My Forever Sunshine: A Review

To be frankly honest, it didn’t occur to me that there would be a day that I would write a review on a Thai lakorn, not even once. As a long-time Korean drama’s avid fan, I have always set a particular bar when it comes to series I would want to enjoy whole-heartedly. Some Thailand movies were fun to watch, but for lakorn? Not so much for particular reasons. I first came across My Forever Sunshine (2020) just randomly in a legal streaming platform when the show was still on going, and I would forever be thankful for my unexpected decision that time. It was a wholesome show about love and life that flew me to the moon but also drowned me to the deepest ocean. Regardless, here I am with the first lakorn whose storyline and couples I rooted to the core and I was genuinely fond of.

MY FOREVER SUNSHINE / AS LONG AS THE SKY HAS SUN / ตราบฟ้ามีตะวัน (2020)

Growing up in abundant wealth but lacking parental care, young Paeng (Kao Supassara) behaved naughtily at school just to earn her parents’ rare attention. After losing both of her parents tragically, Paeng moved in to the house of her late dad’s best friend. His son, Arthit (Mark Prin), was a college student with fun social life and hobbies, and he wanted Paeng to make friends with other people instead of picking meaningless fights with everyone. Paeng was deeply-infatuated that she did everything to chain Arthit until a horrible incident occurred and she was sent away from the family to Bangkok. Six years later, adult Paeng returned to the house with a transformed character, but nobody believed her until she had proven herself to be different. It was supposedly a token of apology for what she did wrong towards Arthit, but the feelings grew again and love penetrated just like that. The obstacles didn’t get any easier, but both Paeng and Arthit were allowed to experience growth as a person and as two people who genuinely love each other.

INITIAL IMPRESSION

I have enjoyed this lakorn series as well as the roughly-translated novel of the same title before coming to write a review, and this particular plot feels pretty solid. This isn’t an ordinary love story with a lovable childhood connection and phi-nong (equivalent to oppa-dongsaeng) relationship. Instead, the series talks about phases to adulthood and different kinds of love and the feelings beyond. My Forever Sunshine (2020) explores the journey to love, a depleting but nourishing one.

Arthit Suriyakkul (Mark Prin Suparat) lives like any regular college students who gets along with a group of friends, studies together with them and plays football for fun. When his father asks for his help to befriend Paeng, Arthit has always regarded her as a little sister he should protect and share knowledge about. It doesn’t occur to him that Paeng wants a deeper relationship for how immature she is. As years go by, he learns that all the feelings he has for her, be it hatred or affection, are all valid and genuine without doubt.

I watched some other works of Mark Prin such as Game of Outlaws (2022), My Husband-in-Law (2020) and Waves of Life (2017) after finishing this series. Not all of them are my cup of tea, but they indeed serve as a proof of Mark Prin’s versatile acting. It took me by surprise that he is actually a 1990 liner since he looked much younger and believable as a college student here compared to him in other series. I really love his adorable dimples when he smiles, as if he has overtaken the world and stolen all the love.

Wanfahmai Warawit (Kao Supassara Thanachart) has been self-indulgent all her life because the attention from her parents have been nothing but lackluster, just like your typical rich spoiled immature girl in as the lead character. Commonly-referred to as Paeng, she keeps causing troubles at school only to acquire her parents’ attention that she doesn’t manage to make friends with any of her classmates. Once Paeng comes across Arthit’s sweet affection, Paeng keeps craving for more that she even does a lot of stupid things in the mind of a high schooler. Eventually, all the hardships mature Paeng and lead her to becoming a grown-up lady.

The very first time I saw Kao on screen, it was kind of astonishing that her beauty seems too ethereal. Her acting during emotional scenes are also wholesome and she made me cry with her as I was witnessing Paeng’s weakest moments. There was a distinctive behavioral transformation from when Paeng was a high schooler to adult Paeng six years later that Kao has successfully portrayed well. She made me want to look forward to her next acting projects.

Ling (Lingling Sirikak Kwong) is the only girl within their circle of friendship that everyone wants to take care of, especially by Arthit and Thanon. She is genuine and kind with everyone, but there are circumstances she finds herself wanting to hide from other people. It takes real courage and determination to penetrate through the gateway to her heart she has been keeping closed for a long time, and Thanon is the only one who withstands the test and allows her to lower her guard.

