Details

  • Last Online: 22 hours ago
  • Location: swimming in the BL vortex
  • Contribution Points: 66 LV2
  • Roles:
  • Join Date: July 6, 2021
  • Awards Received: Finger Heart Award4 Flower Award10 Hidden Gem Recommender1 Clap Clap Clap Award1

BL Compilations

swimming in the BL vortex
Completed
Bump Up Business
2 people found this review helpful
Oct 21, 2023
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 6.5

not enough runtime for the plot/characters

Overall: this was the victim of the same pitfall as many Korean BLs, 2 hours was not enough time to adequately develop the number of characters/plots that they had. 8 episodes 15 minutes each. Aired on iQIYI and GagaOOLala (Taiwan/SEA countries).

Content Warnings: drugging?, non con touching, manipulation

What I Liked
- ost/their dance/singing numbers
- touched on gay for pay/fanservice
- their visuals

Room For Improvement
- starting with a flashback didn't hook me
- too many characters/plots that weren't developed enough, I didn't really understand the villains "plans", plot was rushed and choppy at times
- cliche plot points like being drunk and forgetting a kiss
- nonsense things (i.e. a deep rooted fear being cured by the power of love)
- too many near kisses (including the one at the end)
- a cold/confident guy paired up with a warm/reluctant guy isn't my favorite dynamic
- confusing release that was announced last minute, all 8 episodes were out for some subscribers/countries on iQIYI, some had 1 or 2 episodes available, Gaga will have 3 episodes a week later
- the odd background music

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Completed
Flirt Milk
6 people found this review helpful
Jan 26, 2025
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 4
Overall 6.5
Story 6.5
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 4.5

got better??? (watch suggestions)

Overall: it either got better or I became numb to the dumb parts. Aired 10 episodes on iQIYI (uncut) https://www.iq.com/play/flirt-milk-episode-1-lnx53go1mg?lang=en_us and YouTube (cut) https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGK_7sekG_-nSAcAHgMl2lFHZb6rCrVHu&si=MybodfCV_hQOAeqp The cut version shortened/removed NSFW scenes. Produced by Star Hunter Entertainment (City of Stars, Big Dragon, SunsetxVibes)

Content Warnings: non con touching, dub con kiss, bullying, coercion (debt stuff), manhandling, non con picture taking/posting, cyberbullying, beaten up off screen played as comedy, colorism

Watch Suggestions (cut YouTube version)
- episode 1: skip part 1, part 2 watch 2:50-6:40, part 3 watch beginning to 5:10, part 4 watch 1-3:15
- episode 2: part 1 watch 7:55-9, skip part 2, part 3 watch beginning-2:30, part 4 watch 2:15-end
- episode 3: part 1 watch 7:15-8:15, skip part 2, part 3 watch 8:25-8:45 and 13-end, part 4 watch 2:30-end
- episode 4: part 3 watch 7:30-end
- episode 5: part 1 watch 3-end, part 2 watch 7-end, watch parts 3 & 4
- episode 6: watch part 1, part 2 watch beginning-2:40, part 3 watch 3:40-end, part 4 watch 4-6:15
- episode 7: part 1 watch 4:15-end, part 2 beg-8, part 4 beg to 3 and 6:40-end
- episode 8: part 3 watch beg-4:55
- episode 9 watch: part 1 10:30-end, part 2 1:15-1:50 and 8-end, part 3 beginning-2:30 or all of it, part 4 2:40-8:20
- episode 10 watch part 1 9:15-end and all of parts 2, 3 and 4

Watch Suggestion (uncut iQIYI version)
- episode 1 watch 14:30-18, 22:50-26:50 and 32-34
- episode 2 watch 8-9, 24:30, 36-end
- episode 3 watch 5-11, 44:40-45:05, 48:30-51, 54:10-end
- episode 4 watch 32-40:15, 46:15-48:15, 51-end
- episode 5 watch 3-10, 17:40-26:15, 35-38:10, 42-end
- episode 6 watch beginning-18:40, 29-31, 32-36:30, 43-50
- episode 7 watch 7-24:45, 46-48, 52-end
- episode 8 watch 29-34:30
- episode 9 watch 13:40-18:50, 26:30-37:20, 43:45-end
- episode 10 watch 11-14, 18:30-43:30 and 49:30-end

