Featured Graphic by Destiny Mizell
Story by Larry Rincon
“Have you ever asked yourself why you need to study so hard? Have you ever felt like none of the teachers understand you?… Ever wondered why the school is so eager to have talented students, but never cares how we’re doing?”
— PANG IN “THE GIFTED”
Imagine going to a school that separates peers based on intelligence, where the smarter reap more benefits from the institution. The United States is familiar with the concept of honors classes and advanced placement classes. They’re classified as advanced for the “smarter” kids.
At one school, less than ten students a year get placed into a class known as “gifted.” Gifted does not necessarily mean smart, though.
Ritthawitthayakom is a prestigious high school in Thailand that holds placement tests every year to determine which of its year ten students have the “potential” to be a part of the school’s gifted class.
“The Gifted Series” is a Thai television drama created by studio GMMTV and was adapted from the short film “The Gifted” back in 2018. The story follows year ten student “Pang” Pawaret Sermrittirong who, despite being in the lowest class, manages to get accepted into the gifted class.
On Pang’s first day of class, he and his peers are tasked to find out what their potential is. As the course progresses he feels as though he does not belong amongst the other students until his fellow classmate “Wave” Wasuthorn Worachotmetee is the first to discover that potential means a superhuman ability.
Throughout the rest of the first season each episode is dedicated to one of the different students in the gifted class. The episodes have individual themes that correlate with the potential of each student such as finding value in the things they’ve lost, the negative impacts of being a perfectionist and others like cyberbullying and being taken advantage of by teachers. In between each individual character story, the series also focuses on Pang as he tries to figure out what his potential is.
“The Gifted Series” is an interesting watch from the perspectives of both those who grew up being called talented or gifted as well as those who grew up not receiving the same validation as those who were considered more successful. The show goes to show the effects of the class system that schools implement causes harm to the mental and physical well being of students. The competitiveness and sense of injustice radiates from the students.
Series like this have been released, but they don’t usually share the same perspectives that this series does.
Pang represents those who were always told they would amount to nothing, but in reality have characteristics that make them special. Wave is one of the smartest and most talented individuals. He represents those who have been taken advantage of and seeks validation in everything he does. “Korn” Thanakorn Gorbgoon has a potential, but does not want it representing those who have received the spotlight and can not stand the negative impacts of it.
The voices of the students not in the gifted class are also heard as they receive punishments or have opportunities taken away just because ten other students are considered gifted.
There’s a lot to be said about “The Gifted Series” and the way it portrays this hierarchy of value in students. I think most people can agree that they have been in a situation very similar to the one portrayed in this series. It may not be to the extent that is shown, but everyone has had moments where a school or organization has failed us in one way or another.
The addition of superpowers in “The Gifted Series” is one of the reasons people may find this interesting. There is a wide range of abilities that get shown, and the mystery surrounding them holds interest. The characters that get developed each have their own story and a lesson to teach. These lessons are not just about the school, but are also about how people influence and affect each other.
The biggest lesson, however, is ultimately that schools should not prioritize certain students over others just because they are more talented or smarter. The series argues for equality in a place where teenagers are still developing as individuals, and unfortunately any bad thing that can happen get exploited in this series.
“The Gifted Series” is available on Youtube on the channel GMMTV as well as the official GMMTV website. The first season is 13 episodes long and well worth the watch. For those who want to know the full story on potentials and where they came from, the second and final season, “The Gifted Graduation,” is on the same Youtube channel and official website.
Finally, I ask readers what potential would you have if you attended a school that puts a higher value on those who are gifted?
To contact Lifestyles Editor Destiny Mizell, email lifestyles@mtsusidelines.com. For more news, visit www.mtsusidelines.com, or follow us on Facebook at MTSU Sidelines or on Twitter at @MTSUSidelines.
