Thanks for watching The Evolution of Asian GL: From Subtext to Spotlight 🌟 If you loved this deep dive into #AsianGL and representation, don’t forget to subscribe to @artisteloo for more video essays, reactions, and behind-the-scenes explorations! Share this video with friends who appreciate nuanced storytelling, and let’s amplify the voices behind these inspiring narratives.🥰 Which moment resonated with you the most? Let me know in the comments below! 💖 #AsianGL #GirlsLove #VideoEssay #Representation #LGBTQ Discover more content on : - IG (instagram.com/artisteloo/ ), - X (x.com/artisteloo ), - Tiktok (www.tiktok.com/@artisteloo ).
Pluto is amazing, isn’t it?! 🌟 I am planning on releasing my reactions to PLUTO soon 😊 It’s so well-crafted and definitely has that addictive quality that keeps you hooked. I’m loving how Thai GLs like this are setting new standards for storytelling! Who’s your favorite character so far? 🥰🥰
hahaha I also love Ton!! He is adorable with Metawee!! Ai-oon is so brave indeed, and deeply generous! I love the grandma too because she is so accepting about the twins' personal life!!
This video essay is so great! Since GAP, there’s been a huge push for GL content in Thailand, and it’s honestly so exciting. We’re finally seeing the investment that this genre deserves! ✨ It’s wild how many obstacles GL faces, once you get past the whole homophobic governments and broadcasters, a lot of people still don’t wanna invest because they think it won’t make any money or buzz. But that’s why we need to stay LOUD on the internet about how much we love GL! Honestly, there’s SO much good Asian GL content out there, it’s hard to pick just one. I’d say The Other Love Story is one of my faves. It’s got that sweet, simple vibe and feels very realistic. Recently, The Loyal Pin has me in a chokehold. The cinematography, the dialogue is literally poetry, and the characters are great. Also My Mother’s Girlfriend which is an Indian short film and it’s so refreshing to see older women in love, because so much of GL (and romance in general) is always about young people. Anyway, pls for the love of GL, make more videos like this😁
Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtful insights! ✨💖 You're absolutely right-there's been such an incredible shift since GAP, and it's amazing to see the GL genre finally getting the attention and investment it deserves. The challenges GL faces are real, but I completely agree that staying LOUD and showing our love for these stories online makes such a difference in driving that change! Also, your recommendations are GOLD! The Other Love Story truly captures that realistic and heartfelt vibe, and The Loyal Pin sounds like an absolute cinematic gem-I need to check it out ASAP but I would like to react to it and post my reactions so that's why I've been delaying the whole enterprise, haha! And My Mother’s Girlfriend-YES! It's so refreshing to see stories about love at every stage of life, I crave for older representations so I always click very fast whenever the media about two older persons!! haha Thank you for sharing these gems and for encouraging more content like this! It is definitely a direction I've always envisaged for my channel! Your support means the world to me, and I promise more video essays are coming soon! Let’s keep celebrating and amplifying GL together! 💖
The classic GL film, Fire (1996) by Mira Nair, tells the story of 2 women who are sisters-in-law who are stuck in loveless marriages as they fall in love and fight to escape domestic violence and tradition. It's a beautiful and passionate film of Asian women discovering freedom in sapphic love. When this film opened in theaters there were riots by religious men protesting the depiction of lesbian romance between Hindu women. It's one of my favorite GL films.
Thank you so much for highlighting Fire! 🔥 It’s such a groundbreaking film and an essential part of GL cinema history. It is also one of my favorites, actually! Mira Nair captured the beauty and power of sapphic love in a way that challenged societal norms and gave a voice to women reclaiming their freedom. While making the video, I was thinking that it’s incredible how the film still resonates today, showing the intersection of love, resistance, and cultural tradition. Definitely a classic that paved the way for so many stories to come. Again, I appreciate you highlighting it here-it deserves all the recognition! 💕
I think the first positive and serious GL that I remember seeing that didn't end in tragedy or display lesbians as fundamentally broken people was Transit Girls (2015) which was on mainstream Japanese TV at the time. It shifted heavily away from showing trauma or drunken mistakes as the basis for lesbian relationships, which marked the previous era, and showed all characters as three-dimensional characters. I think this is the vein the modern GL comes from. Couple of Mirrors would be the next, and having been made in China makes it doubly amazing, even given its censored limitations. The next would be Gap the Series and Blank the Series combination (this is a continuous story made of two series), which broke the dam entirely, leading to literally at least a new GL per day happening now. I am so glad you made this video. I was wondering if anyone in the West was paying attention to what was happening in the East. I don't know if I can pick a favorite, but I can tell you after having watched so many I have lost count, the one I rewatch most frequently is Transit Girls (2015) because at one point it was one of a kind. In any given week, my favorite is frequently the latest Thai GL. Even better, JPC puts out new stories daily which are amazing. I cannot leave out Chaser Game W which was the original inspiration for my series of GL novels. *Favorite ships on the other hand and in order*: Wang Yi & Zhou Shiyu (China), NuneVicky (Thailand JPC), NamtanFilm (Thailand, Pluto), LingOrm(Thailand), BmineNear(Thailand), FayeYoko(of course), FreenBecky (the OGs)
Thank you so much for sharing your journey through GL storytelling-it’s so fascinating! 🙌 I completely agree that Transit Girls (2015) was a significant step forward, especially for mainstream Japanese TV, in showing a positive, grounded depiction of a lesbian relationship! Definitely a great milestone for Japan! Maybe I could refine the scope and make an evolution video in specific countries such as Japan, SKorea, Taiwan, Thailand, in the future to further talk specific gems like those ones that didn't make the cut? 🧐 As I said in the video, the first positive and serious GL I remember was the Thai film Yes or No. It came out in 2010 and really stood out at the time, not just for its sweet, lighthearted romance but for how unapologetically it embraced its story, avoiding the usual tropes of tragedy or ‘broken’ characters. It paved the way for so much of what we’re seeing in Thai GLs today. Also, I’ve been glued to Asian media since 2006 and have been incredibly passionate about the evolution of GL storytelling in Asia, as well as all things Asia in general! I knew there was a gap in informative and educational content on this topic, and I finally felt competent and legitimate enough to talk about it. This video is part of my mission to archive and document critical thinking on Asian narratives, particularly GL ones. I’m thrilled that my experience can help fill this gap on TH-cam, whether it’s because few creators approach it seriously or because GL as a genre is still in the early stages of academic research. Your favorite ships list is stellar, and I love how diverse your influences are! I’m so inspired to hear about Chaser Game W being the spark for your GL novels-that’s amazing! 💕 Stay tuned; I might have more thoughts to share about some of these stories soon! 👀✨
It's a shame after Transit Girls it took 7 years for Japan to create the second GL series after centered around a lesbian couple and that was more about self-acceptance and discovery than actual romance. And if you ask me, it'll take another 5 years or more until there's a GL with more than 25 minutes runtime not airing in a late night slot, like every GL did so far. But Japan is still one of the most male-dominated entertainment businesses in Asia and love between two girls/women is still seen as a phase you go through until you find a nice husband, so it's not a big surprise. And this in a country with a lot of very good stories from Yuri Manga that just need to be adapted. If you really think about making videos for specific countries, you definitely need to include Manga and Anime when it comes to Japan because those are light years ahead of the drama industry. In my opinion the best and one of the most realistic Yuri/GL stories so far, regardless of country or medium is still Yagate Kimi ni Naru (Bloom Into You). Unfortunately the anime only covers the first half of the manga, which is more like an introduction to the story so the manga is the only way to go.
