2025 BL List

Phenomenal

What a unique premise! This had every opportunity to be a boring idol x  normie drama, but every episode surprised me with a heartwarming plot twist and the domestic scenes between the leads were brimming with tenderness. 062-031-7745. IYKYK.

ArcArm: Dropped

YothaGun: Completed 8.5 (Great: Chemistry: 10/10)

FaifaWine: TBW

Dropped

Would've given this a 9/10, but since Ep. 7, it's been really going down. I'm exhausted watching Joker trying to prove he's worthy to Jack, when I haven't seen Jack doing jack shit.

Excellent

This far exceeded my expectations! I feel so empty now that it’s over… I haven’t felt this sad saying goodbye to characters in a while. Their love story was truly beautiful and the meaning behind the title was heartwarming. 

Phenomenal

A grim , yet BOLD, story about two pure-hearted people who refuse to be tainted by a world that has turned their backs on them and learn the concept of love through one another. A much deserved happy ending with a strong accompanying composition.

Passable

Soft-core porn with 2 endings. The noir ending is darker, but helps explain more about the mechanizations behind the MC's downfall and I felt like it fit the murkier themes of the film.

Average

Soft-core porn with a rushed ending. But generally kinda a sweet story about a NEET and a porn star that bond through their shared love of a VA and hentai anime. 

Average

Really cute series that has potential to be a full length series. Probably a 7/10, but due to what they accomplished in this mini-drama, I'm bumping it up by a point.

Dropped

Dropped 

Great

An engaging story that focuses on two entirely different people that bond through their similar circumstances of  having been denied physical and emotional reciprocity and forced to repress sexual expression. A lackluster ending to an overall very aesthetically told story. Very complex, well written characters. 

Good 

"If we are destined to part, then what is the meaning of our meeting?" 

What IS the message of this show?
That the greatest love comes in the form of sacrifice? The power of letting go? Or is it just anti-gay? It’s impossible to tell because there is so much left unsaid and unexplained, not for audience interpretation, but due to a short runtime, no budget, poor writing, and Chinese censorship. Please watch the special episode, otherwise, you’ll drive yourself mad with wonder. At least the special gives a little bit of closure, otherwise, this is the most “kill your gays”, gay=bad ending I’ve watched in a long time.

(Also, I went down a rabbit hole of trying to figure out what the “ok” hand gesture meant (besides the obvious) and it doesn’t mean love. But it’s a homophobic gesture in Mediterranean countries, Germany, and some Latin American countries… so, okay? I hope that’s not what they’re going for....)

Dropped

I just don't feel invested any of the characters tbh Love the soundtrack though.

Good

Two mutually respective fanboys forced onto the same football team with very little actual football ever played. A short and simple story with the twist of both leads having to hide the fact that they’re fans of each other while dodging petty soccer/entertainment drama from rivals. 

Passable

Acting befitted everyone’s rookie status. The MC’s acting was particularly wooden. Nothing special. Just a high school BL love triangle with a relationship that started on a bet. Something about the first half really captivated me despite knowing how mid the drama was, however, any good will I had was sucked into the BL timeskip black hole. 

Perfect

The best Japanese BL I’ve seen in a really long time. I keep thinking I’ll get tired of BLs set in Japanese high schools after years of them, but then dramas like Miseinen prove me wrong every time. It’s even better than the original manhwa imo. Props to the adaptors and cast for this beautiful work. 

Edit: minus one actor who had go and ruin everything.

Dropped

Disappointed by how dull this is. The funeral home setting and Parker Mao should’ve made this more interesting, so what happened here?

TBW

Excellent

Not a BL. Definitely queer baited the audience, but I put it here 1) because I’m a fan of how they adapted this series from the manga. Definitely darker and more philosophical than I anticipated. 2) The homoerotic subtext from the secondary couple who ran off into the mountains to be together was just too obvious to ignore. 

Excellent

No explanation  as to why I waited so long to watch this unique, splendid BL. Actually  adapts the manga pretty faithfully, even the odder aspects (like a certain Magical Boy). The MC‘s actor was a really good crier. This drama really had me thinking  about what I’d do if I only had 10 days and if it’s sadder to have hope or no hope at the end of your life. Prepare to shed a few tears. 

"The word "miracles" exist because miracles might happen"- Yuma

Great

The first and last episodes were by far the weakest & plot is awful, but it’s Mark and Tong’s budding relationship and the intimacy in between that kept me going. The  best GMMTV couple intimacy I’ve seen- the way they threaded their hands through each other’s hair, intertwined their bodies, and lingered in each other‘s grasp were great details thanks to the director and actors. 

Dropped

I might come back to this someday, but I felt so much injustice towards the MC and I struggle to see how the MC and ML can become a functional couple, due to both the age gap and where both of them are mentally. It definitely won’t end happily, and I specifically reserve sad ending tolerance for my Cdramas. 

