Bangbangbang

I don’t understand, is the idea of representation exclusively a Western thing? Is it just about being white and not white? Is a gay Indian not allowed to see himself in a gay story set in Thailand? Are Asians in Asia not allowed to share experiences and only hope to get representation in Western shows?
AND yes, I meant “our stories” to mean our common Asian experience, but also more specifically the Asian LGBTQIA+ stories which we have in common, as Asians in Asia. Contrary to what you may perceive, we Asians share a common ASIAN identity. And I don’t mean this through the American lense of Asian identity/diaspora, but as REAL Asian nations IN ASIA. Just like being a real European, we in Asia have a sense of community which is our own. But that’s besides the point. “Our stories” means the shared experiences of the LGBTQIA+ in Asia, where it ranges from total acceptance and equality all the way to persecution and death. At the end of it, we are not white. You won’t be hearing us rioting over these Westerners/whites/halfies in our shows, but we notice. AGAIN, I’m not saying ban any Westerner in our shows or even erase the identities of halfies, but since we’re already exposed to white representation (if you want me to use another term, since you find the term representation so American, ironically I totally agree with, then “see white people”) from so much Western media, forgive me for being of the opinion that they should really prioritize inter-Asian diversity in our shows, meaning Asian shows, specially about the LGBTQIA+ Asians IN ASIA.

I said feels/looks “slightly/bit forced.” Also, a white person, whether half or not, with whatever intention from production, in a show from and for Asia, no matter what you say, sticks out to us Asians. You won’t hear riots about it, but we notice it. That’s my point. Because we are not white. Ergo FEELS/LOOKS “slightly/bit forced.”

Also, you saying that Thais are racist to their fellow Asians really solidifies my point that we need more representation in these Thai shows than these Westerners/whites/halfies.

Fine, he's Thai. Fine, there are a lot of half-Western actors in Asia. Even in my country, there are a lot of them in media, yes. But my argument really stems from the fact that these halfies are given attention when there are more non half-Westerners within our countries. They are literally a minority in our part of the world, but they should be given the opportunity to tell our stories? It's not fair, and yes, maybe my gripe also stems from the Asian obsession with white people. Maybe I'm just sick and tired of white people and white media, so when they appear in shows that I see myself in, specially LGBTQIA+ shows in Asia, maybe I am allowed to get upset, even ever so slightly. Maybe I'm allowed to roll my eyes at seeing a white person in shows in Asia where they, Westerners, normally see us as an exotic play thing. Ironically one of the many reasons these half-white people are even really here to begin with.

Tell me, does there have to be an explicit expression of dissent in order for something to feel like something else, or that a certain reality really is? Did I invalidate the feelings of my fellow Asians who actually live in Asia? I did not. I am saying this as a member of our part of Asia/the world who sees Westerners use us as their playground. And I find it really ridiculous that I'm getting vilified by complaining that a white person is given representation when there are so many more in our LOCAL LGBTQIA+ communities whom are even more bereft of even the slightest of representation. AGAIN. I'm not saying it's a bad thing that they put a white, be it mixed, actor in this role. But come one. If you are part of our part of the world, you'd totally get how this sticks out, even if the intention was for white representation. Because apparently white people need it! Ergo the scene where Baabin called him a ฝรั่ง. You may deny people/locals/Asians in Asia might not like/notice it, but trust that we are always having conversations within OUR countries about the presence of Westerners within OUR spaces.

Literally read my arguments. Again, I'm not against it, but in our part of the world, it can feel a bit forced when we're already so bereft of LGBTQIA+ representation ourselves. Specially in our eyes, the locals of Asia, where white people are already few and far between.

Argument still stands. Yes, you can put these Westerners or halfies in the mix, but in the end, it’ll still look strange and a bit forced, specially for us from this part of Asia/the world. It looks like they’re trying to force racial diversity like they do in the West, when we don’t really need that representation in our part of the world, or at least regarding Westerners. We have our own space with our own stories, because we are generally not countries built on immigration.
Again, not saying it’s a bad thing, but it just sticks out like a sore thumb. And again, why not other Asian representation? Why it got to be white? (Same stand for any Western race) BUT I concede. ‘Cause white/Western poeple need the representation, right? 😂

Yes, immigration is a real thing, but compared to the realities in the West, it’s not as common or normal here in Asia. Exceptions may be Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea and Japan. But in other Asian countries, we aren’t as racially diverse, and we try to embrace the representation we get, specially LGBTQIA+ representation. And the fact that there are random Westerners in OUR stories feels strange and slightly forced. Again, I get immigration, but not all places are an open racial melting pot like the U.S. and Europe. It’s about Asian representation in our Asian stories. Adding random Westerners, feels so disingenuous. And it’s more common to see other Asians in these Asian countries, so why go white? Why not a Malaysian or a Cambodian. Nepalese, Kazakh? Asia is so rich and diverse. Why white. For reals.

