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The Female Gaze in 2521: On Empowered Female Characters and Healthy Masculinity

Y’all I’m so excited to dive into this!

If you’re a kdrama fan, then by now you’ve probably caught on that kdramas often incorporate “the female gaze”. While it’s debated what’s considered the female gaze, we can all conclude that it is different from the omnipresent male gaze in media.

The male gaze describes the visual or aesthetic presentation of women in a way that depicts them as sexual objects, with personalities that tend to center towards men or their fantasies of how women "should" behave. That’s a bit of an oversimplification, but if you watch literally any popular show or movie, you’ll quickly notice the male gaze because it’s woven into the camerawork, the characterization, or body language of the characters on screen. See if you can catch it here.

Not so subtle, right? Kdramas are not free from it, either, but it is worth noting that kdramas do tend to pull an opposing card, namely the female gaze.

This tends to center female characters as being a spectator rather than an object, and typically holding more agency, meaning they lead their lives and choices. The male characters are often characterized as charming, sweet, polite, and romantic.

I see two forms of the female gaze in 2521: first, the empowered female characters and their depiction on screen; second, the portrayal of healthy masculinity in the leading male characters. 

Since this would actually become a literal essay if I tried to encompass every instance or relevant detail, I’m limiting it to just a few observations. But trust me, this show is abundant with many more. If you want to discuss it more, feel free to message me - I’m a nerd for this shit haha

Anyway, leggo~

Let’s start with our empowered protagonists (abbreviated to FC for Female Character from here on)!

Hee Do’s character is a take on the classic “I’m not like other girls” trope but thankfully the writers have spun it into a refreshingly animated and enlivened perspective. She is loud, sometimes adorably obnoxious, a little childish, and passionate. Contrary to the typical loud kdrama FC, she is innocent but not naive. Also contrary to other FCs, she does not seek a love interest. Her main goal is to improve her fencing and transfer to the school where her idol trains.

I like how Yi Jin’s presence in Hee Do’s life lifts her up and helps her accomplish her goals, but he’s not an absolute necessity. This kdrama could very well have orbited around the high school friend group and Hee Do would still succeed. This is pretty poignant, since Yi Jin being there merely enriches her life. She still ultimately has agency over her choices and dreams.

Also, let’s highlight how none of these FC are sexualized, be it their school uniforms, fencing gear, or the beach scene. Yes, Korea is much more conservative with these things, and yes, I think the writers and directors were cognizant of the thin line they were treading with the age gap and Hee Do being a minor for a while. But still! I think it’s worth celebrating and pointing out that they often show her wearing her red tracksuit pants under her skirt while no one else does. 

Seungwan is another FC who shines so well with the female gaze. She’s the one who makes an active effort to call out the abuse of the teachers at her school. She is an active participant in her life - she makes a clear stand that she will no longer tolerate witnessing abuse. Her agency is clear: she’s not backing down, and not stooping down to threats of being expelled.

Instead, she whips a reverse uno card and goes fuck this place, I’m leaving. That’s not to say empowerment comes without vulnerability and emotion. I think that’s what I enjoy so much about FCs done well in kdramas contrary to western media lately, because western media female empowerment these days seems to be “see, I’m a heartless bitch, watch me stand up for my beliefs and not even cry”. So when Seungwan explains the situation to her mom and says she’s sorry and starts crying in her mother’s embrace, it makes her moment of courage to leave and stand for her values that much stronger.

It’s brave because it has a toll. It’s brave because it’s an unfair situation to be put into. Crying about it makes that reality crash down on us much harder. Also, can we celebrate how this drama doesn’t attempt to give us beautiful crying scenes? A lot of male gaze centric media will make even women’s suffering an aesthetic viewing experience. But this? Not at all. We got runny noses, snot, creased eyebrows and sobbing breaths and shaking shoulders. Beauty isn’t the focus. It’s the feeling. 

This feels like a good transition into part 2: healthy masculinity! Because! Let me tell you!! We have plenty of kdramas with men crying, sure. But I’ve never seen performances like this where 1) male crying is filmed in such an intimate way and 2) where the female lead is framed as the dominant comfort - but not an emotionless hero, either.

Let’s talk about Jiwoong’s crying scene on the rooftop when he found out Seungwan was leaving.

The camerawork doesn’t shy away from showing the growing hurt and welling tears in his eyes. She comes over to hug him, swooping her arms over his shoulders even though he’s the taller one. We see him cover his face but not shy away from letting it out. She pats him on the back. It’s refreshing to see a male character cry without him having to throw things or break shit lmao like men can just stand there and cry and allow women to see them like this. 

