Best of BL Mini Reviews

Plot: Cursed Boy Falls for Hot Shaman

Vibes: Supernatural/horror

A good watch because: Acting, writing, directing, pacing, cinematography, soundtrack - everything is strong. Worth watching the documentary to gain some insight into the care they took with representing local spiritual and cultural practices.

Chemistry: 4/5

Spice: Very slow burn, eventual 4/5

Plot: A group of young men explore leftist politics and direct action... but one of them is impersonating his identical twin who is in a coma!

Vibes: Gritty realism

A good watch because: Despite the telenovela-ish twin set-up, this show feels otherwise very grounded in reality. It's more of a drama with queer characters than a BL. It's essentially trope free. The pacing is amazing - I was tapped in every minute. Acting, writing, directing, casting are all very strong. Gun, in particular,  is an incredible talent. 

Chemistry: 4/5

Spice: 2/5

Plot: Starving artist gets entangled with two rich men. 

Vibes: Arty, moody drama 

A good watch because:  This is a quiet, character driven, mature story about flawed, messy people who stay flawed and messy up until the very end. Don't go in expecting romance or revolution. Strong performances from all three leads. P'Nuchy expects attention from her audience and rewards you for it.  This show isn't for everyone, but the people it's for (me) will love it. A queer, subversive work of art.

Chemistry: 4/5

Spice: 3.5/5 - nothing too explicit simulated on screen, but there are some butts. 

Plot: Freelance photographer is pursued by a wealthy, ridiculous man 

Vibes: Comedy 

A good watch because: It's hard to consistently hit comedic timing so well- Pond is hilarious as Khun Thee and Phuwin is a perfect foil for his over the top ridiculousness. As the show goes on, their range as actors is apparent - the serious, emotional scenes carry real weight and hit hard. 

Chemistry: 4/5

Spice: 2/5

Plot: Former childhood friends reunite

Vibes: Arthouse Drama

A good watch because: The yearning. Oh God, the yearning. The cinematography is stunning. Has the feeling of the kind of independent film that wins at Sundance. Evoked the sense memory of being a teenager in all its raw, angsty intensity. I was really impressed with how they depicted internalized homophobia. 

Chemistry: 5/5

Spice: 1.5/5

Additional notes: This was so close to being utterly perfect, but I got too frustrated with the pacing and the relentless angst in the last 2 episodes.

Plot: Hot Mafia Boss Causes Bi-Awakening

Vibes: Spicy Action

A good watch because: Mile and Apo's acting, chemistry, and storyline are so good that they make me ignore/forget about anything I don't like about this show. Caveat: the VegasPete storyline was way too dark for me. Had to fast forward through most of it. 

Chemistry: 5/5

Spice: 4.5/5 - simulated sex in a few episodes, nudity with clever camera angles, it's clear exactly who is doing what to whom

Plot: Shy Former Gymnast Falls First, Popular Basketball Star Falls Harder

Vibes:  Sweet slice-of-life

A good watch because: Very well-made, very feel-good, very rewatchable. I'm really impressed by how they used cinematography and editing to illustrate attraction. The actors are great, too. This is one of the best on-screen depictions I've seen of that jittery feeling of a  new crush. 

Chemistry: 4/5

Spice: 3/5

Plot: Wealthy city boy gets a heart transplant and moves to a remote hill-tribe village in Northern Thailand

Vibes: Drama

A good watch because: Really well written and acted! This was a delight. While there is a love story woven throughout, this show is much more about cultural differences. I found the ensemble cast and the non-romance plotlines just as compelling as (and sometimes more compelling than) the love story. 

Chemistry: 4/5

Spice: 0.5/5 - A glacially slow burn. The slowest of all possible burns. 

Additional Notes: There are some very saccharine/schmaltzy moments in this show, which I usually hate but it really works here. Maybe it's the natural sweetness and believable chemistry that makes it work? 

Plot: It's 1963 and a closeted prince about to enter into an arranged marriage - but his fiance's cousin is a total smoke show.  

Vibes: Lakhorn 

A good watch because: In the category of "swoon-y period piece melodrama" this is top tier. The acting is strong (and naturalistic for a lakhorn) and the story is very compelling. 

