Great video! I'm fairly new to BL. Sotus was my first one, and I think Together with You was my second. Big change going from Singto/Krist's little peck on the lips to Max/Tul devouring each other. Huge. Anyway, I am happy to see the way skinship has evolved and continues to evolve in BL/Y movies and shows.
I think as we run out of new plots and the high school and college settings become saturated, we'll see more... may be domestic partnership, or breakup in the late 40 s and starting again... Hoping for more in 2023
I was really surprised at how shocked viewers were regarding the "versatile" aspect of both "Bad Buddy", and "Secret Crush On You". I mean, those pairings (Pat and Pran, Nuea and Toh) absolutely adore one another. Yes, in the novels, the writers firmly established that the "Seme" (especially Pat) is not at all willing to let their "Uke" top them, but I'm so grateful that the screenwriters of the TV adaptions said "screw that dynamic". In SCOY, they even had Toh asking his friends, should he take the lead, in topping Nuea. They laughed at Toh, while throughout all of his "practice sessions" with Nuea, they each found out, what they liked to do to one another. Along with the fact that Nuea, and Pat each wanted to be ravished by Toh, and Pran. I just don't get this sort of rigidness in showing actual sexual desire between these fictional characters.
Me, too! I'm happy that more writers in BL are refusing to adhere to the strict top/bottom roles. Let everyone enjoy a little strawberry cheesecake ice cream instead of vanilla all the time.
If early BL helped demystify same-sex relationships in countries that seldom had representation of same-sex relationships, maybe only now we're reaching a point where it's OK to confront stereotypes about how same-sex couples actually interact with each other in the bedroom.
Dallas, it's heteronormativity. Most BL's are written by straight women, so they maintain the Top (seme/man) and Bottom (uke/woman) dynamic. I'm Versatile, but in my last relationship, I was a seme Bottom. I wanted him, so I pursued the heck out of him and when I got him I found out that he was a Top. Again, lucky for him, I'm Versatile, so we "fit" for 4 years. 😎
One milestone could also be the kissing: I remember the early Thai BL's having just two mouths mushed together and nothing else happening besides but now we have all of this full on snogging going on. And don't forget the 2gether high five moment, that was a milestone for let down's from the directors part. Another one would be the discussion about equal rights when it comes to the LGTBQ+ community, as Not Me the series presented, as it was very impressive and interesting to get to know.
True... kissing has also evolved a lot as also the equal rights discussion. Hehe yeah.. that High-five was certainly a milestone, but yeah as you said, in the wrong way.
Sorry for coming to one of your earlier vids to comment! Had to chime in to say two things: one, handjobs are still so refreshing a thing to see in BL (which sounds absurd but is true lol), History 3: Make Our Days Count did it before KinnPorche and I was so weirdly happy when it happened lol! The other milestone I had been waiting for that was just recently crossed was mentioning PrEP in a series (Getaway the series did this). Other series have talked about safe sex, no glove no love, even HIV scares (in my gear your gown and before that in what the duck), but I always said it would feel super important when PrEP is mentioned in a BL as a real sign that the line between BL and Queer content has truly blurred. I'm here for it.
So many series skip over this because there seems to be some obligation to depict both parties as virgins before they met each other. In real life, there should be conversations about sexual histories (focusing on safe sex practices) that take place before things progress to that stage. Wish they'd model that when they incorporate the Prep.
Thanks for the great video! As @Sam Tab said, I am always amazed that you keep developing such interesting ideas for your videos. To your point about Bible and Pete, that wasn’t not about S&M, that was about torture. In the teaser for for the upcoming episode I could sees a glimmer of a more realistic depiction of what a consensual S&M sexual experience could look like. But I am not expecting much. What would blow my mind, as someone in a polyamourous relationship, is seeing a triad, with an age gap, who is in to S&M. I can attest this is indeed a thing but probably not realistic to show on tv. On the new Singaporean/Thai production “Getaway” they actually show a hookup that goes awry - seeing more of that in Thai BL would be interesting. Or as @John Master said, seeing the first hook up at all (minus bulky clothes - why would people wear that in a hot, tropical climate) would be progress.
hehe Thanks, wow that would be interesting but as you said, for that we will need a really good director who knows what he is doing, else it will be a mockery only. Getaway is good, I liked all the 5 episodes, and being a gay series than a BL it feels more realistic, esp about the hookup culture.
@@blcritic I think it would be interesting if more BLs, from all over Asia, would take the chance to showcase hook up culture with those characters. The only one that I can think of, is the character that was featured in "Fish Upon The Sky".
HIStory2: Right or Wrong- I dont know what was the age gap but he was much older.. (maybe 12 years and also had 8 years old kid). 😻 And thank you!!! great video
Also, H3:MODC had the side couple. Both of those age gaps are unlikely to arouse disapproval from outsiders once the younger party reaches 30 or 35. They are close enough to be perceived as equals in middle age.
HIStory2 Right or Wrong and MODC are both Taiwanese BL. Taiwan pushes the envelope a bit further normally than Thailand has historically. Gay marriage is legal there as well. Though both couples in question did have significant age gaps. Age gaps are common in Japanese dramas (Bl and non-BL).
