#prans feature

[comicsbyte]

Comic Book Review - Prans - Raman Aur Badam

कॉमिक बुक समीक्षा - प्राण'स - रमन और बादाम (Comic Book Review - Prans - Raman Aur Badam)

Prans Chacha Chaudhary Nikhil Pran

#ComicsByte #cartoonistpran #Raman #comicstrips #bookreview

[airenyah]

NOT COOKING CRUSH WITH THAT BAD BUDDY MUSIC AHHHHHHH

[pebblegalaxy]

Kuku FM’s Exclusive Chacha Chaudhary Audiobook: Reviving an Iconic Hero for a New Generation @KukuFMOfficial @lcbisu

Kuku FM is a premier audio content platform in India, providing a diverse range of audiobooks, stories, summaries, courses, and more across 20+ genres in over 7 languages. Committed to transforming the way Bharat experiences audio content, Kuku FM has emerged as a top choice for audio enthusiasts, with over 49 million downloads and 2.7 million paid subscribers. To learn more, visit Kuku…

[playermagic23]

PM Narendra Modi greets Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth with folded hands after Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya, see viral videos : Bollywood News — Bollywood Hungama

Megastars Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan flew to Ayodhya with Dhanush and Abhishek Bachchan, respectively.

Several Indian film fraternity members were in attendance in Ayodhya on January 22 for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ram Mandir. Megastars Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan flew to Ayodhya with Dhanush and Abhishek Bachchan, respectively.

Two videos from the event have gone viral from the event where Prime Minister Narendra was seen greeting the attendees. Videos are circulating online, capturing the moment when PM Modi greets Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth with folded hands after the ceremony. While Rajinikanth attended the event with his wife Latha Rajinikanth and Dhanush, Amitabh was seen with Abhishek Bachchan.

Speaking to ANI at the ceremony, Rajinikanth said, “It was a historic event and I am very fortunate. Will definitely come to Ayodhya every year.”

Meanwhile, Amitabh Bachchan shared a series of photos from his darshan.

Amongst the celebrities who were in attendance at Ram Mandir were Madhuri Dixit, Vicky Kaushal, Katrina Kaif, Anupam Kher, Chiranjeevi, Ram Charan, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Randeep Hooda, Kangana Ranaut, Rishab Shetty, Madhur Bhandarkar, Jackie Shroff, Vivek Oberoi, Om Raut, Subhash Ghai, Rajkumar Hirani, Madhur Bhandarkar, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rohit Shetty among many others.

[fiddlepickdouglas]

Where do you watch your Thai BL dramas and do you recommend any to start with?

WOW how did I miss seeing this????

Oh boy this is gonna take a while for me to properly answer because you managed to ask, in so few words, a question that has a long answer! (Which I am all too delighted to give, HEHE)

This ended up being such a long post omg, here's a read more.

So starting with where: There's quite a few places. Streaming services with a prescription, YouTube, and even a few free sites where fans will typically upload content (depending on availability and access, these update latest if a show can be found at all).

Streaming platforms (featuring Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese, Korean, and Thai content):

iQiyi - Chinese owned, has a free option with ads and a subscription option. Also features bonus content on certain shows that subbed users can access if you're into that. Has a good balance of stuff that isn't LGBTQ+, lots of great Chinese wuxia - I'm honestly amazed they have as much queer shows as they do but I am not complaining because there's a lot of good ones there.

GagaOolala - Taiwanese owned, has a free option with ads and a subscription option. Stout LGBTQ+ collection. There's certainly other programming but it's thing is being more out and proud, so it's a win for me.

Viki - American owned, allows users to add/edit subtitles. I haven't used this one much, but I haven't needed to get a subscription so far with the shows I have sought to watch and haven't been bothered with ads either? Not sure how that works but I haven't needed to bother looking into it lol

Other sources I've used to watch other BLs are YouTube (there's so many, and they're for FREE), DramaCool, kisskh, and Bilbili.

In this next bit, I'll be summarizing different studios that produce Thai shows, including Thai BL specifically. I'll summarize the studio and then list recommendations for shows.

First up:

GMMTV - (most content on YouTube, some has been put on iQiyi and Gaga though) This is a popular one for Thai shows, and Thai BL especially. It's nicknamed the Disney of BL for a reason (pumps out a lot of new shows each year, huge roster of actors signed to them, very focused on branding and promotion, etc.). A lot of people's first Thai BLs are among their shows, since it was the company that produced the show that launched Thailand's BL industry onto the map. They can be hit or miss with the level of satisfaction, but overall there's plenty to choose from and much to recommend.

Shows I recommend from this company:

Bad Buddy

This is the first one I watched and it changed my fucking life. Pat and Pran are the perfect mix of next door neighbors who were raised to be rivals, but they can't help becoming friends, and eventually fall for each other. It does great subversion of a number of tropes and has a kissing scene that so memorable I bought a t-shirt that's worn in it. The acting is superb and it's both funny and devasting in a lot of good ways. There's a sapphic side couple who are incredibly cute as well!

Be My Favorite

Pisaeng and Kawi, two guys who can't seem to accept their feelings, each live out multiple time lines where they can't help but be drawn together when Kawi is given a time traveling device. This show ponders the affects of one's actions and how living your truth can make or break the happiness you seek in life. This show was unprecedented in how good it was, especially since the leads were an unusual pairing. I love them I love them I love them.

SOTUS

This is the one that kick-started everything back in 2016 for Thai BL. It follows a group of college freshman who are subject to ritual hazing by their seniors, and one student worms his way into the heart of the senior leader. This show set out to censor fags (cigarettes) and not fags (gays). There's so much cultural significance that it's difficult to describe. It sets the tone for a number of BLs to follow.

