2026 BL List

Excellent 

A massive upgrade for both PoohPavel after the train wreck x dumpster fire of Pit Babe 2. While the ending is slightly lackluster, it doesn't rob from an overall compelling occult mystery and a comforting romance between two lonely souls seeking solace in one another's embrace. This is one small step for procedural BLs, one giant leap for BL. Aside, Pooh brought a tear to my eyes in the finale. 

Watching

Great

I needed a little more. The show left me feeling like it wasn't over. But not in a way that was fulfilling. That being said, the score, cinematography, directing, and actors did a good job adapting the original manga, and adding a depth and weight to it that the manga was missing. The show peaked during the 4th episode, which was truly ~cinema~!

Excellent

Major props to the screen writers for mostly adapting the danmei beat-for-beat (but are my standards too high if I'm disappointed they didn't fully adapt the final emergency?) . The story really didn't tone down much in terms of how black-hearted and manipulative Fan Xiao's action were or how complex their feelings for each other remained after suffering years of an unrelenting, unforgiving game of cat and mouse. I applaud both actors, especially rookie Yunqi, for bringing these  deeply scarred characters to life. 

“I’m not fooling around. I mean it. I love you. You say it’s nonsense. Well, then let me keep up with this nonsense
I want to see you every day. When I do, I don’t want to part. When I don’t, I feel uneasy. I’ve cooked up all kinds of dumb excuses to see you.
Bohai never had that much work that required me to be present. I don’t even like wetland parks. My sense of direction is bad, but not so bad I can’t use navigation. Every time I got lost, it was just to make you come get me. My right hand healed a long time ago. Hell, my left hand is even better.
Every lousy excuse was just to stay by your side. It was all to be with you.
I don’t know if that’s love. You’ve seen much more of this world. Why don’t you tell me?
I love you.
When I picture the future, it’s you I see.”

“…don’t blame me for not holding back.”

“Then kiss me.”

- Fan Xiao & You Shu Lang, Ep. 5

“I’ve always kept life, work, and love in control.
I never do anything I’m unsure of. You’re the exception. Fan Xiao, you’re hard to comprehend. I don’t even have you figured out yet and I’ve already started to let my feelings off the leash. I’m already starting to love you. You’re a big gamble for me. Can I win?”

- Fan Xiao & You Shu Lang Ep. 6

Watching

This was a painful watch. I'm not asking for The Wire and I'm willing to suspend a lot of procedural cop disbelief from decades of practice, but this is just ridiculous. 

How can an officer be so unconcerned and flirt every other scene when his brother's life is literally at risk? While GBYFD had its flaws, this took all the same flaws and then put them on steroids. 

The romance between the leads is also offensively fast paced and nonsensical, so I feel utterly undistracted by the shoddy police work. 

2 short 15 min heart-fluttering episodes. While they don't offer much in terms of substance, I enjoyed revisiting the two lovers and getting a peek of their relationship post finale.

Dropped

Unfortunately, this drama started spinning out beyond anyone's control the moment they introduced the love rival... I held on as long as I could for the sake of the likay performances, but the  poor story choices finally became insurmountable. 

Phenomenal

A good watch for those who've already watched the entirety of the 50 episode drama and want to revisit the characters and world of The Untamed without the same time commitment. 

Still, I think some of the essence of the original gets lost in the sparks notes version of The Untamed. 

Flawless

Biased as I am, Word of Honor is the summit of immortal, eternal love, the crystallization of the beloved trope "You Are Worth Hell." Despite some less than savory narrative choices closer to the end and a COVID budget that would make your mom cry, I love this show to bits. If true love doesn't look like what A'Xu and his Lao Wen have, then I don't want it.  

I read someone describe this series as  two  gay mass murderers accidentally become football dads  and do a better job at parenting than anyone else  because the rest of society is so trash. And honestly, I can't find a better summation than that...

Phenomenal

A solid adaptation to a ongoing manga, this movie managed to adapt the uncompleted material in a seamless way that blended breathtaking cinematography and sizzling dance sequences while also giving a conclusive open-ending that leaves room for a sequel while also providing a conclusion for a relationship that transcends distance and dance style (in case the manga continues to drag endlessly).  While not much dialogue exists between the two MLs (and what dialogue that does exist can be cringey), the love between them grows palpably and visually as their dance synergy improves. 

First half is a lot stronger than the second half, but I attribute that to ongoing nature of the original work. Some viewers might dislike the lack of communication between the two, but knowing that my parents fell in love on the dance floor, I'm sure that there are some forms of communication and body language that surpasses all spoken words. 

Phenomenal 

How does GMMTV make a 4 episode BL better than most of their 12 episode long BL? I think that needs to be studied. 

Despite being years out of graduation from high school, these struggles- self esteem, loneliness, ostracization, anxiety- are eternal struggles within all of us, and I found myself relating to both characters strongly, even now. All of us want someone to tell us, honestly and earnestly, you can do it. The love between these two characters supersedes their age and touched me deeply. Some marks off for the ending, but still, much more cleanly executed than other cursed Ep. 11's I've seen. 

Watching

"I respect you very much. I love you the most." --Toma, Ep. 2

TBW

Watching

TBW

TBW

Great

This entire drama felt so out of pocket 90% of the time, but I spent 100% of the time entertained. Throw away your sense of logic and feed into the chaos to enjoy this drama fully —you won’t regret it. I love this main CP together. Youxi is a complex character and I think I'm in love with him. He's goofy and charming,  resourceful and little manipulative, kind-hearted and considerate -the full package. I can see why Yang Meng has had a crush on him since their school days. The ending was a little quirky and rushed,  but WHAT AN ENDING! A call back to Addicted, Youxi on his way to becoming an international superstar, and Youxi and Yang Mang eloping to globe trot-- what else could I ask for?

PS. The translator for this series was amazing.  Some of my favorite captions:

<Probably some reminders written for grandma.>

<They're setting up a really bad pun here that doesn’t work in any language.>

<Auntie Liu sending auntie-style wishes.>

Excellent

Watching

FEB 13

Rewatch

Watching

"You know you don’t have to play hard to get. It doesn’t make you more valuable." - Rome Ep. 1

"If I chose based on sex, I wouldn't have just two Romeos." - Jack, Ep. 2

"If I don't get what I want, then nobody does." - Dean, Ep. 2

"'Art never comes from happiness'"- Tua quoting Chuck Palahniuk- Ep. 3 

Watching

Wacthing

Watching

Watching

March 20th

Mar 17, 2026

March 26th

March 27th

May 14, 2026