#unforgotten media

[unforgotten-mija]

📸: Unforgotten Media

!!ARIZONA!!

Link in Bio 🔗

[tobiasforms]

[bahrtofane]

about time

things have always been easy with trent, attached to the hip since you could remember. your other half, his biggest supporter. things were bound to turn romantic no? everyone was rooting for it, secretly you always were too. 

your first date as a couple goes more or less how you planned, awkward and full of teasing. 

word count : 3.1K+

watch it : mild jealousy, cuties, fluff fluff, kinda domestic near the end?

—--

“eat your food." 

you squint, "what the hell else am i doing, you eat your food."

he scoffs, "im literally half way done with my plate."

"it's literally not even a proper portion of course you're almost done." you point at his tiny little section of steak on about a tablespoon of mash potatoes. 

he waves you off and makes a comment about the "liberty of a kitchen."

you ignore this and take another bite of whatever the hell you ordered. you don't remember. you were too busy trying not to focus too much on the man in front of you.  the all black outfit is insanity, you know he only went for it because you told him ages ago all black looks the best on him. and now here you are. suffering

you just nodded to whatever the waitress was saying. though she could have done with less ogglying at your date. your trent. 

you take pride in knowing your his go to, his best friend, his #1. you've been by his side longer than you can remember being without. he's your other half in every sense. before the fame and money, lavish life and dwindling time. he's always been yours somehow. 

maybe you should've known at some point that feelings were bound to be brewing. 

everyone and their mother had told you. hell, even your own mother had told you so. but you waved them off. he's my friend, no trent is my best friend, ew no that would be so weird, i can't even stand hin on a good day, he's annoying, nope just friends. 

now look at you. seated across from each other, his sleeves rolled up while you eat in candle light. the dark blue drapery of the establishment makes this feel way more intimate than needed. and the chandeliers that hang over your head are enough to make you stare in wonder. 

his sharp features almost soften like this, tucked away in a far corner away from prodding eyes and unnecessary media attention. where it's only the two of you in your little bubble, and the soft live piano that travels from the main foye. you enjoy this, but mainly you enjoy him. 

you noticed he cleaned up his facial hair for this, it makes your heart melt. the silver jewelry that shines on his golden skin is a mirror of the silver that drapes across you. he told you to wear silver. the maniac. he planned this all the way down to the damn jewelry. 

(the both of you are matching in general, which makes you feel something closer to insanity, it gives you a thrill when people’s gazes wash over the two of you and they can so easily tell you are here together. for each other. the stares you got while walking in don't go unforgotten.)

he's the one who dragged you to this restaurant, one much more fancy that you care for. any establishment that calls for floor length dresses to eat is above you, but he insisted. even taking time to tell you how stunning you looked on the way here. your cheeks were on fire the whole time you tried to come up with a counter, failing miserably and just telling him he looked handsome too. 

what a gentleman, driving you here and keeping a hand on yours the whole time. you were sweating the whole time. this whole thing is new to you. but you try not to explode while you sit across from him, sipping on your water to avoid eye contact. 

trent pretends to suddenly be very interested in the silverware, but you don't miss the way his gaze still manages to shift over to you, landing somewhere between your eyes and lips.

you sigh loudly, your appetite disappearing while you push your plate in front of you. 

"do not even start." he warns, fork raised and pointed at you. 

"i didn't even do anything ! what's with you tonight. "

"could ask you the same thing," he mumbles between mouthfuls of his steak, "you're being, very weird."

"im on a dinner date with you how else do you want me to act."

he coughs awkwardly at this, "i don't know ! normally. you haven't made fun of my shoes yet. where's the old grouchy evil and conniving friend i know. you're too, " he waves his fork in the air trying to find the right word, "civil."

you snort, "that's a mouthful. i don't know this whole dynamic shift is taking a while to get used to, " you shrug.

"we need to stop saying i don't know so often." he sighs, rubbing his eyes aggressively. 

you choose to ignore that bit, "and i need to be civil in public or your adoring fans might have my head."

he rolls his eyes, "that's a stretch."

you wave him off with a hand, "you never know. crazy people do crazy things."

he looks at you fondly at this, giving you one of his signature smiles, you look away and change the subject as fast as you can think. you don't need weak knees in a high end establishment. 

"you know i would've been just fine with takeout and a movie." you mumble softly.

he gives you a soft look " i know, but i wanted to make it special. take you out somewhere nice for a change. we never do that."

"you're not going to let me pay are you?" you muse.

he gives you a look, "im offended you even brought that up. i hope you know you're never going to be paying for things ever again right."

"and i hope you know i'm going to fight you over it the whole way through."

he finds this amusing, "yeah yeah yeah shut up and eat your food, i think my socks are sliding off my foot."

"i don't want to hear about your sweaty foot while i eat trent, gross." you fake gag. 

"cry about it." he dead pans. 

you narrow your eyes at him, "i'm going to talk about the pimple i popped on my shoulder, in great detail. is that what you want?"

"ew gross hell no. no more socks or feet geez." he scoffs. 

you cackle, "problem solved then."

he rolls his eyes but goes back to eating anyway, cutting his steak with way too much force than necessary. 

you on the other hand have to play tug of war with the fabric of your dress in order to keep it where you want it. 

"you want to leave don't you?" he comments. 

"that obvious?" he nods, "yep," popping the p.

"i don't want it to seem like I'm ungrateful for the effort or anything, because i swear it's not like that. i'm happy to be with you regardless and yeah. we don't have to leave." you try to explain. 

as much as you enjoy spending time with him this isn't your scene. you're aching to go home, and so are you poor ankles. these heels can only be worn for so long and they are coming up on their expiration date for the night. maybe trent can help take them- no fuck. bad. bad bad. this is a dinner, you're at dinner be civil. 

trent seems to be none the wiser as his attention remains on you. 

"why would we stay if you don't want to ?" he looks at you confused, brows drawn together, arm propped up against the table while he waits for an explanation. 

"because you're the one who wanted to come here?" "so? if you wanna go home then we'll go home."

home. oh. he's starting to refer to his house as home. for the both of you. that does something to you, you're almost dizzy. god how can one person be so sweet. 

