Korean BL
Triggers: obsession; instalove
Queer rep: poor; coming out & being out is restrained if present at all; no visually queer characters
Quality issues: yaoi trope reliance; romantic arc pacing = rushed endings
Strengths: manga visual elements + music video training influence both staging & film style; very well acted; great audio & visual quality; range of setting (K-pop industry impact on K-BL is profound); HEA guaranteed for BL branded shows; good subs
Story style: strongly yaoi influenced; powerful foundational themes; cleanly simplistic
Heat level: low, usually a kiss but not much physical intimacy beyond that
My Rating System for BL
- 10/10 - highly recommended, faithful to tropes, happy ending, good chemistry, few flaws (e.g. Color Rush)
- 9/10 - absolutely recommended, probably a few pacing issues or one flaw (e.g. Wish You)
- 8/10 - recommended, some concerns around tropes or story structure but still satisfies as BL (e.g. Just Friends?)
- 7/10 - recommended with reservations, i.e. isn’t quite BL, convoluted, not strictly HEA, too short/long, or chemistry issues (e.g. Long Time)
- 6/10 - worth watching but seriously flawed probably around ending or in narrative structure/cohesion (e.g. strongberry's micros)
- 5/10 - watch it if you have nothing better to do but don’t expect much, it’s a total hot mess (e.g. Personal Trainer)
- 4/10 - it’s censored beyond recognition or fatally flawed
- 3/10 - I don’t know what I’m watching & neither does it
- 2/10 - it’s depressing, they killed the gay, save yourself (e.g. IBS )
- 1/10 - It’s awful, don’t waste your time
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1. Adrenalina de Cores
Korean Drama - 2020, 8 episodes
The movie version is no different from the series.
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2. Para Minha Estrela
Korean Drama - 2021, 9 episodes
The movie version is no different from the series.
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3. WISH YOU
Korean Movie - 2021
The movie version is better than the series.
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4. Cerimônia de Casamento do Ryu Sun Bi
Korean Drama - 2021, 8 episodes
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5. Você Me Faz Dançar
Korean Drama - 2021, 8 episodes
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6. Apenas Amigos?
Korean Movie - 2009
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7. Onde Seus Olhos Se Prologam
Korean Movie - 2020
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8. Sr. Coração
Korean Drama - 2020, 8 episodes
The movie version is no different from the series.
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9. Step for You
Korean Movie - 2018
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10. Há Quanto Tempo
Korean Drama - 2017, 5 episodes
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11. Meu Pistache
Korean Movie - 2018