MAI

Omg, this is so fascinating to me! How fun to hear from someone who seems to know more about the historical context of all of this!

Its funny how you mention that m/m slash fiction first emerged during the 70s because it so perfectly seems to capture the zeitgeist of that time (since this is when most of the Western world experienced the legalization/decriminalization of homosexuality). I guess I am more mystified by the rise of yaoi during that time? And what was even the appeal of yaoi to Western teenage girls (because didn't it have a massive international fanbase too)? I always hear 90s babies talk about their teenage obsession with yaoi and shounen manga; something I apparently missed out on? When you speak of BL/yaoi and slash fiction being similar, are you referring to them using similar tropes?

It's so funny that, as soon as you start talking about anything fandom related, Star Trek is bound to be brought up (that while I've never even watched it myself lol). I've previously had to do some research on fandom culture for one of my uni courses, and it's basically impossible not to be bombarded with literature that draws parallels between Star Trek and modern religion (because of its cult following, the lore, and the massive pilgrim-like conventions). Everything just seems to come full circle with that show. It's everywhere. 😂 You think you're having a nice discussion about BL and, STILL, Star Trek manages to find a way to insert itself in it.

Thanks for the interesting fact! I wasn't familiar with the term 'slash fiction' at all (had to Google it) and immediately went down the rabbit hole. Are you saying that fanfiction (as the seemingly Western counterpart of yaoi) emerged AFTER the popularity of yaoi?

And, holy crap, yes this would make great material for a research paper! Especially because most of the research that is done on fandom culture isn't cross-cultural (at least, I personally have never seen anyone link fanfiction with yaoi or BL).

Dang, you're watching some good quality porn if this is what your used to. The shirtless plumber/pizza delivery guy is no longer a thing? 😂

In all seriousness, that character building was indeed shit (but also not that surprising). No better way to bait the public than to immediately throw in some sexually-suggestive content.

Just finished the episode and, you know what? I think this show would work extremely well if it were satire. But as a serious drama... I am not yet convinced.

Have BLs always exuded such strong fanfiction vibes? Or is it just the stuff that's airing right now? I truly can't tell. Show's got a nice OST tho.

Love these kind of movies!

Hmm maybe I should just give up and watch the last episode when this finishes airing then. 😂

Not bad! They could have spend some more screen time on the past of the mom (and her daughter) to make the plot stronger but a pretty solid story overall.

Got stranded at episode 4. Does it get better or should I give up?

Yeah, exactly? I'm kinda surprised that this seems to be one of the highest rated BLs right now. Is this just because the show is still airing? We haven't really seen any plot progression for a while now.

For some reason I feel the most sad for the mom in this situation, actually. While In and Wang may both be hurting right now, we also know that there is hope for them: they have learned a valuable life lesson. Wang is young, he still has a whole life to live, and his passion to pursue truth and authenticity has not yet died. In also seems to be taking his first steps to heal from his shame since we see him attempting to cross the bridge in his yard. He will learn and grow.
The mom, on the other hand, hasn't changed at all. She continues to live in her own world of make-belief. But how happy and fulfilled is she really? Will she be more happy convincing herself all is fine? I suppose it makes me reflect on the relationship I have with my own parents and the way that it is (almost) impossible to change their ways. The older generation has lived an entire life and is already set in their ways. They, like all of us, are a product of their own pasts: they've also been shaped by loss and trauma. There is also, weirdly, a certain comfort in knowing that. Change and adaptability are reserved for the youth, so it seems.

To respond to your first comment about In: I think his character is a great example of how (contrary to popular belief) time doesn't really heal wounds. Time may help, but healing also just demands a whole lot of conscious effort. In has so much pent up trauma and self-hatred, and all those years in spent in solitude haven't allowed him to process a single thing. He has always kept to himself, he has never reached out to anyone. So while he has, quite literally, fled from Wang's father by moving away, he also seems to have fled from his own feelings of guilt and grief. At a certain point, suppressing his true emotions and neglecting his true desires seems to have become second nature to him. He is simply stuck in his ways. He doesn't know how to truly live until Wang-- who still has his youthful passion-- comes around.

