My BL shows (with notes)

A mini-series with EarthMix.

An enjoyable vignette which managed to make me laugh, tear up, elicit angst and longing in 3 short episodes. A slight change in the final scene would have garnered it another star in my book.

TW: One ML has prior trauma from his idol trainee days

Best friends start fake dating to help one of them get rid of his crush on his teacher.

Heesu has had an unrequited love for his best friend, Chan Yeong, for many years, but he is friend zoned. Eventually, he needs to accept this. In the meantime, a mysterious admirer has been leaving him gifts on his desk.

Nothing new with the plot, but I'm a fan of the leads who always have great chemistry. College setting.

A dramatic movie with a child custody battle. Engaging and heartwarming. A hidden gem.
You don't need the watch the prequel His - Koisuru Tsumori Nante Nakatta to enjoy this movie. 

A summer romance that's incredibly sweet. Prequel to the movie His.

I fall for Mafia stories. I thoroughly enjoyed my binge-watch. We deserve a Season 2

Childhood best friends navigate their new feelings for each other.

Probably one of the biggest surprises of the year for me. Great production and the leads' chemistry, from lingering touches and looks, are on point. You'll want to watch it just for the olive oil.

A Season 2 was hinted at but nothing more has been mentioned.

I've heard that this adaptation follows the manga very closely, and I respect that. Personally, a show of a little initiative from Taichi towards Kohei would have cemented this as a 10/10 rating for me. Still, I really enjoyed the series.

aka I Only Want to Keep Looking at You. A sweet, youth romance.

This is the sequel to ITSAY. It's a roller coaster ride for your emotions, but if you recall your college years and all the bad decisions you made, maybe you'll sympathize with the characters a little better. They're in their late teens to early 20s, and they don't communicate well. As a budding actor, Teh is being ruled by his emotions and passion. Oh-aew has a group of loyal friends who made me laugh and made me cry. TW: infidelity

P'Yu realizes that Ai had harbored feelings for him even before his 20th birthday and was quite pleased, while Ai felt shy and embarrassed about it. Of course, Ing probably realized it first because he's very perceptive when it comes to Ai and what Ai is not saying. Overall, a fun watch of the childhood friends to lovers trope with a fantastical touch. Wonderful, supportive parents.

Special Episode

This is one of the best coming of age LGBTQ+ stories I have seen. Set in Phuket, the scenery is breath-taking. It's well-acted, well-directed, and I loved it. In Teh, we have a character confused about his sexuality as he finds himself attracted to his long-term crush Tan and to Oh-aew, his former best friend with whom he has recently reunited. TW: This emotional drama is not your typical BL.

High school gang leader falls for his tutor. Great redemption arc.

Joker doesn't ever take anything seriously and ends up hurting Jack's chances at opening the school that would help his community. Even though Joker pays for his crime, Jack is beholden to a crime lord who keeps Jack's community down instead of lifting it up. And Jack will not forgive Joker for his part in Jack's broken dreams.

A villain comes back and wreaks havoc, and our beloved friend group picks up the pieces.

A long-term couple have a fight leading to a break-up, causing one of them to run out. That night, he gets into an accident and, upon waking, has amnesia, but only forgetting his partner. His partner takes him back to their home and only tells him they were roommates.

I don't know why I assumed this was just another fluffy BL. It turned to be more than that.
TW: Internalized homophobia

Workplace setting; HR nightmare, but funny and they're cute together.

Not yet started

Censored Adaptation Of Same-sex Original Work 

Childhood friends meet as adults.

One of the best BLs this year. Even though I don't normally like horror, I really wanted to watch this show, so I persisted, and only 2 or 3 episodes were scary or had jump scare. I'm not super afraid of ghosts, more grossed out by gore/blood and easily startled. Since the ghosts were not on every episode, I could relax and pay attention to the plot most of the time. I thought it was an interesting story, and we were given a satisfying conclusion (which doesn't always happen).

Started with a bang but slowed down considerably, then picked up in the last two episodes.

