Tanky Toon

Sad but maybe there's something about the taboo nature of their relationship that is appealing to the viewers. I once remembered that someone told me that they watch dark, depressing shows because it makes their life look happy or normal in comparison. Maybe there's something of that happening here.

https://www.reddit.com/r/boyslove/comments/m4ak01/season_3_of_we_best_love_confirmed/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

Season 3 will perhaps explore that

That's why I sometimes support and enjoy smaller, independent productions, especially ones that have something worthwhile to say without sacrificing their souls. HIStory used to be something like that when it started. My fave remains to be Crossing the Line, is actually one of my Fave BL series of all time.

Hmm...I wonder why?? But whatever sells, right?

I think you have the quotations on the wrong word. Haha. And I think a lot of people will disagree with you, but I'm not one of them :)

Haha. I'm probably one of those people you're talking about, although I don't even bother reviewing those on goodreads. I tend to gravitate towards plot heavy novels and can't get into books where half of it is filled with sex. I call these SWOS (Sex without substance). Pretty much the same Attitude I have towards manga and tvshows. I do enjoy some smexy times but not when it is the focus or overpowers the story. If I wanted to read/watch smut, I might as well watch Porn. I find that a lot of viewers/readers rate a book/tvshow based on how titillating the visuals are, seems like more sex/hot scenes, the higher the rating and the other elements like plot, narrative, characters, etc. get overlooked. But they maybe exceptions. It just so happens that my fave BL show only has 1 chaste kiss and my fave M/M novel has only a couple of sex scenes (between the protagonists) in the whole trilogy. I am far from a prude but I believe there are works that balance both, or if they do include sex scenes, they are nuanced, well-placed, meaningful or leave something to the imagination.

I'm sorry but I just laughed at this comment hahaha

Totally agree!

P.S. I have read my fair share (2 yrs) of Western M/M novels, and the ones I consumed are more run-of-the-mill, coming-of-age, socially aware works sans rape themes (though I did come across a couple - where I chucked them quickly in the trash bin like burnt potatoes). There's one popular one that is contentious (CP)- but the context of it (being set in historical times) - lent it to lesser scrutiny but still debatable.

Regarding FM bodice rippers, and also to an extent, Rape-themed Manga (not limited to Yaoi), was borne mostly out of a misogynistic (largely patriarchal) mindset. Hence as you mentioned, even the feminization of character trickles down to the segmentation of that, where the "weaker," more effeminate male is relegated as the bottom, zero (0), wife, whereas the "stronger" more masculine male is the top, one (1), husband.
The conversation between MR & LC regarding the topic seemed silly and trite, but I am glad though that LC is finding the absurdity of it towards episode 8.

The imbalance of power would still persist and equality in sexual freedom and expression will be hard to achieve if there are still a majority who think very little of the consequences of such imbalance. But if the way I see this comment section is going, with some trolling harder than others, then we have a long ways to go. (Most are respectful by the way, only select few I believe who are ruining the atmosphere for me). But I am appreciative that if this show brings something to the table, then at least it sparked a discussion regarding sensitive issues such as what we are doing now.

Are you freaking kidding me? I'm the one whose mind in the gutter? Don't you see the numerous comments on here about how "hot" the bathtub scene was without understanding where it was coming from? Sure, justify the scene all you want, if that was the whole purpose as you say, it didn't need to be shown when MR was palming himself, it could be MR on lying on the bed and it would work just as well but I guess that won't satisfy thirsty fangirls like you.

Yes, I thought the placement of the bathtub scene was inappropriate (not the scene itself). If that scene was only LC's wet dream without the precursor of MR being asked what happened that night, then I probably would have been okay with it. To have even LC dream about a night of MR's sexual assault seemed wrong at all fronts. But unfortunately, a lot of viewers do not care about the context as long as they are provided with some hot scenes.

There are a few who claims this is the best History installment ever. Go figure. I guess if this was a Japanese production, I can see how these tropes are "normalized," but I expected more from a Taiwanese production, from a country that is supposedly more progressive than their Asian counterparts (with them being the first to legalize same-sex marriage and all). But I guess my mistake is putting the hopes of the entire country on one production. I felt that the franchise regressed as soon as Lin Pei Yu left.
I actually have more problems with the people supporting non-consensual sex than the show itself. If the show wants to portray an unconventional relationship between step-siblings that is borne out of assault, as part of an unspoken narrative that some gay men may encounter, that's one thing, but just call it what it is, and do not sugar coat rape as romance.

