One of the best college BLs in recent times

With 16 episodes, We Are is an exception to the GMMTV BL rule. I’m glad they decided to go with this many episodes because, to be honest, I couldn’t get enough of this series.

The trailer of We Are seemed a little lame and all over the place. I didn’t know what to expect from the drama except for a cliched “do what I tell you in exchange for what you want” plot, but I’m glad to have been proven wrong.

Pond and Phuwin never disappoint. They have found a steady rhythm blending romantic anticipation with playful rivalry. aheir relationship also develops like how any real-life relationship would. There’s a long period of ambiguity in their status, which is actually the best part of the show given their mutual attraction.

Even though the storyline was rather superficial and uncomplicated, it managed to capture the magic of young people falling in love. No bullshit, no convoluted problems. Just butterflies and affection.

The series was also unexpectedly humorous in its own way, so it left me both squealing and roaring with laughter throughout.

Verdict: A comforting and highly entertaining series that I looked forward to every week

Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2024/07/28/we-are-2024-bl-review/

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Really entertaining despite the seemingly ridiculous plot

What seemed like a trashy show turned out to be exceptionally enjoyable.

After the first few episodes, the story starts to get a little (…actually extremely) messy. The lines between friendship, FWBs and lovers start getting horrendously blurred.

We could have foreseen all the problems from a mile away – but despite this, the show is actually really entertaining and the male leads have an irresistibly cute relationship.

Everyone around them can tell that Wandee and Yoryak are both whipped for each other, but they refuse to be honest with themselves. Great and Inn’s chemistry made all the difference in what would have otherwise been a trashy, B-grade flick.

Wandee Goodday is enjoyable not because of a compelling storyline or superb acting. It’s the chemistry of Great and Inn that carries the entire series across 12 episodes.

Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2024/07/23/wandee-goodday-2024-bl-review/

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Nothing much going on but maybe that was the point?

Living With Him comes across as chaste and unspectacular at certain points, but overall, it’s a feel-good watch that you’re bound to breeze through without too much difficulty.

Unlike some BLs that cram a lot of (unnecessary) conflict in the plot, Living With Him is the total opposite. Largely, Natsukawa spends his time wading in confusion while Kazuhito patiently waits for Natsukawa to realise his feelings. That’s the only real tension of the show.

Perhaps best described as a “slice of life BL” – a common hallmark of Japanese series – this is best watched if you aren’t in the mood for much stimuli and just want a chill show.

I personally would have preferred it if they had zoomed in more on the tension between the characters and their micro-interactions. A slower pacing, with long-drawn-out scenes showing their daily life as they navigate an ambiguous relationship, might have made this show a little more interesting.

Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2024/07/02/living-with-him-2024-bl-review/

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Cuter than expected!!

The main characters Moo and Kang come from different worlds but fate has brought them together in the random province of Nakhon Pathom, and showed them that home is a person, not a place.

Together, they have a relaxed but natural chemistry. My only complaint would be that this same chemistry could be said of close siblings. The romance aspect had to work a little harder for the story to be sold because the kisses seemed a little stiff and awkward.

Still, it’s a great effort from the two new actors, who currently still lack flourish and polish in their acting, but I’m certain they will get there given the right storyline and experiences.

It was a pleasant surprise that the storyline didn’t involve childish conflicts and misunderstandings, which are, sadly, all too common in high school and college BLs.

BUT. Special shoutout too to the side couple. I’m glad Aun got his time to shine with Only Boo. His relationship with co-star Ashi is a close-friends-turned-lovers type of arc, and truth be told, I’m a real sucker for it. Compared to the main couple, their moments felt more natural and romantic at some points.

Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2024/06/27/only-boo-2024-bl-review/

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It’s okay, but not really the best

The dynamic between Milk and Love take on an endearing quirkiness (without being too cringey) as their characters in 23.5 are the polar opposites of each other.

Like many other series, the conflict revolves around a lack of open communication. This is perhaps unsurprising since 23.5 is intended to be a fluffy show about high school life. Teenagers are still learning to navigate their way around relationships and issues, and it’s completely understandable if they are poor communicators.

At times, the cringey awkwardness of the characters in 23.5 serves as a reminder of how nobody magically has it all together. People grow into more evolved versions of themselves with more experience and wisdom gained.

But the main point is this: For teenagers, many things can feel like the end of the world. But with support and help from others, it’s possible to get through anything.

It’s okay, but not really the best. The show started off quite cute but lost steam towards the end with a weak conflict and ending.

Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2024/06/11/23-5-gl-review/

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Second chances come with baggage

The show speaks to anyone who have loved someone, lost that same someone, and now occasionally harbours thoughts of “what if?”

What this series does is to capture perfectly the anticipation of meeting an old flame for the second time. As attraction increases between them, so does the emotional vulnerability.

