WinterLemondrops

You know whats so stupid and ironic? Is that the same "bl fans" here on any parts of the internet would come bombing in this series saying that this is "BROMANCE NOT BL" just bcuz theres no lip mukbangs or sweaty humpings. But when it comes to shows/films/stories or any forms of media which are not tagged as lgbtq or bl/gl, esp when it revolves around two men or women who literally hug while crying or anything that is platonic, these same fans would scream at the top of their lungs that "THIS IS DOOMED YAOI/YURI!" I can name tons of titles and ships, but ill select a few famous ones.

Banana Fish is a very famous "BL" highly recommended by bl fans bcuz of the chemistry of the two characters who saved each other from the darkness of reality. It covers very sensitive topics of child 🍇 SA, and substances, which is mostly revolves around Ash's character as a whole, building up long-tormented trauma. Not until he met Eiji, who saved his life by being by his side every time Ash had a mental breakdown, Eiji will always hug him tight. Ash always find solace in Eiji's embrace and presence that he vows to protect him from the organization who destroyed him and his friends. The ending of the series has left everyone crying their eyes out, and youll see it everywhere in edits on tiktok. However, if u search the series rn if its tagged as bl or not, its not. The author clearly states that Banana Fish's main characters, Ash and Eiji, only incorporates deep, intense, platonic relationship than a romantic one. Yet, what happened? Fans would still call it as the best bl series theyve seen in their entire life like they would show it to the entire world that Ash x Eiji is doomed yaoi. Additionally, Banana Fish doesnt even have explicit scenes like kisses or sxx or anything romantic. Just two men hugging/comforting each other, being domestic, and teaching each other's language, which is literally the same thing happening in Soul Mate. Ryu and Johan literally comforting each other, being domestic bfs, and learning each other's language. Eiji's last letter is literally has a similar delivery as Johan's final confession. But the twist? Fans see Banana Fish as BL even if its not, while Soul Mate as bromance even if its tagged Lgbtq (and dont give me that crap that in Banana Fish that they kissed during that one scene cuz thats obviously not a romantic kiss but a diversionary tatic r u delusional???)

Here's another obvious example. The Summer Hikaru Died is a story of the horrors of coming out, desire, grief, and sexuality. It literally has the same theme as Soul Mate, which also tackle topics abt grief, guilt, and coming out. TSHD was labled queer by the author, yet fans thinks that the author might be out of their heads, saying that the series is clearly, as plain as day, a BL than queer. The fact the the author literally has to remind everyone time and time again that it's queer yet majority refuses. That literally the author, the one who made the fcking series? Then, ive seen a lot of people in the internet would draw these two kiss or doing nasty crazy sht with the gym scene (which is weirdly disgusting imo for its literally a metaphor for the horror of hidden intimacy and desire for the other).

I can name bazillions more; Yuri on Ice. That scene was not even a kiss yet people are going batsht saying "HOLY SHT THEY LITERALLY KISSED" even though it was not confirmed by the creators. Yes they exchanged rings and exchanged "vows" and thats just it. And once again, YAOI, even though it was never stated that it is yaoi. (DONT U DARE BRING UP THAT BARCELONA SHT FOR IT WAS MADE BY A LUSTFUL CREATOR FOR LUSTFUL YOI FANS). If you have Soul Mate (2026) which is abt two men, but 3 years ago theres Soulmate (2023) which is abt two girls. Two best friends. None of them are genuinely in love with each other bcuz theres a guy in the middle. Yet their platonic feelings with each other and the ending that one friend honors her bsf's by posting a portrait of her (who was made by the dead bsf) in a museum had fans crying saying this is doomed. But then again, its was not as such but a platonic relationship between two "bffs".

Expectations. That's why most bl fans are disappointed with Soul Mate cuz of the high expectations, thinking that this doesnt reached their bl standpoint. The bl stereotype when one would fall, then they kiss, then they do freaky sht, then saving a damsel in distress, then get married. Clearly any stereotype you could think of. Soul Mate literally incorporates a realistic struggles of coming out and understanding the true feelings of each other, despite taking them 10 years for them to understand how much they meant for each other. Their relationship is clearly an embodiment of a queerplatonic relationship. They dont need lables just to prove that theyre in love with each other. Thats the bottom line. Like god I literally seen this to EVERY. SINGLE. SHIPS in any media which most fans find it queer. But this series is not???

ive even encountered someone who literally told me to experience in a relationship just to give a point that this series is not realistic. Like why do you have to order me to get a dude or a gal and do some "romantic" sht together just to prove your point??? (im aroace bi). Its also the same person who told me that "10 years" of waiting for the feelings to truly take form is bs and not love at all, then proceeds to compare Soul Mate to Revenged Love. Like seriously? Why would you even compare a drama like Soul Mate to an omegaverse? Then here youre telling me that Soul Mate is far from realistic handling trauma than a passion project abt a world with a secondary gender inspired by wolves? No offense I bare no hate with Revenged Love and to the fans who loved it but its just so funny and it really shows how they never get the message Soul Mate gave. Bcuz all they know is just pure love bombing rather than patience and longing. Media literacy is dead af.

