France’s Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal found himself at the centre of a social media storm after an innocuous Instagram post meant to celebrate International Women’s Day took an unexpected turn by promoting Love Shuttle
The photo, shared on March 8th by French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal featured a group of female entrepreneurs gathered for the occasion. However, what caught the attention of eagle-eyed netizens was not the celebration itself but a seemingly innocuous detail in the foreground related to Love Shuttle.
France Prime Minister Gabriel Attal promotes Love Shuttle on Instagram as Noemie holds copy of the manhwa
In hands of one of a women in the front row of Gabriel Attal’s post was a print edition of “Love Shuttle,” a popular manhwa written by Korean author Aeju. This revelation set off a chain reaction across social media platforms with shocked users expressing disbelief at the unexpected appearance of BL (Boys’ Love) literature in such a prestigious setting.
For those unfamiliar with the genre, “Love Shuttle” is set in the realm of the Omegaverse, a fictional universe where individuals possess additional secondary s*x traits alongside their biological characteristics.
The story delves into the dynamics of Alpha, Beta, and Omega individuals, exploring themes of reproduction, behavior, and societal structure. Originally posted on the webtoon site Lezhin, the series gained a dedicated following for its unique premise and compelling storytelling.
Esta foto de Gabriel Attal, primer ministro de Francia, está llamando muchísimo la atención a las fujoshis gracias a la mujer que muestra orgullosa su tomo de 'Love Shuttle'. Nos declaramos muy fans. https://t.co/1S3M0GICGN pic.twitter.com/7v2gv0Wspy
— Pro Shōjo Spain (@shojospain) March 9, 2024
What made this discovery even more intriguing was the identity of the woman holding the book. Noémie, the founder of Nao Studio Publishing, a recently established entity responsible for selling the physical edition of “Love Shuttle” in France, was front and center in the Prime Minister’s photo. This connection between a government official’s public appearance and the promotion of literature sparked both amusement and astonishment among internet users.
Aeju, the author of “Love Shuttle,” expressed surprise upon discovering their work featured in such a high-profile context. Taking to their social media account, @hhsis2, Aeju shared their astonishment and gratitude for the unexpected exposure. Meanwhile, Nao Studio Publishing responded via their account, @blAddictbyNao, expressing pride in their collaboration with Aeju and the publication of the controversial manhwa.
Nao studio wrote,
“I am proud of our collaboration. And I wanted to introduce the first work of Nao Studio Publishing. Aeju nim you have worked very hard and your work is incredible.”
정말 상상도 하지 못한 곳에서 애인셔틀 1권 표지를 봤습니다 제 인생에서 가장 놀라운 일이 될 것 같아요😲 pic.twitter.com/3e2OridNTV
— 임애주 (@hhsis2) March 9, 2024
Enthusiastic fans of BL literature couldn’t resist sharing their reactions online, with many expressing disbelief at the serendipitous encounter between politics and pop culture. Some users joked about the Prime Minister’s potential reaction upon learning the true nature of the book while others marvelled at the unpredictability of internet culture.
Despite the initial shock and amusement, the incident highlighted the evolving landscape of media consumption and cultural appreciation. BL literature, once relegated to niche communities, is increasingly gaining mainstream recognition and acceptance. Its presence in unexpected contexts serves as a evidence to its growing influence and appeal among diverse audiences.