K-Dramas and LGBT Representation: How Far Have We Really Come?

[@Pastellyn]

Hey everyone!! Thanks so much for all the love on this video, it means the world to a small creator like me. A couple of things: If you, for some reason, like hearing me ramble about whatever I’m watching at the moment, you can follow me on Twitter @Pastelllyn, or you can buy me a Ko-fi at ko-fi.com/pastellyn. And, as promised, I’ll list corrections here if the need arises. Thank you all again for watching!!! ❤❤❤ **CORRECTIONS** 1. I mis-phrased the bit about Kyung Soo (Life is Beautiful) coming out to his family; technically, he was “caught” and forced into exile. However, it’s still true that he became much happier after leaving Seoul.

[@JustThai_BoysLove]

A correction to your correction: KYUNG SOO was caught by his mother in law, not by his own parents. That is why he had to divorce, and was not even able to obtain a share legal custody over his daughter. I believe that if KYUNG SOO mother were the one to find out, she would have keep it a secret. Cheers...!

[@minl-wi1pf]

As a Korean, Hong Seok Cheon is literally the Gay Godfather for all the queers in Korea. It would even be an understatement to just say that he paved the way for all the sexual minorities in Korea. Couldn't thank him enough.

[@Pastellyn]

@@minl-wi1pf Amen to that!! I gained so much respect for him while doing research for this video.

[@minl-wi1pf]

+ Avocado toast!!!!!😂 I'm so happy the algorithm recommended your video! Much appreciation for all your research and time spent on the video 💕💕

[@redchen3682]

What frustrates me about dramas like *Coffee Prince* is how unrealistic the male lead's (ML) actions are. It’s obvious that the female lead (FL) is a woman, and no reasonable person would fail to figure that out after significant interaction. As an Asian gay man, I also felt like the show used the possibility of the ML being gay as a plot device without actually addressing or exploring the real experiences and struggles of gay men. The whole premise feels insincere. Back when I was in college, many of my female friends loved the show because they knew it was ultimately a heterosexual romance. For them, the ML's confusion over the FL's gender was just a quirky aspect of the plot since they knew the couple would end up together. But for me, as a gay man, that element was the most significant part of the story-it had the potential to be something I could relate to. Instead, it just felt superficial. In short, I watched a few clips but couldn’t get into it because the plot didn’t make sense to me.

[@sakvoraharuno]

@@redchen3682As a bi person, I loved it for the reason you stated. I looked at it as a queer relationship, and read the male lead as queer. I totally agree that the creators did not think of it this way, and you're probably right about it being a simple plot device. Representation is better when it's intended to be representation. I also wanted them to explore the possibility that the ML is bi. I mean, he really thinks about his sexuality a lot before realizing The FL is a.. FL, lol. Why did the questioning stop when the truth was revealed? He still viewed her as a man, and was attracted to her through those lenses. Ofc I don't have the nuance you have because I'm not Korean or Asian as yourself, so I'm not the best judge on whether the show was shallow in its exploration or not. But it seems to be that way to me.

[@mystery1317]

I'm at the 'Life is Beautiful' section and, you mean to tell me that in trying to avoid network censorship of a gay kiss, this woman ended up insinuating gay sex? Iconic, truly the ally we needed.

[@Pastellyn]

Truly the icon we needed!

[@manganess5126]

This scene was so crazy to watch get past censors, an icon indeed

[@enzmondo]

“Hey, the world might end in a couple days. So, what’s the harm in being a little queer?” is now my life mantra.

[@Pastellyn]

As it should be!

[@weightycarlos]

Hoya in Reply 1997 (2012) was especially crucial for me. At that time, there was no mainstream media that represented a gay character who's actually in love with someone. I was 13 and that resonated with me so much. I wish I could tell the cast how impactful they were to me.

[@Pastellyn]

I’ve heard a lot of good things- definitely going to be in my part 2!

[@flyingzone356]

In the absolutely amazing 2021 TV series "Move to Heaven," there is an entire episode devoted to a gay relationship. While the relationship itself was a tragic one, with the death of one of the guys (but the death itself not being related to his homosexuality), the story was told in a sensitive and sympathetic manner. One of the leading actors of the series, Lee Je-hoon, has been known to play challenging roles, including a gay man in the film "Just Friends."

[@minl-wi1pf]

A little off topic, but speaking og reply 1997, it was also refreshing to be able to track how much Seo Inguk grew when it comes to his mindsets on gay roles/plots starting from K.will's please don't, yunje's role in reply 1997, and filming the sequel to please don't this year. He also directed a wlw music video as well.

