BL Compilations

strong start

Overall: the tension/chemistry led me to first rate this as a 9.5, but cliched writing and a rushed ending lowered my final rating. I gave this a slight rating bump because it's from China, had kisses, the ending could have been worse and the creators managed to get it to air 4 months after it was removed from iQIYI. 12 episodes about 30 minutes each. Aired (not in Japan or Korea) on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/4856/blue-canvas-of-youthful-days-2024-e01 ; YouTube (not in Japan or Korea) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTB73Ibi_X3HZZP24Z0cwpC1PhZUYKI1Q and Viki https://www.viki.com/tv/40802c-blue-canvas-of-youthful-days?locale=en

Content Warnings: murder?, death, past death, grief, physical child abuse (very violent and shown), beaten up, manhandling, manipulation, blackmail/coercion, non con picture taking/sharing/outing, mental health struggles, alcoholism

Watch Suggestions (to get some moping/nonsense stuff in the later episodes)
- end episode 5 at 22 min
- watch episode 6 25 min to the end
- watch episode 7 7:25-10
- watch episode 8 7-13
- watch episode 9 19:45-24:40
- watch episode 10 beginning-4, 12-12:45, 16-end
- watch episode 11 19-21:30, 24:10-end
- watch episode 12 beginning-4, 7-10 and 28:45-end

What I Liked
- characters and their dynamics
- sweet moments
- a hard of hearing character (though some things related to this didn't make sense to me)
- clear premise
- supportive grandpa

Room For Improvement
- some nonsense plot things
- not sure the ages of two characters
- a character should have first asked/talked to another character about what he wanted
- not a fan of a flash forward and then going back to the past to start a series
- too much blur effect in scenes
- in episode 6 a character veered into creepy stalker
- why didn't they make a character a boyfriend instead of a brother, that was weird
- lack of communication between the leads, lying by omission about some giant things
- angry about what they did with a character in ep 11
- 2 noble idiot cliches
- large time jump with a very non realistic reunion (watch past the initial end credits)
- rushed finale, choppy editing, gang that appeared out of nowhere practically, written out exposition dump
- lack of consequences for a trash character

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cringiest series with the best subtitles (need a Daisy/Touch spinoff)

Overall: this series has some of the cringiest moments (especially the beginning episodes) that I've ever seen in any genre. There were aspects that I disliked, but it also had several amazing things. Watched on YouTube.

Content Warnings: stalking, taking photos/video without permission, dub con touching/kissing (drunk), non con kiss between m/f, cyber bullying, body shaming, attempted suicide?, violence in a dream sequence

What I Liked
- this series has the BEST subtitles, we were given additional information about references non-Thai audiences likely would not know about
- the friend groups, especially Toh's, they really supported and loved one another
- Daisy/Intouch, I'm sad we didn't get more scenes with them, they could have left off that pointless new character towards the end and developed Daisy/Intouch more
- acting, as much as I dislike some of the characters' behaviors, the actors did an amazing job. I don' t know how some of them didn't die of embarrassment while filming. I cried when Som cried and I believe those were real tears/crying instead of the frequent fake tears that I see
- the stylists, some of these characters look soooo different in real life you wouldn't even know they were the same person
- how Toh and Nuea are horny for one another, I appreciate that there isn't just 1 kiss at the end in this series
- the GL though it was not shown that much
- the funny moments, I laughed several times throughout the series
- the poignant moments, characters have some really good conversations
- Toh's parents
- I was happy that they revisited the bathtub scene with Toh and Nuea a second time and Nuea said "of course" because the first time it seemed that Nuea was setting up Toh to fail
- good production value

Room For Improvement
- serial killer stalking level: taking a can out of the trash, vacuum sealing things, an entire wall of photos, projector image, sticker on his phone, pillow, life size standee and then actively stalking him. This is played as comedy and the characters do address it later but it was not my thing.
- not enough screentime with Daisy/Intouch, crucial moments seemed to happen off screen and we really needed more scenes with these two
- Nuea kind of plays games (as does his dad) which is also not my thing
- that dream scene with the dad at the wedding was disturbing and unnecessary
- the cliche evil woman wannabe girlfriend
- Jao was too reluctant, there is a difference between nervous and unwilling and he was on the unwilling side. Even in the last episode he scrunched up his face preparing for a kiss which is uncomfortable to watch.
- the stereotypical trans women at the food stall
- some bad consent examples, saying that kissing is better when drunk, giving a hand job when the other person is drunk
- the theme song was nice but they played it over and over and over again

