While scripting and directing a show itself is a painstaking process, without proper resources and funding, the desired effect won’t be achieved. This is where producers come into the picture. They try to help the directors enliven the world build by the scriptwriters. This is normally the case where heterosexual romances are concerned. But the reverse is true for BL content; especially in Asian countries, where LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream media is still an impossible dream. Despite these unfavorable circumstances, there are a few daring producers who are determined to extrapolate queer experiences. One of them is Mr. Jimmy TSOI from Hong Kong’s Jupiter Entertainment. Their recent production, “Stay Still The Series”, won applause because of its rustic production and sublime storytelling. In this exclusive, we talk to Mr. TSOI about the problems faced during the inception of this show and his vision about their upcoming projects!

1) Being under the influence of the Chinese diaspora for too long, the LGBTQ community in Hong Kong is prone to discrimination and stigma. Talk to us about the difficulties faced by them on a daily basis?

Jimmy: I believe Hong Kong faces unique circumstances because it was once a British colony, resulting in a fusion of Chinese and Western cultures. The LGBTQ+ community not only has to confront the traditional Chinese ideology of procreation and succession, but also faces active opposition from religious groups. In the past, Hong Kong films and TV dramas often stigmatized the LGBTQ+ community, associating them with crimes, promiscuity, pedophilia, and psychological abnormalities. Consequently, the LGBTQ+ community in Hong Kong had difficulty gaining acceptance in society during the early years. In addition to facing societal issues, they also worry about being misunderstood and alienated by family and friends. Therefore, they often have fewer outlets for seeking help or expressing themselves when facing various problems. Fortunately, many organizations are actively working to destigmatize the LGBTQ+ community, progress in other countries and regions, and the influence of online information. As a result, these negative phenomena have significantly decreased, and most LGBTQ+ individuals in Hong Kong can now enjoy a healthy social life.

Jimmy:我認為香港面對的情況比特殊，因為香港曾經是英國的殖民地，文化上華洋匯集。

LGBTQ+團體除了要面對華人封建的傳宗接代思想，還要面對宗教的積極反對。早年香港的電影劇集經常把LGBTQ+社群污名化，讓他們與犯罪、孌童、性開放、心理變態等負面標籤畫上等號，所以香港的LGBTQ+社群在早期是很難在社會上被接受。除了面對社會問題，更擔心被家人、朋友不諒解和疏離，所以很多時候面對各樣問題時能夠尋求幫助或傾訴的對象比較少。但幸好有很多團體積極的為LGBTQ+社群去污名化、其他國家地區的進步、以及網絡的資訊影響，現在這種現象已經減少了很多，大部分LGBTQ+社群在香港也能有一個健康的社交生活。

2) Years of misinterpretation and wrongful portrayal have generated a negative impression relative to LGBTQ characters? Do you think a BL drama is an appropriate medium to right the wrongs?

Jimmy: The main reason why most people have negative impressions of the LGBTQ+ community is due to a lack of understanding. Often, the information about the LGBTQ community comes from biased descriptions in mainstream society, leading to ingrained misconceptions. I believe that BL dramas can have a positive impact by allowing the public to see that the LGBTQ+ community is just like everyone else – ordinary people with their own dreams and lives. BL dramas, featuring idols in lead roles, can also effectively promote messages of equality among the younger generation.

J：多數人對於LGBTQ+群體感到有負面形象的主要成因是對這個群體的不認識，很多時候對LGBTQ群體的訊息都是來自主流社會的一些不客觀的描述而造成的固有印象。

所以我認為BL劇是可以做到的正面效果，令大眾可以認識到LGBTQ+群體其實同各位都一樣都是普通人並不是異類，他們都有自己的夢想自己的生活和社會大部份人都一樣只是普通人。加上BL劇都是由偶像們去主演，這樣能在新一代中更容易去宣揚平等的訊息。

3) It is a known fact that producing and promoting LGBTQ content is a strenuous task in most Asian countries. Why were you willing to take this risk?