Gonna bullet point this one... --it would be a welcome surprise if all series got as far as "the first hook-up." Even now I often feel as if the hook up is implied to have happened. Last week I watched along with a Reactor doing the Pete-Kao cut of Kiss Me Again. He was sure the two had hooked up when the camera cut to them shirtless in bed the following morning. Then it was revealed both characters were wearing jeans. Jeans in bed. Jeans that they slept in. (Do real Asian people go to bed fully clothed in bulky sweaters and regular pants as often as characters in dramas do?) The Reactor found it improbable that anyone would put their jeans back on to sleep if they'd just finished the implied activity. So improbable, he became uncertain whether they'd escalated their physical relationship or not. Frankly, I found it equally ambiguous. Clothes on conveys to me that the clothes never came off. --versatility: that this counts as a surprise annoys me as a gay man. Gay and lesbian relationships do not require one party to be the man and one to be the woman. I'd rail against the enduring prevalence of uke-seme, but I think instead I shall head over to the beach and scream at the tide for coming in. At least that way I get some sunlight. --SCOY set that scene up earlier when the friends discussed who the top was going to be. I was gladdened they followed through on it. --hand jobs: [historical note ahead] The idea "safe sex" was invented during the 1980s. The idea was to sell everyone, but gay men in particular, to pursue sexual acts that had less risk of transmitting the HIV virus. Thus, hand jobs rose from near-irrelevance to clear prominence amidst the pantheon of Possible Things Two People Can Do In Bed. For my generation, hand jobs were WAYYY more common than "backdoor entry." Especially in the early stages of a relationship. Thus, Mr Critic is entirely correct to highlight that scene from Gen Y 2 for its authenticity. --SM--I appreciate the recent mentions of SM are in themselves novel. I'd also point out that people involved in SM communities consider Shades of Gray to completely misrepresent SM. The KP scenes have earned similar criticism. For these reasons, I am dubious about the upcoming series. Chances are SM will be there to titillate but not in a realistic fashion. --Age gap: the fact that college juniors and seniors codes as an age gap at all is a stretch for me, but age gaps do occur in real life. The wider the gap, the more scorn others heap on. Especially when one party is still young. [E.g., people more likely to look askance at a 20 y.o. with a 40 y.o. than if the split is 40-60, even though the gap is 20 years in both instances.] I like BL because I enjoy depictions of young love. Still, I welcome the upcoming series highlighted here as a sign of diversity in the telling of same-sex stories.
The clothing bit has always thrown me off, too. I mean, who gets re-dressed afterward? And why? You're sticky and sweaty and there's probably a wet spot. Just stay naked. You may want a round 2, and it saves time if you're already naked.
There is a wonderful new Japanese BL, that premiered last week called "Old Fashion Cupcake" that features an age gap with their main leads. It's also placed in an office setting, and it's amazing.
@@j_scott I endorse every reason you cited. I see the redressing as a retreat from implying that a series endorses casual sex. Almost like self-censorship. (Or, in the case of Advance Bravely, actual censorship.)
Critic, John Master, & Dallas, It pleased me to no end to see Pat & Pran be Versatile with each other because it completely breaks heteronormativity. Gays are NOT just Tops and Bottoms. There are people, like me, whom are Versatile. I was like, "Finally! People just like me represented on TV! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻" Also, there is another type of Gay that they have NEVER featured in any BL: the Side, oral only.
My Secret Love ep 4 game me an unexpected pleasure this week, though it had naught to do with skinship. Rather, the source was one of those much-maligned, embedded product placements. For whatever reason, the spectacle of a BL character walking into a Taco Bell restaurant, consulting a very visible menu, and then ordering a taco combo meal* delighted me all out of proportion to the simplicity of the act or the banality of a commercial embedded into a series with hackneyed dialog touting the product being placed. (The episode's later Taco Bell scene, which merely depicted two character eating food, had no unusual impact on me.) Did anyone else (likely Americans accustomed to inundation with Taco Bell ads) find themselves unexpectedly charmed by this sequence? *--imagined conversation between sponsor and producer. P: "So, in the scenes set in your restaurant, what would you like us to show? Usually, we just have the camera linger on the food. Maybe someone will say how delicious it is." TB: "Umm, we think the unfamiliarity of our cuisine is an issue. Could you instead show a character ordering our most popular item? Oh, and somehow convey the fact we have multiple locations around the city. Oh, and it would be swell if you can work the Party Pack into the shot."
Surprising? Sure. I think I was more surprised that the character seemed to be eating fries. I wish my Taco Bell had fries. I can't remember another show that focused on a restaurant/fast food like that. Maybe Honey Puppy Love?
I noticed that scene as well. I loved it, because it actually fit with the storyline of Bomb having a part-time job, with the fact that after his character, along with Akk from "Enchante", Porsche in "KinnPorsche", and Wai in "Bad Buddy" are the only college aged students (that I can recall) in a BL that were written to have to have a job, so that they could earn money.
@@j_scott K-dramas visit Subway fairly often. But I cannot offhand recall another instance of a series having a character place a specific order like that.They just cut to the characters eating the food. [Actors, pretending to eat...] Del Taco has fries on its menu, but Taco Bell is more erratic. I wondered whether international Taco Bell 🔔 menus feature fries because local customers expect fries from American restaurants?
John, I guffawed too at this scene. I was over at my best friends' house this weekend. They're married to each other, and I showed my female bestie Bear in Taco Bell with Bomb and I told her, "Oh look! Taco Bell is in Thailand now. But it makes sense because it's owned by PepsiCo and PepsiCo owns KFC and KFC has been in Thailand for years now, so it's only logical that Taco Bell's there now. Pizza Hut will be next." She said, "Makes sense. Don't people over there love fried chicken?"
