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PERFECTION
I have to admit, before watching "I Told Sunset About You" i never knew who Billkin and PP were. I did not watch "My Ambulance" and Nadao productions doesn't really make a FULL BL Series compared how frequent GMMTV makes BL Series. Thanks to MDL i saw some posts in the feeds about this show. Unfortunately this show is not on Youtube and the only way to watch this legally is either through Line TV without Subs or Vimeo which comes with a hefty price. I decided to watch the first episode in DC just to test it and if I love it, i will watch the remaining episodes in Vimeo. (which i did).After watching Episode 1, I was really amazed that I was watching a BL series. I've never experienced this kind of quality as far as cinematography, editing and direction in a BL series. When i rate shows in MDL i have my own expectations for Asian Dramas especially with Kdramas, and i have my own expectations for a BL series (which is normally a bit lower and usually try to disregard some technicalities like editing and cinematography). After watching Episode 1, I knew that this drama would be one of my favorite BL series of all time. And i was right, after finishing the 5 episodes of ITSAY, this show becomes not only my all time favorite BL series but also one of my most favorite Asian dramas of all time.
MUSICAL SCORE - I honestly believe that ITSAY has one of the best Musical Scorings in any asian drama. As they say, music stimulates our minds and hearts. The way they used different versions of the OST "SKYLINE" depending on the mood of the scene is amazing. They also have other OST which is used perfectly on other scenes which adds emotions to the scenes. Some of the memorable scenes with perfect musical scoring are the following:
- Episode 4 - in the exchange of IG stories between Teh and Oh Aew, the BGM was building up to when Teh was crying and about to open his book to review, the BGM used keeps building up which adds suspense to the scene... then once he opened the book, there's complete silence until he burst out crying, then as soon as Teh cried the instrumental version of "Can’t Translate” added sooo much emotions in the scenes which made the audience feel more for Teh. That scene was perfection.
- The Bra scene... the BGM used when Oh Aew was removing the bra and crying... that was tastefully done and made the scene more impactful. this was the musical score they used : https://youtu.be/VcjvE7xkEnU
- The musical score they used in the trailer when Teh and Oh Aew were in motorcycle, this is one of my favorites: https://youtu.be/-gaXP7rgNE4
- Uderwater scene - need i say more?
Nadao was generous enough to share most of the original musical score tracks they used in Youtube and i have to say i fell in love listening to these tracks!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCUIsYHYpxJMwSYDxRX37w3iUjibNNQc_
CINEMATOGRAPHY - Because I'm into videography and photography, I could say that cinematography is my favorite technical aspect in a movie or drama. The cinematographer or what we call the director of photography of ITSAY carefully thought every shot, considering the angle, the camera movement and placement, the shot composition, the light and used different cinematography techniques from close ups, long shots, tracking shot, crane and dolly shots, panning to name a view. The usage of light either natural or artificial to set the vibe of the entire show and to set up the mood of a scene are so meticulously done. The cinematographer was able to capture the emotions of the actors on all of their close ups and extreme close ups especially on their heavy dramatic scenes. And most of all the cinematographer was able to show how beautiful Phuket Thailand is especially the amazing sunset shots and the underwater scenes.
I found a youtube link that compiled some of the best cinematography in ITSAY and majority of the shots selected are some of my favorites. Please watch this and be mesmerized by ITSAY's cinematography.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVKrDkDLR5o&feature=youtu.be
- The underwater scene and the sunset scenes are so magical. But some of my favorite camera shots are (1) the hammock scene in ep3. The amount of light which is almost a silhouette but you can still perfectly see the sand, see and sky is just perfection. (2) the review scenes on Ep2, the camera shots from above, below, ground level, these shots made the scenes much enticing to the viewers (3) motorbike scene in Ep2. How beautiful this shot is? The colors, the lights in the streets and while the motorbike is moving, the cinematographer has the best shot of Oh Aew and Teh's happy faces , Oh Aew raising his hands while both of them are having the best time of their lives. (4) the movement of camera on Ep4 when Oh Aew walked away from Teh. The camera did not follow Teh as he walked towards Oh Aew, but the camera just keeps moving (with PP's version of Skyline as background music) and all we can see is the wall. But as soon as camera ended the shot with the wall, we saw Oh Aew & Teh under the stairs hugging each other. How beautiful and well though of camera shot is that? clap clap!
