Hey not to make ur perception of polyamory even more confusing, but not everyone who is into polyamory is interested…
Ah okay, thank you! I kind of get the meaning of what she was saying in EP4 but the actual word she was whispering I didn't understand how it related to the scene, lol. It's like slang or a double meaning that doesn't directly translate to english I think.
Yeah, polyamory is quite diverse. I just never seen a reasoning like Shipei's, it kind of feels like he has to. I mean, times are tough financially, so I get it, but I guess this show is covering the grey area of polyamory too (he's putting himself on a lower rung intentionally, at least initially it seems, the dynamic might change later on in the show). I understand why people would feel compelled to do it in order satisfy their partner.
The order of the marriage was different here, at least from the majority of situations where its usually marriage between a couple that expands out. If marriage was taken out of these three's equation than it wouldn't seem all that unique.
I like this show so far. Both MLs have flaws that even out with each other (I relate to them). This is interesting dynamic, something I'm always looking for. Though, I have a hard time understanding monogamy let alone polyamory. From what I understand, polyamory is usually about independence, sex, and an open lifestyle rather than its purpose being for marriage or commitment. So, I won't be taking this show as a learning experience, but something unique between these three.
I believe Takuzo may be Bi from context clues, which would prove less obstacles for him. Although, Shinpei seems straight and sex might be his boundary. Mia has best of both worlds if things work out.
Can someone please translate the meaning of what the FL was saying in the onsen bath in EP 3 and later what she was whispering at client meeting in EP4? I didn't understand. 🙏🏻
Episode 10 finally touched on what it's like to be gay in Korea in the scene between Seung Won and his lesbian mother, where they are talking about lying/hiding their authentic self wondering if it'll make life easier or harder. I feel like this is the only glimpse we get to see of what it's like to be gay in Korea in a LGBTQ+ show that takes place in Korea…
The lens of Hee Su not being able to confess could easily be translated to not wanting to ruin a friendship rather than fear for his social standing and ostracization because he is gay. It's absolutely frustrating that all the straight characters say to him, "just confess". Its interchangeable love advice that ignores the queer element or consequence, and it's treated as though the straight characters are right, the straight characters have the most sage advice.
This boils down to you wanting to see gay people depicted as being the exact same as straight people but with a gender swap. If, somehow, you think that is realistic, and it's how you want to see queer people portrayed in media, then this show is for you.
This is whitewashing and censorship. I tried to give it a chance, a benefit of the doubt, but it is what it is at this point. What this is, is a regression that sets us back 10 years.
Welp. I finished it. I can't call it an accomplishment. I would 100% recommend, now that I've watched it in its entirety, to SKIP the WHOLE thing. If you really want to see the story of the Hee Su and Seung Won then just watch episodes 1, 7, and 10—and even then you'll have to skip a lot of filler to get maybe a generous 5 minutes total of them in love.
I will say this. The setting is a high school, and it's a coming-of-age drama about first love, so development is expected to be slow. It's no surprise you will get a confession at the end. I wouldn't even bet on a kiss. If we are getting one, it'll be over in a flash and innocent. I actually prefer this depiction as they're portraying kids (well, in Korea, they're still seen as such). However, as a romance and LGBTQ+ themed story, it does not meet the criteria.
You could swap Hee Su out with a girl, and there would be little difference. There are few to no moments of emotional intimacy (like I said, forget physical). Little stakes are involved due to this. A queer character should not have to say, "You don't understand, it's different for me." The external and internal stakes should be obvious enough. Korea is not a utopia for gays (nowhere is). They aren't going for a BL utopia, where everyone is gay and happy. So what's their deal?
Ultimately, this is a digestible story for a straight audience to not feel remorse, and a whitewashed message that "gays have first loves just like you." I feel the need to bring up Heartstopper as an example. Even though it is not my cup of tea, it is obviously made for LGBT+ youth that straight audiences can *happen* to enjoy. Its themes are so interwoven it is unmistakely/undeniably queer that the straight audience must reconsile with that fact. This is what this show, with a similar coming-of-age innocence, could've done, but it is made by people who do not empathize with the subjects they are meant to portray.
When I start something LGBT+, I must finish it until the end to see the full picture. I am also watching out of curiosity for the reaction of each episode, rather than watching for the show itself. The production value and acting are good enough that it isn't that cringeworthy to sit through. I skip a lot, so I don't get too frustrated that I've wasted my time.
I have this feeling that JiHun thinks that DoBa asked him to date to be a shield for the "stalker", which (I know)…
Ji Hun accepted because he did not want to lose his friend, and later thought Do Ba had an ulterior motive to explain his motivation for asking him to date (Ji Hun has a heteronormative mindset and is panicky about not being Do Ba's shadow). "I have this feeling that JiHun thinks that DoBa asked him to date to be a shield for the stalker." That is exactly what is happening.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how straight-washed does this show feel? I haven't seen it yet, and the comments below…
It is sitting at a 6/10 rn. I'm not just referring to the inclusion of the straight couple and their runtime. It's more than that. The creators are bringing this story into the "mainstream" in its perspective and made it palatable for straight people with its general themes. A lot of the gay themes and issues are tempered down and breezed over quickly. Most of the romance is with the straight couple. I doubt we will get to see the gay couple as an actual couple, the finale might be a kiss. Its like the Love Simon of BL (derogatory). If you liked that movie, then try this. If you aren't busy this weekend, I'd say watch it with the skip button.