@ANDOR- You’ve brought up such a fascinating contrast between Japan’s live-action dramas and its vibrant Yuri manga and anime culture. It’s wild to think that a country producing masterpieces like Bloom Into You still struggles to bring equally nuanced and ambitious GL content to live-action screens. The idea of love between women being dismissed as a 'phase' is such a persistent cultural hurdle... And it’s frustrating to see it holding back creative industries with so much potential!!! As for Yuri manga and anime, they really are in a league of their own! Hahaha, your comment has me laughing because you’ve basically outlined my next video idea! 😂 I’m diving into the Yuri genre soon, but I want to go beyond celebrating its highs and really unpack its tropes, challenges, and what keeps it from reaching its full potential. I’m so excited to dig deeper into why Yuri resonates globally yet struggles with certain limitations. Thank you for inspiring such great conversations-I can’t wait to share more soon! 💕
@@artisteloo I found your evolution theory very informative and enjoyable. I've been watching Anime for almost 20 years now and 13/14 of those I watched and read anything Yuri I could get my hands on, so I'm really looking forward to that topic. I only started really consuming a lot of JDrama right before COVID and got into Thai GL earlier this year because I hate stereotypical shoujo manga, so a friend of mine joked about GAP and almost everything from that author being exactly like that, only with two female leads, so I got curious 😅. And even though I only liked it until episode 9 or so, I'm basically binge watching Thai GL since then. About Japan. All kinds of supreme courts, the public and other political parties are pressuring the ruling party to legalize same-sex marriage and put anti-discrimination laws into effect, because they're the only major political party still against all of that ("we want to uphold traditional family values" blabla... even the Japanese public is tired of it). So I hope there will be more GL content in the upcoming years and not only 3 or more BL dramas every 3 months. This year was already a big improvement with the second season of Chaser Game W (I really didn't like the first season), Ayaka-chan wa Hiroko-senpai ni Koishiteru (funny and enjoyable, except for the actual romance) and the at the moment airing Kimi no Tsugu Kaori wa. And one drama is already confirmed that it'll air in January called Call Me By No-Name. I'm pretty hopeful that we will someday get a full-length prime time Yuri JDrama, even if I think it'll still take a few years.
Thank you so much! 😊 Rich Man's Daughter was such an iconic starting point-GL media like this one really paved the way for so many GL fans! And I totally get the obsession with PLUTO💜; it’s such a masterpiece!! Let’s just say… I might have something planned around PLUTO soon! 👀✨ Stay tuned!
It is so interesting to know that TRMD was the starting point to so many of you!! I was part of the international subbing team for this show! It brings back so many memories 😊✨️
Amazing video!! Whenever creators who talk about representation in media mention just how much that representation helps change minds and even laws makes me so happy! Lately I've seen negative opinions about coming of age queer stories, deemed "boring" by countless queer young people, so I personally think it's important to remind everyone that until we live in a world where even one single country is not safe for people like us to live in, these kind of stories will ALWAYS be needed. I'm looking forward to more your videos! ❤ Oh! Also, I just finished watching a gl series from GMM on youtube called Pluto, I really really enjoyed it! It had a very unique premise but still the charm that gl series usually have, both cute and steamy ^^ I really liked this Japanese gl series called Ayaka is in love with Hiroko! which was very cute and fun! And from South Korea there's a youtube channel called Red that makes these very short and cute gl web series that I highly recommend checking out!
My recent favorites have been 23.5, it was very Degrassi/ South of Nowhere, but happier. It's definitely for a younger audience, though I still found it funny and entertaining. In a similar vein, I thought Reverse 4 You was meant for a younger crowd, but it was more realistic than 23.5. And while the story was about the couple getting together, the plot about saving the younger sister was great. The characters felt more fleshed out than 23.5, a lot of character beats were hit, and not too many plot holes. Out of the 4 GLs I'm going to talk about, it was hands down my favorite. I've already re-watched it multiple times because it did the happy and drama scenes so well. For the more mature GLs, The Secret of Us was a favorite, but it had more plot trouble than the previous two shows I mentioned. I loved that we got all the emotional reactions, I thought all of them were needed; and I enjoyed the story until it became about gaining the mom's acceptance. I feel either the flashbacks to their past should have been shown at the beginning of the series, or just left out and that they added scenes of the mom with Lingling's character throughout the show. Scenes with the mom reminding the lead about how her ex left, also might have cut down on me getting annoyed with Tan so much for him being so hardline. The ending was also a little too fairytale-esque after all the emo. I have to give props though for 2 points: I loved that the show had the Yes or No couple cameo, and that the actual secondary love interests were women. I felt like the show WAS focused on giving the LGBT+ community a show we deserved, and the last couple of episodes were more for the public. Definitely re-watchable. I also really enjoyed Affair, the soap lover in me was being fed by the drama. However, oh how I disliked so many of the characters. It was way too much plot for the number of episodes they had, and imo I felt like they wasted time with Eck. They really needed to spend those first few episodes showing that Wan convinced herself that she might be happy with him. Instead it was she decided to get with him because Pleng told her to. Honestly none of endings felt earned, I feel like we didn't spend enough time with the characters, so that I could feel relieved and glad that they got good endings. When Wan took her long walk, I was like, "Keep going, girl". She was the only one that I really cared about at that point, and it's because her story/character required the least storytelling. I would watch the actresses in another series, but I don't see myself re-watching this series.
