‘Gameboys’ director Ivan Payawal on rise of girls’ love genre: ‘It’s a matter of discovering these gems’

With the rise of BL (boys' love) genre in the country, “Gameboys” director Ivan Payawal says love stories between girls also have a chance to take over mainstream media.

In an episode of “The Howie Severino Podcast,” Ivan said there was a difference between how audiences perceived BL and GL (girls' love) stories.

“The market of BL is bigger,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

“I think because it was the first one to boom, that’s what people notice on mainstream media,” he said.

“In terms of experience, there’s a big difference in terms of the people’s reactions between the two.”

Ivan said GL shows had also been getting support because these had its “own audience.”

“Of course, there’s a niche market and there are still a lot who watch it,” he said. “I believe that ‘girls’ love’ will eventually ride with the flow in terms of its entrance to mainstream media.”

He said apart from his GL series “Pearl Next Door,” more and more shows were being produced about the topic.

“There is content here and there already. I think it is just a matter of discovering these gems, these stories in different platforms because there are a lot,” he said.

“Pearl Next Door,” according to Ivan, is a GL series that aims to show how “women can be allies” and best friends who can support each other with any kind of love.

“It was so successful with Adrianna So or the character Pearl because it was a fresh air to see a legit ally rather than a woman who’s trying to destroy the relationship of these two boys,” he said.

Like the first season of “Gameboys,” “Pearl Next Door” can also be streamed through The IdeaFirst Company’s YouTube channel. – Franchesca Viernes/RC, GMA News