#my engineer duen

[gabrielokun]

[isakwaldenbeck]

Bohn's entire life just flashed before his eyes there

[sollucets]

i just kept feeling worse today (apparently i cannot ibuprofen my way out of this one) and even concentrating on gifs has been. difficult. i might still finish gun's purple set today but,,, i need a break, so i am watching my engineer. it's very silly and it makes me laugh

[geekygirl24]

Prompt from Sagarc - 1. Thai BL - My Engineer - Bohn/Dohn - Coffee Shop AU - Duen is a bubbly but hopeless/oblivious barista, Bohn is a regular customer that is trying his best to flirt with him. 

[vegasandhishedgehog]

The fucking gag with the gift box man. In the urinal????????

[castial]

I finished watching "The Engineer" and I was sure there was a second season... should I still have hope or is it just dead??

[befuddledcinnamonroll]

We Are and the evolution of Thai BL tropes

The QL discord started a rewatch of My Engineer a few weeks ago, and damn, has it been an interesting experience. At the time I originally watched My Engineer, there was little that stuck out to me, because so much of what happened felt so incredibly common in a lot of the (admittedly rather limited) number of BLs being produced. It felt like pretty standard fare.

But going back and watching it in juxtaposition with We Are airing has been so fascinating. This genre has been evolving, y'all.

As much as we all joke about always getting more university BLs, there is something to be said for a format that can be used as something of a metric for the genre. And though there's only four years between My Engineer and We Are, seeing them both at once gives me such an incredible appreciation for the direction the genre is going in, the impact of having more queer voices involved in the creation of QLs, and how there's a lot of good we can find in seemingly simple spaces.

Obligatory disclaimer: This is just my perspective and subjective interpretation of what I have seen as a BL viewer of some time; also I don't have time to go in and do a university deep dive, so this isn't a real analysis, but more of a brief writeup of observations.

Trends are not black and white, of course, there is a spectrum. I'm sure we'll suffer through more Dinosaur Loves. At the same time, having such predominant production companies as GMMTV putting effort into hiring queer creatives and subverting old cliche tropes is an encouraging thing. (Especially as they were the creators of the original university trendsetting BL with Sotus).

Note: For newer QL viewers, I highly recommend @absolutebl for brushing up on trope history. For university BLs in particular, this post and this post are great starting primers.

Let's talk tropes!

Ok, one more note - some tropes are being what I would consider subverted, some more adapted to a newer framework, and some just played with - I'm going to talk about how they appear to me, but I'm not going to be super pedantic over it, because this is just for fun.

Trope: Bullying/hazing behavior

This did not age well in My Engineer, and I would guess hasn't aged well in a number of BLs (and other media, because the whole "he's mean to you because he likes you" bullshit has been around forever). Not just because the behavior was shitty, but because it was played off in the script as cute, and implied that it was completely justified for the seme to do whatever he wanted in his pursuit of his uke.

(There was also quite a strong tone of internalized homophobia, with the lead feeling more comfortable in expressing his interest through harassment than honest emotion, but the show never actually engaged with that in any meaningful way.)

We Are sets up a very traditional enemies to lovers/bullying start to the story, with Phum taking advantage of Peem's economic situation to make him his "slave".

And yet... there's some important elements here that make this more than the standard use of the trope.

Phum keeps it pretty light in his bullying behavior, and clearly is using it more to keep Peem around as company, versus the kind of bullying in My Engineer, where Duen is literally hit by a car, and yet still expected to keep jumping to Bohn's whims.

As soon as Phum realizes he really upset Peem by leaving him waiting at the mall, he genuinely feels awful about it. It's clear that his intent is not to cause harm, and that he has a conscience. He wrestles with his feelings on it quite a bit, and it ends up being the thing that gets Phum to finally express an honest emotion with Peem.

And most importantly, the script does not let him off the hook. His behavior is bad, and is identified as such by the writing. Peem pushes back and is shown to be right to do so, Beer openly says he disapproves.