What I Liked
- easy to understand premise for the main leads (though the whole non con picture taking thing was ridiculous and not in a fun way)
- that they touched on the reasons for homelessness
- the side m/m couple started off with a jerk approach that I didn't enjoy but it turned into flirty guy and grumpy guy which was much better
- shipper security guard
- sibling dynamic
- the NSFW in episode 9 (in the uncut we see that a character didn't have sex with a very drunk character which I appreciated)
- guys continuing to be interested sexually in episode 10

Room For Improvement
- started in the present with a voice over then a flashback to 5 months ago
- too many characters introduced (confused with the male characters in that club)
- maybe the main character was supposed to be a naive/quirky character, but he came across as a 5 year old (tripped for no reason, even his friend said he was shocked he survived high school, he was 22 and drank warm milk at a bar)
- hideous wig/facial hair
- the colorism and referring to him as a garbageman/dirty several times
- choppy, scenes jumped from scene to scene, there was no GL in all of episode 2
- love rivals/jealousy in episode 3, and then putting a bag over his head due to insecurity/jealousy
- fighting over Nomjuet like he was an object instead of an adult
- the whole debt thing/threat
- nonsense stuff like being very drunk after having one sip of alcohol and then he became totally sober 5 minutes later
- didn't find Phra beating that guy up off screen to be funny
- in the finale there was too much time with parents and not enough on the side couples, specifically 2 of the 4 of them, also it wasn't funny with the mom making Nomjuet worry like that
- (neutral) comedy sound effects
- (neutral) ubiquitous product placement (but it pays for series so generally doesn't bother me)

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Ongoing 30/31
Be Moon
1 people found this review helpful
Dec 26, 2024
30 of 31 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 8.0
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 7.5

bodyguard/rich guy mini series

Overall: I was torn between a 7.5 and 8, but gave it an 8 because it had heavy BL hints even though it's from China (fyi no direct confession or shown kiss). Aired 4 episodes on the Poached Egg Drama's YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/CYV7bwZitNc?si=H-hi3SOqwGjkTPOH

Content Warnings: past death, fight, manipulation, slap, kidnapped, coercion, violence, blood

What I Liked
- catch and stare
- bridal carries
- easy to understand premise
- the final scene, even though it was blocked

Room For Improvement
- he was drowning in a pool that he could stand up in
- he established that he's straight (multiple times, even at the end)
- comedy sound effects
- jumpy at points
- lack of an official international release

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Completed
Love Begins in the World of If
4 people found this review helpful
Nov 20, 2025
6 of 6 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 8.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 8.0

thinking about an ideal self

Overall: intriguing to think of how we treat others changes how they treat us and vice versa as well how this changes our view of the world. Based on "If no Sekai de Koi ga Hajimaru" by Umino Sachi which I didn't read and I reviewed the series based on its own merits. 6 episodes about 25 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/6042/love-begins-in-the-world-of-if-2025-e01 (everywhere except Japan and Korea) and Viki https://www.viki.com/tv/41300c-love-begins-in-the-world-of-if

What I Liked
- thinking about how changes to oneself affect others,
- production value (use of color to denote the mood and location)
- a character had realizations and communications was sought after

Room For Improvement
- I was just about to note good consent but then a character said stop and the other character said they couldn't wait any longer and went ahead anyway
- a dead fish lip press
- didn't actually show the chocolate sharing
- that very end part was odd, were they hinting at a sequel
- needed more relationship development

