A Tale of a Thousand Stars (2021)

A sweet ending to a beautifully done series

!!Disclaimer¡¡
This review is based on my personal opinion. It is not meant to encourage/discourage you from watching. Please feel free to agree/disagree with it. This is going to be quite a lengthy review, it also might contain a lot of spoilers so if you're not into that go ahead and skip reading it.


Ok, first of, let me start off by saying that this series has officially made me fall in love with Thailand and its absolutely gorgeous nature. I've seen the bts of this series and I want to give all the people behind this amazing series a big hug for their amazing work. Although there were some parts of the plot that didn't make sense and made my head spin a little, I was able to ignore these little things because the positives outweighed the negatives in this one so thank you GMMTV, for not ruining this one.


Story/plot :
Let me say this first, as someone who has not read the novel and only discovered this drama a couple of months ago, I didn't know what to expect from it, and I literally just dove in headfirst (which is a rarity since I don't like going in blind) and I must say that it really exceeded my expectations and left me feeling very much contented. The script was written really well and you could really feel the efforts put into it. The way they presented each scene and how they introduced each character was very good and I'm more than happy with it. The series tells the story of Tian, a rich college student with a terminal illness who gets a second chance at life after undergoing a heart transplant surgery. While still unconscious, he dreams a strange dream and upon waking up, is curious about who was his heart's donor. His parents try to conceal the identity of the donor from him but he finds out anyway after secretly looking at his medical file. He tries to know more about his donor who turns out to be a woman named Torfun, a volunteer teacher at a remote village, and discovers that her death was caused by an accident. He gets hold of her diaries and after reading it, decides to become a volunteer teacher at the same village she was in and finish what she had started. While there he struggles to adapt to the very unfamiliar environment and the very closed people of said village, while hiding Torfun's death and his identity from the villagers. There, he meets Phupa, the chief of a group that protects the village, who helps him adapt with the help of a few friends as he aides and protects him while he teaches the kids of the village. Phu and Tian start off on the wrong foot but they slowly start to get closer and eventually fall in love, but as time goes by and the closer Tian gets to Phu and the villagers, his secret starts weighing on him and it leads him into dangerous situations, and eventually he reveals his secret and faces the consequences of it. That is a very summed up version of the plot.
When I first watched the trailer for it, I was very skeptic about how such situation would be portrayed considering it is not your usual romantic drama nor is it college/school life originated. However, I was pleasantly surprised with the final results. The way they presented the difference between social classes, the importance of money and influence in our modern society, and how someone's life can change in the span of a day was very believable, so a big shout out to the screen writer and the creators for this great plot.
Now that we've got that out of the way, let's talk about some of the very minor plot-holes that really annoyed me personally. How on earth did no one ask for Tian's last name? How was Doc able to get hold of all this information on Tian? Isn't that illegal? Why did Phu have to out Tian like this? Was it really necessary? And a few other things. I really wanted to give the plot a perfect rating, but these very small details really bothered me so I had to deduct 2.5 stars from the final rating, but apart from that, the plot was very unique and I enjoyed it very much.

Acting/cast:
Every single actor was gorgeous. I really loved the cast and I think everyone did a really great job in playing their own character. I loved the main couple and their chemistry throughout the show and I really liked how everyone interacted with each other. The supporting cast on this series is one of my favourite supporting characters of any Thai drama out there ( especially Lhongtae, Khama and Tul) BUT, I must say I did dislike some characters (like Tian's mother and his friends back home expect for of course, Tul) and I found them really annoying tbh. But yeah, with that out of the way, let's move onto our main characters.

~Tian: A
Mix is an amazing actor and I'm honestly really shocked that this is his first time acting, like I'm legit stunned by this fact. The way he played his role and how he brought Tian's character to life is fantastic and I'm officially in love with him. I must admit, I did dislike how his character's personality lacked in some aspects and how he acted in some situations. But yeah apart from that, I really liked his character and I think he did an amazing job in portraying it. Also, mad respect for Mix since he continued filming even though he was very tired and fainted eventually from exhaustion. Also also, can we talk about Tian coming out as gay instead of him going with the usual overused "I'm not gay I just like this guy" line? Cuz whoever is behind that scene needs a freaking raise cuz FINA-FREAKING-LLY!!

~Phupa: A
I have seen Earth act before in LBC and I honestly didn't really like his portrayal of Type back then. However, I think the role of chief Phupa really suits him and he does an amazing job in portraying him. I loved how his stoic face completely differs from his gentle and caring personality. What I didn't like tho is how they removed the part where Doc tells Tian that Phu is gay (I heard it was a scene in the novel and was really excited for it) and how he acted irrationally in episode 8, contrary to his usual self, which resulted in me being kinda disappointed and angry at him and doc for a while, but I got over it eventually. It did irk me tho so I had to point it out. But that aside, I really liked his character and I'm very proud of EarthMix.


