Thai programmer BEC World is doubling down on its GL strategy, celebrating the launch this month of “Pls Love” (รักได้ไหม) on Chinese streamer iQiyi at the same time as fans raised money for a Times Square New York video billboard two days before the premiere.

BEC says the show, which reunites GL pair LenaMiu for the first time after “My Safe Zone” (รักสุดท้าย), is the best-rated GL debut ever on iQiyi and reflects growing international demand for Thai GL storytelling. iQiyi engagement data is not disclosed. 

On free-TV Channel 3, episode 1 on 11 Sept hit a rating of 1.174 (audience of just under 630,000, nationwide 4+); this is a win for GL, which typically rates below BL. A rating of 2 for a BL series would be considered good. Ratings for “Pls Love” episode 2 (18 Sept) will be out early this week.  

The eight-episode series is a story of second chances revolving around cold and seemingly perfect business heiress Phakinee (Peem) and one-time romantic interest Parnupsorn (Parn) who is now working as a hostess at a luxury club in Bangkok. Determined to keep Parn close, Peem hires her as a personal assistant, forcing them to confront unresolved feelings, pride, and painful misunderstandings. As secrets and class differences threaten to pull them apart, both women must decide if they are brave enough to trust and love each other again without judgement.

The series –  BEC World’s first global GL collaboration with iQiyi – released on 11 September, and airs every Friday at 8.30pm on free-TV Channel 3 in Thailand, followed by streaming on Ch3Plus and iQiyi at 10pm. 

BEC cites X’s trend charts in 31 countries, including #1 in Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.