AYS?! season 2 ep. 1 (not really?)
Yes, I know this is me coming a little late to the table, but let's be honest here, even though we are now after watching the whole show (well, some of us), and even though moments from episodes 1 and 2 have been shared and talked about ad nauseum, there is ALWAYS room for more with those two. Or more so, we can never have enough of Jikook.
As I mentioned in my previous post, having the whole show just packed into 4 weeks, hours and hours of Jikookery with no time to digest what we've just seen, yeah, it's been a lot. And it's taken me a little bit to start rewatching the episodes and put my thoughts into words.
This is going to be a slow process. Idk just how frequently I will be able to write and post these, but I guess it's a good long term project to take on. We will just have to see as we go.
So, here I am starting to put in my 2 cents on the first episode of AYS?! Season 2.
Well, more so part of episode 1 I think.
And yet, starting to write this I have no idea just how much I will manage to cover in this post. Who knows... live on the edge is what I say.
I do want to say a couple of words before diving in though.
I am writing my post after watching the episode twice and while writing watching it as I am writing a third time. Also, the language barrier is so frigging frustrating. So much is left untranslated (this is true for episodes 2 to 8 as well), and that gap can sometimes mean EVERYTHING. Also, the cuts. OMG the cuts. We are clearly robbed of so much and the editing, well... there are places (even more so in the following episodes) where those cuts are deliberate and editing somewhat problematic (leaving us with moments that are clearly without context).
With all that, this season of the show is super enjoyable to watch, their chemistry is off the charts, the intimacy is...
Now that I'm done with the admin, let's get it.
Episode 1, the opening and first part of it is kind of stiff, more so than staged, I'd say. Yes, I used the word staged, because although the two were 'surprised', they weren't really SURPRISED (knowing how people love to call everything that has to do with those two as fanservice and scripted - if JK's behavior at that door was scripted then I'm thinking that the screen writer needs to be sacked). They knew the trip was coming, but as JK asked it to be a surprise, they didn't know the exact timing nor destination/s. Also, let us not forget this is the first time in 18 months that the two are not only in front of cameras, but also being filmed constantly from every angle possible, while both, but especially JM, feeling super conscious about the way they look, mainly, but not only, hair and weight related (I want to say ridiculous, which it is, but it's ingrained in them at this point). It's also about what they can or can't do in front of the camera. What they can or cannot show on camera. What they can or cannot say on camera, what they can or cannot get away with. And all this makes it seem a little stiff or awkward at the start.
A clear example is JK standing at the entrance to JM's apartment not knowing what to do while gaining access to it.
I have a few things to say about that scene.
This is a couple of days after discharge, they are both aware that they are about to be "surprised" with the trip, JM even telling us he expected it to be last night (he literally stayed up all night going to sleep at 9 am), meaning obviously that they were expected not to be "confronted" at each other's place. Hence, not surprising, JK hasn't been coming and going independently from JM's in those past couple of days.
So, JK is "surprised" coming out of the skin clinic and now he has to go to JM's place to "surprise" him. JK was really awkward at that point. Fiddling with the door, maybe trying to use the finger print scanner? Idk, maybe (I have something to say about that), touching the pad but then not trying to enter the code (he possibly tried the code pad as well, but we sure didn't see him do it)... standing around waiting, dancing, waiting for 'someone' else to open up. The scene is heavily edited. We don't know just how long they were standing there. We don't know if JK tried his fingerprint multiple times nor if he tried the numeric code and didn't succeed with that either. We see the door opened with the producer entering the code and JK entering. What is important to note is that JK wouldn't have tried to open that door with his fingerprint or code if he didn't think the door would open for him. Which just confirms something we knew from the 2022 footage, that JK had free access to JM's place.
I know people were all up in arms about "how didn't JK have access?" or "clearly JM changed the codes and now JK doesn't have access to his place", seeing that he clearly did have said access back in 2022. Well folks, if JK was banned from the apartment, seeing that after being up each other's asses (figuratively - although...) for 18 months, including during time off, after sending couple gifts to staff (who btw were also part of the production team in this season of AYS), he clearly wasn't aware of it, seeing that he thought that his fingerprint will get him in. Although, I do think that he was acting impulsively and once he remembered this is all being filmed he didn't continue to try the numeric code (as mentioned the scene was heavily edited, so that last part is a guess on my part based on the footage we did get).
