Froehlein

Now it's 5000 🙌 Thank you for your initiative, it's nice to show unity 🫶

"And knowing Director Patrick isn't really familiar with BL industry."

I think that's an advantage because it gives him a different and more unbiased approach to storytelling and it's a breath of fresh air... I also really like seeing the whole team of students at the promotional events...

Open ending… maybe a bit sad... with a tone of hope......

Oh thank you so much for your kind words. I am touched ❤️

I agree with you on the rest of the comment too. I see the double-edged sword. But I tend to favor the development of potential and for the protection and health of the performers and that they can simply be good colleagues. On the other hand, I can also imagine that actors feel more comfortable when they have a certain colleague with whom they feel safe and comfortable to shoot intimate scenes. I don't know if it's common here to have intimacy coordinators. Yes... sigh... it's really not an easy question to answer. But if they can't be happy in private, then popularity is nothing...

I like the kind of promotion here, to show: We are a team and this is everyone's achievement. I think it's really nice to include the women (and the cat haha). I'm just wondering, is Tim Cheng also a Chinese actor? I didn't see him in the promo and I think he should be praised and seen for his sneaky performance too... :D In my opinion, we as viewers are also "part of the team". I have the impression that the director's approachable manner also makes us a permanent member of his team and that we know our part of the job...

I don't think the investors had any influence on the ending (but indirectly on the teacher arc, for example). I think the decision to end the series this way was risky but very smart by the director and the creators. And I would agree that it was also a promotional decision.

For one thing, I think the possibility for a 2nd season with the same cast is increased by this ending.

The ending may leave you hanging in the air and frustrated at first, but in my opinion it conveys exactly what JT feels. On the other hand, a happy ending wouldn't have fit the tone of the episode, but it's not a sad ending either. Once you get past the initial feelings of the episode, you realize that the series ends on a hopeful note. However, the decision to have an open ending is risky because the makers were certainly aware that the rating would drop as a result of this decision. A happy ending might also have prevented the show from getting a 2nd season to tell the whole story, because it might attract too much attention when it's not supposed to. (Pure speculation on my part)

In addition, this open ending also creates room for discussion and thus keeps it in the conversation, which is quite good for promotional purposes. You have created tension, frustration and desire. Every deep emotion does something to a person, some look for ways to show support for the drama and others use the opportunity to draw attention to the lack of support for the LGBTQIA+ community. Creating spaces for discussion like this is great. Unlike perhaps after other dramas, the conversations don't (yet) die down. After a happy ending, many would probably have said: "Oh nice" and moved on. At least that's my perception. And since you might have frustrating, tense or even hopeful feelings after the end, you want to be presented with a solution and in all cases that means: season 2. I think that's a very smart move.

Thank you so much ❤️ oh it's nice that there are lovely people who translate it... I'll have a look at it right away. I don't have a problem with spoilers, I quite like reading them 😅 I find him interesting as a person and I'm curious to see if my thoughts on his decisions are reflected in what he says.
Thank you once again!

Oh thank you for elaborating on the background... I saw the podcast in director's status, but I think you could only listen to it in Mandarin, so I hadn't followed it!

Oh a time jump and someone is sent abroad 😅

YNEH is at the top of my list of what I want to watch next. Thanks for the recommendation on your part. And thanks for the tip. I'll have to double check the article where I think I read that.

I haven't seen YNEH yet, but I think I've read that the story is based on the director's own story. Maybe that's why it has the ending it has.

You've explained it very well, I'm right there with you.
I also think they are testing carefully. In my opinion, the team is intelligent enough to find smart solutions for all cases.

Wasn't "Meet you at the blossom" also a Chinese BL production under Thailand?

Your point about the mainland criticizing the story more than relating their focus to LDQ I think is an interesting starting point.

I'll be honest, I'm so grateful that there isn't the usual flirty fanservice, but the drama and acting takes center stage. Of course, I know there's a lot of money to be made in that. But I prefer a little more reality and a focus on the actors' health and careers. And even though I have seen some stupid content that tries to stir up rumors, I think that many people are aware of the situation and show their support by supporting the actors and the series in a "reasonable" way. For example, by calling to watch it on legal platforms, making fan videos to show their love, discussing content, showing solidarity and, above all, respecting the actors as actors and people. (And, for example, watching other series by the actors on corresponding platforms) In my eyes, the petition can also convey this: We stand internationally, united behind you and support your path. I think that's a strong image for everyone involved in the series, but also for investors and platforms.

The director had in his status yesterday: "I couldn't give you a happy ending because there's so much more to tell." (I don't know if it was the exact wording, but that's what he said)

Yes Froehlein is the combination of "fröhlich" (cheerful) and "Fräulein". In the past, Fräulein was also used as a title for unmarried women. My friend thought I was a very optimistic and cheerful person (which isn't necessarily said of Germans) and that's how he combined it.

And I thank you for the exange!

On the other hand, I think that the target group is quite young in the genre and it might be their first steps in the community. So I think it's important to explain things as objectively as possible to increase awareness and teach them how important it is to fight for everyone's rights. I've also learned a lot over time from friends in the community who I've been able to talk to openly about what hurts them and what seems "no big deal" to me because I grew up in a hetronormative environment with a lot of prejudice. Even now, it's quite possible that I don't notice subtle homophobic undertones. Even if I try very hard. If I now imagine that, for whatever reason, I have just landed in the BL genre, am inexperienced with the community and am met with harsh headwinds, then perhaps I wouldn't have the courage to ask questions or be open to people. That doesn't help either side. Maybe I'm also a bit too idealistic (to use the words of the series: I would always choose the moon over the sixpence). Because of course it's frustrating when you realize that viewers just want to watch pretty naked men having sex instead of supporting the community. I can empathize with the frustration, the emotionality and also the impulsiveness.

