I Told Sunset About You (2020)

I told Sunset about you - は今年最後にして最大の傑作の予感がする

ろーんぐろんぐたいむあごー。
タイ沼どころかタイBLなんて言葉もなかった頃に「Hormones」という青春群像劇がありました。
GTHという映画会社が制作を行い本国では爆発的な人気を博したその作品に、多数のキャストを送り出していたのがNadaoBangkokというタレント事務所。
GTHが解散した後も、事実上その後継企業であるGDH556とガッツリ組んで仕事をしている印象の多かったNadaoBangkok。
最近ではタレントマネジメントだけじゃなく、音楽だったり、映像制作にも積極的に乗り出しているようです。

そんなNadaoBangkokのオリジナルブランドにして、おそらく初のBLメインのミニシリーズ（全5話）がこの「I told Sunset about you」。
ほぼ直訳するなら「夕暮れに君のことを語った」となりますね。
筆記体の英語タイトルといい「君の名前で僕を呼んで（Call me by your name）」を強く意識したと思われるタイトルです。
と言いつつもこの作品。
チャイニーズマーケットを強く意識してるので、中国のことわざだったりするのかもしれません。
が調べた限りでは、それっぽいことわざは出てきませんでした。

さて、このI told Sunset about you。
インターファンフレンドリーとは決して言えないNadaoらしく＾＾；
（現時点では）Youtubeで気軽に見れたりはしません。

TharnTypeのスペシャルエピソード同様に米国産の動画配信サービスVimeoのオンデマンドコンテンツとしてインターファンには有償で提供されています。
どん！
字幕は英語と中国語。
そして気になるお値段ですが、一時間強の第一話はおよそ1200円、しかも１ヶ月限定のレンタル扱いとなっております。
僕はどこからもお金もらってませんので、遠慮なく言いましょう。

「高いよ！高すぎるよ！」

これはインターファン共通の感想だったのか、２話目からは600円でレンタルが可能に変更になりました。
全５話なので全部見るなら4000円弱となるでしょうか。
映画２本見てもまだ届かないこの強気の価格設定に二の足を踏んでいる方もいるでしょう。
昔を知ってる人ならNadaoというブランドで「これは見る」って思うでしょうけど。
Nadaoはこの２、３年（というか最初からか？）インターファンの掘り起こしをほとんどやっていないと思うので、キャストも知らんし制作会社もよく知らん、あげく英語字幕の作品に4000円も出せませんよ……。
という気持ちも判らないでもありません。
が！
僕も一話を見ただけです。が！

これはかなりの傑作の予感。
課金しても心の満足度では充分お釣りがくるレベルの作品（なのではないか）と感じますよ！

さて、前置きがえらく長くなりましたが＾＾；
I told Sunset about you第一話の感想を
Tehは受験シーズンまっただなかの高校三年生。
コミュニケーションアーツ学部への進学を希望していて面接では得意のチャイニーズオペラを披露した（推薦入試のような物だと理解するのがいいようです）。
首尾は上々、バンコクから実家のプーケットに戻るTehは面接で聞かれた親友との事を思い出す。

親友の名前はOh-aew。
５人位の男子グループの中でも、特にOh-aewと仲良くなれたのは「役者になりたい」というTehの夢をバカにしなかったから。
「特に夢はないし飽きっぽいから続かない」というOh-aewは、Tehの夢の実現のために芝居の稽古（という名のチャンバラごっこ）につきあってあげる。
こうして２人は、いつも一緒に行動するようになる。
必然、TehはOh-aewの些細なクセまでも把握するようになっていた。

