Thai BL dramas are more than a wave of romantic storytelling; they have become a space where openness and inclusivity thrive, challenging old taboos and allowing audiences to explore the many shades of love without restrictions. Within this landscape, few duos have captured hearts quite like Boss Chaikamon Sermsongwittaya and Noeul Nuttarat Tangwai.

Together, the pair, known as Boss and Noeul, share a strong bond, portraying a couple on-screen while maintaining a genuine friendship off-screen. Representing a new generation of Thai actors unafraid to embrace vulnerability, they’ve become emblematic of how BL dramas can connect cultures and encourage empathy. Both artists are managed by Me Mind Y, the production company known for making some of Thailand’s most beloved romantic series.

The pair’s breakout came with the hit Love in the Air, where Noeul’s Rain and Boss’s Phayu brought spark and warmth to a story of love, a performance that boosted their popularity and showed the growing depth of BL storytelling in Thailand. The Boy Next World sees the pair reuniting for a new kind of love story, one enriched with fantasy and questions of destiny. Boss takes on the role of Sas (or Cirrus), while Noeul plays Pukan (or Phugun), merging intimacy with the imagination of a multiverse.

And guess what, on December 14th in Rome, Italy, Boss and Noeul will hold their first-ever fan meet in Europe! As part of the JIB FANMEET, the duo will connect with fans, perform, and simply enjoy spending time with the audience who have been excited to see them in person.

Thanks to the kindness of MMY and JUS IN BELLO, we had the pleasure of chatting with Boss and Noeul ahead of the event about their latest roles, their dynamic as co-stars, and what they’re most looking forward to in Rome.

Working with stories that already have a big fanbase is exciting, but it comes with responsibility. Fans already have an idea of how characters should feel or look, so I study the original work carefully to understand what MAME intended, and then add my own interpretation to make the character come alive in a fresh way. – BOSS

VOA: In Love in the Air, your character Phayu was a confident, older student and biker. What part of Phayu’s personality stayed with you even after filming ended?

Boss: Phayu is confident, calm, and always takes responsibility for his actions. After filming, I realized some of that confidence stayed with me – especially the way he handles situations with maturity. It helped me grow, not just as an actor, but as a person.

VOA: Rain in Love in the Air had a bright, emotional personality. Looking back, what was the biggest challenge and reward in bringing him to life?

Noeul: The biggest challenge was showing Rain’s emotions naturally – he’s full of energy but also deeply sensitive. I wanted the audience to see both sides of him. The reward was hearing people say they felt happy or comforted because of Rain.

VOA: In The Boy Next World, you’re stepping into Cirrus, a character from a parallel universe. How did you balance the sci-fi elements with the romantic storyline?

Boss: I focused first on the emotional truth of the character. Cirrus may be from another universe, but his feelings are real. The sci-fi setting adds atmosphere, but the heart of the story is about love and connection. I tried to keep that human side strong even in this otherworldly context.

VOA: And Phugun, your character in The Boy Next World, has to process someone claiming to be his boyfriend from another universe. How did you tap into those emotions?

Noeul: I tried to imagine how it would feel if someone suddenly appeared and said they were my boyfriend from another universe! (laughs) It’s confusing, funny, but also touching. I focused on Phugun’s emotions – fear, curiosity, and eventually love – to make it feel real despite the fantastical situation.

VOA: Both your series are based on MAME’s novels. How does working with such beloved source material influence your approach?

Boss: Working with stories that already have a big fanbase is exciting, but it comes with responsibility. Fans already have an idea of how characters should feel or look, so I study the original work carefully to understand what MAME intended, and then add my own interpretation to make the character come alive in a fresh way.

VOA: From Rain to Phugun, your characters have very different energies. How do you adapt to show such contrast?

Noeul: Rain is shy, talkative, and sweet – emotionally sensitive yet deeply sincere in love. Phugun, on the other hand, is an ordinary man suddenly faced with the unexplainable when someone from another universe claims to be his boyfriend. Before filming, I reset myself completely – different mindset, different rhythm of speaking. Exploring these contrasts is fun as an actor.

Even though the project [“The Boy Next World”] was intense with emotional scenes, the team took such good care of each other. The staff constantly checked on us because some scenes required us to go deep into our emotions. But once the camera stopped rolling, we always ended up laughing together. It was a set that felt both comfortable and challenging at the same time. – NOEUL

VOA: You’ve now worked together for a while. What’s the biggest difference between filming Love in the Air and The Boy Next World?

Boss: In Love in the Air, everything was new – we were still learning how to work together. In The Boy Next World, we already have trust and rhythm, so we can explore more emotional depth.

Noeul: Yes, the story this time is more complex and the atmosphere is different, but our teamwork makes everything smoother and more enjoyable.

VOA: Are there any behind-the-scenes memories or fun moments during shooting you’d like to share with fans?

Boss: There were many funny moments – sometimes during serious scenes, one of us would accidentally laugh, and everyone would follow. But there were also tough days. I actually caught the flu after shooting a long sequence in the rain that went from day to night. Even so, the team’s energy kept me going. Everyone looked after each other, and that warmth made the experience unforgettable.

Noeul: Even though the project was intense with emotional scenes, the team took such good care of each other. The staff constantly checked on us because some scenes required us to go deep into our emotions. But once the camera stopped rolling, we always ended up laughing together. It was a set that felt both comfortable and challenging at the same time.

VOA: You’ll soon meet your international fans in Rome at the JIB Fanmeet. What are you most looking forward to, and how do you feel about bringing your work closer to fans abroad?

Boss: I’m really excited to meet European fans for the first time. I want to share our energy and thank them in person for all the support we’ve felt from afar.

Noeul: I’ve actually been to Rome before, and the city left an impression – the atmosphere, the people, the history. This time, I’m especially looking forward to experiencing it again through our fans’ eyes. Hearing different languages and seeing their reactions in person reminds me how far our work can travel and how connected we all are through these stories.

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Featured image courtesy of MMY & JUS IN BELLO

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