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interesting premise with weak worldbuilding and 2nd couple

Overall: the main couple was really sweet (except wtf was that thing in the finale, that's pretty cruel to pretend that). 10 episodes about 50 minutes each. Aired on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/watch/82779841

Content Warnings: manipulation, past & current bullying, past death

Watch Suggestions (to get rid of the horrid behavior of the side couple and take out most content warnings)
- read the synopsis, episode 1 watch 9-10:30, 31:40-41:45, 46:50-end
- episode 2 watch beginning-17:20, 17:35-20:30 and 24-end
- episode 3 watch 5:30-18:30, 20:05-27:30, 39-end
- episode 4 watch 4:50-10:25, 15:35-end
- episode 5 watch beginning-32:15 and 45-end
- episode 6 watch beginning-2:50, 12-15:10, 16:20-end
- episode 7 watch 40:30-end
- episode 8 watch 36-end
- episode 9 watch beginning-22
- episode 10 watch 41-end

What I Liked
- unique premise
- supportive friends (though not the guy friend towards the beginning of episode 1)
- caring moments

Room For Improvement
- world building made no sense, the pen was the dad's and Khobfa was already unlucky, then the mom threw in "the person you love will die" thing and then what she revealed in the finale made me scream in rage, really lazy writing
- the side couple, cannot believe he did that on his birthday, they were both awful and then 2 I'm sorrys from one of them and they are all friends again?!
- comedy sound effects
- talked about the bathroom twice in the first half of ep 1
- since when is being naked still wearing socks and shoes (in episode 7)
- the mom, she lied to her son and one hug and all was forgiven
- battle of the band stuff
- faking something in the finale was terrible
- the dad did a 180 with zero explanation

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A cotton candy BL - sweet & fluffy with nothing substantial to it

Overall: if you want to see a ton of longing and jealous looks, gorgeous guys and like food, then this is the show for you. FYI the description on viki is not accurate as to how the plot plays out (you don't cook for someone that you hate). At only 8 episodes ~10 min each, it's very bingeable. I'm waffling between overall an 8 or 8.5.

Content Warnings: 1 punch

What I Liked
- the visuals
- the production value was good
- there were several sweet moments
- the funny moments , my new favorite way to tell someone their cooking is awful "it tastes new" haha
- I actually don't mind the common tropes like accidental fall, hurt/comfort, apron tying, drunk scene, etc.
 
Room For Improvement
- this is a 'love at first sight' situation which though common, isn't my favorite
- how the two guys were fighting over the other guy like he was an object and didn't have any say in the matter
- odd how the cook left his recipes and baby photos in his old apartment
- though I think it played out pretty mildly, love triangles aren't my thing

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good intimacy with draggy poor communication/mopping ep 7 and after (watch suggestions)

Overall: I rated this much higher before episodes 7 and after. 10 episodes about 45 minutes each. Aired on iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/magic-move-episode-1-1akg1uvb3g4?lang=en_us and Moonlight Glow YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEhCS-4vUKl-Dbe6cHsOnTLjDVWWNkKmC&si=tEQJiU6q7Mqvpzco

Content Warnings: manipulation, blackmail, held against will, violence, self harm, blood, death, grief

Watch Suggestions:
- watch episodes 1-6
- episode 8 watch 26-38:20
- skip episode 9
- episode 10 watch 12:55-16:20 and 36:20-end (including the extra scene after the initial end credits)

What I Liked
- it was funny how he got into fortune telling (though he's going to need to slow down lol)
- the dream in episode 1
- intimacy

Room For Improvement
- what the writers did to a character in episode 9
- multiple main characters annoyed me. Who needs enemies with "friends" like those (bartender dude was fine turning his best friend into an alcoholic). Itt knew he was hurting Rit by not saying he knew also did the "I can explain" and never explained. Rit also lied and then somehow thought all the actions/feelings they experienced were false? And I cannot believe he did that AT A FUNERAL
- the finale a character apologized for manipulation by more manipulation lmao and they reconciled at 39 minutes...of a 46 minute episode!
- constant comedy sound effects

