Back in February, we sang the praises of “I Told Sunset About You,” the much-heralded Thai boys’ love (BL) drama that set a new standard of quality for the rapidly proliferating genre. After its success across Asia and beyond, a sequel was inevitable. Now, after a slight pandemic-related delay, the five-episode “I Promised You the Moon” has arrived.
We pick up the story of 18-year-olds Teh (Putthipong “Billkin” Assaratanakul) and Oh-aew (Krit “PP” Amnuaydechkorn) as they leave their hometown of Phuket and head to separate universities in Bangkok, where both hope to earn acting degrees.
Getting to this point was tough. In the previous series, Oh-aew had to drag the nervous and conflicted Teh out of the closet and get him to acknowledge the intense feelings they shared, a drawn-out process during which many tears were shed.
Now things look brighter. All the parents are on-board with the relationship, and Oh-aew is comfortably set up in his family’s Bangkok apartment. Teh, on the other hand, has the classic freshman experience of encountering a sullen and cranky roommate in his dorm, but no matter. He intends to sleep over at Teh’s place.
It soon becomes apparent, however, that the 8km distance from Oh-aew’s apartment to Teh’s university makes it hard for Teh to spend the night and still get to school on time.
Will Bangkok’s terrible traffic be the problem that dooms this relationship?
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What’s more likely is that new responsibilities, new friends, and evolving ambitions will eat away at the profound connection the two shared on the shimmering beaches of Phuket. When Oh-aew decides to steer his studies away from acting after a casting director calls him too “girly,” his decision drives a wedge into the relationship that’s made worse by Teh’s insecurities, petty jealousies, and fear of abandonment.
Small things like Oh-aew’s decision to get a tiny tattoo at the urging of his new friends loom large in Teh’s very tightly wound mind.
As was the case in part one, the psychological complexities of the two lovers are far deeper and more fully realized than those seen in a typical BL drama. There are so many insightful subtleties to observe and digest, and they all ring true.
Time speeds by from episode to episode, and the suspense builds as the pair approaches graduation. Will they be able to hold their increasingly tenuous relationship together if Oh-aew’s high expectations and Teh’s various hang ups keep getting in the way?
Although the sequel has a new creative crew — it was co-written and directed by Meen Tossaphon Riantong—the high quality remains. It’s impeccably shot, washed in an extremely appealing golden glow that makes Teh, Oh-aew and Bangkok look fantastic.
Don’t miss the dramatic lovemaking scene in episode three. It’s as sensual and erotic as anything out of Hollywood and instantly earns itself a spot in the BL Hall of Fame.
“I Promised You the Moon” is available on LINE TV in Thailand and is generally available outside Thailand via Vimeo streaming rental.