Chemistry: 4/5

Spice: 3/5

Additional notes: This is a capital L Lakhorn, with all of the campy villains, backstabbing relatives, love triangles, and plot twists. 

Plot: Cool Guy Thaws Robot

Vibes:  Slice-of-life drama

A good watch because: Acting, writing, directing, pacing- everything is strong. Also a really lovely, kind depiction of an autistic-coded character. 

Chemistry: 4/5

Spice: 1/5 

Plot: Teengage Love Quadrangle 

Vibes: Angsty Indie Drama 

A good watch because: Acting and writing are really strong. It's real and raw and feels true to how messy and stupid teenagers are. It also feels like it was written by and for a queer audience. The visuals/cinematography is peak - aesthetics are 90s indie cult classic + Y2K indie sleeze. 

Chemistry: 5/5

Spice: 2.5/5

Additional notes: I almost couldn't make it through the first 2 episodes because the angst was so angsty, but I'm so glad I stuck with it.  

Plot: Sweet Freshman and Traumatized Senior go Surfing

Vibes: Somber realism

A good watch because: Beautifully written and acted. Especially good for viewers who like angst. 

Chemistry: 4/5

Spice: 3/5

Additional notes: I think this is one of the better series I've seen, but I doubt I will ever rewatch it. A majority of the show is about loss and heartbreak. 

Plot: Documentary Producer Falls for Boyband Leader

Vibes: Wholesome Drama

A good watch because: A solid "normie meets idol" romance. WilliamEst are media darlings for a reason. The rest of the LYKN members are also great in this. 

Chemistry: 4/5

Spice: 2/5

Additional notes: Do none of these boyband members have agents or lawyers? 

Plot: Overachiever gets hired as a tutor for underachiever and sparks fly immediately! 

Vibes: Wholesome Drama 

A good watch because: I don't particularly like high school series - especially cutesy ones - but this is a charming, fun watch. The writing is tight and straightforward and it's sweet without being saccharine. The cast is really talented, too! I appreciate that the parents are terrible not in cartoonish villain ways but in more self-involved/controlling ways. 

Chemistry: 4/5

Spice: 1/5

Plot: A closeted couple navigates their long term relationship 

Vibes: Drama 

A good watch because: I thought this show was excellent and I loved the dynamic between Pete and Kao. This is one of Aof Noppharnach's softer series, but it has a lot of the hallmarks of his storytelling, particularly at exploring the impact that class differences have on relationships and on the experience of navigating queer identity. 

Chemistry: 4/5

Spice: 2/5

Plot: Semi-Immortal Man's Dead Wife is Reincarnated as a Man

Vibes: Supernatural soap opera

A good watch because: Very fun to watch in a campy soap opera way. Lots of dramatic crying and screaming, great fight scenes, sexy dream sequences, ridiculous plot twists. A fun, silly time. 

Chemistry: 5/5

Spice: 3/5

Plot: Disgraced Former Cop Becomes Bodyguard for Heir to Fucked Up Hospital Empire 

Vibes: Action Lakhorn

A good watch because: DaouOffroad are fantastic in this. The pacing is fast and furious, with ridiculous messy lakhorn plot twist after ridiculous messy plot twist. This show had me STRESSED!

Chemistry: 5/5 

Spice: 3.5/5 Brief simulated sex in one episode

Additional notes: Offroad carried this show on his back. Also fun to see such a cinnamon roll of a person convincingly play a red flag.

Plot: College freshman gets a crush on the head hazer. 

Vibes: College drama

A good watch because: Arguably the show that started it all. Worth watching just for the historical importance of this series, but it also holds up surprisingly well. Pacing is excellent - very watchable/easy to binge. 

Chemistry: 3/5

Spice: 1/5

Plot: Arranged Marriage, Real Feelings... but one of them is leading a double life!

Vibes: Romcom

A good watch because: Cutie Pie is charming enough that it rises above some of the more technically well-rounded shows. I had to suspend disbelief about the ridiculousness of this plot, and then I was able to just enjoy the ride. NuNew is magnetic. 

Chemistry: 5/5 - Off screen chemistry doesn't always translate into on screen chemistry. ZeeNunew have both- you can't really tell the difference between BTS clips and the actual show.

