WOW. Okay. Making my first (and probably last) post on Tumblr for this discourse is not what I predicted but whatever.
FIRST I want to state very clearly. I didn't support the decision that Gaga and Gmmtv made to put Wu on their website (however, @blbeloved recent post rightfully challenged this perspective). If Gaga wanted to branch out into other genres, they should have announced that ahead of time instead of springing it on us. I also believe that nothing would have changed if the uproar hadn't been this loud, so to Gaga fans, let's not act like this is a brownie point to them?!
Here are the points that have irritated me in this discourse:
1. Accusing the show, cast and crew of queerbaiting. That is BY DEFINITION incorrect. No one who worked on the show has ever made false promises, and consistently been upfront about the plot and character dynamics. They even released a book about it. The show was marketed as an ACTION-FANTASY, not a bromance. Even Gmmtv hasn't made any claims (accept for the non verbal agreement with Gaga). Moreover, Gaga has DONE SHADY SHIT IN THE PAST. They partnered very closely with aam anusorn, they paid influencers to promote shitty original shows like call it what you want, etc. Why are people shocked that gaga paid for this show? They are a streaming site that wants money. Gmmtv ALSO want money and exposure, so they sold it to the (presumably) highest bidder. But Gmmtv did not FORCE Gaga to put it there. The decision of streaming sites is NOT decided by the cast and crew of the show, therefore they should be left out of this nonsense.
2. Accusing Skynani as a duo of being queerbait. I could name a million fucking reasons why this is not accurate, but I don't want to make this post any longer. The Internet has sadly lost the meaning of this word. Just because these two men happened to have a lot of chemistry in one show and irl, and fans saw this and naturally imagined "omg what if they kissed 🤭" doesn't mean they have to kiss and do romance series to satisfy strangers online. Stop it. Just because they decided to work together as a duo (and YES they were not meant to be a duo after HSF but THEY CHOSE to do it) does not mean they 'look down on bl and its fans'. They are simply introducing something different to what Gmmtv has been doing for years. What countries like south korea (a place that also has explicit bl) have been doing for years with shows like WHC, Bloodhounds, etc.
3. The strawman/slippery slope arguments about gmmtv putting more budget and effort into their 'straight' shows. Firstly, not-bl does not automatically equal 'heterosexual'. Secondly, Parbdee is NOT where Gmmtv sends their straight shows. They have produced be my favourite, boys in love, Thamepo, muteluv and love you teacher. Yes a lot have been non-ql, but it's NOT one or the other. I'm also starting to believe that people don't know what budget is, or what it's for. Special effects, good writing and a darker colour palette does not automatically equal 'massive budget'. It means the writers, directors, editors, VFX artists, etc. cared about what they were making. And if you know P'Waa, you know he CARES about his shows. A university bl doesn't need a massive budget, but a supernatural drama where there are ghosts and demons may need a TAD bit more. I hope that ql will continue to branch out! But invalidating the work of non-bls and viewing it as 'stealing money' is unhealthy and inaccurate. Plus maybe I would have a bit more sympathy if ANY of this was brought up when F4, scarlet heart, enigma, midnight museum, peaceful property, the gifted, home school, etc. were announced and airing.
4. The claim that Skynani and Wu are the death of QL. What a fetishistic, western-centric, allonormative way to view them and shows like Wu and HSF, who celebrate male closeness and intimacy without explicit sex and/or romance. The 2026 lineup had over 30 shows and only SIX of them were non-ql. MORE of something does not mean LESS of another thing. Queerness is not one or another. It is not either/or. It is a beautiful kaledescope of colour. ALSO, the fact some online are using the slippery slope fallacy (a common tactic used by conservatives AGAINST QUEER PEOPLE) is crazy. There are literally over 15 bl and gl pairs in GMMTV as opposed to two 'duos', and more are being introduced every couple of years. You will be fine. Gmmtv will keep producing qls, and actors should have the freedom to move around other genres and scripts (e.g., taynew in peaceful property).
I am determined to enjoy this show despite all this fucking negativity. I'm not angry if you choose not to watch the show, that is your right. I'm angry at baseless accusations, gatekeeping of what 'queer' is, inaccurate use of the term 'queerbait', and hypothetical fear mongering that this ONE show and acting duo is the downfall of an industry that has existed FOR YEARS. This is not a 'win against bromance'. It is simply airing on another platform and Skynani, Dewtee and potentially other future pairs will do what they do without a single iota of care to these nonsense claims. Have a good day 👍
izzy806
gamechangershow
germansingergirl
turnnoffyourmind
