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.
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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 kisskh ratings, so I’ll just round off my score.)
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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.
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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).
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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 kisskh 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)!
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This review may contain spoilers
Masterfully Artistic, What I Wish The "BL" Genre Had More Of
Watch this series. There's literally no reason not to. It's short (only 5 episodes), beautiful in every way possible. The story is captivating, the actors are believable, I could go on and on...so I will. During this quarantining process I've watched A LOT of dramas and BL's. From all over the world. When it comes to Thai BL's or dramas a lot of the time they are lower budget and can be very tropey. What I mean by that is they stick to a similar plot thread, that can border on or completely glorify/sugarcoat the lgbtq experience. To the point where many of them are completely unrealistic and I cannot take them seriously at all. Not that that's necessarily always a bad thing, since these are just shows after all. Some of my favorite series could potentially fall into that category! Though I always try to avoid toxicity within these shows, because that's a problem that needs to end. What I'm trying to get at though, is that other Thai BL's specifically cannot compare to art like this. Yes, I said art. I'm a film student, at heart too so I live for series or films done like this as compared to those other shows. I'll dive more into detail of why this I consider "art" comparably, but if you stop reading here just do yourself a favor and give this series love. The sequel too when it comes out! Trust me, we want more of this.So, onto the film student side of me being fully unleashed. This series is shot differently (aka. a lot nicer) than a lot of other shows labelled "BL's". Within the first 10 minutes I could tell you that. The colours are so vibrant in this and the cinematography was very well done. There were pan shots, tracking shots, clever ways of framing scenes, wide-angles that showcased scenic moments/sets in the show. Seriously there are a lot of shots in this that I want to print and frame. Shots of gorgeous beaches, mountainous landscapes. It made me want to travel to Thailand so badly! One shot that really stuck out to me was the shot with Teh as a child acting out the play from behind the curtain. You see the shadows of the performers on the other side and it was gorgeous. Such a smart way of showing so much about a characters passion and determination, while also having just a beautiful looking shot. You can tell this was done by a crew that wanted to make something that could be potentially submitted into film festivals. It was that good. Very "Call me by your name" in nature, which is one of my top films of all time. I loved the cultural music utilized in this, since even though its a Thai BL its heavily centered around Chinese culture and language. They used piano a lot in the score too which was beautiful and again gave me "CMBYN" vibes.
Moving onto the characters and plot. Teh and Oh-aew, what a duo they were. Both characters are equally layered and nuanced, which is incredible to watch unfold. Together right off the bat the friendship is so sweet. We see Teh helping Oh out during the play with the cards. So when there's a misunderstanding and harsh words are said which leads to ending of communication for awhile, it sucks. Words can cause problems if they really cut deep and that's what happened. The screenwriters did a good job of laying breadcrumbs for us to follow as to how that fight led to problems even in their teens. Like Oh's thought process of "you'll always quit and never stick with something" making him continuously want to prove Teh wrong which made him miserable in life. Or Teh feeling inferior and letting jealousy control his life, both with Oh by trying to copy him with the instagram followers and with his older brother being the "favorite" of their mother. Great writing, really enjoyed that. So when Teh and Oh communicate again and hash it out, it hurts to see it. Seriously Oh's actor (PP/Krit) was fantastic (and very beautiful too my god), when Teh hurt him again in front of their friends you could visibly see the hurt on his face. It's not easy to show great facial-acting, but this dude did that throughout this. Teh's actor (Billkin) was of course also stellar, he broke my heart many times. We get to the beach scene where the characters finally reconcile and it was heart wrenching. This was all in the first episode and so much is packed into these that I couldn't look away. I knew this series was special then on.
So speaking about character believability again, I loved that there's initial hesitance from Oh about jumping back into a best friendship with Teh. Anybody would be after being hurt like that! The show surprised me with that, since much of the time to save time within the series they would just make up immediately. So using the tutoring as a way to establish a connection again, very smart ("Why R U" could never lol). There was this shot during the studying montage of showing the lettering book flip from the "rival" page to "intimate" page as a transition of their closeness. *chefs kisses, so freaking good. Another storytelling choice that I loved (count how many times I say love hehe) was when Oh tells Teh that he likes Bas, whom is a guy. There's no initial shock, no acting out badly. It's just natural and there's no weight to it being a "gay crush" which was refreshing. Teh is actually excited for him (at first) and its super sweet. Just chatting about their respective crushes and this is how it should be no matter sexuality or gender. Then there's Teh trying to help Oh out with said crush, oh lord when he put himself out there for Oh's sake to see if his crush liked him back. Dude...tears. Of course jealousy kicks in later on, but it was heartfelt.
