This review may contain spoilers
Interesting premise, weak execution
This show had a lot of potential considering its premise, but the actual storytelling felt short and ended up falling into several predictable cliches that said little to nothing about its characters. Firstly, the only character with any depth here was Tian, and even then, his only motif seemed to be reduced to turning into Torfun 2.0. All he wanted to do was do the things Torfun used to do to feel better about being a not so nice person in the past and receiving a second chance to live at the price of her death. The romance was weak, it revolved too much around pining and sexual tension moments that lead to nothing. Phupha's character being so bland didn't help at all. Tian and Phupha didn't really have the usual aspects that we have in romantic pairings, which is one part complementing the other. If Phupha didn't exist, Tian's arc would have been nearly the same. It felt like this was Tian's show and the romance was just an occasional side story... and this is a BL, so it shouldn't have been that way. I personally couldn't see what made Tian fall in love with Phupha and vice versa, so to me the romance was not engaging enough to endure the slow burn they presented. And it also didn't help that outside of the main plot, there were no side stories to engage. As I said, the side characters and their struggles only served to develop Tian's character and at some point it became boring because like, "yes, we understand Tian is trying to be a better person, can you show us something else?"All of this led us to slow 7 episodes and when we reached episode 8, every single conflict seemed to hit us all at once and it became a melodramatic fest. Several implausible (but somehow predictable!) or just downright laughable occasions that made the show go from a chill slow burn that wasn't really offering much, but wasn't really anything close to being bad, to a trainwreck. Then episode 9 came and suddenly things are so much clearer between the main leads, it makes you feel like they had some sort of epic romance before everything went south, but they didn't! Their connection was there, but they hadn't come to the point of admiting their feelings yet. And then more and more and more drama. Felt like a cheap attempt of collecting easy tears out of your audience.
Acting was good, Mix especially. Earth didn't have too much to work with anyways, so it's even hard to judge. Chemistry was good enough, but the way the romance was developed made it hard for me to buy into the couple. Scenery was nice, who doesn't love seeing green and calm colors! But overall, this show seemed to work more on the ideia that it's just so epic and deep and emotional due to its premise, but the actual storytelling couldn't be drier.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Wow
Wow! is the best word I can use to describe this seriesI came in with no expectations and I have to say, I was honestly surprised at how much I loved this series. A lot of people said it was gonna have the same atmosphere as ‘He’s coming to me’ that initially got my curiosity piqued cause I loved HCTM. I knew there was gonna be quite a bit of drama which I felt would slow the storyline at times but, I didn’t see any issues. I’m also not a huge fan of Earth and I was afraid that would hinder my enjoyment of this series but it didn’t. He did such a good job. There are so many things I loved about this show.
I have to say, good job GMMTV, they’ve really started to step it up when it comes to their bl’s. I was captivated all the way to the last episode.
Was this review helpful to you?
What is all the hype about???
I really don't get it. Like, at all.Very slow story telling. meaning this is plagued with long stares and silent moments that feel like Snider's slow mo in the justice league.
Sooooo much teasing (are we going to get a kiss???? NO. maybe now? NO. how about now? NO.) but almost no actual romance of any kind. Soooo much longing and repressed emotions. that gets old VERY fast.
by the time I got to episode 7 it was clear: this is a tease show and not a romance or a bl.
Sure, not every show needs to be like ThernType where the romance is practically the starting point, or like Till we meet again where the story is almost too much for the limited time they have. And still people are gushing over this while I feel it needs to be said: be warned, there is almost nothing going on in terms of a bl or romance. nearly 100% drama and that is it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Unique and Top-tier Drama (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
I think it's officially one of the dramas that has a unique story/plotline. When it comes to the main couple, their chemistry is just powerful, they killed it, like literally. Mix (Tian) is a newbie actor, but he really did a great job portraying and delivering his character all through-out every episodes, it's simply amazing.EarthMix - what can I say, they are one of the phenomenal couples , they deserve a worldwide recognition. What really made me fond of them is that even without physical contact, just eye contact made me scream and roll over my bed.
