
A Tale of Thousand Stars is a Thai BL drama that explores what you would do with a precious second chance in life. After a death-defying experience, the main character makes dramatic changes to transform his lifestyle. In his journey of self-discovery, he also finds a sweet and innocent romance along the way.
A Tale of Thousand Stars is a spectacular series, delivering emotionally powerful messages about growth, community, and personal redemption. Every aspect of the story is outstanding, from the engaging romance to the charismatic acting. This highly recommended drama sets a new standard of excellence in the BL genre.
A Tale of Thousand Stars Summary
āļāļīāļāļēāļāļāļąāļāļāļēāļ§
Thailand
2021
Around 8 hours
Drama
Deep and thoughtful
10 episodes
Around 45 minutes
Plot

Tian is a rich and reckless young man, used to enjoying the luxuries that come with his fatherâs powerful government position. However, Tian suffers from a defective heart, and he collapses on one fateful night while partying with friends.
As he is rushed to the hospital, his family is told that Tian needs a matching heart donor in order to save his life. In the same night, a young woman named Torfun is killed in a hit-and-run car accident. Tian receives her heart just in time to save his life.
Before she died, Torfun volunteered as a schoolteacher at Pha Pun Dao, an impoverished village in the rural area. In her journal, Torfun described her enthusiasm about the village and the close bonds she forged with the villagers. As Tian learned about her humanitarian work, he reflected on the shallowness of his own life. Inspired by his heart donor, Tian decides to move to the village as the next volunteer teacher.
Living in this small village proves to be difficult, since there are few resources available. Tian is also challenged by âChiefâ Phupha, a guardian of the village, who constantly underestimates him. Phupha doesnât think highly of Tian and assumes the rich city kid is too delicate for these harsh living conditions.
Although Tian has a rocky transition to his new life, he carries on undeterred and tries to overcome his culture shock. Even Phupha slowly warms up to him, more than he cares to admit. In the following months, Tian continues an emotional journey of self-discovery, hoping to become a better person with his second chance in life.
A Tale of Thousand Stars Trailer
A Tale of Thousand Stars Cast
Cast
Tian Mix Sahaphap Wongratch (āļŠāļŦāļ āļēāļ āļ§āļāļĻāđāļĢāļēāļĐāļāļĢāđ) Mix Instagram

Tian is the new volunteer teacher at Pha Pun Dao. He moves to the village after his heart transplant, inspired by his donorâs humanitarian work. Tian has a spontaneous personality and doesnât always think about the consequences of his actions. However, he means well and leads his new life with a strong sense of justice.
Phupha Earth Pirapat Watthanasetsiri (āđāļāļīāļĢāđāļ āļāļīāļĢāļāļąāļāļāđ āļ§āļąāļāļāđāļĻāļĢāļĐāļŠāļīāļĢāļī) Earth Instagram

Phupha leads the state officer team in charge of guarding Pha Pun Dao. Nicknamed âChiefâ, he is a stern and authoritative figure, well-respected by all the villagers. Beneath his imposing demeanour, Phupha has a kind heart and likes to help people, even if he is shy about articulating his feelings. Phupha had a close relationship with Torfun before her sudden death.
Torfun Aye Sarunchana Apisamaimongkol (āļŠāļĢāļąāļĨāļāļāļē āļāļ āļīāļŠāļĄāļąāļĒāļĄāļāļāļĨ) Aye Instagram

Torfun used to be the volunteer teacher at Pha Pun Dao, until she met her untimely demise in a hit-and-run car accident. With her compassionate personality, she was adored by all the schoolchildren and villagers. During her time in the village, Torfun recorded her personal thoughts inside a journal, which she titled as âA Tale of Thousand Starsâ.
Longtae Khaotung Thanawat Ratanakitpaisan (āļāļāļ§āļąāļāļāđ āļĢāļąāļāļāļāļīāļāđāļāļĻāļēāļĨ) Khaotung Instagram

Longtae is the son of the village chief Khama. He is around the same age as Tian and the two of them get along very well, much to Phuphaâs annoyance. A gentle and friendly young man, Longtae loves taking photographs of important moments in the village. He is currently studying political science in university.
Supporting Characters

Dr. Nam
Nammon Krittanai Arsalprakit (āļāļĪāļāļāļąāļĒ āļāļēāļŠāļēāļŽāļŦāđāļāļĢāļ°āļāļīāļ)

Yod
Champ Nattharat Kornkaew (āļāļąāļāļĢāļąāļāļāđ āļāđāļāļāđāļāđāļ§)

Rang
Drake Laedeke (āļŠāļąāļāļāļļāļāļĢ āđāļāļĢāļ āđāļĨāļāļīāļāļĩ)

Khama
Witaya Jethapai (āļ§āļīāļāļĒāļē āđāļāļāļ°āļ āļąāļĒ)

Khaonueng
Achi Achirapol Jinapanyo (āļāļāļīāļĢāļ°āļāļĨ āļāļīāļāļ°āļāļąāļāđāļ)

Kalae
Gim Gimjeng Yanathip (āļāļīāļĄāđāļāđāļ āļāļēāļāļāļīāļāļĒāđ)

Inta
Marinda Halpin (āļĄāļēāļĢāļīāļāļāļē āļŪāļēāļĨāļāļīāļ)

Meejoo
Mayu Kinuko Woraphanmai (āļāļīāļāļļāđāļāļ° āļ§āļĢāļāļąāļāļāļļāđāđāļŦāļĄāđ)