「嫌な匂いをかいだように鼻をひくひくさせるのは実は背中が痒いだけ。それを知ってるのはたぶん俺だけだったと思う」

と、判りやすい伏線が張られましたが、これが回収される場面ではきっと涙腺が決壊するんでしょうね。

２人の関係に転機が訪れたのは、中国の旧正月が近づいたある日。
やる事になった演物が、Tehが役者を志すきっかけとなった中国の時代劇だった。
「当然自分が主役に抜擢」
と思っていたTehだったが、先生が主役に指名したのはOh-aewだった。
とまどう２人。
Tehは落胆をこらえて、Oh-aewに依頼を受けるように言う。

Oh-aewをまめにサポートしつつも、時折見せるTehの「ガッカリ」した表情と乾いた笑顔がいじましい。
本番中の舞台の裏で、Oh-aewと同じ剣舞を舞うシーンは初回最初の泣きどころ。
「自分がやりたかった」というTehの本音が、セリフではなくアクションで表現されていながらも「いじましいなぁ」「寂しいなぁ」という印象を感じさせるシーンです。
やせ我慢の美学というか。
表舞台に立つOh-aewに向けられた盛大な拍手。
それを舞台裏で聞きながら、わずかに肩を落とすTehの背中もまた寂しい。

ここでかかっているのがクラシックアレンジしたメインテーマ。
アレンジを変えて劇中あちらこちらにかかっては涙腺を直撃してくるこのメインテーマ。
歌詞付きの大元の曲はこちらです。
どん！
Oh-aew演じるPPが歌うチャイニーズ版を貼りましたが、主役Tehを演じるBilkin版もございます。
本家歌手が歌うバージョンもありまして、３つ全て聞きましたが作品全体に漂う「寂しさ」を体現してるのはこのバージョンかな、と個人的には思います。

Tehのアシストもあり、なんとか本番を乗り切ったOh-aewは演技の魅力に取り憑かれてしまい「役者になりたい」と言い出した。
これが嫉妬を押し殺していたTehの気持ちを逆なでして２人は喧嘩してしまう。

明日になれば何事もなかったように元にもどると思っていたのに、それ以降２人は口も聞かなくなって、ついには互いの存在を無視するように。
やがてTehは進学校に転入して２人は会うこともなくなった。

そして現代。
進学校に通うTehには全方位的に可愛い意中の女の子がいる。
Teh本人もわりと真面目な好青年に成長。
先日の面接は上々だったけど駄目だった場合にそなえて中国語の補講を受けようとしていた。

一方のOh-aewは舞台に夢中で自身で劇団を立ちあげる程のはまりっぷり。
親はリゾートホテルを経営していて（プーケットという土地柄がでてますね）暗に継がないのか？と言っているが、彼はTeh同様にコミュニケーションアーツへの進学を希望している。
問題なのは、Oh-aewは中国語の成績があまり、というかだいぶ良くないことだ。

かくして２人は中国語の特別クラスで再会を果たした。
対抗心に燃えているのは２人とも同じ。
という事が後ほど明かされるわけですがTeh目線で語られるこのドラマでは、Teh１人だけが燃え上がってるようにしばし描写されていきます。

くわえて微妙にほのめかされるのがOh-aewと友人Basの関係性。
Basの車で、２人わずかにシートを倒して、しゃべるでもなく、みつめあうでもなく、静かに目をつむって時を過ごす。
かなり心を許していないと成立しない時間の過ごし方だと思うんですよね。
どっちもなのか、どっちかがなのかは一話の段階では判りませんが、まぁ「ただの友達」以上のなにかがあることを感じさせます。

無視を決め込むOh-aewに、対抗意識を燃やすTeh。
険悪な空気が変わるのは先日の試験結果発表の日。
Tehは見事合格を勝ち取る一方で、Oh-aewの名前はリストには乗っていなかった。

かって親友だったOh-aewの落ち込む姿を見て、後を追うTeh。
平凡な17歳、18歳にとって人生最初にして最大の敗北感に打ちのめされているOh-aewは当然＾＾；
追ってきてほしくない。

追いつく前から号泣５秒前と言う表情で、追いついた瞬間「これで満足かよ」と号泣モードに。このタイミングで「ママ」から電話がかかってくるから、なおのこと惨めさに拍車がかかる。

