JollyGolly

I'll say it again a million times. No country in this UNIVERSE, thinks, writes or even comes close to the Japanese mindset and thought process when it comes to creating a drama, irrespective of being gay or straight.

They continue to absolutely blow my mind when it comes to delivering quirky, innovative, off-the-scale, fuck your head up thinking when it comes to storytelling and directing. They are truly and utterly unique and in a whole different game park from other cultures. I especially adore the fact that their mindset absolutely can't be copied or indeed replicated. They're in a world of their own, which comes down to the fact they're so respectful and unashamedly proud of their culture and different thinking. They absolutely own their culture and they stay true to their core values.

I'll admit, I've been so bloody disappointed by Japanese BL dramas this year. I've been very honest about this fact on this here forum. I've realised, my brain just can't do what I term Japanese 'slapstick', 'adult males behaving childish in a relationship' and the whole 'I'm so terrified of my crush/boyfriend over acting'. It's just not me. However, I massively respect I'm not the target audience for this type of Japanese BL and also that many follow to the letter the original manga, so I do get it. But I don't have to like it.

However, I'm so here for this one. Now you're talking. This is what I like. This is excellent and just at 2 episodes. This is what to me is Japanese writing at its utter best - off the scale unique, innovative, adult and so damn quirky. Can't wait for the next episode.

They're in Kentucky and a large organisation. However, their culture is based on 'making work fun', but I so hear you on the larger and more traditional organisations about allergies and Facilities Management, some of which, like here in the UK, would never entertain this happening.

You and me both oh wise one, me and you both! Thai BL production houses have simply become fixated on all the wrong things in the name of MONEY! Yes, agree, my social media channels, because I follow all the main bloggers and artists I like, are absolutely swamped with either the artists, their latest productions, fan meet-and-greets and product placements. Promotions do indeed drive the fanbase, as with all industries, advertising, marketing and PR are essential requirements to drive either a product or a brand - it's a simple fact.

However, I do feel Thai production houses literally sell-out the souls of their artists to their future detriment, massively over promoting the whole fantasy of ML's 'really' being together, instead of the fact that they're simply actors delivering a character role well, which in turn fuels this whole toxic Netizen culture you just don't see outside of Asia.

I have huge respect for Taiwanese culture and yes, know their standing and position on gay culture. I just find them extremely brave, respectful and knowing. Yes, I agree, I think Japan will be next and have read about their bill.

As we say in my culture - "softly, softly catchee monkey". I do believe change continues to happen and people will be at the forefront of ensuring this happens.

OMG! This episode was indeed packed with every single troupe in the world of BL. #ShakesHead. We had the SAC (slip & catch), a slight scratch tended to by said love interest with the resulting long stares, a fever after being caught in the rain, followed by the obligatory towel rub down and the pulling by the wrist, as opposed to gently leading someone by their arm! Hilarious!

However, joking aside, I do like the chemistry between the two leads. Jin Xun An is such a stoic, serious, responsible and dry humoured character. You could tell when Bai Lang was telling him jokes that this was a man who doesn't laugh often - it actually felt weird seeming him laugh to me, as you can tell living life and having fun has not been a priority for him up until this point, just his career. I think Bai Lang with his playful, thoughtful and nurturing personality, will really complement Jin Xun An's and bring out another side to him in future episodes. Jin Xun An will get to the bottom off and support Bai Lang through his obvious childhood anxieties and what would also appear to be an issue around him not being worthy of a relationship or love. I also like the way they already naturally care for one another in a selfless way.

However peeps, have to say, what the fuck is this whole sleeping with teddy bear thing in Asian culture amongst adult males in their 20-30's? I see it so much. This feels seriously strange to me. In my culture, this would never happen, it's something only children do.

Love this Maggi - so insightful. Love learning something new every day.

Greetings lovely Maggi. We do indeed #Snigger😍Wow, those are some serious figures for SK BL's. I think they do BL's really well, especially from a production and script perspective. However, Taiwan still remains my favourite - for really pushing it out there. I get a sense that they're proud to represent the gay community.

Honestly, I don't know what's going on with Thai BL's, so many are beyond shocking. They're not even trying to hide the fact they don't give a shit and are exclusively about cashing in on a lucrative genre to generate revenue, so your figures don't surprise me, as they really are just rolling them out like a factory production line.

