Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama The Gifted, which transforms a seemingly elite academic program into a dark conspiracy thriller that explores themes of power, manipulation, and student rebellion against an oppressive educational system.
This Thai science fantasy series premiered on One31 on August 5, 2018, consisting of 13 episodes with approximately 60-minute runtime each. The Gifted is available on Netflix globally, making this compelling supernatural thriller accessible to international audiences who appreciate mystery-driven narratives with social commentary.
The series masterfully combines supernatural elements with high school drama, creating a narrative that explores themes of academic pressure, social inequality, and the abuse of power within educational institutions. The show uses its gifted student premise to examine how systems designed to nurture talent can become tools of control and manipulation.
The Elite Program’s Hidden Agenda
The Gifted centers around Ritdha Wittayakom High School’s exclusive Gifted Program, which selects students with exceptional academic potential for specialized training. The story begins when Pang, an average student from a working-class family, unexpectedly receives admission to this prestigious program despite his unremarkable grades and test scores.
The central plot gradually reveals that the program isn’t what it appears to be on the surface. Students soon discover they possess supernatural abilities that the school administration has been secretly monitoring and manipulating. Each episode peels back layers of the conspiracy, showing how the institution uses these gifted students for purposes far beyond education, creating an atmosphere of paranoia and resistance.
Pang’s Journey from Outsider to Revolutionary
Korapat Kirdpan delivers a compelling performance as Pang, whose character evolution from confused outsider to determined rebel leader forms the emotional backbone of the series. Initially struggling to understand why he was selected for the program, Pang gradually discovers his own supernatural abilities while questioning the true motives behind the school’s interest in gifted students.
Pang’s development showcases his growing awareness of social injustice and his willingness to challenge authority figures who abuse their power. His journey from passive observer to active resistance leader demonstrates how ordinary individuals can become catalysts for change when they refuse to accept corrupt systems that harm vulnerable people.
Wave and the Complex Dynamics of Power
Wachirawit Ruangwiwat portrays Wave, a character whose relationship with Pang creates compelling dramatic tension throughout the series. Wave’s position within the existing power structure and his conflicted loyalties force him to choose between personal relationships and institutional expectations, creating internal struggle that drives much of the series’ emotional conflict.
Wave’s character development explores themes of privilege, loyalty, and moral responsibility. His evolution from someone who benefits from the current system to someone who recognizes its fundamental corruption provides a parallel arc to Pang’s journey, showing how different backgrounds can lead to similar conclusions about justice and resistance.
When Students Fight Back: The Climactic Rebellion
The series reaches its most intense moments when the gifted students unite to expose the conspiracy and challenge the administration’s control over their lives and abilities. This climactic sequence tests not only their individual powers but also their ability to work together despite their different backgrounds and conflicting personalities.
The resolution explores themes of collective action, sacrifice, and the ongoing struggle against institutional corruption. The series doesn’t offer easy answers but instead shows how meaningful change requires sustained effort and the willingness to confront powerful interests that profit from maintaining harmful systems.
Supporting Characters and Institutional Critique
The ensemble cast includes fellow gifted students who each represent different responses to discovering their supernatural abilities and the conspiracy surrounding them. Characters like Namtaan, Ohm, and Claire provide various perspectives on how young people cope with extraordinary circumstances while navigating complex social hierarchies.
The supporting characters help illustrate the broader impact of the school’s manipulation, showing how institutional abuse affects not just individual students but entire communities. Their relationships with each other and with the main characters add emotional depth while reinforcing the series’ themes about solidarity and resistance.
Success on Netflix and Social Commentary
The Gifted achieved significant success both domestically and internationally through streaming platforms like Netflix. The series resonated with audiences who appreciated its blend of supernatural thriller elements with sharp social commentary about educational systems and youth exploitation.
The show’s success helped establish Thai television as capable of producing content that tackles serious social issues while maintaining compelling entertainment value. Its availability on Netflix introduced international viewers to Thai perspectives on institutional corruption and student activism, expanding global appreciation for socially conscious Asian television.
Perfect Binge for Supernatural Mystery Fans
If you love supernatural thrillers with social commentary, The Gifted is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. The combination of mysterious powers, institutional conspiracy, and student rebellion creates a viewing experience that satisfies both supernatural genre fans and viewers interested in stories about fighting against oppressive systems.
Why This School Story Resonates Beyond Entertainment
The Gifted succeeds because it uses its supernatural premise to explore very real concerns about educational pressure, institutional abuse, and the importance of questioning authority figures who claim to act in students’ best interests. The series proves that the most compelling supernatural dramas emerge when fantastical elements illuminate genuine social issues and inspire viewers to think critically about power structures in their own lives.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 13 episodes
Platform: Netflix, One31
Release Year: 2018
Current IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Genre: Supernatural Thriller, Mystery, School Drama, Science Fantasy
Production Type: Thai Drama (Lakorn)
Status: Completed series (followed by The Gifted: Graduation in 2020)
Main Cast: Korapat Kirdpan/Nanon (Pang), Wachirawit Ruangwiwat/Chimon (Wave), Apichaya Thongkham/Lilly (Namtaan)
Primary Antagonist: The school administration and the corrupt educational system