Not My Usual Cup Of Tea

I stumbled upon this series only after watching the second trailer of "Never Let Me Go." As someone who isn't particularly fond of high school BLs, I never had this series on my radar. However, I can't believe I almost missed out on this delightful gem. Pond and Phuwin, whom I had no idea about before, have now become my favorite BL ship. It's quite bewildering because, by all accounts, I shouldn't have enjoyed this series with all its tropes, annoying sound effects, and intrusive shippers.

Surprisingly, this series is more of a gay drama disguised as a BL, as both boys are gay and aware of it. Pi's yearning for Nan and Mork's longing for Pi make both boys gay. For a first-time actor like Pond, he did an excellent job portraying Mork, while Phuwin's performance as Pi outshined his subsequent one as Nuengdiao.

Though I didn't particularly care for Duean and Meen's story, I must admit that Neo and Louise did a commendable job in their roles.

What amazed me most is how I found myself enjoying this fluffy series. It wasn't all magical rainbows and unicorns, even with Pi's makeover. His life remained messy as he pursued someone who wasn't interested in him. Mork's good looks and kindness didn't make it any easier for him to win Pi's heart. Even after they became a couple, their journey wasn't smooth; Bam came between them, causing their breakup. Throughout their trials and tribulations, Pi faced privacy invasion from creepy shippers and bullying after his "ugly duckling" story was exposed.

Yet, despite all the challenges, the ending wasn't filled with rainbows and unicorns, but rather colorful balloons. The series showed the realities of their relationship, with misunderstandings leading to a temporary breakup. But eventually, the misunderstandings were resolved, leading to a heartwarming conclusion.

Perhaps that's why I found myself loving this series, even though it falls under the high school BL category. It's the authenticity and relatability of their journey that captivated my heart and made this series truly special.

Leia Mais

Tul’s Legacy to Gay Drama

As a tribute to Tul leaving the acting industry for a real estate career:

"Manner of Death ," among all the MaxTul series, is truly exceptional and my personal favorite. This gem stands out as one of the finest gay dramas ever created, transcending the typical BL genre. It's primarily a captivating crime mystery that happens to revolve around two gay characters, showcasing the brilliance of both storytelling and adaptation from a novel.

Learning that Tul is leaving the entertainment industry to pursue a real estate career is bittersweet. While we wish him all the best in his new endeavor, it's saddening to know that fans, including myself, won't get to experience the anticipated series with MaxTul.

This series centers around Dr. Bun, who moves to a rural part of Chiang Mai, and the mysterious death of his friend, Jane. The storyline takes us on a thrilling journey as Dr. Bun uses his forensic skills to prove it was murder, not suicide. Uncovering power, corruption, and sex trafficking among city officials, the plot is rife with unexpected twists and turns, keeping us engaged until the very end.

Though the romance of Dr. Bun and Tan might deviate from the original novel, the essence of their relationship shines through. The chemistry between MaxTul is, as always, superb, and Inspector M's skin-tight uniform is a delight for fans. The acting and cinematography are top-notch, elevating the series to an unforgettable viewing experience.

While I thoroughly enjoyed "Manner of Death ," my only quibble lies with the wedding proposal scene. Pistol whipping isn’t romantic for a proposal in the elaborate scheme, and I couldn't help but imagine flinging the ring back if I were in that situation.

As we bid farewell to Tul's acting career, let us cherish the moments he graced our BL hearts, leaving us with unforgettable performances, especially in "Manner of Death." It is a testament to his talent and dedication, and I'll forever cherish this captivating series as part of his legacy.

Leia Mais

Truly an Under Appreciated Gem

It's no surprise that many BL fans adore the entire HIStory franchise, and this series is no exception, even though newer releases may have disappointed some since Covid. The storyline is exceptionally well-crafted, steering clear of formulaic tropes. It's a rich portrayal of a gay man and a BL character, exploring their journey towards their first gay relationship. Gone are the whimsical, irrational falling-in-love scenarios often found in Thai BLs. Instead, we witness a genuine and authentic narrative.

One aspect that sets this series apart is its avoidance of toxic themes commonly seen in other BLs. There are no exploitative SA or romanticized rape plot devices, despite the setting revolving around the police and mafia.

The acting is top-notch, something that may not be consistently seen in the newer installments of this franchise. Each character experiences significant development, adding depth and relatability to the story. From Shao Fai to Jack to Hong Ye and their respective partners Tang Yi, Li An, and Diao Yi, their connections and growth are compelling to watch.

