SassyandSnarky

I don't agree that BL and gay romance are "completely different categories." BL is a branch of the same gay tree, exploring male-male romance from different angles

BL stories present a more optimistic and celebratory depiction of gay relationships, non-BL gay stories tackle the harsh realities and societal challenges faced by openly gay individuals. They are both contributors to the discourse on gay love and identity

Do you watch a detailed reenactment of your parents' bedroom activities?

I'm aware that my parents did the deed. The process wasn't "romantic," considering that it resulted in someone who hates everything about the "straight" lifestyle. In a way, I'm an embodiment of a failed "romance"

I don't share your enthusiasm for on-screen nudity or "sex," it's gratuitous and unnecessary. If I see something that goes against my values, I'm not going to sit idly by and accept it. I'm going to exercise my right to free speech, rate it low or speak out against it

"Extreme sexual content"

More like "a desperate attempt to distract from a weak plot and uninteresting characters." This is downright inappropriate and embarrassing. A 6.9/10 rating is too generous for a content containing scenes of abhorrent "sexual" gratuity that would turn even a blind eunuch's stomach

It’s not "delusional" to dislike "sex" or "romance." The people who don’t like them are more sophisticated than you. They know that a good story doesn’t rely on explicit, cheap thrills. All those annoying squishy sounds and body fluids shouldn't be shoved in people’s faces. Let people fill in the gaps with their own imagination and keep the mystery alive with a well-placed cutaway or sound effect. That way, everyone’s happy and noone sees anything they don’t want to

Mental health issues make it difficult for someone to see or accept help, you know? Yi Heon couldn't believe that things will get better

I hear you, both Deuk Pal and Yi Heon were dealt unfair hands in life. But if I were in Deuk Pal's shoes, I would've felt uneasy about my "soul" hijacking Yi Heon's body to fulfill my own dreams. I would've tried to convince Yi Heon to retake control of his life and fight for himself

I hope that my point of view is coming across clearly

Placing blame on a suicidal person who has taken their own life doesn't make sense. Yi Heon was a victim of a broken social structure that didn't accept him for who he was (he was gay and bullied for it in the source material). He felt isolated and unsupported. This lack of understanding and compassion drove him to the extreme conclusion that taking his own life was the only way out

Deuk Pal lived long. He got to take a long stroll through life before his time came, but Yi Heon got run over by the bus of bullying before he made it to the crosswalk. It's okay to be outraged that Yi Heon wasn't granted a second chance at life

I have nothing against (gay) fanservice, it's an expression of art and creativity, a way for public figures to interact with and appeal to their audiences. Most of us who engage with it understand that it's not "real" and is meant to be enjoyed as a fun, lighthearted part of the fan experience. It's not different from other kinds of performance or acting

I wouldn't mind if actors ventured into more BL/gay collaborations and fanservice, or if they were paired together repeatedly. It'd allow my beloved pairings to demonstrate their chemistry, versatility and bond across various roles

Is this drama a musical?

Recently, I watched Wonka (2023), a musical graced by the talent of Timothée Chalamet. It's not an Asian movie and might not appeal to everyone, but the harmonious union of story and melody reignited my passion for musicals to such a degree that I sought out additional works in the genre. Now I see a BL musical that promises to deliver this powerful blend. It will be an unforgettable experience

I can relate to og Yi Heon's feelings of inadequacy, so it would've been more powerful to see him overcoming the suicidal ideation brought on by the homophobic bullying he experienced (in the source material) and summoning the courage to return to the world and fight for his love for Se Kyung

I concur that the dynamic between the new, mentally older Yi Heon and Se Kyung was positive and beneficial. I can also see the potential for their dynamic to blossom into something more than just a mentorship with the passage of time. Thank you for being open to different possibilities for their relationship

I'm happy for you, but I'm not clapping my hands and singing "hallelujah." The drama was mundane and lacking in the elements necessary to maintain my engagement and interest. The thing that could've saved it from being a major disappointment was if they had ditched the reincarnation plot at the end, returned Yi Heon's soul to his body to give him a second chance and focused on the chemistry between og Yi Heon and Se Kyung. If they wanted to stick with the reincarnation angle, they could've had the new, mentally older Yi Heon come back into the picture like a knight in shining armor and sweep Se Kyung off his feet after college. Both would've been a romance for the ages. The reincarnation plot could go in any other direction to improve the source material and keep the gay romance alive

I've been hearing some chatter about this drama being "gay romance" and not BL, these people aren't seeing the big, glittery picture

BL isn't just a label, it's a lifestyle, a movement, a breaking down of societal norms, an exploration of identity, a celebration of love between two men, a beautiful butterfly emerging from its cocoon and taking flight. It's gay romance, with a sparkle filter, a rainbow backdrop and a "happily ever after" guarantee (or a good chance of it)

I don't put BL in a box. BL isn't for certain people or certain plots, it's for everyone. Whether it's because of the themes, the characters, or the overall vibe, if this drama feels or will feel like BL to someone, then it's BL to them. It's BL and gay romance to me

It's a BL, it's been confirmed by Netflix

BL is a subgenre of gay romance. It's a community, it's a celebration of love between two men. Sometimes it's cheesy, sometimes it's dramatic, but one thing it's not, is "cringey"

@roddib is lost, they don't know what "original work" means

The web novel was inspired by the movie. The drama wasn't an adaptation of the movie and wasn't beholden to the movie's stomach-churningly straight storyline. It was adapting the web novel and free to explore the gay parts. The only thing stopping it from going full-on gay was the fear of losing viewership from homophobes

I'm going to copy-paste this comment like a Band-Aid on a gaping wound, so everyone can see the infection that is your BS:

"The original work of "High School Return of a Gangster" is the gay web novel that underwent a process of adaptation. The web novel is an independent and original work inspired by the movie "Dude in Me." Each and every work derived inspiration from countless preceding works, upon which it built its unique identity. @roddib has an inadequate understanding of the term "original work""

"Now, I have to go back to reporting the Biphobic and Homophobic comments"

I don't see "bi-phobic" comments. I see "bi-perceptive" comments that have a sixth sense for spotting underwhelming, inaccurate bisexual representation. Do you have "bi-phobia-phobia?" You know, the fear of "bi-phobic" comments that don't exist?

Our romantic taste buds leaning towards gay flavors isn't "bi-phobic." In the same way that having a preference for pepperoni pizza isn't vegetable-phobia

Fanfiction would be a lot less supernatural, and frustrating, that's for sure

So sad to see omegaverse tainting BL and yaoi

I've never seen an omegaverse that's not horny or problematic, what are you talking about? Did you forget to bring your thinking cap?

You're a trans identifying person, so what? Omegaverse is a 24/7 problematic, homophobic genre tainting BL and yaoi. That needs to be said

"Most of the omegaverse stuff I read is fluffy and innocent"

Funny you brought up smell! I can smell lies. And right now, my olfactory nerves are going off like a fire alarm! Your story that "most omegaverse is fluffy and innocent" is about as believable as a fish swimming in J. K. Rowling's toilet bowl. I know she has morals. She wouldn't keep a fish in there