Over-the-top storyline wasn’t my thing
If the plot sounds a little silly and unrealistic, that’s because it is. The synopsis looks like what you’d get if a grade B movie got yanked straight out of wattpad, but the actual execution is much better than it sounds.Chicheng, a spoiled heir who uses his father’s wealth to paper over his character flaws, is not a particularly likeable character. He's a deeply flawed character but he will gradually grow on you. His character arc doesn’t excuse his mercurial and toxic tendencies, but at least it reveals deeper layers to his behaviour.
The chemistry between Wei and Chicheng is decent, and I suspect this is why this BL has taken global audiences by storm. But personally, Revenged Love wasn’t really my thing, probably because of the storytelling style.
Their relationship is fraught with silly schemes that made no sense, dramatic misunderstandings between the male lead, and heated conflicts that got way out of hand. This was particularly frustrating because everything could have been solved if the parties involved actually talked to one another. I guess the series needs some drama to keep it moving?
Actually, I would actually watch an entire series involving Chicheng and Guochengyu’s bromance. Very SkyNani vibes.
More reviews: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2025/08/25/revenged-love-2025-bl-review/
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Noey's character really carried this series
This is a story about a cowardly tutor who meets a quirky gang leader.The first 2 episodes or so were a little over-the-top, but when Thi eventually starts tutoring Noey and the pair start spending more time with each other, that’s when I Will Knock You’s magic begins.
Noey and Thi’s developing relationship brings with it a pleasant warmth. The standard structure of BLs these days features some form of intimacy scene at the halfway mark. Not IWK, though, as physical contact is few and far between. Not this show, though. And it doesn’t need to – well-written love stories do not need to rely on love scenes to convey romance.
Thi’s interactions with Noey, who is just so quirky and charismatic as a character, carry the series to its full potential. All in all, the show was a breath of fresh air with interesting characters and a well-paced storyline.
Bonus points for its vintage-sounding OST!!
Full review here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2023/02/05/i-will-knock-you-2022-bl-review/
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Sceptical at first, but I'm glad I gave it a shot
I don’t know how else to put it but Cutie Pie is every BL fan’s yaoi dream. Perfectly flawless men in expensive outfits, fabulously wealthy (and smart), remarkably protective and loving. 100% sensual romance.I was initially sceptical of Cutie Pie because 1. I’ve never been a fan of Zee (couldn’t finish Why R U?, too dull), and 2. The premise sounds like it could turn into a trope-laden cringefest. Also, the first episode was a little hard to get through.
But the series just kept getting better. Who needs a deep plot or complex character development when you can have 100% sensual romantic fluff, rich-person style?
Read: Lian and Yi are absolutely whipped for their guys, and Foei (Lian’s personal assistant) is all of us BL fangirls who are rooting for the couples.
Audiences are treated to a disgustingly clingy and mushy Lian in private. From long, loving gazes to hungry kisses that seem to go on forever, my mind was blown by the sheer quantity and quality of top-notch kisses in this series.
Yi and Diao’s backstory is not revealed upfront, so audiences are largely clueless when their narrative unfolds. I thought their dynamic reminded me of an older sibling being overprotective of his stepbrother, probably because their age gap appeared far more pronounced than ZeeNunew’s. Not sure if it was just their characters, but I thought their romance came off a little awkward and forced.
Lastly, Synn and Nuer. This couple came out of nowhere, but they became whipped cream part 3. They had an understated chemistry that didn’t quite reach its full potential.
Overall, Cutie Pie is a fevered yaoi dream I don’t wanna wake up from.
Read my full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/05/15/cutie-pie-bl-review/
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Almost there... Needs more restless tension
At its core, this is a coming-of-age story between two young men. Of desire and denial, and whether there is something more to sustain the initial attraction beyond a summer holiday.The visuals are equally beautiful and dreamy but there are some differences from Call Me By Your Name. The pace is slightly more upbeat and less drawn-out compared to the Western version, and the dialogue is obviously adjusted for the Chinese context.
But it lacks the one thing that makes Call Me By Your Name so raw and real. It’s restless tension. What CMBYN does so well is that it visualises restless tension in young romances that are both clandestine and unstable.
The characters cling onto the need to be seen and to be noticed by the person they like. In their absence, they are filled with anxious energy, eager for the person to return again. But the moment they inhabit the same space, an awkward tension permeates.
Are we just this, or can we be something more?
More reviews: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2025/04/21
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Predictable plot but STILL SO CUTE
With its fake-relationship-turned-real-lovers plot, the series is giving 2gether energy. A clueless freshman agrees to be in a fake relationship with a popular senior, only to fall in love with him over time.In 2025, I would think that this type of storyline has become predictable and boring. So why did I love this so much???
I get serious butterflies whenever Muenfah and Teerak spend time alone together under the guise of “learning to act like a couple”. Man, this trope never gets old.
