#oppa thinking

[thegradus2]

“Surely not…. It’s been 15 years… and anyone would have stopped before getting disowned, noone would lack *that* amount of care for themself”

And then basen doesn’t stop thinking about it for a week

[arttitude130]

disco in my brain

[absolutebl]

Best 23 of BL 2023 - Quirky Awards

SHOCK & AWE AWARDS

1. Biggest BL surprise of 2023:

The last 3 months of 2023 in general got my biggest WTF award.

GMMTV fielding OffGun AND TayNew in the same quarter while also airing Last Twilight

That they ALSO optioned 3 JBLs

That there's a high heat omegaverse BL staring Pavel

That there were 20 BLs airing and none of them Korean.

With 5 VAMPIRE BLs announced for next year

But my prize in this category goes to My Dear Gangster Oppa.

It's just crazy:

Thai talent, Korean money + IP (this is adapted from a manwha) airing on a Chinese channel (iQIYI). Plus it was FUN and made smart reuse of a pair who richly deserved it. I'm delighted by the eclectic insanity of this production. And wonder if any other film genre could even do anything like this.

2. The “that country did WHAT?” award:

The 8th Sense from Korea?!

I mean, seriously?! Dealing with mental health, suicide, darkness, therapy, (tiny) age gap, & first time love BUT FROM KOREA? And then openness and casual boyfriend physical affection? What's next? An actual hard fought coming out narrative with an HEA? Gay domesticity and families?

Careful Korea, you'll strain something. Possibly your own culture and film industry.

I should stop having expectations of Korea, they keep surprising me.

Runners up: Korea letting OnlyOneOf do Bump Up Business not to mention that OmegaX thing. AND Korea adapting Why R U? What are you up to, Korea? Qua? Is this a coded message? Should we send help? Do you need snacks?

3. Biggest casting whoa! where did you come from? award:

GeminiFourth in My School President.

Seriously? Babies what? How did GMMTV find you? How do you exist? How is BL this lucky?

4. That studio did WHAT now? award:

GMMTV putting EarthMix into Moonlight Chicken.

And then doubling down with G4 as the damn sides.

Fucking genius.

5. I’m sad you were ignored award:

Destiny Seeker.

It's just a really fun little Thai pulp, the pairs were good, silly dialogue, plus consent and other good sex rep. I enjoyed it. No one talked about it AT ALL.

6. 2023 BL That Actually Made Me Lose My Mind Award?

Laws of Attraction. -The casting, the crazy story, the soapy drama! But specifically: Film playing Charn - the range of his smiles alone. GLORIOUS

I mean I Feel You Linger in the Air also sparked something in me, but LoA drove me actually nuts.

NARRATIVE AWARDS

7. Best story 2023:

La Pluie

I know, you're surprised, right? At the time I didn't chat much about it but I really enjoyed the discourse others were having. I love anything that really examines the fated mates (soulmates) trope and the idea of "the one". What a clever way to do that. (This is one reason UWMA is my favorite Thai BL.)

This one reminded me of the way Color Rush approached allegory and that's no bad thing. Such an impressive little piece.

8. Best narrative structure 2023 award:

Unintentional Love Story.

I know this may seem a simplistic pick. But I love the tidiness of this no frills contemporary romance, how the culture of work and personal ethics and corruption fight against the main character's affection and integrity. Poor baby boy is driven into a corner and then punished for it. But it is punishment he feels he deserves, and so it is up to his (now) ex to figure out what went wrong and why.

It's just great. I love it when no one is stupid or wrong, it's just impossible circumstances and unintentional love deeply felt.

9. Best 2023 dialogue (script) award:

Jun & Jun

Never before has Korea laced a BL with that much perfectly executed innuendo. It was a master class. I didn't know you could be that lascivious in Korean, quite frankly. Plus the way the 2 Juns constantly seamlessly transition between formal register (work, public - where they are boss/employee) to informal register (when they are alone and age mates + childhood sweethearts).

Beautiful to hear and watch.

