StrawberrySuga

It's difficult to prove the existence or effect of emotional intelligence and life strategies on relationships. Emotional intelligence is subjective and can't be objectively measured. Assuming Deuk Pal/Yi Heon's past life experiences make him more emotionally intelligent or better equipped than average isn't a valid argument. They might hinder him in certain situations

Deuk Pal's soul is inhabiting the body of a teenager and experiencing the hormonal, psychological changes associated with adolescence. The raging hormones and developmental milestones of adolescence would erode the maturity Deuk Pal/Yi Heon previously attained, leveling the playing field in current relationships

Exploitation in relationships involves the use of power or authority to take advantage of someone, and it’s not clear that Deuk Pal/Yi Heon has the power or authority over other teenagers in the present. His past life experiences don’t automatically translate into exploitation. It would depend on the circumstances and dynamics of his relationships

Societal norms aren't the ultimate authority on what is right or wrong. Deuk Pal/Yi Heon and Se Kyung might've been able to navigate a healthy, positive relationship

It's not a traditional "47-year-old man and 18-year-old teenager" relationship. A soul isn't bound by traditional age markers

The 47-year-old's soul has more past life experience and wisdom, but it's in the body of an 18-year-old, with all the feelings, vulnerabilities, and inexperiences that come with that age. It's not in a 47-year-old's body, with all the authority and clout that comes with that

The 47-year-old’s soul, in the context of an 18-year-old body, would make for a unique dynamic. I understand that the dynamic is uncomfortable for you, I just don't believe the gay romance should've been censored. The drama could've used the romance to examine people's preconceptions and spark a meaningful dialogue about what is or isn't a healthy relationship

"wtf it would be illegal"

This is a 47-year-old's soul inhabiting an 18-year-old's body. It wouldn't be illegal (or immoral) for him to date another 18-year-old. There's no legal basis for a distinction between someone's physical age and their perceived "soul age." The law doesn't exist to regulate a scenario that exists only in fiction, and those who insist on doing so are the "idiots"

Courts of law wouldn't take seriously a case in which a high schooler like Yi Heon is claimed to be a "47-year-old inhabiting an 18-year-old's body." Your claim would be seen as delusional and you would be referred for psychiatric evaluation

Souls actually not having an age is one reason the relationship can't be "predatory." A soul is an intangible, immeasurable essence beyond the confines of the body. Assigning an age (47) to the soul inside Yi Heon's body is a fruitless endeavor

The term "predatory" implies a power imbalance that's not present in this case, as Deuk Pal, despite his past life experiences, is Yi Heon and inhabiting the body of a teenager

Deuk Pal, now Yi Heon, doesn't have the social standing and physical maturity that would give him power over Se Kyung, another teenager. He can't exploit or manipulate the other

It wouldn't have been uncomfortable. If it's "uncomfortable," the producers should've adapted a story that's not "uncomfortable"

I can't support the censorship

I wouldn't have been weirded out by a 47-year-old's soul in a teenager's body being in a relationship with another teenager. Physically, Deuk Pal is Yi Heon, a teenager. Deuk Pal is living in the body of a high schooler that's subject to the norms and expectations of that age group. It'd be natural for him to seek out relationships with people his body's age. When someone is reincarnated in a younger body, are they forever bound by the limitations of their past self? Should they be deprived of the joys and hardships of a relationship?

It's easy to pass judgment, but the soul can't divorce itself from its current physical form. The body is young, and to forbid the current self the opportunity to experience love and growth is to deprive them of a basic human experience

Whether the romance in the novel/comic was between Deuk Pal in Yi Heon's body and Se Kyung, or Yi Heon in Yi Heon's body and Se Kyung, the potential for a nuanced exploration of consent and relationships was there. The drama could've delved into the challenges of a 47-year-old's soul inhabiting a teenage body, and the effect it has on a romantic relationship. They shouldn't have discarded the gay romance as "creepy" without exploring the dynamic

