Research on BL Culture in Media Representation and the Evolution of Contemporary Youth Gender Concepts

The rapid iteration of digital media has pushed BL (Boys' Love) culture out of the niche subculture circle, relying on various media such as online novels, film and television secondary creation, and short videos to widely spread, which has had a profound impact on the construction of contemporary youth gender cognition and the shaping of values. This article uses literature research and data analysis methods to integrate authoritative research data and real communication cases, explore the forms and communication characteristics of BL culture in media representation, analyze its dual effects on youth gender equality awareness, stereotype breakthrough, and identity cognition, clarify the inherent relationship between BL cultural communication and the transformation of youth gender concepts, and propose scientific guidance strategies. Research has found that BL culture disseminated via media helps young people dismantle traditional gender stereotypes and cultivate diverse and inclusive concepts, but there is also a potential risk of gender cognitive misguidance; The positive diversification and inclusiveness of contemporary youth's gender concepts are closely related to the media dissemination orientation and content presentation quality of BL culture.