Interesting thoughts here. So I have a question for you. If a BL couple is not delivering the desired performance…
Actually, I think Bright and Win did a good job in the first ten episodes. Like many here, I loved the Sarawat-Tine storyline early on. But once they agreed to become lovers, something happened, and Bright and Win inexplicably disconnected in the last two episodes. Nobody seems to know why. But if it’s not the fault of the production team (I don’t think it is), then what is it? Fear of male intimacy is just one of many theories. I suggested it because their behavior in the last two episodes had all the markings of guys that were uncomfortable in each others arms. I watched the full body contact between Man and Type and wondered why Bright and Win never did that. Mike and Toptap melted into each other but Bright and Win didn't. But I don’t know if a director can magically create romantic screen chemistry where there is none. I don’t know if a screen test for romantic compatibility or even a workshop would have helped here because I don’t believe Bright ever intended to do any intimate physical expressions of romance.
I’m not sure the problems between Bright and Win can be blamed on the director, the editor, the writer, casting crew, or GMMTV. The director was careless in the last two episodes; e.g., a high-five is not what lovers do. Bright disengaged in the last two episodes and the director never got him back in character. Another theory is that the editor botched Sarawat-Tine scenes which made them look artificially awkward. But why would the editor single out and sabotage Sarawat-Tine scenes but leave the side couple scenes intact? Others blame the writer. The late introduction of Sarawat’s ex crush was annoying but had nothing to do with the lack of romantic chemistry between Bright and Win because there was none. The writer did stray too far from the novel though. Others suggest that GMMTV censors are to blame; e.g., Bright and Win weren’t allowed to show physical affection. But GMMTV allowed two kiss scenes and two cuddle scenes. That’s enough. The side couples had neither yet still managed to create better romantic screen chemistry than Bright and Win. GMMTV had no effect on screen chemistry.
I think Win was miscast. In a traditional seme-uke BL universe, Bright and Win would be classified as semes. Seme-seme relationships are difficult to manage because they don’t translate across media screens as well as traditional male-female or seme-uke relationships. Romance works best as a union of opposites. Tine in the novel is a prototypical uke. Win is nothing like him. Win is super masculine. He’s no uke. Should I blame casting for this; e.g., the same person that surrounded Bright and Win with a stellar cast? No. As soon as Win signed on the dotted line, he assumed joint responsibility for the fate of this drama. He was obligated to learn the seme-uke BL construct. If he did, it certainly didn’t show.
My theory is that the awkward behavior between Bright and Win in the last two episodes was caused by a juvenile and irrational fear of male intimacy. I also think Bright disengaged in the last two episodes because he did not want to deal with the male intimacy that was to come.
I don’t understand how the side couples managed to survive all this apparent ineptitude. They not only survived it, they thrived in it. They maintained excellent romantic screen chemistry throughout. Mike was a fantastic working class seme. Little Drake transformed into a very charismatic young seme. If not for Fluke (uwma), Toptap would be the best uke in BL. Frank is also a good uke. So why was the Sarawat-Tine couple the only one to implode? Except for Bright and Win, the others are BL veterans, even if not a featured couple. They understand and are comfortable with the BL construct. That could be the reason the side couples were so endearing. In the end, reasons don't matter. Bright and Win must take responsibility too. They were paid to do a job and left it undone.
P.S. I know some don't like the traditional yaoi male gender classification system of semes and ukes, but almost all BL is based on this system. Even if it exists in a real world contemporary gay relationship, there is no such thing as versatile in a yaoi universe. Seme and uke are states of mind. A seme doesn't stop being a seme just because he accommodates his uke. And vice versa. This is why it is so difficult to present a seme-seme relationship using a traditional seme-uke construct.
I don't know, but I don't think the girl will succeed in breaking them up, but they'll need to find an excuse…
So you heard that the new season of My Engineer will feature Thara-Frong and Ram-King storylines, and, that Bohn-Duen and Mek-Boss will be reduced to side couples? I don't know. I can understand why Mek-Boss might get dropped since Mek might not be rehired and the Mek-Boss romance is in full bloom, but why drop the Bohn-Duen storyline? I know fans are somewhat schizophrenic about this couple but their popularity is actually peaking at the moment. Unless Cooper and/or Poy is unavailable next season. We will know if your sources are accurate next week. If they are, the Bohn-Duen storyline must conclude next week.
