I Told Sunset About You (2020)

"We haven't talked for so long. If I could choose, I wouldn't want it to be this way."

-story wise, it’s a strong concept that i personally really love. childhood friends who got into a fight, fell apart, but reunite years later, discovering and navigating through new feelings. i’m a sucker for coming of age media as well as the childhood friends trope so i was all in for this. and for the first three episodes i was absolutely invested but then it started going downhill. the problem is quite clear, they simply went overboard with the angst. it was just sobbing after sobbing (mainly Teh, mans was crying like there was no tomorrow i swear) like i understand its coming of age so obviously there’s gonna be heartbreak, obviously there’s gonna be tears, but it was just so excessive that it started turning way too dramatic to me. and for the cherry on top...it didn’t help that the main lead’s acting for the crying scenes was flat out bad.
-so PP’s crying was okay but Billkin’s? yikes. there was one scene especially that i honestly couldn’t tell if he was crying or laughing. his facial expressions were just awkward and the fact that his character was ALWAYS crying...not a great combo. however! besides the crying scenes, the acting was honestly good! PP, in my opinion, was def a much stronger actor than Billkin, he really brought Oh-aew to life. the whole cast as well did their characters justice.
-another positive note is that PP and Billkin’s chemistry was for sure there. and that was what made me so invested the first three episodes. it’s what brought the coming of age feel to this show. the yearning, the touches, the glances between them, it was all so intimate and present. they really felt like childhood friends who always had a special place in their heart for each other.
-you may be asking why i gave it a good rating even tho i just went off about the bad crying and angst excessive plot...well...one word. cinematography. it’s absolutely stunning. there were so many scenes that honestly gave me chills. shots that were crafted with such a delicacy and care that every feeling and emotion the director wanted to convey through these shots were felt. every scene’s directional purpose felt intentional. the colors, where the light was coming from, where the actors stood, the angle of the camera, it’s this cinematography that made it worth it.
so...yes the angst was excessive. yes Billkin’s crying scenes were really rough. but Oh-aew and Teh’s connection and yearning struck me. the cinematography left me in absolute awe. this show wasn’t perfect at all but it managed to make me feel all the emotions that come with a coming of age genre. so i’ll still recommend this show because maybe you’ll be struck with those feelings too. just be aware that you’ll end up saying to yourself, “is this guy really crying AGAIN?”

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Rollercoaster

This is a huge rollercoaster that I won't mind riding innumerable time..
Lets Talk about the chemistry: I didn't actually understand the concept till i watched this. This going to be my "reference" chemistry marker.

Lets talk acting: Bloody pros.. No ounce of hesitation, just pure beauty, every scene, every expression, every teardrop, perfection. Even the side leads and Teh's fam did a very good job .

Story: This is the kind of story, if you decided to skip it for some reason, you would be on the loosing side.

Altho I would have liked if the ending could have been a bit stronger.. it's like the writers loosed the end in last 10mins.
But maybe it's just the calm before the onset of storm which will be part 2
Can't wait.

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A masterpiece

This show exceeded my expectations!! “I told sunset about you” is a must watch it has earned a spot in my heart and is now one of my favourite series!
I can’t express how amazing this show really is!! The storyline is everything from the cinematography, plot and ost it is just stunning it’s an absolute masterpiece that hits you right in the feelz!
Better then any other bl series out there, their is nothing quite like ITSAY, not to mention the CHEMISTRY which is off the charts! hopefully the show gets put on netflix and gets so much more recognition as it deserves!!

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With this sunset comes two rising stars, Billkin & PP

This Thai series has only five episodes, and from episodes 1 to 4, each minute is well-spent. The story unfurls at an unhurried pace, allowing scenes to breathe. And yet no scene is left to waste.

Oh-aew and Teh, best friends since childhood, have a falling out just before junior high. After years of ghosting each other, Oh-aew and Teh meet again, and they renew their friendship. But this time, Teh is gripped by the stirrings of newfound feelings towards Oh. And as he tries to grapple with it, Oh also senses this attraction, and he goes for it.