Was I happy with how Teerak’s family conflict was resolved? Not entirely. It seemed a little too quick and easy. But for the BL world, that’s a fairly standard timeline and decent ending I guess.
More reviews: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/
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Slowburn romance was great, bad pacing towards the end :-(
The good: Slow-burn romances and character development that remains painfully (but realistically….) incomplete. The bad: Awful pacing in the final 2-3 episodes.You will notice that the romance develops a little slower in Step By Step as compared to most other series. The series has gotten some mixed reviews for being slow-moving and boring. However, some fans have lauded the storyline for its accurate portrayal of real life romance – often a “step-by-step slow burn”.
There is some tension that constantly burns in the background, but the show keeps to a realistic pace that lets the relationship build naturally.
Unfortunately, the pace takes an odd turn towards the end as gaps start to emerge in the narrative. This is particularly pronounced for the second couple – they had a mildly interesting dynamic at the beginning that got me excited, but their story seriously went downhill. Despite the longer-than-usual episodes, it still feels as though some parts were abruptly cut out.
For an emotional rollercoaster like Step By Step, some of the emotionally intense scenes felt forced and all over the place. But Jeng, played by Man, really carried the show for me. He absolutely nailed his role and I hardly think anyone could have done a better job.
Full review here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2023/07/13/step-by-step-2023-bl-review/
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Great show but I didn't like it as much as I wanted to
Dong-eun is cold, mysterious, and incredibly clever. This makes for an addictive watch because she constantly keeps you guessing.If you’re the sort who loves clever schemes, this first season may also prove to be slightly disappointing. While Dong-eun’s plans were elaborate and highly complex, nothing about it was particularly clever in the first installment. In fact, parts of the revenge plot didn’t really make much sense in terms of the execution and timing (just too perfectly coincidental). But okay, I won’t nitpick the specifics.
Although audiences are meant to be rooting for Dong-eun, I didn’t really have any strong feelings about her in this season. There were other stronger characters, like Yeo-jeong (the young medical doctor) and heyonnam (the housekeeper), who I found really interesting.
Overall, I found The Glory a little absurd and unrealistic for my liking at times, but there were sufficiently compelling characters and cliffhangers to keep me invested until the end of it so this was definitely worth the watch.
Full review here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2023/02/01/the-glory-2022-season-1/
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The only bad thing about this show is the wigs
Remember Me will bring about waves of nostalgia, especially for those who grew up in the era of MSN – painful hours of waiting for someone to come online and feeling your stomach lurch when they reply. This show brought a silly grin to my face for sure.It’s also about friendships. Family. And transitions in life.
But to me, the true marvel about Remember Me is also how it shows the evolution of relationships across a wide time horizon.
High school friends that you thought would be around forever tend to slink away into the background. (But with some luck they'll come back into your lives.) Family that you can count on, even if you can't agree with the choices they've made.
This show is about the transition into college life and adulthood. And some parts will get uncomfortable. But with the vicissitudes of life, there will be pain, but there will also be joy.
We rarely see characters with disabilities or disorders in mainstream BLs, but Remember Me really went out of their way to embrace greater diversity. And that's something I really appreciated as well.
My full review here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2023/01/09/remember-me-2022-thai-bl/
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One of the best Japanese BLs out there
There are a few supernatural BLs out there, mostly involving ghosts, but nothing as original and quirky as Eternal Yesterday. For those who aren't into supernatural stuff, don't let this deter you too much. The show is not at all creepy.Unlike most BLs with predictable conflicts (parents' disapproval, miscommunication, a love triangle), Eternal Yesterday is about unsettling uncertainty, loss and grief.
There are some fluffy romantic moments, but the series in no way a feel-good high school story. In fact, with some hints being dropped along the way, audiences are left with a sinking feeling that the ending is not going to be a happy one.
By the time you reach the end, there’s nothing left to do but stew in the discomfort of unanswered questions and unsatisfying endings, unspoken sorrows, and of things given and then taken away.
It's enigmatic, tender and heartbreaking - truly one of the best Japanese BLs out there.
Full review here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/12/25/eien-no-kinou-eternal-yesterday-review/
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Love can bloom even amidst the most turbulent of times
Blueming is definitely one of the better South Korean BLs I’ve seen.The beauty of Blueming is in how it offers astute observations on the relationship between identity and insecurity. It is an honest glimpse into how someone hopes to be seen, liked and validated by revealing the inner workings of an overthinker’s mind – every interaction and conversation stripped down, replayed and analysed.
Si-Won, as someone who cares way too much about what other people think, is a highly relatable character.
Then there’s Da-Woon, the “perfect” kid who is far more self-assured in comparison. With Da-Woon, Si-Won learns that he does not need to be somebody else. He is loved for who he is. Warts and all.
A tender and heartwarming look into how intimacy is built, Blueming shows how love can bloom even amidst the most turbulent of times. It explores the delicate interplay of friendship, romance, family and personal achievement, without trying to cram too much into 10 episodes.
