Star in My Mind – Series Review & Ending Explained

Episode 1 April 8, 2022

Star in My Mind begins with a high school love confession. It's Nuea's last day of school before leaving to study in Germany for his senior year. Before he departs, our protagonist confesses his feelings to Kluen, his secret crush. Unfortunately, Kluen rejects him and leaves Nuea devastated.

More than a year later, Kluen and Nuea reunited on the university campus. Nuea pretends not to know Kluen before his new friends. However, the leads must share a dormitory, forcing them to interact. Kluen is snarky and teases Nuea occasionally. Nuea insists that he has gotten over his high school crush, although his actions indicate otherwise. The episode ends with a surprising kiss between the two main characters in broad daylight.

Episode 2 April 15, 2022

Nuea and Kluen are the only students staying in the dormitory over the weekend. Nuea agrees to go shopping with Kluen to buy a gift for his mom's birthday. They tease each other over a recent video, making the other students gush about their close relationship. Unable to find a suitable present, Nuea suggests drawing a portrait of Kluen's mom.

Nuea and Kluen bond as they draw the picture together. They almost kiss at one point, even though Kluen already has a girlfriend. Meanwhile, the leads prepare for the talent portion of their upcoming pageant competition. The episodes with Nuea sustaining an injury during rehearsal. Kluen gets jealous when a handsome stranger, Fah, steps in to help Nuea.

Episode 3 April 22, 2022

Fah is Nuea's older brother, who takes care of him after the injury. Kluen doesn't realize their relationship and feels jealous of their close bond. Nuea returns to the dormitory, where he spends the night drinking with his friends. An intoxicated Nuea sleeps in the same bed as Kluen. In the morning, Kluen is awake and enjoys cuddling his new bed buddy.

Nuea clarifies the misunderstanding and explains to Kluen that Fah is his sibling. Later, the leads visit Kluen's mom for her birthday party. She is a gracious hostess and welcomes Nuea enthusiastically. The birthday goes well, and all the characters have an enjoyable time. The episode ends with Kluen and Nuea chatting by the pool before they frolic playfully in the water.

Episode 4 April 29, 2022

It's the night of the pageant competition where Nuea and Kluen are competing. Nuea is nervous before the contest begins, but Kluen comforts him. They lock eyes and share an intimate moment. Nuea performs well on stage and responds eloquently during the Q&A session. Nonetheless, his friend Phoon wins the popularity contest.

After the contest, the group goes on a beach vacation to celebrate. Nuea and Kluen go on a cute date together, making custom-print t-shirts with their drawings. Meanwhile, Phoon becomes more assertive and steps up his flirting with Nuea. At night, Nuea's friend Papang confesses her feelings for him. He doesn't want to hurt Papang and avoids an explicit rejection, despite harbouring no feelings for Papang. 

The episode ends with Nuea confiding in Phoon about what happened earlier. Phoon comforts him charmingly and holds his hands. As Kluen observes their intimate interactions from a distance, he looks upset. He believes Nuea and Phoon are becoming a couple.

Episode 5 May 6, 2022

Nuea and Kluen have a thoughtful conversation in the middle of the night. Nuea is still upset about how he handles Papang's love confession. He remembers his failed confession in high school, which devastated him. He doesn't want to hurt Papang the same way.

Although Nuea acts standoffish around Phoon, his friend continues hitting on him. However, Nuea becomes annoyed after observing Kluen and Gia's close interactions at a social gathering. He leans on Phoon for emotional support. Kluen gets feisty after seeing them together. He confronts Nuea in the bathroom and kisses him impulsively. However, Nuea rejects the kiss and thinks his partner is toying with his feelings.

A flashback reveals that Kluen and Gia actually broke up in high school. Kluen realized he didn't have feelings for her after Nuea's confession. In present time, Nuea continues to act hostile towards his love interest. The episode ends with another heated confrontation in the parking lot, where Kluen initiates another kiss. This time, Nuea doesn't resist.

