Bierotic narratives in BL and GL web-drama

Abstract

BL, and to an extent, GL, have become popular narratives in recent years. This paper examines how the term 'bieroticism' may be more useful in its applications than 'homoeroticism', as it takes into account cultural producers wherein it perhaps may not be permitted to depict explicit representations, or the cultural transnational discussion is more productive without Western label connotations. This paper examines two web-dramas, GL series 'Pearl Next Door' (Philippines: 2020) and BL series 'The Untamed' (陈情令) (Mainland China: 2019). Both have an explicitly bisexual character in either the web-drama itself or the source material. The paper examines thought, and applications in regards to bieroticism in terms of navigating Filipino and Mainland Chinese cultures, web-drama as genre, COVID-19 and Boy’s Love genre popularity, censorship and fan production, and womens roles.