A standout feature of this series is the excellent communication between characters, eliminating the need for annoying misunderstandings often found in lesser BL shows. This series truly caters to a more mature audience, foregoing the fluffy rainbows and magical unicorns that some BL fans may seek. It's a gem for those appreciating nuanced storytelling and well-crafted character arcs.

Leia Mais

A Classic Pre-Covid Gay Drama For Older Fans

"Advance Bravely" is a captivating slow burn gay drama with some elements of BL. Remarkably, considering China's conservative stance on gay dramas, it delivers compelling storytelling without explicit scenes. For those accustomed to gay western shows, it serves as an excellent bridge between western media and Asian BLs.

Xia Yao's portrayal of the rich, spoiled brat is impeccable, while Yuan Zong shines as the mature protagonist. Their chemistry is delightful, making them a captivating pairing.

I'm grateful that "Advance Bravely" was among the first BLs I watched, unlike many Westerners who discovered BL during the Covid lockdown through "2gether." There's a discernible difference between pre-Covid and Covid-era BL fans. The latter prefer fluffy BLs with happy, clichéd endings, while the former appreciate a wider range of compelling BL and gay drama content, avoiding formulaic tropes and repetitive plots.

This series is for a more mature audience and not tailored to schoolgirls. It offers a refreshing experience, setting it apart from juvenile productions with subpar acting and scripts. "Advance Bravely" truly shines as a captivating adult series in the world of BL.

Leia Mais

Wasted Potential So Dropped

BLs are becoming increasingly juvenile. I really have higher expectations from Taiwanese BLs than I do of Korean and Thai BLs. Maybe it’s because I had watched the HIStory anthology before Covid that I have this mindset.

Not only have the HIStory series declined in quality swith with HIStory 4&5 but with each Taiwanese BL that came out in the last 2 years. The scripts have become juvenile and the acting has downgraded.

I cannot believe that a grown man who is a professor at a university is so childish. This is suppose to be an intellectual man but he is rendered into an idiot when he is around a robot. Even if he has emotional stunted trauma, there is no way he can be do idiotic in acting like a regressive teenager.

I am checking out of this so I do not rot my brain with this drivel. I am so disappointed with taiwanese BLs being brainless fodder that’s only digestible for schoolgirls and childish adults who have lost their sense of reality in favor of this kind of unicorns and sunshine nonsense.

This is definitely another fine example of BLs going down the crapper. I am sure there will be plenty of schoolgirls who will keep romanticizing this kind of terrible BL as the greatest thing since slice bread. ?

Leia Mais

Run on miscommunication

This reminded me a lot of The Promise. These types of misunderstandings stemming from miscommunication turn into long run on series. Much like The Promise, a decade rolls by before they meet up again. Even after meeting up, the friendship turning into a relationship takes the entire series to sort out.

Let me just say that I really despise the moderators of this platform for approving the most asinine synopsis to past because they need a reliable source which often is wrong.

They didn’t misunderstand each other from a kiss. They had sex before they were ready. Then due to being young they both read into the situation wrong by what each said because when you’re young you can be this dumb about love and sex.

This could’ve been so much better if they didn’t give a nowheresville story for the brother Ki and the farmer Gumbie. That was a waste of time where we could’ve had a better fleshed out character developments. The office extras were annoying. I wish they would e done he dad a better arc.

I can see why some people find the series boring. It definitely had a lot to do with the editing and cinematography. A lot of the dialogue scenes could have been shot better for it isn’t monotonous. The lighting was horrendous. It was either too blow out or flat. I don’t know what the last episode with the window kissing scenes was. It’s like the shot it during different times of the day and just splice it together.

This had potential but the director and editor clearly are doing amateur hour. The acting was strong at during emotional scenes but mostly weak when they were just playing around.

The NC scenes are not glossy with hot kisses. It was kinda good to show how realistic sex is like is the most soft porn kind of way possible.

Overall, it wasn’t bad as a BL that had some school scenes. It’s not fluffy but it wasn’t that deep either. I’m so glad I finally got around to watching it and checking it off my list.

Leia Mais

Sloooow Burn

First, if you don’t like the “brothers” falling for each other but seem okay with the sister getting on with the other brother. There is underlying hypocrisy in your thinking. Second, why are people upset with the age difference ter the brothers but are okay with the sister getting it on with the other much older brother.

