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:)
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
ITSAY Sweeps The Competition!
I'll keep this short cause there are PLENTY of reviews, but ITSAY was a masterpiece. Beautifully executed through the scenery, the acting, and the story. This was my first time seeing PP and Billkin, and they did NOT leave me disappointed. A beautiful teenage love story that will coerce the BL industry for sure.Let's Dive In.
The acting was the best I've ever seen in BL. A huge job-well-done to all of the cast, but, I specifically want to point out the young Teh and Oh-aew. THE BEST ACTING DONE BY CHILDREN EVER. LIKE LITERALLY EVER. I have never felt so much emotion come from a kid ever before. Let's hope to see them in future projects,
A part of me wanted this show to switch up and actually have Bas and Oh-aew end up together. While I think Teh is a good person and would a 100 percent make as a great boyfrned, something in me pined for Bas and Oh-aew more. In season two, I want to see that Bas gets his happy ending.
Overall, this series was breathtaking and beautiful. I have to give an extra applause for the underwater kiss that took my breath away. Another extra applause for the production team, an absolute masterpiece. This BL has for sure paved the way for how we should hopefully be seeing future BLs to come.
Was this review helpful to you?
huantingly beautiful
The whole production team put their heart and souls into this drama. You can tell just how much they cared about this project and how much they wanted to make an impact with their drama. And they did, this was one of the most beautifully written and impactful dramas I've ever watched.It tells the tale of growing up, of accepting yourself, of following your dreams, of learning how to be in a healthy relationship and so much more.
Words cannot describe how amazing this drama is. Every little detail from the plants drooping by a roadside to the color of the shirt the characters are wearing is important to the story.
It's like Hansel and Gretyl, little breadcrumbs are being dropped everywhere and you're unable to stop following the trail until you reach the end. Except for this time, the end isn't a witch's hut but a beautiful castle with all that you could ever wish for.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The cutest name for a series ever! Indeed worth the wait. After watching the trailer though no eng subs it seems like I understood everything (55555555). This story implies the relevance of understanding, friendship, studying, culture, and family. This series made my eye tears. To be honest, I've been watching numbers of thai BL series and mostly I found myself crying in the middle or at the final episode of the entire series or program, but this, first episode out of five allows me to consumed a pack of tissue 😭.
I just want to highlight what Aew's said "If we are to become friends again, I can do it, but being as close as we were, I don't know about that". This line gives my heart pain. I cried a lot and even get noticed by my older sister (shyy). I started to love BKPP! All the best to the production team! Rooting for the success of this program.
(insert: season2 55555)
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
How did they get it so right?
First things first, I am not crazy about the BL genre. It feels weirdly fetishistic towards gay couples and from what I've seen, most of them look rather cheap. But after seeing some clips of I Told Sunset About You I decided to give the show a chance. And good god am I glad that I did.When it comes to teenage, angsty romance, I have never seen a show just nail it like that. As I watched this drama all I could think about was: I've been there. I've been Teh and Oh-aew. I've felt that pain. How did they get it so right?
ITSAY captured the essence of being an insecure gay kid who hates themselves. Of falling in love with your best friend and the fear that once you take that step, you can never go back. Of your first real heartbreak that feels never-ending. And it did that with a relatable, simple story, likable, believable characters, a beautiful ambiance, brilliant acting, and stunning cinematography.
I bought every second of those actors' performances. I believed in their relationship with each other. You can physically feel the yearning every time they're on screen together. It was like I was carrying every unsaid word between them on my shoulders. Of course, they had some passionate scenes but to me what made Tehs and Oh-aews love seem genuine was in the little things. Teh hating the smell of coconut before he started associating it with his crush. Being jealous and not even understanding why. Always needing to touch each other. The sexual tension was in the things they DIDN’T dare to do. They didn’t portray the fetishized version of a gay relationship that I have witnessed in other BL dramas but the awkward puppy love that your first real crush always is.
The raw power that episode three holds is incomparable. I have absolutely zero issues with NSFW content but ITSAY proved, that graphic scenes are not needed to convey purely sexual themes. The way the direcor portrayed Teh's sexual frustration enitrely through his restlessness was incredibly convincing. He clearly did an incredible job at directing the two lead actors, their performance and chemistry could not have been any more natural and it truly felt like every small movement between Teh and Oh-aew mattered. Every interaction, no matter how small seemed to further the tension between the two characters.