Episode 6 May 13, 2022

After the parking lot kiss, Nuea still believes Kluen is toying with him and can't accept his feelings. They tearfully part ways and spend the rest of the episode moping. Nuea's friends cheer him up and push him towards Kluen. Nuea visits Kluen's apartment after hearing that he has fallen ill. However, it was just a minor headache. Nonetheless, Nuea prepares food and takes care of him.

Kluen reveals that he broke up with Gia in high school, even though they remain close friends. He harbours secret feelings for Nuea since his love confession. However, Nuea questions his sincerity. Kluen suddenly leaves in the middle of their exchange because Gia calls him urgently. Nuea is further convinced that Kluen prioritizes Gia over him.

Meanwhile, Phoon asks Nuea to be his boyfriend for 24 hours. Phoon convinces Nuea that it is meant to give him closure. Nuea takes pity on his friend and agrees to this peculiar arrangement. Phoon immediately tells everyone they're dating, upsetting Kluen. Suddenly, Phoon kisses Nuea in front of everyone. Kluen is furious and punches his love rival. As they break into a physical brawl, Nuea breaks up their fight. He is angry at Kluen for resorting to violence.

Episode 7 May 20, 2022

Kluen cries after the argument with Nuea. He mopes around, reminisces past memories, and can't concentrate in class. The following day, Nuea tells Papang that he doesn't like her as more than a friend, breaking her heart. Later, Gia explains to Nuea why Kluen suddenly departed during the last episode. He came to her rescue after a violent fight with her real boyfriend. Gia insists she only has a platonic friendship with Kluea and reassures him Kluen's feelings are genuine.

A flashback shows Nuea's high school love confession. Although Kluen rejected him initially, he changed his mind and regretted his dismissive response. In present time, Nuea visits Kluen's home and forgives him for everything. They reconcile and officially become boyfriends. The leads spend time discussing the past. Kluen reveals he knew Nuea had been doing his art homework for him all along. The episode ends with Phoon approaching Nuea for a chat, the first time they communicated since the fight.

Episode 8 May 27, 2022

Phoon and Nuea have a sincere chat where they apologize to each other. Phoon accepts the reality and gives up pursuing his crush. Later, Nuea introduces his new boyfriend to Fah, who seems protective initially. However, Fah gives his approval and endorses his brother's relationship. Kluen and Nuea have cute lovey-dovey moments as a couple. They spend the evening sleeping in the same bed together.

Nuea and Kluen accompany their friends on a trip. They meet Prince, a wealthy young man who provides lodging for them. Nuea and Kluen's friends tease them for being a loved-up couple, which they accept in good spirits. The two boyfriends watch the stars together and reaffirm their love for each other. Nuea expresses amazement that he is in a relationship with his high school crush. They share an intimate kiss in the middle of the night.

Meanwhile, Fah is sorrowful after his old girlfriend marries his friend. She invites him to her wedding, where he becomes heavily intoxicated after the party. Fah drives under the influence with his friends, and the episode ends with him getting into a car accident. His story continues in the spin-off series, Sky in Your Heart.

Sky in Your Heart 2022 series sequel Drama review

Star in My Mind ends with a cliffhanger in the final episode, introducing the plot to Sky in Your Heart. Technically, it's more of a spin-off series than a sequel. Nonetheless, the second season follows up on the events after Star in My Mind. Unlike the original, Sky in Your Heart focuses on Dao's older brother, Fah. This doctor volunteers in a rural village after a drunken car accident. He meets a young schoolteacher and butts heads initially. Their relationship improves once they work past the early misunderstandings.

In my opinion, I prefer Sky in Your Heart over Star in My Mind. It's almost like a rip-off that follows a similar story as A Tale of Thousand Stars. Nonetheless, the casual and lighthearted drama is still pretty enjoyable. Sky in Your Heart isn't closely related to Star in My Mind, although watching both series may enrich your understanding. If you're a fan of Dao & Kluen, they appear in the spin-off with various cute relationship moments.