Transition into Yi Jin’s crying scenes (oh man, Nam Joo Hyuk is my favorite actor for a reason: you can read his face so perfectly without him needing to speak). Yi Jin’s crying scenes are also devoid of being overly dramatic while still encompassing the intensity of his feelings and the weight of the moment. The scene that stands out the most to me is in episode 8 when he’s doing the live reporting via the hotel room but his computer crashes.

The deafening silence hits the audience hard. It’s meant to feel like a slap in the face because we’re meant to sit in his shock for a bit. The shock, denial, anger, and sadness washes over him as the camera centers a closeup of his face. He shakily puts down the phone, gets up, collapses next to the hotel bed, lifts up the sheets, and shouts - and I mean fucking shouts - into the duvet. This happens as the camera pans out so we all go from feeling caught up in his emotional turmoil to feeling the spaciousness of the room around him; how he’s so alone, how he has no one to rely on in this moment.

I fucking held my breath man. Because this felt so intimate. We don't normally see male characters on screen break down like this. And if so, it might be framed in an aesthetic or artistic way or even sexual way, like crying in the shower. This was just...plain hard truth. That shit was intense. Can I just say? Oscar worthy, my dude. 

The second moment that stands out combines the two observations! We get an empowered FC and a representation of healthy masculinity all in one! That’s right peeps, I’m talking the tunnel crying scene.

God, what a performance. Note how the camerawork highlights that he is collapsed and lower than her.

Hee Do is the one holding his face. She’s the one who caresses his tears away. And mind you, even though we’re talking the Very Handsome Baek Yi Jin here, he is still a snotty crying mess. In traditional media, this visual is very much a male-dominant gaze: a helpless woman being saved by a heroic male protagonist in her moment of vulnerability, held in his arms, her tears being wiped away. This scene flipped the script, though. It’s beautiful to see a female character in this role. And again, just like with Seungwan, it’s not to say that she, being the hero in this moment, is devoid of emotion either. No, she cries too. She cries because she sees him, sees his pain. She doesn’t let it eat away at her and let her spiral. It isn’t an overly dramatic moment of hysteria and tears. It’s an acknowledgement: I see you. I understand you. Which is why their romance is all the more special. These are two people who have now seen each other at their worst. And they still choose to be gentle and soft and caring because the world around them is cruel enough.

What are your thoughts? Overall, I keep finding ways to celebrate this kdrama. Be it the writing, the visual directing and color theory, the character development and character arcs…….there’s just nothing quite like it. And I don’t think there will be something like it for a while. Hopefully this sets the new standard.

Love you fam :) Thanks for reading!

Peace out~

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Geeli Pucchi

My gay ass watched Ajeeb Daastaans for Konkana and Aditi, and I am finding myself hard to breathe. What a story?! The twist and turn of plot was making me squeal through and through. I had to come out of my social media break phase just to post this.

I am in love with Kokana Sen Sharma. Had always loved her and this role of her made me realise that she can do no fucking wrong. What a badass dyke energy she had. If I ever get a chance to meet her, I am gonna profess my undying love for her. Her emotive eyes and simmering rage shook me to my core and I have been haunted by them. My poor baby was hurt time and time again, but she had so much love to give. My heart reached out to her every time she was marginalised and discriminated for her sex and caste. I loved how Aditi masterfully portrayed Priya’s innocence and naivete, but damn, all I want to think is Konkana!!

My feelings are conflicted on the ending though. I mean, I was rooting for Bharti from the moment she appeared on my screen. She forged her justice but, it was at an expense of another soul. The society was/is rigged to begin with. The chasm between Bharti and Priya defined by caste system, patriarchy, sexuality and privilege are the reasons of my sorrow today.

Despite all these rollercoaster of emotions, I want to give a shoutout to all the wonderful humans behind this project.  I am in awe with Neeraj Ghaywan. What a fabulous job he did in Masaan! His short film Juice (2017) was terrific as well. He brings out the subtle and nuanced performance from his actors and I look forward to his future projects.  

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"are u busy rn?" yes i'm listening to music

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the feminine urge to stay in bed and read all day

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An utterance, a memory

The highs were very high, even in unrecognised "gay panic".

Our sweaty hands holding on to the the other's finger, back, waist, even shoulders;

hanging on to overcrowded buses and outside moderately priced restaurants. Saved up money and the promise of temporary luxury hanging as languid bait.

Her maroon lipstick and fizzy cola eyes from those evenings will always haunt my daydreams in happy circumstance,

like we were within a fairy circle waiting to be transported somewhere so that I don't have to verbalize the rhythm of my heart, it's incessant prayer and pleading.

I didn't know then, that the buzz in my ear, the thrum of electricity on the metal railing of bus seats will forever hold this memory -

of my great love, this "prem" - is what they call it in my mother's tongue-

that tender love which repeat visits me every festive season since. Taunts innocence and asks difficult favours of my understanding.

