Froehlein

I like your addition to the topic. It sheds even more light on the subject matter and I agree with you, they should have cut the scene. Even if they wanted to use it to describe the "initial character", I think with all the reflection and delineation by the author, that should have been the logical outcome.

Haha, night 😉 Thanks!

Yes, I also sometimes worry that such a discussion can quickly become unpleasant, especially on MDL, although I just want to exchange ideas! But when there's a good exchange, it's very enriching!

And you seem to have done a lot of things right with the series, it was only through it that I learned to stop watching series and not put up with everything 😅

So all the best to you and maybe I'll see you again soon!

Mmhmm, I understand your perspective and go along with it so far and of course I know I've only attached anecdotal evidence and I understand the fear and rejection in general too. It's just not/difficult for me to comprehend that it would then be ok to do physical violence to him. (And other series where a ML has done sexual violence to someone are, again, totally ok. -I'm not referring to the original commenter of this post, as I don't know/ haven't looked up his other tastes. I've looked up others for such a statement for a different reason and just seen BLs with problematic characters rated well). But of course gang rape is a different kettle of fish.

I also agree 100% with your statements about patriarchal society. It was just important to me to add other groups for the sake of completeness. Even though after your second comment I am quite sure that we both know about the totality of the effects of this issue. And yes, the greatest danger for women comes from their immediate environment.

This is exactly my problem with History 4. It's about a pair of stepbrothers, one of whom “brings” the other into a romantic relationship through emotional and physical abuse, supported by his mother and in the sequel they celebrate a wedding and the abusive part is praised (as far as I remember) for the ‘happy’ relationship and asked how “he only managed to build this relationship”. The setting is too real/ too tangible for me. Well, it left me quite disturbed...

So thank you again for the valuable exchange! I really appreciate being able to discuss things from different perspectives, especially when it comes to such nuanced topics where it's easy to write past each other in a comment section!

And to get back to the BLs, I personally find a character from History 4 creepy af, he triggers all the alarm bells in me and is rewarded for this appearance with an additional happy appearance in the sequel, in which his actions are portrayed as completely normal. And it triggers me much more, because the story is much more "real" for me than Revenged Love. In other words, for me personally, it's okay and even interesting to explore gray areas of characters medially. For me personally, violence is violence and equally bad. But for me, I can differentiate between fiction and reality and, as I said, I find gray areas in fiction interesting. But I draw boundaries/reject certain things if the fiction could be reality for me. I don't know if you can follow what I'm saying. Because I actually find it a bit difficult to find the right words. At the same time, I also find it kind of frightening how physical violence is perceived as completely normal and ok here.

Thank you for your answer. I'm interested in discussing this. As I'm reflecting on some things myself and I appreciate hearing other perspectives.

Edit: Perhaps I should add this to avoid misunderstandings: I reject all forms of violence in real life and in no way condone rape. I take note of it as part of the series, as I do here. Just like the allegedly fatal accident that ML caused.

Interesting perspective.

For me, physical violence and murder are just as bad as rape. Because physical violence and murder also take away people's “dignity, autonomy and sense of security in their own body”.

Ultimately, all three types of violence are about exercising feelings of power and superiority.
And just because the visible wounds heal in the case of physical violence does not mean that no psychological injuries remain. Nor does it mean that people who have experienced rape cannot heal completely. I (unfortunately) know victims of all 3 types of violence and see that the effects (whether trauma or healing) do not differ based on the type of violence (murder victims, for example, leave behind a traumatized environment).

And believe me, I know very well how women grow up and what strategies they develop due to the threat of danger. But I would like to say that queer people are also confronted with similar fears. And young boys also often grow up with the threat of rape.

Now I just have to ask, why do people have a problem when ML walks away and leaves the young man to a bunch of wanton men against his will, but the same people have no problem when he becomes physically violent or incites violence or is highly likely to have caused a fatal accident? I don't get it. Honestly. He wasn't even involved in the rape and physical violence is readily accepted in the comments.

If I think further, BL viewers have no problem with a mobster/gangster who kills people falling in love, but when it comes to rape that ML isn't even personally involved in, people here complain. Often this happens by people rating other BLs with problematic MLs (TharnType/History 4/KinnPorsche) or other series with problematic storylines (I'm thinking Boys over Flower here) highly.

I'm really interested in this, why is it so critically highlighted in this series but accepted without argument in other series and physical violence is celebrated?

I think to myself, surely we can distinguish between fiction and reality?

My comment is not meant to be an accusation, I'm just interested in the motives because I keep coming across the same comment...

Watch it until the end of episode 8, then you'll have a little happy ending. That was a really great episode that brought tears of happiness to my eyes at the beginning and at the end for different reasons

Basically, I think it's worth watching the series to the end, even if episode 12 tears you apart and leaves you unsatisfied the first time you watch it. If you can get through those emotions and watch episode 12 an additional time, I think the series ends on a positive note, just only on the 2nd viewing.

In my opinion, episode 11 is also a must-see.

