SinGood

Thank you.

I've been watching these shows.

I've known about Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation a.k.a The Untamed since 2018 long before many watched it in 2019. It was underrated before and now I'm glad the story deserves more recognition.
I've watched the anime and the live action. I have already read the novel even before the live action. It has always been my favorite.

Again, the lack of history about Boys Love.

In Japan, when they turn a BL manga into live action with no intimate scenes between male characters, whose intimacies appear in the manga version, the series or film is labeled as 'Bromance'.

Maybe Wat's surprise kiss could have saved it but they're too tame to be even be called gay.

And that loses the essence of BL. That's why many fans don't watch straight shows.

And I am not subscribing to the idea of making it mainstream. The show is an example why BL should not be mainstream. It continues to be a niche as it attracts dedicated fans, not fans who are just passing because they like the actors being good-looking. Many of these fans are even homophobic.

I even told people here that the problem is the director even during ep. 7.

His other shows are even less stellar.

And I've learned that they even made a reshoot of almost all scenes based from the first trailer. I even think the first trailer has more intimate scenes than the second.

And let's say they benefit from the pandemic as most people are on quarantine.

I agree. They really manage to put up a show to discriminate gay romance by promoting it as BL.

I haven't watched the remaining parts but my friends are already complaining and giving me spoilers. I tried to hold them off but Twitter is also a pain.

The show has no credibility.

They feel like they're making fun of gay romance.

I don't get it.

You can find the episodes on YouTube.

When I started watching this series on ep. 3 because of YouTube recommendation, I became more curious that I decided to watch from ep.1 then back to ep. 3. This is when quarantine started. I didn't really like its first trailer because it gave an impression of main characters who have respective girlfriends and then one decided to approach the other lead so he can get rid off the gay guy who is after him. Despite the romantic setting in famed Buddhist temples, it doesn't really give a good impression on me .

It's really a big surprise when I learned about the change in trailer because I decided to skip this series after not having impressed on the first episode of WhyRU. I eventually completed watching the other series after giving it a chance. I like it though I expected less so I wouldn't be that too disappointed.

After watching the first three episodes, it's where I learned about the revised trailer or second trailer, which is almost a complete 180 of the first. After that, I was anticipating Friday to come sooner considering the start of quarantine and things get boring with no work to make my busy body occupied. For weeks, I have been waiting for Friday to come sooner. I have been watching each clip of each episode more than 5 times. When the music video with Bright and Win was released, I have been watching it for over hundred times already. I already expected much from the series despite commenting its messy storyline.
I even endured reading less than stellar translated version of the novel on Wattpad. When I learned that it had a better version, I didn't manage to read it because it was already put down. So I watched channels that give spoilers so I can make comparison on the novel and the series.

I would really understand for any differences in the novel and the series. But when I reached ep. 7 and still expected for more improvements, I began to see the light. LOL.

I even praised the actors here that they would be really big especially in my country, Philippines. Actually, they've become very popular.

Perhaps, one mistake that I made is that I consumed watching the spoilers to make myself more acquainted to the main characters. And when the series didn't get to include scenes that I think would just be fine yet romantic, I have already decided to lower my expectations for the series. I stopped watching spoilers for ep. 9 so I wouldn't get more frustrated. However, It is in this episode that I felt like that their chemistry was waning. It got worst when I watched ep. 10 that I was watching the episode in which the main couple decided to go live in there together after Tine decided to say yes to becoming boyfriends and then when they did become boyfriends, their moments just felt like of roommates sharing one big bed.

Even though I stopped watching at ep. 10, I was still tempted to watch ep. 11. But when I learned about the negative reviews it garnered, I felt like skipping the episode was the best thing to do.

I confess I am not anymore excited to watch the finale episode later. I may have to delay watching it for another week after the hype dies down. I really wanted to bring back the time when my Friday wouldn't be complete without watching the latest episode once clips were released. I could go through the weekend rewatching the clips many times.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leevExpA8ec

I consider it the best example of music video promoting the BL series, in which the fan service starts from the beginning to end. You probably consider it as just old-style fan service.

