Asian BL - BL/Gay Dramas and movies 1980's to 2021

Supposedly has gay character(s?)

Supposedly has gay character(s).

Supposedly has gay character(s?)

Upcoming 2020.

Short.

I seldom say this (since if I don't, I rewatch until I do); I don't get it. 

Or it might just be that there isn't more to get than what I caught. This is STRANGE.
And I mean STRANGE. It feels like it aspires to be so artsy that it totally forgets to actually tell a story that makes sense and can be grasped by the audience. You get what the creators are trying to do, but it's so oddly put together and so pretentious--that it's ridiculous.

The ending scene is guaranteed to be one of the weirdest things you've ever seen. EVER.
I think my eyes went dry from my wide-eyed staring at the screen, when I caught up on what the dude actually was doing.

Warning for a VERY graphic beginning scene, in case you're sensitive...

I can't even give it a rating since I don't know how to rate something like this. 

One of the best BL shorts to come from South Korea, IMO. A simple little story, but with a lot of heart and a very nice, summery atmosphere. Worth a watch.

(Long) short. (Just under an hour.)

LGBTQ theme, with one of the MCs being gay.

Season 2 of "Sotus". See S1 for comment.

Nowhere near as interesting as the first season, actually quite boring, IMO, but we wanna' see more of the boys, right. 

You can also see a bit more of them in a special, plus one episode of the anthology "Our Skyy".

One of the few "first" BLs that actually had a decent storyline, a platform and surrounding plot on which the love story could stand, and develop within. 

Slightly overrated, since the pacing and a few other small details, could've been better--but it's good and solid enough to never be pushed down from the shelf of classic BL dramas. Acting is very good from almost all involved, especially from the guys in one of the most iconic BL couples ever--Krist & Singto. 

Production is great in terms of all technical aspects and the music and score is edgy and catchy. Which I love. I can't take all the mushy, cheesy "romantic" music which infests all dramas... "Sotus" has some edge and it's a lot thanks to the music, which fits the tough-dude-world-feel to a T. (Yeah, I prefer my BL guys--and settings--really dudish. Variation is good, but often, I miss the more realistic type of guys. I'm fed up with pretty princes. But we get much more of the "normal guys" nowadays. Yay!)

The innocence of this drama, still annoys me to this day. I just can't take it seriously when uni students behave like elementary schoolers. It's too unrealistic. But still--it's good enough to make me forget about it. Almost.

Special for the sequel season of drama "SOTUS".

Upcoming 2021.

Short.

Short.

Umm... the MDL rating...
What...?

I haven't got the slightest clue how people can rate this so high, because this isn't good. It's acceptable, but far from the quality it may seem to have if one trusts the rating. 

It's completely unoriginal--which in itself would be fine, if it was made really well. But it isn't...
It's flat, completely lacks any depth and is just a run-of-the-mill short that one will forget as soon as it ends. It lacks artistic quality and doesn't make use of it's time--which are crucial keys to making a good short film. In 20 minutes--it tells less, and with less emotion, than the super-short "Summerdaze" (also a Korean one) tells in just 2-3 minutes. That says a lot.

It's not BAD. I'm just completely baffled over the 8,1 (as of right now) MDL rating.
Like... seriously...?

Special episodes for drama "2gether".

Hmm. I think I actually like these better than the original drama. EVEN though they're even cheesier. Probably because the direction is better and the balance between the couples is more fluid and not so whiplash-inducing. And I'm fond of "everyday life" in BLs.

It still bothers me that it's this innocent--I don't quite see the point of that, considering that even the tamest Thai BLs take stuff further than this. Not that it necessarily needs to be tons of graphic stuff, but somehow it feels a bit odd that it's pretty abundant in hints and innuendoes--while the kissing and stuff keeps to this level. Well, whatever. That one kiss with the Pocky-looking candy--was sooo aesthetically pleasing ;P 

And... the main guys are still cute together. And still gorgeous. (So gorgeous it's distracting, actually. Not my personal type of guys, but these boys are BEAUTIFUL to look at.) 

And... I still love Toptap. I want him for a kid brother.

And... I will probably never get enough of Drake and Frank. (First pairing up; 'Cause You're My Boy", from 2018). They have among the best chemistry among all Thai BL couples, ever. Just devastatingly adorable together. 

And... Gunsmile still bugs me. Albeit not as much this time around. 

But yeah. It's cheesy. Too cheesy for my taste. And not even close to the quality I prefer to my BL. 

But I still enjoy it.

