Asian BL - BL/Gay Dramas and movies 1980's to 2021

Asian BL from the 1980's to 2021: A comprehensive Guide for lazy Fangirls (and Boys) 

Or, more like, "BL from some Asian countries"... China (+ Taiwan and Hong Kong), Japan, South Korea, and Thailand.)


If you'd like recs about non-Asian BL, just ask...

 

List will only contain titles in which BL/Gay/Male Bi couples/characters/themes, have at least a somewhat prominent role. 


***(Titles with (only) Trans characters; not included--a Trans woman who loves men is straight, not gay.
Crossdressing has nothing to do with gender identity so titles with cross-dressing guys who like guys; included.
Bodyswap is (reluctantly) included.
Bromance if there is an implication that it is/will go beyond friendship)***


Adding every now and then. 


Note; To make it simple; I'll just call BL, even if it would be more correct to say; stories about guys who are attracted to guys.  
"Gay theme" and BL are two different things.
But as long as one can tell fantasy from reality--it's a convenient word. 


My ratings are pretty harsh at times, but I judge by quality, not by how much I like/dislike it. Also by intention. Don't compare masterpieces with romcoms. That's not fair. Judge by what they were intended to be. A stupid romcom can be a 10 just as well as a Kurosawa flick, can. 
Btw; A "5" means "mediocre". "10" means "perfect". "1" means "a crime towards mankind."
People, there are a whole lot of numbers between 1 and 10.


Note: Included are dramas made of the manga "Hanazakari no kimitachi e". Even if it's not BL, there is a beautiful point made, which I think deserves attention because it's present in a manga/drama which has no BL connection.

Bambikill Jul 15, 2017
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  • O Rei e o Palhaço

    501. O Rei e o Palhaço

    Korean Movie - 2005

  • O Romancista

    502. O Romancista

    Japanese Drama - 2018, 6 episodes

    9.0

    This is pretty close to flawless, IMO.
    I can't give more than a 9,  because I wanted a bittersweet conclusion rather on the bitter side than the sweeter. And for perfection, it would have needed just a tad bit more time in order to fully flesh out this hypnotic little tale. But for the short runtime and episode count--this is nothing short of remarkable. I guess a 9 is fair, but at the same time, I'm itching to praise it even more than by rewarding it with "just" a 9.

    A true piece of art in both visuals, acting, directing and overall production. The story is so hypnotic that I couldn't tear my eyes off the screen. Told in a clever and impactful way, it blurs the lines between reality, fiction and fantasies.
    A drama I will rewatch many times--for the experience, rather than reasons like loving the couple or story or whatever.
    I found myself breathing so quietly that it was inaudible, subconsciously trying to not disturb the atmosphere. Let's not even mention during the erotic scenes--your breath will hitch all together... Though, the whole thing is erotic from beginning to end, but during the actual action scenes, then. Graphic, but tasteful. 

    It's not for everyone. Someone prude would probably die from a seizure. (I'm everything but prude--but that level of dirty talk made even me blush a couple of times...)
    Someone too young is not mature enough to fully understand the complex feelings and urges handled. Someone who wants entertainment should look elsewhere. Because this is a qualitative cinematic experience, not something to watch in order to pass time

    It's immensely fascinating, gorgeously executed, the acting is phenomenal. It's a gem.

    Also watch "Mood Indigo" ("Indigo no Kibun"), a prequel (but released after this) probing into the past of the characters.

  • O Terceiro País

    503. O Terceiro País

    Chinese Drama - 2017, 3 episodes

    6.5

    Ahhh... this was... nice, yet disappointing. 

    The very, very unique scenery and setting is devastatingly beautiful, and the whole feel of this mini drama, is artistic and exquisite--but it just doesn't fulfil its potential. It could have been one of the most beautiful pieces in the assortment of more mellow, low-key gay-themed works--but it falls a little bit flat in writing, characters and development. 

    Such a shame, because the premise could have made for something unforgettable.

  • Okoge

    504. Okoge

    Japanese Movie - 1992

    W.T.F. 

    I wanna' watch it.

  • Olá Meu Amor

    505. Olá Meu Amor

    Korean Movie - 2009

  • Olhos Iridescentes

    506. Olhos Iridescentes

    Korean Movie - 2007

  • Once In Memory: Just Found Love

    507. Once In Memory: Just Found Love

    Thai Movie - 2021

  • Once in Memory: Love at First Sight

    508. Once in Memory: Love at First Sight

    Thai Movie - 2021

  • Once in Memory: Uncut

    509. Once in Memory: Uncut

    Thai Special - 2021, 1 episode

  • Onde Seus Olhos Se Prologam

    510. Onde Seus Olhos Se Prologam

    Korean Movie - 2020

    8.0

    Movie version of the mini-drama "Where Your Eyes Linger"--slightly altered in this alternate format. Both have their pros and cons, and both are worth watching. I prefer the movie version for the different vibe that the (very slight) changes brought.