But it seems that BL fans have different definitions of fan service, which are actions done by the BL couple bordering on flirting or actions done by the couple with an aim to please their fans/audience.

MewArt, MewGulf and OhmToey, as you mentioned are not the only BL couples that are committing fanservice bordering on flirting as their actions are too intimate that people feel or assume them to be boyfriends in real life. There are also MaxTul, SaintZee, OffGun, TayNew and even KristSingto.

And if your definition of fan service is something that Bright and Win have not really ventured into, then I'd say it's because they seem to be just close buddies. They don't really have that chemistry outside from their series that speaks of romance. Even in their recent episodes, their actions are just of best buddies and not of lovers. Their chemistry is gone on those recent episodes just like when KristSingto did Sotus S, which shows their lack of chemistry as that of couples in love save for the kiss on the beach but still after that, denial of their relationship emerges that even Art's attempt to be theatrical in claiming Kongbop his boyfriend during a company party is not really that believable. A similar case also happened with TayNew on Dark Blue Kiss.

As for saying that they're not clingy, perhaps, because they're not comfortable doing it or they have certain limitations on skinship. People see their straight vibes as an advantage to fans that's why they keep on bragging they don't do 'fan service' while these fans commented on the cringe they felt when watching other couples being too clingy especially MewGulf. Well, that's why the genre is called Boys Love and MewGulf is seen to be LGBTQ's.

I am okay watching BL couples being clingy as long as the actors are LGBTQ's because of the potential romance that might bloom as they've been demonstrating. Being gay, I may feel uncomfortable when two actors who are supposedly straight committed similar actions creating an impression that they're not that straight as they've confirmed or that even if they've committed that kind of skinship, they still see themselves as straight. This kind of fan service does not only happen on Thai BL but also in Korea or even in the West, in the US and UK's reality shows.

As for fan service, its definition is not limited on the showing of skin or sexual parts or even mentioning of sex parts. Fan service shows actions that titillate the viewers and their senses leading them to create an impression that actions of the actors--in the case of BL-- have romantic inclinations with their partners.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4nqSYcRFuw

I can't really see them engaging in fan service in that video on their recent live on LineTV, that might lead people to think there is something between them. Perhaps, their answers that involved seeing the sex parts, maybe it can be considered. But even then you may think, 'oh nah... it's not'.

And then you have this fan-mad video of them trying to analyze their being real:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4CIiD2QS4w&t=25s

Not that I frown on fan service, I even shared to you here my views regarding that. I also remember sharing my view on fan service on TharnType page as the first season was airing. And that fan service is queer baiting considering that most BL actors are straight. I admit I even labelled MewGulf to be committing fan service but then I have made a comparison on the feelings I have when I see them being clingy compared to other BL couples-- the lack of awkwardness in their interactions, the couple vibe I see on them just by watching them on-screen and the heart eyes they give towards each other. It's the same when I see JimmyTommy's interactions and then even with MaxTul as I browsed and watched their interactions on different media. Even Thai media feel that something is going on with MewGulf while there are rumours in Thailand that MaxTul are really an item and have been living together. As for JimmyTommy, that is remain to be seen. And I am sorry I digress.

By the way, the generation of BL actors are mostly ambiguous in sexuality. Even some BrightWin fans don't want to see the actors as straight as they haven't even confirmed it despite the report of Bright's girlfriend.

Talking about toxic fans, I've been informed and have actually seen posts on how these fans look down on other BL actors and couples. The only times when the BL community have certain issues resulting some fans to have divided views is on the issue of MewArt and PerthSaint.

I think there are even issues within the Peraya fans when Krist and Singto have different projects. But I think it's not really that big of an issue.

Recently, there are comments and posts I have seen where fans even insulted MaxTul, MewGulf or even SaintZee for too much fanservice. And that their scenes are pornish. Then fans of this series bragged about having trended in different countries with the statements like "No kissing scenes. No bed scenes. Just pure love and this is what we get." Not really something to trigger but knowing that WhyRU is also airing with 2gether can cause the BL community to think that things are just about competition for them.