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Dropped 15/35
Cityboy_Log
1 people found this review helpful
May 22, 2024
15 of 35 episodes seen
Dropped 0
Overall 7.0
Story 6.5
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 5.0

enjoyed volumes 1 & 2

Overall: I liked the first two volumes but the third is way too messy for me. 20 episodes about 10-20 minutes each. Airing on CityBoy Log YouTube Channel. Volume 1 playlist https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ__edMZliXv2-pPOpBjz6_WOXOarSNhn&si=VWoqMbuFa6eZgH0F

Content Warning: kind of dub/non con kiss (someone was pretending to sleep but the other person didn't know they were awake)

What I Liked
- cute/sweet moments
- visuals
- production value/editing for a vlog style series

Room For Improvement
- that they dodged answering if it was scripted or not for awhile (it was scripted)
- volume 3 took a negative/serious turn
- the non/dub con kiss
- at times I was confused as to who was dating who/liked who

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Ongoing 7/10
Coffee Melody
3 people found this review helpful
Jul 18, 2022
7 of 10 episodes seen
Ongoing 4
Overall 7.0
Story 6.5
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 5.5

On Hold - Coffee Melody

Overall: the series is very slow and the cliche plot point at the start of ep 7 has made me put this on hold. I'll wait until it finishes airing and maybe pick it up again then. Watched on Viki.

Content Warnings: non con picture taking, gaslighting (from music boss)

What I Liked
- I appreciate an aggressive/obvious flirt
- cute moments like with the cake
- the rainbow poster in the background when the band is practicing
- Duean Yi's family
- (neutral) it has comedy sound effects

Room For Improvement
- wasn't hooked in the first scene
- the fangirling thing
- slow, I watched at 2-3x speed
- cliche plot point at the beginning of episode 7
- I didn't mind the cartoon flowers but I didn't like the cartoon music notes from the piano
- choppiness between some scenes
- random characters like those tween wannabe pop stars
- odd yellow/purple lighting in his room
- that jerk music boss

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Completed
Love in the Big City
9 people found this review helpful
Oct 22, 2024
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 9.0

blended different tones very well - a must watch

Overall: there are very few series that manage to balance humor, romance, realism and sadness well, Love in the Big City is one of them. Based on the book Love in the Big City by Sang Young Park which I didn't read and I reviewed the series on its own merits. 8 episodes about 50 minutes each. Aired on Viki https://www.viki.com/tv/40771c-love-in-the-big-city

Content Warnings: (2 major ones, see my spoiler comment and how the romance plays out), harassment, unwanted outing, homophobia, non/dub con turned consensual, conversion torture (off screen), punch

What I Liked
- acting/chemistry
- supportive friends
- blended different tones very well
- sweet moments
- intimacy
- character growth
- production value

Room For Improvement
- exposition dump to introduce his friends
- series covered 10 years, so voice overs were used to show passage of time
- odd that a certain aspect wasn't discussed in episode 5
- episode 8 jumped back and forth between flashbacks and the present

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Completed
Sky Valley
3 people found this review helpful
Jul 21, 2024
13 of 13 episodes seen
Completed 3
Overall 6.5
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 3.5

watch suggestions for the 2 main couples

Overall: beautiful vistas, sweeping musical scores, good kissing with on brand drawbacks (a ton of characters/plot I cared nothing about, intended comedy that didn't work). 13 episodes about 45 minutes each. Aired on Oxin Films YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcQaxIPsTWdNrlWiw7D9H3Fjc3ycc7S3A&si=DcyQk4UKyhaKD5L0 Oxin also produced: My Day, Rainbow Prince, My Story, Our Story, Tie the Not

Content Warnings: death, past death/murder, sexual assault, non con kiss, intimate partner abuse and violence, manhandling, stalking, punches, harassment, non con touching, kidnapping/held against will, homophobia, cyber bullying, drugging, (note: episode 9 part 3 flashing lights)