The staff know just how close JM and JK are, and they too expected JK to have access to the apartment (only after that wasn't working did they try other options). Perhaps they also thought that after 5 pm JM would be up and about to open the door. But once he wasn't, basically, everyone was expecting JK to open the door and were kind of surprised when he couldn't.
There could be 1001 reasons why JK perhaps couldn't open the door. First being that the first fingerprint scan didn't work (as it often doesn't) and then he caught himself (why would he have finger print access to JM's? That's something we shouldn't be seeing, right?) and decided not to continue with a second attempt or trying the number code (again, based on the footage we did get to see). So, there is a possibility the code wasn't changed and everything that followed was a show? This is a possibility although the probability is low. Fact is that we did see JK have access to JM's in the 2022 footage. So why hide it now? But then again, other than Jikookers not many realized that's what went down in the 2022 footage, and this here was super obvious, so maybe this time they didn't want to be that obvious? Again, this is just a theory I'm throwing out there, not really buying it although it is a possibility.
But there is also a possibility that the code was changed, fingerprint scan reset, seeing that JM had work done on his place when he was in the military (we know his apartment was renovated, we also know his mom and brother have been staying at his place during his absence - I do have thoughts on this matter too). If his mom is the one they talked to about the code, it is highly plausible that she is the one that had it changed once the work on the apartment was done including maybe resetting the finger print access, and seeing that they are just back from the military, well, makes sense that JK's finger print hasn't been added just yet, nor has he been updated about the new code. Again, I do have thoughts about the apartment/house situations (JM not packing clothes there could also be somewhat of a hint). This not being the time and place to elaborate.
Anyway, I think JK's like that - that sort of stiffness and awkwardness - because of that lack of practice of being in front of the cameras again, that initial getting used to it, adjusting to what you can or cannot say or do on camera. What can or can't be seen by us (we see as the time goes on how both JK and JM become more relaxed and free in front of the cameras).
But all the rejoicing of the haters, with their "oh JK didn't know the code" and "JM clearly locked JK out", lasted for maybe half a minute, if not less. JK clearly felt at home at JM's. He's the only one let in to start with (not JM's manager for example), he lets himself into JM's bedroom, and he's real close to JM, cause we hear JM real clearly as if the mic is right in his face, only JM didn't have a mic, JK did (he was given a mic to give JM, but JM is actually given the mic by JK only when the camera crew come in and he is handed it). Kind of reminds you of that scene in ITS2 when JK goes in to wake up JM and you can hear JM ever so clearly even though JK is the one mic'd up. So JK is waking him up real close (their whole conversation from the get go indicates just how close JK is to JM when he wakes him up). An JM, well, for someone that "locked out JK" he clearly was not only not bothered by JK being in his bedroom, but he was also clearly not surprised by it one bit.
There is this, which once again tells us how kind of not truth telling the editors are when it comes to those two:
Yeah, tell us that to explain how it is we are hearing JM ever so clearly.
Only thing is that they are really lying to us. And it's so obvious. Well, if you pay attention to details.
First of all, JM himself tells us he's naked. So, where exactly was the mic clipped on to? His knickers? And second of all, JK is holding on to that mic and only hands it to him as JM is walking out of the room and cameras are already there.
This is way after the editors are telling us that mic has been clipped on. But they know that they can get away with it. They have for years (remember the shifty editing surrounding the mosquito net saga?).
JM tells us, once he's dressed and joins everyone outside, that he thought JK was a monster. JK asks him "a burglar?" and JM nods yes, saying "you walked in wearing a mask". But see here, he thought it was a burglar yet his first reaction was to ask if it's JK? Maybe because JK is someone he's used to having coming and going freely from his private space?
Let's think about that for a sec.