BL integrates skinship. And this is a fact. That's why it's a niche. There's that presence of sensuality. That's why many old BL fans really don't think of GMMTV Bl shows highly because it gives an air and even a display that gay relationship is just bromantic.

These toxic fans even attracted the homophobic ones and fans that don't really care about LGBTQ but just to see the actors that they like.

Understandable. As I said, I don't make the rules. 8/10 is even okay and you even regard it as average.

Just imagine 1/10 that these BL fans give to TharnType because they don't like the characters. The prejudice of those reviewers really makes my heart bleed for the production team and the actors and their efforts.

The hype of the series prompted 50 users to make a review even before the series has been completed. I am not sure if they plan to change it as the series is still on-going or they're going to make a revision.

I actually waited for a BL series to be completed in airing all of its episodes to make a review. I haven't done one with TharnType and also with WhyRu or even Together With Me or even with The Untamed, which I love because I need time to weigh in some factors before I can fully write a review. Perhaps, it also has to do with procrastination. LOL.

Anyways, for BL fans, it's better to wait for the series to end before making a review. Don't be easily swayed with your emotions just because you like the series on its first 3 episodes of airing. And please don't be prejudiced when making reviews. Just because the concept of the series is not aligned with your beliefs, you can freely bash nonsense about the series by writing a review.

You can ignore this though as I don't make the rules.

But you can consider it a reminder in your next BL review.

The story is nice, not really stellar. Knowing the production is halted because of the pandemic and the airing of the series was done on the first month of this year without even completing it, I'd say they could have made it better.

For a BL, I think they also managed to incorporate straight couples though in supporting cast. The thing is that it has many characters and subarcs. The major arcs involve Zon and Tutor and their lovers as well the characters involved in those arcs. In the case of Zon, it's Saifah, his family and his friends including Fighter and Tutor. Meanwhile, Tutor is with Fighter, his boss and his family. He has an intertwining arc with Zon and then their friends. Subarcs include the characters with their respective coupling. With these many subarcs, it's like a soap opera.

Anyways, the story has managed to stick with Zon's POV whose original thinking is that the things that have been happening to him and the people around him especially his best friend Tutor are products of his sister's BL novel. Eventually, he realized that the events leading to the romantic relationship of his former archenemy are the results of decision-making with destiny doing its part.

Many people may find it shallow. But I think the series doesn't really serve a very heavy issue. it dares to bring manifestation what Boys Love is through the lives of Zon and Tutor as well as of their partners and their friends. The additional straight characters somehow convey the message that it is not really about BL fantasy as realism plays part in the molding of Boys Love relationships.

It's the character development of Zon that has been making me interesting from episode 1 to the last despite his lack of presence in one episode. I actually dropped it after watching the first episode but resumed it when I decided to give it a chance.

I haven't really expected much from the series. But as a BL viewer, I think I have a good grasp of its premise even though there are scenes that may seem pornish to the viewers. But I think it's a reminder that the contents of the series are like being manifested from the contents written by Zon's sister, Zol. Worth noting is the presence of fluff and the homoerotic scenes on the part of Fighter and Tutor to titillate the senses of the viewers just like when BL fans are reading smut. That's why I feel like those scenes are still important to arouse the senses as this series relays what Boys Love is.

When I learn about certain things about the industry, I can't anymore blame the shippers. The company and the production team including the marketing team even encourage shipping. This has also attracted toxic fans. That's why I mentioned in one of the comments here that GMMTV produces BL shows that are romantic yet seemingly tame and when there's a problem with the story near the end of the series, it tries to shift the audience focus from the series' characters to the actors, in this case, SarawatTine to BrightWin. I think they also did this with KristSingto when many complained of the lack of realism in the depiction of KongArt on Sotus S.

I've been observing this kind of pattern on GMMTV when the coupling gets very much hyped from the audience and the community.

Shipping the actors is a Huge Money for them with many sponsorships and endorsements. Just imagine the sponsorships Bright and Win get from this hype.