To be honest, it’s hard to believe. I don’t doubt your sources but the program changes you mention, even if hearsay, are not minor. Those are structural changes. I’m just not seeing it. Dropping two of four popular BL couples? Wouldn’t that reduce enthusiasm for, and interfere with the promotion of, a second season? Those changes seem drastic to me, even risky.
I accept the fact that Ryan Peng is unlikely to continue in the role of Mek. I just don't like it. Can you imagine the disappointment if King (Lay Talay) is replaced and Ram (Perth) is partnered with a new King? If you can imagine it then you know how I feel.
Bohn a cheater? No. He behaved exactly the way you would expect a lover to behave. He is no gentleman; he's annoying and juvenile. But I have never doubted his love for Duen.
2020 has been a good year for Lay Talay and it just keeps getting better. BL gods and BL fans are loving this guy.
Is it possible that My Engineer will go down in history as one of the few BL dramas where a girl actually succeeds in breaking up a BL couple? That would be ironic. The reason that yaoi (BL is a live version of yaoi) was created by the Japanese fujoshis in the first place was to provide a fantasy land where women could escape their daily misery and celebrate fantasies of beautiful young males in erotic and/or romantic relationships. A heart-broken Mek wandering around mourning his lost love while Boss and Fon ride off into the sunset is certainly possible, especially if Mek is not expected to return next season, but I doubt that will happen. The stated purpose of yaoi is to escape misery, not wallow in it. This is why BL dramas have happy endings. How can broken BL and a distraught Mek make anyone happy? A bad or sad ending would not only undermine the entire yaoi/BL construct, it would anger Mek-Boss shippers everywhere. In addition, I can’t see Boss leaving a stable relationship with a doting lover like Mek for an uncertain future with Fon. But I don’t blame her for chasing Boss. She likes him and she doesn’t know he’s in love with Mek. The heart is a lonely hunter (Carson McCullers) so it is always looking for love. As a result, we chase those we like and we live with the consequences.
I am really interested to see what they do with the Mek-Boss-Fon love triangle. The outcome will tell us a lot about Mek’s future with this drama, and unfortunately Boss’s future as well. If their relationship ends well, either both come back for season 2 or neither will. Some will disagree but I don’t think Ryan or Inntouch is replaceable. In fact, neither is Cooper, Poy, Lay, Perth, Shane or MD. Fan bases are fickle and can be quite cruel to replacements.
The Ryan Peng saga is so confusing. According to some, the meek and mild-mannered young man we see on screen is very different from the real Ryan Peng. But I don't believe that. I will always believe that Ryan is a good guy. I like all the couples but Mek and Boss are my favorite so I hope both of them return in season 2.
Bohn and Duen live in a level-3 parallel universe anyway but why all the drama over a kiss on the cheek that never connected? Bohn didn't allow himself to be kissed. Nor did he kiss back. And he made it clear that he wasn’t interested. He did nothing wrong. He can’t control the behavior of others. He can only control his response to their behavior. Without knowing the truth, Duen will never be satisfied but how can he know the truth if he won't listen to Bohn? Because there is no adult in the room their relationship is stalled by a simple misunderstanding.
Sorry if I am not aware of this. (I googled it and can't seem to find any) Can you please give a link to an article/report…
What I know of Ryan's dismissal can be found here, in the comment section: https://kisskh.at/people/40569-raf-peng-junjie. I am a Mek-Boss fan and have no personal or inside knowledge of his firing or his current status with either his agency or the production team. It is my understanding that he completed all episodes of season one and was then fired. According to the two posters above, he was fired by his agency (not by Tencent). As far as I know, he is not scheduled to appear in season 2, which is why I am trying to encourage all parties to work out their differences, so that he can. If he is still on good terms with the Tencent production team, that works in his favor and increases his chances for season two. If you need more information, you should contact someone who has intimate knowledge of his situation. I don't. I couldn't even find his Instagram . I don't know if season two has been confirmed. I've read comments that it has been announced.
One last thing. Because Ryan's not talking, we do not yet know both sides of the story. It would be helpful, if for no other reason than to satisfy our curiosity, to hear from him. With only one side of the story in circulation, I don't know what to believe. But as I stated above, I don't really care why Ryan was fired or who did it. I just want reconciliation so that he can get his job back. If there is a second season and if its true that he got on well with the production team and with Inntouch (Boss), then he just needs to find a new agency or work out his differences with his previous agency, and then plead with the production company to take him back.
