Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama KinnPorsche, which completely revolutionized the BL mafia genre by combining high-octane action sequences, steamy romance, and complex family dynamics in ways that left audiences worldwide absolutely captivated.
KinnPorsche premiered on April 2, 2022, featuring 14 episodes with approximately 60-minute runtime each, available on iQIYI with English subtitles and an uncut version. This Thai action romance mafia-themed BL drama is based on the web novel by writer duo Daemi, bringing together powerhouse actors Mile Phakphum Romsaithong as Kinn and Apo Nattawin Wattanagitiphat as Porsche. The series masterfully explores themes of loyalty, family obligation, and the dangerous intersection of love and violence in the criminal underworld.
Upon release, KinnPorsche trended worldwide on YouTube, Instagram and Twitter after each episode, with the two main actors gaining millions of followers and global stardom. What sets this series apart is its sophisticated production values, mature storytelling approach, and willingness to tackle complex moral questions while delivering intense romantic chemistry.
When Protection Becomes Passion
The story begins when Kinn Theerapanyakul, the second son of a powerful mafia boss, encounters Porsche, an enterprising young bartender, during a dangerous escape from enemy attackers. What starts as a business transaction quickly evolves into something far more complicated when Porsche’s martial arts skills impress Kinn, leading to an offer of employment as his personal bodyguard.
The central tension revolves around the forbidden nature of their relationship. As Porsche becomes increasingly entangled in the Theerapanyakul family’s criminal empire, he must navigate not only external threats but also his growing feelings for the man he’s sworn to protect. The closer he gets to Kinn, the more hesitation he feels in his heart, knowing that various problems and obstacles are testing their love.
Kinn (Mile Phakphum): The Complex Mafia Heir
Kinn emerges as one of the most nuanced mafia characters in BL drama history. Mile Phakphum delivers a powerhouse performance that showcases Kinn’s dual nature as both a ruthless businessman capable of violence and a vulnerable man desperately seeking genuine connection. His character arc focuses on learning to balance his family obligations with his personal desires while maintaining his position in the criminal hierarchy.
Throughout the series, Kinn’s evolution from a cold, calculating heir to someone willing to risk everything for love creates some of the most compelling character development. His journey involves accepting that true power sometimes comes from vulnerability rather than control.
Porsche (Apo Nattawin): The Reluctant Protector
Porsche begins as someone desperate to make money and take care of his younger brother, but Apo Nattawin gradually reveals layers of strength, integrity, and fierce loyalty beneath his initial reluctance. His character represents the universal struggle between survival and moral compromise, particularly when protecting loved ones.
The dynamic bears some resemblance to Whitney Houston’s 1992 romance drama The Bodyguard, except that there’s no damsel in distress here. Porsche’s journey involves learning to navigate a world where violence and tenderness coexist, while maintaining his core values despite increasingly impossible circumstances.
Family Betrayals and Ultimate Choices
The series reaches its emotional peak when long-buried family secrets emerge, forcing both Kinn and Porsche to confront betrayals that threaten to destroy not only their relationship but their very survival. The climax skillfully weaves together multiple storylines involving the Theerapanyakul family’s enemies, internal power struggles, and the revelation of connections that change everything both characters believed about their pasts.
Due to family rivalries and the complexities that come with underworld politics, their journey to happily ever after is filled with obstacles at every turn. The resolution requires genuine sacrifice from both characters while delivering the emotional payoff that viewers desperately craved.
A Web of Loyalty and Betrayal
The supporting cast, including Vegas, Pete, Kim, Chay, and the various family members and bodyguards, creates a complex ecosystem that enhances the main romance while telling their own compelling stories. Each supporting character serves a specific purpose in either challenging or supporting Kinn and Porsche’s relationship, with particular attention paid to how loyalty and betrayal function within criminal organizations.
The secondary couples, especially VegasPete, provide additional layers of complexity that explore different aspects of power dynamics and consent within the mafia setting.
Success on iQIYI: Global BL Phenomenon
The first episode topped iQIYI streaming charts in 191 territories, establishing KinnPorsche as a true global phenomenon rather than just a regional success. Rolling Stone India noted the dark, vicious and explicit atmosphere, praising the cast’s chemistry and performances. The series became particularly notable for being dubbed as the Euphoria of the BL world, and it was also praised for its action theme. It was featured on Teen Vogue’s best BL dramas of 2022 list for being “a thrilling, lush and gargantuan tale of love and sin”. The show’s success helped establish high-budget Thai BL productions as serious contenders in the international streaming market.
If you love intense mafia romance with high-stakes action and complex character development, KinnPorsche is the perfect series to binge on iQIYI.
KinnPorsche transforms the mafia romance genre through outstanding performances, sophisticated production values, and fearless exploration of power dynamics that make this series an absolute must-watch for mature drama enthusiasts.
Series Details:
- Number of Episodes: 14
- Platform: iQIYI (also available on Bilibili, Dailymotion)
- Rating: 8.8/10
- Genre: BL Action Romance, Mafia, Crime Drama
- Protagonists: Mile Phakphum Romsaithong (Kinn), Apo Nattawin Wattanagitiphat (Porsche)
- Supporting Cast: Build Jakapan Puttha (Bible), Nodt Nutthasid Panyangarm (Jeff), Bas Suradej Pinnirat (Tong)