Man, fan service is part of their job in promoting the series. If you are saying that you're glad Bright and Win haven't done any of the fan service, then you probably didn't watch two of the series' music videos and even in their latest interviews especially the recent one on LineTV. It's just absurd to think that you like them because they don't do fan service yet you failed in watching them doing fan service in those videos and interviews.

P.S.

If you think those videos and interviews don't have content that can be regarded as fan service, then I dare you to define and deconstruct the term Fan Service.

it's either MaxTul or MewGulf. And I don't agree for GMMTV to produce it as it's going to become Bromantic. It's either an independent production like Me Mind or another big network, Thunder, home of MaxTul.

I empathize with you. I also got insulted here.

I admit I defend TharnType but I also shared my criticism towards that series. But I think it's good in that page except for those who are prejudiced against the series. The thing is, if the characters are attacked in TharnType with no logical explanation, I also provide my thoughts on the reply.

TharnType received negative comments that are even unfounded. The actors even got attacked because of their characters especially in the case of Mew. But many commended their acting not just of Mew and Gulf but also the rest of the cast esp. Lhong, the quality of the production is great as well as MewGulf chemistry, in which even now their popularity is soaring as they're shooting for the second season.

In 2 gether, I share my admiration to the actors, Bright and Win. I actually expected for more from this series as it has been hyped. I got disappointed and decided to lower my expectations. When I read about the novel and its contents and compare them to the scenes of the series, it's where my frustration emerged. It got worse when their chemistry was gone when they became a couple.

I actually hope for a redemption or something. But I feel like it might not happen considering GMMTV's way of producing BL shows and promoting their BL actors.

I agree about how GMMTV fails in creating couples in love as you've cited KristSingto and TayNew in Sotus S and Dark Blue Kiss, respectively. That's why I don't really think highly of GMMTV when it comes to BL series. They are good in hyping up actors once the series gets that hype for their ROI. I don't really think they really care about the storyline. They just probably want the BL shippers to shift their attention from the characters to the actors because it's where they get the most money from the cut on the actors' endorsements. So, it's like the series is just a vehicle. Once it gets wrecked and goes downhill, the actors can still proceed to another vehicle.

Newbie BL fans don't really know this. Even now, they try to hype up KristSingto, which is still cute by the way. In my country, they even trend 2 hashtags to ask for season 3 of Sotus, like are they even serious? LMAO.

Also, I'm getting bored of the usual setting of BL in universities. I am seeking for a more controversial BL plot with a balance of fluff, intimacy and adult storyline. That's why I prefer Together With Me; the Next Chapter and TharnType, two series in which the actors still managed to retain their chemistry as live-in couples despite challenges in their relationship. But then many BL fans dissed the series because the couples "are not good representations of homosexual relationships". Are these fans even in gay relationships? I even see the relationships in TWM: the Next Chapter and TharnType to be depictions of gay relationships that I know in real life as someone being gay and in various relationships.

Anyways, the closer that GMMTV has for a series, which is a depiction of certain gay relationships is PeteKao in Dark Blue Kiss. But TayNew didn't manage to hold that chemistry as a couple in love.

I used to complain that the series had a messy storyline particularly when I watched that part. They included scenes that are not really necessary but they omitted scenes from the book that would have been better incorporated in the series. The storyline in the book is okay but the series really puts me off that I tried to be more understanding of its flow being a romantic comedy BL series.

I even complained that the director should have been gay or female because I feel like they can have more balance of feminine and masculine aspects in direction but then I was called problematic. But then look at it now.

Btw, I'm not sure if the director is even straight. But checking his profile, his other series have ratings lower than 8. Not hating on him tho

Okay,,, set aside Ep.11 and 12 and the negative reviews. I feel like of all GMMTV BL couples I have known(KristSingto, TayNew and OffGun), it is BrightWin who beat them in chemistry on-screen. I know many of you complained about their lack of chemistry on-screen in ep.7. Mine is on ep.9. But I can't help but realize that BrightWin already have that chemistry on ep. 1. Most of the GMMTV couples that I follow during their airing of their series took several episodes for their chemistry to really show. BrightWin managed to have it on ep.1 IMO.

Not comparing other BL couples mentioned because they've been regarded as GMMTV golden BL couples.