BOYS’ LOVE DRAMAS AND VIEWER PERCEPTIONS: A STUDY ON 2GETHER: THE SERIES’ IMPACT ON UNITED STATES’ FEMALE PERCEPTIONS

Aug 25, 2026

International programming expands through media globalization, with streaming platforms like Netflix and YouTube increasing access to diverse genres. Availability of Asian-produced television shows has contributed to growing popularity, especially Boys’ Love (BL) dramas, which center romantic connections between two males. Existing research remains limited for Thai BL dramas such as 2gether: The Series, where most prior work targets fandom responses in China and Japan. This study examines how U.S. women’s perceptions of the Thai BL community may be influenced and whether Thai BL themes reinforce or challenge audience preconceptions using triangulated qualitative and quantitative methods.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages100

Reading Time4 h 12 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Acknowledgments

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BOYS’ LOVE DRAMAS AND VIEWER PERCEPTIONS: A STUDY ON 2GETHER: THE SERIES’ IMPACT ON UNITED STATES’ FEMALE PERCEPTIONS by PAIGE LOKEY Submitted to the Graduate Faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of MASTERS IN STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS May 2024 ABSTRACT International programming has expanded beyond its initial bounds as a result of media globalization. Streaming platforms such as Netflix and YouTube have opened up new genres to alot of the world. Partially due to the availability of Asian-produced television shows, the popularity of various genres has increased. The "Boys' Love" (BL) drama genre is highly favored in Asia, as it delves into the romantic connections between two males. While several Asian nations are currently making BL dramas, Thailand has been highly successful and has drawn viewers from around the world. Existing literature on BL dramas is limited; this is particularly the case while looking up Thai BL dramas, particularly the episodes of 2gether: The Series. Most studies focus on fandom behavior and reactions to BL dramas in nations other than Thailand, mainly China and Japan. Thailand is often considered the most successful at making popular BL dramas, which means that dramas from that region are more likely to have a greater influence on how viewers perceive shows in the genre. This study focuses on the Thai BL drama 2gether: The Series as the program of examination because of the popularity of the series and the increased possibility that viewer perceptions may be altered. The research conducted in this study will add to the expanding, if still small, body of knowledge about BL dramas. In addition, the study will shed light on how viewers—especially women from the United States—perceive Asian culture in relation to popular Asian-produced television. The study would be useful to researchers looking into the possible worldwide effects that the very popular BL drama genre may have on the BL community as well as social, political, and foreign policies. The study's findings will also provide light on how the BL community is stereotyped in BL dramas, and whether these portrayals reinforce or replicate viewer preconceptions of the BL community. The findings may help producers and content creators have a better understanding of how depictions may serve to perpetuate unfavorable perceptions about the BL lifestyle. To examine the consumption of BL dramas and its impact on United States female audiences' perceptions ofthe Thai BL community and whether the perceptions are reflected in Thai BL drama themes, this study will use a triangulation method--a combination of qualitative and quantitative research. To examine 2gether: The Series influences the perceptions of United States female viewers, a survey method will be used in the form of an open-ended questionnaire. The participants for this study are adult United States female viewers. A thematic analysis will be used to examine and identify the themes portrayed in the Thai BL drama 2gether: The Series. This will provide insight into the type of themes that are portrayed and the relationship between the themes and audience perceptions ofthe BL community. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I could not have undertaken this journey without my thesis chair, Dr. David Nelson. Dr. Nelson, I would not have been successful throughout this process without your guidance. I am extremely grateful for the contributions made by my thesis committee members, Dr. Mike Breslin and Dr. Chad Perry. Many thanks to everyone who participated in this project. I am so grateful for the time and energy you put into your responses. Special thanks to Kari, my best friend and proofreader. Your thoughts and encouragement kept me going. A huge thank you to my mom and dad for always encouraging me to pursue my dreams. To my siblings, thank you for listening to my frustrations over the last year. I am also grateful tomy grandparents for your love and support.

FAQs

Why does the study focus on 2gether: The Series?

2gether: The Series is chosen because of the series’ popularity and the likelihood that it can shape or alter viewer perceptions of the Thai BL community.

How does the study assess the effect of the series on U.S. female viewers?

The study uses triangulation: an open-ended questionnaire survey for adult U.S. female viewers and thematic analysis of the drama’s portrayed themes.

What does the study explore regarding audience perceptions and BL community portrayals?

It examines whether viewers’ perceptions are reflected in the drama’s themes and whether those portrayals reinforce or replicate existing preconceptions about the BL community.

Aug 25, 2026

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