The most popular reason for Ryan Peng’s dismissal apparently involved a failure to show up on time for fan meetings. I know fan meetings are a primary means of recouping investment but I don’t believe Ryan’s absence significantly affected ticket sales or attendance. The thing that baffles me is this. In this age of telecommunication, it’s so easy to work around an absence. For example, Skype and a large projector screen would satisfy fans. This is a commonly used Plan B when something goes wrong in the business world. Considering his unique circumstances (he lives in China), why was he not exempted from fan meetings altogether, or, at least required to attend fewer of them. This situation should never have devolved into My Way or The Highway. Both parties had options and neither party pursued them.
Why would a production studio negotiate or compromise at all when the actor is under a contractual obligation to attend fan meetings? Of course they don’t have to. They can fire the actor for breach of contract (as they did). However, the success of My Engineer changed everything. There is now incentive and a financial reason to sort this. A successful season two is riding on it. Yes, I know a new season will happen whether Ryan is there or not, but, Mek-Boss fans won’t like it. They might not open their hearts so easily to a new Mek. Ryan’s absence won’t cause cancellation or major reductions in the show’s popularity or ratings, but it will affect them. If he returns next season, even a slight decrease in popularity or ratings is unlikely. Who cares about a slight decrease in ratings? Investors care. Sponsors care. They are far more likely to open their wallets if the original cast returns intact for season two. No one likes risk, even minimal risk, if it can be avoided.
Even if he requires special attention, a nanny, or a Thai language tutor, do it. He and Inntouch have proved their worth in the best way possible. Fans love them. Remember, the success of this drama benefited Ryan as well. It increased his profile. It increased his marketability. It increased his social media viewers. It increased his popularity with girls (especially fujoshis,, but, they are more likely to find him a cute boyfriend than date him). Ryan must take advantage of this opportunity because he may never get another chance. BL has opened the door for many young Thai actors. BL has made it easier to start an acting career in Thailand than China. So Ryan has reasons to be on his best behavior. Whatever caused him to get fired in season one won’t happen in season two.
This may appear to be a personal campaign but there are many Mek-Boss fans that agree with me. Bring back Ryan Peng.
Knowing that Ryan Peng (Mek) has been fired, fans are wondering how the Mek-Boss storyline will unfold in season two. Here’s a thought. Bring back Ryan Peng. Mek-Boss fans would welcome him back with open arms.
Do you really think Ryan wants to pass up an opportunity to advance his career and fatten his bank account? Do you really think Tencent Thailand wants to risk casting a new actor in the role of Mek just as his storyline is becoming popular? Ryan is Mek. No one does it better. Ryan and Inntouch have excellent romantic screen chemistry. I hear so many rumors. I don’t know what to believe. But good businessmen don’t pass up good opportunities simply because of a few hurt feelings or because a line in a contract got bent a little. The first Ryan Peng-Tencent partnership was successful. Why change it now? Just apologize and reconcile. It is in both their interests to settle their differences like adults. If both parties want it enough, it will get done. Bring us a second season of this wonderful drama. Show us this love. I promise we will give it back.
If reconciliation happens, Ryan’s reputation gets restored and his career is back on track. The dark cloud that hung over Tencent Thailand this season (Ryan Peng’s dismissal) will vanish and fans won’t have to wonder whether it will happen again next season. Tencent Thailand cannot afford to fire a second main actor. Ram-King, Bohn-Duen, and Frong-Thara fans will rise in revolt if one half of their favorite couple is fired and/or replaced.
Regarding Bohn and Duen, it is okay to like or dislike one or both. It is okay to like or dislike their storyline. BL is an art form and art is subjective. It’s just a reflection of our own unique artistic temperament and personal taste. Artistic temperament is immune to reason. “I like them because I like them" or "I just don't like them at all" is reason enough. Of course a BL drama should be technically sound if it wishes to present a coherent storyline, but it doesn't have to. Technical flaws irritate experts and critics but some viewers are not bothered by them at all. They just enjoy the experience. So there is no need to defend a preference because there is no right or wrong in personal taste. It just is. Therefore, it's futile to try to force others to replace their personal taste with our own. I do, but, It was inevitable that some people wouldn't like this couple.