[@nisha2162]

@@minl-wi1pfwait omg which video is it that he directed

[@flutosan7764]

Me too!!

[@juzcar3244]

We should lobby Netflix to get the rights to air life is beautiful for international community

[@Pastellyn]

I’ll definitely sign that petition!

[@anonymous-zs9rn]

Yes please, where do I sign

[@Al-kl1nh]

yeah that would be great

[@silver.cloudddd]

As a Korean, it makes me so happy to see how far my country has come in terms of being more open-minded and understanding of Homosexuality. LGBTQIA+ has always been a "sensitive" topic in Korea because the society is still quite conservative. Little breakthroughs in media portraying Homosexuality gives me hope that my country will one day become, even just a little bit, more accepting.

[@lydiaviser2613]

I am an African American woman 61 years old I grew up in San Francisco and this really blew my mind as I am a fairly new viewer of BL series series and movies the lgbtq genre has always been. My first choice and indie films in particular. Even here I. TheUSA we have a very long way to go. I am cheering for this content. You did an amazing job!!! Please hang in there and continue!!! I deeply appreciate you!❤❤❤

[@4444randomness]

My guess is that Korea now has the same problem with LGBT as America where lots of people who would write about serious stuff get told ‘but it’s so much better now’ when it’s not that much better

[@larkspursmile279]

This is beautifully made! As a queer international kdrama enjoyer you did a great job researching the cultural/political context of these dramas which I wouldn’t have known otherwise. It totally reminded me of my LGBTQ studies class. Looking forward to part 2! Avocado toast :)

[@Pastellyn]

Oh wow, thanks so much for the compliment!! Any comparison to academia is high praise 😄

[@LadyYunalesca]

Hoya in Reply was iconic and he was a real one for that

[@TheDramaNotes]

This is research goldmine! Also love the edit on this. Edit: Back here to say avocado toast!😄 This was really excellent.

[@Pastellyn]

Thank you so much!! I’ll have to check out some of your videos, too- it’s not often people make video essays discussing Korean dramas, so I get super excited whenever I see a channel like yours!

[@atNguyen-hh6qc]

I watched Life is beautiful when I was younger and at the time I just wanted a movie about gay couple. I never realized how deep the movie was until I was much older. I miss these genres of movie so much, a lot of deep meanings without abundance of sexual scenes to fill out the plot holes. Thank you so much!

[@jungwon_blue]

Life is beautiful is my most favourite kdrama. I usually struggle to finish kdramas with 16 episodes, but I've watched all of Life is beautiful's 60+ episodes twice.

[@Pastellyn]

Same!!

[@lietk12]

"Life Is Beautiful" was the first kdrama I ever watched, and the first series with a substantial storyline involving Asian LGBTQ characters - previously I'd only seen a such stories in Asian-American films like Alice Wu's "Saving Face", and it meant a lot for me to see queer characters and their parents whom I could connect with my own experiences as a queer asian person. Thanks for making a video essay which does justice to how special "Life Is Beautiful" was, and which brings footage from the series together with Glynn & Kim's analysis - I'm so happy this exists! Two more random thoughts: - Your pre-avocado toast ending quote from Glynn & Kim about the way unauthorized/underground archives of "Life Is Beautiful" have served as a way to illegally "screen" the series to international viewers reminds me of a similar (but inverted, in an almost poetic way) event I learned about a few weeks ago: in 1997, unauthorized/underground screenings of Wong Kar-wai's "Happy Together" were held as guerilla public events in public spaces by LGBTQ groups & student groups in South Korea, in response to the Korean film censors banning that film for its portrayal of homosexuality. This history is discussed in section 3 of chapter 6 of Kim Ungsan's PhD thesis, "Cruising the Cityscape: Queer Temporality in Contemporary East Asian Cinema" (at digital.lib.washington.edu/researchworks/handle/1773/44191 ). - Song Chang-eui cameos as a gay character in the 2021 film "So Long, See You Tomorrow", which explores the different ways gay people might deal with homophobia and the sacrifices involved in doing so. I think there's something [accidentally?] intertextually interesting about this connection between that film and "Life Is Beautiful", especially with the geographical trajectory which Song Chang-eui's character takes through that film, and the passage of time between the flashback and present-day timelines of that film vs. the year in which "Life Is Beautiful" was released (basically in the middle between those two timelines).

