A must-watch!
This series is one of the most absorbing and emotional coming-of-age series I’ve seen in my life. Both lead actors Billkin and PP brilliantly portrayed their characters, Teh and Oh-aew, as they took us in a roller coaster of emotions: love, hate, yearning, regret, and so much more. The story itself is relatable and sensitive at the same time for people who are part of the LGBTQ community, as it excellently tells the life and struggles of a queer kid coming out during his adolescent years. I really felt dehydrated and powerless after watching it. The cinematographic value of this production sets a new standard to the genre itself, as it surpasses the standards set in a context where BL fans are too familiar with.Was this review helpful to you?
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This one's a BL masterpiece. A work of an art, I must say. Every thing about it is just perfect and I'm not exaggerating. I mean it. From the production, cinematography, pacing, transition, execution, blocking, acting. You can see that its creators never missed a thing. They never settle for less. And it's the details I considered the craziest part, it's mindblowing! You'd totally get what I'm saying once you watch the whole thing. It's worth it. It's incomparably sublime!
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This review may contain spoilers
Excellent Series & Angsty Tearjerker
Excellent series, but not perfect. Why? Because it seemed like the goal was to wring every last tear and emotion out of me, and that distracted me from noticing the subtle nuances of this series. To me, making me emotional is not what makes a great story, it's the whole package. The ending was unsatisfying, especially if I'm to believe they are meant to be together.Story - A coming of age story. I usually love slice of life stories, but the reliance on melodrama and angst worked against it. I would have been happy if Oh-Aew chose Bas after the blessing, because the Teh x Oh-Aew's relationship was always on and off and full of drama. They were barely ever happy. At that point, I should have been solidly rooting for Teh x Oh-Aew. For me to be ready to accept Bas shows the story didn't express true love between the leads. Some positives were the expression of sexuality that is present during adolescence, and that Bas and Tarn were good people, not villains.
Acting/Cast - All of the cast did a fine job. I especially liked the two leads and Teh's older brother.
Music - Music was great, but the opening song and the score were not subtitled. The music selection was important, so they should have subtitled everything.
Rewatch Value - Probably not unless I want to cry.
Overall - An excellent series and would recommend it. The cinematography was beautiful and the locations scenes were gorgeous.
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Left Me Feeling Bitter
I am genuinely a little apprehensive about writing this review because it seems like you can't dislike a character anymore without being labelled as unsympathetic at best, or a cishet who's ignorant to LGBTQ struggles at worst.There are quite a few super fans of this series, let's just keep it at that.
But for the sake of transparency, I'll be honest about this seemingly beloved series.
I have very mixed feelings about ITSAY. On one hand, it dives deep into complex issues like internalized homophobia and has genuinely amazing scenes, both heartwarming and heartbreaking, but on the other hand, I was left feeling somewhat underwhelmed and maybe even a little bitter at the end.
I, like I'm sure many, had a hard time with one of the main leads, Teh. He got off to a bad start early on--which is fine, people are flawed and make mistakes and are petty all the time, but as a viewer, it's something that I remembered about him throughout the series. I very much understood his struggles and how he tried his best, that he made choices he believed were right, but whenever I then saw Oh-aew, the difference in feelings I had between the two of them became obvious.
I love Oh-aew. Sometimes he made similar choices to Teh, again, not all good. But I just cannot shake a feeling of him deserving better. This series is one of the few times I would've liked a sad ending romance-wise. I believe it would've worked better if Oh-aew and Teh didn't end up together--it would've been truly a masterpiece to me.
The acting was really good overall, both main leads and side characters. The story and plot were realistic and dealt with the problems and issues it wanted to portray in-depth. Characters that were important were three-dimensional.
A lot of this show was done so well. I just personally didn't like how the romance ended up, but you might feel very differently from me. After episode three, I never rooted for the main leads to end up together again. As of now, I haven't seen the sequel season, and I honestly doubt I will.
