4
10
1
1
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. My referral link is https://playground.shortime.en/invite/NKNIWI (all letters) and it should get you a bonus.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)
My referral link is https://playground.shortime.en/invite/NKNIWI (all letters) and it should get you a bonus.
(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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quirky series with some darker moments
Overall: I enjoyed the quirky aspect though something kept me from fully rooting for their relationship for awhile. This series was adapted from a manga "Doku Koi: Doku mo Sugireba Koi to Naru" by Makino Keisuke which I haven't read and I reviewed the series on its own merits. Partway through its release in Japan, it started airing on Netflix in some countries https://www.netflix.com/title/81766555 ; re-aired on Viki in April 2025 https://www.viki.com/tv/40968c-love-is-a-poisonContent Warning: manipulation, blackmail, beaten up, past murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, non con picture taking/sharing
What I Liked
- the opposite personality dynamic
- made me laugh a few times
- the friend
- good dreams
- the tie pull
- sweet/caring moments
- the plants/quirky humor moments
- a character stood up for their relationship
Room For Improvement
- it was difficult to root for their relationship because the writers weren't clear about a character/his motivations for a long time, they finally communicated in episode 11
- how a supposed super intelligent lawyer started asking questions at the end of episode 7
- the camera did an odd 360 rotation during a scene
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This review may contain spoilers
The Hidden/Slow Plot (cut version) - watch suggestions
Overall: the first episode made me intrigued but it devolved into a non thrilling/confusing mess. Aired 10 episodes about 45 minutes each on WeTV https://wetv.vip/en/play/17g7rz51mczkxkf-The%20Hidden%20Moon/a4100mvcw5u-EP01A%3A%20The%20Hidden%20Moon (uncut episodes were about 10 minutes longer)Content Warnings: death, attempted suicide, sexual assault/rape?, self harm, scary images, violence, blood, mental health struggles, choking
Watch Suggestions (suggest watching the cut version except where noted, this focuses on sweet moments between the leads)
- watch episode 1
- episode 3 watch part 2 beginning-3; part 3 beginning-1:15, all of part 4
- episode 4 watch all of part 1; part 2 start at 7:12; part 3 beginning-4 and all of part 4
- watch episode 5 part 1 4:30-end
- watch all of episode 6 uncut, they cut out kissing/implied sex
- episode 7 watch part 1 16-end, part 3 3:40-end and can watch all of part 4
- episode 8 watch part 1 before the credits for a quick kiss (uncut version has a longer kiss but it's more of a dead fish lip press) and 12:20-13:15
- skip episode 9
- watch episode 10 uncut from 40:20-43
What I Liked
- intriguing premise with mystery/horror/supernatural elements
- at least they asked why the ghost sensitive one wasn't seeing them
- sweet moments especially in episode 6
- supportive mom
- some of the production value* (the off key music at the end and then the music at the end was especially fitting)
Room For Improvement
- *choppy at times (even in the uncut version it felt a little choppy)
- confusing and slow plot
- Khen and a friend had several moments that made me ship them which was especially bad because the other ML wasn't introduced until the very end of ep 1 (this was less an issue in the cut version)
- odd that a character went from trying to kill another character to suddenly liking him and then back to hating him, did not feel chemistry between the leads
- did not care at all about the drama in the past and it was confusing because a character made it sound like she didn't want something but then she seemed to want that when she talked to her friend later
- I was going to give this a 7 but the very confusing/rushed finale/dead fish lip press dropped it to a 5 (the uncut adds 9 minutes at the end but it basically shows Mas and Khen almost meeting and how Khen was recruited to join the rest of the group and go to that house, they aren't together
- the idea that Mas would watch reincarnated Khen grow up and then get together with him when he was 40 and Khen was 20 was icky (this is how the cut version ended)
Episode 1 cut ~43 minutes vs uncut ~57 minutes (the removal of the following scenes may have added to choppiness but it was good to have less romance coded moments between Khen and another character and that they reduced the sing-along)
- parts 1 & 4 didn't notice any changes
- beginning of part 2 they cut a scene when they are back at the house, a brief group conversation, then Khen brings sweets and chats with the housekeeper
- in part 2 they cut a scene where the group is by a river, a character tells Khen that he senses a spirit hanging around him and then a library scene where Khen is trying to find additional info about the house, later cut out them doing additional research
- in the beginning of part 3 they cut down some of the singing/camping stuff
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Bad Guy & Angry/Sad Guy
Overall: this was difficult to rate. I really disliked the plot and the characters but everything was executed extremely well. 4 episodes about 10 minutes each. Aired on SUKFILM's YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYfaogVGCvwRtjaJ9-6V6InWnPJxR5z5U&si=sa6ViMn1SRginwgl Channel members get additional kissing scenes.Content Warnings: non con kiss
What I Liked
- clear premise
- visuals
- acting
- production value*
Room For Improvement
- *they needed to turn down or remove the music when characters were speaking because it was distracting
- I actively did not want characters together, I had zero faith they would stay together happily ever after
- a character said the other queer character was pretending to be normal which implied that being queer is abnormal which I do not believe to be true
- it was understandable that a character was upset but saying they wouldn't let another character go was cliche and annoying
- the end was kind of open, wondering if they will do a part 2
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promising start let down by the writing
Overall: I enjoyed the more realistic vibe, but the writing didn't work for me. Aired on Team Campy Entertainment YouTube channel. 7 episodes broken up into two parts each, each episode was about 20 minutes long.Content Warnings: racism, beaten up off screen
What I Liked
- realistic parts (being annoyed at someone talking on the phone in the bathroom)
- funny parts, like that he wore a suit (although who wouldn't ask what the job was???)
