EmperorCaligula

Something you will remember

"Countdown to Yes" is a Japanese BL series of 11 Episodes, which finished just recently, and flew a bit under the radar. Japanese BL series always have this special place in my heart. There is this sincerity and gravitas Japanese people show, even in romance series. This is about Minato and Wataru, having been best friends since High School days, sharing an apartment for saving cost, and being united by their love for photography.

This hobby of theirs makes for a lot of truly memorable flashbacks, something I am usually a bit mixed, but those moments with very few words with Wataru is busy with making photos of the landscape and Minato is way more interested by making pictures of Wataru instead. Those are quiet, tender moments, some unspoken love that is there. But Wataru is haunted by the idea, when he realizes his feelings for Minato, if the love fails, would they not lose their friendship?

The series is carried by fine details of everyday intimacy, of growing together over years, when Minato leaves the country for three years, where the main plot sents in, when Minato returns and they struggle with how their story should continue. The series had two really good actors complementing each other well, and since Japan has no ships, you have the benefit to give all into the actors and the story, uncertain what will happen in the end. Overall it wasn't a huge drama, mostly wholesome, but I found great value in the inner struggles both MC's have on a day to day level, which was filmed with the typical talent for "elevated realism" typical for Japanese series. You just felt inside a real, lived in world, where in contrast Thai BLs often feel a bit too "fantasy realism", if you get my meaning.

Here every gesture, every little moment together is like a window in a realistic world of two young men finding a way into their future, and even without great drama, the many small everyday dramas carried the eleven episodes very well, with a soft, wonderful but never intrusive music score. It was well worth watching, lacking nothing, achieving for what it aimed like those nice spring times you remember years later, even if the details escape you.

9/10
Recommended

Read More

I always found it irritating when people wrote "my honest review" in the past. Before I knew BL series, lol. I thought, who would write a dishonest review? Well, now I know. I have seen many 10s and 1s for series who clearly didn't deserve it.

Love Alert was, I saw, not really well received, and I can understand why. Still, the question for me as reviewer has two be twofold: what did the creators aim for, and was I entertained? On a very basic level I have to answer to both: yes.

As to the details, it was a decent enough story. A red flag character breaks the heart of a green flag guy, with a surrounding cast. Now as a gay man I testify, people like Jimmy just exist - and I assume among straight people just as well. But then there were two important messages: first, we cannot command whom to love. That too I have seen, mostly ending bad. I have an ex who always fell in love with guys treating him bad with no happy ends. But is that life as it always is, and can stories not give us hope? Hope that bad people can change? And in grim times such as these, at least for my part it is a hope I do not wish to let go, call me naive. I never was in the shoes of these two, but I want to believe that a change can happen, and through what if not love? Jimmy did get his good share of suffering, and as the saying goes, mercy is given unearned, for if we have to earn it, it is not forgivance. And despite it all, my heart is not yet so hardend. As such I did overall enjoy the plot. For it gives me hope.

The acting was alright, it wasn't top acting or top looking actors, I am honest with that, though I think the bad guy turned good was good looking. Call the question of looks shallow, but in love stories made film I think that does matter. The changes of the behavior from all six people involved was interesting to see, and just because one was a red flag, I don't think it deserves to be hated as series, especially since I am usually relatively thin skinned to watch suffering, I did not feel it was so over the top. The kissing was a bit lacking, but then it often is, so I did not want to set the bar too high just for that. The NC was nice, not too much to be bored (I AM LOOKING AT YOU PEACH LOVER!), and sensitive enough to be nice. Each character was displayed with a clearly distinct character and a decent enough character development. Just from a gut feeling I had a good time with it, and ending with "Two- and a Half Couples" I felt well enough at the ending.
As such I give it

7.5/10
better than expected. 😉

Read More

Nice try, somewhat fun, but not really worth the time

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL COUNT - Review

Man, what to say. It is like a split within myself, one side kinda linking it, the other sort of not. Let's break the basics down. The story about Prince a sort of star in a fictional country like Thailand. Now the assessment of who he/she is is difficult because Thailand knows a term called "Kathoey", which as far as I tried to find out has not 100% equivalent in Western terms. In the subs it is translated as "trans-woman", but kathoey seems to cover more, like the Thai "Ladyboys" who not so much are like trans people and all the way to entirely transitioning man to women. But then, read up the term. It just left me personally irritated that I didn't get what Prince/Worradej wanted to be. But then that's just me.

