BL ACTION/HORROR/MAFIA AND OTHER UNUSUAL THEMES

LAST UPDATED: 05/03/24

There are woefully few BL series with action and exciting plots. Here's a list of the ones that exist at the moment. Not every show on this list is necessarily good, but it all breaks the typical slice-of-life/school/work settings. Please let me know if I missed anything.

CATEGORIES:

MAFIA/MAFIA-ESQUE. Criminal organization or family.

CRIME. Illegal activity outside of mafia.

ACTION. Fighting, sparring, chase scenes, murder. This has moments to get your blood pumping for non-smutty reasons.

HORROR. Scary, gory, bloody. Not necessarily all three.

MYSTERY/THRILLER. Intrigue in the plot, even if the story itself is fairly low-key.

SUPERNATURAL. Includes supernatural elements that aren't pushed aside for slice-of-life plots.

SCI-FI/APOCALYPTIC. Visions of the future.

LOW INTENSITY. Has elements listed above, but is slow or doesn't utilize them much.

OTHER NOTES:

REC'D. I recommend it.

HAVEN'T SEEN YET. Included because it looks like it fits or I've been told it fits. Take its placement with a grain of salt.

SECONDARY M/M. Main couple is straight, or gay content isn't as heavily featured.

NOT ON MDL:

- TIEN BROMANCE (VIET) - Mafia, Action, Horror. Haven't Seen Yet.

*CLICK HERE FOR NON-ASIAN TITLES.*

Lys May 12, 2023

103 Titles 29 Loves

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1. KinnPorsche

Thai Drama - 2022, 14 episodes

10

MAFIA, ACTION.
Rec'd.
2. Manner of Death

Thai Drama - 2020, 14 episodes

10

CRIME, ACTION, MYSTERY/THRILLER.
Rec'd.
3. Never Let Me Go

Thai Drama - 2022, 12 episodes

8.0

MAFIA-ESQUE, ACTION
4. HIStory3: Trapped

Taiwanese Special - 2019, 20 episodes

9.5

MAFIA, ACTION, MYSTERY/THRILLER.
Rec'd.
5. Long Time No See

Korean Drama - 2017, 5 episodes

9.5

MAFIA-ESQUE, ACTION.
Rec'd.
6. 3 Will Be Free

Thai Drama - 2019, 10 episodes

9.0

CRIME, ACTION, SECONDARY M/M (OR RATHER, COMPLICATED M/M).
Rec'd.
7. Triage

Thai Drama - 2022, 13 episodes

7.5

SUPERNATURAL, MYSTERY/THRILLER, ACTION, CRIME
8. The Eclipse

Thai Drama - 2022, 12 episodes

8.5

MYSTERY/THRILLER.
Soft rec due to weakness in the ending.
9. Chains of Heart

Thai Drama - 2023, 10 episodes

5.0

ACTION, MAFIA-ESQUE, MYSTERY/THRILLER
10. Till the World Ends

Thai Drama - 2022, 10 episodes

8.0

ACTION, HORROR, APOCALYPTIC
11. A Tale of Thousand Stars

Thai Drama - 2021, 10 episodes

9.0

LIGHT ACTION, CRIME.
Rec'd.
12. Golden Blood

Thai Drama - 2021, 8 episodes

6.5

MAFIA-ESQUE, ACTION
13. Not Me

Thai Drama - 2021, 14 episodes

8.5

ACTION, MYSTERY/THRILLER, CRIME.
Soft rec due to some straight-washing and other issues.
14. To Sir, With Love

Thai Drama - 2022, 17 episodes

9.0

ACTION, MYSTERY/THRILLER, SECONDARY M/M (MOSTLY DUE TO EXTENSIVE PLOT).
Soft rec, not for everyone.
15. Remember 15

Thai Drama - 2022, 12 episodes

6.0

ACTION, HORROR, SECONDARY M/M
16. The Director Who Buys Me Dinner

Korean Drama - 2022, 10 episodes

9.0

SUPERNATURAL, MYSTERY/THRILLER.
Soft rec because most Korean stuff is too short to fully explore (or explain) its themes.
17. Love Syndrome III

Thai Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

7.0

ACTION, MYSTERY/THRILLER, CRIME, LOW INTENSITY
18. Bite Fight

Chinese Movie - 2016

SUPERNATURAL, HORROR, ACTION
19. Something in My Room

Thai Drama - 2022, 10 episodes

6.5

SUPERNATURAL, HORROR, LOW INTENSITY.
I heavily debated even adding this one because it is SO SLOW. The supernatural elements aren't a huge focus, but they're present enough for me to include this one.
20. Sing in Love