Ayi
Aum Kamonlapat Dokmonta (āļāļąāđāļĄ āļāļĄāļĨāļ āļąāļāļĢ āļāļāļāļĄāļāļāļē)

Tianâs dad
Ton Jakkrit Ammarat (āļāļąāļāļĢāļāļĪāļĐāļāđ āļāļģāļĄāļĢāļąāļāļāđ)

Tianâs mom
Jeab Paweena Charivsakul (āļāļ§āļĩāļāļē āļāļēāļĢāļĩāļāļŠāļāļļāļĨ)

Tul
White Nawat Phumphothingam (āļāļ§āļąāļāļĢāđ āļāļļāđāļĄāđāļāļāļīāļāļēāļĄ)

Sakda
Nong Thanongsak Suphakan (āļāļāļāļĻāļąāļāļāļīāđ āļĻāļļāļ āļāļēāļĢ)

Mr. Winai
Nu Surasak Chaiat (āļŠāļļāļĢāļĻāļąāļāļāļīāđ āļāļąāļĒāļāļĢāļĢāļ)

Dr. Kit
Co Khunakorn Kirdpan (āļāļļāļāļēāļāļĢ āđāļāļīāļāļāļąāļāļāļļāđ)
Cast highlights
- You may have recognized Phuphaâs actor Earth from other Thai BL dramas, including Theory of Love and Love by Chance. You may have also noticed Earth, Nammon & White in the 2017 movie Water Boyy.
- Tianâs actor Mixx has a supporting role in the 2021 BL comedy Fish Upon the Sky.
- Khaotung starred as the lead actor in another BL drama, Tonhon Chonlatee.
- Rangâs actor Drake has a supporting role in the 2021 BL series Bad Buddy.
A Tale of Thousand Stars Review
Review
Drama Review Score: 9.5