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good ingredients with a subpar recipe

Overall: they had a lot of great elements but unfortunately messed up the writing. 6 episodes 45 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala and re-aired on YouTube and later Viki https://www.viki.com/tv/40695c-bake-me-please

Watch Suggestions:
- watch ep 1-3
- watch up to 28 minutes in episode 4 and then 39-42 minutes
- skip episode 5
- watch episode 6 starting at 24 minutes to the end (although 11-15 minutes was good too)

Content Warnings: manipulation, shoves

What I Liked
- supportive grandma
- Atom (also the brother's relationship)
- Peach pushed back against Shin at times
- production value (cinematography)
- (neutral) comedy sound effects, they weren't overpowering

Room For Improvement
- too many love triangles for a short run time, needed to really build up 1 main couple
- I don't like either of Peach's love interests as they are both throwing red flags right and left (no you don't get to ban your significant other from hanging out with their friend, no you don't lie about dating and use a person as if they were a trophy)
- why did no one apologize to Peach, maybe Shin did off screen but we didn't see it?!?
- too little character growth too late, there seemed to be a little bit but Shin backslide too far
- rushed pacing and then wasted screentime on a bunch of angst, some choppiness as well
- cliche plot points: got sick after getting wet trope, saw something and made an assumption, failure to communicate clearly

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nice small town vibe but with cliched plot

Overall: a slice of life with cliched writing. 28 MDP Studio also produced Hard Love Mission and The Love of Winter. 4 episodes about 20 minutes each. Aired on WeTV, need a vpn to Thailand and eps 2-4 require a VIP membership, here is the free episode 1 link https://wetv.vip/en/play/b6596rikhukzfxi (if nothing shows up, first use a vpn set to Thailand and then try the link)

Content Warning: non con kiss, manipulation

What I Liked
- small town setting
- a smaller cast of characters
- the violin playing seemed to match the music (the piano not as much though)
- sweet moments
- intro/closing song

Room For Improvement
- totally not needed for what happened at the end of episode 3 and then the cliched plot points afterwards
- the 2 random side characters were maybe supposed to add humor but didn't find them funny
- unrealistic that he wasn't shown as drunk but somehow ended up like that at the beginning of episode 2
- voice overs telling instead of showing
- the ending

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better than the series

Overall: this is a re-edit of Burger/King's scenes from Burger's perspective (it has basically the exact same plot as a Japanese BL). First released as 11 short episodes and then in a movie format https://youtu.be/M-13TVFe9g8?si=GvAElSlfmAtFen4j It solved a lot of the problems that I had with Hit Bite Love, though I think they could have improved even more with the footage they had. My review of Hit Bite Love https://kisskh.at/profile/blcompilations/reviews/254503/ Aired on Jinloe's YouTube channel.

Content Warnings: hit, kick, coercion, manipulation, non con touching

What I Liked
- sweet/cute moments
- a few funny parts
- how King was up front about what he wanted

Room For Improvement
- a voice over/exposition dump to start it but I didn't take off points
- the stereotype of a yelling trans woman
- in episodes 8 and 9 there were brief flashbacks to scenes that they didn't include in this version, I think they could have edited a bit better
- Burger is too reluctant for too long and King is a bit too aggressive, they could have also edited this to tone it down a bit
- Burger used that resume against King though it was toned down
- we needed 1 additional scene for the ending because it felt incomplete, even if they had shown us texts they had written to one another where Burger asks King to go on a romantic date

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worth a watch

Overall: an overall decent KBL. 8 episodes around 16 minutes each. Aired on iQIYI.

