OMG!! I just found your blog through a WBL fan sharing your post about WBL on Instagram, and I am SOOOOO happy to see that you noticed and appreciate the tutor and fighter couple from Why R U series too. If possible, please write an analysis about this couple, about any specific aspect you deem as most important or just generally, whatever you are okay with. I love reading your analysis and the insights it gives me, and I just finished binge reading all of your writings on my favorite bl (1)
Hi wow mindblown by this comment Thank you so much for letting me know that my stuff is being shared I really appreciate that and I am so grateful that you took time of your day to come speak to me. I adore Fighter and Tutor, like they’re my favourite couple ever. What happened when why r u was airing was I wasn’t yet analysing BLs at that time otherwise I would have been writing essays and essays about them. Because it’s been so long since I went back to watch them I’m going to let you see some of my drafts on how I would have broken their relationship into pieces and analysed. Because they are incredible and I really always feel sad when people see them as just like a se*ual couple when there’s more to them than that. So I will let you see the first drafts and my ideas on them through this ask and I hope that's okay for now. Maybe after my other shows I will like go back and rewatch them and start analysing more about them. If I do I’d probably do a youtube video about them because they’re so good.
The theme for these two is the struggle with internalised homophobia and self-acceptance. They both had this obstacle in themselves as they fell for each other and tried hard to avoid and run away from what they felt. It’s been a long journey for them being into each other since the first time they met but not really realising what they felt. Fighter did but he went into extreme panic mode and tried to run away immediately he felt that. So he tried to stay by Tutor’s side through the teasing and bullying because Tutor made him feel great and happy always but then with pressure from his father and the path he was meant to take to keep on being seen as successful, he thought his feelings for Tutor were useless and wrong. Plus he didn’t know if it was reciprocated so that caused even more fear for him which is why he just stayed with teasing and finally kater in thinking Tutor likes Hwa he chose to pull her away from him by taking her attention but also he chose to keep what they have as enemies/haters that way and avoid being near Tutor. This is why they end up hating each other a lot by the beginning of Why R U which is like 3 years later or something after he chose to stay with Hwa.
Tutor didn’t understand fully why he got angry, jealous and annoyed, he had an inclination from the first year that Fighter liked men and he was actually hopeful about it because deep down he had feelings of wanting to also flirt with Fighter, wanting to stay with Fighter even when annoyed him and bullied him. He liked Fighter’s softness at times and he liked the way he felt even though he didn’t understand why he was so rifled and affected by Fighter’s presence when no one else has been able to do that to him before. But he became upset when Fighter chose to date Hwahwa because it was his automatic issue with IH that of course Fighter doesn’t like him but he likes girls, so he got jealous and sad and proceeded to also dislike Fighter because he had this effect on him whilst still trying to date his best friend who had feelings for Fighter.
They both have had unknowingly pent up feelings for each other, so once Fighter breaks the barrier by their first kiss, they both go into extreme panic and they both could no longer pretend any more with what they have. Which is why the first episodes they both keep struggling to keep their attraction with each other quiet because its been 3 years since they wanted each other that way. Fighter has so much pent up attraction and needs to give into his feelings that each time they have a chance to break that barrier it’s intense and crazy. Both have been longing, pining secretly for each other since the beginning of the show. What happens next is for Fighter he has to choose to finally accept that he cares a lot, a lot , a lot about Tutor, he finally starts to learn more about this person he loves and he starts to want to protect and keep Tutor happy and by his side. When it comes to finally choosing to let go of Hwa and choose to fight for Tutor and start knowing if he feels the same way. It’s a leap of faith he takes when he breaks up with Hwa. He realises he’s the one stopping his wishes from happening with Tutor because he keeps being in denial about what they are because he’s scared it’s only him that’s gay and has feelings for the other.
