Maggi64

Agreed, but I was afraid to say that when there are such rabid fans here. The thing is, their story was tied up episodes ago. Now it's just scene after scene of them being cute and cuddly. We get it, they are in love. Meanwhile, there's a truly compelling couple for whom we waited 12 episodes and who have lots of story to unfold, but who can't get the time because there are only 2 episodes left. It's a shame.

I know there will be a show devoted all to Vegas/Pete alone, but that won't address the crucial developmental phase of their relationship. I mean, that torture dungeon is where the shit all happened. We needed to spend more time there and to see the slow, but powerful incremental changes in both guys as their feelings for one another transformed. That takes more than the 30 minutes they got the last 2 episodes and the 15 minutes I'm guessing they'll get over the next 2 episodes. So far, that relationship has been rushed. Indeed, my only criticism is that it's been rushed.

Yep, you and I are both all about Pete/Vegas. A lot of it is because of how well Bible plays Vegas. He is inspired. But the funny thing is, I wasn't kidding when I said above that side couples steal so many BL's. Look at "You're My Sky." I fast-forwarded through the dull lead couple. They were overshadowed by not one, but 2 side couples.

To be clear, Kinn and Porsche are not dull, and have great chemistry; it's just that Vegas/Pete are so compelling. I mean, how do you compete with a storyline containing kidnapping, torture, and S&M sex? And to have it all end up with true love because one is a nurturer and the other is wounded inside and needs love?

Once again, a BL side couple stole the show.

I read the chaps you sent, but was it really 10? It seemed like less. I agree that the show is rushing it. I want more time cuz they are the best thing. Hell, I fastforwarded today just to see their scenes. I'm gonna re-watch to see the whole show, but first I had to see them, because I simply could not wait. I also think that the show improved on certain things that were not in the book. For instance, that story Pete tells about his dad and boxing is a perfect metaphor for Vegas. Moreover, portraying Vegas as grieving for a pet shows that he truly is vulnerable inside. I liked what they added, but they could have added this while keeping other stuff from the book. In short, just give us more Vegas/Pete. They stole the show!

What neck lick in ep 11? You're the 2nd person to mention that I watched looking for it but did not see it. There's a part where he's grabbing Pete's ass and his dad walks in. Was that it?

This show achieved that rare thing of being sweet without being saccharine, and fluffy without being facile. It held my interest every step of the way largely because the two performances were solid. The boy who'd been in His shows how good an actor he is by how different his character is in this one. In His, his character was subdued, hesitant and fearful of his homosexuality being detected. In this show, the boy created a character who's more confident and playful. He takes charge -- and it pays off. The other actor is a delight as well. He's what I call a "manic pixie" in that he's got this hyper energy and jokes like a sweet little sprite!

All in all, this is worth watching. The Japanese know how to do BL's. Even when they are less than stellar, they never feel manufactured off an assembly line like those dreadful Thai BL's do. Nor are they chock-a-block with product placement, hence needing 14 episodes to pack in more products. The Japanese (and the likewise excellent Korean BLs) are short, effective and all about the story and characters. As it should be.

If you liked those, add Old Fashioned Cupcake to the list. It's actually my #1 BL of all. It's smart, sexy and lean. No filler or side couples. No college or high school kids. Just two grown men who fall in love. It's got a serious theme the way Blueming does, which is why you'll like it.

Thank you! And you really should check it out. A new episode is coming on Monday and based on the previews it's going to be hot! I also know from a trailer that it has a happy ending. Yay!

THE VEIL WILL BE TORN AWAY!

Based on the preview, the veil will be torn away in ep 4 and all the feelings will be out there exposed, pulsing and raw! I love that point in a relationship. You never know when it will happen, or what will cause it to happen (in this case, it's Nazue telling Togawa, "You are the only one who makes me feel glad I'm alive"). But mostly, it's powerful because nothing will ever be the same afterward.

I got the sense he allowed himself to open up and feel for Kaneda when Kaneda praised him at the restaurant. Then he went for the kiss, and it evolved from there. Sometimes, falling in love is just a matter of allowing the thought to enter your mind. Once it does, well, it can just take off!

Viki says it won't air again for 2 weeks. Does that mean it won't air anywhere for 2 weeks, or just on Viki?

No, thank you! I was worried I would get grief from fans for my criticism because people loved season one. But the thing is, Ji Woo was nicer in season one. As I noted to another commenter here, Ji Woo smiled when playing basketball. He protected Seo Joon from sounds of glass shattering, and from negative graffiti on the bus stop. He bought him a universe poster. Yet he has not done a single, solitary nice thing in this season. I don't know what the heck the writer is thinking. Sure, they'll have some reason to explain Ji Woo's bad behavior, but many viewers will have dropped the show before that. It's odd the writer and director don't know this.