As mentioned before, this drama also looks beautiful. Every shot felt like it had a purpose but at the same time was creative. The colour grading was especially outstanding, the colours of this show are beautiful and contribute a lot to the mood and feel of each scene. I really really liked that the kiss scene was underwater as a metaphor for letting go and escaping society's expectations. I also liked that Teh and Oh-aew had to hide behind the stairs to feel safe and unseen enough to passionately hug. There was a good amount of symbolism in the show in general. The red hybiscus as a symbol of passion, that Teh first associates with a girl he likes before Oh-aew makes it his own. The Chinese characters that would ellude to how the relationship of the two leads was progressing. The coconuts, or firecrackers and of course the sunsets, all those were like a red string that tied the whole thing together. The scenery was gorgeous too and now I really want to go to Thailand. And while I surely am no expert on music, I really liked the OST as well. It really went with the general tone of the scene instead of dictating it and telling the audience what to feel. I even liked the Chinese song that also was one of the reoccurring symbolic themes and which lyrics matched up with the relationship of the main couple.
What else? I am so happy that this show tackled the subject of internalized homophobia in such a mature way. Often times I have heard a BL love interest exclaim that he's definitely not gay, not gay at all, definitely, definitely not, he just happens to like this one boy. That makes homosexuality feel like a taboo subject, which is absurd, especially in BL. Teh struggles with those thoughts as well, but something actually comes from it. When he isn’t able to accept himself he, as a result, pushes Oh-aew away. It’s only after he makes peace with his own feelings that him and his best friend can reconcile. Having Teh’s brother actually say to him that it’s “okay to be gay”, that his feelings are normal and natural and that he doesn’t have to hide who he is, was so special to me and very very necessary to see.
But it’s not only Teh who battles internalized homophobia. Even though Oh-aew theoretically is out and proud he hasn’t accepted who he is completely. We see that especially in the powerful and painful bra-scene, in which Oh-aew puts on a bra after being essentially rejected by Teh and then breaks down crying, because he can’t give Teh the normal life that he wants and he would do anything just to be accepted by him, even changing gender. There is also a beautiful moment between Oh-aew and his first boyfriend Bas, in which Oh-aew is surprised that Bas is so willing to hold his hand in public. He has become so used to being someone’s secret, the fact that he’s worthy of love comes as a surprise to him.
I would argue that the main theme of the story is acceptance, acceptance of your feelings and acceptance of who you are. That’s why at the end of the show, Teh and Oh-aew are different, better people. And that’s what good storytelling is all about, sending your characters on a journey.
I am so happy that I Told Sunset About You exists. A show in which feelings are acknowledged and validated. In which men are honest about their emotions. In which women are not plot devices and hindrances but allies and friends. But most importantly: A show about acceptance. Of course, it wasn't perfect. It felt like a bit overwritten at some points and yeah, maybe if I am being strict it doesn't really deserve the 10 stars. But I'm giving it this rating anyways because it touched me deeply and I think stories like this one are needed. For me, this transcended the barriers of the BL genre and can be seen as art. I hope the fact that a show like this can exist in South East Asia is a good sign for what’s to come. This show really reminded me of my undying love of cinema and fiction as well as the power it holds. I never expected to see so much of myself in two young men in Thailand experiencing their first heartbreak but here we are, only stories can connect people from all around the world.
Never have I felt so seen, so represented by a series and its characters and even half a year later, I keep returning to I Told Sunset About You. It's so incredibly genuine in its intensity, awkwardness and clumsiness; honest and helpless like only a first love could be. I truly mean it when I say that I lost a part of myself in Phuket without ever having been there. And I couldn't be any happier about it.
Was this review helpful to you?
A True Masterpiece!
