Midnight Series: Moonlight Chicken

Synopsis

Uncle Jim (Pirapat Watthanasetsiri) is the owner of Moonlight Chicken, a bustling late-night diner in Pattaya that specializes in khao man kai, offering unlimited servings to customers after midnight. He understands the struggle to make ends meet as the cost of living continues to skyrocket following the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only does he have numerous business expenses to bear, he is also responsible for taking care of his nephew, Li Ming (Nattawat Jirochtikul), who is about to graduate high school and is unsure about what he wants to do in the future.

One night, as Jim closes up his restaurant, he goes to wake up a drunken customer, Wen (Sahaphap Wongratch). Jim offers to drive Wen to the main street where he can get picked up by his friend. The two share a beer and go for an intimate stroll through the moonlit streets during the Moon Festival. When they arrive at the main street, Wen is fast asleep and his phone battery is dead. Unable to contact Wen's friend, Jim decides to bring Wen to his house. Beginning to sober up, Wen seductively expresses that he does not want to go home. Although Jim feels a connection with him, he hesitates, not wanting things to become complicated. Wen reassures Jim and the two share a passionate night together.

The next day, Li Ming offers to deliver an order to Officer Supoch's house, where his son, Heart (Norawit Titicharoenrak), is home alone and unaware of Li Ming's arrival. Heart gets startled when Li Ming taps him on the arm, causing him to drop a bottle of expensive liquor from which he was about to steal a drink. Li Ming later learns that Heart has been sheltered from the world by his parents after developing a hearing impairment around three years ago.

Having to settle and partially compensate for the damages, Li Ming asks to work for the family. He is tasked household chores and is asked to keep Heart company. Despite their rocky first encounter, Li Ming and Heart grow fond of each other as they spend time together, learn how to communicate using sign language, and begin to understand each other's personal struggles.

Meanwhile, Jim and Wen get closer after Jim accepts Wen's offer to work part-time at the diner during Li Ming's absence. Things get complicated when Wen learns that his company's redevelopment project includes a plan to demolish the buildings around Moonlight Chicken. What's more, Jim and Wen both carry emotional baggage from their past relationships.

Cast and characters

Main

Pirapat Watthanasetsiri (Earth) as Jaruek Nuengnauam (Jim)

Sahaphap Wongratch (Mix) as Wongsakorn Thunapakarn (Wen)

Supporting

Kanaphan Puitrakul (First) as Anantachai Lertwongsa (Alan)

Thanawat Rattanakitpaisan (Khaotung) as Gaipa

Norawit Titicharoenrak (Gemini) as Heart

Nattawat Jirochtikul (Fourth) as Lertpong Nuengnauam (Li Ming)

Pakin Kunaanuwit (Mark) as Saleng

Benyapa Jeenprasom (View) as Praew

Pornnapa Theptinnakorn (Sui) as Jintana (Heart's mother)

Suraphan Chaopaknam (A) as Officer Suphoch (Heart's father)

Narinthorn Na Bangchang (Aey) as Hongdarun Kansamut (Gaipa's mother)

Pijika Jittaputta (Lookwa) as Jam (Li Ming's mother)

Kittisak Patomburana (Jack) as Gong (Wen's friend)

Putthipong Jeerungulrith (Aof) as Aof

Phromphiriya Thongputtaruk (Papang) as Beam

Inthiporn Tamsukhin (Maxine) as Khwan

Guest

Chokchai Charoensuk as Chawin (Wen's stepfather) (Ep. 3)

Thepthana Pankawong Na Ayutthaya (Mac) as Pastor (Ep. 4)

Arun Asawasuebsakul (Ford) as Singer (Ep. 4)

Kornprom Niyomsil (Au) as Bubble tea vendor (Ep. 5)

Noppharnach Chaiyahwimhon (Aof) as Waiter (Ep. 5)

Kitsadee Phuangprayong (Best) as Tong (Jam's boyfriend) (Ep. 8)

Himawari Tajiri as Gam (Ep. 8)

Production

The series was announced at the GMMTV Borderless event on 1 December 2021. It was announced as one of three short series with a theme surrounding nightlife, collectively known as the Midnight Series, which also includes Midnight Motel (2022) and Dirty Laundry (2023). Director Aof Noppharnach shared that the idea of the Midnight Series project came from Dirty Laundry director Jojo Tichakorn Phukhaotong, who wanted to tell the story of the lives of people who may be considered as marginal and are often not explored in media, such as a motel staff member, a laundry girl or a chicken rice seller. They found that these people tend to spend their lives at night. Actor First Kanaphan adds that the theme of the series is reflected in its title, which represents the stories of those who gather at a chicken rice shop, who have struggles in life and endure the hardship of working until late at night.

The series marks the reunion of director Aof Noppharnach with Earth Pirapat, Mix Sahaphap, and Khaotung Thanawat, following the success of A Tale of Thousand Stars (2021). The series also reunites First Kanaphan and Khaotung Thanawat, who worked together in The Eclipse (2022). The series also brings in rising newcomers Gemini Norawit and Fourth Nattawat, who star in the concurrently airing series My School President (2022).

Marketing

The series was promoted with the Opening Night Moonlight Chicken event, a premiere screening of the first episode with the actors in attendance, held in Ballroom Hall 1–2 of the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center on 8 February 2023.

The series was wrapped up with the Moonlight Chicken Final Ep. Fan Meeting event, held at the True Icon Hall, Iconsiam on 2 March 2023. The event included performances by the cast, a Q&A session, as well as exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and deleted scenes.