#dermdem x meow

[gabrielokun]

[aylinaliens]

i didn’t think anything or anyone can come close to the atrocity that was sin’s wig from uwma but…he might have a runner up

how come the cat ears looks more realistic and natural than dermdem’s wig? i think sin’s wig might actually look better compared to dermdem’s

[heretherebedork]

Now I just need a post-credits scene with Faiyen and Evan, please!

Post-credit scene

[aliceisathome]

Aww Meow has finished with nary a kiss in sight and yet we know that they’re all going to live happily ever after. The sweetest show - this wasn’t even a PG but a U. I just want to cuddle them all.

Not sure it was a BL though.

[sapphorarelyreads]

meow ears up is so fricking adorable and jin + manni make it even more better. The way meow says dermderm reminds me of pharm's p'deannn

[unpopularopinionbydemand]

Meow Ears Up Review ✐∗  ˖࣪ ༻

Same review on MDL!!

Rating ~ 7 - Weird, yet I couldn't stop watching. Other than some random filler moments, and a wasted ending, this was a delightful watch.

Spotlight Aspect of MEU ~ ˖ ࣪ 𖥔 Actors' Chemistry ˖ ࣪ 𖥔

Recommend? Only for the ones that can handle the content of this show. Not explicit or sexual, just very odd and over-the-top sweet, plus extremely PG.

MEU Info ~ Company: Artop Media - Episodes: 8 - Duration: max 45 mins - Known actors? James as Meow (The Effect), Mark as Porsche (Love By chance, Bite Me) - Where did I watch? Dramacool.

Review:

Weirdly Entertaining, yet it Loses itself in the Middle (spoilers)

I'll start this off by saying this is NOT for everyone, and I mean that with everything in me. If you can get used to the fact that a grown man is acting like a cat, along with the most frustrating theme song ever known to man, then you might be able to watch this. Otherwise, you're wasting your time. And this is coming from someone who actually really enjoyed MEU. I've been in a pretty bad slump when it came to BLs. Things were starting to feel too repetitive and I needed a switch up. This was that switch-up. I can't explain why this show piqued my interest, or why every Tuesday I would genuinely be so excited to watch, but seriously, this series is nothing but buttercup-rainbow supreme. It's a catering worth of fluff, with some angst to wash down the spoonful of sugar you just swallowed. This is why I say this wasn't for everybody, because if a sweet tooth on crack isn't your forte then neither is this show.

Let's Dive in.

꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒷꒦꒷꒦꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒷꒦꒷꒦꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷

Meow Ears Up is the first (as I know of) in the on-screen BL community to showcase a metamorphizing cat that has the ability to turn into a human. During a bad storm, Negative Nancy Dermdew brings in a stray cat from the streets only to realize that that cat was a cat-human. They have their own story, and so do the other side characters, Faiyen, Evan, Jin, and Manni. From the first episode, I knew that this wasn't going to be easy. Learning how I was going to be able to watch James act like a cat and not cringe was difficult. And sure, there's cringe, but after a while, I got used to it, and it just becomes a part of the watch experience.

At first, the only frustrating thing was the fact that Meow seemed to be the only one that didn't know anything about the human world. His brother, who managed to make it to college, is intelligent enough to survive through adult-like activities, and so can Manni (although, she's a mouse, or a hamster, or a bear or dog, or whatever she was). They do explain that he was scared of humans because they were mean to him as a cat, but I think a better explanation of his and Faiyen's upbringing could've answered more of those questions. I can't remember if they even had parents, which I think was explained, but again, I don't remember.

What was helping me survive through this series was Dermdem and Meow's relationship, which I found very appealing and cuter than cute. Dermdem helped Meow with everyday activities, while Meow simultaneously taught Dermdem how to show love to another, and teach that life didn't always have to be about work. And this was probably the best thing the show did, show development between the two of them without anything moving too fast, or seemingly too slow. And while I'm glad nothing extremely intimate went down between them (cause there is a part of Meow that still needs to progress before anything like that happens), it was a huge letdown that they don't end up together by the end. Maybe the creators left this open for a season 2, where we see a few years into the future when a much more mature Meow and Dermdem living together, but until it's announced, I feel like I was dillydallying in a bromance type series, and I try to avoid those at all cost.

I absolutely loved Faiyen, with all of me. I will miss his bright aura and darling smile. Bright (Faiyen) did a fantastic job at playing this character. He was sunshine times 10, and there was never a dull moment when watching him. I don't know how I feel about Evan, and I won't blame Bodo (Evan) for this since it was a part of his character, but god, did I hate this no-emotion syndrome he has. Bodo himself is a lovely-looking man, and the very few times he did smile, I caught myself doing the same. But for most of his story, he was just a talking robot, and it was upsetting. There was nothing there for me to actually appreciate the existence of his character, other than to make Faiyen happy. Their relationship was enduring in the beginning, but by the end, it fell flat. Evan did this weird lay-his-head-on-Faiyen's-head thing and it didn't feel natural at all. I think a hug or being close in proximity could've sufficed.

I originally started watching this series because the GL couple caught my eye, and since SCOY gave me nothing, I thought this series could at least bring something. And sure, they had a good amount of screen time, but none of it was to develop their relationship romantically. Jin's this stubborn woman and Manni is the complete opposite. There are some points that we see Jin soften up around her, but nothing's ever said to really make me think that they should go together. Other than a close-in-proximity trope, nothing happens between these two. If anything, they gave me best-friends vibes. I wanted so much more from then, really.

Some episodes were straight filler, but I didn't mind it because I sincerely liked pretty much every single character. But that time used to show random shit, or have Mark randomly appear for an episode, could've been used to further these three's relationships.

