The Representation of Boy Love in Thai Yaoi Series

Abstract

The research aims to study the construction of reality of the representation of Boy Love in Thai Yaoi series with qualitative research methodology, based on the analysis of the script and the in-depth interviews of the substances recipients with different demographic characteristics including the in-depth interviews of the communication scholars. Data were collected, analyzed, and interpreted by the researcher. The main research findings has shown that the Thai Yaoi series 1) only present the boy love without appearing the lesbian love. 2) there is often an Etic perspective since most of the original scripts were composed by female writers. 3) clearly present the identity of the hero and the heroine that allows the audience to acknowledge which side is “top” and which side is “bottom”. 4) it still has not been able to contribute the social movement on the issue of gender diversity for Thai society. 5) make some people in society begin to accept the presence and existence of boy love more in Thai society. As a result, some of boy love have the courage to “jump out of the closet”. 6) influenced by the love of men and women according to social norms, a new set of ideologies has been created by accepting alternative ideals as equal and not different from the mainstream ideology, leading to an “equal ideology” 7) present the romantic love that consists of the intimacy and affection of male characters and consummate love. It is love with all three elements of affection, intimacy, and commitment by showing promise to each other and will love each other forever.