I Told Sunset About You isn’t the most original series out there. The school setting, the tense rivalry, and the years spent apart are familiar tropes, even for heterosexual coming-of-age dramas, though the added dimension of Teh’s Chinese Thai background is new. That being said, it doesn’t hold up the series alone. I Told Sunset About You gets specific, and in delving deep into Teh and Oh-aew’s characters, it’s clear how heartfelt and genuine the show is in depicting its story. There are moments that can be cheesy, but with the sweet way the show depicts these tender teenage years, it’s no wonder I Told Sunset About You easily reminds queer people about their own experiences in navigating these feelings.
Tender emotions and new yearnings awaken in childhood friends Teh and Oh-aew when they cross paths in a Chinese language class during senior year.
After not speaking to each other for years, Teh meets Oh-aew, his childhood best friend from Phuket, in the tutorial school where they’re preparing for university, stirring up memories and unexpected feelings.
Look, ITSAY really understands the compelling nature of these coming-of-age tropes common to queer cinema, even as they switch from enemies to lovers and enemies again (relationship dynamic shortened for length). And frankly, with Phuket looking this good, as well as the actors really getting into it, why not? It’s still so lovely to watch.
Now if we can just tone down that insistent score…