Jimmy: Hong Kong has produced many excellent works with LGBTQ themes in the past, such as Wong Kar-wai’s “Happy Together” and, more recently, Ray Yueng’s “Suk Suk”. However, I don’t understand why Hong Kong is still at an early stage compared to other Asian countries in actively producing BL works. So Bosco and I want to try creating a local BL work in Hong Kong, promoting BL culture and making a contribution to the LGBTQ+ community.

J：香港曾經都出現過很多優秀的LGBTQ題材的作品，例如王家衛導演的《春光乍洩》，到近年楊曜愷導演的《叔叔》。但不明白為何其他亞洲國家都在積極製作BL作品時，香港仍處於尚未起步的階段。所以我和Bosco想嘗試創作香港本土的BL作品，在香港推行BL文化及為LGBTQ+群眾出一分力。

4) What kind of hardships did you face while producing and promoting “Stay Still The Series”?

Jimmy: The biggest difficulty is the lack of resources and funding. Since we had no prior experience in filmmaking, we had to constantly try and experiment in every aspect, from planning the concept, selecting actors, finding the right filming team, to promotion. Moreover, the BL culture is not prevalent in Hong Kong, so we faced continuous rejections when seeking investors and sponsors, resulting in us personally financing the entire production. However, I believe that after this experience, Jupiter Entertainment will be able to do better and smoother productions in the future.

J：最大的困難是資源及資金上的不足。由於我們本身都沒有拍攝方面的經驗，所以無論計劃的構思、挑選演員、尋找合適的拍攝團隊、宣傳等各方面都要自己不斷去嘗試。而且，香港的BL文化並不盛行，我們在尋找投資者及贊助商時不斷被拒絕，導致最後整個製作都是由我們自資製作。但我相信在這次經驗之後，木星娛樂在未來的製作將會做得更好及更加順利。

5) How did you cast Jeremy HO, Louis LAM, Chun Hin and Bosco TSE in their respective roles as Damien, Hayden, Kelvin & Archie? Did they fulfil your vision?

Jimmy: Jeremy was selected as our actor from the audition two years ago, and he was the only actor who has been with us from the beginning of the project until now. So Damien’s role was tailor made for him, in order to showcase his unique character to the audience. Louis’ appearance is a bit special, because many actors are resistant to participate in BL dramas, and we had a hard time finding a compatible CP. That is why Hayden’s role was empty for a while. Until two months before filming, Jeremy found Louis on IG and contacted him directly. At that time, we only did a simple online audition for Louis, and then invited him out to dinner with Jeremy, where they both exuded an interesting chemistry.

As for Bosco, he was originally one of the producers, but we still couldn’t find a suitable actor, which resulted in a delay in filming. Therefore, Bosco said that he could play the role of Archie if no one had any objections. We then quickly held an additional audition and met TO. TO was selected because he imitated the voice of Donald Duck, which made Bosco very happy.

I can see everyone has put in a lot of effort into their roles in the drama, so I am sincerely grateful for everyone’s hard work.

Jimmy：Jeremy是我們在兩年前試鏡挑選出來的演員，也是唯一一個從計劃一開始陪伴我地到現在的演員，所以Damien的角色也是為他去度身訂造，希望讓觀眾更快速的了解到演員的本身特色。Louis的出現就比較特別了，因為很多演員都很抗拒出演BL劇，所以我們很難組成一對有默契的CP，所以當時Hayden的角色是一直空置的。直到在拍攝前兩個月的時候，Jeremy在IG上找到Louis並直接聯絡，當時只為Louis做了一個簡單的線上試鏡，然後便約他出來與Jeremy晚飯，便看見他和Jeremy存在著很有趣的花火。

至於Bosco本來是其中一位製作人，同樣是因為沒有合適的演員而有機會令拍攝再度延遲，於是Bosco便說如果大家沒有反對的話就由我來當Archie吧，然後我們便很快舉行了多一次試鏡，便遇上TO。而TO被選中的原因是他模仿了唐老鴨的聲音說話，逗得Bosco十分開心。

我看到大家都非常之努力去演出劇集中的角色，，所以對於大家的努力我是非常衷心的感謝。

6) “Stay Still” doesn’t shy away from depicting NC scenes? Did you face any criticism or censorship problems pertaining to the same?

