Honestly, I think this is a big problem in general with how people engage with fiction nowadays. Fiction is for…
I specifically mentioned Japan (aside for western shows) because I've noticed a lot of them over the years that were tougher stories in the BL background specifically, but that might just be my experience of that or maybe I just noticed it more. To be honest, I hope this trend starts reversing soon (and maybe the arrival of a lot more Chinese BLs will help, here's to hoping!) because if not, we'll just end up with a landscape of uninteresting and repetitive stories. There's only so much you can do narratively speaking with an array of impeccable characters who can do no wrong 😅 As for the reasons behind self-censorship, I'm not sure myself. Though I do believe the fact that every single thought is now expressed in public on social media and therefore ready to be judged by whoever with no context or nuance has definitely been a factor. There's just this fear of being wrong and being labeled a bad person that tends to translate into thought policing even when you're not talking about real life. The rise of purity culture is definitely a symptom of that. Ultimately, it's a complex subject and there's many facets to it. As I said: nuance 😆
Honestly, I think this is a big problem in general with how people engage with fiction nowadays. Fiction is for…
Oh yeah media literacy is at an all time low! I do have to disagree at least a tiny bit about Japanese BL, while most are still how you describe them, we've had a few over the years with stronger and darker themes. One of the most recent ones that come to mind with duplicitous protagonists is Happy of The End. It's also true that a wider conversation could be had about written work vs TV adaptations. I feel like darker themes are a lot more prominent in written fiction though they rarely make it to the screen, and that's true for almost every country in my opinion. But you're definitely spot on and I fully agree! I would even go so far as saying that not being able to separate fiction and reality makes society at large a lot worse. After all, censorship is a tool of oppression and convincing people to oppress their own minds even when it comes to fiction is basically doing the work for them.
That's great! You're probably spending way more than me at any give time, to be honest 😆 Only do so if it makes you happy, though, it's important that you think about yourself too 😊
Yeah, as I said: unfortunately, in the world we live in, money is needed to make any kind of art and entertainment which means they become a luxury not everyone can have access to. It sucks, it sucks hugely.
That's the horrible reality of living under capitalism: art=money.
But again, you should keep doing what you're comfortable doing and that's totally fine!
People complaining that Chi Cheng is a big red flag and giving the show a low rating because of it....it's fiction!!…
Honestly, I think this is a big problem in general with how people engage with fiction nowadays. Fiction is for exploring the good AND the bad, judgement should be done outside of that. You can enjoy something problematic in fiction and not be the lesser person for it because any person with common sense can recognise that liking something fictional does not mean you accept it and want to enforce it in real life.
I understand where you're coming from and I somewhat agree but geoblocking is usually done because they already have distribution deals in those countries. If they signed a contract with Gaga to distribute in those countries they can't then turn around and offer the show for free to those same countries at the same time 'cause then nobody would have the incentive of going to Gaga and the deal would be practically void. GMM does this too: their YouTube uploads are not available for Thailand where they have TV distribution deals. The only difference is that because GMM is a huge company raking in money regardless, they don't need the extra money from YT subscriptions. I'm not saying you're not allowed to be unhappy with the situation, it's understandable that you are, just want to explain why geoblocking and subscriptions happen. Unfortunately, in the world we live in, money is needed to make any kind of art and entertainment which means they become a luxury not everyone can have access to. It sucks, it sucks hugely, I agree with that but considering the context in which Chinese BL is being made, I don't entirely blame them for the business model they're enforcing.
Do the locked episodes on YouTube get released for free later or is that it? Only four episodes available for free and no more for the rest of the season?
it's getting released for VIP on Sunday the 25th and then for free users on June 1st :) I think they opted to…
WeTV published a schedule at the beginning of airing the show on Twitter iirc and then again mid-season :) I've seen other companies do it too so I guess official social media accounts are a good place to start!
Ultimately, it's a complex subject and there's many facets to it. As I said: nuance 😆
But you're definitely spot on and I fully agree! I would even go so far as saying that not being able to separate fiction and reality makes society at large a lot worse. After all, censorship is a tool of oppression and convincing people to oppress their own minds even when it comes to fiction is basically doing the work for them.
That's the horrible reality of living under capitalism: art=money.
But again, you should keep doing what you're comfortable doing and that's totally fine!