BL Compilations

not a romance and not anything else

Overall: as someone who has enjoyed many bodice rippers, this 90 minute movie totally missed the mark. It didn't do the romance well and it didn't do any other genre (mystery, action etc) well either. I haven't read the books and am basing this movie on its own merits. Aired on WeTV https://wetv.vip/en/play/2fs0u4bifngi23w/r4100rhuz4b

Content Warnings: rape (repeatedly), sexual assault, violence/beaten up, drugging, held against will, manhandling, non con recording/sharing, manipulation

What I Liked
- visuals and that mesh top
- other than how the characters are all related to each other, the premise was fairly easy to understand

Room For Improvement
- even when something is based on source material, the production can't assume every viewer has read the source material, they introduced a whole bunch of characters (some with their names written on the screen), did not explain everyone's relationships to one another well, never gave an explanation for why that horrible "plan" was concocted/carried out
- couldn't root for any of the couples, 3rd couple it happened when one was shown to be drunk, 2nd couple had a terrible redemption arc maybe if 6 months ago he had shown discomfort over what he did and then in the present he had not repeatedly violated the other guy's boundaries then I could have rooted for them, and the first couple....I think that's evident, was Stockholm syndrome happening, wth
- total nonsense things ie why first take revenge on a person who created a plan instead of the person who carried out the plan, character was gone for at least 3 days (or long enough for cuts/bruises to heal so weeks???) and no one was concerned about his whereabouts, he seemed totally fine after something completely horrific, he had access to his phone but didn't call the police, etc
- jarring tone of domestic bliss to something extremely horrific
- multiple flashbacks/time jumps
- cliffhanger ending with no guarantee of a sequel

Read More

a comfort show with some hiccups

Overall: the sweet/caring dynamic was fun to watch, but there were a few plot/character missteps. 12 episodes about 45 minutes each. Uncut on iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/your-sky-episode-1-1mjy70t567o?lang=en_us - March 2025 update - episodes were released on YouTube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcTibKbv20S4l3tuUU0ydM9BzZEc0nrLm&si=LnuYC1wmH2gpjVlP As of ep 4, I don't see any difference between the cut and uncut versions. This review is for the uncut version as that was the only entry when I first reviewed this. Will try to look at later episodes to see if they cut anything from YouTube or not.

Content Warnings: manipulation, non con touching/manhandling, punches, non con picture taking/sharing, coercion, transphobia, non con touching, victim blaming, homophobia, manhandling

Watch Suggestions (uncut version, only ep 1 is currently available as cut on YouTube)
- watch episodes 1-6
- episode 7 watch beginning to 3min and 52-end
- episode 8 start at 13:30
- episode 9 skip 31:30-35 and 38-44
- can watch all of episode 10 though the second couple annoyed me
- episode 11 watch 4:15-21 and 47-54:50
- watch all of episode 12

What I Liked
- showed a main character as kind through his actions at the beginning
- caring/sweet dynamic and that they communicated
- one of the few child-like characters who had agency (actively made his own decisions without being manipulated into things)
- supportive friend group
- Fah's loving and supportive family
- non cliche ex girlfriend
- intimacy and check ins, continued intimacy/not rebuffing intimacy

Room For Improvement
- character exposition dump montage with voice over for the other main character
- though Rak had agency, his continued child-like demeanor got on my nerves after he and Fah were intimate
- the stereotypical trans woman character
- nonsense stuff: so drunk he couldn't recognize someone but still able to stand/walk and talk, friends didn't seem to know what was going on but everyone else did in ep 2, that the antagonist didn't switch his focus to someone else
- in episode 6 they needed to show them filming so viewers realized that it was for the student film and didn't really happen (on/near the beach)
- in episode 7 what a character did could have killed another character, that was too violent and though the couple did briefly talk later, I couldn't totally trust a character that showed that level of violence
- a character randomly showed up to comfort Oh, they could have weaved that character in earlier
- nonsense in episode 8, there was plenty of time to say something to another character
- in episode 8 a 3rd couple came out of nowhere, could have built that up better
- the victim blaming in ep 9 was infuriating
- continuity error in ep 9 of no pants and then pants
- some of the camera angles were odd
- episode 10 with the apology letter and shopping part
- episode 11 a character acted totally different (and other characters hinting at it didn't work because what I saw as a viewer was different), the other adults not saying things right away, the manhandling, the 180 shift, none of it worked for me
- episode 11 and 12 should have reduced the family drama and spent that time better developing the second and third couples
- (neutral) comedy sound effects

Question - I'm wondering if the nickname "Saggy Cheeks" would better be translated to "Squishy Cheeks" - if anyone who speaks Thai can talk about the translation please let me/us know. "Saggy Cheeks" has a negative connotation to me but I had the impression that it was a silly nickname, not a negative nickname.