Oh man, even if it's all kind of crap with season 2 now. I love the series. Watch it! If you want a happy ending, watch episode 8, if you don't want to feel like you're hanging in the air for 2 hours after it airs, stop after episode 11. If you want to experience a rollercoaster of emotions and frustration, watch it all. But let your feelings sink in afterwards.

Totally agree :)

After seeing him in Ballboy Tactics, where he exudes incredible screen presence and charisma, I'm secretly hoping he'll be cast for the role of Sung Jinwoo in Solo Leveling at some point, should it come to live action.

On the one hand, it looks like a cliché BL. But I personally think that the characters break the stereotypes as the series progresses. Jungwoo in particular is an interesting character who I think doesn't fit the typical cliché (and is pretty awesome), which is evident in the later episodes.

I would give it a chance and watch at least half of it (even if you miss the very loving scenes of the 8th episode)

All in all, a solid, cute BL with a very likeable cast that is easy to watch despite one or two editorial weaknesses.

Perfect for binge-watching with a seemingly simple storyline that, at second glance, says a lot about the society in which it is set and lets young, successful people bravely go their own way. Who courageously stand up for themselves, show self-acceptance and demonstrate that love is love, whatever form it takes. The show is warm-hearted and Kwon Jungwoo goes on the list of best BL characters. Oh and last but not least, it should be pointed out that it's another KBL that portrays love scenes and intimacy wonderfully naturally.

I hope for a second season for the second couple! I really enjoyed Ballboy Tactics :) Wish the actors all the best!

That's exciting information. Thank you very much for the clarification... Of course, I'm now wondering how Liu Dong Qin, among others, was able to shoot The On1y One in Taiwan... 😅

Mmh, since you're open to it and have apparently seen a thing or two about the drama, why not give it a shot?

As the other comments say, it's an exciting starting point and generally every country does a slightly different kind of BL and has different strengths and weaknesses accordingly.

Normally I would also say are: We best love (Taiwan), Semantic Error/ To My Star/ Ballboy Tactics (South Korea), A tale of 1000 Stars/ I told sunset about You (Thailand), Miseinen: Mijukuna Oretachi wa Bukiyo ni Shinkochu (Japan), perhaps more suitable for starters (just a small selection). However, if you fancy Revenged Love, then start with that. Be prepared to encounter controversial topics and the series plays with the gray area. Don't drop it after the first 2 episodes because the beginning does seem a bit cringeworthy (at least it did to me). But I'd say after episode 4 you'll know if it's for you. Most people are hooked by then and the series really starts to unfold.

And if this show isn't for you because maybe you want to see a story without controversial debatable behavior or a different kind of storytelling style/focus in general, then check out other BLs. I'd say it's well worth exploring the genre ;)

Haha, yeah, I was kind of happily cringe-watching the first episode and thought, what's this going to be and with every episode more I was more hooked 😁
I read earlier that the author said they actually wanted to release the first 9 episodes right away, because according to her the series only gets really good from then on!

Just had a look at your watchlist...

Would recommend “Miseinen: Mijukuna Oretachi wa Bukiyo ni Shinkochu” .
“We Best Love: No. 1 For You” and “We Best Love: Fighting Mr. 2nd” are also usually well received and a personal favorite, because I think Amber is one of the most wonderful characters in the BL world, even if the series has its flaws, is “DNA says: Love You”

Maybe there's something for you :)

Mmh, from my perspective I liked it because it was mainly about different perceptions of the same situations and different communication styles and the resulting misunderstandings. But I know many didn't like it because they felt the storyline was too simplistic and the problem could be solved quickly and a ML was wrongly prejudged after the 1st episode and it wasn't action-packed otherwise.

But I liked the show because I could put myself in both perspectives and understand them and liked the development. I found the official last episode a little too rushed compared to the rest, but there is a 7th episode that rounds out the series. I think it's a great advantage that you can binge the series now. I don't think the airing interval did the series any good. I don't know your taste, but I would definitely say it's worth a try to start it. It's a good watch. It's similar to Our Dating Sim.

“But these are the exceptions that prove how rare it is to see gay intimacy in KBL”

Without having seen the last two episodes, I would like to say that for me, Business as Usual has had the best intimate scenes in a KBL so far. Completely fearless and loving. And Ballboy Tactics follows suit for me.

Really good start! Finally Great and Inn again and then in combination with Aou and Boom. I like the setting and the nostalgic touch and love the multiculturalism that is teased. Fingers crossed that the script is solid to the end. But so far I'm very happy and love how they're taking on the challenge of another language. Hats off to them! I think the series is a really good fit for the couples.... Looking forward to the next episodes!

I've felt the same way since episode 1. I see so much Boun in him...

Honestly, I was hoping the show would run low key for quite a while for its own sake and to protect the actors. After seeing the video from the airport of Zi Yu, I felt even more vindicated.

Hype too early also attracts haters quickly and honestly, I've long been of the opinion that CBLs could dominate the market if we got uncensored ones and they were allowed to take off. For that very reason, I wish everyone would act a little cautiously and considerately and protect the show and especially the actors. But the scenes at the airport really disappointed me and kind of took away the hope that BL fans can really see the actors and possible disadvantages for them.