This is the first time I truly feel a BL series deserves a 10/10. I Told Sunset About You is not just a BL series... this is a fantastic coming of age drama that happens to deal with LGBTQ+. The story is very impactful and well written about adolescents struggling to discover themselves and their sexuality. The cinematography is beautifully done, being filmed in Phuket's different locations that I would love to visit myself one day if I visit Thailand. After seeing the Documentary episodes, big kudos to the director for making sure each scene brings out the right emotion and feeling. Best director by far out of the many series I have seen. The acting was really amazing from BKPP and all of the cast! BKPP is a one of a kind pairing with great chemistry. They are now one of my favorites, along with OffGun and MewGulf. I cannot recommend watching this series enough, it was an absolute delight and emotional roller coaster.Everything 10/10 (would give it 100/100 if I could)
Was this review helpful to you?
BEST SERIES EVER!
I can assure this is the best series, not just in bl category but all kind of series! I've fallen in love since the first episode. This series is not a cliche type of drama with cringey sweet moments that are unrealistic.They show a real plot, situation, emotions and story. There's nothing to complain about this series it's a perfection, a piece of art.
The acting, cinematography, color scheme, edits, songs, all of it is on point. All the actors succeed to show and potray their characters beautifully.
Was this review helpful to you?
Average
I really wish Bas was the main role instead of Teh as Bas was such a giant green flag while Teh showed some red flag characters. I really don’t like Teh (just the character not the actor). Both male leads showed very good acting in the series. The story was a little boring to me. This type of story is not for me.Was this review helpful to you?
With this sunset comes two rising stars, Billkin & PP
This Thai series has only five episodes, and from episodes 1 to 4, each minute is well-spent. The story unfurls at an unhurried pace, allowing scenes to breathe. And yet no scene is left to waste.Oh-aew and Teh, best friends since childhood, have a falling out just before junior high. After years of ghosting each other, Oh-aew and Teh meet again, and they renew their friendship. But this time, Teh is gripped by the stirrings of newfound feelings towards Oh. And as he tries to grapple with it, Oh also senses this attraction, and he goes for it.
ITSAY excels in examining, in a measured and meticulous way, how the two boys navigate through the different emotions that evolve between them. Picking up the broken pieces of a shattered friendship takes time, and the series takes its time to show how painful reconnections can be, when the unspoken is at last spoken. Teh’s attraction to Oh, Oh’s shift in interest from Bas to Teh, Teh’s confused handling of his relationship with Tarn, Teh’s conflicted feelings at home — whether they're caused by outside forces or from inner motivations, decisions are made and words are spoken, and they have consequences.
And when the series touches on societal issues (particularly those relevant to the LGBTQI+ community), these issues are woven seamlessly into the narrative and not just tacked on because they're part of an agenda.
The series is all about the details. Gorgeously shot in picturesque Phuket, the cinematography and production design combine to produce lyrical images that match the series’ poetic title. The languid pacing allows for silences to be heard and pauses to make their point. Most importantly, Krit Amnuaydechkorn as Oh-aew and Billkin Putthipong Assaratanakul as Teh give affecting, heartfelt performances that evoke all sorts of nostalgic Love Of Siam feels, and this series cements their status as a top-tier BL couple. Billkin, in particular, is amazing as he externalizes the push-and-pull of his inner conflicts through awkward movements and a glazed, puzzled look in his eyes.
Oh-aew and Teh’s story may not be groundbreaking, but such as story is still worth telling. Because for some of those in the LGBTQI+ community (and some confused ones as well), their story is our truth. And ITSAY shows us how affecting our stories are when their told well. Or to paraphrase an ad agency’s credo, “It’s our truth, well told.”
(P.S. - I’ve yet to watch the finale, but I’m calling this the best BL/gay series of 2020. And while I don’t think it’s a perfect series, there’s no 9.75 in the MyDramaList ratings, so I’ll just round off my score.)
Was this review helpful to you?
The Imperfect Story Portrayed Perfectly
Nothing much to say except for one word!PERFECTION
I assume that this drama will bag several drama awards from acting, production design, directing, cinematography, original score, writing, adapted screenplay.
Billkin is a revealation in this drama. His acting is so convincing that you can actually feel his emotion...and PP is equally as good Billkin... They should get both the top acting awards...
I love the rawness of the characters and how the lead actors portrayed that rawness. It is not rushed... The story progression and character development is perfect!
