BL Compilations

want the actors in something with a better script

Overall: I really want to rate this higher (and I think I'm being gracious with a 7), but the writing/plot is nonsensical and jumpy. Watched on Viki.

Content Warnings: none

What I Liked
- the OST/music
- the kiss
- a few cute moments
- Tommy's outfits

Room For Improvement
- the plot was really lacking, there were too many characters and plot threads that didn't tie together. Scenes sometimes jumped randomly and did not feel well connected to one another. Episode 7 had a major event that happened off screen?! Cliche plot point in the 7th episode, bleh! A 1 year time jump in the final episode?!
- did not feel chemistry between the leads or a good development of their romantic relationship
- really dumb rescue breathing, he didn't check to see if he wasn't breathing (i.e. was rescue breathing required???) or a pulse first, this seemed like a stupid plot device and there are many other fun ways that the two could have met
- the worst business plan ever, Ba Da makes really awful/stupid decisions all the way to the end of the series
- I like more realistic make up, but the actors needed some eyeliner and lip color, they looked ill
- too many drone shots

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meandering note of love (watch suggestions)

Overall: it had an interesting start, but the writing didn't focus enough on the relationship development with the 2 couples. 12 episodes about 25 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/4605/first-note-of-love-2024-e01 ; Viki https://www.viki.com/videos/1252718v-first-note-of-love-episode-1 and GTV Drama English (1st episode is free, rest require membership) https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLop44oNqUSC9xnGXttLCAEuk10CedGz3w&si=qNRALRx_1z8CBNeo Note: there are sometimes extra scenes after the initial end credits.

Content Warnings: past death, grief, mental health struggles, harassment, fight, kind of stalking

Watch Suggestions (to center on the relationships with the 2 couples)
- watch episodes 1-4
- episode 5 watch 7-17:20
- episode 6 watch 2:40-4:15 (flashback), 10:45-12:55, 22:45-end
- episode 7 start at 4 minutes because there were too many recaps/flashbacks at the beginning
- watch episode 8
- watch episode 9 beginning to 4:45
- watch episode 10 4:30-14 and 19:30-end
- watch episode 11 beginning to 5:15 and then 24:30 to the end
- watch episode 12 13:30 to the end (bonus scene after initial end credits)

What I Liked
- clear premise
- a character wasn't a pushover
- excellent makeover
- Mos and Bank cameo
- side m/m couple tension
- multilingual aspect felt realistic
- good that Sea did something in episode 7

Room For Improvement
- too much of the plot was not focused on the leads together, in episode 6 they only had 3 minutes out of 24 minutes and it wasn't until 18:30 that they had a scene together
- too many flashbacks/set in the past stuff
- the NSFW scenes were poorly edited, felt very choppy
- unclear about the timeline/time jump length, I think the characters were 19/29 in the present
- the age gap didn't bother me but the connection when 1 was a child and then having that character in a child-like bowl haircut and making him act like a deer in headlights was odd
- some scenes needed a bit more light on the actors' faces
- the asinine plan in episode 9

Question answered: in the beginning of episode 1 it said the band mates were brothers, someone commented that they were biological brothers (I wasn't sure because sometimes subtitles translate friends into brothers)

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actors deserved a better script (watch suggestions)

Overall: with a better script/editing, I know that Mos & Bank would have been on fire, instead it was mostly failed comedy and cringe. The series was based on "Sunsetxvibes" by Rosesarin_ which I haven't read and I reviewed the series on its own merits (though I've heard the book is mainly smut). 12 episodes about 50 minutes each. Aired on iQIYI uncut https://www.iq.com/play/s2n3mgmw3x?lang=en_us&sh_pltf=4 Later aired a cut version on the Star Hunter YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/H3HXsoNTltE?si=DeEZa915DK2L-njf (episode 1 was about 1 minute shorter than the uncut)

Content Warnings: thought there was one towards the end of ep 1 but then it wasn't (tried not to spoil things), past parental abuse, punch, coercion, blackmail, non con video recording/sharing/outing, sexual molestation, fight, blood, past death

