BL Compilations

aggressive pursuer

Overall: the pursuer was too aggressive. 40 episodes 1-2 minutes each, episodes 1-6 are free on the Shortime app and you can watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/6-JLrv9n048?si=39BhMVZVh5SDRba7. Aired on Shortime app which also has: Accent, Please Teach Me, Falling For My Boss, The Secrets of Male Students and Buddy Boy. App information is below.

Content Warnings: blackmail, non con touching, non con kissing turned consensual, manhandling, sexual harassment

What I Liked
- when he stood up for himself
- there was an apology

Room For Improvement
- started in the present then flashback to a week ago
- the blackmail and ignoring boundaries
- they switched their heads too much when kissing

My Watch For Free Plan (updated Jan 2025), should take about 3 days
My referral link is https://playground.shortime.en/invite/NKNIWI (all letters) and it should get you a bonus.

On the Rewards (popcorn bag icon page)
- check in = 5 (increases over 7 days up to 25)
- turn on notifications = 30 (1 time bonus)
- create a login = 20? (I did create a login because otherwise you only get 1 Always Win box instead of 3 per day, I think this was 20 popcorn)
- do the 3 random popcorn from the daily Always Win box = 30 (I'd normally get 5-15, around 30 in total)
- Watch Ads, watch all 10 ads each day, have to wait 30 seconds in between ads = 110

When you run out of popcorn while watching, you can watch 5 episodes each day with ads

Note that there are other 1 time bonuses like following on social media
In general it should take about 3 days to watch for free: Day 1 watch 1-6 (free), 7-21; Day 2 watch 22-33; Day 3 watch 34-40

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enjoyed the premise

Overall: I enjoyed the premise but wish we saw more interactions with the leads and less of the villain. 50 episodes about 1 minute each. Aired first 3 episodes https://www.vigloo.com/video/15000040?season=15000040&episode=0 and all episodes in the Vigloo app (more info below, it also has Love in the Apocalypse). Note that the final episode 50 is on a different tab in the app.

Content Warnings: manhandling, sexual harassment, non picture taking/video recording/sharing, attempted blackmail, punch/fight, past abuse/beaten up, unwanted public outing, past suicidal ideation

What I Liked
- interesting premise
- something that gives a plot point away, has to do with their history
- the few sweet moments
- good kiss (in episode 22)
- only took 2 days to watch the series for free (had to watch ads)

Room For Improvement
- needed to narrow the plot and focus more on the leads
- the background music was too loud at times (though the music was good)
- sometimes the flashbacks weren't very clear
- the villain was very stupid and then did a very quick 180
- comment about how he needed to Photoshop the picture before posting because he wasn't wearing make up in it

How to Watch for Free (episodes are 50 coins each, whole series needs 2,500 coins, you can't skip episodes but once unlocked they stay unlocked forever)
Day 1
- watch episodes 1-9 (free on the app)
- can watch 10 episodes free with ads, I unchecked the auto unlock, clicked off of that box and another box popped up saying "view ads to watch for free 0/10" (I did that for eps 11-20)
- watch 15 ads per day for 30 coins each on the rewards page and do the daily check in for 50 coins (eps 21-30)

Day 2
- watch episodes 31-40 free with ads
- watch the 15 ads to get coins, do the daily check in and watch episodes 41-50

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an enjoyable KBL with excellent acting/chemistry

Overall: a well done office romance. 7 episodes 20 minutes each. Aired on Viki.

Content Warnings: bullying, dub con kisses*, semi outing

What I Liked
- the opening sequence with its manga like animation/editing and the animation other points
- cute, sweet and funny moments
- acting/chemistry
- ongoing affection (could have used a little bit more in the final episode though)
- how the characters don't have identity crises about their sexual orientation
- how the boss Jong Chan is very supportive
- friendship between Seung Hyun and Ji Yeon

Room For Improvement
- in the first episode, it was odd that there was no one in the office when a whole big thing was made about how on time was late, it would have made more sense if everyone else was already there and working when he started
- *I do think Jong Chan knew that Seung Hyun liked him but would have preferred that Seung Hyun initiate at least the first kiss
- needed more runtime, things jumped a bit, also wanted more of a resolution with Yoo Seong
- some night scenes were too dim and needed more lighting
- another stupid "plan" by a villain
- kind of wanted the interns to have more of a plan when they made that video
- Seung Hyun promised not to do something and then he did it in the last episode though he apologized
- an hr nightmare with Seung Hyun talking to his coworkers about his personal relationship and even had some of it recorded

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tried to do too much

Overall: I liked the unique premise but when people have to make charts to understand the plot, then that's a bad sign. 11/12 episodes (there is an alternate final episode). Aired on WeTV.