Huge plus for an awesome intro! (As in visuals. The super-catchy song is old news by now.)

Short.

Old school generic Japanese BL.

This is so beautiful--visually as well as emotionally. Just a little glimpse, like a poem or a memory, yet it tells a big story considering the runtime of just a few minutes. You understand, even with this tiny little peek. 

The cutting was a bit too rushed, I would personally have chosen to have fewer scenes but a few seconds longer--if they had to keep it under those few minutes.
But very beautiful. I would have loved to see a longer version.

Probably not BL, per se--but with the central theme being gay related.

Short.

Short.

Old School generic Japanese BL

Old school--from when Japan was the only place to go for BL and most of you were in diapers ;P ... By today's standards; the series of movies is quite crappy.

Old School Japan

Old school Japan

Old School Japan

Old school Japan

Movie version of drama "Wish You: Your Melody From My Heart".

I wasn't very impressed with the latest Korean BL mini-dramas, but this was by far better than the higher rated "To My Star". 

The synopsis made me suspicious, since i expected something shallow "idoly", but it wasn't like that at all. A simple and straight-forward little love story that was quite adorable. 

It's lacking in depth, and that's definitely because of the short runtime, but it makes up for it decently, with a beautiful score and OST, good acting and a nice production with many beautiful scenes and atmosphere. 

Nothing I'll remember for a long time--but definitely not a waste of time.

Short-film, part of the "Gay Out Soon" series of compilations.

Not BL in itself. Contains gay characters? I don't know, since I haven't read the manga upon which it's based. But I might watch this... for one reason. I used to work as a redrawer for the scanlation of the manga... (Which I probably shouldn't mention, but whatever.)

Well... 

I wasn't really expecting much from this second season. Their story was "complete" in season one, IMO. It wouldn't have needed more. But since the couple is insanely popular and there IS a second novel--why not. Even if I didn't "need" a S2--I'm still deliriously happy that I get to see more of them. And that--we get. 

It's pretty much like the second season of "SOTUS". Not all that much to say, not all that much to elaborate, not all that much to develop nor explore. The journey was completed in the first season since the premise was that two opposites needed to meet in the middle. This just is that kind of story--the kind that works the best with the climax that was already achieved in season one. But this couple just is one of those that one can't quite get enough of. So it doesn't matter to me that the storyline of this sequel season is (so far) "boring" and more or less non-existent. Just to see them is enough :) 

So yes--I love it. Because it's Tharn and Type. (AND because it's Mew and Gulf.) But there is absolutely no way that I will rate it as high as S1. Because S1 was a bull's-eye. A idiotic, compelling and funny story--that was tight, complete and lacked nothing. The ultimate romcom BL.
S2 is just... milking it. 

But I'm totally fine with that. <3

Bought it. Watched it, like, five times in a couple of days. Loved it. The story is really thin, but so what--it's fanservice and every extra minute one can get with the guys, is pure gold.

Some awesomely delicious scenes are catered--both romantic ones that make you squeal and wraps your heart in pink fluff--and a bedroom scene that makes you hold your breath and go quiet.
(The director is a genius when it comes to these scenes, and pair that up with awesomely convincing actors... You'll see much more graphic stuff in other dramas and movies, yet ver few of them reaches even a fraction of the hotness-level that this series delivers... Less is more, when done properly.)

One thing I was thinking about; 

Is it just me or is that scene with Tharn convincing Type to wear the cat ears and meow like a cat, purposely put in there as a fanservice-within-fanservice meta joke?!
(I haven't read the novel so I can't say if that scene was in there, but this just can't be a coincidence, right?!)

Say "Meow" in Thai...
It sounds a lot like "Mew"... LOL

(In case you haven't watched the drama and have no clue what I'm talking about; not only are the fans hysterically shipping the characters--but also the actors. Who often, and happily, engage in the most abundant and elaborate fanservice ever. Gulf, and... MEW...)

A short episode that gives us a peek into the mind of Lhong, showing us the reasons why he is like he is and does what he does. It's not long enough to be WOW, but it's well planned and directed, and gives a broader picture and understanding. 

This... is probably the most solid one you can find in the assortment of romcom-melodrama BL. 

It's more or less perfect, in every aspect. Even if there are a couple of heavy plot components, this is the very definition of BL. It's not meant to be a deep and profound story--it's a blueprint BL romance.
A classic trope; enemies-turned-lovers, but never before done so well.

It's a wet dream for any fangirl--it just has it all.

