Recommended BL Series/Movies; Asian LGBTQ Dramas

Despite starting out relatively well, I was disappointed in this as it went along. Almost everything seemed fake and/or unnatural. There was not a deep enough focus on any of the characters and everything seemed forced; I hate hearing fake laughs.

So basically, if you want to see a sub-par Japanese film with a couple of beautiful people who show a healthy relationship at times, then go for it. But be wary of the jealousy that love brings.

Would recommend, the connection between Kairo and Sora is what kept me going, and those quotes of wisdom throughout are ingenious. Oh yes, all the characters that matter here are gay, so there's no alienation due to this, but due to coruption.

I may watch it again but there was a lack of explanation in here and some pretty sudden moments. I mean by watching you get rape and suicide sprung on you.T here were just so many things that were morally wrong here, don't get me started with that toxic school and its ideals, I am so against punishing students physically and favouring others just because they have money.

Wish there was a sequel about Kairo and Sora though, their love can pass through any barriers  of hemiplegia with ease.

Nota Bene. Be prepared for this if you ant to watch it. I only like the main characters, everyone else is deplorable, especially Riku and Ichiyu. One gets and does anything he wants because of money, but they both made  Sora's , thus Kairo's in extension, life Hell because his love was unrequited and he committed suicide.

Let me make this clear from the start; this is a bromance, not BL, not censored BL either. The only reason I have put it into this list is because the story to this series is because there seem to be BL undertones in their relationship in the view of others as they keep on ending up in hilarious situations where it seems like they could be together.

Watch this one, even though its not BL, it is rather hilarious, especially the first half. Though there are only short episodes, it is worth it. 

Now, I'll start with a warning. This is only Season 1 of the series, like 'Addicted', it got dropped because of China's LGBTQ media ban. So basically it is a rather abrupt ending that is not the end of the actual story, which is on Wattpad.

Onto my opinion then. Liang Ze and Hang Hang are definitely a cute couple who bond over hamsters and chinchilla, bizarre I know. Though they do definitely have some good scenes to begin with, I got rather more put off as time went on. Liang Ze's naivety really did put me off partly too. One example, when Hang Hang said 'I don't like girls' , Liang Ze thinks it was because he'd been 'abused by girls in the past'. Additionally, he seemed prepared to be with Hang Hang mentally, but not physically, which is incredibly unrealistic in any sense as to be in a relationship, you would have already considered this.

Added to this, there are some really random scenes that are totally exaggerated that seemed so out of place at times. Oh and Liang Ze only seemed to understand Hang Hang liked him when Hang Hang came up with an analogy of what Liang's hamsters love was like...

I would have certainly rated this higher if certain parts were explained a bit more and if their relationship was deeper. Most importantly of all though is that this is not how the actual story ends, which definitely scars its reputation here.

Now, I definitely have mixed feelings about this series!! Kudos to the Philippines for producing another BL - everyone in this series was so cute (TauTep and Pangs for life!!).

However, one can see that there are improvements that could have been made, better ways of structuring the story and, most importantly, less flashbacks!!! I mean, Good God, about half of this series  was made up of flashbacks, way more content could have been put in instead, more than just text messages as well.

Still would recommend, all of these actors are worth it, the story is just fragmented sometimes!

This is a short series that has to be watched. At the end of the day, these stories actually happened, and though perhaps not the best acted-out, we still need to respect this fact.

A potential rewatch. Season 2 is a lot better than its prequel, obviously because of the amount of time but also because the acting was definitely better.

In focussing on one real life story, you can really understand the struggles that have been faced more, of how hard it is to let go of your first real love. Would definitely recommend.

Now I get that this series was made as a reparation for homosexuals that have suffered due to ISIS, I appreciate that. Perhaps a longer series could have been made though, to help to grow and cement relationships over an extended period of time, especially concerning Feng Yi Chen and Kai Yuan.

All I have to say about this though is that it was not well directed and this should have been considered; I only watched for Run Yi and Huai Zi to be honest.

Nota Bene; I advise you not to watch the 'ep 9' as it is an alternate ending that makes even less sense that does not have any English subs.

I really didn't expect this but this short film was a beautiful watch. Even, and maybe because of, it being less than 4 minutes long, you can really see the natural connection between the two MC's. 

Only downside is that it was obviously cliché and I wish we could have gotten more background; it was still produced spectacularly though.

I knew from the moment that I saw the trailer that I would l love Ace and Sky as a couple- Aki and Miko act so well together. Really need more content with both of them!! 

Another rather inimitable thing about this series is how included it is in family reaction to homosexual life, which I did definitely find impactful as multiple perspectives are illustrated from all persons involved. I mean, who doesn't like family hugs at the end of the day.

The downside of this series for me though is its melodramatic and overly dramatic acting at times and obviously the advertisements of beauty products (though I know this can't be helped).  I get that the story had to move along, and grievances/misdirections had to be made for it to prosper, they were generally very cliché, and reasonings behind them were certainly tenuous.