Read More

The Pain (Almost) Never Ends (watch suggestions)

Overall: note that this series and my review may have triggering content. 13 episodes about 1 hour each. Aired on iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/the-love-never-sets-episode-1-2edr2dc2xxw?lang=en_us

Content Warnings: past (rape shown 27-30 ep 1 and 29-34 episode 2 , grooming, drugging, non con video taking/sharing, miscarriage, blood, manipulation, intimate partner abuse/violence, near suicide, child abuse/violence), current (beaten up/fight, held against will, slaps/punches, grooming, trauma/PTSD, intimate partner abuse, manipulation, sexual assault multiple times, drugging, multiple past suicides mentioned)

Watch Suggestions (to focus on sweet/happy)
- episode 2 watch 16:15-26:20 for cute backstory, 37:30-46:05 GL
- episode 3 watch 21-27:35 cute backstory
- episode 4 watch 23:10-26:10 maybe side couple, 32-38:20 GL, 55-58:45
- episode 5 watch 21:45-24:30 and 44:30-46:15
- episode 6 watch 19:30-25:20
- episode 7 watch 22:30-39and 58:45-59:05
- episode 8 watch 9:30-12:30 and 50:25-52:20
- episode 9 watch beginning to 36:30 and 38:40-40:10
- episode 10 watch 18-19:15 and 34-end
- episode 11 watch beginning-2:30, 5:30-10:05, 13:30-20:25
- episode 12 watch 29-end
- episode 13 watch beginning-18:30, 34:30-39 (or continue if you enjoy singing), 45:20-end

What I Liked
- visuals
- sweet moments in the past/present
- the past miscommunication was a bit more realistic than similar situations in other series
- that Ice at times stood up for himself like when he told Saint that he was two-faced
- the GL escalated very quickly, but I enjoyed them quite a bit
- someone went to jail in episode 8

Room For Improvement
- exposition dump in ep 1
- it seemed that Saint knew what happened to Ice before reading the diary so him restraining Ice like that in episode 1 was awful (and then a later conversation about not needing consent was terrible too, I don't think the production talked to any survivors)
- the bullies felt very cookie cutter
- multiple poorly done redemption arcs
- the friend knew what happened to Ice yet put him in a situation she should have known would be triggering
- cheating
- stupid drinking duel in episode 7
- kissing someone when they were drugged
- in episode 8 a character could have easily had a mutual friend explain what was going on
- bunch of nonsense stuff: staff didn't notice higher rates sooner/had a student access data, instant pepper spray recovery, police took forever to get somewhere, deleted evidence, into a coma from being stabbed, singing woke a person from a coma

Read More

cringey and sweet (watch suggestions)

Overall: talking to Yuka felt cringey (it's not as bad after the first episode), but there were some very caring/sweet parts in the series that I enjoyed. 12 episodes about 1 hour each. No official international release.

Content Warnings: past bullying, coercion, non con touching, trauma, cyberbullying

Watch Suggestions (to focus more on the romance with the main and side couples)
- episode 1 watch 1hr 1min - end
- episode 2 watch 17:20-end
- episode 3 watch 18:45-end
- episode 4 watch 9:50-11:45 and 15-44
- episode 5 watch beginning-4:50, 12:50-29:30 and 32:40-end
- episode 6 watch 5:55-10:10, 14-19 and 23-end
- watch episode 7
- episode 8 watch 41-45, 51:55-53:35 and 56-end
- episode 9 watch beginning-5, 16:45-20, 54-1hr 1min
- episode 10 watch 11-16:05, 20-26:10, 45:30-53:40
- episode 11 watch beginning-22:30, 39:30-52, 57-end
- episode 12 watch 15-18 and 40-end