ITSAY excels in examining, in a measured and meticulous way, how the two boys navigate through the different emotions that evolve between them. Picking up the broken pieces of a shattered friendship takes time, and the series takes its time to show how painful reconnections can be, when the unspoken is at last spoken. Teh’s attraction to Oh, Oh’s shift in interest from Bas to Teh, Teh’s confused handling of his relationship with Tarn, Teh’s conflicted feelings at home — whether they're caused by outside forces or from inner motivations, decisions are made and words are spoken, and they have consequences.

And when the series touches on societal issues (particularly those relevant to the LGBTQI+ community), these issues are woven seamlessly into the narrative and not just tacked on because they're part of an agenda.

The series is all about the details. Gorgeously shot in picturesque Phuket, the cinematography and production design combine to produce lyrical images that match the series’ poetic title. The languid pacing allows for silences to be heard and pauses to make their point. Most importantly, Krit Amnuaydechkorn as Oh-aew and Billkin Putthipong Assaratanakul as Teh give affecting, heartfelt performances that evoke all sorts of nostalgic Love Of Siam feels, and this series cements their status as a top-tier BL couple. Billkin, in particular, is amazing as he externalizes the push-and-pull of his inner conflicts through awkward movements and a glazed, puzzled look in his eyes.

Oh-aew and Teh’s story may not be groundbreaking, but such as story is still worth telling. Because for some of those in the LGBTQI+ community (and some confused ones as well), their story is our truth. And ITSAY shows us how affecting our stories are when their told well. Or to paraphrase an ad agency’s credo, “It’s our truth, well told.”

(P.S. - I’ve yet to watch the finale, but I’m calling this the best BL/gay series of 2020. And while I don’t think it’s a perfect series, there’s no 9.75 in the MyDramaList ratings, so I’ll just round off my score.)

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The Imperfect Story Portrayed Perfectly

Nothing much to say except for one word!

PERFECTION

I assume that this drama will bag several drama awards from acting, production design, directing, cinematography, original score, writing, adapted screenplay.

Billkin is a revealation in this drama. His acting is so convincing that you can actually feel his emotion...and PP is equally as good Billkin... They should get both the top acting awards...

I love the rawness of the characters and how the lead actors portrayed that rawness. It is not rushed... The story progression and character development is perfect!

This is truly a MASTERPIECE... an INSTANT CLASSIC.

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Good but not a masterpiece imo

I enjoyed this series, but I did find it a bit slow-paced for my tastes. Especially the first couple of episodes (it starts to pick up after that). But I just feel like some scenes drag on way too long with not much actually happening. (I.e. watching characters walk around here and there and back again in an extended shot without much dialogue or the extended & sometimes cringy crying scenes). However by ep 3 it does pick up the pace a bit. I just loved episode 3! (The end scene was just perfect and so aptly conveyed the conflicting emotions and fear of the characters. That was my fave ep!).

I almost dropped this after the first episode as I wasn't that into the theatre stuff and thought that would be the focus of the show (IE. their rivalry). But this took a more mature direction I didn't expect. By Ep 4 you are well and truly into a more mature but very angsty, melodramatic story. (Although admittedly the story started to lose me a little there and I considered dropping it again. I feel like ep 4 was such a jarring change of pace from the previous episodes. E.g. the scene where Teh is in his room with his brother in the frame the whole time had me like wut...only for the fact that I don't believe anyone would do that in the same room as their bro, it was unnecessary af and did nothing to help convey the meaning of that scene imo).

The actors here are the real stand out for the most part. There's subtlety, warmth and sincerity in their acting, which I find is often not the case with a lot of BL actors. They were so believable in their roles- they embodied those characters. I especially liked the actor for Oh-aew for the vulnerability he was able to convey with his nuanced expressions. Although I was a little less impressed by the actor for Teh as I felt like he was a bit OTT at times, especially in the crying scenes.