10. Favorite scene 2023:

The dub con scene in I Cannot Reach You because I AM TRASH for an out of control seme. I'm sorry I just AM.

I have said it before, I will say it again, NO ONE DOES THIRST like Japan. And when that thirst bubbles over, it is heart-clenching and very hot.

11. The most rewatchable BL of 2023 award:

Our Dating Sim

That scene where they lie on the floor + the stolen kiss + giggle? Come on, it should be on comfort repeat in war rooms. It could bring world peace.

ACTORS & CHARACTERS AWARDS

12. Best performance of a queer actor in a leading role, 2023:

Fluke in Make a Wish.

It was fun to see him as an irreverent immortal and while I love OhmFluke I also really enjoyed this new pairing. It was a genuine pleasure to watch.

13. Best pining 2023:

The moot pining in Tokyo in April is...

Boys, seriously? Japan must you destroy us like this? Hurts so good.

14. Best wingman 2023 (The Namgoong Award)

Tiw from My School President

I mean, come on, of course it's him!

(Also can you believe Mark went on from this to do fricking Only Friends!? To Last Twilight! Come on GMMTV GIVE HIM A LEAD!)

15. Biggest OMG I LOVE you boys together, YAY!

Dimpled McMafia & Feral Bunny Foo Foo from Kiseki Dear to Me.

They were feral for each other.

We were feral for them

It was a whole delightful THING.

16. Most unexpected return of a BL pair? award:

The Private Lessons pair showing up in Love Class 2.

I know it was only a cameo, but SERIOUSLY? Thank you SO MUCH Korea! A big studio picking up a Strongberry pairing? I love you.

Seriously tho, Taiwan & Korea tried for ALL THE CAMEOS this year.

17. Well aren't you two just the prettiest? award:

NetJames in Bed Friend.

Need I say more?

18. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Bah Vinh in Vian & Mr Cinderella 2. I didn't like either show but I loved him in them. Especially the make outs.

Yes you have chemistry with all the boys in Vietnam and you kiss beautifully. But it's okay now honey, you have the crown. Relax, you're stressing us out.

RANDOM PICKS

19. Favorite Linguistic Moment of 2023:

Our Dating Sim

Caught in the act by the elevator scene. OMG it's so funny. They're being such boyfriend shits to each other, and to be caught in the act by THAT character, and try to manifest formal language whole cloth? Hilarious.

Honorable mention to War Peanuts in Destiny Seeker.

20. Biggest disappointment of 2023:

You Are Mine

Seriously Taiwan, AGAIN you disappoint me with an Office BL? You're Taiwan, land of offices and suits. This should be YOUR SETTING TO WIN. And yet... argh. I mean it wasn't bad. But it wasn't good either. Stop it Taiwan, do better.

Runners up? Between Us, Chains of Heart, Dangerous Romance - this was a HOTLY contested category.

+ 2 Winners in the sub-category of FUCK YOU FOR THAT ENDING award:

The Director who Buys Me Dinner - I mean this nicely but: you have your lane now Korea, stop hurting us, that's Japan's responsibility and they do it better.

I Feel You Linger In the Air - I'm just hugely disappointed. Thailand ALMOST got its second 10/10 from me, but that damn ending.

Argh.

21. Best Wardrobe/Prop Use 2023

The shower of packaged bedsheets in My Personal Weatherman

Amazing. Brilliant. No notes.

22. Best Queer Rep 2023

Chot in Step By Step

In fact, all the queer characters in this show were treated with great integrity.

AND props to this cast for refusing to do fan service. GOOD FOR YOU! Fuck those sasang wankers.

Runners up? The found family cast of Love in Translation and the Rainbow Rice Cakes in The New Employee.

23. Best Meta Trope call out

Tin Tem Jai

Come on, what a zinger, but at themselves (and Taiwan)

Final question: which of the 23 was the hardest for me to pick?

Honestly? Question #1 this year. But also question #20.

(Last year: 2022's Version) 

Remember I only pull from shows that were completely finished by the end of 2023. Or The Sign probably would have taken multiple categories. But it will fall into 2024 offerings.

