BL Compilations

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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mixed feelings

Overall: there were parts that I really liked and one aspect in particular that I really didn't. I initially watched for the side m/m couple (they meet in episode 2 and have a few minutes every episode). At times, this series has a bit of a soap opera feel. Watching on Viu with VPN set to Thailand. This is the episode 1 part 1 link https://www.viu.com/ott/th/th/vod/439286/My-Coach  Watch past the credits of the final episode for wrap ups of the characters (Plueng and Yu are at the very very end). 

Content Warnings: past bullying, sexism, punches, manipulation, harassment, drugging, attempted sexual assault, non con kiss, past trauma, homophobia, transphobia, unwanted outing, blackmail, held against will, high school student/coach relationship, bribery

What I Liked
- discussion of issues: i.e. challenges of being a woman in a male dominated career, importance of having safe sex and carrying around condoms, sexual harassment, pursuing your dreams, about being your true self and deserving love and happiness
- the end of episode 14 brought tears to my eyes
- Plueng and Yu, I wish they had had more screen time
- nice to see a darker skinned character and I really liked their conversations with Yu
- the intro song

Room For Improvement
- how both the coach and assistant coach were ogling the bodies of their students (high schoolers) and the things that followed, this just reinforces negative stereotypes of women in male dominated careers

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In Your Heart?

Overall: choppy BL with a bad ending. Watched on Gagaoolala (also on Viki).

Content Warnings: rape (portrayed as romantic), non con kissing/trying to kiss, punches, beaten up (off screen)

What I Liked
- the OST and intro sequence was well done
- there were a few funny moments like the music when they were sitting on the wall, broom fighting
- good production value

Room For Improvement
- the non con was totally unnecessary and the ending was stupid, it didn't make me throw my computer in rage but I was disappointed
- the female love interest part was confusing and unneeded
- that mom looked the exact same age as the high school student (actor is 29 apparently, the mom should have been an older actress)
- choppy editing/plot
- the side characters needed more development
- continuity error, after being beaten up with visible injuries, they are injury free in the next scene
- the scene in the principal's office/that money thing were too long

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too slow paced for me

Overall: I skimmed several episodes (5 and 6 were okay) but it was too slow for me and then I skimmed the final episode and am happy I didn't watch all episodes (not a fan of the ending) 12 episodes about 45 minutes each. Watching on GagaOOLala

Content Warnings: non con picture taking, harassment, manhandling, fight scene, manipulation (potentially more)

What I Liked
- clear premise
- how Kiao actually felt like he was from the past and not knowing several things like cell phones
- the other characters' reactions felt fairly realistic with the situation
- addressed transphobia/homophobia in a natural way (Kiao was using an older term)
- character friendships
- how the adults resemble the actors who play their younger selves
- neutral, there are comedy sound effects

Room For Improvement
- was really slow, scenes dragged on too long, a lot of unnecessary stuff
- set up for the 'gay for you' trope
- the plot, especially towards the end
- that ending

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a warm fluffy blanket

Overall: a sweet series that I could re-watch many times. Based on the book "Shugakuryoko de Nakayokunai Group ni Hairimashita" by Kakuregi Uzura which I haven't read and am reviewing the series on its own merits. 10 episodes about 20 minutes each. Aired on https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5924/school-trip-joined-a-group-im-not-close-to-2025 (not available in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong or Macau).

What I Liked
- how a character was laser-focused on another character but he wasn't oppressive or creepy
- supportive friends
- honest communication, especially towards the end of episode 8
- cute and caring moments

Room For Improvement
- the awkwardness/obliviousness was a bit too much at times in the beginning
- continuity error, they were supposed to be soaking wet and the next second they looked totally dry
- nonsense: I don't think women would be screaming and waiting in a long line to take a picture with non-celebrities, he couldn't see at all without his glasses and suddenly he could see fine, 1 sip is not going to make a person tipsy/want to throw up
- (neutral) voicing inner thoughts

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not a fluffy BL

Overall: centered on an established couple and it was not a fluffy type plot. I watched this 22 min short movie on Flying Penguin's YouTube channel with membership https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p81bh_UQUow&t=584s&ab_channel=%EB%82%A0%EC%9C%BC%EB%8A%94%ED%8E%AD%EA%B7%84flyingpenguin and then later watched it on Shortime - my invite link is https://playground.shortime.app/en/invite/NKNIWI - the code is NKNIWI (those are all capital letters, that's the capital letter i)

