The Payback live-action casting call very quickly caught fans’ attention — especially since it was accompanied with confirmation that the adaptation is being produced as a Thai live-action series.
Crossing language and culture, Thailand had previously adapted several Korean BL titles into live-action series, though this remains less common compared with original Thai BL productions.
Notable examples include “Mr. Heart” and “Light on Me”, both originally Korean BL webtoons.
What is BL series Payback about?
Payback is a Korean Boys’ Love series that began as a novel written by Samk, first published in 2010.
Blending action, crime, drama, and romance, the story follows our main character, Lee Yoohan, a former debt collector whose life in the criminal underworld leads to devastating loss, pushing him toward a path defined by revenge, regret, and eventual redemption.
Praised for its complex character work and emotional weight, the novel expanded into multiple volumes and side stories, building a long-running and dedicated readership.
In 2021, Payback received a manhwa (webtoon) adaptation illustrated by Fujoking, serialized on platforms Bomtoon and Lezhin Comics. Beyond the manhwa, the franchise has continued to grow through drama CDs — and now, a Thai live-action adaptation!
Payback live-action casting call as advertised in Thailand
An open Payback live-action casting call is running until April 20, 2025, with the first round of results set to be announced via email on May 3, 2025.
Those who pass will advance to the “Final Casting Event”, with further details to be provided.
Payback Main Lead role casting criteria (Lee Yoohan)
- Age: 25 – 32 years
- Gender: Male
- Height: 185 cm and above
- Characteristics: Tall, well-built with defined muscles, charming, charismatic, standout personality
- Character: Cheerful, playful, clever, strong exterior, sensitive interior, can express emotions well
- Skills: Can convey a wide range of emotions, has strong charm, capable of dramatic and romantic scenes, can show chemistry
Payback Supporting Lead role casting criteria (Yoon Jay)
- Age: 22 – 28 years
- Gender: Male
- Height: 180 cm and above
- Characteristics: Tall, slim, stylish, artist-like, looks good with long or styled hair
- Character: Professional, meticulous, high standards, pays attention to detail
- Skills: Can convey subtle emotions, express through eyes effectively, artistic flair
The Boys’ Love live-action industry in Thailand has grown into one of the country’s most visible pop-culture exports, evolving from niche adaptations of online novels into a mainstream television genre with strong domestic and international appeal.
Early series in the mid-2010s laid the groundwork before the boom in the 2020s. Today, Thai BL spans a wide range of tones and themes, from light campus romances to darker, more mature dramas, reflecting a rapidly diversifying audience.
International distribution has played a major role in this expansion. Thai BL series are now regularly licensed across Asia and beyond, helping to shape global expectations of the genre while positioning Thailand as a regional leader in BL live-action production.
As the industry matures, studios have increasingly invested in higher production values, original screenplays, and adaptations of well-known BL novels (across languages) and webtoons, ensuring the genre continues to evolve while remaining a cornerstone of Thailand’s contemporary entertainment landscape.