For western eyes, since we do not have the Kaothey culture, I cannot say how much his overacting as extremely stereotypical (some may say caricature) of female identity feels offensive or entertaining. And truth me told: I have no clear mind about it myself. Basically: it is pure cringe. Sometimes cringe can be fun, sometimes not. I can live with a lot of cringe, and that was not so much puzzling me here, when I take my brain out and enjoy the comedy side. On the other had, I DO feel irritated like: is this doing trans or queer or gay people a favor? And being honest, I think not. But then, a series doesn't HAVE to be realistic. Make of that what you wish.

The acting was ok-ish. I found none of it really great in all roles. Then going into a past of Thailand or Asia is always a problem, where does it go into a fantasyland far away from realism, and let's be honest: any attempt to turn a conservative, religions, slave-owning 1400s society into a modern, progressive Republic is... hogwash. Sorry, both as historian and as BL fan, this was just way too much to believe. Suddenly in the end everyone is happy and dancing, villians included, and of course nobody is really dead, despite "dying" many times. This was just... no. It was too much make believe. I heard the webtoon continues after this in the modern world, but then I most certainly have no interest to know MORE about this world.

Was I entertained? Yes, I mean it took much time and I had fun overall, despite the story being hilariously absurd and making no sense at all. Like there is an entire Kingdom, apparently made up of 300 villagers and everything else is "off screen", so politics, army all suddenly seem to play no role. The nobles go, the army vanishes and all end in some Disney-song ending. It was partially like a feaver dream. It felt like a far cry from way outdated slapstick times, but I understand it can be VERY divisive for reasons mentioned. I don't want to be too negative, but overall, despite being okay entertained, I can only rate this a "nice try"

4/10

Read More

Much ado about nothing

Oh dear. Where to beging. I am writing a review on the 2022 BL Thai Series "Cutie Pie", featuring NuNew and Zee as MC. The first thing coming to my mind after it FINALLY ended was what Bilbo said in Lord of the Rings: feeling thin like butter stretched over too much bread. And for once, I have a hard time to seperate my feeling for the story itself from the quality of the series, which I usually try to keep seperate.

If you ask me just personally, not trying a somewhat objective review yet: this was one of the most absurd selection of couples, behaviors, setups I have seen in a long time. I groaned the last three episodes, praying for a quick end because the "issue" went on and on and on.

But let me try to step back into more subjective terretory. The plot was that for some relatively illogical reasons a grandfather asked an older child to forever take cake of his grandson. Maybe if I watched it three or four times more I may get why anyone would do so, but then, I'd rather not. If there was a somewhat reasonable motivation, I missed it, for it made no sense at all. Everything seemed to hinge on this idea Kuea (NuNew) was seen as sort of inept to care for himself until a point he believed it about himself too, without any reason why HE would think that about himself for any other reason than everyone treating him like that. The grandpa arraging marrying an older guy, the mother keeping all things secret and his to be married Lian Wang (Zee) keeping him in this perspective. Something that so much borders gaslighting, that no matter with how many romance, music, kisses and "oh but I love you" I could not overlook.

The ending was kinda suggesting that both were to blame equally, since Kuen too had a life he hid from Lian, but objectively see this is quite some hogwash if ever I heard one. Kuen was expected to show a perfection, told so by his family and fiance, so he was pushed into this fear to hide his true self, whereas Lian enjoyed knowing all about him and letting Kuen make a fool out of himself being in the dark throughout almost the entire series. Above love there is truth and trust. I understand such things grow. And maybe I am just weary of this "childhood friends to lovers" theme, because TBH I find this quite unrealistic. We all know the friend zone issue. Maybe in 2022 it was okay, because it was an early time for BL, but I am used to this plot device from Manga and Webtoon for 20 years, and it has gotten old and implausible for me. And then people who want to stay together have to share some interests, have to have something in common beyond just love. Love is just not enough. And Kuen and Lian... what did they have in common? But then, this is an issue alas with many BL stories.

