Creating their own "original content" seems to become the currently popular trend among global streaming platforms during the time when there seems to be more content than we actually circulating around. Netflix, whose first original Thai series The Stranded turned out to be a flop, has recently announced the second original production in Thai language, Bangkok Breaking. Earlier today (Mar 5), media giant WarnerMedia also announced it will jump onto the bandwagon with an eight-episode Thai-language mystery series Forbidden. It is the third HBO Asia Original currently in production.
Set in Thailand, Forbidden follows four friends who travel from Bangkok to a remote village in the mountains for a funeral of one of the group’s estranged father. When the young friends unleash a curse long held at bay by the villagers, they discover cover-up upon cover-up, and soon everyone is a suspect in the mystery. But the woods conceal something worse than just superstition, and soon the whole group is being hunted.
Forbidden is co-directed by award-winning filmmakers Anucha Boonyawatana (The Blue Hour, Malila) and Korean-American Josh Kim (How to Win at Checkers (Every Time)). It will star heartthrob heartthrob Krissanapoom "JJ" Pibulsonggram—who's also known by his social media pseudonym Jaylerr.
Forbidden is set to premiere on HBO GO and HBO later in 2021.