The story did not just focus on the romance part but they also taught a lot about life which makes this drama wonderful and a lot of quotes are being shared every ending of the episodes which is really interesting. I also got teary eyed on the last episode when they were talking about - the place you would fit into and how are you able to know where you belong.
The OSTs are a masterpiece. The lyrics are really on point and the melody - MAJESTIC!!!
The only sad thing about this drama is - it was just 10 episodes although they run 1 hr per ep, so I think it was all okay.
I would really love to see EarthMix in another drama though, that's one of my wishes now.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
THIS SERIES TRANSCENDS THE BL GENRE
This is my first time writing a review for an Asian drama. I just couldnt help myself writing one for this series and pouring my heart out because I have been devastated emotionally day in and out since i started watching it. I’m telling you I had been living under a rock all this while oblivious to a genre called BL until I stumbled upon 2gether: the series like a lot of us here. Since then ive never looked back and have completed watching a couple of great BL series and now when ive watched “A Tale of Thousand Stars”, I can tell you one thing – This one transcends the BL genre to a whole another level. This series challenges some of the norms of BL like the usual university-college backdrop, the past love interest/jealous side character trying to separte the lead couple, the side couple(s) for the audience to ship other than the leads amongst others.The series right away stands out from the BL lot with soothing folk inspired music, mesmerising cinematography that makes the person watching feel like s/he is right there in the heart of nature (this series made me feel like i went on a vacation or a retreat to a beautiful remote hill station right from my messy bedroom) and a deep informative dive into the lives of the rural people. I never thought I would actually LEARN in a real sense from a drama but I was proved wrong by this series as it packs a lot of life lessons in it that are scattered throughout the length of the series in the words of Khama the village chief or simply what Tian experiences along the way through this life-changing journey apart from the quotes at the end of each episode.
Both Phupha(ironically cutest name ever given to a stern guy though it literally means a mountain) and Tian are likable charcters that surprisingly are aware of each other’s feelings since the very first time they met and it only feels more like destiny. These charcters are strong in the sense that they never had to prove their love to each other and the audience through physical or sexual intimacy till the very end (one might think that they did it to fulfill the demands of the audience including me which might be somewhat true though ive not read the novel but it did not feel forced in any way like some other movies or series).
TIAN: Tian is the strongest mentally in this story who literally moves from his luxurious spoilt life at Bangkok to voluteer as a teacher in a place which lacks electricity, water supply or the internet to repay his donor Torfun whose death he feels responsible for. He does break down a few times but he pulls himself up each time even if everyone else has turned their backs on him which is something that left a lasting impression on me. TIAN IS A CRYER and Mix did the absolute best job in crying; the expression everytime he cried was guaranteed to make me cry and it was his crying face that made me cry for a whole two days while i binge watched the sad scenes over and over again. Apart from this, Tian is really ungrateful for someone who recently had a heart transplant and a second chance at life as he vehemently manages to almost kill himself multiple times throughout the series.
PHUPHA: Phupha is a military guy and he looks like one. He is this stern guy who doesnt know how to express his feelings or emotions or put himself into words and maybe this was why I sometimes felt he wasnt returning the same energy as Tian did which was making me doubt his acting but turns out it is how the character is supposed to be. In hindsight, I also love this clash of personalities in love. There is something about a expressive rich tiny boy falling for a stern muscular army guy in a remote setting that makes it perfect and exciting in a way atleast for me and the same must have worked out for this story all in all.
OTHER CHARACTERS: I loved all side characters which rarely happens. Especially, when the relationship between Phupha and Tian was still in the developing state or when there was tension between the two, I and a lot of the viewers shipped Longtae and Tian. Their friendship was just so wholesome and effortless. Also Longtae, Khama and Tul were the ones who fully understood Tian most of the time and rooted for him. I loved the doc; he knew about the growing developments between Phupha and Tian from the very start and seemed to keep finding ways to make it happen between the two. The kids too were cherries on top of the cake. All the actors acting as villagers did a great job at representing the rural community and it felt naturally to them. I loved the fact that none of them turned out to be evil and tried to separate the leads (Dr. Sakda and his men were after Tian and not his relationship with Phupha though eventually it leads to Phupha getting shot. Also it was never a question that Torfun was actually the cupid here who made it happen between Phupha and Tian rather than someone who was between them).