It also didn't sit well with me how strongly especially Lian/Zee was glued to the role of the "emotionless" top/seme trope I am so tired. I have seen NuNew and Zee in this prince thing, and I can't say how much the actual acting range of Zee is, but in both I felt it isn't much. A bit sad, a bit surprised, a bit serious, and I can't say if it's the actor or the directing, but it was boring. I am not fond of stoic tops. NuNew surely was acting very good, also a good singer and the highlight of the series. But 12 episodes of indecision... and then we have not one no TWO side couples with the same issue.

No comminication. I have seen Max who play Yi in several series, and somehow he always seems to play the same role: he stares like a villain, I never can buy his "I am in love" expressions in any series, and while his ship partner Nat who play Khon Diao has more to offer, it was the same stoic top vs overly emotional bottom just with even LESS story and logic. We had a third love story with Syn and Nuer, but I won't say anything about this other than it felt entirely superfluous to the plot whatsoever.

The problem I mainly had was it was unplausible to me. Keeping banale things a secret in fear to not fit to expected values may be plausible in Asia, but I can only speak from the lens I am accustomed to, and if at least the secrets had been super dramatic, I could understand. But loving to make music and studying car engineering instead of computer engineering and not being a doll? Wow, that surely is one set of secrets to be totally dramatic over... NOT! But worse, the transactions to save Kuen's family fortune doing it behind his back to "not trouble him"? BOTH mother and fiance? Seriously?

You know I grew up with a mother who to this day things I am quite inept do handle anything harsh, so MAYBE I am more sensitve to REALLY being ANGRY about the idea to being treated like that. But I would surely NOT marry a guy who treats me like that, love or no love. Overall, this series in long parts simply bored me. It was fluff, it had its moments, but I KINDA feel like I want my time back. I can't say it was horrible either. And before I tired you with an endless review I give it an okay

6/10

With an extra 9/10 to NuNew for acting and singing.

Read More

Truly wholesome captivating BL with everything in it!

Well, I just finished this series, and indeed, it grew upon me. At first I wasn't too sure whether I would like it. New life in another world, many comedic elements and in the beginning the other MC seemed a bit stoic.

However, I was glad I stayed, and the more I watched it, the more this series grew unto me. To see Suriya slowly get out of his shell, to see Apo/Phopthorn grow to handle his part with some setback but growing to be the strong center was truly amazing to watch. What I really liked was, beside the many breathtaking sets, the truly wonderful music.

The drama with the various family members was interesting and keeping me wanting to "know what happens next" without ever getting into too dark areas where you might have really evil parents, as is in some other series.

And compared to the abysmal handling of divine powers in "My Little Ghost", this showed how to make proper use of Divine Intervention! At the end we got one of the most beautiful weddings and a truly happy end for everyone who deserved one. And a quick ride to hell for the one who didn't. *waves sarcastically goodbye*

The Apu/Phopthorn actor was surely the highlight of the series. A bit out of the usual looks, he really was the star of the series and managed to play both characters very convincing and carried the show through many moments. Not a moment of boredom, so I can easily rate it a fully recommended:

9/10

Read More

Solid BL

The Story of Bi Hyeong: Enchanted Master of the Goblin - REVIEW

First, I began this series twice, wasn't soooo hooked feeling as an okay story, I know binged it from 3 to 12 the entire day. I wonder and ask you: does it sometimes make a difference how much you like a series based on watching it weekly or binge? Because honestly, I felt like I liked series more when I could watch it in a few days and not live week per week. Actually I really dislike this, unless some really unique STORY beside the BL happens, like now with "Goddess bless you from Death" with PavelPooh, because the ghost story keeps me remembering it a week pause more.

Strangely this series had a bit a vibe usually from Thai series, more fun or lighthearted despite the series ongoings.
I thought the two MCs and the side couple were interesting, especially Geum Bok playing the constantly "innocent maiden" in need of help. Only when he played the superstar at the end for a bit you could see he really can play more, which is an opportunity we rarely get in series. The Goblin King Bi Hyeong played the role okay, but he could have shown a bit more emotion. No crying, and the love scenes between them where a bit superficial, not sooo much like being crazy in love. I really loved Geum Bok's deep voice.

