blackphillip

THE BEST BL ever made (:

I finished watching this series almost a month ago and honestly I can't stop thinking about Gelboys. It is without a doubt the best BL ever made.

I'm a bit biased to say this since I think Boss Kuno is one of the best BL directors today, but here he once again surpasses himself and delivers one of the most authentic and interesting series ever made in this industry.

Nothing is chewed up and regurgitated to be consumed easily. What we have here is an original story, full of personality, color, life, desire and excellence.

Every frame of this series is a photograph. The scene composition, the construction of the set, the costumes, the editing, the way Boss captures Thailand is mesmerizing. He shows a real, dirty, messy, alive place. The cinematography makes us feel like we're inside this chaotic world that he creates.

This is without a doubt the series that has the most authentic and realistic representation of teenagers. The way they use social media, the language, the way they dress, the confusing feelings and the embarrassing moments. There are no villains or big kidnapping plots, rich and manipulative families, destroyed secrets, here everything is real, everything is very easy to identify with.

I love how much the series references these influences. The music, the trends, the behaviors that every teenager has when they are in love, the confusions, the game of interests.

And unlike some other series that seem disconnected, here everything makes sense. Boss creates this colorful and maximalist world, full of stickers, graffiti, motion and fashion. The costumes, the sets, the nails and even the editing are full of personality and create this universe so visually rich and interesting.

I could spend hours talking about every aspect and every detail of what I loved about this series. The subtlety, the development, the creativity here are high points. And how innovative and refreshing it is to watch a BL that doesn't infantilize its characters or repeat the same old aesthetic.

Truly, a work of art.

Leia Mais

It was great until I read the manhwa

When I started watching this series, I was sure it would be the Korean BL of the year. Everything was right. The acting is impeccable, the story is fun, the characters are charismatic, the cinematography is super professional and the script managed to deliver an interesting narrative with excellent development.

I confess that the focus on the straight couple never bothered me and I can appreciate the development that the series gives to the other characters, especially Heesu's sisters.

But then the series started to lose its way. What seemed fun and romantic started to drag on and it became increasingly clear that the series had no intention of creating a BL story.

Scene after scene, moment after moment, the series was building these romantic moments between Heesu and Seung Won that end in frustrating ways due to the miscommunication between them.

The series gives a huge focus to Chan Young's dreams of playing tennis and Ji Yu's dream of being a singer but the supposed main characters do not have this same focus or development.

It's frustrating how their relationship is pushed to the end of the series, which makes it feel extremely rushed and anticlimactic.

But things get worse after I read the manhwa and realized that none of what's in the series exists there. Okay, I'm exaggerating, but the point is: Chan Young and Ji Yu are mere extras in the story. Instead of two straight couples and a big focus on the sisters' relationships, the manga actually features a ton of romantic scenes between the protagonists and even introduces a secondary couple.

All of this makes it clear that the creators of this series wanted to change the story, toning down the BL aspects of the plot and not so discreetly forcing a traditional, heterosexual narrative into the plot.

It's disappointing to realize how backwards things are going in Korea. I really love the technical aspects of this series and it had everything to be one of the best BL ever made, but unfortunately it became this undefined, censored thing.

Leia Mais

I confess that the first episode of this series didn't win me over. I was ready to give up, but I decided to give it another chance and I'm glad I did. Lost in the Woods was a nice surprise.

It's a slowburn series without much emotion or drama but it has solid performances, beautiful landscapes, a natural and interesting construction and beautiful photography.

I love the characters and especially Fifa's storyline and all the character development.

But the ending really displeases me. It lacks emotion, it lacks closure. Even if there is eventually a second season, many storylines are left open here and the story simply ends out of nowhere.

Fifa and Hem's relationship is in this ambiguous field, there's not even a kiss. Fifa's dream of going to Japan is somewhat shallow and the story never delves into the whys or creates connections with this desire of his and his reality.

It's a very interesting and contemplative series, but it lacks action. Perhaps if they had shortened the scenes of the characters standing in beautiful natural landscapes and used that time to develop the narrative better, the ending could have been more interesting.

Regardless, it's worth watching.

Leia Mais

Everything, Everywhere for Nothing

It's quite an achievement that they managed to create a series as cheesy and cringe as Love in The Air.

