"Art" allows for multiple interpretations. The relationship between the girls can be understood as platonic, romantic, or both, depending on the lens through which you see it
So does the manhwa end with Heesu and Seung Won becoming a couple or is there enough story leftover for a S2?
The manhwa has two seasons and 79 chapters + side stories. Hee Su and Seung Won confessed and became a couple way before the manhwa ended. The confession and kiss happened in chapters 42 and 43
I doubt the drama will get renewed for season 2. It's hands down one of the worst and poorest adaptations I've come across
In casting Ji Ho, a 17-18-year-old at the time of filming, the production team set the gay couple up for failure from the beginning. As if inserting an unwanted "straight" storyline wasn’t enough of a blow/disrespect, they went the extra mile and rolled the source material up, lit it on fire, and roasted marshmallows over the ashes by hiring an actor who couldn't fully embody his gay role's romantic dimensions. Too young for Sang Jun, his co-star, they said. Too young to date or kiss the legal adult playing the role of Seung Won. They were aiming for a drier love life than a desert for our poor Hee Su
What an absolute disaster of an adaptation. They adapted a story with established gay kisses, hired someone too young to film said kisses, and now want a pat on the back for their "morals?" Be serious. That’s a casting failure. A convenient one at that, and the odds of it being an accident are low. They might've hired a younger actor on purpose to avoid showing gay kisses on screen
What is it with this brainrot world? "OMG OMG OMG moar GL BL plssss"Grow out of those Thailand (or whatever) GL…
"... this trend of "gay is cool" is not good"
The entertainment industry continues to churn out thousands of "boy-meets-girl" stories year after year, yet the public's appetite for more of the same is insatiable
You can handle the public asking for more "straight" brainrot with zero substance. You'll survive us doing the opposite and asking for more BLs and GLs
"You'll thank yourself 10-20 years later"
In 10-20 years, assuming humanity exists, we’ll have gay stories in every genre, every language, every medium. And you’ll still be yelling into the void about “brainrot”
I've been trying to keep a safe distance from this comment section, but couldn't resist popping my head in for a bit to remind everyone that trashing the source material and dissing those unimpressed by the adaptation won't elevate this half-straight mess to a breathtaking, misunderstood work of art. It solidifies the fans' status as condescending elitists
Not everyone will like the "straight" storyline or believe it necessary. That's okay. No need to burst a blood vessel over it
In fact, I'll go ahead and throw my support behind their stance. It’s called "Heesu in Class 2," not "Everyone Matters and Gets a Backstory: The Series." Hee Su’s gay relationship should be the heart of the narrative. This wasn't meant to be a group therapy session for the side characters. And giving them an arc doesn’t add depth, it dilutes the narrative and shifts the spotlight away from the gay romance that matters
The messiest BLs remember what their story is about. This "queer" one got lost in a "straight" subplot and didn't come back
Judging by the way you’re spam posting rude comments to anyone who dares to praise this show, there probably…
I wasn’t spamming or rude. I maintained a respectful tone while responding to the variety of comments, including yours
The power and depth of Hee Su's "queer" experience didn't need the crutch of a "straight" storyline. Trust in its strength, it could've supported itself
"They’re wrong. The show’s version of the story adds so much depth and emotional weight to relatively shallow source material"
Belittling the source material and labeling the people disagreeing with you as "wrong" won't elevate this half-straight mess to a breathtaking, misunderstood work of art. It solidifies the fans' status as condescending elitists
"... and BL fans resentful that characters outside of the main pair actually matter"
It’s called "Heesu in Class 2," not "Everyone Matters and Gets a Backstory: The Series." Hee Su’s gay relationship should be the heart of the narrative. This wasn't meant to be a group therapy session for the side characters. And giving them an arc doesn’t add depth, it dilutes the narrative and shifts the spotlight away from the gay romance that matters
"This show is not structured like a BL"
The messiest BLs remember what their story is about. This "queer" one got lost in a "straight" subplot and didn't come back
1. "Not STRAIGHTWASHING" and I included next to that is "because the MAIN FOCUS is the GAY COUPLE" What's your…
"Still, this is considered HATE" "Don't spread hate to the drama because of mere, as youve said, PREFERENCE"
"Mere?" Is your behavior not mirroring theirs? You're hating the reviews that hate the adaptation/spreading hate. Calling critique "hate" is the fastest way to shut down a conversation
You have a right to enjoy the adaptation, and others have an equal right to feel otherwise. The purpose of a review is to discuss the content of a drama or movie, its strengths, and its weaknesses. It's counterproductive to use the platform to bash other reviews or preferences
"What's your definition of Straightwashing btw?"
