Original subtitles

(Have you ever run after someone for a really long time)

(that you start wondering if the reason you can’t catch up to them)

(is because their strides are much bigger than yours)

(or because they never really mean to wait for you at all?)

Hey, Chad.

Chad.

Chadjen.

What?

This is hardly a stroll.

It’s like you’re walking away from me.

You still manage to catch up with me every time.

But it’s exhausting.

Do you have to be so cruel?

Are we still talking about the stroll?

We’re talking about my being in love with you.

(Chadjen.)

(How could you not know that all this time?)

(I just hope the answer is worth the long wait.)

A television drama adaptation from the original Chinese novel A Love So Beautiful written by Zhao Qianqian

14 YEARS AGO

(My name is Som-O.)

(I live in Ari.)

(Both of my parents work in public service.)

(We’re not wealthy, but we’re not poor.)

(How do I say this…)

(Let’s just say we’re not struggling with anything.)

(Across the street from my house is where Chadjen lives.)

(We’ve known each other since we were kids)

(because we took the same school bus.)

Chadjen.

Come on in, Som.

Good morning, Aunt Aun.

Good morning, Little Som.

Did Chadjen get up yet?

No.

I’ll go and wake him up for you.

Alright.

(Look at him, Mr. Burden.)

(Now that I think about it, I wish I never met him at all.)

Chadjen, time to get up.

Chadjen.

Chadjen!

It’s time to go to school.

Get in the shower.

(The two of us went to the same kindergarten and the same class.)

Oh, that’s the school bus, guys.

Time to go.

Chadjen, Som-O, have a good day.

Alright.

My mother said it’s not polite to eat while walking around.

Did your mother also tell you that it’s not polite to shout at people?

But you wouldn’t wake up.

Let’s just go to school.

10 YEARS LATER

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

GRADE 10

(10 years later, it’s he who has to wake me up.)

Wake up!

Ugh, Chadjen!

Do you want to be late on your first day of school?

I know that.

Stop nitpicking me.

Get out of my way, you pest.

Go wait downstairs.

Go!

Thanks, dear.

Thank you.

Oh, Chadjen, can I ask you something?

Yes?

Does Som have any new friends now that she’s in high school?

I don’t really know.

Was there any guys hitting on our Som at the orientation?

I didn’t see anyone doing that.

Good to hear.

You gotta be my eyes and ears, Chad.

Don’t let anyone mess with her.

Everything’s fast and quick now.

But I believe something can wait.

You’re speaking in riddles, dear.

It’s men’s talk.

I’m late. I’m so late.

How come you just came down here?

Not now, Dad. We’re going to be late.

Shall we?

Guys, I’m off. Bye.

Chad, don’t forget these.

You drink this every day, right?

Thank you.

Here.

Oh? Wasn’t it supposed to be for lunch?

It’s more refreshing in the afternoon, isn’t it?

Let’s just go. Hurry up.

- Mom, Dad, bye. - Bye.

Som became a woman in a flash, didn't she?

A woman? No way.

She’s still a kid running around with Chadjen like she always has.

You’re impossible.

She’s still just a girl.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Very neat and proper uniform. Good

- Hello. - Hello.

Hello.

Good Morning.

- Morning! - Hi.

Oh, what’s the rush?

Hello.

Here. Your glasses.

Thank you.

Good morning.

You’re just in time.

Hey, you there.

Wanna sit here?

You look like you’d be a good student.

Sit with me.

Thanks.

What? Do we need all those textbooks this semester?

We do.

You didn’t see our class schedule?

You didn’t bring a single book?

Listen up!

I have been appointed by the teacher as the temporary class president

because I have been studying here since junior high.

I welcome back old faces, and welcome new ones to our school.

These are…

Fahsai, vice president.

Min-min, secretary.

They’re my administrative team.

- Feel free to talk to us. - Feel free to talk to us.

Here’s the first assignment of this semester.

Since it’s the first day of high school,

the teacher wants us to write a letter to the new friend sitting next to us.

What if I’ve known the guy next to me since junior high?

Think of him as a new friend.

High school is like a new start anyway.

Lily, dear, can I write to the girls in the next class over instead?

No, you can’t.

The teacher said you’re supposed to write to the student next to you.

Next to me…

But that’s this nerd.

Correct.

What’s your name?

My name is New.

And you?

Tao.

No need to be so polite with me.

I’m pretty laid back.

Yes, Mr. Tao.

Come on.

Hurry up, Chad. We’re late.

Hurry!

Hey, Chad! Wait for me!

Don’t leave me behind.

Chad.

Quickly, guys. You’re late.

Close the gate.

Stop it, right there.

What’s your name? What grade are you from?

Which class? Tell me your student number.

I’m Chadjen.

Grade 10, Class 2.

My number is…

My number is 4830805.

4830805 is marked as ‘Late.’