Yes, JK tells him off the bat that it's time for AYS. And that's why JM asks if there is a camera crew outside, so you could say that he is not surprised JK is there because he knew he was going to be surprised by this (we talked about this - they knew it was coming). But still, the man is asleep and he's woken up quite suddenly by someone who supposedly is not supposed to be in his apartment, in his bedroom. Someone he supposedly revoked access to his place. Supposedly. Because JK is no stranger to that bedroom, nor is JM a stranger to JK's. And the level of their intimacy (we see here and we will definitely see more of during the show) indicates just how often the two sleep in the same bed. I mean, they always have (we have JM back in 2015 telling us how JK hugs him to sleep and we have JM in 2025 telling us how JK snuggled up to him on the army training camp bed bunks - nothing has changed, it's JK's spot).
Wait, do we talk about the choice of footage we got for JK's walk into JM's? No cameras meant no footage. But they decided that the animation just wasn't enough and we needed to watch, once again, parts of Jikook's bed scenes from season 1? Including the butt slap? Yes, it's edited and added to other season 1 footage, but why? Why give us that footage? Why plant that image in our heads while hearing JK and JM really well, meaning JK is real close up to JM while talking to him, JM in bed waking up from his slumber. Yeah, do they want us to picture them all cuddly cuddly in bed JK waking JM up having a close up conversation with a groggy sleepy JM?
Ok, so here is what I think, and I've been thinking this for years now, writing about it time after time over the span of my 6 years in this fandom and as a blogger. Not only are Jikook about pushing the boundaries and testing the waters ALL THE TIME, they are doing it consciously not only independently with things they get to on stage or during their lives or in their solo promotions (for example, their choices to mimic or match each other in outfits, or in accessories or use each other's actual outfits and accessories even while promoting their own solo projects). This is their choice and their actions. But see, it doesn't end there. These boundaries are pushed within actual proper company content as well. They are pushed within performances (Black swan Melon performance for example, or the Dynamite holiday mix performance as well). They are pushed within edited BTS content, like memories or Season greetings. JK's JM ear suck back in 2019 added to memories 2019 a clear example of that, or hickey-gate in memories 2020. The decision to add the whole thing to the content being a clear choice. AYS was a clear choice to continue down this path. Pushing the boundaries, testing the waters, seeing just how far they can go being open and genuine and allowing us to see who and what they are to each other, all while treading carefully enough not to break said boundaries. Show us they are a couple, but yet allow for that deniability.
Show us the intimacy but call it "friendship" or "brotherly love", even if brothers don't suck each other's ears or necks. Because the assumption is ALWAYS that they are straight and not only is that the assumption, but also, "no way they would be so obviously gay if they were actually gay, seeing this is such a homophobic society". The absurdity of that is that because it's a homophobic society, and let's be honest here, a big chunk of their fandom is homophobic as well, they just don't see the gay because they don't want to see the gay. No matter what JM and JK do it will be dismissed as "brotherly" or "mates".
Do I mention here how for years same people dismissed their closeness all together? Called every interaction fanservice. Ignored how close they were, all because said closeness triggers something in their homophobic minds. Same people that couldn't and wouldn't see them as even close friends (because let's be real, friends don't do what those two did/do) now (with no other choice, because the whole fanservice claim kind of blew up in their faces) scream "brothers" and "friends" and "bandmates". Oh, and "they are all like that", only that they aren't all like that at all. What JM and JK are with each other, what they get up to with each other, what they do with each other, the lever of intimacy, the need for closeness, the chemistry - it's a Jikook thing and Jikook thing alone. Other members aren't like that with each other, no matter how close they are, nor are either of the two with any of the other members.
Once again me going off road.
Point being, this is company content and within this company content they are playing somewhat of a game. It was about stretch boundaries, normalizing the behavior without crossing that very faint line and allowing for the deniability. It's just the way they are, we are not going to explain what it means beyond that, think what you want, all while counting on those that don't want to see gay not to see it.
I say was, because I think that now the game has somewhat changed. After AYS1, their joint enlistment, post military... I think that Jikook are undeniable. The level of intimacy is off the charts, more so than before. And post military they are holding back less (still not out there all together, we still saw the backtracking once it was thrown in their faces just how inseparable they were seen to be). So, in my opinion, now, not only is it about normalizing, but this here, AYS2, was also about desensitizing us. And I gotta say it's kind of working (based on the fact that post AYS2 there are so many that are questioning them being a couple even though the two were louder than ever). It's funny really how because they are so obvious now people are doubting it - because if they are a closeted couple why would they be so obvious?
