Do You Believe in Parallel Worlds?

The Boy Next World Episode 1 drops us in the rain as a hottie falls to the ground. He then drags himself to the bus stop. Another young man, Phukan, waves to his friend and heads to his car, quickly driving off. As the first guy, Cirrus, gets up to look, he’s hit by another car and then rushed to the hospital. Now at his dorm, Phukan’s hanging good luck charm falls to the ground.

The two cuddle upon waking but it’s a dream that throws Phukan into a frenzy as he can’t recall the details. He quickly realizes he’s late for class and on top of that, can’t find his lucky undies. His friend Jin quickly predicts he’s got 15 minutes to arrive before their teacher announces a pop quiz. Their other friends are appalled when his prediction is correct yet he plays it off that she’d already told him.

A disorganized Phukan races to class, overhearing on his way that well-known senior, Cirrus, is in a coma after fighting car thieves. From his hospital bed, Cirrus dreams of a sweet moment with Phukan while his best friends, Wim and Rome, worry at his bedside. Rome wonders if he’s not waking up because he doesn’t want to live anymore.

During a break at school, Phukan pouts about his poor luck while his friends bicker randomly. Nalin suggests that maybe his angel is sick today so he throws out a quick prayer.

Soaked again, Phukan comes home to the mess he left. Letting go of his annoyance he offers up a more sincere prayer for his angel. While from his bed, Cirrus dreams of time with his boyfriend, claiming he couldn’t go on without him.

Settled in his PJs for the night, Phukan is startled by a knock at the door. A wet and bandaged Cirrus hugs him in the doorway but Phukan seems to only know him peripherally. Cir tries to explain that they’re a couple in a parallel universe but Phu isn’t falling for it.

After taking a call, Cirrus gets up, leaving Phu with a few thoughts to consider. Now in his own dorm, Cirrus envisions memories of Phu everywhere, unsure of which scenario is reality.

The next day, Phukan puts on the day’s lucky underwear, ready for a perfect day. But he’s surprised to find his favorite breakfast hanging from his door. And in their department, Cir waits to give him his preferred drink. On his way out, he reminds Phu of where to find his phone then moments later texts the befuddled Phu.

At the business department building, Wim waits to give Cirrus hell for skipping out on the doctor. As he continues to claim Phukan is his boyfriend, Wim urges him to return to the hospital poste haste. But Rome supports him so Cirrus determines to start over and win Phu back from the beginning.

As Phukan continues to marvel over things Cir said, Jin notes that maybe he just hadn’t noticed their connections before, seeing the whole scenario as a good thing. And suddenly Phu runs into him everywhere. Cirrus tells him he can take his time but he intends to make him his boyfriend.

Flashback: Cirrus panics upon waking in the hospital with no Phukan in sight. Wim runs to get the doctor but Cirrus heads out into the rain to find Phu, landing on his doorstep.

The Episode Review

Wasting not a moment, The Boy Next World dives right into the storyline with a confused but resolute Cirrus ready to get his man back. His target, Phukan, is blindsided with nothing but a fleeting dream and Cirrus’ claims of their connection.

I love a story steeped in fantasy and this one seems to be well-written from episode one, quickly dropping multiple hints and offering an appealing framework. Both guys are surrounded by friends, one each who is insightful and particularly in tune with the world around them. The guardian angels in which Phukan believes? While the other close friend is the opposite, offering up doubt and more misperception.

With only 10 x 45-minute episodes on offer, they’ll have to make each episode impactful for the concept to work. We haven’t really had much of an opportunity to see their chemistry yet but it looks like there’s so much more to come.

From the off, The Boy Next World asks us if we believe in parallel worlds. What do you think? Are you ready to believe?

How did you hear about The Boy Next World? Are you a BossNouel (Love in the Air) fan or is finding this drama a happy accident? If you love the pairing, stick with us – there just may be an interview story to come…

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. 

READ MORE: Thai drama and movie reviews and more BL drama reviews