MUSIC: I have been listening to the intro song on loop. It perfectly fitted the story and it is kind of therapeutic as well. I also like the wind song and some others. The music was well placed in the scenes elevating the emotional capacity of particular scenes.
Some key moments that left an impression on me were the last part of second episode where Tian realises why he came to the village in the first place as he is giving up on the village, the analogy of the hornbills while Tian cries for help for bleeding Phupha which literally scarred me emotionally for life and the inspiring metaphorical quotes of Khama and the Head of the foundation.
Overall, I cannot stress enough how amazing this series is and it feels as if it is limiting to put it into a box called BL.
P.S. I am not okay anymore after watching this series and i keep going back to the emo scenes *sob*
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
very unnecessary fixation of the 'wind'
Since everyone has left so many reviews on how good the series is as a whole, I just want to point out a detail I really, really, really like that made this series more special for me, personally.The concept of wind, throughout the series. Specifically, how the character Chief Phupha set the significance of the 'wind' metaphor. The first encounter we have with the wind concept that truly sticks out to me is the karaoke scene. The song he was singing had lyrics like
'May the wind take my heart away, From this land far up in the north,'
'Let it fly high in the sky to the horizon, May the wind bring my heart to that someone'
As we all can see, Phupha was quite literally serenading Tian with this song, he is expressing his feeling and just blatantly flirting with Tian. This scene happened after we were shown the time where both sides had an understand-ment of how they felt towards each other. It was as if Phupha wants his heart to fly from where he is (quite literally from the north, where he always been) to where Tian is. It also could be seen from the class difference, where Phupha is, its just too far away from the son of the Ministry, but he still wants that wind to deliver his heart to that someone.
Ep 5, in which they finally went to their little date had a little talk at night, both of them felt like this is the start of what couldn't be said. It was a starting point for both of them, its like they knew that they like each other, and now, they won't hold back anymore. The wind symbol came with the kite scene. The kite scene represents them flying high, letting go, being free... literally free flying, like a kite. Of course, the kite is able to fly due to the.. wind! The wind finally brought his heart somewhere it could fly high.
And then we arrive at ep7, the song Phupha has been playing on his Khlui was revealed to be a song titled ... you guessed it! "Oh Wind!"... with the lyrics such as:
'Wind, oh wind blowing back then passing away, a fleeting moment made my heart beats and flutters'
'How lonely I am, depressing my heart, Oh my dear heart, will you ever meet your better half?',
mind you, this song has always been what Phupha plays on the Khlui(ie. EP2), before he even fell inlove with Tian. It represents how lonely Phupha was, how much he yearns for that someone to come, even when Torfun is there with open arms, he still felt like he hasn't found that right one yet. However, as we finally hear him play the whole song and even sang it, we got an answer to the heart-wrenching song, him. Tian is the answer, Tian is the one, he found him, and like he said, he's there to keep him companied.
The most painful version of this metaphor: Wind - Num Kala. Wow yall.... this song had me in unbreathable sob... No songs could ever hurt me in a series as much as this did. Its legit insane.. because wtf is
'Wind oh wind blowing, the wind that brought you to me'
'Then it took you away from me'
'Wind, oh please, May the wind blow you back to me?'
name it , was it circumstances, was it selfless-ness of Phupha, was it Tian's need to grow out of his guilt, was it the class difference, was it Phupha's job... what was it? or was it everything combined that pushed this separation? ..... The song represents how much Phupha misses him, long for him, wants him by his side again, but knowing full-well that it can never happen, no matter how much he wants it. Phupha has the mindset of letting Tian have the future the world promises for him, so he will not be a hindrance even for love.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT IM TYPING AT THIS POINT ! but these songs make me cry .. love love love the OSTs but these songs come up in the scene, and all its like someone punched my heart.
