The Middleman's Love

Synopsis

Jade (Prarinyakorn Kansawa) is the middle child and often feels left out. He did just okay in school, and even if he's a competent graphic designer at work, he's not exactly the star of the office: his siblings and friends seem more successful and popular, which only makes him feel like he's always stuck in second place. Then Mai (Koraphat Lamnoi), a charismatic and popular intern, starts showing interest. Jade figures it's the same old stories, he's just the middleman again, thinking Mai is actually into his coworker Uea's intern Gus. Turns out Mai is genuinely interested in Jade, who is then forced to face his own insecurities and the way he sees himself.

Cast and characters

Main

Prarinyakorn Kansawa (Yim) as Jetaniphat (Jade)

Koraphat Lamnoi (Tutor) as Pakin (Mai)

Supporting

Siraphop Manithikhun (Net) as King Kunakorn

Supamongkon Wongwisut (James) as Uea Anol

Thanaphat Khajornchaikul (Tai) as Gus (Uea's intern)

Peerapun Chungcharoenpanich (Leo) as Tong (King's intern)

Teetut Chungmanirat (Thomas) as Gun

Sorntast Buangam (Mark) as Bas

Parnupat Anomakiti (Park) as Mongkol

Amarin Nitibhon (Am) as Jade's father

Nicole Theriault as Jade's mother

Sattaphong Phiangphor (Tao) as Jet (Jade's brother)

Inpalee Chotiruntananon (Ingkho) as Jan

Guest

Pete Thongchua as Mai's father

Pympan Chalayanacupt (Pym) as Mai's mother

Anupart Luangsodsai (Ngern) as Man

Gun Tieosuwan as Top

Jakkaphet Phiban (Petch) as Petch

Thakrit Chaiwut (Shell) as Boom

Nichapat Sujipinyo (Nycha) appears briefly in episode 4, uncredited

Production

The series is based on the novel Middleman's Love by Littlebbear96, originally published on Thai online platforms.

At first, Karn Kritsanaphan (Jimmy) and Sittichok Pueakpoolpol (Tommy) were supposed to play the leads. The series started filming on 10 May 2022 along with Bed Friend, another story by littlebbear96 set in the same universe, but on 15 August, Mandee Work announced that, due to personal issues involving Jimmy, both the actors had decided to withdraw, and filming was paused indefinitely. Ultimately, Koraphat Lamnoi (Tutor) and Prarinyakorn Kansawa (Yim) were brought in, after having already played a secondary couple in Cutie Pie (2022).

Filming happened throughout 2023, and the series was directed by Thanamin Wongskulphat (Cheewin), who had worked on Why R U? and Bed Friend.

Release

The series premiered on 10 November 2023, with new episodes airing every Friday. There were eight episodes in total, each about 49 minutes long. The final episode aired on 29 December 2023. Two versions were released. The standard version, with 49-minute episodes, aired on One31 and was also available on GagaOOLala and YouTube. The Uncut version, which runs 74 minutes per episode, came out exclusively on iQIYI with extra scenes that didn't make it to TV.

Reception

The series got attention from the Thai press, especially for the chemistry between Tutor and Yim. Thairath highlighted the pair as one of the most popular couples of the year, talking about how well they work together both on and off screen.