[@Pastellyn]

@@lietk12 So glad you thought I did Life is Beautiful justice!! One of the papers I read in preparation for this video did mention something about a queer film festival, but it didn’t go into too much detail- I’ll have to read that thesis, it sounds super interesting. Thanks again for watching!! (Also, I had no idea Song Chang Eui had another gay role!? Definitely going to check that out, too.)

[@soomi]

Lesbian here. This video is one of the best ones I've seen in 2024 and it made me cry in various of stages. I look so much forward to your next work on this series. This is so important for the queer community!

[@user-vc9kw7bc9n]

as a queer korean this video healed me !!! amazing video

[@Pastellyn]

This made my day! Thank you for watching!

[@emc4405]

This is one of the best video essays I've ever watched. I commend you for making such an effort of using your platform to amplify international lgbt+ rights and representation. Your hard work has really shown through. Thank you for making this :) and avocado toast!

[@Pastellyn]

Thank you so much!! ❤❤

[@patriciasanchez2148]

Hi Avocado toast here. Im a lesbian from Chile, and I felt so close to home how Korea treat homosexuality because that is how it was here in south America years ago when I was a teenager. Hopping for the second part, thanks for your good work :)

[@RavenousFanboy]

I remember crying buckets during Tae Sub's confession to his stepmom. Both actors delivered the scene amazingly and you would really feel the tension and afterwhich the relief. Thank you for working on this. Life is Beautiful is a gem that needs to be appreciated. ❤ Thank heavens for Kim Soo Hyun for pushing the boundaries of Korean TV.

[@echo.echo08]

oh wow! That Life is Beautiful drama is so fitting of its title. Even if society is cruel, if you have a family like that, life CAN be beautiful. 🥰

[@JustThai_BoysLove]

Very interesting history class on LGBT+ portrayal in Korean television; specially the long part about "Life is Beautiful". Unfortunately there are a few mistakes in that part: - When the drama starts KYUNG SOO and TAE SUP were already about two and a half years together. Their commitment ceremony is to happen on their 3rd anniversary. - KYUNG SOO did NOT come out to his parents himself: he was caught together with another guy and went thru a forced divorce and the completely alienation from his family. Only his mother was the one trying to "fix him" and his marriage by all sort of intrigues half of the drama. He tells himself to TAE SUB that if he haven't being caught, he would still be married and pretending to be straight. - The real reason WHY was so hard to TAE SUB to have his coming out with his family, when he did it with his ex-girlfriend in EP 9, was based on KYUNG SOO family experience. He was scare to death of being outcasted by his own family, and also of losing his job as a doctor, in a country where even today there are no anti discriminations laws for the LGBT+ community. He says it himself three times over the Episodes before EP 20, specially when facing KYUNG SOO's mother threads. Also during the amazing family talk about TAE SUB being gay in EP 21 makes the social discrimination and the legal status clear for him as a gay man, specially at the workplaces; and later on again as shown here at 51:50 WHO would dare to have his coming out in Korea knowing all that, even nowadays? The most interesting thing about "Life is Beautiful" is that even today in 2024 there is NOT a single Korean TV Drama with such a great gay story...!! We have many web series release on streaming platforms, but not a new production on Korean national television. That shows how important it is to remember and to revive "Life Is Beautiful" over and over again. Yes..,we are in 2024 but no other Korean production has been able to show such a long gay story, in such a large social context, exposing the legal discrimination, and with so many influences affecting directly the gay couple. In the end "Life is Beautiful" remains a one in a life time gay themed TV drama production, and all the few others that came after were not able to show a gay couple anymore, or even come up to half of the quality of its story. Thanks a lot for editing this together. It should be great for all the people who do not know this development, and also for the new generations. Cheers...!

[@mcf1urry768]

this was SO well researched, well paced, and as a result, entertaining. this video should absolutely get way more views than it already does. Thank you very much for putting your time and effort into this video. in fact, you’ve paced and sequenced the video so well that I cried when it got to the middle bit! thanks again, immensely. life is even more beautiful with dedicated creators such as yourself.

[@frankyelysa]

I remember watching Life is beautiful when I was 13 and it made me cry so much I showed it to my mom (haitian mother iykyk) and it made her realise so much about those who are gay. I thank this show for not only portraying gay love in such beautiful manner to korean, but to International fans like my mom and myself. and avocado toast hehe

[@Pastellyn]

This was so nice to read - I'm so happy this show could help your mom understand LGBT identities more!