Frankly speaking, I think Lingling doesn’t really embody with her character given her stiff facial expressions despite that gorgeous face. Compared to Kao, she fell behind and her character didn’t leave special footprints in my mind. I’m not sure if it was her bland acting or the scriptwriting itself, but the character seems too good to be true that people would find it hard to relate with.

Thanon (Punjan Kawin Imanothai) has feelings for Ling but gets friend-zoned for a long time because of her tight circumstances. Nonetheless, Thanon keeps striving for her love and eventually manages to win her heart. Apart of her love line with Ling, Thanon is a supportive friend that gives his hand anytime needed. I’m rooting for Thanon’s ability to be honest with his feelings and to practice his acts of services towards everyone equally well.

Punjan Kawin didn’t appeal me at first, but his character gradually grew on me. His overall vibes also got refined in a fine manner after becoming a real adult just like Kao’s abundant transition. He managed to exude good chemistry with all female counterparts in the series.

STUFFS I LIKED

Chemistry fest

As cringeworthy as some scenes were, the chemistry between Mark Prin and Kao Supassara left no question mark. As friends or siblings, as enemies or lovers, they were perfectly made for each other and shared a great deal of bodily chemistry during their scenes together. Be it quarreling or sharing lovey-dovey interactions, their scenes never disappoint. Characters’ compatibility is such a rare commodity that alludes to greater watching experience.

I also like the interactions between Paeng and Thanon (also with Kot and Ling, too). In spite of Arthit’s abundant acrimony, all of his friends treat Paeng like a little sister with great care. Both Thanon and Ling protect Paeng from Arthit’s bullying whenever possible. Putting Thanon’s scheme to make Ling jealous aside, Thanon and Paeng really look like adorable brother and sister side by side. If they ever start off as a couple, I think their chemistry will also be equally captivating.

It’s seriously nothing, just a cute sight of Paeng hiding behind Thanon’s broad shoulder from Arthit’s malicious stare.

Lastly, the sight of Arthit and Paeng together is always marvelously heart-fluttering in whatever circumstances they are. After watching Mark Prin in his other three projects, I’d say that Kao fits him the most given the overall vibes and adorable height difference. Their faces complement each other and Mark Prin becomes much younger given Kao’s baby-faced look.

Krong Prateep’s fatherly love

This is not to disregard the role of Tharateep (Oat Voravudh Niyomsap) as Paeng’s biological father, but Krong Prateep (Duke Phanudet Watnasuchart) deserves an appreciation space for everything he has done to Paeng during her most difficult times. If it wasn’t for his fatherly affection and patience, Paeng might have gone astray and become socially-inept when encountering adulthood. Unlike Arthit and Tubtim (Mam Jintara Sukapat), Prateep always deemed Paeng an innocent teenager who required basic care and affection to carry on with her life. For all of Paeng’s mistakes and misbehavior, Krong Prateep never has the tendency to look at her with judging eyes of a stranger. Instead, he encourages Paeng to maturely admit her mistakes and warmly tells her what she is supposed to do.

EP5. [SPOILER ALERT] After Arthit’s tragic car accident, Paeng was so devastated that she finally confessed her lies to Prateep. His disappointed look was evident, but Prateep thanked Paeng for speaking the truth. He also sent Paeng to Bangkok to avoid further clashes within the family for the sake of everyone, but never had he left Paeng all alone. [END OF SPOILERS] I think Krong Prateep is commendable not only because he is taking care of Paeng’s livelihood as the daughter of a friend he feels indebted to, but also for staying beside Paeng as a loving uncle until she is mature enough to make her own life decisions.

EP7. [SPOILER ALERT] Everybody in the Sunshine Farm was too clouded with negative bias towards Paeng that not a single person was willing to admit her character transformation even though six years had passed, except for Prateep. I was relieved when he came back and convinced Arthit to get along with Paeng for only two years until she could stand on her own feet. Prateep stood beside Paeng like a guardian angel knowing her worth. “I want everyone to know you and see the real you as I do.” [END OF SPOILERS]

EP9. Prateep also makes rational judgements when problems arise. He doesn’t blatantly side with people even if they are his own family. Seeing his own people constantly harrased Paeng when she didn’t even cause any trouble at present, Prateep got furious and threw a real warning. “If you can’t get along with her, you should live your own life.” It shows just how much time we spend sometimes on things that don’t actually matter.