Japanese Movie - 2022

CRIME, MYSTERY/THRILLER, ACTION
21. The Blue Hour

Thai Movie - 2015

8.0

HORROR, MYSTERY/THRILLER, LOW INTENSITY
22. Midnight Museum

Thai Drama - 2023, 10 episodes

6.0

ACTION, HORROR, SUPERNATURAL, SECONDARY M/M (VERY SLASHY, BUT ONLY MINOR M/M COUPLE CONFIRMED)
23. He She It

Thai Drama - 2019, 3 episodes

7.5

HORROR, SUPERNATURAL
24. Color Rush

Korean Drama - 2020, 8 episodes

8.5

SUPERNATURAL, MYSTERY/THRILLER, LOW INTENSITY
25. He's Coming to Me

Thai Drama - 2019, 8 episodes

8.5

SUPERNATURAL, MYSTERY, LOW INTENSITY
Rec'd for a sweet story, but too close to slice of life to be a rec for the list's themes.
26. Double Mints

Japanese Movie - 2017

CRIME, ACTION
27. Cheat

Filipino Drama - 2020, 6 episodes

6.5

MYSTERY/THRILLER, HORROR, LOW INTENSITY
28. 609 Bedtime Story

Thai Drama - 2022, 11 episodes

6.0

SUPERNATURAL, MYSTERY/THRILLER, SOFT ACTION, LOW INTENSITY
29. Grand Guignol

Japanese Movie - 2022

10

HORROR.
WARNING: VERY, VERY GORY, INTENTIONALLY OVER-THE-TOP, AND POTENTIALLY DISTURBING TO SOME. This film is an homage to late 19th century French shock value theater, and it shows.
30. House of Stars

Thai Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

7.5

THRILLER, LOW INTENSITY
31. Laws of Attraction

Thai Drama - 2023, 8 episodes

9.0

CRIME, ACTION.
Soft rec. Not a perfect show, but a lot of fun.
32. Dangerous Romance

Thai Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

7.0

SOFT ACTION/CRIME, LOW INTENSITY.
33. I Feel You Linger in the Air

Thai Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

8.0

SUPERNATURAL, VERY LOW INTENSITY.
NOTE: This one is very close to merely being a slice-of-life/historical BL, but I'll include it for its supernatural elements because they aren't the usual "guy is a supernatural thing, but everything else is basically just a standard romance" type deal. This is not a high-action show and is more of a slow burn romance, but it has its creepy moments and mild supernatural themes.
34. Kiseki: Dear to Me

Taiwanese Drama - 2023, 13 episodes

8.5

MAFIA, ACTION.
Soft rec. Major pacing issues, especially in the second half, but sweet with a decent amount of action if you can turn off your brain and just enjoy it.
35. Shadow

Thai Drama - 2023, 14 episodes

7.0

SUPERNATURAL, MYSTERY/THRILLER, HORROR, VERY SECONDARY M/M.
Don't go into this one expecting gay romance or feel good moments.
36. The Tenants Downstairs

Taiwanese Movie - 2016

3.5

HORROR, SECONDARY M/M.
This is more of a horror movie with a bit of gay romance through out, as well as m/m sex scenes. I can't recommend this one in good conscience, but if you don't get squicked by sexual violence (on men and women but more on women), really gross female exploitation, or fairly graphic murder and gross out scenes here and there, and you just wanna see some good sex scenes between two guys, it's not... the worst ever? Just be prepared to be bummed out.
37. My Dear Gangster Oppa

Thai Drama - 2023, 8 episodes

MAFIA, ACTION
38. Pit Babe

Thai Drama - 2023, 13 episodes

9.0

ACTION, CRIME
39. Dead Friend Forever - DFF

Thai Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

9.0

HORROR, MYSTERY/THRILLER.
Soft rec, show had its flaws but was a lot of fun.
40. Two Worlds

Thai Drama - 2024, 10 episodes

CURRENTLY AIRING, ACTION, SUPERNATURAL.
Currently airing, edits will be made accordingly upon the show's completion.
41. Wandee Goodday

Thai Drama - 2024, 12 episodes

CURRENTLY AIRING, ACTION.
Currently airing, edits will be made accordingly upon the show's completion.
42. The Sign

