His Man and Merry Queer, Korea's first LGBT dating/reality programs

[AstroBaby]

On 8/5/2022 at 11:42 AM, Shaandenigma said:

 

I think the producers could have done a better job in structuring the show in such a way to force them to have to intermingle more with each other at least the first few days then let them gravitate towards who they have a connection with. Like I feel people keep trying it with Changmin even though he's clearly only interested in Jeonghyeon at this point because they haven't had the opportunity to have a date with him. It would also help the guys the others look over have an opportunity to challenge first impressions. I also think it would just help them have more interactions overall rather than just sitting in a room together scrolling their phones and getting in their own heads.

 

Yeah, I feel like they wanted to go with a Terrace House type vibe of slow building relationships and natural everyday interactions ( likely in part to push back against the overly-sexual perception of gay men) but the thing with Terrace House and other 'true love' type reality shows is that they take place over months at a time which allows for those bonds to develop. Over just a week without much producer intervention they're just going to awkwardly gravitate towards the first person they find attractive/talk to, a reality show over that time frame needs more gamification in order to create big moments.

[Shaandenigma]

On 8/7/2022 at 3:59 PM, Dont mind me said:

[...] because of his shy/introvert personality he also doesn't know how to handle that level of direct attention. This is where I believe the producers should have stepped in and help him and move the story along. I look forward to the room swap, perhaps there will be more interaction between the others. 

But the story is moving along in the direction of more conflict which ups the stakes and makes for better TV. Changmin, the most desirable man, chose to call Jeonghyeon who has not gotten a single other call up to this point. This gives Jeonghyeon a boost of confidence. Then after this, Changmin gets a call from Hyeokjun, the first guy he called who has called him twice. So now he conflicted because he has two guys he feels a connection to, and another guy he probably has no interest in (Seonyul) that his friend likes that he has to figure out how to turn down. And now they are gonna compete for the chance to rearrange the rooms and no one has any reason to keep them as they are. Also, people weren't confined to their rooms for this round of calls and are finding out who called who. But when it comes out that Hyeokjun called Changmin again, that's going to cause a lot of friction with like half the house. I also have a strong hunch Changyu and Jeongho will get closer based on the one promo photo of them together and what happened last ep. So I'm excited to see what goes down this week!

11 hours ago, AstroBaby said:

Yeah, I feel like they wanted to go with a Terrace House type vibe of slow building relationships and natural everyday interactions ( likely in part to push back against the overly-sexual perception of gay men) but the thing with Terrace House and other 'true love' type reality shows is that they take place over months at a time which allows for those bonds to develop. Over just a week without much producer intervention they're just going to awkwardly gravitate towards the first person they find attractive/talk to, a reality show over that time frame needs more gamification in order to create big moments.

I do find this only being a week odd especially when they aren't like totally secluded away. They probably didn't have the budget to film longer than that though especially for what would be a controversial show. But I don't necessarily want the guys to be manipulated into relationships that make for good TV. I just wish they were given more things to do that prompted more conversation or doing things together. Or if they casted more outgoing and proactive personalities, lol.

[Dont mind me]

On 8/9/2022 at 5:48 PM, Shaandenigma said:

But the story is moving along in the direction of more conflict which ups the stakes and makes for better TV. Changmin, the most desirable man, chose to call Jeonghyeon who has not gotten a single other call up to this point. This gives Jeonghyeon a boost of confidence. Then after this, Changmin gets a call from Hyeokjun, the first guy he called who has called him twice. So now he conflicted because he has two guys he feels a connection to, and another guy he probably has no interest in (Seonyul) that his friend likes that he has to figure out how to turn down.

I saw this in the last episode, he is finally more confident and speaks up. But i still want more directing from the producers to move things along. We only have few more episodes due to those conservative assholes. 

[Shaandenigma]

8 minutes ago, Dont mind me said:

I saw this in the last episode, he is finally more confident and speaks up. But i still want more directing from the producers to move things along. We only have few more episodes due to those conservative assholes. 

