Another Japanese BL series where the actors are completely mismatched, but are chosen to ensure the heteronormative…
It sounds like you havenāt even watched this yet⦠Did you just watch the trailer and form your opinion on that? Or have you watched a few episodes?
I disagree on the MLs being mismatched as I think they work well together.
This āheteronormative narrativeā youāre ascribing to JBLs (youāve only listed JBL titles and no others) seems an interesting choice. Iād say that reality is that heteronormativity is unfortunately the ānormā for most societies, despite same-sex laws changing toward equity, antiquated conservative believe systems persist. Even in Thailand- the BL giant where gender nonconformity and same sex relationships are portrayed as accepted in entertainment and advertising (itās a soft power for a reason), but coming out and all the issues and struggles surrounding it is still a thing that happens there. Why do people need to ācome outā? The fact that people even use this term so regularly in societies means heteronormativity is still the dominant narrative. We canāt ignore it just to make ourselves feel more righteous or feel like society is more open, while those who acknowledge it on some level are just perpetuating the narrative. I think different cultures are handling their approach to it in a way that makes it palpable to those within their culture. I like to think that in doing so, they are paving the way for legalization and social normativity of LGBTQAI+, just like Thailand and other countries have done. Knowing something about Japanās culture, their approach makes perfect sense.
But thatās the beauty of opinions in a public forum. Perhaps My Personal Weatherman is more your style? Or not. Maybe JBLs arenāt your thing because of their progression in the narrative youāre looking for.
Now if youāre talking about quality- I find it interesting that you find this series difficult to watch yet you rated Eye Contact and Season of Love so highly. To me and many others, those donāt even touch higher than a 6 MAX (if Iām being generous). Seriously- Eye Contact alone is ridiculous problematic on so many levels that have been exhaustively discussed in that dramaās comment section. Season of Love is just low budget soft porn in my opinion. How do these shows portray homosexuality in an authentic way, other than it showing gay guys having lots of sex. Playboyy does this too and it was its own category of wtf (seriously- I canāt unsee what I watched). How do these soft porn series fight against the heterosexuality narrative effectively in any culture? Love on the Big City is a more authentic homosexual narrative than either of these could ever hope to be. My thought is that 10s belong to stories like Not Me (if you havenāt seen it, it really, truly is a powerful- and foretelling) Thai drama. It addresses the heteronormative narrative you mentioned and the very real struggles toward a more equitable narrative that you seem to be looking for (if I understand your post correctly) from Thailandās lens before their laws changed.
In any event, there are a significant number of us who do enjoy this series. Itās very JBL. Japan is good for subtly addressing issues common in the lives of the LGBTQAI+ community and making it palpable for their socially conservative and heterosexually dominant culture. We donāt have to like it; itās their culture theyāre communicating to. I hope we someday get to see Japan, Korea, and even China at Thailandās level of homosexuality as a powerful narrative.
This got deep (and hella long- sorry), but I wanted to take the time to honestly address your points. š
You do seem new to the BL series world- at least from your watched list. I could be wrong. There are so very many dramas I can suggest to you from different countries (so far Iāve stuck to Japan, Korea, Thailand, China, and Taiwan), should you be interested, as I have seen well over 400 since joining MDL. Some are really thought-provoking and amazing- some you should run from to save yourself the time. You know, because time is valuable. I did see you watched The Egoist. That movie was so good and hella sad. It also deserves full stars. Itās a drama I loved but will probably never watch again.
This drama taught me a lot about age differences in relationships. I used to find it hard to understand how people…
Large age gaps can be challenging at times. My husband and I are 13 years apart (heās older). I have found that age matters in some ways. But not in a significant, relationship-ending way. Personalities can change as the younger one matures/grows. Values can change. My father is also 13 years older than his wife. Theyāve been together for a decade and will likely divorce soon. Communication is key. Different generations have different life experiences and sometimes different values. My husband and I have different views on a lot of things now as Iāve grown from the young 22 year old me to an older, wiser 40+ year old me, but we work through them together and have done so for 20 years and counting. In addition to my own, Iāve observed a long-lasting age gap relationship. My grandparents had the same age gap (13 years- itās a thing for our family I guess) and they were together for 40+ years before he passed. She followed 6 years later. The biggest thing for large age gaps, I think, is the eventual passing of the older one (if death comes by age and not other circumstances). Even if my husband and I live healthy, disease-free lives, when heās 70 (š¤š½) I will be in my 50s.
