I have been pondering about this drama for a while and its title had me intrigued. To start with, this isn't necessarily a fanservice BL. ITSAY is a coming-of-age story dealing with first love that one experiences as a teenager, friendship, society & peer pressure and exploring one's sexuality. While it's a drama, it feels more like a long movie the way it's narrated.

In the beginning the drama was a bit too slow for my taste and also at times a bit immature. However, I did appreciate the writer and director's efforts into making it as realistic as possible. The main leads Oh-aew and Teh aren't the most mature nor aware people in the room. In their core they are just a couple of teenagers who were best friends but were alienated from each other for a long time. I really digged their friendship, falling out and how they reconnect again just for things to go south again. It was funny how the characters took time to figure out their own feelings while I, as a viewer, could see what they felt for each other was as unlike friends as it could have been.

I really appreciated some themes that this drama didn't shy away from. Life isn't as magical or as easy as some BLs make it seem to be. Coming to terms with one's sexuality, the constant confusion and difficulty of accepting one's own self while being conflicted and feeling somewhat shameful was perfectly captured in the drama. At times Teh was awful as a person and Oh-aew seemed to be on the verge of pathetic - but these were feelings anyone can go through. The journey Teh and Oh-aew were on was never smooth and they were their own challenges and their own villains in each other's life. However, deep down they were the only ones who could bring about happiness in other's life.

I must say I am impressed with how this drama chose to approach two guys getting together in a restrictive Asian society. It made me question how or what people go through in real life when they "choose" to not be heterosexual (quite similar to Teh's choice over his longtime female crush). Of course, being a drama it did deliver on keeping the viewer entertained and very apparently have a sequel to this story (which reeks of fanservice to me).

ITSAY is strong as a one-off drama and I would have accepted any sort of ending for it. For me it was going to be another BL drama but the depth and finesse that was apparent in the way was filmed blew me away. I think this drama is poetic and has more life lessons than one might give it credit for. It deserves to be taught in film school and analyzed by literary and art directors. The symbolism, filters and mood all ought to be understood and dissected in minute details. Also, if the right demographic viewer watched it, it might deliver some life answers and I hope people only take the good from it and aren't afraid to be who they are and to love whoever they wish to.

Highly recommended. Do not miss out on this show.