Have you seen the extra clips they release? Because there were a lot of other developments that happened during the last ep that they didn't include that suggest a major shift in the next couple of eps. Like in the one released today showed that the Changmin changed the sleeping arrangements in the quad room so that he and Jeonghyeon are sharing a bed and he said he did that because he has the highest affinity for Jeonghyeon out of the three. And since he kept throwing himself on Jeonghyeon's bed during the phone calls, that switch probably happened beforehand. But it’s in this trailer for the next ep so who knows. But it’s definitely spicing things up ahead of the room swap:

there is a translated transcript in the comments.

Editing to add I think something could develop with Jeongho and Changyu since they were in a promo photo together and have been hanging around each other, now sharing a bed for at least a night.

 

Edited August 10, 2022 by Shaandenigma

[Dont mind me]

4 minutes ago, Shaandenigma said:

Have you seen the extra clips they release? Because there were a lot of other developments that happened during the last ep that they didn't include that suggest a major shift in the next couple of eps. Like in the one released today showed that the Changmin changed the sleeping arrangements in the quad room so that he and Jeonghyeon are sharing a bed and he said he did that because he has the highest affinity for Jeonghyeon out of the three. And since he kept throwing himself on Jeonghyeon's bed during the phone calls, that switch probably happened beforehand. But it’s in this trailer for the next ep so who knows. But it’s definitely spicing things up ahead of the room swap:

there is a translated transcript in the comments.

Editing to add I think something could develop with Jeongho and Changyu since they were in a promo photo together and have been hanging around each other, now sharing a bed for at least a night.

 

No I havent seen this, i saw you mentioned it in the another thread. Will definitely watch them tonight with the wine I just bought

Happy to hear there is someone feeling changyu, if only he was few more years older I myself would have chatted him on his IG. 

[Sm4-ever]

On 7/20/2022 at 7:40 PM, Dont mind me said:

What also fascinated me was how the style of clothes and manners are so idol like. So there is some inspiration coming from the gay world and dipping into idol world. I wonder which idol would watch this show

Probably key/Seungkwan for me

That's how most koreans dress lol

[Chika Chika]

Okay.... so.

Kim Seon Yul, I really didn't understand how is he for the second time picking Changmin when he hasn't had any dates or bonding time with him. People say a lot goes on behind the camera that we are not shown but I don't really think all that much goes on because all I see is them sitting in their rooms until they have to make a call or maybe have dinner or go on a date other wise they are just staring at their phones. Also Seon Yul slightly annoys me. When he went on a date with Chan Kyu and honesly, Chan Kyu was really trying his best but Seon Yul said 'I am a little upset' implying that he wanted to go with Changmin, almost like he made up his mind on Changmin and he only wants him and no one else. He isn't even trying to get to know the others. 

Hyuk Jun choosing Chagmin makes sense- Kinda. He went on a date with Changmin and even after that Chamgin called him the first time so yeah, makes sense maybe. I don't think he likes EunChan.

I'm starting to think that Changmin is being picked for like looks or that he gives off total top energy. 

I really think Seon Yul also wanted to ward off Chan Kyu because he is really not interested in Chan Kyu.

Coming to Changmin, I feel like this dude is not really interested in anyone. When he was a guest on Namgyu's channel I remember Namgyu asking him why he went on that straight reality dating show and he said 'I don't know I just wanted to work with Mnet' giving me the impression that he wanted that exposure. I won't be shocked if he is here for the same cause he genuinely doesn't look to be interested in anyone and I think that mysterious, manly, silent poker face aura that he has is really playing well for his image and that's why people are really into him. His laid back, I-don't-care attitude is getting him a lot of men. 

Now coming to Lee Hyeon, I know maybe people will disagree with me but he is the most irritating to me. In the beginning I really liked him with his happy bubbly persona but slowly I started to really dislike him. I think he is really being bitchy to Eun Chan about wanting Hyukjun, I feel like he is the kind of person to fight for someone even if that person is not really interested in him. I remember him telling Eunchan 'Even I and HyukJun did some really fun things together on our date' making it look like it's competition and rubbing it in his face. When the phone calls were happening I think that he purposely went and sat in EunChan's room but when he saw HyukJun going down he quickly was like 'Let's separate'  like he thought HyukJun would call him  which is weird because HyeokJun didn't call any one of them and has eyes for Changmin. 