This is truly a MASTERPIECE... an INSTANT CLASSIC.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Good but not a masterpiece imo
I enjoyed this series, but I did find it a bit slow-paced for my tastes. Especially the first couple of episodes (it starts to pick up after that). But I just feel like some scenes drag on way too long with not much actually happening. (I.e. watching characters walk around here and there and back again in an extended shot without much dialogue or the extended & sometimes cringy crying scenes). However by ep 3 it does pick up the pace a bit. I just loved episode 3! (The end scene was just perfect and so aptly conveyed the conflicting emotions and fear of the characters. That was my fave ep!).I almost dropped this after the first episode as I wasn't that into the theatre stuff and thought that would be the focus of the show (IE. their rivalry). But this took a more mature direction I didn't expect. By Ep 4 you are well and truly into a more mature but very angsty, melodramatic story. (Although admittedly the story started to lose me a little there and I considered dropping it again. I feel like ep 4 was such a jarring change of pace from the previous episodes. E.g. the scene where Teh is in his room with his brother in the frame the whole time had me like wut...only for the fact that I don't believe anyone would do that in the same room as their bro, it was unnecessary af and did nothing to help convey the meaning of that scene imo).
The actors here are the real stand out for the most part. There's subtlety, warmth and sincerity in their acting, which I find is often not the case with a lot of BL actors. They were so believable in their roles- they embodied those characters. I especially liked the actor for Oh-aew for the vulnerability he was able to convey with his nuanced expressions. Although I was a little less impressed by the actor for Teh as I felt like he was a bit OTT at times, especially in the crying scenes.
The OST is beautiful. I also hope in future there's more Thai BL stories like this that branch out to more locations than the same tired old high school/college campus settings. (Let BL actors out of the college campus cage more often plz!).
Now for one critique based on my personal preference. I do get a bit tired of scenes where the characters are on their phones and texting, looking at Instagram stories etc. I get that it is pretty representative of this day and age- but I guess I still prefer more organic scenes where the characters actually meet up. I don’t like when a show relies on too many of these scenes. I wouldn’t say those scenes ruined my watching experience of ITSAY, but I did get a bit sick of looking at the characters checking whether the other person had watched their IG story or not over and OVER.
For the most part I didn’t mind it too much, but for example at the end of ep 4 it was really grinding my gears. I just wanted the characters to actually talk rather than communicate by IG stories during an extended crying scene (it starts to get a bit too gruelling and tedious imo).
Overall, this is a story about fully dimensional people- not pretty boy caricatures or cliché meet-cute scenarios. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy those kind of dramas as much as the average BL fan. But I'd most recommend this for people who are looking for a more mature story with a slowly developed, flawed and complicated romance. While I did enjoy this, I feel like it was a slog to get through at times. It’s emotionally heavy, long-winded and slow-paced. I much preferred the start and middle of the series than the ending episodes (which I found pretty hard to get through).
There is so much sweetness and such a soft, romantic energy to the first half of this series. I wish it kept that through to the end. I kind of hated how melodramatic it got in the last two episodes. I especially hated the whole arc with Teh overcompensating by giving up his dream college position to Oh-aew rather than just apologizing.... and then losing that position permanently. OMG- HATED. Such stupid melodrama. Love is not giving up your dreams for the other person. That action was actually more manipulative than anything imo, so I thought Teh got what he deserved in losing the position.
I see why this show gets so much hype and I agree that it’s one of the better written, visually produced and acted BL series out there... But I don’t see myself wanting to re-watch this at any point in future because the second half was just too overwrought with little reprieve (and I'd have to skip through a lot of scenes to save myself some boredom lol).
Also, my last note and comment- Teh’s dog was the best side character in my opinion lmao. (Oh and Bas deserved hella better than what he got having been the most honest and kind character in the entire show).
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Best Thai BL 2020
Just to start things off, I began watching "I Told Sunset About You" with the impression that it was going to be similar to many of the other Thai BLs that have aired, but I was wrong (in a good way). This series drove me to write my first ever review on MyDramaList because I think it deserves more recognition since the character development and acting are top quality. Even if this series turns out to have a sad ending, it is 100% worth watching if not for the BL and plot, then the real and raw emotions that are evoked as you live their experience.Plot: Although the plot centralizes on Teh and Oh-aew's school life, it goes beyond the typical BL trope of protagonists butting heads but somehow managing to foster romantic feelings for each other within the scope of one or two unrealistic interactions. It is refreshing how "I Told Sunset About You" does not fall for the easy pickings of high school drama but rather strives to exemplify the coming-of-age genre of finding validation and purpose in life. I really enjoyed how the series did not glaze over their childhood dynamics which influence the progression of how they interact with each other and the world around them later on. The child actors were excellent in portraying distinctive characteristics of Teh and Oh-aew, with child Teh being supportive of Oh-aew acting even though he wanted the role himself while Oh-aew was frank and upfront with how he felt throughout. These aspects directly translate to their personalities during adulthood and set the stage for complex character development and growth.