It's the kind of bad series that you keep watching because it entertains you but that has no quality in anything that it sets out to do.

The script is a mess and tries to talk about so many things without saying anything. The whole parallel universe plot is poorly worked here and honestly, if you take that out of the plot it doesn't change anything.

I would easily believe that this series is a fanfic written by a 14-year-old teenager because the dialogues are terrible. It's a cheesy bunch of romantic declarations and a problematic romanticization of a character who is literally a stalker who lies and manipulates the guy to stay with him.

Girl, he knew the password to Phu's door. If you change the direction, this would be a horror series.

And unfortunately, not even the absurd chemistry between Boss and Nouel can save this series since the performances are so bad. It lacks nuance, character development and depth. It's a caricatured and shallow performance with Phu acting like a innocent and sassy child and Cir doing a pity face.

The ending is disappointing and the whole drama with Cir's family has such a superficial and lazy resolution that it's ridiculous. It's the height of lack of creativity and a good example of the lack of talent of whoever wrote this script. The best part is that right after that what Cir do? Girl, your bother exchange places with you like a objetc and go f*ck your boyfriend like a animal in return?

It's not the worst series there, but it's very weak and a complete waste of the chemistry the actors have, especially the secondary couple who deliver everything in the few moments they spend together.

Leia Mais

Could be amazing but it's to lazy and mediocre for it

It's impressive how GMM-TV can take a promising story, great actors (some, not all) and a creative director, and still deliver a disappointing and lukewarm result.

To be fair, this isn't the worst series they've released in 2024 (one of their worst years in my opinion) nor is it a bad series.

But it's a series that wastes so much of its potential in repetitive scenes, incomplete arcs and a lack of courage in telling an original and bold plot.

I don't understand why they would create a story about hitmens and be afraid to explore this narrative. Films like The Wanted, Assassin Babes, and even Mr. and Mrs. Smith (I know they're spies but it's a dynamic that would work very well with Bison and Fadel trying to kill Kant and Style after discovering their betrayal) manage to bring comedy, action and a lighter tone to this violent narrative.

But here, Bison and Fadel's profession is simply a detail. At no point does the series attempt to explore the nature of their work - all we have are cut-up and overly censored scenes that never manage to create the atmosphere that a story about assassins requires.

There is no world-building, the character of Mother and the corporation they "work for", as well as the services they perform, are mere extras in the narrative.

Until episode 7 - one of the best of the series - all we have are the same arcs. Bison and Kant flirting and having the same conversation about relationships, sex and more sex. And Fadel and Style in a game of cat and mouse.

What bothers me is how shallow the series is and every time a deeper moment arises, they immediately crack a joke and ruin the moment.

It's the support group for people in mourning that Fadel attends. It's Bison's desire to get out of this life. It's the murder of their parents. It's the discovery of Kant and Style's betrayal.

All of this could carry more dramatic weight and deepen the narrative. But these moments last for minutes and in the next scene everything goes back to comedy.

The relationships here don't work for me. Bison is not even remotely the hot-headed and out-of-control character they describe. Kant and Babe have zero chemistry as brothers - even Babe is a character who only exists as a crutch to justify Kant's actions, even that bullying and teacher plot is completely disposable. There is nothing authentic about Bison and Fadel's murder scenes - and it's embarrassing how stupid the scene is where they try to kill the man who killed their parents at a crowded event with a gun and dressed in a giant bear costume.

And how forget about the amount of stupid decisions the characters make?! They could poison the man's drink, but they decide to shoot him. The police set up an ambush but there's no police officer at the front door to stop them from running away. Kant knew they were murderers and what was his first move? Involving his best friend and introducing his house, work and brother to Bison.

Another point in the script that tires me is the inability of the scripts to create connections that are not completely random. This is the case of Babe's bullying that only appears so Kant can talk about his past. It's the couple that Fadel and Style meet who have a problem with cheating that will talk exactly about what they are going through. It's a random character who appears to talk about Bison's family. It's the random attack at the bowling alley to show that Kant really likes Bison. It's all so shallow, without nuance, without construction, it's simply thrown there without the slightest connection or meaning just because the script needs these connection points that honestly could be really good work but are wasted.

If the technical part was still good it would be overlooked. But the direction doesn't stand out, the performances are good and Dunk is actually a little better here than his usual terrible performance. But that's it.