What I Liked
- sweet/cute moments
- that it centered on the two leads without a whole bunch of other characters
- supportive friends
- we got more than 1 kiss and they were a little better than dead fish lip presses
- production value

Room For Improvement
- I wish they had been more clear about what the issue was in the past/shown it earlier and that the issue didn't hinge on poor communication that a 5 minute conversation would clear up
- could have had stronger world building
- the last episode felt more like vignettes instead of an overarching ending episode and if they are planning a spin off/season 2 then that possible couple should have been shown at the very end or even post credits

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nice slice of life series

Overall: I enjoyed two high school friends and their changing relationship dynamics. Aired 8 episodes about 20 minutes each on Netflix Asia (and then more widely released on Neflix once it was finished airing). Re-aired on Viki https://www.viki.com/tv/40495c-i-cannot-reach-you

Content Warnings: manhandling, dub/non con touching, punch

What I Liked
- cute and sweet moments
- few funny moments like Yamato's blocks with other people
- that Yamato did try to communicate and was clear with that teen who expressed interest in him
- supportive classmates
- supportive non cliche female characters
- character growth with not being a go between for the present
- production value

Room For Improvement
- the multitude of interruptions
- Yamato was a bit aggressive though he did apologize once
- very tropey (multiple kabedons and running scenes as examples), getting sick from the rain
- the initial reluctance in nurse's office/dead fish lip presses

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amazing chemistry/dynamic (need Tod & Boy as main leads again!) but with lackluster writing

Overall: Pluem and Kevin have some of the best chemistry/physical affection of any m/m couple that I've ever seen. Unfortunately the writing was not great otherwise this could have been a 10/10. Also don't be nervous about the title of the series (see my comment spoiler). Aired on GagaOOLala and YouTube. Later re-aired on Viki https://www.viki.com/tv/40690c-ghost-host-ghost-house

Content Warnings: kind of something off screen, keeping this spoiler free, you can look in my comments

What I Liked
- Kevin and Pluem have some of the best physical affection that I have ever seen (hand holding/rubbing, side hugs, sniff kisses, etc)
- consent examples
- that Kevin is actually interested in ghosts/wants to see them
- mystery element/premise
- funny moments
- sweet fluffy moments
- production value

Room For Improvement
- the writing was the main weakness: confusing world building, plot threads that weren't fully explained, plot holes, too many characters (a random character kind of thrown in), a character did something super cliche (and out of character) in ep 7 and beginning of 8, I'd suggest just skipping to 14 minutes in ep 8
- the commercial breaks were kept in GagaOOLala (but I didn't deduct for this)

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Fell apart at the end

Overall: a slow burn sports themed BL with 3 m/m couples. Watched on Viki. (minor spoilers)

Content Warnings: colorism*, dub con (Saen/Aii - Aii says to stop and Saen continues)

What I Liked
- Torn was smart and solved problems (until he didn't, more on that later)
- humorous parts
- basketball scenes (I'm generally bored to tears by sports scenes but these were done well and some were super funny)
- production value including the color grading
- cinematography
- the consent with Saen/Aii (but not the morning after scene)

Room For Improvement
- it started cringey and ended cringey
- it felt like we missed a whole episode after the episode 8 basketball game. They should have shown things instead of just saying them in episode 9 (i.e. added an episode), then ended at the beach in episode 9 (which would have been episode 10).
- things really fell apart towards the end with time jumps, flash forwards/backs, bizarre character decisions, cliched plot lines
- *the main evil character has the darkest skin of everyone, wish he either had the same skin tone as everyone else or even better we had a protagonist with darker skin color (apparently he had a redemption arc but it was never explained or shown, Torn just randomly trusted him)
- Torn/Fah - I adored Torn's character until he had a supervillain origin story in episode 11, it made no sense to me. Torn was such a great problem solver and then he wasn't. Fah was a bit too stoic but they do explain that's how he is and he was burned/reluctant to trust again so I get it.
- Saen bordered on harassment instead of flirting. I wish Aii would have shown more interest to Saen especially earlier on, Aii could have still been nervous. Didn't like Aii's lack of communication with important decisions.
- Dome/Vee - this couple isn't controversial to me, life can be messy. I'm just sad the way that went/ended - felt very incomplete to me.

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Plotless Society

Overall: It started off with a bang but quickly deteriorated. I yelled "noooooo" several times while watching in disgust at the poor writing. This is deja vu of The Cupid Coach. It says the story will continue but I sincerely hope not.

Content Warnings: non con/dub con turned consensual?

