#asain bl

Recent Chinese offerings have been very delicate and subversive in their approach to the gay-not-so subtext (Word of Honor or The Untamed) while attempting to avoid censorship. 

I acknowledge this and I do very much enjoy these shows and appreciate what must be a herculean effort on the part of production.

HOWEVER

Since the history of global cinema is plagued by desexualization of queer identity through a refusal to depict gay characters (in particular) engaging in acts of physical intimacy, it is unlikely that I will ever forgive Chinese censorship in this matter, even when they give us something as glorious as WoH. 

Showing gay characters but refusing to depict gay love in its physical form is an act of homophobia, suppression, and disenfranchisement. 

Period. 

Other Asian countries are homophobic, yet still allow their BL characters sexual agency. For sure, this is intended to titillate a het audience, but at least it is there. In its most mercenary form, boys kissing, holding hands, making out, and so forth is acting to desensitize a culturally ingrained, taboo, visceral, disgust reaction in watchers. 

Thus the more gay physical affection is shown positively on screen, the more those watching become comfortable with the idea of (oh I don’t know) two men walking down the street holding hands. 

That is BL’s cultural endgame.  

China’s relationship with BL is particularly egregious because they once did high heat BL. Yeah it mostly killed the gays, but it was there, and they were on a path (like Japan, Korea, and Taiwan) towards greater acceptance of BL depicting loving happy gay relationships. 

Until censorship. 

It is my personal choice not to critically plaudit homophobic BLs, even beautiful and subversive ones. Why should I extend China the grace that they do not extend me and my people? Pretty, graceful, charming hate.. is still hate. 

Until they allow gay characters the sexual self actualization and physical affirmation of basic human decency, I will blog about the Chinese BL that I love, I will post funny memes, I will enjoy it, but I will never stop being critical that our boys can’t just kiss. 

Because as flippant as that may sound, 

THE KISSING MEANS SOMETHING REALLY IMPORTANT. 

And the fact that they can’t is an act of disgusting suppression.

This is an addendum rant to my series on top 10 BLs from each country coupled with a history of BL. (Namely, some of the reactions to this one, on China.)  

Japanese BL

Chinese BL

Taiwanese BL

Korean BL

Thai BL

I’ve gone off on censorship quite a bit since this post. 

Here’s more on the subject: 

Mainland China Censorship Be Like… (trying to make it funny) 

Why Are Subs/Captions Censored? Or different? Or inaccurate? 

Bromances Meta - Korea China Japan 

How we feel about supporting iQIYI (parent company = HUGE Baidu) 

Also I recommend this marketplace podcast ep: What’s cooking with the restaurant industry? At the end of the episode, the final segment is about Chinese censorship (specifically of the Big Bang Theory) and what content they tend to cut (LBGTQ+) also discusses entertainment as a soft power and cultural export. 

We’re on this road together. 

su su na 

I have not seen The Untamed

Look, I know that my Asian drama and BL education is woefully incomplete and will always be if I never watch it

But you have to understand, I spent so many years in Bromanceland with Steve & Bucky and Flint & Silver that I just don't want to go back there

Also this stuff isn't necessarily bad, especially the differences in style, it just can throw you off or put you off if you're not forewarned.

Dubious consent comes up a lot more

Product placement is widely more blatant. Like stop for a full second to do an add pose with a drink unironically blatant.

The translations are often a bit off I suspect. People say bizarre things too often in otherwise well made and well written shows for it to all be purposeful.

The sense of humour can often be goofier. Not that western media can't be goofy but it's usually solely in comedies. But I'll be watching romcom/dramas and grown adults are jumping up and down like kids or making cartoon character faces then crying their eyes out the next scene.

Sometimes you'll hear a mic get hit or other silly little mistakes

If laughing tracks bother you I don't know how you'll feel about the plethora of sound effects.

Weird gender roles sometimes. Like bfs calling each other husband and wife

People will call someone they're interested in uncle or brother sometimes. I try to replace it with old man or bro in my head.

Positives for selling her (or you) on them:

Community is usually very important

So is family usually, a lot more prominent and integral than a lot of western media.

Usually (even despite some translation weirdness) the banter is IMPECCABLE! The characters are rarely afraid to lovingly bully each other

Queer as hell

Rarely afraid to say bi