ちなみにハッキリ言及はされてないのですが、Tehが追いついたこの場所は彼らが仲違いした場所と同じ場所ではないかと思います。
「ほっといてくれ」
と言われたのに、Tehは彼をほっておけない。
２人が親友だった時に過ごした浜辺にいってみると彼は１人そこにいた。
「合格するには点が低すぎる」とあてこすったことをまず謝って、それからずっと心にひっかかっていた仲違いした

時の事を「謝りたくて」とTehは切りだす。
眉間に皺を寄せながら黙って聞いていたOh-aewが、わずかにクシャッと顔をゆがめた後に泣いてるんだか、笑ってるんだか判らない表情で、うんうんとうなづく。
いかつい顔をグシャグシャにゆがめて泣くTehとの対比。
彼らの背後に広がる海の信じらんない美しさ。
そして芝居にバッチリあわせてOSTの効果は絶大で、爽やかな涙がこぼれます。
ブログ書くために、ここだけ（３回くらい）見てもまだ泣けますね。
こうして２人は長い対立の日々を終える。
こっから恋に発展するのは次回以降のお預けだ。
一話の終わり方のかっこよさもサイコーだ！
待て次号！

Lire davantage

The episode length is like a movie's and also it COULD be a movie: first episode has an ending which could be sufficient... Yet, we continue.
If 1st episode was about Rivalry, 2nd was about Jealousy. One can be jealous even in friendship, you know;) Then, we yet continue... Somehow, I didn't even wish for the relationship to progress beyond friendship, at least not the way portrayed. In the end, I would really prefer just the 1st episode as a movie. I would definitely rated it higher. Less is more sometimes.

I'm sorry to say that I found this "Billkin" rather ugly and bad actor. He mostly looks awkard onscreen. The other guy is better, he can convey a lot even without words, also he's more... er, handsome. His MDL profile picture looks like some female actress and for a second, I thought maybe by technical error it really WAS (reminded me of one korean actress). But after I looked closer, I accepted it was really him, just very feminine looking pic. Then, after I watched his music video "PP Krit - I'll Do It How You Like It [Official MV]" I really wished to unsee it in my head. Alek Teeradetch is there with him as a boy, and I always thought HE is girly enough but that's nothing in compare to PP Krit in this. Maybe I would rather prefer him to undergo a surgery and really change, lol. It's somehow scary that guys should evolve into this in the future. The Earth is losing men. Aaanyways:) Back to this show!

By the time I opened episode 4, I was like: Ookay, I liked the 1st epi, and then I gradually liked it all a bit less, and NOW I maybe even would prefer not to watch further? But I did watch further telling myself come on, it's just 2 episodes left... Okay, too much crying, too much drama about exams and personally, I would cheer for Oh-Aew & Bas couple more. Phuket is CHARMING. But what can I do, I can't count it into rating for Story, Acting, Music or Rewatch Value:) Last scene, I was totally mesmerized by the scenery. Only I couldn't really bring myself to care about the two guys in it;)

This even has a sequel I'm not interested to watch, but I like its posters so, I looked at those. And that was enough for me:)

Lire davantage

the most beautiful bl series i've ever watched

I have watched several BL series in the past couple months, but nothing beats this for me. Honestly literally everything hits the spot the chinese aesthetic, cinematography, the direction not to mention the impeccable CHEMISTRY between the two leads. Honestly this series is an emotional rollercoaster,as an audience member I felt so many emotions through the episodes I have watched and I like how they take their time with each episode to make the audience feel like we are actually experiencing their journey , I love how during several parts of the series Oh and Teh have silences between the both of them when they just feel eachother's presence. In my opinion this beautifully represents the essence of a first love. Please, Please, Please watch this series you will not regret it!