[@aeya21]

this was so good and informative!!! and i 100% agree with most shows using queer stereotypes as a form of comedic relief or just making them look plain creepy (e.g strong girl bong soon). what irritates me the most is that the femme gay men are used for the portrayal of that stereotype as opposed to being seen as real people who also had to endure harships... and it's also quite obvious even in the BL industry where the more masc presenting queer men are taken a lot more seriously and given in-depth character development, so in some way it is good that more queer representation is being pushed forward but i worry that the masculine presenting queer man will be deemed as a more sanitized version of queer relationships and identity

[@Pastellyn]

@@aeya21 You took the words out of my mouth! What frustrates me is that feminine gay men do exist and they should absolutely be represented on screen, but too often this representation is just… clearly mean spirited and homophobic, while masc gays get more sympathetic treatment. I’d say the only real positive femme representation I’ve seen in a drama is Mad for Each Other’s Samantha, so I’d suggest giving that a go if you’re interested! Thanks again for watching!

[@lisreads4872]

One of my favourite gay couples in a Korean show was in Inspector Koo between An Gun-Uk who was the underling of the show’s main antagonist and Lee Dae Ho a local guy working for a security firm. Their relationship adds a lot to the show and it’s one of the healthier and most realistic gay relationships I’ve seen in Korean TV. (Despite one of them being a murderer lol)

[@Chantelle68]

I am not all the way through this video yet, but I want to say that what I see already is a well researched masterpiece. When I was in university for my final year, my dissertation was going to be about this issue (but due to personal reasons I had to leave before I could even really start and was unable to return). I appreciate how through this is and I can only imagine the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes for a topic like this. Thank you for bringing it to a wider audience, your channel deserves success ❤️

[@Pastellyn]

@@Chantelle68 Oh, wow, I would have loved to see that dissertation! And I’m so flattered you think I did the topic justice 😊

[@tayirab]

This was such a well articulated video I felt like I was watching a documentary literally with how informative it was. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community I couldn’t have even imagined how members in Korea felt having to deal with such hate so publicly. It’s quite admirable that they made spaces for themselves and continue to be loud and proud about who they are. It made me realize how grateful I am for those who faught for our community in the past and even now. Your video also convinced me to watch Life is Beautiful (I never heard of it till I watched this video) and after a long search I’m finally getting to see it!!

[@martymcflown3707]

This was so educational and I'm incredibly grateful it came up in my recommended. I'm excited to watch more of your stuff, considering the amount of care you put into this video!

[@annmcfly]

Life is beautiful is so good. I cried so much. Also the family is a Mix Family (Divorcees with children got married, the series also covers the relationship between Step parents and Step children- such as Taesub and his Mom. It was so beautifully done.)

[@moodygirl609]

This was very informative and enjoyable. As a Kdrama fan I hope you can bring this topic as it relates to dramas into the present.

[@the_drosophila_melanogaster]

Daymnn i freaking cried at every breakthrough!!! Your research is remarkable!! Love from America ♡

[@Pyrodxd]

i love the avocado toast scene from life is beautiful because you wouldn’t expect to see that in like a older korean drama

[@tinasoo3433]

I've been watching k-drama since 2005, and watched Life is Beautiful when it aired. I really loved it. It was so well acted and had a lot of family warmth even amongst all the drama.

[@Nellipip]

Avocado toast... This was absolutely excellent, thank you . Very interesting insights and observations. Really looking forward to the next instalment. This is filling in a lot of the missing pieces for how the community is portrayed in their media, big thank you for that. Also 15 yo you joke reel was hilarious.

[@zammich3649]

I used to watch the Taesub x Kyungsoo episode clips online back when I was a teenager. Then when I couldn't wait for the next set of clips, I started just watching raw Korean episodes on Viikii even though I couldn't understand, just so I could see what would happen. Amateur subs would pop up gradually over time, and I would refresh the page to get all the details. It's cute to see the Korean BL genre starting to flourish recently, but it's a little sad that many young fans are not aware of this groundbreaking series and what it (and a few other shows) did to really open the scene for burgeoning LGBT-related content in Korea.

[@simonadances3942]

You have no idea (or probably you do) how long I've been waiting for a video like this! I love listening about queer media history from different countries, especially hearing about how media influenced people's opinions about homosexuality, it's both fascinating, heartwarming and scary. And I've been waiting on someone talking about Korea specifically so, thank you and thank you youtube algorithm that brought me to your video lol I cannot wait for the next part! ❤

[@Pastellyn]

I definitely do!! After a few years of waiting I was finally just like, “fine, I’ll do it myself” lol. Glad I could be of service 😄

[@LucyBashik]

GURL THIS IS THE SLAYEST VIDEO

[@lueenlet]

Thank you for your hard work on the video! A history lesson I didn't know I needed :) Shed a couple of tears during the Life is Beautiful section, definitely adding it to my to watch list~

[@thisqua]

Avocado toast. You should be proud this was excellent! 💖💖 Thank you for making it

[@jrwxtx]

Loved "Life is Beautiful"--it was hard to find complete episodes here in the US, but it was such a wonderful show and the casting was truly inspiring!

