Flower Boy (Thai Series)

The mountain community’s relationship with the outside world is the most compelling idea in this eight-episode series. Some of its people produce a natural scent, and a perfume company sees that gift as a potential product. Each episode runs between 55 minutes and an hour; the premise promises a story about exploitation, family history and romance, though the series eventually settles into familiar territory.

That conflict begins when Scent becomes vice president of Kusuma, a well-known perfume company, after his father suffers a stroke. Pressed by his uncle to help the business, Scent travels into the mountains in search of the tribe. There he meets Gaysorn, its heir, who is guarded closely by the community—especially his grandmother. Gaysorn, meanwhile, longs to see the world beyond the mountains. His mother once went to the city and never returned.

Scent persuades Gaysorn to slip away with him to search for her. But his motives are not as generous as they appear: he intends to turn Gaysorn’s bodily scent into perfume. As the two grow closer, Scent’s guilt builds. The scent has not yet become a perfume, but he has already manipulated Gaysorn, acting under pressure from his uncle.

The search uncovers a darker history. Gaysorn’s mother had married the perfume laboratory worker at Kusuma, and the company made a fortune from her scent. When the truth came to light, the father was killed and the mother was abused until she died. Scent’s uncle initially tries to make his stroke-ridden father take the blame, but an old camera recording reveals the uncle was responsible. Once Gaysorn learns what happened to his mother, and grows weary of city life, he returns to the mountains. Scent recognizes the harm he has caused and follows him there.

The series has an engaging start, particularly in the pair’s first encounters: their exchanges, furtive looks and Scent’s near-seduction of Gaysorn make for alluring moments. The actors have worked together before, and their good looks, capable performances and established chemistry are familiar strengths. The story also finds warmth in two ordinary people who help Gaysorn; I expected them to turn out to be villains, so it was sweet that they did not. The subplot involving Scent’s ex-boyfriend, his rival and that man’s boyfriend is interesting, too.

But the sharp premise gives way to an ordinary, predictable show. Scent’s manipulation-to-redemption journey is easy to anticipate, while the CGI butterflies and pheromone effects are irritating distractions. The happy ending feels forced and unnecessary, especially with a secret admirer back in the village already crazy about Gaysorn. That relationship, rather than the one the show rushes toward, is the one I wish it had developed.

There is a thoughtful idea here about nature and the people who try to exploit it, but the series never gets beyond its own obvious turns. It is worth a try, though not especially memorable. (5.5/10)