"we can finish up and head home? i really don't mind." you suggest. 

he hums at this, "alright then. we’re stopping by the chinese place you like so much, you didn't even eat. "

"to be fair, the portions are the size of my pinkie and i think they took too much creative liberty in the kitchen." you wrinkle your nose. 

he giggles, that shy little spurt of laughter, the one you love so much and always try to coax out of him, "i forget the flavors can be uh, adventurous with most of their dishes. "

you chuckle, "definitely adventurous."

he flags down the waitress from earlier who bats her eyelashes one too many times at him while you roll your eyes. he gives you a glare while he pays, before you can open your mouth. while you get up, dusting your dress down, he presses you flush to him, effectively shutting down any advances. you can't help but grin at the little act. even if your skin is on fire from the contact.

your lead out the back by one of the valets to avoid the busy main section and the endless cameras that wait for you from the front.

you step out to a colder night than you expected, rubbing your arms in a futile attempt to warm yourself up. the valet steps away to retrieve his car while you shiver harder than a skeleton animatronic in a halloween pop up store. 

trent notices, coming up behind you to wrap both arms around your waist, pulling you close. 

"cold?" he has the nerve to ask, flush against you and the damn dress that clings against your skin, his breath tickles your ear while you lick your lips nervously. his arms are much more muscular up close. the whole of him is, you can feel the efforts of his training as they hold you. good lord you're going to lose your mind. and the chest you're pressed up against? do not.

"a little." you whisper back, afraid to say much more.  

he hums, rubbing your arms for you, sending goosebumps all the way down your spine, and he has the audacity to chuckle at your reaction. 

"cars gonna be here soon."

you can only nod dumbly.

he unlatches when the car comes into view. thanking the man with a clap on shoulder, almost like an old friend, and a generous tip.

he opens the door for you, holding his arm out to help you balance, sweet of him. 

you duck inside while he says his last thanks and goodbyes to the valet, turning on the heat first thing when he gets inside. 

the drive is silent, not much to talk about after you confessed your love to each other just days before. 

you could almost laugh at the complete 180 from this week to the last. youre so so glad it ended up this way nonetheless. you don't think you could handle another second suffering in silence. 

how it all went down makes you cry in full honesty. it was an argument. over fucking instagram. you were bitching about the girls who are on his dick and he called you over protective and you defended yourself because duh. that somehow had spiraled into how he's insane, and then your relationship. and then you stormed out, don't ask, you don't remember. 

he tracked you down at your place with flowers as an apology and you just lost it, because what kind of friend gets flowers and calls in just platonic?

lucky for the both of you it wasnt platonic, not to him, not to you. 

he confessed first, that you were more important to him than any of the women he follows combined and so much more. you're his everything can't you see that? he loves you, in every sense. he hates seeing you upset so please, don't cry. 

you kissed him, slow and hesitant while he broke out in giggles. 

"does that mean what i think it does ?" he had whispered against your lips. 

you nodded, shy and tender. 

"i need to hear it. please, say it." breathless, at the cusp of losing his grip on everything. 

"i love you trent, more than i think i can explain. you are my other half yeah? my everything."

and so here you are, watching the shapes of the city breeze past you as the gps guides you to your beloved chinese take out. you can almost taste the noodles you're so ready for it you're starving. 

a hand rests on your thigh, softly tracing shapes the rest of the way there and you hide a smile. you don't think you'll ever get used to any of this new found affection. things you once only day dreamed of having now right in front of you.

you're drowsy by the time you pull into the familiar parking lot. you giggle at just how ridiculous the two of you look. stepping out of a probably hundred thousand dollar car, if not more. dressed like you're going to the ballon d'or. all while walking into a quiet little family own take out spot. 

trent takes your hand again, while you fight to bunch up your dress to get over the obnoxious curve. 

he fights a smile while locking the car behind you. 

"you try getting over this mountain in heels and this long ass dress i dare you." you hiss. 

he snorts but keeps his mouth shut as you inside the familiar space. sighing in glee. 

the kind older woman who always takes your orders doesn't bat an eye at your dress, but welcomes you with a warm hug. 

“the usual?” she beams, even at this time of night. cheery as ever. 

“yes please !”

she smiles, getting to work making your order while you drum against your thigh. bad habit. 

you’re very thankful it’s as late as it is, the place is dead empty. a little safe haven. 

you reach into your purse but mr “i’ll pay for it all” stops you. 

you tsk, “come on this is my spot. i want to tip her well. let me at least have this after that fancy meal.”

“i said i would pay,” he states firmly. 

“i know, but paying here is special to me. and i want it to come from my hand. she deserves it after all the kindness she’s shown to me over the years.” you gesture to her wrapping up your boxes. 

you remember when you used to be a student low on cash, she would always fill your plate with double of everything or just give you the next size up, and extra dessert, free drink. the little things, life is all about the little things. 

he sighs, “fine fine. i won’t take this away from you. “

you smile, giving him a quick peck on the cheek. he waits for you on the side while you go up to the counter. 

she smiles at you knowingly, “finally made a move on that one huh?” 

you blush, “we both made moves and things worked out well. “

she grins, “finally. i thought it would never happen, you know. maybe i’ll get to see your kids too huh?”

you chuckle, kids with trent huh. not a bad idea, “maybe you will.” you sigh fondly. handing her the money. 

you hand a few boxes to trent and motion to the door before she catches on. but it’s a little late. 

you sneak out of there while she’s yelling at you to take your change, “keep it ! it’s all for you !!” you shout back. giggling while you and trent make your escape. 

the ride to his house is filled with laughter and you don’t ever remember being happier. 

its all giggles and shy smiles as he leads you up to his home, hand in hand while you race up the steps and make a dash for the elevator. the door man gives you too a look but doesn’t comment, yet. you know he will sooner or later but you don’t care. 

the take out boxes are split in between the two of you as you hold them snug against your chest. humming softly as the elevator opens. 

the ride up is filled with soft teasing, and more compliments. 

"im serious!" he shoves you gently, "you look, incredible." 

your face burns with enough heat to power an oven, his words do a number on you and all you want is to hear them over and over. but you don't say this. 

"you look so handsome trent." is all you find to reply back. 

a shy smile is what you get in return as the elevator opens. the walk is familiar but your feet are making it feel much longer than needed. 

he opens the door and you dont waste a second collapsing on his couch, groaning at the pressure finally being off your feet. he takes the boxes from your hands and sets them on the living room table, kicking his shoes off somewhere as he organizes them just how you like. 