To cut to the chase, A Tale of Thousand Stars is a phenomenal BL drama and itâs up there with one of the best series in this genre. Each episode delivers heartfelt emotions, introspective character development, and a delightful romance that will have you smiling from ear to ear.
The characters feel authentic, and they are not solely defined by their relationship drama. Both Tian and Phupha have fully fleshed out characterization, and the romance is just one part of their well-rounded lives. They have hopes, fears, aspirations, and backstories, all of which are explored in depth.
A Tale of Thousand Stars makes a memorable first impression with an action-packed opening episode, filled with high emotions and high adrenaline. The next few episodes are equally strong, featuring some powerful moments of character development and self-introspection. All the stories felt intimate, inspirational, and intricately crafted.
After an engrossing start, A Tale of Thousand Stars suffers from a few missteps in its second half. One of the prominent storylines isnât mapped out well, and the progress of the romance starts to drag near the end. Nonetheless, this drama earned so much goodwill with the first few episodes that any shortcomings can be easily overlooked.
A Tale of Thousand Stars exceeds all my expectations and sets a new standard of excellence in BL dramas. From the rich storytelling to the authentic acting, A Tale of Thousand Stars is a masterclass in every aspect of its production. The quality is so incredible that Iâm almost left in a state of disbelief, like I canât believe a BL drama is actually capable of being this good.
Story
Great story
A Tale of Thousand Stars has a fantastic plot. Classifying it as BL might actually be a disservice, since this drama explores so many themes beyond love and relationships. Even without the romantic components, the drama can stand on its own with a poignant story about personal growth and second chances. Itâs a meaningful and profound series, which encourages the viewers to philosophize about life.
The series takes place in a unique setting with lots of storytelling potential. There is great world-building in A Tale of Thousand Stars, crafting a fictional universe that feels so vibrant and dynamic. It even introduces an exciting new culture to the viewers, showing us a very different way of life.
Romance
Good romance
I loved watching Tian and Phupha in every stage of their relationship. Thereâs such an electrifying energy between them. Whether they are openly feuding or covertly flirting, many of their interactions are always so much fun to watch.
It helps that the actors are cast extremely well and they seem tailor-made for their roles. The two leads share excellent chemistry, and you can feel their pulsating romance with just a shy smile or a forlorn glance between them. The actors connect well, they look great together, and anyone with eyes can easily see why EarthMix joins the pantheon of great BL couples.
My main complaint is that it took until the end of the series for Tian and Phupha to become an official couple. Just when they finally get together, the series ends. We also missed many opportunities for a kiss. I donât have the patience to wait until the final scene for the two characters to lock lips!
Acting
Great acting
The acting was great in A Tale of Thousand Star. All the actors were natural, authentic, and displayed a broad range of emotions. The good acting extends to the five child actors, who were lovable and delivered their lines so smoothly.
Tianâs actor (Mix) had the meatier role, which demanded a lot of crying scenes in those last few episodes. The actor pulled it off and did a fantastic job channeling an introspective performance.
Phuphaâs actor (Earth) was also pretty great and he embodied the character so well. I cannot picture Phupha being played by any other actor. He looked authentic as the tough and manly state trooper, but also felt believable when acting flirty and coy around Tian. Every glance, every smile, and every expression from Phupha really lights up the screen. The actor completely found his niche. Just put him in a uniform and sign up for more roles like this.
Ending
Happy ending
The last episode of A Tale of Two Stars was kind of slow and it gave me the feeling that they didnât have enough plot to fill out the finale. With that said, every important storyline was addressed and all the loose ends were tied up nicely. As far as endings go, this one is pretty satisfactory.
It feels really silly that Tian got a fancy education degree after studying overseas, only to come back and teach at a rundown village. Why not just use that money to improve the village conditions instead of wasting it on two years youâll never get back? Although his degree meant nothing, it was an understandable compromise to make his parents happy. I think Tian does owe his parents something after they rescued him from the brink of death, so graduating from school was a good way to appease them.
Plus, the two-year time skip allowed Tian to clear his head, experience the rest of the world, and gain a fresh perspective. I didnât want Tian to spend the rest of his life in this village as a hopelessly lovesick kid. Itâs necessary that he spent some time away, figured out what he really wants to do in life, and then return to the village with a more assured sense of self. This made for a happier ending, and Iâm glad A Tale of Thousand Stars gave Tianâs journey of self-discovery a really lovely closure.
As for the relationship, the reunion between Tian & Phupha was dragged out for too long, even though we all know it was gonna end with a kiss at Pha Pun Dao cliff. I wouldâve been PISSED if that weird forehead smooch in the airport was the extent of their affection, so at least we got a proper kiss in the end.
A Tale of Thousand Stars Analysis
Story Analysis
Tian and Phupha
Tian and Phupha were really delightful to watch as a couple. A huge part of what makes this relationship so compelling is how much Phupha changed his opinion of Tian over the series. In the beginning, he didnât see eye-to-eye with the rich city slicker who intruded on his village. Cue a few episodes later, Phupha has completely succumbed to Tianâs charms. Heâs already making lovey-dovey eyes and stumbling over his words with a massive crush on Tian.
Since I love comparing BL love stories to classic literature, the Tian and Phupha relationship reminds me of a modern gay version of Pride and Prejudice. Tian is the rich and prideful Mr. Darcy, who lets go of his privileged status after moving to the humble village. Phupha is the strong-willed and prejudiced Elizabeth Bennett, who judged Tian too harshly based on his initial assumptions. Thatâs what makes their dynamic so fun, because they clashed at first and then reconciled over their differences.
Phupha and Torfun
I was intrigued by the relationship between Phupha and Torfun. Her feelings for him were obvious from the start, but their relationship wasnât clearly defined until Episode 4, where Phupha admitted that he only loved Torfun as a sister.
Phew, crisis averted! In terms of storytelling, this was the right decision. If Phupha had a prior relationship with Torfun, it wouldâve complicated his romance with Tian and made it too morally questionable. We wouldâve given Phuphaâs character the major sideeye, starting a romance with Torfunâs replacement while heâs still mourning over his dead ex.
From Phuphaâs perspective, it must be such a mindfuck (and maybe a boost to the ego) that both Torfun and Tian developed feelings for him, one after the other. After Tian left the village, I bet the third, the fourth, and all subsequent teachers fell in love with Phupha as well. Is it his destiny to romance every volunteer teacher who comes to the village? ðĪ
Tian and Longtae
Most of us probably suspected there might be a relationship in the works between Tian and Longtaeâs characters. A Tale of Thousand Stars certainly teased us with this possibility, and the thought crossed Phuphaâs mind every time he gets jealous over the two of them. They call him the green giant because he is green with envy. ðĪ
However, we waited and waited, but nothing ever happened between Tian and Longtae. Despite their close bond, this friendship remained strictly platonic and neither of them developed romantic feelings for each other. Phew, another crisis averted! You may not think itâs possible in a BL drama, but sometimes friends can just stay friends~