Oh wow there you are! I watched your reactions to Gap! 🙏Thanks for this video!! There are so many more GL’s now. I hope you will consider reacting to the new series The Loyal Pin, with Freen & Becky. Done with the approval of the ministry of commerce of Thailand. There’s a lot of cultural stuff in it and it’s soooo good!! 🙏Thanks you again!! 😘
Ohhh hello there!! So happy to read a comment from you! haha Thank you so much for watching my latest video essay, I definitely want to do more of this new format! 🙏💕 I’m so glad you enjoyed it too! You're absolutely right-there are so many amazing GLs now, and I’m loving how the genre keeps growing. I’ve heard only GREAT things about The Loyal Pin! Freen and Becky are always incredible, and I love that it’s rooted in Thai culture. I’ll definitely consider reacting to it-thanks for the suggestion! 😘✨ More GL reactions are coming too~~ 😊🥰
Atp thailand is the only country that is frequently making gls. Japan is slowly starting, Korea is still making low budget mini gl series, and Taiwan is still stuck with stepbro bls. Gays if other countries start to make gls frequently then please don't neglect thai gls like bl fans.
You bring up such an important point! Thailand has truly been leading the way with GLs, giving us consistent, high-quality content and setting a standard for representation. 🌟 While it’s exciting to see other countries like Japan and Korea slowly stepping into the GL space, there’s definitely a need for more frequent and diverse stories globally. And yes, I completely agree- GLs deserve continued love and support, especially as it is really challenging to make sapphic stories visible and mainstream. Let’s celebrate all GLs and have allies in the community in doing so! 💕🙏
A very well thought out video and it's amazing how far GL has come! I don't know if you remember Daughters of club bilitis in 2011 which was a one episode S. Korean drama series about 3 types of lesbian couples. One couple was still at school, another couple was a business ceo type of couple and the other couple was an elderly couple. Unfortunately the series got cancelled after just one episode because conservative people were complaining about it. It's such a shame it got cancelled because it was sooo good! If it was released today, i think it wouldn't be cancelled as fast. Another GL movie which i absolutely love is Thailand's Love among us, i think in 2014 or 2015? Can't quite remember, but it was about two women falling in love, one of them tragically dies and then everyone blames the one who didn't die for her death and then because they had a joint account, the deceased girls parents took everything away from her and she lost her business and everything. As for GLs now, i love Affair, Secret of us, My marvelous dream is you, Pluto, Mate and Apple.
Thank you so much for your kind words! 😊 It’s truly amazing to reflect on how far GL storytelling has come, and your comment highlights so many important milestones and moments. I do remember Daughters of Club Bilitis! It was such a bold and beautiful attempt to tell diverse lesbian stories, and it’s heartbreaking that it was cut short due to societal backlash. I agree-if it were released today, it would likely be harder to cancel this drama, given how far representation and acceptance have come. I also recall another drama that aired not long after the Daughters of Club Bilitis scandal. It was about a high school investigator, and one episode focused on two female students in love. The scene with the thick red scarf was so memorable-it might have been the very first GL kiss on mainstream Korean TV series! As for Love Among Us, I absolutely love that movie. I actually wanted to do a little Easter egg in this video because its full title is 1448 Love Among Us, and my video turned out to be exactly 14:48 minutes long! Sadly, when I uploaded it to TH-cam, the platform rounded it up to 14:49, so the Easter egg didn’t quite work out! 😅 Thank you as well for the current GL recommendations-Affair, Secret of Us, Pluto, and the others are definitely on my radar. I've started recording Pluto reaction ☺️☺️ Thai GLs are absolutely thriving right now, and I’m loving seeing how creative and diverse the stories are becoming. 💕 Let’s keep supporting and celebrating them together!
Thank you so much for the recommendations! 🙌 I’ve heard amazing things about all of these, especially Pluto and The Secret of Us! It’s incredible how Thai GLs keep raising the bar with new storytelling standards. I’ll definitely react to them, starting with Pluto reaction to EP1 coming very soon!-can’t wait to dive in and share my thoughts! 💕✨ Stay tuned!
I only discovered Asian GL series, especially Thai GL series, in the last four months. My favorite at the moment is Pluto. The actrices have perfect chemistry and I really enjoy the storyline. I want to thank you so much for helping me learn more about the history of the genre with such clear pedagogy. Happy holidays and lots of love ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Thank you so much for your kind words! 🌟 I’m so glad you discovered the world of Asian GL series-it’s such a vibrant and growing genre, and Pluto is a fantastic choice! The chemistry between the actresses is incredible, and the storyline is so captivating. I will published my reaction videos about that wonderful show soon enough 🥰🥰 It makes me so happy to hear that the video helped you learn more about the genre’s history-I’m passionate about sharing it! Wishing you a wonderful holiday season filled with love and joy! 💕✨
Really great video. while GAP had a undeniable effect in gl explosion and making it mainstream/profitable and its great we r getting very visible gl characters and their stories I think we need even more diverse stories with diverse race and ethnicity and diverse body types and queer disabled people and various sexuality and gender spectrum and of different generation/ages as well. Hopefully this keeps growing and expanding and we get even more queer representation all over the globe.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! 🙏 I completely agree-while GAP has undeniably opened doors and brought GL stories into the spotlight, there’s still so much room for growth in terms of diversity and inclusivity. It’s so important to see representation that spans ethnicity, body types, abilities, sexualities, genders, and generations. Stories like these not only resonate with a wider audience but also reflect the true spectrum of human experiences. Let’s hope this wave of visibility continues to expand globally and inspire even more creators to bring these voices to life! 💕🏳️🌈
@@artisteloo Yes thank you for replaying and agreeing with my comment. lets hope, push and support for more intersectional diverse queer stories and representation. All the best for your channel growth and your personal growth.