"eat first then change?" he takes a seat next to you. 

you shake your head, "don't wanna ruin the dress."

"alright," he nods

you attempt to get up but your feet are swollen by the looks of it and you could cry at the though of taking another step in these damned heels. 

you reach over carefully to begin the effort of getting them of you but holy fuck is it taking much longer than needed.

"you're taking so long," he groans, scooting down to raise right ankle to rest gently in his knee, hands working slowly. 

you sigh in sweet sweet relief when the intricate lacing finally comes undone and your foot can breathe. he does the same to the left, bringing it up to rest against your right.

 your head falls back against the couch cushions, eyes closed and relaxed. it gives you a moment to really appreciate it all. to appreciate him. 

you crack your eyes open when he gives your leg a gentle tap, all done. 

you swing your feet back to the ground, scooting up closer to him. it's a beat of silence where he watches you, wait for your move. and you press gentle kisses on both cheeks, then nose, one on his forehead, and finally his lips. 

he can't keep his hands to himself at the end, a hand finds your waist, tugging you closer to him, impossibly close. the other cups your cheek gently. 

you won't part till you run out of air, panting gently against each other's skin.

"thank you." you mumble against his lips.

he hums, "anything for you. you know what."

you could reach the clouds like this, could reach the stars.

[sleepanonymous]

Good evening fear I'd like to say it's been a while But really I have seen enough of you to last a lifetime In the gap between a smile and every unforgotten tear...

Recently I've read between the lines Outside the supermarkets Selling every single type of positive emotion Stacked in tiny little bottles Filled with tiny little bubbles That rise like stones that Wished for more than lying there Inanimate and hopeless at the bottom of a riverbed Projecting every parallel of my life In a vacuum-packed synthetic hell What have I done?

How am I supposed to be a human being? When I'm so scared of the future How are we supposed to function? When all we know is we're running out of time

Propaganda melting through this magazine Reflected in computer screens A manufactured fame machine Coming to a cinema near you To tell you you're one of the lucky few Who gets see things from a different view High above the famine and the pain relief pills And I've got too much time to kill Too much empty space to fill With crumpled sheets of paper Failed attempts at finding out why This adolescent outcry is drowned Beneath a sea of empty visions

How am I supposed to be a human being? When I'm so scared of the future How are we supposed to function? When all we know is we're running out of time

This is all we need This is all we need Is this all we need?

(What are you afraid of?)

Yeah, I reckon it'd be hard for Ves not to make every song completely depressing too. Just take a look at his discography so far.

ALSO!! I have an update for the Lost Media folder of my Google Drive. Due to some requests, I added three MP3s that aren't necessarily baby Ves on vocals, but a partner while he plays the piano/keyboard. I have a cover of Katy Perry's I Kissed a Girl, a cover of Etta James's At Last, and a cover of Gabrielle Aplin's The Power of Love.

[fadelbison]

Hi, thanks for saying that a bunch of dudes vibing is not cheapening the meaning of queer found family. It honestly makes me sad that people look at queer found family as something that can't just be light and wholesome. Queerness does not have to be focussed on pain/trauma, in fact it makes me so happy that in this show it isn't. We can be queer and have queer found family and just vibe, we deserve that

Of course!!! My sole purpose in life is to validate as many queer experiences that I possibly can. To be fair to bengiyo (the user I was responding to) I don't think it's the absence of pain or trauma that invalidates We Are as found family for him. I don't want to put any extra words in his mouth over what was exchanged between us in the replies of this post and this post. I value that he has opinions to give and am happy that he feels like he has the space to share them.

Having said that, I would very much like to stop being in conversation with this concept that there are parameters around queer found family, that there are capitalist or puritanical lenses through which we must view queer themes/media. These types of opinions are really upsetting to me and I happen upon them a little too often in the BL fandom.

If we have to use those terms then these are mine:

I want queer found family to be cheap, I want queer comfort to be cheap. I want bad queer representation as much as I want good queer representation. Unforgotten Night is as valuable as KinnPorsche.

Yes, we deserve light and fluffy stories, we deserve stories that are vibes more than plot. We deserve it all. But of course coming back to the actual drama that sparked this: "We Are" - I think the main problem is that people think it's shallow but it's just not. If it was shallow then people would just move on. But people can't move on because they have no idea what to do with it and that confusion sticks. I really think if the people who dislike it could stop seeing it as shallow then their own distaste for it would make more sense

Being light and being shallow are different things. We are is both intelligent and has an incredible amount of depth in the context of the BL genre. Yes, queer found family is whatever a queer person watches and feels that comfort of being known and loved in a relationship. But even amidst general standards of found family representation? We Are has excellent representation of found family. It's actually on the upper end of this type of representation in BL. What is the number one thing people say when they say how much they love We Are? The friendships. Where the fuck are queer people finding their chosen families if not amongst friends?

[befuddledcinnamonroll]

Twins - final thoughts

Well, this has been a week, y'all. But we saw the end of one of our current chaos shows, and wow, do I have mixed feelings.

I really love this post by @heretherebedork, because it so perfectly captures how I see shows. It can be the messiest, silliest, weirdest thing possible (see my love for Midnight Museum and Unforgotten Night), as long as it has heart.

And although it had moments, I think Twins lost its heart along the way.

Pros:

Frame & Ryan. These two were such great finds, and they carried so much of this show on their charisma and chemistry. They do enemies to lovers and romantic tension really well.

I also liked Kong a lot. He's so nice to look at, and I like him playing on social media with Frame and Ryan. He did well with this show and For Him, but can we please make him a non-asshole next time? Or throuple? Throuple works.

Sprite and First were both great characters. Sprite was my favorite kind of charming idiot, and I loved First being the man of cold exterior who melts when he finds love.

The side characters. Not all of them, mind, but a good chunk of them. I liked the volleyball crew, they all had distinct characterization, and worked as a group.

Good acting (again by most, not all). There were a lot of moments the actors were let down by the writing, but they really tried to make the most of what they had.

It was very unpredictable and unique, I'll give it that.