(source)

[silverraes]

so like who wants to be my cute little thai bl friend circle who share one brain cell and have zero coherent thoughts together

[dribs-and-drabbles]

The Thai Communal Wardrobe item #3

Don't Say No ep 5:

Bad Buddy ep 5:

Enchanté ep 10:

Even Sun ep 6:

Vice Versa ep 8:

The Eclipse ep 8:

The Three Gentlebros ep 1:

The Eclipse ep 11:

A Boss and a Babe ep 4:

My Dear Gangster Oppa ep 3:

Middleman's Love ep 1:

[lillibuds]

old man aegyo

[seokmattchuus]

Prove It - Seok Matthew Drabble

A/n: Matthew drabble because I had a dream and I really need to get this out of my system :3 Also, might be renamed at a later date because I have no idea.

-

"I'm literally always taking care of you." He scoffed in disbelief. "Calling me 'oppa' wouldn't kill you."

"I'm older than you." You reminded him. "I think you keep forgetting that aspect."

"You had no problem calling me 'daddy'." He snicked, landing him a pillow to the face.

"It was just once." You muttered in defense. "And I was drunk."

"Keep telling yourself that." He rolled his eyes. "Besides, it wouldn't hurt to say it just once." He leaned in, his face right in front of yours. "I won't tell anyone." He said in a sing-song voice.

It was your turn to snicker now.

"Since you want it so bad," You paused, watching his expression turn expectant. "What do I get if I do it?"

His eyebrow twitched as the latter of your sentence came out.

"How about a bet, then?" He smiled as he climbed over you. "If you can keep quiet until I'm done with you, I'll drop it."

His arms were caging you in and you could feel his thigh pressing between your thighs in an attempt to open them.

"But if you can't." He smirked, his head dipping down so his lips were brushing lightly against yours. "You can't call me anything else."

His thigh had succeeded in passing your thighs and you let out a shaky breath at the contact. His eyes flicked towards yours and you saw the corner of his mouth curve into a smirk.

"Deal?"

It wasn't like you to give in so easily, even if you looked like you would.

"We have a deal." You mimicked his smirk as you toyed with the top button of his shirt. "But what do I get if I make it?" You tilted your head slightly as you freed the top button, working your way down.

He closed the gap between the two of you, his lips working gently against yours as he let out a shaky breath from your cold hands grazing his upper stomach.

"You're already losing." You smirk as you gave him your most innocent gaze. "So much for being an 'oppa'." You whispered the last part.

His thigh pressed firmly against you and you stiffened, but stayed quiet.

"It's a matter of pride at this point, baby." You smiled sweetly as you pulled his shirt down his shoulders, your fingers softly running over his arms in admiration. "If you want to be an oppa so bad," You paused as you licked your lips.

"Prove it."

[itsallaboutbl]

It's good thing that you're single because it encourages me to work harder.

[respectthepetty]

Petty please! Explain the significance behind both Wahl and Guy wearing blue in ep 4? Isn't Wahl a green boy? And I think you mentioned that Guy is white?

@negrowhat,

You have opened a flood gate!

TLWR: I got a wild ass theory that Blue is Guy's, Wahl is his best friend, and Tew and Guy balance each other out.

Wahl should be a Green Guy.

But he actually wears blue often.

And even when he reveals the truth about Tew to Guy, he hands Guy his blue phone as he holds his blue bag.

But . . . I don't think the blue is Wahl's. Well, at least not fully.

Wahl and Guy are best friends.

So it's interesting that when they are around each other, they tend to wear more blue.

And just like his best friend, Guy also has blue bags (and a blue couch),

and packs his blue shirt to go on his trip with Wahl.

Remember when Tew had to wear Tul's shirt because he got blood on his, and we were all like "whoa, that light white and BLUE shirt looks really odd on you, Tew"?

Probably because it was strange that Tew was picking up some of that best friend blues from Guy (who is wearing Wahl's green when he thinks about him).

