#ABL trash watches BL

[absolutebl]

Love Sea - A Trash Watch Smolder

Well my BLabies, do you have your drinks ready?

Are your smores stabbed on dildos, ready to roast over the stinking flames? (Or whatever one prods smores with, I missed that weird American tradition in my misspent youth.)

Can you smell it in the air? The smell of burning trash?

Let the dumpster fire begin. Another Mame offering is upon us.

The Background

The Mameverse tends to interlock, but all signs point to these being entirely new characters. (Click on that link if you want my thoughts on this author/producer and what I feel she does well and poorly.) Meanwhile, here's the brief:

Who?

FortPeat - established couple from previous Mame offering Love in the Air AKA LITA (trash watched here).

How do we feel about them? We likie. They a great pair. Steady, established actors, good a promo, but not too good. Bit one note but can't ask for too much when it comes with such great chemistry.

What do we know about them as actors? Fort is legitimately in Engineering (hilarious). Peat and he started in the industry around the same time with bit parts, but Peat is 4 years older. They do high heat and they do it well. They were quite popular after their first series and have received sponsorships. So they wisely stayed branded and it's nice to see them on our screens again.

What?

Love Sea

While travelling a writer has a one night stand with a very irritating man.

When?

Sundays

Where?

iQIYI (AKA icky)

Why?

Mame

To what degree?

Stick your thermometer into that fire, we gonna find out. 102°C I expect.

Episode One - That's An Outfit We'd All Wear to a Tropical Island

Here’s the thing. Icky has decided (in its infinite wisdom) that it will no longer allow screen caps on mobile devices. Which means you’re going to get my loquaciousness on this dumpster fire with no respite from the unmitigated madness via photos of pretty boys saying stupid things.

So. Read at your own risk.

I have a bottle of sake and a maple doughnut (don’t knock it 'til you’ve tried it) so let’s get started!

Hold onto your dildo smores BLabies we are in Mame Country. And apparently that country has its very own baby drone to film with now. (Look, the one thing BL rarely needs more distance shots. That’s not what we’re here for, people. Certainly not from FortPeat.)

Rak, baby, I'm loving the all-black western meets goth-rocker look but that eye make-up is the true star. This is how I shall dress when I visit Thailand next. (Oh, you think I'm joking? Gotta work on my smokey eye.)

Meanwhile, if your suitcases are that expensive, why aren’t they matched?

P'ABL asking the important questions for once.

Speaking of important questions:

Why are siblings always trying to pimp each other out in Mame’s stuff? Does anyone else find this creepy? I think it’s odd to be your sibling's wingman when he's chasing tail. It’s edging into the incest taboo. Oh dear, I said edging and incest in the same sentence, I’m probubly giving Mame ideas.

I’m getting Hometown Cha Cha Cha vibes from Mut.

Rak is such a cat, very picky and stand-offish. Mut is such a puppy. Very conflicting personalities. Not a bad combo. Also Rich/poor. Country/city.

The "let’s get it on" music is hilarious. But at least Mame doesn't use egregious sound effects in her shows. Well, not as many as GMMTV. Small mercies.

I will say, FortPeat do hurt/comfort very well. Peat is good at prickly fragile baby-girl. Fort is good at cocky arrogant prick. They are good at bouncing off of each other and still showing desire. Frankly, chemistry is not one of their problems. They’re fine little actors. It’s just the story is going to betray them. Characters are going to be inexplicably evil for no good reason. And we are going to feel manipulated as a result.

But right now?

It’s fine.

And that's it, that's how I feel about Love Sea.

All in all, I’m quite drunk and it wasn’t warranted.

Waste of sake. Not a waste of a maple doughnut. No such thing. Maple donuts are always put to good use.

Okay, so Mame? Just keep it on this level and we'll remain fine. Some light terrorizing and stalking, a smidge of breaking and entering. Nothing more offensive, okay?

But that’s my eternal optimism (and the sake) talking.

Right now I’m not feeling very strongly in any direction about this show. I haven’t been whipped into a verbal frenzy.

This has been a lackluster start.

Kortord tukorn

(sorry all)

This trash watch has started off as more of a dumpster smolder. A light recycling. (Like Mame and her character archetypes.)

We smokey rather than flaming (Like Rak's FANTASTIC eye makeup.)

Oof, I feel faintly ill. I think that is the sake, tho, not the eye make up. Which was on point! Although when he started to cry, it should’ve started running down his face. Life has very few stand out moments of glory apart from an adorable young man with eye makeup running down his face.

Catch ya next week. More sake, less doughnut.

su su na

Episode Two - Rack's Green Knit Shirt is Kinda Cute

I seriously cannot fault FortPeat's chemistry. And the opening sequence for this ep was intriguingly full of banter and then...

Surprise, BJ!

I do hope that beach is private. Starting with a BJ is very unusual in a BL. We certainly lick live in interesting times.

I feel like I haven't quite been warmed up to a sex scene yet. Kinda came out of nowhere. I mean it IS quite gay, making the prick front and center before the relationship gets going. But I was oddly indifferent to this start.

I'm on gd roll tonight apparently.

You know why? (Well, I'm me, but also...)

I feel like I have license. This show is kinda rude. Is that the word I’m looking for? Yes, rude. It's not very sexy, and it's not quite dirty, it's something else. Rude.

I’m not upset about it. It’s just odd. Like Thailand is trying on some Japanese button pushing for size.

I’m not mad just mildly confused.

Meanwhile, the GL sides are a "whipping girl" trope? Not sure I’ve ever we seen that combo before. Gay mean girls or something?

On an entirely different note, BL universe, I just thought I'd tell you that’s not where a gay man of Rak's caliber puts his perfume. Just FYI. 

I love claiming.

I love a public claiming!

I don’t care if this is Mame.

I LOVE A CLAIMING. 

Also, I am very much enjoying MutRak banter. Actually, I’m pretty much enjoying this episode.

OOOO, I typed too soon.

The second half is kinda dull.

Mame's little moment of "Author insert" was awful ham-handed and on the nose. On the prick? On the ego? She compared her own rampant mischaracterization and audience manipulation to the presence of dragons in a fantasy world? Basically saying: in BL my characters don’t have to be consistent, because that’s part of the genre.

I assure you, sweetheart, there are plenty of BLs and plenty of authors who have honest characterization that stays consistent throughout, and GASP actually bolsters faithful stories and drives plot with a conflict sourced in that consistency. Wandee Goodday... to pluck a randomly contemporaneous example out of thin air. You should try it sometime.

Ooo, now I'm salty.

Episode 3 - But Now, I'm Bored

Before we start....

Linguistics Corner!

Because I got an Ask here's a bit on these two and their pronouns! (We can see if my predictions are correct during the course of this trash watch.) We are in the realm of adult characters not school setting or friendship groups so Rak is using chan/nai and khun with Mut. There is a class & wealth difference with them, + Mut starts out as a kind of employee, so chan/nai makes perfect sense. It's an old fashioned but polite way of speaking that dodges age negotiations. Rak likely doesn't know their respective ages (he could be the older one). To even begin the discussion implies a willingness to use more intimate language so Rak likely doesn't wanna open that can of worms pronouns. He is using both chan/nai and his lack of flexibility around their use as a distancing tactic. Probubly instinctively. Pom or own name would be both intimate and status lowering for him to use. With most adult characters, phi/nong takes longer to establish (if ever), particularly if they start out as strangers. Also, it has much more intimate connotations. And by that I mean: emotional vulnerability not sex. It's fun to pay attention tho, because when these two pronoun shift (and they will) it's likely to be a significant moment in their romantic arc. If I'm lucky we will get a negotiation but that's not really a Meme thing so I suspect Mut will soften his language first. Because of Mut's characterization, and in order to ramp up the romance, I would actually expect these two to (eventually) parlay into rao/ter instead of phi/pom or guu/mueng. But I am looking forward to finding out how it's handled.

And now onto the episode.

...

..

.

Over a quarter way through and I have absolutely nothing to say. I apologize, this muse be a very boring trash watch. (Imagine how I feel?) I’m too tired to drink but even if there were alcohol in my system, I still think I would have nothing to say. 

Oh. Is that? Do I sense.... *GASP*

Traumatic backstories for our characters?

From Mame? Who seems to believe that no character can have depth without suffering?

Say it isn't so?

OK we’re now halfway through this episode and apparently there’s been a Time-lapse of some kind? A couple of weeks?

So this little cat & dog game they’ve been playing has been going on for a while?

Meanwhile...

I had a huge grin on my face at the moment Ja showed up. I guess I really miss him on my screen. Hi tall drink of water.

Oh, hydration.

