Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama The Gifted, which completely revolutionized the Thai teen drama genre by combining supernatural elements, dark school conspiracies, and coming-of-age storytelling in ways that left audiences questioning everything they thought they knew about gifted education programs.
The Gifted premiered on August 5, 2018, featuring 13 episodes with approximately 45-minute runtime each, available on Netflix as one of the most popular Thai dramas on the platform. This Thai science fantasy suspense series is produced by GMMTV, bringing together rising stars Nanon Korapat Kirdpan as Pang and Chimon Wachirawit Ruangwiwat as Wave. The series masterfully explores how students discover their amazing potential while a conspiracy starts to unravel at what appears to be an elite academic program.
What sets The Gifted apart is its sophisticated approach to teen drama storytelling, avoiding typical high school romance clichés in favor of genuine mystery, supernatural intrigue, and thought-provoking commentary on educational systems and social inequality. The series successfully launched a franchise, spawning a sequel series “The Gifted: Graduation” in 2020.
When Academic Excellence Hides Supernatural Secrets
Ritdha Wittayakom High School has a “Gifted Program” that offers special classes to a handful of “special” students chosen by the school administration. What initially appears to be an advanced academic program for exceptional students gradually reveals itself as something far more mysterious and potentially sinister.
The central mystery revolves around the true purpose of the Gifted Program and the supernatural abilities that begin manifesting in the selected students. As Pang and his classmates discover they possess unique powers ranging from enhanced memory to time manipulation, they must navigate not only their developing abilities but also the growing realization that their school may be conducting experiments on them.
Pang (Nanon Korapat): The Reluctant Leader with Memory Powers
Pang emerges as the heart of the series, a tenth-grade student who initially seems like an unlikely candidate for the prestigious Gifted Program. Nanon Korapat delivers a nuanced performance that showcases Pang’s evolution from a confused outsider to a determined leader willing to challenge the system. His supernatural ability involves enhanced memory and pattern recognition, making him uniquely suited to uncover the conspiracy surrounding the program.
Throughout the series, Pang’s character development focuses on learning to trust his instincts while building genuine connections with his fellow gifted students. His journey involves accepting leadership responsibilities while maintaining his moral compass in increasingly complex situations.
Wave (Chimon Wachirawit): The Analytical Mind with Time Powers
Wave serves as Pang’s primary ally and intellectual equal, possessing the ability to manipulate time in small but significant ways. Chimon Wachirawit brings depth to a character who could easily have been reduced to a stereotypical “smart friend” role. Instead, Wave becomes instrumental in both the mystery-solving aspects and the emotional core of the series.
The dynamic between Pang and Wave forms the backbone of the show’s emotional resonance, with their friendship serving as an anchor point as the supernatural elements intensify. Wave’s analytical nature complements Pang’s intuitive approach, creating a partnership that drives much of the plot forward.
Exposing the Truth Behind the Program
The series reaches its emotional and narrative peak when the students finally uncover the full extent of the conspiracy surrounding the Gifted Program and the true intentions of the school administration. The climax skillfully weaves together supernatural revelations, character betrayals, and moral choices that test each student’s commitment to truth versus personal safety.
The resolution requires the gifted students to make difficult decisions about how to use their newfound knowledge and abilities, setting up the foundation for the sequel series while providing satisfying closure to the central mystery. The ending balances hope with realism, acknowledging that systemic change requires ongoing effort rather than single heroic gestures.
A Diverse Cast of Supernatural Teens
The supporting gifted students, including Claire, Ohm, Mon, and Korn, each bring unique supernatural abilities and personal backgrounds that enrich the overall narrative. Rather than serving merely as plot devices, each character receives meaningful development and contributes to the series’ exploration of how extraordinary abilities interact with ordinary teenage concerns.
The adult characters, particularly the teachers and administrators, are portrayed with enough complexity to avoid simple villain characterizations while still serving as effective antagonists to the students’ quest for truth.
Success on Netflix: International Breakthrough for Thai Teen Drama
The Gifted became one of the most popular Thai dramas available on Netflix, introducing international audiences to the sophisticated storytelling capabilities of Thai television beyond traditional romance genres. The series gained particular recognition for its mature handling of supernatural elements and its willingness to tackle serious themes about educational inequality and institutional abuse of power. The show’s success on the platform helped establish Thai genre television as a viable export product, paving the way for other supernatural and mystery series to gain international distribution.
If you love supernatural school mysteries with genuine character development and thought-provoking social commentary, The Gifted is the perfect series to binge on Netflix.
The Gifted transforms the supernatural teen drama genre through outstanding performances, sophisticated mystery plotting, and meaningful social commentary that make this series essential viewing for anyone interested in intelligent genre television.
Series Details:
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Platform: Netflix (also available on WeTV, LINE TV)
- Rating: 8.2/10
- Genre: Science Fantasy, Mystery, Teen Drama, Supernatural
- Protagonists: Nanon Korapat Kirdpan (Pang), Chimon Wachirawit Ruangwiwat (Wave)
- Supporting Cast: Apichaya Thongkham (Claire), Harit Cheewagaroon (Ohm), Methika Jiranorraphat (Mon), Atthaphan Phunsawat (Korn)