CoNeTrIC

Is saying "no disrespect but" like saying "no homo"? XD

That's because Minato makes considerable effort to hide what he's thinking, especially whenever he's emotional. Typical male behavior, I think.

I'm not disagreeing about the state of society or the politics of gay identity. I just think calling Emil 'homophobic' is a mischaracterization. Emil understood his feelings for Benjo, and so did his mother. He wasn't hiding who he was. His primary concerns were just a lot more real and immediate than politics or identity-signaling.

(1) Emil was already in love, and that relationship deserved attention and respect. Also, he had to take care of his own family and make it so his mother wouldn't hate Benjo for his family's sins.
(2) Emil's family is poor. He could have stayed with Benjo and relied on generosity, but he has pride. Also, that power imbalance would not have been good for the relationship.
(3) Imagine turning your life upside down for someone who has his own issues and may not be ready for long-term commitment. Figuring that out takes time.

Apparently, it took Emil two years to work through everything. He let his girlfriend down gently (I assume). He looks prosperous and independent. And he knows Benjo is still single and in love with only him. That's a realistic and well-deserved happy ending.

Now, bring on season 2. Maybe Emil will express his sexual identity exactly the way you want, just like how he learned to use a wine glass instead of a mug.

Thanks, Jason, for appreciating what I was trying to get across. No doubt, you are aware that gay people in the U.S. have diverse experiences as well. Privilege insulates only some from the harsh judgment and threats.

I admit, I was surprised by episode 7 too.

That's like humoring someone who believes in ghosts or angels. Gentle teasing is better than making them feel ridiculous.

I totally agree. I figured there were subtleties the other subtitles weren't giving me.

For me, the biggest clarification had to do with what Kurosawa thought when Adachi revealed his magic. Irozuku's subs give the strong impression that Kurosawa didn't necessarily believe in magic. He did recognize that Adachi's belief in magic was important because that allowed them to get together and later it was keeping them apart. To Kurosawa, it didn't matter whether Adachi was delusional or not. He just loves him for who he is. (So beautiful!)

This reminded me of the neck mole scene. It took Adachi about a week to realize he wasn't delusional. Haha!

I'm happy for your love life. You don't need to be so hostile towards religion. There's a lot of wisdom in ancient texts, including the bible.

Putting all that aside, these characters and the world are complex. We shouldn't accept homophobia, but we have to deal with the reality of it. Anyway, it's not at all obvious that Emil was in denial. If he decided that a gay/LGBTQ+ identity wasn't for him initially, there's nothing wrong with that.

Best not to judge too harshly or assume too much about people's choices. Let them take their time to decide who they are and what they want.

"Love is patient" (1 Corinthians 13:4)
:)

I appreciate everything you said. Thank you.

Soundtrack is cringe, but I kinda love it. I am guessing the style is supposed to evoke the 80s when Marcos was in power. "Gawin Mo Akong Boyfriend' is catchy.

Saying the two main characters have internalized homophobia is simplistic. They seem very self-aware. They acknowledged their feelings and they are dealing with their social environment in an honest, responsible, and mature way. I thought this ending was pretty realistic. Looking forward to season 2.

Or is it because Minato is an individualist? Maybe. He's also the only character who identifies as gay.

Or extending a few scenes in ep 12? Yes, I agree. That would have been very nice.

Yes, we've seen shows that follow a formula. However, in this case, the break up was not just a generic plot device. It was the big character test the whole series had been leading up to. Also, the pacing of the series was pretty good, I think. Everything needed to make the final resolution possible had already been set up in previous episodes.

The conflict throughout the series was really nothing more than Adachi's panic and anxiety. You could say it was all in his head. After the breakup, it didn't take much plot development or multiple episodes to get resolution. I don't think Adachi even needed to change his mind really. He just needed to stop making excuses and to cut himself some slack. Some wisdom and encouragement from his friends was reasonably enough for him to regain perspective.

Interesting. This isn't a love story, is it? I'd expect bromance at most.

It's strange and sad when actors and producers don't allow kissing when the storytelling requires it. There are many different reasons, usually unstated -- immaturity, personal bias, fearing/respecting audience biases. Will Smith's decision for the role you mentioned was really inexcusable, and it's amazing he got away with it. Denzel Washington is another interesting case. Hollywood, historically, has been reluctant to present interracial relationships. (sigh)

Your feeling about Adachi's sexual orientation seems reasonable. Plausible that Kurosawa would accommodate him over the long-term no matter what. Could be really, really difficult though. Real people have done it, I guess.

Thank you. You're right. Those insults are mean and indefensible.

Those are all valid criticisms.

I'm not reading those comments myself, but what you just described isn't the outpouring of hate and toxicity from Chinese fandoms we sometimes see. What you described is similar to the Japanese comments directed toward one of the screenwriters after her interview was published.

I do not think it is fair or acceptable to accuse the CM screenwriters, the director, or the actors of personally being homophobic. The portrayals were intelligent and sensitive. There are lots and lots of reasons to enjoy this show. (I did!)

We should also acknowledge truth here and try not to be defensive or dismissive of substantive criticism. This show is embedded in a homophobic society and, to some extent, everyone in CM is catering to that and profiting off of it rather than offering context, representation, or a challenging counterpoint. It's a poor excuse to say it can't be done because this is a light comedy or BL. Getting called out by some fans for "playing it too safe" just comes with the territory IMO.