But Miss, we were just in time.

Please don’t mark us late.

4830…

Stay put!

You’re in the same class, aren’t you?

Yes.

I’ll find you anyway.

Go on. Get to class.

You didn’t have to tell her your name.

We weren’t late.

But I already did.

You don’t have to next time.

Are you going to tell everyone anything just because they ask?

What are you, a dummy?

What did you say your name was?

Sassawat.

Sassawat…

Chad, wait for me.

You can sit here.

May I?

I’m Khao.

The teacher assigned us to write a letter to the friend sitting next to us.

What's your name?

Som-O.

Just call me Som.

You know that hot guy over there?

He’s my friend.

Hey.

You two are late.

Be on time from now on.

We don’t want latecomers in this class.

They’re right.

Now I have to explain the assignment all over again.

You’re Chadjen, aren’t you?

You are!

You’re the country’s top ONET test-taker last year.

You know Chadjen the Genius?

What?

He’s famous in other schools?

Genius, my foot.

Chadjen, the instructions are on the board.

Good morning, class.

Welcome to your first day of school.

(Oh, no. It’s the teacher from this morning.)

Miss, I’ve instructed the class for you.

Thank you, Lily.

I’m your homeroom teacher

and I want you to write a letter to the friend next to you.

Think of it as a quick introduction.

Follow the formal letter-writing form so you can practice, too.

If you don’t know how to write that, feel free to take a look at mine.

Enough of that.

Listen up.

I want you to introduce yourself to class.

Say your legal name, surname, and nickname so your friend knows whom to write to.

Well, let’s start with…

The girl who’s hiding behind her bag.

We’ll start with you.

My name is Gewalin Asarattana.

My nickname is Som-O.

Gewalin, marked as ‘Late.’

Okay.

Take your seat.

Next up.

Hello.

My name is Kwanta Jongjit.

My nickname is Khao.

You there.

Hi.

I’m Sassawat Jongcharoenniyom.

My nickname is New.

Next.

I’m Nakrob Sudpreecha. Nickname is Tao.

Quiet down and listen, guys.

I’m Chadjen.

Chadjen Paisarnsakul.

My nickname is Chadjen.

Chadjen is both your legal name and nickname?

Yes.

Chadjen, wait.

Chadjen, hold on.

Wait for me.

Chadjen, you’re new here.

You probably don’t know your way around.

I’ll give you a tour.

I’m fine, thanks.

Chadjen!

Do you seriously not remember me?

You don’t?

From this website.

Teen 8.

(Kulasatri Chonwanichsiri)

I was also in the top 10 test-takers. (Kulasatri Chonwanichsiri)

I was also in the top 10 test-takers.

I was on Teen 8, too.

- Oh. - You remember now?

I think I saw you around on that website.

Told you he remembers.

You should have just said so.

You really should have just said that.

See?

Are you and Chadjen long time friends?

Longer than that girl has, for sure.

I’ll bet.

Can we talk while we walk?

We might not get a spot at the cafeteria otherwise.

You go on ahead.

I’m going to stop by at the library.

See? I was really on the list.

Excuse me. Make way!

Who the hell is she?

Oh?

Let’s go have lunch.

Chadjen, let’s have lunch.

Come this way.

Come on.

Grab lunch with me.

Not this one.

“Forget Me Not.”

Looks good.

Som-O, is it?

Are you writing the letter for the assignment?

But that isn’t Khao.

That’s Chadjen.

(His eyesight is way too good.)

It’s still for the assignment.

One more letter wouldn’t hurt, right?

But I heard you’ve known Chadjen for a long time.

I don’t think he counts as a “new friend.”

(The nerve!)

But I get it.

(He does?)

Excuse me.

What are all these romance novels for?

Romance novels?

Oh, these…

I’m not very good with words so I’m looking for examples.

Do you want my help with anything?

Actually, I need a favor.

Are these all for Chadjen?

No.

I have someone I want to give this to.

But I didn’t see her face.

It happened this morning.

Someone ran me over and I dropped my glasses.

- And… - Your glasses.

- Someone picked them up for me. - Thank you.

I only caught the back of her head.

When I put my glasses back on, she was already gone.

So I’d been looking for someone similar to her,

these are the candidates.

So you’re going to write all of them?

Yes.

I only saw her back and not her face.

I can’t be sure who she actually is.

You’re weird.

You want me to be your Cupid delivering these love letters?

These aren’t love letters.

It’s a thank you note that says I want to be friends with her.

Does that mean… you’re good at writing letters?

Not really.

I took inspiration from books.

Can you help me write a letter, then?

To Chadjen?

I hope it’s not a love letter.

Of course not!

It’s not.

I just want to write some poems on friendship.

Poems on friendship?

Aren’t they cute together?

Looks like a couple.

Let’s go home, Chadjen.

Wait, wait, Chadjen.