Watch Suggestions (prioritizes intimacy, the side m/m couple and the side f/f couple once I jived with them)
- episode 1 you could start it at 10min-13min, 22-29, 32:40-36, 39:45-45, this is a dream 46:30-48
(I don't have the energy to go back thru eps 2-3)
- episode 4 watch 18-19:30, 33:30-42, maybe 55:30 to the end
- episode 5 watch 7-10:30, 14-18:15, 31-end
- episode 6 watch 16:15-21, 25-28, 39
- episode 7 watch 4:30-5:20, 13:40-16:40, 19:30-24, 37:30-39, 41:30-44, 46:30-48
- episode 8 watch 2:15-2:45, 15:20-16:20
- episode 9 watch 18-21, 27:10-30:50, 32:40-35:40, 38:10-45
- episode 10 watch 12-25, 51 to the end
- episode 11 watch 9:30-17:40 (excellent side couple steamy scene), 47:40-49:50 (didn't really feel the paint but the main couple steamy scene)
- episode 12 watch the whole episode

What I Liked
- the m/m side couple
- there was an established m/m couple
- the intro (and cinematography/styling)
- visuals
- GL rep (not a fan of the dynamic until later episodes though)
- supportive sibling, friends & mom
- a funny moment of a character talking about if it was a movie and then it went into a flashback scene
- good consent in episode 4 with asking for a kiss
- that a main character wasn't totally helpless in episode 4
- a subversion of a common characteristic with the pursuee
- mutual want

Room For Improvement
- the pervasive comedy sound effects that did not make things funny
- the fantasy element was not well explained or incorporated
- his friends were annoying at times
- did not care about the business scenes or backbiting coworkers
- a ton of nonsense/'because the writer said so stuff', i.e. the beginning scenarios were set up to be steamy but then oddly g rated, a very odd location for a first date and posing at the door, people who've never kissed someone do not try to kiss like that (and it wasn't funny), who goes into a person's dungeon looking basement like that?, remembering something very traumatic and then designing a necklace, transporting something super expensive at night by himself
- that the offender in episode 4 was darker skinned and the 'I won't press charges, tell him not to do it again' bs
- the styling didn't work because of the bowl haircut and how a main character acted so childlike (pinky swearing with his dad as an example)
- very cringey 'Khun Dad', their relationship felt like a child and a parent at times which was cringey
- a female character oddly had a boyfriend
- the poor communication cliche/run away plot

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standard Thai romcom

Overall: I would call this an old school Thai BL and wish they had changed a few things to make it feel more fresh. 12 episodes about 45 minutes each. Aired on GMMTV's YouTube channel. If I were to re-watch I would start at episode 4, skip 5, 6, and 7, watch 8/2 2 min and the end of ep 8 thru 11, and episode 12 part 4.

Content Warnings: stalking, vomiting, punches, manhandling, manipulation

What I Liked
- the intro animation was unique though it didn't grab my attention
- Joke's dream
- cute/sweet moments
- that they both talked about the importance of boundaries and communication (but then both didn't take this advice at various points)
- an established couple with a realistic problem, wish they had more screentime
- Zo's friends
- the grandma
- kissing/intimacy

Room For Improvement
- Joke's approach/"plan" made no sense to me
- poorly written plot such as the stalking plotline, the Joke backstory in the final episode, the 3rd couple?/friends? introduced almost at the end with no real resolution
- why did Joke like Zo there wasn't even a love at first sight
- very tropey (2 accidental falls in one episode for example)
- pacing was off at times, series could have been fewer episodes
- a "makeover" where they took away his adorable glasses (and in total contradiction, Joke said to stay true to himself)
- talking about owing Joke
- non realistic debate stuff, and then the debate stuff in general
- choppy at times (episode 5 was suddenly the next day)
- (neutral) comedy sound effects

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So much potential, but the lack of character growth was disappointing

Content Warnings (not between m/m couple): physical abuse/assault, kidnapping, blackmail, having several previous partners shaming, drugging, manipulation

Overall: I really disliked Fiat (especially) and Leo from TTs2, but I was hooked after watching episode 1 of Don't Say No. Unfortunately the lack of character growth and the dreaded 11th episode plus a stupid ending for the side couple made it not reach its potential. Don't watch episode zero as there is some really messed up stuff that happens in that. All you need to know is Leo & Fiat are life long friends who recently became romantic with one another.