Cons:

I think what's hard with this show is that there were moments of such high potential, and that bothers me more than shows that are clearly aiming for a low bar. The moments where Sprite was exhausting himself trying to live up to his family's expectations were such good setup for a story of discovering one's self-worth through other means. First struggling to ever feel seen was such a good setup for how you can find people who will see you, even if your family never will. These ideas could have intersected so perfectly! And it just...didn't go anywhere.

The twins premise wasn't used to full potential. I mean sure, we'll likely never get a "twin banged out of a coma" again, but you can still be creative! Twins should = hijinks! The team never even finds out, that would have been prime ending fodder.

Zee sucked. Just super sucked. Does he even like volleyball? Who cares? I sure don't.

Look, I get that family is very important to a lot of cultures - it is to mine! But those parents were awful, Zee was awful, Sprite almost killed himself trying to help them, and we're supposed to believe they're all just happy hanging out at the end? Noooooo. I don't like this kind of "family above all" kind of stuff.

The last few episodes started to feel more than like they were missing heart, it felt more heartless. Poor First. He was never actually first for anyone, not even Sprite. (See when Zee admitted he hurt First by saying he never liked him, and Sprite's biggest reaction is excitement that he's dating Salmon).

So there ya go. Has its moments, has some really fun stuff with Sprite & First, but with our current overwhelming slate of releases, don't worry if you haven't gotten around to it. Just look at the cute gifs for it.

[aliceisathome]

I was tagged by @waitmyturtles so here's my Thai QL Favorites Tag Game answers! Brief because arghh, not able to spend lots of time on anything bloody fun at the moment.

Favorite Thai BL: I love so many but it just has to be Until We Meet Again. For all its flaws (Pharm's blushing maiden, New's pedestrian direction etc) it's a masterpiece of storytelling and a perfect cast. And it still makes me ugly cry when I rewatch it. Bad Buddy comes a close second though

Current Obsession: I'm too swamped to have a current obsession. I'm so behind I haven't even watched The Eight Sense yet. I had to pause Be My Favourite after ep 2. I can't start anything new so currently only rewatch favourite bits of already consumed media. Sob.

Favorite Pairing: I'm wavering between PatPran and DeanPharm. And AePete...

Most Underrated Actor: There are a couple of actors that I'd just like to see in more things because whenever they appear they elevate the whole drama. Tonnam Piamchon is a proper scene stealer and I'd love to see him lead something out. I'm surprised there hasn't been a proper lead for First (not that one) Piyankul as well.

Favorite Character: Pat. He may be an eejit but once he realises how he feels he's all in, forever. I love that man.

Favorite Side Character: Can I have Toh's entire friendship group from Secret Crush On You? I love all of them.

Favorite Scene in a BL: I won't pick one and you can't make me. Some I love because they're fabulous, some because they are so bad they're good, others make my heart clench. A few of my many highlights include; In and Korn so happy on the beach in UWMA, the rooftop kiss in BB, Daisy and In's noodle flirtation in SCOY, White and Sean at Pride in Not Me, the airport scene in ATOTS, and as a gloriously over-the-top bit of pulpy goodness, Kim descending the stairs in his best Alexis Carrington imitation to confront Cherry in Unforgotten Night. Then there's this one:

Favorite Line in a BL: "In this world, you can be afraid of anything. I will always be beside you, but you cannot be afraid of me" Win to Team in UWMA

Most Anticipated BL (& Why): เขมจิราต้องรอด Cherry Magic with TayNew OF COURSE. I think we all know why. Middleman's Love because TutorYim - aww. And Only Friends because Jojo's got free rein and a fabulous cast.

Healthiest relationship in a BL: PatPran, Li Ming and Heart, despite their youth. and ultimately DeanPharm.

Most Toxic Relationship in a BL: Lots of people are going to have TharnType in this spot. I suspect these people have forgotten Dr Bright and Farm from Together With Me, or Techno and Kengkla from LBC and LBC2. Tharn and Type are pure as the driven snow in comparison.

Guilty Pleasure Series: Love Mechanics - look I just love my spiky boy Mark and my hopeless boy Vee and their messy, messy relationship.

I won't tag anyone - do it if you fancy!

[blbeloved]

The first feminist review of Unforgotten Night is out!

“One of the things about living in a global media environment dominated by western world views is that it can limit our ability to imagine a world where that view of human relations isn’t the dominant paradigm.

Transgressive art that queers a female gaze to help expand our aspirations of what is possible beyond the socially and sexually normative is necessarily contested terrain.

That’s why it should come as no surprise to the many millions who have enjoyed Unforgotten Night The Series, that the social media commentary for this BL series became a battlefield among western fans.

The largely Anglophone battle was between outdated ideas typically used in the fight-back against the de-dentering of entrenched homonormative western scripts, and more aspirational, queer Asian views about power, eroticism and masculinity.

If you are an international viewer who viewed this series through that lens this review is for you.”

[unforgotten-mija]

📸 : Unforgotten Media

!!ARIZONA!!

Link in Bio 🔗

[forkaround]

Thai BL and Writing

Okay, so I have something to say.

Thai BL and Writing

I don't, even for a second think, that Thai BL has bad writing.

I'm mentioning this comment specifically because of what they talk about as the flaws - logic, consistency, character motivation or common sense.

I think where a lot of people trip up is thinking that when writers write a contemporary thing that it is set in the real world. Unless it is a true story (and even those aren't 100% factual. But then that's why you have documentaries), the world is built from the ground up even if it is a contemporary, seems like real life setting.

Now to break down the flaws -

Logic and Common Sense - I don't think these two should be applied to any piece of fiction let alone BLs. One reason is if character acted with 100% logic and common sense you most likely won't have most stories. And while on paper it sounds like a good idea it takes away humanity and honesty from any character. Also Logic and Common Sense are actually subjective. Everyone has had an experience where you thought something was obvious but the other person was completely oblivious to it.

What is to be focused on, in any piece of writing, is the themes, the story, what it makes you feel, if there is honesty in the characters (mind you, honesty and truthfulness are not the same thing.)

I think, many times, if someone comes from a different background they might not understand why someone did xyz. Especially true for Western Audiences trying to understand Asian Media as we saw with GAP. Another thing might be someone looking at a thing and going - this is not my world! Meaning that they, in their lives, in the subjective lives don't think that this is how the world works. And this is pretty common and understandable mistake to make.