The OST is beautiful. I also hope in future there's more Thai BL stories like this that branch out to more locations than the same tired old high school/college campus settings. (Let BL actors out of the college campus cage more often plz!).
Now for one critique based on my personal preference. I do get a bit tired of scenes where the characters are on their phones and texting, looking at Instagram stories etc. I get that it is pretty representative of this day and age- but I guess I still prefer more organic scenes where the characters actually meet up. I don’t like when a show relies on too many of these scenes. I wouldn’t say those scenes ruined my watching experience of ITSAY, but I did get a bit sick of looking at the characters checking whether the other person had watched their IG story or not over and OVER.
For the most part I didn’t mind it too much, but for example at the end of ep 4 it was really grinding my gears. I just wanted the characters to actually talk rather than communicate by IG stories during an extended crying scene (it starts to get a bit too gruelling and tedious imo).

Overall, this is a story about fully dimensional people- not pretty boy caricatures or cliché meet-cute scenarios. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy those kind of dramas as much as the average BL fan. But I'd most recommend this for people who are looking for a more mature story with a slowly developed, flawed and complicated romance. While I did enjoy this, I feel like it was a slog to get through at times. It’s emotionally heavy, long-winded and slow-paced. I much preferred the start and middle of the series than the ending episodes (which I found pretty hard to get through).
There is so much sweetness and such a soft, romantic energy to the first half of this series. I wish it kept that through to the end. I kind of hated how melodramatic it got in the last two episodes. I especially hated the whole arc with Teh overcompensating by giving up his dream college position to Oh-aew rather than just apologizing.... and then losing that position permanently. OMG- HATED. Such stupid melodrama. Love is not giving up your dreams for the other person. That action was actually more manipulative than anything imo, so I thought Teh got what he deserved in losing the position.

I see why this show gets so much hype and I agree that it’s one of the better written, visually produced and acted BL series out there... But I don’t see myself wanting to re-watch this at any point in future because the second half was just too overwrought with little reprieve (and I'd have to skip through a lot of scenes to save myself some boredom lol).
Also, my last note and comment- Teh’s dog was the best side character in my opinion lmao. (Oh and Bas deserved hella better than what he got having been the most honest and kind character in the entire show).

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Best Thai BL 2020

Just to start things off, I began watching "I Told Sunset About You" with the impression that it was going to be similar to many of the other Thai BLs that have aired, but I was wrong (in a good way). This series drove me to write my first ever review on MyDramaList because I think it deserves more recognition since the character development and acting are top quality. Even if this series turns out to have a sad ending, it is 100% worth watching if not for the BL and plot, then the real and raw emotions that are evoked as you live their experience.

Plot: Although the plot centralizes on Teh and Oh-aew's school life, it goes beyond the typical BL trope of protagonists butting heads but somehow managing to foster romantic feelings for each other within the scope of one or two unrealistic interactions. It is refreshing how "I Told Sunset About You" does not fall for the easy pickings of high school drama but rather strives to exemplify the coming-of-age genre of finding validation and purpose in life. I really enjoyed how the series did not glaze over their childhood dynamics which influence the progression of how they interact with each other and the world around them later on. The child actors were excellent in portraying distinctive characteristics of Teh and Oh-aew, with child Teh being supportive of Oh-aew acting even though he wanted the role himself while Oh-aew was frank and upfront with how he felt throughout. These aspects directly translate to their personalities during adulthood and set the stage for complex character development and growth.

Although I know many BL fans (including myself) like to see the fervency and fluff between the characters, personally I feel from watching many Thai BLs or BLs in general that they prioritize the romantic connection above all else and then subsequently throw many saccharine scenes (which I do not mind lol) at us to wrap up the series. While I am not saying that a romantic revelation cannot be the crux and climax of the story, a well-rounded character with multiple areas in which they can grow is often more interesting to watch. Without featuring family, work-life dynamics, and friendships, the protagonist’s story becomes two dimensional and does not reach the potential it could have in enrapturing the audience and making its mark in the drama industry. I feel that this drama is different from the others because the sequence of events from their reunion, reestablishment of their friendship, and then forming feelings for each other was so natural, and you can tell at which point their friendship evolved into something more. Even though we do not get their first kiss until later on in the series, I was even more touched by the attentiveness that Teh had for Oh-aew early on, remembering how a certain person sniffling indicated a back itch and helping him relieve it. This minute perceptiveness and subconscious small gestures are so sweet and make me want to comb through the episodes once more to see if I missed any. Additionally, I love how the script writers emphasized communication and reporting how one truly feels. I am often frustrated with how minor misunderstandings that could be resolved with talking to the person is blown up into a whole debacle (i.e. trope about seeing partner with ex/perceived lover). Rather, this series bypasses this convention through the characters checking in on each other and better allocates screen time on the struggle of establishing who Teh and Oh-aew define themselves to be and who others are to them. They lead us to appreciate how fragile trust and relationships are and emphasize the necessity to listen and address the underlying concerns the other person has.

