*major* spoilers - a review for 1000 stars

Major spoilers -- just genuine love for things that happened throughout the show. Please don't open because it is genuinely full spoilers.

I struggle to remember many shows and finding love for them because there's always something that makes me just a little disappointed, but A Tale of a Thousand Stars (1000 stars) is something that I will probably hold pretty close to my heart.







On the surface of how the show is played out, 1000 stars has a very unique situation to work with and many different scenarios that can be built around a poor village. Typical BLs have the setting in the city, so it was new to see how acting in a rural village would work. The music is very particular to its theme. It's like a Pinterest board, it has a consistent sound and it fits very well with the visuals of the show. The actors (EarthMix) play their respective positions and characters very well given each's background. The Chief is stoic yet looks out for Tian a lot, while Tian is trying his best as a teacher in the village. The villagers are dynamic, there are people of all ages in the village with different personalities. They navigate life and deal with problems that come their way. I gave the cast an 8.0 because this isn't the typical "hot men kissing" trope, and it's not something that you'll find when watching the show. There is more substance to these characters, and later on, the message of the show.

Tian's character development has one of the best I've *felt* in a while. There's one thing about seeing character development but it's another to feel it in a character.

Tian starts off as the typical characters whom are born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and ironically enough, his parents have a very non-empathic approach because of their high status. They think low of the donor who gave their heart to Tian, they don't mind trampling on others to live on the high end. Although Tian isn't necessarily housing these same beliefs, he grew up with it.

He signs up to become a teacher impulsively out of sheer interest and wanting to do something for once. He doesn't know what he's doing but even when he gets dirty looks, he still swallows it down and stays anyways. And he makes core memories throughout the show that I still can remember clearly. The kite flying, the chief taking him to that small hut to look at the view, creating the tea satchels, the adorable parties they’ve had together with the villagers, Tian risking burning and risking his life for the village, risking his own health for the things he teaches around the village that he wants to show the kids. It's so clear the way Tian puts himself out there to support the village, and you can see how he gradually goes from just teaching kids to falling in love with the village and doing whatever he can to help them. It's really beautiful. I think actions speak greater than words in this show and it's refreshing to see.

The Chief is a pillar in everyone's lives, and it's really great to see how he can find support and fun in Tian. I think that one of my favorite quotes from him is: “When you choose to go home and not give everything you have up for me, I’ll know you’ve returned the feelings I have for you." It's so painful, it’s loving Tian to the point where he is willing to let him go because he knows what Tian gives up to be with him. It really shows is maturity in the Chief and I really like how blunt he is when he deals with Tian. He also is a pillar because he's always willing to wait for Tian, referencing off the hornbills and their patience. It comes up occasionally and I love the analogy behind it. I do think it was a little unnerving to see the Chief after realizing he had just protected Tian because of the money/promotion, but I think it was very interesting to watch them figure out whether it was actual feelings or simply work.

Now for the village aspect of the show. I thought that the village characters wouldn't be really well known and would just be supporting characters, but I didn't realize how close they would be to the storyline and plot. It really adds color and a familial aspect to Tian's life that he didn't have when he was living with his parents and drinking with his friends. I think it's really beautiful to see Tian helping the village in his own way, and the village welcoming him hesitantly but then forgiving him every time he causes them trouble. The ending with the montage of the villagers waving him goodbye was so beautiful that I cried. P'Aof made the montage so beautiful with Tian hugging the kids dearly and each of them bringing a gift for him, him hugging the village, him taking a picture with the village. It hurt me (in a good way) when they said to come visit sometime not ever knowing when they’ll ever see someone like him again. They are always staying as his pillar as family, unwavering and home. It's ironic because Tian also has a family waiting for him in the city as well, but he's also found another family in the village.

Time for the romance. The romance lacks any kisses, hugs, whatever typical things that are out there but instead has injuries, scars, betrayal, saving each other’s lives, introducing each other to new things, being there for each other. I interpret their love as action and bearing what might come next together. Their confession was executed so well because they are unsure of the time they have left before Tian leaves. It's not all perfect. The final scene actually gave us a kiss that was very rewarding to watch. I understand how it might be very frustrating to watch without any throughout the show, but the kiss for them happened because they knew they were finally sure they would be together (after Tian became a proper teacher and knew he would commit). They couldn’t kiss knowing Tian had to leave. They couldn’t kiss wondering where Tian would go. Everything was temporary. But after waiting and knowing exactly where their future is, they sealed it and, gosh it’s so poetic, the timing and everything.

Also Torfun was a really pretty aspect to the show. She shows what it's like to live a humble life and seeing Tian follow her steps out of curiosity was really nice to watch because I originally thought he wouldn't care much at all, like his parents. The ending where she wholeheartedly wishes for the Chief to find true love and him finding it in Tian, who has her heart, is a pretty twisted but poetic thing to watch.

There's a lot of pretty metaphors throughout the show (or maybe I'm seeing too much into it). Tian has a new heart literally and I'd say figuratively as well. He has a new heart for being open-minded and finally having a purpose in life, abandoning the luxurious yet dull life he lived before. The hornbill reference/analogy that shows unwavering patience from the Chief (and village). I love discrete storytelling and 1000 stars has it all.

Here are some lessons? messages? I got from the show: Socioeconomic perspectives, silent but unwavering love, familial love, finding the purpose in life. I felt like I was going through the rollercoaster right alongside the characters.

Thanks for reading, I didn't mean to spoil so much but I just wanted to post an honest analysis/review for the show.

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