Same! I really, REALLY wanted baby Baabin to get the man! I am crushed. 😭

I have to say, everything about the show is fantastic. The production, the cinematography, the color grading, props, everything was really good. BUT my one gigantic gripe with this show is the story. I just really do not appreciate how the story ended, specifically how the characters ended their storylines. I’m sorry, but I just hated it so much; what a mess? And I don’t appreciate the ฝรั่ง character, I swear. Gigantic red flag and honestly, why a random white guy in an Eastern show? Legit. Sorry. Not sorry. Jesus Christ it could’ve been so perfect, I swear. Baby BAABIN!!!!!! 😭😭😭 I really wanted you to get the man! 😩😩😩

Segue. PJ (Baabin) is so adorable and quite a good actor. I hope to see him in other projects!
Respectable 9/10. Higher, to be honest, if the story didn’t go the way it did. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Team BAABIN for the winnnnn!!! Wooooooo!!!
I believe in you, baby boy! Go get your man and show him what a green flag feels like!!! 😙😙

My gut and HEART still feel like Baabin will get the boy. Fou4Mod is just confused. He should know better than to fall for a walking red flag. Baabin, baby boy, show that lost boy what he’s really worth and what a real green flag feels like! I’m rooting for youuuuuu! 😤😤😤😤
Also. Talk about a love square. 😵‍💫

Honestly, quite basic and cliché Thai college BL tropes, but quite an attractive ensemble. Didn’t really appreciate how childish and quite immature Teerak was, but I digress. Not to mention the girlfriend arc was so unnecessary. Also, that whole debacle with the dad near the end felt so forced, and was a bit annoying. Nothing new, but good old cliché gay Thai fun.
BUT Thomas is just gorgeous, isn’t he. 😙

Oh, my god. That was AMAZING!!!
Totally hurt my head connecting all the dots, but by the end, I WAS BLOWN AWAY!
That title never really made any sense to me until I was almost at the end. But gosh, what a roller coaster of emotions. That was DRAMA done right! And the amount of love we get by the end, I haven’t seen a BL with so much love in a while. Or have I really even watched a BL with so much love, specially a KOREAN BL. Amazing! The post drama withdrawals is going to hit real hard with this one.

On a more serious note, I love that it acknowledges that trauma really is the killer. We have a right to not forgive our abusers. AND that we can always begin again. I’ll just leave it at that. SOLID 9.5/10!

Totally this! The whole Ba-Mhee arc just pissed me off. It really pulled my rating down. For a show that’s supposed to be for the gays, that felt like a total slap on our faces. 😤

That ending sucks and doesn’t make sense!!!
A lot of things didn’t make sense!!
I want to bash my head against something! 😭

You know what’s sad, when the minor characters have more kilig (google it) moments than the main. What a shame; this show somehow feels like a scam. Like, what the heck is that ending? Waiting for 5 years is crazy!

Also, Off and Gun have had so many projects together by now and are still quite stiff, specially compared to their contemporaries. Come on. It should be lunch time on those lips by now. Omnomnimnommmmm

Somehow, this left me a bit sad, specially for OffGun. :((

P.S. I really didn’t appreciate the lesbian arc just for the girl to go back to her hetero relationship. Isn’t the whole show supposed to be of the LGBTQIA+ genre? It felt so disingenuous to the lesbians. 😮‍💨

The 2 main leads had so much potential, specially knowing them from their previous works together, but what a waste. They got so draggy that I even got annoyed with the second straight couple. I blame production hands down. We come to these kinds of show for magic. For gayness. And did it deliver? Barely. Sadness. :((
Not the open mouth, fish out of water kisses!

This was just so ridiculous and far from realistic, but I still enjoyed it, though! The main leads were cute, as they were from their previous drama together.
P.S. can we please retire the bowl cut from Pon. In all the dramas I’ve seen him in, it’s all the same hair do. Though, I have to admit, it really does make him look quite youthful, considering how old he really is. 😆😆😆

Hurt my head big time, but was still a fun thrill of a ride. Bible and Jes were just fantastic; I’d love to see them in another project. Would’ve liked a bit more fleshing out of the characters, but I’ll take the mess of loops and circles. Maybe a bit more kissing would have evened it out for me. Loooolll.

Totally agree. She felt so unnecessary and just down right annoying! 😤

It seems I share the same sentiments as most of the people commenting here. For me, Taichi was just so charming, and that pulled my rating up.
I agree, I wish the girl just disappeared; it got so draggy with her. Also, I really did wish they showed us at least a kiss. I would even have accepted a fish out of water kiss! Oh well. 9/10. 🤷🏼‍♂️