The love is crazy romantic and super sweet, the fighting is entertaining--especially the character of Type, if one, like me, has a weakness for cranky tsunderes with a bad temper... The chemistry between Mew and Gulf is absolutely insane--so good that it makes ME, who never, ever indulges in out-of-screen fanservice (I hate it), browse clips and videos...
Super hot scenes (even though they're not graphic--except one, but not exactly visually so) and a shitton of great kissing, including some that belong in the hall of fame for "most memorable BL kisses"...

The acting is, for the most part, very good. Gulf impresses as a total newbie--not just showing good acting skills, but also in doing a demanding BL role this convincingly. Most BL freshies are visibly awkward at least to some extent. Gulf never is, even in scenes where he needs to go quite far. Mew is a good actor, but not superb. But his tendency to go over the top, is excused because his acting is truly honest. The character, rather than Mew himself, comes off as melodramatic. But his strength, is of course as a BL actor. He's pretty much royalty. With good reason. I'm pretty sure he could turn straight guys gay...

The OST and score, the production and directing--is great. I can't say that I love the side story of Tum and Tar, but it's woven in tightly enough to not bother me in any way. Nothing glitches, everything is put together without any cracks or lacks. 

Basically; it's the ultimate BL. Period.

(Longer) short.

Short.

A full-version movie version of the episode with the same name, featured in the teen horror-drama series "ThirTEEN Terrors". 

This is... weird. Acting is good, especially Gun, who always does a good job. And the story is unique in it's sinister and dreamy feel. But it's so messy and strange that it just doesn't work. It's much better in the shorter version as an episode of the series.

Mini-mini-drama.

Short.

Short.

Based on one of the best BL/gay-themed mangas ever written.
(Two volumes, by mangaka Mizushiro Setona--which recently were released in English by Seven Seas. And immediately landed in my book shelf. I had to wait 10 years for that...) 

I was equal parts thrilled--and nervous--before watching it. But I was pretty sure that even if it might turn out crappy, it's still an adaptation of a phenomenally good comic--so I would probably love it no matter what.

So... how'd it end up, then...?

I loved it. 

Not just because I'm happy every time I get live action adaptations of my favourites--but because it's GOOD. I have absolutely no idea why some people disliked it, and the ratings are fairly low. It caught the manga very well, and the direction and acting was pretty great.

I'll definitely update with an elaborated mini-review when I find the time...

Short.

Short.

This is one of those that one isn't likely to rewatch unless in a mood for good acting. Because this is really uncomfortable, in a lot of ways. But do not miss it, in case you want to see something other than just cute fluff. Because this is the other side and it doesn't get much darker than this. 

The themes are disturbing and regarding some of them, one can draw parallells to the scarier sides of BL fandom. The darker side of Social Media and Fan worship of people or couples, hasn't been explored all that much in tv. Usually we only see the "happy" side of fandom, but it can be really nasty. Cyberbullying, spreading of rumours, harrassment of BFs/GFs--whether they are real or perceived. I have seen creepy examples through the years in the circles of BL fandom--IRL girlfriends of BL actors being stalked and harrassed on social media, to the degree of their BFs and people in the production team having to plead to fans to please stop their behaviour. When people become delusional, they seem to forget the lines between reality and fantasy. Here, it's the perceived romantic interest of an "university idol" who gets the flak when his fans don't like the thought of their "God" being "tainted". 

We see parental pressure slowly grinding down the confidence and psyche of an elite child. Possesiveness and jealousy leading to acts that destroy lives. Self-harm, suicide attempts, severe expressions of PTSD (extremely uncomfortable scenes). Broken people who break others in turn--and the stupid sheep who create the scene for where those things happen. 

There are lights in the dark, though. Beautiful friendship, great parenting and personal strenght. 

The ending is open--choose what you want to believe happened. 

Production isn't very high-end, but sufficient. Acting is REALLY good. Should not be missed. When you're in a mood that allows for pain.

Short.

Don't know whether to include this, or not. Apparently all the BL has been cut out due to the Chinese media ban on LGBTQ content.

Another "long short". Aboutish an hour long.

Upcoming 2020.

Not BL, but contains a (several?) gay character(s?) Still haven't watched it but supposedly, it's one of the best dramas of recent years, and has gotten universal praise.

THE classic. But honestly... it really isn't all that with a cherry on top.

Short.

Short movie that focused too much on aesthetics and forgot to tell the story in a way that catches the audience. Rather beautiful, but too empty.

Supposedly has gay character(s).

Mini-drama.

Sequel to mini-drama "The Moment".

Short.

Short.