My BL shows (with notes)

Rivals who ignite the passion of dance in one another are in different competitions because of their styles of dance. But they have a chance to compete in 10Dance if they can lower their guard and teach the other their expertise. Once they do, the tension and energy explodes in quarrels and kisses. 

Cliffhanger ending was unexpected.

The show is super popular and funny. The MLs are our high-five bros.

Satisfying ending. I was glued to the screen and paying attention to everything, all the dialog and details very carefully. It's just that kind of show, because if you blink, you might miss a crucial clue.
IMO, the NC scenes were gratuitous and didn't add to the plot. They could have shown less skin and it wouldn't have changed the plot.

HR nightmare of CEO dating his intern? As much as Cher and Gun tried to keep their romance secret, everyone seemed to know anyway.

A quick watch. Lots of flashbacks to clue us in to their backstory. Satisfying HEA.

This was a cute watch. Hard not to like Tay and New.

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder."

Another bully to friends to something more, and it was well done. The leads are idols in the same band IRL, so they already have chemistry from that. As acting newbies, I thought they did really well. Ignore the low rating - people were disappointed that they didn't see a "real" kiss.
TW: One of the MLs has childhood trauma.

Slow burn romance set in a tiny mountain village. Undeniable chemistry between the leads.

Currently on hold

Sweet, youth romance, where we have two main couples. They find a sense of belonging in one another. One ML is in a band and the OST is fantastic.

Cut short due to censorship; has become a cult classic.

I watched this reframing it in my mind, meaning not really considering it an adaptation of Are You Addicted? by CJD. Taking it at face value, it was entertaining enough.

 Censored Adaptation Of Same-sex Original Work 

Cut short due to censorship. BTS found on YouTube are plentiful and entertaining, showing this was far from bromance.

Currently watching

Cute and fluffy with married couple Porsch Apiwat Apiwatsayree and Arm Sappanyoo Panatkool playing Ai's parents.

Sequel to Ai Long Nhai 

IMO, it took too long  get revealed but watch ep 7 before you decide you're done with the show. It's a key episode. Their NC scenes are surprisingly hot.

It must be difficult to be in the same profession, the balancing act to both be competitors and each other's support. We see the leads slowly develop their relationship, and they finally show some stability.

A very short special featuring Net and James.

MLs' families have been enemies even before they were born, and they are next-door neighbors. Rivals-to-lovers trope that's well done. Episode 5 rooftop scene was epic.

Pat and Elyes have chemistry but Elyes is a player, and Pat knows that's not who he wants. Whenever Pat says to Elyes (and to himself) that he has dignity and walks away, Elyes just reels him back in by giving him all his attention and reminds Pat how sex between them is hot.  Even Pat's friends sell him out to Elyes. Ugh! But there's a HEA. So, if you're OK with the mess in between, go for it.

I didn't feel like this added anything to the original series. 

Cute story between former gymnast Ji Won and college basketball player Jeong U. College setting.

Far from perfect but I really enjoyed this one with First playing the more serious/reserved character. Ja was the fun, immature college student which he played perfectly.

Pisaeng = green flag boyfriend

Interesting premise. I wish it were longer to develop each of the 3 couples' relationships more. Supposedly, there might be a sequel, Because of You Season 2. 

Leads had excellent chemistry.  One of the few BL series that mentions counseling and medication for treating depression. I was pretty impressed.
TW: Childhood abuse, sexual harassment

This was a spin-off of Until We Meet Again and is Win and Team's story. There's undeniable attraction between them but they are in this uncertain stage in their relationship for a long time because of how it all started.
TW: Childhood trauma

Despite the poor reviews, this was watchable once I realize that I should ignore the mafia-esque show poster because the mafia doesn't show up. Instead, it's a college RomCom with rich, bisexual playboys who fall for each other after a drugged night of passion - the result of one scheming against the other but his bumbling assistants screwed up. Sedative, is that the same as aphrodisiac? 

Pros: discussion of same-sex marriage, GL representation, supportive mothers, Lead actors had chemistry and can act.
Cons: DubCon, poor ending considering S2 never materialized

I'm not sure what the exact appeal was, whether it was their acting, the toxic thereby forbidden love, the cinematography of this period piece - well, whatever it was, it worked for me. Maybe I was always looking for each of the characters' motivations. Lu Xiao Fan seems simple to read; he just wanted to belong somewhere. Even within his original family, he was overlooked. Bei Lu Qing seemed more complex, and I kept watching for his tells. I wanted to be reassured that he truly cared for Xiao Fan. I definitely experienced a range of emotions watching this show.

Currently on hold

Im Parang, an Olympics medalist in diving changes sports to swimming but is not interested in his record or competing. He just likes being in the water. He meets a swimming record-holder who has suddenly developed aquaphobia, so Parang tries to help him get over his fear.
TW: Suicide, suicide ideation

Fluffy story

Currently watching

So, Jung Ki Sub generally goes with the flow and says yes to anyone who asks him out, asks for his number. But, it seems like for the first time, there's something he himself wants - he want to go out with Jin Woo, but he wants Jin Woo to ask him out because he knows Jin Woo likes him. But Jin Woo is so resistant to this whole idea because he thinks of Ki Sub as a player. Oh, what a chaotic mess.

