WanderousQueenB

I agree that adaptations rarely recreate the magic of the source material. But a non-straightwashed adaptation would still be preferable to a straightwashed one

Adaptations enjoy greater media accessibility and exposure than their source materials. They reach a wider audience and play a bigger role in shaping societal attitudes. Thus, straightwashing in adaptations sidelines non-straight narratives and contributes to their exclusion from the public consciousness. It implies that non-straight narratives lack standalone worth and need to be propped up by straight narratives

There's an inequality in the treatment of gay source materials compared to straight source materials. Adaptations of gay works are subject to censorship and straightwashing. Meanwhile, adaptations of straight works aren't as likely to have their straightness altered or removed. This is a problem that needs to be solved

Chan Young and Ji Yu. The source material doesn't feature them together. They're together in the adaptation to take the place of the second gay couple, Sun Woo and Yoo Dahm

No judgment here! Jun Seo's looks can make it hard to focus on anything else, it's normal

I'm a fan of WEi, and I can't recommend their music enough!

For more content from Jun Seo and his group members, everyone should check out "Twilight," "Spray," and "Not Enough" MVs in addition to "Bye Bye Bye" MV. Each of them displays WEi's signature style and sound

That's the truth. Male and female Kpop idols are well-known for their beauty, and Jun Seo isn't an exception. They take pride in their clean appearance and go to great lengths to look their best. In a way, they set the bar high for beauty standards

Thank you for taking a stand against harmful content

I'm not "canceling" him or suggesting he should be banned from acting for the rest of his life. I'm speaking out against the p*rn industry and other forms of "sexual" content capitalizing on women's degradation, and I've been doing that across different platforms

This isn't about one actor or incident, this is a cultural problem

As a public figure, he has a responsibility to act with caution and consideration, something he didn't do

It could be argued the use of p*rn or parody in this context is problematic. It makes light of r*pe, a violation of human rights, and encourages others to derive pleasure from it (the purpose of p*rn). R*pe p*rn, or p*rn in general, promotes a distorted view of sexuality and contributes to a culture that dehumanizes women. This actor amplified its harmful messages by consuming and sharing it

I believe actors who take on BL/gay roles at least once are more beautiful than those who limit themselves to non-BL roles. Their beauty extends beyond their appearance. And part of it comes from their willingness to take risks and push themselves outside of their comfort zones. Their unapologetic display of gay love on screen makes the society that seeks to hide it uncomfortable. That's a beautiful thing to watch on screen

Ranking actors from BL/gay roles, Kang Hui (Cherry Blossoms after Winter), Jae Chan (Semantic Error), Do Won (Love Tractor), and Jong Hyuk (Our Dating Sim) share a similar level of beauty to Jun Seo (an idol) in view of their connections to the modeling and idol worlds

You're the ones "seething" and "foaming at the mouth" in your defense of an indefensible person

The sharing of content featuring r*pe isn't a "mistake" anyone could make, you can’t share what you don’t store on your device. Deleting it and issuing an apology seem to be more of a calculated strategy to manipulate public perception and get people on his side than a genuine expression of remorse

A person aware of the damaging influence of this type of content on themselves and society at large wouldn't consume or take pleasure in it. Most people, man or woman, lack awareness. This is a reminder that we shouldn't worship celebrities, their true character and thoughts are unknown to us

People everywhere are quick to forgive men

Sung Hoon disseminated something as abhorrent as r*pe p*rn, deleting it shortly thereafter, and there were many who rushed to defend him. "It's just a joke/parody," they'd say, even though r*pe is a grave issue that shouldn't be laughed off

I find no humor in the brutal games depicted in Squid Game, there's no reason for me to find humor in depictions of women getting r*ped by men

There were parts of Squid Game season 2 that I enjoyed, and Sung Hoon's role wasn't one of them. I'm curious to see how he performs in his next roles

I'm a regular person with an opinion, a keyboard, and a bit too much free time

Our opinions on this drama differ, and I suggest watching other dramas that might be in line with your preferences

Expressing a genuine appreciation for the drama has been met with ridicule, hostility, and ad hominem attacks, rather than a healthy exchange of diverse perspectives. I don't see "genuine critical reviews/comments." I see harassment. And I’m seeing it unfold again in the comments section of my review

These groundless accusations of getting paid, creating multiple accounts, and spamming are nothing more than a feeble attempt to silence me and my respectful disagreement with less favorable reviews/comments. I assure you, I have no intention of spamming others. I was exercising my right to express my opinions and stand by them

Art speaks to us on a personal level. It might remind us of something from our lives, or it might explore themes we find meaningful

This piece of art did that for me. I could feel sympathy and understanding for the characters' journeys and it influenced my rating. You or others might not experience the same connection with it

I'm flattered that you believe my words are worth paying for!

Unfortunately, the compensation I received for writing a love letter to this drama is the satisfaction of knowing I've shared my love with others. They let me do that for free

Have you considered the story's message?

Embedded in this story is a message of hope and personal growth. The characters try to make amends for their wrongdoings, to leave behind the people who have hurt them and welcome a healthier love. A sad ending would've made less sense

Having been a WEi fan since the iconic "Twilight" MV, I was thrilled to discover Jun Seo's involvement in a BL. And he didn't disappoint

My feelings are mixed between being supportive of Jun Seo's rise in the acting world and fearing that mainstream prejudices will push him away from BL. Actors, when reaching a level of recognition, shy away from unconventional, non-straight roles. They fear homophobic backlash and damage to their careers

Losing Jun Seo's talent in boundary-defying BL/gay projects will be a great loss. I dream of a future where BLs are appreciated more, attracting greater financial backing, support, and resources. This would elevate the genre's quality and enable gifted actors such as Jun Seo, Sun Hyung, Ho Young, and Jung Woo to showcase their skills in more BLs

"... but there are some BLs which don't have an happy end"

One type of ending doesn’t fit all stories. The choice of a happy, open, or sad ending depends on the story's context and the creators’ intent

Though conflict resolution and character growth happened swiftly, the creators felt that concluding the story with a happy ending was most appropriate. The story was bleak, and a sudden turn towards a positive outcome would subvert audience expectations. It'd be more shocking and memorable than a negative outcome

"... when the story does go opposite to what we have watched seven episodes"

Fiction allows us to dream, to hope, and to see things we're not able to see. A happy ending that might not "make sense" in the context of reality can be a valid, powerful outcome in fiction

I value the role happy BLs play in challenging the conventional, "queer" depiction of gay experiences as tragic. They affirm that gay relationships are beautiful, rewarding, and fulfilling