Cutie Pie (TV series)

Cutie Pie (นิ่งเฮียก็หาว่าซื่อ) is a 2022 Thai BL romance drama television series, starring Pruk Panich (Zee) and Chawarin Perdpiriyawong (NuNew).

The first season aired from February 19 to May 14, 2022, on Workpoint TV every Saturday at 22:30 (BMT) for 12 episodes. It was followed by a special 4-episode second season titled Cutie Pie 2 You (นิ่งเฮีย 2 You) that aired from January 6 to January 27, 2023.

Season one
Lian and Kuea have been engaged since childhood because of a promise between their grandparents. Growing up, Lian has become a cold and serious businessman; on the other hand, Kuea is a free-spirited university student who loves motorbikes and music, but he hides his true nature behind a poised facade to please Lian. Unbeknownst to Kuea, Lian is actually aware that his betrothed is not the pleasing doll he pretends to be and that Kuea sings in a bar under the pseudonym of Kirin.

When Kuea finds out Lian doesn't love him back, he declares he wants to break off the engagement and, at that, Lian takes Kuea to his home to live together and try to make him change his mind.

Season two
After Kuea graduates from university, Lian starts planning their wedding ceremony. In the meantime, Kuea receives an offer to debut as an idol in South Korea.

Cast and characters

 * Pruk Panich (Zee) as Lian Kilen Wang, a young businessman of Chinese descent, owner of Kilen company
 * Achita Panyamang as child Lian Kilen Wang
 * Chawarin Perdpiriyawong (NuNew) as Kuea Keerati, a university student from an aristocratic family who is majoring in Engineering
 * Natasitt Uareksit (Nat) as Thacha Wongtheerawit "Kondiao", Kuea's best friend
 * Punnathorn Pornprasit (Kuma) as child Kondiao
 * Kornthas Rujeerattanavorapan (Max) as Phayak Chatdecha Chen "Yi", Lian's best friend
 * Pakapon Tanphanich (RoodBus) as child Yi
 * Pharinyakorn Khansawa (Yim) as Syn-Samer "Syn", Kuea's classmate
 * Koraphat Lamnoi (Tutor) as Nuer, Kuea's classmate
 * Nakhun Screaigh (Perth) as Jay, owner of Gemini Club
 * Ratchapong Anomakiti (Poppy) as Foei, Lian's secretary and driver
 * Piamchon Damrongsunthornchai (Tonnam) as Ton-Rak "Ton", Kuea's classmate
 * Purewarin Kosiriwalanon (Pure) as Nuchy, Kuea's classmate
 * Jirakit Kanjanawaraporn (Barbell) as Pongsatorn "Jab", Kuea's classmate
 * Athiwad Sanidwong Na Ayoodthayaa (Ton) as Auea, Kuea's grandfather
 * Paramej Noiam (Plai) as Auea's partner
 * Noppanut Guntachai (Boun) as Top, Lian's friend
 * Warut Chawalitrujiwong (Prem) as Win, Lian's friend
 * Sorntast Buangam (Mark) as Black, Lian's friend
 * Ornvipa Assavanig as Jennie, Lian's business partner
 * Poramaporn Jangkamol (June) as Kewarin, Kuea's mother
 * Janya Thanasawaangkoun (Ya) as Ja, Kuea's housekeeper
 * Phutharit Prombandal (Wit) as Cai Wang, Lian's father

Production
The production of a live action adaptation of BamBam's best-selling novel titled Cutie Pie was announced on March 28, 2021. The main cast was revealed between May and June 2021, while, in October, a partnership between Mandee Work, Domundi and WeTV was established. The first trailer was published on October 21, 2021. Filming for the first season started on October 27, 2021 and ended on April 4, 2022.

The second season started shooting on September 22 and finished on November 4, 2022. The trailer was released on December 27, 2022.

Original soundtrack
Cutie Pie didn't release a full soundtrack album; instead, the songs were released as stand-alone singles. The soundtrack was composed by Amp Achariya Dulyapaiboon.

Reception
The series trended at #1 on Twitter every week during its run, and was popular both in Thailand and abroad, especially in other Asian countries like South Korea, Japan and China. The total number of views on Mandee YouTube channel, where Cutie Pie was uploaded one hour after broadcast, surpassed 100 millions with episode 8 and 120 millions with episode 10. The series' popularity on social media continued with the second season.

Cutie Pie was appreciated for teaching that love is learning to accept each other as who you are instead of trying to be perfect. It was also praised for its photography, and the concise and modern storytelling. After the first episode, The Standard wrote that Cutie Pie took viewers to explore the life and marriage inequality of gay couples, and that it was an important voice for the LGBTQ+ community.