Bai Li Tiao Yi (2020)

Censored BL with a naughty title

This could have been something more interesting, but it clearly has been censored or self-censored until there is barely a story.

I won't go as far as to say that the BL has been transformed into bromance. In fact, romantic feelings are quite strongly hinted. However, it is quite inconsistently done. In one episode, Nan Bo Wan acts like he has been "bent", but after that acts like his usual self again. In the last episode, the romantic feelings are hinted at again. The randomness is particularly jarring in the last few episodes.

Ultimately, this is a someone insipid BL that can perhaps be forgiven because we know the censorship situation in China. The title (Bai Li Tiao Yi) is perhaps the most BLish thing about the whole series. It refers to the names main characters, Bai Li Qian Chuan and Nan Bo Wan (which sounds like Number 1). You are certainly not imagining things if you suspect that the translated title has some sexual innuendo. The playful double entendre is also present in the Chinese title, which means Bai Li Selects 1 or Bai Li Selects (His) Top.

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