Watch Suggestions (gets rid of love triangles and evil exes/wannabe boyfriends)
- watch episode 1
- watch episode 2: part 2, part 3, part 4 beginning to 2:20 and 6 to the end
- watch episode 3: part 1 beginning to 10, start part 2 at 2:30 and end at 8:25, part 4 5-end
- watch episode 4: part 1, part 2, part 3 beginning to 3:30, part 4 2:30-7:70, 10:35-11:20
- watch episode 5: part 2 (if you want to cackle about a voice over like nature documentary the whole thing) or 9 to the end, part 3 2:20-4:20, part 4 4:30-5:20
- watch episode 6: part 2 4-4:35, part 3 15s-1:50
- watch episode 7: part 1 beg to 8.45, part 2 6:40 to the end, part 3 9:15-end
- watch episode 8: part 3 beginning to 8.20 & 10:40-12.35, part 4 1:20-3:10
- watch episode 9: part 1 1:45-2:55, 8:15-8:45, part 2 4:55-7:25 & 11:15-end, part 3 5:45-6:10
- watch episode 10: part 1 8:30-end, part 2 beginning to 2:30 and 11:20-end, part 3 5:10-7:50 and 12:20-end, watch all of part 4
- watch episode 11: part 1 6:50 to 7:40, part 2 4:55-6:30, part 4 10-end (singing)
- watch episode 12: part 2 beginning to 1:15
- watch episode 13: part 3 1:45-6:45, part 4 11:40-13:20 and 17:30-end

What I Liked
- visuals
- the setting/vistas
- I cackled a couple of times
- intimate scenes
- supportive dad at the end
- production value improved

Room For Improvement
- many characters introduced in the first episode, cared nothing about the evil ex/wannabe boyfriend characters nor most of the plot
- tone/plot was all over the place (comedy, romance, very violent parts, work drama, family drama), and did not mesh well together
- most humor was a miss (the 3 stooges were not funny at all, innuendos can be fun but the frequency and duration made them veer into cringey territory)
- choppy transition in episode 10
- failed to be innovative at the beginning of ep 11 after a promising ep 10 end
- multiple failed redemption arcs
- lack of consequences for 1 villain (also cartoonist villain)
- a character constantly calling the other guy his girlfriend and wife
- 1 year time jump

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Completed
Punks Triangle
2 people found this review helpful
Oct 14, 2025
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 3
Overall 7.5
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 7.0

wanted different pacing

Overall: I wish something had happened earlier so we had more time in the 'after' part. 8 episodes about 25 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala (not in Korea or Japan) https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5836/punks-triangle-2025

Content Warnings: manipulation, vomiting

Watch Suggestions for 6, 7, 8 to remove angst
- skip episode 6
- episode 7 watch 6:30-8:25 and 10:55-23
- episode 8 watch 14:50-end

What I Liked
- styling
- easy to understand premise
- supportive classmates/instructor

Room For Improvement
- voicing inner thoughts/exposition dump
- nonsense: bit of a Clark Kent situation happened, the piercing scene
- too many flashbacks
- rushed finale

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Completed
The Middleman's Love
2 people found this review helpful
Nov 10, 2023
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 3
Overall 6.5
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 3.5

a little better as it went on (watch suggestions)

Overall: unless you enjoy over the top humor with a ton of comedy sound effects follow my watch suggestions. 8 episodes about 45 minutes each. Aired on Mandee Channel's YouTube (cut), GagaOOLala (cut), iQIYI (uncut) and Viki (I assume cut). Mandee Channel/Domundi also produced Naughty Babe, Bed Friend, Cutie Pie and Why R U.

Watch Suggestion (watch the cut version & play at a faster speed unless noted)
- skip episodes 1, 2 & 3 (though shirtless Mai in ep 3 is nice)
- watch ep 4
- watch ep 5 to 48min/standing on the podium
- watch the uncut version of ep 6 15-18 minutes which includes a brief kiss with the side couple (this scene was totally removed from the cut versions for some bizarre reason)
- watch the uncut version of ep 7, can start at 27 minutes with Gus/Tong or to skip over something sad that happened in the past and start at 37 minutes and end at 43 minutes, then you can watch thru to the end with Mai/Jade or skip to 1hr 4min to see their final scene
- watch the uncut version of ep 8 which has a lot of sweet moments and NSFW scenes with Mai & Jade