Takashi and Miyata have to confront the uncomfortable reality of why their relationship failed to work out before and whether there is hope for a second attempt.

After all, second chances come with baggage.

With just six episodes, the character growth of the characters could not be fleshed out fully. But I suspect that this BL is so popular because it mirrors real life to a large extent, revolving around the fragility of relationships and the importance of timing.

Sometimes, saying goodbye doesn’t mean losing someone forever. It means see you next time at another point in our lives.

See more reviews: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/

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Reinventing Thai mythology for a modern romance

It’s quite hard to pinpoint the genre of this series because it combines so many – historical fantasy, true crime, comedy and BL — and rolls it into one jam packed series.

What I liked about The Sign is that it’s a uniquely Thai production and showcases the potential for Thai soft power.

The show is a real cultural treat as it weaves in the battle between the Naga and Garuda, spinning a rich tale of Thai mythology reimagined for modern times. At the heart of The Sign is a trope that we are not unfamiliar with; a Romeo and Juliet-esque tragedy, the forbidden romance that spans generations.

The Sign hasn’t gotten much publicity but it’s probably one of the more underrated BLs so far this year.

There’s nothing to hate about it. BUT save for the mythological element, which is unique to The Sign, there was also nothing particularly memorable about the storyline.

The story is well-paced but the ending proved to be on the weaker side. The resolution came a little too easily, and was rather abrupt and anticlimactic.

Overall, though, the show is still highly enjoyable because of Billy and Babe’s good onscreen chemistry – one of Billy’s many talents is having chemistry with anyone, even a plastic chair.

Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2024/04/07/the-sign-2023-bl-review/

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I wish this was a series instead

Tell The World I Love You tells a story about the latchkey youth of Bangkok, featuring a narrative littered with drugs, violence and endless cycles of revenge.

The film has no intimacy scenes. But somehow, it still manages to be rather romantic. It tells a story of various characters, each coping with their own loneliness and finding a reason to live (and die) because of other people.

I love that much of the film is drenched in a moody aesthetic, serving as a constant visual reminder of the characters’ loneliness. I wish this was a series instead so that they could spend more time fleshing out the story and the difficult/ambiguous life choices made by individuals.

Although expressed in different ways, “escape” is a recurring theme for these teenagers.

When Keng realises he’s eligible to apply for a scholarship to go to China, life is imbued with new meaning as another life path opens up for him.

The irony of Tai's love is that as he helps Keng escape his current circumstances, he finds himself trapped instead.

And for Boang, whose only family member is his grandmother, he has lived an aimlessly bleak life until Keng showed up. Keng might just be his way out.

Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2024/04/15/tell-the-world-i-love-you-2022-movie/

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Unexpectedly extraordinary

JimmySea have not gotten any exceptional roles so far – ViceVersa fell a little flat and felt like unfulfilled potential – but their effort has paid off in Last Twilight. Every detail in the show demonstrates how they have paid attention to the little things.

And then there’s Mark Pakin. who has once again proven to be a versatile actor with range. The scene of him eating beef stew and exchanging a few (seemingly innocuous but profoundly meaningful) sentences with his mother and brother was probably one of the most skilfully-executed scenes.

The storyline isn't terribly original (unlikely caretaker becomes the caretaker of a privileged person with a disability) but it has superb execution: Exceptional chemistry, thoughtful writing, and spectacular acting.

Some fans took issue with the ending of episode 11 (the famed the episode 11 curse strikes back), and I thought there could have been a less abrupt way around it. But all in all, nothing too damaging that it completely wrecks the other merits of the show.

This one will go in the history books as a love story to rewatch.

Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2024/01/26/bl-last-twilight-2023-review/

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Too over-the-top for my liking

While this sounds like a run-of-the-mill office romance, Middleman’s Love is, in fact, the most over-the-top show I’ve seen recently. Typical of Mandee BLs, expect off-kilter humour, absolutely ridiculous visuals and wonky sound effects all around.

I love Tutor and Yim’s cute dynamic (and great visuals!) but Mandee’s over-the-top scripting makes the story a little cringey. Some people see it as a way to evoke laughter, but this is just not really my thing.

The side couples, King and Uea (from Bed Friend) and Tong and Gus (new pairing) bring some variety but also predictability to the cadence of the show since Jade can get a little over-the-top as a character.

The censored YouTube cut, which is shorter, gives you the minimum info you would require to understand the story, but the quality of the story and the depth of the relationship development suffers quite a bit from the edit. Spicy scenes are left out (understandably so, since it’s a censored version) and some extended emotional scenes are truncated, which makes the show seem even more shallow than it actually is.

Speaking of which, the spicy scene between Mai and Jade was WACK. I wanted to bury my face in the ground from the secondhand embarrassment. Just, um, sorry, no.

Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2024/01/07/middlemans-love-2023-bl-review/

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Classic love story of childhood friends

The characters in Kimi ni wa Todokanai capture the delightful tension that comes with falling in love with a friend. A flick of the hair, a touch on the wrist, the way the sunlight falls on their cheeks. The slightest of gestures that make your heart feel like it’s about to beat out of its chest.

The show takes the viewers through the whole process of discovery, denial, awakening and finally, happily ever after.

But as far as stories of childhood first loves go, it doesn't quite hit the perfect combination of sexual tension, jealousy and anticipation.

Nevertheless, it's a decently well-paced show with relatable characters and an easy-to-follow storyline. It's just that nothing stands out in particular... perhaps that’s my biggest criticism of the show – the fact that it’s rather forgettable.

Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2023/12/28/kimi-ni-wa-todokanai-bl-review/

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A little illogical and unrealistic but I still enjoyed it

If you’re looking for a show that you can binge-watch within a couple of days, this one will do the trick.

As a pouty but highly sensible and emotionally sensitive teenager, Zongyi can be a little cringey at times. There is no shred of subtlety in this man. Remember when you were young and dumb and felt the need to proclaim your love as loudly as quickly as possible? That’s Bai Zongyi.

The love story between Chenyi and Aidi was slightly more interesting because of their backstory – both were orphans who grew up in a life of crime after being adopted by a gang leader – and had potential for some real emotional depth. They had good visuals but their acting was a little weak during the emotionally-charged scenes.

An interesting point that the show brings up: “Is this love or is this admiration?”

But overall, the storyline is a little cliched, there are some gaps in the storytelling, and the story is rather illogical and unrealistic. But is it still worth giving it a try? Yes, absolutely.

Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2023/11/30/kiseki-dear-to-me-2023-bl-review/

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A little unusual & confusing, but worth the watch

There are so many stunning shots of the two men going about their daily routines, sitting in baths, eating meals together and laying on each other’s lap. It hurts my eyes because the both of them look so ridiculously beautiful from every angle.

But beautiful men aside, My Personal Weatherman is perhaps one of the most unusual and confusing Japanese BLs I’ve watched recently.

The relationship between Mizuki and Yoh is insanely ambiguous and yet, painfully unambiguous at the same time.

When Yoh ties his self worth to books he has sold, it’s only because he wants to be good enough for the wildly successful Mizuki, who has made a name for himself in his field.

When Mizuki is quiet around Yoh, it’s because he has dropped his mask – he is finally free to be his exhausted, introverted self around a person he trusts the most. Not Mizuki the talented meteorologist, not Mizuki the popular weatherman, not Mizuki the handsome idol.

Just Mizuki. A man who has found a place to rest his weary soul.

Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2023/11/24/personal-weatherman-2023-taikan-yoho/

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I hated the homewrecker vibes!!

Some may call it romantic – Sailom makes plans to get closer to the guy he likes, and pursues him via these different (planned) encounters.But you can also think of it this way – it’s quite creepy for someone to pursue their wedding planner??

The bulk of the first few episodes is Nuea desperately trying to get the couple – who are clearly not interested in marrying each other – to provide him with all the information he needs to plan their dream wedding.

Nuea, who is hopelessly attracted to Sailom, is faced with an uphill battle: 1) Plan a wedding for 2 people who have no idea (and possibly don’t quite care about) what they want, 2) DON’T FALL IN LOVE WITH SOMEBODY ELSE’S TO-BE HUSBAND.

I wish the plot didn’t involve an elaborate lie just so I could properly enjoy the budding relationship between Lom and Nuea. Especially since the chemistry between Nuea and Lom was pure fire.

Full review here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2023/10/01/wedding-plan-2023-bl-review/

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Hmmm maybe better with another pairing?

The main premise of the show is described to be centred around Souta's love for “naked dining”, and how another person comes to learn about his secret. But the series doesn’t dwell on this too much throughout the episodes.

Perhaps, in reality, the nakedness is intended to be far more profound, going beyond this silly imagery.

As Souta spends more time cooking the recipes in his grandmother’s book, he discovers his grandmother’s world – a world beyond the colourless and dreadful universe of a salaryman, filled with endless potential.

He also discovers another facet of 'nakedness': being honest with one's feelings and learning to live an authentic life.

Zenra Meshi’s point is this: You should be taking chances and introducing adventure into your life, even if you don’t know whether you will like it or not. And yes, this nifty little metaphor applies not just to cuisines, but also extends to love.

Unfortunately, the romance, with its standard share of misunderstandings and jealousy, came off as superficial and formulaic. While some kind of character development was hinted at for Souta, the storyline couldn’t quite capture why or how the change was meaningful.

The questionable chemistry between the male leads – but perhaps this is an issue with the casting rather than the actual premise of the show – also explained why some scenes fell flat.

Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2023/07/23/zenra-meshi-2023-bl-review/

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