“Television is one of the most important platforms for creating awareness and advancing understanding between people, race, gender, and culture.” James Burrows, U.S. TV director. Mr Critic, I have a book recommendation for you. It's a memoir called "Directed by James Burrows." James Burrows is probably the most legendary director ever for US television sitcoms. (Probably the only TV director whose name I know off the top of my head.) While I don't have the sense your job includes directing, his four decades of experience in the TV industry includes creating shows, casting shows, working with writers, actors, and set designers. I'd wager anyone working in the TV industry could glean something useful from it, even if you'd never seen any of the series he's famous for. (That includes every episode of Will & Grace, so there's a "gay" connection.) Burrows guested on Jimmy Kimmel Live last Friday, and Kimmel dedicated 26 minutes to that interview, which is exorbitant for a late night talk show. That interview is now on RUclips so watch the interview then decide if the book appeals to you. (Search: "Legendary Director James Burrows..." On YT channel Jimmy Kimmel Live.) The interview includes a discussion of what makes for a perfect pilot. So I will read the book from affection for the series namechecked in the subtitle, but as I said at the outset, I think it offers something to anyone working in television, regardless of the country. KIMMEL, in the interview: ..."the most educational book I ever read on television." WASHINGTON POST book review (6/11/22): "...a great primer for what a comedy director does." And the opening quote also explains why I think BL series have importance in their domestic cultural contexts. Visibility matters!
wow Thank you so much. I just it's a new book, published in 2022, and the cover includes a tube television right? I will buy it tomorrow. I love reading books. Thanks once again. I'll check the YT also.
@@blcritic Yes, that is the cover. Yes, published in 2022. (The Kimmel appearance was to plug the book. Lol) And the title of the book is in yellow script "on screen" of the TV. (Actually, it's the font and color used by the series Cheers, which was the first series I ever saw every episode of from its original air date to its last--a feat possible in the 1980s due to the invention of the VCR.) It's available in e-book format, too. The five series name checked in the subtitle are among the most influential in the history of American television. I figured it would make a good read for my vacation in August, but I may read it this week.
I am buying it now. Just wanted to confirm. Actually I have new yr resolution of reading one book a month, however, i have finished over 15 till now. This one would be a good one to read.
I may have not seen all of the classic BLs and I am not up to date with most of the current airing BLs either. Thus, I may have missed the milestones that I am going to discuss. If so then please let me apologize now. Also, I am more comfortable with the terms top/bottom versus seme/uke within this comment so thank you for your understanding. I will be using quite of bit of euphemism with this comment in the hopes of avoiding the Tubee's censors. Height differences are noticeable in many BLs. The top is usually the taller and/or more muscular of the two (one exception Max & Tul). Call It What You Want makes references to this as the actor who plays the top is on a strict diet and must have a certain physical look and the actor who plays the bottom does not have to meet this standard. There are a large number of couples who are roughly the same height too. I can only think of Pete (Saint) and Ae (Perth) where the top is noticeably shorter. Where are my shorter tops at? Height should not be a indicator of top or bottom roles. Examining why this is with BL dramas and non-BL dramas could lead to an interesting conversation. SCOY does show a role switch with Toh and Nuea. I would like to see the softer/shyer character (normally identified as the bottom) take on the role of the top more often. This would be the character that when described by female writers in heteronormative terms appears slightly more feminine or would be the character most fujoshi fantasize themselves replacing. I wonder how a certain segment of the BL fan base would react. One milestone that has been touched on but not fully explored is safe s$x (now referred to as an intense physical discussion). Certain intense physical discussions require preparation. TharnType and KinnPorsche both show the tube of "moisturizer" (euphemism) but fail to use it. Getaway's leads discuss the use of Prep but the actual conversation stops there. SCOY, Why R U, and Dark Blue Kiss (just to name a few) show only the "raincoat". Tharn and Type go in for "testing" but only after the intense physical discussion has already occurred. I might be asking for too much here but I want the discussion of tests and medicine etc. to occur prior to the use of the raincoat and moisturizer (which needs to be used together). Call me a spontaneity and romance killer if you want. ;) Side note (random fact): In the above video, the object when the camera pans away is the infamous cup of ice from TharnType (obviously as that was the point of the clip). If you have not read the book then you may not know that the ice served another function then just adding some spice to the kissing. It served as the moisturizer which I absolutely do not recommend as a medical professional.
😄🤣😂😆 Loving your use of euphemisms in describing things/topics that need to be focused on, in these BLs. I personally think, that IF a BL is going to have scenes, depicting these characters engaging in having sex/making love, we need to see ALL the raincoats, and moisturizers used. Even if they make a joke, about not knowing exactly how to use it, those scenes may be helpful, to someone watching the series. As for the ice being used as a moisturizer, that's when I knew the individual who wrote that scene, literally had no clue about sex at all.
About Ht difference, well most of the series which are based on manga and webtoon explicitly describe the ht of each leads on the beginning, Cherry Blossoms after winter and Semantic Error being the examples and a lot of people went gaga about it. As most of the BL books are written by women, and they still got the notion that women are shorter than men, which is not the case, apply that to make it more romantic. And even though I am not a medical professional, I also do not recommend anything like ice... that's the worst thing to do.
@@blcritic You touched on the thought about height that I had as well. I do believe that female BL writers intentionally make the tops taller than the bottoms. Same thought process for hetero romance where the man is taller than the women. It's ingrained in American society for sure that men should be taller than a women in heels. I was most certainly raised to believe that needed to be the case. I understand people have preferences but it's interesting to discuss the prevalence.
Did you see Love Mechanics revamped version (new ). I am glad they expanded upon the original story. Both War & Yin are really good . This version is 18+ but it's not too much. War looks older now.
