Not a Robot

The hair cutting scene was powerful, also when she cut the portrait and burned her side. The emperor was so cruel to her in so many ways. The women all fighting over the emperor was so disgusting.

I originally thought I didn't care if they stayed together or broke up, but after watching some Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace, 15 minute clips, I say to Oh-aew, run and don't look back! Ruyi didn't have a choice, but you do! Don't waste your youth in a relationship that will crash and burn, unless you guys get therapy. Being that the setting is in Asia, that is highly unlikely, so fly and be free! I won't be mad if they don't break up, since I know this is angst-fiction, but hope they do.

Thanks. I will watch.

Yes! Besides Cherry Maho, Gaya sa Pelikula, Gameboys and Manner of Death, were my favorite BLs last year. What I love about the Filipino BL industry is that they take risks (okay, the COVID thing has been overdone) but even a generally panned series like Swap Test (seemed to be a homage to early John Water to me) had transgender characters, both male and female. Filipino BLs also have great soundtracks. I looking forward to watching their further growth in the industry.

I wish I could remember where that comment about the accent was left. I can't tell the accents apart but my comment was more directed toward maybe certain dramas like Love is More than a Word could be developed in Taiwan.

Thanks for this comment because I didn't realize that people were slandering Oh Aew. While "on paper", Teh seems to be the golden one, more talent, looks, etc., in reality, Oh aew is the more emotionally balanced person who is willing to put it on the line. I loved how he walked out instead of sitting there politely while dying inside. I'm proud of Oh aew, and while this is wrong, I loved it when he hit Teh with the flowers.

Can you name some of the BL danmei dramas with subs? I would like to start watching them! My favorite unfinished Chinese BL drama is Love is More than a Word because the new regulations took place while the series was in production.

I agree with the Filipino dramas. Some of them have technical issues or not the best acting, but they at least some of them have gay actors in gay roles. Taiwan hasn't done a danmei drama, yet, but when I suggested this on another board, (so it doesn't have to be turned into a bromance) someone commented that ancient Chinese sounds strange with a Taiwanese accent. Maybe they could work with a dialogue coach. I would love to see the Legendary Master's Wife turned into a series.

There's also a lot of gay baiting where straight actors will say that they don't consider gender, after acting in a BL but you never see them with the same sex partner. I've never heard of the incident that you're talking about, but it is pretty hypocritical to make $$$$$ off of a community, when some of the opportunities could be given to that community. It also doesn't help that the fans try to speculate on relationships either. I mean Gulf is straight, Mew is not his boyfriend. Even when the actors are honest, they still aren't believed.

I'm starting to see more LGBTQI+ actors in the Filipino BL industry. Filipino BL series are still hit and miss, but in Gaya Sa Pelikula, Paolo, who plays Karl is gay and out of the closet.

I think that Fluke is a really good actor and I hope that he gets more roles. I'm sorry to hear that he hasn't been getting more opportunities.

I agree with you, that's why I said it would be nice to have a gay character in a series decide to live authentically and why I said Teh wants to be a star, vice an actor. Things will not change over night, but if we have a character like Teh decide to live an authentic life, that would show others that being gay does not affect his skill as an actor. Currently, an out of the closet actor may not be a star, or relegated to gay roles, but you can still be in plays and smaller productions and still work as an actor. I find it ironic that a homophobic industry is making so much money off of BL and giving most of the larger roles to straight actors. Maybe as more gay writers and directors gain more clout, they can start insisting on casting LGBTQI+ talent. I see the BL industry as a place where LGBTQI+ actors can attain meaningful roles. Simon Gong got super popular from Word of Honor, but maybe a gay actor could have had that role. I liked Simon since Advance Bravely, but I'm dropping his name because I know he is straight. I read an article where he was praised for taking another BL role (WOH) after doing straight roles. Sorry, I'm just rambling, but it would be nice to see a character in a series make that choice, even though it may limit their work.