I…

Here.

Take it.

I… want to get to know you better

so I wrote you another letter besides the assigned one.

I hope to get a reply.

Well, bye, then.

You’re done with your letter?

Yeah.

I’ll submit it soon.

You?

I’m still writing.

But I found this one poem that reminds me of you today.

“Even if the world crumbles down,”

“I will follow you to the end of ghosttown.”

“Even if all that awaits is sneering frown—”

That’s from the epic Phra Aphai Mani.

What was that, a joke?

Stop it.

Chadjen.

How long have we known each other?

Ten years, is it?

Ugh, you don’t have to tell him how many years it’s been.

We’ve known each other our entire lives.

Chadjen…

You must be wondering why I’m writing you this letter.

We’ve been friends for a long time.

I’ve seen you ever since I was born.

You know, today is the first day of high school

but I don’t feel the difference at all.

The teacher asked us to write a letter to a new friend,

but when I think of friends…

The only person that comes to my mind is you.

Too bad we didn’t get to sit next to each other this year, isn’t it?

I made us late.

That’s why we didn’t.

Hey!

You.

Are you eavesdropping?

Eavesdropping?

This is my pool.

It’s you who’s invading my turf so early in the morning.

Your turf?

Yep.

This pool belongs to the school.

It’s mine, too.

You…

It’s rude to point your finger at people.

What did you hear?

I heard…

Nothing.

I just got here.

Whatever.

Don’t tell anyone anything you heard.

Got it?

Yes, ma’am.

Is it supposed to be “where” with places?

Gewalin.

You sure?

Nakrob.

Yes?

Did you just get to school?

I’ve been here since this morning, Teach.

I was just at practice at the pool.

May I?

Hold on.

Help Gewalin out with this basic English question.

You know the answer?

Easy-peasy.

Incorrect.

Incorrect.

The answer is “how.”

This sentence, “How do I live?” means how do I live.

How do I live without you

I want to know

How do I live without you - Alright, alright, Kulasatri.

Take a seat.

We’re in Basic English class, not Singing.

Thank you, Miss.

This is the safest way.

Som-O.

It’s time to keep your promise.

I think that’s her.

Which one?

That one.

You sure?

Well, I am… not.

I only saw her back, you remember?

But she’s on top of the list.

The rest is up to you, Som-O.

Me?

Hey, look at my lips.

Oh, pretty.

Are you Maple?

I have something I want to ask you.

You know me?

Yes.

It’s from that guy.

He wants to get to know you but doesn’t know how to ask.

What is it?

Oshi.

What’s that?

“Hello, Maple…”

Guys, I’ve got news.

There’s a fight!

Follow me.

This way.

Why don’t you just kick me in the face if you’re going to say that?

I don’t want to kick you in the face.

It’s like you already did in this letter!

It crushed my heart.

I really didn’t mean to, and I didn’t crush anything.

My feet haven’t even moved.

Oh, isn’t he polite?

He’s got manners, something you guys don’t have.

Oh, right.

Read what he wrote.

“Hello, Maple. I don’t know if you remember me.”

“But I remember you.”

“We met yesterday at the school gate.”

“I dropped my glasses."

"You picked them up.”

Love at first sight or something?

“Too bad I couldn’t see when you helped me.”

“So I didn’t get a good look at you.”

Eww, did you borrow that pick-up line from your grandpa, nerd?

No.

I wasn’t trying to pick anyone up.

Hey, nerd. Maple doesn't like that kind of talk.

She really doesn’t, you get it?

What do you guys have to do with this?

Oh, good question.

Hey, pipsqueak.

This got nothing to do with you so get out of our way.

Stop it.

What’s this all about?

These guys took New’s letter.

And read it for everyone to hear.

These guys did?

I didn’t know you could read.

Quite a gentleman there, aren’t you?

Let’s see you deal with someone your size.

Ow, ow, oww!

Help me.

Stop bullying the girls and this newbie.

And remember this girl’s face

because she’s the girl I’m…

The girl you’re what?

That’s none of your business!

Hey.

The teachers are here.

Oh, crap. Let’s go.

Hurry up.

Run!

That was really cool.

Sorry I’m late.

Alright. Let’s go back to class.

Your glasses.

Thank you.

(So it was Khao.)

Here.

Oh!

You’re a good artist, Som.

An illustrated letter…

That’s a good idea.

“Good morning, Mr. Tao.”

Nerd, I told you to talk to me like a normal person.

This is just how I talk.

Why do I get an empty piece of paper, though?

I just couldn’t get into this letter-writing thing.

That’s disappointing.

Fine. I’ll write you something.

What do you want me to write?

“Love.”

Oh, well.

You’re hurt, huh?

This is me trying my best.

Chad, did you get the letter?

(Wait, that isn’t mine.)

Listen up.

It’s only been a few days and someone has already started a fight at school?

