MAI

Very ironic indeed! I understand it may not be feasible to crowdfund an entire TV show (especially since most of its viewership consists of broke teens and young adults) but they could at least have had a character make some type of meta/self-aware joke about the obvious irony of the product placement.

Greenhouse gas emissions due to some hefty use of energy apparently. (https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/15/22328203/nft-cryptoart-ethereum-blockchain-climate-change) This was also news to me!

Besides a heartfelt moment of Yok and Gram briefly simping over their crushes together, nope, there are no YokDan moments, lol.

The gang decides to infiltrate Tawi's factory but White is a little shit and fucks up the plan again.

Look, I'm not one to simp for actors. But, hot dang, Fluke/Dan really is one handsome bloke.

Tried watching this without subs. Simultaneously the dumbest yet also most hilarious film I've ever watched. Totally get why this isn't subbed. Had a good laugh reading the comments of Korean netizens, some of which exclaimed that they felt inspired to pick up screenwriting after seeing how bad this was.

Conventional plot, mediocre acting, and an even more questionable wardrobe choice but, for some reason, the cinematography and colour grading ended up saving the entire thing. The clash between the online chat conversations/prose (mostly shot with a cropped lens and blur overlay, as if it means to portray the twisted purgatory that is Sang Wi's own mind) and the real, enacted performance of the actors just worked really well. It kept the film visually interesting and, at the same time, managed to actually convey a meaningful message.

The comment section is an entire show in itself, grab a bag of popcorn and enjoy! I've never been so invested before. 😂

And so it appears! Another reason for me to try step up my emoji game, I suppose 😂

Lemme tell you, I'm a full grown woman but I think I audibly gasped when I saw your banana milkshake analogy 😂

Not to intervene with this new discussion thread, lol, but I just wanted to chip in and comment that this is actually a wonderful take on the show! Your comment made me reflect on how there is often a mutual support system or intersectional relationship between different marginalised/minority groups. That is, queer minorities have often supported other disenfranchised communities (and vice versa). For some reason it made me think of the mutual support between the Black Lives Matter/Black liberation movement and the LGBTQ+ supporters in the US (e.g. even the 1969 Stonewall riots were driven, first and foremost, by Black LGBTQ+ women).

Now, of course, Not Me is a work of fiction, but-- as you said-- it is based on a real Thai milieu where people's general dissatisfaction with current politics is becoming increasingly clear. There is something powerful (and daring) about choosing a BL-- a genre that it itself is marginalised and underestimated-- to explore greater societal issues and to let the voice to those at the grassroots of society be heard. It's great when movements like these join forces.

I've become quite familiar with social commentaries being packaged as horror movies or comedies, but Not Me might be the first one I've watched that has chosen the BL genre instead. How many directors choose a romance plot for their social commentaries, after all? I think Not Me forces us to see the relevance (and political potential) of BL as a genre but it also gives young people an intensive to keep up with politics in general. That being said, I do wonder to what extent the show is really going (and will be able) to push its anti-establishment narrative in the end. Considering the script revisions that have already been made, I am anxiously awaiting what kind of conclusion we will get from all of this since I highly doubt that our vigilantes will/can be presented as ultimate heroes in the end.

I read the synopsis of this movie and immediately had to think of this case! I didn't know he was the actual missing child that inspired the movie. That's absolutely phenomenal!

Not to start a whole discussion about the definition of BL-- because who determines where the boundary between BLs vs LGTBQ+ movies lies-- but, in my experience, this coming out narrative of which you speak is often framed as a triumphant ordeal in many BL shows. The main characters finally overcome their parents homophobia and destain and can finally live together with their lover (except for the shows that just decide to blatantly kill off their main character, lol). It's the modern, queer rendition of the perfect fairy tale. LGBTQ+ movies are much more diverse (and occasionally brutal) in the way in which they depict the hardships that come with coming out and growing up gay. That being said, I agree that this coming-out moment is an important rite of passage for many (notably, Western) queer people, but I understand that many viewers also just want to take a break from these topics and just escape in a hidden-idenity, action flick. Queer people also deserve representation beyond the struggles and hardships that they may face.

As for your second point, yes, this is my no means a true LGBTQ+ series, lol. I would also definitely position this fair and square within the BL genre (the main actors were already shipped, if I'm not mistaken, and we even see the quintessential side couple who is-- coincidentally--also very much gay). But I also see nothing wrong with that. It sure doesn't offer any meaningful commentary about gay relationships but do we truly need that in every single series? This is just a matter of taste. And, as I noted in my previous comment, everyone has different tastes and expectations when it comes to series.

