Falhon Cyril

The magic of money. Look at Korea and Japan. They both write beautiful gay stories, yet they have the some of the most homophobic people around in their government. They do not support LGBTQI communities, and many of the actors are bullied after filming BL dramas. (Yoon Seobin: His agency responded to all those homophobic comments he received for his role on Roommates of Poongduck 304 https://twitter.com/BLUPDATE2022/status/1608735596423573506?s=20)

So, if you really know JojoTichakorn (directing BL drama Never Let Me Go), and all the dramas he wrote, are BL fanbase : Mama Gogo, The Player, 3 Will Be Free.
He doesn't want his dramas to be fully BL because it limits his creativity. He also like to play with gender bending. And, as a gay person, he always put his community first. He also gonna be codirecting the most anticipated BL of 2023 "Only Friends" with Ninew Pinya, who directed "The Warp Effect".
A BL drama doesn't need to be with only M/M leads, but also with strong BL side stories. Here you have G/G AND M/M side stories. Out main character doesn't even know who he slept with and even kissed boys in front of everyone. So his "love story" is just him looking for who he slept with. And maybe he will find out that even if he slept and made a woman pregnant, he may not be the love of his life? And I mean, ep.04 made every BL stories to shame. It reminded me of Queer as Folk (the changing room scene).
You can contact GMM TV here:
50 GMM Grammy PLACE, Sukhumvit 21 Road (Asoke), Khlong Toei Nuea, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Tel: +66 2669 9400
E-mail: [email protected]

Well, don't forget that we are talking about LGBTQIA actors. It's not easy to be out, and it takes strong will to go against family values anywhere in the world. My mum doesn't care as long as I keep it to myself (or at least far from her friends). So imagine public figures. Some actors are clearly gays, but if they can't come out, they can lash out (it's often the case with homophobia, blaming the gays who are out because it's a temptation to them to go against their family values). So, it will take time to have only real gays playing gay roles. The one who are out are often very camp (in a good way, but can't miss it). They unfortunately don't reflect the majority of gays, as they (and I) are "straight acting", meaning people don't suspect we are gay unless we tell them. They are close to what the do in BL dramas. Many actors are Bi or Gay but closeted. And, in the world of BL, as long as you are not out, you can sleep with whoever you want behind your family's knowledge. (It's the same in every countries, and I worked in the U.K with actors who were closeted, not only by family, but also by their agency). The world can change, but very, very, slowly, not to offend religious people, or old generations!!! Maybe in 300 years...

GMMTV communication and advertisement team. The same used in every reliable source. But don't misread my comment, it doesn't mean the main character is BL, but it mean that the plot is BL fanbase. I can give you their email if you want if you speak Thaï (it takes longer if you do it in English).

As I said, it's all about fan base. If you love an actor, you need to promote him as much as you can on social media. You can ship him, but not all fans will agree with you, so you need strong support. And you need to translate your post in Thaï to make sure to reach as many followers as you can. I am too old to do this, but it is my job for companies, so I know how it works.

You need to have people fallowing him on his Instagram: flukepusit_ . Under 1M followers, they don't have enough fans to make it as main characters. But I agree, he is sooo funny. He deserve a main role. Push his profile by sharing his Insta...

Well, on top of that, we can't forget that that Joong Archen, one of his shipping partner, is playing in here as a support character. New Thitipoom is also playing in both BL and non BL dramas for GMMTV. I think it's a clue on what we can expect of him. GMMTV also promised to have there actors playing closer to who they are after many complains from fans because of homophobic and transphobic actors playing in BL. That why we are slowly gonna see more real gay actors playing gay roles, bisexual actors being in a bit of both or playing a part that fit them. Same with GL actress who use to play in BL but will slowly come as main characters. (First GL starting in 2023).

Same. When I saw those comments on Tiktok, it made me curious. Still not a drama that will stay in my mind, but yet, ep.4 offered more than many BL. And I still wander if our main character is not bisexual to begin with. I mean GMMTV said it was a BL drama. Dramacool also put it in BL. So, I wouldn't dismiss it as such just yet!!!