Blue is one of my favorite movies ever. It reminds me of my middle school days. From Japanese GLs, I also love Kamisama no Ekohiiki (there is both a BL and GL plotline) because of its shinto-buddhist undertones. Also Transit Girls was very nice. Lately I've been obsessed with thai series, namely Pluto and Mate. I'm impatiently waiting for Girl Rules!
The Rich Man’s Daughter is such a pinoy classic! 🥰 And GAP definitely has a way of pulling you into the Thai GL universe, doesn’t it? Welcome to the fandom-it’s an amazing journey from here! 💖 Do you have a favorite series so far? 🥰🥰
@@artisteloo Trmd just ripped my heart out of my chest. I was so shocked by events in the series that I really needed some help. I mean the show is really good but it just has so many triggers that people can find hurtful. Thank you for your kind words! Oh.. it’s hard to say. There are so many😅 I’m watching Pluto and it’s awesome. Before that was affair and I liked it too. I think my favourite are: The loyal pin, secret of us, blank, affair and Pluto. Gap isn’t just favourite, it has a special place in my heart.
Hahaha I get it! Thanks GL Goddess, they are coming in more and more shapes and forms nowadays! Here is to a 2025 year full of GLs again across all Asia!! 🥰✨✨✨✨
Excellent essay and historical context! Gap the Series and The Loyal Pin are equal in my mind as the best GLs I have watched. I love Freen and Becky’s unique and powerful chemistry as a love team and they are growing so so much in their acting abilities🎉🎉
Thank you so much for your kind words! 🙏 I’m so glad you enjoyed the essay and the historical context-it’s amazing to see how far GLs have come. GAP the Series and The Loyal Pin are definitely groundbreaking in their own ways, and I completely agree about Freen and Becky’s chemistry-it’s truly one of a kind! Ive planned to react to other series The Loyal Pin. Their growth as actors is so inspiring to watch, and it’s wonderful to see how they keep raising the bar with every new project. 💕 Can’t wait to see where their journey takes them next!
Thank you for this informative video. My favorite Asian GL is undoubtedly GAP; the chemistry and interaction between the leads is everything. The first GL/WLW that I really liked though was The Handmaiden. It's unapologetic presentation of love and sex between the leads, neither of which die at the end and have a happy ending, is what made it click for me. One of the things that does drive me nuts though about Asian GL is that the meddlers and oppressors are never adequately punished. That may be a cultural thing, but I would find it wonderfully delicious to see an Asian GL along the lines of The Glory, a Korean film with an intricate revenge plot.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! 😊 GAP truly is iconic-Freen and Becky’s chemistry is unmatched, and the way their characters interact is so captivating. And The Handmaiden-what a masterpiece! Its boldness in depicting love and intimacy, combined with that rare happy ending, really makes it stand out in the genre. You were talking about love and sex, I will dedicate a video essay to The Handmaiden on those topics 😊 it should come out by the end of January. Stay tuned!! 🥰 I completely get what you mean about the lack of adequate punishment for meddlers and oppressors in many Asian GLs. It does seem to be a cultural narrative choice in some cases 😊 Here’s hoping we see more diverse storytelling approaches in the future. 💕
Isn’t it amazing how some stories just leave an indelible mark on us? ✨ 'Who'll Stop The Rain' is truly unforgettable-I’d love to hear what specifically resonated with you or stayed with you the most. Those are the kinds of narratives that make storytelling so powerful! 💕
@@artisteloo Well... I'd say Ching's avoidant personality definitely resonated with me a lot. Her 'ignore the feelings and maybe they'll go away' mentality is so me even though it ends up hurting us in the end. I have been working on it though because that's no way to live.
Thailand really is becoming the GL paradise! 😂✨ The stories, the representation, and the love teams-what’s not to love? Save me a seat; I might join you too! 😅🤣🤣🇹🇭
I've been a long time follower of the Asian GL series and have noticed the evolution as well. I now get to see lots of samples from series on TikTok as their fandoms have exploded and their public appearances look like those of rock stars. Like you said, many new streaming services now exist where their content can be seen which is a huge blessing. Two thumbs up for your video 👍👍
Thank you so much for your support and thoughtful comment! 🙏 As a long time follower myself, it’s amazing to see how far Asian GL has come, right? The way fandoms have grown and turned these series into cultural phenomena is incredible-those rock-star-like public appearances are proof of the impact! 🌟 And yes, the rise of streaming platforms has truly been a game-changer for accessibility!! I’m so glad you enjoyed the video-two thumbs up back at you for writing your thoughts down because reading it motivate me to keep doing TH-cam! 👍👍💖
Let's not be afraid of the correct word: (Bi-)Lesbiaaaan~!! 🏳️🌈✨😊 This essay is all about celebrating the evolution of Asian GL storytelling-love is love in all its forms! 💕
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Thanks for watching The Evolution of Asian GL: From Subtext to Spotlight 🌟 If you loved this deep dive into #AsianGL and representation, don’t forget to subscribe to @artisteloo for more video essays, reactions, and behind-the-scenes explorations!
Share this video with friends who appreciate nuanced storytelling, and let’s amplify the voices behind these inspiring narratives.🥰 Which moment resonated with you the most? Let me know in the comments below! 💖
#AsianGL #GirlsLove #VideoEssay #Representation #LGBTQ
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These days i'm obsessed with the thai gl "Pluto". It's so addictive 💚
Pluto is amazing, isn’t it?! 🌟 I am planning on releasing my reactions to PLUTO soon 😊 It’s so well-crafted and definitely has that addictive quality that keeps you hooked. I’m loving how Thai GLs like this are setting new standards for storytelling!