So instead of a cliche story beat that's used just to start the action, or a seme who's allowed to do whatever he wants because "passion" (blech), we're seeing it used for characterization, giving us important beats about who both Phum and Peem are in how they engage with each other through the use of the trope.

Trope: Obsessive/jealous behavior

Oh, this one was painful in My Engineer. Duen couldn't even talk to another human being without Bohn getting jealous and angry and dragging him away.

Phum gets jealous, particularly around Kluen, but what makes it feel so subversive here are two key things.

Phum's jealousy has a purpose here, it's not just for drama's sake. It's not the cliche seme doing whatever he wants and being treated as justified. It's deliberately being used to explore his insecurities, and give him a challenge to overcome. Phum doesn't stomp over and drag Peem away, he retreats, he hides. When his jealousy causes him to lash out at Peem, he is immediately aware he fucked up.

And again, the script is making it clear that this behavior is not ok. Peem chides Phum when he acts unkind to Kluen, and Beer makes it clear that the solution is not petty behavior, but actually figuring out a way to communicate his feelings with Peem before he misses his chance. This is portrayed as a barrier for Phum to overcome in order to be with Peem, not an expected part of a romantic relationship.

Trope: Friendship group

There are not enough words to express how much I love the friendship group in We Are. To be fair, this is one of the better historical tropes. We've gotten a lot of amazing friend groups, even in mediocre BLs.

But it's still different in We Are, for one simple reason. In most university BLs, the friend group is a supporting structure. But here?

The story lines may be about the romance, but the point of We Are is the friendship.

I will die on this hill, y'all.

I don't have enough time to go into it fully here, but this show is a love letter to friends. It's a tribute to finding the people who see the real you and have your back unconditionally. Who cheer your successes and commiserate over your defeats, who pick you up when the world knocks you down, who call you out when you make mistakes, and push you to be better.

And romance is lovely, but all of these budding relationships are about being friends first, and then lovers, because that friendship is just as important as everything else, if not more.

Trope: Pink milk

Lol, ok, kinda kidding, kinda not. I know we all got mad over the drink wastage, but also check out these visuals - it's about diversity baby!!

TanFang speed round

My two little trope-busting bebes. These two are already so beautifully non-traditional in their composition, but I love how frequently they are used to make fun of and play with tropes just on their own.

Introduced as pining crush/friend's older brother pair, but actually secret enemies to lovers.

Grumpy/sunshine pairing, where the sunshine used to be a fighter, and grumpy smiles when he thinks no one is watching.

Wound-tending where they keep poking each other instead of acting soft.

Openly mocking the jealous boyfriend trope.

Setting up the possessive trope when Tan doesn't pick up Fang's calls, only to immediately have Fang question if he's being unreasonable.

Setting up their own cute eating scene for kicks.

"First time" sex scene making it clear this is anything but their first time.

Tan holding Fang down in the cliche possessive pose, only for Fang to take the agency of kissing Tan. (And overall saying eff off at the cliche top/bottom roles old BLs were such a fan of).

In Summary

I'm sure there are more tropes that will come to me, and we do still have 5 episodes left of We Are, so there are some potential trope uses that I am keeping an eye on. This is by no means an all-inclusive list.

But I wanted to write this, because I was genuinely shocked to realize how different my My Engineer watching experience was this time compared to my first time. How over the last few years I'd come to expect more thoughtfulness in my QL media, even in the ones that seem shallow on the surface.

Considering how fast and furious the QLs are coming these days, it's easy to forget how recent it was that we were much more starved of content. And I think sometimes we forget to take in the big picture, of how far we've come in just a few years.

Critique is always going to be important, of course, it's part of what helps us make progress. At the same time, it doesn't hurt to take a moment to look around and see some good in where we are.

@sailorbryant thanks for the push to get this written! Feel free to add thoughts!

[littleragondin]

15 Day BL Challenge

The full challenge can be found here!