  • Onde Seus Olhos se Prolongam

    511. Onde Seus Olhos se Prolongam

    Korean Drama - 2020, 8 episodes

    7.5

    Mini-drama.

    Upcoming May 22nd 2020.

  • One Last Order

    512. One Last Order

    Korean Movie - 2019

    Short.

  • One Night Standing Till It Over

    513. One Night Standing Till It Over

    Thai Movie - 2016

    Short.

  • One Summer Night

    514. One Summer Night

    Korean Movie - 2016

  • Onli(n)e The Series

    515. Onli(n)e The Series

    Thai Drama - 2017, 8 episodes

  • Ooku

    516. Ooku

    Japanese Movie - 2010

  • Open

    517. Open

    Korean Movie - 2015

  • Oppressive Love

    518. Oppressive Love

    Chinese Movie - 2016

  • Os Garotos de Bangkok

    519. Os Garotos de Bangkok

    Thai Drama - 0000

  • Ossan's Love

    520. Ossan's Love

    Japanese Special - 2016, 1 episode

    First version of the "Ossan" series, a shorter special. Also see the two drama versions plus special plus movie.

  • Ossan's Love

    521. Ossan's Love

    Japanese Drama - 2018, 7 episodes

    8.0

    Second version of the "Ossan" story, here in a drama version as opposed to the previous version, a shorter special. Me like! 

  • Ossan's Love

    522. Ossan's Love

    Hong Kong Drama - 2021, 15 episodes

    Hong-Kong remake of the Japanese "Ossan"-franchise. Could be nice!

  • Ossan's Love: No Céu

    523. Ossan's Love: No Céu

    Japanese Drama - 2019, 8 episodes

    6.5

    Third version of the "Ossan" series--it's strange, you have the same story repeated over and over but in this drama you have a different setting compared to the earlier one. But the same story and MC. 

  • Ossan's Love: No Céu SP

    524. Ossan's Love: No Céu SP

    Japanese Special - 2019, 2 episodes

    5.5

    Special for the second drama version of the "Ossan" series.

  • Our Future

    525. Our Future

    Japanese Movie - 2011

  • Our Last Day The Series

    526. Our Last Day The Series

    Thai Drama - 0000

    Upcoming 2020.

  • Our Memory

    527. Our Memory

    Taiwanese Drama - 2020, 4 episodes

  • Outcasts

    528. Outcasts

    Taiwanese Movie - 1986

  • Oxygen: The Series

    529. Oxygen: The Series

    Thai Drama - 2020, 13 episodes

    Upcoming 2020.

  • Padaria Antique

    530. Padaria Antique

    Korean Movie - 2008

    5.0

    Korean version of the Japanese "Antique", based on the manga "Antique Bakery".

  • Pair of Love

    531. Pair of Love

    Taiwanese Movie - 2010

    5.5

    A short which had infinite promise and could have been beautiful, but fell on a messy production. I still do like it, though. I just don't think it was very qualitative.

  • Paixão secreta por você

    532. Paixão secreta por você

    Thai Drama - 2022, 14 episodes

    Upcoming 2021.

  • Papa and Daddy

    533. Papa and Daddy

    Taiwanese Drama - 2021, 6 episodes

  • Para a Linda Você

    534. Para a Linda Você

    Korean Drama - 2012, 16 episodes

    7.5

    Not BL. Adapted from Japanese manga "Hanazakari no Kimitachi e", se note in list description.

  • Para Minha Estrela

    535. Para Minha Estrela

    Korean Drama - 2021, 9 episodes

    7.0

    The two Korean mini-dramas released approximately at the same time--this one and "Wish You: Your Melody From My Heart"--have quite different ratings, with this one having a considerably higher one. 

    Which I don't quite get.

    To me, they're equal in quality, so I've rated them the same, but in terms of likeability and entertainment value--this one loses. 

    It's well made, acting is good, there's nothing particularly WRONG with it--but I still didn't "feel" it. The short runtime, of course, makes it hard to achieve any real depth to the characters and story--but that's still not an excuse, when there are other mini-dramas that have managed to, even with episode counts and runtime less than this one has. 

    I'd say that my overall feeling was... underwhelmed. Slightly bored. 

    Yikes. This sounds bad... lol...
    Which it isn't. I guess I just think it was very, very forgettable. Flat.

