i'm pretty sure its because when u only read a genre for a long while its hard to move on to another one? i used to be like that a few years ago with fantasy manhwa and i literally COULD NOT read anything else otherwise its an absolute snooze-fest..
Som people just only like BL like some ppl only like romance and won’t read horror
Bc BL is like a drug, and straight manhwas are something healthy. I only read straight after reading BL for 3 years and I still have the urge to read BL because I'm a real pervert (trying to change that with straight manhwas)
That was actually a question I asked myself (I used to be like this) and did a lot of research. I found some university works on correlating BL and women's preferences
Basically seeing two men makes it easier to identify with one or another bc they are on the same ""status"" ,there is no other gender stereotype forced upon them and the focus is on their feelings, which is why straight manwha can be disturbing to some (idk about GL though, I think it might be the same (gender stereotypes and bladibladibla)
Hope this was helpful haha!
I've been like this as a teen, but I have changed as an adult and I still mostly ready my bl here but as a bi I read way more lesbian historical dramas else where. It really is a phase like the: I only like Winx club not barbie cause Winx is rainbow barbie is pink kinda phase. Also different genres of media can really effect your intake of different demographic structures. Most manga depicting lesbians in the past have been either shota or heavily catering to a male gaze... I don't find anything wrong with that considering my intake of gay men but it is not what I will look for. I have noticed more female gaze catering yuri is coming out so I am always on the prowl for that, but that is why I've become accustomed to reading western literature for my gl content. Most bl mang is not great but it caters to a female gaze and that's the honest truth. As for the straights... maybe they are a little boring. The last straight couple I was really invested in for a hot minute was batman and cat woman from Hush so let that say what it will (=・ω・=)
I wonder thus too and I also wonder how this site is so divided—there’s ppl who only read BL and people who basically avoid it
it’s about taste, just like how some people like their steaks medium rare only, to put an example.
But there are many good healthy BL tho? Idk calling it like a drug and saying that straight manhwa are something healthy when straight manhwa are not necessarily healthier than BL manhwas, same thing that applies to BL. You can still read BL but also read other stuff too it not smt to really change??? Yk??
I actually agree with this one too. Another reason why I also kinda believe some ppl who only read bl never read other genre manhwa bc of sexism. It might sound crazy LMAOO but some readers might feel uncomfortable with narratives involving female characters due to biases influenced by certain BL stories where female characters are portrayed negatively. This bias could potentially deter them from engaging with genres featuring female characters or relationships, not only in GL and straight romance but also in action genres, where the preference for romance-centric narratives may persist.
Yes, it is about taste, but if you just stick to one genre, that means you miss out on so much amazing content from other genres. It's like only eating medium rare steak, sure, it might be delicious, but there's also so many other delicious dishes out there.
I agree with you, but if you only read a certain genre and say that it's dull or boring without having read much of it yourself, then it's not a valid criticism. Maybe it doesn't immediately captivate you, but if you haven't read enough of it, how can you form a fair opinion? You don't read this because you feel uncomfortable with it, but why? I agree that some people may avoid other genres because they're accustomed to not having the male gaze in GL or straight manhwa, so they feel more comfortable with BL, even though BL has the same male gaze but from a female perspective, as you mentioned. However, you're limiting your understanding and appreciation of different perspectives by not exploring outside your comfort zone.
Until I was eighteen, I used to only read and watch things related to straight couple because it was mainly what the media and society push. I am a woman and now 22. I’ve known that I was pansexual since I was 13. It wasn’t until I started getting exposed to queer webtoons and such at 18 that I started being aware of bls. The past 4 years, I’ve mainly only read bls. LIKE A LOT. And like some other people said, it had a lot to do with sexism. I’ve grown to hate majority of straight couples stories cause of the way woman characters are written and also yeah they’re so bland and plain and boring, and maybe it’s because that’s all I’ve read growing up, it’s never good to me anymore. With gl, it’s difficult. I really like woman and have a preference for them actually (been wondering if I’m just a lesbian lol) but it’s so difficult finding gl that I enjoy because it’s same as straight stories, I self insert and basically whenever the characters aren’t written in a appealing way to me, I end up disliking it and I honestly don’t wanna hate on a woman so even tho it’s the authors fault for poorly writing woman characters, I just avoid it although. With bl, I don’t have to insert myself. It’s just 2 men, who I can’t relate to and there’s so many issues and stereotypes I don’t have to deal with.
And many gl have too many woman characters involved and I can hardly find any enjoyable one that focus on the main couple. Also, whenever there is, they somehow have to always look like a child. However, if yall have good recommendations, for gl or straight, lmk and I can give it a shot
And I mainly only enjoy romance mangas. I’m a sucker for actions and such but I usually just prefer watching the anime instead. Altogether, yeah they are definitely people out there that fetishized over bl but some of us just want to read in peace cause it’s an escape from reality.
I think I understand where you’re coming from and you did a good job explaining your experience! Here are some non-BL recs I think you should give a shot, granted I’m not too sure what you’re looking for (these are more wholesome w/ likeable female leads)
https://www.mangago.zone/read-manga/a_loving_existence/ ; https://www.mangago.zone/read-manga/i_won_t_fall_for_him_just_because_of_his_face/ ; https://www.mangago.zone/read-manga/that_time_i_was_blackmailed_by_the_class_s_green_tea_bitch/
You don't understand, drugs are addictive and and healthy food isn't. It isn't about which is healthier
That's true too. But I really think it's a phase and you'd grow out of only liking bl. (づ￣ ³￣)づ
Just wondering but why do people who only read BL never read anything else? like you cannot read straight, GL, or any action manhwa bc??? Like is it because you just can't read it bc? Like what the reason ???