What I Liked
- a gaming setting
- that his coworkers were nice instead of the normal backbiting we've seen in workplace settings
- they showed the viewer why he was so attached
- in episode 2 that he rescued his boss
- odd how everyone was watching them like The Truman Show
- supportive friends
- that they showed a realistic long distance relationship

Room For Improvement
- the brief exposition dump was not needed
- overall it veered into a bit too cringey like him setting out the figuring at his very first work meeting and saying what he said
- nonsense, a company wouldn't let customers know officially with 6 days left???
- the boss should not have been coercive especially because he knew how much the character meant to him
- comedy sound effects didn't make things funny
- episode 8 love rival/jealousy stuff
- ghosting with the side couple
- wasn't quite happy with how it ended, the leads didn't interact until 40 minutes of 51 in the finale

Read More

Thai romcom with some heaviness

Overall: I support Saint and all the actors but the the comedy didn't mesh well with some heavy plot points. Based on the book "Wanjai Phuyai Jom" by Naoto which I haven't read. 12 episodes about an hour each. Aired on Idol Factory's YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4D0KlUVq4IyHCM1l3v94GC0SJ3EUG8fl&si=EmHX_4KfrB2NSdKr

Content Warnings: fight, non con kissing, intimate partner abuse, pretended to commit suicide, attempted murder, beaten up, violence, blood, manipulation, bullying, coercion, sexual harassment, past child abuse, cyber bullying, kidnapping, beaten up, dub/non con kiss, manhandling

What I Liked
- chuckled a couple times
- happy to see Saint on screen again
- good they called out that teacher/student relationship and the teacher had consequences though I wish he had had other consequences
- the grandma
- his brother, though he should respect boundaries
- the end of the finale

Room For Improvement
- jumps from serious moments to ridiculous moments (like that inflatable mall thing in episode 3)
- they brushed the intimate partner abuse under the rug, in the real world she'd likely be dead in a couple of years
- nonsense writing: why couldn't he have gone to another school or studied at home?, the parents weren't concerned about what almost happened to him?, if it's that dangerous then they should have had him go out of the country
- though I didn't have an issue with the age gap per se (Yo was 19 and Jom was 28-31), it was not appealing to see Yo in high school wearing the high school uniform and Jom acted like a parent with a rebellious kid many times
- the villains were cartoonish and practically twirled their mustaches
- zero interest in the high school bullying stuff and redemption arc
- love rival and his redemption arc
- noble idiot trope/refused to communicate cliche
- most humor didn't work for me

Read More

comedy that works sometimes (watch suggestions)

Overall: wish it would have focused more on romantic/sweet moments of the main couple as I did not find the side plots interesting. The series is based on a book which I haven't read and I'm reviewing the series based on its own merits. 8 episodes about 50 min each. Aired here https://www.oned.net/video/6369378014112 with English subtitles.

Content Warning: mental health struggles

Watch Suggestions (to focus on the m/m relationship and if the humor isn't your style)
- episode 1 watch 15-33
- episode 2 watch beginning-9:40, 12-14, 37-end
- episode 3 watch 5-9:30, 12-15, 36-end
- episode 4 watch 13-16:30, 18:15-21:45, 32-end
- episode 5 watch 9:50-12:30 and 35:20-end
- episode 6 watch 23:30-25:30
- episode 7 watch 30:30-35:50
- episode 8 watch 17:30-20:30, 25-29 and 40-end

What I Liked
- the entrance of one character was funny and I chuckled a couple of times
- different premise for a BL series
- the grandpa

Room For Improvement
- a character repeatedly called the other character 'bestie'
- what's with the random kid that keeps hitting him/running into him
- could have started the 1st episode at 15 minutes and not miss anything
- wasn't into the side plots with the stylist/barista and the cats, the guy was a jerk in episode 4 so even his plot line with his grandpa didn't pull at my heartstrings as it should have)
- nonsense that they wouldn't send their best after multiple failed attempts