EDITING - the way each scenes are edited were done so well. Like how they explained in the documentaries, the emotions of the characters are very important and this should have continuity in every scene. You cannot just cry without any reason, or even if you do, in a drama the audience should understand where the emotions are coming from. One thing i appreciated in ITSAY editing is they do not resort to making flashback scenes for audience to understand what Teh and Oh Aew are thinking. This happens a lot in Kdramas. Even just some scenes which happened 5 seconds ago, the editor will resort to flashback of the same scene just for audience to know what the characters are thinking at that moment.
example:
- During the Bra Scene - the editor can insert some flahsbacks like the sensual scene in ep3 where Teh keeps touching Oh Aew's chest or the underwater scene on episode 4 where Teh still touched Oh Aew's breast. Even without showing those flashbacks, because the editing was done perfectly we would know already what was Oh Ae thinking.
- All of the coconut references. Every time Teh smells or eat coconut, the editor did not need to show flashbacks about the coconut... through the entirety of the show, we know how the coconut reminded Teh of Oh Aew.
- Episode 5 - during chinese new year and the pianist played "skyline" both Teh and Oh Aew were crying. We don't need to have flashbacks on their scenes when they were singing that song... we just felt their emotions and even cried with them.
SCRIPT/STORY - We've seen many coming of age dramas in BL series but i have to say, the way ITSAY delivered their story and message is very refreshing. The script was so good that it made us understood the characters and their decisions (which are stupid at times or very impulsive). We were reminded how young people can be confused, impulsive and give their all when they fall in love.
- When I rewatched this series multiple times, I can't help myself but praise the writer more and more. I just love how detailed the writers are. From the little things like Oh Aew always itching his back and sniffs most of the time when he was a kid, we would still see this when he grew up (Teh still scratching Oh Aew's back). From the purple bra of Tarn which Teh saw from her blouse in ep2, which was used again by Tarn to get Teh's attention in ep4. The contrast of red and purple hibuscus flower and what it symbolizes even the drawing that Tarn gave to Teh where Tarn still drew the purple hibiscus symbolizing that she's still hoping... these small details which made the series so perfect.
- But my most favorite parts are the underwater scene, bra scene of Oh Aew and the "play with my toy" scene of Teh and what these scenes symbolize (1) the underwater scene is so meaningful. The way they kiss all out under the water gave the meaning that their relationship needs to be hidden in order for them to fully express their feelings. Somewhere hidden, quiet and no one will see. But once they go back to land, everything goes back to normal where Teh is still not accepting their relationship. (2) the bra scene is so powerful on what the struggles of gay people. It's so emotional and PP did an excellent job on this scene (3) playing with the toy (sorry for the term). when was the last time you saw this kind of scene? P'Boss is so gutsy to include this scene but it was not done to make the scene arousing but to show Teh's struggle with his sexuality. If you remember, before he started "doing it" the last photo he saw was Oh Aew's in red bra. Then he started doing it and looked at the poster of the male actor and eventually cried. (is he imagining Oh Aew as the one in the poster? knowing that Oh Aew portrayed also this character when they were kids?) Teh really struggled and was confused on what's happening. It started with just sniffing Oh Aew's hair, then coconut, then coconut pen in paper, more sniffing of Teh and touching of Oh Aew's chest in ep 3 and finally kiss Oh Aew underwater ... Teh's sexual desires to Oh Aew has been growing and growing up to the point where he can't stop anymore..... and all he can do was cry after.
DIRECTION- Now let's talk about P'Boss. I have not watched "My Ambulance" yet but i love his previous work Project S: Side by Side. Watching the documentaries and how he explained the importance of the scenes, i have nothing but high respect to P'Boss. Much respect on reshooting many scenes because he's not satisfied with the post production. The way he motivated and get Billkin and PP into their characters were so spot on.
BILLKIN and PP: And for the last part, let's talk about my new favorite BL tandem: BKPP.... WOW! just WOW! did BKPP just elevated how BL actors should act? i mean, come on... both of them sacrificed so much and gave their all in this drama and we all can feel it. Both of them were so consistent in their characters from episode 1 up to the end.
The way Billkin showed his acting range in this series is crazy. We can feel all of his emotions from being confused, happy, jealous, sad, depressed... everything! he's that good! But we cannot disregard PP's acting chops. He portrayed Oh Aew's character flawlessly too. His best scenes are the bra scene, his lines whenever he talks to Teh especially on the last scene... that was really moving.
- the chemistry of this 2 is out of this world. We are not just talking about physical chemistry, but most especially their chemistry on acting.... They really help each other in showing their best emotions. I don't think this series won't be as good as it is if either of them are not casted on their roles. THEY ARE SO PERFECT TOGETHER! Let's claim it. Billkin and PP are Nadao's BL KINGS!
ITSAY just raised the bar on how BL series should be done. Having good script is not enough. Having good actors are not enough. Having good director is not enough. Having good cinematography and editing are not enough..... ALL of these components in making a Masterpiece should be in synced and this is what ITSAY did. It has everything we can ask for.