- sweet/cute moments
Room For Improvement
- that was too harsh of a way to start a series
- too much overlap/showing old scenes between the parts and the episodes
- Andre was an unlikable character (especially in episode 6) and I didn't really like Joshua either, I didn't feel their chemistry/relationship build up
- story threads/characters dropped like the dad
- the sister exposition dump
- loud, constant background music (and mostly the same music)
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Watch for the main couple
Overall: I was excited by the premise but I'm a bit disappointed in the execution. I have read part of the book and I dislike pretty much every change they made in the live action adaptation. Watched on Gagaoolala.Content Warnings: slap, blackmail/manipulation, fight scene
What I Liked
- the lead pair is adorable* (and those dimples!)
- actually showing (realistically) that a doctor is busy (though pretty sure you'd die if you didn't sleep in 70 hours)
- Tawan's friend Nadia is really supportive of him but I didn't like her character otherwise (and in the book she was a he)
- there is a (unfortunately very minor) trans woman character who nicely is not a comedic character
Room For Improvement
- *I really wish Tawan would know what the audience knows in episode 3 and then we'd go from there, he didn't know until really late and Mork trying to prevent Tawan from knowing was so bizarre
- multiple fake outs
- the side m/m have no chemistry and I hate the way their relationship started (this couple was not in the book)
- the m/f couple, her actions make zero sense (this was a m/m couple in the book)
- that the uncle just gave money to his pregnant girlfriend (was not in the book)
- had the poor communication/ghosting at the end trope
- I expect better kissing skills for two guys who have both been in relationships before
- too much time spent on some side characters/scenes, like the motorcycle guys at that festival
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This review may contain spoilers
Part Cutie and Part Manipulation Pie
Overall: I was really excited after seeing the trailers and the plot premise. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the lack of agency, manipulation, lying and stupidity. I wish we had seen Kuea telling the truth much earlier and spending the rest of the series learning about the other person's real personality. It did have some fun, cute and advocacy moments. Watched on YouTube.Content Warnings: non con kiss (very drunk), manipulation, stalking
What I Liked
- the original premise
- the consent displayed in episode 8 part 1, and some other parts as well
- the moments that made me laugh (like Kuea rocking out in ep 1)
- the 3rd couple, although they didn't get much screentime
- talking about marriage equality in the bath tub and later in the series
- great that Hia Lian rejected the terrible pitch using stereotypes*
- the overall aesthetic of the music, editing, etc
- Lian's assistant character was hilarious
- the intimate moments
Room For Improvement
- the main issue I have is that Kuea (and Diao to a lesser degree) don't have agency. Their love interests make decisions for them as if they are the parent and Kuea and Diao are the child instead of them being equal partners. For example Lian saying "I hope that my plan to straighten him out will work." There is a lot of lying (mostly by omission but it's still lying) and manipulation throughout the series. Kuea's mom also outright lies to him. We finally get communication in the last episode! That should have happened around episode 4. Lian even manipulated Kuea until the very end. They had agreed that Kuea would propose and Lian would not let him do it and kept sabotaging him.
- the non con drunk kiss was unnecessary, Kuea didn't even recognize Lian. I've been very drunk before and I still recognized friends so this was non con in my opinion.
