Living in Thailand, it's become hard to not notice the boom of "BL" (Boys Love romance) video content. Particularly on LINE TV Thailand.

 

Everything you need to know about Thailand’s thriving Boys Love culture (timeout.com)

Why Thai BL Series Are Exploding in Popularity in the Philippines (esquiremag.ph)

 

For me as a gay man, it's mystifying why it would be so popular in Asia.
These days there are ample amounts of international t.v. and movies (beyond porn) that are of interest to LGBT people. We have become so well represented in media that many reactionaries complain that we are overly represented.

But this "BL" stuff has a different target market. A much much BIGGER one. 

It's made by women for women but about "boys" romances.

You couldn't make this up, but they do, and it's become a massive industry.

Do you any of you watch this stuff? I regard them as soap operas and I don't watch soap operas. 

Do the Thai ladies in your life watch this stuff?

Here is the place to comment on this curious cultural phenom if you ever wanted to. 

 

To add, while I don't watch these series I have seen some very entertaining and highly melodramatic Thai, Taiwanese, and Filipino movies that I suppose do include at least some aspects of B.L. romance story lines (but sometimes throw in some macho dancers for spice). Filipinos in particular seem very talented with over the top melodramas. Probably the Latin influence. Bring tissues (because you'll cry). 

 

 

I'm confused. Are you saying that the series are made by women and only watched by women, but about boys, or are you wondering why males are watching them?

3 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I'm confused. Are you saying that the series are made by women and only watched by women, but about boys, or are you wondering why males are watching them?

Not exactly either.

 

The target audience is explained in the links.

A series created by women, for women, featuring two men in a homosexual relationship.

Mostly watched by young women.

 

The mind boggles