Update 10/31: added info about the Thai Lakorn Series

A post I've been meaning to make since I posted my Nang’rai post

Lakorn's, Thai drama's, are the dramas that come out of Thailand and are parallel to other Asian dramas and telenovelas.

Overview

This post will contain just some basic information needed to introduce you to the world of lakorns.

I always like to do a break down of my longer posts so, if you'd like you can skip around.

So in order these are the topics I will be covering:

1. Terms/Vocab

2. Themes/Genre

3. Actors/Actresses

4. Remakes

5. Lakorn Series

6. Things to Expect

My own recommendations will be mixed in as well. You may have noticed already that I tend to have a bias and recommend my favorites, I'm sorry. This is something I'm trying to get better at and am working at it in this post.

Also, if not already, I plan to try and make favorites for some of the lakorns mentioned in the post (or someone else may feel free to) so if you become curious and wish to look them up you may easily.

1. Terms/Vocab

I decided to start with this section as it will help you understand some of the terms I will be using for the rest of the post.

So just a quick easy list of terms used in lakorns:

Lakorn = Thai Drama

Pra'ek = The Male Lead

Nang'ek = The Female Lead

Wondershare email and registration code. Nang'rai = Second Female Lead

Pra Rong = Second Male Lead

Koo Jin = Main couple/Ship couple/Fantasy couple

Hi-so = People from rich/high society

Dara = Superstar; Celebrity

Su Su = It’s a word of encouragement. Similar to “Gambatte Kudasai” in Japanese and “Fighting” in Korean Kissanime avatar season 2.

HONORIFICS are also very important, as in every day life, and are always included, even when adding English subtitles, unless it's purposefully meant as part of the script.

2. Themes and Genres

These are just some of the most common themes and genres found throughout must Thai Lakorns.

Slap-Kiss (Genre)

While Thai lakorns have basically the same genres as all other countries dramas do, Slap-Kiss is unique only to Thai lakorns. Probably the most popular genre, Slap-Kiss Lakorns usually have a revenge plot at its base.

A genre that is not for the faint of heart, as it usually contains rape, attempted rape, and mental abuses. Toad license key. Unethical behavior and the fact the the nang'ek can fall in love with the pra'ek in the end despite the abuse, may deter some from watching. Violence in one form or another is always included.

HOWEVER, lakorns, from my experience, have gotten just a little better at diluting these situations and of course it's not all violence vs. passion but that is the main component of it.

Some slap-kiss themed dramas I would recommend are Leh Ratee (2015), Game Rai Game Rak (specifically the second half), Sanaeha Sunya and Jam Loey Rak.

Comedy (Genre)

This genre is usually mixed with romance and some funny sounds. Like other countries, there are many romantic comedy lakorns produced yearly. While common between all countries, lakorns, have there own style and can be quite amusing if you get used to them.

Some nice rom coms, in my opinion would be, Kiss Me, Full House (Thai) - also under fake relationships, The Ugly Duck series, most of the U-Prince series and the 4 Hearts of the Mountains series has some comedy in them.

Historical (Genre)

Just like other countries, these lakorns take place in the past. While they can take place 100+ years in the past they can also take place closer to 10 or 5 years.

Some of m favorites would be the Suparburoot Jutathep, Neung Nai Suang, Two Spirit's Love (1/2 historical), Padiwarada, the Rising Sun series and KhaBadin.

Revenge (Theme)

Probably the most popular theme found in a range of dramas. While most common in slap-kiss lakorns, this theme can also be found in any genre as well.

Good lakorns that have a heavy revenge plot in them would include Sawan Biang, Sanaeha Sunya Kaen, and Pin Anong, as well the other 3 lakorns I just recommended under the slap-kiss genre.

Fake Relationships (Theme)

Just like in other dramas contract marriages can also be common in lakorns. And like all of those other dramas, our koo jin learn to understand and love each other in the end. Whether they are a result from revenge, self benefits, or forced by elders, the theme can be found in a wide range of lakorn genres. The genre this theme occurs in, will in the end have an affect on the development of their hate to love relationship.

Some of my favorite examples of these fake relationships from different genres are Full House (Thai), Piang Chai Kon Nee Mai Chai Poo Wised (When a Man Loves a Women), and Khun Samee Karmalor Tee Rak (aka Mu Darling (Fake) Huaband)

Mafia (Theme)

Some Thai lakorns feature and center around the mafia. Usually the pra'ek is part of the mafia. However in a few cases such as in Series 5 of the 5 part Luerd Mungkorn Series, the nang'ek can also be in a gang.

