I've read some of the novel and seen the spoilers that have been posted. Unfortunately for me, it has made me turn sour on a series that was just starting to get really, really good. Although it would appear that many of the values, beliefs, tropes, and stereotypes found in these BL novels (turned into series) was or will become present in this series, it still doesn't prevent the directors, producers, and production companies from taking the story from the novel and turning it into a program that can be a quality product. Instead, they (the directors, producers, production companies) continue to promulgate those same old tropes, stereotypes and behaviors that continue to negatively impact society's image of individuals in the LGBTQ+ community.
For example, in nearly all of the novels turned into series (at least those I have read), there continues to be this unhealthy desire to equate "rape" and sexual violence with "love"; the characters constantly fall into the categories of the dominant "seme" versus the submissive "uke." And in many (if not nearly all of the series), the "seme" is the character that either knows or believes that he is gay, and the "uke" is the character who either has a girlfriend or claims to like girls, and does not initially identify as being gay. However, when the character does realize he's gay (or likes boys), he's almost always the character who takes on the "wifey" or the "bottom" role in the new relationship. This is in readily apparent in the novels and series of TharnType, TWM #2, Addicted, Making It Right, and 2Moons2 to name just a few. Now, this brings me to 2gether the Series.
In the novel, all the things that Sarawat does to Tine is NOT cool! How can have a crush or love someone and do these things to them??? Read the novel or the posted Spoiler Reveals to find out what he does. Again, it's this idea of equating love with sexual control , violence, or humiliation. And again, why always that "wifey"/"hubby" role issue being thrown in there. Although this may be the case in some, if not quite a few, LGBTQ+ relationships. But this certainly not the norm or even the majority (as gay relationships are as varied and hetero relationships when it comes to the relationship roles). All of the before mentioned BL series (and many others) I have liked (some more than others like all of you). But, for me, the moment I discovered the old tropism, stereotypical characterizations, I immediately put this series in my "here we go again category," with the possible hope it will be just a bit different than what is in the novel.
As with other posts, I totally agree that the quality of the acting, the camera visualizations, scene locations, and music have all improved dramatically over the the past few years. But, sadly, even with all of these improvements, the story lines still go back to age-old thoughts and beliefs about gay characters and gay relationships. I realize that many of these series are designed to cater to the many screaming young female fans, many who are straight and probably deep into the BL craze, which still amazes me to this day??? These young females sell out the fan conventions, and make these BL stars known throughout Asian and the rest of the world. But, sadly, it often times does not bode well for the gay community, which is still having difficulty being completely accepted to many societies throughout Asia. On a brighter note, it does appear to be getting better for the gay community, at least in Thailand, Taiwan, and Japan.
So, I'm not really sure I'm looking forward to rest of this series, knowing what I now know. All I can say is this, "I strongly hope that this series is NOT exactly like the novel."
P.S. Please don't hate me. This is just one guy's opinion. Thanks.
I prefer those stuff if done right in a good serie with good charachters than a stretched plot with flat charachters…
Hi Liz, like Synchonicity, I agree with your list except one. Waterboyy (The Movie) was ok, but Waterboyy (The Series) did have one episode of sexual aggression when Waii assaulted Apo in their bedroom. It was handled very lightly in the series, which was one point I had against the series. I, too, haven't seen I Found Love at 7-11. I guess I need to check it out.
I understand where you're coming from, but I think this series does a better job of handling sexual assault and…
Wow Not a Robot! Your response was very insightful. Thanks for the comments! I agree with you about the dynamics of the type of sexual violence, as well as, various stigmas faced by the gay community in the US. However, what I am unsure about is whether "the series itself" or those posting comments actually allowed for the discussion you mentioned. But, in any case, I strongly agree with you that any discussions (wherever or however it derives) about this important subject, is a really good thing for the LBGTQ+ community.
Hey Gottillc! I agree with you. To me, this is a flaw in the writing/directing. The story has depicted Dean as…
Hey Synchonicity! I'm right there with you! Thanks for reminding me about the medicine part! I'd forgot about that. It also had me rolling my eyes and LMAO.
I'm in agreement with most of the folks posting here. By this I mean, I loved the acting, the flow and pace of the series, and the way Gulf and Mew pulled off their respective characters. However like others, I also thought that the series had some serious flaws, especially in the handling of the sexual harassment and sexual violence issues littered throughout the series. I think the problem with the series was not the actors but the story itself. I think it made too light the seriousness of the many sexual and sexuality issues that were in the series. At times, it went beyond the normal tropes to the point that it would be impossible to believe this show, unless you completely disregarded half of what you were being told in the series. Although there is a happy ending with the title characters, it still didn't make the journey through the series worth it, especially if you're in any way relating it to the lives of people in the LGBTQ+ community. A few twerks to the story would have made the storyline soooo much better. Long story short. This was a really, really good series, based on a really, really bad storyline.
