Why Runaway Deserves a Spot on Your Thai GL Watchlist (Even If You're Not a Fan of Horror!) 👻
- rachwrites25
- Dec 29, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: 19 hours ago
If you’re a Thai GL fan who hesitated to start Runaway — or dropped it after a few episodes — you’re not alone. Compared to other GL series, it can feel quieter, less romantic, and at times, confusing.
The special effects aren’t flashy, the kisses don’t come early, and the story leans heavily on Thai folk beliefs that might be unfamiliar.
I was initially hesitant: I don't like horror because I get nightmares, but I gave it a shot, and I'm glad I did.
Runaway isn’t a series that wants to impress you immediately. It wants to work for your affection, and if you decide to stay, you'll be rewarded with a beautiful story that resonates and lingers long after it's over.
Why I Loved Runaway Even Though I'm Not a Horror Fan
Table of Contents:
As the first-ever Thai GL horror series, Runaway takes a risk that many sapphic stories don’t: it prioritizes atmosphere, emotional realism, and moral ambiguity over instant gratification.
And if you’re willing to meet it where it is, it offers one of the most haunting and thought-provoking GL experiences to date.
Here’s why I love Runaway — and why I think you should consider watching it.
Simple Storyline with a Culturally Rich Twist
At its core, Runaway tells a familiar story. It’s about a messy ex who can’t let go, a new lover caught in the crossfire (who's closely related to the ex), and unresolved emotions that refuse to stay buried and literally haunt the main couple.
What makes Runaway unique is how its author, Zonlicht, weaves Thai folk beliefs about karma, past lives, soulmates, and restless spirits into this otherwise recognizable framework.
The ex, Jomkwan (Piano Nichapat) is a spirit consumed by a thirst for vengeance. Win/Kornkavee (Miusic Praewa), isn’t only spiritually haunted, but also emotionally tortured, by her ex.
And Boon/Thamon (Plaifah Siraacha), is more than the new girlfriend — she’s Win’s soulmate and the only one capable of protecting her.
The central conflict is straightforward and easy to follow, but the cultural and spiritual layers keep the story unpredictable. Even when the premise feels familiar, the execution never is.
This balance makes Runaway surprisingly accessible, even if you’re new to Thai supernatural storytelling like me.
Horror Series Filled with Realistic Characters
Horror might be one of the last genres you associate with realism, but Runaway thrives on it. Ghosts and spirits may not align with everyone’s beliefs, but the emotional experiences of the characters are painfully grounded in reality.
It explores complicated attachments, trauma bonding, and grief — things that feel very real, even when the setting is supernatural.
Win and Boon’s relationship begins with immediate chemistry. Call it love at first sight or simple attraction, but anyone who’s experienced that instant spark will recognize it. As they endure increasingly terrifying circumstances together, that attraction deepens into something more meaningful.
This is a slow-burn romance in the truest sense. Unlike many GL series where intimacy happens early, Runaway holds back. We don’t even get a kiss until more than halfway through the series, but when it finally happens, it feels earned. And the soundtrack (beautifully sung by Miusic, who used to be an idol) made the scene even more magical.
The show excels at creating morally ambiguous characters. People you think you root for disappoint you. Characters you despise reveal layers that make you doubt your judgment.
There are no purely good or evil people here — only deeply flawed ones trying to survive their circumstances. That moral messiness is exactly what makes Runaway feel human.
The Scariest Thing Isn’t the Ghosts — It’s the Humans
If you’re avoiding Runaway because you’re afraid of jump scares, don’t worry. The ghosts don’t constantly lunge out at you. They're just there... existing.
Most of the fear comes through Win’s perspective — and Miusic deserves praise for portraying just how mentally and physically exhausting it is to be constantly haunted.
Before Boon enters the picture, Win is visibly unraveling, and that exhaustion is crucial to understanding why Boon becomes her safe space.
Plaifah embodies that sense of safety beautifully. As Boon, she doesn’t rely on grand gestures or dramatic dialogue.
Instead, her calm presence, measured reactions, and quiet protectiveness make her feel like a real person you would instinctively trust in a crisis. It’s a subtle performance, but one that anchors the series.
As the series progresses, even Jomkwan begins to feel less like a traditional villain. Her cruelty isn’t just physical — it’s psychological and emotional. Her motivations are painfully human, and at times, you forget she’s dead.
I also want to give props to Piano, who chose to play a ghost in her acting debut. In an industry that highly values actresses’ visuals, she chose to debut in a GL where she looks frightening for most of it. Mad respect to Piano for making that decision and committing fully to the role.