Music/soundtrack:
I'm officially obsessed with the soundtrack. This series has one of the most beautiful soundtracks in the history of Thai dramas imho. I loved the ost, especially Aye's version of it and I loved how the soundtrack fit in and how it enhanced the overall feeling of the episodes. They really outdid themselves with this one ngl.


Production:
Two words, true effort. That's it. When I tell you I was stunned by the amount of effort put into this, I literally mean it. The fact that they literally built everything from scratch and it took them 3 years to make this speaks for itself. So hats off to everyone involved making this masterpiece, you guys rock.


Product placement:
The product placement in this was surprisingly decent. It wasn't great and you could tell that some scenes were filmed in certain ways to advertise some products, but it wasn't that excessive or bothersome. And they didn't try to cram in that many products in one episode like other shows did (yes, I'm looking at you 2gether).


And finally, if you've read this far, hats off to you! Thank you for sitting through this long ass review. You're a beautiful, kind, great person and I really appreciate your patience.
My final thoughts on this show is that it was a very nice rollercoaster of emotions lol. I loved the pacing and how natural it felt and I really liked the message that this series is trying to send, I'm also a big fan of the little quotes at the end of each episode. I'm honestly really liking the new Thai BLs coming out lately, I really like how they're slowly breaking the mold and starting to relate to real life a tiny bit more. And with that being said, I hope other people like it as much as I did and I highly recommend giving it a try, cuz even if you don't really like the storyline or the characters , you'll at least like the gorgeous scenery and sets of this series.


P.s: I know that Torfun really effected the villagers and that everyone really loved her, but the fact that they kept bringing her up was really insensitive of them. I also really disliked how Phupa wasn't the one to break the news to the people and how he and everyone around him, kept comparing Tian to Torfun, it really annoyed me tbfh....

Lire davantage

Un cuento bl romántico y maravilloso

Uaaaaa qué preciosidad de serie BL nos ha ofrecido GMTTV!!!! Lo más bonito que he visto en mucho tiempo!!! Una gran historia romántica que nos hace sentir mariposas en el estómago!!! Sin escenas subidas de tono, sin actitudes tóxicas, Tian y Phupa descubren su amor y se comprometen a ser fieles. Su amor no es un fuego desmedido que arrolla con todo sin pensar en nada más, su amor no es egoista, busca la realización del otro y lo respeta, aún cuando conlleve el sacrificio de uno mismo. Fantástico que una serie BL muestre este tipo de amor. Me ha gustado muchísimo la evolución del personaje de Tian, como madura y como sus vivencias en ese remoto poblado del norte de Tailandia cambiarán sus valores y sus principios. Felicidades a Mix, el actor novato que le ha dado vida, ha estado increible!!!En cuanto a la historia está bastante bien narrada, las actuaciones son naturales y nada forzadas: Earth y Mix tienen una química perfecta, los padres, amigos, el resto de secundarios muy correctos, los paisajes muy bonitos y la música acertadísima. Estaba perdiendo yo la esperanza en los BL tailandeses después que A chance to love y Oxygen no cumplieran para nada mis expectativas, me había pasado a los Taiwaneses i mini BL Coreanos pero A tale of 1000 stars me ha devuelto mi fe en ellos. La volveré a ver seguro en maratón!!!!
Felicidades a todo el equipo!!!!!

Lire davantage

Officially, The Best BL Series that I ever watched

When I say ITSAY is the BEST BL drama that I've watched and the series it a tough to beat series for a long run, I can't believe in just 2 months there is another gem come out flawlessly. Especially when I just finished a crappy series, Tharntype 2.

Everyone already knows that the plot story of ATOTS itself is rich n has its own depth. But I've watched few promising BL before that deemed to have a rich plot. But none of it live up to my expectations. Most of it was portrays either 'Boringly' or does not keep to excites me along the way. The 'university' type series is always they fun one even if it is cliche.

But ATOTS brings its ultimate quality. Whether its from cinematography, actings, background music, OSTs, character development, their sexual tension... Everything is a TOP notch. Not even once I skipped or fast forward any part or scene, even if it just a filler scene or non-romantic scenes. They able to grab my whole attention along the way, and fully engrossed with the story development.

Phupha and Tian is the most pleasant BL couple that I've seen. Their love story is a classic/vintage love story of a 2 people ogling each other and fall in love. They didn't talk much about their feelings yet, but they understand each other. So romantic, and so mature. While not communicating, they didn't insert any negative vibe on the love growth and just go along with their feelings naturally. It feels so healing to watch them. The major conflict hasn't come out yet at this point of time, but Im sure they will handle it maturely.

