The First Duo: Thai GL Powerhouse Freen and Becky

Calling Freen Sarocha and Becky Armstrong “well-known” is the understatement of the century. From sold-out arenas to a fanbase that borders on feral, #FreenBecky isn’t just big—they’re monumental. What started as fans clocking their undeniable chemistry sparked Thailand’s first GL series and exploded into a global sapphic phenomenon.

Freen Sarocha and Becky Armstrong smiling on stage at the 9Entertainment Awards as they accept the “Couple of the Year” trophy, standing side by side in elegant outfits with the award in hand.

From Side Characters to Center Stage

The year was 2022, and “Secret Crush on You” was another fish in a sea of successful Thai BL productions. But then something happened. Audiences noticed the characters Kongkwan and Fon—played by, you guessed it, Becky and Freen—stealing the show.

Their spark wasn’t just acting; it was magnetic. Fans clipped their scenes, gifs spread like wildfire, and shipping hashtags trended. Producers noticed, and made the industry’s boldest move yet: casting them as leads in Thailand’s first GL drama.

From Backlash to Breakthrough with “GAP: The Series”

Here’s the tea: GAP almost didn’t make it to air the way we know it. When the first trailer dropped in May 2022, the internet had opinions—and not all of them kind. Viewers blasted certain scenes, saying they were too catered to the male-gaze, and the backlash was loud enough that the production company, Idol Factory, hit pause.

Scripts were rewritten, wardrobes tweaked, filming delayed until June 20, 2022, and cameras didn’t wrap until late October. It was sapphic drama before the cameras even rolled.

But the gamble paid off. By the time GAP premiered in November 2022, it was polished, compelling, and unstoppable. Fans around the globe found it on YouTube, TikTok edits spread like wildfire, and it quickly became a cultural phenomenon.

Today, the series has over 30 awards and more than 850 million YouTube views. It catapulted Freen and Becky to international stardom and created a fandom that crossed borders, languages, and time zones.

Freen and Becky weren’t just Thailand’s first on-screen, main-character GL couple—they were history in motion.

From Bangkok to the World Stage

If GAP was their rocket launch, then the years that followed were their moon landing.

In 2023 the pair starred in “The Loyal Pin,” Thailand’s first period GL, co-produced with government support, and showered in awards.

“Uranus2324” was released in 2024, and the sapphic film proved the duo’s chemistry wasn’t limited to simply television.

In 2025, Freen attended the Met Gala, becoming the first Thai actress to ever attend the event, breaking the internet with the highest social media engagement of the night (yes, even more than Gaga or Rihanna). That same year, Becky walked the carpet for L’Oréal Paris at the Cannes Film Festival, while Idol Factory promoted The Loyal Pin—a first for Thailand.

And they’re not stopping: In 2026 a supernatural mystery series—”Cranium”—is already buzzing, and the duo will participate in a historic multi-studio crossover titled, “The 4 Elements Project” with iconic pairs like #Englot, #NamneungNoey, and #AppleMim.

Young, Queer, and Unshaken by Fame

Here’s the kicker: When GAP catapulted the pair into superstardom, Becky was only 20 and Freen just 24 —an age when few are asked to shoulder global visibility, media scrutiny, and queer representation all at once. They navigated it all with grace and wit.

Instead of crumbling under pressure, they carry themselves with the confidence of seasoned pros. Watching the duo juggle press tours, red carpets, and fan expectations at such a young age is as impressive as their acting itself.

Beyond the Screen: Visibility & Brand Power

With fame came responsibility—and opportunity. Freen and Becky quickly became the face of queer representation in Thailand, showing up at Pride celebrations, giving interviews, and using their voices to push visibility further.

Meanwhile, luxury brands took notice: Becky signed with Chanel in 2024 and with L’Oréal Paris in 2025, the same year Freen became a Brand Ambassador for Valentino and for Charlotte Tilbury, walking for both houses on global stages.

Together, they proved stars representing sapphics could anchor the biggest fashion and beauty campaigns in the world.

The Global Ripple Effect of #FreenBecky

Here’s where the magic goes beyond awards and accolades. Freen and Becky aren’t just entertainers—they connect sapphics across the globe.

For queer women in places where GL dramas are censored or scarce, stumbling across “GAP” on YouTube wasn’t just fun TV. It was representation, validation, and hope.

In Latin America, fans stayed up past midnight to stream episodes live. In the Philippines, hashtags were trending every week. Across Europe and North America, queer women who’d been burned by exploitative sapphic media finally found intimacy that was tender, mutual, and—let’s be real—heart-melting.

And here’s the kicker: It’s not just that Freen and Becky played a sapphic couple—it’s how they played it. Their chemistry never feels forced or manufactured. It’s raw, heartfelt, and authentic—showcasing queer love as it deserves to be seen: joyful, tender, and deeply human.

Academics point out that while BL has thrived commercially in Thailand since the 2010s, GL was long seen as too niche, too risky, or “not profitable.” Freen and Becky flipped that script. Their success proved that sapphic love stories could pull millions of views and millions of dollars. They opened doors for other actresses, producers, and fans to imagine something bigger.

More Than Just a Ship: #FreenBecky Milestones

Moreover, the actresses aren’t just fan-favorites—they’re industry disruptors who have the receipts to prove it.

They are both government-certified cultural ambassadors, honored by Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce for promoting Thai creativity and culture worldwide. Freen and Becky have topped the GL charts with 4.6 and 4.2 million Instagram followers, respectively, and both have over a 20% engagement rate.

Becky generated $11.1M in EMV at Cannes 2025 (the highest of any influencer), while Freen boasted a jaw-dropping 33.9% engagement rate for Valentino at the Met Gala in 2025.

The duo is also an award magnet. They’ve won “Couple of the Year” three times at the Nine Entertain Awards, while “The Loyal Pin” swept trophies for acting, production, chemistry, and even “Kiss Scene of the Year,” to name a few.

Why They Matter

Thailand may have been first to put sapphics front and center in its TV industry, but Freen and Becky were the spark that lit the fire.

They’ve shown that visibility is power: From Pride stages to global red carpets, they represent sapphics with confidence and joy. They’ve proven that representation is global, and with a fandom that stretches from Bangkok to Brazil, they show how sapphic stories are universal. What started as a risky bet became a wave that studios, governments, and global brands now embrace.

And through it all, we keep returning to their chemistry—the kind you can’t fake. They’ve shown the world what queer love looks like when it’s portrayed with care, authenticity, and passion.

They aren’t just a duo. They’re a movement. And for queer women around the world—whether watching from Manila, Mexico City, or Milan—they’re proof that sapphic love deserves the spotlight, with the budgets and the applause to match.

What’s Next in the Series?

This was the first crown. Next up in our “Firsts” saga: #Englot — the pageant queens who swapped tiaras for sapphic icon status and even marched their way into Marriage Equality Day.