Can Love Be Just Another Scene? Romantic Tensions of “Call It What You Want”
Call It What You Want - Thai BL series
Love is a feeling we seldom control. It can bloom in the most unexpected places, even on the shooting set between a director and his star. But what happens when the professional collides with the personal? "Call It What You Want," a series by Aam Anusorn, offers a poignant exploration of this very question, set against the backdrop of the BL industry's darker realities.
Call It What You Want - Thai BL series
James, our passionate director, dives into the heart of "2 Nights," a project that offers him a new beginning after a crushing betrayal. Yet, from the onset, James encounters an industry plagued by undercurrents of manipulation and exploitation. Actors Ait and Bas are entwined not just in their roles but in the stringent, often cruel expectations of their agency. Their distress is palpable, a silent scream against the demands that jeopardize their mental health and intrinsic rights as individuals.
Call It What You Want - Thai BL series
Enter love, an unscripted guest on set. As James and Ait's professional relationship deepens, so do their feelings. But in a world where such connections are taboo, their love becomes a secret, a hidden script they both follow with a mix of joy and trepidation. "When you love, you just love," yet the industry dictates otherwise. The surveillance of agencies, always watching, turns their love into something to conceal, a storyline not approved for the audience. But why should love be hidden? This is the question that "Call It What You Want" poignantly poses. The show does more than unveil the struggles of its characters; it mirrors the real-life challenges faced within the BL industry—where genuine emotions are often sacrificed for the sake of marketability and public image. The series not only entertains but also invites viewers to reflect on the ethical dimensions of entertainment production. James, Ait, and even Bas and Marco, who later uncover the secret, represent different facets of the industry. Each character's journey highlights a broader issue: the right to love and be loved openly. The series cleverly challenges the viewers: if director and actor find love, why must labels and judgments cloud their happiness? Let them "Call It What You Want," because ultimately, it is their lives and emotions at stake.
Yet, there is an unspoken query that haunts every episode: Are we, as viewers and as a society, ready to embrace such candid portrayals of love, irrespective of the setting? "Call It What You Want" suggests that breaking the chains of traditional views on professional relationships could lead to a more authentic and emotionally honest industry. However, the real challenge lies in changing societal expectations and industry norms that dictate how love should be expressed and perceived.
This narrative is not just about the love between James and Ait; it's a broader commentary on the struggles for authenticity in a world that often values appearance over reality. The show, inspired by true events, does not shy away from discussing the mental health issues, the pressures, and the often predatory nature of the entertainment industry. It holds up a mirror to the dark secrets many prefer to keep hidden behind the camera.
Call It What You Want - Thai BL series
"Call It What You Want" is a bold statement on professional boundaries and personal desires. It questions whether being professional means denying one's feelings, or if following one's feelings can still fall within the realm of professionalism. As long as their work remains unaffected, should we not celebrate their love?
Call It What You Want - Thai BL series
The show encourages discourse on transparency and freedom in personal choices, not just in the BL industry but in all professional arenas. Perhaps it is time to allow our human selves the liberty to love openly. After all, as James and Ait demonstrate, being loved and loving freely might just be the coolest feeling ever. "Call It What You Want" is not just a series; it's a pivotal discussion on the essence of love and liberty in the restrictive lenses of our societal and professional cameras.
Call It What You Want - Thai BL series