Pha Pun Dao
The concept of community is a very prevalent theme throughout A Tale of Thousand Stars. Although the villagers of Pha Pun Dao might not have the most money or resources, they do have each other. This is a close-knitted group of people who support each other unconditionally, whether it is to help a villagerâs wedding, make tea leaf sachets, and rebuild the burned down school.
The residents of Pha Pun Dao are the emotional backbone of the story. I get a warm and cozy feeling every time these villagers do a big special gesture for Tian, like throwing that party for him in Episode 3. Itâs so heartwarming to see him get accepted by the community, and he is celebrated like one of their own. ðĪ
Even before Tianâs arrival, the villagers had also welcomed Torfun with open arms. And when they learned of her death, the whole village grieved for their loss. The Pha Pun community really does seem like one big family. I can understand why Phupha, Torfun & Tian are so smitten with this place and want to dedicate their lives here. Hell, even I wanna pack my bags and move here too! ð§ģ
Arson & gunfights
A Tale of Thousand Stars works best with plots that are more mundane, more intimate, and more down-to-earth. Unfortunately, the whole saga with Mr. Sakda was a colossal mess that jumped the shark in the second half of the series.
The storyline was too dramatic and over-the top, escalating into arson and gunfights that clashed with the pleasant vibe of the series. It wasnât executed well either, with lots of undefined plot holes, uninteresting villains, and unusual character behaviour.
Some elements of the storyline were actually decent. I liked the idea of Tian and Longtae leading the tea sachets project in the community, as they bring the village together to save one of their industries. However, there must be a better way to implement this storyline than introducing arsonists and crime bosses for artificial conflict. A Tale of Thousand Stars didnât need cartoonish villains, who were taking away time from more interesting stories that could be told.
The most frustrating part was the scene where Tian forgot to turn off the flash function in his camera. ðļ If you wanna sleuth on a bunch of dangerous criminals with no preparation whatsoever, can you at least be smart and discreet about it?
The longer this storyline went on, the dumber it became. I didnât even care that the last two episodes hardly tied up any loose ends, because I had no desire to watch this dumb storyline anymore. ðĨī
Who killed Torfun?
I enjoy murder mysteries more than the average person, so I was stupidly invested in the identity of the hit-and-run driver who killed Torfun. At first, it did cross my mind that Tian could be the driver, but I also thought that possibility was too darksided. No BL drama would dare to ~go there~ and make a main character as the perpetrator of vehicle manslaughter. There was a period when the show really tried to push the idea that Tian killed Torfun, but I still thought this red herring was too obvious.
At one point, I went on a completely wild hunch that LONGTAE was the killer. ð Imagine my embarrassment when it was revealed that some random nobody was the culprit instead, oops. Just because I like detective stories doesnât mean Iâm good at it. ðĩðŧââïļ
Tianâs friend Prem was the one who killed Torfun. If your first impression is âwhoâs that?â, you arenât alone. It wasnât even his best friend Tul, who at least appeared a couple of times, but literally some random person who showed up in the first episode. The killerâs identity was a total cop-out.
However, I liked the little ~plot twist~ that Tianâs car was used to kill Torfun. This is why he felt responsible for the providing the weapon that led to her death. It makes him culpable enough to kickstart his emotional journey, but not so completely guilty that his character cannot be redeemed afterwards.
Tianâs confession
I didnât really like how A Tale of Thousand Stars handled Tianâs confession scene in Episode 8. For starters, it didnât feel like the right time or place to announce âHEY EVERYONE, I KILLED TORFUN!!!â right after they surprised you with the reopening of the school. Dude, read the room?
I also didnât know if it was necessary for him to make the announcement in front of all the children. It just seemed insensitive, especially to the parents, who may not want the kids to find out about their beloved teacherâs death this way.
It was annoying when Tian claimed to be responsible for Torfunâs death, but wouldnât explain exactly how he killed her. If youâre gonna drop such a massive bomb in your confession, can you at least give us the full picture of what happened? I spent half the episode being totally confused about why he would admit to killing her, and we didnât get to hear the actual explanation until much later.
The HOW I KILLED HER part shouldâve been the most important part of Tianâs confession, but somehow it wasnât included. ð
Character Analysis
Tianâs growth
The main story in A Tale of Thousand Stars is not about the village, not about Torfunâs death, and not even about the romance between Tian and Phupha. It may surprise you, but the central focus of this series is not actually BL. Instead, the most important plot is Tianâs growth arc, a very intrapersonal journey that describes how much he changed as a person.
Tian goes through such an incredible amount of character development in A Tale of Thousand Stars. It was engrossing to watch Tianâs journey unfold over ten epic episodes, filled with so many emotional highs and lows. I loved watching Tian grow as a better person, recognizing his self-worth, and regaining his independence in the end.
He might have began this series as a lost little boy, but heâs coming out of his experiences as a self-assured leader. His story is honestly so inspiring, proving that you can change as a person, you can redeem your past, and you can make the most out of your second chance. ð
Great Teacher Tian
Tianâs character started out as a rich, unlikable punk who only cares about money, flashy cars, and designer clothes. Compare him to the Tian that we meet the end of the series. This version of Tian is a motivated, altruistic educator who cares passionately about enriching the minds of children in an impoverished village. This is technically still the same person, but theyâre also like two completely different people.
Of course, Tian didnât transform into this amazing teacher right away. He encountered a series of failures, struggles, and personal hardships to overcome. He took the time to forge bonds with each child in the village, winning them over with his genuine interest and enthusiasm. He also got creative with his lesson plans and made his classes look like a lot of fun. I want to fly kites, make paper airplanes, and listen to stories about the green giant in school too!
Iâm glad Tian found his true calling as a teacher, joining other teaching legends in history like the Great Teacher Onizuka. Letâs not think about what happens to him after all five children grow up and thereâs no need for a teacher in the village anymore. ð
Phuphaâs shyness
Although Tian and Phupha develop feelings for each other early on, they reach a bottleneck in their romance halfway through the series. Itâs evident that our two leads have developed feelings for each other, but they donât solidify their relationship until much later.
A big problem is that Phupha has a really shy personality. You wouldnât expect it coming from him because of his job, his looks, and the amount of respect he commands from the villagers. Phupha is bold and confident in his day-to-day life, but immediately clams up when standing in front of a guy he likes. He canât even take a picture of Tian without being sneaky about it.
In Episode 5, Dr. Nam makes a comment that articulates my frustration with Phuphaâs character sometimes: âPhupha, youâre over 30 now. Make some moves. Donât just sit on the fence.â Itâs true that he lacks emotional assertiveness, not daring to be vulnerable and act on his feelings for Tian.
Of course, Tian has the same problem, but at least he tries to meet Phupha halfway. How many times have Tian asked a question like: âWhy donât you tell me how you feel, Chief? ðâ and Phupha just stiffs up like a piece of log saying nothing.
