As a long-time follower of the Boys Love (BL) genre, I can confidently say that the growth and recognition it has received in recent years is truly heartwarming. Having watched countless series from various regions, I’ve seen the evolution of this niche genre into a mainstream phenomenon, capturing the hearts of audiences all over Asia and beyond.
The popularity of the ‘Boys Love’ (BL) genre continues to grow, reaching a level where it’s now big enough for event organizers to arrange fan meetings much like they do for well-known Asian television series and pop musicians.
At Westar, Taipei, the Taiwanese LGBTQI streaming platform GagaOOLala held its inaugural fan gathering for the original BL musical series “First Note of Love” last Saturday. Approximately 500 people attended this event, marking the beginning of a tour that will extend to Seoul, Hong Kong, Macau, and Bangkok in 2025.
The main actors Charles Tu, Michael Chang, Tim Liu, and Thai sensation ‘Jame’ Kasama Kranjanawattana displayed their artistic abilities during the event. They performed hit songs from the series, danced choreographed routines, and even sang in fan-loved duets. Altogether, they presented over ten engaging performances throughout the evening.
Under the guidance of director Chien Hung Lien, the television series “First Note of Love” revolves around Neil (Tu), once the lead singer of the band Magnet, who retreats from public life following the devastating demise of his brother and bandmate. Six years on, a former enthusiast named Sea (Chang) – now a secluded yet gifted music maestro – receives an unanticipated invitation to collaborate with his long-admired idol. Their shared odyssey unfolds as they explore the therapeutic power of music.
The 12-episode series titled ‘First Note of Love,’ which runs for 25 minutes per episode, has been created by both GagaOOLala and GOL Studios. You can stream it worldwide (except in Japan) on GagaOOLala, Video Market, and Rakuten TV within Japan, LINE TV and friDAY in Taiwan, Heavenly in South Korea, and Rakuten Viki across various regions. The series offers subtitles in English, Mandarin, Thai, Spanish, and Bahasa.
The show aims to incorporate contributions from Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand, which are key players in the Boys’ Love genre. It also includes creative and musical contributions from Warner Music Taiwan and Warner Music Thailand, artists from Star Hunter Entertainment Thailand, funding from Kaohsiung Film Fund, Video Market, Rakuten TV Japan, and the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), along with support from the Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development of the Taiwanese Ministry of Culture, as well as a subsidy from the same bureau.
Initially viewed as a specialized genre, Boy’s Love (BL) has now found its way into mainstream acceptance, drawing in vast crowds and dedicated fanbases not just in Asia but globally. Contrary to common perception, the primary characters are often male and portrayed in homosexual relationships. However, it’s heterosexual women who predominantly form the core audience for this genre. Meanwhile, the Girls’ Love (GL) market is relatively smaller but is also seeing growth.
In the year 2021, Yano Research Institute estimated that Japan’s Boys’ Love (BL) market was worth around 21.2 billion Japanese yen, or approximately $192 million USD. On the other hand, in 2021, Thailand’s BL streaming rights attracted about 360 million Thai baht ($10.2 million USD) in foreign investment. Moreover, by 2022, the export value of Thailand’s BL market surpassed 1.5 billion Thai baht, or around $42.6 million USD, according to Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion.
Approximately 217 BL (Boys’ Love) series were aired in the year 2023, as per MyDramaList. The increasing portrayal of pro-LGBTQ+ narratives across East Asia is shedding light on these stories and potentially influencing real-life developments, such as Taiwan legalizing same-sex marriage in 2019 and Thailand following suit in June 2024.
With BL (Boys’ Love) gaining global popularity, GagaOOLala intends to broaden its influence and encourage cross-cultural conversations that honor diversity and affection. Our involvement in the BL genre extends beyond just a creative pursuit; it offers an opportunity for collaboration among significant Asian markets such as Taiwan, Thailand, and Japan,” expressed Jay Lin, founder and CEO of GagaOOLala and Portico Media. “The success of our Taipei fan meet is merely the start of a voyage to establish new platforms where fans can interact, celebrate, and draw inspiration.
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2024-11-06 02:46