Love You to Debt is a Thai remake of the Korean film Man in Love (2014). Full disclaimer: I haven’t seen Man in Love, so this won’t be a comparison. But after watching Love You to Debt starring Bright Vachirawit and Yaya Urassaya, one big question popped into my mind: Can a mom really be that heartless?
Source: MyDramaList
Love Story Bo and Im
The movie centers around Bo (Bright Vachirawit), a debt collector working for his ruthless mom, Wan (Benz Pornchita), who runs a shady money-lending business. Bo meets Im (Yaya Urassaya), the daughter of a man drowning in debt to Wan, and their first encounter is super awkward. Poor Im has to deal with her dad’s unpaid loans, and it’s been YEARS! Like, imagine just paying the interest forever. And Im? She’s not loaded either; she’s just a regular bank employee.
Now, Bo is instantly smitten by Im and, instead of demanding money, he makes an unusual offer: she can go on dates with him to pay off her dad’s debt. Im reluctantly agrees, and their love story begins to bloom from there. Cute, right? But let’s pause for a second because you can probably guess where the romance part of this story is headed.
Wan, The Drama
The real drama? It’s all about Bo and his mom, Wan. She’s shady like, next-level shady. There’s a moment in the movie that really hit hard: Wan straight-up manipulates Bo, lying about the money he gave her for Im. It was supposed to be Im’s money to help pay off her debt, but Wan just… pockets it. Bo goes to prison for something else (because, of course, his mom), and while he’s locked up, Im’s life spirals. She loses her job, sinks into debt, and eventually tries to end it all. When Bo gets out of prison, Wan pretends she doesn’t even remember the money!
Source: MyDramaList
The worst part? Wan has this savage moment where she tells Bo, “You’re so stupid. That’s why your life is a mess. Don’t blame me, blame your own stupidity. What kind of debt collector hits his own head instead of the debtor’s? Dumb!” Ouch.
That line pretty much sums up Bo’s entire character arc. He’s spent years smashing his head against everything (literally) every time a debtor doesn’t pay up, with his go-to threat being, “If I can’t collect today, let’s die together.” Bo’s been working for Wan forever, but he dreams of a better life with Im.
But here’s the kicker: even after all this, Bo is still begging Wan to return Im’s money. Not once does he think of using force or violence—until Wan pushes him too far. And then he hits her with his old line: “Let’s die together.”
Meanwhile, Bo’s a total softie when it comes to Wan, always following her lead—even when it ruins his life. He pleads with her to return Im’s money, even after realizing she’s made his life and Im’s life miserable. It’s only when he has nothing left that he finally snaps, but at that point, it’s already too late.
At its core, the Thai movie is about Bo and Im’s complicated love story, tangled up in family debts. Im’s dad owes Wan, then Bo ends up owing Im. The ending, where Bo dies, is heartbreakingly realistic, closing the chapter in a gut-wrenching way. The romance is sweet, but for me, Wan and Bo’s mother-son relationship stole the show.
So, what do you think? Could a mom use her own child like that? Because, for me, Wan is proof that not everyone who gives birth is cut out to be a mom. She birthed Bo, sure, but did she ever mother him? I doubt it.
Love You to Debt is a solid romance story wrapped in family drama and money woes. Bo and Im’s love story keeps you hooked, but the dynamic between Bo and Wan? That’s where the real drama lies. If you haven’t watched it yet, give it a go on Netflix.