RXinw:
I have not watched Khemjira, so I am not speaking specifically to it in saying the following:
I honestly find it unfair that Shine has not gotten the spotlight as compared to other series with far less depth. However, I do think that because of its serious nature and depth of plot it is for a more mentally mature audience as well as there may be many people who watch BLs for an escape, and find more preference in the numerous light and less serious BLs, so those BLs get more hype.
Notwithstanding that, I find it downright criminal that award boards have not been more generous to Shine in comparison to other series that fall short by a long shot in comparison.
These are my two cents.
I don't think I'm being biased when I say Shine is far above all the other titles in the awards category in every way. I did have to take a break to continue watching, but it wasn't cuz it was lacking, but the opposite. The intensity of the acting, the subject matter, and just everything felt different than 95% of all the BLs I've watched over the years.
Khemjira wasn't a fluffy light watch, but it wasn't the quality of a drama like Shine. I don't mean to take away from Khemjira, or their hard work, but they're not on the same playing field.
Generally speaking, I think the supernatural/horror/thriller type of BLs get a lot of attention and praise just due to the nature of what they are and the popularity they have.
I don't think I'm being biased when I say Shine is far above all the other titles in the awards category in every way. I did have to take a break to continue watching, but it wasn't cuz it was lacking, but the opposite. The intensity of the acting, the subject matter, and just everything felt different than 95% of all the BLs I've watched over the years.Indie Art Girl:
Khemjira wasn't a fluffy light watch, but it wasn't the quality of a drama like Shine. I don't mean to take away from Khemjira, or their hard work, but they're not on the same playing field.
i agree with both of you, i think shine was in a league of its own in pretty much every metric
i'll be curious to see who ends up winning in each category
Coolstarss:
Am I late or👀
not at all! welcome to the club!! ^^
LueurArcane:With the third and final episode of "My Stepbrother* Is My Favourite Novelist" now posted to Youtube, I binge-watched it. It's lightweight fluff, but it was a cute watch - and short (not even 30 minutes). Not great, but there are worse ways to spend half an hour.p43425:
* Japanese expression in title can mean "stepbrother" or "brother-in-law". MDL has title as "brother-in-law", but from watching the series, it's actually stepbrother (as on Youtube).
Youtube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmz1FNoG1zYHVHiX7zTnjlixJi5YmDE4R
(English subtitles are bumpy but adequate)
Whoops, me bad: the fourth episode just posted, and the text says that there will be a fifth and final episode. I wish that the subtitles were better, but otherwise I really like this short series!
Aahh, I misunderstand: It seems that the fourth episode of "My Stepbrother Is My Favourite Novelist" was actually the final episode - which makes sense, as it felt like the HEA kiss. The fifth release is just a single contiguous file of all four episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTae5Pm1oNo&list=PLmz1FNoG1zYHVHiX7zTnjlixJi5YmDE4R&index=1
As I wrote above, it's cute fluff - and only 38 minutes. I liked it!
I have not watched Khemjira, so I am not speaking specifically to it in saying the following:
I honestly find it unfair that Shine has not gotten the spotlight as compared to other series with far less depth. However, I do think that because of its serious nature and depth of plot it is for a more mentally mature audience as well as there may be many people who watch BLs for an escape, and find more preference in the numerous light and less serious BLs, so those BLs get more hype.
Notwithstanding that, I find it downright criminal that award boards have not been more generous to Shine in comparison to other series that fall short by a long shot in comparison.
These are my two cents.
I totally agree with you, iota, and Art Girl. Shine deserves way more praise than it has recieved. It wasn’t my favorite show of the year because it was emotionally challenging, but I think it was by far the best quality BL of 2025.
Cat for Cash EP 3
Does the story pick up the pace in future eps? Cuz the main excitement seemed to be trying to get drugs into John Wick the cat. And seeing Great the vet, lol. I almost forgot about him. 😂
Anyways..think I'll be watching one ep per day or so. I don't feel the spark to binge it. Instead I feel restless and distracted. Maybe it's the calm before a storm?
No storm. But it picks up a little as it goes. I still thought it was slow, but also cute.
With the latest episode of "Duang", I've come to a momentous decision: I've decided to promote TeeTee and Otto to "dearly beloved" status, thereby joining the platinum tier* of my BL harem. Congratulations, @TeeTee and @Otto!
* My most dearly beloved Namping and my most extra dearly beloved Fluke Natouch have their own exclusive super-tiers.