Acting: For the first time acting as main characters, BKPP have done an amazing job in conveying what the characters feel through words or expressions. Although some sobbing scenes could have been more refined, in the vast majority of their performance, their emotions down to their microexpressions were on point. At times of subtle rejection, BK’s tendency to form teary eyes while pretending to be fine was the icing on top of the cake. There are so many well executed, emotionally charged scenes that you cannot help but to experience those emotions alongside the characters. I especially like how BK at the end of ep. 4 conveyed his grief under the stress of his circumstance in such an unfiltered and unfettered manner. Crying is not always as beautiful as they usually portray in films and BK’s appearance reflects the devastation he is encountering perfectly. Knowing the sacrifices and experiences he had gone through made that scene all the more impactful.

Cinematography: The filming was on point throughout episodes 1-4, but there were a few scenes that took my breath away. The cinematography of BKPP wandering under the staircase in resort in a choreographic I move, you follow sequence and the underwater kiss were elegantly shot. Even the more intimate scenes were well adapted for them. The spontaneity and coarseness of their physical interaction highlight the impulsiveness of youth but also indecisiveness on Teh’s part from the quick withdrawal from further activity. This series utilized silence very well by allowing the characters and the audience to bask in the atmosphere uninterrupted which further fostered the appeal and fondness I felt. The chemistry between the protagonists is really out of this world, perhaps due to the characters being semi-inspired by the actors, BKPP being close in real life, the well-written script, the superb directing by P’ Boss or all of the above.

Sorry about this long post, but as you can probably tell, BKPP the series really has struck a place in my heart that goes beyond being a BL lover but one that craves for a portrayal of a genuine relationship that incorporates a well thought out plot, identity searching, and heart-wrenching emotions/acting (but realistic!) all in one. I really cannot believe how top-notch of a production this is and how other Thai BL dramas pale in comparison when analyzing at a deeper level. Both songs from BK “Skyline” and “Lost in Translation” are also great songs that I encourage everyone to listen to. Hopefully BKPP will continue to produce films together and that Nadao can keep up this good work (and produce more BL dramas)!

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JUST WOW, I HAVE SO MANY WORDS AND YET NONE AT ALL!!

I didn't have any expectations going into this because I hadn't read any reviews myself nor had I really seen anyone talk much about it. I just saw someone recommend it on tiktok and decided to take a leap of faith and give it a try. I really didn't think it was going to be that interesting and it was my first time ever watching a Thai drama. Most of the one's I had watched before were Korean dramas so I just wasn't sure if I was going to like it. BOY WAS I SURPRISED. I really need for my fellow friends that enjoy this genre to watch this. I watch a lot of Boy love, LGBTQ+ or whatever you wanna call it, in both anime form and live action.. and this is by far one of the best ones I've seen. Like probably top, number one. It didn't have any overly toxic characters, no boring side stories, no fillers, and no uncomfortable sex scenes(as in borderline rape scenes cause I've seen that in a lot of dramas but don't get me wrong, there's a little spice in there. Just not uncomfortable spice lol). Not to mention the main characters have a pretty healthy relationship, unlike most other BL's I've seen. I mean literally whatever little rivalry they had in the beginning was squashed in the first episode. This series is just so sweet and heart-warming. The crying scene's aren't sugar coated or made to look pretty. There is just so much pure and raw emotion involved in this series that it's hard to look away. I binged the whole five hours of it and regret nothing.
MANY things about it really drew me, even from the very beginning. A lot of the dramas I watch are kind of short and rushed but this one was completely opposite. They took their time telling the story(which is a great plot) and it starts way different than other ones I've seen. The build up in their relationship, exploring their love, their sexuality, and feeling the heartache they share of being LGBTQ+ in a society that doesn't really accept them is just so beautiful and relatable it hurts. It shows that its okay to be confused and its okay to be who you are. There are always people who aren't going to accept you but there are always going to be people who WILL. I appreciate that there are very supportive side characters(like family and friends) which is awesome because it makes them more relevant in the story. I have re-watched this series about 6 or 7 times now and I plan to continue to re-watch until I literally can't stand it anymore.
This drama is in another league than others I've watched and it makes me hold everything else to higher standards.
I'm so insanely excited for Part 2 that I've pretty much decided to wait until it's fully released to watch it because it's agonizing to have to wait for it every week lol.