Well, we agree to disagree.
At the end, it is a reality show that his very appreciated, apart from you, by many viewers. So I guess your opinion is far to be the majority.
When I said we have shallow people, I was talking about Boycation, not His Man.
I can also confirm that His Man is a very popular show as a new season was ordered for 2023. Korea doesn't give a second season easily, so we know it's good (Hight ratings on Dramalist).
BUT that doesn't mean I didn't like Boycation. It just, as I said before, it is very similar to various reality tv shows we already have.

Thatcher was in the middle of the AIDS crisis between 1979 and 1990, so yes, like EVERYONE of that generation, they blamed the gays for it. It is not something easy (I was born in the 80s) and gays were targeted everywhere. Of course HK is not immune to the Chinese censorship since they took over, and China, like Russia, banned homosexuality. But, that doesn't mean the people of HK are as closed minded as the rest of China. But yes, you are right that it is Vinci who made the decision in his show. Taking hot, muscular but shy guys to his show. The difference WAS Vinci, because His Man didn't really have any host. Without him pushing them, talking to them, challenging them, it would have been the same show.
His Man was, to me, far from single inferno. I felt more connected to them that Boycation. The dates, the talks, where more real because of it. Pushing, or shipping people together is a good reality show, but those connections will never last. It is made by those who wants to know each other. On top of that, the two newbies in Boycation were useless. Even one was stood up. It was kind of a mess at the end, without any real connection between them. Plus, they were still living their life outside, and even met behind the show.
His Man had heartbreaks, difficulties and struggles were real. No shipping for audience sake. We just watched real people fall, or not, in love.
In term of casting, as I said before, Vinci had chosen people for audience sake. Hot guys who were mostly superficial. They even made comments about those who didn't have 6 packs (boat). His man was more varied, with people of different generation (youngest 20, oldest 35). Introvert? maybe. But I would think it was more about being camera shy. Having 20 cameras in your face while trying to have connection with someone, I am sure I wouldn't be able to do it.
To resume, Boycation is reality TV as we all know it. Good to watch, but I didn't feel anything for anyone of them apart for their looks. His Man, much more quieter, but I was able to see myself in them.
Korean kept this gay reality tv softer. Easier for people outside the community to watch and feel at ease. Vinci made a show for international viewers. Nothing new in his concept.

I am very open minded concerning reality TV today. I grew up with Big Brother, so this is very, very soft compare to the beginning of reality shows. Many compare a Hong Kong show to a Korean show. You have to remember that Hong Kong was, until 1997, under the British Empire. Protected to keep their way for 50 years (until 2047), they can do like they use to under the British, without the restriction of the Chinese. It feels more like a talk show where they try to convince people that LGBTQA are just like other people. Even if dating is part of the show, it is not the focus they wanted. BUT, shipping each other, is also part of any reality shows.
In the other hand, His Man IS a dating show. The first Gay program in Korea, which is a big deal in a strict, conservative country. Korea is a republic, but also a new rich country. That mean, they are still stuck with many traditions, and are very resentful to foreigners. The help of Americans to bring Korea to be one of the fourth Asia Tigers between 1980 and 1990. Yet, last may 2022, it is still Yoon Suk-yeol, candidate of conservative opposition People Power Party (PPP), won a close election over Democratic Party candidate by the narrowest margin ever. As a Right Wings Party, they try to show a libertarianism but it is mainly confined to the economic sphere (especially with the Kpop movement). In 2022, Yoon Suk-Yeol's government changed the term "democracy" to "liberal democracy" in the new textbook, but at the same time removed all the terms "LGBT".
So, as you can see, Korea has a long way to go before their gay reality shows became as open as we see in other countries, even Hong-Kong. And remember that LGBTQA are not protected in many countries, even in Asia. Taïwan is the only country in Asia to have gay marriage. Japan is very close to changing its policy with 78% supporting gay marriage. Only 54% in South Korea.
I know you want to watch something entertaining. But I think we should judge a show for what it is from where it comes from. Not between two countries with different culture.

