even though Bua insists that's what the audience wants to see. Is he right or is she right? That's something for you, as the viewer, to decide.

Occasionally, the references in Lovely Writer are very pointed, highlighting some questionable components of the BL genre. In the first episode, the director said that he couldn't sell having an openly gay actor who is too effeminate as the lead in his series. Aoey has just the "right level" of femininity to make him marketable. One of the other characters challenges this notion, but the director insists that's what the industry wants.

It was an eye-opening moment, reflecting on the limited spectrum of LGBT representation that we see in BL dramas. Lovely Writer has a couple of similar scenes that make you think deeper about BL as a genre.

Sound effects

Those sound effects in the early episodes of Lovely Writer are so excessive that they deserve to be called out. Yo, what is up with the audio components of this BL drama!?

There are way too many kooky sound effects added to every line of dialogue. You would hear a jarring sound effect to enhance another sound effect, that is already added on top of a soundtrack, which is then overlaid onto a piece of dialogue. Watching the first episode was like a complete sensory overload. 🔊

The music is supposed to create a more comfortable atmosphere when viewing the drama, but I find it counterintuitive in the case of Lovely Writer. These sound effects made the episode pacing feel more frantic than it actually is. The good news is that they toned down the effects significantly, relaxing into a gentler groove after the first few episodes. I was relieved to hear a rare moment of silence in a subsequent episode. Finally, my ears get a break! 😭

Gene and Nubsib

Gene and Nubsib's relationship is the main selling point of Lovely Writer. The series does a fabulous job conveying the romance. Part of the appeal is the fantasy element, like watching fanfiction come to life. In the real world, a hotshot actor like Nubsib wouldn't pay that much attention to someone as unassuming as Gene. But in this BL drama, we get to watch this fairytale love story, where the shy dorky writer is seduced by the perfect prince charming.

At times, the romance almost feels a little too good to be true. Nubsib showed an inexplicable attraction to Gene from their first scene together. His expression was so filled with desire, looking like he wanted to devour Gene whole. Nubsib continued to be very assertive every episode, flirting constantly with increasing intensity. Sure, Gene is cute and definitely has his appeal, but you wonder what's so alluring about him that makes Nubsib this captivated?

While Nubsib's motivations always sat at the back of my mind, I paid more attention to the great chemistry between the two characters. They work extremely well as a couple. Their scenes are cute, their kisses are hot, and their personalities are just super fun to watch. It's a classic case of how opposites attract, creating a vibrant dynamic that is exciting to watch.

Are Gene and Nubsib cousins?

Episode 6 marks an important turning point in Lovely Writer, revealing that Gene and Nubsib shared a past connection. We thought Gene and Nubsib were strangers when they first met, but the two of them actually had a familiar history together.

However, that wasn't made clear during the episode, causing much confusion about the nature of their relationship. At first, I thought the shock twist was that Gene and Nubsib were cousins, especially since he called the woman who lived next door Auntie Orn. 😮 It didn't help that Gene reacted so dramatically to this discovery, making their relationship seem so much more scandalous.

No, Gene and Nubsib are not actually cousins. In the next episode, Lovely Writer made it clear these two are just childhood friends who used to be next-door neighbours. An extensive flashback showed that Gene and Nubsib used to be really close friends when they were young, so close that it made Gene's dad worry about the appropriateness. Even after all these years, Nubsib kept their childhood memories close to his heart, maintaining a huge crush on the guy next door.

Gene and Nubsib's history adds an interesting new dimension to their relationship dynamic. For starters, it explains why Nubsib is so attracted to Gene, stemming from years of a secret childhood crush. This is not just the random love story between an actor and a writer, but a tale of two childhood friends whose close bond spans over a decade.

Tum and Tiffy

Honestly, the Tum and Tiffy ship lost me from the moment her character revealed that she dated a girl. You can't just dangle this juicy piece of character detail in front of me and not expect me to jump on board. I don't want to see Tiffy end up with Tum when the prospect of her ~lezzing it up~ with another girl is so much more appealing. 👭 Sorry, but I'm watching BL dramas precisely because I don't want to see heterosexual couples succeed. (Okay, I'm kidding~)

Aside from the fact that we were robbed of a GL romance, I liked what they were trying to accomplish with the Tum and Tiffy relationship. Their characters inverted gender stereotypes by adopting more typically masculine or feminine interests that you wouldn't have associated with them. Tiffy does kickboxing and knows how to fix up a motorcycle, while Tum is good at sewing and comfortable with cosmetics. I thought this was a refreshing take against traditional cultural norms, which added a clever twist to their romance.