Although I know many BL fans (including myself) like to see the fervency and fluff between the characters, personally I feel from watching many Thai BLs or BLs in general that they prioritize the romantic connection above all else and then subsequently throw many saccharine scenes (which I do not mind lol) at us to wrap up the series. While I am not saying that a romantic revelation cannot be the crux and climax of the story, a well-rounded character with multiple areas in which they can grow is often more interesting to watch. Without featuring family, work-life dynamics, and friendships, the protagonist’s story becomes two dimensional and does not reach the potential it could have in enrapturing the audience and making its mark in the drama industry. I feel that this drama is different from the others because the sequence of events from their reunion, reestablishment of their friendship, and then forming feelings for each other was so natural, and you can tell at which point their friendship evolved into something more. Even though we do not get their first kiss until later on in the series, I was even more touched by the attentiveness that Teh had for Oh-aew early on, remembering how a certain person sniffling indicated a back itch and helping him relieve it. This minute perceptiveness and subconscious small gestures are so sweet and make me want to comb through the episodes once more to see if I missed any. Additionally, I love how the script writers emphasized communication and reporting how one truly feels. I am often frustrated with how minor misunderstandings that could be resolved with talking to the person is blown up into a whole debacle (i.e. trope about seeing partner with ex/perceived lover). Rather, this series bypasses this convention through the characters checking in on each other and better allocates screen time on the struggle of establishing who Teh and Oh-aew define themselves to be and who others are to them. They lead us to appreciate how fragile trust and relationships are and emphasize the necessity to listen and address the underlying concerns the other person has.
Acting: For the first time acting as main characters, BKPP have done an amazing job in conveying what the characters feel through words or expressions. Although some sobbing scenes could have been more refined, in the vast majority of their performance, their emotions down to their microexpressions were on point. At times of subtle rejection, BK’s tendency to form teary eyes while pretending to be fine was the icing on top of the cake. There are so many well executed, emotionally charged scenes that you cannot help but to experience those emotions alongside the characters. I especially like how BK at the end of ep. 4 conveyed his grief under the stress of his circumstance in such an unfiltered and unfettered manner. Crying is not always as beautiful as they usually portray in films and BK’s appearance reflects the devastation he is encountering perfectly. Knowing the sacrifices and experiences he had gone through made that scene all the more impactful.
Cinematography: The filming was on point throughout episodes 1-4, but there were a few scenes that took my breath away. The cinematography of BKPP wandering under the staircase in resort in a choreographic I move, you follow sequence and the underwater kiss were elegantly shot. Even the more intimate scenes were well adapted for them. The spontaneity and coarseness of their physical interaction highlight the impulsiveness of youth but also indecisiveness on Teh’s part from the quick withdrawal from further activity. This series utilized silence very well by allowing the characters and the audience to bask in the atmosphere uninterrupted which further fostered the appeal and fondness I felt. The chemistry between the protagonists is really out of this world, perhaps due to the characters being semi-inspired by the actors, BKPP being close in real life, the well-written script, the superb directing by P’ Boss or all of the above.
Sorry about this long post, but as you can probably tell, BKPP the series really has struck a place in my heart that goes beyond being a BL lover but one that craves for a portrayal of a genuine relationship that incorporates a well thought out plot, identity searching, and heart-wrenching emotions/acting (but realistic!) all in one. I really cannot believe how top-notch of a production this is and how other Thai BL dramas pale in comparison when analyzing at a deeper level. Both songs from BK “Skyline” and “Lost in Translation” are also great songs that I encourage everyone to listen to. Hopefully BKPP will continue to produce films together and that Nadao can keep up this good work (and produce more BL dramas)!
Was this review helpful to you?
