I run engagement for two big BL couples. I’d like to talk about the issues I see in the way FayeAtom is handled without placing blame or hate on either Faye or Atom.
I think FayeAtom struggles to convert viewers into fans because the rollout misunderstood what couple pairing culture responds to. Faye and solo fans treat pairings like PR. Couple pairings run on story, emotional logic, continuity, symbolism, and messy tension. Two beautiful actresses together are not a PR story. FayeYoko had airport drama, leaked neck kisses, fan captured hugs. When the couple split CPF drifted toward the person who acted more wounded. Even when Yoko insulted exploited fans and told them to fuck off, shippers didn’t care about right or wrong. They cared about the story. Give them an interesting story and they will love you even if you make fun of them and flaunt Wan's connections in their face,
Yoko: betrayal → heartbreak → anger → sad posts → new love → healing
Faye: contract termination → new couple with the same aesthetics
She didn’t continue her public story. She reset it.
Delulu fans will swallow any lie that keeps the narrative alive. Closure, cheating, conspiracy, immaculate conception. They’re the ones funding half the industry while brainstorming baby names for a couple that exists only in their GC. Fayemily's edits make FA look like a story with no conflict or stakes. A good PR expert could have crafted a *I lived through a storm and still choose light* story for Faye and leaned into the second marriage slow build with Atom.
Yoko gave CPF closure by filming her side of the story and painting Faye as the villain. May seem unscrupulous. This is just how you survive in this industry. I wish Fabel had a more experienced PR strategist to protect Faye and Atom from dirty PR moves and attacks. Nicha only does fashion and talks about Faye like she is past her prime.
What do you like about FayeAtom? What do you think Faye could do better? Would you be cool with a romantic antagonist in their next series? What kind of story would you want to see?
First thanks for this ask
I think you hit the nail on the head. A big reason why fans aren't fully invested in FayeAtom yet is exactly because they are still haunted by the ghost of FayeYoko. Because of how that narrative ended, some fans are stuck in that CPF or still blame Faye for breaking up the couple.
On top of that, there are a few specific things holding FA back right now:
The Comparisons: Some fans keep saying Atom and Yoko look alike, to the point where they are making edits comparing them dancing and singing. It makes it hard for FayeAtom or even Atom herself to establish their/her own identity even though Atom was part of VIIS.
Faye's Energy: People complain that Faye isn't as 'sweet' with Atom as she was with her previous partner. But honestly, I think Faye is just adjusting, or she’s being incredibly cautious because of how badly things blew up last time. She's likely protecting herself.
The Fiction vs. Reality Blur: There is a never-ending issue with people judging the 'age gap.' I think a lot of viewers still can't separate Faye from her character Khun Nueng 😭
They definitely need a fresh story with high stakes—like a romantic antagonist—to finally break them out of the old narrative and give them their own spark!
Glad that Faye said their next series will be RomCom
Hopefully I answered you right 😅
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