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Coming Out story of a Confused teen - full of sweetness and angst

Completed - 2/10/2022

This is my first completed Thai drama (BL or not). I am not a serious BL drama watcher and I am a straight woman, so I can't really comment on how realistic this drama's portrayal of a teen's coming out journey. However, I have to say that among the BL dramas that I have watched (Chinese, Korean or Taiwanese), this one is the best produced and most "realistic" to me. Most BL dramas focus a lot of the romance and skinship/kisses and are usually comedies. This one shows us Teh's conflicted feelings of realizing that he is attracted to his male best friend.

I really like the first episode. It was well-produced like a movie. It describes the young friendship of two adolescents, how they had a fallout and then back together as friends. It was innocent, and just about rekindling and repairing a lost and broken friendship. I was hooked after watching the first episode.

Episodes 2 and 3 brought us more joy and the developing of feelings for each other. You see a little jealousy from both Teh and Oh-Aew, when they are not quite sure why they are feeling a certain way. Is it just pure friendship or more than that? We also saw a few very intimate and sensual scenes from the pair of friends, yet not sexual as other Thai BL dramas I've seen. There are so much emotions in these episodes and I really enjoy the acting from both of our leads. Oh-Aew is so sweet and caring, and such a great friend to Teh.

Pacing slows down in Ep 4 and 5 and I lost a little of my focus. The focus is on Teh's mixed feelings and confusion. Others might think that it took him too long to understand his feelings. However, I disagree. Though I don't have such experience, it can't be easy to have your ideals and belief system turned upside down. He needs time to think and process and really feel. Teh is not sure what to do with these new feelings for Oh-Aew, as he's brought up to like girls and not boys. His heartfelt talk with his older brother conveys, I assume, many teens' concerns about how others view them as "different". Oh, what a great and supportive brother he has.

If I have to say one thing I don't like about this drama, is the overdramatic crying of Teh. He is quite a crybaby and the saliva and snot are a little too much for my taste. Otherwise, the acting is solid. I really like PP (Oh-Aew) and prefers his acting and showing of emotions over Billkin (Teh).

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My Very First BL

I have to admit when my friend suggested let’s watch a BL together, I was skeptical it was something I would enjoy watching. So she suggested I Told The Sunset About You and let me tell you this series got me hooked. I have since watched a total of 40 BL dramas, and this one will always be one of my favorites. The acting was superb. Teh’s character was very complex and realistic. I absolutely loved oh-aew. If he cried, I cried. Never has a character stuck so close to my heart. This is one of the best coming of age stories ever written. It is also the first series that I watched twice. If anyone is on the fence about watching this series, I would say definitely do. This one will touch your soul.

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I don't know what to say that hasn't been said about this drama before. I watched it in one go and now I just wish I could turn back time and delete everything from my memory so that I could watch it again for the first time.

I could talk about the amazing acting, the stunning realistic plot, the flawless cinematography and touching OST that told a story on their own. However, no matter how much effort I put into my words, this is one of those shows that you must watch to get the feeling it gives off.