Not Me

Do you like gays? Do you like social activism? Do you like batshit plots that put you on your fuckin knees for the whole ride? Have we got a show for you. I don't know how to summarize this one without immediately feeling insane, I love this show with all my goddamn heart. Twins Black and White get separated because they have a connection where they can feel the same things when they're close, and it has proven dangerous. Black gets put in a coma and White takes on his identity and joins an anarchist gang to find who hurt his brother. Not everything is what he thinks, though. Also this show inspired my first tattoo because Yok is my favorite boy forever and ever amen.

The Warp Effect

Alright, it's not a BL, technically, but my GOD is it queer. Don't believe me? Here's a list that I made of not even all the reasons why this show is so queer. It addresses so much about sex ed, relationships, consent, kink, body shaming, and even features a non-binary character. A boy, who made a promise to his late mother to save his virginity until marriage, breaks the promise and wakes up in the future. He has to help old friends and acquaintances resolve things that happened on that fated night if he hopes to return to his youth.

3 Will Be Free

Also technically not a BL, but it is poly!! A sex worker, a club host, and the son of a mafia boss end up on the run together after being involved with the wrong people and being in the wrong place...and killing a guy. By the same director of The Warp Effect, so you're guaranteed a similar flavor of thorough queerness.

More shows by the company that I recommend: A Tale of 1000 Stars, Moonlight Chicken, Enchanté, Vice Versa, The Eclipse, My School President, Wandee Goodday, Only Friends, Midnight Musem, The Gifted (those last two aren't BLs but the vibes are there).

Next up!

Idol Factory - (YouTube channel for watching) Founded by actor Saint Suppapong with the purpose of creating a studio that harbors a safer and more positive experience for people in the industry. Well known for producing one of the first and most popular GLs or girls love shows.

Shows I recommend from this company:

GAP The Series

Sam has been Mon's idol since she was little and now she's secured a job working at her company! She's so excited! Until she realizes that Sam is...kind of heartless. Her unwillingness to let her boss walk all over her does more than win over a good professional relationship. It's got all the drama of class divide and arranged marriage along with it, so it's a fun ride and makes for an iconic entry for lesbian cinema.

The Sign

Phaya and Tharn aren't just reincarnated lovers, they weren't even human before! The story follows a curse that's followed them since they first met as naga and garuda, both powerful legendary creatures who have fought each other for ages. In the present, they train as police officers and end up working together in a case related to Tharn's tragic past.

The Loyal Pin

This one actually hasn't started airing yet (August 4th!!!!) but it's about a lady and a princess who grew up together. From the looks of things, it's gonna have drama and angst up the wazoo so I'm looking forward to it.

More shows by the company that I recommend: Secret Crush On You (I haven't personally seen this one but it's been on my list and highly recommended)

Next up!

Domundi - (uncensored versions on iQiyi, cut versions on YouTube) It's more of a "content creator" company, so it includes musicians as well as actors, so there's not many shows under their wing. But they are good with high heat (more explicit) BL stories. One currently airing, Battle of the Writers, includes Chinese wuxia elements which is incredibly interesting and kinda ballsy (there's suspected attempts to lower viewership for censorship reasons). I highly recommend watching it just for the sake of elevating it, there's a cut version on YouTube.

Shows I recommend from this company:

Bed Friend

Poor Uea is traumatized to hell and back; it's like the world is out to get him. He and his coworker King decide after a one night stand to be exclusive fuck buddies, and ngl it's HOT. We get catboy kinks in this one! Their connection deepens and they have to figure out what they both want from each other. Also all the shitheads get owned, it's really nice to watch. It inspired a Jennette McCurdy meme from me.

Middleman's Love

This is the story of Uea's best friend Jade, who sees how happy his friend is in his new relationship, and takes his turn being Emma Woodhouse. Well....it doesn't go to plan. He keeps pushing Mai toward someone else and doesn't realize that Mai likes him. This one starts incredibly goofy (I put that as a warning), and then gets steamy later on.

Battle of the Writers

This one just started airing! Ob-un is accused of plagiarizing fellow author Chan, and after things have been cleared they end up on a writing team together. The wuxia characters here are characters from their novel. It seems their relationship will parallel certain aspects of the story.

Next company!

Wabi Sabi - (YouTube channel for shows) They've recently lost a whole bunch of actors (several to GMMTV no less) due to terminating artist management, so I'm not sure what the future looks like, but they've released several shows that are considered BL staples.

Recommended:

Until We Meet Again

Dean and Pharm are reincarnated lovers who previously had a tragic end. This one is heavy on the emotions, the first 10 minutes took my fucking knees out. Has lot of themes of intergenerational trauma and how important having supportive parents can be. Pharm is so cute, I need to squish him!

Between Us

It starts around the same time as Until We Meet Again, but from the perspective of Team and Win. They have their own angst issues and family traumas that make them messy, and there's a lot more development of the side characters that were featured in the first series as well. I especially enjoy the sideplot for gamers Waan andTul, lol, I wish they could get their own series too! I do recommend watching UMWA first if you don't want to be confused about a few scenes in this one.

Final company, let's go!

Change 2421 - The company that made the omegaverse alpha-alpha car racing BL. That one. Need I say more?

Recommended:

Pit Babe

Mx. omegaverse alpha-alpha car racing BL themself. Babe is a star racecar driver with special abilities. He's charmed when he meets Charlie, but things begin to change for him faster than he can recognize. The home he ran away from tries to force him back as he attempts to reveal its worst secrets.