The interactions between Pete and Vegas in episodes 10 and 11 of KP are not S&M (as you pointed out). Sadomasochism is always consensual at its very core.otherwise it is just assault. Pete is tortured pure and simple. He is a bodyguard for a crime family and went in with the knowledge that if captured he would be tortured and unalived. Pete and the audience should expect the torture. Case in point is Ken. Now, Vegas might be a sadist and Pete might be a closet masochist. Time will tell. Pete was not enjoying the belt beating. His goal has changed from unalive me quick to wanting to get out alive to protect his grandmother. The color of the scenes is very telling in this regard.
hehe... not that, but in one of my earlier videos I mentioned about that, and those who read the VegasPete story corrected me. The only video I got a lot of negative comment is my Thai BL 101: how to be a BL actor, where I talked about how fair skin and western mix race is a shortcut to popularity.. .and I was even questioned about my upbringing because of that video. However till today I stand by it as those are the things I experienced while working in the lakorn genre of popular channels and saw the same in BL too.
@@blcritic Hell, even I noticed how dark skinned performers (not in lead roles), in previous BLs that I have watched, are 9 times out of 10 used in the roles of the pick-pocket, the random attacker, and/or the individual that is deemed "undesirable". As for the further development of Pete and Vegas, we will see what happens in the TV adaption.
The lakorns are even worse, they are still doing the remakes from the 70s-80s and it is all dark skinned ones are for comic relief or negative ones, and the western mix fair skinned ones are the leads.
When they showed us the cactus in Manner of death, I was like WTH? I don´t care about the cactus😂.Pat and Pran were partners, not wife and husband, I really liked that 👍👍. And the scenes after...when they are all clothes, they are hilarious and stupid. Tin and Sarawat are a great example. And I hope, I will be able to watch Unforgotten night, cuz I like that actor Yoon.KinnPorsche is something very refreshing😉😉
I have just seen the first episode of Unforgotten night. Disappointing. A few drops of red wax, a few listless strokes of the whip. this was something for the housewife for afternoon tea. Dude, if you want to learn how to hit, go to Vegas by Kinnporsche! No suspense, little eroticism. Nice parents, heartbreak, endless crying. The story died over all the office gossip, crying into the cocktail glass and having parents feel sorry for him. I always give a series a chance for 3 episodes. Let's see if they remember at some point that they promised BDSM and not a love story.
Hehe Beate...'something for housewife for afternoon tea'... but I agree, Unforgotten Night is Disappointing, and I do not think I can continue further form the first episode. So poorly done. The actors look uncomfortable and need a course in acting. They somehow spent a bit on the series, it is not a low budget one, I wonder why they didn't on the script and acting coaches.
@@blcritic They repeat everything I find annoying about Thai series. So often I think "Hello, how long am I supposed to watch someone crying, being hugged by their parents, sitting at the counter and giggling like nevish secretaries (one of them was nice in "until we meet again", but I don't need funny girls in a BDSM series) Cut!" Long-winded narration, awkward actors who have no attraction for each other and for me. Oh, Vegas, the show would be very different with Bible. Not with this babyface who's supposed to be a badass mob boss.
Things will change... a lot of BLs failed and will fail this year. It is not 2018-2019 that everything they offer will be accepted by BL deprived fans, now we got too many options to choose from.
@@blcritic if the series are to go more in the direction of action and dark atmosphere, then maybe they need to get a few specialists from Japan or Korea so that they don't make such gross mistakes as they did with Kinnporsche. The actors really have sporting potential, the cameramen, the costume designers, lighting, scenery, great. But standing in each other's line of fire, bodyguards who behave like a troupe at a children's birthday party and have less idea of tactics than I do and fall into every case, no matter how obvious, that still needs to be improved. Maybe then there will be more men like in Kinnporsche and not boys who have not yet shaved for the first time.
I salute the writer and the BOC of kinnPorsche the series for making the NC scene really natural as the gay relationship with the mafia leader this series has opened my mind coz all the BL I watch it’s always they cut all the NC scene. I know there’s a parental guidance but hey … you’re watching BL it should include that not too bold but there must be some skin coz it’s a gay relationship we’re watching. I’m just really happy that other series making it more a Real life story BL but for me I’m still choosing nice story line with good acting of the main lead coz that’s the most important so can feel their love, pain or relationship.I know that every BL has their own thing waiting to be explore.🫶🏻❤️
![SKINSHIP สัมผัสรักของเราและนาย | EP.1 [EngSub]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_gbmjZX3nDc/mqdefault.jpg)
![Natanael Cano x Nueva H - Amapola [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/6Q4mnRD5jCw/mqdefault.jpg)
Great video! I'm fairly new to BL. Sotus was my first one, and I think Together with You was my second. Big change going from Singto/Krist's little peck on the lips to Max/Tul devouring each other. Huge. Anyway, I am happy to see the way skinship has evolved and continues to evolve in BL/Y movies and shows.
I think as we run out of new plots and the high school and college settings become saturated, we'll see more... may be domestic partnership, or breakup in the late 40 s and starting again... Hoping for more in 2023
I was really surprised at how shocked viewers were regarding the "versatile" aspect of both "Bad Buddy", and "Secret Crush On You". I mean, those pairings (Pat and Pran, Nuea and Toh) absolutely adore one another. Yes, in the novels, the writers firmly established that the "Seme" (especially Pat) is not at all willing to let their "Uke" top them, but I'm so grateful that the screenwriters of the TV adaptions said "screw that dynamic". In SCOY, they even had Toh asking his friends, should he take the lead, in topping Nuea. They laughed at Toh, while throughout all of his "practice sessions" with Nuea, they each found out, what they liked to do to one another. Along with the fact that Nuea, and Pat each wanted to be ravished by Toh, and Pran.