Back to the show.

Just two boys with abandonment issues learning how to turn a vacation fling into a relationship mistake.

Also it’s a bit too early for that level of confessional. Isn't it? Well pacing-wise for a BL it feels that way. Are we now about to turn into a country mouse narrative?

On an entirely different note, it’s fascinating to have FortPeat and MosBank airing to high heat BLs at the same time. Especially as they're running on about the same release schedule. I’m enjoying watching 2 pairs both like in chemistry.

WAIT.

I sense a parody coming on.

Two branded pairs, both alike in chemistry, In fair Thailand, where all the cute boys yearn, From ancient grudge to suffer new Mame, Where trash watches make dumpster fires burn. From Fort the fatal loins of these two hoes (I HAD TO). A pair of branded pairs take on the heat; Whose narratives will oft include no clothes, Do with their smooches fight Tumblr critique. Such shameful usage of the dub-con trope, (Contrasted to others thirsty scenes,) Which, but for Mame's brand, all would say nope, Is now 12 eps of angst upon our screens. To wit, if you want sex without my diatribes, Give this a pass and watch Sunset X Vibes.

Thank you thank you. That is for the 3 people reading this who care.

Where was I?

Or right, no fault to FortPeat. Both pairs are working with the characters and scripts that they've been given.

But right now the sexitimes in this show just feel a lot more service and a lot less genuine (for lack of a better word) then Sunset X Vibes. Now, I know that the characters, narrative, and production company preferences are completely different, but the consummate interplay between surrender and hunger and consummation are oddly similar between these pairs, and yet they're reading (from this side of the screen) completely differently.

I don’t know where I’m going with this.

I just think we have an interesting study in heat and chemistry airing double down right now. And I wonder is anyone else is sensing what I'm sensing.

Writing that sonnet (or whatever) has utterly exhausted me. Nighty night. Don't let the guy-who-took-a-copy-of-your-hotel-key-and-broke-into-your-room bite.

Episode 4 - And Now, I'm Bored & Annoyed

I rushed back from the wilds of foreign climes to trash watch what exactly?

All this time spent establishing Mut as a

pillar of his community

really important lynchpin for oceanic conservation work

striving for his independence

building local friendships and surrogate family

the de facto mayor of this island

And he just leaves for Bangkok to be a boy toy?

And they JOKE about it?

Is the stuff between Mook and Mut supposed to be funny? It's not.

I got so bored I started looking up ways to organize my sunglasses.

Why is Mook so worried about Rak? He’s clearly an asshole who can take care of himself.

What is Mut doing with his life?

What am I doing with mine?

Too early in the series for an existential crisis.

I definitely need to start drinking again for this one.

Episode 5 - In which I simultaneously got even more bored & more annoyed

This time I armed myself with both booze and sugar. Unfortunately, there are some things even alcohol and chocolate can't cure. Mame is one of those things.

The bullying GL subplot is just BAD.

I’m getting an overall EPIC SQUICK from the fact that the two rich privileged characters are essentially taking advantage of the two lower class poorer characters. It’s not a power dynamic I enjoy at all. Ever.

So... everyone in Rak’s family is an extreme bitch, including him? Okaaay.

I mean Rak is pretty and all but I fail to understand the appeal. Maybe Mut just likes bitches? Maybe the sex really is that great?

I tell you, I wouldn’t put up with it.

ARGH. I'm just I’m not finding any of the character dynamics appealing in this show. I never thought I’d say this, but I wish I were back in LITA territory. 

I’m honestly sorry this trash watch is so bad.

This show isn’t inspiring me into anything but a general feeling of mild annoyance and slight fury.

It's like this rash I had in Stockholm one time.

Startlingly unpleasant, not what one might hope for, but also it could be worse, I suppose.

Episode 6 - In which I get very upset about jealousy

Tonight I'm combining my sugar with my alcohol and drinking chocolate soy milk with chocolate liquor in it. I'm aware that I have a child's taste in booze. The secret is I don't actually enjoy alcohol, I simply need it to survive Mame.

OK let’s do it.

Rich boy shops when sad.

Frankly, that always makes me feel better too. I prefer the snack aisle myself.

Oh. Goodie. You get to now watch ABL completely losing an entire brain due to raging at the machine because of one sentence.

Ready?

Chapter 6: Jealousy is a Sign of Love

Jealousy is a sign of love?! You absolute fuckers. Jealousy is not a sign of love, jealousy is a sign of possession, insecurity, insanity, and often abuse. Jealousy is a sign to dump that shithead as quickly as possible.

I mean, we all understand the story beat: in BL possession is revered and admired and used to drive plot when all other avenues have been exhausted. But you can’t just say it as the title of an episode! That’s too blatant.

TOO FAR!

Returning to the traumatic backstory. 

No, actually. Let’s skip that part.

I do like it when Rak gets all bossy. I love it when a spoiled boy manipulates his man's body to be his bolster pillow. Taiwan is particularly good at this.

Should I just go watch We Best Love for the 1millionth time instead of this show?

Too tempting.

Where was I?

It’s not even halfway through and I’ve already finished my drink in desperation. And am day dreaming of better shows.

Honestly, I have had many feelings about Meme over the years, but I don’t think I’ve ever been this bored with any of her stuff. I’d rather feel something than nothing.

Meanwhile, the GL moves on from bullying to outright manipulation and gaslighting. Cute. Added French for flavor.

I do like a smile kiss. And a lap sit. And so forth. So Fort.

Yes these two do sex scenes very well.

Give me something more.

Anything.

On the bright side... so far... no singing.

Episode 7 - I'm Too Drunk for This

This time, I decided to pre-game. So I went in tipsy. I’m hoping this improves my mood.

Look, I'm doing my best for you here. (Or am I doing my floppyest for you? Eh, same difference.)

Frankly, what’s really annoying me is that I am neither upset nor pleased with this flipping show. Turns out, I like to be driven one way or the other by Mame. But this show? Nada. It's a VOID.

At this juncture I'd prefer to feel rage than indifference.

I gotta say that thinking about this purely as a soap opera makes me understand it more. I don't like it any better, but I get what's going on. These are the Days of Our BL.

Oh hey, I know that convention center! Best food in the biz.

The revenge bit was fun I guess?

Ooo. Now I kinda wanna rewatch Shelter. It’s been ages. Such a great movie. 

Where was I?

Oh, right, the crazy cousin character. I don’t understand what’s going on with her. Why do we need her? Why is she here? What’s her motivation?

I’m too drunk for this shit.

I'm going to bed.

Episode 8 - I'm Not Drunk Enough for This

(I detect a theme)

Okay so the hotel wifi is not awful, we gonna try watching icky with it. Always a challenge. Wish me luck!

Wouldn't it be fun if Mut has been conning Rak with this good guy persona the entire time and he really is just after money? I kinda love the idea.

Sadly, I think this is way more boring.

Rak is just a bitch, not even a sublime bitch, but a boring bitch. That's worse than a basic one.

The drama with the dad just seems manufactured. I mean what does the dad want except to be evil?

I mean I know what Mame wants, an excuse for Rak to break Mut's heart.

And now, I'm annoyed and hungry. Imma eat hotel snacks and disappointment in equal measure.

Episode 9 - Perhaps I'm the problem?

I did this already and then tumblr ate it so this time around it's not as witty. Trust me that in the first assessment I was all charm. Now I am all sarcasm.

I enjoyed the random fight scenes. At least something happened. Also the collapsing in his arms was very dramatic.

I can see why Mame reused this pair for this show, because Peat is so good at being broken & fragile (see previous role).

But also… I feel like I’ve seen all of this before. Oh right, the psychotic breakdown scene in TharnType. The fragile broken uke from Love By Chance. The seme with a heart of gold and fists of steel from… all of them. 

I find this exhausting.

Is anyone else exhausted?

They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again (AKA watching Mame) and expecting a different result. I must be certifiably bonkers at this juncture.

Second half of this show I begin to wonder one thing. (Well my mind wanders a lot but this particular thought bubbled to the surface.) 

Is this show actually an okay Thai BL?

Wait! Hear me out.

If this were ones first Meme, would it be… fine? In other words, if I didn’t have this storied (or lack of story, nash) history with her creative endeavors, would this bore me this much?

Is this actually just an average mildly enjoyable high-heat Thai BL to others, who are coming to her stuff for the first (or maybe the second) time?

Is it over-exposure or the has traumatized me in this way?

Am I corrupted through overindulgence?

Is this all my own fault?

Should I be taking a break from her? Should I not watch the next 3 productions that she does, and then return to her with fresh feelings of openness and amenable temper?

Is it me who is the problem? 

