The "boys' love" genre rose to prominence as adaptations of web novels about same-sex couples were picked up by on-demand services
Two men exchange longing glances, a frisson of sexual tension in an on-screen relationship which must otherwise go unspoken -Скачать новинки кино 2023 - hd-kino.biz China's "boys' love" phenomenon is gripping video streamers, slipping by censors of LGBTQ themes with their subtlety.
The genre rose to prominence in 2018, as adaptations of web novels about same-sex couples, known as "dangaiju", were increasingly picked up by on-demand services, propelling Chinese actors to stardom.
In "Word of Honor", a blockbusting adventure from video platform Youku, two handsome martial arts heroes develop a close bond, but refer to each other only as "brothers" as the heavily-insinuated romance between protagonists fails to emerge.
In "Word of Honor", two handsome martial arts heroes develop a close bond, but refer to each other only as "brothers" as the heavily-insinuated romance between protagonists fails to emerge
Although China decriminalised homosexuality in 1997, same-sex marriage is illegal and taboo trails LGBTQ issues.
The community is facing renewed pressure, with web content censored and depictions of gay romance in films banned.
Yet "boys' love" adaptations are booming, screened by streaming giants like Youku and Tencent Video, mostly fuelled by demand from straight women and their growing interest in a more delicate form of masculinity.
Tickets for a Word of Honor themed concert in Suzhou sold out in seconds earlier this month, as hundreds of thousands rushed for a spot.
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