What I Liked
- communication*, Fiat & Leo actually communicate about their issues and work to resolve them. They even communicate during and after "fun" time, which I rarely see. However, episode 11 was a huge disappointment.
- the 2 main female characters are supportive friends and bonus the step mom is nice. I'm torn on Leo's mom who is supportive but almost in a manipulative/too invasive way.
- pacing was okay for the most part
- explanation for character motivation/faults, we get to see why characters are doing things (at times via flashbacks), and how different people interpret the same actions
- subverted/modified tropes with the side couple (hurt/care, sharing umbrella)

Room For Improvement
- *was really sad to see the lack of character growth especially from Fiat. That whole 11th episode was so dumb and unnecessary and they never even showed them actually communicate what happened with those events to each other!
- they should have made the family past trauma the final 4-6 episode arc and then show Fiat have some character growth
- the main couple (Leo/Fiat) don't look comfortable with kissing each other/being intimate, you can't be established boyfriends and not at least pucker your mouth for a kiss... these scenes were hit and miss for me.
- the side m/m couple: Pob should have been written as nervous/inexperienced, but instead he comes across as a jerk who thinks about himself only and plays games with Leon (like in episode 8 when he smirks after talking with Leon). And their ending was super stupid. I started out not liking them, liked them briefly and then ended up not liking them together.
- the overused cliche evil wannabe girlfriend
- Fiat's dad has about one brain cell, his actions were so toxic and stupid
- the comedy sound effects, they just aren't my thing but at least there isn't that horrendous gulping noise

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good production value and acting, but not a fan of the main character

Overall: the production value and acting was great but I actively disliked Mamoru's character and might be judging more harshly than normal as I was in this type of relationship (low self esteem/affect/morose and happy go lucky) and it was terrible. Aired on Viki.

Content Warnings: manhandling, non con photo taking/posting, unwanted outing, homophobia, punch

What I Liked
- funny moments like after Mamoru and his friend/fan ate
- the editing/animation references its manga origin
- Mamoru was set up well
- Issei's backstory for the constant smiling
- Mamoru's female friend/fan
- production value*

Room For Improvement
- really terrible communication especially from Mamoru, but Issei definitely should have talked to Mamoru before he said what he said on the stage
- never saw a reason for Mamoru's moroseness (and drawing nsfw stuff in high school and being (understandably) made fun of for it does not count), and there was a lack of character growth
- non reason in episode 7 and then sudden switch in episode 8
- the false idea that love can cure mental health struggles (been there, tried that, it was awful)
- Issei was at the end of the line, then vanished but later had the book???
- stereotypical character at the convention
-*too much spinning camera work end

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mostly quirky fun

Overall: though I enjoyed the funny/sweet parts, they needed to reduce the episode count to really make it quirky awesomeness. 12 episodes about 45 minutes each. Aired on WeTV https://wetv.vip/en/album/89w1vvkv6zpo6wf and GagaOOLala everywhere except Japan, https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/4297/knock-knock-boys-2024-e01

Content Warnings: non con touching/voyeurism, dub/non con kiss, non con video taking/sharing, unwanted public outing, beginning/attempted sexual assault, punches, past death/grief

What I Liked
- finally we had a character who was inexperienced and also very interested in romance/sex
- supportive friends
- showing instead of telling i.e. they showed a character was rich and naive instead of just saying it right away
- laughed several times
- characters established as queer, pansexuality was explained
- good dreams
- sweet moments
- glad they talked about consent but not sure why they needed actual toys at the club meeting (and fyi petroleum jelly degrades toys)
- calling out invasion of privacy/posting pictures online and there were actual consequences
- Thanwa's friend/boss had great advice
- good apologies
- good consent with Latte stopping on 2 different occasions
- Almond's mom
- lack of episode 11 curse
- well done final episode
- 2 characters from Monster Next Door had cameos in ep 12
- production value (some nice camera shots like with the wall in episode 6)