It was a fine experience watching ITSAY, but I won't rewatch it in a very, very long time, if ever. I'm sure that almost sounds contradictory to some haha, but sometimes that's just how it is.
It's hard to rate this series, 'cause I recognize its production value.
But if anything, I encourage you to watch the first episode. It looks like I'm an outlier with my feelings towards ITSAY, but if any of what I said here ends up validating your experience, then this review will have done its job!
Nothing is for everyone, after all.
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To be honest, this show is so real, so raw and often so on point in its portrayal of adolescent romance that parts of it were like an emotional suckerpunch; bringing back from the depths the confusion, insecurity, terror of rejection, that conflicting desire to find someone who is entirely yours without having to open yourself in return. All those floundering moments of our teenage years.
But since so much has already been said on how perfect this aspect of the show is, I'll instead take a detour to talk about how beautifully anchored in place I Told Sunset About You is. Unlike a lot of Thai BL that try to decontextualise the plot from the character's surroundings - creating a disjointed and often jarringly unrealistic fantasy (and often not a good one) - I Told Sunset About You is not just Thai, but Southern Thai. It's Phuket in all its melting pot glory. Who these characters are is inherently grounded in where they are and it's what makes the writing so fine and the characterisation so well-rounded.
While parts of I Told Sunset About You are difficult and uncomfortable to watch, the show truly is a wonderful exploration of falling in love but also embracing bravery in that love. And those lessons are as important for straight relationships as they are for gay ones. And in the end, that's what makes it such a great little show. Because we will all recognise ourselves, for better or for worse, in these characters. Even in those moments when we don't want to. And the universality is what turns this from a good show to a great show.
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Very beautiful and a personal favorite for a lot of people (including me)
I told the sunset about you is my first ever bl, and my expectations went off the roof. The story touches everyone's heart. The way they explore the character's sexuality to how they portray the struggles of that aspect is just written and directed well. In many elements, this story is very realistic as it shows disagreements, understandings, imperfections and a real story of coming of age. Every character is beautifully written and portrayed, and this series felt like a hug to my soul. It's also very comforting and easy to watch. I am recommending this to everyone!Was this review helpful to you?
An ode to Hoon!
After circling ep 5 for the past 3 days I've found the courage to press play. Tea and tissues were ready. And of course I used the whole pack of tissues. :))))I have been preparing a review for this amazing piece of work since ep 2, ready to praise the two main characters, ready to build a statue for Bas who was such an incredible friend and support even when it meant it might not be in his favor. Of course I was ready to praise the director. After watching the documentaries, I realized it took a village to make this touching story, not just the writer and the director and the actors. So I wanted to build a statue for them too. :))
But after watching ep 5, my hero became Hoon. He patiently waited for Teh to open up and then finally gave him that little nudge Teh needed. And his words were just so powerful. I wish every kid that faces that fear and struggle ( and why not even adult that take longer to find themselves), had a Hoon. Without Hoon, I think Teh would have gone on to be a sad story.
Trying to live life to fit other people's expectations, or to fit into a mold, is exhausting, consuming and just a road to self-inflicting unhappiness. Nothing is worse than when you pushing your own self into the box of small mindedness in exchange for acceptance.
Well, I'll stop here before I write more cliches. I am aware it's not that easy. I'm one of those adults that took longer. :))
If you are a Teh, just know that you don't owe the world, and you definitely don't owe your parents anything. You didn't volunteer for this world, but here you are. Make the best of it with the little it offers lately. :) Being yourself outweighs the idiots out there. ;))
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Magnificently made!
I like to highlight the title first. It is very catchy, it’s like telling a story already just by it’s title. Compelled by stories of childhood friendships, family and teenage romance to failing relationships, confusing identities to reconcialition of hearts makes this whole drama stand out.The plot gives me goosebumps, how they narrate the introduction, climax, the struggles and ending was indeed neat. I love how they build up the characters and they’re roles and tell each of their story.
