quesosoup

A quick Google search will tell you exactly what they said; anyone under 18 is considered a minor in Thailand, regardless of the age of consent law. Mac was only allowed on this show because his parents signed the legal documents for him to do so since he is a child and by law he couldnt have acted in this show on his own accord.

Why is this page crowded with p words 😭😭😭

No seriously, and people be eating it up as if it's the best thing airing right now. Everything about this adaption is disgusting and I pray that this is the series that causes the company to finally face legal repercussions.

It's disgusting the lack of empathy that is in this comment section. Some people are just plain ignorant as to how this is wrong, and others just don't care. Literally why go miles to defend a show that, in all honesty, and this is besides the point, but this adaption isn't even good. The only thing that I can say is decent about it is the camera work. Some people need to employ more critical thinking skills and try taking the same arguments they're making here down to their local police station; I wonder what they would say.

The director himself mentioned in an interview that he was going for actors that were in the age range of the characters. Literally out of 1000 people who apparently auditioned for the role (as mentioned by the director in the interview), Mac was chosen. He has a knack for hiring minors for 18+ roles; I'm surprised he hasn't been investigated already.

I genuinely don’t understand how people get so infuriated when others share their views on an opinion-sharing platform. As long as respect is given where it’s due, there shouldn’t be an issue. If you don’t like people addressing the actual issues regarding the casting and production of this series, either block them or just ignore them. You have a brain; use it to come up with proper solutions instead of going out of your way to type out a disrespectful comment just because they shared their rightful concerns. It takes no more than a second to ignore comments if you prefer.

Another thing to remember is that, even though the characters are teenagers, the novel's content is still rated 18+. Many people argue that this story is 'just fiction,' but if it's 'just fiction,' why does that make it acceptable to cast individuals who are the same age as the characters in these explicit roles?

Fiction can explore adult themes, but when minors are cast in these roles, it crosses ethical and legal boundaries—especially considering that what they're doing is just barely legal under Thai law. It's concerning that this point even has to be made since it should be common sense. It's also ironic that people use the argument that this is 'just fiction,' while simultaneously justifying the casting of actors who are similar in age to the characters, as if that makes it acceptable.

We do know how intense the story will be based off of the content of the trailer and the fact that there is an uncut version of this series; with Thai BLs, uncut versions usually involve a lot of sexual scenes.

Also, even though the age of consent in Thailand is 15, anyone under the age of 18 is still considered a minor by law. Despite being a "veteran actor," he is still very much a child who still needed documented parental consent in order to act on this show since it is an 18+ role. Hence, this was not a decision that was made fully on his own accord, unlike how it would be if it were an adult being casted for the role of Poppy.

There will be sexual scenes; it is shown in the trailer. There will also be an uncut version of this series, which is where the sexual scenes will be. Though, even if this weren't the case, their choice of casting a minor along with a literal grown ass man is still worrisome, especially since both the director of this adaption and the company themselves has a questionable history of hiring minors for 18+ roles, examples being Make it Right and Hite Bite Love.

I remember hearing about the situation with hit bite love. When I found out that the same production company behind hit bite love was adapting this series, their decision to cast an actual child in a role that is far too mature for a minor to play suddenly made more sense given their history. Ever since I watched hit bite love, I’ve had a weird feeling about this company.

Maybe it’s weird for me to even notice this since it's such a small detail, but did anyone else notice how weirdly short the uniform shorts were in hit bite love? I swear they were only 3-4 inches long, which felt inappropriate given that the actors were minors at the time of filming. It gave me the impression that the company was trying to sexualize them. I didn’t watch much of the show after that because it made me uncomfortable, but I know it’s rated 18+, and I pray that its not due to any sexual content.

I’m also noticing the same issue with the uniforms in the promotional photos for this adaptation; the shorts are uncomfortably short again. I swear this company needs to be investigated because it's so blatantly obvious that they're choosing to sexualize these minors to make a further profit out of it. Disgusting.

No fr, like how is it that everyone's just gonna disabandon their morals and integrity, assuming they even had any, just to argue that what they're doing "isn't wrong." Go outside and touch some grass pls

I can't tell if some of the people in the comments are simply ignorant about the Thai BL industry or are willfully ignoring its issues under the pretense that "the series is just fiction," which is an argument that I see nearly everyone defending this series make.