Their friendship (although it turned into angst at some point because of burgeoning feelings they couldn’t help)

A friendship circle that consists of different genders are bound to trigger sparks of love, or it might have been established because of that. [SPOILER ALERT] Arthit stole a glance at Ling because he liked her, and so did Thanon. As the middleman, Korakot (Freud Chatphong Natthaphong) told both of them to make a confession and settle it peacefully, whatever the result might come out. On the other hand, Ling couldn’t afford falling in love given her tight circumstances that she chose to escape the uncomfortable life she was in by studying abroad. [END OF SPOILERS] Regardless, their respective trajectory still entangle one another after years have passed. I love that they genuinely support one another even after turning adults. Nobody is too reluctant to speak up for what the other did wrong. It’s also convenient for them to openly admit their mistakes without boundaries.

EP15. When Arthit was having a hard time reconciling with Paeng after making her disappointed and upset, he sought advice from Ling. “Women don’t ask for many things. We only want men to hear out thoughts and understand what we want. If you can’t do that, talk nicely and don’t be impulsive. If I guess correctly, you forced Paeng to listen to you. Why don’t you take things as they come and let her be? Things might get better.” In the end, he really took Ling’s words and tried to change for better so that Paeng might misunderstand his intentions less.

STUFFS THAT IRKED ME

Arthit faking his disability and all his evil deeds towards Paeng because he certainly can’t move on

EP6. [MAJOR SPOILER ALERT] I think it was such a major turnoff that, six years later when Paeng returned to the farm, Arthit had to fake his disability on the wheelchair just to put a show and chase her away. When Paeng made her first comeback by herself, she was mentally tortured to learn about Arthit’s disability and was purposely overworked with hard physical labors all day. It wasn’t until Prateep returned to the farm that Paeng could live a little bit more properly. [END OF SPOILERS] It just doesn’t make sense to me that a grown-up man as he is holds so much grudge against a woman for what she did when she was underaged and didn’t know any better. It’s not like Paeng’s misdemanor was conducted yesterday. It’s been six years and the family lives just fine and unscratched, but the grudges remain too extravagant. Arthit’s words stung painfully because of his clouded prejudice.

EP7. I also got exhausted by Arthit’s unstoppable negativity towards Paeng in whatever circumstances. [SPOILER ALERT] When Paeng had been focusing herself on her own project unbothered and nonchalantly, all Arthit did was pointing a gun mercilessly to her in everything she did. Even when Paeng didn’t come to him and met Thanon instead to ask help for her rose garden project, Arthit accused her with his sharp tongue. “You have failed to lure me, now are you trying to lure my friend?” [END OF SPOILERS] I mean, too much negativity may kill, isn’t it?

Nonetheless, once the hatred had been cooled down, Arthit and his delicately unwavering gaze is what I have been dying for in the series. There is such a genuine longing sparked from his eyes to substitute his unspoken message. It’s all about acting, and Mark Prin is definitely an acting genius with the way his facial expressions undergo fast-paced transitions.

EP12. One thing I found hard to tolerate was Arthit’s failure in respecting Paeng’s boundaries as a human being when he was being tough. [SPOILER ALERT] At Ling’s open house party, Arhit wanted to express his fondness towards Paeng but ended up being a total jerk by taking her phone away when she was talking to the counterpart, another man he was suspicious of. As if it wasn’t enough, crying Paeng who wanted to go home had her hand seized that she even didn’t have the right to excuse herself from his sight. [END OF SPOILERS] While I understood his deep attempt to resist himself from Paeng at that time, what Arthit ended up doing was still a dick move and far from being a gentleman.

Nang and her victim playing

Prawfar Karanchida Khumsuwan’s acting as Nang is just too atrocious to handle. Back in high school, Nang would tease Paeng and gang up to bully her but acted like she was the one bullied given Paeng’s strong sense of justice when she fought back. I believe that most of her scenes were intended for comedic reliefs, but it still bugged me regardless. She is just your typical annoying brat who meddles in affairs between a man and a woman. The worst thing about Nang is her tattling about Paeng to Tubtim and to make it even worse, Tubtim also blindly trusts Nang’s words that paint Paeng in a bad light.

Regardless, Nang’s character was finally redeemed when she finally let Arthit go and become a better person. [SPOILER ALERT] Long after Paeng left for Bangkok, Nang came by and asked if she would make up with Arthit because their breakup itself was such a pity. “It’s never easy to meet the right person and fall in love with each other.” [END OF SPOILERS]

Why did the maids bully Paeng so much?