Yet the act of asking that last question makes me feel like I’m in the same kind of abusive relationship with Mame that Rak was with his father.

Then I feel like I need to drink more. Or see a therapist.

So that’s enough philosophy for one evening.

And then, at the very very end A THRILL DESCENDED UPON ME.

Watching the stinger for next weekI was all… 

Is this a 10 epper? Oh my God it is! Fantastic. Next week is the last one! I SEE THE LIGHT. 

Episode 10 - The Lingering Scent of Disappointment

Today I am drinking a soju cocktail. Which I can highly recommend. If you're a lightweight but you like vodka, Fresh Soju is actually a pretty decent substitute with a lower alcohol content. 

This has been your bartender lesson for today, moving on.

Wait. 

If the Maa could’ve fixed this all along by throwing the Dad in jail, why didn’t she? Why did she put her kids through all of this bullshit with stalking and abuse? Also the mom character was basically a deus ex machina, except she didn’t even happen on screen. It was action taken to solve what little plot there was... entirely off screen. How weird. I don’t even have a term for that. Bad writing? Recon explanation? Of screen resolution?

OK, Fort is acting so well in the breakup scene. I adore that “how much do I need to pay you to fall in love with me” parrots the original “how much do I need to pay you to sleep with me”. I must give props for that level of emotional manipulation in a romance drama of this type. 

That said, I feel for Rak, it’s rough to learn that someone else is playing a long game with feelings while you were playing a short game with d**k.

Meanwhile... I have run out of alcohol and I am now eating brownie bites. Because life (and d**k) is too short and so is my patience. 

Why is that tattoo so absolutely terribly obviously fake?

Someone take tattoos and wigs away from Thailand. Just strip them out of all wardrobe departments in the entire Thai film industry. Clearly they can’t handle that level of POWER. It’s giving me trauma.

I do like that the solution to the drama of the break up was an actual sincere and abject apology. Very mature and grown up of you Mame. 

I wish they’d woven the number 8 throughout more of the show, like into the pattern of Rak’s shirts and maybe an earring or cuff.

Did they entirely forget about the GL side not-plot? Or is it just me not paying attention because I’m distracted by brownie bites? 

Regardless, I genuinely let out the biggest yawn during the very ending scene. It’s nowhere near my bedtime.

And… that’s it I guess.

I’m going on the record at this point. I don’t think I can do a trash watch of Mame again. It’s exhausting. And also is it really worth my (or your) time? This screed was so lackluster.

Final thoughts? 

This is probably a solid 8/10 show but I’m mad I wasn’t madder at it, and mad I was so bored throughout.

So It gets a 7/10 and let us not speak of this again. I’d like to simply forget about it.

Conclusion? I’m left residually upset that FortPeat and all their talents are wasted on Mame. That seems unfair to them. And to us, quite frankly. 

************************************

All my trash watches are here:

(source)

[heretherebedork]

You know what I miss? A really good trash BL like Unforgotten Night. Have you watched any good trash BLs since then?

Hmmm, true trash like Unforgotten Night? I dunno.

My Dear Gangster Oppa is a kind of trash but it's a different kind of trash than Unforgotten Night... but you might wanna give it a try?

True good trash BL is sometimes rare.

I have one I'm watching that I would put in this category but I am the only one so I accept that and will not be recommending it as such publicly.

You might want to try Love Syndrome III but, fair warning, it is in fact a deeply fucked up D/s relationship that the show admits is abusive while also letting both of the parties in it to want it and I adore it as absolute trash but it's definitely darker than Unforgotten Night.

I loved Love Syndrome III sheerly for facing down the creepiest relationship and just going 'yep, it's weird and fucked up and they both love it and this show is about them learning to communicate that they both love it despite everyone else in their lives raising their eyebrows at them'.

Anyway, yeah, there haven't been a ton lately, I feel like. Which is good and bad.

You might also try Naughty Babe? But that's a weird line of maybe for me.

[bengiyo]

We Are Sucks, and BL Will Be Worse When This Succeeds

We Are the series, the latest empty drivel from New Siwaj, has crossed a line for me that I cannot abide. This show is nothing more than loosely connected setups for BL moments that are easy to gif or clip for maximum virality, designed to fulfill a financial obligation to iQIYI and otherwise keep the B- and C-tier BL pairs occupied with work. This show is saying nothing about the human condition with any verve, and there is no queer subtext or text to pull from any of these characters that the viewer isn’t already bringing to the table. 

I had stopped writing Stray Thoughts for this show because it doesn’t really have much of a plot or story to tell, but I am not going to be able to continue this show past episode 5. This show is the BL equivalent of a cumshot compilation. It is designed exclusively as fap material to coo over known BL pairs smiling at each other. I was chatting with @twig-tea yesterday about how after five episodes we still don’t really have anything resembling an arc for these characters and how it’s just a bunch of BL dudes hanging out. Twig described it as “disingenuous to [even] call it a show” and “...a bunch of compatibility workshops strung together.”

I hate this so much. There is no story being told here. This is like watching actor reels on IG or TikTok. There is nothing here to hold onto other than your baseline fondness for the cast. There was a moment in episode 5 that felt completely unscripted between Aou and Boom that felt like Boom reacting to being teased by Aou and not a moment between their characters. They didn’t even let Aou’s character confess the specificity of his feelings because they don’t matter to this show! It doesn’t matter why he likes Boom’s character! Just that he does! Why does Boom’s character respond so positively to these feelings? Why didn’t he take initiative on his own before? What changed at all? What’s the goddamn story here? There’s nothing! We just make it up and enjoy the smiles.

I usually don’t want to bitch about shows I don’t like extensively on here, and I especially don’t like spamming tags with negative commentary or musing on shows. However, there are 11 more episodes of this empty nothing, and 30 more episodes of New Siwaj trash on the horizon. He has become the GMMTV BL Babysitter, and I am horrified by what this means for the genre. I try to stay patient with New because usually he captures some form of gay melancholy or angst in his shows, but there is none of that here in We Are. All of these characters know each other and are basically just hanging out for about an hour of TV. 

I worry about stuff like this being good enough to monetize. There’s nothing interesting for me in this experience with a queer lens. There is no real story being told, and caring about any details as if they matter leads to questioning the integrity of the characters (are we really doing a slave narrative in a college BL again?). It feels like the end product of giving up on chasing ratings and only chasing virality to monetize the talent for ad spots, concerts, fan meets, and merch. No longer do we even need to make stories about compelling romances between men. We just need to get passably attractive boys on screen together and just ask them to smile. 

What does it mean for the genre if GMMTV goes another step forward with this and no longer brings any robust writing to the BL table. Are we satisfied with BL as glorified slideshows of shippable actors? What happens when GMMTV is able to easily milk this over other robust productions? Is this just the filler fluff to keep people engaged with the network between their solid projects to prove their bonafides? BL has always struggled with depictions of queerness, but are we at the point where we don't even try to tell stories that even feel queer? Is just simply putting boys next to each other enough? I don’t like this at all, and it unsettled me as I watched five episodes of We Are only to feel nothing. 

I am always half-joking about being over New Siwaj, but I really am at this point. 

[lurkingshan]

Hi bestie, it's me, your local unhinged trash panda.

With so many recent shows (ahem mostly thai) being kinda trash and not in a good way. is there any QLs that you consider 'this show is trash but i'm having fun with it anyway,' ? you also can ignore this if you can't come up with anything cause you have standards unlike me 55555

Oh bestie, if you could only see my GagaOOLala watch history you would know the trashy center of my heart. I definitely enjoy trashy media just like everyone else, but I try to take it for what it is and not pretend it's doing anything high-minded, so I don't write much about it. I feel no real defensiveness for my trashy favs; if other people say they hate them it's "Yeah, that's fair, anyway I LOVE IT."

That said, I do tend to think of trashy media in two categories: somewhat trashy execution of actually interesting ideas, and all around unserious trash that can only be enjoyed if you decide to laugh at everything happening on your screen. Currently I would put Jack and Joker in the first category and Eccentric Romance in the second category of trashy shows I am enjoying live (don't yell at me, y'all, I am happy for you if you are able to engage with these shows on a deeper level but I really can only enjoy them by turning my brain off). I was trying to watch Kidnap as trashy fun, too, but it just got so boring and sappy that it was no longer amusing for me.

Trashy BL Favorites

So, let me tell you about some of my favorite trash. In the first category of trashy execution of interesting ideas, I would put:

TharnType

History 4: Close to You

Dangerous Drugs of Sex

Addicted

Love in the Air

Word of Honor

And in the second category of all around trash with no particularly interesting ideas that I loved watching anyway:

TharnType 2: Seven Years of Love

Destiny Seeker

Cutie Pie

Bump Up Business

Don't Say No

Grand Guignol

Kiseki: Dear to Me

Why R U?