It may not be the cup of tea of others, but it's definitely not just a cup of tea, but also coffee, soda, soju and all other drinks to MANY! I have watched so many reaction videos and read many reviews and almost every one has all praises to this show.
Truly a Masterpiece, definitely a perfection. That's "I Told Sunset about You."
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love like a storm
A masterful portrayal of the maladies of fledgling teenage love. Confused emotions from failing to separate friendship and romantic attraction, longing , pain from unrequited feelings, utter joy from being together, jealousy and the desire to possess; love is like a storm sweeping through the mind, enmeshing all the emotions. A teenage love is indeed special. Unlike the managed emotions of an adult who has learned to protect oneself , it is desperate and total. Such intricacies are rarely portrayed in dramas, more so in gay-themed dramas which unfortunately have a general lower quality. A must watch for all lgbt fans.From a general reading of the comment section, people please remember they are not experienced in love and cut Teh some slack . On one hand , he wants to do right by his friends, but the bitterness of unreciprocated feeling takes over making him manipulative and hurtful to others. Only when you grow up, you gradually learn to exercise restraint. So don't be to quick to judge him by adult standards
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ITSAY = PERFECTION
ITSAY is that precious feeling that no one can ever steal from you. Never ever. I'm writing it to you.This drama, which has stirred all our emotions, is what you call EXCELLENT. The vibes it gives off are so deep & beautiful that it makes you feel nostalgic. The kind of storytelling done in the series is something that leaves no heart unprevailed. It is indeed the rarest of the rare Thai BL drama you'll ever witness.
Fabulous direction & screenplay, heart-warming dialogues, stimulating plot devices, awesome acting by the cast and most importantly, 'astounding' cinematography, oof.
Another fact that makes it unique is how incredibly they've introduced props like hibiscus, coconut, etc and utilized them well.
SPECIAL mentions to Bilkin and PP for offering their natural, simple and outstanding acting skills to this already precious story. Their dialogue delivery, accurate expressions, smiles, cries and everything made us smile & cry as if we were a part of their beautiful love story. Thank you so much you two. You guys have won over our heart and you along with the series will always be in our thoughts and dreams.
I really really hope THAI writers continue writing such beautiful stories and then the makers adapt them into series. How amazing that will be than watching the same cliché highschool/uni stories with romance and intimacy!
I swear "I TOLD SUNSET ABOUT YOU" is such a delightful thing to witness, I feel blessed. My life somehow feels complete. Eagerly waiting for I PROMISE YOU THE MOON- IPYTM (ITSAY part2).
THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE!
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All I Can Say Is WOW!!!
This is DEFINITELY one of my top BL shows of the year alongside Cherry Magic!!! This is such a beautiful masterpiece of a show!!! I remember when the preview trailer first came out… I was already hooked!!! I was on the lookout for it and it did not disappoint me one bit when it finally started. I looked forward to seeing it every week. It made me feel all of the emotions. I was up here sitting in my room crying over everything. I don’t think any other BL has made me this emotional before in my life.First, I would like to start off with the casting and characters. Billkin as Teh did a wonderful job. His character was a smart but confused individual. Given this being a coming of age type of story, I feel like his actions throughout the show were justified because he was learning to navigate who he was as a person like how most people do around that age. Coming into your sexuality can be a mix of conflicting emotions. I understand that it takes much time and reflection. I know some people were annoyed by his character but I think he portrayed it very well. (Side note: I know he had to be drained in between takes from all that crying he did lol It was almost giving me Third vibes from Theory of Love lol I just thought it was kind of funny but they both still had me feeling all emotional and tearing up so you know they were doing something right!!!). PP Krit as Oh-aew also did a wonderful job. To me, Oh-aew I feel was more secure in who he was as a person and of his sexuality than Teh so it was hard for me to see him be so distraught at how Teh kept on backing off from truly moving forward. Pining over someone who won’t REALLY reciprocate can be one of the worst feelings in the world. So, I truly felt his pain through it all. All in all, the two lead actors really DELIVERED!!! I could feel every single stare, every single body movement, and every single touch. You could cut the TENSION with a knife!!! No one couldn’t tell me that there wasn’t a magnetic true love between these two. I know this sounds cliche but it's like they were destined to be together. Also, I would love to see them in future projects!!!
Shoutout to Tan and Bas as well for sticking by Teh and Oh-aew sides and being true friends through it all even though they had to give up the possibility of a romantic relationship with the guys. They are the real MVP’s of this show!!!