Content Warnings: punches/fight scenes, manhandling, blood, non con picture taking, gaslighting, there is a major one in the first episode but I'm keeping this spoiler free

What I Liked
- unique premise
- the intro sequence
- lighting, kind of supernatural vibe and it differentiates the universes
- the brother/sister dynamic
- some cute moments
- same sex marriage advocacy
- the side couple (though wish for a bit more enthusiasm earlier and also that stuff in ep 10 was way too early/rushed)

Room For Improvement
- the world building was just too confusing, I think they should have stuck with 1 world building concept instead of multiple, the characters tried to explain it a bit in episode 5 and 7 but that was too late
- lack of clear resolution for Dew's universe
- unrealistic how player Mum just flips on a dime and how Dew and Mum interact when 1 doesn't know the other person and then only talk afterwards
- did not understand why Dew/Mum loved each other so much or feel their chemistry
- didn't like Mint's character but did not like Dew either for not being clear and going along with her suggestion, Mint's character did a bizarre 180 in one of the final episodes
- police should have been called a few times and weren't
- Mum with the 'gay for you' trope
- would a younger person not know about bi/pan as options???
- did not like the choose your own ending

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slice of life series

Overall: this is what I would call a slice of life series, i.e. more true to life versus a romanticized version. Though I was put off at the beginning of the 1st episode with the flash forward and the first few episodes were especially slow going, I'm glad that I stuck with the series. Watched on Gagaoolala (also on iQIYI).

Content Warnings: distant past suicide mentioned, punch/bullying, stalking, outing, manhandling

What I Liked
- some cute moments
- there were actually customers in the cafe at times and the cafe workers were actually working
- a character dreams different kdrama scenarios (I think one was Crash Landing On You) which was fun
- a character said that people who love each other should be able to marry
- the female friend wasn't a cliche evil wannabe girlfriend, though I don't approve of how she handled something
- representation (although I think the writers could have had a more realistic explanation/explained things better)
- Le's mom
- that nose ring, I think it's the first nose piercing I've ever seen in a BL, the hair was fun too
- the friendship between Le and Li

Room For Improvement
- I wish they portrayed the relationship between Li and Gwan differently. At first, I wasn't even sure what their relationship was. It didn't seem that they really even liked each other as friends with the way they treated one another.
- cliche "let me explain" then does not explain with side couple
- the main couple/side couple screen time was odd. Li and Gwan had an entire episode and then pretty much vanished.
- a bit choppy when they were in the forest the first time
- slow pacing
- I think the title "DNA Says Love You" should be "My DNA Says I Love You", I see it's listed as an alternate title but I wish this was the main title
- the pronouns appeared incorrect a few times, but I think this was a translation error (I didn't take off review stars for this)

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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

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horny butler and bratty owner (watch suggestions)

Overall: the beginning episodes containing non con/dub con with the main couple was disappointing, but there were good visuals and sweet moments. 12 episodes about 20 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala (Americas, Europe, Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, India, Southeast Asia) https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5016/eternal-butler-2024-e01 ; iQIYI (available in USA, Spain and ???) https://www.iq.com/play/eternal-butler-episode-1-dst0wmvc9g?lang=en_us ; YouTube (available in African countries, Greenland, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Egypt and a few others) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZCKtVEQmC4

Content Warnings: past suicide, blood, manhandling, non con kisses, drugging, violence, past self harm/suicide?, non con/dub con, torture, kidnapping, fight

Watch Suggestions (takes some of the dad out, focuses on sweet moments)
- watch episodes 1 & 2
- episode 3 end at 21:55
- episode 4 watch 4-5 for a cameo, it does get steamy around 15 min but I couldn't enjoy it due to the circumstances
- episode 5 skip 5:50-17:30
- episode 6 end at 20 and then watch 24:30-end
- episode 7 watch 11:20-end
- episode 8 watch beginning-3:35, 5-15:30 and 21:20-end
- episode 9 watch 3:30-4:30, 8:30-10:30, 17-19:30
- episode 10 watch 2:50-11:10, 13:30-25:20
- episode 11 watch 7:45-12:30 and 15:50-end
- episode 12 watch 5-end