Phuphaâs feelings
Sometimes, I just wanna grab Phupha and shake all the repressed feelings out of him. A good example of this is when he takes Tian on a sightseeing date in Episode 5. Although this is supposed to be a happy occasion, the atmosphere in this scene is subdued, since Phupha feels self-conscious about how he should behave around Tian.
During the date, Phuphaâs uneasiness kinda kills the vibe, and Tian calls him out on it many times. As you can see, he wasnât very subtle about voicing his displeasure:
- âNo one is around. You donât need to act cool. ðâ
- âHey Chief, do you have other expressions besides the stern face I always see? ðâ
- âDo you have to make a serious face all the time? ðâ
- âYour subordinates are not here. Can you not be a chief for a moment? ðâ
- âChief. What is your expression when you are happy? Can you show me? ðâ
- âWhat about a smile for someone you like? Oh. Thatâs why youâre single. ðâ
Holy crap, the passive aggressiveness coming from Tian is out of control~ Tian dropped so many hints about wanting Phupha to be forward with his feelings. Sadly, Phupha refuses to drop his guard and seems unwilling to open up.
It may seem like Iâm being quite critical of Phupha, but only because heâs my favourite character and I find his nuances so interesting to watch. Of course, I like Phupha when heâs cheeky, confident, and full of swagger, but thereâs also a part of him where heâs shy, nervous, and riddled with insecurities. His internal struggles are what make him such a complex character. If we canât accept Phupha at his worst, then we donât deserve him at his best~
Phuphaâs personality
Allow me, if you will, to dive deeper into Phuphaâs character analysis. There are two conflicting sides to his personality. The first side is how he likes to assert himself, as a tough macho guy with confidence and composure. This Phupha is a leader to his subordinates, a guardian to the villagers, and a stern authoritative figure to troublemakers like Tian. He commands a lot of respect, and everyone in the village looks up to him.
The second side to Phuphaâs personality is a more sensitive soul, plagued with doubts and insecurities like everyone else. Phupha tries to repress this side of himself, not wanting other people to see his fragility and think of him as weak. However, the more Phupha tries to hide who he is, the more he retreats emotionally. He doesnât speak, he doesnât smile, he doesnât dare to show an inkling of his real emotions.
This Phupha is an impenetrable wall, appearing whenever he feels the need to âtoughen upâ. What had happened to Phuphaâs dad instilled a sense of pessimism into his outlook. He learned to be cautious and guarded, shielding himself from emotional pain. Itâs his defense mechanism every time he feels vulnerable.
And what can expose your vulnerability more than being in love? When his feelings for Tian deepen, Phupha feels more and more out of his comfort zone, as doubts begin to creep into his mind.
- He worries about holding back Tianâs promising future, stuck in a village with a dead-end job.
- He also worries about their age and class differences, meaning their priorities in life may not align.
- And most of all, he worries their relationship will ultimately result in heartbreak. What if Tian ends up suffering the same fate as his widowed mother?
Living like Phupha can be a lonely and alienating experience. His best friend Dr. Nam undestands this, because he knows Phuphaâs personality better than anyone else. The doctor is one of the few characters who sees through the bravado and actually calls out Phupha when heâs being too withdrawn. Dr. Nam is excited when his friend formed a rare connection with Tian, so he keeps encouraging Phupha to be upfront about his feelings. He knows Phupha is the type of guy who needs a lot of nudging to take initiative in a romance.
Phuphaâs breakthrough
Throughout A Tale of Thousand Stars, Tian is constantly trying to break down Phuphaâs barriers. He keeps giving Phupha reassurance that itâs okay to be emotionally vulnerable. Tell me how you feel, show me how you smile, let me see who you are.
Tian wants Phupha to relax, let his guard down, and just be his natural self around him. While he doesnât succeed during the date in Episode 5, itâs his first of many attempts to connect with Phupha on a deeper, more personal level.
Fortunately, Phupha makes a breakthrough in Episode 7, after Tian threatens to leave the village for the umpteenth time. Faced with the possibility of losing his man forever, Phupha finally works up the courage with some seriously aggressive flirting. He gets frisky in the shower ðŋ, he hops onto the same bed ððŧ, and heâs even cheeky enough to ask for a sensual massage ððŧ.
Phupha is finally taking charge in this relationship and we LOVE to see it. Tian puts up some resistance and acts like heâs embarrassed, but deep down heâs overjoyed and the feelings are definitely reciprocated. ðĪ
The green giant
Unfortunately, Tian and Phupha have more drama in the last few episodes, so we once again donât make progress with their romance. Starting from Episode 8, they go through this lengthy cold war with each other. As much as I love these two, itâs frustrating to watch their relationship drag out near the end. When are they finally going to act like a happy couple?
Episode 8 had explosive drama after Phupha found Torfunâs journal in Tianâs belongings, which does look pretty sketchy from his perspective. Tian had stolen Torfunâs job in the village, her recipe ideas, and basically her entire identity as a person. For me, one of the most egregious offenses is when we found out Tian stole Torfunâs âgreen giantâ nickname for Phupha. I thought Tian came up with this name on his own, but it turns out Torfun used it first in her journal.
Was anyone as outraged as I am by this revelation? I can forgive all the other instances of identity theft, but I draw the line at NICKNAME STEALING! I dunno, this little detail really bothered me, maybe because a nickname seems like such a personal sentiment. I felt betrayed assuming the green giant nickname was an exclusive âTian and Phuphaâ thing, only to find out that he stole this part of Torfunâs memories too. ð
Phuphaâs duty
In Episode 9, a lot of the drama comes from Tian feeling betrayed, because Phupha only got close to him through his fatherâs orders. This is actually an interesting twist, since I thought Phupha was obsessed with Tian at the start due to a natural attraction to him, but it ~makes sense~ he was just following orders.
Although I get why Tian is angry about this, I also feel like Phupha didnât have much of a choice in the matter. Could he afford to go against a high-ranking officialâs orders to take care of his son? I donât even think what Tianâs father did was that bad. Itâs not like he sent in the troops (is that what his dad does for a living? idk lol) to evacuate Tian, but he just asked someone to look after his son in a foreign place.
Of course, the more Tian lashes out at him, the more Phupha retreats back to his shell again. He shuts down emotionally, denying all his feelings for Tian. Later in the episode, Tian urges more honesty out of him, getting Phupha to admit that he wants Tian to have a better life away from the village. Still, heâs not completely honest with himself, insisting that he doesnât want Tian to stay here with him.
Tian: âIf you want to make me happy, Iâd rather see you going back and living your life as it should be, instead of giving up everything to be with me here. You still have a bright future ahead of you. If you do that, it will let me know that you have already returned the feelings I have for you.â
Ugh, worst love confession ever. ð All along, I wanted Phupha to confess his feelings for Tian, but not in this manner. He wants to be with you! STOP PUSHING HIM AWAY!!! ð
A Tale of Thousand Stars Episodes
Episode Guide
A Tale of Thousand Stars has a total of 10 episodes. Each episode is around 45 minutes long. This is a lengthy BL drama, and you can finish the entire series in approximately 8 hours. A Tale of Thousand Stars started airing on January 29, 2021 and finished its last episode on April 2, 2021.
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â Best episode
Episode 3

