BL Compilations

got there in the end (vertical series)

Overall: spent too much time with a love rival. 30 short episodes. Aired on GagaOOLala.

Content Warnings: past child abuse (episode 1), non con touching, non con kiss, mental health struggles, past death

What I Liked
- the co-op living situation (brought back memories when my co-op application was rejected likely because I was a feminist I.e. I didn't/don't think women dancing in a club should be groped by random guys which a male resident thought was fine if the women were wearing short skirts...)
- the guys tried to be supportive

Room For Improvement
- the one resident's wig
- both guys looked at his back when he was visibly upset/not wanting them to
- the non con kiss
- love rival took up way too much screen time
- poor communication that was only resolved in the 2nd to last episode

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Love is Not Better With Exes Around (watch suggestions)

Overall: the parade of exes (5!!!) was not enjoyable for a second season. 7 episodes about 25 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/8904/love-is-better-the-second-time-around-2024-s02e01

Watch Suggestions
- watch episode 1 until 21:20
- episode 2 watch 23-end
- episode 3 watch beginnng-5:40, 20:20-23
- episode 4 watch 16:40-19:05
- episode 5 watch 3:30-5:55, 9:15-13
- skip episode 6
- episode 7 watch 15-end

What I Liked
- acting
- intimacy*
- not all exes were cliched
- production value

Room For Improvement
- no idea why the writer/s thought viewers wanted to see a bunch of exes, no idea how these two stayed together for 2 years with their poor communication skills, undying love theme is undercut when there were so many exes, Iwanaga should have thrown that damn watch in the ocean
- *the kissing was one sided as far as energy and movement
- love rivals (5 exes plus love rival)

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First Impression: Not Yours

Overall: not sold on the jerk ML. Based on a book which I haven't ready and I'm reviewing the series based on its own merits. 2 episodes about 45 minutes each. Airing on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/9176/not-yours-2026 and Viu.

Content Warnings: violence, manhandling/held against will

What I Liked
- visuals
- though there was a set up for 2 couples and another plot thread, it made sense

Room For Improvement
- the abusive jerk ML vs. the nice guy pairing
- I normally don't take points off for dubbing, but I wish they had let Shogun speak Thai and magically everyone else understood him instead of the dubbing

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