(Also, this is not related to the discussion whatsoever but your comment about this being a theatrical crime thriller gave me some real PTSD flashbacks to another show I recently watched that perfectly encapsulates that feeling, lol. Have you, by any chance, watched Rainbow Prince yet?)

Oh dear. Be prepared to defend your opinion against the storm of comments that will probably ensue, lol! I think this show has quite a cult following that would wholeheartedly disagree with you. Of course, you're entitled to your own opinion, and it would be a stretch to say this show is perfect (what show is without flaws, after all), but I've read some of your thoughts in the comments you left on various other shows and movies (it appears we have a very similar taste!) and I think you might just be more into stories that depict the authentic queer experience. Not Me is definitely catered towards teenagers and young adults, and the main characters are similarly a bunch of (pretty irrational and impulsive) university students. Having followed this show since the very beginning, I do however think there is more to the show than it being a cheap rendition of Mission Impossible. Although there has been little to none commentary on gay relationships, so far the characters have done an excellent job at addressing political themes in a way that is accessible for a quite general/young audience instead (something that I've rarely seen in any recent BL content). If anything, I think this show has great potential to be used as an entry point to discuss politics and corruption amongst young people (especially in a Thai setting!). It at least encouraged me to learn more about Thailand's current political climate. I'd say that the show's political undertone is equally important (and maybe even more ambitious) as portraying real life queer experiences.

I think much of your comment boils down on a more general confusion about the definition of BL and LGBTQ+ film: the latter is generally catered towards depicting the realistic lived experience of queer people (by addressing themes like coming-of-age, coming out, and homophobia, the topics of which you speak). They are often produced with a somewhat political undertone, and they are specifically for the queer gaze. BLs, on the contrary, often portray a fantastical world of what COULD be: in these imaginary worlds queer relationships are the norm, and public displays of affection are not shunned but celebrated. They are also catered mostly (although not exclusively) towards teenage girls as a form of escapism. Of course, the boundaries between these two genres are frequently blurred in reality, but I see no inherent problem with the existence of either of them-- they are simply marketed towards different audiences and serve a different purpose. Now, from the popularity of Not Me (and other recent and upcoming shows like Manner of Death and KinnPorsche) it is clear that, apparently, there is an universal desire for BL series to move beyond the mundane young adult, university settings and to incorporate different genres. In my opinion, it would be a shame these shows wouldn't be able to be produced simply because of unspoken rules about what queer media is supposed to look like. Creating enjoyable content comes with trial and error, and we need shows (like Not Me) to push the boundaries a bit, even if it means that opinions about them can be polarizing.

Also, I can totally understand your 'stick with the basics' comment. Especially now that production companies are finally seeing the potential/value of BL content, there has been an upsurge of (mostly low-quality) BL content over theses last few years. The BL industry has become a bit of a cash-grab, where production companies are pumping out shows with the knowledge that, as long as they can slap a BL-label on it, people will buy into it anyway. I think it's a bit of an open secret that BL content reuses clichéd tropes and settings but I personally see this as the growing pains of a newly emerging industry. Budget-wise, this show may not be the greatest (although I dare ask based on your comment: when will this budget be large enough to get a 'pass' for being able to dabble into the action genre?) but I've seen my fair share of indie movies over the years and I can say that production quality isn't everything. Good acting and screenwriting will get you far. But this is something that boils down to preference as well: I know tons of people who would spontaneously burst into tears if they were to watch some of my favourite independent films.

Anyway, I am very much enjoying this show (although the week-long wait for the next episode is slowly killing me) but, just to reiterate, it's also fine to realise it is not your thing. Art is subjective.

LOL can you imagine him actually needing to live the rest of his life with this massive tattoo on his back? "Yeah I played a Yakuza member once, guess I got stuck with it..." 🤷

There is something to be said for watching it while it's still airing, tho! I agree the wait is absolutely excruciating, and you bet I am counting the days until Sunday rolls around, but there is a charm to being part of the watching-community. For me, one of the most fun elements of watching shows is reading everyone's opinion, sharing jokes, and speculating on where the show's heading. But if you hate cliffhangers: run and come back in March, lol!

Tried watching this without subs but, although the dialogue is sparse, I felt like I was missing out on some important information. Please hit me up when the English subtitles have been made!

I swear, this dude (or his agent) has a nose for actually picking the few good Korean BLs for his acting projects. He has managed to avoid exactly the mediocre ones that are being pumped out at the moment.

Good grief, there are 5 versions of this story? Talk about one popular snake.

I've got a feeling that that OST is gonna be fire!