Content Warnings: hits played as comedy, vomiting (in uncut ep 2), molestation off screen, past death/grief

What I Liked
- enjoyed some of Uea/King's moments (like in episode 5)
- Mai's flirting (wished they had shown why he liked Jade earlier than ep 5)
- Jade's and Mai's supportive family
- cute moments
- how Jade did have agency in episode 8 and initiated things
- good consent/communication in episode 8
- that it has a wide release on 4 different platforms

Room For Improvement
- the three minutes of cringey animation didn't hook me
- Jade's exaggerated/yelling was irritating especially in the beginning episodes
- cringey editing, voice overs and comedy sound effects that didn't make anything funny
- the side couple was oddly hot and cold (note, apparently the cut version removed several of their scenes which is contributing to their confusing interactions with each other)
- not happy with the Uea/King reluctant/violent dynamic, how King was jealous/retaliatory at Uea in ep 6 for just talking to another guy
- slow pacing/repetitive, in episode 6 as an example Mai had almost a duplicate conversation with his mom
- bad decisions with what they cut, I was happy they cut the vomiting scene in episode 2 but why on earth cut an entire scene including a kiss with the side couple in episode 6??? I normally would expect a cut version to reduce a NSFW scene but there wasn't anything to cut up to episode 7 (and then they did cut the NSFW scenes in ep 7 and 8)
- the NSFW scenes were kind of choppy, one of them oddly stopped and then re-started

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Dropped 4/12
Love Syndrome III
11 people found this review helpful
Mar 6, 2023
4 of 12 episodes seen
Dropped 0
Overall 6.5
Story 4.5
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 3.0
This review may contain spoilers

dropping this

Overall: There are valid reasons why people write/read/watch/enjoy FICTIONAL toxic/abusive relationships which I'm not going to get into. Day constantly abusing Itt along with other things has made me drop this series. FYI, this is based on the third book in a series - I have not read the books and believe that series should be able to be watch/enjoyed without knowing about the source material so that is how I'm reviewing this series. Aired on WeTV. Later re-released on Viki https://www.viki.com/tv/39900c-love-syndrome-iii

Content Warnings: fight scene/beaten up, violence, blood, intimate partner violence, manipulation, manhandling (likely more content warnings will happen in future episodes)

What I Liked
- Itt's parents
- their friends
- that ep 1 fight scene was just plain fun
- how a former girlfriend is not a cliche evil character
- skinny black jeans and Day's abs

Room For Improvement
- ep 1 Itt screaming about cake for half the episode, I understand that Day likes Itt to rely on him so it's not like he's a victim in all this but the cake screaming was super annoying
- the production should not expect viewers to have read the previous 2 books and understand the characters/story, what we saw was Itt being annoying in episode 1 and then being constantly abused and crying in the next few episodes, this does not make for enjoyable viewing
- scenes dragged on, they spent way too long in the hospital
- a parade of characters in episode 2 made it difficult to know who was who and what their relationship was to one another
- nonsense things like Itt spending multiple days in a hospital for fainting, why were Day and Itt sleeping on couches at their house???
- end of episode 3 looked good but then the beginning of episode 4 skipped over that cliffhanger
- missing and difficult to understand subtitles
- ballad song for the intro/outro was odd given the tone of the series

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Completed
Every You, Every me (Director's Cut.)
1 people found this review helpful
Nov 24, 2024
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 7.5

unique premise (same actors, different characters/stories)

Overall: this is not a reincarnation/time travel plot as all the stories happen in the present day. Instead, the actors play different characters in standalone plots (episodes 3 and 4 were 1 story, 5 and 6 were 1 story and then 7 and 8 tie everything together in a way). 8 episodes about 55 minutes each. Aired uncut on GagaOOLala (not Japan or South Korea) https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/4812/every-you-every-me-2024 & WeTV
https://wetv.vip/play/296rso568y0ryfg/m4100yjgyjz?ptag=3_5.16.5.13870_copy ; airing cut version on YouTube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvw0WLA6w9UQZrmUoifbNDO9S6yUS9ry7&si=JHVZI3-LAPw_9dev Note: watch after the initial end credits as some episodes have a separate plot