I swear The debate is alive and well, you can beat it down the ground, it's still going to be there. I know some have said that the viewers who can tolerate noncon/dubcon sex are because of their exposure to BL mangas, predominantly Japanese, and this trope pretty common, therefore normal. But as a manga reader myself, I do find these tropes (rape as a precursor to romance) problematic, therefore I do not read them. I appreciate those manga authors who are more conscious about it, to actually put a disclaimer, whether via tags or warn the readers before a chapter, so at least we are prepared for it, but it is hard to do so in Live-action series.

Also it really depends where people are coming from. Viewers from places where there are no stringent sexual assault policies (or laws rarely enforced), would have no qualms consuming such material. Or those from countries where incest is legal, would also have no issues with step-sibling romance. (Incest theme is prevalent in Japanese fiction - where BL/Yaoi originated supposedly).

Pretty much like how domestic violence in some countries is hardly reported because of the belief that "it is okay for my husband to hit me because I am his wife." This is how some people are led to believe, because they do not know any better, therefore normalizing such behaviour. It is like how I see in a lot of Asian dramas, parents hit or restrict their children because rather than being an exception, this is how many Asian children were brought up back in the day, and still happens.

Of course, in countries that are more "progressive," where the #MeToo movement makes sexual violence less excusable, we see more vocalization supporting victim's rights than the predators'. But it wasn't that long ago where Harlequin romance novels heavily feature bodice-ripping, savage-taking of the frail damsel by a brute male, and this was lauded as the epitome of romance. Perhaps the narrative has changed a bit towards more "voluntary abdication" of one's sexual freedom, i.e. the popularity of BDSM-themed novel, "50 Shades of Grey" can support this.

Pretty much how Shotacon, Rape/Revenge porn exist, no matter how wrong one may think that maybe, but as long as there is an audience, there will be such productions that feed into the fantasies of many. There are no winners or losers in this debate, except for the actual victims of sexual assault who are suffering silently.

Amen! There is nothing wrong with debating and being on different sides of the spectrum as long as they are being done respectfully and do not resort to name-calling or insulting each others' level of intellect.

I doubt that the show is spreading awareness. Sparking conversations and contentious debates for sure. Because in order to spread awareness, the story or the dialogue at least would have to incorporate some type of narrative to demonstrate that indeed these things that are happening are wrong. Like how Lovely Writer calls out problematic behavior immediately in the characters' commentary. Like how Tum tells the friend off that it is not right to pressure someone out of the closet or how Gene expresses his discomfort regarding the NC scenes BUA's trying to make him write and he makes a conscious effort to rewrite some of the lines to make sure they are devoid of depictions of harassment.

Lovely Writer brings problematic issues up on the surface the correct way while CTL merely rides on sensationalism, IMHO. The only resolution I can see is that if Yong Jie don't end up with Sing Xi but seek medical attention, and the parents at least being held partly responsible for ignoring all the signs and coddling their son for too long. And of course the VP thrown in jail.

Exactly. I didn't need the Alpha being stolen scene at all. Whereas this would explain why Shu Yi can forgive Shi De so easily.

You're totally on point, the drunk scene would be viewed quite differently if it was one guy doing it to another girl. And people arguing that Xing Si was lucid is beyond me. I've seen shows where they portray drunken sex that some don't consider as non con (i.e. both parties drunk but still are mildly aware and conscious and are active participants in the sexual act). But when one party is passive and just lays there while sexual acts are performed on them, where you can see one party cannot even fully comprehend the situation, and have no capacity to fight back, then we have an issue. I am fine with this scene in the show but what is problematic is the quick dismissal of such act by the mother who knew beforehand what his son was planning to do but by not stopping him, is sanctioning the deed.

Yong Jie was unapologetic and even manipulative. Do not tell me that him sending a picture of him on the ledge isn't guilt-tripping his brother into not leaving him. How the mother even do not seem to be bothered when Xing Si went and had dinner, not once she confronted either of them about the incident. Rather I see this as her sweeping an "uncomfortable situation" under the rug.

Similarly how quick Mu Ren bounced back from being sexually assaulted as if nothing happened and his bigger concern seemed to be being seen in a vulnerable state by his friend. Why the consequences by a sexual predator seemed so light that the VP only received a transfer when based on the rumors, wasn't the first time he sexually assaulted employees. He should have been thrown in jail, persecuted, and not simply removed from the situation because believe me, he will do it again to others if he can do it even once.

And your last comment would ire the many fangirls/fanboys here, but needs to be said: being drugged with nefarious intent isn't hot. It would be different if Mu Ren took Viagra for example as a stimulant, but he did not. If this bathtub scene wasn't pre-empted by the assault, then you can say it's hot. Otherwise it was just darn sad.

Viki combines every 2 episodes into 1.