A Thai BL drama is currently in dire circumstances.
BL, or Boys’ Love, is a popular genre in the Asian continent. The comics, video games, movies, and tv series are often made by women for women, but focus on gay romance and sexuality in a way similar to how straight men indulge in lesbian content.
That said, for many Asian countries, BL content is the primary source of gay representation in entertainment media. That is especially true for the BL dramas found on Thailand’s MCOT channel.
A recent issue with an upcoming BL drama is spotlighting a potential problem with the genre and gay representation in Thailand overall.
The drama Love By Chance was expected to release in late May.
Love By Chance follows a romance between college freshmen. Pete is a handsome and popular man who’s also constantly being bullied for being gay. When a classmate named Ae jumps in to defend him, the two set up the deal to have Ae become Pete’s new bodyguard.
Unfortunately for Pete, he starts to develop feelings for his newfound friend and hero, but perhaps the feeling is mutual.
The series was fully produced earlier this year, promoted with its cast on several tv talk shows, and scheduled for release on the popular Channel 9 MCOT on May 27.
That said, the channel announced that the series would be postponed indefinitely on May 24.
New, the director of the series, then shared that he was in talks with the channel’s executive board to see if he needed to edit out scenes in order to get the greenlight for release.
Many who are familiar with the genre and channel were surprised by this sudden postponement. This is because MCOT has aired several dramas with gay storylines or side stories such as Love Sick the Series, Part-Time the series, Make it Right the Series, and My Bromance: The Series.
What many suspect to be the problem was that there was recent change to the channel’s Executive Board. Now, the new leadership wants MCOT to have a “white channel” image and sees the gay content as immoral, according to Matichon Online.
Afterwards, there was no news about the series for three weeks, and fans became restless.
But two days ago, Director New shared in a live stream video chat that he’s currently in talks with LineTV to see if they will distribute the show.
Line is a popular social media and texting app that’s used in several Asian countries. On top of that, LineTV is a Netflix-esque streaming platform that’s connected to the app.
While this new LineTV situation could be a saving grace for the series, there is one catch. He says the execs over at LineTV want to see if there is enough of an audience to warrant airing Love by Chance. As such, they’ve asked for a challenge.
New shared that the trailer for the series, found above, has to reach 1 Million views before they consider airing the show.
With MCOT seemingly cutting ties with Love By Chance, and possibly gay content over all, it looks like LineTV and this trailer are its only hope.
I learned about LBC when i curiously watched an icon of 2 half dressed cute boys who gazed at each other innocently and intimately. I searched for the show, found it and the rest is history. I am one of the million fans of this series and it gave me hope that there is really a chance for love and acceptance for us LGBT.
South African fan here. True fan of this series. I LOVE LOVE the adorable romance in this series. I would really love to see Tin&Can. Very adorable. Please season 2!!! 😍
In Iowa (USA) Love By Chance had a growing audience. I am 74 (male) and my husband is 54. I have several earned doctorates and my husband has advanced degrees in computer science…and we both publishing regularly to large international audiences. Now we are telling them that Thailand MCOT does not want an international business. Pity. Rather bad judgment for bad business.
I want to thank THE director.I loved what YOU did visually, because without you it would only be an idea in someone’s head. No matter how you try to appease us(the FANS) we are unsatisfied with THIS end to the couples that deserve development in this series. The way he was leading the series was beautiful, I was on the edge of my seat! Miss you, loved [linetv’s app] COME BACK!!!?
Fan of love by chance…..
Fan of love by chance….. kindly release season 2
Love this series….. want to
Love this series….. want to see season 2
Fan from Bangladesh here.
Fan from Bangladesh here. Loved #Tin×can soooo much…and #Ae×pete too..would love it if there was a second season..I want a happy ending for Tin×can.. Pleaseeeeee
kindly make season 2 of this
kindly make season 2 of this series….want to see the complete love story of #aepete# #tincan#
I hope the series comes back.
I hope the series comes back. I loved it
Im not a fan..
Im not a fan..
But after i watch it i really love it.. But i do believe in truelove no matter what is ur gender…
Good job pete&ae and to tin&can..
From Philippines, hoping for the next season.Specially for team tin@can..hope they'l be together..
I’m a Brazilian fan of the
I'm a Brazilian fan of the Love By Chance series. And the success that this BL drama did in South America and Latin America was spectacular! Whoever lost was the MCOT. Thanks LINE TV.
In portuguese: Eu sou um fã brasileiro da série Love By Chance. E o sucesso que esse drama BL fez na América do Sul e America Latina foi espetacular! Quem saiu perdeu foi a MCOT. Obrigado LINE TV!
Huge fan here in America I
Huge fan here in America I found clips on YouTube and fell in love hope to be able to see it soon.. .
Too bad for MCOT, this series
Too bad for MCOT, this series was a huge success!!! Congrats to all the cast and crew!!! I'm a huge fan. Love from PH
Too bad for MCOT, this series
Too bad for MCOT, this series is a huge success!!! Congrats to all the cast and crew of this seriers
That’s a pitty.
That's a pitty.