This Love Has No Long Beans

This is currently airing! Oab is your chef from Kitchen Nightmares that judges harshly with a tough exterior but genuinely has a good heart. Having lost his passion for cooking, he decides to set up a contest to find a successor to take over his restaurant. Plawan chooses to enter this contest despite having no skills and already having gotten on Oab's bad side. Things get heated when Plawan's determination to make it through the competition ignites the passion for cooking again.

There's plenty more companies, but these are the ones I am most familiar with. But there's still more!

Shows I recommend that aren't from the companies listed above:

Kinnporsche

The mafia BL that took over. I have so much brain rot about this one that it's hard to summarize without going crazy. Porsche and his brother have been struggling to keep their beloved family home, so he takes an offer he can't refuse - working as a mafia bodyguard. Kinn, the current mafia head, is undeniably attracted to him and it ends up making them inseparable in more ways than one. I especially enjoy the side couples, VegasPete and KimChay (there is ENDLESS insanity from all possible pairings tbh).

Love in the Air

It's kinda split into two stories, Payu (or Phayu, honestly the spelling gets switched a lot and even I don't stick to one thing) and Rain, and Prapai and Sky. PayuRain are the most couple ever, that's just the best way I can put it. The actors have incredible chemistry and set a fucking standard for making out. Sky and Prapai will make you cry. They handle some pretty intense material and do an incredible job with it. Also bisexuals with motorcycles and light mafia action.

I Told Sunset About You/I Promised You The Moon

Not only an iconic BL series that strives for telling an incredibly realistic story (no goofy sound effects or gags here), but the cinematography is absolutely gorgeous. Also the messiest bisexual awakening known to man. Oh my god. So much crying. Sooooo much angst. It's okay if you throw shit over this one, it's worth it, I promise. Tee and Oh go through pretty much everything that could make weaker couples hate the other person and that's what makes them top tier.

Ingredients

This whole series is a grocery store commercial? Ignore that, these roommates have the most adorable development. I binged this and was crying at 2am. Tops is an aspiring chef and Win is his himbo roommate who is trying to make it as a musician. As they each work toward their dreams, they become important aspects of each other's lives. Also, if you don't come out of this obsessed with Jeff Satur (or anything else he does), I will question your taste. Pun intended.

Old Fashion Cupcake

Japanese BL? Older queers? Office romance? Age gap? A confession scene that meets Jane Austen level standards of desperation? Togawa and Nozue are something else man. They make it a game to pretend to do what young women do as an "anti-aging" technique, but really it's Togawa's scheme to hopefully catch the eye of his boss. Incredible, no notes except maybe I'd like to have a Thai remake? Please?

And last but absolutely not least...

Semantic Error

A fantastic Korean BL. Rivals to lovers and 10000% ADHD4autism. Jang Jaeyoung is prevented from graduating by Chu Sangwoo and makes it his personal mission to get under his skin. And well....it works lol. They're both the most characters, I adore them and their chaotic stumbles into romance. Bonus Choi Yoona bisexual goddess side character, we love her.

Kiseki: Dear To Me

Taiwanese BL that's also split somewhat split between two stories. Zong Yi takes in a wounded Zhe Rui. The student realizes he's keeping a gangster in his dorm and tries to ignore his charms but ends up being drawn into his world. Meanwhile, Ai Di and Chen Yi, other members of the gang, deal with the consequences of Zhe Rui's disappearance.

Well. That was a whole lot. I hope this isn't too overwhelming for you! I've only been in the BL fandom for a couple years so this is barely scratching the surface as far as what's out there.

[respectthepetty]

This BL Bracket for Best Kiss is the toughest because every kiss is solid and great.

But if Pat and Pran's episode 5 rooftop kiss doesn't win it all when

It started as an apology for a fight

It ended the best episode of the series which was a masterpiece from beginning to end

It had the softest "no" ever whispered on my screen

It featured the "Baseball Mom" shirt

It was really TWO kisses

And both were PERFECT!

I will be the saddest duck on your dash.

Don't break Pat's heart again.

[dimplesandfierceeyes]

Hello!! If u r still taking bad buddy prompts. How about bet era drunk Pran.

Hi Anons!

This was not completed as fast as I hoped it would be but I hope you both see this and enjoy it! This is very much unbeta'd so sorry for in advance for any mistakes or awkward phrasings!

You're A Goner (for me)

Pran never called, he always texted, so when Pat’s phone started ringing at 1am and the caller ID showed Khrab, A Friend he was understandably confused and a little concerned. He answered cautiously, wondering if he was going to hear the muted static of a butt dial, but instead Pran’s voice came immediately through the speaker.

“Where are you?” 

“At home,” Pat replied slowly, still confused though now slightly worried he’d forgotten something. “Where are you?”

“Drunk,” Pran declared with aplomb. Pat snorted in surprise, a grin starting to spread over his features. “Come pick me up.”

“Drunk isn’t a place,” Pat pointed out, still grinning. “Where are you?” 

“Ou'side Wai’s place, I walked him home but I don’t wanna walk back t' mine. ’M tired.” The last two words were said with a sigh. Pat laughed again.

“So you called your friend to come get you, huh?” 

“Isn’ that wha' a friend would do?” Even drunk, Pran had that same pleased competitive tone in his voice at the insinuation of the bet. “I think a friend would come pick me up in his new car an’ take me to his place and then-...oops.” Pran’s voice went up at the end, light and delicate.

“What did you do?” Pat asked fondly, thoroughly entertained.

“Fell down th’ kerb,” Pran told him happily. 

“Are you walking? I thought you were waiting for me to pick you up?”