I just don't get this sort of rigidness in showing actual sexual desire between these fictional characters.
Me, too! I'm happy that more writers in BL are refusing to adhere to the strict top/bottom roles. Let everyone enjoy a little strawberry cheesecake ice cream instead of vanilla all the time.
@@j_scott I even want to say that Sky, and Jao switched up things in episode 12.
If early BL helped demystify same-sex relationships in countries that seldom had representation of same-sex relationships, maybe only now we're reaching a point where it's OK to confront stereotypes about how same-sex couples actually interact with each other in the bedroom.
Dallas, it's heteronormativity. Most BL's are written by straight women, so they maintain the Top (seme/man) and Bottom (uke/woman) dynamic. I'm Versatile, but in my last relationship, I was a seme Bottom. I wanted him, so I pursued the heck out of him and when I got him I found out that he was a Top. Again, lucky for him, I'm Versatile, so we "fit" for 4 years. 😎
@@matthewjay660 How do you know that relationship was the "last" one? Surely, if you persevere in looking, it need not be the last one. 😇
One milestone could also be the kissing: I remember the early Thai BL's having just two mouths mushed together and nothing else happening besides but now we have all of this full on snogging going on. And don't forget the 2gether high five moment, that was a milestone for let down's from the directors part.
Another one would be the discussion about equal rights when it comes to the LGTBQ+ community, as Not Me the series presented, as it was very impressive and interesting to get to know.
True... kissing has also evolved a lot as also the equal rights discussion. Hehe yeah.. that High-five was certainly a milestone, but yeah as you said, in the wrong way.
Wow really liked that you did that, always amazed that you can keep coming up with new ideas of videos to make. Bravo my friend.
Thank you. I am happy I got a platform to make a video about anything that runs in my mind. I am happy to share it here.
Sorry for coming to one of your earlier vids to comment! Had to chime in to say two things: one, handjobs are still so refreshing a thing to see in BL (which sounds absurd but is true lol), History 3: Make Our Days Count did it before KinnPorche and I was so weirdly happy when it happened lol! The other milestone I had been waiting for that was just recently crossed was mentioning PrEP in a series (Getaway the series did this). Other series have talked about safe sex, no glove no love, even HIV scares (in my gear your gown and before that in what the duck), but I always said it would feel super important when PrEP is mentioned in a BL as a real sign that the line between BL and Queer content has truly blurred. I'm here for it.
True.. it's time they should prep up some PrEP too... it will help teenagers.
So many series skip over this because there seems to be some obligation to depict both parties as virgins before they met each other. In real life, there should be conversations about sexual histories (focusing on safe sex practices) that take place before things progress to that stage. Wish they'd model that when they incorporate the Prep.
Thanks for the great video! As @Sam Tab said, I am always amazed that you keep developing such interesting ideas for your videos. To your point about Bible and Pete, that wasn’t not about S&M, that was about torture. In the teaser for for the upcoming episode I could sees a glimmer of a more realistic depiction of what a consensual S&M sexual experience could look like. But I am not expecting much. What would blow my mind, as someone in a polyamourous relationship, is seeing a triad, with an age gap, who is in to S&M. I can attest this is indeed a thing but probably not realistic to show on tv. On the new Singaporean/Thai production “Getaway” they actually show a hookup that goes awry - seeing more of that in Thai BL would be interesting. Or as @John Master said, seeing the first hook up at all (minus bulky clothes - why would people wear that in a hot, tropical climate) would be progress.
hehe Thanks, wow that would be interesting but as you said, for that we will need a really good director who knows what he is doing, else it will be a mockery only. Getaway is good, I liked all the 5 episodes, and being a gay series than a BL it feels more realistic, esp about the hookup culture.
@@blcritic I think it would be interesting if more BLs, from all over Asia, would take the chance to showcase hook up culture with those characters. The only one that I can think of, is the character that was featured in "Fish Upon The Sky".
Which one in FUTS?
@@blcritic I meant to post, "My Gear and Your Gown". The character of Pure, portrayed by Fiat.
Oh year... MGAYG, I was remembering all the characters of FUTS and was like which one.. hehe. thanks.
HIStory2: Right or Wrong- I dont know what was the age gap but he was much older..
(maybe 12 years and also had 8 years old kid). 😻 And thank you!!! great video
Also, H3:MODC had the side couple. Both of those age gaps are unlikely to arouse disapproval from outsiders once the younger party reaches 30 or 35. They are close enough to be perceived as equals in middle age.
HIStory2 Right or Wrong and MODC are both Taiwanese BL. Taiwan pushes the envelope a bit further normally than Thailand has historically. Gay marriage is legal there as well. Though both couples in question did have significant age gaps. Age gaps are common in Japanese dramas (Bl and non-BL).
True, I forgot History 2 and the story of Sun Bo and Uncle in History 3 MODC. Both had significant age difference.
Gonna bullet point this one...