This is a heavy hearted series. The mother is a piece of shit. I am not sure if I am the only one but I get the implication that she also sexually advise Qian which is why he’s sexually traumatized and for the most part asexual until he got it on with Zi Yuan.

I did not see Lin with Le but it was a pleasant surprise to see Sam Lin back in a BL even if the relationship is ambiguous.

People had to wait for the cursed episode 11 to get their smexy scene. And boy did the series deliver on it.

I can see why so many people like it in a sea of bad BLs we had this year. But if you’re not into a good storytelling series. This isn’t for you.

Leia Mais

Alt Happy Ending

Strongberry gets it right every time. I do not need Strongberry to make longer series because they squeeze everything out of their directors, screenwriters and actors into their series. For something that is only 20 minutes if you take out the opening and closing credits in this series. They got every nano second done right.

Episode 1 gave you everything you need to know the foundation of a not so one sided crush.

Episode 2 gave you the proof of the not so one sided crush

Episode 3 gave the misunderstanding which led to the breakup and open ending

Here is how I interpreted the ending. The MC turned down the ML which lead to ML leaving the MC’s life. The MC then rewrites the ending when he sees the note. The caller from episode 1 is the ML. This is why the MC is smiling when the door opens. The MC meets the ML after he reads the fallen note in diary. Now he has another chance at love with ML so that’s the happy ending.

Another alternative is you omit the MC crying scene and think he confessed to the ML and they had their happy ending.

Leia Mais

Great period piece

I need BL fans shot are MileApo shippers to stop deluluing themselves into thinking this is a BL. Not everything has to be a BL just because it has your have some fvcked up gay fetish. I can understand if you are in your delulu era with KinnPorsche. But babes this isn’t KP and they weren’t googling eye each other like they were eye fvcking each other either. Y’all in the reviews and comment section are some weird ass sickos because if that’s chemistry then everybody who looks my way is chemistrying with me. This is why I really intensely dislike BL shippers can’t get off the ship to respect that Mile and Apo are actors. Not come fanfic fvckbuddies like you’re wet dreaming about.

This was a great movie. Every actor gave a brilliant performance. The intrigue and suspense was all there. From the villagers, market shopkeepers, to kitchen staff and housekeepers to the dancers and courtesans. They were equally good as the politicians, clans people, the performance troupes. Definitely, Tiana, Hong, Wan, Chathra and Khem delivered grade A performances.

Here is my only gripe, this isn’t a reflection of the story but something I know I have seen too many times over before.
1. I know Hong didn’t died but it was a rouse to flesh out the killer.
2. I knew Wan was the one who set off the firecracker as soon as I saw him go to Wichiendej.

However, I thought it was Wichiendej who killed Master Cheng. I guess in a roundabout way, Wichiendej did with his manipulation of Triang.

Overall, it was good storytelling. The pace was good. The flow of the series was good. Nothing was slow as molasses or speeding through things.

Someone said this was originally 3 hours which was edited to 2 hours. Not sure how true this is but I think 2 hours is just fine. I rather have it edited than sit through extra filler parts to make a movie drag on and on.

Leia Mais

Mythological Cop Show With Side Of BL

Took me 4 tries to get past episode 1 then I binged it in 3 days

The idea of giving us BL fans something new is great. As someone who is bored stupid with school BL especially the ones from Thailand. I was looking forward to this series. Was the series perfect? No. Was it entertaining and enjoyable? Yes.

Billy is a better actor than Babe. The chemistry is the but the execution is lacking. I can’t make heads or tails about Tharn’s behavior. Especially being so co-dependent on Chalothon. I knew Doc was a walking red flag the minute he came onscreen. I am not sure why Tharn can’t sense doc being a baddie with his premonition power.

I like Yai being the comic relief more than Thongthai and Khem. Seriously they way they seem se less but made it to the elite IDF is questionable.

I don’t like Dao or what was the point of having such a character exist in this series. The female forensic irks me because of the horrendous music she listens to.

The baddies in episode 5: Wit ? Nahrong ???????

To be continued

Leia Mais

Happiness For Happiness Sake

Took me a little while to binge this after this series finished airing. I think it’s because I had OD on Thai BLs for a little while now. Especially the saccharine school BLs that GMMTV puts out. I needed a BL rinse before getting into another school BL. This Korean BL was just the right binge.