“Oh, yeah...” Pat could practically hear the frown in his voice. 

He chuckled. “Stay where you are, you drunkard, I’ll come and get you.”

“‘M not a drunkard,” Pran protested sulkily.  

“Sure you’re not.” 

Pat stayed on the phone for the whole drive, partly to make sure Pran didn’t go wandering off before he got there, but mostly because a drunk Pran was one of the best things Pat had come across in his entire life. When he arrived, Pran was sitting on the steps of the apartment block, tilted back on his hands with his phone on the step beside him. 

Pat came to a stop and wound down the window.

"Go 'way, 'm waiting for someone." Pran declared, squinting irritably at the car.

"Yeah, me, dumbass," Pat replied fondly. "Get in before Wai sees me parked here."

"Did you change your car?" Pran asked suspiciously, still squinting, though he did at least start pushing himself up to standing. It was a laborious process for him.

"No, it's the same car; you're just too drunk to see straight." Pat chuckled.

"Am not." Pran was finally upright and began walking surprisingly well towards the car. 

"Your phone, Pran." 

"Huh?" 

"You left your phone." Pat held in the urge to laugh, a grin wide and broad on his face as he watched Pran turn back in surprise.

"Oh!" Pran exclaimed, the vowel elongated and wondrous. "Lemme get it."

"That's the idea, yeah," Pat chuckled again. 

Pran finally made it to the car a few minutes later, flinging open the door with enough gusto to make Pat wince before climbing inside. He grinned as plonked down in the seat. 

"Hi."

"Hi," Pat replied, grinning back. 

"You actually came t' pick me up," Pran crowed. "You're soooo…" he paused, a frown on his face as he thought of the word. "Whipped!"

Laughter burst out of Pat, incredulous and surprised. 

Pran looked delighted with himself, trying to squeeze his phone into his pocket and failed. Pat took it off him and put it in one of the holes between them. 

"Hey!"

"Just put your seatbelt on, drunkard."

"'M not a drunkard." Pran repeated but he did start pulling the seatbelt over. 

It was all going well right up until he reached the buckle and couldn't get it aimed right to fit it in. Pat watched him struggle for a moment, amused, before taking over himself. 

"See!" Pran sat back, looking satisfied. "You're a-a thing, the thing… simp."

Pat laughed again. "Friends can help drunk friends with seatbelts."

Pran pouted, brow furrowing as he apparently realised his point had been beaten. “‘M not drunk,” he muttered instead. 

Pat smiled indulgently at him before leaning forward to poke one sulky dimple. Pran ducked backwards, squawking in outrage. Pat ignored the outburst, twisting back to face the front so he could check his mirrors before signalling to pull out. He dropped his hand down to the handbrake but was surprised by Pran’s hand suddenly smacking into his own. Looking down, he realised Pran was trying to intertwine their fingers. 

“Pran, I can’t hold your hand—I’m driving,” he pointed out with laughter bubbling up in his voice.

“I’m not trying to hold your hand!” Pran immediately protested, hand pulling back. “I was just… just… trying to steady myself. I was dizzy.” The words were over-earnest and over-annoyed like he was covering up his embarrassment. 

Pat caught the hand he’d jerked away and guided it to his wrist. Pran stubbornly didn’t move so Pat encircled the hand around his wrist himself. 

“Okay, you steady yourself, then.” He smiled and patted the hand gently before letting go.

“Maybe I don’t wanna steady myself now,” Pran grumbled, but he did not actually remove his hand. 

He was really too cute like this. Pat couldn’t wait for Pran’s bright red embarrassment in the morning; he was going to enjoy himself so much.

[dribs-and-drabbles]

Lin, I'm curious about something in your communal wardrobe project: what's the show that's had the most number of communal pieces of clothes so far?

@kayatoasted!! Thank you for this ask. I'm happy anytime anyone gives me an excuse to talk about the communal wardrobe 😁 And what a brilliant question...because there have been some series that have used A LOT of clothes that have also been used in other series.

Before I get to the heavy hitters, and the ✨winner✨, let me spout some other facts:

There are currently 117 items on the communal wardrobe list...but I've been made aware that there are many more in The Outing, which I need to go through and document, so that number will soon increase.

So far 76 Thai and Taiwanese series have featured communal wardrobe items that have been in two or more series (I'm counting the individual Our Skyy 2 series as separate series, but if I didn't this number would be 70)

24 series have featured just 1 item that has been used elsewhere

and 17 series have featured 2 items that have been used elsewhere

That leaves 35 series with 3 or more items that have been used elsewhere.

The items worn the most are currently item #1 (the linin stripy shirt, worn 11 times by 8 characters (there are three different colours) in 6 series) and item 3 (a horizontal striped t-shirt, worn 10 times by 9 characters (there are four different colours) in 9 series).

So, on to answer your question! There are 7 series which have used 10 or more items on the communal wardrobe:

Be My Favourite = 10

A Boss and a Babe = 12

The Warp Effect = 12

Bad Buddy = 18

Last Twilight = 16 (with 3 more new ones spotted in The Outing so far but not documented)

Vice Versa = 23

But which series has had the most?!