And now you got me wanting to rewatch most of these. I need the currently airing shows to slow down for awhile so I can spend more time in my trash heap.

[alexasaystuff]

Hi! I’m not usually one to post anything like this but I really felt like I should do so this time

(Btw English isn’t my first language so 🙂‍↕️)

Warnings: BL, Bj, Satosugu, NSFW, implication of gay s€x, *all characters are adults*, not so original, bad English ><

After the sad separation between me and suguru… everything seemed… lonelier… harder… that I didn’t even realize when I even dialed his number on the phone that many times… suguru… I miss you… you were my everything… my one and only…

Then you answered…

My life couldn’t be brighter ever since, we arranged a few things… and now here we are… in an alleyway… hiding behind the trash bins… you on your knees slurping with all your might… wanting to leave me dry as I just try to seem as composed as possible…

Looking at how your tongue swirls on my exposed member… then taking it in your mouth and sucking… hard… fast… so much I couldn’t hold back a long desperate moan

“D-don’t tease suguru~” I wine stupidly as I watch you intently.

“They’ll hear you baby~ do you want that?~” you say teasingly as I finally seem to remember the sorcerers your curses were distracting a few streets behind.

I wine more, hating the fact that we have to hide our relationship as you’re fully deep throating me… oh god it’s like you have no gag reflex! It just feels so hot to hit the back of your throat so hard you’re choking… even though you swallow curses every day… you can never seem to be able to take me in for so long…

I harshly grab your hair, taking control of your sucking, pushing you up and down on me without warning as I fuck your face over and over… and I just chuckle at how you moan when I fuck your face this hard… mocking you for shutting me up earlier

“You want to shut me up *pants* when you can’t even stay quiet?~ Even when I go slow on your tight ass~ you can’t seem to help it~” I say huskily.

I just keep looking at your fucked up face as you try to suck at the same pace I’m thrusting into your mouth soon enough letting you go as you gasp harshly for air, panting as I let go all over your cute face panting as well.

I know it was short but it was just a little test text to see how much you guys like it and see if you got any requests if so.

Bye!! 👋

[stormyoceans]

Have you seen GAP the series?? Personally I thought it was trash. So bad, but I heard they changed the script so many times so it was bound to happen. I didn’t watch Marvellous Dream but everyone says it was bad too. Now Loyal Pin is starting and I don’t want to give that a chance either. What the heck, Idol Factory? I’m not saying they’re masterpieces but their BLs are good. Why can’t they make good GLs?

i have indeed watched GAP but i have to admit that it’s hard for me to be as objective about this show as i usually try to be with all the media i consume, because while part of me KNOWS it’s not the best series, im also very fond of it for what it represented as the first fully fledged GL we’ve ever gotten

im also aware i tend to be more forgiving towards GLs compared to BLs, mostly because BL shows have been around for years and were allowed to sometimes be pretty bad as they experimented and tried things out, while as it often happens with women i feel like a lot of people expected GLs to be nothing short than perfect from the get go and refuse to allow even the smallest misstep

all this being said, my marvellous dream is you was definitely (and unfortunately) not a good show (albeit i did weirdly enjoy some parts of it), and if you already didn’t like GAP you for sure wouldn’t like mmdiy either, because sadly i think this series has all the flaws GAP had but magnified 10 times: the main pairing keeps running around in circle about the same misunderstandings over and over again, the miscommunication goes through the roof, the relationship is very unbalanced, there are way too many characters who are there just for the drama and aren’t given enough space or depth (people saying we only got crumbs for chainpun in we are, well, let me tell you….. it can be worse ;;;;;;;), the pacing is a mess, and im sure im forgetting something else too. there could have been one saving grace in my marvellous dream is you (the fantasy element), but even that was neither explored nor narratively used at all

what i think it’s interesting is that both series were adapted by novels from the same author, so i do wonder which of those issues are due to the original material and which ones are due to idolfactory itself, because while an adaptation can definitely try to fix certain things, it also depends on how much artistic license they can actually take (this is why im very curious to see how GMMTV is gonna adapt pluto and us, since they’re also stories from that author)

as for the loyal pin, i haven’t been able to start it yet (petition to get an extra day in the week just to watch my shows), however im really looking forward to finally be able to, because this time the original novel is from a different author, so im hoping it won’t have the same issues when it comes to the plot and the characters

so yeah, i do think that there are some stylistic choices that are very typical of idolfactory that they should probably revisit (for example, having a big cast and pretty long episodes), but when it comes to GL specifically maybe they just didn’t pick the best material (or the right one for them as a company), so i hope the loyal pin is gonna be their turning point and that future projects will get better and better!!!!!

[befuddledcinnamonroll]

BL Wrapped 2023

A little bit late, but I wanted to make sure to do this for my own records! I've watched so many shows now, it helps to have something down more formally to remember stuff.

A few notes:

This includes shows that started in 2022 and finished in 2023.

No shows that are currently still airing - how the ending lands is too critical for me.

There's some shows I know I'm going to love that I just haven't had time to see yet, so if there are any shocking absences, that's probably why.

Total # of QL watched: 37 (35 BLs, 2 GLs) (really looking forward to more GL offerings next year)

Favorite Thai shows:

Bed Friends

I was not the biggest fan of Cutie Pie, so entered this one with a fair amount of skepticism. But what a lovely surprise. Uea was such an incredible lead and so well-characterized, his trauma was handled seriously, and though there were occasional hiccups due to drama, overall King was such a respectful and supportive partner. And let's not forget the cat ears.

Laws of Attraction

What a ride this show was! I had not watched To Sir with Love, so had no familiarity with Jam or Film, but they were amazing here. The side couple of disaster muffin + loving bodyguard were pitch perfect, there were fantastic women characters who actually had significant roles in the story, and who can forget our wonderful chaotic Nawin? The story was compelling, the emotional points hit, and even when it leaned towards the ridiculous, it always remained aware of what it was.

My School President

I still remember watching the trailer for Our Skyy 2 and noticing two random dudes I had never seen before. Little did I know!

I don't have much to say except that this was pure charm from start to finish, and Fourth & Gemini were a delight. Pure comfort watch.

Unforgotten Night

I SAID WHAT I SAID! (and yes this aired in 2022, I was late)

Look, I know a lot of people thought of this purely as a trash watch, but it's so much more than that. I wrote a whole post on it. It was fantastic. I apologize for nothing.

Favorite Korean shows:

Our Dating Sim

I adored this show from start to finish. I could understand the motivations of both characters, I was deeply invested in their relationship, and they felt so utterly natural once they got together. 10/10, no notes.

Jun & Jun

This was a little messy at times, and missed an opportunity to lean more into D/s dynamics, but I really liked all the characters, the leads had great chemistry, and it was refreshing to see a Korean BL be more open about sexual desire in a relationship.

Favorite Japanese Shows:

The End of the World With You

This one could have easily gone off the rails. End of the world stories can be very tricky to pull off. But there was such a solid emotional core to the storytelling, and it kept such a hold of my heart.

My Personal Weatherman

One thing I think Japan does extremely well is stories about people who have extremely deep internal lives, but don't show much on the surface. As someone quite introverted, who keeps a lot of things on the inside, I relate a lot to this. This show did such a good job of showing how challenging it can be to communicate with those we love, and the rewards once you are able to break through and really understand each other.

Favorite Taiwanese Shows:

Kiseki: Dear to Me

Of course it's Kiseki. This series was amazing. I don't care we never really understood any of the mafia stuff, that was all set dressing for some of the best couple work ever.

Honorable Mention:

Midnight Museum

I will never stop calling this a BL. Some day GMMTV will realize that Gun has too much chemistry with other people to keep him only with Off. Also, we got Nanon playing evil, which was so sexy.

[dropthedemiurge]

Kawi is a perfect Cartoon Character filmed in BL

We were talking about comedy acting of gmm actors in our discord, and I understandably went on a rant about Krist's comedic performance in Be My Favorite (because his dramatic acting is good but he chose such a unique delicious comedy to give to Kawi, and I've been obsessed with it since the very first episode so let me bring it here too xD)

I was so surprised and intrigued when I saw Kawi in BMF, because in the beginning of the series Kawi looks funny. Unhinged. Unserious. AND IT DOES NOT LOOK CRINGE! (fight me)

For me it's something that's so easy to fuck up, and Thai comedies just love being silly-cringe on purpose (I'm sorry, I have to admit, I get second hand embarrassment often when watching unserious scenes in BLs). But Kawi. He's just. So excitingly funny for the viewers. Krist created his behavior with such a careful nuance, he gave us the first impression of Kawi so nicely, that a non-social immature main character who easily could get 'EW noo' reaction from viewers, is just a very adorable weird fool you can't help but keep watching to see in what kind of trash situations he'll end up.

