lets talk about k-pop: soft masculinity vs. western stereotypes

[@SoraiaLMotta]

aesthetic labour is a concept that I hadn't have a word for it. great points.

[@florieshab]

Right?? I’m glad that it helped you put a name to it! ☺️

[@bepthemep2928]

Aaaaaa I’ve been looking for a good video essay on this!! You did a great job💗!

[@florieshab]

Thank youuu!!! ☺️

[@ккє-о6ц]

Interesting video! As an androgynous FTM person, growing up with K-pop has likely influenced both my self-image and my sense of attraction. There are definitely many negative stigmas, especially if you're a boy group fan in the West, where you'll often face criticism. The way masculinity is viewed outside of the West, particularly in relation to race, is very interesting.

[@florieshab]

Thank you!! But yes I absolutely agree with you... k-pop has even changed the way I understand masculinity... like it challenges those toxic and heteronormative beliefs around masculinity. But I am glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@kahilmclaurin7800]

This helps me be more confident as an African American Male who is not Traditionally Masculine, but is a Soft Masculine ❤️🖤❤️

[@florieshab]

I'm so glad this video resonated with you!! We gotta show love to all expressions of masculinity! 🤍

[@gobyfish1399]

In Asia itself, majority of men are not soft masculine. Majority of Asian men in Asian countries don't like to be soft masculine and majority of Asian women don't either. This soft feminine look for men is a recent thing, around the 1980's Japanese anime, then K pop, then now Chinese entertainers, given the thousands of years of Asian history, feminine men is a recent trend, also linked with Western feminism ( masculine women ). The rest of Asian entertainment, movies, TV is more masculine men. And mostly tween females like femme men, ironically in the patriarchal East and the feminist West. I guess, when Asian women are oppressed and Western women think they are oppressed, they both go for the soft man who is "non threatening". Non threatening also means you can't defend yourself or the women, and you are emotionally and physically weak. Here oppressed Asian women and feminist Western women find common ground. Irony indeed. I'm a gay Asian man from Asia in his 50's.

[@florieshab]

You bring up so many good points! I totally agree. I do think this softer masculinity look is a newer phenomenon. I still have a lot to learn about AAPI representation in Western media, but your point is really interesting! When I started watching K-dramas, I noticed that the male leads were portrayed as masculine, just in a different way than we usually see in Western media. It actually made me see Asian masculinity in a more positive light. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences! ☺