I'm at EP 5, and they already bought me in to write up the review already. Every episode beats the other one, as it just become even better and better. I don't even mind on any kind of story development that they will do for the balance 5 episodes, as I trust ATOTS will only bring the best for its audience.

Edited: As now I'm finished.. Yes, officially the BEST BL drama that I ever watched.

Lire davantage

Disappointed

The ratings really made me bing watched this, and I also recommended it to people thinking it was something great, and they were pretty much diss appointed like me, Apart from the village settings, nothing special about this, storytelling was bad, one of the main actors can’t really act, lot of filler episodes when nothing is happening, a lot of staring contest and that dude Constantly taking off his shirts. This is on par with 2gether the series . This music is nice tho, the cinematography is beautiful but this drama didn’t hit any spot for me. I can’t rewatch this because there is no particular moments I enjoyed there.

Lire davantage

YES....BUT...BIG BUT

This review contain spoilers

Ok... great expectations BUT... BIG BUT

YES...nice production, fair acting, nice soundtracks BUT ...the core of the story is basically a "spoiled - good in heart" rich boy trying to redeam himself and finds help and love in the poor handsome guy ...really? in 2021?!
There are tones of stories like this in the theater for centuries and in cinema for decades!
YES is trully touching and the good acting helps a lot BUT it's not new at all!
YES there were some clever ideas and turning points BUT ...one kiss in the last scene?! ...in 2021
Maybe I'm a little harsh due to the fact that I expected more since there is a high ranking... but I was a little disapointed
Have fun everyone :-)

Lire davantage

Loved it!

I was hesitant at first before watching this. For some reason, I didn't think I'd enjoy it. Well, man was I wrong. This drama was one of my favorites. Definitely in my top 5. The actors, the acting, the visuals; everything was amazing. I gave it a 9.5 because I was frustrated a little bit as we got towards the ending, but all in all, it was a great drama. I totally recommend watching it. If you think it may not be a drama for you, that's how I felt at first but ended up loving it. Just give it a chance. It should hook you on the very first episode, just like it did for me. :)

Lire davantage

BEST OF THE BEST BL DRAMA

This series is really really great, one of P'Aof's masterpiece, the actors, their acting, storyline, fanservice, etc. is so *chef kiss*.
You don't need some explicit scene to make a better BL series, all you need is a good execution of a story. And if some of you haven't watch this series, I recommend you to watch it because it's not only has a love story between the main character but it's also give us an incredible lesson about life. Also, if you're tired with some university things, then this series will be worth to watch, because the setting is more like nature thingy, and you'll be presented by beautiful scenery.

Lire davantage

Not your average BL drama

What can I say, but I'd have to agree with the many previous reviewers of this drama! ATOTS has a gorgeous and impeccable storyline and photography. And the acting! Earth & Mix were spectacular as the leads - I am in awe of how well Mix's acting is in ATOTS, especially that he is a newcomer. The only thing I would say is that his character sometimes cries too much in the show, but I think that is not his fault. I am very impressed of how Earth's acting has improved tremendously since Water Boyy! Again, I cannot stress enough how natural these 2 actors are in this drama, and how "real" their relationship seems. Another actor I'd like to give props to is Nammon. I thought he did exceptionally well in this one, especially since the last drama I saw him in - which was SOTUS S.

I also enjoy that this drama goes beyond the usual high school/college (engineering) setting as well, and it brings a complex flavor/depth to the series. I also appreciate how the series is very empowering of LGBTQ+ community - where everyone act normal/unsurprised when the characters announced that they may be gay or that they like a guy. It is so refreshing to not hear a character stating "I am a man, and I only happen to like XXX" like quasi-admitting that they like guys but denying that they are gay.

Overall, I LOVE ATOTS. I am sad that I discovered it a bit later, but I am glad that such a great series is available! If you have not watched it, I highly recommend this series!!

Lire davantage

Simply beautiful and well executed

This show is now amongst the top three of my all-time favourite Bl series and trust me, I watched plenty. The chemistry was great!! The characters, even side ones, are very attaching and you end up wishing the best for all of them no matter how important they were. Making side characters leave a mark on the show is often not something you see in bl. Usually, there's a side couple and that's it while in this one you end up caring for the children of the village, adults and almost everyone else. It was beautifully written and produced.
The only BL I ever cried while watching and this both happy and sad tears.
I personally think that it's the only 10/10 bl I watched in a while.
The main characters, especially the guy who played Tian made me feel whatever emotion he was portraying.
It's truly a masterpiece in my eyes

Lire davantage

First of all I want to apologize to all the Earth’s fans, because I didn't really fond of his acting since the first time lol ?