Cute story, absolute fan service for OnlyOneOf fans.

Currently on-hold

A story of second chances. Jin Hwan appears where Min Joon works 8 years after they last saw each other. The latter disappeared from Jin Hwan's life completely just when he thought things were going well. Min Joon was determined not to let Jin Hwan affect him, but realized that he still could, even after 8 years.  Min Joon repeatedly tells Jin Hwan they're incompatible and to just let him go. TW: Ghosting

Starts historical then switches to modern as the 100-year mark draws to a close. It becomes more urgent for San to find the reincarnation of Wat. Sensei Tao has made various calculations that lead to Vee, but San is far from accepting that outcome.

Despite the poor reviews, I found this watchable. The relationship misunderstanding could have been resolved in fewer episodes, but it's not as horrible as people make it out to be. I thjink it's a matter of expectation. If you go by the episode 0 (Special Episode) and think you'll get NC scenes throughout, then you'll be disappointed.

Prequel to Check Out 

MLs live in the same home but rarely hang out. High school to college romance. TW: High school bullying

A wonderful adaptation of the Japanese 30-sai made Dotei Da to Mahotsukai ni Nareru rashii but they made it truly Thai. The leads, who always have amazing chemistry, did not disappoint. I have a very slight preference for the Thai version.  

also known as Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! 

Sequel to 30-sai made Dotei Da to Mahotsukai ni Nareru rashii 

RomCom, Fantasy

Not yet started

A cute series where an actor has a crush on his neighbor before even meeting him. It's quite endearing and I found it an easy and enjoyable watch. Nice NC scenes.

Currently on-hold

From comments I've read, this has been toned down from the manga which had SA. Since I didn't read the manga, I got a fluffy version instead, which I enjoyed. 

Currently on-hold

Rural Thailand setting where siblings Win and Lin swap bodies after a car accident. A monk tells Win that he needs to collect holy water from 4 temples in order to switch bodies back with his sister who remains unconscious. And he needs to be accompanied by his former childhood friend Korn, with whom he had a falling out over an inheritance.

Arranged marriage trope where the MLs have been engaged since childhood. One of them went abroad for school and when he returned, their relationship was more distant. As the younger one is completing his university degree, they get to know each other again but it seems awkward, esp. since the younger one is hiding many facets of himself.  The leads have amazing chemistry.
The second couple have a weird relationship that's not properly explained, but we get their back story in the spin-off Naughty Babe. 

Sequel to Cutie Pie 

High school setting, bullying, social class differences. Not much "danger" in their romance. As much as their interactions seem natural, their kissing scenes were awkward.

Currently on hold

More of an action and a mystery drama, the killer is always 1-2 steps ahead of Captain Jade and Sarawat Kamin. This show is definitely not for the faint of heart as the deaths are gruesome. Throughout it all, Jade and Kamin find comfort, encouragement and a home in each other.

Watch the Prequel Kiss Me Again: Pete-Kao to gain a better understanding of how their relationship started.

Currently watching

Never a boring moment. I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this show. It was filmed in a way that made me feel completely immersed in their scenes. I found myself questioning myself a few times whether I was in the drama, or in the drama within the drama. How surreal is that?! I do tend to give leeway to rookie actors, but in this case, it was unnecessary. Ollie and Shu Yuan were fantastic!!

NC scenes were nicely done. Night club setting.

What happens when the heads of rivals dorms fall for each other? How long can they keep it a secret from their friends? Great chemistry between the leads and episode 10's NC scene was hot. (Note that this didn't have an international release so the MDL rating is unusually low for such a good show, probably because it was impossible to find good subtitles).

One of those "please refund my time."

Currently on hold

Vertically-filmed, but decent quality. I thought the leads had great chemistry.

What a fun watch. As long as you don't find Duang cringy, you'll enjoy this. There were some serious moments which only brought the leads closer. I wasn't sure what to expect, but ended up loving this series.

This was further developed and resulted in Love Mechanics.
TW: Infidelity

Mystery, Romance, Drama, Supernatural. Emotional.

Currently watching

A sports-themed short series that was fun to watch.

A story of fulfilling your dreams, losing them then having a second chance. This was a delightfully endearing show, where a fan meets his hero and is disappointed. They slowly learn to lean on each other to achieve their goals.

Phuwin was so young in this one. I love the "magic" of the Kitty Gang in their makeover transformation of Pi.

Currently watching

This could have been better. It had an interesting premise, but went downhill once we found out what happened to Blue.

A 20+ yo virgin comes to Taipei to meet an online friend only to be disappointed that they have differing opinions on when to have sex. Tian is a big believer in having sex with the person he loves. At the bar where Tian's friend Yu works, Bai Tieh Nan catches his eye, but everyone warns him off the playboy. 

This wasn't the ideal format for me. I think interweaving the couples' stories would've been more interesting. Johan and North's relationship was quirky but fun, and their back story was something else. Johan may have a player reputation, but he's always pined for North.

Interesting premise with good NC scenes. Not that scary.

TW: High school trauma.

The MLs were stepbrothers for a very brief time. As adults, they are still hounded by their past which continues to encroach into their present. 

Body transformation, supernatural.

Currently on hold