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

This... is what it is. 5 x 25 minutes of fanservice. A bunch of cute teen boys who aren't very restrained when it comes to finding reasons to act out their innate BL tendencies with each other--here, there and everywhere. It's retarded and cheap, production is crappy, plot is idiotic and acting wasn't that awesome. These boys have shaped up during the past couple of years and are considerably better in later roles...

Reasons to watch; 

1) Cute guys making out, stripping and being all kinds of outrageous and naughty.

2) Newyear. I'll support any BL actor who's brave enough to be out and open and refuse to hide their sexual orientation in fear of not getting roles. (Which he didn't, before this one. He got refused because he was openly gay. Thank God this is starting to change.) Besides, he's a decent actor and he's cute to look at. 

Don't expect greatness because this is pretty much junk. But the reasons above are enough for me, considering the short runtime and few episodes. But I'll rate it accordingly.
And even if the second season is aiming for "serious", I'd rather rewatch this one ten times before I force myself to watch S2 again.

I REALLY didn't like this. It's pretty astonishing how this season, that aimed so much higher than the first season, turned out this boring and meaningless. 

S1 was cheap, tacky, and just an excuse to show off a lot of kissing between cute guys--but it didn't aspire to be much more than that. This season tries to be serious and has a much higher budget and better production--yet the entertainment value is pretty much non-existent, IMO.

The first problem is that the theme is gone. Even if the game is still a part of the plot, it makes no sense here, like it did in S1. There the game continued into sober reality and really messed things up for the people involved. Here it's just a thing in the background, except for the three (I think it was) scenes when the game is played as an excuse to show drunken making out. The further use of the game as a plot component, is so slight and pointless that it's almost absent.

We are left with a bunch of people that have relationship issues--without even the game to blame it on. Enter second problem; these characters are not likable, memorable or even slightly engaging. Not for me, anyway. I don't like them, but worse than that--I don't care about them nor what happens to them. They just annoy me and they're pretty much A-holes, most of them.

Acting is okay for the most part, but really bad and unconvincing at other parts. I cringed at all the crying scenes, they were so horrendously fake. Music and score is outdated and cheesy. Production is okay. 

 I can't give it a worse rating than "mediocre"/"run-of-the-mill", since it is a fair production, but as for entertainment value; I wouldn't rewatch it if I was paid--while I would rewatch S1 even if it was utter junk. That says a lot.

Short

Short.

Mini-drama.

Cut movie version of the webdrama "Like Love". (The title varies for both drama and movies as well as the novel--in fan translations of the novel on which it's based, you can find a shitton of versions. Sometimes called "I love you even though you are a man" and other similar versions.)

 Watch the drama version instead, it's more complete, longer and uncut.

Sequel to web drama "Like Love"/cut movie version of the drama--"I Love You as a Man". This one only comes in a movie version, no drama.

Mini-drama.

Short.

Short

Short

Mini-drama.

Movie adaptation of the graphic novel with the same name, written by the director of the movie.

Upcoming 2020.

Special for drama "Innocent".

Okay... 

WOW.

The insane ratings made me a little bit suspicious. I did think it sounded interesting when waiting for the release, but I'm always sceptical to crazy ratings, so I didn't except quite this level of awesomeness. 

I was blown away. And THAT does not happen often. With BL--practically never. Sure, I can adore BL series and movies--but I seldom think they hold exceptional quality in terms of story and direction. This did.
As a BL--this is a fricking 10/10. No... it's actually 11/10... (I kid you not.)

But thing is--this holds the quality of being close to flawless as a DRAMA. Not just as a BL such. I'm very restrictive with my 10s. But I can't--just can't--find anything to motivate anything other than a "masterpiece"-stamp of approval. The 0,5 point deduction is not really based on anything particular--more, like, a moderation in case I find some tiny flaws when rewatching...

This should finally convince those BL-fans who diss and label (all) Thai productions as "cheap", "commercial fanservice", "run-of-the-mill" and alike. There is true quality stuff in Thailand.

This is one of the most realistic, tender and engaging coming-of-age stories I've ever seen in the department of BL. Relatable to anyone who is, or once was, a teen--gay or straight. The insecurities, infatuations, search of self, impulsivity and intensity. 

Exquisite athmosphere, masterful direction based on careful script and planning, wonderful pacing, beautiful visuals, bulls-eye score and music (too cheesy for me, but always perfectly fitting). And the acting is absolutely phe-no-me-nal. From almost every single actor. Chemistry is outta' this world... 

DO.NOT.MISS.
Seriously. 

(Btw - the reference to Oh-aew looking like actor Tor--I was flabbergasted from first appearance, about how similar they look, and laughed my ass off when they actually pointed it out... haha)

Short.

Short.

Compilation of four different relationship stories, of which one is gay themed.

