I Told Sunset About You (2020)

I doubt there's anything I can say about this beautiful little show that hasn't been said before so this review is more to capture my own emotions as I finish watching it.

To be honest, this show is so real, so raw and often so on point in its portrayal of adolescent romance that parts of it were like an emotional suckerpunch; bringing back from the depths the confusion, insecurity, terror of rejection, that conflicting desire to find someone who is entirely yours without having to open yourself in return. All those floundering moments of our teenage years.

But since so much has already been said on how perfect this aspect of the show is, I'll instead take a detour to talk about how beautifully anchored in place I Told Sunset About You is. Unlike a lot of Thai BL that try to decontextualise the plot from the character's surroundings - creating a disjointed and often jarringly unrealistic fantasy (and often not a good one) - I Told Sunset About You is not just Thai, but Southern Thai. It's Phuket in all its melting pot glory. Who these characters are is inherently grounded in where they are and it's what makes the writing so fine and the characterisation so well-rounded.

While parts of I Told Sunset About You are difficult and uncomfortable to watch, the show truly is a wonderful exploration of falling in love but also embracing bravery in that love. And those lessons are as important for straight relationships as they are for gay ones. And in the end, that's what makes it such a great little show. Because we will all recognise ourselves, for better or for worse, in these characters. Even in those moments when we don't want to. And the universality is what turns this from a good show to a great show.

Lire davantage

A new standard for romance / BLs - a masterpiece

I actually signed up for an account just to write a review for this. That is just how amazing this production was.

STORY
This isn't your typical coming-of-age drama/movie. Most dramas tend to follow the same plotline of "straight guy falls in love with gay guy, finally has an epiphany and gets together" troupe. However, ITSAY adds an additional layer, as it deals with what most people struggling with their sexuality feel in their lives: denial, the inability to discuss this issue with family, societal pressures of marriage and being a "good son". ITSAY gives justice to all these issues and brings hope to watchers who may be facing the same issues. Really well-written script, tugs the heartstrings, giving the romance while also dealing with these issues. Very well done and amazing analogies and hidden symbols. Brings in so many more layers to the story.

Also, can I just say that it not only has the most beautiful kiss scene but even without any kiss, you can feel the yearn and desire Teh and Oh-aew had for each other. It's just so beautiful.

ACTING
Every actor gave their all in this series and it can be seen. There are many emotional scenes but every actor/actress managed to pull off the emotions and giving the story a lot more depth and character/story development. I would have to commend Billkin for being able to showcase the inner conflicts that one deals with in regards to their sexuality. PP Krit also did a fantastic job with the emotional scenes and the wish to have a "normal love" with the bra scene and the scene after the kiss scene where he had to accept Teh's unwillingness to accept his sexuality. Smile and PP Khunpol also did and amazing job in the rejection for their unrequited love. Also Teh's mother. 10/10.

MUSIC
There is nothing more to say that it is so amazing. "Skyline", just like what P'Boss mentioned, really makes you miss someone even if you don't understand the lyrics. The other OST, "Lost in Translation" also gives one the feeling of the yearning of love and the softness that love will bring into your world. Really amazing, and the absence of music in important scenes also adds another layer of depth into the story and emotions of the scene. 10/10.

REWATCH VALUE
Definitely. You would want to rewatch it again to see if you have missed out on any of the symbolism such as the "color theory" of Teh, Oh-aew and Tharn where Teh = blue, Oh-aew = red and Tharn = purple. And who wouldn't want to watch this sweet relationship again?

OVERALL
Really well done. For the fact that Goy wrote the script after interviewing the actors shows just how much thought and dedication went into making this drama. The production team came very well with the actors to deliver this masterpiece. Even with COVID, they managed to produce such an amazing drama. This series is no longer a "drama" but rather, a work of art. A definite must-watch even if one isn't into BLs. It shows the beauty of two humans falling in love.

Lire davantage

I'd use Naruto's shadow clone technique and do a standing ovation

I am not the type of person why cries over movies but dang I can't put to words how much this series has moved/affected me in many different ways. It was as if every dormant emotional hormones (serotonin, endorphins, dopamine, oxytocin, adrenaline, etc. ) I have were awakened. It penetrates deep into my hypothalamus and amygdala 🧠 down to my heart ❤️😅 I love how the actors had brought me to empathize with their characters as if I was involved in every scene - everything was raw... and profound and...sensational and all other praises you could possibly think of. A big kudos to the director, screenwriters, and every crew members who turned this series into a masterpiece. It will take me forever to move on from this marvelous work of art. No exaggeration, this how I really feel.