Ultimately, the most terrifying characters in Runaway aren’t spirits, but the people. Those who manipulate, guilt, shame, and exploit others for their own benefit. As more truths come to light, the definition of “villain” becomes increasingly complicated.
Runaway doesn’t ask you to pick sides easily — and that’s what makes it unsettling.
Not a Romance-Heavy GL, But Deeply Romantic
If you come to Runaway expecting constant physical intimacy, you may feel disappointed. This isn’t a series built on kisses, love confessions, or overt fanservice, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t romantic.
Romance lives in small gestures: shared fear, quiet reassurance, lingering looks, unwavering presence during moments of vulnerability, and sacrifice. Boon and Win’s bond feels intimate because it’s forged through survival, not spectacle.
Runaway understands that romance isn’t just about what lovers do — it’s about what they endure together and how they support each other in those trying times.
The Soundtrack That Snuck Up On Me
The songs — sung by Miusic and Piano — are beautifully written and sung, which isn’t surprising given that both are former idols.
I do wish I understood Thai well enough to fully grasp the original lyrics, because I suspect they’d hit even harder. Still, I was already deeply moved by the English translations.
Piano’s 'Born to Lose' perfectly captures why so many fans felt sympathy for Jomkwan despite everything she did. She truly loved Korn, and no one could tell her she was wrong for feeling that way — even when she knew Korn no longer felt the same.
Miusic’s 'Runaway' initially baffled me. After scenes filled with haunting and emotional torment, this soft, romantic ballad plays over the end credits.
But over time, I came to appreciate it as a form of emotional reprieve — a moment to breathe after everything that happened.
It’s now easily one of my favorite Thai GL songs of all time, especially because of the line “Can I have another lifetime by your side?” Wanting to love the same person across lifetimes feels way more romantic than a simple “I love you.”
I also loved how genius it was to replace 'Runaway' with 'Born to Lose' in the credits once Win, Boon, and the audience finally learn Jomkwan’s story.
By then, we no longer see her as just the terrifying ghost tormenting Win — we finally see the human underneath the pain, and this song gives us insight into her emotions.
A Series That Becomes a Mirror for the Audience
One of the most fascinating things about Runaway is how intensely it sparks discussion.
I’ve never seen another Thai GL provoke this level of discourse.
Viewers project their own experiences, values, and trauma onto the characters.
Some cosplay as attorneys, fiercely defending their favorite. Others analyze the story through astrology, psychology, or cultural context.
I found myself doing mental gymnastics — wondering if Jomkwan had untreated mental health issues, considering how therapy might have helped in a more modern setting, imagining what might have happened if she had learned to give herself the love she desperately wanted from Korn, and reflecting on how societal homophobia and family pressure shaped her desperation.
And yet — even with all that empathy — her actions remain unjustifiable. But then again, Korn isn’t innocent either, so what am I supposed to believe now?
Runaway refuses to give you easy answers. Instead, it invites reflection. What would you do? Who do you forgive? Where do you draw the line?
How to Watch Runaway If You're Not Into Horror
If you’re new to Thai supernatural storytelling, here are a few tips that can enhance your experience:
Don’t worry about understanding every detail immediately. The emotional arc matters more than the lore. And, when you're ready to learn more about the lore, there's a wealth of info on X because Zonlicht and Thai fans generously provided info about the cultural nuances we might have missed.
Let confusion happen. It often mirrors the characters’ own lack of clarity, but in time, you'll understand what's happening alongside Win and Boon.
Lower your expectations for special effects. This isn’t a big-budget horror series — and it doesn’t need to be because it delivered a great story regardless.
Focus on feelings, not answers. Runaway is about emotional truth, not neat resolutions.
Watch slowly. This isn’t a binge-and-forget series; it benefits from reflection between episodes.
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Give Runaway a Chance
Runaway isn’t a flashy, easy, or comforting watch. It doesn’t cater to global expectations of horror or romance. But what it offers instead is atmosphere, emotional weight, and characters that stay with you long after the end credits roll.
If you’re willing to watch with curiosity rather than expectation, Runaway might surprise you.
It’s not just a horror Thai GL — it’s a story about love, grief, resentment, and the terrifying consequences of not letting go. And sometimes, that kind of haunting is the most unforgettable of all.
TL;DR Review
I know not everyone likes to read long-form content, so thank you so much if you made it this far. But, if you're in a hurry, here's my quick take on Runaway:
Runaway isn’t flashy, overtly romantic, or easy — but it’s emotionally rich, culturally grounded, and deeply human. If you’re willing to sit with discomfort and ambiguity, you’ll find a haunting Thai GL that lingers long after it ends.
Where to Watch Runaway
Catch all episodes of Runaway for free and with English subs on GROW Entertainment's YouTube channel. Check out the pilot here:
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