A Disappointing Watch Despite a Good Casting

This show is a horror series through and through. Dealing with evil entities and spiritual witchcraft that made no sense and would have been enjoyable had they made it fun. But the whole story was dark, brooding, almost pointless, and incomprehensible to figure out. It mixed religious beliefs like you were mixing ingredients for a cake batter and expecting us to believe the cake was going to come out looking like something edible. Instead, it was half-baked, and it fell flat. Frankly, I do know what this series was supposed to be. However, I can tell you what it is not. It is not a BL. And it is not scary. It is not mysterious or even a thriller. But it is confusing as hell (no pun intended) wasted the talents of fine actors, and offensive on two fronts. I am rarely offended by anything, but this series was offensive to gay people and to how it portrayed Catholics, and I am no great admirer of the Catholic Church.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/02/08/shadow-series-review-ep-1-to-14/

Leia Mais

An Endearing Romance Between a Delinquent & His Teacher

It takes courage to love. While it doesn’t seem like love requires an ‘I can do this’ mentality, it’s a fragile, easily broken emotion.

Adapted from the manga series Sahara-sensei to Toki-kun by Toriya Ko, starring Kizu Takumi (Sahara Ichiro) and Hachimura Rintaro (Toki Kanade), Mr. Sahara and Toki-kun spins a heartwarming and humorous tale that beautifully intertwines the worlds of a tough-as-nails delinquent, Toki Kanade, and the unexpectedly charming Sahara Ichiro, his dashing PE teacher.

Despite the over-the-top humor and stereotypes, the story unfolds with a keen attention to detail, revealing Toki’s pure-hearted nature beneath his rough exterior. Kizu Takumi’s portrayal of Sahara Ichiro adds charisma to the character, making the growing connection between teacher and student all the more captivating.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/02/07/sahara-sensei-to-toki-kun-series-review-ep-3-to-8/

Leia Mais

A Hilarious, Over Dramatic Romcom

Adapted from the manga series BL Drama no Shuen ni Narimashita by Suzuri Machi and starring Abe Aran (Akafuji Yuichiro) and Akutsu Nichika (Aoyanagi Hajime), I Became the Main Role of a BL is precisely what its title implies. It follows two actors in two different stages of their careers–one famous, the other a child actor waning in popularity–cast in the leading roles of a BL series.

It’s fun. It’s over-dramatic. It’s full of heart-fluttering tropes. It resonates deeply.

Japan’s romcoms rarely fail me. They pull off over-the-top comedy in a way no other country has quite yet mastered. While the trope-filled comedy scenes in this series could come off as cringe, it somehow doesn’t. The secret but not-so-subtle crush that popular actor Yuichiro has on child actor Hajime is sweet and endearing, full of giggles and warmth, which makes each scene a delight to tune into.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/01/02/i-became-the-lead-in-a-bl-drama-crank-up-edition-series-review-ep-1-to-3/

Leia Mais

The Most Realistic Depiction of Queer Community

Adapted from the manga series “Smells Like Green Spirit” (スメルズライクグリーンスピリット) by Nagai Saburo (永井三郎), the show is set in the 1990s era where homophobia wasn’t any less prevalent than it is now. In the midst of a school setting, we have “Coming Of Age” storyline which retraces how transgenders were hugely perceived. The ridicule coupled with rampant bullying made their existence rather difficult. There were many who succumbed to this pressure while few daring ones choose to live their life fearlessly. This story belongs to one such brave persona, Mishima Futoshi. The subtleties of this character are portrayed so boldly by Araki Towa, that you want to celebrate their independence and freedom. MBS is engaging in stories that are intrinsically interwoven with the dynamics of the queer community. They are thought-provoking, mindful and also captivating. One man’s struggle against societal prejudices becomes the crux of this storyline. From the way you dress to the way you behave, society judges you on everything; but who are they to judge others & are their opinions that important?

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/11/16/smells-like-green-spirit-series-review-ep-1-to-8/

Leia Mais

A Vivid Portrayal of Queer Struggles against Heteronormative Society

“With or without it, you’re still you.”

I should warn you now: this review may not make much sense. I’ve just finished Love in the Big City, and my thoughts and feelings are a bit scattered. But isn’t that what Love in the Big City is all about? It’s about thoughts, regrets, and emotions that seem all over the place, yet somehow come together in a relatable and bittersweet culmination of life’s chaotic realizations.

