Bad Genius: The Series is a clever blend of teen drama and heist thriller that brings the adrenaline of classroom cheating to the small screen (indeed, it’s officially billed as a Thai crime thriller). It follows a quartet of brilliant students at an elite Bangkok school who turn exam papers into a high-stakes business. With inventive plot twists, witty banter, and moments of genuine suspense, it turns algebra and politics into thrilling intrigue. Fans of smart, character-driven stories and caper-style plots will find much to enjoy as the series unfolds with both style and heart.
Profile
Title: Bad Genius: The Series (Thai: ฉลาดเกมส์โกง)
Genre: Crime, Thriller, Youth Drama
Release Date: August 3, 2020 – September 8, 2020
Number of Episodes: 12
Starring: Plearnpichaya Komalarajun, Jinjett Wattanasin, Sawanya Paisarnpayak, Paris Intarakomalyasut
Writer(s): Pat Boonnitipat, Tossaphon Riantong, Wasuthorn Piyarom, Tanida Hanthaweewattana, Sirada Trairungthatsana
Director: Pat Boonnitipat
Original Network: One31
Streaming Platform: WeTV
Country: Thailand
Synopsis
Lynn (Plearnpichaya Komalarajun) is a top student at a prestigious Bangkok high school who suddenly needs cash when her family hits a money crunch. She discovers that she can literally profit from her smarts after helping wealthy classmate Pat (Paris Intarakomalyasut) cheat on an exam using a clever signaling method. Realizing the opportunity, Lynn enlists math prodigy Bank (Jinjett Wattanasin) and tech-savvy friend Grace (Sawanya Paisarnpayak) in a scheme: they sell perfect exam answers to other students. Their cheating operation quickly escalates from sneaky classroom tricks to elaborate capers – even attempting to smuggle out answers to a national standardized test. As one synopsis notes, what starts with exam cheating “escalated to stealing a national test paper”, underscoring how high the stakes (and tensions) become as the series progresses.
Character Dynamics and Performances
Lynn (Plearnpichaya Komalarajun): The brilliant chemistry wiz behind the operation, Lynn is determined and resourceful. Komalarajun portrays Lynn with a fresh confidence and spunk, making her a bit more outgoing and relatable than the shy version in the film. Her Lynn is intelligent but also warm and quick-witted – you genuinely root for her as she balances moral dilemmas with the thrill of outsmarting the system.
Bank (Jinjett Wattanasin): Bank is the cocky math genius and gambler of the group. Wattanasin brings restless energy to the role, making Bank mercurial and unpredictable. As one reviewer observes, Bank “has a stream of emotions that can erupt at any moment”, which Wattanasin conveys well. His sharp humor and hidden vulnerability (especially around Lynn) add depth to the schemes.
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Grace (Sawanya Paisarnpayak): Grace is Lynn’s quirky, tech-savvy friend who handles the gadgets and logistics. In the series, Grace seems sweet and upbeat, but Sawanya subtly reveals that she’s more calculating under the surface. The show even hints that Grace “conceals ulterior motives under her innocent face”. This layered performance makes Grace intriguing: she’s loyal to Lynn, yet you can sense there’s more to her story than meets the eye.
Pat (Paris Intarakomalyasut): Pat is the wealthy transfer student who bankrolls the operation – brash, competitive, and used to getting what he wants. Paris plays Pat with brash confidence, emphasizing his luxury lifestyle and intense drive. The series also highlights Pat’s hidden pressure; a critic notes how it shows his wealth and “how helpless he is” when things go wrong. Pat’s swagger and occasional breakdowns add dramatic tension, especially during confrontations, rounding out the team with big stakes and big emotions.
Is Bad Genius Worth Watching?
Pros:
Ingenious Premise: What begins as classroom cheating escalates into a full-blown heist. The idea of students running an exam-answer black market is fresh and fascinating, giving viewers a suspenseful twist on the school drama formula.
Strong Performances: The young lead cast has great chemistry. Komalarajun in particular anchors the series as the resourceful Lynn, and Wattanasin, Paisarnpayak, and Intarakomalyasut each bring charisma to their roles. Their believable teamwork (and tensions) make the elaborate schemes feel exciting and personal.
Intense Suspense: The series steadily cranks up the tension. Each episode adds a new twist or technical puzzle (clock signals, live quizzes, smuggled tests) that keeps you hooked. It’s as much a puzzle for the audience to piece together as it is for the characters – a smart thriller vibe that’s hard to turn off.
Thought-Provoking Themes: Beyond the thrills, Bad Genius touches on serious issues: educational pressure, wealth inequality, and ethics. It questions what people will do under stress, and exposes the high-stakes race to succeed in exam-driven societies. This social commentary adds real weight to the drama and gives viewers something to chew on.
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Cons:
Pacing Issues: To fill 12 episodes, the series adds extra “cheat” schemes that don’t all work. Critics note that some added scenes feel either over-the-top or underwhelming. In practice, this means a few episodes drag or feel like filler compared to the lean, taut film.
Fewer Surprises: The show gives away more of the plot than the movie did. As one reviewer puts it, the series “gives away almost too much” of the story’s irony. If you already know the basic twists, watching them play out in detail may lessen the shock or mystery.
Serious Tone: This isn’t a feel-good teen romance. The focus is squarely on the thriller aspect and moral dilemmas, with very little comic relief or romance payoff. Viewers expecting a light-hearted school story may find the atmosphere quite intense and at times grim.
Ethical Ambiguity: The protagonists are masterminds, but they’re also breaking the rules constantly. Some viewers might struggle to fully root for characters who spend most of the series cheating, lying, and even stealing. The show makes you sympathize with them, but the moral grey area isn’t for everyone.
Watch Bad Genius Trailer
Bad Genius Cast
Main:
Plearnpichaya Komalarajun as Lynn
Jinjett Wattanasin as Bank
Sawanya Paisarnpayak as Grace
Paris Intarakomalyasut as Pat
Supporting:
Saksit Tangthong as Vit (Lynn’s father)
Apasiri Nitibhon as Pornthip “Um” (Headmistress)
Ruengrit McIntosh as Ake (Pat’s father)
Rasee Wacharapolmek as Wan (Lynn’s mother)
Ratchanok Sangchuto as Bank’s mother
Siraphan Wattanajinda as Music (exams agent)
Tonhon Tantivejakul as Ping (Pat’s classmate)
Panachai Sriariyarungruang as Third (Lynn’s tutoring client)
Sadanon Durongkaveroj as Tong (Lynn’s friend)
Sarut Vichitrananda as Mr. Sophon (Teacher)
Claudine Atitaya Craig as Claire (Exchange teacher)
Lawrence de Stefano as Mr. X (Exam official)
Special Appearance:
Awat Ratanapintha as Ud (exam board official, appears in finale)
Final Thoughts
Bad Genius: The Series is a daring expansion of the hit movie that turns school exams into edge-of-your-seat drama. Its greatest strengths are the ingenious premise and the way the four leads bring energy and depth to each scene (Lynn’s journey in particular is a highlight). The show isn’t afraid to explore darker themes or to keep the suspense high, which gives it a distinctive edge. It does occasionally stumble on pacing – stretching a movie’s worth of story across a season means some episodes slow down – but the series’ ambition and style largely pay off. In the end, its sharp storytelling, smart character work, and high production value make Bad Genius: The Series a compelling watch. Fans of intelligent, character-driven thrillers will find plenty to appreciate, even if it requires suspending judgment about a few moral gray areas along the way.