I think it's the first BL that I watch that mentions same-sex parents, and I love it !
This is an intersex mini drama called XX:XY with mom and two gay dads, kinda similar. It is more open and covers this dynamic in Korea with a little more depth than this show. It's technically not a BL, but it is LGBTQ+ and BL adjacent, for anyone interested.
with how they did it for this ep, i fear seungwon's not gonna be confessing after this until maybe the end of…
Love confessions and/or kisses always happen around the midpoint, it's romance genre's thing. It's always a sure bet, along with a meet-cute at the start. That is why I can hardly call this a romance/BL. It doesn't know what it wants to be…
Could we have at least had the love confession at the end, leaving Hee Su's reply as a cliffhanger for next week 😭 it's TV writing 101 people 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 you gotta give us something... smh
😴 🥱 I wish more was going on, the plot is building slowly, and romance is barely being fulfilled, then when it is, it is bland and uninspired. If it were to be a drama about acceptance, even on this front, very few scenes are dedicated to this theme. Seung Won is just barely getting a personality this episode. I wish they gave me something to care about or any emotional stakes.
I'm on episode 2, there is barely a dystopian vibe??? Just normal streets of Seoul. The streets of San Francisco and LA make this show's attempt look like paradise. Hell, their biggest inspiration should've been up north… The dystopian element just seems inconsistent and all over the place.
1
Yeah, polyamory is quite diverse. I just never seen a reasoning like Shipei's, it kind of feels like he has to. I mean, times are tough financially, so I get it, but I guess this show is covering the grey area of polyamory too (he's putting himself on a lower rung intentionally, at least initially it seems, the dynamic might change later on in the show). I understand why people would feel compelled to do it in order satisfy their partner.
The order of the marriage was different here, at least from the majority of situations where its usually marriage between a couple that expands out. If marriage was taken out of these three's equation than it wouldn't seem all that unique.
I believe Takuzo may be Bi from context clues, which would prove less obstacles for him. Although, Shinpei seems straight and sex might be his boundary. Mia has best of both worlds if things work out.
Can someone please translate the meaning of what the FL was saying in the onsen bath in EP 3 and later what she was whispering at client meeting in EP4? I didn't understand. 🙏🏻
The lens of Hee Su not being able to confess could easily be translated to not wanting to ruin a friendship rather than fear for his social standing and ostracization because he is gay. It's absolutely frustrating that all the straight characters say to him, "just confess". Its interchangeable love advice that ignores the queer element or consequence, and it's treated as though the straight characters are right, the straight characters have the most sage advice.
This boils down to you wanting to see gay people depicted as being the exact same as straight people but with a gender swap. If, somehow, you think that is realistic, and it's how you want to see queer people portrayed in media, then this show is for you.
This is whitewashing and censorship. I tried to give it a chance, a benefit of the doubt, but it is what it is at this point. What this is, is a regression that sets us back 10 years.
I will say this. The setting is a high school, and it's a coming-of-age drama about first love, so development is expected to be slow. It's no surprise you will get a confession at the end. I wouldn't even bet on a kiss. If we are getting one, it'll be over in a flash and innocent. I actually prefer this depiction as they're portraying kids (well, in Korea, they're still seen as such). However, as a romance and LGBTQ+ themed story, it does not meet the criteria.
You could swap Hee Su out with a girl, and there would be little difference. There are few to no moments of emotional intimacy (like I said, forget physical). Little stakes are involved due to this. A queer character should not have to say, "You don't understand, it's different for me." The external and internal stakes should be obvious enough. Korea is not a utopia for gays (nowhere is). They aren't going for a BL utopia, where everyone is gay and happy. So what's their deal?
Ultimately, this is a digestible story for a straight audience to not feel remorse, and a whitewashed message that "gays have first loves just like you." I feel the need to bring up Heartstopper as an example. Even though it is not my cup of tea, it is obviously made for LGBT+ youth that straight audiences can *happen* to enjoy. Its themes are so interwoven it is unmistakely/undeniably queer that the straight audience must reconsile with that fact. This is what this show, with a similar coming-of-age innocence, could've done, but it is made by people who do not empathize with the subjects they are meant to portray.
When I start something LGBT+, I must finish it until the end to see the full picture. I am also watching out of curiosity for the reaction of each episode, rather than watching for the show itself. The production value and acting are good enough that it isn't that cringeworthy to sit through. I skip a lot, so I don't get too frustrated that I've wasted my time.
Chan Young and Ji Yu?