It's the smell of new fabric, discount eyeshadow palettes and stale biriyani: fragrant in every corner alley which had made me hopeful then, their tenacity, the eyewitness accounts of human desire.

Each breath of longing binds the ledger together, keeping notes - credits and withdrawals.

Many autumns have passed since, with pomp and the guilt of surviving hate, speech, hate speech and surveillance.

Many almost-cardigan weather days and unplanned coffee dates have come and gone.

\\

It has been years and still you steal my breath away, make me fumble and stumble through syllables,

Your gaze turns me the colour of winter sunsets.

My guess is that you'll always swell the ache of heartbeat inside my throat-

That you'll forever quicken the pace of my imagination like sea salt caught on the wind, reverberating within ticking clocks, the lethargic revolution of the ceiling fan,

and all things comfortable.

- A

Happy october, my love.

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“In the past, I have made no secret of my disdain for Chef Gusteau’s famous motto, “Anyone can cook.” But I realize, only now do I truly understand what he meant. Not everyone can become a great artist; but a great artist can come from anywhere. It is difficult to imagine more humble origins than those of the genius now cooking at Gusteau’s, who is, in this critic’s opinion, nothing less than the finest chef in France.”

Ratatouille (2007) Dir. Brad Bird

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WHiCH ONE?

the way i completely lost it when ‘we all lie’ started playing in that one ep !##@

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2022 Witch's Calendar

For all my witches out there, here's a handy list of the 2022 dates for the major holidays, full and new moons, and special events. I've listed my sources at the bottom. Dates and times for all events are calculated for Eastern Standard Time, USA, Northern Hemisphere. Adjust for your location as needed. Enjoy!

WOTY Holidays and Solstices

February 1-2 - Imbolc

March 20 - Spring Equinox / Ostara

May 1 - Beltane

June 21 - Summer Solstice / Midsummer

August 1 - Lughnasadh

September 22 - Autumn Equinox / Mabon

October 31 - Samhain

December 21 - Winter Solstice / Yule

Full Moons

January 17 - Wolf Moon ♋️

February 16 - Snow Moon ♌️

March 18 - Worm Moon ♍️

April 16 - Pink Moon ♎️

May 16 - Flower Moon ♏️

June 14 - Strawberry Moon ♐️

July 13 - Thunder Moon (aka Buck Moon) ♑️

August 11 - Sturgeon Moon ♒️

September 10 - Harvest Moon ♓️

October 9 - Hunter's Moon (aka Blood Moon) ♈️

November 8 - Frost Moon ♉️

December 7 - Cold Moon ♊️

Fun Fact: The title of Harvest Moon is given to either the September or October full moon, whichever falls closest to the autumn equinox. In 2022, that month will be September.

New Moons

January 2 ♑️

February 1 ♒️

March 2 ♓️

April 1 ♈️

April 30 ♉️

May 30 ♊️

June 29 ♋️

July 28 ♌️

August 27 ♍️

September 25 ♎️

October 25 ♏️

November 23 ♐️

December 23 ♑️

Special Events

April 30 - Black Moon & Partial Solar Eclipse (10:42pm EST)

May 16 - Total Lunar Eclipe (12:11am EST, coinciding with zenith)

June 14 - Supermoon

July 13 - Supermoon

October 25 - Partial Solar Eclipe (11:01am EST)

November 8 - Total Lunar Eclipse (5:59am EST, coinciding with zenith)

SOURCES:

Inverse - Full Moon 2022 calendar: Dates, times, schedule, and names for the brightest nights all year

Astroseek - Full Moons 2022 & New Moons

The Pagan Grimoire - The Wheel of the Year: The 8 Festivals in the Wiccan Calendar

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"a time so warm and pure that i miss painfully. Can you hear me? if you do, answer me, my '88, the days of my youth" —Deok Sun, Reply 1988.

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Strange that i just came across this but, how cute 🥺💜

11:58 AM

Whomever Comes Across This,

I am back! I was honestly under the impression this account was would you derelict and dead as I moved in in life and school, and yet here I am.

“What event was significant enough to bring you back here, Cecil?” You may be asking.

“Today is me and My Girlfriend’s Two Year Anniversary,” I will soon respond.

Today is me and My Girlfriend’s Two Year Anniversary. I love her more than I ever have before, and yet I am flabbergasted we made it this far.

My Girlfriend is in the closet, and thus so is our relationship. However, it’s hardly a secret from my family and our close friends. Honestly, most people just assume we’re dating in the outside world anyways, and it was a joke for so long that we just pretend it still is when we’re in public.

I digress, while I am here today because of our Two Year Anniversary, I am also here because of something much smaller. Perhaps, however, it is just as meaningful.