When I started A Tale of Thousand Stars, I thought Episode 1 was outstanding and kinda assumed that it wouldnât be topped. Of course, the drama only got better with each passing episode!
In my opinion, Episode 3 is the episode that really embodies A Tale of Thousand Stars as a show. It focused on Tian connecting with the children, highlighted a turning point in his relationship with Phupha, and ended with a heartwarming party to welcome Tian into the village. This episode hit all the right emotional notes and it was absolutely perfect.
ð Most romantic episode
Episode 4

Episode 4 is another favourite episode of mine. This is the episode that really focuses on Tian and Phupha developing their feelings for each other. Thereâs a little flirting, mixed with a little bickering, and the chemistry is at an all-time high with the two of them.
The entire episode consists of countless cute moments between them: the motorcycle scene, the kitchen scene, the bird scene, and all those sly little digs that Dr. Nam made as he played matchmaker. Tian and Phupha also go on their first date at Pha Pun Dao cliff. While thereâs no romantic moment between them, the couple opens up and share a heartfelt exchange with each other. This episode is an important milestone for their relationship.
ð Tearjerker episode
Episode 9

The three tearjerker episodes were Episode 6, Episode 8, and Episode 9. Episode 6 was when the school burned down after they worked so hard on the tea sachets. Episode 8 was when Tian told the village about Torfunâs death, leading to his ostracization. Both episodes were sad for obvious reasons, but the conflict felt manufactured and I just wasnât that emotionally invested.
For me, the biggest tearjerker episode was Episode 9. It featured a very simple scene with Tian confiding to Phupha in the hospital room, about feeling guilty over Torfunâs death. This moment was a lot more low-key than the emotional climaxes of Episode 6 or 8, but the simplicity is precisely why I like it. There were no other distractions, allowing me to focus only on the actorâs excellent performance.
This episode also had some heated arguments between Tian and Phupha, where they exchanged some really nasty words. They were so mean to each other, and it brought a tear to this BL shipperâs eyes. ðĨ
ðĄ Most triggering episode
Episode 6

I wasnât really surprised when the school burned down at the end of Episode 6 and destroyed all the tea sachets that the villagers made. The project was going too smoothly, and they dropped foreshadowing hints that the bad guys would retaliate against Tian, so this arson was within expectations. I mean, it was kinda sad that everything got burned down, but I wasnât really that triggered by something I knew would happen.
What really pissed me off though was the moment Tian RAN STRAIGHT INTO A BURNING BUILDING like some reckless idiot. When he ran inside, I was rolling my eyes so hard. Youâd think someone who almost died once would be more cautious about risking it in life-threatening scenarios, but not this hot-blooded protagonist.
The funniest thing is that Tian jeopardized his life needlessly and all he managed to rescue was a worthless kite. Imagine perishing in a fire because you ran inside to grab a kite. I hope it was worth it, Tian~ ð
ð First kiss episode
Episode 10

I really thought we were going to get Tian and Phuphaâs first kiss at the end of Episode 5 and 7. Back then, the moment felt right and there were perfect opportunities to include a kiss. Sadly, we had to wait all the way until Episode 10 for that long awaited kiss.
During the finale, there was a brief period when I genuinely thought this couple would NEVER kiss. Right after Phupha kissed Tian on the forehead in the airport, I was mortified thinking that would be the extent of the kiss. Internally, I was screaming: âIs this going to be one of those BL series where they donât kiss!? BECAUSE I WOULD GIVE THIS DRAMA AN F IN MY REVIEW, I SWEAR TO GOD!!!â Fortunately, Tian and Phupha did kiss in the final scene, in their iconic spot at the Pha Pun Dao cliff.
If only there was an advertiser that sold lip gloss, Iâm sure A Tale of Thousand Stars wouldâve made Tian and Phupha kiss earlier in the series to showcase the product placement. ð
ðĻââĪïļâðâðĻ Episodes with intimacy
Episode 7, 10