The photography is absurdly ugly. I haven't seen a high-budget series with such crappy photography since Pit Baby. The lighting is bad, the colors are faded and muddy. And the sound!!!! It's scary how bad the sound work is in this series. The noisy, the interference and external sounds, one could swear this series is a college project.

There is a huge lack of tension, the action and fight scenes are absurdly amateurish. Nothing has any consequences, it's all sugarcoated. They try to give importance to the death of Fadel and Bison's parents and all the series does is show a picture of them. The same happens with their relationship with their Mother. It's clear from the first scene that she is the villain and this whole "revelation" is predictable.

The only time we really see them acting like hitmen is at the end and even then they act much more like spies and young people seeking revenge than professional killers.

All of this, added to this canned American aesthetic, the soundtrack and costumes that are beyond caricature and a script that doesn't have the balls to get out of this cliché, results in a series that's kinda fun to watch but extremely disappointing. It's boring, it's predictable, it's lazy and has no personality whatsoever.

Leia Mais

A mesmerizing and electrifying thriller

The romance ends up being left aside but on the other hand, we have one of the best Thai BLs of 2024. The intensity, the suspense, the character development and above all, the production of this series is impeccable.

The actors deliver memorable performances, the story is bold and is not afraid to explore the characters' mistakes and dilemmas, the photography is super stylish and the editing manages to maintain the suspense and create an electrifying climate of suspicion.

Some decisions that the characters make in the series are a bit stupid. Like the Boss killing everyone even with the police after him or him killing Somsak to exonerate Kan and then immediately killing again.

I think other points are poorly developed. Somsak and the forensic doctor knowing that Kan killed Phirot doesn't make much sense and the series never explores how they found out. Did Somsak simply see a photo and assume it was Kan?!!!

But there's no denying that Spare Me Your Mercy is the best Thai BL of 2024. The romance between the protagonists is weak and doesn't get much attention, but the actors deliver incredible chemistry and the script manages to overcome this problem.

The confrontation between Dr. and Thiu at the end is a bit rushed and I think it could have happened earlier. But nothing beats the beauty, subtlety and symbolism of the final scene where Thiu leaves a flower in Kan's handcuffed hand. A flower that symbolizes forgiveness.

Leia Mais

This is how you do a perfect BL

Without a doubt, the second best BL series of 2024 (behind only Happy of the End) and one of the BL series with the best cinematography I've ever seen.

The story grabs you from the first episode and builds a captivating, painful, melancholic but hopeful narrative. I found myself hooked on each episode, completely immersed in Minase and Hirukawa's story.

They give an amazing performance here and it's captivating to follow Hirukawa's transformation and the way he finds love and security in Minase, who at the same time breaks down his barriers and opens up to explore new perspectives with Haruki.

It's a simple series but with an impeccable execution. The subtlety, the violence, the construction of their love, the adversities, everything is done masterfully.

The direction is assertive and the cinematography delivers a beautiful work that manages to express the pain, love and nuances of each character brilliantly.

I confess that I missed them coming out to their friends and families at the end but the criticism about the ban on same-sex marriage in Japan is courageous and absolutely necessary.

Without a doubt a captivating story, a talented cast, a sharp production and an exceptional script. The perfect recipe for one of the best BLs of 2024.

Leia Mais

More mature than I expected

I had no intention of watching this series. The plot, the poster, everything gave me an extremely childish idea and I already expected that this series would be another low-budget production with a terrible script.

And it was a huge surprise to realize that this series is actually very good. The production is really interesting and has beautiful photography. The story, despite the plot holes, is captivating. And the actors are excellent and have great comic timing.

It is a simple story, but very well executed. The highlight here is Junior. At times he seems like an animation come to life. He is an expressive, funny actor who managed to do very well in the more dramatic scenes.

The story could be better. There are many arcs that are abandoned or that could be better worked on. Nam's bullying, Junior's brother, Sun's past, the aunt's son who died.

At times the story gets too stuck within its own narrative and doesn't expand these arcs into other paths. The secondary couple, without a doubt, is one of the biggest disappointments. They just tease, but they don't get anywhere with them.

The final conflict is a bit messy and the direction and editing really struggle to create a cohesive scene. They leave a lot of points open - the fate of the animal traffickers and why Sun took so long to return.