Ryan should try to get his job back. Tencent is a powerful conglomerate and doesn’t need him but Ryan is a newbie and he needs Tencent. The two are in dispute but it is not a fair fight. Tencent holds all the cards but Ryan does have some leverage. Judging from Twitter, MDL, and Youtube, fans have fallen in love with the Boss-Mek storyline and if there is a second season these fans will want Ryan to continue in the role of Mek. If he doesn’t return, the Boss-Mek storyline will end because there is not another Mek in the world. Fans will not accept his replacement. Ryan is the only Mek. He and Inntouch form a perfect union of opposites; e.g., the odd couple that makes no sense but is loved anyway. I think the meek, humble, lovable dork that lives to love and dote on his beloved Boss, is a reflection of his real life status as an outsider. The fact that he is uncomfortable with Thai language and culture adds a layer of vulnerability to his portrayal of Mek that a native Thai actor could not duplicate.
He should instruct his manager to reach out to Tencent about a return to the show and he should do it now while the Boss-Mek storyline is insanely popular. If his manger can’t work this out with Tencent, while he still has some leverage, Ryan will miss a golden opportunity to advance his career and his reputation as an actor with attitude could take years to repair.
I think Win was miscast. In a traditional seme-uke BL universe, Bright and Win would be classified as semes. Seme-seme relationships are difficult to manage because they don’t translate across media screens as well as traditional male-female or seme-uke relationships. Romance works best as a union of opposites. Tine in the novel is a prototypical uke. Win is nothing like him. Win is super masculine. He’s no uke. Should I blame casting for this; e.g., the same person that surrounded Bright and Win with a stellar cast? No. As soon as Win signed on the dotted line, he assumed joint responsibility for the fate of this drama. He was obligated to learn the seme-uke BL construct. If he did, it certainly didn’t show.
My theory is that the awkward behavior between Bright and Win in the last two episodes was caused by a juvenile and irrational fear of male intimacy. I also think Bright disengaged in the last two episodes because he did not want to deal with the male intimacy that was to come.
I don’t understand how the side couples managed to survive all this apparent ineptitude. They not only survived it, they thrived in it. They maintained excellent romantic screen chemistry throughout. Mike was a fantastic working class seme. Little Drake transformed into a very charismatic young seme. If not for Fluke (uwma), Toptap would be the best uke in BL. Frank is also a good uke. So why was the Sarawat-Tine couple the only one to implode? Except for Bright and Win, the others are BL veterans, even if not a featured couple. They understand and are comfortable with the BL construct. That could be the reason the side couples were so endearing. In the end, reasons don't matter. Bright and Win must take responsibility too. They were paid to do a job and left it undone.
P.S. I know some don't like the traditional yaoi male gender classification system of semes and ukes, but almost all BL is based on this system. Even if it exists in a real world contemporary gay relationship, there is no such thing as versatile in a yaoi universe. Seme and uke are states of mind. A seme doesn't stop being a seme just because he accommodates his uke. And vice versa. This is why it is so difficult to present a seme-seme relationship using a traditional seme-uke construct.
To be honest, it’s hard to believe. I don’t doubt your sources but the program changes you mention, even if hearsay, are not minor. Those are structural changes. I’m just not seeing it. Dropping two of four popular BL couples? Wouldn’t that reduce enthusiasm for, and interfere with the promotion of, a second season? Those changes seem drastic to me, even risky.
I accept the fact that Ryan Peng is unlikely to continue in the role of Mek. I just don't like it. Can you imagine the disappointment if King (Lay Talay) is replaced and Ram (Perth) is partnered with a new King? If you can imagine it then you know how I feel.
Bohn a cheater? No. He behaved exactly the way you would expect a lover to behave. He is no gentleman; he's annoying and juvenile. But I have never doubted his love for Duen.
2020 has been a good year for Lay Talay and it just keeps getting better. BL gods and BL fans are loving this guy.
I am really interested to see what they do with the Mek-Boss-Fon love triangle. The outcome will tell us a lot about Mek’s future with this drama, and unfortunately Boss’s future as well. If their relationship ends well, either both come back for season 2 or neither will. Some will disagree but I don’t think Ryan or Inntouch is replaceable. In fact, neither is Cooper, Poy, Lay, Perth, Shane or MD. Fan bases are fickle and can be quite cruel to replacements.
The Ryan Peng saga is so confusing. According to some, the meek and mild-mannered young man we see on screen is very different from the real Ryan Peng. But I don't believe that. I will always believe that Ryan is a good guy. I like all the couples but Mek and Boss are my favorite so I hope both of them return in season 2.
