#Yai x Jom

[wanderlust-in-my-soul]

Dispair [noun] /dɪˈspeər/ - the feeling that there is no hope and that you can do nothing to improve a difficult or worrying situation

[tipsyjaehyun]

I get that some people are confused by the ending of ep 12, so let me explain (novel spoilers ahead) -

The show heavily revolves around the theme of reincarnation and love that overcomes the test of time. So, we have 3 versions of Yai. One in 1920s, Khun Yai. One in 1700s (Seehasingkorn era), Commander Yai and then we have one in the present time, Yai Kanthorn.

The one we see in the post credit scene (and have been seeing glimpses of in ep 1 underwater as well as in ep 12) is Commander Yai, who was a celebrated warrior of the royal army.

So, after Jom disappears from Khun Yai's timeline, he is transported back to 1700s where he meets Commander Yai. If (and please God, please) they come up with a season 2, it would follow their story. It was because of him and his pledge of everlasting love for Jom that Khun Yai felt that he had been waiting for Jom for a long time.

The one we see at the Palathip house is Yai Kanthorn. He is the son of the granddaughter of Khun Lek (Khun Yai's younger brother). He is the only version of Yai who has memories of his past lives.

When Jom comes back to his timeline, he meets Yai Kanthorn, who had asked specifically for Jom to renovate their old house in Chiang Mai, hoping for Jom to remember their love. When Yai sees Jom waiting for him at the house, he asks, "Did you wait for long?"

To which Jom replies, "Not as long as you've been waiting for me".

[namtanlovesfilm]

[pharawee]

—I FEEL YOU LINGER IN THE AIR 💮 Episode 12 (Finale)

[dragonsareawesome123]

"I'm very happy. It's as if I'm in a dream." "Happy enough to make you stay here with me forever?"

Nonkul Chanon and Bright Rapheephong as Jom and Khun Yai in I Feel You Linger in the Air (2023) dir. Tee Bundit Sintanaparadee Special Episode: Scent of Memory - Coming Soon

[nagumoshoma]

My dance partner is here.

↳ I FEEL YOU LINGER IN THE AIR

[puffmais]

Khun Yai & Jom holding/hugging each other — I Feel You Linger In The Air.

[clairedaring]

Nonkul and Bright's experience in queer media prior to I Feel You Linger In The Air

So... I've fallen down the huge rabbit hole that is I Feel You Linger In The Air (even though I was already down bad earlier this year when I finished the novels) since the airing of the series. I've tried my best to consume everything translated IFYLITA-related content and now I'm here to summarize a few points I love about the (immaculate) casting of Nonkul and Bright.

For Nonkul

Prior to IFYLITA, Nonkul has had a few BL-adjacent projects:

2014 indie gay film "Love's Coming", where he plays a friend of the gay protagonist.

2016 sitcom series "Bang Rak Soi 9/1", where he plays a student with a crush on his straight best friend (main character played by Tongtong, who you may have known from To Sir With Love or Khun Chai)

2019 chinese bromance "Dive", where he plays the 2nd main lead who develops "strong friendship" with the protagonist as swimming teammates

But IFYLITA marks Nonkul's first time playing in a BL series where he is the protagonist.

Back in 2021, Nonkul posted this Q&A video on Facebook, where he answered the question "If you have a chance, would you consider playing in a BL series? If accepted, who do you to co-act with?". To which Nonkul went on a full long discussion on how he doesn't view BL as a genre and talks about what kind of role he would want to play (full clip below).