☆*:.｡. Day 11: Breakup that should have stayed broken up .｡.:*☆

Okay, my main problem for this one was that I didn’t have it in me to go back to some of those shows to double check that they actually do get together/break up/make up but I tried to the best of my recollection. If I got them wrong. well… know I really didn’t want them together.

I will say Yi and Kondiao in Cutie Pie who I think fit the bill on technicality (I have not watched their spin-off series but I do not believe it would warm me up to them). Look, there is nothing that worked for me there. Yi refuses the engage with Kondiao with the stubbornness of a mule on a bad day and for what. Despite the explanations the show provided, there was never a single moment where I could fathom them managing to make their way toward a relationship. There was no trust there, no communication, no sharing of anything, and frankly they always only seemed held together by guilt and responsibility (no matter how hard they tried to make me believe otherwise) and while this could definitely make for a good premise (I do love an arranged marriage that blossom into love), the spark was never there for me.

I am going to throw Pi and Mork from Fish Upon the Sky out there too, tho I have no confidence they do actually get together before the end. I do not like the dynamic in that relationship at all and, sorry to say and despite Pi being a brat (which I do like), is all on Mork’s writing for me. There is no reciprocity between them, Mork keeps secrets, decides what is best for Pi and doesn’t stop pushing until Pi relent, trample all over the limits Pi tries to set up, and while I can enjoy a persistent LI this was just SO MUCH. Keep these two apart.

And then, as a little bonus and because I mentioned the show in an earlier ask so I thought of them, Bon and Duen in My Engineer. I do think they could make it work, ultimately, but MAN we were NOT there by the time they get back together at the end of the show. They both had a lot of work to do on themselves before even thinking of getting back into that, and giving themselves time apart would have been a good idea.

[quodekash]

my engineer incorrect quotes to try and fill the ramking shaped hole in my heart

—- —-

King: Hey Ram, can you give me the opposite of these words? King: Always, Coming, From, Take, Me, Down. Ram: Never, Going, To, Give, You- Ram: The fucking satisfaction. 

(this happened. this was the scene near the start where king texts ram and waves to him and tries to talk to him and ram picks up his phone and leaves to go see his brother. king loves rickrolling and thats canon because i said so)  —- —-

Duen: I wouldn’t put it in those words exactly. Ram: Why not? Duen: Because I don't know what they mean. 

—- —-

King: Hey, what’s your Netflix password? Ram: ihopeyoudie King: Thank you!

—- —-

Duen: I drink to forget but I always remember. Ting: You're drinking orange juice. 

—- —-

King: Ow! Ram: What’s wrong? King: I have this weird pain right above my eyebrow. Ram: It’s called a stress headache. I got my first one when I was four.

—- —-

Thara, after getting a library card: Now I know what true power feels like. 

—- —-

Ram: If I die, you can have what little I own. King: Wait. What do you mean "if" you die? Ram: My unending existence is fuelled by pure spite, that of which the painful experiences of life have rendered me full. King: King: *Sighs* Let me call your therapist again. 

—- —-

Ram: Hey, you want a tarot reading? Bohn: Those are Pokemon cards. Ram: You got a magikarp. Bohn: … Ram: It means 'fuck you'. 

(this is essentially what happened for like. half the show. up until the end of the fight between bohn and ram) —- —-

Ram, after watching King get shot by someone: You’re dead. You are very dead. When you are a corpse I will hack away at your flesh and eat you raw. King: Ram, I’m not dead yet. Ram: Let me have my moment of rage to avenge you. King: I’d prefer it if you didn’t let me die. 

—- —-

*Everyone is giving advice to Duen* Ting: It's okay to ask for help. Tang: You're not a burden. Ram: Murder is okay. Phu: Your feelings matter. 

—- —-

King: Are you sure Ram's even gay? He barely even looked at me. 

—- —-

Duen: All snacks are gone. Bohn: I AM LITERALLY RIGHT HERE?! 