[@concernedterrapin]

I've just recently gotten into Eastern dramas, so seeing your breakdown of shows alongside their historical relevance was super interesting to watch. I definitely added a few new shows to my list as well.

[@gageevz]

Avocado toast!?!? More like holy guacamole!!!!! Such an entertaining and informative ride from start to finish. So excited for part 2!😭

[@-jfo-]

This is so good. Excellently articulated and presented. The thoughtful research is clearly evident. I'm looking forward to part 2. Well done, and keep up the great work. You have a new subscriber.

[@estellekostanza7874]

avocado toast. Was about to say "what about Boy meets boy (2008) or No Regret (2006) or Frozen Flower (2008)" but then I see it's about dramas..

[@Pastellyn]

Thanks for watching til the end! And yeah, I’d have to make a separate video covering films 😃

[@wookong1723]

avocado toast and yea same!

[@vkskms]

also night flight although it is a bit later, 2014

[@Frickitzbatz]

WOW! What a BEAST of a video !! I have awaited this video for a long time now and as always, it did not disappoint. your drive to discuss and accurately portray and share these stories and their significance is something to be greatly proud of and something many admire you for I'm sure. As I continue to watch I am constantly impressed by your skill and determination!!

[@Pastellyn]

This made me get misty eyed omg 😭 thank you so much for your support!!

[@jysjjp3484]

Avocado Toast! This was amazing, Ive always hoped for a video of this nature to be made and its amazing how you wove everything together, very engaging and its so well made!! This retrospective really contextualized a lot of what has forced queer media into a 'bubble' in Korea, and the uptick of youtube webseries in terms of 'realer' queer stories as smaller studios invest in the BL market (despite my reservations with classifying bl as unqueer). Even the short film Just Friends (2009) manages to grapple with the realities of hiding gayness in a lighter tone than most modern queer dramas or BLs do, and the sanitization dulls them all. Life is beautiful is really one of the best family dramas out there. As much as i love happy stories for gay people, i find it deeply disingenuous that in a majority of queer shows, BLs GLs etc, the families are immediately supportive and the cast themselves are dismissed for having questioned them, if they even 'come out' and engage with queerness at all. Kyungsoo finding freedom and joy outside his family unit is one of the most resonant stories out of Korea in terms of gayness, and those stakes help to ground the story even if the central family itself provides cathartic support. In many ways it feels as if progress and representation has diverted such that queer people are allowed to be side stories in long forms as an appeal to our humanity, while in queer centric ones such as BLs they've formed into a sanitized early kdrama - like blob, with notable exceptions, as a way to garner mass appeal. Looking forward to your future videos and thank you for this one ^^

[@Pastellyn]

Thank you- and you hit the nail on the head with Kyung Soo! I think that’s part of why I appreciate the show so much- it’s shockingly accurate in portraying the day to day struggles of queer people in Korea. It’s unfortunate that more dramas don’t take that realistic approach, when we know for a fact that such representation can help shift mainstream perceptions of queerness.

[@violetevergarden5160]

Remember finding Life is Beautiful when the first lockdown started and I absolutely loved it.

[@priscilla8068]

The amount of work you put in this is incredible✨.

[@irakulkarni5445]

This video is so excellently done and interesting that I didn’t even realise I sat through 1 hr 20 mins of it. Thank you!!

[@shakesqueeeeeeer]

AVOCADO TOAST!!! This video was so well thought-out and made. After seeing the journey S.Korea has had in relation to queerness (a journey that is far from over), it's inspired me to go out and do something, as someone who also lives in a homophobic country. I'll be looking forward to the next part, good luck!