What I Liked:
- well the beginning was definitely an attention grabber and rarely seen in BL, but this ended up feeling like click bait
- I liked that they gave the episode an English title (Ambiguous) because I've rarely seen that in Thai BL
- acting was ok, the female friend was my favorite

Room For Improvement:
- it was both slow and very choppy, scenes sometimes jumped ahead time wise to another scene, they didn't feel well connected to one another. That ending was awful, it just skipped/jumped with zero context.
- nonsense plot, how Guy treated/behaved towards Nut made absolutely no sense especially at the end
- Nut's friend should not have kissed him in Nut's vulnerable/distraught state
- I did not feel chemistry between actors
- the camera work is lower budget/amateur
- though I liked the style of the subtitles, they do have a few errors (pretty sure that his boss isn't his mom and that was supposed to be ma'am)
- the sound was pretty quiet, I had to turn my computer volume all the way up

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mostly a good mess

Overall: the trailer promised a bunch of flawed guys in messy relationships and it mostly delivered but some things didn't work for me. Aired 12 episodes about 45 minutes each on GMMTVs YouTube Channel

Content Warnings: manhandling, vomiting, manipulation, non con touching, non con recording/sharing, voyeurism, past attempted suicide, alcoholism, punches, drug usage, queerphobia

What I Liked
- they introduced the characters well, I could tell who they were and their relationships to one another
- some good showing not telling, just the way a character looks at another character tells me a lot about their feelings
- the different characters/relationship dynamics
- realistically flawed characters
- NSFW was well done
- GL established pair (however they had very little screen time and it felt like token representation instead of fleshed out characters/interesting plot)
- sweet moments
- how the ending credits change
- a character has two moms
- bixsexual representation
- ep 9 Sand and Nick were adorable
- showing a character going to therapy
- Yo & Plug's relationship and talking about the importance of trust
- production value

Room For Improvement
- Chueam just saying it was no big deal when Atom could have ruined a person's life and put him in jail was terrible character/plot writing (and unrealistic, I think most people would be super pissed at their sibling for that), and then there was a weak apology in the final episode
- Atom lying about non con also fuels the idea of survivors lying when in reality lying about this is very rare
- the flawed characters didn't bother me, but there wasn't enough growth for them to be in relationships, they all need therapy and to be solo for awhile
- Top, his redemption arc was not good, he ignored Mew's boundaries, was pretty manipulative and selfish, and the non con touching was awful
- Mew, seeing an optimistic character become jaded is something I don't enjoy watching, and I don't enjoy people who play games
- Ray, the writers needed to have him have a bit more character growth sooner and also not just say the right things but do the right things, he'd take a step forward and then a step back again, it's realistic to have setbacks but trying to cram everything in at the very end wasn't good
- Boeing, his character was not needed (although he was super hot), they should have spent more time on the other characters learning/growing (or not and then realistically ruining their relationships)
- the endings were really predictable and wish GMMTV had been a bit more risky
- showed monogamy as good and polyamory as bad
- there were a few jumpy parts, for example characters were cuddling at night and the next scene was during the day in a bookstore
- not a fan of the outfit/styling choices for many characters
- sometimes music didn't fit the mood like a serious part would have this upbeat music

(info) in ep 1 I was a bit confused by the colored wristbands to denote relationship status, apparently this is a real thing (which I think is an awesome idea)

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beachy romance with some darker moments

Overall: the dynamic worked better for me as it went on, but I was not a fan of several cliched plot elements. 10 episodes about 45 minutes each. Aired on GMMTV's YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLszepnkojZI6tVlhqWH7KNPYxmkei5tB1&si=RCeoqPM6SsvzpeEE

Content Warnings: sexual harassment, punches/fight, vomiting, attempted murder, manipulation, past fight, past murder, violence, fight, blood, homophobia

What I Liked
- beach setting
- easy to understand premise
- sweet/caring moments
- that a character stood up for himself, sought communication and made it know what he needed
- supportive characters

Room For Improvement
- the silly music over what should have been a tense scene and other examples where the music didn't fit
- tropey falls and catch, several cliched plot points
- multiple near kisses in episode 1
- some scenes at night needed more light on actors' faces
- comedy sound effects didn't make things funny

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