Settings, scenery and music were all well, though no really memorable places like from other series. Mixing mystic/magic into a BL - or generally anything other than "just" BL - is always a very welcome bonus to me. The end leaves a few questions open, like Geum Bok being mortal and ageing and that evil "dragon guy"; are they hoping for a Second Season? Personally I am not sure the series is THAT great that I am much longing for one. I think of "Pit Babe" which was basically a closed story and while it was really good, the 2nd season felt a bit tacked on. So I am not sure if we really need one?

It was nice, definitely memorable, I had a good time, but as you know I use the full 1-10 spectrum, I still believe it a good series when I say it was a

7/10

I know in film and gaming the rating is now different like 7 is bad anbd 6 is abysmal, but I stick to the old full 10 star idea where a 5/10 would still be halfway good and reserve 8-10 for really breathtaking series, otherwise if everything is 10 (as in many user reviews on the websites) 10 loses its meaning, so don't regard this as a harsh rating.

Read More

The perfect Korean short BL drama

YOU MAKE ME DANCE
Korea 2021 - Review

Another oldie review, and the kind I like a lot: Korean BL dramas. Why? The Koreans have this special touch to make short BLs which resemble the theatre from of the "Kammerspiel" - chamber play or chamber drama. I am rating a short in great part according to the aim, and a chamber play has a totally different goal that a grand series. It contains a short story with very few actors, usually a short time. Everything is limited and it reflects the beautiful art which Korea and Japan are so famous for: minimalism. To express much with very little.

In that it were 8 Episodes of around 15 minutes each, a story between a dancer in debt and his debt collector and their falling in love and overcoming difficulties. It was not one of those loud Thai BLs with BINGS and sounds and all, but a slow paced drama unfolding in its own perfection. The display of two people coming together and overcoming odds was like this minimalist, but not too little that brought this small serious IMVPO to a near perfect short series to watch. Like the genre of Korean short BL it was tender and had a harmony of its own like a center of gravity where any more would have been too much and any less to little. Like in dancing. Or cooking.

It is one of the few BLs I can clearly think to watch again sometimes, something I rarely feel about BLs, even when I like them, and most of them are these small, short Korean Chamber Play Dramas like this. As such measured on its aim and me having nothing much left to wish at the end, give dare to rate it a

9/10
Oldie Classic

Read More

Oldie but Goldie Police X Mafia BL Drama

HISTORY 3 - TRAPPED Review
(Taiwan 2019 - Spoiler)

Having just finished another of the HISTORY series, I have seen some ups and downs in the various takes. This is about a policeman and a mafia boss both being at odds and then in love.

Overall I liked the ten episodes. It had interesting characters, generally good acting and all a policeXmafia love drama should have. Unlike others I never felt it was over the top dark, since the darkest parts all happened off camera, so despite usually being sensitive towards to dark depressive plots, I didn't feel dragged down emotionally. I assume I owe it much to the actor Jake Hsu, who played the ever optimistic beacon of light police officer Meng Shao Fei, and grounded the show, preventing it from falling too far into depressive waters with his acting and presence.

While the end might have had a bit more positive resolve, much of it would have been too unrealistic. When the MC mafia boss Tang Yi, it is a kinda semi-sad ending where you just feel the trust they will meet again, but I would have liked to SEE it, although the tonality of it gave me the trust that it will be so. (Hopefully not after 24 years, lol.)

Anyway, it was a nice series with interesting plot twist, unique characters and what I liked especially a cast that didn't look like a model-walk copy of the N-th beauty catalogue. As such I give it a confident

8.5/10

Read More

More a very good teaser that a real story.

Eight episodes of each 10 minutes, so we get some real short series here. Sometimes I felt it was more long trailers of an actual series, like skipping so much content, which is "between the lines" of what we do not see. Or think of it is an 80 minutes long good music video.

I am not sure why this story with potential was so short and skipped so many possible moments. What was there is good, even thought the BL element was until the end more "in the imagination"; not in a bad way, but still kinda unmanifested. The highlight of the series was aptly to the theme and title the really beautiful music, which truly stood out.

Still, it was a good appetizer for a full show that this wasn't. But what it was were 80 good minutes to spend.

As such
7.5 of 10

Read More

Wholesome, alas with room for improvement

Well, a wholesome themed series finally found its end, and I assume it ended exactly as everyone assumed from early on, lol. Which, well is no shame, but a bit an ongoing watershed between good and REALLY good series. And it is a beef I have with series I know others see very different. I like BL stories, but personally I feel a BL just on its own just doesn carry enough interest for me, with some rare exception when either the actors or the directing is so great, it does all the job, like some of those small Korean "Kammerspiele" - small chamber plays which revolve around two people with little extra.