Spice: 3/5 - intense extended make out scenes but fade to black before it gets explicit

Plot: Film Student Misunderstands Hot "Rival"

Vibes: Somber realism

A good watch because: Solid acting and story-telling. It's set in film school and it's clear that the creators of this show care about their craft.

Chemistry? 3/5

Spice: 1.5/5 - Some kissing, sex is kind of implied?

Plot: Grumpy/Sunshine Enemies to Lovers in a Convenience Store 

Vibes: Slice of life romcom

A good watch because: The first half is perfect - a lovely, well-written, well-acted slice-of-life story. The way Daou portrays the slow build of unexpected unrequited love in the first half of this series is flawless. You can feel the longing radiating off of him in such a subtle, tender way. 

Chemistry: 5/5

Spice: 2/5

Additional notes: The surprise genre shift towards the end of the series really threw me for a loop, though. 

Plot: Naive College Student Falls for Worldly Mechanic/Architect

Vibes: Campy romcom 

A good watch because: A silly, spicy, messy time was had by all 

Chemistry: 5/5 - BossNoeul have some of the best on screen chemistry of all time.

Spice: 4.25/5  - simulated sex in a few episodes, bonus points for chemistry

Additional notes: Would the start of Rain and Payu's relationship be toxic in real life? Yes. Am I able to suspend all of my beliefs about healthy relationships and enjoy the ride? Also yes. 

Loved the Rain/Payu storyline. The Sky/Prapai story was not for me. A lot of other reviewers love the Sky/Prapai story, but it made me uncomfortable from beginning to end. Honestly, I'm glad they divided the two stories into two halves of the show- makes it easy to just not watch the part I don't like. 

Plot: Friend-cest is Messy

Vibes: Queer as Folk Thailand (but much tamer- this is GMMTV, not Showtime).

A good watch because: This show is the closest representation of an actual 20-something queer friend group that I've ever seen in a BL. The messiness is fun and feels realistic. 

Chemistry: Mixed bag ensemble show. 

Spice: 4/5 at it's spiciest - some pairs only kiss, some fade to black pretty quick, some have brief simulated sex 

Additional notes: Jennie Pahan is so good as Yo! 

Plot: Rival college gang leaders end up on a temple pilgrimage together

Vibes: Romcom 

A good watch because: This is a little gem of a 4-episode story! They packed a surprising amount of comedy, drama, and romance into a tiny little package. A delightful bite sized snack. 

Chemistry: 4/5 

Spice: 2/5

Plot: College boys like each other but can't communicate

Vibes: Wholesome romance 

A good watch because: A pleasant, easy watch. The stakes are low, the plot is straightforward and not weighed down with any filler. The pacing is good and the performances are believable - the story moves along at a brisk pace. I found myself much more engaged and entertained than I expected. 

Chemistry: 4/5

Spice: 1/5

Plot: (non biological) cousins negotiate family politics and D/s power dynamics

Vibes: Melodrama 

A good watch because: Acting is strong, production values are high. The first 4 episodes are the closest thing to enthusiastic, consensual kink I've seen in an Asian BL. 

Chemistry: 5/5

Spice: 3/5 

Additional notes: This felt like a bait and switch - the second half was almost an entirely different show. They hooked me with the relationship and then took a U-turn into confusing, fucked up family drama and sad boy yearning. 

Plot: Salaryman Finds Love in Alternate Universe

Vibes: Moody Supernatural Office Drama 

A good watch because: this is a cute little bite-sized drama. With 6 20-minute episodes, you can easily binge this in one sitting. Nothing ground-breaking here, but it's a sweet story with strong performances. 

Chemistry: 3/5

Spice: 2/5

Plot: Self Insert Boy is Adopted by the Hot Guy Friend Group 

Vibes: Soft and sweet high school romance 

A good watch because: This is exactly as cute as everyone says it is. 

Chemistry: 3/5

Spice: 1/5

Plot: College Student Aggressively Seduces Clueless Childhood Bestie 

Vibes: Drama

A good watch because: The acting and writing are kind of campy and over the top, but in an enjoyable way.  A lot of dramatic running in the rain. 

Chemistry: 3/5 

Spice: 3/5 

Additional notes: Just a content warning that their first few encounters are a little coercive, bordering on dubcon. 

