Gonna write some thoughts here, because I don’t want to deal with a bigger fandom on x…
I started watching HisMan2 as a pastime, not to take it seriously. At the time, I honestly believed it would be a scripted show, nothing to care much for...
Ended up highly invested in the love life of one Junseong and his love interest Seongho. More than anything – I guess for most people – it was Junseong that kept me watching and also wanting him to succeed or, at the very least, wanting him to leave without regrets, knowing he tried his best. Even if I did understand Seongho’s doubts (at the end of the day, it’s an 8 day show and what we see is edited), there were times he did annoy me and I couldn’t quite see why he was so focused on someone else.
I was thrilled they ended up together and for me that was good enough. Like others I was curious about what happened after the show and wanted to see them happy, but I wasn’t particularly keen on them becoming a social media couple. I feel it puts a strain on the relationship and it ends up being fake, because they will produce content for fans. It won’t be as in the show, where they more or less show themselves without a script (they can’t act to save their lives, just see the new episode of their brand deal). These were my thoughts then.
Now, I still love them, love seeing their posts on IG but I still struggle to watch their vlogs or seeing them (with their friends) try the social media route. I don’t think it works in the long run… Also, fans are getting demanding and what they want to see isn’t what I think JSH are ready or want to show (skinship, kisses, intimate moments).
Honestly, I wish them well and want them to really make it for years to come, but I don’t know how they’ll handle this attempt at being social media stars. They barely have time to date and when they do have time off they seem to be always making content to satisfy the fans… it's a big pressure on a relatively new relationship. Most of it was away from the eyes of others, so they were safe and protected. Now its very public and everyone's eyes are on them (not all watching kindly).
I guess I'd prefer to see their own posts of them hanging out, when they want, no cams, no vlogs... (interestingly enough JS posts the 2 while SH keeps his feed focused on himself and the couple posts he does have were almost all done by JS... But that's a different can of worms 🤣 they're truly very different but it works and that's all that matters).
Let’s not talk about all those “chance meetings” by local fans.. .They camp at MLT or at 2F and later call it chance meeting, it’s really not. It’s stalking and obsessive… under the guise of support, they invade their space constantly.
Just wanted to let it all out. Perhaps a bit hypocritical of me considering I also follow their activities on social media, but I genuinely care for this couple and want them to get married and living their lives peacefully. I don't know them personally but I am still invested and wish them well. 😩
Also I'll always have a soft spot for Junseong, more than anyone else... He's truly one of a kind. Hope he always sleep well and warmly.
honestly junseong and seongho both having absolutely no idea about what was going on in the house is probably my favourite thing of the whole season like these two are so wrapped up in each other they don't notice the massive freaking elephant in the room they're so stupid i love them
[i hope you don't mind being tagged in this post. i just wanted to share this edit with some topmew/forcebook fam i frequently see in my notifs. sorry for tagging anyone who doesn't want to be tagged in this :(]
Me suffering together with Junsung... Like I don't know it I want him to end up with Sungho (I do... 🤣) or just happy.
If this is fake reality TV or edited, it's made out to be a damn good show. I'm so rooting for Junsung. He's so sweet. His love language is clearly acts of service
i’m really not exaggerating when i say that a part of my brain is always thinking about the a boss and a babe final episode fan meeting.
p’new (abaab director) said that when they started working on the show, book told him that his dream was to watch an episode with the fans.
p’new said that that was a big thing and quite the responsibility but he promised book that he would do his best to fulfill his dream. and against all odds, they succeeded.
when they got to the theater for the fan meeting, book was really surprised because he didn’t think it would be that big and the tickets sold out in minutes, so it was full of fans.
book nearly cried and hugged force. they were both SOOOOOO happy. it truly meant a lot to them.
i think this day represents how far they’ve come and how much they’ve accomplished. so it’s my happy place 🧡
A dissertation on Forcebook (Advantages of Tumblr... I can write a lot 🤣)
I'm a recent forcebook fan. Stumbled upon some tiktoks of them and got curious. Their banter reminded me of taynew in a way but with an even easier connection (understandable given how long they've known eo as later I found out).
Saw a boss and a babe. I had read about the show but hated the name, so give it a pass. Dumb decision. It's a good show, that makes sure to include some important messages (marriage equality, some BL viewers hipocrisy, gay acceptance) which personally I love. They acted well and have good chemistry.
I read bad reviews on Enchante but also watched it. It's not as bad as people make it out to be. Theo doesn't come off of it looking nice but at the same time he never expected the whole charade to become such a huge mess. So I get his character was unlikable for some and made the story unloved. However, I repeat the hate is not deserved.
Also watched their real show. It's sooo good. They bounce off each other really well and are super funny. They know how to host and entertain the viewers.
Overall, their work is good and improving. I'm looking forward to only friends. If I have any complaint it would be the kisses on Enchante were better than ABAAB. Still all good and I'd never manage to kiss a best friend like that any way.
Now... I see a lot of hate or disregard towards them that I feel is undeserved. First of all, they don't look a like. How can people mistake them is beyond me. Book has a lighter skin and bigger eyes, Forces eyes are smaller and his skin tanner. This even during Enchante. Now, Force clearly has a bigger build and Book is leaner.
I feel a lot of BL fans prefer the stereotype of one taller than the other or bigger (enter the top /bottom discourse). True that they are almost the same height and Force only recently got buffer. There's a lot of prejudice and stereotype even (or especially) among BL watchers...
Read some say "oh they were bad actors" but they adore other actors that besides visuals can't act to save their lives. In any case they've been growing as actors.
They're also apparently genuinely nice guys and I love how politically active Book gets and Force supports. Also both speaking up for marriage equality and pride month. A lot of BL actors (even big ones) do zero for the community, just using BL as a stepping stone to move to regular dramas but everyone turns a blind eye to that.
So I'm hoping their Fandom grows but remains non toxic and respectful. The odds aren't in their favor for all the reasons above but it's going well I think.