Despite the rather disjointed plot at times (and seemingly limitless repetition of words by characters at some times), this is definitely a series to at least try- get to the end of it if nothing else- it is worth it!!

Can't wait to see more of Ace and Sky, their story of acceptance and love is heart-warming!!

The last episode that everyone was waiting for! Definite end to the series now on a light-hearted and fulfilled end. Probably won't watch this series again but it is definitely one that you can easily try since it is so short!!

Love to see another perspective from the series- so many different people involved- Achilles forever!! Love it!

Would love to see more of Terrence and Wesley together! Definite watch.

Despite everything else that I may say in this review, I do recommend this series to you - make sure that you watch it till the very end though.

Since I am a viewer who came for TinCan, and not a continuation of AePete so much, obviously I have a higher opinion of the series and what happened in it, how Mean, Plan and Perth acted etc (even though it was clear to see that none of them particularly liked the parts they were playing - of course it makes the experience slightly worse knowing the truth of that). I loved seeing how TinCan's relationship progressed throughout the series, but there were a lot of barriers in their mannerisms towards one another, and attitudes that they adopted that were different from season 1. They were definitely more ready to hug one another in this series though!!

Moving on, the main reason I marked this series down though was because of the retelling that took the entire first half of the season to get through. I get that with a different series writer, and with Saint having to leave, the plot would have to have been altered to an extent -  but this could have probably be done in a recap episode before, I would have much preferred an entire series of new content and ideas, for there not to be unnecessary Ae moments, for TulHin and KlaNo to have had more time and for the advertisements to be a bit less obvious.

What was amazing about this series though was the relationship between secondary characters  - mainly  PhuPha, Lay, Can and Lay's mum etc, I loved them so much (not to say that I didn't like everyone else - TinCan are life!!)

Thus, I do still recommend this series but take it with a pinch of salt, half of the series is a retelling and the series was to short to explore the other relationships, but if you love TinCan go for it!

What a refreshing take on a love story - I loved Nagisa and Shun's relationship in their short series but the integration of Sora into the situation made this all the more effective.

The message of acceptance for gay people was spread tenfold here (you've got to love Nagisa's lawyer, Sora , Rena and her mother for this) and the innocence of childhood really does make the difference here - begging the question of 'why do we discriminate against fellow human beings on account of who they love?'. If a child is able to accept her father being with another man, why doesn't the world accept it?

After all, Nagisa did show that he was capable of managing his family, Shun came out for him and Sora and they both sacrificed to be with one another. If this doesn't present the capacity of logic to do what is right for your family, I don't know what is.

The only downside I have here is the involvement of legal matters in this movie to the extent that it was - it did drift away from the main relationships in the family but didn't spoil the movie of course!!

I highly recommend that you watch it - it's definitely one of the more realistic BL's that I have watched (after you get over the fact that Nagisa decided to visit Shun after so many years) - made purer through acceptance and love. I will certainly be rewatching this though - this masterpiece demands it!

A great watch - definitely recommend. This is certainly one of the better Japanese adaptations I have seen in a while. Kudos to the writer and the director for exploring stereotypes in an illuminating way and enabling me to get to know Adachi and Kurosawa as a couple.

Only aspect that put me off were the elements of stalling in the series as a result of indecision - I know some of this was necessary but it felt like some parts were just fill-ins.

Amazing theme songs though - I can listen to them all day!!!!

AN UNEQUIVOCABLE RECOMMENDATION. There's no doubt about it!! This series, as usual, twists its audience in all manner of directions- but that's what I love about it. The realistic feeling present throughout, and the over-the-top nature of this dysfunctional family at times is what has always drawn me to it.

I shall always be glad to have watched this and would, to an extent, be satisfied if it ended there. Yo' s smile at the end got me though- I'm a stickler for the cyclical nature of things. Despite this though, I think the series deserves a season 3 , or at least an extra something, so that the rest of the plot lines can be fulfilled.

Stud, Earth, Yo, Boom, I'll see you soon xxx

Wow!! I did not expect to enjoy this as much as I did. Like with 'Because of You', I will have to mark it down because of its length and of how everything was obviously rather rushed.

Despite this though, I am a sucker for dramas like these as they do still manage to pull at my heartstrings a bit!! I congratulate South Korea for releasing more BL's - hopefully they'll be able to make longer ones when acceptance is broadened.

Would definitely rewatch - the music is amazing! So captivating! Even if you don't like it though, the episodes only take up about 85 minutes in total. So why not? Sang Yi and In Soo forever!!

What a watch!!! Amazing concept, chemistry and a well-round ending, albeit with questions still unanswered! What more could you want. Yeon Woo and Yoo Han, you were both exceptional and I love your story together - so hope you have another series!! 

Apart from the acting though, this drama was brought to life by its OST - that blissful, saddening, impactful music that I can't stop listening to even now :)

Definitely recommend this series - only downgrade being its size and the amount of flashbacks in select episodes on account of this.