I just love the wind and A Tale of a Thousand Stars.. I'll go to sleep.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
THE SERIES THAT IS WORTH THE WAIT
To all the people behind this wonderful series, thank you for giving us this masterpiece. We know that this production conquered different challenges such as the change of character description, natural climate, and of course, the pandemic which caused the delay of this series for a year. You all faced it and aced all the wants of us BL fans. From the production, set, music OST, actors, acting and all, you all never disappointed us. Earth and Mix are such great actors, especially Mix which is a first timer. They have great chemistry together. With all that staring and skinship contest they had, we all felt giddy hahah. And that kiss on Phu Phan Dao cliff sealed the deal. And that last scene, I love couples who are domestic hahahaha. I know it may be too much, but this series deserves a continuation, right? :)As a teacher myself, I really thank you for giving a light on what teachers are doing. I really hope this series make someone dream or achieve to become an educator someday. I can tell you, it is really fulfilling to see your students learn and be inspired on their dreams someday. I love how Tian developed from a rich happy go lucky person (which is not bad, every person has its own destiny) to a determined and driven person he became in the end. It it also fun to interact with kids. Seeing them grow and learn, then someday when they achieved their dreams, they will go see you and tell that you're one of their role models for their success. It is very fulfilling.
Lastly, I hope GMMTV will continue to create series which will inspire many people aside of course from telling the story about all kinds of love. GMMTV, you did really great with this series, props to you! <3
Was this review helpful to you?
Worth the wait !!
I remember when this show was first announced.I was super excited, especially since Earth was gonna be in it. I didn’t expect it to take as long as it did to finally start coming out though haha. But for me it was worth it. I love this show so much. Everything about this show was so good. The acting and the story was just too good.
I really loved how new the show felt to me. It’s not like other shows that feature a same sex couple. And it not only focuses on the couple but also other topics. I also really loved how you could see through Earth and Mix’s acting how much Tian and Phupha care and love for each other. They didn’t have to have “explicit” scenes, just their stares would say it all. They were so many cute and soft moments between them and it just made me not able to stop smiling. They make me so happy. But of course there were tons of moments in the show that made me cry so much. It was just a lot of emotions but it still made the show even more beautiful and meaningful.
Sorry if my review is all over the place, it’s my first time writing one. I really wanted to write one for this show (:
Was this review helpful to you?
finally a good gmmtv show
I decided to give this series a shot after I saw Mix in the first episode of Fish Upon the Sky, and instantly fell in love with his smile. So, yes it was a very shallow reason to watch but oh well. Turns out this series just made me fall in love with him further. He is so extremely talented for a newer actor, and he portrayed Tian is such a good and realistic way. This series does a good job at handling the concepts of loss, tragedy, and rebirth. It focuses a lot on our main character who was very self-destructive at the beginning of the story getting a second chance in life and then going on his own journey of self-realization and growth. He grows so much throughout the series and was extremely easy to root for. He was always doing his best!! The other main lead (played by Earth) was a bitch push and pull, because at some moments he was likeable and at others he was not. It was at times hard to keep up with him. Also this series probably has one of my favorite coming out scenes in any series ever!! I kind of enjoyed how the romance was more focused on the feelings of the characters and them learning each other instead of overly physical aspects. Very enjoyable side-characters and actually mostly cast members that I'm okay with from GmmTv. This was truly a gem with a garbage fire (perhaps I'm a bit of a GmmTv anti).Was this review helpful to you?
I rarely give all 10s for a drama but this IS it
I stumbled upon the show's OST on Spotify and immediately fell in love. Then I finally decided to watch it and I fell harder. This isn't even a "BL" story to me; it's a heartwarming and touching story about how we as people can positively influence others and how we can find our place in the world.The main character Tian who was a typical rich spoiled kid with unhealthy partying habits (and even vices) finds the true meaning of "home", ironically, in a place where there is nothing. Now this may sound cliche, but the way the drama presented it is so realistic -- things don't always go the way he wants it to, he gets into trouble, he sometimes gets hated, he almost gives up -- it's not all sparkles and rainbows but because of all of these, we see his character grow.