For the most part, this couple clicked for me. Tum had a precious personality and I adored his character from start to finish. As for Tiffy, I liked her a lot in the beginning back when she was very empathetic, but then she got kinda annoying near the end. Nonetheless, their relationship had plenty of enjoyable moments, and I found them to be a positive contribution to Lovely Writer overall.

Aoey and Mhok

It was hard to get immersed into the Aoey and Mhok relationship because they barely had any visibility. Mhok was a seriously marginalized character and he didn't exist for most of the series. The only times he makes an appearance is when they have to shoehorn him into the plot so that Aoey has someone to interact with. Otherwise, Mhok is such a nonessential character that his role could be entirely scrapped with zero impact on the plot.

One of the problems is that we know nothing about Mhok. He is like a plot device with no personality, no background, and no sense of identity. It's not even clear what his relationship is with Aoey's family, but I'm assuming he's dating the sister. Aoey is already a difficult character to like, so it doesn't help that his love interest is practically invisible. None of their scenes together were effective. Their impromptu kiss in Episode 5 came out of nowhere, and the love confession in Episode 9 was embarrassing to watch.

To be fair, it didn't seem like Lovely Writer wanted us to care about Aoey and Mhok as a couple. I suspect their relationship is some kind of dark and sinister cautionary tale, although I'm not sure what the exact message is. They were trying to warn us about…something with this relationship. Anyway, I was fine that they didn't end up together as a couple, because I couldn't care less about them. *shrugs*

Nubsib

How much you enjoy Lovely Writer in the beginning will depend on how much you buy into Nubsib's character. Do you think of him as charming every time he makes a suave move on Gene? Or do you find him manipulative, possessive, and verging on obsessive?

For the first half of the series, there's definitely intrigue surrounding the mysterious Nubsib. Everything we know about this character is only on a superficial surface level. He presents himself as a handsome actor who likes Gene for some reason, but what else do we know about his background or his motivations? It doesn't help that Nubsib comes across as the image of perfection, with his strapping good looks, self-assured confidence, and friendly disposition. When a character is seemingly so flawless, I can't help but question what lies beneath the illusion.

While I love Gene wholeheartedly without any reservations, I waver in my opinion of Nubsib sometimes and don't know whether I could trust him. Is he genuine? Or is it all an act? Why is he so smitten with Gene and what is his hidden agenda? Much like Gene himself, I maintained my guard around Nubsib, unwilling to let his character into my heart until I could be sure of his sincerity.

Nubsib's personality

In Episode 6, Nubsib's real identity was exposed, after Gene discovered that they used to know each other. Nubsib had put on a masterful act, pretending to be this prince charming who swept Gene off his feet in a whirlwind romance. In reality, he was a lovesick little boy, who used deceit and manipulation to trick his crush into liking him back.

Nubsib lied about who he was, and he also tricked Gene into their current living arrangement. I don't know how long Nubsib had planned on lying, but he did not commit the perfect crime. His lies were destined to be exposed at some point, since Gene would've found out about his background sooner or later. Either Nubsib didn't think about the consequences that carefully, or he underestimated how betrayed Gene would feel about his lies.

Nubsib's lies were an act of calculated recklessness, a term that you can also apply to his personality. He is somebody who uses a logical mindset (i.e. coming up with the deception) to act on his emotional desires (i.e. getting closer to Gene). I like to compare the concept of fire and ice to describe the dichotomy in his character. On the outside, Nubsib might seem very cool and calculating. But on the inside, he's quite passionate and fiery, especially for anything to do with Gene.

