Interview with Boys Love Brasil an International Boys Love Company
Hey there! Ever found yourself diving deep into the world of Boys' Love (BL) and Yaoi and thought, "Man, I need a one-stop shop for all this?" Look no further! Boys Love Brasil is THE place to be for fans, connecting the dots and serving all the BL and Yaoi goodness you need. Buckle up, folks, as we go backstage and get an exclusive scoop on what makes Boys Love Brasil an absolute gem in the world of BL and Yaoi!
What inspired the creation of Boys Love Brasil, and how has it evolved over time?
Well, the creation of Boys Love Brasil came to my mind after watching a BL series called Love Sick. The first version of Boys Love Brasil was created in December 2015, by me, Bobby, in partnership with a friend. However, due to personal problems and disagreements on how to handle the work and deliver the news, my friend gave up, and the project was put on hold.
At that time, it was not yet called Boys Love Brasil. But I didn't give up, and in March 2016, I met Jonh Almeida through Twitter and presented the project of creating Boys Love Brasil and the website I had already made. He was fascinated and we decided to find one more person to solidify the definitive creation of BLB. It was during this same period that we met Marina Vaz, who agreed to join the venture. So, on April 27, 2016, we officially launched Boys Love Brasil on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, as well as the website for reviews and news about Boys Love, Girls Love (which wasn't even talked about at the time), K-pop, and the LGBTQIAP+ community.
Speaking a little about the evolution of Boys Love Brasil, in 2016 we decided to recruit people externally who enjoyed writing, watching, and researching about Boys Love, as well as all the other subjects we covered on our website. This way, we started growing and incorporating several other projects. In 2017, we held the first BLAW - BL Awards - with open voting to the public, and we received over 35,000 votes.
In 2018/2019, we carried out the Voices That Need to Be Heard Project, where we interviewed LGBTQIAP+ individuals to share their stories. The interviews were conducted in audio, video, and text formats.
In 2020, we created our BL merchandise store on Shopee and on our own website. We also established BLB Publisher, a publishing house focused on BL and LGBTQIAP+ works. We have already officially published in Brasil: Manner Of Death, The Red Thread, My Ride I Love You, Seven Days Before Valentine, Laços de Sangue, Ai No Chikara, and much more is coming.
Throughout this period, around 150 people have worked in various roles and sectors within BLB. Today, we have an active board of 10 members who coordinate everything voluntarily.
Can you describe the selection process for the Boys' Love titles that you feature on your platform?
To the extent possible, given our personnel limitations, we strive to cover all BL series. Of course, often we prioritize new BLs from smaller producers and from other countries such as the Philippines, Cambodia, and more recently, India. Every day, our team of researchers and influencers is conducting research on BL series from all Asian countries, as well as LGBTQIAP+ productions from all countries.
What differentiates Boys Love Brasil from other platforms that focus on Yaoi or Boys' Love content?
Firstly, it is necessary to understand that all platforms that discuss BL/GL and Yaoi have their own specificities. With that being said, I believe one of the great differentiators of BLB is that from the beginning, we introduced ourselves to those who follow us. In other words, people know who is behind it. For example, I have several people who follow Boys Love Brasil and also follow me on my social media, and they are my friends. This often allows for more open feedback, whether positive or negative.
Another differentiator is that we train everyone who joins us to perform various roles within BLB. We even have classrooms on Google Class, and this training often positively reflects the way we share things. Additionally, since the first day back in 2016, we understood the importance of having a unique visual identity and treating BL news with professionalism and responsibility.
Can you share some insights into your user base? What do they most appreciate about Boys Love Brasil?
It is worth creating a timeline of the BL audience in Brasil, as, like the rest of the country, the audience has gone through significant social maturation and changes. In the beginning, our audience was predominantly female, and this persisted until around 2019/2020. However, in the past three years, this has been changing, as there is a significant number of male individuals who previously did not consume Boys Love and are now starting to consume it.
The way people perceive these productions has also changed. Years ago, in 2014/2015/2016/2017, we had almost no discussions about the erasure of the LGBTQIAP+ community, particularly gay men, within BL productions. However, today, we have several discussions on this topic. For example, openly gay actors losing roles because producers, directors, and part of the audience believe that an openly gay man cannot portray a gay character. Certainly, here in Brasil and the Western world in general, these discussions are much more advanced than in some countries that actually produce Boys Love content, and in my view, that is a good thing.
How do you address the varying tastes within the Yaoi fandom? Do you target specific niches or aim for broad appeal?
We always strive for the broadest range of content, but when it comes to articles for our portal, we also take into account the preferred niches of our columnists.