Episode 1 - I was a bit confused with the world building but then it made sense. I enjoyed the sweet moments, the friendship (potentially aromantic character as a bonus) and the intimate partner abuse felt realistic. Not a fan of the comedy sound effects and they could have made it a bit faster pacing-wise. Content warnings: intimate partner abuse/violence, manipulation, manhandling, past death

Episode 2 - typical cold CEO/nervous worker plot. That grandma way overstepped boundaries though her heart was in the right place. Enjoyed the sweet moments. Content Warnings: manipulation

Episodes 3 & 4 - I was going to rate this higher; however, I couldn't get into the moping/angst because they explained it much too late. Not a fan of silent simping for years and making a choice for someone without talking to them first. Liked the second couple and the supportive friends/family/coworkers. Content Warning: a major one but I'm keeping this spoiler free

Episodes 5 & 6 - there were peak visuals in this episode lol, I enjoyed the flirting and physical affection. I really disliked the invasion of privacy and the shoehorned plot with the female character. They spent too much time on the past in this episode as well. Content Warning: past death, manipulation

Episodes 7 & 8 - I'm trying to be spoiler free but I had the most issues with these episodes

Watch Suggestions
- end ep 5 at 45min
- watch ep 6 22-35:30
- skip ep 7
- watch ep 8 31 to the end)

What I Liked: I most enjoyed how the actors were able to play such different characters, the styling was great. The commentary on challenges of shipwork towards the end was also unique and interesting.

Room For Improvement: because I didn't see a key aspect of them as an established couple, it was difficult for me to root for them. The non linear storytelling at the end of episode 6 thru 8 made things needlessly confusing. They didn't actually show what didn't work, so I'm not convinced everything has been resolved and it won't happen again. The time jump felt like a cliche way to resolve the conflict.

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Completed
Boyscation Too
1 people found this review helpful
Oct 28, 2024
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.5

a m/m reality dating series with a goal/message

Overall: I think this improved on the first season (which was spread out over a few months). 20 episodes about 25 minutes each. Aired (free to watch) on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/4786/boyscation-too-2024-e01 and YouTube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdXIknoSRTzuXCiH2eohX0CKbhki0h9Of&si=5uf86CF1tLF2qAxF

Note: When watching "reality" series, I always keep in mind that producers might tell the guys what to do/say and that editing can be extremely misleading (not showing things, change the order, etc). This production/emcee appears more involved in Boyscation but that doesn't mean the other dating series productions weren't involved/manipulated things. My goals were that the guys have some fun and being on the show helped (or at least doesn't hurt them) in their personal and professional lives.

What I Liked
- the family/friends and message of the final episode
- that they followed the pairs that matched when they were back in Hong Kong (though it dragged on a bit too long)
- highlighted non profit organizations at the end of some episodes
- that on the first vote they could vote for up to 3 people & they showed a graphic of the vote givers/getters
- nametags in the beginning
- questions about their habits game was likely useful for the guys to think about compatibility
- released 5 episodes each week

Room For Improvement
- that the first game was touching people while being blindfolded
- the roommate choosing should not have been totally random
- that the mutual matches ate breakfast right in front of everyone
- some of the announcements of matches/who people liked/didn't like was a little too brutal

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Completed
Sparks Camp Season 2
1 people found this review helpful
Jun 29, 2024
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

joyful, emotional & drama-filled (reality m/m dating series)

Overall: Sparks Camp contestants bare their souls, get hurt, heal, laugh, cry and love. 10 episodes 45 minutes each. Aired on Black Sheep YouTube channel. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL87uyU6xM7Lft-Lpwbv5G3ZQJZDvxC9_p&si=gVVHvglgds-tTvix Here is my review of season 1 https://kisskh.at/profile/blcompilations/review/278749

Content Warnings: past death, grief, trauma, past coercion

Reality Series Note: with any "reality" series I keep in mind that what the audience sees doesn't necessarily reflect what actually happened. There can be guidelines the audience doesn't know about, parts are edited out or ordered in different ways to show a certain narrative. I read in the YouTube comments of season 1 that the director said it wasn't scripted, but I always take that with a grain of salt. My goal for reality dating series is for people to have a good time and maybe make a new friend. Any actual pairings at the end of the show are icing on the cake.