- stupidity/non logic, several characters make stupid decisions. Why would Kuea think that Lian didn't know he was Kirin when Kuea publicly announced it at a show at Lian's rival business (so he likely keeps close tabs on it). And then Lian just happens to have a music room with Kuea's favorite instrument??? I really wanted (preferably Kuea) to do some huge reveal around ep 5, break off the engagement and then they needed to learn about the real personalities of the other person and fall in love
- the side couple felt abusive. Having to report his schedule, having to check in every night at midnight etc. They never had an explicit conversation about a consensual dom/sub relationship. Also I was very confused especially in the beginning with what relationship they had and why. We gained insight into their history but, too late in my opinion.
- *colorism, the grandma says she's happy her grandson is "good looking and fair, just like his noble family"
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This review may contain spoilers
disappointed with the writing (start at ep 7)
Overall: I was hoping for continued character growth from Minato and Shin but unfortunately the first 6 episodes went back to square one but also circled around and around the very tired poor communication cliche. It pains me to rate this under an 8 but a 29 year old is somehow more immature than a 5 year old. 12 episodes about 25 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala except for Japan, South Korea or Taiwan. This is my review of the first season https://kisskh.at/profile/blcompilations/reviews/217311/Watch advice: start at episode 7, end at episode 9 towards the end when Shu is on the stairs, maybe pick it up in episode 11 though Minato frustrates me again in that episode (Shu/Asuka have a cute interaction around 8 minutes), definitely pick it up in episode 12 around 9 minutes with the letter.
Content Warnings: manipulation, 18 year old and 29 year old (they way the story unfolds the age gap does not bother me), Shin is a bit aggressive maybe dub con though they are in an established relationship
What I Liked
- good recap at the beginning
- cute intro/OST
- callbacks to the first season
- some sweet/funny moments
- Shin seeks communication and listed reasons of why he likes Minato
- Asuka and Shu grew on me more and more as the series went on and how they talked with each other and figured out what their partner wanted/needed and tried to meet those needs
- production value
Room For Improvement
- disappointed how Minato constantly refuses verbal or physical affection, was hoping to see that he was working on this/had become more comfortable after 3 months, wish they had made him still nervous in front of other people but affectionate when it was just the two of them and then this season he worked on PDA (public displays of affection), in season 1 I excused Minato's behavior due to internal/external homophobia and societal pressure but in season 2 it really seems that he's not ready to be in a romantic relationship with a man (or really anyone due to his awful communication skills and unwillingness to work on what his partner wants in a relationship), even at the very end they show Minato as being reluctant or joking with Shin related to physical/verbal affection
- the cliche plot points, it felt like a poorly written fanfic story, I did some research and it is almost medically impossible for that to happen to Shin in the way that they portrayed it as happening, totally lazy writing
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a season 2 gem
Overall: this is what I wish season 2s would be - the characters and their relationship grew. 10 episodes about 25 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5837/at-2500-in-akasaka-2024-s02e01 (not available in Japan or Korea).What I Liked
- established relationship
- intimacy/communication
- sweet/caring moments
- avoids the nonsense season 2 plots (i.e. love rivals/terrible communication/re-starting the relationship)
- supportive friends
Room For Improvement
- the night scenes were too dark and more light was needed on their faces
- how a character took method acting home
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a queer vampire community
Overall: enjoyed their relationships with one another. Based on a webtoon "No Way, Vampires Don’t Exist!" written by Ki Moong, which I haven't read and I based my review on its own merits. 8 episodes about 15 minutes each, 2 per week. Aired on iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/my-secret-vampire-episode-1-1lqb2pt4ty4?lang=en_us and GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5793/my-secret-vampire-2025Content Warning: non con touching, (something else was shown but then turned out to be a dream), blood
What I Liked
- their different personalities and their relationships with each other
- visuals
- the ending
Room For Improvement
- noble idiot trope (though thankfully it didn't last long)
- showing flashbacks to recent events
- the cut to black for a kiss
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This review may contain spoilers
Quirky Vampire Short Movie
Overall: this 14 minute short movie has an artsy film vibe. It's about 4 vampires, one of whom wants to die and the other three agree to help. I wouldn't categorize it as BL, but adjacent with two of the vampires (we aren't super clear as to their relationship in the past/present). Purchased on Vimeo, also on Gagaoolala(minor spoilers)
Content Warning: discussion of death, attempted murder/suicide
What I Liked
- the color scheme and production value (costuming was done well too)
- the juxtaposition of a serious topic and humor
Room For Improvement
- wish this was a whole series that delved more into their dynamics, we need a m/m vampire romance that doesn't end tragically, pretty please????
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Like bubbles, beautiful but empty
Overall: this short fantasy historical series wasted screen time with a love triangle and close up shots. Watched on Viki.Content Warnings: violence, a punch (not between m/m ship)
What I Liked
- the production value was good including the cgi of the barrier
- the premise was set up fairly well
- I liked the guard and the future guy's characters
- a few funny moments
Room For Improvement
- I didn't feel chemistry between the m/m ship, also dead fish lip kisses
- many examples of non-logic or stupid things (did a queen have more power than a king in that time period???)