--it would be a welcome surprise if all series got as far as "the first hook-up." Even now I often feel as if the hook up is implied to have happened. Last week I watched along with a Reactor doing the Pete-Kao cut of Kiss Me Again. He was sure the two had hooked up when the camera cut to them shirtless in bed the following morning. Then it was revealed both characters were wearing jeans. Jeans in bed. Jeans that they slept in. (Do real Asian people go to bed fully clothed in bulky sweaters and regular pants as often as characters in dramas do?) The Reactor found it improbable that anyone would put their jeans back on to sleep if they'd just finished the implied activity. So improbable, he became uncertain whether they'd escalated their physical relationship or not. Frankly, I found it equally ambiguous. Clothes on conveys to me that the clothes never came off.
--versatility: that this counts as a surprise annoys me as a gay man. Gay and lesbian relationships do not require one party to be the man and one to be the woman. I'd rail against the enduring prevalence of uke-seme, but I think instead I shall head over to the beach and scream at the tide for coming in. At least that way I get some sunlight.
--SCOY set that scene up earlier when the friends discussed who the top was going to be. I was gladdened they followed through on it.
--hand jobs: [historical note ahead] The idea "safe sex" was invented during the 1980s. The idea was to sell everyone, but gay men in particular, to pursue sexual acts that had less risk of transmitting the HIV virus. Thus, hand jobs rose from near-irrelevance to clear prominence amidst the pantheon of Possible Things Two People Can Do In Bed. For my generation, hand jobs were WAYYY more common than "backdoor entry." Especially in the early stages of a relationship. Thus, Mr Critic is entirely correct to highlight that scene from Gen Y 2 for its authenticity.
--SM--I appreciate the recent mentions of SM are in themselves novel. I'd also point out that people involved in SM communities consider Shades of Gray to completely misrepresent SM. The KP scenes have earned similar criticism. For these reasons, I am dubious about the upcoming series. Chances are SM will be there to titillate but not in a realistic fashion.
--Age gap: the fact that college juniors and seniors codes as an age gap at all is a stretch for me, but age gaps do occur in real life. The wider the gap, the more scorn others heap on. Especially when one party is still young. [E.g., people more likely to look askance at a 20 y.o. with a 40 y.o. than if the split is 40-60, even though the gap is 20 years in both instances.] I like BL because I enjoy depictions of young love. Still, I welcome the upcoming series highlighted here as a sign of diversity in the telling of same-sex stories.
The clothing bit has always thrown me off, too. I mean, who gets re-dressed afterward? And why? You're sticky and sweaty and there's probably a wet spot. Just stay naked. You may want a round 2, and it saves time if you're already naked.
There is a wonderful new Japanese BL, that premiered last week called "Old Fashion Cupcake" that features an age gap with their main leads. It's also placed in an office setting, and it's amazing.
@@VixenByNight72 is it wonderful enough I should watch one episode at a time, week-to-week? Or should I binge it just ahead of the finale?
@@j_scott I endorse every reason you cited. I see the redressing as a retreat from implying that a series endorses casual sex. Almost like self-censorship. (Or, in the case of Advance Bravely, actual censorship.)
@@VixenByNight72 I just started that one, and I also it's really good. I like where it's going so far. :)
Your videos just never fail to satisfy me. Till now, i didnt know that bl and gay series had any differences but i guess now they do.
Thank you
Critic, John Master, & Dallas, It pleased me to no end to see Pat & Pran be Versatile with each other because it completely breaks heteronormativity. Gays are NOT just Tops and Bottoms. There are people, like me, whom are Versatile. I was like, "Finally! People just like me represented on TV! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻" Also, there is another type of Gay that they have NEVER featured in any BL: the Side, oral only.
Finally, the Vers ones are getting recognition, the Sides... don't know if ever they'll be recognized.
My Secret Love ep 4 game me an unexpected pleasure this week, though it had naught to do with skinship. Rather, the source was one of those much-maligned, embedded product placements. For whatever reason, the spectacle of a BL character walking into a Taco Bell restaurant, consulting a very visible menu, and then ordering a taco combo meal* delighted me all out of proportion to the simplicity of the act or the banality of a commercial embedded into a series with hackneyed dialog touting the product being placed. (The episode's later Taco Bell scene, which merely depicted two character eating food, had no unusual impact on me.)
Did anyone else (likely Americans accustomed to inundation with Taco Bell ads) find themselves unexpectedly charmed by this sequence?
*--imagined conversation between sponsor and producer.
P: "So, in the scenes set in your restaurant, what would you like us to show? Usually, we just have the camera linger on the food. Maybe someone will say how delicious it is."
TB: "Umm, we think the unfamiliarity of our cuisine is an issue. Could you instead show a character ordering our most popular item? Oh, and somehow convey the fact we have multiple locations around the city. Oh, and it would be swell if you can work the Party Pack into the shot."
Surprising? Sure. I think I was more surprised that the character seemed to be eating fries. I wish my Taco Bell had fries.
I can't remember another show that focused on a restaurant/fast food like that. Maybe Honey Puppy Love?
I noticed that scene as well. I loved it, because it actually fit with the storyline of Bomb having a part-time job, with the fact that after his character, along with Akk from "Enchante", Porsche in "KinnPorsche", and Wai in "Bad Buddy" are the only college aged students (that I can recall) in a BL that were written to have to have a job, so that they could earn money.
@@j_scott K-dramas visit Subway fairly often. But I cannot offhand recall another instance of a series having a character place a specific order like that.They just cut to the characters eating the food. [Actors, pretending to eat...] Del Taco has fries on its menu, but Taco Bell is more erratic. I wondered whether international Taco Bell 🔔 menus feature fries because local customers expect fries from American restaurants?