Currently on hold

It felt a little bit like the restaurant owner wasn't gay but "gay for you." It's hard to explain.

Mafia setting. Steamy NC scenes.
TW: violence, Stockholm syndrome

Perfect mafia story and the second couple is just as awesome as the first.
TW: age gap (drama) between the first MLs didn't bother me but may ick other people out

Prequel to Dark Blue Kiss 

A one-night stand becomes complicated when Bert finds out his partner for that night was his new university professor, who is also his aunt's fiancé. Instead of avoiding Ken, Bert doubles down and actively pursues him, wanting to humiliate his aunt for the treatment of his own mother. 

Currently on hold

Interesting fated mate concept that went downhill near the end, IMO.

A rare BL that addresses one lead's descent into blindness from infectious keratitis. Partially due to denial, Day hadn't learned many skills to cope with his blindness. His family has hired caregivers which don't always work out until Mhok. This drama was well directed, enabling the actors to give their best. The leads had amazing chemistry. The supporting actors were also amazing, esp. Mark Pakin as Night and Kun Kunchanuj as On, Day's blind friend.

Short episode between I Told Sunset about You and I Promised You the Moon. 

I love Film and Jam. Film as the attorney Charn was epic.
TW: Death of family member

An unexpectedly dark show with adult physical abuse of teens as a means of punishment. But we also have two teens who find comfort, safety and eventually healing in each other.

A high school romance that lasts through their work life until one ML feels the societal and familial pressure to marry. One of my favorite shows about second chance love.

A high school romance that lasts through their work life until one ML feels the societal and familial pressure to marry. One of my favorite shows about second chance love.

High school setting, love triangle.

Gangs, hidden identity, good NC scenes
TW: violence

Not yet started

University setting

Currently on-hold

An unusual show where the ML wakes up within a game and must complete certain missions in a given timeframe. Incredibly well-acted and well-produced.

If you enjoy NC scenes, this one's for you.
TW: Second couple ML has SA trauma.

A shortened remake of the Thai Love in the Air. It was watchable but not a must-watch.

I hadn't heard anything about this BL and just started watching when it was released. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the production, the plot and the acting. It was definitely one I looked forward to each week.  Not only did they address homophobia but also social inequity.
TW: Violent murders

Leads had fantastic chemistry. That grocery aisle NC scene was something else. 

Quirky show about a lawyer and a conman. Currently on-hold.

Miyata-kun and Takashi were close in high school. More than 10 years later, they meet again professionally, and Takashi is keen in rekindling what they had in high school. Each episode reveals a little more of the incident that tore them apart, and I found the storytelling compelling.

Angsty push and pull, love triangle. I rarely rewatch shows, but I find myself rewatching this one.
TW: infidelity, DubCon

Just a different version of the first 3 episodes.
TW: Infidelity

A vertically filmed short series where one ML has to choose between love or his gambling addiction.

I liked Wayu and Krit's interactions, some banter and flirtation. This drama also touched on more serious topics, more a drama than a RomCom.
TW: Negligent parent, child abandonment, human trafficking, drug dealing, kidnapping, toxic parents

Not yet started

Currently on-hold

TW: infidelity

Certain childhood connections, we'll hold dear in our heart. A second chance meeting can lead to disappointment or a renewed connection. Which one is up to us.

Country boy helping city boy navigate farming life.

Currently watching

Currently on-hold

A newly cast actor openly admires the novelist of his new show, leaving the shy writer befuddled.

IMO, this remake was better than the original. It deleted the extraneous stories of Jeed and Taengmo and focused on the main leads Noh and Phun. It kept some of the sides stories of the Music Club's pairings, with some changes. We had better representation with not only BL, but GL couples, a M/F couple and a trans character. The general vibe felt like the original, probably because Director and Original Creator for this drama and for Love Sick Season 2 are the same. Who impressed me the most were the main leads Progress Passawish and Almond Poomsuwan who played Noh and Phum. They're young actors, but incredibly talented.