Who’s your favorite character so far? 🥰🥰
@@artisteloo my favorite character is Ai. She is kind and brave (and hot).😅💚
But i also like Ton ! Who would have thought, not me.
hahaha I also love Ton!! He is adorable with Metawee!!
Ai-oon is so brave indeed, and deeply generous!
I love the grandma too because she is so accepting about the twins' personal life!!
This video essay is so great! Since GAP, there’s been a huge push for GL content in Thailand, and it’s honestly so exciting. We’re finally seeing the investment that this genre deserves! ✨ It’s wild how many obstacles GL faces, once you get past the whole homophobic governments and broadcasters, a lot of people still don’t wanna invest because they think it won’t make any money or buzz. But that’s why we need to stay LOUD on the internet about how much we love GL!
Honestly, there’s SO much good Asian GL content out there, it’s hard to pick just one. I’d say The Other Love Story is one of my faves. It’s got that sweet, simple vibe and feels very realistic. Recently, The Loyal Pin has me in a chokehold. The cinematography, the dialogue is literally poetry, and the characters are great. Also My Mother’s Girlfriend which is an Indian short film and it’s so refreshing to see older women in love, because so much of GL (and romance in general) is always about young people. Anyway, pls for the love of GL, make more videos like this😁
Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtful insights! ✨💖 You're absolutely right-there's been such an incredible shift since GAP, and it's amazing to see the GL genre finally getting the attention and investment it deserves. The challenges GL faces are real, but I completely agree that staying LOUD and showing our love for these stories online makes such a difference in driving that change!
Also, your recommendations are GOLD! The Other Love Story truly captures that realistic and heartfelt vibe, and The Loyal Pin sounds like an absolute cinematic gem-I need to check it out ASAP but I would like to react to it and post my reactions so that's why I've been delaying the whole enterprise, haha! And My Mother’s Girlfriend-YES! It's so refreshing to see stories about love at every stage of life, I crave for older representations so I always click very fast whenever the media about two older persons!! haha
Thank you for sharing these gems and for encouraging more content like this! It is definitely a direction I've always envisaged for my channel! Your support means the world to me, and I promise more video essays are coming soon!
Let’s keep celebrating and amplifying GL together! 💖
The classic GL film, Fire (1996) by Mira Nair, tells the story of 2 women who are sisters-in-law who are stuck in loveless marriages as they fall in love and fight to escape domestic violence and tradition. It's a beautiful and passionate film of Asian women discovering freedom in sapphic love. When this film opened in theaters there were riots by religious men protesting the depiction of lesbian romance between Hindu women. It's one of my favorite GL films.
Thank you so much for highlighting Fire! 🔥 It’s such a groundbreaking film and an essential part of GL cinema history. It is also one of my favorites, actually! Mira Nair captured the beauty and power of sapphic love in a way that challenged societal norms and gave a voice to women reclaiming their freedom.
While making the video, I was thinking that it’s incredible how the film still resonates today, showing the intersection of love, resistance, and cultural tradition. Definitely a classic that paved the way for so many stories to come.
Again, I appreciate you highlighting it here-it deserves all the recognition! 💕
I think the first positive and serious GL that I remember seeing that didn't end in tragedy or display lesbians as fundamentally broken people was Transit Girls (2015) which was on mainstream Japanese TV at the time. It shifted heavily away from showing trauma or drunken mistakes as the basis for lesbian relationships, which marked the previous era, and showed all characters as three-dimensional characters. I think this is the vein the modern GL comes from. Couple of Mirrors would be the next, and having been made in China makes it doubly amazing, even given its censored limitations. The next would be Gap the Series and Blank the Series combination (this is a continuous story made of two series), which broke the dam entirely, leading to literally at least a new GL per day happening now.
I am so glad you made this video. I was wondering if anyone in the West was paying attention to what was happening in the East. I don't know if I can pick a favorite, but I can tell you after having watched so many I have lost count, the one I rewatch most frequently is Transit Girls (2015) because at one point it was one of a kind. In any given week, my favorite is frequently the latest Thai GL. Even better, JPC puts out new stories daily which are amazing.
I cannot leave out Chaser Game W which was the original inspiration for my series of GL novels.
*Favorite ships on the other hand and in order*: Wang Yi & Zhou Shiyu (China), NuneVicky (Thailand JPC), NamtanFilm (Thailand, Pluto), LingOrm(Thailand), BmineNear(Thailand), FayeYoko(of course), FreenBecky (the OGs)
Thank you so much for sharing your journey through GL storytelling-it’s so fascinating! 🙌
I completely agree that Transit Girls (2015) was a significant step forward, especially for mainstream Japanese TV, in showing a positive, grounded depiction of a lesbian relationship! Definitely a great milestone for Japan! Maybe I could refine the scope and make an evolution video in specific countries such as Japan, SKorea, Taiwan, Thailand, in the future to further talk specific gems like those ones that didn't make the cut? 🧐
As I said in the video, the first positive and serious GL I remember was the Thai film Yes or No. It came out in 2010 and really stood out at the time, not just for its sweet, lighthearted romance but for how unapologetically it embraced its story, avoiding the usual tropes of tragedy or ‘broken’ characters. It paved the way for so much of what we’re seeing in Thai GLs today.
Also, I’ve been glued to Asian media since 2006 and have been incredibly passionate about the evolution of GL storytelling in Asia, as well as all things Asia in general! I knew there was a gap in informative and educational content on this topic, and I finally felt competent and legitimate enough to talk about it. This video is part of my mission to archive and document critical thinking on Asian narratives, particularly GL ones. I’m thrilled that my experience can help fill this gap on TH-cam, whether it’s because few creators approach it seriously or because GL as a genre is still in the early stages of academic research.