  • Para Sempre o Primeiro

    536. Para Sempre o Primeiro

    Taiwanese Drama - 2021, 6 episodes

    8.0

    A very pleasant surprise! 

    I'm usually hesitant to most of these short dramas, since the descriptions--and often the titles (as in this case) sound "bleh" to me, but when I get to actually watching them--every now and then, I find something I like. 

    It's light weight, silly and not exactly heavy impact BL--but it's really entertaining and the acting is great. Especially Yu as Zhou Shu Yi, just OWNS the scene whenever he's on screen. I love him, he's so charismatic that he's absolutely irresistible.
    The chemistry between these two guys is absolutely awesome. In S2... WOW.
    Worth watching even for just that.

    A simple, straight-forward story and production, with a lot of humour and heart, that's really likable--despite a ridiculous conclusion to S1 and an incredible time-jump to S2. 

    Me like. A lot.

  • Para Vocês na Flor da Idade

    537. Para Vocês na Flor da Idade

    Japanese Drama - 2007, 12 episodes

    7.5

    Not BL--but with a certain story component.  See notes in list description.
    Silly, low-budget and quite corny--i.e. a pretty typical Japanese drama for that time. But it has heart and the Shoujo manga on which it's based, is a classic.

  • Part Time: The Series

    538. Part Time: The Series

    Thai Drama - 2016, 26 episodes

  • Patalliro!

    539. Patalliro!

    Japanese Movie - 2019

  • Peach of Time

    540. Peach of Time

    Korean Drama - 2021, 10 episodes

  • Pee Nak 2

    541. Pee Nak 2

    Thai Movie - 2020

    Uhm. Horror-parody-something, featuring gay monks? :D Wtf... I think I'll have to watch it just because of the insane description. 

    Has a previous installment, but I have no idea whether there are any gay characters in it.

  • Peixe no Céu

    542. Peixe no Céu

    Thai Drama - 2021, 12 episodes

  • Permanent Residence

    543. Permanent Residence

    Hong Kong Movie - 2009

  • Playboy and the Gang of Cherry

    544. Playboy and the Gang of Cherry

    Thai Movie - 2017

    2.0

    Don't waste your time. The only thing you'll get out of it is a state of "what did I just watch?"

  • Por Causa de Você

    545. Por Causa de Você

    Taiwanese Drama - 2020, 10 episodes

    Mini-drama. 

  • Por Causa de Você 2

    546. Por Causa de Você 2

    Taiwanese Drama - 0000

  • Porngrapher: Continued Spring Life

    547. Porngrapher: Continued Spring Life

    Japanese Movie - 2021

  • Pornographer

    548. Pornographer

    Japanese Movie - 2021

  • Pornographer - Spring Life

    549. Pornographer - Spring Life

    Japanese Movie - 2021

  • Porque Você É Meu Garoto

    550. Porque Você É Meu Garoto

    Thai Drama - 2018, 12 episodes

    6.5

    I don't quite get why this drama is bashed harder than other of its type. 

    I agree with the wide-spread criticism--this definitely has a lot of flaws--especially obvious in the technical department and the, at times, very weird writing--but I don't consider it any worse than many other titles in the bunch of run-of-the-mill BL that has been released in Thailand since the start of the boom. 

    At times the story in itself is very nice, at times it's a jumbled mess of ... There is a confusing flashback part, which is  woven in in a very strange way, and can be quite unclear until you catch up on what's going on. (The random and illogical writing is what makes it weird.) I was aware of this before I watched it, due to reviews I had read--but I still found it confusing).

    What it DOES have, is great and sweet chemistry between the quite charming leads. Even if the acting is uneven, the guys have a great connection and are very, very sweet together. Reunited as one of the side couples in "2gether" (2020), they don't get all that much time, but the connection is still there.

  • Present Perfect

    551. Present Perfect

    Thai Movie - 2017

    7.0
  • Present Perfect

    552. Present Perfect

    Thai Movie - 2012

    Short film on which the full-length feature film "Present Perfect" was based.

  • Present Perfect Part 2

    553. Present Perfect Part 2

    Thai Movie - 2020

    6.0

    Sequel to "Present Perfect". Upcoming 2020.

  • Private Lessons

    554. Private Lessons

    Korean Movie - 2020

    Short.

  • Private Teacher

    555. Private Teacher

    Chinese Movie - 2017

    Short.

  • Proong Nee Gor Ruk Ter

    556. Proong Nee Gor Ruk Ter

    Thai Drama - 2009, 30 episodes

  • Puppy Love

    557. Puppy Love

    Thai Drama - 2020, 6 episodes

    Mini-drama.