The writing and directing on this show was impeccable to me!!! No cringy dialogue and every single line served its purpose well. This is movie grade writing. I saw some behind the scenes videos of certain scenes, like the hotel scene where there under the staircase, being directed and I loved seeing how meticulous the director was. He did a great job directing all of the scenes so you can truly see and get the meaning of everything.
I also wanted to quickly just say that I loved the attention and callback to details throughout like with the tutoring book that Teh made for Oh-aew that was left empty by the end of episode 4, the flower that was supposed to be colored the same as Tan’s garment but Teh colored it red because he was thinking of Oh-aew, the rubbing of Oh-aew’s back when he sniffles, the references to Teh’s favorite actor, and the use of Chinese phrases to get meaning across. I could go on and on but wow I just loved how they really connected all of the details throughout.
Also, the cinematography in this show is TOP FREAKIN NOTCH!!! Every single scene is just so beautifully shot. The cinematography alone makes me want to cry lol I saw somewhere that someone said the filming of the show reminded them of an indie film and I totally agree!!! They came with the high budget for this series and I live for it!!! The music throughout the episodes is beautiful as well. The OST Skyline performed by Billkin made me emotional as well. Billkin’s voice is just so pleasant sounding.
This show was a rollercoaster of emotions and it was one of the most sincere shows I have ever watched!!! I was worried it wasn’t going to end well considering all that went on in episode 4 especially but I am glad that it had a happy ending. When Teh asked Oh-aew to be his boyfriend... I SCREAMED in excitement!!! I can’t wait for Season 2!!! Also, it’s so beautiful how this community really came together to discuss and support this amazing show!!!
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Please don't disappear from me again.
I just can't believe how much this story touched my heart. I wouldn't have ever changed anything from it, not even a single bit. Every character is beautifully written and portrayed, from Ohaew to Kai to even Teh and Hoon's mom. Please, from the very top of my soul, watch this, it has everything anyone could want; love like a storm, friendship, coming to terms with your sexuality, disagreements, understandings, and a coming of age. I Told Sunset About You has embraced me and became a comfort, something I could hold on and vent all my feelings too, even the smallest things of it are now engraved in me. I've shed a lot of tears, but it's been worth it.Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
The key is subtlety
This story feels very much that of a thriller/suspense story. How? It gives you very subtle hints that gives off messages on otherwise non-sensical things. What does a sniff on a coconut symbolize? Nothing. Not unless you're in the context of I Told Sunset About You. How about the colors of the hibiscus? Well, same answer.The writers' ability to create subtle things and make them points of exposition is amazing. Truly a work of art.
The color grading is that of a sunset. Yes. It creates a feeling of beauty, peace, and end. The shots are amazing (especially the underwater shots). Each action made and each dialogue said feels like its there on purpose.
Oh yeah, I forgot about the OST. The OST is probably one of the best ones out there. One is focused on fate, one is focused on confusion, and one is focused on confession, all reflecting this series' story.
Do I recommend it? Hell yeah.
Will it make you cry? I did not cry for this one (I rarely do cry on tv shows) but yes. I've heard people crying over this drama.
P.S. Watch the documentary too. You will fall in love with the crew.
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THIS SERIES IS WORTH THE WATCH! (PREPARE TISSUES)
To start this off, this series was produced by Nadao and as we know, Nadao delivers great series. The cinematography of this show is on another level. Compared to other BL series, its cinematography is at the top. This was filmed in Phuket and it kinda gives the vibes of the 80s and 90s but it is set in the present time which is amazing.Next are the actors. BKPP already starred in a My Ambulance and their chemistry is really excellent. The acting is so natural. I am glad that the characters are not that many and no other side couples since it is only a 5-episode long series. Personally, I believe that the actors are doing an excellent job portraying their characters and giving it life. A job well done on that.
And about the plot. Just reading the title gives me sad vibes already. Watching the first 3 episodes, this series is unlike other BL series. It is not cliche and tackles the adolescence of two young boys. I am happy that this is more realistic and focuses on real-life situations. The story so far is GREAT! I cried during these 3 episodes and judging on where this is going, I suggest that we should prepare tissues. The foreshadowing and hints in each episode really made me predict that this is not going to end happily. (I feel like Teh is still hesitant and in-denial with his sexuality. His character is really complex and I can't really predict what's in his mind rn) There's a lot of emotion in each episode. It really is a roller coaster ride.
The music is just <3333, it made it into my playlist even though I don't understand anything.
And the incorporation of Chinese is really good that added depth to the series.
In conclusion, this series is WORTH THE WATCH, and I would never regret it. All of these aspects combined together to make this MASTERPIECE. Kudos to the team, Nadao, and the actors for doing a great job. Personally, this is on the top of my all-time favorites and probably one of the best BL series in 2020.