Read More

much better in the second half

Overall: the first half is a character being a jerk/abusive, I recommend watching episode 1 and then skip to episode 28 to get past that. The second half was significantly better with fun nonsense stuff. 50 episodes about 2 minutes each. Aired on iQIYI app. First few episodes are here https://youtu.be/TgcZwUo5tg0?si=g56BMS1HWuorK-Yp

Content Warnings: drugging, chocking, slap, sexual assault (in a dream ep 27), unwanted outing, bullying, homophobia, violence, punch, blood

What I Liked
- the parents' relationship with each other and their sons
- second half was much better
- character stood up for himself and his mom
- some of the nonsense was funny like removing someone injured from a hospital to care for them in a bath tub at home
- a character apologized
- meeting with the boss
- some villains had actual consequences

Room For Improvement
- bullying/abuse in the first half
- love triangle
- some nonsense was annoying like when would a beautiful woman need to drug a guy to have sex
- supposedly clothing was wet and next second they were completely dry

Read More

a supportive ML

Overall: I appreciated how Lin Xiao was kind and supportive. 55 short episodes. Aired on iQIYI https://www.iq.com/album/%E6%8D%A1%E4%B8%AA%E6%80%BB%E8%A3%81%E5%BD%93%E7%94%B7%E5%8F%8B-2025-1oqynntut75

Content Warnings: drugging, sexual assault, manipulation

What I Liked
- visuals (once that awful facial hair disappeared)
- a character didn't take advantage of another character because he was drugged/not in his right mind

Room For Improvement
- too much of the evil family
- comedy sound effects didn't make things funny
- almost needed to be more unhinged/dramatic to really pull me in (or get rid of the annoying family members)

Read More

opposites attract short series

Overall: this was a decent short series (filmed vertical style). 12 episodes about 4 minutes each. Aired on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL6MkYrE6Co&list=PLX6cx4BgCOtAC9XrO1yBBjLWBRexMGXHH&index=2&ab_channel=Ch7HD

Content Warnings: non con picture taking/sharing, non con kiss

What I Liked
- clear premise
- opposite personalities/their dynamic
- caring/sweet moments
- intimacy
- consent when the 1 guy was very drunk
- excellent way to study muscle groups

Room For Improvement
- sound effects didn't make things funny
- cliche wannabe girlfriend
- the fake out at the end but at least it was short
- O Christmas Tree background song (didn't take off points)
- (neutral) did a grocery store sponsor this series lol (there were a ton of product placements but I didn't deduct points

Read More

historical romance/drama

Overall: I enjoyed the historical setting (spoiler for the type of ending in a spoiler comment). This is based on the book "Memoir of Rati" (จาฤกรติชา) by P.PICHA which I haven't read and am reviewing the series based on its own merits. Aired on GMMTV's YouTube channel everywhere except Southeast Asia https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb6_2JamS9iM2MJATWfoFPY-piHFDtvEC and Netflix in Southeast Asia https://www.netflix.com/watch/82056609

Content Warnings: fight, blood, past death, bullying, punches, beaten up, non/dub con kisses, past death, attempted murder

What I Liked
- historical setting
- tension/chemistry
- intimacy
- styling
- supportive characters
- Lady Pa

Room For Improvement
- exposition dump to start the series
- unrealistic to volunteer him in episode 1
- the pacing felt slow
- nonsense writing particularly in episode 12/1

Read More

still had some fun parts but they needed to focus on the 4 main characters

Overall: season 2 had a promising start, but it fell into season 2 plot cliches like poor communication skills. You can see my season 1 review here https://kisskh.at/profile/blcompilations/review/326187 - 6 episodes about 20 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala (worldwide except Japan, Korea, Macau & Hong Kong) https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5391/i-became-the-main-role-of-a-bl-drama-2023-s02e01

What I Liked
- laughed several times
- acting

Room For Improvement
- dead fish lip press in episode 1 and the finale
- love rivals/not communicating that dragged on and hogged time that could have been spent on the leads
- was disappointed with the manager reveal, secretly feeling one way and then lying/deceiving your partner out loud is icky

Read More

an established couple with too much repetitiveness (watch suggestions)