Jimmy: Our intention with this work is to achieve a cinematic level of realism. If we purposely avoid such scenes, it might compromise the authenticity. However, we haven’t faced much criticism for including NC scenes. Many people have actually expressed that they didn’t find it enough. Perhaps in the next series, we can incorporate enough NC scenes to satisfy everyone.

Jimmy：我們這套作品是想做到電影般的真實感，如果刻意迴避這些場景反而不夠真實。

但因為NC場面而遇到的抨擊倒是沒有，但很多人反映說看不夠。或許在下一套劇集中，我們可以有足夠的NC場面去滿足大家。

7) Have you watched BL/LGBTQ+ dramas or movies from other countries?

J: Yes, my favorite is “I Told The Sunset About You” produced in Thailand. Its filming techniques and plot description are very attractive, and this series has set a high standard for us.

J：有，我最喜歡的是泰國出品的《I told sunset about you》。它的拍攝手法，劇情描述都十分吸引，這部劇集也為我們訂了一個很高的標準。

8) What is your opinion about BL content? Most Asian countries are currently seeing a sudden surge of BL dramas? What do you think about this?

Jimmy: I think the growth of BL dramas at present is a good thing. It can help society to have a better understanding of the LGBTQ+ community, and this trend has been very helpful in promoting the message of equality. It also proves that the world is constantly progressing and striving for more diverse entertainment programs.

J：對於現時BL劇的增長我覺得是一件好事，可以令社會更加了解LGBTQ+的群體，這個熱潮在宣揚平權訊息時幫助了很多。同時亦證明了，世界各地亦一直在進步，不斷追求更多元化的娛樂節目。

9) Hong Kong’s top court has ruled that the government should provide a framework for recognising same-sex partnerships, though it did not grant full marriage rights to homosexual couples. Do you think positive representation in media can help the cause?

Jimmy: When even the Hong Kong High Court recognizes that the government should provide protections for same-sex couples, positive media coverage can be instrumental in pressuring the government and shaping public opinion. Frankly, the LGBTQ+ community seeks equal rights, not additional privileges. Even if the Hong Kong government may not immediately amend legislation as a result, it is believed that this will still draw more attention to the issue.

Jimmy:當香港最高法院都認為政府應該為同性伴侶提供保障時，媒體的積極報導在向政府施壓及增加社會輿論的方面都會有很好的幫助。坦白說，LGBTQ+群組只需要平等的權利，而不是爭取去享有額外的特權。即使香港政府短期內未必會因此修改法例，但相信仍然會令更多人關注這項議題。

10) We have a lot of BL fans and members of the LGBTQ community as our avid readers. Do you have a message to share with them?

Jimmy: First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to our fans for their support for our drama. This drama has always been the first attempt by our team. We will strive to do even better in our future works, and we hope that all of you can continue to support us. Hong Kong’s BL is ready and waiting for the next trend from us. As long as each of us is willing to take a small step forward, our power will be immensely strong.

Jimmy：首先在此感謝粉絲們對我們劇集的支持，始終這部劇集都是我們團隊的首個嘗試。我們團隊會在未來的作品做得更加好，希望各位可以繼續支持我們。香港的BL已經準備好，等待我們的下一股風潮吧。只要每人都勇於踏出一小步，那麼我們的力量就會非常強大。

The BL Xpress would like to express their gratitude to Mr. Jimmy TSOI for this exclusive. We are also grateful to Jupiter Entertainment for arranging this interview and graciously working on the translation as well!