This is an entire conversation explaining the concept of shipping actors as well as using their status to sell products and about the use of the queer identity in their selling point is just... it's glorious because it's real but also because it's the discussion that happens so often with fans... what is the actor's job? Is it to sell a ship? Is it to act? What does it mean to cater to fans and when does it go too far?
(I am fascinated by them discussing this using some real stars and real acting pairs and it's honestly fascinating. @absolutebl I love this discussion happening in a show that isn't about actors in the industry but rather the industries adjacent and the discussions inherent in both the fanbase and the non-fans as well.)
But also this line is even more fascinating because it does bring up the question... if his ex-boyfriend is a BL actor and thus part of the LGBTQ community is he exploiting his own identity? What about the writers, directors, producers and other actors who are also in the community? When does it stop being exploration and become another form of expression? Is there a line to be drawn? Or is there an inherent distinction between queer works and BL works that cannot be crossed as a line?
There's so much to breakdown and I absolutely cannot do it but it's such an interesting question to ask and a lot of interesting discussions that are possible from it.