Old school generic Japan.

Short.

Old School Japanese kind-of-classic. Adapted from the manga with the same name, by one of the most popular BL mangakas of that time, Fujiyama Hyouta.  I do like the manga, but the movie is pretty crappy. Mostly due to really weird miscasting and acting. 

Short.

Short.

Doubtful whether it belongs on the list or not. I haven't watched it and I doubt I will, but supposedly the BL content is very, very small and perhaps rather should be called Bromance.

Rather crappy mini-mini-drama with illogical plot, weird writing and cheap production.

Upcoming 2021.

One of the most charming, and different, gay themed dramas from recent years--a great example of the super-refreshing new path that Japanese BL/Gay has chosen to explore. Straight-forward, more realistic every-day type of stories, far from the fluffy and silly junk they've churned out previously. (Other titles would be "Fujoshi Ukkari Gei ni Kokuru", the "Ossan" series and "My Brother's Husband"--the latter I unfortunately haven't been able to get my paws on. Yet.)

This is SO charming, SO lovable, SO down-to-earth and just... cozy.
Feel-good.
Like a nice, hearty meal. ("Kinou Nani Tabeta?" = "What did You Eat Yesterday?")

Special for the drama "Kinou Nani Tabeta?"

The parent story that first introduced the now-pretty-classic BL couple, Pete & Kao, as a side couple. They got popular and got much more screen-time when their backstory was told in the sequel to this-- "Kiss Me Again". (Which is a prequel in the chronological timeline.)
Their story further continues in "Dark Blue Kiss", which is almost entirely focused on BL.  

I don't love it, even if I do love most of the characters in the "Kiss" series. Sandee is, alongside Jihwa from the "Bad Romance" series, the coolest female character you'll find in most Thai dramas. Such a fresh breath of air compared to all the little princesses. Her and Thada's story is quite cute. Other straight story lines suck.

This first installment won't give you much of Pete and Kao, so I'd say--if you're only after the BL, focus on their parts in the sequel, then watch their parts in this one and then you have their own series saved for last. "Dark Blue Kiss".

Sequel (but in timeline a prequel) to "Kiss". In this installment, we get to know the beginning for the BL couple Pete and Kao and they get much more screen time this time around.

I REALLY hate the straight storylines in this one. All of them. The dork vs. playboy one is bearable because those two have an amusing hate-to-love chemistry, but other than that; bleh.

The BL storyline is nice, I really like this couple even if they're not my absolute favourite one. I have a very weak spot for Tay and his chemistry with New is great. I'd have loved much more skinship between them, but they're so fricking cute together that it doesn't matter in the end.

See the continuation of their story in "Dark Blue Kiss", which focuses almost entirely on BL.

Compilation of Pete and Kao scenes from drama "Kiss Me Again".

Short.

Supposedly not good at all, but if one wants an extra little glimpse of Earth--there you have him.

Family drama about a large, extended family. This one has really high ratings and got rave reviews when it aired. Still haven't gotten as far as to watch it, but it does sound really good.

I literally went "OHMYGAWD!" when I saw that this is coming as a drama. YES! YES! YES!
Based on an absolutely lovely one-shot manga--and this mini-drama turned out quite lovely, too. A bit of a different flavour compared to the earlier years of Japanese BL--fully in line with the freshness and "closer to reality makes it more beautiful, not less so", that they've delivered during the past couple of years. 

Sweet, quite simplistic and lacking all that over-the-top melodrama/exaggeration in acting and direction, that used to wreck far too many Japanese productions. An EXCELLENT choice of manga to adapt to a Live Action--and an excellent result, as well. It managed to catch the air and feel of the original work, bringing it to life with dedicated and believable acting and script.

Yay!

(Btw; If you read comics and decide to read/have read the one this is based on--do not miss out on the larger work which this one has more or less copied. "Complex", by Manda Ringo. Get through the first, messy part--and you will be rewarded with a knock-out of a BL...)

DO NOTICE the extremely gratifying cameo in the end--our (at least my) beloved boys from Taiwanese BL-drama "HIStory 3: Make Our Days Count" make a quick appearance! :D (I literally shouted and jumped up and down). Without spoiling too much--it was somehow a little bit of comfort to see them in an "alternative universe" as opposed to the actual drama...

This is as low-budget as it can get. A super cheap web drama, a really corny one to boot--but it's absolutely irresistible and you fall in love with the MCs pretty much immediately. It's been re-cut into a movie version with a different title (the title varies a lot also in translations of the original novel) "I Love You As a Man", but I'd recommend this drama version instead--for longer runtime and inclusion of scenes that were cut out from the movie. 

The couple is so ridiculous that you just have to love them. A total idiot and a total jerk, but oh-so-sweet together. Their chemistry is good and they're hilarious in their interaction.