[@wonkis5788]

Avocado toast~ This is amazing. Thank you so much for this video and your research! I will definitely be looking into Life is Beautiful now

[@tjohannam]

I don't know how this ended up in my recommendations but really enjoyed your presentation. I learned a lot. And Life Is Beautiful seems revolutionary even today, wow! See you in part 2! Ps. You have a lovely voice

[@heyheimeg]

Avocado Toast! I remember watching Life is Beautiful when it aired! Can't wait for part 2 ❤

[@darkshiga]

That's a lot of work you did for this video. I love that you included the socio-political context in it. Bravo

[@lorraineproselenes]

Wow! I had never heard of Life is Beautiful. What a great video essay. Excellent work! 🎉

[@Brilchan]

Thank you for this video it's really fascinating, gonna share it with my friends that will be interested. I do not really watch K - dramas but I think I will check a few from this list, Avocado toast

[@poliana-nv1tx]

this video is so well done!❤ now i really want to watch "life is beautiful" avocado toast 🥑

[@anna-hp9vd]

avocado toast... i waited all day to watch this video and it did not disappoint. i know its almost an hour and a half but it feels so much shorter because of how interesting and well written this script was. all the research done and all the information put into this video was SO GOOD. so many things i knew, but sososo many i didn't, and i loved seeing the cultural context in which some of these iconic series were created. also, found lesbian kdrama-ish content! so thank you. i enjoyed this so much i don't have words to describe it

[@Pastellyn]

@@anna-hp9vd oh man, that’s the best compliment you possibly could’ve given me!! I’m so glad you enjoyed this

[@DeShay6]

avocado toast - I'm heterosexual but I absolutely LOVED everything about this video. I had no idea how much I needed to see this. LIFE DEFINITELY IS BEAUTIFUL!

[@aimeekiran5043]

This was such an amazing video! I‘m definitely looking foreward to part 2😊

[@Shanana529]

I was waiting for the BL shows section but maybe in the next part. Life is beautiful was my first Kgay show I watched a long time ago and I lost track of the name and place I watched it so I haven't finished the last 5-10 eps which I am eager to watch now. I saw the clips in this yourube preview so I had to watch to figure out the name again. So sad to know not much changed after that show did so great. I gotta say all the side story lines interested me and it was my first daily soap kdrama so it really was the best of everything.

[@nneichan9353]

This treatment LGBT people and characters still receive enrages me. It is only changing openly in recent decades. I grew up in the 1960s in the SFBA and I remember very well the beatings and attempted murder of gay friends. I am struggling here to get through this, despite how well you are presenting the subject. The idea that LGBT are still not safe in the world of the 2020s nauseates me. I pray that every year makes the world a more welcoming place. In my life KPOP has exerted a big influence and the openness of the idols to speak up in support has made a deep impression. Avocado toast.....

[@duanein3d]

This was absolutely incredible. Thank you.

[@teabeenz6526]

I have never watched a Korean drama in my life, but your editing, research, and thorough explanation of all the sociological context around each show’s place in the timeline had me enthralled the entire video! I will definitely be looking out for more of your stuff :) 🥑🍞

[@violetjade64]

SUCHH A GOOD VID tysm for making it!! eagerly waiting for part2 (avocado toast)!

[@gummynoodles9036]

This video is so nice, such a nice summary of the recent korean queer history

[@khkhkh2510]

I love this video, very informative and well-edited!!!

[@y5ngm]

your channel is so criminally underrated!!!!!! thank you for this amazing insight into lgbt representation in international media, i feel like we only really hear about the history of queer representation through a western lens

[@Slm99]

I understand the frustration about gender-bending romances like "Coffee Prince" and "Painter of the Wind" being used for straight conflict. I get it. I am not a gay Korean, so they have every right to be critical or even dismissive of those shows. However, as a bi guy, I felt those shows had bi characters with trans-coded love interests, although they could be seen as "butch". I say all that because those shows felt very much like bi-representation; the characters, although in a different gender relationship, still don't have heteronormative or even heterosexual relationships.

[@Pastellyn]

I totally get what you mean! I guess the point I was trying to make in the video is: while these characters may appear queer-coded (Painter of the Wind feels especially queer to me as a gay woman) the “pseudo gay” element made it easier for networks to claim plausible deniability if they received backlash from conservatives. That said, if you felt represented by these characters (as I did), then more power to you!

[@Slm99]

@@Pastellyn this is a bit funny because in their censorship they kinda gave us semi-bi and trans characters

[@yokiry2262]

The unwillingness to even touch on TANGENTIALLY related LGBTQ topics is crazy sometimes! I watched Mr. Queen and they bent ass over backwards to make that relationship straight het. It was crazy the gymnastics they did. -avocado toast

[@posthumorous]

this was so well researched & presented, thank u a lot for the time & effort u put into this. can't wait for the 2nd part! ❃

[@Spacialspirit]

This is literally amazing, you have so much talent! Thank you, I love this :) !!!