What I love the most though is Torfun's character. She is one of the most beautifully-written characters I've ever seen. She is kind, easy to get along to, her heart is pure, everybody loves her. It was truly inspiring to see how she has left a strong impact on all the people she was able to connect to, even after her death.
This has quickly become one of my favorites because not only it has left me with a beautiful story and characters, it has also left me with a message: Live a life that leaves a legacy.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
An Underrated BL Series That Deserves A Wide Ranged of Viewers
This is my first review for a BL Series. After watching ATOTS I have this urge to put a review to show how much I appreciate this series. This is undeniably "the best BL Series GMMTV has ever made", it is now gaining the attention and appreciation from fans all over the world but I fell like this needs more than that. This series should be available in different video streaming platforms so that many could watch and appreciate it. It also deserves at least to be nominated for the best drama series not just for BL category but in general.Story: I would be honest that the story or plot is kind of cliché especially the "heart transplant" part of it, but there's something unique on how the director, writer and production staff executed the whole narration of the story. The way they tell the story of each characters are above and beyond even Torfun was given character development. There's right amount of romance, comedy, action, and slice of life on it but you wouldn't expect that they would come out as a masterpiece. Societal issues were tackled here, the difference between the rural and urban areas, the education system, the unfair treatment of rich and poor, and of course the homosexuality. Kudos to this series for treating homosexuality as "normal" and not just part of the plot. You would really appreciate it especially if you watch the conversation between Tian and Tul, this is not your typical BL which has "I'm not gay but I'm in love with you" type of story. There's no too much skinship on this series but I think it was necessary since I was able to focus on the story. There were flashbacks but it was done perfectly, the editing was the best I've seen so far.
Acting/Casting: Earth is not new to BL but he didn't have the break he deserved until ATOTS, many only see him who has the "body" but didn't have the acting skills but when he was partnered with Mix everything changed. The chemistry was top notch they were able to convey their emotions in every scenes just only by staring to each other's eyes, small movements that speaks affections are overflowing. I was actually surprised that this was Mix first drama series but good thing P'Aof (the director) was able to see the hidden talent of him. He was a big help to Mix acting debut. The heartbreaking scenes would really wrench your heart so be prepared. EarthMix will be the front runner for GMMTV future BL Series.
Music: I'm in love with the music, very calming and relaxing, when you hear the theme song every time the series starts it's like you were being pulled by a new world and you would enter the ATOTS world, I might be exaggerating but that's how I felt.
Overall: Given the astounding reviews and ratings of "A Tale of Thousand Stars" it really stood its ground as the "Best BL Series Ever Made" maybe not just for GMMTV but for the whole BL industry. Life lessons are flowing here in this series. After watching it you'll have this internalization in yourself about the value of life. ATOTS set the bar so high that this might be a rare chance that we will watch this kind of series.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Someone asked, "Does a BL need to be so deep?"
Someone asked, "Does a bl need to be so deep?"The director: yesss!!!
I didn't expect a bl to be this emotional and fun at the same time, and I have watched a handful of bl. This is even more heartbreaking than some heartbreaking K-drama, in a good way. Enough to say I fell in love with it even though I'm not a fan of melodrama.
At first, when I saw Tian in a gambling house I thought, for a second, is he gonna be a trash character sometimes you see in bl? But no, he's become my favorite. He's so affectionate and composed, yet spoiled and headstrong. He has potential and prolific ideas. And I just don't think it's because of Torfun's heart and also because he has experienced near death situation, I think he's originally pure hearted. He's not one of the very good looking lead you're looking for but I fell for him more and more as the series gets deeper. I think he's one of my very few favorite bl leads of all time.
One of the best is soundtracks, and I'm not even soundtrack fanatic. The production overall is well done. I could say it's a perfection not just as a bl, anyone could enjoy it as a mini series.
I'd awaited for it so long and I can say this *it's so worth it* ♡
Was this review helpful to you?