What I Liked
- easy to understand premise
- the sci fi element
- visuals
- supportive friendship
- sweet/caring moments
- the side couple dynamic
- Stay By My Side and other cameos
- character growth with the dad
- good they discussed something in the final episode*

Room For Improvement
- started with a flash forward
- the main couple dynamic of brat vs ignores boundaries robot
- nonsense stuff such as dumb design with the glasses aspect (which is then later completely dropped), an extremely intelligent robot caused the main lead to hobble around the next day, a character in debt wore a shirt full of holes to work (he was later shown as having non-damaged shirts) but had an apartment full of nice furniture, an ultra intelligent robot only could find paid work as an escort, just ignoring warnings instead of dealing with them
- (neutral) sound effects
- episode 4 steamy scene was ruined by the circumstance which I labeled as non con/dub con
- the line "if you caused it, you have to take responsibility" in that circumstance
- the contrasting reactions to giving vs receiving
- the yelling dad
- noble idiot trope in ep 9 but thankfully only lasted a few minutes
- put a tracker on someone without their knowledge
- told parents without consulting his partner first
- can't believe the side couple didn't do something for 10 years
- *one character was still selfish/bratty to the very end, thinking about what he wanted as most important

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loss, revenge and love

Overall: unique premise with solid chemistry. Note: this series and review have several very disturbing images/scenes. I noted timings to take out the most severe ones. The series was based on a manhwa/webtoon of the same name. I read the source material, but I reviewed the series based on it's own merits. 10 episodes about 45 minutes each. Aired on iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/payback-uncut-episode-1-1h8pgey90dg?lang=en_us

Content Warnings: past (murder, suicide, manipulation, coercion, blood, death, beaten up, severe bullying); present (punches, near sexual assault, non/dub con turned consensual/it's complicated*, mental health struggles, coerced oral sex/sex trafficking, kidnapping, beaten up, drugging, murders, torture, self harm, rape, gang rape)

Skip Suggestions (to take out the most severe content warnings, I might have missed some flashbacks with his brother)
- episode 1: 7:10-7:40, 23:20-24
- episode 6: 43:30-43:45
- episode 7: 12:15-12:45, 42:50-44:05, 50:55-51:20, 55-56:30
- episode 8: beginning-3:40, 49:50-51:510 (part of a movie they are filming)
- episode 9: 2:15-2:30, 36:30-42:05, 1hr-end is a violent fight scene
- episode 10: 26:25-27, 45:30-46 or continue to 48:30 though 1 character gets his cummepence), 1hr1min40-1hr1min55, 1hr5min30-1hr6min40s

What I Liked
- unique, gritty vibe
- supportive friend and manager
- acting (normally low affect is tricky, but the actor has done a great job and I understand why the character was that way)
- chemistry
- the uncle was funny
- that the manager suggested a therapist
- evildoers got their cummepence

Room For Improvement
- I was a little confused in the beginning due to multiple timeline jumps and characters who changed hair color (update: note that the source material does this as well so it is a faithful adaptation in that regard)
- music too loud at times or doesn't completely match the vibe of the scene
- the leads needed more screen time, they could have reduced some side characters/plot to better explain the plot
- exposition dumps

*my take on the physical intimacy with the leads - It didn't feel non-consensual to me.
Sun - he says he is guilty for what happened (others had a role hence the revenge). I don't think he thinks he deserves to feel, especially happiness/pleasure. From his dream, the viewer sees there is attraction. So the non con didn't feel as much as non con to me. In the past with the crying while being intimate, one part was emotional sadness and another may have been physical pain; however, he wanted physical pain, he did not think he deserved a pleasurable experience.

Jay - I believe it started as a game to get Sun to feel things and then changed to genuine love/caring especially after he learned something. Jay's interest in Sun crying makes me think that Jay has not cried (ever/in a long time) and was fascinated by it in the past and wants to see Sun having feelings again, including happiness and pleasure.

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quirky series that felt like it took me 1000 years to watch

Overall: I was excited for this quirky romcom but it was extremely slow at times and had odd tonal shifts. It's from the same director/screenwriter as I Will Knock You and they had similar aesthetics. 12 episodes about 40 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala (not in Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Macau) & WeTV (vpn to Thailand).