This is one of the rare occasions where I would comment on things I don’t find significant enough to engage with, but it irks me so much whenever Duang (Rung Runglawan Thonahongsa) keeps feeling entitled to the whole farm and picks a fight with Paeng whenever possible until she is triggered to fight back. Her toxic negativity was so severe that it also influenced other maids and even Tubtim. I believe that she had greatly contributed to most of Paeng’s immature misdemeanors when she was a high schooler. It doesn’t help that Thong as a senior maid also rubs salt into an open wound and makes it worse. The fights between maids of Sunshine Farm and Paeng;s maids were meant to be a laughing stock, but I wasn’t sure if I could laugh it off because of how imbecile most were.

Dissonant music directing

This one might be or might not be a dealbreaker that determines to which degree the series will appeal to general public. There are two main OSTs used in this series and endless instrumentals to accompany different scenes, yet most of the times, some instrumentals overlapped with one another inharmoniously and created ambiguous atmospheres. At some point, emotional scenes no longer delivered a particularly-aimed impact and became a complete turn-off. It was such a pity since the great cinematography and directing were sometimes overshadowed by bad music directing.

LOVELINES ALERT

Arthit & Paeng

What I like the most about this series is the depiction of long winding journey to love that naturally developed between the main leads. Episodes were also long that all feelings and emotions were thoroughly conveyed. [SPOILER ALERT] Arthit considered Paeng as a little sister whom he had to take care of and became the first friend Paeng ever made in life. On the other hand, young Paeng got so lost after losing both of her parents tragically that it left permanent scar on her heart. She clung into Arthit as hard as possible since she no longer wants to lose people so dear to her. Her immaturity triggered unhealthy obsession that eventually drove him mad and provoked his detestation until six years later. There were so many angsts and madness when the two met again for the first time s two adults. It’s clear that Arthit still couldn’t let go of the hatred even after so long. On the other hand, Paeng has become a brand new adult who has repented all of her past wrongdoings and made her best attempts to make up for it. She put up with all of Arthit’s aggressive unfledged misdemeanors most of the times just so that he would hate her less. [END OF SPOILERS]

EP9. Nonetheless, it’s easy to relate to Arthit’s confusion upon watching Paeng’s genuine transformation. His hatred gradually faded when he didn’t even realize it. [SPOILER ALERT] Under the influence of alcohol, intoxicated Arthit released serotonin too much that he forced-kiss Paeng unknowingly. It should have been clear that, deep down, he no longer despises her. [END OF SPOILERS]

EP12. As Arthit’s sublime aggression towards Paeng gradually decreased, Paeng was continuously perplexed of his real intentions. When Arthit was being nice to her, Paeng got reminded of the old Arthit she used to admire in the past. Nonetheless, it didn’t last long as Arthit kept denying his feelings to avoid defeat in a battle he fought with himself.

[SPOILER ALERT] Once Arthit made peace with his inner feelings and acknowledged his burgeoning love, he drew himself closer to melt her heart again. After all the hassles of their quarrels because of his suspicion towards Mark (Deaw Suriyon Aroonwattanakul), the mysterious guy that popped out of nowhere to tail Paeng, Arthit brought Paeng to see her long-time maid, Jaem. It somehow eased her heart to reunite with someone precious to her and her anger eventually subsided. To Paeng, Arthit’s existence no longer seemed like a scorching sun that burnt her alive. “The setting sun is so similar to you at this moment. You’re as warm as the evening sun.” Either way, it’s clear that Arthit, whose name means sun in Thai, has always been Paeng’s forever sunshine.

From that point on, Arthit openly confessed his feelings. “I want you to love me again. I think I’m in love with you. Can you love me again?” He helped Paeng overcome her traumatic fears and stayed beside Paeng when she needed him the most. Sometimes Arthit was triggered to act impulsively especially when Mark was involved, but I believe that all his outrage was still justified.

It’s still a complicated journey afterwards. Tubtim was still against their relationship no matter what and Paeng had no choice but to obey her request. She asked Arthit to be his sister again like they used to be, a decision that imprinted stinging wounds for both of them. Even after Arthit desperately begged her to stay as he was tearing up, he was still abandoned and left thinking just how insignificant he was to Paeng’s life. She insisted on leaving after making a promise with Tubtim about staying as siblings.