Lire davantage

Masterpiece

I truly amazed after watching this drama. I didnt expected this drama would be this much good when i started to watch. Each and every episode is very realistic emotional ride. Really happy i found MDL .Without MDL i wouldnt even thoght about watching a Thailand movie in my lifetime.I am happy i was able to find this gem.Really surprised that Culture wise its same to my country.The rituals ,belief,parents mentality evrything portryed very natural way.It was very relatable. Acting wise Wow! such a talented main leads.How they are acting like this in such a young age?!! Both male leads are not acted, but lived in this drama.It was like am watching their life through hidden camera.This drama has whole bunch of friendship,Romance,motivation,family vibes.DONT MISS IT

Lire davantage

We told sunset about us

"I told Sunset about you" is one of best Thai Bl I have ever seen in this life. I cried, I blushed and felt every single emotions one human can feel. This drama is a masterpiece. MUST WATCH! A coming of age story of two high school boys learning their deep relationship through messed up feelings. The Cinematography and set design is everything. the whole cast slayed with their acting. Bloody good! It was a stream of emotions, swinging over the horizon. Every single episode is a work of art! The dialogues and screenplay is so good, I have no words. This drama is to be cherish till the end of the world.

Lire davantage

A masterpiece worth the watch

Hello I’m writing my first review because this show deserves one. It’s really worth watching ! If you're hesitating, don't be scared this drama has one of the best drama plot and acting.
I can say that, compared to other thai dramas, the acting was the best I've ever seen. We can feel all the characters' emotions through their eyes and the chemistry between the main characters is higher than what I’ve witnessed to this day (this beat Tharntype that was, to me, the drama with the best chemistry between the male leads). Teh gave me such goosebumps and, oh my god, Oh-Aew was just as good !
It’s a story I related to, as I also don’t talk to my bestfriend anymore so it made me cry a lot and boy, you will cry at each episode either because of how you’re immersed in the drama or because you will get just as sad as the characters.
The cinematography can put you in a daze and the songs literally emphasize the beauty of the drama. It kinda gave me the same feelings i felt while watching « Call me by your name » but since it's much more longer (and better but it’s just my opinion since i liked itsay more haha), it felt like heaven to me lol. It’s not an overrated drama, it’s just one of the best bl ever made and YOU HAVE to watch it !


/!\SPOIL TO KNOW IF IT’S A HAPPY ENDING OR NOT /!\

Don’t worry, it’s definitely a happy ending.

/!\SPOIL /!\

I absolutely loved Bas character, he was the sweetest and I still want to cry when I think of him and Oh-Aew hugging. I would've loved a kiss to end the drama but I’m absolutely not disappointed ! I look forward to season 2 that I’ll watch at all cost hehe.

Lire davantage

A Masterpiece

Too often, Thai dramas fall into tropes and predictable storylines. BL in particular can sometimes serve up flat stories that lack depth and drive. The characters’ actions can also seem legally dubious and morally questionable, which lessens my respect and support for them. This is not the case with I Told Sunset About You. It felt modern, refreshing, informed, emotionally mature, and rich. It is a masterpiece, probably the best drama to come out of Thailand.

Much has been said about how the production did not seem to cut corners, but in my opinion, the best choice the director made was the simple rule of “show, don’t tell.” So much of the action takes place beneath the surface. Emotions and motivations of the two leads are obvious, but not openly discussed: Teh always wanting to smell coconuts, down to smelling coconut-scented ink and literally sticking his head in one; the characters increasingly finding excuses to touch each other (though not necessarily in a sexual way); the jealousy they both try to keep hidden; the conversations they have about their other love pursuits where the body language clearly states, “I’m really into you, but don’t think I have a chance.” The unwillingness, particularly on Teh’s part, to deal with the reality of their emotions yields results that spill over from their relationship with each other into foolish and consequential decisions that negatively affect other people, but again, the cause-and-effect is shown, not explained. It’s not easy to bring out or deliver these performances, which makes the entire production all the more remarkable.