Truly the best BL drama ever produced, and I have watched a Tale of Thousand Stars! If every BL show was as touching, memorable, raw, visually majestic like this one I would be the happiest person on this website. The amount of thought that was put into every dialogue, every shot, every sound, every facial expression blows my mind. I could pause the episode at a random scene and I guarantee you that scene would be the most beautiful thing... Also, the symbolism behind each scene is so spot on that I could write a hundred essays on this show and how symbols that appear in the very first episode are present throughout the whole show and how simple scenes or dialogues are crucial to the story as a whole.

I didn't believe people when they told me this drama was out of this world last year and only decided to watch it now. A big mistake! It's unmissable, really. It's the first BL I've added to my favorite dramas list and I'm so excited to see the progress BL shows have been making since I first started watching them in 2018. I can't wait for the projects that are to come! Hopefully other directors and screenwriters took notes ;) THIS is the level of quality that we should be expecting from a BL show! It's time to step up the game.

Now let's watch "I promise you the moon"!

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itsay: epitome of beauty and symbolisms

i've heard a lot of good reviews about itsay before on my stan twitter and back then i was not really that interested since i dont like heavy drama type of series, but then i got a little bored and decided to watch it. i had pretty high expectations since most of the things i was seeing on twitter were praises because of how good this series is. i've heard a lot of people say that this is the best series that they have ever watched, not just in the bl industry.

i started watching it 3 weeks before my entrance exam for a university im trying to get into. i had no idea that the plot is somehow going to be related to what i was about to experience. i loved every small details about itsay, from the beginning where they tackled about the early relationship of teh and oh aew, and despite how close they are, we could see how they get jealous and envious they can get towards each other. a situation that occurs in real life, with our very own friends. i love how young oh aew and teh portrayed their roles and showcased a potential drama (and potential beef ofc ahsjkhaahs) thats about to happen between them. childish things, very realistic and relatable.

ffw to when they met again. every representation and symbolism is iconic. the way yongjian, the color red, coconuts, sunsets etc represents oh aew. the feelings of love, confusion, excitement, impulse and everything in between has been delivered to me very efficient and effectively. it shows how powerfully love can manipulate a person's brain, changing every single thing teh has believed in and have acted before. watching this, i was really confused if i should hate teh for being impulsive or pity him because he's just a poor young boy trying to figure himself out :( as for oh aew, even though he has figured himself out already and have his family accept him, he still lacks appreciation and assurance. i can feel the love, the pain and the sadness just how i like it. i love how every single time i remember a scene, i could reassess my first analyzation about it depending on whose point of view i am looking at. every action of each character is understandable, as their characters are very much crafted carefully. i also love how you could put up theories and such as to why a particular scene happened.

for the actors, billkin is probably one of the greatest thai actors i have ever seen (my no. 1 is probably gun atthaphan, no. 2 is james teeradon and no. 3 is him) i cant even say anything anymore... just.. damn bro... u got sum nice tears. pp did an excellent job too! especially for the red bra scene, it was full of emotions, even i, was hurt. nice job for khunpol too! since he's a newbie in the industry, he did not failed to actually keep up with the other actors that he is with.

all in all, this drama made me feel every single emotion i could ever feel in my life all at the same damn time. never have i watched a series and cried on how beautiful each episode is. up until now, i still could not get over how great of a masterpiece itsay is, to the point that after watching itsay, i never had a chance to enjoy other series anymore, and i even compared itsay (the plot, storyline, cinematography) to past series that i have watched (mostly thai bls ofc). itsay is life changing, everything was written and portrayed perfectly. i could feel every emotion that a character is feeling. the script is on point. the setting, very beautiful! many people are saying that itsay is overrated but, lhuv, i think it's underrated! plus,,, their ost and original scores are really good i want to cry pls

would i rewatch it tho?
-as much as i want to, i cant watch it at the moment because i know how hard it is going to be for my feelings to process everything again. itsay is so heavy that i has affected my everyday life and rewatching it might damage my emotions jk ahsjkhkdhahah i would probably rewatch it in the future when i know im ready to cry so much again lmao

lastly, i love bas, and it hurts so bad to know that he's not going to be on itsay 2 :(( protect our baby at all costs

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