It was a text I got. My mother, having access to my calendar (I am a very, busy person and thus I have a calendar detailing all of my professional, academic, and social life I share with my family so we can plan around it) must have caught that today is our anniversary. However, I did not expect a text today. It was quite small, really- barely a pleasantry to many. She said,

“Happy anniversary to you and Your Girlfriend.”

That punctuation exactly, minus the pseudonym, of course.

I don’t know how to describe how it feels to not only have my relationship acknowledged, but celebrated, even if in the most minor and passing of ways. I’m not sure why this is sticking to me so much, emotionally. I could theorize and rhapsodize all day, but I’m honestly not sure. However, it means a lot, and I guess I never thought I would be a person who got this. I’m not quite sure how to verbalize what this is, but I just kind of forgot that this was a thing I could have.

I’ve gone on another tangent, however, and I really need to continue practicing my cello, as I’ve gotten sidetracked from that as well.

I guess, thank you, Mom. And to any of you who may be celebrating anniversaries in secret,

“Happy (belated) Anniverary to You and Your Partner.”

Sincerely,

Cecil

(P.s. I really don’t know how to refer to my girlfriend anymore in these, but I think I’ve outgrown “Froggie” or whatever I used to use. Maybe a comically evil name like “Azazel” or “Abbadon”? Wait- no… that’s what I’ve been naming my Pokémon…)

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heartstopper + ao3 tags 🍂🏈🐶🌈

1, 2

heartstopper + textposts

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One of my favourite things about heartstopper is just how explicit it is that being closeted isn’t bad. Ben isn’t awful to Charlie because he’s closeted, he’s awful to Charlie because he’s cruel and insecure. And everybody tells Nick at every opportunity that he shouldn’t have to come out if he doesn’t want to, especially Charlie because he knows how hard it is to be out and he cares more about Nick being safe and happy than being open about their relationship

The closest anyone gets to telling him to come out is during the conversation he has with Tao. And even that’s just him saying that Charlie deserves more than to be the guy he kisses sometimes on the downlow, but it’s fine if he can’t give him more than that and that Charlie would never make him come out if he isn’t ready. He isn’t telling him to come out, he’s telling him to consider what Charlie would be feeling. And it feels more like he’s telling him to make it official than to actually come out, it was Nick’s decision to come out because he wanted to make it official

I genuinely don’t think I’ve ever seen a queer story be this kind to closeted people before. They aren’t treated like cowards or liars or burdens, they’re treated like people in situations where they may not feel comfortable/safe enough to come out. Because in a lot of cases, that’s what they are. And they’re treated with as much kindness and understanding as they deserve and I just love that

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You know what? It's true.

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HEARTSTOPPER

Tori being the most relatable older sister in the history of the cinema + giving Charlie "bitch i know everything" look throughout the whole season + just being literal comic Tori

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ryu hyeyoung in reply 1988 (2015) and law school (2021)

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Romance: Bodies: Womanhood

Was it is the doomed existence of femininity which made me want to kiss a woman? perhaps not

Smells dismissed as dirty, too meaty, too fishy on my own,

i now covet on the body of another-

To keep my nose on the cleft of her chest,

To breathe in the sticky, salty humidity on her skin.

Of what my fingers were washed with perfumed soap in the dead of the night

Now find a place on the crown of my tongue

Makes me speculate- Do i taste so bewildering myself?

Are my insides not just abhorrent flesh, blood and slow decay

But an opportunity instead.

•

The taste of blended mouths remind me of Recovering from Toothache-

when my gums bled and i chewed on guava leaves for hours, and drank water then

It tastes that way- safe, clean, reassuring, assuaged

Like the existence of sugar and lemon syrup

A sweetness, the aftermath of iron-y salt

Placed in the mouth in the form of release- relief.

The tartness perfectly preserved underneath sheets, within muffled sighs and shudders.

•

•

So i wonder at times

Why odors and textures like such

Make my throat lump up whilst forces of vigour rest within

I'd take my doubts to the wind and beg an explanation

For this feeling of apocalyptic romance i feel in her giggle sometimes

As if I saw the arrow which pierced through her shoulder blade

Marking its route in two precise moles

Which lay across from each other like ill fated stars on either sides of a galaxy

making me feel like I'm waterborne at midday - under the shade of giant banana leaves or moth eaten curtains which smell like camphor

•

But it has become a restful habit, to hold her little head between my palms, always

So when the hour of solitude arrivers does my throat chokes up as a betrayal to the system- in futile protest

I spend days away from my bed, the air conditioner, my pillows, still ringing with her warmth

I return when the dust settles and the hair splits in two- the same night when the waning moon rests in an inky embrace

The sweetness of caramel toffee makes the journey easier, coaxes adjustment.

- AG

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"Let me apologize to you, behalf of the world that forced you to stay in closet. It's not a sin, but you had to live your whole life hiding it as if it were a sin" - Mine (2021)