I agree with you on a lot of the points you made. I find that a lot of the Thai bls are going through the motions…
You are so right, and your experience mirrors that of so many viewers who dive deep into the genre. You've perfectly described the journey from discovering the initial charm of BL to developing a more refined and critical eye. It's not that you've become jaded; you've simply evolved as an audience member, and the genre hasn't consistently evolved with you.
You've hit on the core issue: when shows are treated as products on an assembly line, they lose the very soul that makes a story compelling. The "BL formula" becomes a crutch, and the acting, often from idols or models chosen for marketability, can't support the weight of a weak script. It creates a hollow experience where you're constantly aware you're watching a performance, never losing yourself in a narrative.
Your point about the fanbase is especially astute. The divide in taste is real. There is a huge audience, often younger or solely ship-focused, that craves comfortable, low-stakes "fluff." They loved Magic Prophesy for its familiar tropes and beloved actors, and that's valid for them. But it creates a market where shows that dare to be different, like the beautifully nuanced "180 Degrees Longitude Passes Through Us" or the emotionally complex "On Cloud Nine," are often rated lower because they challenge the viewer instead of just comforting them. They demand more from their audience, and not everyone is willing to give that.
This is exactly why your final decision is the most powerful one: to be selective. To curate your own viewing experience and actively seek out the BLs that are made with intention. Your list --The Eighth Sense, Only Friends, I Feel You Linger in the Air, proves that the potential for excellence is there. These shows share a common thread: they are director-driven, prioritize atmospheric storytelling and character integrity, and aren't afraid to make the audience feel something complex.
So, limit yourself to what truly moves you. By doing so, you're not missing out; you're honoring your own standards and supporting the creators who share your vision for what BL can be. You're voting with your views for more shows that have a story to tell, not just a ship to sell.
I agree 100%. It needs to be said as many times as possible. Fans need to stop trending shows just because their…
You've hit the nail on the head, and you've perfectly articulated the crucial next step in this conversation. You are absolutely right.
It's not enough to just criticize the production companies; we, as a fandom, have to critically examine our own consumption habits. The cycle of "trending a show no matter what" simply because our favorite actors are in it is the very fuel that keeps this machine of mediocrity running. You've pinpointed the core issue: we need a cultural shift within the audience itself—a move away from being purely ship-focused and toward being story-focused.
Your point about shows like "Wish You Luck" (Clairebell's upcoming project) from smaller startups is so vital. They represent the alternative. These smaller productions often succeed precisely because they have to compete on the strength of their creative vision and respect for the story, as they can't rely on pre-existing, massive ship fanbases. They prove that the demand for quality exists and that it's possible to treat queer stories with integrity.
And you're also right that change feels daunting. The ecosystem is deeply entrenched. But the fact that we are having this conversation more and more is a sign that the shift is beginning. Every time a viewer chooses to praise a show for its writing, its character development, or its directorial vision over just the chemistry of its leads, it sends a small but significant signal. Every critical review that goes beyond "my ship looked cute" challenges the status quo.
So, while the path is hard, it's not impossible. Our collective hope lies in continuing to voice this demand, in actively supporting the studios that get it right (like Clairebell), and in raising our own standards for what we celebrate. The more we do, the more we empower the creators who share our vision for what BL/GL can truly be. Thank you for adding such a crucial and insightful perspective to this.
They gave 90% of the budget to Scarlet Heart and 10% to all bls combined
This is what I have been saying. These actors treat BL shows as a way into stardom into the real acting careers of hetero dramas where they can become famous.
They gave 90% of the budget to Scarlet Heart and 10% to all bls combined
As always. They don't make that many hetero shows but when they do, it always has exceptional everything. Even the actors who have been in BL act better in hetero shows.
It's disheartening to see the stark contrast in quality and care between GMMTV's hetero shows and their BL offerings. The hetero series consistently receive the benefit of strong writing, skilled acting, competent directors, generous budgets, and thoughtful cinematography, they are given every resource to succeed. Meanwhile, BL shows are consistently treated as an afterthought, leading to a cycle where the company prioritizes quantity over quality. They churn out numerous BLs because they are profitable, yet they reinvest those earnings back into their hetero projects, further widening the gap.
