@Dora: Our high overlap continues to startle me. It's spooky: Literally everything in your post - 100% - could've been written by me. I know and like (or in many cases love) all 20 titles:
Japanese BLsdora:
All ten titles, check - especially "Takara-kun to Amagi-kun" and "Takara's Treasure", two of my all-time fave JBLWCPs.* I've re-watched both of these more times than I can count.
Korean shows
All three, check - especially "Boys Be Brave".
Several Thai shows I really enjoyed which are considered not very good include:
All seven, check - I'm willing to overlook a lot for my favourite cuties! In most cases I already knew the actors (@Tutor & Yim: I love you guys!), but in the case of "I Will Knock You" I knew none of the cast - and gosh, it was such an unexpected delight. I loved it! (I should do a re-watch.)
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I haven't looked up each individual MDL rating, but I would just add that I consider an average MDL rating in the 7.5 to 7.9 range to be reasonably decent, so I'm not sure I can say "underrated". In any case, I think I have all of these at 9 or 10 stars.
* = "Japanese BLs with Cutie-Patooties"
I think maybe many people dislike tragic ending stories with painful and difficult emotions. At least that's my thought as to why people tend to look at it this way.Jadeheart:
Yes, you're right: I think BL watchers typically want HEAs, and I get the feeling that they sometimes give punishment ratings when they don't get them.
What is a series that you LOVE, but others have said that it's overrated or that it's bad?Gabster:
I'm not sure about the "LOVE" part, maybe "really like", but a series with a low score of 6.8 and I rated a 9 is Oh! My Assistant. I thought it was really funny at the time, but not sure how I might rate it present day.
For me a low score is below a 7.5.
A few others I really enjoyed with a lower rating are:
Anti Reset - 7.2 Warm & touching moments with a "robot" lead, lol.
The Tasty Florida - 7.3 Fluffy & light with a cast of cuties.
VIP Only - 7.3 Slow but I really enjoyed the romance unfold.
Wedding Plan 7.5 (borderline low score) - Funny, cute and a heartfelt scene that won me over. Plus a great GL couple.
Adding my vote for Secret Crush on You!
PS... Home Sweet Home!! On the flight back I searched the complete movie listings for a BL but none to be found. Instead I watched a straight J-drama which is ironic since I don't care for J-dramas. I like American movies even less so most Asian productions look pretty good in comparison. 😆
Oh! My Assistant.Indie Art Girl:
Agree - although it's nothing brilliant, it's a solid, well-focused KBL. I can only guess that the inexplicably low rating is due to the lack of kissing and such (?).
Anti Reset - 7.2 Warm & touching moments with a "robot" lead, lol.
The Tasty Florida - 7.3 Fluffy & light with a cast of cuties.
VIP Only - 7.3 Slow but I really enjoyed the romance unfold.
Wedding Plan 7.5 (borderline low score) - Funny, cute and a heartfelt scene that won me over. Plus a great GL couple.
Also agree on these four, especially "Wedding Plan" (which is oddly sweet, fluffy and non-toxic for a MAME story - but therefore we get the cameos by Fort, Peat, Boss & Noeul). As to "Anti Reset", I find it hard to invest in the robot concept, but it was well done for what it was.
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Does anyone else get the feeling that average MDL ratings (at least for high-profile BLs) have drifted upward in the past few years? It used to be that 7.5 to 7.9 was a decent rating, and I don't remember anything ever getting above an 8.5. Nowadays, the "decent" range seems to be 8+, with popular series even in the range of 8.7 to 8.9. If I'm right about this, it makes it harder to compare current with legacy titles.
RXinw:
Yesterday - episode 8
I think I am a bit lost after watching this episode, as it relates to plot development and realism of the story within the context of the conflicts being portrayed.
Can someone who is watching, if you do not mind, give me their take on the series thus far?
I’m going to sleep soon but will give it a shot tomorrow.
Does anyone else get the feeling that average MDL ratings (at least for high-profile BLs) have drifted upward in the past few years? It used to be that 7.5 to 7.9 was a decent rating, and I don't remember anything ever getting above an 8.5. Nowadays, the "decent" range seems to be 8+, with popular series even in the range of 8.7 to 8.9. If I'm right about this, it makes it harder to compare current with legacy titles.p43425:
I totally agree. Back then those kinds of ratings felt impossible for BLs to reach compared to hetero dramas. An 8 for a hetero drama would usually be closer to a 7.5 for a BL.
That's why it's hard to compare newer BLs with ones from 8 or 10 years ago as the rating standards weren't the same.
Tiffany:
I have a question for iQIYI users.
If you have a standard subscription, is it possible to download dramas on a computer (not mobile) and watch them offline with subtitles?
Or is the download option only available on the mobile app?
I'm thinking about getting a subscription but I'm less interested if I can't download the episodes on my laptop.
Supposedly yes, but I've only used it on my Android phone, not my Windows PCs.
On Windows, I just watch iQiyi from the website. There is, however, also a "computer app" (both Windows and macOS) which (according to iQiyi) supports downloading and offline viewing. I've not actually used it because I don't have any need for it and because I don't like installing unnecessary apps, not least for security reasons.
On the Android app it works great, so I would assume the same for the other iQiyi apps.
If you install it, I would personally only do it via the Microsoft store (or Apple or Google stores) because there's presumably a higher level of security control.
has anyone watched Kateikyoshi No Kishi Knight Desu: I’m Private Tutor?jazme:
I have, but the exaggerated over-the-top manga-style comedy isn't my thing - i.e. I'm not the target audience. To be honest, I only watched it for the two lead actors who I know from other BLs, especially Tanaka Koki who was just adorable in "Sugar Dog Life".
As of the final ep. 10 it's not much of a BL (i.e. the protagonists don't get together), but I guess there's still a special episode to come? ETA: It seems there are actually two special eps.
P.S. Although I'm not a manga person, I love JBLs far more often than not. They usually have original stories, are tightly focused on the protagonists and their relationship/feelings, and have a totally different vibe from other BLs, especially Thai BLs.
If you install it, I would personally only do it via the Microsoft store (or Apple or Google stores) because there's presumably a higher level of security control.
Thank you I think I'm going to get the standard subscription.
Edit : I got the standard monthly one to test it and I can't download episodes on the computer app but I will try for a month on my phone and see if I renew it.
I have, but the exaggerated over-the-top manga-style comedy isn't my thing - i.e. I'm not the target audience.
some of the exaggerated ones are really and some really have me laughing, i guess i'm weird that way =D
P.S. Although I'm not a manga person, I love JBLs far more often than not. They usually have original stories, are tightly focused on the protagonists and their relationship/feelings, and have a totally different vibe from other BLs, especially Thai BLs.
we have the same take on this =D