Episode 7 was the probably the most physically intimate episode between Tian and Phupha. They showered together, shared a bed, and had that tender moment in the hammock. This episode really, really should have ended with a kiss between them, but it never happened. At least they made up for it in Episode 10, giving us both the kiss and the happily-ever-after sex scene.
ðŠðŧ Episodes with skin
Episode 2, 4, 7

Phupha gets shirtless frequently in the series and you can probably see why. We see good showcases of Phuphaâs body in Episode 2 (at the waterfall), Episode 4 (in the shower), and Episode 7 (in the bedroom with the Tian).
The scene at the end of Episode 7 was pretty funny. Tian accidentally sees Phupha naked, and Phupha just stands there in the nude with a self-content smirk, and Tian is the one who ends up being embarrassed: âDo you feel ashamed at all???â ð
By the way, one of my favourite parts about A Tale of Thousand Stars is how they shamelessly mix their product placements with shirtless scenes at the same time. Every time Phupha goes topless, thereâs probably a shampoo bottle, a facial cleanse, or an energy drink nearby. I have absolute no problem with this marketing tactic. If I was an advertiser, I would probably demand that my product be displayed next to Phuphaâs shirtless torso as well. ð
ðĻðŧâðĪâðĻðŧ Episodes as a couple
Episode 10

A Tale of Thousand Stars waited forever to make Tian and Phupha an official couple. No matter how much Phupha implied that Tian was his âwifeâ, he was too chicken to make it official until the final moments of the show. It really took two years for Phupha to be honest and admit that he wants Tian to stay in the village with him. ð At least we got one cute couple scene out of them before the show concluded.
A Tale of Thousand Stars Scenes
Best Scenes
Episode 1
Tianâs introspection

In the first episode, I really liked the scene where Tian reflected on his shallow, materialistic life after reading Torfunâs journal. This might be the most important scene of the series, because the unhappiness he felt in that moment was what prompted his emotional journey.
What I loved most about this scene was the wine stains on his shirt, located right over where he got his heart transplant. This was such a nice symbolic touch, and one of the many clever details that really impressed me in A Tale of Thousand Stars.
Episode 3
Phuphaâs sleepover

Episode 3 marked a turning point in the relationship between Tian and Phupha. Up until that point, Phupha was a bit of a bully, always teasing Tian and making him feel unwelcomed. After witnessing a couple of sincere moments from Tian, Phupha begins to have a change of heart. This becomes obvious in the sleepover scene, which might be the first time Phupha tried talking to Tian like an equal.
It was a clumsy conversation for sure, very true to Phuphaâs style, although you can sense heâs making an effort to be nicer to Tian. Not only are they on friendlier terms now, but thereâs also some sexual tension in the air. They lean close to each other a few times, and their hands even touch under the covers! *gasps* Get a room, you two!
Tianâs welcome party

Tianâs surprise welcome party was a really lovely scene, especially given the intense drama at the farm earlier in the episode. Imagine having the whole village come together to make sure that you, a new arrival, feel welcomed in your new home. Itâs such a heartwarming moment that hits all the right emotional notes.
The welcome party also featured Longtaeâs arrival, so there was a bit of excitement about what his character would bring. We even got a karaoke duet with Tian and Phupha singing romantic love songs to each other, capping off the perfect night.
Episode 4
Tian and Phupha dinner

The dinner in Episode 4 was basically one long continuous storyline, consisting of multiple scenes that helped to develop Tian and Phuphaâs relationship. It begins with a sweet moment of Tian and Phupha riding a motorcycle to the market. This is followed by a grocery shopping trip, some disastrous cooking in the kitchen, and ends with a badly burned meal at the end of the night.
Along the way, Dr. Nam notices the romantic sparks between the couple and plays coy matchmaker with the two of them. At one point, he teases Phupha: âAre you sure thatâs all youâre hungry for? ðâ
Tian and Phupha first date

Episode 4 featured Tian and Phuphaâs first date at Pha Pun Dao cliff. One of my favourite moments was when Phupha dressed up to impress Tian on this date, but forgot to rip off the price tag from his shirt. He looked embarrassed at first, but then kinda smiled when it turned into an opportunity to get physically close to Tian. ð
The most romantic moment in the episode was actually their serious talk in the end. They finally opened up to each other about their various secrets (not completely open in Tianâs caseâĶ) and it really felt like theyâre making progress as a couple.
Episode 5
After the date

Phupha takes Tian home after their sightseeing date in Episode 5. As the two of them say goodbye, thereâs some very palpable sexual tension between them. A lot is left unspoken, but they exchange coy glances and bashful smiles at each other. For a moment â just a brief moment â you might think either one of them would take the initiative and make the first move. Will this lead to a confession? Will there be a kiss? Will Tian invite Phupha inside his house for an extended sleepover?
Sadly, the two of them chickened out and nothing romantic was initiated. At least it ended on a hopeful note, with Tian asking Phupha out on another date tomorrow. Would you like to fly kites with me? ðŠ
Episode 7
Tian and Phupha massage

After Tian moves in and becomes Phuphaâs new roommate, their relationship makes some serious strides in Episode 7. They pretty much become a couple without actually making it official. The entire episode is packed with so many Tian and Phupha moments. Some are sweet, some are sexy, and some are blatant product placements, but still very charming nonetheless.
The scene that stood out most is probably the massage scene, just because Tian and Phupha took their physical intimacy to a new level. At one point, Phupha even grabs Tian onto the bed and refuses to let go of his body. He says in a sultry voice: âDonât move. Donât disobey. Got it?â Argh, Iâm weak.
Episode 9
The hospital scene