What I Liked
- good kissing/intimacy
- camerawork with going wider and making the guy look smaller

Room For Improvement
- too dim, needed more light on actors' faces
- they didn't translate texts
- perhaps in part due to the non-translated texts, I wasn't 100% sure what was going on

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jarring tonal shifts

Overall: the series didn't work as a romcom and it didn't work as a supernatural thriller. Adapted from the book "Nai Khrai Wa JJ Mai Thuk Kan" by My feline10> episodes about 40 minutes each. Airing on GMMTV's YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLszepnkojZI4HRwD1wzag844Ig0ZGT_Pl&si=xYCTDHhz8MsyjvGp (everywhere except Thailand)

Content Warnings: bullying, punch, , manipulation/lying, death (it's complicated), attempted suicide (it's complicated), past: punch/hits, bullying, unwanted outing

Note: if you aren't into bickering/bullying start at 4/1, then skip 5/1 and 5/2 and watch from there.

What I Liked
- sweet moments
- tried something different

Room For Improvement
- unless I mixed up who was who in the flashbacks, the bullying felt more one sided
- the comedy sound effects didn't make things funny and did not work well with the serious visions repeatedly shown
- a character not talking to a character or his mom for multiple episodes
- did not like either character in the side couple, they each needed to work on their insecurities
- explaining the world building in the final episode was too late

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First Impression: ChermChay

Overall: Tutor & Yim deserve better. 10 episodes about 40 minutes each. Airing on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/7399/chermchey-2026-e01

Content Warnings: intimate partner violence (not between the leads), violence/punches, blood

What I Like
- Tutor & Yim
- color grading
- that he said he was willing to try in episode 2

Room For Improvement
- no idea why they went with an over the top comedy but the sound effects are terrible and it doesn't work as a comedy
- constantly cutting out before NC scenes when we all know Tutor and Yim would be amazing
- the bottle hit was a bit much in ep 1
- when a character said he was hit by his then boyfriend the response was "why didn't you fight back"

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hurt & healing

Overall: I had mixed feelings about this series. Adapted from manga series "Therapy Game" by Hinohara Meguru which I haven't read and I reviewed the series based on its own merits. 9 episodes about 20 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5935/therapy-game-2025 (not available in Japan or South Korea).

Content Warnings: held against will, manipulation, trauma; past death, murder, manipulation, child abuse

What I Liked
- easy to understand premise
- caring moments
- a character stood up to his friend
- supportive people (friends, siblings, ex girlfriend)

Room For Improvement
- started with a flash forward
- nonsense stuff: his friends just left him when he was super drunk, a cliche in episode 1, a person couldn't get out of a necklace that had a magnetic clasp/looked very easy to break, all those candles and magically they have what they need in a 10 year abandoned house
- really wish therapy with a licensed professional was at least discussed if not shown
- in real life, Minato would be so exhausting, I'm not 100% convinced these two will stay happy together

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what in the episode 10 and after was that?!!!

Overall: I was willing to overlook a few things and rate this an 8.5, but episodes 10, 11 and 12 brought the rating down. 12 episodes about 23 minutes each. Aired on GTV English Drama YT channel (first 3 episodes are free) Love After Addiction https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLop44oNqUSC_cbIapv1-bC7OQadLMPF74&si=XGKJjdfdt6eTXSlA and GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/6236/love-after-addiction-2026-e01 (not in Japan or Korea)

Contend Warnings: past (drugging, non con touching/sexual assault?, manipulation, bullying); current (cyber bullying, mental health struggles, bullying, blood, manipulation, punches, non con picture taking/sharing/unwanted outing)

Watch Suggestions
- watch episodes 1-9
- episode 10 watch beginning-2:20
- episode 11 watch 19:15-20:15
- episode 12 watch 7:50-10 and 24:30-end

What I Liked
- chemistry (they had an ease with each other which is understandable since they worked together before in Addicted)
- vistas/setting
- I did laugh a few times
- a safe word was mentioned

Room For Improvement
- started with an exposition dump
- a few times they cut very quickly back and forth between two images and it was not pleasant to watch
- episode 4 director's rap was cringey
- the one guy in the side couple gave me whiplash, they needed to develop those characters/relationship more
- the reveal in episode 10 made my stomach drop (in a bad way), everything a character did before felt fake
- a character apologized to his dad for not becoming a corporate drone and working his passion project on a beautiful island??!!
- another character apologized for his sexual orientation?!!!!!
- time jump though I'm happy it wasn't longer
- new characters were tossed into episode 11, in episode 12 I get the 2 characters were they were alluding to but it felt awkward, the final episodes were all over the place

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soap opera-y vertical micro BL series

Overall: it was decently entertaining and I liked one of the MLs. Aired on the app ShortMax.