Why Nubsib lied

Nubsib kept his identity a secret because he didn't want his relationship with Gene to remain platonic. According to Nubsib, he thought Gene would've just treated him like a little brother based on their neighbourly bond. From his perspective, this was a necessary lie so that Gene would see him as a viable love interest, rather than just the kid he used to play childish games with. Look at me, I'm an adult now!

Was Nubsib right in his assumption? Personally, I don't think so. Of course, this existing knowledge would've affected their relationship dynamic, but not to the extent that a romance is made impossible. Gene has shown himself to be pretty open-minded. If anything, their shared history could've made him more comfortable and relaxed around Nubsib, instead of feeling flustered by this stranger's aggressive advances.

The more subtle issue is that Nubsib didn't want to relinquish the power over their relationship. As we know, his character likes to be in control and have things carried out exactly as he planned. By not disclosing his identity, this exclusive knowledge gives him the upper hand to shape his narrative around Gene. It lets Nubsib reinvent the image of himself, without being held back by past experiences or old memories.

What Nubsib wanted to avoid was the element of risk. He felt insecure that Gene would reject him based on the perceptions that he could not control. What if he doesn't like me for who I used to be? It is this uncertainty, not knowing how Gene would react to their complicated past, that prompted Nubsib to hide a significant portion of himself. He wants to control over how Gene perceives him, only showing the recent version, the best version, and the most perfect version of himself.

Nubsib's background

The second half of Lovely Writer answered a lot of questions I had about Nubsib, helping me to understand his character a lot better. Previously, he came across as too charming, too eager, and too perfect, like some kind of fairytale prince that I couldn't believe was real. However, his personality didn't change drastically through the series. What changed instead was my perception of him.

It was helpful to see Nubsib's interactions with his family, which offered some essential insights into his upbringing. Simply, Nubsib is the way he is because of his privilege. He is the youngest son of a wealthy, well-educated, and well-adjusted family. When you grow up in such idyllic circumstances, there's no surprise that Nubsib would turn out to be such a good egg. He acts like a fairytale prince because his life is an enchanted fairy tale.

His parents are not perfect, of course. The mom is on the conservative side, while the dad is too much of a shrewd businessman. However, it's evident that his parents love Nubsib, providing him with the best care, the best education, and the best resources to succeed in life. With this context, I finally understand that his charm and confidence are the products of a very blessed upbringing. There are some winners in life and Nubsib is one of them.

Nubsib's age

In the story, Nubsib is meant to be 20 years old, while Gene is 25 and about to turn 26. (In real life, both actors are actually the same age in their mid-twenties, and Gene's actor is even a few months younger than his costar.) The age difference between the characters is quite noticeable during the flashback episode. The five-year age gap may not seem too prominent as adults, but it really stands out back when they were kids.

Seeing the age disparity gives us some context into Nubsib's perspective. As a child, he had always looked up to Gene with admiration, and this feeling carried over into his adulthood. It might explain why Nubsib acts so eagerly around Gene, almost pandering to him with childlike enthusiasm. Nubsib feels the need to impress Gene, compensating for his younger age so that he can be seen as an equal.

Interestingly, Nubsib is a younger sibling, with an older brother who used to exclude him from activities during their childhood. This might explain where some of his character's clinginess and possessiveness came from. Those of you with a sibling can probably identify the common traits of a younger brother in Nubsib, hehe~ 😁 Once I started to see Nubsib as a needy little brother, a lot of his earlier behaviour started to make sense to me. His character felt relatable for the first time, and I liked him more because of this.

King of consent

I want to finish my character analysis of Nubsib by highlighting his most admirable quality. This man is the KING OF CONSENT. As flirtatious as he is, Nubsib always asks for consent before going too far with any of his romantic advances. Every intimate moment starts with him seeking permission, and he respectfully backs off if Gene isn't in the mood. This type of behaviour didn't just happen once or twice. He consistently abided by consensual encounters every single time throughout the series.

When Gene was too drunk, Nubsib would never think to take advantage of him. If Gene had said no, Nubsib would politely respect his partner's boundaries. Even when Gene was the one to initiate the advances, Nubsib would make sure his boyfriend was comfortable enough and not forcing himself to do something he doesn't want. It was truly exemplary behaviour from the perfect gentleman.