Straightwashing entails the manipulation and dilution of gay narratives by incorporating "straight" elements, thus generating content that's easier for homophobic mainstream audiences to swallow and consume
"Straightening" gay stories or reshaping them to fit a marketable mold poses a threat to the authenticity of these stories and perpetuates the erroneous belief that gay stories are insufficient or not enough on their own. Should the practice continue without challenge, producers will be encouraged to further manipulate and dilute gay works in an effort to court viewership. They'll diminish the presence of gay stories, undoing the strides made by lower-budget gay content in diversifying media and amplifying underrepresented voices
Those low-budget adaptations might not be chasing awards, but their unwavering commitment to gay storytelling has more value to me than this performative, fence-sitting, half-straight adaptation that straddles both gay and "straight" worlds and pays lip service to my community's lived experiences
"There are people who PREFER this kind of storyline too"
Some people prefer undiluted gay representation. And we never see their preference win without a fight
Producers keep putting ketchup (straight elements) on a good cake (gay stories) and you're going, "don’t hate!" What's wrong with hating it? Next time, they should write their own half-straight stories from scratch and leave gay works alone
I am coming from the point of view that having both simultaneously reflects the reality that both exist simultaneously…
That would've been a nice statement if they hadn’t wrapped filming 3-4 years ago. It doesn't seem to be a prophetic cultural commentary or timed response to current politics. The belated release might be a consequence of behind-the-scenes efforts to "straighten" the story as much as possible
I appreciate you being an ally more than I appreciate the adaptation. Thank you for that
I am coming from the point of view that having both simultaneously reflects the reality that both exist simultaneously…
With conservative politics on the rise, representation in media won't always translate into real-world gains for the community. Trump's re-election is a harbinger of a backward slide in Western society. And the "progressive" policies that were gaining ground are now under threat
I believe the producers would've avoided upsetting half of us by writing an original story featuring "straight" and gay identifying characters. Taking the easy, lazy route of changing an existing, well-loved story is what disappointed me. These adaptations don't live up to the source material
I am coming from the point of view that having both simultaneously reflects the reality that both exist simultaneously…
I see, I understand that these dynamics reflect your reality
Coming from a Muslim country (I left Islam years ago), "straight" identifying people befriending gay people feels foreign to me. All I've heard or seen is hostility and threats against gay people. So I can’t relate to the "beautiful coexistence" you've mentioned. It’s not my reality, and I don't find comfort in dynamics that have hurt me or my community
Intersectionality isn’t a plot device. And a gay story doesn't need a "straight" couple to validate its existence or reality. It needs to authentically depict the experiences of its gay characters
Expecting gay stories to be told alongside or beneath "straight" ones isn't "coexistence" or representation but rather a limitation on gay visibility. Representation should give gay stories the freedom to take center stage without having to share the spotlight/screen time or make concessions
They included "straight" elements in a story that originally focused on gay characters or themes with the intention of appealing to a wider audience. It is straightwashing. And they are diminishing the importance or visibility of non-straight identities
"Girl, IDC about the negative remarks"
You wrote a paragraph about it, gave it the weight of a manifesto, and hit "send." You're protesting too much for someone who doesn't care
"Probably the heteros are there to create a sense of diversity??"