Bohn and Duen live in a level-3 parallel universe anyway but why all the drama over a kiss on the cheek that never connected? Bohn didn't allow himself to be kissed. Nor did he kiss back. And he made it clear that he wasn’t interested. He did nothing wrong. He can’t control the behavior of others. He can only control his response to their behavior. Without knowing the truth, Duen will never be satisfied but how can he know the truth if he won't listen to Bohn? Because there is no adult in the room their relationship is stalled by a simple misunderstanding.
One last thing. Because Ryan's not talking, we do not yet know both sides of the story. It would be helpful, if for no other reason than to satisfy our curiosity, to hear from him. With only one side of the story in circulation, I don't know what to believe. But as I stated above, I don't really care why Ryan was fired or who did it. I just want reconciliation so that he can get his job back. If there is a second season and if its true that he got on well with the production team and with Inntouch (Boss), then he just needs to find a new agency or work out his differences with his previous agency, and then plead with the production company to take him back.
Why would a production studio negotiate or compromise at all when the actor is under a contractual obligation to attend fan meetings? Of course they don’t have to. They can fire the actor for breach of contract (as they did). However, the success of My Engineer changed everything. There is now incentive and a financial reason to sort this. A successful season two is riding on it. Yes, I know a new season will happen whether Ryan is there or not, but, Mek-Boss fans won’t like it. They might not open their hearts so easily to a new Mek. Ryan’s absence won’t cause cancellation or major reductions in the show’s popularity or ratings, but it will affect them. If he returns next season, even a slight decrease in popularity or ratings is unlikely. Who cares about a slight decrease in ratings? Investors care. Sponsors care. They are far more likely to open their wallets if the original cast returns intact for season two. No one likes risk, even minimal risk, if it can be avoided.
Even if he requires special attention, a nanny, or a Thai language tutor, do it. He and Inntouch have proved their worth in the best way possible. Fans love them. Remember, the success of this drama benefited Ryan as well. It increased his profile. It increased his marketability. It increased his social media viewers. It increased his popularity with girls (especially fujoshis,, but, they are more likely to find him a cute boyfriend than date him). Ryan must take advantage of this opportunity because he may never get another chance. BL has opened the door for many young Thai actors. BL has made it easier to start an acting career in Thailand than China. So Ryan has reasons to be on his best behavior. Whatever caused him to get fired in season one won’t happen in season two.
This may appear to be a personal campaign but there are many Mek-Boss fans that agree with me. Bring back Ryan Peng.
Do you really think Ryan wants to pass up an opportunity to advance his career and fatten his bank account? Do you really think Tencent Thailand wants to risk casting a new actor in the role of Mek just as his storyline is becoming popular? Ryan is Mek. No one does it better. Ryan and Inntouch have excellent romantic screen chemistry. I hear so many rumors. I don’t know what to believe. But good businessmen don’t pass up good opportunities simply because of a few hurt feelings or because a line in a contract got bent a little. The first Ryan Peng-Tencent partnership was successful. Why change it now? Just apologize and reconcile. It is in both their interests to settle their differences like adults. If both parties want it enough, it will get done. Bring us a second season of this wonderful drama. Show us this love. I promise we will give it back.
If reconciliation happens, Ryan’s reputation gets restored and his career is back on track. The dark cloud that hung over Tencent Thailand this season (Ryan Peng’s dismissal) will vanish and fans won’t have to wonder whether it will happen again next season. Tencent Thailand cannot afford to fire a second main actor. Ram-King, Bohn-Duen, and Frong-Thara fans will rise in revolt if one half of their favorite couple is fired and/or replaced.
Regarding Bohn and Duen, it is okay to like or dislike one or both. It is okay to like or dislike their storyline. BL is an art form and art is subjective. It’s just a reflection of our own unique artistic temperament and personal taste. Artistic temperament is immune to reason. “I like them because I like them" or "I just don't like them at all" is reason enough. Of course a BL drama should be technically sound if it wishes to present a coherent storyline, but it doesn't have to. Technical flaws irritate experts and critics but some viewers are not bothered by them at all. They just enjoy the experience. So there is no need to defend a preference because there is no right or wrong in personal taste. It just is. Therefore, it's futile to try to force others to replace their personal taste with our own. I do, but, It was inevitable that some people wouldn't like this couple.
He should instruct his manager to reach out to Tencent about a return to the show and he should do it now while the Boss-Mek storyline is insanely popular. If his manger can’t work this out with Tencent, while he still has some leverage, Ryan will miss a golden opportunity to advance his career and his reputation as an actor with attitude could take years to repair.