23.5 (Thai GL) – Season 1 Episode 8 Recap & Review

The Starry Night

Episode 8 of 23.5 begins with Ongsa and Sun video-calling each other before sleeping and flirting. Their love for the stars has Sun wishing they could stargaze together.

At school, Ongsa still doesn’t want people to know they are dating. But this time it is not a gender issue. Sun is an all-rounder and popular while Ongsa thinks she is a loser. She also doesn’t know how to act around Sun.

Chaereon decides to help her by taking her to a love guru – a monk who was a playboy in the past. He feigns ignorance before going into a sermon which doesn’t help them. They wonder why Aylin has joined them and she says it is to study human behaviour. As they head out, they run into Ton who says he is a master.

At home, Aylin and Ongsa are stressed out as Ton’s advice is to have a romantic movie night as a first date. When the moment is right, they need to kiss which confuses Aylin. Ongsa panics when Sun texts her for movie night.

Meanwhile, Bambam decides to hold a meteor shower event at school. Nida is against it, pointing out that Bambam cannot take care of herself, how can she take care of the students at night? She grudgingly offers to supervise with Bambam but it seems Nida actually likes the idea.

During break, Sun is excited about the movie while Ongsa daydreams about a romantic first kiss. Sun feeds her her ice cream and Ongsa again panics that it is an indirect kiss. Seeing her flustered, Sun assures her that she is not uncomfortable with her. They can tell people when Ongsa is ready. Ongsa says she doesn’t even know what to do in a relationship. Sun tells her to hit on her and Ongsa is encouraged.

It is movie night and Ongsa prepares for the kiss. However, it is an action movie and Sun is engrossed. Ongsa isn’t deterred and tries several times to kiss her. But each time Sun foils it unknowingly. She then heads to the washroom and Ongsa is frustrated. However, we see that Sun knows exactly what Ongsa wants to do and she blushes.

The next day, Bambam tells the Astronomy club that there is a myth. If you watch the meteor shower together with your love, it will come true. Aylin finds it rubbish but when asked, she says she will attend the event while sneaking glances at Luna. Even Ongsa and Sun smile shyly. This time, Ongsa is prepared to get her kiss no matter what.

Aylin tries to ask Luna out but she is busy listening to music. Aylin starts throwing notes at her but Luna doesn’t notice. She finally shoves a note at her which has Luna amused who says yes. Aylin is surprised by her answer and Luna considers it a date. Aylin tells her it is stargazing and runs off. 

Elsewhere, Ton tells Mawin to watch the event with Tinh. He hypes him up and Mawin asks Tinh out. But he loses his nerve and adds that it is for YouTube. Tinh says he will think about it but Mawin and Ton celebrate as Tinh didn’t reject him.

It is D-Day and Ton rings the bell at the temple asking angels to grant everyone’s wishes. Chaereon notices and tells him it is for meditation. He asks her about the meteor event and she shares no one has asked her out. He feels sad that his fan is lonely and decides to accompany her.

However, no one actually shows up to the club much to Bambam’s surprise. Nida points out that thanks to the true love myth, the kids are off watching it in pairs. Bambam is disappointed as she wants to take photos and Nida takes their selfie. Nida finds her pretty while Bambam thinks she is talking about the stars.

On the roof, we have Aylin and Luna together. Aylin writes ‘I love u’ in Morse code and Luna is pleasantly surprised. She responds in Morse code ‘I love u 2’ and kisses her cheek. Elsewhere, Ton realises that he likes Chaereon and proposes to her but she prefers being his fan. He tries to give her the flowers he got her but she punches him and runs off. He sees Mawin alone too as Tinh texted he is binge-watching at home. The two sulk as they see the stars together.

As for our main duo, they are on the school field. Sun is cold and Ongsa gives her her hoodie. Thinking it is the right moment, she tries to kiss Sun but she is so cold, her teeth chatter. Sun finds it funny and shares the hoodie with her.

She also adds that Ongsa shouldn’t try to act romantic but just be her herself. That is what makes Sun want to kiss her. Ongsa is flustered by this confession and Sun kisses her. They smile and watch the meteor shower. At the end of 23.5 Episode 8, Ongsa is happy that despite some hiccups, their first kiss was romantic.

The Episode Review

Does anyone else feel that Aylin and Luna’s relationship is a little rushed? Instead, it felt like we’d get a side couple whose story arc is a lot of back and forth for the duration of the show with a short confession in the finale. Or the writers need to remedy this by giving our girls more screen time.

23.5 Episode 8 was otherwise super cute with Nida trying to hide her feelings from the oblivious Bambam while Ton hypes up Mawin to get his man. We definitely did not see Ton and Chaereon together but their moments together were hilarious.

Now, onto our main couple. Ongsa trying to act romantic and determined was hilarious to watch. And Sun trying to assure her that she is perfect just the way she is was super adorable. But the fact that everything is going swimmingly and we still have a couple of episodes left doesn’t bode well for Sun and Ongsa. We don’t want the angst, take away the angst!