Room For Improvement
- need to reduce the episode count as things felt dragged out, I was tempted to write out to skip episode 11 but this does really explain a character's previous actions (or inactions)
- how they started the episodes with a flash forward and then moved to the present so the episode didn't pick up where it left off from the previous week
- a character told his female friend something that he had no right to tell her
- I couldn't root for a character to be in a romantic relationship until they cleared up what happened in the past, they mostly cleared it up but wanted this information sooner
- Peak and Jane could have easily explained things to Thanwa much earlier, definitely 'because the writer said so' stuff
- not a fan of what Almond did at the end of episode 2 and then again later
- too many near kisses
- toilet humor
- drunk driving after a party
- that the playboy character who was pansexual didn't believe in love due to his past, this played into stereotypes
- didn't make sense that neither Almond or Latte suggested trying something different, waiting until the final episode definitely felt like 'because the writer said so'

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overall not funny but with a few cute moments

Overall: although this is supposed to be a comedy, it didn't even get into the "so bad it's good" category. See my watch suggestion timing below for some cute parts. 6 episodes about 40 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala.

Content Warnings: manipulation, manhandling, punch/fight/violence, drugging

Note: the depiction of a person with disabilities in episode 4-6 was not funny. Humor can be used to dehumanize people, I think people should be very careful when making fun of groups of people who historically and currently face discrimination and dehumanization. Ryan O'Connell (who has cerebral palsy) wrote and acted in the Netflix series Special which was well done and funny.

Watch Suggestion, if you want to give this a go and see a few cute moments with the two leads I suggest:
ep 1, 28-29 and 33-36
ep 2, 13-25 and 28-37
ep 3, 16-24
ep 4, 7-18, 23-25
ep 5, 31-33
ep 6, start at 37 thru to the end (could watch earlier if you want more plot explanation and fight scene with terrible sound effects)

What I Liked:
- Luv's supportive friends
- Frank's abs and Long Lee's smirk
- that the two leads were mutually attracted to one another
- a few cute moments
- BTS at the end of ep 1 (though not subbed)

Room For Improvement
- some of the plot nonsense was intentional but explaining everything at the very end didn't work for me
- the depiction of someone with a disability was not funny to me at all
- didn't think most of it was funny (except the Muay Thai was fun and maybe a couple other bits like the slow accidental fall and catch at the very end)
- 3 minute intro was too long
- the voice dubbing (I think this was done for comedy but I really disliked it), and then the internal voices were odd to

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too many sound effects, not enough plot

Overall: thought this was a romcom but episode 3 took quite a turn. I also really disliked the "comedy" sound effects. 8 episodes about 40 minutes each. Aired cut on UltimateTroop Official YouTube channel and uncut on iQIYI (eps 9 and 10 for premium members). Ultimate Troop also produced "Remember Me" and "The Yearbook".

Content Warnings: sexual assault/attempted rape (episode 3 part 2), self harm/attempted suicide (episode 3 part 2), manhandling, mental health struggles, beaten up, violence/punches, bullying, stalking

What I Liked
- Dino's singing and guitar playing sounded realistic
- awesome dance moves
- how the friend pointed out the difficulty of finding someone on a large campus
- happy Rak did something in episode 2 and did stand up for himself
- Mean's cameo in episode 2 with the angelic music was funny
- that they mentioned their series "The Yearbook"
- the idea of filling that jar to give Rak some time to recover (though this idea didn't work out)
- at least there weren't dead fish lip presses*
- Chalam and his eggs/pet snake