Tysm for your thoughts! To be honest, men kissing and anything touchy feely is sometimes not really important for im mostly into the story and the flow of the plot. Ill give this a go! And probably approach this director's other works with low expectations. Because ngl sometimes there are indeed times that some things in the Soul Mate drama that are not necessary for the plot. But nonetheless its still good and i implore you to experience it too when youre ready. Im curious of your opinions😊tysm once again!

In my opinion, i do enjoyed it! The story is very lovely and tragic, and ofc the actors did an amazing job bringing their characters to life. Although it doesnt really scream gay romance unlike some bls ive watched/read over the years, still i believed its a good queer show nonetheless.

And speaking of the director's previous work, do you mean "More Than Words"? May i ask why you dont like it? I was actually planning on watching it myself since they said its good

I saw from twt that Ryu and Johan has like queerplatonic relationship, which kinda makes sense imo. And yes the found family troupe of the 4 is very lovely too

Hi! I genuinely dont mean to be rude but i hope you can give this series a watch and share your final thoughts abt it. Bcuz theres something in the ending that kinda solidifies the queer plot, and as a queer man, I wish to hear your opinion if its too much to ask🥹 also thank you so much for the clarification!

Well yea i dont think friends would say "when i first met you, i never realized you'll change my life and who i am" or "youre the light of my darkest times" to their friend

Its more of a queer story than your typical bl standpoint. It doesnt slap u in the face to tell you that its abt two men loving each other for the past 10 years, but its more focused on the slow chemistry and relationship between the two characters. Im sure this will be not bl fanatics' cup of tea so if ur not into very slow stuff, i recommend u to just skip this and choose other bls

Actually on ep1 when he first talked to Ryu after the police station, he mentions that he's on the same predicament as Ryu (abt having feelings with a man). i believe that he has some internalized homophobia but idk it wasnt really specify the entire detaila. Plus on ep3 the graffiti written on his door is "gay b*stard". Idk how did they know abt that maybe its bcuz of the bar he used to go.

Nvm alr watched it

This reminds me of Parasite in Love except the two needs to be in love to be cured lol

Yes i watched it on dramacool

I would like to state my opinion pls dont cancel me.
I really like the part 2 so far. my head hurts with every time they talk abt their connection problems and etc etc. Yet still i enjoyed them all. One thing i would like to recommend to future revenge dramas like this: i hope there's no romance with the protagonist. i just want to focus on how the protagonist carry their revenge plan with no flings or romance. But its quite understandable why the writer needed to add someone who will support the protagonist and literally falls in love with her. it was really good

also: i never expect that they add a kiss scene at the end of the season. i really thought that they wont add it.

Yeo Jung? I think he'll go in full psycho mode since his father's killer's "love" letters shaped his mind into something surreal, something crazy, something dangerous. Also, he even planned this from the start, so he might lose himself for this one (just a hunch). Since everyone's disappointed with his "bland" character, i hope the season 2 will give him more flavor than season 1.

ep 3 - the whisper of the forest by Suran
ep 4 - long black night by Kim Yeji

which ending credits? i mean which ep?

this is what confuses me as well. even tho i rewatched the drama in eng dub and eng subs, i still couldnt understand how the son killed his father out of the blue. my guess is that he avenge what his father did to Dong Eun. As far as I remember, the son has a crush on her and hearing her story abt his father's doings during Dong Eun's visit, he was enrage and killed his father for her. thats a guess since this drama is fond of small details and mystery

i wanna see this tooo

thats a hunch for me as well. he's just a pawn for her revenge and a perfect pawn to break yeon jin down. i like that he see Dong Eun as a victim of his wife's past bullyings but i dont theyll end up together, romantically or comrades. he will feel betrayed that his "Go crush" is using him for her revenge

the grandpas i cant😭😭 but hye yeong and do young will be great candidates for her squad. or should i say "best" candidates

ig they just keep his story a mystery and put the rest in the 2nd season. and yea his story is quite lacking but not the character nor his acting. im just excited of what will his character is going to become in the next season