The other two were - Consistency and Character Motivations.

The example they use is Bad Buddy. Honestly, I don't see it. I have other examples (Specifically from this year) - The Eclipse, Big Dragon, Kinnporsche, Secret Crush on You, Love in the Air, GAP, Not Me, Triage, My Secret Love, hell, even Unforgotten Night and Ai Long Nhai have those two things.

What I always say about this is do not apply real world ideals to fictional works. It's pointless and useless. You won't win. Writing isn't about checking boxes. Writing is about feeling things. SCOY and GAP, even UFN, are absurd pieces of media, and every step of the way you feel these characters. You're not supposed to understand / relate to them so that you can say 'I would do this same thing in the same situation'. That's antithetical to writing. It's antithetical to any form of art. I see this is YA Fantasy too. It's first person POV and there is this expectation that - I'm aka the reader, is the Main Character. This is solely a thing placed upon the character and writer by an inexperienced, often privileged reader. You're not supposed to sympathize. You're supposed to empathize.

I've talked about in general so far but...

This was under a NLMG complain post I made. If you follow me you would know I have no love lost for Never Let Me Go. I think it's badly written. Why? Because it breaks worldbuilding. Plenty of shows I mentioned before lose steam towards the end but they never lose the worldbuilding or themes and that is what matters.

For eg: The Eclipse. (Coz they are both GMMTV) There is one scene that exemplifies their losing steam the best. The Akk Ayan mutual Pin scene. It's not the content itself that shows this. It's that from whatever the previous scene was, they are suddenly in Akk's room, put pins on each other, they are somewhere else. Even something so short, that's anticipated since ep 1, still needs build up and fade out. Without it the whole thing feels jarring and out of place but thematically this was where it was always headed.

NLMG begins by treating the Mafia as a serious thing. Kit even chops a finger in from of his son. It's supposed to be serious. But as the episodes progress, especially once Tanya is shot. It's no longer so. Compare this to other Mafia involving BLs. - Kinnporsche, LITA, UFN. They are all tonally different to each other. You can't confuse one for the other. They all still treat Mafia with the seriousness it deserves. NLMG is much more serious compared to those three. It has an overall heavy vibe. But the Mafia is taken seriously only by Chopper.

That's all Watsonian. A little Doylism now: When anyone attaches the word Mafia to anything there is a weight the institution of Mafia carries. Everyone alive is aware of this. Thus it's absurd to have something that has a universal connotation and not delivering on it after you've established it in universe to have the same connotation as it does outside of it.

Thus,

Logic and Common Sense are not as objective as most people think.

Any individuals lived experience is not the same as another's and trying to make it so is foolish and a folly.

Thai BL has good writing. People just trip over what that means all the time. Eg: LITA's PayuRain part. '~It has not plot~'

Art is not meant to be a point by point checklist. It's sole job is to make you(the audience) feel.

You (a writer) can't take a commonly understood thing and throw what's inside away because you just want the aesthetic.

[markdaviscv]

Series 7 get recommissioned after great viewing figures: https://www.itv.com/presscentre/media-releases/unforgotten-recommissioned-following-critical-acclaim-and-audience-reaction

[gooseberrily]

☆☆☆ hiiiii welcome to my page !!! :^] ☆☆☆

☆ purple character enjoyer ☆ roddy from flushed away lookalike ☆ i like historical / period drama / comedy / puzzle games ☆ i sometimes make stuff ☆ a sample directory of media i have enjoyed is under the cut ! :]

cranford

jane austen

elizabeth gaskell

downton abbey

sherlock holmes / granada holmes

all creatures great and small (2020)

lark rise to candleford

sommer in lesmona (novel)

jeeves and wooster

the winslow boy

george gently

the hour

home fires

pushing daisies

pentiment

the pillars of the earth (2017 video game)

master & commander / aubreyad

hornblower

a knight's tale

cabin pressure

welcome to our village, please invade carefully

making fiends

ojamajo doremi

monk

better call saul (technically a period drama & a comedy. discuss)

breaking bad

succession

severance

fargo

mord mit aussicht

unforgotten

the bear

pachinko

word of honor

professor layton

ace attorney

disco elysium

puzzle agent

sam & max

monkey island

☆ saved (resources etc)

☆ faves

[unforgottenalcoldcases]

We just wanted to pop in here quickly to wish all of you a #MerryChristmas and peace for you and your families!

We are thankful every day for all of you out there who have been following #ACCA on social media and #Unforgotten and for continually sharing the awareness of these unsolved missing and murdered cold cases in Alabama. Each share, every new person who sees these posts or hears the stories, increases their reach.

You are the best present we could ask for because you may bring these grieving families a step closer to answers about their loved ones.

#AllIWantForChristmas is #NoMoreColdCases 🎄⚖️✨🕊

[absolutebl]

2023 UPCOMING BL

Okay, these are all the BLs (I know of) that have been announced for 2023. Not counting stuff currently airing. All of this must be considered SPECULATIVE. Don’t you dare blame me if these don’t happen. You read this post knowing that. Agreed? Please remember:

7 Golden rules of BL!

Never trust:

a Thai trailer,

a Viki Category,

a Vietnamese sub,

an MDL description,

a Taiwanese title,

Japan,

or a BL made before 2014.

FAQ: How long does it usually take from an announcement to getting more info on a BL being made?

Because people have asked I have put the ones I am most excited about in bold. 

Vietnamese & Pinoy BL not chronicled, it's just too challenging. 

Supposedly Jan 2023 

01/29 The End Of The World, With You AKA Bokura no Micro na Shuumatsu - Japan for Gag Trailer. Stars Toshiki Seto (Senpai, This Can't Be Love). In 10 days, the world will be destroyed by a meteor. To spend his remaining time as comfortably as possible, bad-luck magnet Masumi decides to visit the library and read as much as he wants until the end comes. There he meets the one man from his past that he never wanted to see again, Ritsu. You should expect this to end badly.

The Luminous Solution - Thai, PTG Entertainment: Stars Gun Napat (Love By Chance/ Golden Blood), Bhu Bhudis (Manner Of Death)

Hit Bite Love - Thai Jinloe Media Works. BONKERS incomprehensible MDL description. 