First off, a plethora of fans don't treat Thai BLs as just fiction. Why is that? Because companies, in order to promote their series further, purposely have the actors act romantically with each other as fanservice—whether during fan meetings, interviews, social media posts, etc. This, of course, causes many fans (more than you might think) to believe that the actors are actually a couple. We've seen this reach a boiling point on multiple occasions, where fans go as far as sending death threats to the actors if it's revealed they aren't a couple. One example I remember off the top of my head is when one of the lead actors of Tharntype (I don't recall his name) mentioned having a girlfriend. I hope you can see how problematic this inherent nature of the industry is, and how it could affect the cast of this show. It doesn't matter if Mac is "of age" according to Thai law—he's still a child, no matter how you look at it. I've seen many people use the fact that 15 is the age of consent in Thailand to defend this series, which is weird asf on so many levels. It's an ignorant argument to even make.

I'd also like to address those saying it's not that bad as long as there are no sexual scenes. The show is, indeed, going to have sexual scenes. From what I recall of the trailer, there were at least two clips where the actors were half-naked together, one of which showed them on a bed. I've also heard there will be an uncut version of this series available for purchase (please don't buy it, have some integrity), and that's where the sexual scenes will be. Honestly, I can't find the words to describe how disgusting that is.

I'm saying all this for those who are defending the series, not for those who simply plan to watch it because it's an adaptation of a show that many people love. There is nothing to defend here; the ethics behind the casting are wrong, no matter how you look at it. I understand that both Mac and August have plenty of acting experience, but given what I've mentioned, as well as there being absolutely no way the casting directors couldn't have found someone older for Poppy, I highly doubt the company will ensure that Mac isn't subjected to the same over-sexualization with his co-star that most BL actors experience. Also, this company has a questionable history of hiring mainly minors for their BLs, so take that as you will.

That's exactly what I'm saying; I wish more people were more open to discussing differences in opinions without making any rude or unnecessary comments. Everyone's view is valuable, and it's unfortunate some people don't treat it as such. You seem like a wonderful person and thank you for respecting others' views even when they differ from your own. I hope you encounter more people you can discuss your opinion openly with, without having them react the same way Cassie did.

Frosty's "entitlement" is their entitlement to their own opinion, because everyone is entitled to their own opinion lol. I personally don't see their comment as an attack in any regard; there are no insults or any use of aggressive language. They stated their opinion in a civilized manner, and just because it isnt the same as your opinion or mine does not mean it is an "attack" or an example of "bad behavior." I would love to chat more with people who have different or similar opinions on the show, as long as no innapropriate or unnecessarily rude comments are being made. Frosty made neither of those types of comments, therefore to call their statements acts of "bad behavior" is quite outlandish in my eyes lol

Cassie, there is no need to aggressively put down someone else's opinion simply because in your eyes and the eyes of "the citizens of south Korea", Frosty's opinion is "meaningless." If you disagree with them and feel the need to make that clear to them, please state that in a mature and civilized manner. The whole motive for me writing my essay in this mdl comment section was because I saw someone insulting someone else for simply having a different view on the show, because it is immature and beyond rude. Remember, to each their own, and if you feel like you cannot acknowledge that by discussing your disagreement without commenting how the Korean entertainment industry doesn't care, please do not make it Frosty's or anyone else's problem.

I completely understand what you're saying; when I had made that comment, my thought process was that even though it is right what you are saying, just because certain aspects of a romance is heavily controversial doesn't mean it shouldn't be done, but from what I have seen, it is rarely done right. I stated that I haven't read the original source material to clarify not only that I could be wrong about the predatory aspect, but also that I am not aware of the extent in which how the story properly executed such a controversial romance. I was only really going off of what I have heard, and what I have heard is that it wasn't executed properly, but everyone has their own opinion on everything so perhaps it was done properly but those who said it wasn't are only focused on the fact that it is predatory. That is why I said "perhaps it was best" that it wasn't at all done, because going off of what I have personally seen of not just bls, but in the romance genre as a whole, controversial romances, especially ones such as these, lack any nuance. However, the writers for this show are great, and perhaps it would've actually been done properly, but unfortunately I guess we'll never know :/