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This ain't BL- this is a masterpiece!!!
There are only three BL series that I was diehard eagerly wanted to see in he year 2020. The first one is A Tale of Thousand Stars- which got pushed back to 2021. The second one was Manner of Death- which is coming out on November 30th. And the third one, without even knowing the storyline was I Told Sunset About You. Where everyone was hyping up well known BL series that were coming out, I was hyping this one up. And it did not disappoint.Story- 10/10
It's a simple story that was beautifully told betwee these two great actors (who I first saw in My Ambulance). They were friends when they were younger, ended up enemies. They met each other some years later and it's from here we end up on an emotional rollercoaster. Everything that they did had me glued to my seat, watching hem when they got close, when they fought, when they cried, when they passed for university and even when they (finally) became boyfriends. It was so tastefully done and I can honestly say, I saw no flaws in this story.
Acting/Cast- 10/10
This is the second series that I have watched with both Billkin and PP Krit and both times thier acting blew me away. I was rooting for thwm in My Ambulance, but was devastated with the outcome. Due to that, I was a bit cautious in watching this series, although I wanted to support it. I am glad that I did, cause these men can act! Some of these BL actors may need to take some points from them, cause these guys are in a total different field.
Even the supporting characters were awesome. From Teh's mom and brother, to Bas and even to Tan- I felt thier pain and support in this series.
Music-10/10
The songs are mesmerising and addictive. The OST is so beautiful that I don't mind hearing it again and again.
Rewatch Valu- 10/10
Eventhough this series made me ugly cry so much on just five episodes, I would most definitely watch it again. It has everything that I have been looking for- amazing actors, a simple yet beautiful story and amazing songs.
Overall- 10/10
I would most definitely recommend this show to people. It is truly one of a kind as I see it as a masterpiece!
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Splendidly done.
This series is top-notch. I won't like to adress it as Thai BL since it definitely has all the qualities to compete with the general Thai series. It feels like a movie divided into parts. The director,crew,cast,music,background,cinematography,the actors ,even their makeup is so minimal that it looks so real,everything is perfect. They haven’t overdone it either. It’s a perfect blend of emotions portrayed in the most beautiful,silent movement and stares. It brings back your childhood ,innocence,first love,dreams,anger,sadness,craziness,laughter,everything in every episode. It’s a part of our own story written to fit into a beautiful cinematography view. Definitely worth the hype and fever among fans.
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Perhaps the best Thai BL yet?!
I knew there was something planned for BillkinPP after the fans begged for a project where they would be - finally - the main couple... but oh boy... Was I not ready for this...At first, I didn't even notice I Told Sunset About You was the much awaited BKPP the series! When the third episode aired I finally went to take a look at the plot and the cast... and I was surprised it was BKPP! After reading the plot, I decided to start watching it...
I must say I don't even know from where to begin with, but let's start with BKPP!
Billkin and PP have always been great actors and I've followed them in their social medias even before the release of My Ambulance. I've always liked them and appreciated their efforts. But what they showed in this series is prime acting!!
It surprised me how well they interpreted their characters. They absorbed the plot in a way that even after reading the plot I was shocked to notice how immersed I was in the story thanks to their acting. After watching the behind the scenes, I was even more sure of their amazing talent! They improvised in some scenes and that went so well P'Boss let these scenes in. They're very comfortable with each other and it shows!
The plot of the series is so simple and at the same time so complex... I didn't think they would treat the topic the way they did. I've been into Asian BL since 2015 and I've watched too many series and movies of this genre to count... After discovering Thai BL, it gradually became my favorite... I've watched tons of them so I think what I'm going to say is reasonable.
The topic they chose to explore in this series is not unprecedented. There's been many with this very same topic but what makes ITSAY so different from the others? and why do I think it's the best thai BL I've ever watched?
First things first,,,, I like the way the topic is treated.. how the characters deal with it... not only Oh-Aew and Teh but also Bas and Tan and Teh's mother and brother.
I like that it's not simple and I like the fact that it's not perfect.
Teh and Oh's relationship going from friends to enemies to friends again to best friends but then something more. The fear Teh feels, the way he subconsciously starts thinking more about Oh than his old crush Tan that he have been hitting on for at least 2 years,,, it's so natural. It usually is not portrayed like that in BL series in general. They do try to make it seem natural and gradual but I've never seen a series that succeeded so well at it like ITSAY.
I love the scenes where nothing is being said or if it is, what's being said it's not that important and the actions speak louder.
