TharnType playviews + sex scenes [Blog-a-Thon #02]

Sex sells and in the chaotic and competitive world of BL, some fans are clamoring for more sex and intimate scenes. It can make the difference between getting those millions of play views or none at all.

There has been more than 5 scenes that depicted sex between Tharn and Type, jerk off scene by Type, and a “chance intimacy” by Tharn where he touched Type while sleeping. Not to mention how many “imagined fantasy” of sex between the two.

Note that we are only halfway to the series.

In contrast, there were less than a dozen intimate scenes between the leads in Lovesick and one kiss in The Love of Siam (between Mario and Pchy). Those were many years ago. For all we know, fans of Lovesick maybe your Auntie!

In 2018, a year ago, Love By Chance was already a trailblazer by featuring some piping hot intimacy between Saint and Perth – remember the locker room sex? And plenty of kissing between Mean and Plan! Not to mention the implied anal sex between Mark and Gun.

In TharnType, these sex scenes and romantic moves were pushed further.

Here are two clips showing different intimate scenes between Tharn and Type;

The clip above is during one of the earlier episodes. It shows Tharn lusting for Type as he touches him while drunk and sleeping.

This clip is somewhat the opposite where Type makes all the moves.

I was quite shy, but I and Nong Gulf had done many workshops that we’re not shy when actually shooting. If we’re shy while shooting, it would waste production’s time. – Says Mew.

That’s part of an interview translated by Masong. Lets get some more perspective:

Masong, one of the Twitter accounts translating Mew-Gulf interviews posted that before the decision to cast the lead actors, both Gulf Kanawut and Mew Suppasit were asked to name the actor they want to have screen test with. Both said each other’s name.

• Acting workshops indicate that both Mew and Gulf are made aware that there will be plenty of intimacy and sex scenes;
• Due to the close collaboration between the crew and the production staff, there is little inhibition between Gulf (a newcomer) and Mew (relatively a senior in acting);
• Being one of the many BL shows this year, there is already precedents. Sex scenes are not as unique or as rare as when BL first made its way in Thai TV – via Hormones and some other ‘ancient’ show that we are not aware of;
• Type and Tharn are unique characters in the sense that they are not fully “top” or “bottom”. While many will disagree, I assume that Type is not so innocent to feign having sex before he became Tharn’s roommate;
• Just like in Japanese programming, these BL shows are shown way past bed time. The less chance for kids to “accidentally” tune in and watch sex between boys!

The writer said that the 1st love scene, they're really shy but after that.. they've kissed a lot, many times/scene. Well, staffs just let them finish their kisses, sometimes it's too much that staffs asked them to hold it, no tongue, make it softer! Lol #TharnType https://t.co/ARvFV12sah

— masong (@iamheretosong) November 12, 2019

Of course, there is what we call artistic freedom and choices. As viewers, we are not privy to close door discussions between the artistic and business sides of a drama series. How they balance art and profit remains their call. After all, it is their money and their creative work.

But does it really matter? I think it does. Let me give you some stats:

Using stats at LINETV alone –

• Love by Chance got 124 million hits for an average of 9 million views per episode;
• My Dream, the series have almost 28 million or 2.3 million views per episode;
• Dark Blue Kiss have – so far – 11 million views or 1.8 million per episode;
• TharnType have 19.3 million views or 3.2 million per episode.

I think the intimate scenes featured in TharnType made the big difference.