We’ve seen this forced "diversity" before, it’s called every other story ever. We don't need more. I don't want more
"You’re like straights hating gay relationships but in diff font"
You’re confusing a preference for gay stories with bigotry in italics. Wanting a gay story to not squeeze in a "straight" couple isn’t villainous, it’s a valid preference
"It’s an ADAPTATION, directors can change things however they like"
We can disagree with them or call them out when those changes weaken the story or derail character arcs. The story is weaker and less gay than it could've been. I said what I said
Please assess your comfort levels before watching. It's up to you to see whether it meets your expectations and preferences
The production team derailed the original story. The emotional depth and chemistry we got in the manhwa? Barely there
I doubt the drama will get renewed for season 2. It's hands down one of the worst and poorest adaptations I've come across
The entertainment industry continues to churn out thousands of "boy-meets-girl" stories year after year, yet the public's appetite for more of the same is insatiable
You can handle the public asking for more "straight" brainrot with zero substance. You'll survive us doing the opposite and asking for more BLs and GLs
"You'll thank yourself 10-20 years later"
In 10-20 years, assuming humanity exists, we’ll have gay stories in every genre, every language, every medium. And you’ll still be yelling into the void about “brainrot”
Not everyone will like the "straight" storyline or believe it necessary. That's okay. No need to burst a blood vessel over it
In fact, I'll go ahead and throw my support behind their stance. It’s called "Heesu in Class 2," not "Everyone Matters and Gets a Backstory: The Series." Hee Su’s gay relationship should be the heart of the narrative. This wasn't meant to be a group therapy session for the side characters. And giving them an arc doesn’t add depth, it dilutes the narrative and shifts the spotlight away from the gay romance that matters
The messiest BLs remember what their story is about. This "queer" one got lost in a "straight" subplot and didn't come back
The power and depth of Hee Su's "queer" experience didn't need the crutch of a "straight" storyline. Trust in its strength, it could've supported itself
Belittling the source material and labeling the people disagreeing with you as "wrong" won't elevate this half-straight mess to a breathtaking, misunderstood work of art. It solidifies the fans' status as condescending elitists
"... and BL fans resentful that characters outside of the main pair actually matter"
It’s called "Heesu in Class 2," not "Everyone Matters and Gets a Backstory: The Series." Hee Su’s gay relationship should be the heart of the narrative. This wasn't meant to be a group therapy session for the side characters. And giving them an arc doesn’t add depth, it dilutes the narrative and shifts the spotlight away from the gay romance that matters
"This show is not structured like a BL"
The messiest BLs remember what their story is about. This "queer" one got lost in a "straight" subplot and didn't come back
"Don't spread hate to the drama because of mere, as youve said, PREFERENCE"
"Mere?" Is your behavior not mirroring theirs? You're hating the reviews that hate the adaptation/spreading hate. Calling critique "hate" is the fastest way to shut down a conversation
You have a right to enjoy the adaptation, and others have an equal right to feel otherwise. The purpose of a review is to discuss the content of a drama or movie, its strengths, and its weaknesses. It's counterproductive to use the platform to bash other reviews or preferences
"What's your definition of Straightwashing btw?"
Straightwashing entails the manipulation and dilution of gay narratives by incorporating "straight" elements, thus generating content that's easier for homophobic mainstream audiences to swallow and consume
"Straightening" gay stories or reshaping them to fit a marketable mold poses a threat to the authenticity of these stories and perpetuates the erroneous belief that gay stories are insufficient or not enough on their own. Should the practice continue without challenge, producers will be encouraged to further manipulate and dilute gay works in an effort to court viewership. They'll diminish the presence of gay stories, undoing the strides made by lower-budget gay content in diversifying media and amplifying underrepresented voices
Those low-budget adaptations might not be chasing awards, but their unwavering commitment to gay storytelling has more value to me than this performative, fence-sitting, half-straight adaptation that straddles both gay and "straight" worlds and pays lip service to my community's lived experiences
"There are people who PREFER this kind of storyline too"
Some people prefer undiluted gay representation. And we never see their preference win without a fight
Producers keep putting ketchup (straight elements) on a good cake (gay stories) and you're going, "don’t hate!" What's wrong with hating it? Next time, they should write their own half-straight stories from scratch and leave gay works alone
I appreciate you being an ally more than I appreciate the adaptation. Thank you for that
I believe the producers would've avoided upsetting half of us by writing an original story featuring "straight" and gay identifying characters. Taking the easy, lazy route of changing an existing, well-loved story is what disappointed me. These adaptations don't live up to the source material
Coming from a Muslim country (I left Islam years ago), "straight" identifying people befriending gay people feels foreign to me. All I've heard or seen is hostility and threats against gay people. So I can’t relate to the "beautiful coexistence" you've mentioned. It’s not my reality, and I don't find comfort in dynamics that have hurt me or my community
Expecting gay stories to be told alongside or beneath "straight" ones isn't "coexistence" or representation but rather a limitation on gay visibility. Representation should give gay stories the freedom to take center stage without having to share the spotlight/screen time or make concessions
They included "straight" elements in a story that originally focused on gay characters or themes with the intention of appealing to a wider audience. It is straightwashing. And they are diminishing the importance or visibility of non-straight identities
"Girl, IDC about the negative remarks"
You wrote a paragraph about it, gave it the weight of a manifesto, and hit "send." You're protesting too much for someone who doesn't care
"Probably the heteros are there to create a sense of diversity??"
We’ve seen this forced "diversity" before, it’s called every other story ever. We don't need more. I don't want more
"You’re like straights hating gay relationships but in diff font"
You’re confusing a preference for gay stories with bigotry in italics. Wanting a gay story to not squeeze in a "straight" couple isn’t villainous, it’s a valid preference
"It’s an ADAPTATION, directors can change things however they like"
We can disagree with them or call them out when those changes weaken the story or derail character arcs. The story is weaker and less gay than it could've been. I said what I said