Only Friends with 28!! 🎉 (with 2 more new ones spotted in The Outing so far but not documented)

Here are the ones I've already posted from the series:

item #6 - Blue squares polo shirt (this will be used in Deep Night too)

item #13 - Pastel stripes t-shirt

item #19 - Pran's bedsheets

item #62 - Cream with olive stripe

item #63 - 'Partner' t-shirt

item #74 - Glasses

item #84 - Brushstrokes shirt

item #86 - Hollywood idols shirt

item #87 - 'Dudes' shirt

item #104 - Grey shirt with large lettering

item #105 - 'Arc' t-shirt

item #108 - Multi-coloured chequered/plaid shirt (recently spotted in The Outing and needs documenting)

If anyone would like any of the remainder dedicated to them in a post, then send me an ask or dm! -> Items 1, 8 [this will also be used in Wandee Goodday], 10 [this will also be used in 23.5], 23, 52, 67, 68, 69, 70, 79, 80 [this will also be used in The Intern], 97, 99, 100, 107, 116.

Phew! I hope that satisfied your curiosity 😏 Anyway, I'm always happy to answer questions about the communal wardrobe 💙

[fiercynn]

traffic was slow for the crash years (bad buddy fic, patpran, 80k words)

written by fiercynn, cover art by @architectxengineer

“Hey,” he says, stopping short. Pran keeps walking. “Hey!” Pran stops as well and turns to look at him, exasperated. “What?” “What if this is how we get our faculties to stop fighting?" says Pat. "By pretending to date?

featuring:

canon-divergence

fake dating

pining pran, oblivious pat

architecture & engineering shenanigans

angst with a happy ending

read the completed fic here!

everlasting thanks to my BRILLIANT team of betas, @scribescribe, @hydrochaeriswrites, & @nicolasechs!

the AMAZING cover art is a commission by the fabulous science (@architectxengineer) - you can commission them yourself by emailing them at sleepygoom [at] gmail [dot] com!

wonderful people have also made related works for this fic:

apart from the incredible cover art commission, science (@architectxengineer) did a super-cute sketch for chapter 2, and these adorable animated illustrations of the bus stop scene in chapter 3

the brilliant atria (@mahuhumaling) made an edit to "don't blame me" by tswift about scenes from chapter 4, it's amazing, you can watch it on twitter or instagram

the awesome greybrocolay on twitter made a wonderful comic of a scene from chapter 8!

this fic also has a playlist that you can listen to on spotify or youtube! i also wrote my commentary on the song choice but that is spoilery for the fic, read at least through chapter 7 before you look at that. enjoy!!!

[waitmyturtles]

There's a Bad Buddy Anonymous out there to whom I owe an answer to!

If you're an Anonymous who wrote me an ask about Bad Buddy's episode 7, and you noted that you liked the un-formulaic way in which Pat and Pran reconciled their relationship, and asked for recommendations for dramas to watch *before* Bad Buddy, ones that might reflect on that un-formulaic quality that you liked so much: I apologize for the delay in responding.

I had a great answer that I had all written up, that the web editor ate. :'( The web editor LOVES to eat asks in drafts. Lame.

So here's my best attempt to recreate that answer!

***

Non, thanks for the ask! Ha.

Okay, so, Bad Buddy's episode 7, the competition-in-love episode. What is so great about this episode is that the boys are equals in their competition to get each other to confess first. They're both so clearly sweating for each other, they are totally aware of it, and yet they're still committed to the bit until the very end, when Pat confesses that he'll always throw the game for his lover.

Non, in your original ask, you noted that this set-up went against the formula of how couples usually reconcile their attractions to each other to confirm a relationship. You then asked for recommendations for dramas that a beginner should watch before Bad Buddy, so with that, I assume you mean that you'd like recommendations of Thai BLs. I'm going to interpret your ask from here on out as an ask that reflects on your appreciation for how we got to the setup that was episode 7 of BBS. I can help with this, but I'll also call in some experts at the end to ponder this!

I so appreciate that your ask focused specifically on Bad Buddy, because: my watching and appreciating BBS was a major reason why I myself wanted to learn about the early development of the Thai BL genre. Bad Buddy upends a ton of tropes that had been established in early Thai BL dramas -- I wanted to gain a better appreciation for what BBS was doing, so I hit the archives in my Old GMMTV Challenge project.

As I review the OGMMTVC syllabus for thoughts on recommendations, I'm reflecting on dramas that relied heavily on certain tropes that established the exact formula that BBS/episode 7 spins around. To me, namely, that's the pursuer/pursuee structure, better known as the seme/uke structure.

Pran and Pat are equals in episode 7 -- they're both chasing each other. Earlier Thai BLs almost always featured a seme who pursued an unknowing uke, and very commonly, that uke would have a queer revelation to realize that they were falling in love with their seme pursuer. (In BBS, Pat indeed has a revelation -- but he's not being pursued at that moment. He just realizes that he's fallen in love. By episode 7, both boys are the pursuers of each other.)

So in thinking about earlier Thai BLs that a beginner could watch, to learn about and appreciate the seme/uke tropes that established the formulas that BBS upended, I've got the following.

SOTUS/SOTUS S/Our Skyy x SOTUS: By now, in 2023/2024, SOTUS is.... gently offensive? But for historical purposes, AND for Bad Buddy-purposes, I think it's a must-watch. SOTUS walked so Bad Buddy could run. It was the first BL by GMMTV, a huge one, and gave birth to the first huge celebrity ship in KristSingto. Singto's Kongpob pursues a hesitant Arthit (Krist), who has a revelation that he's fallen for Kong by the end of the series. SOTUS S and Our Skyy x SOTUS follow their eventual relationship.

VERY IMPORTANTLY! Bad Buddy does a LOT to upend a LOT of what SOTUS put out there, by way of commentary on bullying, on the "gay-for-you" phenomenon -- BBS even featured an actor from SOTUS S who played the father of one of the main characters (Kongpob), and put that dude in the same shirt he wore in SOTUS S!