Lire davantage

THE STANDARD IS RAISED

So BL's, in general, have been sadly lacking in the story/ cinematography department since forever and mostly been either very cringy, bad acting or 90% skinship.

BUT FINALLY, WE HAVE BEEN SAVED. I knew even after seeing the trailer that this was going to capture my heart and I wasn't wrong. I told the sunset about you is a beautiful story with strong acting and excellent cinematography that I feel like I am watching a film. The tension and relationship between the 2 leads are so realistic and beautiful to watch. Just the way they look at each other says 1000 words and the sexual tension burns through the screen.
I am sad knowing there are only 5 episodes but I am happy that the story is still being told is such a deeply meaningful way.
I hope this drama wins awards and I would not be surprised if this becomes the best BL of 2020.
Please take a chance and watch it you will not be disappointed. (international watchers just google where you can watch it)

Lire davantage

sorry to be a curmudgeon...

I get that many of you obviously really like series a lot. I will agree that the photography and locations are excellent. But for me the story and central relationship makes no sense. And frankly I don't see all that much chemistry between the leads - part of that could be the story and writing, but I am just not believing it. Why would Oh-aew have any interest in the guy who treats him so poorly and is such a mess? Especially when cute Bas is right there clearly in love with him. That's the story I would have been interested in watching. The actors seem to have more chemistry too. And ep 4 was so over-the-top melodramatic that it was hard to watch. Maybe something just doesn't come across in the translation. Clearly there are cultural issues that are very far from my own personal experience.

Lire davantage

MASTERPIECE

This is the best of the best, if you're searching a good bl series with a good cinematography and talented actors just go for it. This series is FAR AWAY from stupid plots and cringe acting. This is a whole another level. It gave me "call me by your name" vibes. Is all about chemistry. I just watched 3 episodes and for me is too good. This drama is so underrated. Everyone should watch it. I also loved the scenes when they just look at each other without saying anything. During the whole episodes I felt the butterflies in my stomach. In summary, it's a masterpiece. By far the best thai bl sefies i've ever seen.

Lire davantage

A good portrayal of Coming-of-Age

This series really got to me. It's even beyond my expectations. A perfect example of what a coming-of-age series should be. The emotions are on-point. The actors really did a good job. The color-grading and production? Immaculate. The OST? Chef's kiss. The actors have nice voices ? It is very aesthetically pleasing alongside the good plot. I can rate it already without even finishing the series. Too bad it only has 5 episodes but doesnt really matter because it's quality is something not every production team can pull off. Nadao doesn't really disappoint. Kudos! ❤️

Lire davantage

Mindblown

What on earth did i watch? I mean i ve seen earlier thai bl series they were jus candy floss (sorry maxtul , kristosingto) . This is so mature in every way. The emotions are so raw n real. The person i liked the most in this series is Tarn , what an amazing actor. They way she expresses herself is an absolute delight to watch. I dunno whether the ending is going to break my heart or make me happy but i sure am happy that i got to see this amazing series. Both the leads are amazing though Bilkin has this beautiful ability to put across his emotions in such easy way , even for a non thai like me would be able to follow him with out any subtitles. He does use his dimples straight for the kill....

Lire davantage

Not a masterpiece: not dynamic and lacking communication

I might be the only person that didn't like the show.

So, my first complaint is that the episodes are 1h20min long. I don't really have the attention span to watch such long episodes.

The story was cute, full of promises, with bromance, rivals to "lovers" and whatnot, but at the same time, I felt like the story was lacking something. In my mind, it didn't make sense how the main characters just saw one another just when such a long time had already passed by, even though they have the same group of friends.

I know the show is trying to portray the difficulties of gay teenagers, two boys figuring out what they feel and whatever, but at the same time, the lack of communication between the main characters is infuriating. They don't explain themselves, even when they have reasons to have done whatever they have done.