Adapted from Park Sang Young’s novel, Love in the Big City is less a love story and more a journey of finding peace and acceptance with yourself and your circumstances. It follows Ko Yeong (Nam Yoon Su), a gay man navigating multiple relationships, from his best friend Choi Mi Ae (Lee Soo Kyung) to his mother Eun Suk (Oh Hyun Kyung) to his lovers—Kim Nam Gyu (Kwon Hyuk), No Young-Soo (Na Hyun-Woo), and Gyu Ho (Jin Ho Eun)—all while coming to terms with his HIV diagnosis, which he refers to as “Kylie.”

It’s a story about failure, success, and facing the parts of yourself that’s been through both.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/10/23/love-in-the-big-city-series-review-ep-1-to-8/

Leia Mais

An Inspiring Dating Show, Best of the Lot!!

I never thought that I could get addicted to a reality dating show, but “Sparks Camp” proved me wrong!

Black Sheep and ABS-CBN Studio’s “Sparks Camp Season Two” ended on a high note and I’m already suffering from the withdrawal symptoms. Honestly I really loved the contestants this season, it could be the quirky Miggy Ruallo, brave Pipoy Oreiro or the fabulous Ejay (doesn’t mean, I didn’t like the other contestants). Each camper bought a different flavor to this potboiler that was wildly exciting and spontaneous. The sparks were sparkling yet meaningful, “Moment of Truth” was honest and insightful while Mela Habijan as Mother Camper was a soothing presence. Directed by Theodore Boborol (whom we recently interviewed), the show was bigger, bolder and more versatile; and we are not just talking about the contestants who were from different walks of life. They had stories to share; some endearing, others remorseful. We are going to talk more about the intricacies of this show in our review, so buckle your seatbelts!

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/08/15/sparks-camp-season-two-series-review-ep-3-to-8/

Leia Mais

A Century of Waiting for Your Love!!

Love is a powerful thing. It is powerful enough to bridge generations, erase hate, and overcome prejudices. If we let it. Love is powerful enough to bring two people together so intimately that it’s hard to tell where one begins and the other ends.

Thus is the story that the Thai BL Century of Love tells.

Starring Daou Pittaya (San) and Offroad Kantapon (Vee), Century of Love follows a devoted man named San who spends a hundred years waiting for the woman he loves to reincarnate after she died to protect him only for her to return as a man named Vee. This begins an unforgettable love story that becomes much more about who we are and less about the bodies we’re born with.

While I’ll admit I initially had trouble becoming immersed in San and Vee’s story, I found that, with time, San’s love and his interactions with Vee aged well. Ironically, a story about a man who spends 100 years not aging and trying to rediscover his first love becomes a love story that ages slowly on screen before suddenly capturing the heart.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/08/13/century-of-love-series-review-ep-3-to-10/

Leia Mais

Could Have Been So Much Better

When I first started watching this show, I was very excited to see a Korean-Thai crossover BL series, especially with Mew in it. But as much as I wanted to enjoy the show, it was disappointing, to say the least. There was no plot, no chemistry, no romance, no anticipation to watch the next episode and I really didn’t care about what will happen next. If you are watching a romantic drama, you can ignore all the emptiness if the romance, chemistry, and interaction between the two main leads is toe-curling but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case here which ruined the show. It felt forced and awkward, even the confession part, I didn’t feel anything watching it.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/05/24/love-is-like-a-cat-series-review-ep-1-to-12/

Leia Mais

An Impressive Watch Indeed

Watching this series is like wrapping yourself up in a warm cozy blanket on a cold winter’s night as you are reading a romantic allegory. While the sensation is comforting, the fable still provides you with enough stimulation to keep you awake. But you suddenly realize that you reach a part in the story where one of two possible endings can happen. Either a fairy tale one or a tragic one. While I certainly love a fairy tale ending (and these two guys deserved one), I was preparing myself for a tragic one as the series did seem a bit dark overall. Unfortunately, I got neither one. And I threw off my warm blanket and started to cry with disappointment. Let me elaborate.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/05/23/memory-in-the-letter-series-review-ep-1-to-6/

Leia Mais

Totally Unimpressive

Admittedly, this series is perfectly named. It did seem to continue to go on and on endlessly. It was like being adrift in a rudderless boat floating in an ocean of tropes, cliches, banalities, stereotypes, and platitudes. Sooner or later, you would bump into one of them on your way to wherever it was you were supposed to be going. Unfortunately, this series went nowhere because it had nowhere to go to.