Have to say Unforgotten Night, an appalling Thai drama, had the worst product placements known to man. They didn't in the least relate to the drama to the point where it was truly laughable!

My 'now' cat disliked it when his owner brought another one home, so he'd cross a busy main road during rush hour, climb through our office windows and sit in our in-trays, or simply wander around from department-to-department. He even had the nerve to walk up three flights of steps to the Board Directors suites and lie on the Board room table during major meetings. We all adored him. Eventually, health & safety kicked in and I said I'd take him home to be my pet.

I have a client from the US, a corporate, who bring their dogs to work every day - over 30. On their social, they've all had their photos taken, alongside a job title. #SoFunny and great for new staff recruitment.

Oh but you are! #Snigger I can see your absolute passion for the genre, as I seem to unknowingly stumble across so many of your comments, and they always seem to be written with thought, insight or playful fun when needed.

Yes, he is truly adorable 🥰

However, life would be oh so boring and we’d also have no need for this here platform if we all agreed. I find it refreshing, as long as we remain respectful to each other’s views 😀

I know right. My ex company, we were allowed to bring our pets to work. Crazy scenes at times, but massively relieved our stress levels 🤣🤣

Yes, totally agree on the undeserving of love. There's also the fact that after his trauma, he'd actively chosen to spend the rest of his life alone and never date again. The ex really did a huge number on his self-worth and self-esteem. You're right, it is indeed heart-breaking to witness.

Yes, he was always sassy, but more in the way he dealt with Rain's stupidity and childishness. He was more accommodating, flexible, 'do anything for anyone' kind of guy to his classmates and seniors. I've always loved his sassy, wise edge, so especially funny now when we see it unleashed to the max on Prapai.

Aw, thank you my friend 🙏🏿You’re a legend on this here BL circuit, so if anyone, I knew you’d get it. 😍

Ah, so nice to hear you get it too. I so feel for Sky, I'd need some serious therapy to be able to consider ever dating again. 👍🏽😄

Forgot to mention this in my last post and it has just come to mind. In the first scene team meeting, did anyone else spot the ginger cat walking through the office in the background. It was skulking through on lowered legs as if it wasn't meant to be there and trying to go unnoticed. Made me chuckle.

Sky and Prapai are just a wholesome, sweet couple on their journey to love. We've had two episodes of fluff, banter and sassiness and I'm here for it.

I think it's important to remember when Sky is being overtly sassy and cold that he's been through a major, major trauma in life, the likes of which many would never be able to recover from, and especially alone, not having told anyone. Imagine what a huge head fuck that must be to bury those feelings and thoughts? So, I so get it when he's cold and sassy to Prapai. He's testing whether he can trust him, trying to push his boundaries (cleaning his flat) to see if he'll give up on him and leave, whilst secretly praying he won't. He adores and loves him, but needs to protect his heart - I get it.

Thank you so much - really appreciate it and the reviews are as expected, really good. Maybe I'll wait until its finished and revisit, after all, in my mind, Strongberry can do no wrong:-)

Hmmm.... I adore every drama Strongberry has produced to-date, they are seriously talented and the Kings of telling a great narrative in a short time space. My favourite being Long Time No See. However, I've been following the reviews for this drama, and I just can't get my head around a storyline based on a cat and dog turning into humans. I think it's just too fluffy a narrative for my brain. I need some sense of realism in what I watch, hence why I don't tend to opt for ghosts etc..

Having just completed episodes 5 & 6, I honestly think this series is brilliant, up there with Semantic Error and Blueming for me. Wow! South Korea is really bringing their game to the party this year in the world of BL, something the dismal factory line of BL's coming out of Thailand need to stop, re-focus, address and learn.

I find the writing so natural and flow of the narrative to be excellent for all the characters. It's got a plausible, quirky, funny, plot and the chemistry of our two leads is just divine to witness. Having been bombarded with a shit show of Thai BL's lately, it's just so refreshing to once again enter the BL drama world to find myself watching a drama where I just don't want the episode to end. Gosh! It's been ages since I felt this way.

I just don't get the MDL rating for this show. However, when did MDL ratings ever make sense! I adore this drama, just wish it was more than 8-episodes.

Totally. The entire episode kept binging me back to carer syndrome.