MilkLove in 23.5 When the Earth Is Spinning Around: 2024’s Defining Pure Girls’ Love Story from Thailand
By Neptune
23.5 When the Earth Is Spinning Around is GMMTV’s first Girls’ Love series, starring the beloved on-screen couple MilkLove — Milk Pansa and Love Pattranite. This 2024 Thai drama follows a shy student and her secret online crush as they navigate identity, first love, and emotional challenges in a tender high school romance that captured fans across Asia.
“23.5 When the Earth Is Spinning Around” – GMMTV’s First Girls’ Love Series
In 2024, the Thai series 23.5 When the Earth Is Spinning Around was adapted from the original novel of the same name. The lead roles are played by Milk (Pansa Vosbein) and Love (Pattranite Limpatiyakorn). Produced by GMMTV, this is the company’s first GL (Girls’ Love) series. Upon its release, the show received an enthusiastic response, and the popularity of Milk and Love rose rapidly. Tickets for the finale event sold out quickly, and official merchandise was in high demand.
MilkLove: GMMTV’s First Girls’ Love Couple
Milk and Love first appeared together in the 2021 BL series Bad Buddy, playing the supporting couple Ink and Pa. Their strong chemistry attracted widespread attention and built a dedicated fanbase. At the time, fans were eager to see them team up again, though GMMTV remained focused on BL content.
After Bad Buddy, the two reunited in July 2022 as a couple cameo in Vice Versa. In August, they appeared in the mini-series Magic of Zero, specifically the Zero Photography segment — a spin-off episode continuing the story of Ink and Pa. Though only a single episode, it showcased MilkLove’s lasting popularity. In 2023, they returned once more in Our Skyy 2, continuing Ink and Pa’s story arc.
Finally, in November 2022, GMMTV announced their first co-lead series 23.5 When the Earth Is Spinning Around in its 2023 drama lineup. However, the series did not air until March 2024.
The drama concluded in late May 2024. Following its success, Milk and Love appeared as a couple at various promotional and brand events. Overseas fan meetings were held one after another — in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Tokyo, Osaka, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Macau — followed by upcoming stops in Singapore on October 19 and Bangkok on December 1. On December 8, they will join the GMMTV Live in Macau concert, performing alongside eight other BL couples.
In late November 2022, Thailand’s Channel 3 aired the country’s first GL series GAP the Series, sparking a nationwide trend. It marked the beginning of Thailand’s GL boom, with more productions bringing attention to new couples. Although GMMTV was slightly late in entering the genre, MilkLove’s overwhelming popularity suggests that the company will produce more GL content in the future. Many fans are hopeful that Milk and Love will be cast again in one of the upcoming series announced later this year.
Plot Summary
Ongsa (played by Milk), a shy girl about to enter 10th grade, moves with her family from Phuket to Bangkok. She lives with her parents and older sister Alpha (played by Ciize), as well as her cousin Aylin (played by View), who is the same age and temporarily staying with them. The family also has a golden retriever named Latte.
Ongsa is introverted and not good at socializing. She often talks to Latte and bonds closely with Aylin, who believes she’s an alien. Despite their quirks, the two girls form a genuine sisterly connection. Besides Latte and Aylin, Ongsa has a close friend on Instagram — Sun (played by Love), the second female lead.
Sun is a popular, beautiful girl who’s well-liked both at school and online. At first, Ongsa silently follows Sun’s account like a quiet admirer of a school celebrity. Over time, Ongsa starts to feel like she’s part of Sun’s real life.
Ongsa never expected their relationship to go beyond the internet. But on the first day of school, when Ongsa has no ride, she unexpectedly meets Sun, who offers her a lift — and from that moment, their story begins.
When the Earth Tilts 23.5 Degrees and Orbits the Sun
Ongsa’s Instagram username is “Earth,” and she follows only one account — Sun’s — just like how the Earth orbits only the Sun. Strangely, no one else follows the “Earth” account. One day, Sun becomes interested in Earth’s posts and becomes the first follower. They begin chatting on Instagram, and Sun slowly develops feelings for Earth.
As their online relationship deepens, Ongsa is torn over whether she should reveal that she is Earth. Since Sun assumes Earth is a boy, Ongsa fears being rejected. Eventually, Sun discovers the truth — that Earth is actually Ongsa — and after clearing up the misunderstanding, the two officially begin dating.
To Ongsa, Sun is the definition of perfection. Even after they start dating, Ongsa worries she’s not good enough for Sun — afraid of what others might think, and that she might drag Sun down. But Sun, always kind and thoughtful, sees through her insecurity and encourages her to simply be herself.
Still, love is never without its challenges. A series of misunderstandings and emotional hurdles put their relationship to the test. And so the question remains: between the Earth and the Sun — 149.6 million kilometers apart — will they grow closer, or remain forever distant?
Different Family Backgrounds Become Emotional Obstacles
Sun was raised in a warm and supportive household where she could talk openly with her parents, and her relationships were accepted without judgment. Ongsa, on the other hand, had a more distant relationship with her parents. Even after becoming a couple, Ongsa was afraid to tell her mother about Sun, fearing rejection. This caused emotional strain between them and eventually led to a breakup.
The series also portrays Ongsa’s sister Alpha. Alpha is the student council president, an outstanding student, and highly respected. As the eldest sibling, she feels responsible for her younger sisters, though a wall still exists between them. Ongsa and Aylin admire her, but also fear her, making open conversations difficult. Alpha feels sad and left out, realizing she’s always the last to know what’s going on. (Some of Alpha’s scenes were edited out of the YouTube version but are available on the DVD and Netflix editions, depending on region.)
Conclusion
While the story centers on Ongsa and Sun’s romantic relationship, it also includes other characters with unique personalities and lovable interactions. In addition to the charm of MilkLove, the show captures the sincerity and innocence of high school love. That may be one of the reasons why 23.5 When the Earth Is Spinning Around became an instant hit upon release.