I haven't watched many of this theme but my favorite I did watch had to be Lueat Tat Lueat (aka blood vs. blood) and Roy Fun Tawan Duerd (part 2 of the Rising Sun series).

Birth Secret (Theme)

A common theme where, most often, is the cause from a switched at birth trope or twin talking the place of another. In some case it is also birth right.

I would suggest starting with Padiwarada, Ngao Jai (2015), Likit Fah Chata Din or Aya Ruk (2013). Padiwarada was my favorite out of these 4, though probably had the lowest extent of the theme.

3. Actors/Actresses

Many Thai actors started there careers as models and then branched into the acting scene. They also can be idols as many Thai actors and actresses also sing. They are pretty much a triple threats.

Unlike Korean actors or idols, Thai actors will sign with a tv channel, which also acts as a production label. They will hold music concerts, such as Channel 3's recent, Love is in the Air Concert, fan signs and other promotional events.

Some of the more popular channels are Channels 3,5, 7 and 8. While it does happen, for the amount of actors there are, it is rare that they will change channels.

4. Remakes

If you wonder why sometimes I put the year in parentheses, you must likely already guessed it, it is to distinguish it from its previous version.

Since the late 1990's lakorns have often remade older lakorns. This time with new actors and other minor modifications to the plot in order to fit the modern cultures expectations, as well as just trying to make it fresh with new variations on the same themes.

A wonderful remake I've seen recently is Kleun Cheewit. I've seen, in full, the 2017 remake and parts of the 1994, which was a remake of the original 1982 version. Kleun Cheewit (2017) had changed some things in its plot, again to fit modern audiences preference and (SPOILER)technically took out the 'rape' scenes. The 2017 was also labeled as drama while the other two were melodramas.

5. The Thai Lakorn Series

Thai lakorns, like most Asian dramas, are a finished story unlike western “cliffhanger” style tv shows. However something that is popular for lakorns is a series. These are dramas that are separate and have their own individual plot, but there is some elements that connect them all together, usually it is the characters themselves and an overall brief summary plot. Almost always, characters from the other parts of the series will cameo in the other lakorns that are part of the series.

For example, the Gentlemen Of Jutathep Series. It is a five part series that consists of five dramas centered around five brothers. Each lakorn focuses on the love story of one of the brothers, who are a part of a promise to another family that one of them will marry into the family. Spoiler alert: It actually never happens and they brothers find their own loves.

Another example would be the 4 Hearts of the Mountains series that is a 4 part series the tells the stories of fraternal quadruplets (3 boys and 1 girl). I’ll say my favorite of this series is Duang Jai Akkanee which has a contemporary Romeo and Juliet type feel.

Besides the two I just listed previously, other series I would recommend are The Hero’s Series, Ugly Duckling Series, Paragit Ruk, My Dear Loser, U-Prince, The Fire Series and Risin Sun Series (the last to are only 2 part series)

6. What to Expect

Some things that while they might not be in all lakorns, you should still look out for them.

1. 95% of the time is will be some sort of love story

2. Be prepared to be triggered a lot by the nang'rai as more often than not they are even more annoying than those second female leads of even rich mothers in other country's dramas.

To really understand what I'm talking about take a look at this blog I posted. It's very long so if anything just watch a few of the video clips and look at the ranking list at the end of the post.

3. While the lakorn may not be a slap-kiss genre or theme, there may be elements incorporated from the genre.

4. Usually a short amounts of episodes but longer lengths (which I like)

Usually if they're are longer episodes the length of each episode is also shorter.

5. There most likely will also be one or a few sub plots that tend to explain the 'why' you may ask yourself when focusing on the main plot.

6. The idea that 'real' kisses are rarely shown and kiss scenes are surprisingly reserved, modest, with the nang'ek acting shy mostly.

Even though they may be small sweet kiss on the forehead, cheek, nose, and sometimes lips, I still find it less awkward than some Kdrama kisses. You know the ones where they just press there lips together and stand practically still while the camera pans around them.

Its also interesting that they will shown beginning of rape scenes, attempted rape, and other physical abuse work majority of the kissing being on the neck. But they won't show any real deep kisses in other situations. Maybe this is to really show the contrast.

Well that's all I have for you in this post. Hope this information was helpful to understanding lakorns more.

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References and Sources

Wikipedia

AsianFuse Wiki

MyDramaList

MyDramaList: Cheer/CheerfulSoul

NekoMeowMeow

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Thanks to those who managed to read the whole thing and to those who only read certain sections.

I was going to make a post with suggested lakorns for those who are new them, but as I put some suggestions in this post, I may hold off and move on to my favorites series I've been planing.

Thanks for stopping by :blush: