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A thread of rambling about MG & comparing them to other BL ships "popularity" (which happens quite a lot). I would like to start this thread & say that every BL ship is "popular" in it's own way & all are equally important & valid. This is not a "hate" thread, sorry to disappoint
A lot of comparing happens in the BL universe which is silly in my opinion as each BL ship/series offers a different kind of story/love/enjoyment & a lot of BL fans are multi-fandom. Not to mention everyone has a different taste so the comparison is really meaningless.
In regards to the "popularity" aspect. The entertainment industry has its own rules I guess. The Thai "BL" actor's popularity is mostly measured by their series view numbers & how many "big" endorsement deals they have. How much product sales can arise thanks to their fandoms.
In short how much profit those actors endorsement can bring the brand they work with.
From what I know in Thailand that is the main income for the "BL" actors as they aren't paid much as actors in general. Those brand deals bring them the real money.
From what I know in Thailand that is the main income for the "BL" actors as they aren't paid much as actors in general. Those brand deals bring them the real money.
While the BL series brings them the "stardom" at the beginning& a fandom following it's the brand deals that solidify their popularity. If the actor is from a big company like GMM/Wabisabi etc. I assume part of the profits goes to the company - how much I don't know.
Big companies also probably dictate which brand endorsement their actors should do as it brings more money for the company. So having a big company contract definitely helps in gaining roles/deals = popularity/money but it has it's price. Freedom & part of your profits mostly.
If a BL ship/series is under a big company with a lot of big sponsors the reach for the audience is wider which equals a lot of series views that bring more fans and in the end big endorsement deals a.k.a. money & opportunities. It's more or less how those things work generally.
Then we have MewGulf, independent actors without big company backup that worked in independent production most people either ignored or never heard of before it's airing. Two factors that widely limit the amount of "popularity" they could get from the get-go.
To make things worse TTTS got a lot of hate in its first 2-3 episodes for the controversial themes it touches upon.
That ended in M being cyberbullied while people didn't even know who G was as he was a newbie. I think any amount of "popularity" at that time would be a blessing.
That ended in M being cyberbullied while people didn't even know who G was as he was a newbie. I think any amount of "popularity" at that time would be a blessing.
Thankfully the combination of a good script, filming & acting made them preserve as the series started to gain more viewers.
Don't get me wrong. I am not saying actors from those big companies don't work as hard for their "popularity" but in some aspects, they have it easier.
Don't get me wrong. I am not saying actors from those big companies don't work as hard for their "popularity" but in some aspects, they have it easier.
Mew's & Gulf's "popularity" can't be really compared to those other big BL series/ships as their way to "popularity" was in many aspects very different and had a lot more of obstacles to overcome first. It wasn't an easy road for sure...
That's why the steady increase in new fans & endorsements amazes me even now. Months after TTTS finished airing. MewGulf may not have the biggest "popularity" or fandom in the BL universe but that's fine. Even 1 more fan or 1 more endorsement is already a very big achievement.
Which is why they are this deeply thankful to all of their fans all the time. Because MewGulf's current "popularity" is already more then they could even ask for. More than we, their fans could ever ask for. The way they "raised to fame" puts things in perspective.
This is why they never compete with other actors, BL series/ships but say they are competing with themselves. To give their all in everything they do. This is why they are so very much thankful for their "popularity" & we as their fans are as thankful for any chance given to them
It's all right if other BL series/ships are more "popular". It makes the BL universe more versatile& widely known. It brings more opportunities for everyone. It's a win-win situation. MG/TTTS "popularity" is already more then we could ask for. We're just thankful for what MG has.
We know that with them being independent actors their opportunities can be limited but we are happy they have freedom of working in projects they want themselves and no company is pressuring them to "act like a couple". They can do what they feel like doing in the moment.
Besides being known by everyone is not the same as being loved. MewGulf is maybe not winning in the "contest of popularity" but this little fandom of ours doesn't mind. As long as they can do what they love & are good at, it is enough. This love is enough.