When seasons are only 2 hours or so, a movie is the same thing. So I don't see why it matters. They end up just making all these series into streamlined movies over on Viki anyway.

You know what, that's why I am going to watch the rest of it too. But not until the whole show is done. It's simply too frustrating right now to watch Ji Woo piss all over Seo Joon week after week without knowing why. Now, in Season One, we at least saw some nice sides of Ji Woo, such as him smiling when he played basketball, being protective of Seo Joon when he heard glass shatter, being protective when he saw nasty graffiti in Seo Joon's pix on a bus stop, and being considerate when he bought universe posters. He did sweet little things to show that underneath his gruffness, he cared. But the writer and director have turned his character into a sadist this season. I don't know if they even realize how much they are asking an audience to endure. Or, if they do, I guess they really have a good way of redeeming him coming up. Let's hope!

The thing is, it's cute, but it's not exactly light. It has a serious theme about a man's mid life crisis and how, as he said in episode 1, "regret can fuel happiness" if you act on it, you can change your life. Well, now that Towaga is helping him to change, he's going to be happy! I think it's a wonderful theme. What the Japanese are really good at is mixing light and complex. They did that with Utsukare too. That was cute, but it also had a complex theme about how Hira's obsession got in the way of him truly seeing that Kiyoi was actually in love with him too. Oh, and I 100% agree that both series are too short! LOL. UtsuKare was 6 episodes of 24 minutes each (2 and 1/2 hours) and Cupcake is even shorter at 5 episodes of 26 minutes each (exactly 2 hours). But that cannot be helped as the Cupcake manga is short. It's Utsukare that should've been longer as that novel had lots to work with. But, hey, I just learned we are getting a Utsukare sequel. Yipee!

Hummm, after what you are saying I am not going to watch it. You see, I happen to be very into the suspension of disbelief. If I know too much about an actor as a real person, I can no longer suspend disbelief that they are a character. It's one reason why I cannot believe that big Hollywood stars are the characters they play. I love it when I see Asian actors whom I've never seen before because I can imagine that they are a real person in the show that I am watching. I want to retain the image of Togawa and Kazue that I have right now, so I shan't watch the interview of them. But tell me, did they actually say that they did a love scene where they laid on top of each other? LOL. Because I would freaking love to see that!

I considered that, but K/P had killer publicity the very first week. MBM had 40,000 ratings on Viki in its 3rd week. Well, Cupcake has now also been out 3 weeks yet does not have attention yet. The only explanation is that it's not being promoted. It's certainly not about the quality. The quality is so good that the comments here are 100% positive. Compare that to the MDL comments of a show such as "Ocean Likes Me," which was 100% negative. Yet even that show got more attention! And in its first week! I am simply baffled.

I am so glad you exist! lol. Otherwise, it's all women. In fact, that's one of the controversies about BL's. They say that hetero women fetishize gay men. Or that we misunderstand them. I always reply, um, no, if we wanted to fetishize gay men we'd be watching gay porn, not romantic stories. I think what we want is to understand men better. After all, BLs let us peek in on this secret side of men, right? And we also see a sweeter side of men.

Now, when it comes to sex, the mangas do show some more explicit scenes, but even they are not explicit like porn. To begin, they never show an actual penis. And then, of course, they are freaking cartoons! So no, not porn. They are clearly not designed to arouse a person's sexual desire. However, they are instrumental in teaching women certain things about the mechanics of gay sex. I, for one, never knew that the prostate was a sexual pleasure point for men. You see, women do not have a prostate, so anal sex for us is a zilch. I'll do it, but it's like, "Happy Birthday honey, and if you're a good boy, maybe again at Christmas." lol

At any rate, I am glad to see a fudanshi here. I only know of one other. His name is Tim. I wish I could tag him, but MDL does not have a tagging feature. He is really cool and the two of us are such big fans of both BLs and Asian film in general that he and I have become pen pals to share recommendations. You can join the fun if you like! Just send me a friend request and personal message :)

IS THIS GETTING HIGH RATINGS IN ASIA?

Does anyone know how this is doing in the Asian market? Because evidenced by venues like Viki and MDL, it's being ignored in the West. There are only 590 MDL Comments, compared to 120,000 for KinnPorsche. And there are only 600 Ratings on Viki, compared to 80,000 for Semantic Error. I know the Thais and Koreans promote their shows more than the Japanese do, but there are even 10 times more ratings in Viki and MDL than for Japanese shows like My Beautiful Man. Heck, MBM did better even with silly people complaining that Kiyoi and Hira's relationship was "toxic." Yet here's a healthy adult couple and it's not getting attention. So, again, I ask, is it getting attention in Asia?

How did you translate it? I don't know what you mean by "plug in"? I know I am being a pain in the ass, but I love this show so much and I am so desperate to see a anything between these two these two guys that I must know! lol. And I truly do appreciate that you've been replying to me. Thank you.