Yeah I completely understand why some people dont want to watch it. Its upsetting that plots with homosexual romances are often not given the same level of seriousness as heterosexual romances, when in reality its all just romance, regardless of the gender of the two parties. All my passive aggresive comments were honestly towards one specific person I saw in the comment section insulting someone for simply stating their opinion on the show lol, I didnt mean to make it seem like I was targetting people who simply were saddned by the broken principle. It really all is to each their own, and I find it unfortunate that some people insult others just because their opinion isnt the same as theirs. Im not one to talk about maturity, as I was being jokingly passive aggressive, but it really is immature to do such a thing.

For those who are upset that this isnt a bl like the original source material was, I get it. In South Korean media, plots that involve a homosexual main couple arent treated the same as ones with a heterosexual main couple. By that, I mean they arent produced to the same standard as heterosexual romances are. Theyre usually treated as webdramas, with most having 8-10 episodes, each being 20-25 mins, and in older bls, the episodes are around 15 mins. Lately, however, there have been ones with longer episode and series durations, and the longest one that I remember seeing so far is the Eighth Sense. Though, that was produced by a European producer. Korean bls also rarely ever get casts in which the actors are already well established, as a lot of actors that play in bls used their role as a stepping stone into fame given the promisingly loyal fanbase (I am not saying that this is the same for all, however, this motive is pretty common). So, when I personally saw that 2 actors that I were already a fan of were going to be in what I had assumed would be a bl and that the show wouldnt be produced like a webdrama, I was estatic as most people were. However, that turned out to not the case, and to say I wasnt at all disappointed would be a lie.

With that being said, however, I disagree with the people saying that this show is horrible just because it is "straightwashed." This, and dare I state my own opinion when there's a specific person out there calling people idiots for stating theirs (typical mdl user lmao), but this is a very well produced show. From the writing, to the acting, and the cinematography as well, everything about this show is great and I don't really see any critical flaws about it. Honestly, I have never read the original source material. I have been planning on reading it just out of plain curiosity as to how different the show is compared to the novel, aside from obviously the romance aspect because there is indeed more than just romance in a lot of bls lmao. However, I did hear that in the original source material, the romance is a bit predatory considering that it is between Deuk Pal, a grown man well into his late 30s or maybe early to mid 40s, and Se Kyung, which although I believe he is a legal adult, he is still a highschooler. I could be wrong that the romance is between them, maybe it was actually between Yi Heon and Se Kyung, but I doubt that is the case since Deuk Pal is the protagonist and is in Yi Heon's body for most of the story. The point that I am trying to make here is that aside from the fact that the show is great on its own without the bl aspect, perhaps it was best that they completely left out the bl aspect considering what I just mentioned.

Anywho, sorry for the essay guys I just thought it was ridiculous that people arent even giving the show a chance just because it isnt a bl like the novel, and even hating on it when they havent even watched it lmao. To those who are enjoying the show, keep having fun watching it! And to those who arent enjoying the show or are refusing to give it a chance, don't rain on everyone else's parade or go as far as to call people idiots for simply stating that they are enjoying the show! You do you, and to each their own.

Am I the only one who thinks that in his mdl photo he looks a lot like Sunghoon from Enhypen but in A Shop for Killers he kinda also resembles Jinyoung from Got7 😭😭??

I’m so glad I’m not the only one who had this exact opinion of the show! I felt like I was being overly sensitive about how they handled the topic of suicide because no one seemed to have a problem with how insensitively the writers conveyed it, and that also left me confused on how to view the show.

I also hate how the writing constantly shames Yi Jae for taking his own life, saying in the end that he should’ve given it a chance, as if he didn’t give it a chance for a whole decade even after his life went to complete shit. They write him as if he were the embodiment and personification of human greed and selfishness, when in reality, all he wanted was a peaceful life with the ones he loved. However, no matter how hard he tried to achieve that dream, all he would get is shit in return.

I heard that the show removed some characters from the Webtoon that helped Yi Jae properly grow as a character, and that the Webtoon didn’t try to achieve his character development by constantly shaming him, so I plan to read the Webtoon in hopes that is true 🙏