Your favorite ships list is stellar, and I love how diverse your influences are! I’m so inspired to hear about Chaser Game W being the spark for your GL novels-that’s amazing! 💕 Stay tuned; I might have more thoughts to share about some of these stories soon! 👀✨
It's a shame after Transit Girls it took 7 years for Japan to create the second GL series after centered around a lesbian couple and that was more about self-acceptance and discovery than actual romance. And if you ask me, it'll take another 5 years or more until there's a GL with more than 25 minutes runtime not airing in a late night slot, like every GL did so far. But Japan is still one of the most male-dominated entertainment businesses in Asia and love between two girls/women is still seen as a phase you go through until you find a nice husband, so it's not a big surprise. And this in a country with a lot of very good stories from Yuri Manga that just need to be adapted. If you really think about making videos for specific countries, you definitely need to include Manga and Anime when it comes to Japan because those are light years ahead of the drama industry. In my opinion the best and one of the most realistic Yuri/GL stories so far, regardless of country or medium is still Yagate Kimi ni Naru (Bloom Into You). Unfortunately the anime only covers the first half of the manga, which is more like an introduction to the story so the manga is the only way to go.
@ANDOR- You’ve brought up such a fascinating contrast between Japan’s live-action dramas and its vibrant Yuri manga and anime culture. It’s wild to think that a country producing masterpieces like Bloom Into You still struggles to bring equally nuanced and ambitious GL content to live-action screens. The idea of love between women being dismissed as a 'phase' is such a persistent cultural hurdle... And it’s frustrating to see it holding back creative industries with so much potential!!!
As for Yuri manga and anime, they really are in a league of their own! Hahaha, your comment has me laughing because you’ve basically outlined my next video idea! 😂 I’m diving into the Yuri genre soon, but I want to go beyond celebrating its highs and really unpack its tropes, challenges, and what keeps it from reaching its full potential. I’m so excited to dig deeper into why Yuri resonates globally yet struggles with certain limitations. Thank you for inspiring such great conversations-I can’t wait to share more soon! 💕
@@artisteloo I found your evolution theory very informative and enjoyable. I've been watching Anime for almost 20 years now and 13/14 of those I watched and read anything Yuri I could get my hands on, so I'm really looking forward to that topic. I only started really consuming a lot of JDrama right before COVID and got into Thai GL earlier this year because I hate stereotypical shoujo manga, so a friend of mine joked about GAP and almost everything from that author being exactly like that, only with two female leads, so I got curious 😅. And even though I only liked it until episode 9 or so, I'm basically binge watching Thai GL since then.
About Japan. All kinds of supreme courts, the public and other political parties are pressuring the ruling party to legalize same-sex marriage and put anti-discrimination laws into effect, because they're the only major political party still against all of that ("we want to uphold traditional family values" blabla... even the Japanese public is tired of it). So I hope there will be more GL content in the upcoming years and not only 3 or more BL dramas every 3 months. This year was already a big improvement with the second season of Chaser Game W (I really didn't like the first season), Ayaka-chan wa Hiroko-senpai ni Koishiteru (funny and enjoyable, except for the actual romance) and the at the moment airing Kimi no Tsugu Kaori wa. And one drama is already confirmed that it'll air in January called Call Me By No-Name. I'm pretty hopeful that we will someday get a full-length prime time Yuri JDrama, even if I think it'll still take a few years.
Well done and very informative. Rich Man's Daughter was my first series and Handmaid's Tale my first film. Currently obsessed with Pluto ❤
Yes! Rich Man’s daughter was my first Asian series back in 2016.
Thank you so much! 😊 Rich Man's Daughter was such an iconic starting point-GL media like this one really paved the way for so many GL fans!
And I totally get the obsession with PLUTO💜; it’s such a masterpiece!! Let’s just say… I might have something planned around PLUTO soon! 👀✨ Stay tuned!
It is so interesting to know that TRMD was the starting point to so many of you!! I was part of the international subbing team for this show! It brings back so many memories 😊✨️
Amazing video!!
Whenever creators who talk about representation in media mention just how much that representation helps change minds and even laws makes me so happy!
Lately I've seen negative opinions about coming of age queer stories, deemed "boring" by countless queer young people, so I personally think it's important to remind everyone that until we live in a world where even one single country is not safe for people like us to live in, these kind of stories will ALWAYS be needed.
I'm looking forward to more your videos! ❤
Oh! Also, I just finished watching a gl series from GMM on youtube called Pluto, I really really enjoyed it! It had a very unique premise but still the charm that gl series usually have, both cute and steamy ^^
I really liked this Japanese gl series called Ayaka is in love with Hiroko! which was very cute and fun!
And from South Korea there's a youtube channel called Red that makes these very short and cute gl web series that I highly recommend checking out!
My recent favorites have been 23.5, it was very Degrassi/ South of Nowhere, but happier. It's definitely for a younger audience, though I still found it funny and entertaining. In a similar vein, I thought Reverse 4 You was meant for a younger crowd, but it was more realistic than 23.5. And while the story was about the couple getting together, the plot about saving the younger sister was great. The characters felt more fleshed out than 23.5, a lot of character beats were hit, and not too many plot holes. Out of the 4 GLs I'm going to talk about, it was hands down my favorite. I've already re-watched it multiple times because it did the happy and drama scenes so well.
For the more mature GLs, The Secret of Us was a favorite, but it had more plot trouble than the previous two shows I mentioned. I loved that we got all the emotional reactions, I thought all of them were needed; and I enjoyed the story until it became about gaining the mom's acceptance. I feel either the flashbacks to their past should have been shown at the beginning of the series, or just left out and that they added scenes of the mom with Lingling's character throughout the show. Scenes with the mom reminding the lead about how her ex left, also might have cut down on me getting annoyed with Tan so much for him being so hardline. The ending was also a little too fairytale-esque after all the emo. I have to give props though for 2 points: I loved that the show had the Yes or No couple cameo, and that the actual secondary love interests were women. I felt like the show WAS focused on giving the LGBT+ community a show we deserved, and the last couple of episodes were more for the public. Definitely re-watchable.