If the producers of the drama truly censored the gay romance because of its "creepiness," they should've chosen to adapt a different story that wouldn't have presented them or their conservative audience with difficult questions

Adapting a story and censoring its perceived "creepiness" is artistic cowardice. Out of respect for the source material's complexity, I wouldn't have adapted it at all

I wouldn't have been weirded out by a 47-year-old's soul in a teenager's body being in a relationship with another teenager. Physically, Deuk Pal is Yi Heon, a teenager. Deuk Pal is living in the body of a high schooler that's subject to the norms and expectations of that age group. It'd be natural for him to seek out relationships with people his body's age. When someone is reincarnated in a younger body, are they forever bound by the limitations of their past self? Should they be deprived of the joys and hardships of a relationship?

It's easy to pass judgment, but the soul can't divorce itself from its current physical form. The body is young, and to forbid the current self the opportunity to experience love and growth is to deprive them of a basic human experience

Whether the romance in the novel/comic was between Deuk Pal in Yi Heon's body and Se Kyung, or Yi Heon in Yi Heon's body and Se Kyung, the potential for a nuanced exploration of consent and relationships was there. The drama could've delved into the challenges of a 47-year-old's soul inhabiting a teenage body, and the effect it has on a romantic relationship. They shouldn't have discarded the gay romance as "creepy" without exploring the dynamic

If the producers of the drama truly censored the gay romance because of its "creepiness," they should've chosen to adapt a different story that wouldn't have presented them or their conservative audience with difficult questions

Adapting a story and censoring its perceived "creepiness" is artistic cowardice. Out of respect for the source material's complexity, I wouldn't have adapted it at all

I don't agree that it'd be weird. If it's "weird," the producers should've adapted a story that's not "weird"

Being gay or in a gay relationship doesn't make someone immune from displaying homophobic behavior or attitudes

I've met homophobic gay people in gay relationships who ally themselves with homophobes or pride themselves on being "not like the other gays"

There would've been no story or conflict if Yi Heon’s sexuality weren't a source of bullying. He wouldn't have unalived himself and the gangster wouldn’t have gotten involved in his life

The story focused on other elements, but the gay characters and relationships within it were still important to some people. They shouldn't have taken them out

I don't agree

I did see homophobic comments, "LGBTQ+ is like a virus," "gay people are mentally ill and sinful, not everyone is into mentally ill relationships," "I'm fine with censorship," "I hope more gay works will be censored and adapted into friendship dramas," etc

Being happy about the censorship that targets gay works is homophobic

Well said

These homophobic defenders of censorship can't possibly know the thoughts or feelings of the author or every other Korean person. They don't get to assume that all Korean people are okay with the censorship

The novel and webtoon featured gay characters and explored themes of identity and sexuality. This is important representation that could've been a starting point for more nuanced mainstream representation in the future

What's not life-changing for you, is life-changing for me

You are homophobic

The existence of other gay content doesn't excuse the censorship of this drama

There might be other pressing issues facing the community, it doesn't mean that censorship isn't an issue. Addressing censorship is part of an effort to combat discrimination and promote visibility for gay people and relationships

Self-censorship is a problem

Censorship of a work of art robs the work of its original meaning and intent. It's harmful to the artistic community as a whole

Censorship reinforces harmful societal norms and attitudes. For example, this gay work of art was censored because it challenged traditional gender roles and relationships. Censorship of this work reinforces the homophobic belief that there's only one "right" way to love or be in a relationship, and that deviation from it is "wrong"

The author might've agreed to the censorship due to external pressures and fear of backlash. You don't know why they agreed. The censorship isn't a true reflection of the author's artistic vision

I'm not fine

It's possible to address multiple issues. Censorship isn't an issue that should be accepted or ignored in the face of other issues

BL is love, BL is life. The beauty and sweetness of BL beats bromance always

I honestly hope they adapt more straight webtoons/novels into friendship dramas/movies

We all know no straight webtoon/novel/drama/movie can beat a good friendship