r/Thailand • u/maaki_malv • 29d ago
Movies and Music How authentic are shows like GelBoys in representing the thai GenZ queer culture?
So I watched the first GelBoys last year. Although I am a non-native, I saw a lot authenticity in the way the show represented young queer culture. I was witnessing it as a bystander in my 17 year old sister and my students. However, I also understand that the nuances of a language also can make or break stories like these.
Watching GelBoys 2, I feel that show realised that the art direction of the 1st was what people loved the most, and they doubled down on it. Which makes me wonder, was the ever relatable for the native speakers of the language?
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u/featherzz 28d ago
I get on a train with students every morning here in BKK (it's almost a school bus at that time) and I haven't seen anyone with gelled up nails and 99% do not look like these actors. It's possible the school in question does not allow the bling, though. :)
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u/maaki_malv 28d ago
Oh since you see students regularly, I have a follow up question.
I've noticed a lot high schoolers on Thai socials have teeth braces. A lot more than anything I've seen in my country. It always makes me wonder why? Are they a part of the growth cycle like getting a bike at 16 or something? Or is it more of a beauty thing?
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u/Kitchen_Scallion2999 28d ago
Thai here , Brace and dentistry are cheap service here. มันเลยเป็นสิ่งแรกที่วัยรุ่นทำได้ เสริมสร้างความมั่นใจตัวเอง
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u/featherzz 28d ago
No idea on that one. I do see a lot of kids with braces, but maybe they need them - my high school had a lot of braces too :) . And BKK has a LOT of dentists.
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u/LittlePooky 28d ago
The lead actors are skinny and good looking.
You think that happens in real life?
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u/Anonymous_Autumn_ 28d ago
Yes, in fact there is a multimillion dollar tourist industry built on very good looking queer people, including famous “ladyboys” and the less famous Tom bars
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u/QualityOverQuant Bangkok 28d ago
One can only dream 😂
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u/LittlePooky 28d ago
I'm sorry, I hope I didn't come across as being a bit rude, but in reality, people come in all shapes and color and all that, but then again, who would want to watch a show where the lead actors or actresses are unattractive, unless they are, of course, the sidekick, which some of them are awfully funny, but I certainly know what you mean though.
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u/Alright_doityourway 28d ago
Well, for one, most Thai men weren't that hot and skinny
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u/Kitchen_Scallion2999 28d ago
Bangkokian Thai private schoolboy do , but maybe not everyone is this handsome
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u/No-Guidance-2800 28d ago
กูว่าไม่ใช่ละ All BL is fantasy and bullshit. No one act like that speak like that in real life bro. It’s like assuming that all Japanese act like in anime and Yaoi is represented the real gay ppl.
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u/maaki_malv 28d ago
I was specifically asking about the linguistic accuracy. If the slangs used can accross as out of touch cringe to actual GenZ.
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u/ExcitementSad9133 27d ago
Most of us are too tired to even dress up gng🥀
Most of my friends both male and female started getting way more done for themselves in college
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u/Vaxion 28d ago
Absolutely zero authenticity. It’s drama and fantasy to keep you hooked. Just like pop. But some teens do get addicted and think it’s true. Just like kpop.
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u/maaki_malv 28d ago
Yeah. I assumed that bit. I am more curious about the lingo and language structure used in the show during dialogues.
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u/Western_End_2201 27d ago
I'm not thai but I go to Thailand every year, for 3 weeks vacation. I've never seen students dressed and accessorized like in Gelboys. Never during the day. Thai schools don't allow that. I like the show but it's not trying to represent thai genZ queer culture.
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u/Mindless_Ad6593 9d ago
as a genz honestly its tiring so i dont even have the movtivation to get gel up and style like them cuz of school and also wearing nail polish in my country is considered gay and my country is homophobic to me and anyone gay so yh but idk if it will change
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u/OattyRamsay 27d ago
Regarding gen Z terms and slangs, it's like they list all these words and try to spit them out as many as they can, every opportunity they get. It's like you say sup dog bruh slay no cap, all in one sentence. Nobody in real life does that.
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u/bananabastard 28d ago
Can we PLEASE stop using the word "queer" as a catch-all term for gay people?
I am gay. And the word "queer" is HIGHLY offensive.
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u/TonmaiTree Nonthaburi 28d ago
No, not anymore. It’s been effectively reclaimed by many queer people. If you don’t like it you don’t have to use it.
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u/bananabastard 28d ago
Oh, it's not offensive anymore because some people decided?
Okay. Well, how about I reclaim the word faggot? Are you in the faggot community yourself? Do you have many friends in the faggot community?
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u/TonmaiTree Nonthaburi 28d ago
You’re already late for that. Queer people and gay men regularly call themselves faggot amongst their own community.
If you don’t feel comfortable with a word, then don’t use it. You don’t get to go around policing how other queer people want to call themselves. Hope this helps!
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u/bananabastard 28d ago
You can call yourself whatever you want.
OP is calling gay people "queers".
And you seem happy to do that, too.
I guess as long as YOU are not offended, you don't care how another person feels.
And if someone grew up being ridiculed by a word, they just have to accept that that offensive word that haunted them all their life is actually just who they are, huh? The bullies were right all along.
How very accepting and progressive of you.
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u/TonmaiTree Nonthaburi 28d ago
Like I said, you are free to call yourself whatever terms you are comfortable with, but you don’t get to police how younger generations wish to call themselves.
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u/bananabastard 28d ago
Amazing. From the crowd that were all about how words matter, suddenly now they don't.
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u/maaki_malv 28d ago
I used Queer because the show does not just have gay representation. It has pansexual, trans, lesbian AND gay representation. Also, Queer is the Q in LGBTQ+, which is literally used to refer to ANYONE that deflects gender norms, expressions and sexual orientation.
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u/bananabastard 28d ago
The word "queer" has been a well-known, highly offensive slur for my entire life.
A group of people decided that they will reclaim the word for themselves, call themselves it willingly, gold bless them, they can do as they wish.
But now, suddenly, people have decided that this is a blanket term for everyone who isn't straight. That I have to accept this slur as a term that legitimately describes me.
And when I bring up that I didn't ask for this and I don't like it, the oh so caring people in the oh so caring community basically tell me to shut the fuck up, queer!
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u/I-Here-555 28d ago
So it's LGBT again now and using LGBTQ is highly offensive?
Damn it guys, I support your rights, but make up your mind for once!
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u/bananabastard 28d ago
The word "queer" has been a well-known, highly offensive slur for my entire life.
A group of people decided that they will reclaim the word for themselves, call themselves it willingly, gold bless them, they can do as they wish.
But now, suddenly, people have decided that this is a blanket term for everyone who isn't straight. That I have to accept this slur as a term that legitimately describes me.
And when I bring up that I didn't ask for this and I don't like it, the oh so caring people in the oh so caring community basically tell me to shut the fuck up, queer!
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u/I-Here-555 28d ago
Point taken, never a good idea to call people the term they dislike (even if it seems neutral, like "Farang").
One problem I see is that there's basically no good English word for all non-straight sexual preferences/identities. The LGBTQIA+-*/ acronym just keeps changing, and was a bit of a mouthful to start with.
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u/Anan_Z กล้วยสีเหลือง ส้มสีส้ม มะม่วงสีม่วง 28d ago
I've not seen Gelboys myself but I can say that most schools do not allow students to wear colorful makeup nor have painted nails, so queer expressions are mostly through physical manners and word choices.
Also all male Thai actors look the same to me. (conventionally attractive guys) In reality there's only 5-7 boys that that fit the actor beauty standard out of the 200-300 students per semester.