Nilundon - Thai: Postponed from 2021 to recast one of the leads, never a good sign. Ensemble of 2 BLs + 1 GL, featuring adult characters, cafe, rich/poor. About a freelance photographer and heir to a famed Seoul hotel and restaurant business who, following a family death, returns to Thailand and meets a gregarious young barista. Side romances: producer is head-over-heels in love with her YouTubing bestie, and a veterinarian falls in love with the lead character’s impish cousin.

Time The Series - Thai (trailer), lakorn we think, not strictly BL 

Supposedly Feb 2023

02/10 Egoist - Japan This is about an openly gay but vein and superficial man (Hio) who falls in love with a personal trainer (Ryohei) who is stuck taking care of his sick mother. It’s not BL, it’s gay coming of age and we can’t expect it to end happily. Still, I’ll try to watch it. Japanese movies are notoriously difficult to get ahold of, tho. One of my absolute favorite Japanese actors Hio Miyazawa (from His the movie) has the lead in this movie adaptation of Makoto Takayama’s autobiographical novel Egoist. He’ll be opposite super famous actor Ryohei Suzuki.

02/14 Moments Of Love - Thai (Foremorfilm Production) Trailer Golf Tanwarin (609 Bedtime Story & The Eclipse) directs SmartJames (LeonPhob from Don't Say No).

02/18 Chains of Heart - Thai Trailer Suspense thriller about a forest ranger, smugglers, memory loss, and lost love. Stars Haii (Cirrus in TT2) and Poppy (Porpla in YYY). Adapted from a Y-novel of the same name by TJ Tommy.

02/27 Tin Tam Jai - Thai (MFlow Entertainment on iQIYI) Tin has always been secretly in love with P'Phak son of the neighborhood baker. Producers behind Ai Long Nhai and Coffee Melody so don't expect much.

Supposedly March 2023

03/09 Love Syndrome (characters from Unforgotten Night) - Thai trailer Day and It have been together for 2 years. An accident leaves Day seriously injured and It blames himself. Then Day wakes up with amnesia. (stars Frank of FrankDrake) based on a y-novel.

JAPAN 2023 

Our Dining Table AKA Bokura no Shokutaku - Mira Ori's BLOVED manga (especially be me) is getting an adaptation (HOPEFULLY THIS YEAR)! Lonely salaryman (talented cook) gets accidentally adopted by a college kid and his baby brother. They build a family together. This is a sweetly gentle and cozy manga and it will make a GREAT live action piece. I’ve recommended the manga in the past to anyone who likes BLs like Ingredients, To My Star, What Did You Eat Yesterday? and I think we are in for similar gay domesticity to Old Fashion Cupcake with this adaptation YAY!

My Beautiful Man Eternal AKA Utsukushii Kare 2 - trailer I’m very nervous, I think this series stands alone and is perfect as it already is. I’m worried Japan is over egging the pudding. More here.

Takumi-kun - No Japan, back away slowly. We do not need this. No one wants it. 

KOREA 2023

Bump Up Business (OnlyOneOf) - (Idol Romance) Announcement  More gossip. Depicts the tickling love story between a trainee who is about to debut and a celebrity from the same agency. Kpop boy group OnlyOneOf has collectively signed up to be in this idol-based BL. They’ve been auditioning for this since Libido IMHO. You can watch me chronicle their BL MV series in this post. Idol Romance will do sad but can do good kisses (Wish You, Nobleman Ryu, Once Again, Kissable Lips, Poongduck 304, Tasty Florida, Tinted With You). More info here. 

Blueming 2 - likely to air on iQIYI This was one of my favorites from 2022 year (9/10). I’m not thrilled about a 2nd season. It’s the same director as TMS2, and I didn’t like that one all that much. Still, I’m always intersted in where Korea goes when it’s given enough rope to hang itself.

Comfort the Boy - Premiere postponed indefinitely due to actor contract conflict, rated R15+ due to topic & vulgarity. Adaptation of Dongmul's manwha A Shoulder to Cry On, high school set, features a teasing confident gay, and a rich/poor pairing, about homophobia/gossip putting a scholarship in jeopardy. Was to stars idols Jaehan & Yechan BOTH from Kpop group OMEGA X. But given the crisis in management with that group, I think this is unlikely to happen, at least with this pair. 

First Love's User Manual - Korea (Silkwood) Thai BL pair TutorYim to star (?) in this KBL under A-Plan International’s Silkwood (Peach Of Time). No further info, no MDL listing. Could all be rumors. 

Heesu In Class 2 -  Korea's gay version of Sex Education. Heesu’s world revolves around Chanyoung, his best friend and secret crush. He doesn’t mind cheering Chanyoung from the sidelines or listening to all his girl problems. Then one day, Heesu starts hearing his name everywhere - on the bus, in the halls, during lunch. Turns out, there’s a rumor: Got a love problem? Find Heesu in Class 2 and he’ll tell you what to do! With that, Heesu suddenly finds himself the center of attention. But how could he give anyone advice? He doesn’t even know what to do about his own crush! Well known child actor Ahn Ji Ho (All of Us Are Dead) to lead.

Jump the series - Korea (SOL Entertainment probably for Gaga) Trailer From the producers of Cherry Blossoms and others. Coming-of-age drama that'jumps' to the next chapters of life: love, friendship, competition, mistakes, dreams and hopes.

Liquor - I got nothing but rumors. 

Star Struck AKA Starstruck - Korea (Terapin Studio) A boy has had a crush on his childhood friend for a long time. Stars Zuho (Kpop SF9 - noted good egg) opposite rookie actor Kim In Sung, based on a web novel of the same name.

Unintentional Love Story - Ceramic artist Yoon Tae Joon disappears from society, while Ji Won Young is an employee at a large company. Ji Won Young is intent on winning over the heart of Yoon Tae Joon as he's the company chairman's favorite artist. Stars actor Cha Seo Wo and idol Gongchan (maknae of B1A4, welcome to the fray Kpop Gen 2).

Why R U? Korean remake - filming sept 22 Apparently Korea is planning a remake of Why R U? which I find absolutely hilarious. I mean if Korea remakes it, we lose all the sexy and then would we have a story at all. No we would not. It’d be like one of those mesh shopping bags. MaxNat have a  cameo. 

