I Promised You the Moon (2021)

Realistic portrayal of young love

I absolutely loved ITSAY which I thought was a near-perfect coming of age story set in one of the most beautiful parts of Thailand. I was thrilled to watch this sequel but I didn't expect such a realistic portrayal of young love, the mistakes one can make when admiration gets confused with adoration and an older classmate takes advantage of that.

What I remember of my college years were the lightning quick growth everyone seemed to be going through, whether it was in their educational, emotional or psychological growth. Some dorm mates were changing their majors every 6 months, some were dating a different person every few weeks.

And we see a little bit of this in Teh and Oh's relationship, as Oh realizes he's not cut out to be an actor. As Teh gets more involved with the drama club and immersed into acting, Oh gets more discouraged. My heart hurt when Teh accused Oh of not trying hard enough, not realizing what Oh had been going through. Teens are not exactly great at communicating; they try and protect their partners from the unpleasantness and often turn to their friends instead. Or their friends are readily available and their partners are not.

What was a simple admiration of Jai turned to a crush, as Jai gave more attention to Teh. Immaterial of whether Jai actually had feelings for Teh (I would argue he may have), I don't think of the kiss as the act of betrayal. As an actor, Teh may very well be asked to kiss other actors. It was Teh's feelings/actions before and after the kiss that were more telling. His acting journal revealed his growing distance to Oh, and Jai fully took advantage of this. Teh's eyes followed Jai instead of Oh when they were in the same room. He would seek Jai out whenever possible. IMO, the emotional betrayal is what broke Teh and Oh's relationship. You leave a relationship when you no longer feel you belong there, and I applaud Oh for leaving.

Their time apart was crucial in both their growths. Oh realized he still loved Teh and was happy to love him from afar. Teh, on the other hand, realized that he had reached all his goals and none of them meant a thing without Oh by his side. I cried buckets of tears of sadness and of joy. I would give IPYTM over 10 if I could.

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It's worth giving a shot.

If I had to pick I do think that the first part 'I told the Sunset about you' is better. The drama itself had an amazing story line. It was really frustrating tho to watch the parts with only Teh and Jai together, and it got really stressful at some parts like when they kissed and at the end before Oh-aew ran off stage. The ending of the drama was really beautiful and wholesome and made me cry little. Also if anyone wants to know Teh and Oh-aew did brake up, but they ended up getting back together at the end of the series and there was I guess a little bit of cheating going on but it would make more sense if you watched the series first.

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Bold choices in a bold story. Still beautiful.

So I'm extremely glad I watched these series before learning how divisive IPYTM is. And honestly I get it. From ITSAY and LTIP, our protagonists are heading to their future hand in hand and the first episode has some amazing high points. The underwater kiss redux is even more beautiful and Sui's ep 1 goodbye to Teh is so beautiful and a wonderful conclusion to Teh's family plots from ITSAY.
Then comes IPYTM and the university/divergent paths of Teh and Oh. It is tough, watching Teh drift from Oh and also not accept them both changing. But it's honestly very realistic and gorgeously done. The same problems Teh and Oh had as 7th graders and 12th graders, they have similar problems in their 20s. And Oh does really try to hold them together and it's heartbreaking to watch it fall around him but life be like that sometimes.
It's not the story I wanted but it's story that was told to me and as much as it hurt watching, it was beautiful watching it.
It didn't "have to happen like that" but it did and we watched both Teh and Oh pick up the pieces and choose how they move forward with them and me as an audience member, I choose to do the same.
I Promised You The Moon is every bit as intentional and elevated as I Told Sunset About You and while the story might not be as well loved in the latter half, I very much argue that it's still as poignant and beautiful as the former.

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Relatable, Impactful and Realistic

I liked everything about this drama. It is well-written, the dialogues are well thought out, the OST is memorable, and most importantly, the moral of the story is so profound. Compared to other BL dramas whose sequels are usually all about fluff (with a bit of conflict and drama during the climax), this one dares to differ. No one could tell if it is going to be a happy ending (where the couple ends up together), or bittersweet (where the couple moves on and parts ways).

I am not an expert when it comes to technicalities. It is not as artsy as ITSAY, but I must say that I loved what I see, hear and feel. One should watch it with an open mind. And I guess it's intended for the mature audience? Anyway, since I'm no expert, let me share my insights about the storytelling instead. For me, this is what made the drama compelling. I liked how the audience got involved in the characters' growth. The story starts on a sunny note but turns mindfking when the dilemma comes in. It was a gradual attack on the emotions but it would make one think that what happened had to happen. Teh persists in his childhood dream, while Oh-aew finally finds his strong suit (advertising). I think this is the part where their ship begins to sink. Change is happening and it was inevitable for them.