The only nice bonding warm moment was when JeongHyun came back from the doctor and he and Changmin sat together and ate while they spoke about their parents and their dogs. It felt like they were finally getting to know each other. 

I really liked Hokeep, he was funny. I know Chankyu is a really nice person but at the same time I can also understand why he and JeongHyun are not getting picked it's maybe cause they are young and have a very flower boy image. 

I didn't like Jeonghyun in the beginning because he kept making age related jokes which made everyone uncomfortable and it was just unnecessary and childish on his part but then I started kind of seeing how insecure he is when it came to his looks and his conversation with Changmin really made me feel connected to him and now I see him differently. 

EunChan too feels a little too clingy to HyukJun and isn't wanting to see others I think he and Hokeep too would be nice but then again I really don't know if they took the contestants based on the you know----- the top and bottom thing because it does matter to some extend and that's why there are people gravitating to only few and not to the others. 

The only person I feel for is Chankyu that dude literally got no calls from anyone, even though he's trying so hard to make it work. Like hoKeep is still new to the house so he still needs to get to know people and everyone looks a little more settled down but Chankyu really didn't get anything. 

They also cut down the show timing by like 20 minutes. I mean what is that going to do for anyone? You're still airing the show might as well give us a whole hour of it. 

 

 

 

 

[minniemoo]

I feel like Changyu isn't that into Seonyul, atleast not as much as the other guys are into their crushes. Feels like he just picked someone to like for the sake of the show

[rainbow halo]

I'm so glad they are back to two episodes now thank god. Ep 7 in particular was so good probably the best one so far. I'm glad they gave them a chance to connect to each other about the Gay Experience and advocate for the gays a bit. Also really liked how they highlighted Jeongho and Hyeon since they are so visibly queer and seem to be the most knowledgeable about the community. Loved how varied their experiences with coming out was. Very well done "make the straights feel bad" type of episode. Also glad to see them bonding more instead of just sitting on their phones in silence 

Can I just say... Changmin you WHORE. Can't believe he didn't choose to room with Jeonghyeon. I dont think it was explained well why he chose Hyeokjun over Jeonghyeon (especially since he continued to not give Hyeokjun any attention once they were roomies) but thats prob due to how quiet and hard to read Changmin is tbh. He made like one comment about still kinda being interested in Hyeokjun in ep 5 and thats it. Meanwhile hes constantly hanging around Jeonghyeon. Lowkey feel like either he was pushed by producers to shake things up a bit or he's trying to make Jeonghyeon jealous. Either way its leading to more drama so i'm down.

Love the Jeongho Changyu couple that is emerging. I cant really tell yet if they have romantic vibes or bestie vibes but I hope they chose each other for the date next episode. Changyu deserves more love and its pretty clear Seonyul is just not interested in him. Eunchan deserves more love too tbh. It seems like he's finally giving up on Hyeokjun but like.. he def isnt ending the show in a couple. Some hottie better slide into his DMs once the show is over because he is so cute.

Looks like we are finally getting some good drama next ep i'm pumped. I can only handle watching everyone thirst after the boring, hot masc dudes for so long. I need some real conflict.

[sureyeahiguess]

I would love an episode where they all get properly drunk and just hang out. I feel like that would really give this show the spark/drama it needs. Lord knows its been working for Western reality shows for generations, although I suppose putting all these gay men in a drunken debaucherous light would just feed into anti-gay stereotypes that they are trying to avoid.

I feel like Jeongho and Changkyu are just the friend type. Honestly they changed Changkyu's styling on the show (his hairstyle mainly) and I think they are trying to convince us he is giving off top energy now? I feel like they did they because the producers want to pair him up with Jeongho and Changkyu was the easier of the two to "butch" up lol.

I think Changmin and Jeonghyeon will be the only "couple" to come out of the show. It seems pretty clear from all the trailers and clips that they go on a date next week and I think the whole bedroom thing will be "worked out".