The actors were really good. I always cry to the role of Billkin. The way he portrayed his character was somehow over the limit. Never have I ever seen a Thai actor acted like the way he did in this series. I was awed, bravo! Praise as well to PP for justifying his role.
I love the music as well especially how Billkin sings. His voice is somehow mesmerizing. I am looking forward for its second season.
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I've been detoxed from all other terrible BL!
Finally, a masterpiece film! Now I have the strength to plow through another dozens of BL vomit. Thai BL is not dead!Director's portrayal of youth and passion was told like a classic music: with stimulating taste, visually captivating, and steadily paced like ocean tide on a sunny day. I just wish they kept the same director for the sequel...
Main leads' portrayal of overwhelming teenage emotions through simple gestures and micro-expressions were refreshing and impressive than any veteran Thai actors. Oh (PP) silently seducing and teasing Teh (Billkin) or when Teh unknowingly followed Oh's every movement like a man possessed was like Siren drawing a sailor with their songs.
A must watch, and will be following the actor's future prospects with enthusiasm. Billkin's musical talent is also something to look forward to. Beautiful OST.
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JUST WOW
Before I start, let me say that if you haven't watched this, YOU NEED TO RIGHT NOW. It is literally amazing, beautiful, and I'm someone who doesn't give out tens easily when it comes to rating BLs. This is one of three series that I've given a 10/10 (the other two are The Untamed and History3 Trapped). Originally, I only gave it a 9.5/10 but then it stuck with me. I kept thinking about it after I had finished and I kept thinking about wanting to give it a 10. So, after watching the documentary, I gave in and changed my rating. Which, by the way, I gave the documentary a 10/10 too I think.OKAY LET'S START.
Story: I have no idea how to encompass all that is perfect about this series into one paragraph. The plot is perfect. The characters are perfectly developed. The cinematography is perfect. The writing is perfect. Literally everything is perfect. I love how they didn't use flashbacks to show what the characters were thinking about, they relied on the acting capability of the actors and trusted their viewer's intelligence enough to connect the dots. I love that you actually see them study and go to school (you have no idea how many university or high school centred BLs I've seen where you rarely see them actually studying lol). The plot itself is complex and so well executed. Everything is purposeful and the pacing is never slow. The relationships and friendships between the characters are well developed and just as complex. The story's portrayal of homosexuality and teenage desire is beautifully executed. You watch the characters struggle and go through many obstacles and you become so invested in them. A side note; I loved the incorporation of Chinese in the script, editing, and storyline.
Acting/Cast: I didn't follow PP and Billkin before ITSAY. I never watched My Ambulance with them in it. But wow, was I missing out. Their acting is truly amazing. They gave everything to their roles without hesitation and really trusted each other (as well as their director). In the documentary, you see PP and Billkin supporting each other and using the other to get the right emotions for their scene. They play off each other so freaking well and have incredible chemistry. PP and Billkin each do a beautiful job at portraying every emotion their character is feeling. Their performances are truly impeccable. Not just them either, the entire cast was great. Including the child actors. They're the ones who grabbed my interest right away at the beginning of the series. I was invested from the moment I saw their emotional argument after the play. I also want to give special compliments to Khun (who played Bas) because he was absolutely amazing. I especially appreciated his talent after watching the documentary. That was his first cry scene ever and it didn't take him a lot to do it, he is such a natural actor.
Music: BEAUTIFUL UGH. I absolutely love the entire soundtrack. Billkin and PP are amazing singers - I could never get sick of their voices. I have all the songs on my favourites playlist and was just listening to them before writing this review.
Rewatch Value: I could rewatch this over and over without getting sick of it. I've said this in my other reviews, but I'm really not a rewatcher. I only rewatch things that either had a significant emotional impact on me or I haven't seen them in ages. (and they were good). I'm actually trying not to rewatch this already and I only finished it a few weeks ago. I'm so sad that the second part got postponed because of COVID but honestly, I would wait forever for it. I'm so freaking excited, you have no idea.
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