—- —-

Ram: You’re drunk. King: Correction: drinking. Present tense. Grammar, Ram. 

—- —-

Mek: Have I ever told you that you cook well? Boss: Awww, no, you haven't! Mek: So why do you keep cooking? 

—- —- Ram: You’re giving me a sticker? King: Not just a sticker. That is a sticker of a kitty saying “me-wow!” Ram: I’m not a preschooler. King: Fine, I’ll take it back- Ram: I earned this, back off! 

—- —- King: We just ate. Why are you making pancakes? Ram: For the dogs. King: Why are you making pancakes for the dogs? Ram: They don’t know how. 

—- —-

this one is fairly short compared to my other incorrect quote compilations, but i promise, i will be back. 

also im planning to post another eclipse incorrect quotes post in like five minutes 

[bl-bam-beyond]

A LOOK BACK at Mek & Boss

MY ENGINEER (2020, THAILAND)

Like most people I wasn't keen on Bohn & Duen. I didn't hate them and I didn't love them. But this BL was all about the side couples (aka SIDE DISHES)

The main side dish couple was of course Ram & King but for me I also loved Mek (Chinese Actor RYAN PENG) and his adorable crush Boss (NAPHAT CHALERMPHONPHAKDEE aka INNTOUCH)

My Engineer 2 is unlikely but who knows. I mean 2 Moons puked out it's 3 and Final Season so anything is possible I guess. But unlikely as it is that Season 2 will happen it will not include Ryan Peng as he has parted ways (he was apparently fired) with the production after Season 1.

So this is a short look back at Mek & Boss. Mek was so in love with Boss. He even helped Boss get the girl he liked.

[gabrielokun]

[myshipshipsitself]

Ok so I’ve seen the RamKing cut of My Engineer, but I decided to start the full series today, and damn I feel like I missed out on a lot. In the first two episodes, Ram was ready to beat tf outta Bohn to protect Duen, and I’m living for it! We don’t get that side of Ram in the edited down version with just him and King.

Also I’m in love with Mek and Boss.... Mostly Mek. I just want him to be happy. Why do I always fall for the side ships

[absolutebl]

New theory: Fahlanruk is just trying to recreate the magic of My Engineer but a step to the left. Or the right. I dunno where architecture would lie on the campus.

Fah and Sher are Bohn and Duen. The main couple that shouldn't have been the main couple who have issues that could be solved very easily if anyone ever learned from their actions but they never, ever do.

Tap and Ping are obviously Mek and Boss. Long term pining where one half gets a girlfriend but still insists on bringing his friend everywhere? Seriously.

We don't appear to have a Ram and King pairing, tbh. Which is sad because we need one. I think they think Gear and Prince is that but they're not. They're more like Thara and Frong.

Tar and Pink are the cursed part of the alternate universe.

This is a very good theory. And what I put up with in ME I won't with this because there are too many other options. And no RamKing to save it.

I'm dnfing. The identical twin thing KILLED me. We do not need Sweet Valley BL, thank you very much Thailand.

Pink is a terrible idea, she serves no purpose and should not exist.

Ping's super obsessive involvement in Fah's love life weirds me out.

Prince & Gear are okay but I still think the actor playing Prince is a charisma vacuum, just like in Brothers.

I don't like a single character in this show, I spent the whole ep bored or annoyed, so it's out.

You are on your own @heretherebedork, we, the fallen soldiers watchers who have gone before, salute you.

Carry our hopes and dreams into the long goodnight BL.

[geekygirl24]

[heretherebedork]

Fahlanruk is pretty much just My Engineer but a step to the left.

Fah and Sher are Bohn and Duen. Main couple that seems to have issues that could be solved relatively easily by talking but somehow never ever are.

Tap and Ping are Mek and Boss. Long term pining besties practically living in each other's pockets while hiding big feelings and putting friendship over the rest of their feelings.

Prince and Gear are a bit harder to one-to-one but I kind of think they're Frong and There. One is flirting and the other one is about to P' and N' the other without any idea what he's doing.

