Subjective Mood Rating: 9.0

“To the Moon and Back” is my last drama completed in 2023 and it’s a big surprise!! I was just browsing around trying to find a romance drama to end the year on a happy note, and stumbled upon this treasure. This is one of the very few Thai modern dramas that is not about fighting for inheritance or a company that I watched. Is this drama a masterpiece? Definitely not. But it brings me so much joy that emotionally, I just need to give this a high rating.

Main Romance:
Romance is what I was searching for and this doesn’t disappoint. This drama tells the story of opposites attract and it’s done so well. FL does take me a little to get used to since she’s so outgoing and talkative. ML is the quiet, reserved and repressed type. But they complement each other so well and bring out the best of each other. ML is patient and caring, while FL teaches him how to feel and understand his and others feelings. It does take them half a drama to be officially together but the cute scenes of them together starts from the very beginning. ML understands FL’s thoughts and actions (and clumsiness) so well, and FL is so in tuned with ML’s feelings. I love how she worried about his feelings after the surgery, when he tried to stay strong for her and didn’t say much. When he finally opened up and broke down, it pains me as well. I can’t help but smile whenever I see them together.

Auntie Grace
I am awarding FL’s dad the “Father/Mother of the Year” title. She experienced so much pain due to her sexual orientation but yet she taught FL to live with kindness. Auntie Grace raised a beautiful child and you can see that especially in the last ¼ of the drama and when FL has to face ML’s parents at the birthday party. The lessons taught in this drama by Auntie Grace should be taught to everyone. She also comforted ML and 2ML and allowed them room to breathe, to be themselves and to feel. I love Auntie Grace so much!!!

Family Relationships/Healing
A big part of the drama is spent on broken families and mending relationships. ML’s father is controlling and does not appreciate ML’s efforts. ML has been brought up not having a childhood and with feelings repressed. His mother is unable to support him and stand up for him. On the other hand, Auntie Grace’s father did not accept her new identity. There’s so much anger in me whenever I see these two fathers and how unreasonable they are. But of course, no one is a true villain. They both want what’s best for their child but are unable to communicate. FL is integral in mending both relationships and her persistent, kind and happy personality helps heal these relationships in the end. On the other hand, a smaller part of the drama is about 2ML and 2FL relationships with their families as well. No one comes from a ‘normal’ family.

Loving Non-traditional Family
They are loud, they are crazy and they are fun! That is FL’s family. A group of drag queens, transgendered and gay aunties that help raise FL. It does take me a little while to get used to how rowdy they are, but I love them! I love their fashion and always look forward to their outfits/costumes. I love all of their performances. I love how they always say they are “kind and pretty” because they truly are. They step in to help strangers, even those they might have a beef with at times.

Villains
Can’t really get away from evil parents in a Thai drama. They are not truly villains, but characters that have so much pain and jealousy in their hearts that they don’t know how to express them appropriately. Therefore, they cause our main leads a lot of pain and hassle. I hated seeing ML unable to fight back when he’s in front of his dad. I hate it when 2ML tries so hard but his mother just doesn’t get it. Do I find these villains irritating and want to punch them in their faces? Definitely. But I also know that they did not have a happy childhood or life. Luckily, FL’s family balances out the toxicity.


If you like Thai dramas, I definitely recommend “To The Moon and Back”. It is a great combo of romance + family + comedy + healing. In the end, it gives me such a warm and fuzzy feeling. This is in no way a perfect drama, but it brings me so much joy.



Other Random Observations:
1. FL is said to be the “hippie” and “Bohemian” type, does that mean she doesn’t wash her hair??
2. I love ML trying to learn how to braid hair.
3. Two handsome male leads with 6-packs. LOL
4. There’s some useful, simple medical advice for the general public.5.
5. Didn’t like ML’s acting in the early episodes, but he grew on me.
6. Pacing is decent, maybe a tiny slow in the middle. But that’s also probably because I binged 13 episodes in one sitting. LOL



Completed: 12/31/2023 - Review #389 (First review of 2024 and I still can't keep it short and succinct.)