Thai Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

ACTION, SUPERNATURAL.
Haven't seen yet.
43. Time

Thai Drama - 2024, 10 episodes

ACTION, SUPERNATURAL.
Haven't seen yet.
44. Playboyy

Thai Drama - 2023, 14 episodes

MYSTERY/THRILLER.
Haven't seen yet.
45. 7 Days Before Valentine

Thai Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

SUPERNATURAL.
Haven't seen yet.
46. The Whisperer

Thai Drama - 2023, 10 episodes

HORROR.
Haven't seen yet.
47. Fractured

Filipino Drama - 2023, 8 episodes

MYSTERY/THRILLER, SECONDARY M/M.
Haven't seen yet.
48. Bokura no Micro na Shuumatsu

Japanese Drama - 2023, 8 episodes

APOCALYPTIC.
Haven't seen yet.
49. Abandoned

Filipino Movie - 2022

MYSTERY/THRILLER.
Haven't seen yet.
50. Hometown's Embrace

Thai Drama - 2021, 8 episodes

ACTION.
Haven't seen yet.
51. Tanaosri

Thai Drama - 2023, 33 episodes

ACTION, SUPERNATURAL, MYSTERY/THRILLER, SECONDARY M/M.
Haven't seen yet. Sadly, I'm not sure if anyone will sub this.
52. Mystery of Love

Filipino Drama - 2022, 1 episode

ACTION, MAFIA?
Haven't seen yet.
WARNING: This series went on indefinite hiatus after one episode. I've only included it to be thorough, but it's been nine months as of 6/14/23.
53. Love at the End of the World

Filipino Drama - 2021, 9 episodes

APOCALYPTIC.
Haven't seen yet. I heard it's quite odd and surreal.
54. Ghost Host, Ghost House

Thai Drama - 2022, 8 episodes

SUPERNATURAL
Haven't seen yet. (If this is just slice-of-life with ghosts, someone please tell me so I can remove it.)
55. Self

Thai Drama - 2022, 6 episodes

MYSTERY/THRILLER.
Haven't seen yet.
56. Bangkok Love Story

Thai Movie - 2007

CRIME, ACTION.
Haven't seen yet.
57. Marry My Dead Body

Taiwanese Movie - 2022

ACTION, MYSTERY/THRILLER, SECONDARY M/M.
Haven't seen yet.
58. Sweet Curse

Korean Movie - 2021

SUPERNATURAL, HORROR.
Haven't seen yet.
59. Hidden Love

Thai Drama - 2021, 14 episodes

SUPERNATURAL, HORROR.
Haven't seen yet.
60. Lychee Light Club

Japanese Movie - 2016

SCI-FI, HORROR, CRIME, SECONDARY M/M.
Haven't seen yet.
61. Once Again

Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes

SUPERNATURAL, MYSTERY/THRILLER, CRIME
Haven't seen yet.
62. Unforgotten Night

Thai Drama - 2022, 12 episodes

MAFIA, ACTION.
Haven't seen yet. If this is just smut, please let me know. I haven't finished watching it, so I don't know if it actually belongs here.
63. The Stranded

Thai Drama - 2019, 7 episodes

APOCALYPTIC, SUPERNATURAL, SECONDARY M/M.
Haven't seen yet.
64. Missing Piece

Thai Drama - 2019, 8 episodes

CRIME, MYSTERY/THRILLER, LOW INTENSITY.
Haven't seen yet. If this is mostly slice-of-life, please let me know so I can remove it.
65. Ghost Runner

Thai Drama - 2020, 8 episodes

HORROR, LOW INTENSITY.
Haven't seen yet. I've heard the horror content isn't heavy in this one. Please let me know if that's the case, and I'll remove it.
66. Tell the World I Love You

Thai Movie - 2022

ACTION, CRIME, SECONDARY M/M (SO SECONDARY IT MAY NOT EXIST).
Haven't seen yet. I'll remove this title if I'm able to confirm it isn't actually BL.
67. After Sundown

Thai Movie - 2023

HORROR, SUPERNATURAL, MYSTERY/THRILLER.
Haven't seen yet.
68. Make a Wish

Thai Drama - 2023, 6 episodes

SUPERNATURAL.
Haven't seen yet.
69. Malila: The Farewell Flower

Thai Movie - 2017

HORROR.
Haven't seen yet.
70. Senior High

Filipino Drama - 2023, 50 episodes

MYSTERY/THRILLER, SECONDARY M/M.
Haven't seen yet. I'm unsure if the romance starts in this season or the next.
71. Senior High Season 2

