The BL Xpress

Hooked from the Very Beginning!

The title of this series alone had me hooked since it is so esoteric. This whole series is unique in that despite its dark surroundings, it is still a human connection that binds two people together and that might be the requisite for survival in their world. Perhaps without that, the days and nights become a crestfallen abyss. If that connection is a form of love, then let it be named so. All I know is that this throw-away series is an exceptional and phenomenal series that says more with less.

Unquestionably, this is a story conceivably of thousands mirrored in two people. ‘Jed’ Pathomakan (Mark Methasit) is arrested and sent to prison for cheque fraud. Perhaps he would be unremarkable in the sense that typically he would blend into society well. Quiet, somewhat studious-looking, but now having to fend for himself in prison- alone. In this setting, his face and demeanor are enticing and to a degree charismatic. Almost immediately he is ‘protected’ by Bible (Art Pawaret). Bible is haunting. He is boyishly handsome and hypnotic. He seems to be somewhat of a leader in the prison yet obviously given the pecking order within the penal environment, is still subservient to those to whom he owes money. While quiet and introspective, he wields a lot of force among other prisoners and seems to be respected by the guards. Not by force but by demeanor. He rarely, if ever, smiles and even more rarely gives in to any emotions.

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https://theblxpress.wordpress.com/2025/02/08/winter-is-not-the-death-of-summer-but-the-birth-of-spring-series-review-ep-1-to-5/

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A Somber Romance with Excellent Storytelling

Sometimes the greatest love stories are the unspoken ones—the kind that quietly sneak up on us, built from a glance, a touch, and a feeling rather than words.

The Taiwanese BL See Your Love, starring Lin Yu as Yang Zi Xiang (“Sean”) and Kim Yun as Jiang Shao Peng, explores love in its many forms, focusing on how it is expressed in subtle, powerful ways.

The story introduces Yang Zi Xiang, a seemingly spoiled and mischievous heir visiting Taiwan for business, and Jiang Shao Peng, a deaf man facing constant rejection in his search for a job that values his skills rather than fixating on his disability. Through their unlikely connection, these two find love, acceptance, and trust, forming a bond that transcends words.

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https://theblxpress.wordpress.com/2025/01/10/see-your-love-series-review-ep-3-to-13/

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A Legal Thriller with a Romantic Twist!

Boys’ Love may have fallen under the business model of Yaoi, with its softcore porn over plot in many recent Thai series. But happily Japan skipped that memo, continuing to put out thought-provoking series that take the established BL genre to new places. Using pre-existing notions of what to expect from a series where two men kiss, and applying the societal views on the character’s specific circumstances.

2024’s “Love is Like a Poison” from TBS premiered on September 10 and aired til December 3rd of the same year. It’s currently streaming on Netflix. The series follows Lawyer Ryoma Shiba (Hama Shogo) who is a successful lawyer coming up on his 100th win. Beside him is the mysterious Haruto (Hyodo Katsumi), a young man who seems to appear ‘coincidentally’ where he shouldn’t. The two become instant confidants (Haruto’s doing) and soon Ryoma is closing in on that 100th win. But with Haruto comes a avalanche of secrets, intrigue, and romance, that could ruin Ryoma.

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https://theblxpress.wordpress.com/2025/01/09/love-is-like-a-poison-series-review-ep-4-to-12/

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One of the Most Entertaining Thrillers in 2024!

As the curtains close on Spare Me Your Mercy, the Thai BL series delivers a poignant exploration of morality, love, and loss. Adapted from Sammon’s novel Euthanasia, this melancholic drama probes the fine line between compassion and crime, framed by a chilling mystery involving rising deaths among terminally ill patients. Starring Tor Thanapob as Dr. “Kan” Kantaphat and JJ Krissanapoom as Police Major “Thiu” Wasan Khambunrueang, the series challenges viewers to grapple with the ethical complexities of life and death.

The show opens with a gripping investigation into stolen potassium chloride from a local hospital, setting the stage for a tightly woven web of suspicion. Potential culprits emerge, including Nurse Onanong (Fresh Arisara Wongchalee), Pharmacist Boss Chanchai (Aelm Bhumibhat Thavornsiri), Dr. Rin (Prim Atchareeya Potipipittanakorn), and Hospital Director Somsak (Gandhi Wasuwitchayagit).

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https://theblxpress.wordpress.com/2024/12/26/spare-me-your-mercy-series-review-ep-3-to-8/

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A Short Web Series Worth Watching!

“Blue Boys” is a short and earnest portrayal of a couple falling in love while facing challenges to their relationship.

Jaemin (Choi Seungjin) meets his old high school classmate Nami (Lee Hoorim) after years. They have a one-night stand, which leads to something more than their feelings develop for each other. However, they face obstacles to their relationship both from other people, such as a jealous acquaintance who wants Nami for herself, and from their own miscommunication.