It’s only after tutor sister tells him that he’s holding back his feelings does he realise that it’s time to talk about their unstable relationship and Fighter at that moment had also come to terms with his break up with Hwa after making out with tutor revealed the truth, that’s why on the rooftop they do a test that ultimately breaks their walls down and choose to give in to their feelings no matter how scared they are about it being reciprocated. When Tutor looks away and loses the game it’s a symbol to Fighter that he’s also been the same as him from the start. Tutor looks away sadly thinking he’s the one who has the feelings but Fighter just loses it and lets him know its equal which is why I love that scene so much because for so long both of them because of IH has been avoiding thinking the other had the same feelings for them when they both from the start have felt love for a long time. And from then they go on a journey to learn about what this means, if it’s real feelings and not just attraction hence their beach vacation which is essentially them asking if they could love each other and be in a real relationship, and if they can take on their obstacles around them. The beach solidifies for them their feelings so they choose each other for life hence the earring and necklace. But it’s fast paced how they feel because it’s just confirmation, now Tutor starts to realise that Fighter is actually different than he thought he was and he falls so fast, he now realises how much he loves Fighter and how much Fighter made him want to fight for his happiness and life. Tutor has not had hope for happiness and ease in his life, because he’s always had to fight to survive on his own. So when Fighter shows up like a prince charming and constantly is connected to saving him time and time again, it’s exactly him realising there’s someone who does represent that hope that he’d be fine. Hence why the final obstacle is Tutor regressing and starting to think because of IH and society that he and Fighter are just a pipe dream.
They go back to face the world only for Fighters father to bring back all the fear, internalised homophobia and obstacles they had. Fighter panics and thinks he was right; the reason why he never told Tutor his feelings was because he was afraid the other would break his heart (was not gay, did not have feelings for him, would make fun of him etc) so when Tutor breaks up with him he loses his mind after trying hard to let go. When he sees that actually Tutor is taunting him and is still flirting with a guy, not him, he proceeds drunk and upset to try and get back moments from the beach scene/ past make out scenes to keep that spark alive but realises Tutor is not okay this time and he’s the one forcing it. He also acted out because with them the truth comes out each time they’re physical with other romantically. It’s a kiss that caused them to finally tell each other how they felt. That’s always been the way they break their walls down.
It’s what causes him to break down and finally reveal the truth he’s loved Tutor since he met him, he’s just been afraid of all that’s happening even if it’s happening he still wants to be with Tutor. Tutor however breaks his heart even more so he backs off. Tutor on the other hand is broken and mentally exhausted back to depression, back to having to fake being strong and deal with the futility of hope and joy in his life as he’s always been used to. He gets seen by Fighter and doesn’t have it on him to fight him away, so decides to stay in an idealistic fantasy, tells him to hold him and breaks his walls down again. Tutor is always having to fake being strong because it’s how he survives so whenever Fighter enters his world his vulnerability scares him, that’s why his sister gives him the image of a cactus. He’s tough and sharp or pretends to be with his demeanour but actually he’s just a boy who wants to be happy and be safe and survive. So when Fighter shows up at his weakest moments, as he struggles to deal with his mental exhaustion and heart break, he gives in because again Fighter represents to him that hope. He starts to waver and want to stay in that lie for a long time with Fighter. Hence when he wakes up and Fighter is gone he thinks its all over and he finally breaks down completely.
Only when Fighter goes he breaks down in anguish truly thinking he lost him. Fighter finally comes out to his dad and fights his views, And we end up back at the beach, a place which represented authenticity and truth for them, it’s their truest realest self, but it also was their escapism. So Fighter coming there and letting Tutor know there’s no more obstacles in their way makes them both finally equally start a stable relationship with no more fear or care about anything. These twos relationship is full of tension and they both feel the chemistry, like magnets their bodies are drawn together, every scene they’re in, it’s their love language physical touch not bl fan service. They just naturally want to be in contact with each other and also their pent up feelings leads to them constantly wanting to sleep together because of hormones and well because they enjoy their se*ual life, nothing bad about that it’s realistic for couples to be that horny, that needy and that touchy.