I have to admit that the idea of ​​this series was extraordinary, plus the story about the northern thailand culture that are presented are even more appetizing to follow this series till the end.

However... I felt like in the middle of the journey, this series seems like lost its way then tried display several scenes that were predictable and seem exaggerated.

Fortunately, the hum of the soundtrack was really distinctive and shows that this series is not forgettable. Yet, if someone asked me to watch it again I might think twice and said thank you ?. Because for me the duration of this series were way too long for each episode.

In Indonesian:
Pertama-tama saya minta maaf buat para fansnya Earth, karena saya sejak dulu tidak terlalu suka dengan aktingnya beliau lol.

Harus kuakui ide cerita serial ini luar biasa, ditambah bumbu-bumbu tentang budaya yang disuguhkan semakin menggugah selera untuk mengikutinya.

Hanya saja, ditengah perjalanan serial ini seperti kehilangan arah hingga menampilkan beberapa adegan yang mudah sekali terbaca dan terkesan berlebihan.

Namun, dengungan alunan soundtrack yang begitu khas membuat serial ini tidak mudah dilupakan begitu saja. Akan tetapi, kalo diminta untuk menontonnya kembali saya rasa harus bilang terima kasih. Karena buat saya durasi serial ini terlalu panjang tiap episodenya.

Lire davantage

Very good but not plot indepth

I cant stress enough first off how much i DO really really like this story. Its very unique and done really well and everything about it was so beautiful. It has so much emotion packed in and you watch these characters grow. Like, everything was 10/10 til around episode 8? maybe 7? out of the 10 total.

What DID start happening was some plot points created just.... went no where or didnt make much sense or just didnt feel meaningful. Mind you i came from just watching HiStory: Trapped and it was absolutely and truly amazing with its in depth plot. Finishing branching points from every character and everything tied up and made sense.

One of the plot points that feels really big is introduced pretty early on, and gets rly rly rly close to a "resolution" that works out really well for the village. And then they just....never come back to it. I wouldnt even be surprised if i just happen to straight up miss if they said anything cus im legit so confused how they could NOT mention what happened. We can assume but nothing hints to us what came of any of it. I cant stress how this was the only real problem for the villagers and never then addressed or even mentioned at all if the villagers even got to a better place now or not.

[POSSIBLE SPOILER ON PARENTS:
Here, the parents were just so annoying, never questioned or rebelled against (i understand culturally why they would just be like this). Basically willing to ruin his only happiness ever cus they want bragging rights to their rich friends. And they just.... do it. And ppl just tell him to follow his parent.... cus they said so... cus it "would be best." The father comes so close to actually caring about his son then goes back to "well your mom wants bragging rights and she said so, so youre are doing the opposite of what youve ever wanted" like ok nvm.
/]

[POSSIBLE SPOILERS OF LAST EP: it ends well and happy fyi! :)
The last episode feels like a cop out, cus they had episode 8-10 going basically downhill and i wasnt sure if this would be a series i would end with a poor taste in my mouth. Everything was going SO SO well it was getting BETTER and the characters were getting CLOSER and HAPPIER and then, everything ends cus parents said so. And right before they have to distance, the other guy is like well actually maybe you SHOULD come back. I get that now that hes actually left, he would regret it and be true to what he wants, but THEN they have an INSTANT time skip and now just... back. All resolved. Like, ok sure. He got an education and bragging rights like his parents wanted, and now can properly do his passion hes found, but thats it? His parents just let him NOW do w/e he wants? He was already 20 something, is finishing school ALL his parents wanted and now he can just leave? Just jumping right back in as if the down hill problems never started, tho they obvi are closer now than before.

Dont get me wrong, i think they COULD have followed this line of events, just had it feel more necessary than just "cus we said so" and make us feel like this HAS to happen, unavoidable. But, it really didnt. He didnt have to leave other than not questioning his parents motives and doing w/e they want. I wanted to feel sad that this had to happen, not anger at his parents and him for just letting it happen. But its not as if this is unrealistic either way, so other than wishing it was more meaningful, its not bad, just not my preference.
/]

All in all, it was really amazing other than those small things i had issues with. It works out and ends beautifully and regardless of everything, is still one of the most beautiful stories ive ever seen. Its so wholesome and makes me so happy. Its so different (from what ive seen) and is def worth rewatching if i can get over my small gripes with it. This is prob gunna be my top recommended shows in general cus its just... so... *chefs kiss* IF my grips were taken care of, just a little bit more ends tied and less annoying parents, honestly would be top fav 10/10. Its 8 cus of the taste it left before the ending resolved, but it resolved well enough that its still amazing.

Lire davantage