So now that Cherry Magic is over, and I think we can agree that it was great, how are you feeling about the next Japanese adaptations? Both Kieta Hatsukoi and Ossan's Love.
I must admit that I'm slightly more optimistic than I was before, but still cautiously.
oh boy do I have thoughts on this one.
I'm optimistic about both (at completely different levels) but pessimistic about distribution.
I haven't had to go gray to access any BL of note in years. And I'm a little annoyed that Cherry Magic Thailand forced me to break my law abiding streak. (To be fair, I was already there for Build Up. But, my annoyance stands.)
If we are very lucky, GMMTV is taking down some of their heavy hitters from YouTube rn because they've struck a distribution deal with Vicki. And that deal might also include first rights global release for those Japanese adaptations. Because Vicki is a Japanese based company, I'm hoping they can swing global distribution for GMMTV that handles Japan's wicked IP laws.
Also Viki currently handles global distribution for the original live actions of Ossen and MLM, so... Maybe on the Japanese end they can fold these Thai versions into the contracts for those IPs (which would be with the original creators and already negotiated). Japan is much more comfortable with that kind of thing, than entirely new contracts.
That said, I think if GMMTV really wants to capitalize on this new JBL remake relationship, they should go to the well on yaoi and pick up some older manga that have never been adapted. Rather than trying to remake what's already be been turned into live action by Japan. They would probably have fewer legal struggles that way.
But nobody listens to me in this matter.
So far as the Thai remakes themselves are concerned?
I was already very optimistic about My Love Mixup.
I enjoyed the original, but I think this is exactly the kind of content that Thailand does better in a longer form with added chemistry then Japan. (Bite me, they do.)
And I think Gemini & Forth are ideally cast.
As for Ossen's Love, I loathe that franchise. I really do.
I'm also not a huge EarthMix stan (witness my abject hatred of that body swap road trip nonsense they did, what was it called, oh yeah, Cupid's Last Wish). So this is not necessarily a win on casting for me, either. (Can Earth even DO comedy?)
But I was so impressed by Cherry Magic Th (and so doubtful about that casting too, initially), that I will actually watch Thailand's version of Ossen.
I'll have my judgy hat on the entire time, tho.
Also, with the distribution issues of Cherry Magic, will GMMTV still green light this production at all? I mean it's massive suck cost for them, if they also spend their biggest cash cow pair on something that can't get international distribution. Unless I'm right about that Viki deal... Or unless EarthMix is worth the money even if they only get Thailand. (They are HUGE there, so maybe the number work out.)
I have thoughts and concerns, I guess is what I'm saying.