Korean TV Series Stirs Up Some Gay Heat

Using theatre or film to portray a homosexual love story are ways to let the public be more receptive to the gay culture and re-examine it. TV series is entirely different, there is no exact division with respect to the audience beliefs, and you are broadcasting to a huge audience base. One has to tread very carefully when one is bringing up such non-mainstream culture. Such social stigma for Korean TV series is being slowly removed. Gays and transexuals have long been an avoided character on broadcast TV and movies, especially the three major broadcasting companies. Since a few years ago, movies have started to have gay characters, even those that have leading characters undergoing sex change. But Spring 2010 has proven to be a small step forward for TV broadcasts as gays start to become the protagonists of TV drama series. Film and TV writers agreed in unison that with such opportunities, audience can start to expect more dramatic and rich love stories.
Telecasting since March 20th, SBS TV series “Life is Beautiful” tells the story of a family of four generations. The eldest son Taixie Yang(by Changyi Song) is a doctor who is both handsome and skillful. He is a gentleman, sensible, courteous, attentive, and also as amiable as his his father. He is just a prime bachelor for grabs. However, he is already 27 years old and yet single. That’s because he has his eyes set on a photographer Qingxiu (by Sang-woo Lee). After marrying and having a child, Qingxiu realized that he has lost his self. He decided to end his marriage, and fell in love with Taixie. Will their love persist the test of time?
The TV series illustrated the love between the two protagonist right from get go and challenged the society’s prejudice against homosexuality. This actually attracted the attention of many viewers. In the series, Taixie and Qingxiu have to be consistently be mindful of their surroundings when they are out dating. An intense debate definitely begins on the Internet message boards every time the series screens something suggestive happening between Taixie and Qingxiu, with many believing that such acts goes against their ethics. Fortunately, on the other hand, other audience have indicated that this TV series have caused them to reconsider homosexual relationships.