John, I guffawed too at this scene. I was over at my best friends' house this weekend. They're married to each other, and I showed my female bestie Bear in Taco Bell with Bomb and I told her, "Oh look! Taco Bell is in Thailand now. But it makes sense because it's owned by PepsiCo and PepsiCo owns KFC and KFC has been in Thailand for years now, so it's only logical that Taco Bell's there now. Pizza Hut will be next." She said, "Makes sense. Don't people over there love fried chicken?"
Americans and Taco Bell !
“Television is one of the most important platforms for creating awareness and advancing understanding between people, race, gender, and culture.” James Burrows, U.S. TV director.
Mr Critic, I have a book recommendation for you. It's a memoir called "Directed by James Burrows." James Burrows is probably the most legendary director ever for US television sitcoms. (Probably the only TV director whose name I know off the top of my head.) While I don't have the sense your job includes directing, his four decades of experience in the TV industry includes creating shows, casting shows, working with writers, actors, and set designers. I'd wager anyone working in the TV industry could glean something useful from it, even if you'd never seen any of the series he's famous for. (That includes every episode of Will & Grace, so there's a "gay" connection.)
Burrows guested on Jimmy Kimmel Live last Friday, and Kimmel dedicated 26 minutes to that interview, which is exorbitant for a late night talk show. That interview is now on RUclips so watch the interview then decide if the book appeals to you. (Search: "Legendary Director James Burrows..." On YT channel Jimmy Kimmel Live.) The interview includes a discussion of what makes for a perfect pilot.
So I will read the book from affection for the series namechecked in the subtitle, but as I said at the outset, I think it offers something to anyone working in television, regardless of the country.
KIMMEL, in the interview: ..."the most educational book I ever read on television."
WASHINGTON POST book review (6/11/22): "...a great primer for what a comedy director does."
And the opening quote also explains why I think BL series have importance in their domestic cultural contexts. Visibility matters!
wow Thank you so much. I just it's a new book, published in 2022, and the cover includes a tube television right? I will buy it tomorrow. I love reading books. Thanks once again.
I'll check the YT also.
@@blcritic Yes, that is the cover. Yes, published in 2022. (The Kimmel appearance was to plug the book. Lol) And the title of the book is in yellow script "on screen" of the TV. (Actually, it's the font and color used by the series Cheers, which was the first series I ever saw every episode of from its original air date to its last--a feat possible in the 1980s due to the invention of the VCR.) It's available in e-book format, too. The five series name checked in the subtitle are among the most influential in the history of American television. I figured it would make a good read for my vacation in August, but I may read it this week.
I am buying it now. Just wanted to confirm. Actually I have new yr resolution of reading one book a month, however, i have finished over 15 till now. This one would be a good one to read.
I may have not seen all of the classic BLs and I am not up to date with most of the current airing BLs either. Thus, I may have missed the milestones that I am going to discuss. If so then please let me apologize now. Also, I am more comfortable with the terms top/bottom versus seme/uke within this comment so thank you for your understanding. I will be using quite of bit of euphemism with this comment in the hopes of avoiding the Tubee's censors.
Height differences are noticeable in many BLs. The top is usually the taller and/or more muscular of the two (one exception Max & Tul). Call It What You Want makes references to this as the actor who plays the top is on a strict diet and must have a certain physical look and the actor who plays the bottom does not have to meet this standard. There are a large number of couples who are roughly the same height too. I can only think of Pete (Saint) and Ae (Perth) where the top is noticeably shorter. Where are my shorter tops at? Height should not be a indicator of top or bottom roles. Examining why this is with BL dramas and non-BL dramas could lead to an interesting conversation.
SCOY does show a role switch with Toh and Nuea. I would like to see the softer/shyer character (normally identified as the bottom) take on the role of the top more often. This would be the character that when described by female writers in heteronormative terms appears slightly more feminine or would be the character most fujoshi fantasize themselves replacing. I wonder how a certain segment of the BL fan base would react.
One milestone that has been touched on but not fully explored is safe s$x (now referred to as an intense physical discussion). Certain intense physical discussions require preparation. TharnType and KinnPorsche both show the tube of "moisturizer" (euphemism) but fail to use it. Getaway's leads discuss the use of Prep but the actual conversation stops there. SCOY, Why R U, and Dark Blue Kiss (just to name a few) show only the "raincoat". Tharn and Type go in for "testing" but only after the intense physical discussion has already occurred. I might be asking for too much here but I want the discussion of tests and medicine etc. to occur prior to the use of the raincoat and moisturizer (which needs to be used together). Call me a spontaneity and romance killer if you want. ;)
Side note (random fact): In the above video, the object when the camera pans away is the infamous cup of ice from TharnType (obviously as that was the point of the clip). If you have not read the book then you may not know that the ice served another function then just adding some spice to the kissing. It served as the moisturizer which I absolutely do not recommend as a medical professional.
😄🤣😂😆 Loving your use of euphemisms in describing things/topics that need to be focused on, in these BLs. I personally think, that IF a BL is going to have scenes, depicting these characters engaging in having sex/making love, we need to see ALL the raincoats, and moisturizers used. Even if they make a joke, about not knowing exactly how to use it, those scenes may be helpful, to someone watching the series.
As for the ice being used as a moisturizer, that's when I knew the individual who wrote that scene, literally had no clue about sex at all.
@@VixenByNight72 Thank you. Mame showed how clueless she is with certain subjects for sure. :)
About Ht difference, well most of the series which are based on manga and webtoon explicitly describe the ht of each leads on the beginning, Cherry Blossoms after winter and Semantic Error being the examples and a lot of people went gaga about it. As most of the BL books are written by women, and they still got the notion that women are shorter than men, which is not the case, apply that to make it more romantic.