I am sooooo disappointed. Yes, it's good, but they cut so much from the original webtoon it hurts the story. The love of his best friend, the slow relationship and more misunderstanding between the two main characters. And they don't talk about why the assistant is rich (his grandmother own the biggest kimchi company) and the fact that she wants her grandson to take over...
I love the webtoon, and I am very upset they didn't even extend the drama to fit all of it. 12 episodes would have been enough.

I never heard of this, but I don't know. My research says that the plan of those season was to change the cast every season by new actors for experience as it is full of actors. Also, after the first season, the actors were already on other projects, so the had to recast. But, you know, it's always a war on Y dramas. The actors are very much mistreated. Like prostitute in some companies.

Again My Life and Reborn Rich are very different. First, the protagonist become part of the main family, not an enemy. That mean, he has to change things from the inside. He cannot be an enemy, after all, they became blood. It will also be his reputation on the line. He also gonna have enemies that will just hate him because of who he is, and his family. It is an other challenge that Again My Life didn't use. The other thing is, it's not about the law. Of course, it's implied, but it is about family business. It's very much real. Rich people gets married to one another to keep the business. They have a patriarchal way of life and that is how they roll. They make the laws, and play with them by having people in high position within the government, and that's true in every countries. So that is why I love Reborn Rich. Of course, similarities exist with any "back to the past" dramas. But it is the story that is captivating. And yes, also the acting. Song Joong Ki is, to me, one of the best actors. Between Descendants of the Sun (2016), Arthdal Chronicles series (2019) or Vincenzo (2021), brings him on the top of the charts. Thanks to Netflix broadcasting his talent.
The other thing is the director Jeong Dae Yun who has done two of my favourite dramas : W (2016) and I'm Not a Robot (2017), so I expect a great cinematography from him, and not disappointed so far.

As much as I appreciate a good critic, I don't like when people don't even refer to the source material. I would have loved that you talked about the ending cut short compared to the manga, especially the love interest of the other characters, and the fact than Sato is a music genius, like Murata (Kaji's hidden boyfriend and violinist prodigy), which will bring Sato to write music and be free from the past. And I am sorry, but the final song gave me goosebumps, because it was perfect for Sanari's voice, who's a rapper originally. So yes, the series was, until the end, very close to the manga. Too bad they cut it at 6 episodes when they could have done 10 and be like the manga, or at least the anime.
Manga online: https://fanfox.net/manga/given

I am totally shocked by the industry in Korea, but also in the US. I mean Taylor Swift had problem with HER agency. But Korea is a country with a lot of bad people doing anything for money and profit. As a growing country, we all been through this. Now that it is in the open, it is the responsibility of the government and the UN to settle the problem of child labor (because it is, after all, child labour or even slavery). A reminder, if someone do a job, any job, without getting any money, it is Slavery, in ANY countries. Hope he win this war, and please, even if you are not a fan, support him as he will need it in this difficult time. Any artists or bands going against their boss will have a difficult time in Korea.

I watch all of them. My favourite is now Reborn Rich, but it's new compared to the other two.

Agreed !!!

When I saw "Close Friend 2", I didn't realise they were actually close to this drama. did they change their names to avoid the family and flew to South Korea? So much could be imagined from this. Can't wait for it.

We are talking about drama. It's different in real life. Actually, bromance is seen as "close to gay" to many straight people. And I don't really agree with the "non-sexual" part. I grew up in an orphanage, and "bromance" existed while taboo. As a gay man, I could see those straight guys doing stuff that people would see as gay. However, it was limited to closiness, more than real sexual relation (I can't go into details her, but maybe you will understand). So I don't think its cut and dry as you want to believe. It's like a behind close door kind of thing.