I guess the ending shouldn't really come as a surprise to us either, since we also never see In trying to finish the bridge in his yard; it is Wang and the villagers who do so (because, on an emotional level, Wang is the only one in this story who has the courage to cross fear/uncertainty to connect with others (and dares to get hurt in the process). But there may be a glimmer of hope: in the last scene we see In actually step on the bridge. And while he doesn't yet cross it, it seems to be the first sign of him trying to find healing. He also hints to the fact that, in a few weeks, he can get rid the cast on his leg-- which is probably also a promise of future emotional healing.

In a way, I am glad In and Wang didn't end up together in the end. He needs to learn to accept himself first before he can connect with others. I don't think he'd have the capacity to love properly yet (but mans gotta find himself a nice therapist first, good grief).

This was great. The screenwriting was freaking amazing: the dialogue was subtle and symbolic-- but it was always what the characters did NOT say that hit me the hardest in the end. But maybe I would have enjoyed the whole thing even more if I'd watched it while it was still airing (and when I would've had to marinate in my despair each week). I now basically binged the entire thing in one sitting, and maybe I didn't take enough time to let the emotions properly digest, because it didn't satisfy me in the end. Or maybe my expectations were simply too high in the first place (everyone was hyping this up, after all). Loved the ending, tho, I wouldn't have changed a thing.

This is the funniest shit I've read today 😂

Edit: I gotta agree, the script would actually work really well in theater lol. Even the cinematography and the set makes it look like a proper play.

I think this movie means to explore Naoko--who is actually an archetype of all women in general--and her struggle of escaping the violent male gaze that has sexualized her since she was a young girl. It is about her triumphing over trauma and regaining agency over her own sexuality and body. It's definitely not an easy watch (the whole thing is incredibly graphic and violent) but I think there is a carefully crafted message of empowerment beneath all the assault.

I totally agree with you! None of this is about a scholarship. It is much bigger than that: this is about Akk needing to change a corrupt system that has been in place for years (a system that also gives him certain privileges). He realises the system is flawed but he also fears the consequences of getting rid of it.

This episode has shown us that Chadok (as the school's first ever prefect) has, most likely, fabricated the Suppalo curse back in the day. It seems like each head-prefect that succeeded him has been tasked with keeping this curse alive. And they have been pretty succesful. In fact, so successful that the curse has become part of the school: it is ingrained in the school's culture and identity. The whole thing is thus an issue of responsibility. If Akk decides to reveal the curse is fake, he doesn't just compromise his relationship with Chadok but he will also break with the entire tradition/foundation of the school. He will be dissapointment to ALL his predecessors who have tried hard to keep order and peace. Dissapointing a teacher or not getting a scholarship is one thing but being the one responsible for ruining the hard work of the students that built the very system you're benefiting from... that is a heavy burden to carry for a teenager (especially in a collectivist society that is known to be somewhat conflict avoidant).

Eh, I wouldn't say it gets better at all (don't come for me peeps 😂). The show acts way smarter than it is: it wants to be a social commentary on gender expression/politics but, in reality, most of the screen time is just Akk and Ayan pining for each other (just in different settings). It would be the perfect accidental-sexual-tension bingo card: shower? Check! Bed? Check! Boat? Check! It's like the screenwriters didn't trust us to be interested in the actual plot so they decided to bait us with fanservice instead. Episode 8 just aired and they're still applying the same formula (although things are changing a bit now: we're now starting to see some intentional physical contact. It's no longer only accidental-- although the gay panic is def still there lol).

That being said, I personally don't even mind. I like the chemistry between the actors and I've been watching some other plot-heavy shows lately; this is just my personal 'turn-off-my-brain-and-enjoy' watch. I've also seen worse accidental kisses so I may have built up a tolerance, who knows. I'm just here for the (slightly cliché) ride.

Same, please!

I had to watch some of his scenes twice because I couldn't really understand him. It didn't really help that the English subs didn't exactly match the English dialogue either (major pet peeve). Accents are fine but at least give the dude a solid backstory. Where did he come from?

So true, lol. Kinda feels like we ended up doing some random side quest before returning to the main storyline.