A small town has an unusual number of deaths and the medical examiner starts investigating. MaxTul are the BL kings and I'm glad they left left us MoD as part of their legacy. Their skin ship is perfect.
TW: violence, drug abuse

It's been compared to Bad Buddy because the warring fathers create the friction between Sun and Bay, who live across the street from each other. Totally enjoyable watch with Ping Krittanun (playing Sun) and his new BL partner Teshow Promsakha (playing Bay).

This has exceeded all my expectations. It's funny, heartfelt and the two leads have showcased both their acting and comedic timing.

Currently on hold

A rare collaboration for China, Taiwan and Thailand to bring this Danmei to fruition, where we got a proper BL and not a censored bromance.
TW: DubCon, Abuse by parent figure

An absolute gem of a show. I loved every moment of this drama, which touched on class issues as well as homophobia. The second couple, Mek and Dech (Aou and Boom), completely captured my heart as they battled classism, mainly from Dech's father. In Dech's grandfather, we find an ally who recognizes Mek's intelligence and determination, allowing him to take the foreign language exam. Dech treats Mek as his equal from the beginning of their friendship, which slowly grows into a wanting "this forever with you."

Great and Inn shine in their roles as Rati and Thee. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their characters' attraction is palpable, becoming very difficult for them to hide in a time period where it's dangerous to be homosexual. Even Thee's nobility cannot shield him from consequences when his grandmother, Princess Nareerat, finds out about them.

Looks very much like Season 1, but little by little they are making progress. I'm not unhappy about it, given that Shin is young and Minato is immature. Getting to know each other over time bodes well for these two.

The younger Shin as the assertive one and the older Akira as the more reserved of the two - I found this dynamic funny and interesting. 

A feel good series with very few misunderstandings. P'Got is very much a green flag faen.

Complicated adult relationships, budding first love (second couple), superb acting. I experienced the gamut of emotions watching this show, from the giddy excitement of first love to the tragic demise of a long-term relationship, from the pain of unrequited love to the comfort and contentment of finding the right one.

Currently watching

A student-teacher romance with an age gap of about 5-6 years. I thought Sahara was smart to step back until Toki graduated before pursuing the romantic side of their relationship.

Fluffy and so very cute

High school and college story of awkward Hira and popular Kiyoi. In my top 5 and on my re-watch list.
aka  Utsukushii Kare. 

Hira attends college and Kiyoi becomes a popular actor. In my top 5.
aka Utsukushii Kare 2, sequel to the movie My Beautiful Man: Eternal

The whole series (S1, S2 and this movie) is in my top 5. Guaranteed to be re-watched. Sequel to Utsukushii Kare (Seasons 1 and 2)

A cute story about a fanboy meeting his bias, who asks him out while they were filming at his school (he's a teacher).

What happens when a mafia don's right-hand man wants to leave?
TW: Gang violence

Office setting

The love story between a human who has the rare golden blood and the vampire tasked to guard him. Factions within the vampire community are divided, and the appearance of this rare Golden Blood increase their conflict. In the meantime, secrets are revealed and alliances are reformed.

The drama where an eraser is a matchmaker.

The Thai adaption of the Japanese Kieta Hatsukoi. I found it completely enjoyable and very Thai. Always a treat to see GemFourth on the screen. 

CP JimmySea have stepped up their game. Their NC scenes have gotten better. They're so much more affectionate in this series. Oh, and the plot is also good. So, even though I had an idea early on who the antagonists were, it was still such a good watch. The second couple had cute moments and didn't detract from the show. I adored the countryside scenes and seeing traditional Thai dress, food and rituals. 

Childhood best friends to lovers trope that's incredibly well executed.

Interesting BL where the leads seem to need an interpreter. Their failure to communicate is astounding but you just keep rooting for them. NC scenes were hot.

Currently on-hold

School president and music club leader need to cooperate in order to prevent music club closure. Fluffy with superb OST that you’ll want to download. Nice to see supportive parents.