I have been an avid yet close-mouthed consumer of BL content for more than 5 years now. After stumbling onto the Thai-language 2gether: The Series on Netflix in 2020, I went down a rabbit hole of Thai male-on-male (MLM) romances. From Theory of Love to Bad Buddy and I Told Sunset About You, I devoured them all in my room, hunched over my overheated laptop.
What started as a simple exploration of a new genre slowly developed into an admiration bordering on obsession. Soon, I was watching BL content by the dozen, spanning Thai, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and more, with no bar on language. It wasn’t until I discovered a female friend also interested in consuming the MLM series that I dared to ask myself (and the Internet), why are women so interested in watching men make out with each other?
Why Does BL Content Attract Women?
Women of all s*xual orientations spearhead queer romances involving two men. From the Kirk-Spock, the original slash (aka same-s*x relationships) fanfiction, to the recent fuss over Heated Rivalry, primarily female viewers partake in gay romances. The obvious answer lies in straight women’s attraction to men. Twice the eye-candy, twice the fun! But it is not that simple. We need more than pretty guys or beautiful cinematography to connect to BL content.
Homos*xual relationships are free from women’s emotional weightlifting for men as their significant others. MLM’s fantastical dissolution of patriarchy results in a comfortable watching experience, wherein they don’t have to bother with resolving conflicts.
Read Also: From ZeeNuNew To OffGun, How Thailand Became The Face Of BLs And Gay Romance Genre
Additionally, men appear as caregivers, share burdens, and have personalities fuelling aggression in positive ways. Often fuelled by internalised homophobia, toxic masculinity is addressed and not glorified. Power is split evenly between partners.
Why Queer Women (Not Attracted To Men) Watch Boys’ Love?
Lesbians and bise*xal women also zealously watch BL series. Representation in any form is a win, especially with the vulnerability men lack in traditional romance. Not denying the disregard that some straight women have for GLs (aka girls’ love stories), queer women come for the fluid gender roles and yearning, which is inherently a part of BL.
Ultimately, women watch BL content for many reasons, including the complexity of love stories. Perhaps, it reflects what we hope to see more of in storytelling: less influence of patriarchy, emotional depth, and authenticity.