They are clearly playing that game so well.
Let's pull that rubber band, stretch the boundary as far as we can, but let's try and do that without it tearing. Let us tease you, show you exactly what those two are together - a long term loving queer couple - but that's if you are willing to see it (which would probably also mean you will support it or at the very least live and let live). But for those who aren't ready for it, those that cannot see the gay, for them they will add non stop captions of "brothers" or use the word "romantic" ad nauseum so that when it really is actually romantic in the sense of romantic love, it's lost in the sea of "romantic" they have already thrown out there. They will add JM's talk about travel (oh, I do have stuff to say about that), they will allow the army story about the bathing, including adding actual animation, they will let in the car scene with JM's comment about JK's hand up his ass, they will have us see JK cutting JM's meat on his plate (this one is even louder than many other moments for Koreans with their social hierarchy and rules), they will put in the bed scene from Vietnam (those are only a few examples of many many very questionable and very telling moments we got to see), and they will caption them innocently for those that don't want to see them for what they are, to cloak them, if you will, as the two being close (because you can't escape that anymore), very close, friends or brothers. Yeah, because a brother will be upset to find out he's not sleeping with his "brother" in the same room and bed and later on do the happy dance once he finds out he will be spending the night with him in bed. Because brothers (full grown adults in their late 20s and early 30s mind you) do rejoice knowing they will be sleeping together, right?
So yeah, that's why we keep getting these "mixed messages" as such. Show us a shit ton of content that is super suspicious, beyond suspicious, it's clear and obvious and in our faces, and then tame it down with captions or adding other edited scenes that leave viewers that aren't long time Jikookers, that don't know their history and behaviour over the years, questioning themselves.
Back to the first 2 minutes of episode 1.
On top of the whole first scene with JK entering and the season 1 footage with Jikook's voice over we have this here -
The crew enters with permission. So wait, the whole first part was without permission? Or, there was none needed, because it is inherently clear that JK has said permission, just like he did back in 2022 when he entered the apartment using the code.
Oh, and JM's "I'm literally naked right now". Yeah, that's not about JK being there, it's about the cameras being outside his room. And JK's comment: "So? you've always been." And JM's groggy "That's true". Priceless, lol. And btw, I can assure you that JM was not wearing those sweatpants when JK woke him up!
Not 2 minutes in and there is so much to say. 2 minutes in!!
Then we have JM, after being handed the mic (he is finally waking up and it's sunk in that this is happening) closing the door, JK inside the room with him, telling us he's going to get dressed. It's natural as far as he is concerned, of course cameras out but JK in with him, right? It's JK that leaves the room letting him get dressed in private, once again, imo, realising just how it looked (again, the awareness of the cameras). You'd think that we didn't have them sharing rooms and showers (during the show as well). But, again, this is part of that stiffness and awkwardness we got in those first moments of the show.
Now that JM is dressed, we have them both sat in a lounge (apparently not the one he does his lives in) with the crew and JM is given 10 minutes to pack (his reaction priceless). JK has someone pack at his place (via video call) and curiously JM, who is AT HOME, and who takes the suitcase to his room to 'pack', barely packs any clothes. He packs, in his own words "enough to survive" - 10 pairs of underwear and socks and toiletries. We see him shove some clothes he had hanging around into the suitcase as well, but that's it. He's literally asked by the producer if he's not packing clothes, or is he going to buy them there (cause seriously, he's at home, why isn't he packing any clothes?), his answer being that he asked the styling team because he has nothing to wear. Seriously? No clothes? Nothing to wear at home? Please. Who are you kidding? Or, maybe, just maybe, most of his clothes are stored in the place he's be spending most of his time?
Ok, so they are "packed" and ready, and off to another location to get the party started. Neutral grounds with cameras placed in every possible angle.
And this is where I will end this post. What? Not even 10 minutes into the episode. Lol. This is exactly what I was talking about.
There is sooooo much going on. So much that can be unpacked. So much going on which leads to so much being overlooked or unnoticed, especially by those who aren't expecting or looking for it. We haven't even left SK, hell we haven't even left JM's apartment yet...
To be continued... I guess...