First off I adored Cha Yeon Woon for being the prickly ML. He reminds me of Milk from Choco Milk Sahke. I really like these kind of characters. He’s not the typical prickly type of ML that have walls that are too high to climb over like Nueng in Never Let Me Go or Kawi in Be My Favorite. He’s adorable in the cutest way. I love how he initiates the first kiss and gives the first confession despite his shyness.

Then there is Tae Myung Ha as the MC being the grouchy uncle persona as the senior of the group of friends. He’s so clueless for the 29 year old in a 19 year old body. This dude is clueless about love and happiness despite being thr adult who view everyone as a kid. He’s the biggest kid mentally for not understanding his actions towards Cha Yeon Woon. It is really Cha Yeon Cha who teaches him about life and how to enjoy it.

Cheon Sang Won and Ahn Khung Hoon are the side couple which I liked. For KBLs, I really do not need side couples taking away from the focus of the main couple. Especially when there’s 8 short episodes. Even if this series has longer episodes than most KBLs. It is still short. I am mixed about Cheon Sang Won because he comes off too strong to Tae Myung Ha is pursing him even after he got rejected. It’s also ridiculous that he would let himself get beaten up so he can get Tae Myung Ha attention for being gay after TMH kissed Junho. But then he befriends cha Yeon Woon even if he is his love rival. Ahn Khung Hoon seems like a filler character to the sister who help TMH gets work and build a fanbase for CYW.

This series reminds me of Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint. The goal, the timeline, the penalty and even the secondary goals. The author of this manga must have drawn inspiration from ORV.

The plot twist ending is interesting. I wish I didn’t read the spoiler for the ending so I could’ve enjoyed it more. So I am not going to give the spoiler to the ending here.

Definitely worth the binge.

Leia Mais

Better Than Heroin

Stay with Me" is a remake of "Addicted: Heroin." I haven't watched "Addicted: Heroin" yet, as it was unfinished. However, this version did not have any of the toxicity of that series. This series had the same feel as the earlier HIStory series 1-2, especially "Make Our Days Count." GMMTV could learn a lot from this series.

The story centers around Su Yu, an intelligent high school student who lives a hard life with poor his father. He resents his mother for remarrying a wealthy man and refuses to acknowledge her new family or accept any of her help. Su Yu has a stepbrother he has never met. Unbeknownst to anyone, his stepbrother, Wu Bi, unknowingly transfers into his class as an act of rebellion against his stepfather. They did not get along when they first met. From the outside, it looks like Wu Bi is a spoiled brat and an underachiever who is a disappointment to his father. Through a random coincidence, Su Yu’s father befriends Wu Bi and introduces them. Despite their initial differences, Su Yu and Wu Bi gradually warm up to each other. They become friends as they get to know each other and form a special bond. However, when a heated fight arises, their true identities are revealed. They overcome each new obstacle, unforeseen discovery, and misunderstanding to form a special relationship.

I am glad that I binge-watched this instead of waiting week after week for each episode to come out. I would have either put this series on hold or dropped it if I had watched it weekly. The first two episodes were slow, and to be honest, I fast-forwarded a lot through them. After episode three, we see the story develop between Wu Bi and Su Yu.

This series was very well-paced. It had so many heartwarming moments. I've laughed and cried in equal measure during this series.

Since this is a series from China with its censorship, it delves more into the dynamics of Su Yu and Wu Bi’s relationship without showing you anything remotely close to explicit scenes, but you still understand they had a sexual relationship.

I love that the first part was about laying out the messy lives of both Su Yu and Wu Bi. The second part shows how Wu Bi becomes a member of Su Yu’s family. The third part is about how Su Yu works on resolving their messy family situations and giving Wu Bi his peace. The last part sets up Wu Bi’s family, especially Mo Yi, for season 2.

Every character was well-developed. This includes our leads, Wu Bi and Su Yu, their parents, Aunt Zhao, Duo, the classmates, the would-be girlfriend of Su Yu, and Wu Bi’s uncle and cousin.

I might be in the minority, but I liked the ending as it is the ultimate cliffhanger for a season 2.