The rest of the cast just seems so uninterested in one another. Poor Eun Chan. And for Seonyul it seems like he is just closed off and apprehensive, which makes sense given him talking about him still being in the closet while being on the show. It's crazy there are multiple closeted people willing to be on this show, that takes a ton of courage in and of itself. I am glad that they all have each other now to at least be friends and provide support.

I will say, when Jeongho talked about his father telling him that he wished he had never met his mother or married his first love so that Jeongho would not have been born, that is one of the most vicious things I have ever heard a parent tell their gay kid. I get the usual "you're going to hell" religious bullshit, but that was so brutal. It seemed like his dad actually sat and thought about it before he said it and it wasn't out of anger, which makes it so much worse. It hit me hard.

Edited August 18, 2022 by sureyeahiguess

[Shaandenigma]

Well they sure delivered on the drama with these last two eps going into the finale. Glad they finally showed Changmin being straightforward and speaking plainly about where his attention is and that it's all on Jeonghyeon so people can stop riding his ass about everything. He was the only one not playing games.

Unlike Hyeokjun who I do not understand the appeal that has half the cast obsessed with him. He was basically either the number one or two choice. He's also a waffler and actively flirts with all the people courting him even though you know he doesn't actually like them, he likes the attention. Seonyul annoys me too but I can't blame him for being upset about Hyeokjun and Jeongho rooming together after that date they had and Hyeokjun made it seem like he really did reciprocate Seonyul's feelings. Seonyul shouldn't have dragged Changyu into that mess though and should be confronting Hyeokjun instead of snapping at Jeongho.

I think Jeongho is playing himself going all in on Hyeokjun. They have nothing in common, I could not imagine Hyeokjun being at a Kiki ball or vibing with the Hokeep persona at all. And based on what he said he finds attractive about him, I feel like he thinks he's a blank slate he can project his ideal husband onto. I also would have been put off by Hyeokjun saying his ideal type is someone who likes him more than he likes them. I think Jeongho is more compatible with Changyu but if he's not feeling it, then he's not feeling it. But to pass over someone who checks off all your boxes for a guy who is just going to be after the next hot guy who looks his way is... a choice.

I like Hyeon, but he's a messy bitch. I think it's just for the show though.

[pokezuko]

3 hours ago, Shaandenigma said:

Glad they finally showed Changmin being straightforward and speaking plainly about where his attention is and that it's all on Jeonghyeon so people can stop riding his ass about everything.

yeah i think he's just not the best at communication because according to the last 2 episodes, changmin thought he made it clear to everybody that he's into jeonghyeon. 

i get why though. he really doesn't have much charisma to say the least and doesn't react to anything but the only times he has smiled or gotten flustered was with jeonghyeon.

ALSO JUSTICE FOR EUNCHAN!! by far my favourite personality on the show. i respect that he's given up his pursuits for hyukjun and is just trying to have fun (although i think the editors are trying to lead us onto him and seonyul which i really dont see happening).

Edited August 20, 2022 by pokezuko

[rainbow halo]

Damn I was hoping the camping episode was gonna end with them all getting messy drunk. I'm just too used to western reality tv i guess lol. It was still a cute ep tho. The last ep was lowkey a bit anticlimactic. I wish they did something more when deciding the final couples. Or at least had couple interviews at the end idk. Tbh I wasn't super invested in the Hyeokjun love triangle and it was obvious Changmin and Jeonghyeon were getting together so is wasn't that exciting to me.

Was anyone actually surprised Changmin and Jeonghyeon picked each other lol. It seems like they are actually dating irl love that for them. The age difference makes me question how long they will last tho ngl. I know Jeonghyeon was screaming and crying that he couldn't share a bed with Changmin but I'm so glad they didn't and barely had any skinship. The BL girlies on twitter would go absolutely feral if they shared a room and no one wants that. Also him complaining about it to Eunchan was so funny, they are such a good duo. 

Props to Jeongho making a move on Hyeokjun while they were in bed. Tbh they dont give me relationship vibes I feel like they are just gonna fuck once or twice and then go separate ways. 