I already said the episodes were too long, but what I really want to say is that the episodes are not dynamic. Imagine your favorite movie or series, then add 20 seconds to every scene there is in that show, doesn't matter if the scene is about someone crying, someone waiting outside, two people staring at each other, etc; may not seem like it, but these seconds add up, making the show slow and boring, and I felt that with I Told Sunset About You.

Lire davantage

Some of the most melt worthy scenes in almost ANY Thai BL to date.

I am not sure where to begin or end on this one. It's absolute fire and my soul is scorched! I love the acting, the friend group, the girl is charming and not at all annoying to me. The true winner here is the chemistry between the two main actors. Those two seriously drive this entire show with glances, subtle touches and just some of the most angsty vibes ever portrayed through a TV screen. The music is beautiful and always perfectly set/timed.

Bottom line:

There is no fast forwarding to the "good parts".

Nothing is cringy or awkward.

The pacing is perfect and realistic.

Final piece to add!

Their emotions, actions and movements are on point. Some scenes brought me back to a full blown high school relationship/crush, and the pure passion that was felt at that age. I don't know if there is a happy ending, but this is absolute gold.

Lire davantage

ITSAY: A cinematic masterpiece

I never believed I would ever make an account on MDL just to leave a review on a Thai series. I've just recently found myself obsessing over Thai tv shows, and I somehow came across so many people on Instagram buzzing over this ITSAY show. Out of curiosity, I ended up hesitantly watching the first episode half worried that I was wasting my time. A few minutes in, I was absolutely mind blown. The color scheme , the soundtrack, the cinematography, and Billkin's acting in the opening scene?? Literally everything seemed to suggest that this was going to be THE show of the year. I can't believe I was worried about whether the acting was going to disappoint, because Billkin and PP SERVED! They are probably the most talented actors I have ever seen star in a Thai BL series. I actually don't wanna label this as merely a Thai BL Series. This goes BEYOND just being a BL series (not that there is anything wrong with a BL series). It is the coming of age story of two young boys, and we are taken on a journey where they discover love, their feelings, and basically discover themselves with each other. The utter raw depiction of their confusion and them unraveling their feelings is so beautiful and heartwarming. I honestly do not think any review is going to do this series justice. The acting, the music, the cinematography, the symbolism, the plot, everything is just... *chef's kiss*
I really hope Teh and OhAew get the happy ending they deserve. But regardless of how this is bound to end, ITSAY will forever remain in my heart as a cinematic masterpiece. THE tv series of the year. Or maybe the century.
I'm looking forward to seeing Billkin and PP in new works. They deserve all the success.

Lire davantage

When you can't tell the person, tell the sunset

The complications of this drama mostly arise from the cultural situation of the community where Teh grows up. Much like any small town, there is instinct to revere similarity and call that normal and that which isn't similar is not normal. Teh has the expectations of being normal, but early on realizes in his heart that he may not be.
Much like a hero in chains his conditioning constrains him from breaking free of the impositions of society to be his true self. The result is much hardship and heartache for those around him as he fights against his nature and causes heartache and pain.
His inclination is to stay true to the values the community has instilled in him, but that goes against what the heart wants and so his head and heart are constantly at war. He's also very bad at communicating his emotions.
Billkin and PP were teamed up for My Ambulance. After seeing how their performance resonated the director decided to make a story just for them. His reflections took several paths until reached the idea of a young man trying to break out his shell in Phuket.
After a childhood tiff Teh gives Oh-aew the cold shoulder. They both feel slighted so it's not 'til they're trying to gain university admission that they are thrown together by chance. Aft first they are antagonistic, but then they realize there's something going on between them that Teh doesn't want to talk about and Oh-aew doesn't have the fortitude to bring to the surface.
There is a great deal of indirection and glancing surfaces in their interactions until they nearly reach a break through while watching a sunset.
From there to the end it's a constant battle for Teh to come to grips with what he knows he feels inside but is too scared to admit to himself. Can Oh-aew help draw him out?

Lire davantage