OK. I was willing to revise my original thought about the character of Dean "pressuring" Pharm for sex. I thought, maybe, I was off-base. BUT, after watching Ep. 15, I go back to my original thought of the character of Dean. I'm not sure if it is the way the director interpreted the scene from the BL novel (and I'm not sure what the author really had in mind), but this scene was a bit much (in my opinion). We knew Dean and Pharm was going to have sex, as it was blatantly inferred to in Ep. 14. However, I got the impression that it was "thrown" in there just to "jump start" the final episodes. As it appeared, like many others have commented, the episodes did seem "to be dragging on." I thought there was nothing romantic about the scene. It appeared, again, that Dean was simply wanting sex from Pharm, and we didn't get any sense that the same was felt by Pharm. Yes, they love each other, we get it. But, Pharm never really agreed to have sex with Dean, nor did it seem as if he had any choice in the matter. Again, this scene goes directly against a previous scene, in which Dean attempted to "put the moves" on Pharm, Pharm stopped him, and made Dean promise "not to do something like that again." BOY, that didn't last! Why does Dean get to singularly decide this important phase of their relationship, without at least discussing it with Pharm. AND, the "revealed" cousin next door, P'Sin, who apparently KNEW of Dean's intentions, yet only was there for Pharm in case something went wrong! What kind of family dynamic is that! This may be classic BL drama trope. But, again both the author and the director missed a good opportunity to make the characters a little more believable and a little less tropish. But, I still like the series, ALOT! And, I agree with others that the acting, and visual depictions of Thailand are great. I especially like to the whole reincarnation of Korn/In into Dean/Pharm storyline. It is most intriguing, and becoming more intriguing as we discover all the various connections between Korn/In's previous lives, and Dean/Pharm's present lives.
the scene were Type was abused in sleep was never romanticized as if you have watched carefully it was very well…
I stand corrected. In MY country and culture, it would be an "assault," maybe not so much so in other countries and cultures. Apologies for my ignorance.
OMG!!! Did not know about this tragedy in Thailand! Our news has been focused on the coronovirus. It's so sad that happened. Prayers go out the victims and their families...
For example, in nearly all of the novels turned into series (at least those I have read), there continues to be this unhealthy desire to equate "rape" and sexual violence with "love"; the characters constantly fall into the categories of the dominant "seme" versus the submissive "uke." And in many (if not nearly all of the series), the "seme" is the character that either knows or believes that he is gay, and the "uke" is the character who either has a girlfriend or claims to like girls, and does not initially identify as being gay. However, when the character does realize he's gay (or likes boys), he's almost always the character who takes on the "wifey" or the "bottom" role in the new relationship. This is in readily apparent in the novels and series of TharnType, TWM #2, Addicted, Making It Right, and 2Moons2 to name just a few. Now, this brings me to 2gether the Series.
In the novel, all the things that Sarawat does to Tine is NOT cool! How can have a crush or love someone and do these things to them??? Read the novel or the posted Spoiler Reveals to find out what he does. Again, it's this idea of equating love with sexual control , violence, or humiliation. And again, why always that "wifey"/"hubby" role issue being thrown in there. Although this may be the case in some, if not quite a few, LGBTQ+ relationships. But this certainly not the norm or even the majority (as gay relationships are as varied and hetero relationships when it comes to the relationship roles). All of the before mentioned BL series (and many others) I have liked (some more than others like all of you). But, for me, the moment I discovered the old tropism, stereotypical characterizations, I immediately put this series in my "here we go again category," with the possible hope it will be just a bit different than what is in the novel.
As with other posts, I totally agree that the quality of the acting, the camera visualizations, scene locations, and music have all improved dramatically over the the past few years. But, sadly, even with all of these improvements, the story lines still go back to age-old thoughts and beliefs about gay characters and gay relationships. I realize that many of these series are designed to cater to the many screaming young female fans, many who are straight and probably deep into the BL craze, which still amazes me to this day??? These young females sell out the fan conventions, and make these BL stars known throughout Asian and the rest of the world. But, sadly, it often times does not bode well for the gay community, which is still having difficulty being completely accepted to many societies throughout Asia. On a brighter note, it does appear to be getting better for the gay community, at least in Thailand, Taiwan, and Japan.
So, I'm not really sure I'm looking forward to rest of this series, knowing what I now know. All I can say is this, "I strongly hope that this series is NOT exactly like the novel."
P.S. Please don't hate me. This is just one guy's opinion. Thanks.
Long story short. This was a really, really good series, based on a really, really bad storyline.
But, I still like the series, ALOT! And, I agree with others that the acting, and visual depictions of Thailand are great. I especially like to the whole reincarnation of Korn/In into Dean/Pharm storyline. It is most intriguing, and becoming more intriguing as we discover all the various connections between Korn/In's previous lives, and Dean/Pharm's present lives.