Also watch the sequel--which is a movie, not aired as a drama. ("I Love You As a Man 2".
(The sequel suddenly had a much higher budget... it's not all that good, per se, but there are good parts and above all; we get to see more of this idiot couple.)

BL Horror. How awesome is that? Features many of the currently popular BL actors. Should be interesting. 

Upcoming July 12th 2020.

I LOVED this. If you liked "HIStory 3: Trapped" and similar bad guys vs. cops or other clandestine enemies becoming lovers-themes, you will too.
Here, the feel is much darker, though. But not dark as in depressing--just more thriller-esque.
This is paired up with sweet romance--and those two shouldn't mix well, but they do...  

For such a short drama, it's very well rounded and feels like a much longer story due to good planning and directing. (What I would give to see this in the episode count of "Trapped"...) Thoroughly entertaining, interesting, exciting and has some squeal-worthy moments including a classy and sweet love-scene.
Acting is nice, production great, it's just really well balanced for such a contrast in main themes. 

This short has basically no substance nor direction in the story, and you shouldn't waste your time. There are tons of better ones. It's not the worst out there, but it's certainly not good, either.

Short.

Long short/short full-lenght movie. (Just over an hour long.)

Short.

This is good. This breaks some stereotypes and tropes. This is different.

We have a quite effeminate actual-gay MC, something we seldom see in drama/movie BL, even though it's such a cliché in comics.
And even though he's so cutesy he makes your teeth hurt, he's a normal person and not a passive doll with no will of his own. There is also room for a much shorter, "not handsome" (Perth IS cute, though) top... how often do we see a super cutesy,  tall bottom plus a shorter top? Answer; Never before.

(I hate the mandatory BL division into set roles, decided by "strongest-male-rights". But here  it just comes naturally and without fuss nor any Alpha Male attitudes. I like that.) 

Pete and Ae's relationship is just about the loveliest teen BL one on screen. Equal, genuine and real. Crazy sweet, amazing chemistry and both are good actors. Perth, as Ae, is always brilliant. (Pete annoys me at times, but Saint is good. Compare his different roles and you'll see his versatility...)

The side couples represent three BL tropes... Enemies-to-lovers (as well as opposites attract), Step-brothers and the Sadistic Schemer vs. Airhead. The first story is funny (and that couple will get their own S2), the second story is so-so and the third is disturbing even though it's played off as comedic. 

This drama is also different because it's... positive.
We don't have the mandatory interference, tons of angst and drama, sexual identity crises or other standard BL stuff --but a happy feel, without it being unrealistic. Serious issues are handled, but not wallowed in. It's about love, not OBSTACLES to love. Super props for talk about lube, self-education, consideration for your partner and so on. Thank you.
And the attitude to sex is awesome. Not gratuitous smut, nor unrealistic innocence. Just normal human drive.

Add to that good and solid production and OST--and you have one of the most feel-good BLs out there.

Sequel season to "Love By Chance", this time focusing on the side couples, mainly on Tin and Can. 

What... 

Okay, just one episode so far, but BOY was I disappointed. And annoyed. And hid my face and went "Oh-my-gawd". That first crying scene... should have been cut by 3/4. Yeah, sure, Plan cries well. But that was just too long and too much. 

Problem #2; The part about Tin & Can's storyline rebooting. That has to be the most stupid idea EVER. Not only was it hard to understand--it took me quite a while to get it, but it was also much, much worse than the S1 storyline.
The fact that their story had gotten so far in S1--made for an extremely weird feel when we're suddenly expected to erase that from our memories and accept that it never happened. Not to mention that I think that the S1 story started out in a great manner, that really cemented the personalities of the guys and the gradual build of their relationship.

Problem #3; WHY THE HELL would you scratch Pete in THAT way? Why not just make him study in Guatemala, or Serbia, or Brunei--or something, than to break up one of the cutest couples in Thai BL history. Thus = yet more excessive bawling and mood swings that really don't suit Ae. And since Saint is not likely to appear in this season, except POSSIBLY for some small cameos--wanna bet that Ae gets a new BF? Which feels appalling.
And what's up with Pete's extremely odd email to Tin? Sounds like he's dying from Ebola somewhere, or is running from the mob...  -__-

Problem #4; All the new guys. I smell the ton of hook-ups from a mile away. And that is NOT a good thing--to make everyone gay. It makes everything less believable, it steals room from the main couples and just makes the side couples shallow. And I am pissed that the ONLY GF was scratched. Wanna bet that Pond gets a BF? Is it really THAT awful to have some GFs in BL? Sigh. 

Short.

Not as good as the first one... ("Love's Coming".) 

Plus--it feels strange to suddenly have Mild replaced by Gun in the main role, but Gun is a good actor so it turns out okay. 

Upcoming 2020.