But for the sake of the seme/uke tropes we're talking about, SOTUS has this in spades. There's problematic hubby/wifey language in SOTUS that's, again, upended in Bad Buddy. But SOTUS is a product of its 2016-time period. The genre has learned a lot by way of revising problematic elements that came with the genre's origins. Whenever I think of SOTUS, I always get a sense of nostalgia for Arthit and Kongpob, because SOTUS gave birth to a LOT of tropes (engineering, beach trips, etc.) that we still see in Thai BLs today, tropes that often give structure and reference to dramas. I like that Bad Buddy honored these tropes while also gently calling them out -- and I think, Non, that if you get your historical knowledge squared away just through the SOTUS franchise, you'll appreciate that BBS/episode 7 that much more.

Love By Chance: LBC aired two years after the original SOTUS came out. Trope-wise, overall, I call LBC an ultimately derivative structured drama, in that it encapsulates really well a lot of the tropes that had been established in Thai BL in years prior. Non, I recommend LBC for its seme/uke pairing in AePete, as the pairing was a classic pursuit, but Pete happened to be out and gay, and had a fear that Ae would face discrimination for being open in his love for Pete. I loved that the show addressed this head-on. The rest of the show is not nearly as up to par as what PerthSaint delivered in their AePete performance, but LBC is well worth watching to see the tropes in high action.

Until We Meet Again: While I am a slavish LOVER of UWMA, this drama has a classic seme/uke pairing in Dean and Pharm, but -- the show allows Pharm as a blushing maiden uke to actually have agency and space for his sexual preferences. The show depicts Pharm in hesitation mode, often, but also allows for Pharm to have open and equal communication with Dean about when Pharm is ready to take things to a next level, without a seme pushing an envelope to move things more quickly than they should.

I Told Sunset About You and I Promised You The Moon: Instead of driving to a classic seme/uke set-up, ITSAY spent much more time in Teh's revelatory and recognition headspace, as he negotiated internally his attraction to Oh-aew. IPYTM allowed us to see into Teh's and Oh's eventual relationship, and established Oh-aew's supremacy as a man in control of his world and his decisions, always fully aware of Teh's attraction to him, but needing time and space to be ready for Teh's chaos. I love thinking about ITSAY and IPYTM as trope-deflectors before the rise of Bad Buddy, and -- there are multiple moments when Bad Buddy talks to ITSAY as well.

All of these dramas are considered classics and are thus on the OGMMTVC, but Non, I am in no way a comprehensive expert on the genre itself. There are elders all around who have watched more than me! I'm wondering if -- for the question of what dramas best established the seme/uke pursuit trope in Thai BLs before Bad Buddy upended that trope -- if @bengiyo, @so-much-yet-to-learn, @absolutebl, and @lurkingshan have thoughts and suggestions.

Non, I hope this helps!

[surajmukhis]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to other writers. Spread the self-love~ 🫶🏻 (...i know that's all your posted fics but shhhhhh... maybe write each a little blurb? haha)

rob hiiii~~ this is such a fun ask!! i do have only five fics on ao3 so i thought i might sneak some in from tumblr hehe

if today we hold each other - vegaspete - 8k - ao3

featuring feral vegas committing acts of service like a crime and other exciting finale-divergent offerings such as:

communicating without understanding each other!

dead abusive dads (crowd cheering)!

main family in love with pete phongsakorn 

ok fine yes the last one isn’t canon-divergent this was easily the most fluid, fun writing i did on this list and i actually go back to re-read it sometimes! you can find it here.

2. patpran social media au - tumblr

pran wakes up hoping for a quiet weekend in with his boyfriend; as it happens, pat is on a cross-country trip with a stranger he befriended online :)

i’m actually mostly happy with this (even though it was short and STILL took me two years to finish it hmph). slow going but i giggled nonstop writing the chaotic texts and tweets between patpran and friends + gram and the garage gang from not me! you can check it out here <3

3. gramblack - meet-cute (ish) - tumblr

a micro-fic speculating about gramblack’s first meeting ft. injured black, romantic break-in’s & the G&B figurines that we got fucking baited with (p’nuchie i forget but never forgive)  

[i would have more gramblack to put on this list except it’s all in my drafts and i dread revealing the insane grip they had on me back in the day <3] anyway read it here! 

4. toddblack - enemies to 👀? - tumblr

my beloved assassin black fic! 3 times he’s sent after charmingly insufferable politician todd + 1 time it makes him consider a career change.

this was two and a half years ago but i remember being so excited abt the idea and then struggling Massively to write it 🤡 sometimes i toy with the idea of fleshing it out into a proper fic but i’m realistic abt my dreams now. you can check it out here!

5. moontide (tender gravity) - phayurain - 7.5k - ao3

rain’s father bans him from meeting phayu during exam season. rain decides to make this everybody’s problem. <3

this was the sweetest to write of the lot and came out very organically for a fic exchange i randomly signed up for so i was really pleased with it overall. you can read it here :)

tysm again rob for the ask!! 💝 i’m excited to pass it on to other fic writing friends! 🥳🥳🥳

–🌻

[airenyah]

bad buddy music in 23.5 degrees: ep5

(ep1 | ep2 | ep3 | ep4 | ep6 | ep7 | ep8 | ep9 | ep10 | ep11 | ep12)

in episode 5 of 23.5 degrees there was a total of one (1) pieces of royalty free music that have been featured on bad buddy too and not to be dramatic but this one actually killed me when i heard it on 23.5:

not right (instrumental version) - CLNGR

bad buddy timestamps:

ep5 pt2 - 5:28

y'all. this is the ep5 music store scene when pat finally faces the fact that he's in love with pran. i'm sobbing

23.5 degrees timestamps:

ep5 pt4 - 6:35

[bollywoodirect]

Celebrating 49 years of #Deewaar (24/01/1975).