EUNCHAN MY BOY !! i really wish him the best. What he said at then end of the last episode about how gay people have to hide their true nature and the show made him know himself more . Seonyul tearing up when he read the note from Eunchan got me ngl. Also Changyu was so happy to be done with this show lmao he had a rough time.

Now that its over I just want 1) a "where are they now" retrospective special episode where they go see one of Hyeon's shows together and 2) a version for the lesbians PLEASE !!!

[sureyeahiguess]

Hmmmmmm I read on twitter that the PD stated that there was one successful couple coming out of the show. I thought it would be Changmin/JH, but looking at Jeongho's insta story today, he confirmed that him and Hyeokjun are dating. He just posted a screenshot of a text conversation where he tells his social media manager he is in love with a man and hopes that the wedding day comes soon. (The earlier part of the convo is him having to deny it because the finale hadn't aired and his manager kept teasing him that everything he was posting for him seemed like he was in a relationship)

 

Changmin and JH are posting couple photos too, though, but haven't explicitly confirmed anything? Their age difference did make me think that if they did date for a bit it wouldn't be a LTR. Hell, JH is only like 20 in international age I believe, he is too damn young and fun to be tied down to Changmin for the rest of his life lol. Whereas I do think Jeongho and Hyeokjun are both in their 30s and ready to build a long lasting relationship. I thought their chemistry in the tent on the last night was super cute. Also Jeongho is the one who got mad at the Youtuber Namgyu when Namgyu said on his livestream that the show was just for TV and that they couples weren't real, which makes way more sense if he felt like he had to defend the authenticity of his relationship.

[rainbow halo]

7 hours ago, sureyeahiguess said:

Hmmmmmm I read on twitter that the PD stated that there was one successful couple coming out of the show. I thought it would be Changmin/JH, but looking at Jeongho's insta story today, he confirmed that him and Hyeokjun are dating. He just posted a screenshot of a text conversation where he tells his social media manager he is in love with a man and hopes that the wedding day comes soon. (The earlier part of the convo is him having to deny it because the finale hadn't aired and his manager kept teasing him that everything he was posting for him seemed like he was in a relationship)

aw thats cute I'm happy for them. they def proved me wrong lol. if they're talking about marriage already then they would be the official couple the pd was referring to.

Changmin went on insta live with Eunchan and Jeonghyeon yesterday to watch the last eps of the show and they seemed pretty couple-y but they very well could just be close friends/casually seeing each other since they haven't confirmed or denied anything yet (I would say they were just acting close to entertain the shippers but Changmin does not seem the type to do something like that lol). sidenote: the amount of weirdos commenting on that live asking them to kiss was ridiculous. why do peoples common sense go out the window when they see two attractive gay men ?? luckily they weren't reading the comments but jesus christ 

[sureyeahiguess]

The rest of Jeongho's insta story from today with translations. They are so cute. I loved how shy Hyeokjun became around him towards the end. 

[K-Poppie]

Happy for them, but I wonder how exactly this works? Like, what is the legality/validity/legitimacy of their marriage and how does it apply to them as South Korean citizens? Did either of them have some kind of American citizenship to get a marriage license? A Chinese gay couple I followed also obtained a marriage license from Taiwan, despite having Chinese citizenship and living in China, so I wonder how these kinds of marriage laws work(For example, a legally married same-sex couple visiting/travelling to countries that prohibit same-sex relations)…

[sureyeahiguess]

Welp apparently I was very wrong about Jeongho and Hyeokjun. Seems like it’s coming out that Hyeokjun had a BF coming into the show? 
 

MESSY!!!! Seems like Jeongho wanted to expose the fact that he and Hyeokjun did date for a bit after the show even though Hyeokjun had a bf the entire time. In other news, Changmin seems to have confirmed him and JH are together:

 

[sureyeahiguess]

6 hours ago, sureyeahiguess said:

Welp apparently I was very wrong about Jeongho and Hyeokjun. Seems like it’s coming out that Hyeokjun had a BF coming into the show? 
 

