[series rec] gelboys & the intricacies of modern romance

i want this space to be somewhere i can talk unabashedly about my hyperfixations without a character limit or any sort of algorhythmic pressure!!! so, first order of business. i'll be dedicating this first rec post to my current creative muse.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT GELBOYS!!!

so, premise. thai schoolboys who go to the mall everyday after class and hang out doing Youth Activities™ like drink boba, eat hotpot, make tiktok vids and get their nails done. along the way, they become entangled with one another. situationships ensue which form the basis of the entire show. it is one of the only pieces of media i've seen which explores the idea of romance not only through a screen, but how this affects the way we the youth of today interact with one another irl through the mediation of the digital space.

it's not enough to desperately want someone you're interested in to connect with you on socials. it's not enough that they like every story you post, or respond with a similar post of their own. gelboys explores how you could do a billion of these micro-actions and have nothing develop as a relationship until the first step irl is taken. and then- what then? you start to talk, you go on dates, but when is it okay to show the world that you're eating lunch together? and what does it mean when they post themselves out for dessert with another person the next day and then it feels like humiliation because everyone can see that they're playing games with you without having even said a word?

gelboys explores all these very modern intricacies throughout the series as a consistent focal point of the show's plot. it's got all you've never wanted to see about yourself as a youth displayed so jarringly on screen.

because what do you mean the main character is so in love with this guy who's stringing him along by making a spotify playlist for just the two of them, then tells him with the most earnest eyes that he'd rather not put a label on whatever thing they have going on.

gelboys explores gen Z's widespread allergy to labels in the most intimate of ways: kicking your feet as you roll around bed replaying a video or audio message from the person you like. telling yourself that them being the first to view your instagram stories must mean something (spoilers: it does, but also, it really doesn't). being okay with being nothing. and then you can't even get mad at them for doing the same things with someone else because since when were you two ever really in a relationship? this is just how friends are, duh. and then they'll ghost you because they're emotionally stunted so they can never say anything with proper words. instead, they'll post a rainy cityscape with a sad song instead of texting you back even though they know you'll see them online, ignoring you.

there's the maximalism of chunky keychains and stickers stuck on every piece of useless paraphernalia you own that proudly indicates your interests. every piece of art design and prop production in this show showcases the characters' personalities. you're getting your nails done? i'll get them done with you and i'll even let you choose the designs for me then we can post it on our socials because that's just how intimate we are with each other, but also it doesn't mean anything that i like the things you like and i start to listen to the music you do because what are labels even.

i never thought i would see so much of what it is like to be a young person in this digital world portrayed so accurately as it is in this show. it's got its pulse exactly on what goes on with youth culture, extending out of the romance plotline, but into what it means to make characters feel like they're real and grounded in this reality, from their little habits like picking at the stickers on their guitar case to clowning on their friend's love life. the show's a mirror, embarrassingly. almost a documentary.

lingering gazes as you part ways for the train back home? feeling your loneliest when you're scrolling through funny videos in the middle of the night? feeling dejected because none of your friends want to make tiktok vids? tying your self worth to the untruthful image you project onto social media? being left out of a conversation because you were kicked out of someone's close friends list?

gelboys just hits the nail on the toxic ecosystem that's been built as a result of our reliance on social media for connection. even when something's right in front of us, we still want that online validation of a person's interest. and when it's there we get scared and take a screenshot and share it with our friends saying, he used a fullstop in that sentence three scrolls away, does he hate me? he posted the song i mentioned to him on his 15th story slide, is he asking for my hand in marriage?

but it's some kind of wonderful too, sharing that interest in the same things as the person you like, and when you finally get through that barrier of uncertainty, pull through that aversion to commitment, you'll find that taking pictures together and showing everyone your love is kinda nice too. hidden, cryptic messages and indirect social media posts are not cool, but taking pics of your matching nails with a heart emoji for all to see is admittedly pretty cute.

the cinematography in this show? gamechanging showstopping. the kicker? everything was shot on iphone. the music? bubbly y2k electronica. the kicker? the theme song's titled 'no status status' which pretty much sums up the show. and it's got the best marketing i've ever seen for a series. gel press on nails! keychains! funky tshirts! fan meetings! and it's all graphic design heaven.

just watch the show, you won't regret it. it's a true contemporary drama with all the contrarion lightheartedness of a detached, connection-starved generation.