I think here's a huge reason why: Kawi looks and feels like a cartoon character. I don't even know how Krist did it, I worked as 2d/3d animator and artist for some time in the past and I deliberately tried to make myself act like a cartoon character to film references for animation, so let me tell you – it's HARD xD

Disclaimer: i'm not big professional, just a freelancer so my terms might not be official, i'm just describing what i've learnt from professionals, these are basic things

I think Krist said it himself somewhere in bts that it was his deliberate choice and hard work but Kawi is absolutely animated in a very cartoonish way, but he also calms down and matures throughout the whole series, his movements become more gentle, fluid and less loud.  It's such a difficult way to smoothly change the character and it's a hard work for the actor, if you consider that episodes and scenes aren't usually filmed chronologically.

The first episode of BMF is like the epitome of Kawi As Cartoon Character (remember Kawi stealing Pisaeng's clothes scene, the dancing, fighting the gangster, everything) and it works really great to establish that comedic introduction and fool us all into thinking this is just a silly comedic BL show and not a very complicated, profound and mature series as it turned out to be :D

I dissect for myself why this happens, what Krist makes:

Loud hyperactive movements (wide animated gestures, compared to all other characters behaving like adults in real world; think of Stage Persona and theatrics)

Action lines and curves (compare Pisaeng and Kawi on screenshots, think how Pisaeng would hold his hand out and look how Kawi is posing. Krist said they rehearsed poses in that scene a lot, and I really believe it. He stretches out arms a bit too far away, he bends more than usual person, he cranes his neck, he makes just perfect action lines throughout his whole body. When you want to make a cartoon character out of someone's photo, you exaggerate and smooth out posture so the motion would be felt, and Krist just does it in real life)

Fast movements ending up in an abrupt VERY ART-LIKE POSE, and quick change of sharp poses (it's a base rule for good artists to make characters have a clear pose, so you would be able to guess what's going on from only the silhouette). It's probably not a natural way to stand in front of the camera, but Krist often turns his body just enough to have very recognizable silhouettes (enhanced by directing from P'Waa probably)

He exaggerates emotions like a comic character as well; wide eyes, mouth, furrowed eyebrows or extreme pout; even his voice is loud, he shouts and yells louder than anyone else in the series. Of course, only when he's comfortable (with Pisaeng, with Magic Uncle, sometimes with Max). When Kawi isn't comfortable, Krist makes him small, roll into himself, speak quieter and softer, while still having cute gestures like fidgeting.

Cartoonish character compliments Kawi's childish behavior so well, it adds cuteness and stops viewers from rolling their eyes

KAWI LITERALLY IS ACCOMPANIED BY CARTOON SOUND EFFECTS IN THE SERIES, I mean - Pisaeng sometimes gets his sound effect of something breaking, u know like huh??, but if you listen, so many actions and gestures of Kawi are followed by various cartoon sounds. All the time. Even when he gets more mature and reaches zen, they are still present, just not as often.

And that dance? Might not be truly something cartoons would have, but it's so unhinged and quick and childishly weird, Kawi is almost literally operating at 24fps there, the flashing lighting helps a lot as well xD

(overall, think about famous tiktok videos of a girl acting like a disney character irl but if i'm not wrong, there's also a technique of slowing and speeding up the video/audio, and Krist simply acts like that in front of the camera. fascinating)

Krist's work on Kawi's comedic behavior is just chef's kiss, even if you didn't know the plot, just by seeing Kawi in random scenes, you'd know it's a whole character arc just reflected through the body. Which is, I guess, what acting is about xD But it is SO RARE to see for me in BLs and Thai's lakorns, and maybe I just don't watch a lot of comedy series but I'm extremely impressed with how great that cartoonish Kawi looks, from an artist point of view.

I think the other character from BLs close to this feeling would be Sky from Love in the Air. If you know others, please let me know!

[thebroccolination]

It's 2:30am and I can't sleep AND I'm bored. So I'm goin around asking some of my fave blogs/writers to play a game of either/or........ready?

(Please don't hate me, this is just for fun 😁)

Reading Fanfic or Writing Fanfic

Boun or Krist

Romance or Sci-Fi Fantasy

UWMA or BUTS

SOTUS or BMF

Reaper Storyline or Time Loop Storyline

WinTeam or KawiPi

Watch the Movie/Series or Read the Book

You don't have to answer if you don't want to but if you do, you can't cheat! You can only choose one or the other NOT both! Okay? GO!

P.S. I love your writing, Key! Thank you for all your lovely fics ❤️❤️❤️

Awwww, first of all: thank you so much. :') This is a really sweet thing to wake up to. :'''')

Also incredibly evil.

-- Reading Fanfic or Writing Fanfic --

Honestly—and this surprises me—writing! I tried to imagine not being able to do one ever again and I'd be more upset if I could never write fic again.

-- Boun or Krist --

:/

Before this year, I would've said Boun, but right now, it's Krist.

I've always thought of BounPrem and KristSingto as the "main pairs" I follow, and even though Krist and Singto aren't officially a branded pair anymore, I still follow them separately. So I'm kind of a, uh, BounPrem, Krist, Singto fan now asdfghkj

When Between Us ended and BounPrem said they wouldn't have another series together for a while, I moved my focus to Krist because he had Be My Favorite coming up, and I'd been excited for BMF since 2021. And now, since I've followed Krist so closely this year, since I've gone back and familiarized myself more with his past work, and since I was fortunate enough to meet him in person last month and see for myself how kind and sincere and good he is, I'm very invested in seeing him happy and succeed the way he deserves. (Like, it's very clear why he's so beloved when you look into who he actually is, so it's been surreal to see how desperately interfans want to hate him. I was in his restaurant with other fans when GMMTV finally released a statement in his defense, and it was such a relief, I teared up. Some interfans are trying the "he used to be a bad person but he's better now" take at the moment, so I'm just waiting for them to take the next step and admit that he was never a monster in the first place and that hundreds of interfans have gleefully tortured him and trashed his reputation for years based on misinformation.)

Like I keep saying: the loudest anti-Krist voices are interfans. If he actually was what they claim, wouldn't his most ardent antis be from his own country? I've spoken to Thai fans of different actors: this is an interfan bandwagon that got blown out of proportion.

Now, of course, Krist and Boun have always been pretty closely tied in my heart, so if you talk to me once the BounPrem vampire series airs, I'll be focused on BounPrem again. I'm not one of those "you have to follow everything someone does or else you're a fake fan" people, so I only watch what I like. BounPrem have been doing a lot of fanmeetings and separate work this year that I wasn't interested in following, so I've just been patiently waiting for the vampire series to air. Even though I don't even like vampires. I just love BounPrem that much. :')

-- Romance or Sci-Fi/Fantasy --

Sci-Fi/Fantasy! I'm writing a fantasy novel right now, and most of my favorite stories are in the sci-fi/fantasy/speculative genres. :D

-- Until We Meet Again or Between Us the Series --

UWMA!

It was my first Thai BL series, and it launched my whole fandom life here. It still has such a strong presence in my memories, and I think it was a true labor of love from every angle.

I think BounPrem were incredible in Between Us, but I don't think Between Us was the series they deserved. In the months since it ended, I've gotten more critical of how Between Us was handled and it's dropped quite a few spaces on my list. I think if they had stuck closer to the novel, removed BeePrince completely, used fewer flashbacks, fewer UWMA clips, and not tried to cram six musical tracks into some scenes to guide viewers' emotions, it would have been a stronger series. I honestly get the impression New did it for BounPrem rather than out of a genuine love for the characters, and that might be why it didn't have the spark UWMA does. I think it was a labor of love for BounPrem, and I think New loves BounPrem, but I don't think he loved WinTeam's story as much as he loved DeanPharm's. Not his fault, but a different director might've been a better choice for the project.

-- SOTUS or Be My Favorite --

Be My Favorite!

From 2020-2022 my top three were 1) UWMA, 2) SOTUS, and 3) DBK, but then I did an honest reevaluation and realized that over time, SOTUS has had just a tiny bit more of an emotional impact on me than UWMA, so it took the top spot. And of course Triage came along and blasted up to take DBK's spot.