What role does feedback from your users play in shaping your platform and content?
It is of utmost importance to understand that we, behind the Boys Love Brasil portal, are humans and thus subject to errors and criticism. With this in mind, I always guide the entire team that we are not holders of absolute truth, especially because we discuss a culture that was not created by us and is not ingrained in the everyday life of Brasilians. Therefore, I always ask my administrators to carefully analyze the feedback from our users. You see, we know that we cannot please everyone, and that is part of the game. So, whenever we receive a higher-than-average amount of negative feedback regarding a certain matter, we evaluate and examine where we went wrong, and we try to correct the mistake and apologize. This is the process of evolution for BLB: learning from our mistakes.
Boys Love Brasil seems to have a strong community focus. How do you cultivate and maintain this sense of community?
This aligns with what I mentioned in one of the previous responses: People know who is behind BLB, they are aware of the difficulties we face. We have always been transparent, and this has created and continues to maintain the sense of community within BLB.
How do you manage the balance between featuring popular titles and promoting lesser-known or new authors?
Well, this balance is achieved on a daily basis, but overall there is no recipe. However, we have a predisposition to talk about new productions.
What are some initiatives or features you've implemented based on user feedback?
The process of improving our website to make it lighter, as well as the option for users to vote on our reviews and share their opinions.
Could you tell us more about your team's process in curating and delivering the best Boys' Love content?
Most things are extensively researched on official websites and pages regarding those subjects. When it is confirmed information, we point it out, as well as when it is a rumor. Another important aspect that we always prioritize in our team's training is to always include sources and give proper credit.
What has been your top 5 favorite Boys Love series to review?
Well, it's no secret that I have some favorite series, and some of them might not please everyone. My top 5 favorites are:
5th: My Day The Series
4th: History1 - My Obsessed (I watch this one with a guilty conscience)
3rd: Game Boys
2nd: History2 - Right or Wrong
1st: Until We Meet Again
What role does Boys Love Brasil play in promoting Boys Love?
For the Brasilian audience, I believe we are a platform they like or have come to like. For the international audience, we haven't quite reached that point yet, but we are getting there.
Are there any exciting plans or features for Boys Love Brasil that you can share with us?
Of course, we have big plans: We are working on the internationalization of Boys Love Brasil, seeking international partnerships. Currently, we have a representative from the board in New York City, a columnist living in Thailand, and we are pursuing partnerships with other countries for joint content publication and international recording and distribution of the Papo BL podcast. In addition, we are exploring possibilities of organizing BL tours and gatherings around the world with actors and actresses.
How has Boys Love Brasil been received by the community since its launch? Any memorable feedback or interactions you'd like to share?
Of course, as I mentioned, we can't please everyone, and understanding that is part of the process. We have had several memorable interactions, especially one that I always remember with a smile on my face because, despite the seriousness, I find it funny. Once, a fanbase of an actor, whom I won't mention, took down our account because we made a joke about a series.
How do you keep up with the latest trends and developments in the Boys' Love genre to keep your content fresh and engaging?
We keep ourselves updated through research on official websites and also through partnerships we have with some production companies.
In your opinion, what's the key to creating a successful platform like Boys Love Brasil?
Dedication is the key word, along with resilience and perseverance. And, of course, love for what we do.
Could you share a particularly proud moment or milestone for Boys Love Brasil?
When we opened the publishing house and signed contracts with famous authors like Sammon and Patrick...
As a platform, how do you handle the balance between user privacy and creating a social and interactive environment?
Well, we follow the guidelines of the General Data Protection International Laws (GDPIL).
Looking back, what is one thing you would have done differently in your journey with Boys Love Brasil?
I don't think so.
Looking into the future, where do you see Boys Love Brasil in the next five years?
Well, I see BLB as a consolidated company known by many people and in many places.
Thank you very much! <3
And there you have it! The scoop on Boys Love Brasil, the dynamo rocking the BL and Yaoi world. It's all about staying in the loop, building a community, and cherishing every bit of the Boys' Love genre. So, here's to Boys Love Brasil, for bringing us the best of BL and Yaoi. Keep being you, BLB - you're just what the BL world needs. Stay tuned, folks, and remember, whether it's BL or Yaoi, Boys Love Brasil's got your back!
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About Boys Love Brasil
Boys Love Brasil is a blog that covers Asian culture and the LGBTQIA+ community, with news, reviews, and more on boys love, doramas, and k-pop. You can find the blog at boyslovebrasil.com.
You can also find Boys Love Brasil on Instagram and Facebook.
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