Leia Mais

Great For a One-Off OhmNanon Series

I’m glad this is a one-off ship of OhmNanon. Fight me on this but I think Nanon ruined Ohm for BL. For Nanon, this was just a stepping stone for him to get more straight roles as exhibited by his work that followed. He has said that he only took this role to add BL to his repertoire. Following this, some said Ohm said he will not longer do any more BL. I hope this isn’t true now that they are on the outs and Ohm has been hanging out with a lot of the BL boys of GMMTV lately with the LOL Fanfest. I mean, if Pond wasn’t in Dirty Laundry, I would’ve not watch Nanon’s lead role series. It speaks volume of Nanon as an actor when he does this kind of series and Ohm went to do 10 Ticket and Double Savage. I know Nanon is one of GMMTV favorite but I don’t get it. Ohm is a vastly superior actor. Nanon should stick to singing as it seems to be his thing.

As a BL fan, I must say that Thai school BLs have never been my cup of tea, often seeming to target schoolgirls and childlike adults with their magical rainbows and unicorns. However, I was pleasantly surprised with "Bad Buddy" as it veered away from the typical high school setting and took place in a university. It presented a compelling Romeo and Juliet-esque tale of star-crossed lovers from rival families.

From a young age, Pran and Pat's families had an intense rivalry, competing in every aspect of life. Naturally, this rivalry extended to their sons, making them rivals as well. But as fate would have it, despite the familial animosity, they grew tired of the constant tension and eventually became close friends. Their friendship blossomed, but due to their families' feud, they had to keep it a secret. After parting ways during high school, fate reunites them when they enter the same university and end up living in the same dorm with rooms across from each other. As they reignited their friendship, they discovered there was more to their feelings this time around. The series beautifully portrays their journey of self-discovery and first love, while navigating the challenges posed not only by their parents' rivalry but also by the rivalry between their university faculties.

The development of their relationship was far from glossed-over magic, as we often see in Thai school BLs. Instead, "Bad Buddy" took the time to build a genuine connection between the characters. As the story unfolds, they unearth the real reasons behind the family feud and face parental opposition to their relationship. In a bold move, Pat and Pran decide to run away together to explore their feelings. It is during their time away that they truly fall in love and solidify their relationship. Upon returning home, they face the consequences of their actions and work to gain acceptance with their families with the support of their friends.

"Bad Buddy" offered a unique and refreshing storyline, which sets it apart from many Thai school BLs that often portray the magical instant attraction between two boys without much development. It truly delivered on the emotional journey and didn't rely on clichéd tropes. This series has become a personal favorite of mine, as it demonstrates that BL can be much more than just fluffy romance, but rather a compelling and heartwarming tale of growth and love.

Leia Mais

Taiwan Could’ve Made This Better

This gay drama from China was quite disappointing, especially for those who had read the novel. The story remained unchanged, revolving around a rich son being groomed by a company man chosen by his father to fulfill his role as heir to a conglomerate. However, as expected with Chinese gay dramas, it was watered down to a mere bromance, lacking the depth and romance of the original source material.

On a positive note, the acting and cinematography were commendable, but like many fans of the novel, I longed for the authentic romance that was missing. I didn't require explicit scenes for it to be a good gay drama; instead, I wished for the essence of the original story to be preserved.

Although I liked the series to some extent, I couldn't help but imagine how exceptional it could have been if produced in Taiwan during the time of the HIStory series. Regrettably, it fell short of greatness, leaving me feeling somewhat unsatisfied.

Leia Mais

The OG couple of BL is this

Back in a time when BL series showcased the discovery of love between two boys, "Together with Me" stands out as a perfect example, thanks to MaxTul's unmatched chemistry and great acting, making them true OGs of BL.

The series started off with a powerful bang. While some fans believe newer BL series like KinnPorsche and Love in the Air brought sexiness, it's the older BL fans who appreciate the essence of pure love and smexiness in this series.

The show includes familiar tropes like female characters and toxic relationships, but it also introduces positive elements like Yahweh's character. One of my favorite tropes, "friends to lovers," adds depth to the story. However, there are some disturbingly inappropriate relationships in the series. And the weirdly homophobic sister. Despite that, the series addresses various issues much better than the glossed-over nonsensical BLs we often see today.

If you seek a meaningful BL series without fluffy nonsense, this is the one to watch. There's also a semi-prequel called "Bad Romance" and a sequel titled "Together With Me: The Next Chapter," which delve into their adult lives after graduation. It's a more realistic portrayal of boys love compared to "What Our Skyy 2: My School President," which failed to capture the essence of true BL.

Leia Mais