As soon as I saw the teaser in 2021, I knew I'd love Be My Favorite, I just never expected it to…Be My Favorite. \:D/

It's time travel, it's Krist, it's Gawin, it's queer as fuck, and it's the closest to perfect I've seen yet. Ever since it ended, I've just been in this bubble of bliss. I can't believe it exists, that we got such a perfect casting, that Gawin and Krist became so close, that they see each other as family now, that that chemistry is so clear in the series. It's just one of those significant series that rearranges your brain chemistry, like SOTUS, UWMA, and DBK before it were for me. <3

-- Reaper Storyline or Time Loop Storyline --

Okay, so with the understanding that most subject material can be great in the hands of a great storyteller, just from a, "Hey, Key, this series/book/TV show has a __ storyline," basis, I'll go with Time Loop. Time shenanigans is one of the fastest way to hook me (Be My Favorite, Triage, I Feel You Linger, etc.).

-- WinTeam or KawiPi --

WinTeam. Always, always WinTeam. :')

They're just the ultimate OTP for me. Of any series, movie, book, anything. I think it'll always be WinTeam for me.

-- Watch the Movie/Series or Read the Book --

Hmm. For Thai BL: series. In general: book. From what I understand, a lot of the novels Thai BL series are based on tend to be very rough. Like, written and uploaded by the author without an editing process or even a beta reader in the middle. LazySheep (Red Thread/UWMA, Hemp Rope/BU) is an indie author, though. She's with Hermit Books, and she's mentioned her editor on Twitter, and I think the extra steps she takes in the process of publishing her novels show in how polished her stories are compared to the average Thai BL novel.

[waitmyturtles]

CURRENT ASK GAME, LET'S GO! Thanks, @dribs-and-drabbles and @wen-kexing-apologist!

Current time: 7:27 am

Current activity: Waking upppppp, GAAHHHH, and making breakfast for my kids

Currently thinking about: Moving. I'm moving this weekend. My brain be mush. I am also thinking about afterschool care for my offspring, and not being able to concentrate on my shows, which sucks, and I can't wait for life to calm down so I can pay attention to smart shows again.

Current favorite song: Oooooh! It's "On My Mama," by Victoria Monét (EVERYBODY GOTTA GO AND LISTEN TO HER NEW ALBUM, JAGUAR II, PLZ!).

Currently reading: The Intersections issue about Thai BL. EEEE!

Currently watching: Rewatching Until We Meet Again, again. Dangerous Romance, Only Friends, and I am very behind on Minato's Laundromat 2. I'm going VERY SLOWLY on Not Me for the Old GMMTV Challenge, and I've actually pressed pause on it, because -- it is TOO good, and I am not in a brain space at the moment to watch it fairly and deeply and take notes. Once I'm settled in my new place! (For a post-move brainless trash watch, I plan on tackling 609 Bedtime Story for more OhmFluke -- I have already been warned about how bad this is, don't worry!)

Current favorite character: Pharm! He's my pumpkin spice latte of the moment.

Current WIP: The OGMMTVC, as ever. (Raising my kids counts, too, right?)

TAGS! Hello clowns, OGMMTVC fam, Only Friends Ephemerality Squad, and friends in my notes! @solitaryandwandering @kattahj @twig-tea @slayerkitty @ranchthoughts @chickenstrangers @neuroticbookworm @lurkingshan @he-is-lightning-in-a-bottle @omarandjohnny @italianpersonwithashippersheart @nieves-de-sugui @lurkingteapot @whatisgodtoanonbeliever @rocketturtle4 @thewayofsubtext @stuffnonsenseandotherthings @benkaaoi @emotionallychargedtowel @aliceisathome @brazilian-whalien52 @clara-maybe-ontheroad @so-much-yet-to-learn

[of-the-nightsky]

Just Maybe

Disclaimers: NijiEn Fanfic | Piokuma | Vox Akuma 3.0 x Doppio Dropscythe 2.0 | BL / MLM | Strangers to crushes to lovers (?)

Summary: Maybe he didn't have to trash the place out of frustration. Maybe he didn't have to take a walk to cool himself down. But... but maybe he really shouldn't be staring...

"JuSt gO FoR a wAlK aLrEaDy!" He mocked, stomping his way down the familiar passage. "Go CoOl OfF! Geez, can't a guy just punch a wall to just punch a wall?"

Okay, so maybe he didn't just punch a wall because he burned himself on the toaster oven again. But it totally started it, he saw it giving him the evil eye!

("WITH WHAT EYES DOPPI??? WITH WHAT EYES???" screamed the Ver in his head again. Seriously, he swore it had eyes.)

Alright, sure, the toaster oven was innocent until he became the judge and sentenced it to a life of being broken, again, but it was with good reason! He was just trying to make a poptart in it with a little toaster strudel buddy, he didn't think twice about it. Now he has to be a "good boy" and go for a walk.

Yeah, whatever Ver, you keep thinking I just need a walk! He thought sulkily. Sure, he had qualities that rivaled the dogs in that popular animated movie and all, but he was a big scary wolf and not some dumb dog. His tail did not wag when he was called a good boy, it did not!

("Pio, you can say that all you want, but your advanced butt-whip just knocked over a vase of flowers, again." Ver, nobody calls it a butt-whip, it's a tail. Stop giving it weird names, last time you called it the Mess-Maker-Plume-Master-3,000.)

Maybe Ver was on to something, Doppio wasn't sure anymore. Maybe he shouldn't have punched the toaster oven so hard it busted through a wall. Maybe he shouldn't have chased after it to "finish the job" or whatever his wolf-aligned brain hyper focused on doing.

Although it did frustrate him that it burned him. Guilt slowly clawed its way into his heart. Maybe he was a bad boy and he should have tried being good a lot harder. Maybe he didn't have to trash the place out of frustration. Maybe he didn't have to take a walk to cool himself down. But... but maybe he really shouldn't be staring at the demon who was their neighbor five blocks away. Wait, since when did I even walk this far?? Oh, whatever, what is this dude doing, gardening? Lame.

Or so he thought it was until he saw how the literal butterflies just seemed to love the flowers so much. Like, they were made for the butterflies to feed from. Maybe staring wasn't a bad idea. It was a good view of a big strong man showing a tender and gentle side.

He stared for a solid minute, zoning out and finding his own inner peace. He watched how the muscles moved beneath the taut shirt and pants, watched how the behemoth of a man even greeted a harmless hummingbird with a soft rumbling voice hiked up into such a fond high tone.

Oh.

Oh dear.

His heart couldn't take it.

The man stood up to adjust the hummingbird feeder he had set up and did so without a fucking ladder.

The muscular man was obviously able to tower over even him, Doppio himself, without it even being close. Not only that, but he was being so gentle for the tiniest and most fragile of creatures and he could not handle it.

He didn't even know how long he was staring at this large man, envisioning how it must be like to get the best fucking head pats in the world by such a gentle giant of a man. It was long enough as rose pink irises glanced his way and their eyes met.

The heat rose on Doppio's face. He was caught. He really shouldn't have been staring. He was pining for a stranger for the past devil-knows how long! (No God would ever look upon him and not think his stare was sinless!)

"Going for walk!" He blurted out far louder than he intended before turning and starting to speed-walk away. He was confident his face was every shade of scarlet.

It was mildly embarrassing. He lied to himself.

He didn't hear any fond chuckling that made his long wolfen ears burn and flatten against his skull.

And most certainly,

Undoubtedly...

His tail, most definitely did not wag.

Nope.

Nobody saw it.

Anyone who claimed so were liars!

Vox, for all he was worth, never expected to be spotted by such a unique golden-eyed magenta wolf man. Not that he was opposed to it. He found it cute in a way. The poor wolf was just watching him like a lost puppy having his first outing. His eyes shining like a meadow of dandelion's that have yet invaded the hill behind it. It was so precious and innocent. He didn't know who they were, but he hoped to see them again. Especially seeing how red their face had gone when their eyes met. It was rather delightful after spending many long years by himself. Maybe doing his garden once a day wouldn't be a bad idea if it meant possibly meeting such a wolf. And maybe, he could invite him in and get to know him better. Just maybe, if Fate was a kind soul for once.

To be continued... (maybe?)

[bengiyo]

Step By Step Ep 10 Stray Thoughts

Last week on HR Violations, Jeng made his feelings plain to Pat, and Pat was not prepared for one more emotional blow. Jeng had a complete emotional breakdown in a standpoint bit of acting from Man Trisanu. We spent much of the week unpacking exactly what happened with Pat, and determined that he’s just 25, tired, and overwhelmed. Ae had her baby, and nothing made sense from a practical standpoint. Jeng broke all of us with “It makes sense to me,” and now we’re supposed to just stroll back into this.

I still approve of Jeng doing the responsible thing and keeping his distance from Pat.