Like the scene where Teh is prompted by Tan to paint a flower in her drawing, and he should've chosen the purple color pencil if he was paying attention to her... but he chose red. The way she gets mad and he can't understand what's happening! This is natural, people! He doesn't even realize! Even if he does, he doesn't acknowledge it! and his actions speaks for his mind/heart....
And the scene where Bas is confessing his feelings for Oh in front of everyone, and we see Oh taking a quick look at Teh... then Teh can't get his attention elsewhere as he's watching the guy he knows Oh is interested in, doing the one thing he should've done but didn't have the guts for... the one thing that brought them apart yet again... And now he's crying, he can't help but cry... He was afraid, afraid of what other people would think but also about what HE himself would think about it... We also have Oh crying, probably overwhelmed by the confession of his long time crush but also because he wished it was someone else... someone could probably argue with me about that but... that scene on the restaurant, when he's holding Bas' hands but the song makes him think of Teh and he can't help but wish it wasn't Bas's hand there, but Teh's... and this is not said out loud... but it doesn't need to be. It's clear as day. And for me, it proves how bad Oh wishes the one beside him was Teh instead... We also have a crying Teh who can't dare to join his group of friends in the restaurant, because he doesn't want to see what he did to himself and Oh. His fear and confused thoughts made him lose the one thing he didn't want to. There's no talking here but we can still see and feel what's happening, why it's happening.
And that's why I love this series so much. There's so many subtle things... and that makes it more real! It definitely looks like a real story.
A story of two boys who live in a small city, that met trough their fear of fireworks, became best friends, shared a dream together, a dream that brought them apart at some point, to the point of seeing each other as rivals/enemies, that occasionally realized they're better together, became friends again, this time promising to never be apart again... but now, they're not kids anymore... not adults yet though... they're still young... and they feel scared, they feel the pressure the adults put on them, they feel insecure and they feel human. They're human. Love doesn't need to come all of a sudden or like in a magical way... it can be on a friendship you lost once and don't wanna lose again... it can happen when you never could've imagined, but you did imagine it... you just didn't realize you did...
Humans suffer. They hurt. Themselves and others. Intentionally or not.
At the end... Oh and Teh just didn't want to lose what they had, it's way too precious for them. Teh is afraid. Had been afraid for a long time, he realized. But what he also realized was that he couldn't allow himself to hurt so much, himself and others!
He knew what he wanted since the beginning... his realization was beautiful and painful to watch... he didn't know what to do. He wanted that but he knew he couldn't have that. But why would he not be able to have it? Hoon made him realize that he damn could if he wanted, it was his own choice. And I love that Teh was still unsure. It's not magic! It doesn't work right away. Hoon comforting and supporting him is an relief indeed but it still didn't change Teh's thoughts on what he himself would think about that.
And that's human. That is being human. Being young. He's wishing he didn't feel that way towards Oh, because it complicates everything. It changes everything Teh has ever thought and goddamn if it wouldn't make anyone afraid!
He then realizes he has his brother's support and that his thoughts won't change his heart. He feels something for Oh, and although that makes him terrified, it makes him feel alive. It makes him feel himself in a way he never did before. And we don't know if he's ready to accept this side of himself yet but he definitely wanna try.
For Oh, the boy he fell in love with suddenly but also gradually.
But also for himself. For once, he wants to feel like he's doing that because he's allowed to and not because he's being pressured to do it, to make it happen. He wants to make it happen because it's him and Oh, and seeing that Oh is willing to try, it makes him want to try as well. And that's what they've always been to each other.
A inspiration, a push, a influence.
Even when they were apart, they subconsciously - and sometimes not - had each other as the thing that kept them going forward.
I basically talked just about Teh, but Oh also has a really amazing story. Maybe he doesn't feel scared like Teh, but he fears other things. He's scared of himself sometimes. Even when we thought he would be more accepting of himself... he isn't quite like that. Just because he's less scared than Teh it doesn't make him not feel scared at all. We can see how he realizes he cares more about Teh than Bas.. Bas, the guy he liked for a while but never had the courage to confess to, did confess to him! It should've been a dream coming true. The guy he likes, likes him back and is clearly not afraid of showing how he feels towards him to anybody else. Oh is feeling terrible, because he realizes he feels more for Teh, but Teh is the one who's afraid of what they could be.
Oh tries with Bas, but he realizes it's too late. Bas does as well.
Oh is so damn afraid of loosing Teh again he even desperately asks for Teh to never disappear from him again. He wants to be with Teh. Hell! He never wanted something so bad, and yet he tries to conceal it! He wishes he would just stop thinking about Teh in that way, because Teh doesn't seem to reciprocate his feelings and he can't afford losing Teh again.