  • Q Hero

    558. Q Hero

    Chinese Movie - 2018

  • Queer Movie 20

    559. Queer Movie 20

    Korean Movie - 2013

    Part of a series of shorts (of varying lenght, between 20 and 60 minutes runtime).

  • Queer Movie Beautiful

    560. Queer Movie Beautiful

    Korean Movie - 2018

    Part of a series of shorts (of varying lenght, between 20 and 60 minutes runtime.)

  • Queer Movie Butterfly: The Adult World

    561. Queer Movie Butterfly: The Adult World

    Korean Movie - 2015

    Part of a series of shorts (of varying lenght, between 20 and 60 minutes runtime).

  • Queer Movie: Candy

    562. Queer Movie: Candy

    Korean Movie - 2014

    Part of a series of shorts (of varying lenght, between 20 and 60 minutes runtime).

  • Querido Ex

    563. Querido Ex

    Taiwanese Movie - 2018

  • Quite Ordinary

    564. Quite Ordinary

    Japanese Movie - 2011

    Short.

  • Rainbow Age

    565. Rainbow Age

    Chinese Movie - 2016

  • Rainbow Family

    566. Rainbow Family

    Chinese Drama - 2014, 9 episodes

  • Rare

    567. Rare

    Chinese Movie - 2017

    Short.

  • REC

    568. REC

    Korean Movie - 2011

  • Red Balloon

    569. Red Balloon

    Taiwanese Drama - 2017, 8 episodes

    8.5

    For this short a series, with such a short runtime per episode--this is seriously impressive. The amount of story and emotion that the director managed to pack within those few minutes--without making the end result messy--is surprising. 

    It's a simple little thing, and it's not flawless, but it's great. This would have made for an awesome full-length series, there would be so much to explore about these guys and their story--but even in this compact size it tells more, and with greater depth, than many standard runtime dramas. There are quite a few memorable scenes and especially one, concerning a side character, will burn into your memory. You'll know what I'm talking about when you see it.

    Acting is great, the chemistry is lovely, the story is engaging and all in all, it should get much more attention than it has gotten. It's just a small little glimpse of a love story, but it's beautiful. 

    Production is good for such a small project with limited budget, big plus for some great songs in the OST/score.

  • ReminderS

    570. ReminderS

    Thai Drama - 2019, 3 episodes

    4.5

    Uhh. This small mini-drama thingy is absolutely pointless. I didn't expect greatness, I only watched for two reasons; 

    One; A glimpse of Phun and Noh in uni--which was... slightly rewarding but mostly disappointing. Just random, shallow and... uhh. And when did Noh turn into a total sharp-clawed bitch?
    (It feels like Captain couldn't get into his old role of Noh and accidentally got into his role of Sean, from "Great Men Academy"...)

    Second reason; I really like all the four main actors in "Love By Chance", who are all present in this one, in the same two pairings--but as different characters... This would make for a very confusing watch unless one knows beforehand that their characters here have nothing to do with their characters in "Love By Chance"... 

    It's shallow, it's stupid, it's more or less a waste of time--but I guess it gives us what it inteded to. I assume that there was no deeper thought behind this whole mess of a mini-drama--other than show off one of the most beloved BL couples ever, as well as give us some more of our two main LBC couples. And it did that. So I can't give the thing an absolute bottom rating.

  • Renai Shindan

    571. Renai Shindan

    Japanese Drama - 2007, 12 episodes

    6.0

    Old school Japan.

  • Reuan Rom Ngiw

    572. Reuan Rom Ngiw

    Thai Drama - 2021, 27 episodes

  • Right By Me

    573. Right By Me

    Thai Movie - 2005

    5.5
  • River Knows Fish Heart

    574. River Knows Fish Heart

    Chinese Movie - 2018

  • Road Movie

    575. Road Movie

    Korean Movie - 2002

  • Romance Ruim: A Série

    576. Romance Ruim: A Série

    Thai Drama - 2016, 13 episodes

    7.0

    The parent story of the BL dramas "Together With Me" + sequel. 

    Pretty generic love story, set in a group of uni friends. The major storyline being straight, with several side couples, of which one is gay--THE Thai (pretty much overall) BL couple, IMO. (Alongside with Tharn & Type from "TharnType".)

    The other straight side couples are bleh, but I really, really love the characters of Jihwa and Cho, who are the main couple. Jihwa might be  the coolest female character in any Thai lakorn to date... If it weren't for these two (and of course, Korn and Knock), this would be total junk. Though, I would have rated it higher if it weren't for some idiotic plot components...