I love Chot so much. I am loving this new trend in BL about shows encouraging people to respect the feelings people are expressing, and reminding characters (and viewers) that I takes a lot of courage to express them. It’s still okay to reject people, but treat people kindly. Love Chot making the overall situation plain for Pat and confused viewers.

“It’s been eight years already. I’m used to it,” feels like a subtle commentary on BL itself. Chot has not been able to live his live a openly as he’d like with his boyfriend because the family wouldn’t approve. Coincidentally, that’s the same amount of time we’ve been in the current era of Thai BL. For all the money and interest that’s been poured into BL, lived queer experiences still face daily struggles.

 A carrot cake? Pat, please do better.

I see. The show is going to make me cry about Chot. It’s time to write an essay about Step By Step.

“It’s alright. I own this place.” Sir!!!

My man just trashed his own kitchen to get it in.

Smitten looks good on Pat.

He let me hit so I can follow back on Insta

These two have lost all composure. Hooking up in the company parking lot!

Chot is trying to cover for these two, but they are being unfortunately way too obvious.

I’m having complicated reactions to the homelessness scene. Feels like the show wants to quickly shine a lens on an issue important to the filmmakers, but it feels awkward as hell.

Hey, it looks like the Fjord project went well.

Okay, Pat’s dad is funny. I like his specific beef with Jeng. Still, I kinda hoped he’d ask harder questions like, “How is this supposed to work if you’re still his boss?”

They keep going to this one shot when they go to the bedroom that’s clearly from the closet and using Dutch angles. This feels intentionally designed to make me uneasy.

Oh they're using P' and Nong now.

Ben has a happy trail. Let me pause and collect myself.

WHERE IS THE BABY??

Did they give the hets a camera angle kiss??

Oh nevermind it was meant to cut to Pat and Jeng as a potential future.

Now you know Ae was aiming for Pat with that bouquet. She is messy like that.

Wait, so Jaab is seeing someone else now?? I'm not sure what I'm supposed to get from Jaab and Jen.

Okay, we found the baby.

I like that Beam and Ae didn't touch each other, if I'm reading this right. Glad we can put this to bed.

Oh, I don't like Jeng promoting Pat into his position. That's not good for either of them.

Suddenly, a glow up for Ying?

Whoa, was not expecting this EXTREME GEN X ENERGY from Ying in Pat's corner.

"Haven't I been strong enough?" is a whole mood.

Yet another instance of BL reminding us that they both have dicks.

"I want to be happy with you." Oh, Jeng. I am also lonely in my 30s. I get it. I really do. But, my man, you cannot put this on Pat.

Pat's resignation was inevitable. Jeng, who's normally so controlled, definitely lost all composure this episode.

I'm not jumping directly into the discourse here, but I will say clearly that I am only watching through Gaga. Do not send me comments, asks, or messages about episodes only available legally through WeTV fast track. I don't subscribe to spoiler culture, but please don't be rude.

As for this episode, I feel a bit muddled. I'm going to spend some time thinking about core themes and seeing what this show actually wants to explore.

[gillianthecat]

My inner 12 year old has such a crush on Sherbet, I may have to watch Fahlanruk just for her. That layered floppy hair! That carefully crafted smirk! The denim vest and silver guitar necklace! The stilted line delivery!

After the first two episodes I can conclude it is indeed Not Very Good, but I think I may have found my Trash Watch. Once I embraced the the soap opera level acting and soap opera style dialogue* (and figured out who was who), I started to get into the soap opera melodrama of the plot. I love an arrogant playboy who meets an even more arrogant playboy! I love messy cheaters, musicians, drunken bar bathroom hookups and awkward undergrads with crushes. Even the fujoshi character isn't annoying me as much as usual - perhaps because (so far) she's just watching stalking them and not trying to interfere. Perhaps because all the characters seems so wonderfully nonsensical and unreal.

Even the sound effects, very obvious continuity errors, and random product placement moments enhance this whole vibe. Everyone's acting is bad, but they all have the same style of bad acting. It's all terrible, but it's terrible in a coherent, consistent way, if that makes sense, which makes it fun and easy to watch.

*I can't really accurately judge the dialogue since it's filtered through translation and being read instead of heard. But with those caveats, what I'm getting feels like it's from a hastily written soap opera script.

[your-garden-rose]

SELFISH

Taglist: @crystal-yukio , @ruler-of-hades , @onigirinchanowo , @ellie3467 , @k1ngan0n , @demon-tears , @heizis , @soggywafle , @nukilol , @happy-smiley , @obeyme-stuff , @tonedeafbard2 , @r-0-tt-3-n-m-1-lk , @syke-1-7-3-8-ay, @kathibear

I’m sorry if i didn’t tag anyone, or if I’m not able to tag them <33

TW: Violence, Insults, Mc going feral on the boys, bl*od, if I left something please let me know <33

Ch 4: Karma is a bitch~

You grinned at the tense atmosphere in front of you as you noticed how the faces of everyone darkened at the group with Cecilia that was sat in the corner. Diavolo stood up and walked towards you with his face darkening and his brows furrowed. He made his way to you as the sea of demons paved way for him, his mood only darkening more and more. “Mc.” “Ah! My Lord! Didn’t I tell you to sit?” “What is the meaning of this.” His voice boomed as he glared down at you. “My lord? It was a surprise! But since you’re up here, might as well start the next segment” you giggled as you looked him in the eye. “Now everyone, I present our next segment! Which will be now carried by you all!” You said as you gestured to the crowd. “You all, will be stating, YOUR honest opinions about not only the birthday queen, but, also, the bunch of clowns sitting back there!” You smiled as you pointed at the group sitting with Cecilia. “Let’s start with our Crown prince himself!” You stated as the light immediately shifted onto him as the prince stood there awkwardly. Soon, the demons stated everything they felt about him, and it really wasn’t any friendly. You chuckled as you watched everyone, insult the brothers, the royals, the angels, and finally, the two humans.

Once it was over, you finally grabbed the mic and said your parting words. “Well everyone, I suppose this is the end, thank you all for coming! You all were absolutely amazing! It was so much fun being with you darlings! As for you all…” your eyes narrowed at Cecilia and her “lovers” “you all were absolute pieces of trash for all of us to dispose of! You all were useless, pathetic, and surely, the most arrogant and annoying assholes anyone has to deal with! Honestly? It’s no surprise to me, that the comments about you all were not really that friendly to be fair” you shrugged. It was then Mammon, got up to charge at you. “YOU BIT-“ “Down.” He was immediately forced to kneel. He only growled at you as you grabbed his jaw and forced him to look at you. “Scumbag.” You spat at his face as his eyes widened. It was then, when everyone were staring at the scene in front of them. “Now! Would you darlings be comfortable to stay much longer for another extra segment? You all can join in you know!” you then commanded the rest of the avatars to immediately kneel before you in a circle.

You then immediately walked towards the second born as you grabbed his jaw and gripped it tightly. “Useless piece of shit.” You stated as your hands slowly trailed towards his neck, to the necklace you brought him a month before Cecilia came. “Trusting, and loving you was a mistake.” You stated as you yanked his necklace harshly and stomped on it in front of him, as his eyes widened and as tears started forming in his eyes. “You are the same useless piece of shit that I met at the beginning of the program. Why did I even waste my time with you?” You asked with venom in your voice. Your hands kept clenching onto his jaw tighter, and tighter, until you heard a sick crack and black liquid started oozing out of his mouth. He really couldn’t say anything as he clutched his mouth in pain. You then harshly kicked him on his jaw once more, before moving on to Leviathan. You then stomped on his foot as Cecilia watched with horror. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HIM YOU BIT-“ “Silence her, Belphegor.” And with that swift command, Belphegor seized her by her neck and closed her mouth harshly as she cried out in pain. “Shut your filthy mouth, slut. You really aren’t in a position to speak, you know?” You stated as you kicked Cecilia harshly. “As you all can see, the seven avatars are now utterly helpless. But darlings~ this can’t continue in the presence of those vermins, now can’t we? Shoo them out for me please~” and with that, the prince was kicked out of the auditorium as he looked at you with teary, pitiful eyes to which you only responded with anger and annoyance which only made him, and his butler get escorted out faster than before. You only smiled and continued walking towards leviathan. You stomped his head as you whispered “pathetic shut in. You can’t really do anything good, can’t you? Useless. Really. So much for the grand admiral of hell’s navy.” You scoffed as you kicked his nose once more and made your way to Lucifer.