Plot: 30 Years of Virginity Made Him a Mind-Reader

Vibes: Campy romcom 

A good watch because: A fun premise with solid performances

Chemistry: 3/5

Spice: 2/5

Additional Notes: This was a fun romcom but I simply couldn't wrap my head around 2 adult men in their 30s falling in love, becoming boyfriends, and MOVING IN TOGETHER before having their first kiss. 

Plot: Bangkok fuckboy rescues amnesiac prince

Vibes: Drama 

A good watch because: The couples in this show are gay adults without shame or embarrassment about sex. The main couple gets together relatively early on and the majority of the drama is about exploring their relationship dynamics and personal growth. 

Chemistry: 3/5

Spice: 2/5

Additional notes: This is not a perfect show, but in spite of its shortcomings it really grew on me.  Winny and Satang are kind of awkward kissers. The whole Arantha storyline made very little sense. But I still found the show to be engaging and well-paced.

Plot: Office Intern Discovers He's a Bottom

Vibes: Spicy slice-of-life

A good watch because: This is a frothy, sexy, fun time. The Jun/Sorn storyline and the friend dynamics were fun, but the side couples were unwatchable.

Chemistry: 4/5 - They certainly don't seem to have many boundaries. Those NC scenes just keep on going way past the point you think they're going to fade to black. They do have chemistry, but it's really the audacity that keeps you paying attention.

Spice: 4.5/5  - simulated sex in every episode

Additional notes: Is there no one in this office over 30? How does Penny wear those skirts without flashing her whole ass to her coworkers every day?  Why are both side couples so simultaneously boring and annoying? 

Plot: N/A

Vibes: Soft core

A good watch because: This is soft corn porn. 

Chemistry: 4/5 - Even more chemistry and fewer boundaries than in the show itself.

Spice: 5/5 - lengthy simulated sex in every episode. more sex than plot

Plot: Engineering Majors Aggressively Miscommunicate 

Vibes: Drama

A good watch because: YinWar elevate this series above the mediocre source material. It's fun to watch Vee and Mark together, but the story is too packed with misunderstandings and improbable bad timings that get increasingly annoying with every episode. 

Chemistry: 4/5 

Spice: 2.5/5

Additional notes: War is painfully beautiful in this. 

Plot: Aspiring Model/Influencer Infiltrates Cooking Contest to Scam Hot, Mean Chef

Vibes: Romcom 

A good watch because: The plot is silly, the acting is decent. It's nice to see a lighthearted, low-stakes, adult-focused series. 

Chemistry: 4/5

Spice: 3.5/5

Additional Notes: What a surprise! Even though the parameters of the contest were for a trained chef, every single contestant is a 25 year old male model. 

Plot: Angst and unrequited love

Vibes: Drama

A good watch because: Offgun are always fun to watch. This is a solid college drama (with a lot of angst) about stupid boys who can't communicate with each other. Gun cries a lot, if that's something you're into. 

Chemistry: 4/5

Spice: 1/5

Additional Notes: This is a very slow burn. They extend the "will they won't they" and the continued lack of communication for too long, which  made it hard to get through the end, and I didn't find the ending satisfying considering all the angst they put us through. 

Plot: Host-Club Owner's Son Pursues #1 Host

Vibes: Drama

A good watch because: A mixed bag. Starts strong and peters out a little. I really appreciate that they introduce themes that you don't see in most BLs. The jealous partner realizes that his jealousy is the problem, not his boyfriend's behavior. There's a happy throuple. There is a smaller, poorer, more feminine MC but he is experienced, sexually assertive, and canonically vers. 

Chemistry: 4/5

Spice: 3.5/5? A very confusing mix of explicit groping and premature fade to black. 

Additional Notes: Be warned- the English subtitles are so bad! 

Plot: The school president is trying to destroy the music club... or is he?! 

Vibes: Wholesome teenage romcom 

A good watch because: if you're in the mood for a very wholesome, sweet, fluffy, gentle high school comedy, this is for you.

Chemistry: 3/5

Spice: 1/5

Additional notes: This made it on the list because it's a 10/10 for so many people. That being said, this series was a little too cutesy and saccharine for my taste. 

Plot: Friends with benefits turns serious 

Vibes: Drama

A good watch because: NetJames have great chemistry and the workplace friend dynamic is cute. 