The BL genre has a notorious track record with consent in sexual encounters, which makes Lovely Writer all the more remarkable for holding this principled stance. In a time when so many men are called out for their problematic antics, Nubsib is a refreshing reminder of what class and dignity looks like. Let's all try to do better and strive to be like Nubsib in our romantic endeavours.

Gene

Gene's character is the most interesting to me whenever he wrestles with his sexuality. He didn't start this series completely comfortable with being gay. Even though he's famous for writing a gay love story, Gene would play the "Most BL writers are women!" card like some kind of plausible deniability. I don't mean to be rude, but it's not like straight men are lining up in queues to make their mark in the Boys Love genre either.

In Episode 4, Gene's nosy university friends asked if he liked men, prompting a very defensive response from him. While he's right that they shouldn't pry about his sexuality, you can feel the anxiety from his tense reply. It's clear that Gene doesn't show a lot of pride in being gay.

I highlight this struggle in the beginning because it's important to his coming out journey later in the series. After getting together with Nubsib, Gene makes the bold decision to tell their families about the relationship. No one was pressuring him, he wasn't at risk of getting caught, and coming out wouldn't be an easy conversation. Nonetheless, he persisted. It's a remarkably different stance from the same Gene who hemmed and hawed before telling everyone to mind their own business.

What changed? Well, Nubsib must've been a big positive influence. Gene is obviously so comfortable and confident in his relationship that he's willing to make this big life decision. He changes his original mentality because of the strong feelings for his boyfriend. For the first half of the series, it always seemed like Nubsib loved Gene more than the other way around. However, this moment showed that Gene also loved Nubsib just as much in his quiet, dignified way.

Hin

I enjoyed the minor subplot with Hin's character and thought this was one of the more successful storylines in Lovely Writer. While Gene was already a famous writer, Hin showed us the struggles and hardships of a writing career. He's financially broke, disrespected in his line of work, and faced with lots of criticisms over his writing. His character reminds us that it isn't easy to make it into this industry as a newcomer, no matter how hard you might work.

The differences between Gene and Hin are quite interesting. Keep in mind that Gene is very privileged with a well-to-do family and an ace education, whereas Hin comes from humble origins. Their backgrounds might be a factor that explains why one writer is successful and the other is still struggling. Gene is like the fairytale version of a writer, showcasing the most aspirational aspects that come with perks, privileges, and even a hot boyfriend.

Hin has a great scene in Episode 11 during a phone call with his mom. His character just got into big trouble at work and his writing career seemed to be going nowhere, so it felt like he reached the limit of his capabilities. Thankfully, his mom was so supportive, offering him emotional support in a time of need. Unlike Gene, Hin resembles the reality of what it's like to work as a writer, and this experience can be very brutal.

I'm glad that Hin found some success in the end. Admittedly, it's a little cynical that he only got published based on his connections with Gene and Bua, rather than his actual talent. Nonetheless, that is a reflection of how the industry works. I'm just glad that Hin's friendship with Gene remained intact and they helped each other out in their writing careers. We LOVE this coalition of gay writers who champion one another for success! 😊

Aoey

I guess Aoey is prominent enough that his character deserves some analysis, even though I don't really wanna write about him… 😞 The short version is that he's a mess. I feel bad judging him too harshly because of his tragic circumstances. His ex-boyfriend sucks, his father sucks, and his sister kinda sucks too. Aoey has been treated so terribly in his life, and while this doesn't justify his awful actions, you can tell he's in a world of hurt.

With that said, his character is just so emotionally draining to watch. Much like Nubsib or Tiffy, I feel the urge to abandon him and cut off this toxic bag of drama from my life. There's a maddening desperation to him with his incessant need to be loved, yet he does things so unlovable that you understand why he's in this situation today. Stop seducing someone else's boyfriend, stop telling malicious lies that you spiked his drink, stop crying crocodile tears for sympathy, and stop playing these twisted mind games.

Frankly, Aoey should not be working in the acting industry, which is only going to aggravate his worst qualities. He needs a fresh start, an entirely new support system, and definitely some long-term counselling. Most of all, he needs to stop lashing out at the world in such a self-destructive way. Nobody can help you, Aoey, unless you start helping yourself.