Being in a long-term relationship could have its dull and lulling moments, and I could understand why Teh got attracted to Jai. But Jai, being another complicated character knows his limits and did not push further (who knows if he actually had feelings for Teh). Oftentimes, when you no longer share a common goal and interest, you tend to get less involved with your partner. But trying to make it work, and choosing that person all over again is what keeps a relationship going. In Oh-aew's instance, he tried for Teh, but one's heart could only take as much. Regaining trust is the most difficult part.

In the latter part, we could see that Teh finally achieves his dream. He gets exhausted from work to the point where he wants to give up and (maybe) finally understands why Khim and Oh-aew had to shift midway with their goals. He realizes that after all this, he still feels empty. Oh-aew on the other hand has moved on and has learned to love himself. Only when he talks to Bas would we see that there's still a silver lining in the Oh-aew and Teh's ship.

Bas' line struck me the most. It goes something like, "Being together once again could either go two ways -- the couple would be more in love with each other after a breakup, or would end up having a toxic relationship... If you want to know, the only way is to try (again). The only one who holds the answer is you." So realistic, right?

Finally, the writer decides to give us a "happy ending". Oh-aew and Teh ends up back together. However, it took me some time to absorb the mixed emotions. I had to take a pause and reflect on the story. The pain is still there because I know giving another chance is not that easy. But I liked what Oh-aew said. It goes something like, "We do not need to promise to love each other forever.. All I know is that I want to be with you."

So Teh, you ought to better make it up to Oh-aew a hundredfold! This is the only way to make me feel better hehe.

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Una serie che sa trasmettere forti emozioni, ma solo nelle scene drammaticamente struggenti

Lascio un riscontro unico che comprende sia prequel che sequel. Se il primo è la storia di un rapporto da costruire, il secondo riguarda una storia da mantenere. In entrambi, è evidente l'evoluzione dei personaggi principali. I Teh e Oh dei primi episodi di "I told sunset about you" non sono gli stessi che troviamo nel finale, e quelli che ritroviamo all' inizio di "I promised you the moon" non sono gli stessi con i quali terminerà la serie.
Una vera storia alle spalle, devo dire, non c'è. La trama si costruisce attorno a loro, mentre avrei preferito si inserissero in una contesto strutturato al di là della loro relazione.
Molto bravi i due attori: sebbene il personaggio di Teh nella prima serie non mi aveva del tutto convinta, devo ammettere che il livello di recitazione ed espressività è davvero molto elevato: sono molte le scene in cui trasmette emozioni senza nemmeno dover ricorrere a gesti o parole, semplicemente con lo sguardo.
E qui arriviamo a quello che trovo sia contemporaneamente il punto di forza e la debolezza di questo drama: la capacità di trasmettere emozioni. Sarò sincera, ho avvertito più e più volte una stretta al cuore, quasi un magone. Dovessi dare un voto per quanto ha saputo essere struggente, darei un 10 e lode. Ma avrei voluto provare anche altre emozioni, altrettanto intense, però positive. Le scene emotivamente strazianti sono molte, e quelle hanno davvero un impatto fortissimo. Minori i momenti di sereni o di rappacificazione, che però non mi hanno trasmesso quanto speravo. Per me una serie davvero emozionante è una serie che deve farmi stringere il cuore nei momenti drammatici, ma anche sorridere e magari ridere in altri, o sognare ad occhi aperti, commuovermi, entusiasmarmi. Il ventaglio delle emozioni è davvero vasto, ma questa serie è riuscita a trasmettermene solo una. Intensissima, per carità, ma solo quella. Va da sé, quindi, che non la riguarderei, nonostante le riconosca tutti i pregi sopraelencati.

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Such a disappointment

Something is missing on this second part. Last year, "I Told Sunset About You" was a masterpiece, perfect timming direction, photography, costume design, edition, stunning OST. This time, everything is missing. They shouldn't have changed the director, or even the screenwritrer team had changes, the cinematography got lost without the old director of photography. It fall from the best series of decade last year to just another series, very shallow. Sometimes having a season 2 isn't a good idea. The guys are good actors but they can't do much without a good script. I think they should have kept Goy (she's a good actress, but even better writring), and Junior as screenwriters, Boss as director, Tang and Lin as cinematographers for obvious reasons. When your team is winning, you don't change the players.