It's not the best Thai BL of 2024, but it's undoubtedly a competent and dedicated production that delivers a different story with a cast that exudes chemistry.

Leia Mais

I didn't watch the original series, so I didn't have any prior information when I started watching this series. But it was a nice surprise.

It's not the BL of the year, in fact it's a pretty average series in many aspects but what saves this series is the main couple and the undeniable chemistry between Noh and Phun.

I think the series is too long and has too many characters that are never developed. There's a repetition of plots involving jealousy between Noh and Phun at the end that also really displeases me.

I don't like Earn's plot in this series. The actor did an incredible job but I hate it when series try to put a love triangle in the story when the main couple is already endgame.

The problem here is the lack of communication. Especially with Noh and Yuri and Phun and his girlfriend. A simple conversation would solve all their "problems", but they drag it out until it becomes a bigger problem.

I confess that I didn't care about any of the secondary characters. They don't have any development, all the secondary couples are boring, their scenes are chopped. We see them in one episode and then they disappear only to appear after 2 or 3 episodes so there's no consistency.

I really couldn't care less about the whole plot of Mick and Ohm, Per and Mawin, Lee, Ngor, Phun's parents and the fake relationship for his sister that they forget about after the first episodes, the bullied boy and all the other three hundred characters who have 5 seconds of interaction in the series.

Overall, it's a fun series to watch. Turn off your brain and just enjoy it. The main couple, despite their limitations, make up for it and deliver cute and very beautiful scenes. But it's nothing more than that, a cute BL with an excellent main couple.

Leia Mais

Sometimes more is worse

Yin and War's talent and dedication to delivering a complete, well-produced and high quality series is undeniable. They are some of the best BL actors today and the commitment they put into this is evident (since they themselves financed this series).

Technically speaking, Jack & Joker is a spectacle. It has beautiful photography, impressive and realistic settings, the characterization of the characters is a highlight, the performances are all top-notch and the fight scenes are impeccably choreographed.

And when it comes to chemistry, there is nothing to comment on. Here they give a lesson.

But the script, unfortunately, does not work. I like the initial plot of the story being about a thief with a thousand faces who helps the poorest and a boy with a heart of gold who is forced to collect debts.

Unfortunately, the series starts to invent unnecessary plots that take away much of the shine that the first episodes have. Another point is the excess of poorly developed characters.

Save is an example of this. At no point does the series show his relationship with Jack to the point where we believe they are best friends (which is why all the betrayal seems out of place). He has no story, no development and in the end he gains an importance that feels misplace.

Hope is another character who appears and disappears from the series and who always has different motivations each time we see him.

Nang is another character who adds nothing to the story. She has an air of mystery and power surrounding her presence and it seems like she will have some importance in the story, but in the end nothing happens.

Rosé is another character who is only there to create drama between the main couple and fill up screen time.

But what really bothers me is how the series wastes the potential of Tattoo and Aran being a couple. All the elements were there, but they never go anywhere.

I really like Jack and Joker's relationship, especially in the first episodes, but all of this ends up being affected by the plot.

The Four Horsemen game is one of the worst decisions the series makes. I like the social criticism present there, but it makes the story too fantasy-like. And that's when things lose their way.

Joker's robberies become lazy and full of script conveniences. The pace of the series becomes tiresome. I hate Boss's plans (one minute he wants the necklace, then he wants the ring, then he wants to win a game, then he wants Jack to marry Rosé).

It's plot on top of plot on top of plot and the series forgets to develop the characters and what they're feeling. This whole ring thing is so cheesy and honestly takes away a lot from the quality of the series.

The final plot twist kind of invalidates all these episodes and makes us question what the purpose of all this bullshit that Boss created was.

Honestly, it's a very long and somewhat tiresome series. I love Yin and War and in terms of acting and chemistry, they delivered everything.

But the script ended up being bloated with so much narrative and plot when a simple story with good development and well-crafted characters would have worked better.

And despite all this, it is still a BL with exceptional quality and great actors. I just wish for a more thought-out script.

Leia Mais

To My Star (Taekwondo Version)

Hwang Da Seul is undoubtedly one of the best directors of BL series. And here is yet another proof of her competence and talent in creating such captivating stories with impeccable production, acting and cinematography.

