From Fame to Feudal: ‘I’m the Most Beautiful Count’ Brings Time Travel to Thai Screens
In the golden age of Thai Boys’ Love dramas, few series dare to bridge fantasy, politics, and identity the way I’m the Most Beautiful Count does. With time travel, reverse harem dynamics, and a bold critique of social inequality, this adaptation of the cult-favorite Thai webtoon “I Am the Most Beautiful Khun Khun in Siam” has already stirred both excitement and controversy—even before its first episode has aired.
Set to premiere on August 1, 2025, on Thailand’s One31 Channel, the drama will stream internationally via iQIYI (uncut version), airing new episodes every Friday at 10:15 PM (Thailand time).
🌏 From Webtoon Stardom to Global BL Spotlight
Originally published by independent creator Yuenthing Pangkap Thi Tha Phra (ยืนกินปากกาที่ท่าพระ), the webtoon debuted in 2021 and quickly became a viral favorite on platforms like Comiko and ManhwaTop. Its vibrant visual style, distinct character designs, and outspoken LGBTQ+ themes won a loyal following, especially for how it critiques both historical and modern social norms.
🎬 The Premise: A Modern Idol Trapped in a Nobleman’s Body
At the center of the story is Prince, a 21st-century queer celebrity known for his outspoken nature and flamboyant style. After an accident—possibly divine, possibly cursed—he wakes up in the body of Woradet, a strikingly beautiful nobleman in 19th-century Siam.
What starts as a fantasy of luxury soon reveals darker truths. LGBTQ+ individuals are criminalized. Hierarchy governs every aspect of life. And while Woradet could coast through this privileged world, his conscience—and his modern values—pull him toward rebellion.
🧨 Spoilers & Turning Points (Proceed Carefully)
⚠️ Spoiler Alert
As Woradet settles into his new identity, he begins attracting the attention of several powerful male figures in the palace. But it is Kosol, a stoic, physically imposing nobleman often judged for his skin color and common birth, who becomes the most important. Their relationship—tense, slow-burn, and eventually romantic—anchors the heart of the series.
In the webtoon’s mid-arc, Woradet risks his safety to speak publicly against a decree that criminalizes same-sex love. This moment marks a powerful tonal shift: the palace drama turns into revolution, and Prince’s mission becomes something larger than personal survival or love—he wants to change history.
🧑🤝🧑 The Leading Men: Cast Profiles
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Nut Supanut Lourhaphanich as Prince/Woradet
Known for his emotionally complex roles in Golden Blood and The Yearbook, Nut brings both humor and gravitas to the dual role of Prince/Woradet. Fans praise his physical transformation and charisma—essential for a character who must charm an entire palace while also challenging the system from within. -
Ping Orbnithi Dajkajorn as Kosol
Ping, a rising actor from Vice Versa and Astrophile, plays the role of Kosol—though not without controversy. In the webtoon, Kosol is a dark-skinned, muscular man whose physical appearance is central to the story’s commentary on colorism. Fans are divided on Ping’s lighter-skinned portrayal, fearing a loss of the original nuance.
🎥 Behind the Scenes: The Team Bringing It to Life
Directed by Oh Kritsada Techanilobon—best known for Secret Crush on You—the series is produced by CHANGE2561, a studio experienced in BL dramas but also criticized for choosing commercial appeal over accurate representation.
“They took one of the most socially relevant BL webtoons and made it into a pastel comedy? That’s disrespectful,” one Redditor wrote in a thread that quickly gained traction.
Many are watching closely to see whether the show stays true to the spirit of the source material or softens it for mainstream appeal.
📺 Where & When to Watch
Platform | Details |
---|---|
Thailand Broadcast | One31 Channel |
Streaming (International) | iQIYI (uncut version) |
Premiere Date | August 1, 2025 |
Schedule | Every Friday at 10:15 PM (Thailand time) |
Viewers can expect 12–16 episodes, though the exact number is still under wraps.
🗨️ Fan Expectations & Cultural Debate
Beyond the BL crowd, I’m the Most Beautiful Count is attracting attention from academics, activists, and historians for how it portrays gender identity, colorism, and class struggle in a period setting.
Webtoon loyalists are particularly vocal, pointing to the original’s refusal to romanticize privilege or erase uncomfortable truths.
“Woradet is not just pretty—he’s revolutionary. And Kosol isn’t a fanservice brute—he’s a reflection of every man who's been told he’s ‘less than’ because of his looks, background, or skin tone,” says a fan in a review thread.
🧾 Final Verdict
At its best, I’m the Most Beautiful Count is an ambitious tale of personal transformation, queer resistance, and historical fantasy. Whether the live-action series lives up to that potential remains to be seen—but with a talented cast, visually rich world-building, and one of the most talked-about BL scripts of the year, it is definitely one of 2025’s most anticipated shows.
Whether you're here for palace romance, LGBTQ+ power plays, or the time-travel twist—this is a story worth watching.
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