But I actually have the impression that this comment section is already a relatively protected space in which I can enter into an open conversation, despite all the heated discussions. In other comment sections, I avoid writing about things that I openly address here. I probably don't notice the subtle homophobic undertones here. Maybe you can make them visible to me... For example, I rather get the impression that both those who want more intimate scenes and those who say it's perfectly ok that SW/JT didn't get intimate (yet) basically agree that they are really interested in the story of the two young men and neither don't just want to reduce them to their sexuality and hot pictures nor to men without sexuality. Both sides ultimately want to express that it is a completely normal love story (in their development and in their sexuality). However, both sides are also accusing each other of trying to fit homosexuals into a certain mold. In my eyes, however, this is just a communication problem. I'm also really trying to find the right words. And I think that's the problem. Finding clear, unambiguous words without promoting misunderstandings. Ultimately, in my opinion, the petition is not just there to have a nice ending or to relieve your own frustration, but to bring both sides together and make the story "round". To ultimately be able to say: Look, this is the story of SW and JT, whose self-discovery, development and struggle we are allowed to witness. We can see the struggles young homosexuals face, the prejudices they encounter and that they are just as "normal" as hetronormative people. And I think that's something very valuable about the series, that it emphasizes the story and that sexuality is part of it.

And that's actually a good way of saying: this is how it looks, so please support us however you can. Everyone as they can and let's have an honest exchange about it.

Your comments have stimulated my thoughts, which is why the explanation has become a little longer ;)

I think I'll have to split my answer too...

Thank you very much for the detailed answer and the kind words about me... I wonder if my name reflects my age? I honestly never thought about that, a friend gave me that name years ago. But I think I read a comment from you in which you mentioned your age. So I think we are pretty much the same age...

First of all I would like to say, please never be quiet. It's important to name and say things. I just notice for myself and I also observe it in the comment sections that the written words (can) trigger emotionally. English is also not my mother tongue and so I prefer to ask so that I (and perhaps others) can develop more understanding. A written word sometimes lacks the facial expressions, gestures and tone of voice for me to properly categorize it and not simply fall for my emotional triggers.

Other than that, I can imagine, but don't presume to know, what BL fandom feels like for a gay or bisexual man. I speak quite openly about the toxicity of BL fandom and that something needs to change. In my observation, actors and genres are fetishized and men (homosexuals/bisexuals/actors) are objectified. The answer I often get is: that's just the way it is and it will never change. My answer is: I can lead by example and I will continue to address these things and set a different example. It's a small but perhaps not insignificant difference. However, I also realize that the more I immerse myself in the genre, the less I want to know about the fandoms. I often find it hard to bear. So I can only imagine how hard it is for you and the community.

I understand your concern and I support your intention. To me, however, your comment comes across as accusatory. Please correct me if I'm taking it the wrong way.

I've only recently joined MDL, so I'm not familiar with the other petition. Would I have supported it? Of course I would have. As a straight woman, I have been advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community for over 20 years using whatever means I can. I support petitions and organizations, go toe-to-toe with homophobic people in comment sections and in real life, and campaign for more visibility. For example, I also complained to Viki that homosexual content wasn't being promoted. Then there was one post about The On1y One. I accompany young people on their path to adulthood and try to provide everyone with a safe environment to develop themselves freely and to convey tolerance to straight people, as well as the naturalness of different identities and sexualities.

What I'm trying to say is, please try not to prejudge the people who are involved in the series. It's a good thing to initiate things, it also creates a small part of the long road to acceptance. The petition gets a different visibility through other platforms than if it only circulates on MDL.
I think it would be better if this commitment was taken further instead of devaluing it.We should form a supportive community and not destroy each other with accusations.

Thanks for the information 🫶

CBLO Awards
(New!)
- nominated as best Supporting BL actor:
Andy Chen, vote for him with ❤️ here

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=542713704789152

- nominated as best BL Rising actor:
Benjamin, vote for him with ❤️ here

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=539468871780302

Let's show our love.

"I remember that teacher saying he secretly fell in love, was an unrequited love and because of that his grades dropped almost giving a heart attack to his class advisor."

Oh I love that you elaborate on that. This confirms my theory that Zhao Xi knew what was going on with Sheng Wang when he had to face the teachers...

Plus let them feel their well-deserved fame:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=539468871780302

"It is so much more than just a BL series, it is a feast for literary enthusiasts....after a very long period of time, I am actively reading various posts for interpretation of the scenes by different people."

I feel exactly the same way. And I think the full beauty of the series only reveals itself to those who are not just longing for a quick consumption of a pleasant story that remains on the surface, but to those who are willing to dive very deeply into it. I really love it.

It triggers my literary interpretation heart and I wouldn't have expected it at the beginning. I had a hunch, a feeling, but I didn't think I would fall in love with it so much.

For me, the strategy of guerrilla marketing also fits in very well, engaging the audience right from the start as a mainstay for the series. You described it very well yourself. A community that talks so much about the content is fantastic. I think only those who are willing to really look will understand...