A new wave of romantic dramas from Thailand is captivating audiences worldwide, notably within the lesbian community. What began as an experimental addition to a popular boys’ love series has blossomed into a full-fledged cultural export, with “Girls’ Love” (GL) series now generating millions in revenue and sparking fan meet-and-greets across the globe. This burgeoning industry is not only offering representation, but also providing a space for connection and affirmation for LGBTQ+ viewers often underserved in Western media.
Imagine starting a new series just to see what it’s like, and suddenly finding yourself deeply moved by the story of two girls connecting over Instagram. You learn the actresses’ names, follow their appearances, scroll through TikTok edits, and wonder, why does this resonate so much?
You’re not alone. This is happening to a lot of people.
The story of Ongsa and Sun, the protagonists of 23.5 Degrees of Inclination of the Earth, is simple, and that’s precisely what makes it so captivating. A shy new student falls for the popular girl, but hesitates to reveal her feelings. She hides behind an online alias, leading to confusion, heartache, and ultimately, love. She’s afraid of being judged for loving another woman. You might think you’ve seen this story before… except this time, the story doesn’t punish them.
And that’s where everything changes.
From “A Secondary Couple” to Global Phenomenon
The rise of GL (Girls’ Love, romantic stories between women) in Thailand wasn’t the result of a grand cultural strategy. According to the BBC, it began almost as an experiment: adding a female couple to a successful series already focused on gay male relationships (Bad Buddy). Actresses Milk and Love quickly gained a devoted following, and fans demanded more.
Much more.
The result was groundbreaking. GMMTV, one of the country’s leading production companies, launched its first full GL series, 23.5 Degrees of Inclination of the Earth. Almost simultaneously, another network aired GAP: The Pink Theory, which became a massive hit both in Thailand and internationally, racking up over 300 million views on YouTube. This success is indicative of the growing global appetite for diverse representation in entertainment.
By the end of 2024, 21 GL series featuring more than 50 lesbian couples had been produced. This isn’t a niche trend; it’s a cultural industry, driving exports, generating millions of euros, and positioning Thailand as a central hub in the global lesbian landscape.
Yes, you read that right: lesbians are good for business. And very good, at that.
The stars of these series aren’t just finding success on screen. Their fan meet-and-greet tours have sold out venues in China, Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan, Singapore, Cambodia, and the United States, the BBC reports. Women are traveling thousands of miles just to meet them, express their gratitude, and say, “you helped me understand myself.”
Luiza, a Brazilian fan interviewed in the report, explained it simply: watching Thai GL series was the first time she felt that love between two women could be the main story, not a subplot or a tragedy. She was so moved that she brought her mother on a two-month trip to Thailand – not to “see temples,” but to experience the place where these stories were possible.
This isn’t just a personal experience. For many lesbians in countries where LGBTQ+ content is censored or persecuted, these series are a safe haven. They’re available on YouTube, with subtitles in multiple languages, accessible without intermediaries. In a global context where love between women is still often suppressed, that’s a political statement, even if it doesn’t feel like one.
Why Are These Shows Resonating with Western Lesbians?
This is where the story hits closest to home.
Let’s be honest: in Western audiovisual media, lesbians have historically paid a price. We either die, suffer, or disappear. Expert Eva Cheuk-Yin Li, quoted by the BBC, directly calls this “the dead lesbian syndrome.” Intense stories, yes, but almost always with tragic or incomplete endings.
Thai GL series break that pattern.
There are conflicts, of course. Fears, family prejudices, separations. But the narrative arc is often satisfying. There’s connection, resolution, and a happy ending. And for those of us who grew up learning that loving another woman meant loss, that’s profoundly healing.
Furthermore, these stories aren’t told from a place of exploitation or sensationalism. They’re romances. With jealousy, doubts, misinterpreted messages, and cheesy lines. Like any other love story the world has been celebrating for centuries… except this time, it’s two girls.
As the article points out, many of the protagonists still present as conventionally feminine, and there’s still work to be done on diversity. But it’s also true that never before have so many lesbians been visible, desired, and happy in global popular culture.
In Thailand, where same-sex marriage is now legal, these stories are even influencing everyday family conversations. A mother casually saying that her favorite character is a lesbian doctor “because she’s beautiful” may seem like a small thing, but many of us know that’s where change begins.
In 23.5 Degrees of Inclination of the Earth, Sun asks what would happen if they had to be separated for a year. Ongsa replies that no matter how many light-years apart they are, their orbits will always bring them back together. Because the Earth’s destiny is to be with the Sun.
It might sound cheesy. But deep down, we know that sometimes we love a cheesy story about women.
Because for too long, we were told our love had no destiny. And now, from Thailand, millions of women are telling us the opposite: our stories matter, they can be beautiful, popular, and happy.
And yes, they can be famous too.