Overall: I was looking forward to seeing an established couple navigate a challenge; however, re-telling the same plot points over and over made this challenging to watch. There did seem to be some crossover with Y Destiny, but I don't think you need to watch it in order to watch this series. 10 episodes about 30 minutes each. Aired on iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/suntiny-episode-1-27wncv1edpg?lang=en_us

Content Warning: self harm mentioned, non con kiss

Watch Suggestions (to reduce the repetitiveness)
- watch episodes 1 & 2
- skip episodes 3-6
- episode 7 watch 4-6:50, 12:30-22:20
- episode 8 watch 2-3, 17-19:45
- episode 9 watch 7:15-8 for side couple montage and 30:30-33:15
- watch episode 10

What I Liked
- established couple
- different personalities/styles in the beginning
- styling
- ongoing physical intimacy/mutual want
- that Toy stood up for himself
- supportive friends

Room For Improvement
- the spoiler start of the series
- the exposition/feeling dumps with the camcorder verses showing the viewer how they feel/it happening organically
- going into a bathtub with underwear on
- people laughing at him for his issue
- repetitive and since they were frequently styled similarly it was difficult to know when they were in different bodies
- that mask thing was odd
- the side couple guy felt like a player for way too long, at episode 6 we should have seen character growth/change
- too many flashbacks
- the non con kiss with the side couple
- cliche "I can explain" but doesn't explain in person or text with plenty of time to do so
- comedy sound effects didn't make things funny

Read More

zero payoff

Overall: I was into the obsessed brother but the progression wasn't good and the ending was awful. 6 episodes under 15 minutes each. Aired on PPeachStory YouTube channel https://youtu.be/81-EFRHQbXE?si=XlJ0V6IjmBTRA0no This production also made Uncle Unknown.

Content Warnings: arson, (past: child abuse, beaten up, murder/death, blood), violence, coercion, sexual assault, non con kissing, manhandling, non biological brothers raised as siblings from elementary age

What I Liked
- visuals
- tension
- how the younger guy was the unhinged one
- enjoyed how they were watching other BL/queer series in episode 3
- good dream in episode 3

Room For Improvement
- sexual assault in episode 6
- the first "kiss" was terrible, not sure their lips even touched and also the circumstances of how it happened
- terrible ending
- the adopted brother thing didn't bother me a ton but he kept saying 'brother' every single sentence which was cringey
- sound effects like the hits or footsteps were cheesy/unrealistic/too loud
- nonsense stuff, they didn't call for help for the dad???
- dubbing
- annoying how free episodes only stay free for 1 week

Note: the two were not biological brothers as the older guy said he adopted the younger guy in episode 2, but it did show that they were raised together (the younger one seemed to be in elementary school). That aspect of their relationship didn't bother me, but I can see how it might not be everyone's cup of tea.

Read More

choppy indie series (watch suggestions)

Overall: way too many characters/plot threads in this series. 6 episodes about 35 minutes each (taking out the intro/outros/etc) Aired on Loy Kaew YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLsPniimXTgfDEGMCYnL_MGY_Ic96dsM6&si=TgztkVxn1VRCg7z6 (note the playlist is in a different watch order)

Content Warnings: murder, blood, gang rape off screen, bullying, beaten up, blood, sexual harassment, non con touching, manipulation, punch

Watch Suggestions (focuses on the m/m couple, sweet & steamy parts, removes the content warnings)
- watch episode 1 part 1 4:30-6:15 and 12-14:45; part 2 9:30-end; part 3 beginning to 5:15
- watch episode 2 part 1 13:40-15
- watch episode 3 part 2 1:30-end and part 3 11:30-end
- watch episode 4 part 1 beginning-9:20
- watch episode 5 part 2 8:10-end; part 3 3:30-end
- watch episode 6 part 1 13:55-end and part 2 beginning-3:50 and 6:05-13:25

What I Liked
- vistas/countryside (or historical, not 100% sure) setting
- 1 kind mom
- good kissing/intimacy

Room For Improvement
- super long intro
- too many characters, I couldn't figure out who they were or their relationships to each other, choppy
- love triangle/s?
- the implied gang rape was horrific, I don't care what that character did, she did not deserve that
- the ending was disappointing, we've seen it done many times before, at least they could have cut out some of the other plot threads and added a reincarnation part at the end

Read More