Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Hormones: The Series, which revolutionized Thai television by delivering an unflinchingly honest portrayal of teenage life that tackles every controversial topic from sex education to drug abuse with unprecedented frankness and cultural authenticity.
This groundbreaking Thai teen drama series premiered on One31 on May 18, 2013, spanning three seasons with a total of 44 episodes, each approximately 50 minutes long. The first season aired in 2013, the second season began broadcasting in July 2014, and the third and final season followed in September 2015. Hormones: The Series is available on Netflix globally, making this controversial but critically acclaimed series accessible to international audiences seeking authentic coming-of-age content.
The series masterfully combines realistic teen drama with social commentary, creating a narrative that explores themes of sexuality, identity, family pressure, and the complex challenges of modern adolescence in Bangkok. The show broke new ground in Thai television by addressing topics that were previously considered taboo, creating genuine conversations about teenage experiences while maintaining high production values and compelling storytelling.
Nine Teens Navigate Bangkok’s Complex Social Landscape
Hormones: The Series follows nine Thai secondary school students from different social backgrounds as they navigate the turbulent waters of adolescence in modern Bangkok. The series uses an anthology-style approach where each episode typically focuses on one or two characters while maintaining overarching storylines that connect all the teens through their shared experiences at school and in their social circles.
The central premise explores how hormonal changes, social pressure, and family expectations create a perfect storm of confusion and emotional intensity for teenagers trying to discover their identities. Each character represents different aspects of Thai youth culture, from the privileged elite students to those from working-class families, showing how universal teenage struggles manifest differently across various socioeconomic backgrounds.
Character-Driven Stories That Reflect Real Issues
The series excels through its ensemble cast, with each character bringing unique perspectives on teenage life in Thailand. Characters like Dao, Win, and Khwan face issues ranging from unexpected pregnancy and sexual exploration to academic pressure and family dysfunction, creating storylines that resonate with viewers who recognize these challenges from their own experiences or observations.
The character development throughout the three seasons shows realistic growth and setbacks, avoiding the typical television trap of solving complex problems with simple solutions. Instead, the series shows how teenagers make mistakes, learn from consequences, and gradually develop the emotional maturity needed to handle adult responsibilities while still being fundamentally young and inexperienced.
Controversial Topics Handled with Cultural Sensitivity
Hormones: The Series gained national attention for its bold approach to topics like teenage sexuality, abortion, drug experimentation, and school violence. The series sparked significant debate about censorship and the role of media in addressing social issues, with some episodes initially facing broadcast restrictions before being aired uncensored.
The show’s willingness to address these controversial subjects helped open important conversations about teen pregnancy rates, sexual education, and the need for better support systems for young people facing difficult choices. The series demonstrated that television could serve as a catalyst for social discussion while maintaining entertainment value and authentic cultural representation.
When Reality Meets Television: Social Impact
The series reaches its most powerful moments when it addresses real social problems affecting Thai teenagers, including the country’s high abortion rate and the pressures of academic competition. These episodes don’t offer easy answers but instead present the complexity of teenage decision-making and the long-term consequences of choices made during emotionally turbulent periods.
The resolution of various storylines throughout the three seasons shows how some problems can be overcome with support and maturity, while others have lasting impacts that characters must learn to live with. This realistic approach to consequences sets the series apart from typical teen dramas that often minimize the real-world implications of teenage behavior.
Production Quality and Cultural Authenticity
The series was produced by GTH and Nadao Bangkok, companies known for high-quality Thai entertainment that combines commercial appeal with artistic integrity. The production team’s commitment to authentic portrayal of Thai teenage culture, from fashion and music to social dynamics and family relationships, creates a viewing experience that feels genuine rather than stylized.
The supporting characters, including parents, teachers, and community members, provide additional layers of social context that ground the teenage stories in realistic adult worlds. Their interactions with the main characters show how different generations approach similar problems and how cultural values both support and constrain young people’s choices.
Success on Netflix and International Recognition
Hormones: The Series achieved significant success both domestically and internationally through streaming platforms like Netflix. The series helped establish Thai television as capable of producing content that could address serious social issues while maintaining high entertainment value and cultural authenticity that appeals to global audiences.
The show’s international success demonstrated that viewers worldwide hunger for authentic portrayals of teenage life that don’t sanitize or simplify the real challenges young people face. Its availability on Netflix has introduced international audiences to Thai perspectives on adolescence and social issues while contributing to growing global appreciation for Thai television production.
Perfect Binge for Authentic Teen Drama Lovers
If you love realistic coming-of-age stories that don’t shy away from difficult topics, Hormones: The Series is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. The combination of authentic cultural representation, controversial subject matter, and genuine emotional depth creates a viewing experience that satisfies viewers seeking both entertainment and meaningful social commentary.
Why This Groundbreaking Series Still Matters
Hormones: The Series succeeds because it treats teenage experiences with genuine respect and unflinching honesty, refusing to patronize young viewers or minimize the real intensity of adolescent challenges. The series proves that the best teen dramas emerge when creators are willing to address controversial topics with cultural sensitivity while maintaining authentic character development and compelling storytelling that speaks to universal human experiences.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 44 episodes across 3 seasons
Platform: Netflix, One31, GTH On Air
Release Years: 2013-2015
Current IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Genre: Teen Drama, Romance, Social Commentary, Coming-of-age
Production Type: Thai Drama (Lakorn)
Status: Completed series
Main Cast: Ungsumalynn Sirapatsakmetha (Khwan), Sananthachat Thanapatpisal (Dao), Pachara Chirathivat (Win), and ensemble cast
Primary Antagonist: Social pressures, family expectations, and internal conflicts rather than individual villains