Filipino Drama - 2023, 55 episodes

MYSTERY/THRILLER, SECONDARY M/M.
Haven't seen yet.
72. OMG! Vampire

Thai Drama - 2024, 10 episodes

UPCOMING, SUPERNATURAL.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
73. Wuju Bakery

Korean Drama - 2024, 8 episodes

UPCOMING, SUPERNATURAL/SCI-FI.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
74. The Next Prince

Thai Drama - 2024

UPCOMING, ACTION.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
75. Spirit Reborn

Thai Drama - 2024

UPCOMING, SUPERNATURAL, HORROR, THRILLER.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
76. Spare Me Your Mercy

Thai Drama - 0000

UPCOMING, CRIME, MYSTERY/THRILLER.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
77. Revamp: The Undead Story

Thai Drama - 2024, 10 episodes

UPCOMING, SUPERNATURAL, HORROR.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
78. Partner in Crime

Thai Drama - 0000, 10 episodes

UPCOMING, CRIME, ACTION.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
79. Mystique in the Mirror

Thai Drama - 0000

UPCOMING, SUPERNATURAL, MYSTERY/THRILLER.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
80. Love Upon a Time

Thai Drama - 2024

UPCOMING, ACTION.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
81. Punk Spy

Thai Drama - 0000

UPCOMING, ACTION, CRIME.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
82. Pray in Love

Taiwanese Drama - 0000, 8 episodes

UPCOMING, CRIME, MYSTERY/THRILLER.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
83. Eccentric Romance

Korean Drama - 0000, 12 episodes

UPCOMING, CRIME, MYSTERY/THRILLER.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
84. Fourever You Project

Thai Drama - 0000, 16 episodes

UPCOMING, HORROR.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
NOTE: The new pilot makes it seem unlikely that this will be horror or suspense after all, but supposedly some of these novels had horror elements, so I guess we'll see. Apparently one character sees ghosts, but the overall vibe seems to lean more light comedy, slice-of-life.
85. I Love/Kill You

Thai Drama - 0000

UPCOMING, MYSTERY/THRILLER.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
86. My Golden Blood

Thai Drama - 0000

UPCOMING, SUPERNATURAL, HORROR, ACTION.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
87. Kidnap

Thai Drama - 0000

UPCOMING, ACTION, THRILLER, CRIME.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
88. The Hidden Moon

Thai Drama - 2024, 10 episodes

UPCOMING, SUPERNATURAL.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
89. Eyes on You

Hong Kong Drama - 0000, 10 episodes

UPCOMING, CRIME.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
90. Jack and Joker

Thai Drama - 2024

UPCOMING, CRIME, ACTION.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
91. The Heart Killers

Thai Drama - 0000

UPCOMING, CRIME, ACTION.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
92. Wish You Luck

Thai Drama - 0000

UPCOMING, SCI-FI/APOCALYPTIC.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
NOTE: I'd previously removed this one as it seemed to be canceled, but now it's being estimated for a 2025 release. Fingers crossed!
93. See Your Love

Taiwanese Drama - 0000

UPCOMING, THRILLER, MAFIA.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
94. Pit Babe Season 2

Thai Drama - 0000

UPCOMING, ACTION, CRIME.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
95. Goddess Bless You from Death

Thai Drama - 0000

UPCOMING, HORROR, CRIME, SUPERNATURAL.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
96. The Young Gangster

Taiwanese Drama - 0000, 8 episodes

UPCOMING, CRIME, MYSTERY.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
97. Black Forest

Thai Drama - 2024

UPCOMING, HORROR.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
NOTE: This may or may not be canceled, because the company situation is a mess, and honestly the photoshopping has me side-eying the entire thing, but we need more dark BL, so I have my fingers crossed that it DOES happen and is better than it looks.
98. Mafia Prince & Bookworm

Thai Drama - 2024

UPCOMING, MAFIA.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
NOTE: This show is also having some company issues. The project itself may not actually qualify for this list regardless, as I assume it'll lean more toward slice of life with a mafia background--but maybe not. Benefit of the doubt for now.
99. The Bashers

Filipino Drama - 2024

UPCOMING, THRILLER.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
100. Red Peafowl

Thai Drama - 0000

UPCOMING, MAFIA, ACTION.
Hasn't aired yet, included based on plot/trailer and may be removed in the future.
NOTE: MAY BE CANCELED.