Link to part 1
With consideration to various factors such as having at least 3 BL/gay works, artistic skill, consistency in quality, and BL cultural impact, here’s my continuation of the Top 20 BL Directors:
#10 New Siwaj, Thai
Arguably, the most prolific director in the industry. Since his directorial debut in 2016 with Make It Right, New Siwaj has directed an average of 3 BL titles every year. The iconic, Until We Meet Again is known as the quintessential New drama. Exploring romance and trauma at a tension-building pace through atmospheric cinematography and emotionally charged scenes that pull no punches on the audience.
New’s artistic output has been described as “hit or miss” over the years, and even so, his staying power is a testament to his adaptability and his dedication to the craft. Not many directors have a bona fide hit at every phase of BL’s evolution.
Notable works: Make It Right (2016), Until We Meet Again (2019), My Only 12% (2022), Perfect 10 Liners (2024)
#9 Nuchy Anucha, Thai
With humble beginnings in the film festival circuit, Nuchy Anucha burst onto the mainstream BL scene with her universally acclaimed drama, Not Me. Her roots in indie avant-garde enable her to masterfully blend arthouse and experimental imagery with nuanced themes of romance, politics, identity, and philosophy.
Nuchy has the ability to interrogate society at large and deliver an immersive drama experience, holding a mirror to the audience while entertaining them. It’s a unique talent in BL that makes her one to watch for future projects.
Notable works: The Blue Hour (2015), Malila: The Farewell Flower (2017), Not Me (2021), Burnout Syndrome (2025)
#8 Liu Kuang Hui, Taiwanese
When Liu Kuang Hui began drafting a screenplay based on his first love, he didn’t expect it to become Taiwan’s highest-grossing film of 2020; Your Name Engraved Herein, an epic romance that brilliantly explores the complexities of homosexuality and religion in 1980’s Taiwan. Its retro earthy tones, framing techniques, and emotive camerawork earned it a Taipei Golden Horse Film Award for Best Cinematography.
The On1y One, also highly regarded among fans, would be Liu’s first venture into contemporary BL. This successfully showcased his versatility as a director, delivering both thought-provoking art and feel-good entertainment.
Notable works: Your Name Engraved Herein (2020), Best Sisters Forever (2021), The On1y One (2024)
#7 Ma-Deaw Chookiat, Thai
What do you call “catfishing” a systematically homophobic institution into granting your gay coming-of-age film mainstream access? Risky? Genius? Iconic? For Ma-Daew Chookiat, all of the above. After wrapping production on his now legendary Love of Siam in 2006, he knew cinema gatekeepers would banish it to obscurity for its queer themes. So, he intentionally left it out of the film’s promotional campaign.
The risky maneuver paid off: the film was met with critical acclaim and became an unlikely box-office hit. It swept six categories at Thailand’s most prestigious film award ceremony, including Best Cinematography. His emotional deep-dive into self-discovery, family turmoil, and grief resonated with audiences and cemented Love of Siam as a landmark in Thai cinema. Ultimately, becoming an inspiration to several artists on this list.
Notable works: Love of Siam (2006), Dew (2019), Manner of Death (2020), Triage (2022)
#6 Wo Worawit, Thai
“Lakorn” (ละคร) translates to “drama (series)” or “(stage) play”, but for drama enthusiasts, lakorn also refers to a particular style of Thai dramas. While most Thai BL parallel sitcoms and primetime dramas, lakorn stylistically parallels soap operas. The director who best bridges the gap between BL and lakorn is Wo Worawit.
While the “camp” performance and melodrama of his stories can be an acquired taste for international audiences, Worawit’s masterful worldbuilding through cultural/historical context, mythology, costumes, and fantastical set designs for dramas like To Sir, With Love is a rare feat in BL dramas. One that offers fans unique, immersive experiences they don’t encounter often.