And even though I am not a medical professional, I also do not recommend anything like ice... that's the worst thing to do.
@@blcritic You touched on the thought about height that I had as well. I do believe that female BL writers intentionally make the tops taller than the bottoms. Same thought process for hetero romance where the man is taller than the women. It's ingrained in American society for sure that men should be taller than a women in heels. I was most certainly raised to believe that needed to be the case. I understand people have preferences but it's interesting to discuss the prevalence.
What a fabulous comment. How did I miss it at the time?
Great video. Thank you. What is the series with the 3 guys? I recognise one from tossara I think. 🥰
The series is an upcoming one called 'Art Adore En' the series
@@blcritic thank you😊
Did you see Love Mechanics revamped version (new ). I am glad they expanded upon the original story. Both War & Yin are really good . This version is 18+ but it's not too much. War looks older now.
I am yet to watch that... eventually I have to, but so far still pushing it further... not much hyped.
People are hassling you about the clearly non consensual S&M scenes between Vegas, and his kidnapped victim Pete?! 🙄
The interactions between Pete and Vegas in episodes 10 and 11 of KP are not S&M (as you pointed out). Sadomasochism is always consensual at its very core.otherwise it is just assault. Pete is tortured pure and simple. He is a bodyguard for a crime family and went in with the knowledge that if captured he would be tortured and unalived. Pete and the audience should expect the torture. Case in point is Ken.
Now, Vegas might be a sadist and Pete might be a closet masochist. Time will tell. Pete was not enjoying the belt beating. His goal has changed from unalive me quick to wanting to get out alive to protect his grandmother. The color of the scenes is very telling in this regard.
hehe... not that, but in one of my earlier videos I mentioned about that, and those who read the VegasPete story corrected me.
The only video I got a lot of negative comment is my Thai BL 101: how to be a BL actor, where I talked about how fair skin and western mix race is a shortcut to popularity.. .and I was even questioned about my upbringing because of that video. However till today I stand by it as those are the things I experienced while working in the lakorn genre of popular channels and saw the same in BL too.
@@blcritic Hell, even I noticed how dark skinned performers (not in lead roles), in previous BLs that I have watched, are 9 times out of 10 used in the roles of the pick-pocket, the random attacker, and/or the individual that is deemed "undesirable".
As for the further development of Pete and Vegas, we will see what happens in the TV adaption.
The lakorns are even worse, they are still doing the remakes from the 70s-80s and it is all dark skinned ones are for comic relief or negative ones, and the western mix fair skinned ones are the leads.
Thanks for this information. 😝
hehe... something new...
When they showed us the cactus in Manner of death, I was like WTH? I don´t care about the cactus😂.Pat and Pran were partners, not wife and husband, I really liked that 👍👍. And the scenes after...when they are all clothes, they are hilarious and stupid. Tin and Sarawat are a great example. And I hope, I will be able to watch Unforgotten night, cuz I like that actor Yoon.KinnPorsche is something very refreshing😉😉
I have just seen the first episode of Unforgotten night. Disappointing. A few drops of red wax, a few listless strokes of the whip. this was something for the housewife for afternoon tea. Dude, if you want to learn how to hit, go to Vegas by Kinnporsche! No suspense, little eroticism. Nice parents, heartbreak, endless crying. The story died over all the office gossip, crying into the cocktail glass and having parents feel sorry for him. I always give a series a chance for 3 episodes. Let's see if they remember at some point that they promised BDSM and not a love story.
Hehe Beate...'something for housewife for afternoon tea'... but I agree, Unforgotten Night is Disappointing, and I do not think I can continue further form the first episode. So poorly done. The actors look uncomfortable and need a course in acting. They somehow spent a bit on the series, it is not a low budget one, I wonder why they didn't on the script and acting coaches.
@@blcritic They repeat everything I find annoying about Thai series. So often I think "Hello, how long am I supposed to watch someone crying, being hugged by their parents, sitting at the counter and giggling like nevish secretaries (one of them was nice in "until we meet again", but I don't need funny girls in a BDSM series) Cut!" Long-winded narration, awkward actors who have no attraction for each other and for me. Oh, Vegas, the show would be very different with Bible. Not with this babyface who's supposed to be a badass mob boss.
Things will change... a lot of BLs failed and will fail this year. It is not 2018-2019 that everything they offer will be accepted by BL deprived fans, now we got too many options to choose from.
@@blcritic if the series are to go more in the direction of action and dark atmosphere, then maybe they need to get a few specialists from Japan or Korea so that they don't make such gross mistakes as they did with Kinnporsche. The actors really have sporting potential, the cameramen, the costume designers, lighting, scenery, great. But standing in each other's line of fire, bodyguards who behave like a troupe at a children's birthday party and have less idea of tactics than I do and fall into every case, no matter how obvious, that still needs to be improved. Maybe then there will be more men like in Kinnporsche and not boys who have not yet shaved for the first time.
I salute the writer and the BOC of kinnPorsche the series for making the NC scene really natural as the gay relationship with the mafia leader this series has opened my mind coz all the BL I watch it’s always they cut all the NC scene. I know there’s a parental guidance but hey … you’re watching BL it should include that not too bold but there must be some skin coz it’s a gay relationship we’re watching. I’m just really happy that other series making it more a Real life story BL but for me I’m still choosing nice story line with good acting of the main lead coz that’s the most important so can feel their love, pain or relationship.I know that every BL has their own thing waiting to be explore.🫶🏻❤️