Content Warnings: attempted suicide, murders, blood, violence, self harm, stalking, trespassing

What I Liked
- cute moments
- supportive friend group and sister
- eclectic wardrobe (sweaters/shirts) and accessories (umbrellas)
- the cat
- ep 5, good he didn't kiss Yoh when sleeping
- ep 9 around 31 minutes
- Shin
- (neutral), the comedy sound effects are there but not as egregious as in other series

Room For Improvement
- very slow pacing for most of the series, I was frequently bored with the eating, dancing, talking about pork blood soup, etc
- Yoh did all that terrible stuff to Pun and even though Pun said he was fine it made me really dislike Yoh, Yoh was too dumb/mean for me to like him and Pun was also unbelievable stupid/unaware for someone who has lived for that long (Pun is explained in episode 12)
- the tonal shifts from fluffy/campy to violent/serious (such as the beginning of episode 2 which I did not find funny) did not work for me
- inconsistent/convenient world building, information in episode 8/9 did not mesh with the exposition dump in episode 2 (some of it made sense in episode 12 but that was too long)
- not sure why they tried to do the tease at the beginning as the title, summary and trailer all gave a plot point away
- there were some fast cuts in the beginning and I wasn't sure if there was a time jump or not until the scene went on
- exposition dump in most of episode 12 and revealed information much too late
- one dimensional villain character
- felt like a middle school romance

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I've forgotten why I liked this series...

Overall: although I love some of the realistic slice of life parts, it's just too slow. Aired on GagaOOLala.

Content Warnings: manipulation, something else that is spoilery for a side character and I'll put it in a comment after this is done airing

What I Liked
- those kids were super adorable in ep 1 and did a great job
- set the time well with SARS (2003), although VHS tapes weren't new technology, it should have been a DVD player unless I understood this incorrectly
- differently abled representation with two characters
- the transition with the photo taking helped me figure out who was who in ep 1
- some realistic parts like having school pen pals, how you feel when you first start university and are on your own
- that hair made me laugh and the grandpa and friends reactions were hilarious*
- supportive friends with the pen pal thing
- production value

Room For Improvement
- too many time jumps and some not clearly marked, this reminds me of when I used to write stories and came to a less interesting part I'd just skip over it and jump to the next section
- I watch at double speed and it still feels slow, they should have cut this down to 6 or 8 episodes instead of 14
- in general I didn't care about any of the romantic relationships, I felt nothing about them
- Champ's character's plot could have been folded into another character
- that's an oddly aggressive pursuit from Nan, I guess it's supposed to be romantic but it felt unrealistic and unwarranted
- the whole thing with the Name's secret online friend was annoying and I would have been waaaaayyy more angry but I guess with the other circumstances he didn't care
- the lack of communication/being honest dragged out way too long
- need more than 1 song played on repeat every other minute (it's a nice song but I've come to loathe it)
- the constant references to the time period are unnecessary
- in episode 1, it seemed unrealistic that a parent or teacher wouldn't have talked to the other students about Name (update, confusing if he was homeschooled at that point because he was wearing a school uniform)
- the awful wigs* why oh why were there sooooo many bad wigs for so much screentime

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unique plot

Overall: with tighter writing this would have been a 9.5. 8 episodes about 20 minutes each. Aired on Viki https://www.viki.com/tv/41508c-the-lie-we-lived-in#episodes

Content Warnings: past murders, murders, attempted murder, blood, manipulation, held against will, violence

What I Liked
- different plot from what we normally see
- chemistry/tension
- mystery

Room For Improvement
- 3 main characters all did stupid things like telling something they shouldn't, leaving things on a wall, etc., that supposed police officer was more stupid than the average person would have been in that situation
- final episode was rushed and there was quite a lot of nonsense stuff (police didn't find it suspicious with the body count that 1 person was completely fine???)

