
segos:
I haven't been able to watch BL for a bit. Any standouts for the start of 2025?
To add my two cents to the titles already mentioned by others:
"ThamePo" would definitely be at the top of my personal list - possibly my favourite BL of the past year. "Perfect 10 Liners" (still airing) is a nice, easy watch with a great ensemble cast. These two are probably the two most universally popular of the past three months.
"Secret Relationships" is messy, toxic and angsty, which isn't my usual comfort zone, but I loved it because it was so well done. I understand your concerns, but I would still recommend it.
Like you, I felt myself getting a bit bored at times with "Heart Killers", despite my love of Dunk. I mostly liked it but not with the enthusiasm level of other viewers.
"Gelboys" (just finish airing) was way better than I was expecting, not only because of its originality, authenticity and unique style/vibe but also its depth of modern teen emotions and behaviour. (Warning: This series makes me feel really old!)
I've not yet watched the Thai "Ossan's Love".
Here are a few additional enthusiastic recommendations from the past three months:
"Our Youth" ("Miseinen: Mijukuna Oretachi wa Bukiyo ni Shinkochu") is superb, but it's now tainted for some viewers because one of the lead actors (Kamimura Kenshin) has become the subject of an ugly real-life scandal. Until the scandal, everyone was very enthusiastic about it - so if you (like me) are capable of separating the scandal from the show, I definitely recommend it.
"I'll Turn Back This Time" is a BL rather than Bromance, despite being from China. I thought it was really good, albeit tragic. The leads are the cute, popular side couple from "Meet You At The Blossom".
"FC Soldout" is a really cute, easy watch. Although it's not directly related to "Cityboy Log", it has some of the same actors.
"Fight For Love" (just finished airing) is a sweet 'n fluffy watch with Viet-cuties. Vietnam, so not listed on MDL. Youtube "RL Studio".
And finally, some conditional recommendations:
"When It Rains, It Pours" ("Futtara Doshaburi") is quite interesting and different, more about sexuality and dissatisfaction with the protagonists' existing relationships than the usual BL - but as a love story, I just didn't feel it (although maybe that's just me - it's highly rated, and most comments on it were positive).
"Heart Stain" is a decent KBL - not top-tier, but I enjoyed it. There was a potential student/teacher situation which was handled in an appropriate way.
"Impression of Youth" is likewise a moderately enjoyable watch, although not at the level of some other recent Taiwan BLs (e.g. the excellent "See Your Love", which I see you're currently watching). In this case, however, there is an actual student/teacher relationship complete with NC scenes. Also, the student is 18 but acts in a rather child-like way. I personally don't care about age difference, so long as it's legal, but I'm a bit uncomfortable with the student/teacher thing, even though the guy is just a temporary teaching assistant and thus not that much older (22?).
"Flirt Milk" (still airing) is a train wreck but a cute, endearing train wreck. I'm embarrassed to admit that I'm lovin' it.
Regarding "Boy Next World", I was, like many others, disappointed by the mess of a story, but watching Boss & Nouel is nevertheless a pleasure.