The Grim Lover

Lore & Background

The series follows Won (Naret Promphaopun), an anesthesiologist who lost his great love in a tragic accident and was falsely accused of murder. On the verge of suicide, he encounters a Grim Reaper named Sibsi (Krittin Kitjaruwannakul), who bears the exact face of his deceased lover. The Reaper repeatedly stops him from dying, revealing that their fates are intertwined. Won must fight to prove his innocence while uncovering the mysterious rules of death and the hidden truth behind the accident, leading to an unexpected connection between the world of the living and the dead.

The cast includes Sirinart Sugandharat (Gift) as Maggie, Nara Thepnupha as Kloy, Kasama Khamtanit (Aon) as Wangplao, Tanawat Hudchaleelaha (Tiger) as Tawan, Orbnithi Leelavetchabutr (Ping) as Big, Asre Watthanayakul (Lee), Bhumintr Saingam (Pan) as Chada, Atthanin Thaninpanuvivat (Benz) as Chiang, Rain Issada (Rena) as Oscar.

The series was announced by Change2561 at the Changeverse 2026 event on 28 January 2026 at Iconsiam in Bangkok, where the official pilot was released. A script reading and costume fitting event took place on 28 May 2026. The series is produced under the supervision of Saithip Montrikun Na Ayudhaya (Chod), CEO of Change2561, and Vorarit Vaijairanai (Es), deputy managing director. Actors underwent workshops: Pooh followed an intense physical training regimen to portray the Grim Reaper, while Pavel studied techniques and posture of an anesthesiologist.

Reader's Guide

The Grim Lover represents a notable entry in the Thai boys' love (BL) television genre, expanding into fantasy and supernatural romance. Its adaptation from a web novel by author alittlebixth reflects the growing trend of digital literature being adapted for screen in Thailand. The series is produced by Change2561, a major Thai production company, and benefits from global distribution via Netflix, indicating the international appeal of BL content. The casting of Krittin Kitjaruwannakul (Pooh) and Naret Promphaopun (Pavel) as the lead couple, with Pooh undergoing physical training for the role of a Grim Reaper and Pavel studying anesthesiology techniques, demonstrates a commitment to character authenticity. The series' premiere on 5 September 2026 on One 31 and streaming platforms positions it within the competitive Saturday night time slot. Its significance lies in blending romance with mystery and the afterlife, offering a narrative that explores love, loss, and redemption across the boundary between life and death.

Did You Know?

• The series is adapted from the web novel 'The Grim Lover' by author alittlebixth.
• Krittin Kitjaruwannakul (Pooh) underwent intense physical training to portray the Grim Reaper.
• Naret Promphaopun (Pavel) studied techniques and posture of an anesthesiologist for his role as Won.
• The series was announced at the Changeverse 2026 event on 28 January 2026 at Iconsiam in Bangkok.

Narrative & Genre Blend

The Grim Lover stands as a Thai television series that weaves together the boys' love, fantasy, romance, and drama genres into a single narrative thread. Adapted from the web novel of the same name by author alittlebixth and produced by Change2561, the story centers on Vivorn Assarak, known simply as Won, an anesthesiologist whose life unravels after the tragic loss of his great love in an accident that also lands him with a false murder accusation. Standing at the precipice of ending his own life, Won is intercepted by Sibsi, a Grim Reaper whose face is indistinguishable from the man he lost. Sibsi repeatedly prevents Won from dying, revealing that their destinies are bound together in ways neither fully understands. From there, the narrative propels Won into a dual struggle: clearing his name while unraveling the enigmatic rules that govern death and the concealed truth behind the accident that destroyed his world. Set in the liminal space between the living and the dead, the series ultimately asks whether a connection forged in grief can become a path back toward love, truth, and the desire to keep living.

Cast & Ensemble

The dual lead of The Grim Lover is carried by Krittin Kitjaruwannakul, known professionally as Pooh, who embodies Sibsi, the enigmatic Grim Reaper who also carries the alternate identity of Fourteen, or Rafah. Opposite him, Naret Promphaopun, credited as Pavel, portrays Vivorn Assarak, the anesthesiologist whose grief and wrongful accusation drive the central plot. The supporting ensemble broadens the world considerably: Sirinart Sugandharat (Gift) appears as Maggie, Nara Thepnupha plays Kloy in a doctor role, and Kasama Khamtanit (Aon) takes on Wangplao, another Grim Reaper within the series' mythology. Tanawat Hudchaleelaha (Tiger) is cast as Tawan, a fellow doctor, while Orbnithi Leelavetchabutr (Ping) plays Big. The roster further includes Asre Watthanayakul (Lee), Bhumintr Saingam (Pan) as officer Chada, Atthanin Thaninpanuvivat (Benz) as Chiang, Rain Issada (Rena) as Oscar, and Phumintr Saingam (Pan) as Captain Chada, rounding out a cast that spans both the medical and supernatural worlds the story inhabits.

Production & Preparation

The Grim Lover was officially unveiled by Change2561 at the Changeverse 2026 event, held on 28 January 2026 at the Iconsiam venue in Bangkok, where the production team also released the series' official pilot to the audience. Several months later, on 28 May 2026, the cast gathered for a script reading and costume fitting session, marking a key milestone in the pre-production timeline. The project is overseen by Saithip Montrikun Na Ayudhaya, who goes by the name Chod and serves as CEO of Change2561, alongside Vorarit Vaijairanai (Es), the deputy managing director. Beyond the structural production elements, the actors invested significant personal effort into their roles. Pooh committed to an intense physical training regimen designed to give the Grim Reaper a commanding, otherworldly presence on screen. Pavel, meanwhile, dedicated time to studying the specific techniques and posture expected of a practicing anesthesiologist, ensuring that Won's medical profession felt grounded and authentic rather than merely decorative.

Release & Global Availability

The Grim Lover is scheduled to make its television debut on 5 September 2026, with new episodes airing every Saturday evening at 22:30 ICT on the One 31 channel in Thailand. For viewers who prefer on-demand access, the series will be available for streaming through the OneD application within Thailand, ensuring that domestic audiences can watch at their own pace alongside the weekly broadcast. On the international front, the production has secured a global streaming deal with Netflix, meaning fans across the world will be able to follow the story as it unfolds without needing to navigate regional broadcast schedules. The series carries the Thai title รักลืมตาย, which translates to the English working title The Grim Lover. Its presence on both a major Thai broadcast network and one of the largest streaming platforms worldwide signals a broad distribution strategy that positions the show for both local cultural impact and international visibility within the growing global audience for Thai BL and fantasy-drama content.