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Through a Magical Tale of the Sun Lit Moon

This "sunsetty" tale to "moonish" change is one of the best I have ever seen. It is not an exaggeration and I am not that generous with words you know, just speaking from my heart. ITSAY had be in blues, and IPYTM is having me all yellow, despite the obvious change. The visuals, the setting, the camera work, the makeup, the cinematography and a wide range emotions these two artists are able to show is just marvelous and sublime work of art.

BL or not, LGBTQ or not, this series transcends into various aspects. It is surprising for people like me, who are accustomed to BL series for having poor productions values, and I have never considered production aspect when evaluating a BL series, knowing how hard it is for them to make a good content when people are not willing to invest. Over the years, from Love of Siam to this day, there is a tremendous growth in this industry especially 2016 to onwards. Japan used to make all kind of live action adaptations of their YA manga, but as we all know it takes century to get a sub for a Japanese series, so people interest eventually shifted when Thai join the game. Since then it just one after another surprise, and all of us have been critical towards it, that has actually helped the makers to produce and improve the content, and "I" series (as I say it) were able to born. This sequel to ITSAY is an example of a how work should never be compromised, even when the entire team that worked on its prequel changed.

With only 5 episodes, the content is solid, there is no filling in between season, and for the first time in Thai BL I am liking the supporting cast, their acting is not over the top, specially the girl troop who is not cheesy, like we are used to seeing where they gush over BL couple and go crazy. Seeing the acting of a girl, it was mature and actually looked like director really took care of it. The supporting cast however has not come up front yet, as it is vert layered as of yet. The group of friends Oh is having, there acting is acceptable and they are not typical boy troop tagging with leads.

What can I say about PP and BP they have absorbed their roles so well, that they actually looked like living a normal life off-camera. The rawness in their acting, specially BP gels so well with his nature that you can't tell it is bad or not, there are scenes, you will say cringeworthy if it were coming from some other actor, but BP looks absolutely breathtaking. His this natural way of acting is what makes this series eternal. Loving it, just loving it so far.

Regarding the story I am actually not concerned at all, happy or sad, they are way beyond their mere love. They only belong to each other, even they have loneliness keeping them apart. It is very much true, love alone can not fill the void, even if you have the person you longed for, with you, it is not a guarantee of your happiness. As happiness does not come from people. It comes from you. If you have little and you are content, that is what happiness is.

Oh needs to understand that having Teh all the time can not bring him happiness. I get that Oh is homesick, who doesn't? I was too, when I traveled at 18 into a completely alien country, so I can relate to Oh 100% but he is too sensitive to pull himself together. He is unwillingly making sacrifices for Teh, when clearly Teh told him he wants to be with him. I know Oh wants the best for Teh but he is hurting himself and this is going to put strain on their newly bloomed relationship. Now that there are people who gonna come between their relationships and the realistic "career and love" choice gonna play major role in their pain. But I am hopeful the tension won't last long and their separation (if any) is just another push for them towards each other.

This has managed to make a place into my top five BL series. Well it may not be the best of best, but it is actually a cream content one can make. Don't hesitate to watch if you are concerned about the sad ending, because some endings are not even important when the beginnings are significant enough to show how powerful the journey was.

Please join the official platform to watch the series, for those who can pay $6 per episode please pay. Initially I hesitated and expressed my grief, but eventually ended up paying because when you see such efforts being made, you won't feel sad paying it.