Transcript:

If that series is an interesting storyline for me, I am always open to any kind of genre. I never categorized BL series as an BL series, I just think of it as a series with another plot as part of my work. It is a normal series that can have any of the plots which I will categorize as Romantic Comedy, Drama or whatever. Thus, when I choose the BL series I want to work with, the love preference of the character does not affect my decision. If the plot of the series is interesting, of course I'm gonna do it for sure. Every work that I chose, I personally think it at least enjoyable for me. Of course, if in the future, there are BL series with plots that I find interesting, that I enjoyed the script. "Like, wow, that's my type!", I will definitely selected it to be my future project. A good written series is a good series. This is what I believe as an actor. - Nonkul

For BL Series, I think I can work with everyone. I don't think I have anyone in particular. One thing! I desire the character of that person/actor? to be close to the character in the series. At that point I will be satisfied. Sometimes, I as an actor have a chance to work with people who didn't have a lot of acting experience. I will still discover something new from him as well. And there is a BL novel which I really like! [Nonkul explains the plot of his favorite BL Novel 'Peremo'] I would prefer to choose the "heroine" role because it will be a new experience for me as an actor because it will be a new experience for me as an actor. Because basically I only play as a hero role for the main character or support character in my work, but a "heroine" role in a BL series is the only chance for me to play a character more feminine. So it is a new experience for me. [Nonkul continues raving about 'Peremo']. But if you think that you can make [an adaptation of Peremo], please do not forget me, Nonkul! Pleaseeeeeeee, I will do my best, I promise!!! However, I'm not only fixated on this novel. I'm also open for many more BL series if there is an interesting plot. - Nonkul

Interestingly the 3 checklists Nonkul mentioned his dream BL novel/character 'Peremo' had was 1. playing the 'heroine' role; 2. it has a LOT of action; 3. it is also sci-fi fantasy genre. And then in 2022, Nonkul booked 2 action dramas and IFYLITA which checked off criteria 1 and 3 of his wishlist (he mentioned it in this interview).

In 2022, at the beginning of IFYLITA announcement event, Nonkul mentioned that one of reasons that he accepted to play Jom in IFYLITA is that the story didn’t just put love scenes in just for fan services. Previously he had rejected some series because of that.

Nonkul read the novel prior to the acceptance of the role and you can tell he put a lot of care into bringing Jom to life (Nonkul immediately tweeting his apology after the pilot trailer is out about him accidentally using right hand to sketch (because Jom is left-handed), discussing various novel details with fans of the book at event, discussing how to punch Ohm like Jom would instead of punching him regularly as he would in other series, even giving book-film comparison commentaries in the BTS of the episodes)

Nonkul's physical and facial features are also so similar to Jom in the novel, especially his Chinese heritage is taken into account by the casting directors (Jom is also Thai of Chinese heritage iirc). Honestly kudos to P'Tee and co for snatching Nonkul.

For Bright

Prior to IFYLITA, Bright has played a supporting male gay character in the CH3 Lakorn 'Rivalry' and starred in PP Krit's MV 'It's Okay Not To Be Alright'.

But IFYLITA still marks Bright's first ever male lead role (ngl I was quite shocked when I found out about this because like the man is SIGNED to CH3, what are they doing?) AND his first official "BL" series.

Bright also accept the role of Khun Yai after he went to buy the novel and read them.

Before filming, Bright practiced a lot to portrayed Khun Yai as close to the novel as possible (the way Khun Yai walks with hands behind his back, his posture, him speaking in the different local dialect...)

Here are some translated interview questions Nonkul and Bright did before filming IFYLITA for bangkokbiznews that I found really interesting and want to share (original Thai article) (translated by twitter user lingerair/eugust)

Question: How is your individual characters? How are they similar or different from you? (1)

Nonkul: Jom and I are very different. Jom has soft and sensitive part. He cried so many times, and often gets upset with things that if it's me, I wouldn't be upset like him but his tears is already flowing. Bright: Khun Yai is quite similar with me. He's calm and wise. It's easy to be Khun Yai when I read the script. I try to put myself as Khun Yai. I'm Khun Yai and Khun Yai is me. I always think like this to be able to moderately act as Khun Yai.

Question: BL series has become a powerful "soft power". What do you about this? (2)

Nonkul: To be honest, whatever entertainment media it is, I view all of them as soft power but can't deny that during this period foreigners are especially interested in Thai Y series. I think it's a good thing. In the end, no matter what kind of content they are interested, it's a pleasant thing. Bright: Bright agrees (to that) very much. There are so many BL series with many fans both in and outside of the country, thus I think that it's good quality soft power in presenting a lot of things. Such as "I Feel You Linger In The Air" has a lot of Thai culture incorporated it in. Nonkul: Since it's period (series), it won't look like we're forcing Thai culture into (the series). We want foreigners to learn about how was it during the era and how it affects the present.