However, I feel that this is a series that ends up repeating many of the arcs and narratives used in To My Star (also directed by her). It is the story of a witty, lively man who refuses to succumb to his problems and ends up moving in with a serious, bad-tempered and cold man. Little by little, he manages to break down the walls of this cold man and they fall in love. Until this man disappears without much explanation and years later they meet again because the cheerful man never forgot or stopped loving the cold man who begins to treat him in an indifferent and cruel way.

And that is where the problem lies. I feel like the first 3 episodes are perfect and contain such a unique and well-constructed narrative about two abandoned, lonely, and pain-filled boys who build a friendship and love that can withstand the pain and give hope about a better future.

That's the best part of the series. But they decide to do a 12-year time jump and the reason why it happens is the worst possible. I would understand if Ju Yeong had killed DoHoe's father and spent that time in prison. Or if they had met in college and the story focused on DoHoe trying to get into college and having to maintain a lie so that Ju Yeong wouldn't feel guilty.

But the story of their adult life is so weak and even boring. The dialogues are excellent, the acting is very good, but all this drama and DoHoe's distant and cruel behavior simply hurts the narrative much more.

I understand that the series tries to create this more complex, adult and conflict-filled plot, but the reality is that none of these conflicts really work. The whole issue of DoHoe forging his diploma or the problem with his mother who mistreated her son has little impact on the story.

The ending fixes a lot of things and manages to bring a resolution that warms the heart. But the series is too confined in the same space, repeating the same fights and this ends up greatly impacting what could be one of the best BL series of 2024.

It's an excellent series and gives a show in the technical aspects, but I really wish they had kept and explored the story of these characters' adolescence. The formula for a perfect story was all there.

Leia Mais

Smells like a masterpiece

The first few episodes are a bit confusing and you don't quite understand what story is being told, but when the series finally finds its rhythm and begins to build Mishima and Makoto's story of friendship, acceptance and discovery, it's simply impeccable.

It's refreshing to see a series set in the 90s that talks so openly and beautifully about its characters' sexuality.

It's a light-hearted series, with excellent acting, competent production and a script full of rich and profound scenes and dialogues.

It's funny and exaggerated, but it's also subtle and conveys this feeling of discovery in adolescence. The scene of each of these characters talking to their mothers and accepting (or repressing) their sexuality is full of beauty and impact.

The construction of Makoto, her transsexuality and the dreams she abandoned to please her mother is so painful and constructed in such an exquisite way.

I really wish the series had two more episodes to explore these characters' adult lives. An impeccable series with a story that is so human, so real and so painfully beautiful.

Leia Mais

Could be better but still is a masterpiece

There's no denying that Japan knows how to create a simple series, but so full of emotions and beauty that it's impossible not to fall in love. And here it's no different.

The series does have its problems, and the lack of romantic development, the camera trick to hide the kiss and the lack of scenes of them as lovers is something that really disappoints.

However, none of this takes away from the merits of this series. The script is full of nuances, it has a slow development, but it allows the characters to develop naturally. And what characters! Kohei and Taichi are so real, so passionate, so fun, so interesting and brilliantly played.

The acting here is the strong point. Both actors (as well as the rest of the cast) deliver a visual performance and the chemistry between them, the looks, the gestures, everything is impeccable.

The direction and cinematography also deserve to be highlighted. The series is beautiful and the scenes are very well composed.

I understand those who say that the series dragged on and created too many problems until they got together, and I agree with that. But at no point did the series leave me bored or frustrated.

Taichi teaching Kohei how to say his name in sign language, Kohei telling the teacher's jokes so that Taichi wouldn't be left out, Taichi saying he loves Kohei in sign language, this series has such beautiful and silent scenes, but they carry so much weight and devotion that it's impossible not to fall in love with them.

It has its problems, but it's still a masterpiece and a series that shows people with disabilities in a respectful way, in a light and stylish plot and with exemplary performances.

Leia Mais

Great physical comedy but terrible characters choices

It's a breath of fresh air in the midst of a year of weak releases with obvious stories, childish characters and mediocre productions by gmm-tv.

Is the series a masterpiece? No, and it has many flaws, but it still manages to deliver a slice of life series with excellent physical comedy and hilarious timing that is elevated by the exquisite editing work.

