To BL or not to BL?

BL Coding Score: 10

- Strong romantic subtext including hand-holding, resting on lap

- Hair brushing scene between two leads often scene as deeply intimate act reserved for romantic partners 

- Sleeve cutting scene, referencing historical "cut sleeve" euphemism for MxM love 

- Physical proximity framed tenderly 

- Constant romantic tension and metaphor-laced declarations

- Main leads "adopting" a young boy and forming a "family unit," often referenced as "two dads and a son" 

- Source material is explicitly BL, adaptation edited to pass Chinese censorship

BL Coding Score: 10

- Shared accessories and forehead touching considered romantic symbolism, i.e. frequent use of headband ribbon, a sacred item that may only be touched by one's soulmate

- Drama includes the three bows ceremony between main leads, mirroring traditional wedding rites

- Rabbit symbolism sprinkled throughout the drama; rabbits are associated with the Rabbit God - a deity of homosexual love in Chinese folklore 

- Frequent physical contact, often lingering and emotionally charged.

- The song "Wang Xian" is epitome of their ship, using a combination of their birth names, a sign of emotional closeness 

- Source material is explicitly BL, adaptation edited to pass Chinese censorship

BL Coding Score: 9

- Caretaking scenes full of lingering tension

- A few scenes of hand holding and face touching, especially during moments of emotional vulnerability

- A symbolic wedding scene that includes brushing another man's hair 

- Source material is tagged as BL but drama is heavily censored 

BL Coding Score: 9

- During a piggyback ride, one character playfully nibbles another man's ear that is framed as intimate 

- Force proximity by living together turns into genuine affection

- A few scenes where both leads are shirtless and sharing a bed, filled with playful tension, including hand or face touching

- Jealousy moments framed as bromance

- Source material is explicitly BL, adaptation edited to pass Chinese censorship

BL Coding Score: 8

- Soul-deep devotion where they are risking their lives for one another

- Slow-burn confessions layered in actions, not in words

- Multiple scenes show main leads sharing the same bed

- Back-hugging and face touching 

- Source material is tagged as BL but drama is heavily censored 

BL coding Score: 8

- Enemies-to-almost lovers framework

- A character strips another after drugging him, and carries him out in an intense and intimate gesture 

- Emotional tension during interrogation scenes and intimate patch-ups post fights

- Possessive and jealous behavior often attributed to people in a romantic relationship 

- Source material is explicitly BL, adaptation edited to pass Chinese censorship

BL Coding Score: 7

- Scenes of Undressing post-trauma and shoulder holds 

- Sleeping in same bed (non-platonic tone) 

- Palpable attachment that includes hand-holding, back-hugging especially during moments of emotional crisis 

- Despite not based on BL source material, there are strong homoerotic subtext

BL Coding Score: 7

- Frequent shoulder pats, arm grabs, and lingering hand contact between the leads

- A tender moment of wiping blood from another's face that mirrors romantic concern

- Symbolic gestures such as draping coat over another man's shoulder, or carrying the "partner" in a bridal style 

-  The farewell scene is filled with longing, eye contact, and unspoken emotion that may be interpreted as romantic 

- Source material is explicitly BL, adaptation edited to pass Chinese censorship

BL Coding Score: 7

- Multiple instances of hand-holding and lingering touches

- Several scenes show them sharing a bed, especially during emotionally intense episodes, suggesting comfort and trust.

- Back hugs and protective gestures

- Symbolic gift exchanges and personal grooming, eg. adjusting collar framed intimately

- Body language reinforce romantic undertones

- Source material is explicitly BL, adaptation edited to pass Chinese censorship

BL Coding Score: 7**

- Hand brushing with weighty implications, e.g. one character places hand on another's leg during a tense moment, the gesture is subtle but intimate

- One character peels shrimp for another - a coded gesture of care and affection

- Domestic vibes, where they live together and meet each other's families 

- Protective behavior from both, physically and emotionally 

- Character dynamics heavily suggest that the leads share a deep, emotional bond, e.g. in dream state, concern for each other's well-being

- Source material is tagged as BL but drama is heavily censored 

**Note, BL coding score is lower than attributed, because this means it could be higher, based on all the deleted scenes that were released after the drama, showing more physical intimacy, which suggests that the intended finished product would be heavily BL-coded if not for censorship.