Room For Improvement
- that there were no consequences for the absolute despicable thing Mek did in episode 3
- the "comedy" sound effects actually make me NOT laugh, not a fan of toilet humor/conversations
- some scenes dragged on for too long like the scene in episode 3 part 2 and the terrible attempt at a redemption arc with Mek's sister
- strongly disagreed with Mek's sister saying an apology can fix everything, an apology can most definitely NOT fix everything and Mek is now beyond redeemable after episode 3
- Rak went from out of the frying pan and into the fire because Dino did not understand boundaries, "don't take too long to open your heart because I won't wait" and after Rak says for him not to touch him he....touches him...
- it's odd how the show depicted the stalker as bad but Dino did the exact same things (ignored boundaries, aggressive pursuit, extremely possessive)
- *in episode 8 the loud slurping noises not in sync with the movements was bad, plus I like some tongue but it was just too much tongue and licking
- Rak was reluctant even in the last two episodes, wish they had shown him with more agency/initiating physical stuff
- effeminate guy stereotype as hypersexualized
- at times the music was mismatched, there was a more serious scene and it had lighthearted music (hospital scene was a good example of this)
- ep 1 voice over exposition dump
- nonsense things: Rak's friends let him leave the club with some rando, say it's loud at the football field but it's quiet, lights on when sleeping, why did Rak stop running when there was an open doorway there in episode 3, etc.
- last 2 episodes were almost all filler and felt very unnecessary (and a new toxic character "you can't tell me to stop" bleh)

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4 different stories with different vibes

Overall: the production value is good for what I assume is a very indie series (it got a .5 indie bump). Aired on GND Studio's YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-UjFgW8TJEf0j62oTEJudvgjvIT1uTqc&si=VJ9NKGmGyWH6mMs2 GND also made My Damn Business and Fake Buddies.

Content Warning: see my spoiler comment for a large one for episode 6

1st Story (Riding a Bicycle eps 1/2) - friends faced shifting feelings. Enjoyed the sweet/caring moments. The bike/trip may have been symbolism for things going differently from how you initially envisioned. Very much a slice of life story with an open ending.

2nd Story (Friendship Bracelet eps 3/4) - quirky vibe with a supernatural element. Wish they had let it play out sooner/had fewer times.

3rd Story (The Last Diary eps 5/6) - back to a somber/slice of life vibe with two strangers that start off on the wrong foot. Suggest stopping at episode 6, 7m25s

4th Story (Sunset Boulevard eps 7/8) - two guys reconnect at work after they knew each other in university. Wasn't a fan of the non con kiss in the past or non con touch at work, but I was happy with how it ended.

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aimless guys looking for something to hold onto

Overall: it was decent for a vertical series, but I've seen better. 44 episodes less than 2 minutes each Aired on Swipedrama app (also has Can a Freeloader Make it as a Secretary). It took me 5 days to watch the series for free which is pretty good (the worst took 13 days for Please Teach Me on TopReel). Note - episode 1 starts out as a preview and then goes into the episode. App information below.

Content Warnings: manipulation, suicidal thoughts, child abuse, slap, non con kiss

What I Liked
- realistic characters trying to figure things out
- sweet/caring moments
- non cliche female character
- intimacy

Room For Improvement
- started with a flash forward and then returned to a month before
- O Christmas Tree music
- although a character apologized I think he should have had more consequences for his actions
- noble idiot trope


How to Watch For Free
Day 1: check in, ad after check in = 7 coins, 3 ads = 9 coins, watched episodes 1-14 (free to watch), 15-17 used coins, 18 & 19 (when I ran out of coins I touched outside of the coin packages and then I could watch an ad to watch 2 more episodes 20 & 21). I then got the 6 coins for watching 5, 10 and 15 minutes and watched ep 22. There are other ways to get coins (ie sign in, social media, get notifications) so you could watch more. Leftover coins day 1: 2

Day 2: check in, ad after check in, 3 ads (17 coins plus 2 from day 1) - watched episodes 23-25, then watched 26 & 27 daily ad, checked in 5, 10 & 15 min and watched 28 & 29

Day 3, 4, 5 (same as above, about 7 episodes watched per day)

App Notes: unused bonus coins might last for a year (so this is a good app to do daily check ins to accumulate coins), episodes don't re-lock, you can't skip to different episodes (must watch them in order), no wait time between watching ads is nice

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cute vertical short series

Overall: this was a slice of life micro series with a satisfying ending. Watched for free on Shortime (took about 3 days). 31 episodes less than 2 minutes each. Shortime (app info below) also has Please Teach Me, The Secrets of Male Students and Buddy Boy.