TAIWAN 2023

Lapluie - Depicts the story of two young men: one who never believes in fate/destiny while the other one is waiting for his soulmate.

Marry My Dead Body - Taiwan Police officer forced to marry a ghost. Movie.

Miracle - High School student goes to jail because of his ganster lover. Or something. https://mydramalist.com/696341-miracle

THAILAND 2023

Are you ready? 

2 Worlds (Domundi MaxNat) - Parallel worlds love triangle story with MaxNat as the leads (finally!) PuPa & Kram are in love but PuPa is murdered and Kram is pulled into a parallel world. In that place, 12 years ago, Kram & Tai were in love but Kram was killed by Tai's dad. Now Tai encounters the Kram from another world, what will happen next? Is this a second chance or is Kram sill morning his dead lover, and does Tai need to help him get home or convince him to stay?

A Boss and a Babe GMMTV YouTube (ForceBook) - Chay is a gamer who wants to get big in the e-sports industry. However, his plans are dramatically altered when is made to intern at a company. There his boss Gun has him do some pretty weird errands, confusing Chay about his true intentions. 

Be Mine SuperStar (JaFirst) - Filming started Dec 2022 Third-year film student Punn (Ja) gets an internship on the set of a drama. He’s come there to learn from professionals, but what lights his passion even more than the work is leading man Achi, beloved of the nation. Adapted from the novel “The Superstar and the Puppy on Set” (พี่พระเอกกับเด็กหมาในกอง) by Orpheus, the show has an ensemble cast comprising Ben (2moons2), Bosston (UWMA, Between Us), Jo (War of Y, My Roommate, Make It Right 2), Kokliang and (TharnType, Even Sun).

Be My Favorite AKA You Are My Favorite (GMMTV) YouTube - Adapted from a JittiRain y-novel (2gether) one of those rewrite the past to change the future. Another timeslip? (That’s at least 5 from Thailand in 2022). Trailer features classic tropes: elevator, rooftop assignation, lie on ground. Stars Krist (SOTUS) + Mike Gawin. Who knew Krist would do a BL again? Like seriously? 

Bed Friend (Domundi probably for Viki) - Adapted from a Y-novel (same setting as Middleman’s Love) about Uea (reserved and shy and hates players) and King (a big time flirt) who work in the same office and share a best friend. Despite the fact that they don’t really like each other they end up in bed together. This pair was originally supposed to be just side dishes for Middle Love, but it seems they got their own series. Not sure if this is a lesson learned from Why R U?, a lockdown necessity, a shifting to an En of Love model, or if NetJames did so well in rehearsal they earned their own series. They are crazy beautiful together. I think Domundi will use these two to bring higher heat, just like they did with FighterTutor. This series could be good especially as it is based on a book so hopefully it has PLOT. James was Gui’s best friend in Oxygen and one of my top picks at the time to get his own BL. Net was an established actor prior to BL. I am VERY excited about this pair

Big Dragon 2 - whatever 

Boy Never Smiles (KimCop trailer) - Follows the story of a young man who travels to the future. To return, he must make that boy smile.

Buddy Line Y Animal (Ultimate Troop) From the Yearbook (ugh) people and based on 4 y-novels written by Scriper, I'll only binge this. Stars Man & Tile (Yearbook), Oat (Make it Right), and unknowns.

Cafe In Love - When his coffee shop close, he tries everything to get it to reopen and falls in love along the way. New Thai pulp, stars the actor who played Noh’s best friend Ohm in Love Sick 2.

Cherry Magic (Thai remake w/ TayNew) GMMTV YouTube - no one asked for this 

Cinderella Boys (Cloth Lab) - production house brought us Restated (which I never watched) and never got EngSub.

City of Stars AKA Fueangnakorn - An actor falls in love with a programmer and the narrative intends to “explore the ramifications of being public figure in the social network era who must endure critics, bullying, and defamation.” Looks like another Lovely Writer / Call It What You Want sort of thing.

Cooking Crush (OffGun) GMMTV YouTube - Prem, Dynamite, and Samsi run a not-so-popular restaurant. With heavy losses, the trio find out about a cooking competition with a huge reward that could help their business. However, preparations go awry, and Prem decides to back out when he meets Ten, a medical student under a heavy stress burden. Ten approaches prem to teach him cooking, and Prem uses this as a scam opportunity to make money. However, as the lessons go on, it isn’t the food that’s hot, but also their faces as they slowly fall for each other. Adapted from the novel “Love Course! เสื้อกาวน์รุกเสื้อกุ๊กรับ” by iJune4S,

Dangerous Romance GMMTV YouTube - Sailom, a poor yet studious student, has worked several odd jobs along with his elder brother to keep his affairs in order. One day, a misunderstanding causes him to hate the school’s bully, Kongkarn. However, fate plays in and Sailom is made Kongkarn’s tutor. As they spend time together, the two realize that the two have a lot in common and their hate could turn into something more beautiful in their hearts. (Wait, didn’t we just watch this?) 

Destiny Seeker - Engineering students in university dorms, Songkram the head of dorm 3, which is where the "strong and athletic" male students are sorted. Aye is the head of dorm 2, the "good looking" male students live. Aye used to be Songkram's tutor and friend, but they fell apart after both of them were chosen to be dorm heads. Aye is actually in love with Songkram, however, he thinks Sonkram has feelings for Mean. What Aye doesn't know, is that he's the one Songkram likes. So, Bad Buddy the second coming. But also v Japanese concept. 

Heart by Heart (Half Toast Production) Trailer 1 Trailer 2 - of the same name, the trailers are GOOD. I’m more excited for this one then I thought I'd be. Has a bit of Tasty Florida, bad boy/good boy, high drama going on. Stars all unknowns but they look like decent actors.

Hidden Agenda (JoongDunk) GMMTV YouTube - Zo, a college freshman whose never been in love, decides to change it by making the college’s popular girl Nita as his girlfriend. However, to woo her, he approaches Joke, Nita’s ex, for dating advice. What he fails to realize is that Joke has had his eyes on him for a long time and uses this opportunity to approach Zo. Will Joke succeed?

Hot Bamee and Yummy Gyogung (9Cats Studio) - stars Nutt Witsarut (Daisy from SCOY) as Gyogung & Boat Yongyut (Tim from My Secret Love) as Bamee.