App Info - this series takes about a week to watch for free. Episodes 1-7 are free and then I could watch 5 episodes with ads. The daily check in, watching 6 more ads got me about 4 more episodes a day (so 9 episodes each day and 62 paid episodes). Some of the other apps only take 2-3 days but it wasn't as bad as Please Teach Me which took me 13 days to watch for free.

Content Warnings: attempted murder, past suicide, trauma, kidnapping, violence, drugging, slaps, non con touching, manhandling, non con photo taking/posting, choke, manipulation

What I Liked
- a main character stood up for himself/decided to get what he wanted
- good kissing
- caring moments

Room For Improvement
- the cliche wannabe fiancee character
- did both teacher/student and boss/employee tropes
- voice overs
- bad crying
- 3 kidnappings in 2 hours runtime, 1 guy was slapped by 5 different people

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needed more focus on the main leads

Overall: too much time spent on the dad and the cliche female character, I gave this an indie bump for the rating. 6 episodes about 5 minutes each. Aired on Lovememory YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwW9ZsuS2FnaW9PRqot0U_yIyMdzmHw96&si=9rOJwr-2MhMVF1YV The channel membership has longer episodes, likely with more kissing.

Content Warnings: past death, past child abuse, alcoholism, death off screen

What I Liked
- idol trainee character
- easy to understand set up
- episode 1 sweet flashback
- the music
- some good kissing
- good they communicated right away in ep 4

Room For Improvement
- noble idiot trope
- music with lyrics was too loud when characters were speaking
- an actor switched partway thru and they needed an on screen video explanation before the start of that episode
- cliche female character
- nervous that a character did something right after his dad re-appeared, it made me nervous about the future
- didn't like a character saying what he thought the dad felt and how the dad went to a good place

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mildly infuriating (watch suggestions)

Overall: one thing I've loved about Strongberry's shorts is how they managed to tell complete stories in short run times. I think this series should have been a tight 6 instead of a meandering plot points/characters. 12 episodes about 15 minutes each. Aired on Strongberry's YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNd7BhdAz80qWw5TVGLUlVThCJPKyvJ6X&si=iz35RIq3BEz5I4H3 Later aired on GagaOOLalahttps://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/6102/sweetheart-service-2025 Strongberry also made the series Long Time No See (sometimes combined into movie format), Choco Milk Shake and Blossom Campus as well as numerous short movies (my favorites include: A First Love Story, Some More, My Pistachio and As If You Whisper).

Content Warning: manipulation

Watch Suggestions
- read the summary and skip episode 1
- episode 2 watch 10:20-end
- episode 3 watch beginning to 5:35 and could watch 12:15-15:40
- episode 4 watch beginning-1 and 14-end
- watch episodes 5 & 6
- stop episode 7 at 17:50
- episode 8 watch 4:30-5:30
- skip episodes 9-11
- episode 12 watch 5-end

What I Liked
- chuckled a few times
- visuals
- easy to understand premise
- good kissing

Room For Improvement
- the flash forward as a hook for episode 1
- slow pacing, first 2 episodes were set up, the main leads had barely any screentime for 3 episodes towards the end
- wish it had been Yooha's idea instead of him being coerced into it in episode 2
- noble idiot trope, didn't communicate
- it was really odd with a third character who seemed to have more chemistry with a lead, and then that made it challenging to ship the second couple (almost felt like he was sad and accepted second best)
- the second half of the finale was anticlimactic, what was the point of showing him shopping (and I'm confused what the gift meant as it seemed much too premature unless it's something else)
- too much blur filter

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peak Thai comedy

Overall: this was a wild ride and I enjoyed myself immensely. 8 episodes about 25 minutes each. Aired internationally on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/6712/wooju-bakery-2026-e01 (not in Japan, Thailand or S. Korea which has it on Wavve streaming platform)

Content Warning: held against will, past murders, attempted murder

What I Liked
- unique premise
- visuals
- styling (especially the sequins, iridescence, deep v necks, semi see thru shirts and large earrings)
- some touching moments between the leads
- adored Princess

Room For Improvement
- the comedy did not work all of the time
- AI in episode 1
- choppy at times though it kind of fed into its chaotic charm
- unanswered questions

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