- it was not obvious that it was a flashback in the final episode and also made zero sense with what was going to happen with the guard vs. what he was supposed to do
- I disliked the extreme closeups
- some shaky camerawork
- I don't think most people would react at 7min 30sec if they were to come upon a scene like that in episode 1
- don't really like the title "Tinted With You." Tinted is a verb, it just seems odd in the title.
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a decent student project
Overall: I gave it a rating bump as I believe this was a student project - the intro says School of Communication Arts, Bangkok University. 10 episodes about 40 minutes each. Aired on Viu in Thailand.Content Warnings: past death, grief, bullying, homophobia, punches/slaps, cyberbullying
Watch Suggestions (for the cute side m/m couple)
- episode 3 watch 6:50-8:50
- episode 4 watch 21:10-22:20, 27:05-28:50, 39:45-40:55
- episode 5 watch 4:30-5:40, 8:10-9:30, 11:30-13:25
- episode 6 watch 13:15-15:20, 16:20-18:10
- episode 7 watch 22:20-25:15
- episode 8 watch 38:40-41:35
- episode 9 watch 33-39
- episode 10 watch 16-16:40
What I Liked
- that I couldn't predict the ending
- the side m/m couple (and decent character growth/a former bully romance I can support)
- supportive friends (minus 1*)
- caring moments
Room For Improvement
- voice over exposition dump to start
- *Love saw a character doing bad things and then told her friends that he was actually good?, she talks to one person in the group and suddenly everyone was okay?
- pacing could have been faster, characters refuse to say things just to pad out the episodes
- wannabe fiancee
- cliche involving a car in episode 9
- nonsense world building (couldn't touch people and then could in an extra scene, total nonsense in the final episode)
- the side couple had a lot of potential but was very underdeveloped (only had 40 seconds in the 40 minute final episode!)
- not even sure what that ending was (there is a post credit scene, see my spoiler comment)
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Content Warnings: bullying, homophobia, slap, choke, fight, non con video recording, blackmail
What I Liked
- great to see Holland and the cameo with Hong Seok-Cheon
- attempt at sex education though it felt a bit preachy
- non dead fish lip press kisses (though there was some camera blocks)
Room For Improvement
- started with a flash forward and voice over
- they tried to have too many characters/cover too much and so the main pair felt underdeveloped, not totally sold on the redemption arc
- lack of satisfying consequences for the main bully
- there was an extra scene after the end credits which I did not understand
- subtitles were pretty rough but I understood the overall gist (did not take off points)
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This review may contain spoilers
liked it more as it went on
Overall: confusing start and I had some issues with the series but it ended well. 10 episodes with about 25 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala and Viki.Content Warnings: attempted suicide, attempted/near murder, manipulation, blackmail, stalking, non con kiss
What I Liked
- sweet moments (especially ep 9 and 10)
- that the couples had different dynamics/relationships (though I struggled with all of them at different points)
- the misunderstanding with modeling was funny (wish he had actually modeled though)
- cameo from a couple in season 1 of Love Class and also the couple from Private Lessons
- good kissing/intimacy (except for 1 couple who did dead fish lip presses)
Room For Improvement
- that was an extremely heavy way to start a series and then they jumped into a fluffy scene directly afterwards which gave me whiplash
- things were confusing in the beginning, it was not immediately apparent if that first scene was a flashback or a flash forward, I was trying to figure out who was who during episode 1...
- too many characters introduced without properly explaining who they were/their relationship to one another
- spent too much time on other things like how none of the three couples interacted until after 10 of 30 minutes in episode 3
- the non con kiss, totally unnecessary
- I was still confused when the past was revealed, what exactly was the issue with the wrong ID, did it ruin his reputation???
- I struggled with all 3 couples
-- teaching assistant/student - bought him underwear and then blackmailed him into a date, played relationship mind games, cliche plot point of witnessed something the ghosted him (did like the flashback in episode 10 that explained a bit on why the student was interested in the teaching assistant, wish we had known that sooner)
-- barista/jobless friend - barista silently simped forever and then punished his friend who didn't even know why, barista called his friend a slut for singing a fake confession and then did a non con kiss while his friend was passed out, played relationship mind games
-- student/older student - ignored boundaries several times, the student was pretty pushy but then older student just relented for no reason that I could see, they didn't clearly define what their relationship was in the past, ghosted someone for 2 years, dead fish lip presses
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