I also really enjoyed Affair, the soap lover in me was being fed by the drama. However, oh how I disliked so many of the characters. It was way too much plot for the number of episodes they had, and imo I felt like they wasted time with Eck. They really needed to spend those first few episodes showing that Wan convinced herself that she might be happy with him. Instead it was she decided to get with him because Pleng told her to. Honestly none of endings felt earned, I feel like we didn't spend enough time with the characters, so that I could feel relieved and glad that they got good endings. When Wan took her long walk, I was like, "Keep going, girl". She was the only one that I really cared about at that point, and it's because her story/character required the least storytelling. I would watch the actresses in another series, but I don't see myself re-watching this series.
Oh wow there you are! I watched your reactions to Gap! 🙏Thanks for this video!! There are so many more GL’s now. I hope you will consider reacting to the new series The Loyal Pin, with Freen & Becky. Done with the approval of the ministry of commerce of Thailand. There’s a lot of cultural stuff in it and it’s soooo good!! 🙏Thanks you again!! 😘
Ohhh hello there!! So happy to read a comment from you! haha Thank you so much for watching my latest video essay, I definitely want to do more of this new format! 🙏💕 I’m so glad you enjoyed it too!
You're absolutely right-there are so many amazing GLs now, and I’m loving how the genre keeps growing. I’ve heard only GREAT things about The Loyal Pin! Freen and Becky are always incredible, and I love that it’s rooted in Thai culture. I’ll definitely consider reacting to it-thanks for the suggestion! 😘✨
More GL reactions are coming too~~ 😊🥰
Atp thailand is the only country that is frequently making gls. Japan is slowly starting, Korea is still making low budget mini gl series, and Taiwan is still stuck with stepbro bls.
Gays if other countries start to make gls frequently then please don't neglect thai gls like bl fans.
You bring up such an important point! Thailand has truly been leading the way with GLs, giving us consistent, high-quality content and setting a standard for representation. 🌟 While it’s exciting to see other countries like Japan and Korea slowly stepping into the GL space, there’s definitely a need for more frequent and diverse stories globally.
And yes, I completely agree- GLs deserve continued love and support, especially as it is really challenging to make sapphic stories visible and mainstream.
Let’s celebrate all GLs and have allies in the community in doing so! 💕🙏
A very well thought out video and it's amazing how far GL has come! I don't know if you remember Daughters of club bilitis in 2011 which was a one episode S. Korean drama series about 3 types of lesbian couples. One couple was still at school, another couple was a business ceo type of couple and the other couple was an elderly couple. Unfortunately the series got cancelled after just one episode because conservative people were complaining about it. It's such a shame it got cancelled because it was sooo good! If it was released today, i think it wouldn't be cancelled as fast. Another GL movie which i absolutely love is Thailand's Love among us, i think in 2014 or 2015? Can't quite remember, but it was about two women falling in love, one of them tragically dies and then everyone blames the one who didn't die for her death and then because they had a joint account, the deceased girls parents took everything away from her and she lost her business and everything. As for GLs now, i love Affair, Secret of us, My marvelous dream is you, Pluto, Mate and Apple.
Thank you so much for your kind words! 😊 It’s truly amazing to reflect on how far GL storytelling has come, and your comment highlights so many important milestones and moments. I do remember Daughters of Club Bilitis! It was such a bold and beautiful attempt to tell diverse lesbian stories, and it’s heartbreaking that it was cut short due to societal backlash. I agree-if it were released today, it would likely be harder to cancel this drama, given how far representation and acceptance have come.
I also recall another drama that aired not long after the Daughters of Club Bilitis scandal. It was about a high school investigator, and one episode focused on two female students in love. The scene with the thick red scarf was so memorable-it might have been the very first GL kiss on mainstream Korean TV series!
As for Love Among Us, I absolutely love that movie. I actually wanted to do a little Easter egg in this video because its full title is 1448 Love Among Us, and my video turned out to be exactly 14:48 minutes long! Sadly, when I uploaded it to TH-cam, the platform rounded it up to 14:49, so the Easter egg didn’t quite work out! 😅
Thank you as well for the current GL recommendations-Affair, Secret of Us, Pluto, and the others are definitely on my radar. I've started recording Pluto reaction ☺️☺️ Thai GLs are absolutely thriving right now, and I’m loving seeing how creative and diverse the stories are becoming. 💕 Let’s keep supporting and celebrating them together!
Please watch the Secret of Us, Blank the series, affair, and Pluto. These GL have set new standards in Thai GL! Absolutely must watch!
Thank you so much for the recommendations! 🙌 I’ve heard amazing things about all of these, especially Pluto and The Secret of Us! It’s incredible how Thai GLs keep raising the bar with new storytelling standards. I’ll definitely react to them, starting with Pluto reaction to EP1 coming very soon!-can’t wait to dive in and share my thoughts! 💕✨ Stay tuned!
I only discovered Asian GL series, especially Thai GL series, in the last four months. My favorite at the moment is Pluto. The actrices have perfect chemistry and I really enjoy the storyline. I want to thank you so much for helping me learn more about the history of the genre with such clear pedagogy. Happy holidays and lots of love ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Thank you so much for your kind words! 🌟 I’m so glad you discovered the world of Asian GL series-it’s such a vibrant and growing genre, and Pluto is a fantastic choice! The chemistry between the actresses is incredible, and the storyline is so captivating. I will published my reaction videos about that wonderful show soon enough 🥰🥰
It makes me so happy to hear that the video helped you learn more about the genre’s history-I’m passionate about sharing it! Wishing you a wonderful holiday season filled with love and joy! 💕✨
Really great video.
while GAP had a undeniable effect in gl explosion and making it mainstream/profitable and its great we r getting very visible gl characters and their stories I think we need even more diverse stories with diverse race and ethnicity and diverse body types and queer disabled people and various sexuality and gender spectrum and of different generation/ages as well.