Chemistry: 5/5

Spice: 3/5

Additional notes: This show is less sexy and more serious than the title suggests, so know what you're getting into. While there's some sexiness at the beginning and end, the story also deals with child abuse, sexual assault, and workplace harassment. 

Plot: Wedding planner falls for someone else's groom-to-be

Vibes: Romcom 

A good watch because: Although this series does deal with homophobia and the weight of parental expectations, in the end it's a fun, short little comedy. Honestly I think this show should get more hype. If you like romcoms, this is a good watch. 

Chemistry: 3/5 

Spice: 3/5

Additional notes: A MAME story without any blackmail, kidnapping, or SA?! Who knew it was even possible?! Another bonus is a  queer co-worker friend group that is cute and funny without being ridiculous caricatures. 

Currently Watching

Plot: University student gets his crush's ex to help him woo her. He falls for the ex instead. 

Vibes: Drama 

A good watch because: This is a sweet, incredibly low-stakes romance. The major "conflicts" arise from things like arguing over a lunch order and looking for a friend's lost wallet, although things get (a little) heavier with some family drama towards the end. This is a lovely little comfort watch. Not groundbreaking, but thoroughly pleasant. Despite its general lightness, it also deals realistically with some gay dating topics like having a lowkey freak-out after kissing a boy for the first time and a side couple that stays closeted because one of them is on a homophobic soccer team. 

Chemistry: 4/5

Spice: 2/5

Plot: Sad man discovers a time machine and relives his college days (but gay this time around)

Vibes: Supernatural drama

A good watch because: vibes are comfort watch while still dealing head on with the topic of internalized homophobia. 

Chemistry: 4/5

Spice: 2/5

Additional notes: Unfortunately, this show had an egregious case of my least favorite BL trope, the reluctant bottom. 

Plot: Campus golden boy falls for his obsessive stalker 

Vibes: Cringe Comedy 

A good watch because:  if you're in the mood for a high cringe, high camp, high-ish heat slapstick comedy with a dominant, respectful top and a shy, horny bottom - man, do I have a show for you! This show is utterly ridiculous and a surprisingly fun time for how painfully (intentionally) cringe it is. A lot of BLs feel like stories about boys who just happen to like boys. SCOY, on the other hand, is deliciously gay, gay, gay. 

Chemistry: 4/5

Spice: 3/5

Plot: Toxic Men Trick Each Other

Vibes: Campy drama

A good watch because: I binged this so fast. Could not stop watching it. That being said, I know I'm in the minority here but I find the acting, directing, and writing all seriously flawed and almost felt like I was watching it against my own will. 

Chemistry: 2/5 - Wu Suowei is so resistant for so long it takes away from their chemistry IMO.

Spice: 3/5

Additional Notes: There is way too much casual dismissal of SA in this series for my taste.

Plot: Man Unknowingly Moves in with Four Vampires

Vibes: Supernatural slice-of-life 

A good watch because: The episodes are so short there's no possibility of getting bored, at least. It fell a little flat for me, but I did stick around until the end. 

Chemistry: 2/5

Spice: 1/5

Additional notes: I had such high hopes for this. It could have and should have been a hot throuple vampire show and instead was a very tame, mild love triangle with a few PG kisses and some characters who happened to be vampires but not in any meaningful way.

Currently Watching

Plot: Golden Retriever College Student Pursues Black Cat Music Major

Vibes: Romcom 

A good watch because: I am surprised by how much I love this show. I normally don't like characters who are overly childlike or cutesy... but I love this show and I love Duang. This show is so silly and so fun. 

Chemistry: 5/5

Spice: This is a DMD show so it's likely we'll get to 4/5 before too long

Currently Watching

Plot: Two scammers fall in love with their targets

Vibes: Romcom 

A good watch because: This is an excellent show. Both couples are equally engaging and get equal screentime. It is a very funny comedy that manages to engage with things like marriage equality, navigating difficult familial relationships, and wealth disparity without either losing its lighthearted tone or feeling too dismissive of these serious topics. This series also feels like a major step for New Siwaj in terms of directing a mature story and a more mature style of directing than I've come to expect from him. 

Chemistry: 4/5

Spice: 2.5/5