Deewaar, one of the greatest Indian films of all time, was directed by the legendary Yash Chopra. It continues to captivate audiences with its powerful performances, compelling storytelling, and timeless themes. A major critical and commercial success upon its release, Deewar features #AmitabhBachchan in an iconic role as Vijay Verma, a dock worker who becomes a powerful underworld figure. His performance is celebrated for its raw emotion and intensity.

The film’s memorable soundtrack, composed by R.D. Burman, includes classics like "Kehdoon Tumhe, Ya Chup Rahun" and "Maine Tujhe Maanga, Tujhe Paaya Hai", which have become synonymous with the film. The entire cast, particularly Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor, deliver outstanding performances that capture the complexities of their characters. The film also stars Neetu Singh, Nirupa Roy, Parveen Babi, Iftekhar, Madan Puri, Satyen Kappu, and Manmohan Krishna.

Deewar's groundbreaking portrayal of poverty and crime in India remains powerful and relevant, exploring themes of brotherhood, corruption, and betrayal. The moral dilemmas faced by those living in poverty are highlighted through its screenplay, written by Salim–Javed, and the brilliant direction of Yash Chopra.

Nearly five decades later, Deewar continues to resonate with audiences, cementing its place in Indian cinematic history. Its impact on Indian cinema and global audiences is undeniable. For anyone who hasn’t seen Deewar, it’s a must-watch. The powerful performances, unforgettable dialogues, and timeless songs make it an essential experience for any fan of Indian cinema.

As we celebrate 49 years of this cinematic masterpiece, let's acknowledge the talents behind it: Cinematography by Kay Gee; Editing by T. R. Mangeshkar & Pran Mehra; salim Music by R. D. Burman; Lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi; Screenplay by Salim–Javed; Production by Gulshan Rai. Let's raise a glass to Deewar, a film that will forever be remembered as a true classic in Indian cinema.

[lurkingteapot]

5 Songs Tag - Queer Asian Live Action Shows Edition

@troubled-mind put this together, and @plantsarepeopletoo tagged me.

When you get this, list 5 songs from the Asian QL shows that you actually listen to. 🎶 They do not have to be custom-made for the series. 🎶 Non-western tracks only. Let's support Asian music and languages! 🎶 Feel free to tag anyone who may be interested in participating. 🎶 Add #5qls tag to your post for others to find the new favourites!

I should probably preface this with the fact that I … don't really listen to music. I mean. I do? but only when I'm learning a language, obsessed for other reasons (songs connected to a shows I love, etc), or trying to drown out other noise out. I don't even have a spotify account.

That said, here are a few songs I've listened to often enough that I can sing along to them by now or even know them by heart. This selection ended up kind of sappy, lots of ballads … l do listen to rock and hip hop, too! but those don't feature that heavily in the shows as much, unless it's Tilly Birds and while I LOVE Tilly Birds, I figure everyone already knows them.

SO.

1. 邓丽君 《月亮代表我的心》 (Teresa Teng "The Moon represents my heart")

This is a bit of an odd one – I'd known it for 12 years at the point Moonlight Chicken unveiled it as a theme song, because it's a CLASSIC. I cannot make claims about whether it's a song every Chinese person knows, but it's definitely one of those songs every person who learned Mandarin Chinese as a foreign language in the past 50 years knows. It's heartfelt. It's devastatingly simple. It's an evergreen. I love it to bits.

2. 25hours ไม่เคย (Never)

This doesn't actually make an appearance as more as a mention: Pat suggests it as a song to play for the Christmas concert in one of the flashbacks to Pat and Pran's high school days in Bad Buddy. I was (still am, arguably) obsessed with the show, so I sought it out, and it hit me like a freight train, because ouch. This was the first Thai song I learned to sing by heart, and I love it lots, still.

3. 宇多田ヒカル 「Prisoner of Love」 (Utada Hikaru)

Since we're talking queer shows in general, I get to include this! "Prisoner of Love" is the theme song to one of my all-time favourite shows, "Last Friends" (2008). It's also a really lovely one for karaoke.

4. Q Flure กันและกัน (Each Other)

THE Love of Siam song. Stuck with me. I prefer the version in the movie, but dang, this is still powerful as all get out.

5. Billkin กีดกัน (Skyline)

The entire soundtrack to ITSAY and IPYTM is FIRE, but I had to go with the OG classic here. First song I tried to copy the lyrics out for in Thai. The Chinese version is also gorgeous.

If you've made it this far, consider yourself tagged and let me know if you do this? :D

[martianloon]

Fic recs!

6/4/24

••• Bad Buddy •••

this life, what if it's you and me? by sarawatine | Rated: T | 13.7 k words | Complete

The final morning before Pran and Pat have to return to their parents, Pat unloads the burden he's been carrying alone the past few days.

-

Then, they return to their parents.

••• KinnPorsche •••

Our Hearts, Bathed in Lightning by The_Old_Astronomer | Rated: G | 27.6 k words | Complete

Chay has been afraid of storms ever since he can remember. When one hits the tower, he doesn't know who to go to. Porsche shares a room with Kinn now, so Chay can't exactly go and climb into bed in between them. Scared and alone, he decides to wait it out in his room...until someone comes knocking at his door.

~~

He begins to take another step away from Kim when he feels something catch his wrist. Even in the dark, he’d know Kim’s touch anywhere.

