I Finished High School Frenemy Recently And I Have Been Thinking About It Non-stop Ever Since (I'm Posting

I finished High School Frenemy recently and I have been thinking about it non-stop ever since (I'm posting on Tumblr for the first time because of this lol it's that bad).

This show really resonated with me, but not in the same way it did for most people? Since I'm (somewhere) on the aroace spectrum, I'm fascinated by how compulsory (hetero)sexuality is removed from the world of High School Frenemy. Also, how people have reacted to the 'bromance' category in general is really interesting to me.

Disclaimer: not trying to come for the people who saw their own queer experiences reflected in the show - I fully understand and acknowledge how queer coded the direction and writing is. But individual interpretations are one of the most interesting parts about media analysis so I'd like to chip in too.

I personally really appreciate seeing a show of this genre portraying Saint and Shin's relationship as (at least explicitly) platonic. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a sucker for a good bl, but - as everyone has already said - the chemistry and writing in this show is on another level. It feels rare to see a friendship explored in such depth and so successfully, so I was obviously incredibly normal about it while watching.

That said, some people's responses kind of rubbed me the wrong way. Specifically those who imply that because they love each other so clearly and obsessively, their love must be more than platonic, or that straight guys simply don't act like that. I'm sure it's unintentional, but such phrases enforce expectations of gender performance and correct ways to be straight or gay by suggesting straight men can't have such close friendships. (But also I am feminine presenting so I can't talk too much about that). Mainly, I want to remind people that asexual and aromantic people exist (hi, here I am) and that there isn't an inherent hierarchy of relationships. Platonic love doesn't reach a stage where the feelings are so strong that it becomes romantic, they are separate forms of love that can be just as strong as each other.

Soulmates like Saint and Shin can, and do, exist - both platonically and romantically. But maybe that's what makes the show so powerful - people with all sorts of experiences can find value in their own interpretations of it, queer or otherwise.

Anyway, if you've read all this (good job, you deserve a star⭐), any thoughts? I might be yapping to the void but whatever, I needed to get this out of my system lol.