Whale Store EP9 – Flashbacks, Feels & the Noey–Manmuk Showdown

If we had to sum up Whale Store in one word, it would be cute—but the kind of cute that sneaks up on you, squeezes your heart, and has you hugging your pillow between giggles and tears. EP9 delivered all the sweet, sad, and redemptive moments we love about this series…with one massive distraction. The moment Noey and Manmuk shared the screen, sparks flew. And like much of the fandom, we’re rooting for that GL ship hard (we see you, Hide & Sis BTS). But let’s reel it in and relive all the emotions from tonight’s rollercoaster.

Wan and Meawnam lean in for a kiss, creating a sweet moment.

School Context: Wan’s Past and Present

We finally get some clarity on Wan and Manmuk’s history—and why Wan avoids help like the plague. Honestly, we get it. But girl…therapy exists. Meawnam isn’t controlling you; she’s supporting you. Contrast that with Manmuk, who swooped in with ulterior motives back then, flirted, got what she wanted, and left.

Meawnam, is the real deal. That line about “having someone’s hand to hold when you’re tired”? We’re not gonna lie—we shed a tear (or three). The message landed: it’s okay to lean on someone who loves you. Now Wan, for the love of sapphic romance, work on communicating when you’re triggered.

Bestie Support: Noey to the Rescue

When Wan comes home gutted from her fight with Meawnam, who’s there? Noey. Best friend energy on full display. She gave Wan space to vent, locked up the shop, and offered practical advice when she noticed Meawnam lurking across the street. Space first, reconciliation later. It was perfect. Bestie gold star achieved.

Flashback Overload

Listen—we love reliving past sapphic serotonin as much as anyone. But EP9 leaned hard on flashbacks, and sometimes they just didn’t click. Meawnam hesitating to initiate intimacy? Cute, sure, but it felt misplaced here. Wan reminiscing about waking up beside her the next morning? Adorable, but again—why flashback instead of just showing us? Directors, trust us, we can handle the present-day fluff.

Chom & Her Mom: Growing Pains

Chom’s excitement to be out and free is palpable, but her constant “girlfriend this, girlfriend that” isn’t exactly helping Mom Som adjust. Relatable though—when you’re finally able to be yourself, sometimes you push too far just to see where boundaries lie.

Later, Chom finally has the guts to confront her mom. Blunt, honest, vulnerable. And Som’s admission—that she’s not against Chom having a girlfriend, she just fears she hasn’t understood or supported her—was heartbreaking and beautifully real. Tears rolled (Som’s especially—what a performance). This was one of the strongest coming-out scenes we’ve seen in Thai GLs.

Breakfast, Work, and Comedy Gold

Then came the serotonin we live for: Chom and Tonnam strolling into school hand in hand. The students shipping them? Priceless. The coworker reaction when they revealed they’d been faking disinterest for three years? Comedy gold. Perfect delivery, zero notes.

And can we talk about the hair salon? Sleeping client, Som’s hose mishap, and yet the client never wakes her up? Hilarious. But even better: Som finally learning the truth—Chom and Tonnam have been serious for years. Thank you, writers. We’ve been waiting for this bomb to drop.

Cat Boundaries: Protect the Feline Queen

Wan protecting her cat and shop during a busy morning? Chef’s kiss. Prioritizing the animal’s well-being over profit is exactly the sapphic cat mom energy we signed up for.

In Walks the Ex: Cue the Eye Roll

Wan, explain yourself. You blew up at Meawnam for helping you, yet you turn to the very ex who gave you that trauma in the first place? Make it make sense. Manmuk has Evil Queen energy written all over her, and we don’t buy the “I just want to be friends” routine. Remember her saying her thesis is on grocery stores? Yeah, she’s using you again.

Thank goodness Meawnam walked in and called Wan out. Rightfully so. Wan, you’re digging a hole—careful you don’t bury your relationship in it.

THE SHOWDOWN: Noey vs. Manmuk

This was the scene of EP9. The bestie with the secret crush versus the perceptive ex with shady motives. The moment they entered the frame together, we sat up straight and braced for sparks—and wow, did they deliver.

Manmuk calling out Noey’s long-time feelings? Savage. Noey owning it with grace, admitting she never crossed the line because Wan didn’t reciprocate? Iconic. And then flipping the tables—basically telling Manmuk to back off because Wan loves someone else?

Mic. Drop.

We’re begging for an enemies-to-lovers GL with these two. Universe, are you listening?

Drunk Wan & Drunk Texts

Wan letting loose, drunk and feisty? Loved it. Her playful exchange with Noey was fun (paper-throwing and all). And her drunken apology text to Meawnam? Necessary. Honestly, sometimes alcohol works wonders.

Meawnam’s response? Making Wan work off her debt at the shop. Smart, cheeky, and honest.

Sweet, Spicy, and Authentic Intimacy

Chom and Tonnam’s car kiss? Adorable, but the heartfelt conversation leading up to it was the real highlight—honest, grounded, and perfectly delivered. Then they capped it with a make-out session. Cute, yes, but seriously ladies—get a room.

Wan and Meawnam’s bedroom kiss was short but sweet, with one detail that stole the scene: Wan pausing to tie up her long hair before intimacy. It’s been on our Thai GL bingo card for years, and finally someone delivered. That small, authentic touch made the moment feel lived-in and real. Representation isn’t always about grand gestures; sometimes it’s the little habits that make sapphic intimacy resonate.

Final Thoughts

Whale Store EP9 gave us everything: heartfelt mother-daughter moments, romantic swoons, comedic gems, and enough tension in that Noey-Manmuk showdown to fuel an entire spin-off. It’s still the sweet, cuddly rom-com we signed up for, but with just enough spice to keep us perched on the edge of our seats.

Bring on the finale—though, judging from the previews, we’re both excited and terrified. Please, sapphic gods, don’t curveball us now.

What about you? Are you rooting for #NoeyManmuk like we are? Did Som’s confession wreck you too? Drop your thoughts below, like, and share—because this ride isn’t over yet.