It sends warm sparks skittering up his arm that have nothing to do with the electricity outside. They sink into his skin and heat up his bloodstream, a small legion of fireflies turning his cells to stardust.

He turns partially back towards Kim right as the tower’s emergency generator kicks in and soft gold light glows to life in the hallway, haloing Kim from behind.

Bad Apples by Water_Nix | Rated: M | 91 k words | Complete

A KP potential season two featuring: Detectives KimChay, Kinn mostly feeling stressed out, Porsche and Vegas maybe sorta friends?, reluctant wingman Macau, Tankhun not really dealing with his shit—but he’s trying, okay?, and Pete’s along for the ride and bashing skulls all the way. And oh yeah, everybody hates Korn.

••• Love in the Air •••

breathe, darling, it’s just a chapter, not your whole story by Moriano | Rated: T | 17.4 k words | Complete

Part 3 of embracing you, loving you, treasuring you

“P’Pai, no.”

“Sky, yes.”

They’ve been at it for some time now; arms crossed, expressions hard, eyes boring into each other. Neither wants to give up.

Sky earns a chance to go abroad for internship but refuses. Buffled Prapai wants to convience him otherwise. They talk. Things happen.

••• MDZS/The Untamed •••

Lan Yuan’s non-exhaustive list of people his father may be in love with by lalala53 | Rated: T | 27.6 k words | Complete

Lan Yuan’s dad used to play a song when he was a kid. Looking back, Lan Yuan’s sure it was a love song—but written for who? Who was his dad so in love with? And why won’t he talk about it?

Or: Lan Yuan wants to know why the mention of his father’s name causes people to shatter their wine glasses

••• Six of Crows •••

the meadow by inconstant_moon | Rated: T | 37 k words | Complete

“Jordie,” he says, slowly so Jordie can hear and understand. “This is a dream.”

Jordie tilts his head, laughs boisterously, but there is no sound. Kaz cannot remember his brother’s laugh. He cannot remember his voice. The details are wrong because Kaz does not know enough to correct them. It is the same mistake every night.

“No, it’s not,” Jordie corrects. He uses Kaz’s captured pawn to wave to the poppies. “Look at the flowers, Kaz.”

OR: Kaz schemes, dreams, and avoids his feelings until they catch up to him with vengeance. Mostly at Nina's hands.

••• Stranger Things •••

give up on me if you want to, we both know you won't by chamb3rs | Rated: T | 9.3 k words | Complete

August 26th, 1985

Mike-

For the love of God, stop leaving your tuna sandwiches in our locker, it smells like someone died, seriously. I will throw away your lunch box if I see it in here before noon and I'm not kidding. Your mom can send me an invoice.

-Max

or; Mike and Max are assigned the same locker during their freshman year of high school. It goes about as well as you'd expect. Better, maybe.

[respectthepetty]

Hi!!!

I haven’t even fully watched Last Twilight (I think I’m on episode 2 lol) but I’ve kept up with all the gifs and metas and let me say I am ANGRY at Day after the snippets I’ve gotten on tumblr about breaking up with Mhork. I hope they don’t get back together in episode 12 because let’s be real, that boy deserves better!!! I hope Day realizes his mistake but it’s too late because he hurt Mhork so deeply. Mhork literally gave Day his heart and soul and explained all of his raw trauma and then Day threw it on the ground and stomped on it just because of his own insecurities!!! I’m so angry I don’t think I’m going to enjoy actually watching the show because I’m just going to be glaring at Day the whole time. I hope Mhork goes to Hawaii and finds happiness and Day reflects on his life 😤

-MA

MA, I can't encourage you to finish it or not. That's not my style. But I know Aof deserves my watch. He has given me great show after great show and all have featured excellent queer stories. Not only has he written some of these shows, he has directed them as well as produced even more!

I respect Aof.

Which is why even though Only Friends is in Petty Prison and I hated it unlike others who greatly enjoyed it, I finished it because Jojo, much like Aof, has given me so many other great watching experiences like The Warp Effect and 3 Will Be Free. Because what is one bad moment in the grand scheme of Jojo's career or Aof's outstanding career?

And here is the other thing:

I hated Bad Buddy.

Which was also from Aof. I hated it while watching it when Pat was shot on Christmas Eve. I hated when it was done because of that "breakup" at the end of episode 11 and the continued ruse in episode 12 even though the audience had been in on all their shenanigans up until that point. I hated that it was paired with Aof's masterpiece A Tale of Thousand Stars in the Our Skyy installments just so I would have to see Pat and Pran keep pretending they weren't in a relationship even they were actively watching a queer couple breaking up. And I'll always hate it.

But the crowd loved it.

So . . . I believe the crowd is going to love the ending of Last Twilight too while I'm still chilling here six years from now mad about the ending of episode 11 since I'm petty.

I hold grudges and water them daily like plants in a garden. Be My Favorite forgave Knot even though he was awful every second of his screen time. *points hose in its direction* Teh stayed messing up in I Told Sunset About You then had the audacity to cheat in I Promised You the Moon. *blasts some water in its direction* Team needed therapy in Between Us not sex. *turns sprinkler on* HIStory 3: Make Our Days Count exists. *dumps a bucket of water on the ground*

Perhaps wait until the last episode has aired and check the tags. I assure you there will be plenty of people who love it. They will be singing the shows praises and how amazing the narrative was. People will be laughing about how we even questioned the genius of the show after this episode instead of trusting the process.

But as for me, hopefully Night and Phojai are getting married and the simple fact that I am rooting harder for the hets in a BL finale should tell y'all all you need to know about my petty ass.

Now excuse me as I need to go start digging a little hole for the newest addition in my Grudge Garden.