But that is not the Thai style, and if I compare it to, right now "Goddess Bless You from Death" (Pooh/Pavel) I felt there was a lack of story here. I mean BESIDE the love, a background against which the lovers to be develop and measure their growth. In this, this series was quite shallow waters. David/Wave had a very helpful memory loss, with Lava first disliking and then falling for him. Not entirely a really breathtaking or new idea, alas. As it is that story was well written and performed, but it had a foreseeable hiccup at Episode 9, the inevitable and again entirely foreseeable "I remember the past but not you" which again to no one's surprise made the 10th episode extremely rushed. So many problems were solved, even a one year time skip. Nothing about the coup, no development of the parents or the fake marriage, not much to see of a year of suffering. And suddenly a five minute happy end, which was nicer than other five minute endings but as lacking as such endings unavoidable always are.

Goods to mention are the scenery, the locations, camera directing and also the many beautiful songs. A scope of many different moods between the actors and their stages of relationship. However, being true to heart, Winny/Satang is not a power couple. Both seemed to act reserved and I have seen many stronger emotions on display given the dramatic moments involved. Satang's acting is okay, but I just could not really feel so much behind the face of Winny. He just sorely lacked the strength to show anger, fear, sadness convincingly enough to me. Often it felt more like a variations of stares. One could accept this, if we had a backstory, maybe he was traumatized, maybe if he had a form of autism or anything that would explain such a reduced facial reaction. It was just a love, given the acting, thinking of it without music, scenery and story supported I had a hard time to buy. Even in wording, I missed those powerful breaking points, explaining deep love or deep suffering at least in words. If you compare it to other series actors (First, Fourth or Pooh) there is just a way too steep difference.

I laude them for making an unusual couple, breaking a bit from the mold. Winny is no model type and Satang is. Winny is stoic manly but Satang isn't "feminine" but strong on its own. It saddens me to say, but Winny just was the weak link of the entire series. And I hate to say that because it seems like "I just want perfect doll actors", but he just didn't work for me as a convincing lover. And the problem is: it isn't their first roles, even though their first main couple series. So how much air to learn to act better is in the stars.

As a wholesome series I felt well watching it, I wasn't bored, it was okay, but against the rising competition it felt just weak. Sure a lot of series are worse, but a lot also now are just better. Just take Pond currently playing the excentric Mafia boss and you know what I mean with really interesting acting. As ever making use of the full scale, it is one of the more difficult series to rate, knowing some prefer just BL and not too much other stuff, so I split it up to explain:
STORY: 7
DIRECTING: 8
ACTING: 5
MUSIC: 9

OVERALL 7/10

Read More

A weak BL inside a horribly boring story

Oh by Thor's beard. My precious time, where did it go? Where to begin? I try to start to think about something good first. Give me a minute. Joong and Dunk are good looking guys.

That's it. Everything else was horrible. See I love drama, and as Agatha Christie fan I love a good murder story too. But this wasn't it. I felt this weird thing since the middle half that one moment we get a gruesome murder then a BL scene like these must have been the dumbest detectives I have seen. Or police, since... I mean there is a serial killer on the loose, and the police department sents TWO officers for the entire continually escalating situation? Would not the famous father of one of the potential victims (his son) not at least press for more police, or bringing his son out the country? I mean, if I were part of targeted group I'd flee the country like yesterday?

And instead everyone is waiting in the city, doing their same known routines a FEW of them guarded by ONE policeman instead of taking them into protective custody or something??? And sorry, between all the horror Joong and Dunk making out felt so unbeliebaly MISPLACED. Was is not clear the murderer was after everyone? Why did people even think, if they decide (Dare) they would not end up being killed? Sorry, all of these were psychos of some level, and unlike Death on the Nile or any Whodunnit crime this was NOT interesting. It was BORING. I care for none of the victims, nor were the villains in any way, shape or form interesting. It was evil what the people being killed did, yeah, but if one decides to go on such a revenge path with such methods I assume the murderer couple was mentally profoundly deranged before that.

