Image reproduced from 中央社

Since 2022, Thailand's Girls' Love (GL) dramas, depicting emotional relationships among women, have gained immense popularity across Asia and even in Europe and America. Hu Mingqian, an assistant professor of Taiwanese and Southeast Asian studies, emphasizes that the Thai government has recognized this as a means of soft power export and highlights the LGBTQ industry as a potential driver for Thailand's economic boom.

This trend resonates strongly with Taiwanese viewers, particularly among the youth, who find these shows not only challenge traditional concepts of love but also serve as crucial avenues for exploring gender and emotional identity. Fan Li Jialing noted, "In the past, people viewed their feelings quietly and didn’t discuss their preferences openly, but now there's a medium allowing for mutual recognition and understanding, reducing the feeling of isolation."

Dr. Li Zhuo-xian from Lancaster University in the UK points out, "Some say that the number of women attending GL fan meetings may actually surpass that at Pride parades, as Pride events are often tied to identity politics, and many may hesitate to come out, while fan events provide safer and more inclusive spaces."

In contrast, although Taiwan has legalized same-sex marriage and sexual identity issues are increasingly recognized, local GL dramas still face challenges regarding market scale and societal attitudes. Screenwriter Zhang Junhan asserts, "Taiwan needs to carve its own path by crafting stories that highlight relationships and social issues while incorporating audience voices, as they enjoy lighter, happy narratives."

If both sides can draw insights from varied themes, it will inject more vitality and imaginative space into LGBTQ culture in Asia and globally.