I am frustrated that this system is reinforced when fans provide inflated ratings based solely on their favorite actors or popular ships, rather than the show's actual merit. We must collectively raise our standards. If we don't demand better from these production companies, we will continue to be disappointed. While we have been gifted a few exceptional BLs, they are rare exceptions in a landscape dominated by high-quality hetero content. Why can't studios take a creative risk on BL narratives? We should be sold a compelling story first and foremost, not just a marketable pairing. I don't care about a ship if the actors cannot deliver a believable performance, that is the simple truth.
All I want is for BL stories to be treated with the same respect and given the same production love as any other genre. I am tired of the constant letdown. Many fans accept mediocrity because BL is still considered a niche market, but being niche is no excuse for inferior quality. This genre and its audience deserve the same level of excellence, and it's time we stopped settling for less.
1 
You've hit on the core issue: when shows are treated as products on an assembly line, they lose the very soul that makes a story compelling. The "BL formula" becomes a crutch, and the acting, often from idols or models chosen for marketability, can't support the weight of a weak script. It creates a hollow experience where you're constantly aware you're watching a performance, never losing yourself in a narrative.
Your point about the fanbase is especially astute. The divide in taste is real. There is a huge audience, often younger or solely ship-focused, that craves comfortable, low-stakes "fluff." They loved Magic Prophesy for its familiar tropes and beloved actors, and that's valid for them. But it creates a market where shows that dare to be different, like the beautifully nuanced "180 Degrees Longitude Passes Through Us" or the emotionally complex "On Cloud Nine," are often rated lower because they challenge the viewer instead of just comforting them. They demand more from their audience, and not everyone is willing to give that.
This is exactly why your final decision is the most powerful one: to be selective. To curate your own viewing experience and actively seek out the BLs that are made with intention. Your list --The Eighth Sense, Only Friends, I Feel You Linger in the Air, proves that the potential for excellence is there. These shows share a common thread: they are director-driven, prioritize atmospheric storytelling and character integrity, and aren't afraid to make the audience feel something complex.
So, limit yourself to what truly moves you. By doing so, you're not missing out; you're honoring your own standards and supporting the creators who share your vision for what BL can be. You're voting with your views for more shows that have a story to tell, not just a ship to sell.
It's not enough to just criticize the production companies; we, as a fandom, have to critically examine our own consumption habits. The cycle of "trending a show no matter what" simply because our favorite actors are in it is the very fuel that keeps this machine of mediocrity running. You've pinpointed the core issue: we need a cultural shift within the audience itself—a move away from being purely ship-focused and toward being story-focused.
Your point about shows like "Wish You Luck" (Clairebell's upcoming project) from smaller startups is so vital. They represent the alternative. These smaller productions often succeed precisely because they have to compete on the strength of their creative vision and respect for the story, as they can't rely on pre-existing, massive ship fanbases. They prove that the demand for quality exists and that it's possible to treat queer stories with integrity.
And you're also right that change feels daunting. The ecosystem is deeply entrenched. But the fact that we are having this conversation more and more is a sign that the shift is beginning. Every time a viewer chooses to praise a show for its writing, its character development, or its directorial vision over just the chemistry of its leads, it sends a small but significant signal. Every critical review that goes beyond "my ship looked cute" challenges the status quo.
So, while the path is hard, it's not impossible. Our collective hope lies in continuing to voice this demand, in actively supporting the studios that get it right (like Clairebell), and in raising our own standards for what we celebrate. The more we do, the more we empower the creators who share our vision for what BL/GL can truly be. Thank you for adding such a crucial and insightful perspective to this.
I am frustrated that this system is reinforced when fans provide inflated ratings based solely on their favorite actors or popular ships, rather than the show's actual merit. We must collectively raise our standards. If we don't demand better from these production companies, we will continue to be disappointed. While we have been gifted a few exceptional BLs, they are rare exceptions in a landscape dominated by high-quality hetero content. Why can't studios take a creative risk on BL narratives? We should be sold a compelling story first and foremost, not just a marketable pairing. I don't care about a ship if the actors cannot deliver a believable performance, that is the simple truth.
All I want is for BL stories to be treated with the same respect and given the same production love as any other genre. I am tired of the constant letdown. Many fans accept mediocrity because BL is still considered a niche market, but being niche is no excuse for inferior quality. This genre and its audience deserve the same level of excellence, and it's time we stopped settling for less.
If you agree with me, go give my review some love: https://kisskh.at/profile/13107903/review/504748