Question: This novel has a lot of fans waiting, do you feel pressured in taking a role in this? (3)

Nonkul: There's a little bit of pressure but personally, when I've worked till this point, I'm kinda used to this. I can say that I already have some expectations (for myself) and receive some pressures as a motivation in working but I'm not that stressed by it. Bright: Similar to Non, I'm a little bit pressured but we will both do our best, everyone will do their best. Fans has expectations because they want to watch the adaptation. We'll do it in our way and we hope everyone'll likes it.

As a huge fan of the novel, I just love how much love Nonkul and Bright have for the original novel and the amount "homework", care and dedication they have to crafting their characters to be as close as possible. I really hope everyone who have reservation or hesitance watching I Feel You Linger In The Air because you didn't vibe with previous Dee Hup House’s productions, should still give IFYLITA a chance (or at least try watching Episode 6 & 7) because it is seriously unlike any previous DHH’s productions (in all aspects: plot, direction, pacing, cinematography, music, lighting, color-grading, overall production…)

For my post on Bright and Nonkul's preparation for IFYLITA

[blmpff]

📢 HEADS UP GERMAN AND EUROPEAN I FEEL YOU LINGER IN THE AIR FANS

!!! ETA: THEY WILL SHOW MY STAND-IN SPOILER VIDEO AT THE EVENT !!!

12.02.24

[blue-grama]

I Feel You Linger in the Air just has the best visuals all the time. Like the way the lace Khun Yai drapes over all the mirrors:

Echoes the feel of the protective sheeting over the furniture in the modern era:

And of course the way fabrics and curtains have been used to emphasize the separation between these two all along:

It's just been such a treat to watch.

[wanderlust-in-my-soul]

I love you...

[tipsyjaehyun]

In order for everyone to deeply appreciate the beauty of the show, let me explain how some actions of Khun Yai date back to Commander Yai and how the whole idea of how reincarnation and a pledge of love and two souls finding each other, no matter how hard they are pushed away, so perfectly (novel spoilers ahead) -

Commander Yai plays a very vital role for all his future reincarnated selves with his promise of unwavering love. In the novel, after Jom disappearing from Khun Yai's era, he is transported further back in time where he meets Commander Yai. Initially, Commander Yai is very harsh towards Jom and treats him like a prisoner.

My favourite part of the novel is how Jom, already head over heels in love with Yai, tries all kinds of tricks to get Yai to fall in love with him as well. In the series, we have seen Khun Yai courting Jom but here, we have a chance to see Jom actively pursue Yai. The funniest thing is that Jom does this in front of Yai's entire platoon and it's hilarious to see how Yai keeps brushing off Jom's attempts.

Finally, Commander Yai returns Jom's feelings and he takes a pledge that no matter what happens, he would always love Jom. And since, Jom had to suffer through a phase of unrequited love here, so he promises that, in his every life, Yai would be the one to fall in love first. So, we see Khun Yai being attracted to Jom first, falling in love first, getting the feeling that he had been waiting for Jom for a long time.

He gives his ring to Jom, which was given to him by the king, as a token of promise. The same ring that we see Commander Yai wearing underwater and in Jom's dream.

[namtanlovesfilm]

"Before, I thought it was just me who was jealous. So I'm more than happy that you're jealous of me too."

[pharawee]

—Before, I thought it was just me who was jealous.

I FEEL YOU LINGER IN THE AIR 💮 Episode 7

[dragonsareawesome123]

"I had been waiting for you all along and, finally, we have met each other, my blessing Jom."

I Feel You Linger in the Air (2023) dir. Tee Bundit Sintanaparadee Episode 12

[conscbgb]

The tension and chemistry everytime these 2 are near each other is on another level 💯💥💫

Some fellow actors should take notes from them: if you wanna act in a BL series THIS is the vibe you should give to the audience😉