Honestly, you have seen this story hundreds of times if you are an avid BL watcher. If not, you will no doubt run across its plot again because it is standard. It is another high school love story between two best friends. Ji (Fluke Pongspat) and Achi (Junior Kajbhunbitt). Both are handsome with each focused on wanting to be successful in different ways. Ji is obviously in love with Achi as he is a bit more overt about it. Achi senses it. Although he likes it, Achi is understandably terrified of reciprocating. This is all such a confusing time for teenage boys.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/05/21/to-be-continued-series-review-ep-1-to-8/

Leia Mais

A Love Story Full of Yearning & Longing

Sometimes beauty is born out of tragedy, out of a broken place that doesn’t seem capable of growing something beautiful.

And yet, even roses have thorns.

The Taiwanese BL Unknown, adapted from the web novel Da Ge by Priest, is a stunning example of a relationship built from a broken place. Starring Chris Chiu (Wei Qian) and Kurt Huang (Wei Zhiyuan), it delves deeply into a story about two boys who don’t belong anywhere but whose hearts seek a home and family in each other’s brokenness.

And it succeeds.

From the moment a young Yuan follows Qian from the darkness surrounding him in the streets to the warmth of Qian’s home, Unknown becomes a story about finding light in a period of darkness. It’s a concept that threads well throughout the series; from youth to adulthood, strangers to brothers to lovers, light and darkness balance each other, intertwine, and then become one. It’s a transformative experience that grips the soul and doesn’t let go.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/04/23/unknown-series-review-ep-3-to-12/

Leia Mais

Could Have Been Better

Simple, Sweet but Ordinary

Gu Jing (Stan Huang) is a good chef who owns a creative and retro restaurant. He opens his restaurant anytime he wants. Gu Jing finds that there is a young man who always gets the quietest seat, and that is Liu Li (Chen Xuan Yu). Liu Li is a gay-themed novelist who rents a room upstairs from Gu Jing’s restaurant. Gu Jing starts to send Liu a bowl of spicy beef noodles. Slowly, Gu Jing becomes the person that Liu Li confides in, the person who keeps him company during his hard times. Gradually, Liu Li realizes that his fantasies may be different from reality.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/03/09/vip-only-series-review-ep-3-to-10/

Leia Mais

An Interesting Adaptation Indeed!

Based on the manga series of the same name, “Chaser Game W” is a love story between two women, Fuyu and Itsuki played by Yuuka Sugai and Yurika Nakamura. Fuyu and Itsuki were in a romantic relationship during their time at university. However, due to certain reasons, Itsuki ended the relationship, which caused Fuyu to harbor resentment towards her. This led Fuyu to making unreasonable demands that Itsuki felt compelled to meet, as she was Fuyu’s boss. Nonetheless, it’s often said that if there are still feelings involved, no amount of bitterness can erase them. This dynamic unfolds beautifully in the show, and I enjoyed witnessing their reunion and the rekindling of their feelings.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/11/07/chaser-game-w-power-harassment-boss-is-my-ex-girlfriend-series-review-ep-1-to-8/

Leia Mais

Oxin Film's Best Selling Pinoy BL Yet!

This is a classic. When it first arrived on the stage in 2020, it was quite notable. In a sense, it was refreshingly different because it dealt with more adult content. However, it is a roller coaster of a series, honestly. This is one of those series that everyone will profess to dislike but secretly love. It is a guilty pleasure for sure.

On balance, this series is messy, cringe worthy, and sometimes makes no sense. But is so much fun to watch! The cinematography is quite good, with its nice settings and realistic environments. The wardrobes they wore were first-rate and are just stunning on these guys and greatly enhanced their natural charisma and charm. The music (which honestly, I rarely notice in series) was very good especially the theme song. But I am getting ahead of myself.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/11/06/my-day-the-series-series-review-ep-1-to-12/

Leia Mais

Wasn't Worth the Effort and Time

The only thing that drew me to this reality show was the constant buzz on our website. Readers have constantly flocking to the “Season One Review”, maybe in the hopes that they might find something connected to the sequel. I wanted to know what all this buzz was about. Even though, our team member who reviewed Season One warned me against it, I still decided to give this show a chance. Presumably, I was surprised but also disappointed. While the show doesn’t dare to draw comparison to the recently concluded popular dating shows like “His Man”, “Sparks Camp” or even “The Boyfriend”, it is definitely missing the uniqueness that would set it apart from them. Hosted by Vinci Wong, who is also the producer of “Boyscation Too”, this LGBTQ+ dating reality show is set against the stunning backdrop of Bali and features a diverse cast of participants from Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/11/05/boyscation-too-series-review-ep-1-to-20/

Leia Mais