Just like in ITSAY, I don't care if the main couple stays together. I found that a flaw while watching ITSAY when I realized that I would have been happy if Oh-aew chose Bas. Both seasons have been angsty dramas, but it would have been refreshing if they did something really different and allowed Teh to be out of the closet and still be an actor. There's a difference between being an actor and being a star, but I guess Teh wants to be a star.

I watched Porsch and his husband Arm do a Q&A and they each had a different answer for their first kiss, but have been together for 13 years. That's real life. I also like to watch Gun and his boyfriend Pea and how they interact, and they are in a newer relationship. Bruce from Lovely Write is a really good actor and he is also out of the closet. You can still be a working actor and be out of the closet in Thailand. Why not show that side of the entertainment industry?

I'm not diagnosing him, but how we walked out of the club, looked at the carnage he helped create, then turned around and walked back in, shows a lack of empathy and remorse, which are traits of psychopaths.

Maybe the industry would not, but it would be a start. Porsch, New Year, and Gun have YouTube channels that they do with their husband and boyfriends. It would be nice to see a BL lead decide not to hide their sexuality.

This popped up in my YT recommends and I almost passed because of the masks and I'm not into anonymous sex plot. I did have to suspend my left brain when it came to believing that someone with strong enough anxiety to cause a panic attack would allow their first time to be recorded. What is making me continue this series is that beyond the cliches, you can see something deeper brewing within both of the the characters. Even during their short interaction you can see many mood and emotional changes. The actors are doing an excellent job so far and I'm looking forward to the next episode.

What would be great is if Tey stops overthinking everything, does the career he loves and lives authentically like Porsch, Earth (Cooheart), Gun (Green from 2gether), etc. We haven't seen many characters in a BL where a celebrity lives openly and proudly. Even Lovely Writer missed that opportunity.

I was more making the point that Teh tells people he loves them, really does love them, but is distracted with feelings for another. Tarn and Tey were school dating and waiting to graduate to really date at Tarns request. That's why Tarn was so devastated when she suggested they set aside the plan and commit and Teh didn't want to. He spent all of those years pursuing her, then suddenly his feelings changed. Like how at first he knew what color bra she was wearing, then in the end he didn't. I only watched it once last year and it wasn't my favorite show, so I can't remember the fine details though.

That's problem with Teh, he keeps screwing up and doesn't seem to learn from his own mistakes. That's a tragic character flaw with Teh. He fell in love with Oh-aew when he still had a girlfriend and now this. I know people like Teh in real life and they always end up dumped by some very good people. I don't know if they have perpetual FOMO or are addicted to "falling in love," instead of knowing how to nurture love for another. Oh Aew should just find someone better for him, and leave Teh to just live the cycle throughout his life. Makes me sad.

The rumor was, the author did not like the casting of the first season, especially Bas as Wayo, and was heavily involved in the casting of 2M2. They wanted to blame Godt, and tried to make it like the guys were on bad terms. At Godt's ordination, Bas was there and happily welcomed by God't mom. The video proof is all over YT.

I did not watch 2M2 during its initial run because I did not want to support such underhanded tactics. I ended up watching the season after seeing the cast in a few interviews, and realized that the actors seemed to be very nice people. I liked 2M2, but I still prefer season 1.

You may enjoy this interview with the 2M2 director.
https://theblxpress.wordpress.com/2021/06/12/exclusive-with-new-wave-thai-bl-director-aam-anusorn/

I like the first season better, but keep in mind, it is an early Thai BL series so they didn't have the budget or coaching that 2 Moons 2 had. I the end I watched both with no regrets.

Yes I know. Pressure from fan service and both parties were not on the same page.

I'm a professional SW so like you, I deal with human behavior. I agree, there could have been a mob attack on Tian and he could have been killed. I think Tian wanted to do the right thing, but being only 20-21, I don't think that he rippled it out. That's why what Phupha did was irresponsible. However, that's what I loved about this episode, especially that it came from the usually cookie-cutter GMMTV. Flawed humans were being flawed humans. I'm looking forward to episode 9. I ordered the book, but will not read the rest until the series is over. (The first 10 chapters were translated before the series aired)