[@garethNP]

Thank you for this great video essay.

[@valeriarossini543]

Avocado toast! This video was incredibly interesting and informing, thank you for the hard work you put in

[@kizzy_11d12]

This is such a beautiful video and so well put together, avocado toast😆. As I grow more and more I am figuring out myself and who I really like in the world so thank you for this video and I can’t wait for part two♥️🥰

[@annapplepie9342]

Avocado toast!!! It's such an interesting and detailed essay-analysis! Just woah 👏👏👏 I appreciate your effort a lot! It was mindblowing to learn about Sad Temptation. Kim Kapsoo is such a well-known actor, it's so cool to know he has this drama as a part of his filmography. Thank you for working so hard on this project! I enjoyed your video a lot and can't wait to see the next part ❤

[@magicmike191v2]

Avocado toast Amazing video!! I got goosebumps many times when hearing the stories and watching the scenes of coming out and acceptance.

[@nicki003]

What an amazing video i just watched. I've always been interested in South Korea's approach towards queerness and homosexuality since it keeps being rare on mainstream media. I really want to watch Life Is Beautiful now, the scene where the main character comes out to his father, absolutely beautiful. Thank you for the hardwork on making this video!!

[@breathesyoutube]

avocado toast for my life!! I've literally never heard of the two dramas in the video. I respect the amount of research and writing in this vid. looking out for more from you ❤

[@jungwon_blue]

I'm watching your video again and I just have so many more things to say about Life is Beautiful. I always always felt so so grateful to Kim Soohyun for capturing really EVERY scenario/outcome of a queer coming out and how she showcasing the contrasting reactions along side. How Kyungsoo's mother being homophobic causes their relationship to completely diminish and hurts both sides immensely, versus how Taesub's family's acceptance only strengthens everyone's bond. I love how she blatantly shows how being homophobic will only make you unhappy which I hoped caused some viewers to feel ashamed of themselves. I also love how she showed Kyungsoo having an ex wife and a daughter because that also hopefully made homophobes think of their stance on the whole "you can be gay, just don't have gay sex - marry a woman and repress your temptations" thing. It reminds them that something like that never works out and is extremely insulting for the woman in the relationship. Him getting divorced also reminds viewers that no, marrying a woman won't convert you to being straight, it really isn't a choice. There are many more contrasts which you mentioned like the two uncles and the different generations, but I still wanted to mention the 2 mothers here cuz I think Kim Soohyuns writing for this Kdrama is unmatched. Another thing I remembered about the time I first finished watching the whole show the first time is that I was SO obsessed with it that I even recreated the house (to my best abilities) in the Sims 4 lmafooo like it's still up there in the gallery under something like "Life is Beautiful house". Like I truly mean it when I say this is my favourite Kdrama. The fact that it had such an impact on the queer tolerance in Korea is amazing.

[@Pastellyn]

@@jungwon_blue Ditto on literally everything you said!! I wish I had talked about the mothers more in my video but that section was already so long that I felt it would be a disservice to the other chapters. 😅 That said, you’re completely right, it’s absolutely incredible that Kim managed to capture so many nuances of queer life in SK, all while taking down conservative arguments against homosexuality. An icon! (Also, I cannot believe I’m not the only person to recreate LIB in the Sims 4… are we the same person??)

[@jungwon_blue]

@@Pastellyn Lmao I would've watched the whole section even if it had been an hour long! Your video is so well made and I agree with everything you said + learned many more new things like for example you know that short film called "just friends?" (Chin-gu sa-i in Korean) starring Lee Jehoon? Well before this video I had NO idea what significance the Korean name of the short film had, and made me look at it with completely new eyes after hearing the name of the 친구사이 forum. Also oh my god what did you make in the Sims?? I'll search it up when I get back to my computer. This video has renewed the love I had for this show, I feel the urge to rewatch it the 3rd time and maybe I'll even dabble in some Sims 4 gameplay while I'm at it lmao 😂

[@Pastellyn]

@@jungwon_blue Just saw this- I LOVE “Just Friends?”, and given that its director is a prominent queer activist, I wouldn’t be surprised if he meant that title to be a reference! (Also, I’m not sure if I still have my save with my Life is Beautiful family- I’ll lyk if I track it down!)

[@SA-zf4yx]

Avocado toast! This was a very high quality documentary! It deserves more views you really did your research. Must've been hard to find all those resources as an international fan

[@Pastellyn]

Thank you! And yes, it was a laborious process tracking down these sources- google translate became my best friend lol

[@luunara7065]

Avocado toast ^^ This is one hell of a research and I'm amazed by the clear structure and the easy to understand chunks you put it all in!