Hopefully this keeps growing and expanding and we get even more queer representation all over the globe.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! 🙏
I completely agree-while GAP has undeniably opened doors and brought GL stories into the spotlight, there’s still so much room for growth in terms of diversity and inclusivity. It’s so important to see representation that spans ethnicity, body types, abilities, sexualities, genders, and generations. Stories like these not only resonate with a wider audience but also reflect the true spectrum of human experiences.
Let’s hope this wave of visibility continues to expand globally and inspire even more creators to bring these voices to life! 💕🏳️🌈
@@artisteloo Yes thank you for replaying and agreeing with my comment. lets hope, push and support for more intersectional diverse queer stories and representation. All the best for your channel growth and your personal growth.
Thank you very much for the sweet words! I really enjoy talking in with you all in the comment section!! 💕
Blue is one of my favorite movies ever. It reminds me of my middle school days. From Japanese GLs, I also love Kamisama no Ekohiiki (there is both a BL and GL plotline) because of its shinto-buddhist undertones. Also Transit Girls was very nice. Lately I've been obsessed with thai series, namely Pluto and Mate. I'm impatiently waiting for Girl Rules!
I watched the rich man’s daughter then I watched GAP and here we go😅 I’m a fan of thai gl series now
The Rich Man’s Daughter is such a pinoy classic! 🥰 And GAP definitely has a way of pulling you into the Thai GL universe, doesn’t it?
Welcome to the fandom-it’s an amazing journey from here! 💖 Do you have a favorite series so far? 🥰🥰
@@artisteloo Trmd just ripped my heart out of my chest. I was so shocked by events in the series that I really needed some help. I mean the show is really good but it just has so many triggers that people can find hurtful.
Thank you for your kind words!
Oh.. it’s hard to say. There are so many😅 I’m watching Pluto and it’s awesome. Before that was affair and I liked it too. I think my favourite are: The loyal pin, secret of us, blank, affair and Pluto. Gap isn’t just favourite, it has a special place in my heart.
Gap series open the door for many gls ❤ now im addicted to all gls😂
Hahaha I get it! Thanks GL Goddess, they are coming in more and more shapes and forms nowadays! Here is to a 2025 year full of GLs again across all Asia!! 🥰✨✨✨✨
@artisteloo yeah keep feeding us ❤️
Excellent essay and historical context! Gap the Series and The Loyal Pin are equal in my mind as the best GLs I have watched. I love Freen and Becky’s unique and powerful chemistry as a love team and they are growing so so much in their acting abilities🎉🎉
Thank you so much for your kind words! 🙏 I’m so glad you enjoyed the essay and the historical context-it’s amazing to see how far GLs have come. GAP the Series and The Loyal Pin are definitely groundbreaking in their own ways, and I completely agree about Freen and Becky’s chemistry-it’s truly one of a kind! Ive planned to react to other series The Loyal Pin. Their growth as actors is so inspiring to watch, and it’s wonderful to see how they keep raising the bar with every new project. 💕 Can’t wait to see where their journey takes them next!
Thank you for this informative video. My favorite Asian GL is undoubtedly GAP; the chemistry and interaction between the leads is everything. The first GL/WLW that I really liked though was The Handmaiden. It's unapologetic presentation of love and sex between the leads, neither of which die at the end and have a happy ending, is what made it click for me. One of the things that does drive me nuts though about Asian GL is that the meddlers and oppressors are never adequately punished. That may be a cultural thing, but I would find it wonderfully delicious to see an Asian GL along the lines of The Glory, a Korean film with an intricate revenge plot.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! 😊 GAP truly is iconic-Freen and Becky’s chemistry is unmatched, and the way their characters interact is so captivating. And The Handmaiden-what a masterpiece! Its boldness in depicting love and intimacy, combined with that rare happy ending, really makes it stand out in the genre. You were talking about love and sex, I will dedicate a video essay to The Handmaiden on those topics 😊 it should come out by the end of January. Stay tuned!! 🥰
I completely get what you mean about the lack of adequate punishment for meddlers and oppressors in many Asian GLs. It does seem to be a cultural narrative choice in some cases 😊 Here’s hoping we see more diverse storytelling approaches in the future. 💕
Hello welcome back,❤❤
Hellooo~♥
Thank you so much!! ❤ It feels amazing to be back!!
@artisteloo yes ,i wish you all the best for analysis all GL in the world,this topic you mention is good how the people,country accept LGBTQ+
Who'll Stop The Rain did something to me that could never be undone.
Isn’t it amazing how some stories just leave an indelible mark on us? ✨ 'Who'll Stop The Rain' is truly unforgettable-I’d love to hear what specifically resonated with you or stayed with you the most. Those are the kinds of narratives that make storytelling so powerful! 💕
@@artisteloo Well... I'd say Ching's avoidant personality definitely resonated with me a lot. Her 'ignore the feelings and maybe they'll go away' mentality is so me even though it ends up hurting us in the end. I have been working on it though because that's no way to live.
It tells me all the lesbians are now moving to Thailand.😂😂😂 I'm going too.😅
Thailand really is becoming the GL paradise! 😂✨ The stories, the representation, and the love teams-what’s not to love?
Save me a seat; I might join you too! 😅🤣🤣🇹🇭
I've been a long time follower of the Asian GL series and have noticed the evolution as well. I now get to see lots of samples from series on TikTok as their fandoms have exploded and their public appearances look like those of rock stars. Like you said, many new streaming services now exist where their content can be seen which is a huge blessing. Two thumbs up for your video 👍👍
Thank you so much for your support and thoughtful comment! 🙏
As a long time follower myself, it’s amazing to see how far Asian GL has come, right? The way fandoms have grown and turned these series into cultural phenomena is incredible-those rock-star-like public appearances are proof of the impact! 🌟 And yes, the rise of streaming platforms has truly been a game-changer for accessibility!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the video-two thumbs up back at you for writing your thoughts down because reading it motivate me to keep doing TH-cam! 👍👍💖
Gay 👬👨❤💋👨🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
Let's not be afraid of the correct word: (Bi-)Lesbiaaaan~!! 🏳️🌈✨😊
This essay is all about celebrating the evolution of Asian GL storytelling-love is love in all its forms! 💕