Wow this is long...oh well lol. So we fast forward to the group trip. Where literally Oh is jumping between 2 guys, you better decide between them at once lol. Which leads to the hammock scene with the flowers, ah how I loved that scene. So little said, but so powerful and very intimate. What a great display of young adolescent love. There's more bonding that borders on dating, like going through the blocked off shrine again like before when Oh was running away from Teh because of the grade embarrassment. To now being together. Then the singing translation on the mountain, wtf is this show doing to my heart at this point? Wrecking it. The chemistry between the leads is so real, like I can believe they are very much into each other because it feels natural. There's no fantasy world fake feeling even in this show, not even once. So of course we have conflicts, Teh's confused feelings hold him back and that's completely understandable. He doesn't want to lose a very important friendship, but obviously he feels more for Oh than just that. I mean you wouldn't touch your friends in those ways if you didn't want them as more. That's why the scene with his "almost girlfriend" was so interesting. Because it was basically her seeing what coloured pencil he would choose to draw in the flower (a call back to Oh btw, yes I noticed the colour was the same as the flowers they had in the hammock) to see if he looked at her in the same way. So SMART. Callback after callback, such good screenwriting! Another scene that shocked me was with Oh and the bra. So self exploration is not new, sexuality and sex/gender are 2 separate things. At first I thought maybe he was deep down wanting to present or maybe even transition into a woman? Which is an important discussion on its own, but then I realized that's not what the script was going for. It was him trying to envision/ wish for Teh's approval in a way sexually. Since he had a thing with grabbing Oh's chest, which clearly bothered him. When he posted that picture of himself I literally was like "oh...baby" I was devastated for him because I knew people would see it. I felt protective of Oh's character in this series and exploration of yourself is perfectly natural, but don't try and change yourself for someone you love. You can't without being miserable and I'm glad he figured that out.
So some of the last plot points I wanted to discuss were Teh's brother. Thank you for not making him a "villian" in this. Seriously THANK YOU! He actually was the start of Teh's acceptance of himself after that talk they had. Since some of the "problems" Teh dealt with trying to live in his shadow, these other insecurities stemmed from that. So having the brother be his first person to talk to was beautiful. I always wanted to say, Bas was such a good character. Seriously, he could've been an antagonist but he definitely wasn't. He brought Oh to see Teh when he knew that's what they both needed, saying it's okay not to be ready yet when Oh didn't want to see Teh sad. Solid, really solid and I'm glad there was no animosity at the end. So finally, the ending. Phew it took awhile to get here but we made it! I thought it was 99% perfection. We got the promise of running from Teh's house to campus and then the sunset mountain (which is where the shows title comes from). We got them making up and really talking it through. We got Oh admitting he doesn't care how Teh stays in his life, he just doesn't want him to disappear again after the resignation fiasco. Then finally we get Teh saying he wants a relationship, a real one. Fantastic. The only minuscule thing I wish they would've done is end with a kiss or some type of affection. Since it felt like it was leading up to that for awhile. Sure we got the underwater scene, but I wanted one to seal the deal. I know we'll get more in the sequel, but it's just what I envisioned as the perfect ending. Either way, 99% is still damn good. Please PLEASE watch this series. It's made its way onto my top lists for LGBTQ shows and dramas, and into my heart.
P:S- Download the entire soundtrack to this series. Including the multiple versions of the title track, it's all stunning.
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This review may contain spoilers
My Favorite Show, Maybe Ever
Right off, I'll admit this isn't a perfect show for everyone, despite my rating - if you don't like ugly (and arguably overdramatic) crying, you might have a hard time with this one - but for me, this is everything I want in a show and more. This is a perfect show for me. Here are some of my highlights:MUSIC
Having multiple versions of the main song is really clever, and the two leads of this show are both genuinely good singers. The soundtrack is really cohesive and adds to the emotion, pulling you further into the story. I love that they foreshadowed the track at the very end with instrumental versions of it! Overall, a very versatile and well-utilized soundtrack in my opinion.
ACTING/CAST
Honestly, I don't know much at all about acting but I really enjoyed watching the subtle expressions on the actors' faces during emotional scenes. I'll admit some of the crying felt over the top for me but it's not enough of a bother to knock down my score... and I do think I'd rather have it this way than have it not feel genuine. I'm not a very emotional person myself but I have cried just as dramatically, especially as a high schooler, so I don't think it's entirely unrealistic. The thing is, for me, for every over-the-top scene, there are at least ten scenes that had my eyes glued to the screen, that had me feeling more emotions than I have in months. So I don't mind it much at all.
Another note: I was actually impressed with the actor and actress who played Bas and Tarn. Bas didn't have many lines but he expressed a lot in little gestures and subtle expressions.
STORY (big spoilers below, only read if you've already watched!)
You see a character without a father and a traditional mother struggling to even identify his own feelings because in his household, making mom proud is the most important thing. You see him struggling to express his affection in words because that's not how his family communicates with him. You see him giving away pieces of himself that he shouldn't give away because he hasn't learned any other way to give love. And that's my defense of Teh, who is a little bit stupid about what most people view as common sense and also quite dramatic - but consistently so. He's doing his best and while Oh-aew learns Chinese, Teh is learning the language of emotion.