[@hbassey]

I love this video and I'm looking forward to a part too!

[@emianawuzzhere5121]

Had to pause at 46:16, going to watch Life is Beautiful and then come back!

[@gab_4792]

Looking forward to part 2! :)

[@iannavanda]

I watched Life is Beautiful when I was quite young (my early fujoshi era) and I have never seen such a beautiful drama like this to this date that compares with it. My two favourite series is Life is Beautiful and What did you eat yesterday. Both of these dramas have influenced me so much as a human being. Through my struggles in my life what kept me grounded was the standards of living a happy life that I learned from these two dramas.

[@quinnfreitag615]

beautifully done video i don't usually comment on youtube videos but I just really want you to know how much I love the video and appreciate the effort you put into it! Subscribed!

[@PurplePandaLotus]

I have never seen a vlog talk about LIB!!! Life Is Beautiful aired around the same time I began to watch Kdrama more regularly. I was only able to watch it because someone had uploaded unsubtitled bits of Taeseob and Kyunsoo on YT. To this day, As I continue to consume media from Korea and other Asian countries, particularly queer media, I still think about this series and compare the representation; especially after I was able to watch the full show a few years later, and have seen the rise of LGBTQ+ centered media in other Asian countries beyond Japan [which in the early 2000's and 2010's basically produced most of the SE Asian queer content exported to other countries, though usually illegally coz copyrights]. It's crazy how much it's grown in places like Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam and Philippines. But to find good fleshy representation the way it was done in LIB is still a bit of a task to be honest. I'm quite forgiving of course because I'm fully aware of the limitations but still... I keep hoping Korea will get on board soon with longer storylines now that it has become a more "common" thing to not only see but also promote globally. Nice observation. I enjoyed it. ^^ Oh, avocado toast!

[@gwyn_8562]

Damn, i need to watch Life Is Beautiful

[@yourratnextdoor4185]

Avocado toast!🎉 really great vid. I get what you mean about coffee prince and its successors but nothing will make me think its not incredibly queer, not at all straight. Cant wait for part 2

[@doctortalisman9861]

i haven't yet finished watching the video, but i just wanted to say thank you SO much for this, i'm so grateful for all the time and research that has clearly gone into it. i don't actually watch k-drama myself, but i love videos like this on queer media history (this reminds me a lot of matt baume's videos, which i really like). as i'm learning korean and i'm interested in korean queer history and culture, this is right up my alley - i've always wanted to be able to learn more about the cultural and political dynamics involved in things like this. (the video is also really pleasingly edited!) i'll definitely watch any similar videos from you :).

[@Pastellyn]

Oh wow, being compared to Matt Baume is like, the most flattering thing ever! He’s one of my favorite KZbinrs, too, and I’m so happy I can cover a similarly niche topic on KZbin! :D

[@KrisKrisKrissy]

I definitely understand the need for more shows that "tackle the issue" and I appreciate them when they exist, but as someone who WANTS light fluffy fun shows, I do appreciate the shows that include gay characters without going into how much their lives must suck. Do I wish there were more decent outright LGBT relationships portrayed? Yes. But I can only watch so many stories about coming out and facing intolerance.

[@vkskms]

I get what you mean, and most of us probably want that too, but usually and especially in the past when it is "fluffy" it's a caricature or a stereotypical characterization of queer people. I'd much rather watch thousands of hard hitting realistic portrayals than easy fluffy and often in mainstream dramas, even derogatory portrayals. A balance or blend of realism and non-tragic stories is needed for sure.

[@eggominnie]

great video. i still think about 'life is beautiful' till the day and i don't even regularly watch k-dramas.

[@a.moonchild4877]

OMG YOU'RE BACK! 💕

[@Im_Charizzma_boss_baby_Ricky]

Avocado toast! I really enjoyed this video and learned a lot from it. Thank you for working so hard on this masterpiece of a video essay.

[@Pastellyn]

Thank you!! ❤️

[@Jacks_archivess]

SUCH A UNDERRATED CHANNEL ❤️❤️🗣️🗣️🗣️

[@wassup8308]

LOVEDDDD this!!! more long-form video essays like this pls!!!! i know its obviously more work but i really enjoyed this a lot

[@Ray-zq1sp]

Avocado toast! I loved this video it was super interesting and it deserves to be viewed by a lot of people, thanks a lot from Mexico

[@SimplySelicia]

First time watcher, loved this!!❤