BL Drama Lovers Club

Ok, I know there are so many new shows to talk about today but it’s still morning for me so I’m not ready to tackle them yet. I have been thinking a lot about Contrast and I want to comment before we move on.

First, if the age gap relationship bothers you, you have every right to feel that way. In real life, I hate the idea of people who take advantage of any power differential to gain sex. If this were real life, i would probably find it upsetting.

That being said, it bothered me at first in the show but the more I thought about it the less upset I became. It is not clear if they started sleeping together right away, or waited at least a little while. I also know age of consent in Japan was like 14 until pretty recently, so they may have a different idea about consent at a younger age.

In the show, I really thought both characters benefited from the relationship. The younger one gained acceptance and guidance and an example of someone living a gay life free from self-loathing. They both gained comfort and a substitute for a boyfriend they couldn’t have. I know the younger one felt guilty once he fell in love again, like he was dirty or impure. I believe the older one wasn’t trying to take advantage as much as sooth himself. No, it wasn’t right that the older brother didn’t know what was going on, but maybe he wouldn’t have accepted it, so they felt they had no other choice.

It was annoying that it took til the very end to see them as a real couple, but they already admitted their feelings before that, just not so directly. But it felt like they knew they loved each other for awhile. I don’t mind unofficial couples when it’s clear to both how the other feels, and we’re just waiting for them to make it official.

I hate dead fish kisses, but they’re still better than no kisses. Lots of great JBLs and KBLs have no kisses or dead fish only, and I tolerate it for a moving or cute story. (I get most annoyed with dead fish kisses when the same people have real kissing at another point in the show. Then it just makes no sense to me.)

I binge-watched Contrast and it kept me engaged throughout. I love a good “opposites attract” and I enjoyed the self-discovery and healing arcs of the characters. I felt like their struggles were realistic and relatable. It kept me thinking and I was never bored. I didn’t find it profound or as deep as some other JBLs, but because I enjoyed the experience so much I gave it an extra point. So for me it was an 8.5.

I realize I can tolerate a lot more than most people and still really enjoy a show. Also, I can watch a lot of questionable to toxic behavior and still really like it. Sometimes I’m surprised by what upsets me the most.

Usually I’m really upset by human trafficking (but I still watch it.) if children (younger than teenagers) are involved in anything sexual, I can’t watch, although I was ok with the child sexual abuse storyline in love like a bike,so maybe it depends how it’s depicted. Lots of stories have homophobia storylines and they upset me every time. I’m even more bothered my homophobia humor. I can watch non-con behavior, but the more realistic the point of view of the victim, the harder it is to watch. Also if the story is very realistic in general. Lots of shows with extreme storylines don’t feel realistic to me, so it can still be fun for me even when toxic things are depicted.

One reason many people like watching toxic shows is because it’s a safe way to explore situations which are scary in real life. I love shows with toxic characters if the toxic character is devoted to one person. Players usually make me uncomfortable although not always.

Ok my thoughts seem to be all over the place today so I’ll stop writing.

I have a ton to watch today anyway, so I’d better get started.

dora:

Tina:

Does anyone know where to watch the complete Private Galaxy? People are saying it's on YouTube somewhere but idk where... That there are 8 more episodes before the 4 eps released. Idk 😐

Private Galaxy—full series

Thanks a lot!

dora:

Fake Fact Lips

I am really loving this even though it is nothing amazing.

Ditto.

I also have special tingly feelings toward Sato Yusuke from his past role in "Mr. Unlucky" (below).

dora:

I enjoyed the self-discovery and healing arcs of the characters. I felt like their struggles were realistic and relatable. It kept me thinking

dora:

I realize I can tolerate a lot more than most people and still really enjoy a show. Also, I can watch a lot of questionable to toxic behavior and still really like it.

Same and I also gave it a 8.5

p43425:

Ditto.

I also have special tingly feelings toward Sato Yusuke from his past role in "Mr. Unlucky" (below).

I am loving it too, and after watching the first episode of First Fact Lips I had to rewatch Mr Unlucky 😁

GeetaChavan:

sameeee infact I am watching only for rome and raffy I skip other couples scenes

I understand. For the other couples’ scenes, I’m usually doing something else at the same time, but when Rome and Raffy show up, I go back to full screen and full concentration.

I already watched all my currently airing BLs for today and it's just past 8 PM maybe I will find another BL novel to read since I've finished Love Syndrome book 4 yesterday or watch non BL (My Royal Nemesis or Prefect Crown).

Portugalia67:

dora:

RXinw:

They are definitely on a roll!

Can we name all these dramas? I know some are repeats but I don’t recognize them all. Also I can’t read Chinese.

yes please, I don't recognize half of them, anyone can help here?

I don't have them all

From left to right

1 Bittersweet Love

2 3 Journey with you

4 Double helix

5 Revenged love

6 7 ABO Desire

8 You Ta Shi Kong

9 10 Kill to love

11 12 To my Shore

13 Sammy’s children's day

14 Feel what you feel

15 Lost to you

16 The gaze

ETA : Now I need to find the missing ones or I won't be able to sleep 😆 Found them all !

I just saw that He Chang Xi and He Yan Zhao of Sammy’s children's day were going to Cannes.

Tiffany:

Found them all !

Thank you! :-D

Finished watching See Your Love. It was so cute, funny, and romantic... and also a bit steamier than I expected. Those men did not come to play. I really enjoyed it!

Next up, has anyone here seen Fight For You?