But thatās why I like this reincarnation story-because he gets to relive reuniting with this destined soul tied to him by the red thread while in a younger body. Itās the ultimate love story that never ends.
Loving it still and so thrilled to see where it goes! Guan Qi Ring has it tough cause he was dumped and likes…
I agree. Martin and Kenji are SERVING with the visuals. Iām all eyes on them. I really enjoy all our characters, even Qi Ring. Guy is in love and only knows how to use violence to express it. Iām sure he will feel all guilty soon and let go for his loveās sake. But not before he sees the hurt he does to him first. We shall see. Our second couple? OMG I love them both too. Why are they so cute? Iām sure they will get there. Maybe not until 11 or 12 though. I really like reincarnation stories because Iām a believer in it. I love the red thread of fate weaving throughout the story. I do wonder how the young master will show itself more though.
Martin Wong and Kenji Fan are gorgeous and their chemistry is clear. The body swap and age gap pale in comparison to this. I donāt care because seeing them close on screen is what I look forward to. The story has also been quite engaging for me. Iām a believer in reincarnation and I love the idea of a second chance, especially for such a kind and loving soul. The grandson? Though he was an ass, he was a troubled soul so I feel for him. I think his ghost will do something vengeful but then come to some sort of understanding and move on. Itāll be good for his character growth. Seems like itās gonna head that way in a couple episodes. Otherwise why even put him there?
In any event, Iām looking forward to the next 3 Fridays. š
Like used dishwater thrown over my head. I was definitely not expecting that. Why even bother giving an NC scene…
Youāre right. The director is to blame. The way this scene made it in really seems just like you said.
And the kisses! The way they slowly and very, very carefully tiptoe towards each other for a barely touching kiss, and thatās supposed to be passion? š How do we get to moving in? Honestly. After the āsexā they had, Iād break up. It doesnāt bode well for their future if the sex is so āused dishwaterā no one can tell if they even had it.
Iām almost morbidly fascinated with how this was directed and what other masterpiece scenes this conservative ultra straight virgin male director will bestow upon usā¦
Like used dishwater thrown over my head. I was definitely not expecting that. Why even bother giving an NC scene…
He just kinda slowly collapses (without the āpassionā collapsing after a round of heavy passionate sex would induce) and lays on him like a dead fish. Then theyāre justā¦I donāt knowā¦laying there, I guessā¦? So badly done. Look at the placement of his arms when heās laying on him. I was like, what?! Thatās it? When Iām telling you I rolled my eyesā¦the passion with which I rolled them is greater than the passion in that scene! š
My main beef is the depth thing. I mean, what the heck is even going on with the two main characters? How can…
No idea exactly. Looks like Knight is inebriated or something and goes into Mildās room while heās asleep. Mild is shirtless under the covers. It cuts after Knight lays on top of him (over a blanket). Next is that annoying brother of Mildās accusing him of raping Mild. An older couple I assume is Mildās parents are there, as well. Itās all in the preview. I doubt itās actually rape, though. Either he fell asleep and was discovered in a compromising position or they did the deed with consent. Iām leaning toward the former.
No idea. Thereās always someone who judges for watching because of one specific actor. That face card SERVES though, so Iām sat. Locked in. Staring at that face card with no shame. š Unabashedly. š
Like used dishwater thrown over my head. I was definitely not expecting that. Why even bother giving an NC scene…
Right?! What else could possibly be in the next 4 episodes? From the preview, theyāll spend at least a couple on the moving in and living together struggles. Maybe some unsupported fear in coming out to grandma because of what Toxic Mom said, even though grams has been hella supportive so far. Definitely more mom drama though. He didnāt actually put her in her place to my satisfaction. Gotta have that reconciliation between mom and son episode for sure, where she openly and authentically accepts his love. sigh
Absolutely! I enjoy having conversations here. š
Like used dishwater thrown over my head. I was definitely not expecting that. Why even bother giving an NC scene…
Not even those pop-it fireworks. Sparks? About as much as my old lighter missing the flint. Butterflies? Extinct. Electric zingers? Maybe the production company forgot to pay the bill? Like Iāve been promised a 5-Star (Hell, even a 3-Star) accommodation but instead Iām left cold and stranded in the dark at an abandoned house with an old and empty Bic lighter and a candle I canāt light. And my ride wonāt be back for 4 episodes. Tragic.