It's impressive how everything that was wrong with My Love Mix-Up works here. The refined coloring, the intelligent cuts that only add more humor to the scene, the extremely catchy soundtrack, the very well-used sound effects and, of course, the cinematography also deserves to be highlighted with beautiful takes, frames full of references and style and a direction that knew how to develop and use each of the characters very well.

Is it a BL series? I would say no. It's more of a series about five interns trying to survive their internship and prove themselves worthy of their fields while facing life's problems than it is about a romance between a clumsy intern and a cold assistant director.

And honestly, that's not a problem for me. The series is fun, the characters are captivating and the crazy things they get up to in each episode are engaging enough to give the series a dynamic and interesting pace.

But if there's one thing the series failed at, it was in the development of the protagonists. Ryan is by far one of the most boring characters in this series. I like the development that all the characters have and the series really highlights this growth in them, but Ryan was created in such a way that it's simply hard to connect with the character.

He has no attitude, his whole sweet and innocent personality is a bit too cartoonish, he never stands up for himself, he has no charisma, he acts like a child who doesn't know anything about life or even how to perform basic functions at the beginning of the series and this really sinks the character and makes the main couple end up disappearing in the middle of the series.

And that's the problem. The main couple doesn't stand out at all and they simply disappear in the series, especially when all the drama with Bah-mee, Tae and Judy happens.

And this is another point that bothers me about the series. I particularly hated Bah-mae in the beginning and she was indeed annoying, spoiled and immature. The character has a very interesting growth and I love her chemistry with Judy.

I don't mind the betrayal plot because I like characters who are flawed and make mistakes, but it was a shot in the foot to put her in this plot only to have her get back together with Tae and act in the same annoying way as before.

They simply destroyed the character and made viewers hate her for nothing. It's a plot that takes up too much screen time and has such a weak and lukewarm resolution.

The friendship between them is the strong point of the plot because the romance is completely overshadowed by the narrative. The theft of the music video and the time jump of 5 years apart are two decisions that I can't understand why they were included in the series.

And this is another point that needs to end in GMM-TV's BLs. The time jumps with the characters separated because apparently they go back to the Ice Age when they move countries so they can't send a message or make a video call.

It's not the best, but certainly the most interesting BL they released in this weak year.

Leia Mais

It was difficult to get to the end

I confess that I wasn't expecting much from this series because coming from Star Hunter we know that nothing good is going to happen.

But it amazes me how a series that apparently has a high budget, decent actors and a fairly competent production is capable of delivering such a dull and lifeless story.

It's not a bad series and it's not the worst BL of the year, but it's hard to find anything to praise here. It's all so cliché, so mediocre, so boring.

Mos and Bank honestly aren't good in this BL. I don't think either of them really fit the role. Sun is a character who doesn't have much to offer and is nothing more than a rich man in expensive suits. Salin kinda has a story, but it's completely disconnected from the narrative. The plot involving Naga and his soul is a blatant copy of The Sign that seems like an afterthought. They try to make him a cute but sexy character at the same time and this creates a conflict.

But overall the plot between them is so boring. They speak softly, have shallow conversations and the whole romance between them doesn't have a hint of excitement. The NC scenes are good because they really give it their all there, but they're so cheesy that it's painful to watch.

The series has 4 couples, but honestly it wouldn't make the slightest difference if they weren't in the plot. Sam and Yotha have good chemistry, but they practically have crumbs of screen time and end up being completely wasted.

Pim and Prim happen towards the end and they have zero chemistry. It's a relationship that comes out of nowhere and has no relevance whatsoever. Chan and Juldis are the comic relief and nothing more.

Overall it's a beautiful series, with excellent locations, but it wastes everything on a story that doesn't know what it wants to be and tries to be a little bit of everything. And nothing works.

The characters are shallow and at no point do you care about them. The costumes are exaggerated and completely disconnected from the characters (which has been a problem in Thai BLs, this habit of putting the characters dressed as idols on a red carpet). The fantasy elements are poorly constructed and lead nowhere.

It could easily have been an 8-episode series and focused more on the jewelry and built a more interesting plot. If Salin had infiltrated the company to steal a jewel that belonged to his family and in the process he fell in love with Sun, something simple but fun like that, the story would have been great.

But what we have are great NC scenes and 12 episodes of questionable acting, shallow dialogue, poorly directed scenes and a plot that goes from zero to nothing.

Leia Mais