The start of Episode 9 takes place in the hospital, as Tian and Phupha recover from the shootout. Earlier, Tian gave a tearful apology by Phuphaâs bedside, because he felt guilty about taking the life that was supposed to be Torfunâs. Phupha didnât know how to respond to him, so he just pretended to lie in bed unconscious lol. ð
When the two of them meet again later, Phupha finally has a more sentimental response. He consoles Tian gently, telling him not to blame himself for Torfunâs death. Although this scene wasnât very flashy or melodramatic, I liked it because the emotions felt authentic and Phuphaâs words were poignant. Tian needed to hear this speech to absolve some of his guilt and let go of that heavy emotional burden he has been carrying around.
Counting a thousand stars

At the end of Episode 9, Tian goes up to the cliff to fulfill Torfunâs last wish. When I first heard about the prophecy about the 1000 stars, I thought it was sounded so special and so romantic. However, seeing it in action, I realized how stupid the superstition was. ð Tian looked super silly pointing his finger at the sky and counting the stars one by one. Somehow, I found myself laughing at him, even though it was supposed to be a serious moment.
Strangely enough, this scene didnât have that much of an emotional impact on me. I know itâs supposed to be the big climax of the series, but the emotions were too overwrought and the lighting was pretty poor, so the vibe just didnât resonate with me.
With that said, thereâs no denying this scene was packed with powerful emotions. And considering its importance to the narrative, it would be a travesty not to include the most fundamental moment in a list of best scenes for A Tale of Thousand Stars. I had to include this scene no matter what.
During this scene, Phupha delivered a line that I really liked: âFrom now on, you must value yourself and live life on your own terms.â A little cheesy, but his advice felt right for the moment.
Episode 10
Tian and Phupha kiss

We finally got our long-awaited kiss between Tian and Phupha, after their much anticipated reunion in Episode 10. It was a beautifully shot kiss, with the picturesque mountain landscape as the backdrop. I wish the kiss lasted longer, and I wish we didnât have to wait until the Very Last Moment to see it (why must BL dramas do this?). However, Iâll let go of my minor grievances and just enjoy the tender kiss for what it is.
The reunion between Tian and Phupha was a nice moment too. For starters, I really liked that Tian buried Torfunâs journal at the cliff, which seemed like a fitting symbolic sendoff for her character. I also liked that he prepared a new journal for himself, signifying his next chapter in life. Donât think of this as the end of Tianâs journey, but more like a continuation of what will come next.
Of course, the best part was getting Phupha to finally, finally, finally open up about his feelings. After the two-year time skip, absence made the heart grow fonder and even the ice king has defrosted. The time apart helped Phupha to dig deep, come clean, and be honest with his feelings, clearly stating that he wants Tian to stay in the village with him.
No more secrets, no more excuses, no more hiding how he really feels. Phupha wants Tian, and that is it. PERIOD.
Phupha begs Tian

Okay, the last scene between Tian and Phupha was SO charming that I had to include it in a list of best scenes, no matter how inconsequential this moment might be. Basically, we get a short glimpse of what life is like for Tian and Phupha as a couple, and the two of them were sweet as hell.
During this scene, Phupha asks if he can join Tian in the same bed. Tian, who knows he has the upper hand, teases him playfully, making his boyfriend beg for it. Beg me softly. Speak to me softly. At this cheeky request, Phupha actually plays along with it, and he is frigging adorable. His characterâs demeanour becomes so sweet and docile that heâs almost unrecognizable.
Here is Phupha, completely relaxed and comfortable around Tian, without any of his usual bravado or anxiety. I love seeing him like this. I canât help but think this is a side of Phuphaâs personality that only Tian gets to see. And it makes me really happy to see how far these two have come along~ ðĪ
A Tale of Thousand Stars Behind the Scenes
A Tale of Thousand Stars Information
Links
- MyDramaList A Tale of Thousand Stars MyDramaList
- Wikipedia A Tale of Thousand Stars Wikipedia
- YouTube A Tale of Thousand Stars YouTube
GMMTV

GMMTV is a heavyweight in the BL world. It has produced numerous acclaimed dramas and launched many successful careers over the years. GMMTV is the leader in the Thai BL industry and possibly around the world. Some of its well-known works include SOTUS (2016), Theory of Love (2019), 2gether (2020), A Tale of Thousand Stars (2021), and Bad Buddy (2021), among many others.
Thank you so much for this recommendation!!!!!!!!
This really became my favorite BL ever, I think i’ve never watched something with so much character development, Tian and Phupha changed sooo much from episode 1 to 10, but they didn’t change in a way that decharacterizes them, so well done.
When the last episode started I could see that the kiss would only happen in the last scene, the almost kisses in the last episode made me want to bang my head in a wall. I just wish we could see them as a couple, but the post credit scene with them doing sexy stuff really made me smile.
I’m so glad you watched and enjoyed A Tale of Thousand Stars! After finishing the series, I felt the same way and immediately thought this gotta be one of my favourite BL stories ever.
All the missed opportunities with the kissing made me agonize sooooo much. ð I also would’ve loved to see more couple moments between them, but at least the post credit scene gave us a little taste of their sweetness. ð