What I Liked
- really good diversity with the cast, it wasn't all actors/models/influencers
- that the guys had name tags on which was helpful to remember who was who
- the initial game of guessing who the items belonged to was much better than the oil game from season 1, they made items easy enough they were guaranteed to get a few correct but not super easy so there was a bit of a challenge
- the deepest darkest secret game was fine, I'm assuming the guys knew it would be recorded/aired publicly
- Mother Mela is a good emcee*
- the trivia game

Room For Improvement
- the platinum gay thing was cringey
- having them repeatedly draw the sparks publicly was really sad and they should figure out another way to accomplish this (like write letters and the production crew see who has matches and then sends them on 1 on 1 dates)
- a contestant asked to sit something out and the emcee* said no, people should have the right to pass in situations like that
- putting 1 person on the spot to answer all questions was definitely to make things messy/drama-filled

Comparison to other m/m dating shows
1. The Boyfriend (Japan) on Netflix. Guys run a coffee van and live together for 1 month.
2. His Man (South Korea) on iQIYI, currently on season 3. Anyone can date anyone. Beautiful production and conventionally attractive guys.
3. Boys Like Boys (Taiwan) on GagaOOLala, had a very similar aesthetic/vibe to His Man
4. Love House seasons 1 & 2 (Vietnam) on YouTube (most have English subs, this is ep 1 of season 2 no subs though https://youtu.be/TKzT_nHfVTA ). I liked this set up more than Bromance because the guys could all pursue one another. I didn't like the "secret couple" aspect and dividing them up based on sexual position seemed odd (can't they discuss that in private???) Season 1 was also the most brutal "rose ceremony" I've ever seen in any dating reality show. Season 2 was better.
5. Bromance (Thailand) is also on Gagaoolala. This is the typical Bachelor/Bachelorette set up with a bunch of people competing against one another to be with the 1 bachelor. I didn't like this because they could have all been hitting on each other and we have multiple couples! I got kind of bored and skipped a bunch.

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Completed
HIStory3: Trapped
1 people found this review helpful
Jun 6, 2024
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 9.0

still a favorite

Overall: I originally watched this in 2020. Re-watched in 2024, I saw the areas of improvement but the two m/m couples stayed as two of my all time favorites. On YouTube as twenty 22 min episodes and Viki as ten 45 minute episodes.
Note: Shao Fei's piece of hair was sticking up on purpose, I think they called it Fifi lol

Content Warnings: past murders, attempted murder, grief, manipulation, violence, blood, torture, held against will, suicide (off screen), drugging, beginning sexual assault, non con touching, manhandling, past child abuse

What I Liked
- dynamic of enemies to lovers/opposites attract
- Shao Fei & Li An's friendship
- Shao Fei wasn't completely inept, did have some fight and detective skills
- sweet moments
- a few funny moments (though some were too cringey)
- good intimacy
- second m/m couple (but not Jack saying Li An had to take responsibility for (unknowingly) attracting him)
- OST

Room For Improvement
- episode 1 was weird when the sister wore his shirt and acted flirty
- the het side couple didn't hook me, wish they had spent that screen time on the second m/m couple
- confused/zoned out with all the mafia intricacies/plot 
- some camerawork had a low budget feel
- comedy sound effects
- unrealistic parts, i.e. the 2 coworkers handed Li An off to a known criminal
- some truly heinous suits
- wish something hadn't happened towards the end when they visited the grave, didn't deduct points

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