At last, we have relieved tears coming after the sadness one. The hopeful smile. The relieved/fond stare. The promising smile. And finally the relaxing bodies. The pure relief. The freedom. And of course, the blossoming love.
What makes this series be the best thai BL I've ever watched is of course, the amazing script, magnificent acting, the beautiful production and the hard working staff that made it possible for us to watch it.
But also, the main thing that makes ITSAY so perfect in my opinion is the way it portrays its story so humanly. There's no magic, no perfect road and no easy way to love. And this story knows it.
Absolutely perfect.
I Told Sunset About You deserves all the damn awards it can get.
Even if they don't. It'll never change my mind. This is the best thai BL yet to exist!
Thank you if you took the time to read this review. It's actually my first one. Even if I love many other series, this is the one that I couldn't help but review. I have to scream out loud my love for this series hahaha :)
Stay healthy, everyone. Take care. ♡
P.S: I'm posting this so long after the airing of the last episode, because I couldn't dare finishing it right away... I spent nearly two months preparing myself for that last episode... If only I knew.... I cried so many times. I think I've never cried so much watching a series... but I loved every single bit of it!
P.S 2: I'm so so so excited for season 2! 11th March! I'm gonna die! I'll prepare my tissues. Don't forget to prepare yours. ;)
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My Favorite Show, Maybe Ever
Right off, I'll admit this isn't a perfect show for everyone, despite my rating - if you don't like ugly (and arguably overdramatic) crying, you might have a hard time with this one - but for me, this is everything I want in a show and more. This is a perfect show for me. Here are some of my highlights:MUSIC
Having multiple versions of the main song is really clever, and the two leads of this show are both genuinely good singers. The soundtrack is really cohesive and adds to the emotion, pulling you further into the story. I love that they foreshadowed the track at the very end with instrumental versions of it! Overall, a very versatile and well-utilized soundtrack in my opinion.
ACTING/CAST
Honestly, I don't know much at all about acting but I really enjoyed watching the subtle expressions on the actors' faces during emotional scenes. I'll admit some of the crying felt over the top for me but it's not enough of a bother to knock down my score... and I do think I'd rather have it this way than have it not feel genuine. I'm not a very emotional person myself but I have cried just as dramatically, especially as a high schooler, so I don't think it's entirely unrealistic. The thing is, for me, for every over-the-top scene, there are at least ten scenes that had my eyes glued to the screen, that had me feeling more emotions than I have in months. So I don't mind it much at all.
Another note: I was actually impressed with the actor and actress who played Bas and Tarn. Bas didn't have many lines but he expressed a lot in little gestures and subtle expressions.
STORY (big spoilers below, only read if you've already watched!)
You see a character without a father and a traditional mother struggling to even identify his own feelings because in his household, making mom proud is the most important thing. You see him struggling to express his affection in words because that's not how his family communicates with him. You see him giving away pieces of himself that he shouldn't give away because he hasn't learned any other way to give love. And that's my defense of Teh, who is a little bit stupid about what most people view as common sense and also quite dramatic - but consistently so. He's doing his best and while Oh-aew learns Chinese, Teh is learning the language of emotion.
And on the flip side, you see a kid with no ambition, no motivation to succeed, and you see him find a friend, and that friendship leads him to finding a dream, a goal. He isn't motivated by money; he's motivated by emotion, and in a well-off and verbally supportive family, without an older brother to compete against, that's just fine. When young Teh needed a friend, young Oh-aew needed a rival. He learns that he can succeed and flourish, he is enough, and even though he has a tendency to give up, his ability to persevere for the sake of love is almost unmatched. I don't think I need to defend Oh-aew because everyone loves him, but here's me fleshing out the complexities of why he has the privilege of carefree love and Teh does not.
And Oh and Teh have different definitions of rival. Oh doesn't have anything to compare it to, whereas Teh imagines that rivals can only have one winner between them - at home, it's always Hoon who wins, and this is reflected in the glimpse we have of Yongjian's story, too, where there can only be one winner, according to destiny. Oh doesn't buy into that so much. His definition of rival isn't mutually exclusive with friend. In fact, I would argue that Oh needs some rivalry to get the most out of a friendship - he needs someone to push him. For all of Bas being a perfect human being, he can't push Oh-aew the way Teh does.
Anyway. I have an infinite love for Bas and want him to be happy, he did so much with very few lines. If I had to choose a favorite I think it would be him. Having such a mature character in contrast to Oh and especially Teh was a smart decision to balance out the show and ensure that Teh is viewed as an especially dramatic individual, rather than viewing the show as being dramatic as a whole.
