High School Frenemy — 2024’s Breakout Thai Drama with SkyNani’s Bromance Lighting Up Global Trends
By Neptune
Image via GMMTV on X
GMMTV’s High School Frenemy became a 2024 breakout hit. Sky and Nani’s emotional bromance captured fans worldwide, topping Twitter trends globally.
K-Drama Adaptation Turned Bromance Hit
High School Frenemy is adapted from the South Korean drama School 2013 (학교 2013) and premiered on October 14, 2024. It airs two episodes every Monday and Tuesday. This timeslot typically does not feature the most popular dramas, and the show is marketed as an ensemble cast with no officially announced on-screen couple (CP) actors. Surprisingly, the show quickly became a breakout hit. After episode 4 aired, it skyrocketed to the top of X (Twitter) Thailand trends, and by the time episode 10 was released, it reached the number one spot globally.
The two main characters are portrayed by Nani (Hirunkit Changkham), one of the Thai F4 from F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers, and Sky (Wongrawi Nathithon), who joined GMMTV just last year. Their subtle and restrained performances successfully depict the brotherly bond between their characters. As the story unfolds, viewers start to feel that “there’s more to the story,” and despite knowing it’s not a BL drama, many Thai BL fans still found themselves emotionally invested.
Former Co-stars View and June Reunite On Screen
Adding to the show’s charm is the reunion of fan-favorite co-stars View Benyapa Jeenprasom and June Wanwimol Jaenasavamethee, who share notable screen time. Twin actors AJ and JJ Chayakorn Jutamas also appear together in the series, giving fans a fun chance to distinguish between them.
Consisting of 16 episodes, High School Frenemy concluded with a highly anticipated fan meeting held at the Siam Pavalai Royal Grand Theatre in Siam Paragon, Bangkok. Tickets sold out within two hours—proof of the show’s massive popularity. Riding this momentum, GMMTV launched a line of merchandise including photocards, character standees (featuring Nani and Sky), keychains, and a collector’s edition DVD set.
Plot Summary
The story follows the long-standing rivalry between two campuses of Siam High School, where students frequently engage in fights and cause trouble. The principal decides to merge the Udon Phithak campus with the main campus, Thep Burapha. The main character, Shin (played by Nani), along with his friends, is transferred to the class of another main character, Saint (played by Sky). Apart from the personal conflict between Shin and Saint, a group of classmates also regularly targets Shin, making things even more complicated. The entire class is behind in academic performance, skipping classes and causing fights, making it a constant headache for the school and their homeroom teacher.
Shin and Saint used to be good friends, but due to certain events, they became enemies. At first, Shin strongly despises Saint and tries to push him away whenever they meet. However, Saint refuses to give up on him and even comes to his rescue in several dangerous situations. As a result, Shin begins to change his perception of Saint. Initially indifferent to class affairs, Saint starts to integrate into the group life because of Shin’s influence.
Beyond the main characters’ bromance, the backstories and developments of other characters are also intriguing. The class Saint is in is often referred to as a “problem class.” The students have various family issues, academic struggles, and economic pressures, which cause many problems. Despite this, both homeroom teachers continue to offer guidance and support to the students.
The ending may not be hard to guess, but the interactions between Sky and Nani throughout the drama are a key highlight. Many fans agree that while Sky and Nani have great chemistry, their brotherly bond doesn’t necessarily require them to form a couple. Riding on the wave of Sky and Nani’s rising popularity, GMMTV has arranged for the two to team up again in 2025, and it looks like the unofficial SkyNani duo will continue to thrive!