House of Stars Trailer - an LGBTQ actor falls in love with an actor from another company at first sight.

I Feel You Linger in the Air (Dee Hup for WeTV) - This is a time travel historical romance (1920s) adaption of y-novel by Violet Rain . FROM THAILAND! H I S T O R I C A L ! ! ! Heartbroken architect is transported to the 1930s. Movie from the producers of Lovely Writer.

Last Twilight (JimmySea) GMMTV YouTube - Burdened with heavy debt, Mork, a mechanic, is forced to take a high paying job as a caretaker for Day, a rich heir who suffers from partial blindness after an accident. Day recruits Mork as he realizes the latter does not see him as a disabled person, but rather as co-equals. As they spend time together, the two begin developing feelings for the other. However with Day just having 180 days until he becomes permanently blind, how will the two weather the trials ahead?

Lost in the Woods - Fifa, a high school student preparing to enter university, is given the duty of taking care of his grandma in the province before the school year starts. There he meets Chief Hem, a forest ranger.

Love Upon a Time - (Domundi)  NetJames in a historical BL! Also feat Tonnam (Dr Sing from Triage).

Middleman’s Love AKA Middle Love (Domundi for Viki) - Production started. This used to be a JimmyTommy vehicle before the pair split (also prev title Middle Love). Adapted from a Y-novel. Jade works as a graphic designer and has always been stuck in the middle - average. His heart is hardened after a life spent being overlooked because he is not as charming or good looking as the rest of his family or friends. When his office gets a hot new intern, Mai, Jade assumes Mai couldn’t possibly be intersted in him. Instead he believes Mai is after his friend, Uea. Mai, of course, has other ideas. To be directed by Cheewin leads recast as TutorYim (crumbs from Cutie Pie) we likey, good choice.

Make a Wish (WaGa Creative) - Started filming 12/22, stars Fluke Natouch (OhmFluke UWMA etc...) & Judo (The Miracle Of Teddy Bear) in a medical-fantasy. It seems to be a light-hearted romance with a comedic flair. About a doctor who sees ghosts and a deity who resides in a Bodhi tree that earns merits whenever he fulfills a wish. He is shocked to find the doctor can actually see him and decides to help him find the reason for his ghostly ability. Thus begins a chaotic yet romantic journey. From Sammon y-novels (Manner of Death, Triage)

Mystique in the Mirror (gossip here) - Side couple is PitchBank from Golden Blood, authored by Dr. Dr.Patrick Rangsimat (My Ride) interview here 

Naughty Babe (Domundi MaxNat gossip here) - Cutie Pie spin off feat MaxNat. 

The Next Prince (Domundi ZeeNunew) - ZeeNew in a fantasy/historical set in a palace where Zee plays a knight and Nu a prince - FUCK YES PLEASE. I did not expect this pair to stick so I really hope this happens.

Only Friends GMMTV YouTube - Friend Zone but Gay AF. Mew, a final-year university student, has never encountered the pleasures of adult life. One day, his friend Boston takes him clubbing to give him a sight of the nightlife. There, he meets Top, who tries to seduce him. Yet reluctant at first, Mew gives in and falls for Top. However, he doesn’t realize that others want to break their relationship.

Our Skyy 2 GMMTV YouTube - An eight-part anthology that continues the stories of favorite GMMTV couples: Tian & Phupha (A Tale of Thousand Stars); Pran & Pat (Bad Buddy); Khabkluen & Daonuea (Star in My Mind); Nuengdiao & Palm (Never Let Me Go); Chay & Gun (A Boss and a Babe); Talay & Puen (Vice Versa); Akk & Ayan (The Eclipse); Tin & Gun (My School President)

Pit Babe - Based on alittlebixth's omegaverse novel #พิษเบ๊บ’ set in the world of car racing (author confirmed the series will not be omegaverse).

Punk Spy - (Domundi) - Tommy (formerly JimmyTommy) to star opposite Thomas Teetut (new talent) We gonna call them TomTom as I live and breathe! Please people. Please? Small town romance of two men who keep secrets. And they are searching for the truth. Poppy (everyone’s favorite comedic character actor) is in this one too.

SHADOW - It is a teenage-detective series that involves the supernatural, psychology, love, and friendship. Depicts Dan (Singto), the new student in an all-boys Catholic school who's suffering from sleep paralysis where he saw shadows in his dream, & Nine (Fluke), a student who's condemned by his seniors for being gay. Despite Dan being seen by the other students as a freak. Nine fully understood him because he's been dealing with seeing spirits since childhood. The two became close and gossip circulated between them. Dan chooses to be his friend even if Nine falls in love with him. An interesting combination for actors for sure. 

Step By Step (Dee Hup) - age gap office romance between stern boss and sweet subordinate (AKA my catnip) Thailand doesn't have a great track record with office set BL. Thailand’s record with office set BL is terrible. But I LOVE the concept.

Wish Me Luck (Be Brave Entertainment Hub) - About a boss and his temporary employee in an advertising company, based on Bittersweet's y-novel of the same name สุดที่รักษ์. Starring my boy Fiat (Grean Fictions, SOTUS S, My Gear and Your Gown, Triage) who I’ve been waiting to lead a BL for a decade (it feels like) and Na Naphat (KinnPorsche, UWMA). Again, office BL, but gah PLEASE be good. 

Wish You Luck (StudioCommuan) - Sci Fi dystopian BL about a luck-stealer and an optimistic innocent. Stars Tonnam (Dr Sing in Triage) and Title (our beloved baby Nut from the Yearbook) in a tsundere/sunsine survivor story.

This list is updated only at the beginning of 2023. Not responsible for keeping it updated. I make no promises on anything on these list. Check the comments for updates.

One final note? 

23.5 (GL feat MilkLove) GMMTV For YT 

Ongsa, a loner all her life, falls in love at first sight with the more popular Sun. However, with the fear of being rejected, she decides to approach her under the pseudonym “Earth”. As Sun gets more and more curious about who Earth is and starts to fall for her, will Ongsa reveal herself to Sun? BL side couple. 

(source)

This post will NOT be kept up to date. As new BLs are announced and come across my radar, I will repost about them in this blog. You have to follow me to get those. I also report on new and upcoming releases once they are confirmed in my weekly updates.