We’re in school, not a boxing academy.

I don’t see anyone walking around with boxing gloves.

Sassawat.

Be quiet.

Who was it? Who started it?

Confess right now or I’ll punish you all.

This is the person who started it.

A student told me someone in your class wrote a love letter to one of my students.

It isn’t a love letter.

So it was you.

How dare you argue with me.

Give me all the letters.

Som-O.

Som-O?

Did you write them, too?

No.

I was just keeping the letters for him.

Give them to me and you won’t be severely punished.

All of them.

Crap…

Look.

I believe the content inside these letters are more or less similar

since the envelopes look all the same.

Except for this one.

Sir.

That one is mine.

Yours?

Yes.

Good.

Tell me what’s inside.

Listen.

Don’t take the blame for your friend.

If your friend is in the wrong, you should let them take the punishment.

Don’t take the blame.

You all should know letters like these are against the school’s rules.

Which one, exactly?

These are love letters.

The school forbids students to write letters of this nature

because we do not support alliances.

Mr. Yong.

Do you mean “dalliances”?

Thank you.

I did mean dalliances.

Did you read any of it?

The content is very much platonic.

Do not argue with me.

Look. I’ve got one, too.

Me, too.

Same here.

So have I.

Alright, put this down, guys.

I totally forgot.

I assigned the students to write a letter

to get to know their new friend on the first day of school.

It’s still inappropriate.

The color is pink.

The purpose is clear enough.

Maybe pink is just their favorite color.

It doesn’t mean it’s a love letter.

Oh, look at your students.

All of them love arguing with teachers.

You need to punish all of them,

otherwise I’ll report this to the Principal.

Of course.

I’ll deal with them.

What did we do wrong?

You’re wrong for starting a fight in school

causing trouble for everyone else.

Well, then, that one was all on me.

None of my friends had anything to do with it.

You love your friends so much, huh?

Deal with your students.

I don’t want to spend another minute talking to any of them.

Careful, Mr. Yong.

Hey, hey, all of you, quiet down.

Sit down.

I guess that assignment was a mistake.

It’s clearly gotten so out of hand.

Nakrob.

Yes?

Sassawat, Kwanta, Gewalin, Chadjen.

All five of you must stay after class and clean up this classroom.

But—

Kwanta, sit down.

Help me out here.

We need to show them that I'm holding you responsible for your actions.

Do it for me.

Kulasatri, collect all the letters.

- Yes, ma’am. - Be quick about it.

Come on, it’s just cleaning up.

Don’t worry.

The rest of you, get your things ready for class.

Where did it go?

That was too bad, wasn’t it?

But on the bright side, I know who that girl is now.

Oh, how nice for you.

Don’t tell me. I don’t wanna know anymore.

Why do I gotta do this?

You’re not gonna do anything, nerd?

Thanks.

It’s alright.

For you—

I mean, I’ll help a friend out any time.

But you guys agree that Mr. Yong was overreacting, right?

They’re just letters, like, what’s the big deal?

Yeah.

He was awful.

Thank you, all of you.

I mean it.

Alright.

Let’s clean this place up.

Let’s do it.

Take this, nerd.

Can I ask you something?

That letter was supposed to go to Chadjen, wasn’t it?

How’d you know that?

There’s a drawing of a guy who looks exactly like Chadjen, how else!

I just guessed it was probably your drawing.

Does that mean everyone else realizes that, too?

My life is over.

It’s alright.

Let’s get this done.

Hey.

Hi.

Hey.

- What? - You’re late.

Coach asked me to give you this.

Really?

Yeah.

What is it?

Hello, Dad?

You’re late.

Sorry, Dad– I mean, Coach.

I was late because I had to clean the classroom.

There’ll be a new member in our club tomorrow.

Be prepared to welcome him.

Yes, Dad.

He won the junior championship last year.

The same year you got injured.

It’s your chance to get back at him.

Yes, Dad.

Mom is definitely giving me an earful when we get home.

I’ll help you talk to her.

Good thing we take a cab.

Yeah.

Thanks for speaking up for me today, Chad.

Chadjen.

Come straight home from school tomorrow, alright?

I’ll land in Bangkok in the evening.

I said I’d visit after a year, right?

Did you forget that?

No, I didn’t.

I didn’t forget, Mom.

I miss you, dear.

See you tomorrow.

Hello, Aunt Aun.

Surprise.

Your mother is back in town?

You know why I’m back, Chad.

Take my advice.

You gotta keep an eye on your daughter,

especially at her age.

Otherwise, you’re in for some classic drama.

It’s a tie.

Next time, it won’t be a tie.

Tao, your only option is victory.

A tie means defeat.

Remember that.

Go!

Tao, go for it!

Som, trade that cheer banner with my gold medal.

You have to decide, Chad.

If you don’t,

I’ll make you.