I was comprehensively touched when Arthit apologized to her the next day for being unreasonable and clingy. They visited the flower garden where they met for the first time in six years, just when Arthit was still occupied with infuriation. “I did that because I didn’t know how to drive you away. But now, I don’t know what I should do to make you stay.”

Long story short, Paeng gained Tubtim’s approval and returned home for Arthit. “I have loved you since the first time I saw you. You have taught me to move on with my life and grow up to be a beautiful person. I have become who I am today because of everything you have taught me. You are my friend, my mentor and my only love. Although you’re a bit harsh sometimes, you are still my forever sunshine, P’Arthit. Marry me.”

Hear me, if your significant other doesn’t look at you like this on your wedding day, you must have missed a great joy in life. Don’t convince me otherwise.

Thanon & Ling

Unlike Arthit and Paeng’s hot-blooded love, Thanon and Ling’s feels more like a breezy wind just when the sun is about to set. Thanon has had feelings for her for a long time but he didn’t do anything about it in order to stay close to her. [SPOILER ALERT] Thanon wanted to help Ling no matter what, even if it involved being extorted for money from her father. It drove Ling crazy because she didn’t want to lower her guard down when she was with him. Years later, Ling still kept Thanon friend-zoned and engraved countless wounds on his heart. She went as far as asking Arthit to pretend to be his boyfriend in order to chase Thanon away. [END OF SPOILERS]

EP9. I like that, even though Thanon doesn’t really want to coerce his own feelings towards Ling, he still manages a great boundary of what he actually wants. [SPOILER ALERT] Since Ling kept her obliviousness afloat even when Tubtim wanted to matchmake her with Arthit, Thanon stood in her way and oppose the matchmaking. “I have always known my feelings for you. You’re the one who doesn’t know. If you don’t want to admit it, I will prove your feelings for me.” [END OF SPOILERS]

EP11. [SPOILER ALERT] After Thanon’s attempt to make Ling jealous with the help of Paeng, Ling was forcibly confronted with her fear and filled herself with hesitation. “Aren’t you afraid that, if things don’t go well, our friendship might end as well? Aren’t you afraid that one day, I will make you upset? Aren’t you afraid that one day, I might leave you again?”

And Thanon’s straightforward answer is what makes him deserve all the love from this world. “No matter what will happen, I’m not afraid of the unknown. Right now, I just want to be with you, To love you and to take care of you.” [END OF SPOILERS] I mean, this is real man’s stuff only, isn’t it?

[SPOILER ALERT] One thing that feels kind of upsetting is the lack of faith Ling had in Thanon. Ling’s infertility might or might not become a deal-breaker for a long-term relationship that leads to marriage. It’s a baffling situation that her condition was only revealed during their meeting with Thanon’s parents, which means that neither one of them had talked about their future plans together thoroughly. It’s a relief that Thanon is a good man who doesn’t treat his woman as a baby-making machine, but the table would’ve turned upside down had Thanon been some other patriarchal thugs. [END OF SPOILERS]

FINAL THOUGHTS

After coming to experience my third time watching this series, I have concluded that My Forever Sunshine (2020) has stolen the spotlight of a lifetime drama for me, and that means that I can bear watching the series over and over again without getting tired of it. It’s easy to find comfort from the series despite the flaws.

One of the most beguiling qualities that pulls me in is the way each relationship is highlighted. When it comes to relationship, timing is the key. “As time passes if you miss something, you miss it for good. They must be delivered today, immediately. If I don’t do that, I may need to wait for a lifetime.” Also, it’s just as crucial to be true to yourself when pursuing a genuine relationship. ”Those who avoid their feelings will never be happy. When the last day of our lives come, the only regret we will have is not what we did wrong, but what we wanted to do yet we didn’t do it.”

Given Paeng’s mental breakdown when she was young, she has reflected upon herself and learned how to get along with other people, and also how to give a proper response regardless of the circumstances. “How others see us is not as important as how we see ourselves.” Her growth is also evident through her mature way of thinking. Even if her adolescence period was filled with chapfallen recollections, Paeng bravely paved her way up thanks to her late father’s wise words. “In life, we will never know when we’ll encounter bad luck. But if we’re tough enough and admit no defeat, bad luck can do nothing to us and we’ll go through it until the end.”

“Do you know when the best time in life is? It’s today and right now. right here. This is the only time when we know what our heart needs and wants. There is no past or future. There’s today only. I want you to follow your own feelings and not worry about anything else. That way, you will find the happiest moment in life.”

GRADE

8.5/10