Notable works: To Sir, With Love (2022), Laws of Attraction (2023), Century of Love (2024), Spare Me Your Mercy (2024)
#5 JP Habac, Filipino
In 2020, the massive hit 2gether brought more viewership to Asian BL than ever, yet the realities of gay romance in Asia were underrepresented as ever. After the first episode of Like in the Movies, the audience is left with a mission statement: “We will take back our story.” And by the end of the series, it manages to do just that.
JP Habac isn’t simply a director, but a curator of holistic experiences. The script and cinematography, the symbolic easter eggs, the soundtrack, the end credits; every step of his production is handled with narrational intention and artistic care. Through this care, he’s able to use BL as a vessel of enlightenment and an inspiration to the LGBTQ+ community.
Notable works: Like in the Movies (2020), Meet Me Outside (2020), Marahuyo Project (2024)
#4 Ray Jiang, Taiwanese
On a list of the most impactful Taiwanese BLs this decade, no one would have more entries than Ray Jiang. With a strong focus on character-driven narratives that showcase emotional development and visual aesthetics that play on romantic realism, Jiang’s stories have thoroughly and repeatedly resonated with the BL audience.
We Best Love: No. 1 For You, critically acclaimed both domestically and internationally, is praised for being entertaining without being too tropey and for its gradual, authentic development of romance. While Taiwanese BL’s overall favorability has dropped among fans in recent years, Jiang remains a shining beacon of hope that Taiwan can return to its former glory.
Notable works: We Best Love: No. 1 For You (2021), We Best Love: Fighting Mr. 2nd (2021), Unknown (2024), Wishing upon the Shooting Stars (2026)
#3 Boss Kuno, Thai
With the release of I Told Sunset about You, the BL fandom experienced a cultural reset unlike any before. Of course, BL dramas had their share of deep and affecting stories, but a true cinematic “tour de force”? It wasn’t even conceivable to the average viewer of the genre. But alas, a new bar was set, and fans collectively shifted their expectations. Some even reassessed the ratings they had given to prior titles. Boss Kuno is the director responsible for that reset.
What he contributes to BL isn’t just dramas; it’s artistic cinema. Poetic visual style, sincere depictions, and study of character; his work has emotional resonance few can achieve as consistently. Ranking on artistry alone, Boss might’ve topped this list, but his smaller output of work doesn’t quite match the overall impact of the top 2 entries.
Notable works: I Told Sunset about You (2020), The Paradise of Thorns (2024), Gelboys (2025)
#2 Hwang Da Seul, South Korean
Affectionately referred to as “Queen of BL” by fans, Hwang Da Seul’s sole impact on the South Korean BL industry is unrivaled by that of her contemporaries. From the moment she put K-BL on the map with Where Your Eyes Linger, she has been a creative force to be reckoned with. Her work only seems to get better with each subsequent release. Arguably, the most quality-consistent artist on this list.
The 2-part Two My Star series, now the centerpiece of her filmography, is revered for its naturalistic settings and camerawork, introspective subject matter, and realistic romantic development. Hwang is known for opting out of the fan-service-driven side of the genre, curating BLs with emotionally complex characters and relationships that leave a lasting impression on the audience.
Notable works: Where Your Eyes Linger (2020), To My Star (2021), Blueming (2022), Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo (2024)
#1 Aof Noppharnach, Thai
In terms of artistic proficiency, consistency in quality, and impact on the genre and fans, Aof Noppharnach is the definitive top director in BL. Whether it’s inspiring industry trends like the rise of rural/countryside BL after the success of A Tale of Thousand Stars, or cultivating unforgettable monoculture moments like the inescapable frenzy of Bad Buddy, Aof projects are BL events that move the needle.
His ability to write characters’ experiences so compellingly, bring out the best in actors, his mastery of mood and atmosphere, and his knack for surfacing tension and emotion through editing/cinematography are all marks of an exceptional drama maker. BL actors work with many directors during their prime, but when they work with Aof, they leave with their magnum opus.
Notable works: He’s Coming to Me (2019), A Tale of Thousand Stars (2021), Bad Buddy (2021), Moonlight Chicken (2023), Last Twilight (2023)
Author: Blue
BL drama enthusiast. Habitual consumer of web articles, podcasts, and video essays.