    Since this was the first series, Max and Tul's chemistry as Korn and Knock, hadn't yet reached it's full potential--which it had in the prequel and sequel that focuses mainly on them and their backstory.--"Together With Me", plus the sequel, which in timeline takes place after "Bad Romance".)

  • Romantic Station

    577. Romantic Station

    Thai Movie - 2020

    Short.

  • Rompido

    578. Rompido

    Chinese Movie - 2020

  • Room Alone 2: The Series

    579. Room Alone 2: The Series

    Thai Drama - 2015, 15 episodes

    6.0
  • Room Alone: The Series

    580. Room Alone: The Series

    Thai Drama - 2014, 10 episodes

    6.0
  • Roommate

    581. Roommate

    Thai Drama - 2020, 4 episodes

  • Roommate Special Episode

    582. Roommate Special Episode

    Thai Special - 2020, 1 episode

  • Roop Thong

    583. Roop Thong

    Thai Drama - 2018, 18 episodes

  • Ruby and Ice Ice

    584. Ruby and Ice Ice

    Taiwanese Movie - 2018

    Short.

  • Sai Lub Jub Abb

    585. Sai Lub Jub Abb

    Thai Drama - 2017, 13 episodes

  • SaifahZon Story

    586. SaifahZon Story

    Thai Special - 2020, 3 episodes

    6.0
  • Saimon & Tada Takashi

    587. Saimon & Tada Takashi

    Japanese Movie - 2018

  • Saitankyori wa Mawari Kudokute

    588. Saitankyori wa Mawari Kudokute

    Japanese Movie - 2019

  • Same Difference

    591. Same Difference

    Japanese Movie - 2014

    4.0

    Super-crappy adaptation of a crappy, clichéed yaoi manga. The actual physical BL content is so tame that it's ridiculous, if I remember correctly.

  • Same Same Is Not The Same

    592. Same Same Is Not The Same

    Thai Movie - 2015

    Short.

  • Sanaeha Diary Series: Buang Sanaeha

    593. Sanaeha Diary Series: Buang Sanaeha

    Thai Drama - 2017, 11 episodes

  • Sangue Dourado

    594. Sangue Dourado

    Thai Drama - 2021, 8 episodes

  • Sankaku Mado no Sotogawa no Yoru

    595. Sankaku Mado no Sotogawa no Yoru

    Japanese Movie - 2021

    5.5

    Oh boy. 

    I'm hesitating between 5,5 and 6. And to be honest--that score would be lower if it weren't for the decent production. 

    I'm a die-hard fan of Yamashita Tomoko, the mangaka behind the original work. It's not one of her best, but I do love it and own every volume. So it hurts to be this ruthless :S

    This was bad... A bad adaptation of the manga--but also a bad movie in itself. Probably even worse for someone who hasn't read the comic... 

    Bad casting choices (actors are okay but their interpretations are way off from the original characters), stupid changes in story and script, a very important character is wiped out entirely, focus is almost exclusively on visuals (which are nice, including decent SFX) and the fluidity and continuum of the story is just ignored completely... It's one hot, choppy, jumbled mess... 

    The writing is the biggest issue--the movie has no coherency, no depth or exploration of either story nor relationships--which makes both shallow, unconvincing and random. The characters in the manga are fairly well fleshed out but above all, their relationships are thoroughly cemented. Here they were, like... "Huh? How? When?" From "hello" to "destined" in zero time, without an explanation. The manga is a slow story, here it's crammed into an hour forty. Doesn't work out...

    And it was a huuuuuge mistake to erase the comedy and try to make it "creepy". The result becomes ridiculous instead :S The original work is nutty, insane and over-the-top, but it's self-aware and has a lot of humour.

    Oh, about the romance/bromance? Almost gone. Mainstreamed.
    Sure, it's vague in the manga, but it is there--mostly through innuendoes and slight stuff that gives a very slow development from "inexplicable attraction" into bromance into romance. (I'd be very surprised if Yamashita Tomoko doesn't make the outcome romantic.)

  • Sapai Ka Fak

    596. Sapai Ka Fak

    Thai Drama - 2018, 29 episodes

  • Second Chance

    597. Second Chance

    Thai Drama - 2021, 6 episodes

  • Secret

    598. Secret

    Korean Movie - 2013

    Short

  • Secret Love: Love Behind One's Back

    599. Secret Love: Love Behind One's Back

    Thai Movie - 2014

    Short-film (in the borderland between short and full-lenght).

  • Secret Spectacles

    600. Secret Spectacles

    Korean Movie - 2017

    Short.

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