BL Coding Score: 6

- Several instances where one character expresses the desire and longing to meet and match the other, even patiently waiting for years to do so

-  A character writes in a journal about the rival, describing feelings of admiration and obsession that border on romantic fixation 

- Multiple scenes where one character grabs the other’s wrist, either out of jubilation, running, or other scenario, but the camera lingers on their clasped hands 

- A rooftop confrontation ends not in anger, but in quiet vulnerability. One character steps forward, inches from the other’s face, and says something that lands like a confession—though it’s framed as rivalry.

-  Go as metaphor: Their matches become less about winning and more about communication. The way they place stones—mirroring each other’s tempo, anticipating moves—feels like a conversation only they can have. Observers comment on the “harmony” of their play 

BL Coding Score: 6

- Main leads usually spend time alone in quiet, emotionally charged settings—like the opera house or one of their homes

- Tender touches: Though rare, moments like adjusting clothing, helping him walk, or placing a hand on his shoulder are deeply intimate 

- Symbolic gifts: Ring exchange between the leads, which becomes a powerful symbol of their bond. 

- Mutual admiration and emotional rescue between the main characters

- A willingness to sacrifice and shared devotion by both men

- Source material is explicitly BL, adaptation edited to pass Chinese censorship

BL Coding Score: 6

- Multiple scenes where  one character tends to another while the latter is unconscious, framed with soft lighting and filled with lingering gazes

- Scenes where there are hand-holding, face-touching, back-hugging during emotional moments 

- Trust and mutual protection with romantic undercurrents

- Source material is explicitly BL, adaptation edited to pass Chinese censorship

BL Coding Score:  5

- Physical Intimacy is situational, ie. the “unwilling marriage” setup leads to shared living spaces, accidental touches, and moments of awkward closeness

- Gentle care scenes: Includes tending to injuries, offering food, or helping the other dress—classic BL-coded nurturing moments 

- Lingering eye contact: The camera often lingers on their gazes, heightening tension and suggesting unspoken feelings 

-  Emotional rescue: One character helps the other through trauma or emotional distress, often without expecting anything in return. 

- Subtle hints of jealousy and possessiveness 

BL Coding Score: 5

- Both leads sleep in the same room, often within close proximity

- Instances of head-patting, hand-holding

- Wing symbolism - Angel wings shedding feathers, a metaphor for emotional connection and healing 

- Final scenes of confession of love, though not explicitly romantic love, but coupled with tearful embrace, can be construed as such 

- Source material is tagged as BL but drama is heavily censored 

BL Coded Score: 5

- Some dubious scenes where it teeters between BL and not BL, such as a near-kiss moment, waist-holding, face-caressing

- The film features sunlit shots of both leads in water, with sensual framing and slow-motion that heightens the tension.

- Scenes of physical closeness, such as motorcycle rides, where one holds on to another, intimate framing and body contact throughout.

- Romantic setting, ie. Fireworks festival, but one character leaves before the emotional payoff

- Unspoken affection where silent gestures suggest the kind of intimacy that feels like love, even if never named

- Final scenes of reminiscence longing, ie. one writing a letter to another hoping for a reunion,

BL Coding Score: 5

- Towel scene where one walks past another wearing only a towel during a livestream, sparking rumors of a romantic relationship that triggered a fake relationship plot 

- Domestic vibes: The cohabitation setup leads to frequent close proximity, accidental touches, and domestic interactions

- Physical comedy with romantic undertones, such as exaggerated reactions to closeness, and mock flirting

- Source material is tagged as BL but drama is heavily censored 

BL Coding Score: 4

- Several subtle but symbolic physical intimacy, including hair-touching and cutting

- Emotional bonding, such as crafting together, running hand-in-hand, huddling and protecting each other from physical or emotional storms

- Unspoken affection, ie. one character spelling another's name in "Secret" messages, a quiet, coded confession that their teacher eventually deciphers.