You slowly tilted his chin upwards and cooed at it mockingly. “Awwwh, poor lapdog.” You tutted as you suddenly grabbed his perfectly styled hair and smashed his head on the ground. “Useless.” You muttered, as a chill went up his spine. “Useless, good for nothing piece of shit.” You muttered as you yanked his head harder, the hair threatening to detach from the scalp. “I couldn’t be more disappointed in you since the day I met you.” “You filthy mutt.” His eyes widened at that name. “You can be as prideful as you want, just remember. Without this pride you are nothing.” And with that you left to Satan. “Well! If it isn’t the copy cat!” You grinned cheerfully as you knelt down beside him. “How does it feel, having no identity huh? Useless, right?” You chuckled as you got up and kicked his gut. You then walked over to Asmodeus, as you noticed him squirm under your glare. “If it isn’t hell’s sex toy! Or not… I don’t really care. I mean, who would? You’re nothing but a flesh light after all.” You spat as you looked at him. “You could be as pretty as you want, Asmodeus. Just know that you will never be loved the way you want to.” He watched as tearfully as you grinned at him. “All the makeup in the world will never make your insecurities go away, remember this, Asmodeus.” You whispered and got up, ignoring his tears falling freely. You then made your way to the twins, as you noticed the twins together, with Cecilia now passed out, as Beezlebub and Belphegor both trembled under your sharp glare. You knelt down between them, and whispered “pathetic. Useless. Fools. What can you both do right? You’re literally born to disappoint people, you know that right?” Their eyes widened. “You disappointed Lilith, you disappointed your father, you disobeyed him. Infact, you both should’ve been the ones locked away for failing, since that’s all you can do.” And you walked away with delivering a kick to the whimpering Belphegor and walked towards the center, as you announced the demons to have a try, as you casted a spell to bind them in place.

You smiled at the scene in front of you, as you only sang along

“Karma’s a bitch~”

<- ->

[heretherebedork]

I just finished watching FUTS, and while everyone who enjoyed it is absolutely entitled to their joy, all I can say is what the hell even was that? So far as I can see, Mork and Pi are just two more selfish, unlikeable, one dimensional, badly written characters to add to a rapidly growing list. Ugh.

Thank fuck it's Unforgotten Night day...

Anyway, cheers for running such a great blog, and providing a (safe) place to discuss the trash we love.

Have a most excellent day :)

加油

I have a bit more sympathy for Pi than you do but I totally understand. The show did its best to smear him and paint him in the worst light to make Mork look better and failed at that entirely. Mork still stands as one of my least favorite BL characters ever and that's held up despite the dreck we keep getting handed so... he's bad.

I cannot wait for my trash today! Unforgotten Night is the trash blessing we deserve and I love it. It's not amazing or great but it doesn't need to be it just needs to be sincere and to be serious and to chew all the scenery. A+.

And you're very welcome! Always glad to provide an outpost to discuss BL as we enjoy them and to be able to critique and talk about the good and the bad of the shows!

[k-white]

I wanna give my 2 cents for the GMMTV 2023 trailer lineup, going in the order they where presented in the live event and with no BL/GL, Lakorn division all together baby

So let's start:

Enigma: I am sucker for cursed schools/supernatural shows, not a big horror fan tho so if the show is able to balance the horror theme I'll be able to enjoy it, as for cast I really like Prim tho with Win I still have some reserves but considering that he is playing a completely different character here I am more open to him, tho I have to add if he is actually a teacher it means he is a lot older than Fa so if there is a romance I won't like it please no teacher/student relationship

A Boss and a Babe: the title is trash, the show semes the basic office drama with the e-sports and youtuber spinn that does not speak much with me, Force and Book have good chemistry but not very exited for this one, tho I hope this is better than Enchante sorry but that show is not great

Find Yourself: I like "noona romances" where the woman is older it's nice when they show that older women can attract younger man, tho romance based lakorn usually bore me, we have Earth and Podd here wich is a plus but I will have to see the show to be able to judje it, I already had a trailer appear good to have the show be not so much

Double Savage: After Not Me series that have crime as a plot spark my interest, and tho I basically understood nothing of the conflict other than a girl was involved, I liked Ohm's and Perth's performance in it, tho Foei being part of it after SH4 let's say he is not on my faves list to say the least

Hidden Agenda: classic university set BL with a plot that seems the mix of 2gether and SIYH(hope it is better cuz this show was not it) tho it intrigues me more than the previous 2, I onestly like Joong and Dunk I think they have potential and I also really like the rest of the cast so I will toon in for this one

23.5:...THIS!!! first GMMTV GL with Milk and Love! I am so exited for this, it also looks so genuenly cute and sweet and they look adorable, tho I would have loved to have another 2 girls as a 2nd couple Gemini and Fourth are indid cute, one of the series I am most exited about

The one with the Thai name: ok onestly this look like a bore fest, also Neo as second lead sindrome?NO😭... tho I will try it cuz this who I am, I have to watch at least the first 3 episodes to make an opinion It could surprise me

Cooking Crush: another one I am EXITED for, first of all OffGun wich is a surprise for real, Neo in general BUT specifically Neo and Gun in a show together, it's a show about cooking and I really enjoy this type of stories, also happy to see Neo and Mark in a very differnt setting compared to OF and as a side couple I am genuinly exited for them and this show

Wednesday Club: ok this is messy, and I don't really understand the plot, all I get is that they are all middle children that started hanging out after 2 almost got arrested, they are supposed friends, and they have rules for theire friendship, I like it tho, I usually really like choral shows from GMMTV, some of theire best lakorns to me are the ones with a lot of protagonists, like 55:15 or P.S. I Hate You, also I really like almost all of the actors in this

Last Twilight: Ok this I'm exited for, I like stories that talk about disabilities, also it is directed by P'Aof wich we know is a verh talented director, also I like Jimmy and Sea they have a sort of confort that fit this typo of stories, I feel like I am really gonna like this differntly to Vice Versa wich disappointed me, also Mark is here!

Loneliness Society: this look estetically good but it feels kinda like your classic romance lakorn, I know it's a remake i have not watched the original one, still like the other ones I will try and watch at least the first 3 episodes when it airs

Only Friends: Ok I literally rewatched the trailer like 20, if not more, times the trailer and saying that I am obsessed is reductive, this is the highlight of 2023 for me and I trust P'Jojo to make a good show, and also all the boys already outdid themselves in just the trailer and First Khaotung and Neo are some of my favourite and this I think is the right project to show Force Book and Marks abilities

Faceless Love: I have the confirmation that straight romances don't really spark my interest😅 seriusly this seems really boring to me sorry but all the het romances does, cuz it always the same story basically, it is only spyced up in the havier dramas wich I like... same 3 episode rule

Dangerous Romance: ok I like this, it has very cool tropes like rich×poor, enemies to lovers, class conflict drama, the whole situation with the brother, the story is cool and has the right amount of angst, the acting is very good by the trailer(expected from this 2) I am still a bit pissed at both of them, Perth more considering the LBC incident, but I wanna give this show a try cuz the plot is what I am interested about, also this 2 seems to have good chemistry, also my boys Pawin an Papang and my girl View are here so it's a plus

Jungle: Oh for fuck sake why is there no english subtitles!!! and I don't speak any of the subs languages!!! Ok so they are all playboys and all know each other? Mix is a bartender and a hunter? I have no idea what the plot is only that it's a big messy one... until we get subtitles I will just go by visuals and they look amazing, also Mix and Nanon in the same show!!! also Pat my Wife!

Cherry Magic 30: we have no trailer and considering that I still have to watch the og I will refrain from expressing any opinion NEXT!

Midnight Museum: Oh this is intriguing! a victorian inspired supernatural/horror set in a cursed? museum with maybe unded creatures it is speaking to my supernatural/fantasy/heart with GUN? and Ploy and Namtam? like sign me up!

Our Skyy 2: special episodes of some of our favourite couples from BL? YES PLEASE! I am exited for AkkAye, PatPran, PhupaTian the most, depending on NLMG I will see about PondPhuwin(happy they didn't chose FUTS) the others I will watch but are less interesting to me

Beauty Newbie: Not the webtoon collaboration😅 that made me laugh not donna lie it was so unexpected, and I even know it was based on a webtoon! still this is really similar to True Beauty, also Win playing Win again... this stories based on makeup, surgery beauty that try to give a lesson on "real beauty" with only pretty actors are not my thing I will probably not watch this, wich saddens me cuz I really like Fha and this is her only project

the last one is the Bright movie but since we will probably never see it I'll skip it

thank you for those wich read all of this, remember they are just my opinions everybody is free to like and enjoy whathever they want, averybody has theire own taste

sorry for the lenghty post by and have a good day/afternoon/night depending where you are!💗💗💗