MESSY!!!! Seems like Jeongho wanted to expose the fact that he and Hyeokjun did date for a bit after the show even though Hyeokjun had a bf the entire time. In other news, Changmin seems to have confirmed him and JH are together:

 

Follow-up from Heyokjun (the first point says "girlfriend" but its mistranslating the gender-neutral word for "lover"):

Edited August 27, 2022 by sureyeahiguess

[Shaandenigma]

11 hours ago, K-Poppie said:

Happy for them, but I wonder how exactly this works? Like, what is the legality/validity/legitimacy of their marriage and how does it apply to them as South Korean citizens? Did either of them have some kind of American citizenship to get a marriage license? A Chinese gay couple I followed also obtained a marriage license from Taiwan, despite having Chinese citizenship and living in China, so I wonder how these kinds of marriage laws work(For example, a legally married same-sex couple visiting/travelling to countries that prohibit same-sex relations)…

You don't need to be a citizen to get a marriage license in the U.S. You can present a passport and whatever other documents required by the specific state (since they have different requirements) from your home country. However if the marriage violates the public policy of your home country it won't automatically be considered valid there. However, South Korea is part of the Hague Convention like the U.S. and those member nations recognize the legality of public documents from other member nations. I don't think they'd get the rights that came with marriage in Korea though. If they were to get divorced though, they would have to file in the U.S. 

[sureyeahiguess]

The drama comes to an end? Hyeokjun has apologized for hurting Jeongo, who accepted his apology and apologized to the crew and others for the shitstorm on IG, and also is dating someone else. Lol what a wild ride

 

[K-Poppie]

Reportedly, Hokeep himself is also in a relationship with someone else, and the stories/pictures he posted of him and Hyeokjun were from months ago. As he said in his earlier story, he knew this whole time that Hyeokjun was seeing someone and the recent posts of them together were a way to bait and mislead viewers/fans, only for Hokeep to expose Hyeokjun’s alleged cheating. Apparently, this was some kind of plan/scheme of his, waiting to shade/expose Hyeokjun’s ways, and the only reason he refrained from speaking about this until now was to not disrupt the airing of the show. He was actually planning to go on live to spill the tea, until Hyeokjun called him, apologizing to him and begging him not to. Hokeep’s own recent apology on his Instagram story is not only to the production team, crew, cast, and viewers, but also to Hyeokjun’s partner, as well as his own boyfriend for this incident. Talk about petty…

Also, fans may have found Hyeokjun’s boyfriend/partner(they also follow each other).

 

Edited August 27, 2022 by K-Poppie

[rainbow halo]

why is this shit more entertaining than the actual show 

[angy]

Just watched the whole thing

No thoughts head empty  don't really get why everyone was so obsessed with hyeokjun and changmin the whole time tbh. Is it because most of the dudes looked very uhhh bottom? 

Changmin and jeong have chemistry and look cute together, so good for them for becoming a couple. Was gonna say that I didn't see much chemistry between Hyeokjun and Hokeep but reading these last few posts, I can see why rsrsrsrs a hot entertaining mess

For the lesbian season (if they do one) I hope it lasts more than a week and they do more activities/challenges together because it felt like they were mostly chilling in the house when they weren't on dates

Anyway, the show was nice overall ig

[pokezuko]

6 hours ago, K-Poppie said:

Reportedly, Hokeep himself is also in a relationship with someone else, and the stories/pictures he posted of him and Hyeokjun were from months ago. As he said in his earlier story, he knew this whole time that Hyeokjun was seeing someone and the recent posts of them together were a way to bait and mislead viewers/fans, only for Hokeep to expose Hyeokjun’s alleged cheating. Apparently, this was some kind of plan/scheme of his, waiting to shade/expose Hyeokjun’s ways, and the only reason he refrained from speaking about this until now was to not disrupt the airing of the show. He was actually planning to go on live to spill the tea, until Hyeokjun called him, apologizing to him and begging him not to. Hokeep’s own recent apology on his Instagram story is not only to the production team, crew, cast, and viewers, but also to Hyeokjun’s partner, as well as his own boyfriend for this incident. Talk about petty…

Also, fans may have found Hyeokjun’s boyfriend/partner(they also follow each other).

 

well damn...he may be kind of a dick for that but this guy is hotter than anyone on the show so idk who rlly won