Read my full review here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/04/17/blueming-2022-review-tender-honest-affecting/
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What a waste of great pairs with potential
I know loads of people loved this series so please don't hate on my opinion!Heart Killers is meant to be a romantic thriller, with intense fights, spicy love scenes, and emotional roller coasters. But GMMTV has seen better storylines and scripts. Heart Killers had so many loopholes and illogical plot developments. I should have liked this series more, but everything about it felt like wasted potential.
Revolving around themes of trust and betrayal in the context of romantic relationships, the problems faced by KantBison and FadelStyle were glossed over in an incredibly superficial way. Heart Killers has not convinced me that they have tackled these themes adequately at all. Literally the only thing driving the story is the chemistry between the actors.
Joong is a really talented actor who could have chemistry with a pebble, but I’m not sure about Dunk. He certainly has good chemistry with Joong but he has yet to show range in his acting. Or perhaps it wasn't the right script/series for him yet.
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Absolutely brilliant series that will give you butterflies
I love meta series that are about the entertainment industry (also see: Lovely Writer and To My Star), and ThamePo turned out to be no exception.This series follows the ascent of idol group Mars (played by actual idol group LYKN) and the challenges that come with fame. In exchange for creating that perfect image, idols give up privacy and a love life, and all important decisions about their future are made on their behalf.
Believe me when I say that the visuals in this series are a solid 10/10. And oh man, this show had me kicking my feet and screaming.
Many elements of Thame and Po’s relationship trajectory were wildly unrealistic and illogical – even Est admitted that dating in real life doesn’t happen this way. But that’s also what made the show so good. The relationship development is a glorious slowburn and the romance was romancing HARD.
I think the success of ThamePo lies in all its characters and the relationship that each of them have with each other. It's a story that goes beyond William and Est.
More reviews: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/
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Highly original, mind-bending watch
4 Minutes is perplexing. Every time you think you’ve worked out where the narrative is headed, it swerves in a different direction. The synopsis makes the series seem like a “get a glimpse into the future and change your destiny” plot, but it’s far more complex than that.The journey itself is enjoyable rather than nauseating. Instead of predictable build-ups into scenes which are clearly designated as ‘payoffs’, the story is delightfully fragmented and slippery. It’s not entirely clear which sequences took place when, so it requires some mental gymnastics to untangle everything and come to your own conclusions.
Beoncloud has its way with creating such dark and complex characters, sometimes with sinister motivations. In any case, I liked the deeper message driving the show. At the end of our lives, we will always look back on our regrets and wish that we did things differently. All so that the remaining moments of our life aren’t spent being weighed down by our conscience.
While humans are capable of making some pretty awful decisions, 4 Minutes also reminds us that we can choose otherwise. There is always a choice.
More reviews: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/
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One of the best BLs I've seen this year!
There’s never a dull moment in the 17-episode series filled with death, drama, and a forbidden romance that drives the narrative forward.But let me talk about the BL plot. Unlike modern BLs where gay relationships tend to be normalised, 1940s Thailand is a very different world.
Tian and Jiu are from different worlds. Tian is a rich, educated heir to a powerful Chinese family, while Jiu is an illiterate worker who sells candy to support his siblings. But their compatibility and chemistry are unmistakable – the way they look at each other says everything.
Moments of tenderness with Jiu bring Tian fleeting bliss, but he quickly learns that following his heart will only bring ruin to everyone around him. This gnawing tension makes TSWL a heartachingly wonderful watch with some moments that will leave you smiling to yourself like a fool.
Just to allay any concerns that this is going to turn out to be one of those tragic gay stories, it ends pretty well. Almost too unrealistically happy but you know what? I'LL TAKE IT.
Full review here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/12/18/to-sir-with-love-khun-chai-thai-2022/
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This review may contain spoilers
Started off troubling but finished strong
As far as episodes 1 to 4 was concerned, Kiyoi appeared arrogant, narcissistic and unkind, while Hira was needlessly reverent. How could a healthy relationship possibly result from such a dynamic? I thought. But I was completely won over by the end as the final episodes offered revelations from Kiyoi’s perspective.The beauty of Utsukushii Kare is in how it demonstrates the communication quirks in conservative Asian societies. Reading between the lines is required to grasp subtler expressions of love.
When Kiyoi uses the term “stalker”, he really means “thank you for coming to me”. When he says “disgusting”, albeit in harsher tones, it’s because he just doesn’t know how else to express what he’s feeling.
“How did I fall in love with someone as disgusting as you?” Taken out of context, his sentence might sound terribly unkind. But in the particular context where it was said, Kiyoi doesn’t actually think that Hira is to be abhorred, but instead, he wants to say, “how did I find someone as special as you?”
Read my full review: here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2021/12/26/utsukushii-kare-my-beautiful-man-2021/
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