- Shared trauma and survival instincts between two leads

-  Coming-of-age and rebirth metaphor where it suggests that they are finally free to explore their identity and feelings 

BL Coding Score: 4

- A few suggestive scenes of physical intimacy, such as near-kiss moment, face-touching, grooming

- Multiple back-hugs and jump hugs in playful, affectionate moments

- The two leads share close quarters, leading to frequent physical proximity and domestic interactions

- Enemies-to-almost lovers arc, where they start off antagonistic, but their bond deepens

- Source material is tagged as BL but drama is heavily censored 

BL Coding Score: 4

- Moderate to strong domestic partnership & mutual care

- Gentle gestures: Occasional touches like shoulder pats or leaning close while cooking, but nothing overtly romantic. 

- Their bond is strong and affectionate, often mistaken for a bromance due to the lack of physical affection in this first season, but the second season has an explicit romantic love confession, which makes this ambiguous friendship more overt

- Source material is tagged as BL but drama is heavily censored 

BL Coding Score: 4

- Moments of domestic closeness due to shared living space

- Body language that implies trust and comfortability, including back hugs and shoulder touches

- Unspoken affection: Their bond is framed as transformative — not romantic per se, but emotionally resonant. 

- The ending hints at a deeper connection, setting up the more emotionally complex sequel which is explicitly BL. 

BL Coding Score:  4

- Brief scenes of subtle and suggestive physical intimacy, such as brushing another's hair, fixing another's collar

- Protective gestures, ie. one character often shields another from danger or hostile agents

- Lingering gazes and body language: The camera often lingers on their expressions and physical closeness, hinting at deeper feelings 

- Unspoken affection and unwavering loyalty between the main leads

- While not romantic, their conversations are often raw and vulnerable, especially when discussing betrayal and trust.

- Source material is explicitly BL, adaptation edited to pass Chinese censorship

BL Coding Score: 3

- Several scenes show boys casually touching each other—especially in moments of comfort or celebration

- Close proximity: The boys often lean in close while talking, training, or sharing snacks, creating tension that feels romantic 

- Physical closeness during training, but lacks romantic emphasis 

- Imaginative BL moments: The female lead’s daydreams add layers of romantic interpretation, amplifying the emotional stake 

BL Coding Score: 3

-  Founding partnership between two male leads built on mutual admiration and emotional rescue 

- Intimate domesticity: scenes of cooking together, sharing meals, and living under the same roof 

- Symbolic gestures: gifting of knives, shared culinary philosophy, and moments of deep trust 

- No heteronormative romantic interests are emphasized, allowing their relationship to occupy emotional centrality

BL Coding Score: 2

- Suggestions of emotional vulnerability between the two leads

- Hints of jealousy and possessiveness, but very subtle

- Despite the title, this is nowhere near the the top of BL-coded dramas because most of the gestures are nuanced or at most soft physical assurance

BL Coding Score: 2**

- Shared meals and handmade gifts exchanged between the main leads

- Protective gestures, examples during rescue scenes

- Some semblance of emotional vulnerability 

- **Note, BL coding score is lower than attributed, due the brief mention of an off-screen wife of one of the main characters

BL Coding Score: 1

- A few instances of small but intimate gestures that signal closeness.

- Wine-sharing  could be interpreted as romance metaphor, but more culinary and light buddy dynamic than BL-coded

BL Coding Score: 1

- Gestures of comfort that  can be read as intimacy 

- Shared disguises and melancholy: the duo frequently go undercover together, leading to moments of physical closeness and whispered strategy