But overall, and like I've already said, I loved this series until the end. It could've been worst, like they could've all died or something, but leaving each couple open-ended sucked ass. I at least thought Faiyen and Evan would get an ending, but nope, none of them do. I think a second season would only work, for Dermdem and Meow's sake, if they do it years later, like 3 or 4 when Meow's had more time to learn about human characteristics and behaviors and act more appropriately to his age. I never really saw him as acting like a child until someone pointed it out, and yes, I can see it, however, I wouldn't go so far as to call Dermdem a "pedophile" or to say that them loving each other would be morally wrong. Meow is in full control of his feelings and emotions (who's also an adult), and in addition to that, Dermdem would just never do anything to Meow that he didn't have a full understanding of. There were PLENTY of times that Dermdem could've kissed Meow, and he doesn't. Also, these are just fictional characters, so I don't care enough to think that deeply about them. I just watch and have fun, exactly what this type of series is for; it's nothing to take seriously (and those wigs are great examples).

Ratings:

Story: 6.5 - Some bits were really enjoyable. Seeing Dermdem and Meow's domestic relationship was probably my favorite part, along with Faiyen and Evan. Manni and Jin were cute, but the whole work thing was kind of boring. Their individual backstories were fun, Evan's though a bit annoying. But for the most part, I enjoyed the story until it got kind of filler-y and had no good ending.

Acting: 8.5 - James and Bright were hands down the best. It was weird watching James act like a cat, but he does put on a really good performance. And Bright is just memorizing. I really hope to see him again. Po, Gap, and Kris were good too. I think Bodo could've been good, but he was given the blandest character to portray, so I hope I see him again with a more complex person to play.

Music: 2.0 - Fuck no. and I would give a 1 star, but I feel bad giving it anything lower. I don't know who came up with that theme song, or who even green-lighted it to go on air, but I hope they're in jail now. A MUCH better uplifting song could've worked 10 times better.

Rewatch value: 5 - As I said, I really enjoyed that I just got to sit back and really just watch this for what it is, and didn't feel the need to analyze anything. I would for sure have this one while doing homework or working.

Overall, I really liked this show (even though I complain more than I applaud). But I'll say again that it's NOT for everybody. Watch the first episode and see for yourself. I would definitely tell the few of you that like intimacy in a BL to go ahead and drop this because the most you get is a kiss on the cheek. I could recommend this to CHILDREN. That's how PG it is. But I don't mind PG, which is why I enjoyed it.

[sapphorarelyreads]

reminds me of the drawing that Phukong made for P'mil and the house drawing that Meow drew in Meow ears up

[guzhufuren]

Meow Ears Up + cat themed text posts pt.1 (pt.2)

bonus: 

[live-from-flaturn]

Tommentary #2

My cishet buddy Tommy, whose only knowledge of BL culture comes from me, and his thoughts on my bad explanation of “Meow Ears Up” (2022):

(Tommentary #1: “UWMA”/”Between Us”)

Evan’s full 180-degree head turn (featuring a long stare into the middle distance) dealt me incredible psychic damage. I want financial compensation.

He truly had me doubled over giggling with this one:

(cat-apult... nice pun, man. I didn’t even catch it until now)

And perhaps my all-time favorite of his so far other than “I’m lacking the words” or “There are forms of media I could never fathom”.

Bonus Tommentary on BL studios (referring to GaGaOoLala IDOLFACTORY, MeMindY, and BeOnCloud):

[kiyoitiepie]

dermdem:

[gabrielokun]

[heretherebedork]

The way Dermdem just looks at Meow destroys me. He's so deeply in love and he adores him so much and he's so scared to put a label on their relationship because he's so worried about Meow and their friendship and how much he cares about him and it's both darling and just a little painful and I have never been more excited about just an entire episode of jealousy before in my life.

[aliceisathome]

Meow Ears Up is almost unbearably cute. And now we’ve got the brother and his TA basketball buddy as a second couple. Yay!

[unpopularopinionbydemand]

Meow Ears Up ep. 5 mini review ✐∗  ˖࣪ ༻

rating 𓄷 8.5 - I only got to see Mark for like a total of 10 minutes, but man was it fun.

spotlight trope of the week 𓄷 Let me fix your clothes (the smile to gay panic that came from Dermdem made me scream)

spotlight actor(s) of the week: Bright (Faiyen): My little sunshine. He did really good this episode. Bright does a fantastic job at facial expressions.

Review:

Umm, why am I only now realizing MEU only has 8 episodes??? I could've sworn it said ten but whatever. Now we only have three episodes left and I'm deathly afraid but hopeful that nothing will get rushed.

Ahhhh, Faiyen and his dream sequences. I was hoping the bathroom one was real, but whatever. He was super cute in this episode. He's so squeamish and tiny compared to Evan, and I love their dynamic. I also got the see Bodo'a smile (in the dream sequence of course) and god, can they please have this man smile more, he is gorgeous. For now, I want more bold Faiyen and more smiley Evan.

Jin and Manni *Elevates off the ground*. Their so precious, I'm honestly just ready for Jin to find out she's a cat-human. When Manni almost cried I think I shed a little tear. She's too precious, god I love her.

Meow and Dermdem were cute, and I'm glad all we're really getting from them. The little lover's quarrel they had for like five seconds was frivolous, but either way, I was excited to see Mark. If you know anything about me, it's that I LOVE Mark's acting, While he only really did a little cameo, I'm still so glad I got to see him.

All in all, this was a good episode, but I'm really excited for next week's (bathe with me trope potentially?).

[gabrielokun]

[gabrielokun]