I said I would give my right hand for the remaining episodes. Looks like I can finish the series AND keep my right hand!

On-Hold

On-Hold

Dropped

First two episodes were impeccable, but I really didn’t sign up to watch a straight drama with a side BL couple masquerading as the main pairing. 

Good

While a decade long miscommunication is a common trope in KBLs, I was impressed that they at least communicated their misunderstanding within the first 3 episodes. The first few episodes caught my attention, with the push and pull between the leads, but this suffered from its short runtime. This series isn’t complete without watching the special episode. 

“Even if you get tired and beg me to let you go, I won’t let go of you, okay?
I know things will get boring and obvious, but I like you so much I’m going crazy.
As long as I’m with you, everything’s fine. I still like you.”

“Kim Min Jun, let’s take everything slowly.”

- Finale

Great

Early KBLs were known for having  plots too complicated for their short runtimes, and TMS falls in that category. But the acting prowess of the cast, the cinematography, and chemistry between the leads and core theme of extreme opposites attract is both tantilizing and comforting to watch.

Perfect

This is a masterpiece I was unprepared for; it does get a little busy at the end, but that doesn’t rob the show from its overall very mature themes. More of a queer drama than a BL. Anyone that’s experienced a failed relationship can relate to the bitterness and longing that comes with parting with someone you loved. 

He would remain in my life forever, even if I was only with him for that long- Han Ji Woo

Dropped

I really wanted to like this one. The first episode cliff hanger was genuinely interesting, but this stretched my KBL miscommunication limits beyond my bandwidth. 

Watching

Great

Not a BL. Just a C-drama bromance. But if becoming your homie’s spirit weapon doesn’t count as the gayest sacrifice a “bro” can make, then I don’t know what does. 10/10 for having an aphrodisiac, soulmate, and reincarnation reunion scene between the leads.

Great

Considering the budget, this was an impressive drama. There were many moving pieces and the fight choreography improved with each passing episode. 

The relationship between Peace and Sun was reminiscent of Romeo & Juliet; they had one of the most interesting “meet-cutes” I’ve ever seen. My only compliant is this is a better gangster drama than it is a BL. Even the GL was more compelling in the end. I was disappointed by the lack of communication and resolution between the BL pairing in the finale (I’m assuming it’s because the show ran out of time, but it neatly resolved the BL pairing’s deep misunderstanding with an internal monologue from the MC…)

Bad

Where was my promised KentaKim? Why does this exist? What a waste of money and time. Bring me Goddess Bless You from Death and The Most Beautiful Count already....

Dropped

 It's hard not to compare this with the currently airing The Bangkok Boy.

TBW

Great

Overall, 8/10, but bumped it for the BEST BL WEDDING EVER!

"Thank you. For coming back."

"Thank you too. For not forgetting me."

- Phi & Tawan Ep. 10 

Watching

TBW

Good

Besides Ossan's Love, I rarely laugh this hard while watching a BL. That being said, this lacked the charm of the first season. I did like how the drama switched focus to different characters, sso many of the episodes felt like isolated incidences inside the broader story of the MLs. The cinematography was also really good. Great ending OST btw

On-Hold

Dropped

I can put up with a lot for MaxNat, but I found my limit. First two episodes were really funny and spicy, but as the episodes continued, I found myself increasingly confused about what I had missed by not watching Y Destiny and over how every episode started feeling like convoluted filler. They might’ve needed to spend more money on a screenplay writer and less money on the wardrobe.

On-Hold

TBW

On-Hold

Watching

Just being happy isn’t enough to stay together forever. Please let me cherish you- Kanade Ep.8

Watching

On-Hold

Great

Production value was rough, but wow, the story, while simple and standard for a period Cdrama was well paced,and the acting really held this together! The acting was so good for a vertical drama!

Average

A simple, yet entertaining "kill-your-gays" meets Romeo and Juliet. Tragic ending that gives Goodbye, My Princess vibes. Budget was much higher than most queer coded Cdramas I watch, and the writing was clean, but it still wasn't as good as some of the vertical bromances I've watched in the past.

Watching

Watching

Watching

Watching

Watching 

Meet Me at the Blossom walked to Kill to Love could run. This is everything I’ve wanted from a period Cdrama BL for a long time.

““In this vast world of mountains and rivers, you’re the only freedom I long for.”

“Don’t let me lose again.”

- Duan Zi’Ang & Xiao Shuhe Ep. 6

“Let us fly through life together. And be inseparable for all our years.” - Xiao Shuhe Ep. 8

“This heart is real…can you feel it? From now on, every beat of my heart belongs only to you. Every beat calls out your name.”

“Then let our heartbeats end this very night…”

- - Duan Zi’Ang & Xiao Shuhe Ep. 8