Content Warnings: non con picture taking, mention of past abuse

What I Liked
- cute moments
- chuckled a few times
- perspective switch
- non cliche female character

Room For Improvement
- more moments after they clearly communicated with each other

Shortimes App Information - Each episode costs 20 popcorn, 4 episodes are free and 27 need to be unlocked, need 540 popcorn to watch the whole series, you can't skip locked episodes and they will re-lock

My Watch For Free Plan (updated Jan 2025)
(on the popcorn rewards page) check in = 5 (increases over 7 days up to 25)
(on the popcorn rewards page, go to the very bottom of the page) = 110, watch all 10 ads each day, have to wait 30 seconds in between ads
(on the popcorn rewards page) turn on notifications = 30 (1 time bonus)
1 friend referral code = 20 (1 time bonus) My invite code is NKNIWI (those are all capital letters, that's the capital letter i)
(I did create a login because otherwise you only get 1 Always Win box instead of 3 per day)
3 random popcorn from the daily Always Win box = 35 (I'd normally get 5-15, around 30 in total)
watch 5 episodes each day with ads
- there are other 1 time bonuses like following on social media so you might be able to finish in 2 days instead of 3 if you did more of the bonuses

Day 1 watch 1-4 (free), 5-16; Day 2 watch 17-28; Day 3 watch 29-30

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different personalities blended beautifully in one room

Overall: I never thought I would fall for a sassy angel and a gloomy guy like I did. One Room Angel is based on the manga (same title) by Harada which I haven't read and I reviewed the series on its own. 6 episodes about 24 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala except Japan and South Korea, also aired on Viki.

Content Warnings: (there are some major content warnings mostly done in flashbacks, I've put them in a comment under a spoiler)

What I Liked
- good balance of seriousness/humor/sweetness
- mystery, we learned more and more about the characters as the series continued
- the mom
- production value

Room For Improvement
- the wings were a bit cheesy but they weren't terrible
- unrealistic that a person would be punched in the face several times and talk normally/not be bloodied or unconscious
- ending was confusing/too open ended

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skip episodes 3 and 4

Overall: the first two episodes were cute and promising but it went downhill in the 3rd and 4th episodes and it just couldn't recover. They combined 5 of the TikTok episodes into each longer YouTube episode. Aired 7 episodes about 30 minutes each on the Puregold YouTube channel (from what I gather Puregold is a grocery store chain in the Philippines)

Content Warnings: non con video recording and posting, past death

What I Liked
- a few central characters
- the dad (initially)
- that they explained the word Plantito towards the beginning (a guy who likes plants/gardening)
- cockroach scene
- eventually explained about Mico's sister
- Mico's abs

Room For Improvement
- they needed to show why Mico and Charlie liked one another, more bonding moments and less Bianca time
- before my rant, I need to say that video recording someone against their will and publicly posting it could get a survivor of intimate partner violence killed
- disliked several characters in eps 3 and 4, I was enjoying Charlie's dad but then his answer to Charlie's illegal actions was 'don't worry if you get sued I'll get you a good lawyer' like WTH?!? Charlie was obsessed with making money but we didn't have any real indication that they are poor until episode 6 so he came across as very self-centered/materialistic. Bianca gave awful advice but Charlie was a grown adult and could make his own decisions. And after being rightfully yelled at, Charlie didn't even do what was instructed (he hid them instead of deleting them which are not the same thing). Then he wallowed in self pity. He didn't seem sad about missing a chance to date Mico, more that he wouldn't be popular/make money with his vlog
- kind of a dig with the comment that his neighbor seemed too big to be a trans man in episode 1
- hiring Charlie as a social media manager made zero sense
- rushed ending

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