Shows I completed recently:
Dear Doctor, I’m Coming for Soul (2022)
I had heard good things about this one so I decided to watch it because I needed another medical drama for the BL Challenge (I’m doing all the prompts.) This is a doctor/grim reaper romance. The show mostly takes place in the hospital, so there are a lot of typical elements of a medical drama, like pressure to save people and frustrations over not being able to save everyone. There is quite a bit of backstory to both main characters, which I thought really worked well. The show did make me cry quite a few times, but medical dramas are especially poignant for me right now. There is also a second BL couple and a third straight couple (like a lot of older BLs.) i thought all the characters were interesting, especially the MLs, who had done another BL together before. Their comfort with each other comes through on screen, and for an older show, there was still adequate kissing and implied intimacy. The ending of course has only so many options, but I found it satisfying. Overall I really enjoyed this. I gave it an 8.5.
My Summer of You (2026)
I am slowly making my way through Gaga’s catalog of JBLs. I think this one was probably better for me as a binge watch, since I didn’t have to wait as long for things to happen. I have mentioned this before, but I think JBLs mastery is in turning everyday life and love into something poignant. This was no exception. I thought the emotional development was slow but lovely. The characters’ emotions rang true to their age and life experience, and I enjoyed the passion the characters had for movies. The story was good enough to make up for the dead fish kisses, and I was satisfied with the ending. I would totally watch this again. I gave it an 8.5.
Rearrange (2025)
I watched this because I needed a cover poster with instruments. The story is your typical time travel-do over story, where the main character goes back in time to try to fix all the things that went wrong in his past. The plot revolves around the characters forming a band in high school and entering a contest. There are various problems that the main character must fix, including being more honest about his feelings. The character development and interaction is not bad, but it felt too slow to me. A lot of time is spent on the band activities, without really contributing anything emotionally, except regarding their families. I wanted more from the romantic relationships and less worry about the other plot elements. Everything ends happily but I just found myself bored or distracted for a lot of it. It just didn’t engage me enough. The original songs were good, though. I gave it a 7.5.
Spaceless (2024)
This 19 minute movie stars Jes and Bible as a BL acting pair who are close friends. Bible is in love with Jes but Jes wants to get married and have kids. That’s what happens and then Bible dies young from a heart condition. I generally avoid shows with tragic endings, but the acting was top notch and the film packed a lot of emotion into just a few scenes. This was definitely worth my time, despite my objections. I gave it an 8.5. It packed a big punch for what it was, but still not developed enough of a story for me to give a higher rating.
Just Friends? (2009)
This short Korean film felt really dated to me. It is about being a gay army couple and being closeted to their families. It addresses serious issues but with a light, comedic tone. I liked the fact that the couple was not ashamed of being gay, only of how their families might react. They were joyful about their relationship. The story was unevenly paced, though, and the ending felt a little upbrupt to me. At only 29 minutes I didn’t mind watching this, but I can’t say I really liked it either. I gave it a 7.0.