The other thing I adored about this series was its maturity. The relationships, while ridden with mistakes from characters, were healthy. While there was jealousy, there was never a lack of consent or an attempt to control the other person. There was a heart-wrenching conversation between Teh and his brother, when everything finally spilled out, that was realistic but heartwarming, and reflected what many in the queer community need to be ready for when they acknowledge who they are. In other BLs, the female characters end up being treated with scorn, as one-dimensional obstacles and nuisances. I really appreciated how Tarn was given motivations besides being love-struck, and at one point basically says that she is too busy trying to get into college to deal with being jerked around. She was dealt with as a full character who also must cope with the consequences of Teh’s actions; the show gave her dignity, which is incredibly rare in this type of drama.

The only small flaw I could find in the show was that the music timing seemed a bit overly dramatic in a few instances, but this is common in many Asian dramas and doesn’t really take away from the overall show.

This piece was extraordinary and a treasure; I hope other directors and writers take note of its success and why. An absolute standing ovation from me!

Lire davantage

RECOMMENDED THAI BL DRAMA SERIES OF 2020

I REALLY LOVE THE STORY THE ACTORS/ ACTRESS PORTRAY THEIR CHARACTERS VERY WELL SPECIALLY BILLKIN ACTING WISE HE IS REALLY OUTSTANDING HE GIVE JUSTICE TO HIS ROLE HE ACT NATURALLY HE NAILED IT ! VERY GOOD CINEMATOGRAPHY ! THIS A MUST WATCH BL DRAMA SERIES OF 2020 THE DIRECTOR DID A VERY GOOD JOB THIS
SHOULD BE THE BL SERIES AWARD OF THE YEAR BEST STORY BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY BEST DIRECTOR AND BILLKIN MUST BE THE BEST ACTOR ❤️❤️❤️ THIS IS THE BEST BL DRAMA SERIES IVE WATCH SO FAR THE STORYLINE IS VERY GOOD THE CINEMATOGRAPHY IS REALLY GREAT THE DIRECTOR IS SUPERB AND THE CAST IS OUTSTANDING .. I TOLD SUNSET ABOUT YOU MUST BE RECOGNIZE AS THE MOST POPULAR BL DRAMA SERIES AT ALL TIME .. I AM 100 % RECOMMENDING I TOLD SUNSET ABOUT YOU !!!!

Lire davantage

simple but not regular

where do I even start from?
for starters this is not your quintessential (thai) bl. this is really much more than those. the characters have depth, may it be the main characters or the side characters, the storyline has a flow and all the ups and downs it needs, it's like a journey that you feel like you're a part of. it's about friendship turning to love and the process of finding yourself is painful but so beautiful. that's the beauty of this shows, it really digs into two perspectives, one who already knows themself and the other finding themself.
and oh the cinematography, it is to die for, it's so beautiful, phuket is really beautiful.
there's literally nothing in the show that I can say wasn't good.
I'm not a big fan of thai osts but that didn't affect my liking also the original scores that are background music are so beautiful (they even released them on yt, listen after you're done with the show).
I've seen quite a few shows/movies like this one (beautiful, serene) but this just tops not just the bl list but overall romantic list.

Lire davantage

ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS

This was truly one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. I will never be the same after watching this and no i am not over-exaggerating it rly is a masterpiece. To be able to make the viewer feel SO MUCH with a plot that lacks in the typical tools used to make people FEEL things (such as death and major tragedy) truly makes this so wonderfully unique and poignant. Honestly I couldn't even watch episodes unless I was in the right state of mind bc of the emotional pull every episode had. 10/10 and not just bkpp but everyone's (special shout outs to the actors for tan and hoon) acting was so thoughtful and believable. I'm honestly curious what they'll do with a 2nd season but I'm sure it'll be another emotional rollercoaster that I WILL be signing up for

Lire davantage

100% RECOMMENDED.

this is a high-quality series, it made me stan the entire nadao bangkok. the characters were well-representedby the casts, the emotions are always there, the concept was very detailed, the effort the crew poured in, the directing, the scenes, and the cinematography, it was all very meticulous. i have been rewatching this since i finished it and until now i still feel the emotions. empathy is the key to appreciate this drama better; you can watch and feel anger, confusion, love, and other things but if you try to understand the characters better, it becomes a new world for you. my favorite bl series so far.

Lire davantage