“Blue Boys” ended up being quite an entertaining watch for me, especially the first part, which introduces Jaemin and Nami’s relationship up until the point of the first major conflict in their relationship. The issue there stemmed from their very different perspectives, to the job market, and to life in general. Nami has a carefree outlook on life, while Jaemin is a lot more reserved and conscious of what others would think of them. It is ultimately this that is exploited by Sori (Lee Sooha), an acquaintance of Nami’s, to try to break them up.

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https://theblxpress.wordpress.com/2024/12/12/blue-boys-series-review-season-one-two/

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Should Be BL, Not Bromance!!

There is longing but no proximity, shy glances and smiles that melt into friendly banter, flirtations turning into friendly leg pulling are both fun to watch and painful to endure, because the main leads look like they are in romantic love but both going “nah!”

With actions, strong and headstrong teen characters, drama and tumultuous feelings this show is a blurred line between romance and friendship.

“High School Frenemy”, a Thai remake of Korean drama School 2013, is what we will call a typical “Shounen” phenomenon. It’s a story about muscle power. Two rival groups of rowdy young men, competing and trying to be the top dogs.

That is the same with its original parent story in Korean. But the rest are very very Thai.

And by Thai, I mean the relationship of the main leads, Saint and Shin (Sky Wongravee and Nani Hirunkit).

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https://theblxpress.wordpress.com/2024/12/11/high-school-frenemy-series-review-ep-1-to-16/

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This is a particularly intricate and well-acted movie. Its cinematography is exceptional. Sometimes, using muted and pastel tones to reflect the mood of the scenes. The screenplay is also sophisticated, which allowed the actors to become immersed in their roles to the point that the audience could relate and feel what they were experiencing. Since so much of it was subtle, that took real acting challenges to pull off. The first half of the movie is intensely character driven while the second half, unfortunately, becomes an esoteric mess.

The story itself is part reality with a heaping scoop of fantasy thrown in that is both mystifying, illogical, and ended with a perplexing outcome. One I respected but also did not like. While I love fantasy and certainly wish for happy outcomes, not all conclusions in life are so. Or should be.

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https://theblxpress.wordpress.com/2024/12/10/a-balloons-landing-movie-review/

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Censorship Doesn't Dim the Romance in this One!

Yes, indeed I did watch this phenomenal series and, while not a gamer nor understanding much about the intricacies of this series, I treasured its theme and ambition. This series is breathtaking in its presentation, cinematography, storytelling, and acting. I was completely mesmerized and astonishingly could pretty much follow the gist of the story minus the minutiae and detailed storylines. Being a Westerner, I also got hopelessly entangled by the names and relationships of individuals. None of that mattered to me, however. My focus was on the two main protagonists and the heart of their story.

To say this series is unconventional would be an understatement. Interestingly, it was adapted from a BL, but it is NOT a BL. Is it romantic? Oh God! yes. It is beyond a bromance but certainly not a BL. It is in a category all by itself. The two leads, almost from the beginning, develop a strong and inseparable bond between each other that is unshakable. Early on there is a natural affinity between them and it does not take long for both to pledge fidelity to one other.

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/10/11/the-spirealm-series-review-ep-1-to-78/

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A Story of Innocent Love & Longing

There’s something incredibly beautiful about finding the person who sees beyond the mask you wear to the needy heart beneath.

Adapted from the manga Takara no Vidro by Suzumaru Minta, the Japanese BL Takara’s Treasure tells the story of an innocent boy named Nakano Taishin (Konishi Eito), who follows a young man, Shiga Takara (Iwase Yoji), to university after Takara once helped him deal with the grief of losing his pet.

All while Taishin innocently and naively finds a way into Takara’s heart.

All in all, there is little action in the series outside of the emotional journey both of these characters take. They are a perfect balance of innocence and jadedness.

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https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/09/10/takaras-treasure-series-review-ep-3-to-10-spinoff/

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GreatInn Chemistry Works, Otherwise Not So Much

This series is a dichotomous BL, bordering on being oxymoronic. Sometimes brilliant then slipping into utter banality. Occasionally poignant but mostly filled with mundane trite tediousness. Sporadic displays of serious adult behaviors but mostly overshadowed with adolescent/pubescence behavioral patterns acting like petulant teenage children instead of adults in a serious sexual relationship. Occasional story lines eliciting tears and then in the next dialogue nothing but endless dribble of cliches and platitudes. In other words, not generally reflecting real life but an idealized sanitized world peppered with a whisper of reality and an occasional homage to authenticity. The best word to describe this series is: puffery. I simply had a hard time relating to this story.