And what did Kamin and Jade achieve? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. It was like every single decision was unreasonable, pointless and amateurish beyond imagination. To alterate a famous movie quote:

What I've just watched is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever seen. At no point this rambling, incoherent story ever come close to anything that could be considered as rational. Following this series I am now dumber just for having watched to it. I award them no points, and may God have mercy on their soul.

1/10
One point for good looking MC actors.

Read More

Completely wholesome First Love story!

Oh my what a run! I just finished the final episode 12, easily by far the best episode of the series, and I feel one of the best final episodes of any BL series I can recall. It was like bathing in a warm sun of bliss!

But let's get back to the start. I remember some people dismissed the show early on, especially for Duang's (TeeTee) hyperactive childish acting. But in hindsight, Duang was one of the most interesting and loveley characters developments I have yet seen. From a wild puppy overwhelmed with love, changing Qin (Por), one who through deep trauma in his childhood had closed up entirely, Duang being a reliable support and maturing in his care for Qin, I felt this was one of the most interesting changes of both characters, without entirely breaking them up, but showing how fist love changes people and how both grew together organically.

All actors were a feast for the eyes, great acting, and no scene felt needlessly and nothing missing either. I know, university and high school first loves are a bit overplayed by now, but this one I admit felt like a whole new level. I could feel the actors gave their all, and two different characters finding together with a lovely support crew, I am glad I didn't give up and felt thoroughly rewarded with a wholesome series, hoping we see TeeTee and Por for many years yet to come. With a good soundtrack and especially main theme, two experienced singers and dancers, some drama overcome together and an ending both mature and fantastic, I have no hesitation to award this series with

10/10
Memorable breakthrough!

Read More

Unforgettable highlight of Korean BL

The Korean BL Series „Never forget your Enemy“ (a mysterious title if ever there was one), ended today with the release of the final two episodes seven and eight. Like many Korean (and Japanese) BL series, it was more condensed and shorter with each Episode around 35 minutes, unlike many Thai BL series often going to 10, 12 episodes sometimes up to an hour.

So let's sum up what we got: a very mysterious beginning with one of the main characters having amnesia, granted not the most novel plot mechanism – but then I rather have a proven plot concept worked out well, than something novel that in the end doesn't add up together. We have two stunningly good looking main actors in the love story, as we are used from Korean productions, and something of a melancholic tone of a slow development towards the usual dramatic revelation in the seventh, penultimate episode. I admit I had tried to do my detective works with the hints, and still managed to be surprised. The episodes were all well made each in itself and the story as a whole was just a perfect story in my book.

It is a visual feast of great cinematography, some of the cool Korean fashion, being daring to shed some light on the ups and downs of the "Idol Industry", and good non-intrusive background music.

One of my personal highlights: we saw REALLY one of the possibly best kissing scenes I can remember ever have seen down to the very sensitive NC scenes, which never were overdoing, but clearly showing all the passion without feeling like the cringe-fest the likes of Peach-something-something. Both actor displayed their emotions well, and even the various flashbacks being non-intrusive, but gave us more and more layers revealed about the relationship between Haneul and Saebyeok. Both actors had their first Lead Characters in this BL series, with little known about them before. As such, they left a stunning impression to me.

I won't say more about the ending, save that it is all worth watching to the end. I was satisfied, with nothing negative to say, other than I wish there had been one more episode. Being as such a perfect love drama and thoroughly having been well entertained, I am confidently giving it a

10/10
Must see

Read More

You Happy Neighbourhood Vampires

My Secret Vampire is an eight episode long Korean BL with, as unexpected as it may sound to to you, Vampires. And a non Vampire. And of course everyone is gay. 😅

Anyway, I really like this sort of less dramatic version of Vampire meets non-Vampire BL than the other big one. No big blood scenes, and I liked the calm pacing of this studio, whose MC actors I think I saw before. Though looking it up I could neither verify any other show nor the studio. Maybe you know more.

Anyhow, I really liked this lighthearted show, with all endearing characters. There is no "real" solution to a certain issue, meaning aging. But I guess like star gazing or marveling at the cherry blossom, sometimes we just lose ourselves in a happy moment. Not reinventing the wheel and staying a bit on the surface with the Vampire story, each actor and scene was enjoyable and lovely, I give this a good

8/10 rating.

Read More