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Perfeição SS2

Não vou me estender muito como na primeira temporada, da qual fiz uma resenha gigante, vou me ater ao básico.
A série chegou e foi recebida com muito entusiasmo e expectativa, devido ao sucesso da primeira temporada, e o plot deixou muita gente decepcionada (vide as avaliações), inclusive macetando o personagem do Teh devido à "traição", muitos querendo que o Oh-Aew terminasse sozinho para manter sua dignidade.
Confesso que ao assistir essa série, o entusiasmo da expectativa alta me trouxe uma certa decepção, mas aí é que está... nessa série, tudo é perfeitamente desenvolvido, construído com um alicerce bem feito, nada está ali ao acaso, tudo tem uma razão de ser. Muitas vezes essa razão de ser passa despercebida no primeiro olhar, mas ao rever a série eu consegui imergir na história, voltei à primeira temporada para entender alguns aspectos da personalidade de cada um dos dois.
É fato que existiu a traição! Não foi só um workshop com Teh covardemente afirmou, ele realmente ficou balançado pelo Jai, e verbalizou isso na noite em que Oh Aew o deixou. A questão é que ele amava o namorado, nunca deixou de amar, mas o relacionamento deles estava balançado e fragilizado por muitas coisas, e nenhum dos dois conversou para resolver o problema. Chegou num ponto em que Teh não reconhecia em Oh o garoto que ele viu crescer, e Oh se sentia só, pois Teh estava realizado com seus novos amigos, realizando seu sonho.
O oh que Teh aprendeu a amar queria atuar, não tinha tatuagens, não pintava o cabelo, na verdade não tinha atitude, era sempre indeciso e tinha medo, isso assustou Teh ao mesmo tempo em que ele tinha ao seu lado um belo homem, maduro, e que compartilhava dos mesmos sonhos que ele, ficar confuso seria normal, não acham?
Por outro lado, enquanto Teh se encaixou imediatamente e parecia nem lembrar de casa, Oh se sentia sozinho, existia o problema da distância entre as faculdades (Teh previu isso na primeira temporada), e a distância física causou o distanciamento dos sentimentos também. Na hora da tristeza, não era Teh que estava lá para consolar Oh, ao mesmo tempo que os amigos incentivavam Oh a crescer, trazendo mudanças naturais para um adolescente entrando na vida adulta, mas que Teh não imaginava que aconteceriam.
Nessa temporada, como na primeira, o foco exclusivo é nos protagonistas. Foi muito bom que eles tenham terminado juntos, mas que passassem anos separados, amadurecendo, vivendo, para enfim se reencontrarem maduros o suficiente para conseguirem dialogar.
Algumas coisas pequenas serviram de lição, como a fala de Khim sobre nem todos terem as mesmas condições de vida, quando Oh reclamou com Teh ter deixado a namorada sem nem ao menos tentar, a fala da mãe de Teh sobre saber do relacionamento, e a coragem de Teh em arriscar sua carreira postando o "sim".
Mais uma vez me vi dentro da história, sentia os personagens como meus parentes próximos e íntimos. A sensação de acolhimento que essa série traz é surreal! A intensidade de sentimentos traz uma sensação de realidade
Nos aspectos técnicos, não só não existiram erros, como existiram melhoras, como a ost por exemplo, que foi ampliada para muitas músicas, todas interpretadas pelos protas.
Assistirei muitas vezes e com certeza recomendo muito.

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you want to finish this journey

I can’t rember the last time I was this emotionally invested in a fictional relationship. ha

forget whatever you’ve spoilers you’ve read about cheating.( I’m not a cheating apologist. I hate cheaters. once a cheater, always a cheater.)that’s not what this is about. this is a realistic portrayal of youth and how they change and grow, and how that change effects relationships; sometimes for the worse, and sometimes for the better.

it would be a disservice to yourself, and to the story that’s being told, not to watch this second act. you would miss these characters becoming who they’re supposed to be. I would argue that without their separation, they never could’ve become those people. and it is only those people, who have changed and grew and become SEPERATELY, who will be able to now sustain a lasting healthy relationship.

(-.5 points because Teh really pissed me off)

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Better off without S2

Not going to sugarcoat this. Itsay was better off without season 2. Sure, the development of their relationship from Phuket to Bangkok was interesting, but due to the change in director who seem to not understand the characters, it was a huge impact to how season 2 played out.

Plot: My rating for S2's plot is lower than what I gave for S1, mainly because of how Teh was portrayed. The scriptwriters were drunk when writing this season's plot /s. It just wasn't it. I really hate how Teh looked at Jai exactly the way he did when he looked at Oh Aew in S1. Having Teh cheat in the relationship also adds to the stereotype for the gay community and is harmful. The ending where Bas and Q were left bittersweet because Oh Aew and Teh reconciled was not to my liking. They deserved more than being one sided lovers of the main character.

Cast: This season's cast was really good! I really love Oh Aew's new circle of friends, especially Ta (played as Q).

Music: As always, Nadao Music really is superior. I'm so thankful to then for making such great OSTs that conveyed the feelings of the characters.

Rewatch value: Gave the lowest score because it really isn't that good that I would d i e to watch it again.

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