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https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/08/28/wandee-goodday-series-review-ep-1-to-12/

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Spy-Pon Chemistry is Explosive

The title “This Love Doesn’t Have Long Beans” is based on the Thai dish Pad Kaprao. It is a popular dish that some believe traditionally comprises meat, holy basil leaves, chili, and fish sauce. However, there has been some controversy over these ingredients as others prefer to make their Pad Kaprao with chopped long beans, baby corn, and mushrooms.

In “This Love Doesn’t Have Long Beans”, Pad Kaprao is more than just a dish, it’s a way of life. As the series unfolds, we discover the motivations, and passions of Plawan, Oab, and the rest of the ensemble. The show blends humor with heartfelt moments that together create a “flavorful” series. Here are 3 things I loved and hated about the show.

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https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/08/27/this-love-doesnt-have-long-beans-series-review-ep-3-to-8/

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A Well Scripted Thriller with Intriguing Characters

A Captivating Journey Through Time and Love – A Final Review of “4 Minutes”

After watching all eight episodes of Thailand’s “4 Minutes”, I can confidently say this series has been a compelling roller coaster of emotions, mystery, and passion. What started as an intriguing premise quickly transformed into a layered narrative that kept me glued to the screen. Each episode unraveled new dimensions of time, relationships, and personal growth, making it one of the most thought-provoking BL series I’ve watched.

A Love Story Rooted in Time

Great and Tyme’s chemistry started to develop by Episodes 3 and 4, pushing their love story to unprecedented emotional heights. Great, who has the extraordinary capacity to see four minutes into the future, begins to realize how this ability impacts not just his life but also his relationships with people in general and Tyme in particular. Great’s fragility is progressively revealed by the plot, especially when he confides in Tyme about the dreams he has of him, which is a precursor to the love tension that will develop throughout the episodes.

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https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/10/05/4-minutes-series-review-ep-3-to-8/

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One of the Best Adaptations in 2024!

It’s easy to get lost in our own lives—to become so consumed by what’s happening to us that we feel like we’re drowning. And the people beyond the waves? They become distant, even frightening, especially when one of them shines like a beacon of light, someone we’re afraid to approach for fear of extinguishing their brilliance.

This feeling of being lost, afraid, and yet yearning for something outside our own experience is precisely what the Japanese BL Our Youth captures so powerfully.

Adapted from the webtoon by Hi Nun, Our Youth follows model student Minase Jin (Motojima Junsei) and delinquent Hirukawa Haruki (Kamimura Kenshin) as they navigate a turbulent youth defined by violence and loneliness. Their lives are like a choppy sea where no one expects them to cross paths—let alone to become each other’s anchor in the storm.

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https://theblxpress.wordpress.com/2025/01/08/our-youth-series-review-ep-3-to-10/

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Reincarnation Saga at its Best!!

Adapted from the novel “Katsathitthan” (กัษธิษฐาน) by Ace, “I’m Your Moon” is a reincarnation saga steeped in societal redressal and traditional bondage. The intricately woven storyline addresses the long lost love between two princesses born in the Buddhist year 2456 (1913). While being homosexual itself was a crime then, their regal status doesn’t allow their blossoming love to flourish. With same-sex marriage laws becoming a reality in Thailand, the show highlights the differences in the ancient and modern societal mindset. Starring Sprite Itaree & Piano Pronyanee in lead roles, the show encompasses two different timelines where their characters fall in love and face variant challenges!

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https://the-bl-xpress.com/2025/03/28/im-your-moon-first-impressions-ep-1-2/

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One of the Best Bromances This Year!!

Two strong bromance actors paired together in one crime thriller, that’s the highlight of this show!

The first thing that catches your attention as soon as the series start is Leon Zhang’s lean appearance and mellow behavior. As compared to his earlier shows (Yes, I’m talking about “My Roommate is a Detective), where he had a rugged approach and fierce mentality, “Unnatural Fire’s” Xu Tong Sheng is far calmer and composed. Nothing fazes him, not even jarred dead bodies. As the newly appointed Adviser in the Fire Investigation Department, he is meticulous and thorough in his proceedings. Something that pairs him opposite Dai Xu’s Shen Ye, the Captain of the Criminal Police Department. If you have watched “Live Surgery Room”, then you would know that bromance is Dai Xu’s forte. Leon Zhang was the one of the main reasons why this genre involved and became popular. He continues the winning streak with “Unnatural Fire” where his camaraderie and refreshing chemistry with Dai Xu is commendable. What is more important is that the other female protagonist Elvira Cai (Jin Chun) doesn’t act as a deterrent in their relationship. In fact, she is close to both main leads and often helps them sort through their misunderstandings.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2025/05/29/unnatural-fire-series-review-ep-1-to-38/

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