And on the flip side, you see a kid with no ambition, no motivation to succeed, and you see him find a friend, and that friendship leads him to finding a dream, a goal. He isn't motivated by money; he's motivated by emotion, and in a well-off and verbally supportive family, without an older brother to compete against, that's just fine. When young Teh needed a friend, young Oh-aew needed a rival. He learns that he can succeed and flourish, he is enough, and even though he has a tendency to give up, his ability to persevere for the sake of love is almost unmatched. I don't think I need to defend Oh-aew because everyone loves him, but here's me fleshing out the complexities of why he has the privilege of carefree love and Teh does not.
And Oh and Teh have different definitions of rival. Oh doesn't have anything to compare it to, whereas Teh imagines that rivals can only have one winner between them - at home, it's always Hoon who wins, and this is reflected in the glimpse we have of Yongjian's story, too, where there can only be one winner, according to destiny. Oh doesn't buy into that so much. His definition of rival isn't mutually exclusive with friend. In fact, I would argue that Oh needs some rivalry to get the most out of a friendship - he needs someone to push him. For all of Bas being a perfect human being, he can't push Oh-aew the way Teh does.
Anyway. I have an infinite love for Bas and want him to be happy, he did so much with very few lines. If I had to choose a favorite I think it would be him. Having such a mature character in contrast to Oh and especially Teh was a smart decision to balance out the show and ensure that Teh is viewed as an especially dramatic individual, rather than viewing the show as being dramatic as a whole.
If I had to choose a "best character," it would have to be Tarn, who is such a complex and multi-faceted individual. She embodies the balance that Teh and Oh are both looking for: driven to succeed in her individual goals, but refusing to push love entirely aside without a deadline. And you know what? Between her and Teh's mom, I think we get a tiny bit of commentary on gender roles and even sexism. Tarn's hesitance at being forward with Teh, her regret, the feeling like it was her fault, it's reflected in social gender roles. Compare her to Teh's mom, who insists on relying on a man financially - if not her husband, then her sons. There's a generational shift there, but no magical, complete fix. I love that and I love Tarn for being real with her feelings and strong in her support and genuine in her love.
I love that Oh never once condemned Teh for not coming out as gay. They argued, but it was never because of that, not really. It was over Teh's lack of ownership towards his actions. That's important.
The interaction of gender and sexuality. That bra scene really, really got me. 1. I've never seen that very real struggle portrayed in any show before. 2. On a larger scale, it represents so well the triviality of gender boundaries (no, I don't think this was intentional; yes, I still love it with my whole heart). 3. The connections between that scene and the scene when Teh and Oh were driving in the sidecar and Tarn's scenes with her bra gave me chills.
A freaking coming out scene. A vulnerable, raw, sopping-wet-with-teras coming out scene. With a sibling. Can't express how much I was hoping for this, can't express how much it surpassed my expectations.
Sadness as an indicator of love. Bas, Oh, and even Teh, I think, all realize their feelings when the one they love is hurting. This is such an interesting idea, that we know we're feeling real love when we want to do everything in our power to stop another person from hurting. And I really don't disagree with this. It's easy to love someone when things are good and going well. It's harder when they're hurting, even more so when you're the one hurting them. And in the end, that's a big part of what Teh and Oh come to understand: they hate hurting one another. That's what clicks and has them both saying they'll always try to reach out. They won't disappear again. That was somehow more romantic than their deciding to date. To say: I prioritize your happiness over my own pride.
Symmetry. In episode, what, two? When Oh likes Bas and Teh says he'll start hitting on Oh, Oh looks to Bas to see his reaction. And then later, towards the end, Bas confesses to Oh and Oh looks to Teh, to see his reaction. Such a small detail, but magical in its own little way. In episode 1, young Oh asks Teh if he would've given up playing Yongjian for Oh. Later, Oh reproaches Teh for not going through the admission system, and in episode 4. And finally, in episode 4, Teh does everything that he thought Oh wanted him to do. He gives it all up. When his good intentions are rejected, it's like reliving their childhood fight all over again: making himself vulnerable only to receive (what he interprets to be) rejection in return. And on the flipside, Oh's first thought is their childhood fight, too: Teh said "someone like you will give up eventually," and Oh believes that Teh still looks down on him in that same way.
PRODUCTION
It's hard to even separate it from the Story/Writing section because - as it should - all of the production decisions in this show are to support the development and portrayal of the story. An example: going through the massive trouble of filming an underwater kiss wasn't just for the sake of drama or a beautiful backdrop, it's symbolic of the characters' hidden relationship, as well as Teh's reluctance to acknowledge his feelings for Oh-aew, even to himself. It's all about hiding, and shame, and fear. This narrative is furthered when Bas confesses to Oh in public, in front of their friends, and explicitly says (at least twice) that he isn't ashamed or shy about his love for Oh. Oh's surprise at this really drives the point home.
I have less experience and knowledge of production than of story crafting, and people have already expressed a lot of this, so I'll keep this relatively short. I think the production is what really made me feel things as strongly as I did while watching this show. The colors, the framing, and the angles and lighting, it all worked to pull me into every scene, to really convince me that I was right there with the characters on the screen.
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