Seriously. Trying to rekindle my enthusiasm for this series is about as difficult as it is for these two to convey a night of passion. Unless they manage to do that in the next 4 episodes. I honestly donāt care anymore. Iāll come back to the comments next week before I bother to watch. There are better things I could be doing if this keeps the āmomentumā. Like that root canal Iāve been putting off.
I disagree on the MLs being mismatched as I think they work well together.
This āheteronormative narrativeā youāre ascribing to JBLs (youāve only listed JBL titles and no others) seems an interesting choice. Iād say that reality is that heteronormativity is unfortunately the ānormā for most societies, despite same-sex laws changing toward equity, antiquated conservative believe systems persist. Even in Thailand- the BL giant where gender nonconformity and same sex relationships are portrayed as accepted in entertainment and advertising (itās a soft power for a reason), but coming out and all the issues and struggles surrounding it is still a thing that happens there. Why do people need to ācome outā? The fact that people even use this term so regularly in societies means heteronormativity is still the dominant narrative. We canāt ignore it just to make ourselves feel more righteous or feel like society is more open, while those who acknowledge it on some level are just perpetuating the narrative. I think different cultures are handling their approach to it in a way that makes it palpable to those within their culture. I like to think that in doing so, they are paving the way for legalization and social normativity of LGBTQAI+, just like Thailand and other countries have done. Knowing something about Japanās culture, their approach makes perfect sense.
But thatās the beauty of opinions in a public forum. Perhaps My Personal Weatherman is more your style? Or not. Maybe JBLs arenāt your thing because of their progression in the narrative youāre looking for.
Now if youāre talking about quality- I find it interesting that you find this series difficult to watch yet you rated Eye Contact and Season of Love so highly. To me and many others, those donāt even touch higher than a 6 MAX (if Iām being generous). Seriously- Eye Contact alone is ridiculous problematic on so many levels that have been exhaustively discussed in that dramaās comment section. Season of Love is just low budget soft porn in my opinion. How do these shows portray homosexuality in an authentic way, other than it showing gay guys having lots of sex. Playboyy does this too and it was its own category of wtf (seriously- I canāt unsee what I watched). How do these soft porn series fight against the heterosexuality narrative effectively in any culture? Love on the Big City is a more authentic homosexual narrative than either of these could ever hope to be. My thought is that 10s belong to stories like Not Me (if you havenāt seen it, it really, truly is a powerful- and foretelling) Thai drama. It addresses the heteronormative narrative you mentioned and the very real struggles toward a more equitable narrative that you seem to be looking for (if I understand your post correctly) from Thailandās lens before their laws changed.
In any event, there are a significant number of us who do enjoy this series. Itās very JBL. Japan is good for subtly addressing issues common in the lives of the LGBTQAI+ community and making it palpable for their socially conservative and heterosexually dominant culture. We donāt have to like it; itās their culture theyāre communicating to. I hope we someday get to see Japan, Korea, and even China at Thailandās level of homosexuality as a powerful narrative.
This got deep (and hella long- sorry), but I wanted to take the time to honestly address your points. š
You do seem new to the BL series world- at least from your watched list. I could be wrong. There are so very many dramas I can suggest to you from different countries (so far Iāve stuck to Japan, Korea, Thailand, China, and Taiwan), should you be interested, as I have seen well over 400 since joining MDL. Some are really thought-provoking and amazing- some you should run from to save yourself the time. You know, because time is valuable. I did see you watched The Egoist. That movie was so good and hella sad. It also deserves full stars. Itās a drama I loved but will probably never watch again.
But thatās why I like this reincarnation story-because he gets to relive reuniting with this destined soul tied to him by the red thread while in a younger body. Itās the ultimate love story that never ends.
In any event, Iām looking forward to the next 3 Fridays. š
And the kisses! The way they slowly and very, very carefully tiptoe towards each other for a barely touching kiss, and thatās supposed to be passion? š How do we get to moving in? Honestly. After the āsexā they had, Iād break up. It doesnāt bode well for their future if the sex is so āused dishwaterā no one can tell if they even had it.
Iām almost morbidly fascinated with how this was directed and what other masterpiece scenes this conservative ultra straight virgin male director will bestow upon usā¦
Absolutely! I enjoy having conversations here. š
Seriously. Trying to rekindle my enthusiasm for this series is about as difficult as it is for these two to convey a night of passion. Unless they manage to do that in the next 4 episodes. I honestly donāt care anymore. Iāll come back to the comments next week before I bother to watch. There are better things I could be doing if this keeps the āmomentumā. Like that root canal Iāve been putting off.