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The Improper Way to Seek Revenge

Overall: both characters were annoyingly stupid and I didn't feel the romance. Based on a manga that I haven't read and I reviewed the series on its own merits. 8 episodes about 25 minutes each. Aired (not available in Japan, Korea or Taiwan) on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5607/the-proper-way-to-write-love-2025

Content Warnings: sexual assault, slap, past bullying, manipulation

Watch Suggestions (to focus on sweet moments with the leads)
- episode 1 watch 10:15-end
- watch episode 2
- episode 3 watch beginning-6:15 and 22-end
- watch episode 4
- episode 5 watch beginning-3:45
- episode 6 watch 6:40-end or the whole thing
- episode 7 watch 8:20-10:20
- episode 8 watch 17-end

What I Liked
- how two people viewed the same interactions differently
- that Dai was in this (from The Boyfriend on Netflix)
- production value

Room For Improvement
- the flash forward, it was a jarring way to start a series
- a long running revenge plan for a guy who made 1 mistake not deserving of said revenge plan
- way too many flashbacks
- introduced a new character in episode 5 that added nothing to the story
- both leads were unrealistically stupid
- that one lead was hung up on his high school love which made his love feel fickle in the present
- the sexual assault and then 20 minutes later the viewer is supposed to think it's all good and want them together forever?!!!

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excellent visuals, nonsense writing

Overall: I can accept and enjoy vampires, aliens, etc but the world building and writing still needs to be consistent and make sense or it breaks the fantasy for me. 12 episodes about 50 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala (available in the U.S., U.K, Australia & Germany) https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5176/my-golden-blood-2025-e01 ; iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/my-golden-blood-episode-1-15i43kuok94?lang=en_us ; GMMTV's YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLszepnkojZI6dCriKkjM96prEY5v2Nhtu&si=_TzfUsEzmPpPs7Jw (not available in SE Asia and countries covered by GagaOOLala). All 3 platforms appear to be the same length.

Content Warnings: past and current murders, blood, stalking, intimate partner abuse, held against will, manipulation, age gap, kidnapping, fights/violence, grief, torture

Watch Suggestions (to focus on sweet/steamy moments with the MLs)
- read the synopsis and watch episode 1
- skip episodes 2 and 3
- episode 4 watch 23-24:30 and 43-end
- episode 5 watch 40:45-end
- watch episode 6
- episode 7 watch beginning to 6:20 or can watch all
- episode 8 skip 12:30-20:15 or could even start at 49 and watch to the end
- stop episode 9 at 35 minutes (they missed out on what could have been a fantastic side couple/redemption arc imo)
- episode 10 watch 15:30-15:55, brief kiss around 18, 22-25, 45:55-end
- episode 11 watch 22:15-27:05 and 28:30-35 to avoid angst/serious stuff
- episode 12 watch 36:45-end

What I Liked
- visuals
- vampires
- sensual moments
- they refused to do the noble idiot trope

Room For Improvement
- not sold on the world building, police aren't concerned about what was happening?, a character who is supposedly good let another character go off and likely murder a bunch more people
- felt they were going for serious/sensual but then the special effects and dialogue gave it a corny feeling
- not a fan of the giant age gap because the younger guy acted like a toddler and also the "taking care of from afar" aka stalking as the younger character was growing up, the power imbalance is gigantic
- episode 2 was a world building exposition dump
- sick after the rain trope and refused to communicate in episode 5
- voicing inner thoughts
- missed opportunity of a solid redemption arc and side couple
- cartoonish idiot villain (why on earth wouldn't he have gotten proof/talked to them earlier?!!!, and he's lived a super long time but somehow isn't smarter/doesn't have resources and is camping out in the wilderness?!!)
- total nonsense to not tell friends the truth "in order to protect them" when not telling them obviously puts them in more danger because they can't make informed decisions, not talking about an obvious solution beforehand, terrible "plans"
- voice over exposition dump at the end of the finale

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wanted more chaotic fun (and BL)

Overall: it had a very similar premise to The Hangover, but I didn't find it as entertaining. This season had totally different actors/characters/plot than the previous 2 series so you can watch this on its own; however unlike the last 2 seasons there was no mutual m/m romance. 6 episodes about 30 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala.

Content Warnings: vomiting, held against will, drugging, punch

M/M Kisses (note, there was not a BL couple in this series): a brief flashback at the beginning of episode 2 and episode 5 2:30 and then 20 minutes

What I Liked
- clear premise
- introduced the characters well
- made me laugh a few times
- the twist/subverted trope in episode 4
- liked the mom reveal
- production value (especially the music)

Room For Improvement
- needed to be even more chaotic, I was bored
- nonsense stuff (the police didn't say/do anything about the handcuffs, they guys would have pain on their backs, their total lack of negative reaction to what was on their backs, the CEO was just cool with everything they did)
- neutral, comedy sound effects

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