[that-queer-fanboy]

Aroace headcanon's for bl characters

Be Loved In House: I Do:

Yu Zhen - Sex and romance indifferent or favourable grey aroace or allo

Shi Lei - Sex and romance indifferent or favourable grey aroace or allo

Cherry Blossoms After Winter:

Taesung - Sex and romance favourable grey aroace

Haebom - Sex and romance indifferent or favourable grey or demiromantic grey or asexual

Color Rush:

Yeonwoo - Sex and romance indifferent grey or demiromantic asexual

Yoohan - Sex indifferent and romance favourable greyromantic allosexual

Don't Say No:

Leo - Sex indifferent or favourable and romance favourable grey aroace

Fiat - Sex and romance favourable greyromantic asexual spectrum or allo

Leon - Sex indifferent and romance favourable greyromantic pansexual

Pob - Sex and romance indifferent demi aroace.

Light On Me:

Shinwoo - Sex indifferent and romance indifferent or favourable grey homoromantic asexual.

Taekyung - Sex indifferent and romance favourable grey or allo (potentially homoromantic) asexual or greysexual.

Lovely Writer:

Gene - Sex adverse and romance indifferent or favourable grey or demiromantic demisexual.

Mr Heart:

Jinwon - Sex indifferent and romance adverse or indifferent grey or demiromantic grey or allosexual

Sangha - Sex indifferent and romance favourable grey aroace or allo

Mr Unlucky Has No Choice But To Kiss:

Kouta - Sex adverse and romance indifferent grey or demiromantic allosexual

Shinomiya - Sex and romance indifferent grey or demiromantic greysexual or allosexual.

My Engineer:

Bohn - Sex indifferent and romance favourable greyromantic or alloromantic bisexual or pansexual.

Duen - Sex adverse and romance indifferent demiromantic grey or demisexual

Ram - Sex and romance indifferent grey aroace

King - Sex and romance indifferent allo

Thara - Sex and romance indifferent grey or demi aroace (demiromantic demisexual)

Frong - Sex and romance indifferent allo.

My Love Mix-Up!:

Ida - Sex and romance indifferent greyromantic asexual.

Aoki - Sex adverse or indifferent and romance favourable demiromantic bisexual

Oh! My Assistant:

Joonseok - Sex and romance indifferent or favourable aromantic bisexual

Old Fashioned Cupcake:

Nozue - Sex indifferent and romance adverse grey or demiromantic greysexual

Togawa - Sex indifferent and romance favourable grey aroace

Semantic Error:

Jaeyoung - sex favourable and romance indifferent or favourable grey or demiromantic bi or pansexual.

Sangwoo - Sex and romance adverse or indifferent grey or demiromantic asexual.

Senpai This Can't Be Love:

Yanase - Sex and romance indifferent grey aroace or allo

Kaneda - Sex and romance indifferent grey or demi aroace

Takara-Kun and Amagi-Kun:

Takara - Sex indifferent or favourable and romance adverse or indifferent grey aroace (greyromantic greysexual)

Amagi - Sex adverse and romance favourable greyromantic allosexual potentially ace spec. (I genuinely don't know enough to label him besides allo broadly)

Tinted With You:

Heon - Sex and romance indifferent grey aroace.

Eunho - Also sex and romance indifferent grey aroace.

*Will probably be edited as I watch more

Plus and Minus:

Zheng Ze Shou - Sex and romance favourable grey aroace.

Fu Li Gong - Sex indifferent/favourable and romance favourable grey aroace.

Kato Yuki - Romance and sex indifferent/favourable demi aroace (I also think he has ADHD).

Jian Ying Ze - Romance and sex indifferent grey aroace (I also think he has ASD).

A Shoulder To Cry On:

Dayeol - Sex indifferent and romance adverse or indifferent grey or demi aroace.

Taehyun - Sex adverse and romance adverse or indifferent grey or demi aroace.