And this is what really tickles me!

Tew used to be a Blue Boy

Then life happened and he turned dark.

But he fell for Guy at their first meeting because Guy has been the light to Tew's dark.

Even on that blue bed.

Guy is always the light to Tew's dark.

Yet Wahl has noticed something is different about his best friend. He keeps saying Guy is changing and . . . Guy is!

Guy is normally this light boy but is turning darker. Guy is normally blue, and Wahl, who immediately clung to Guy in high school picked up Guy's color, so he tries again to pick up on whatever is going on with Guy.

But Wahl isn't Tew!

Guy is light with Tew because Tew balances him out. Tew is direct. Tew shows up. Tew doesn't make Guy question himself. But Tew is also experiencing this unbalance with others that he naturally finds with Guy.

Tew let Kenji go. He thought Kenji could be trusted the same way he trusts Guy. Tew thought he could show Kenji kindness the same way he shows Guy kindness. We all know that was a dumb decision.

Tew and Guy were Blue Boys, but with each other, they are the perfect balance. They give the other person what they need. They cannot duplicate this ease and comfort with anyone else.

And because of this, Guy has become a little darker while Tew has become a bit lighter.

So maybe they'll find their way back to a new version of blue that fits both of them and their new life.

Best Friend Blue is out! Boyfriend Blue is in!

[hotasfahrenheit]

Tew wanting the chairs in the restaurant he's opening to match the chairs Guy has in his apartment is a very special kind of unhinged and i'm here for it

[faunandfloraas]

Lily calling Chan "Chris oppa" makes me laugh......

[miusmusings]

What is up with jellyfish and queer boys? First we had If It's With You with it's tiny white ones (idk what they are called) and now there's My Dear Gangster Oppa with it's moon jellies.

What is the connection between drifting white shiny creatures steered by uncertain ocean waters and (lost?) gay boys??

[dribs-and-drabbles]

The Thai Communal Wardrobe item #77

That's My Candy ep 6:

Even Sun ep 1:

Never Let Me Go ep 12:

My Dear Gangster Oppa ep 5:

The Whisperer ep 7:

The Sign ep 12:

+ bonus long-sleeve version

Tin Tem Jai ep 1:

[niurd-main]

exo's page on whosampled desperately needs to updated like what do you mean gravity "sampled" tom's diner? like the melody is similar for exactly two bars? investigative journalism

[uiruu]

one gripe i have with subtitles for stuff like Squid Game is that it translates some things that don't need to be, and doesn't translate some things that would be helpful. for the latter, in season 1 when Saebyeok says her name to Gihun, he says "that's a beautiful name, it doesn't really suit you though". I'm sure to many people watching, they'd just have to go ".... is it?" because they don't know that Saebyeok means dawn. her name is Dawn. i don't want them to translate that every time lol but i feel like that one scene could have had a parenthetical saying "saebyeok means dawn". Minyeo, when she says her name, says something like "yes that's my real name", i think. if the subtitles explained that she said that because Minyeo means "beautiful woman" that would have been helpful to people lol.

as for the former, ive always hated how Korean stuff translates words like oppa unnie hyung and noona in subtitles. Minyeo calls Deoksu oppa and the subtitles say "old man" but it doesn't mean that, lol. it does mean she's calling him older than her, but it's more like "big bro". but honestly it's SUCH a standard Korean thing that i kinda just wish it was left as oppa. if you watching something in the Korean language, then oppa unnie hyung and noona are just things you'll have to learn. it's not hard lol. girls call older boys who they're close to "oppa". boys call older girls who they're close to "noona". boys call older boys "hyung", girls call older girls "unnie". it's a sign of deference to an older person but also closeness. they literally mean sister and brother, but translating them as "brother" or "sister" or "old man" feel.... unnatural in English lol. the subtitles often translate them as just the character's name, like when Ali says Hyung the subtitles say Sangwoo. that's correct. but when the subtitles say big bro or old man, that's just... nobody talks like that in English lol

[dehydrated-for-donghae]