If I had to choose a "best character," it would have to be Tarn, who is such a complex and multi-faceted individual. She embodies the balance that Teh and Oh are both looking for: driven to succeed in her individual goals, but refusing to push love entirely aside without a deadline. And you know what? Between her and Teh's mom, I think we get a tiny bit of commentary on gender roles and even sexism. Tarn's hesitance at being forward with Teh, her regret, the feeling like it was her fault, it's reflected in social gender roles. Compare her to Teh's mom, who insists on relying on a man financially - if not her husband, then her sons. There's a generational shift there, but no magical, complete fix. I love that and I love Tarn for being real with her feelings and strong in her support and genuine in her love.
I love that Oh never once condemned Teh for not coming out as gay. They argued, but it was never because of that, not really. It was over Teh's lack of ownership towards his actions. That's important.
The interaction of gender and sexuality. That bra scene really, really got me. 1. I've never seen that very real struggle portrayed in any show before. 2. On a larger scale, it represents so well the triviality of gender boundaries (no, I don't think this was intentional; yes, I still love it with my whole heart). 3. The connections between that scene and the scene when Teh and Oh were driving in the sidecar and Tarn's scenes with her bra gave me chills.
A freaking coming out scene. A vulnerable, raw, sopping-wet-with-teras coming out scene. With a sibling. Can't express how much I was hoping for this, can't express how much it surpassed my expectations.
Sadness as an indicator of love. Bas, Oh, and even Teh, I think, all realize their feelings when the one they love is hurting. This is such an interesting idea, that we know we're feeling real love when we want to do everything in our power to stop another person from hurting. And I really don't disagree with this. It's easy to love someone when things are good and going well. It's harder when they're hurting, even more so when you're the one hurting them. And in the end, that's a big part of what Teh and Oh come to understand: they hate hurting one another. That's what clicks and has them both saying they'll always try to reach out. They won't disappear again. That was somehow more romantic than their deciding to date. To say: I prioritize your happiness over my own pride.
Symmetry. In episode, what, two? When Oh likes Bas and Teh says he'll start hitting on Oh, Oh looks to Bas to see his reaction. And then later, towards the end, Bas confesses to Oh and Oh looks to Teh, to see his reaction. Such a small detail, but magical in its own little way. In episode 1, young Oh asks Teh if he would've given up playing Yongjian for Oh. Later, Oh reproaches Teh for not going through the admission system, and in episode 4. And finally, in episode 4, Teh does everything that he thought Oh wanted him to do. He gives it all up. When his good intentions are rejected, it's like reliving their childhood fight all over again: making himself vulnerable only to receive (what he interprets to be) rejection in return. And on the flipside, Oh's first thought is their childhood fight, too: Teh said "someone like you will give up eventually," and Oh believes that Teh still looks down on him in that same way.
PRODUCTION
It's hard to even separate it from the Story/Writing section because - as it should - all of the production decisions in this show are to support the development and portrayal of the story. An example: going through the massive trouble of filming an underwater kiss wasn't just for the sake of drama or a beautiful backdrop, it's symbolic of the characters' hidden relationship, as well as Teh's reluctance to acknowledge his feelings for Oh-aew, even to himself. It's all about hiding, and shame, and fear. This narrative is furthered when Bas confesses to Oh in public, in front of their friends, and explicitly says (at least twice) that he isn't ashamed or shy about his love for Oh. Oh's surprise at this really drives the point home.
I have less experience and knowledge of production than of story crafting, and people have already expressed a lot of this, so I'll keep this relatively short. I think the production is what really made me feel things as strongly as I did while watching this show. The colors, the framing, and the angles and lighting, it all worked to pull me into every scene, to really convince me that I was right there with the characters on the screen.
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I Told Sunset About You Broke stereotypes in the most beautiful way possible
I don't think its possible to give this anything lower than a 10?When ITSAY said they were going to break BL stereotypes, they really said IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE.
Oh my gosh Loved every.single.aspect. about this.
The phenomenal production quality, the cast, the amazing storyline, those subtle gestures, EVERYTHINGGG. I can't even put all of my feelings into words!!
And the cast are perfect!! From Oh to Teh, to Baz, to their friends, to Teh's brother, to his mother to Sarn; every single character was amazing. The romantic connected you can visibly see between Oh and Teh is very hard to act and they made it possible! The tension between them is extraordinary, and their acting is nearly flawless.
The production quality and scenery makes me want to visit Phuket so badly - it's phenomenal.
I CANT EVEN FATHOM HOW MUCH I LOVED THIS SHOW.
And there's a sequel too? With an actual release date? I HAVE NOTHING MORE TO SAY THAN I AM OBSESSED.
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