It’s people who don’t get the context of internalised homophobia and what being in the closet is like for people with this anxiety and self hate caused by how they think society views them and treats them if out, those are the people who think there was no plot. Every dialogue these two had, their flashbacks and their acting (eyes, facial gestures, touches) showed why Fighter liked teasing Tor, why he dated Hwa but never paid her attention, why we had the beach scenes, why the break up escalated, why Tutor gave in when ill, why the non/dubious consent scene happened, why they get back together and why they told each other I love you forever immediately after they got together. Every single part adds up. It really is insane to me how people don’t see their real story to this day or see them as such a great storyline for BL. I would never get it.
oh. so that’s why young royals has been trending for like, 3 days straight. it really is like that huh.
noh shinwoo. what? i saw that you sent me messages. a lot of them, actually. what if i never saw them? i didn’t care. i just… figured you’d realize eventually. then… were you thinking about me all this time? yes. yesterday, today and probably tomorrow, i will continue thinking about you.
LIGHT ON ME (2021) EP. 13
Song Shi On + Big Mood™
gemini & fourth (in every universe) ↳ li ming vs. gun vs. atom + perspectives on love
"Do dreams carry any meaning without someone you love to share them with?"
Why can’t I say it?
Crying today because I learnt that -
if someone lets you go because of lack of courage and not being able to take a stand for themselves, don't worry. Because there'll definitely be someone out there who'll always be there to lend you a shoulder or open their arms to comfort you.
If you’re not already, here’s why you all should watch Sotus the Series:
QUALITY PLOT: It’s actually very close and true to the novel’s storyline, probably because the author herself was heavily involved in the making of the show as a member of the writing team and being involved of the casting process.
TALENT: All the actors are incredibly talented and truly bring life to the characters, maybe because they were handpicked by the novel’s author herself, maybe because they actually went through the Sotus system themselves in real life or maybe because the two protagonists actually have been friends and went to university together. There are many scenes were very little is said and very much is conveyed by subtle yet strong gestures or facial expressions. There is also a lot of chemistry between all the actors in all scenes.
CULTURAL VALUE: The way the Thai university’s SOTUS system is shown, explained and talked about in the show actually presents the audience with various points of view on the matter. It also gives a well rounded insight into traditional Thai college life as well as the problems and benefits that come with it. So, there’s actual educational and cultural value in it, without forcing any specific point of view onto the audience.
FEMALE REPRESENTATION: Even though it’s a boylove genre storyline, there are many female characters and every single one of them is well developed, positive, relatable and important to the story. There is no antagonism, no emotional limitation, no stereotyping, and no being used merely as a plot device. Every female character is respected and treated as an equal by all other characters. Of all the Thai TV shows that I’ve watched, this is the only show that did that. And, even though industrial engineering statistically is a male dominated profession and course of studies, this show presents the audience with a 50% female student body and university staff.
LGBT REPRESENTATION: Even though Thai media and culture commonly uses effeminate gay male characters for comic relief by ridiculing their manners and ways of speaking, this show never went there. Here, such a character is not only never made fun of, but also fully accepted to be an integral part of the main group of friends. By everybody. There is also a lesbian character, who (in contrast to the stereotypical Thai media representation) has an individual look and characterization and - most importantly - is never ostracized for her orientation by anybody. In addition, she’s actually made the “star” of the year, which would be similar to “prom queen” in Western terms.
REALISM AND RESPECT: While Thai TV commonly portrays love stories by heavily focusing on sexuality instead of emotional intimacy, and by either having the characters touch a lot but never kiss, or only fake kiss (lips not actually touching, actors freezing for several seconds in weird angles) as well as characters crossing personal and physical boundaries without consent, this show did the opposite. There is barely any intimate touching on this show and sexuality isn’t even discussed. There are two real kisses (as both actors decided the characters would benefit from realistic representation). Both kisses are essential to the storyline and they look much more genuine than anything I have ever seen on any other Thai TV show. Also, every single character’s boundaries and emotions are fully respected and considered valid throughout the whole story. By every other character.
Go watch it on the GMMTV YouTube channel, with the official English subtitles:
Here’s a link to the full playlist (so far there’s 12 episodes with official subs, further episodes will be added weekly - there will be 16 in total).
□ a bl sideblog, because yes, it reached that level◇▪︎ ♡🏳️🌈☆
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