Lilo's queer favourites

Seemingly a fun lighthearted highschool BL, this series really tackles some heavy topics. Learning your own self-worth and how to love yourself; learning how to be loved. I loved both of the main characters, but especially Tae Myungha. In the beginning he was just so full of charisma that I fell in love immediately, and later on as we got to know more of his backstory my sympathy for him just kept on growing. Cha Yeonwoo is also amazing, of course. His puppy eyes are truly unmatched. As for the side characters I kinda wish we had gotten more of Cheon Sangwon, although at the same time I'm glad that we spent so much time with the main couple as it was very much needed and well utilized.  Amazing series on all fronts.

Two children who just want to like and play with each other, but who are scared because they've been told that only monsters act the way they do. I loved this movie for the way they played with perspectives, and showed so clearly how the same events and facts can have different interpretations from different people just because of the way they are presented, and how your own assumptions and preconcieved notions can colour your decisions. The queer themes as they were presented also truly broke my heart (as did the ending), and I couldn't stop thinking about this movie for weeks after I first watched it. I'm hesistant to say much more, because this is the type of media that is most enjoyable if you go in blind (I honestly might have said too much already).

In Hwang Daseul we trust, truly. Her ability to make such sincere queer stories is never not impressive, and in this series especially the drama is so incredibly good. Even the cinematography and soundtrack is great. As for the characters they're both very nuanced. Both of the main characters have a ton of trauma which often makes them act irrationally and in ways that could be hard to understand for the standard watcher. But it does all make so much sense and we're given enough information throughout that by the time it ends, we can understand everything.

Two lonely boys finding someone they can be themselves with, talk about anything with, in each other. It's such a beautiful story given all the depth and weight and nuance it deserves. There were some minor issues with the pacing towards the end (I would've loved to see more of what Minase and Hirukawa's lives were like while they were seperated) but they truly stuck the landing so well that I don't really care (the special episode!!). And tbh I don't know how to fix the pacing aside from making the series longer, there's really nothing you can remove. The subs I watched with were decent but if there's ever a fansub made I'd love to rewatch it.

!! Actor who plays Hirukawa is an asshole. Keeping it on this list because the show itself is so good, but yeah... just keep that in mind ig.

Hira and Kiyoi are both characters that are deeply weird, partly because of trauma and partly because that's just the way they are. As individuals neither of them are fully functional, well-adjusted people, but together they make up for what the other person lacks and become something more. Seeing how much the both of them love and care for each other is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, because you know that they wouldn't be able to live without each other. As a whole, this is a beautiful story about two beautiful people learning to accept their feelings and to act upon them. Especially Kiyoi's journey is super interesting with the way he fights for this relationship and learns to communicate with Hira in a way that he (who is clearly neuro-divergent) understands.

OBS! Aside from this series, there is also a second season and a movie that are both must-watches (second season after the first, movie last) if one's to get the full story of Hira and Kiyoi.

Queer. Cinema. Queer cinema! This is such an important story; there's a reason it's so highly regarded within the BL community. I hope that the director could get closure from making it.

This show has such a classic storyline and setting: the nerdy outcast cathches the attention of the F4 - the most popular and attractive guys at school - and gets involved with The most popular and attractive one of them. It also uses some of the most classic tropes: a school trip forces the main leads to interact, a haunted house brings thems closer, they experience freedom and realizations at the beach, and so on and so on. And yet, despite all of the colours being so familiar, they are brought together to make a wholly new and unique picture. The tropes are handled in a way that makes them feel new and fresh at the same time as they are familiar, and the characters are taken a step out of the archetypes they're based on. I especially loved Hioki and how far he is from a damsel in distress, as well as the genuine friendship displayed in the F4 friend group.

Just an amazing show. The chemistry between the two main leads is great, and I'm a big fan of how considerate their characters (and pretty much everyone else in the series) are of each other. The relationships are truly the heart of this show - the band club has the vibes of found family, and the actual families of both Gun and Tinn are also great to watch. The setting is basic, and so is the storyline to a certain extent., but what's interesting is the approach to the story - expectations are subverted at every opportunity (in a good way). There's a reason many consider this to be the spiritual successor to Bad Buddy. The humour does sometimes edge on the side of cringy in my opinion, but it walks that line fairly well and never fully crosses over. I do think the show is a tad too long as it starts to lose some of its magic around the third quarter, but they stick the landing in a way that it didn't affect my ovenjoyment of the show as a whole too much.

Talk about a show that trusts its audience. The editing and overall production of this show is almost antithetical to the typical BL - no lingering closeups or slow motion touches to be found. Instead, we see things as they happen, often from far away with a wide perspective or with a handheld camera. This gives the show a feeling of being raw and real; leaving the viewer to make their own observations and make their own interpretations. Something else that helps give that feeling is the acting: the physicality, the nuanced expressions and delivieries, the blink-and-you'll-miss-it glances and looks, the tension. It's truly in a class of its own. Of course, the writing can't be dismissed either. We all love old man yaoi, and this show goes above and beyond with discussing age and love and the feeling that many older people have of life having already passed them by and it being too late to experience new things. Age gaps are also given a a proper, very interesting discussion. All of the different parts come together to make something almost perfect. My only wish is for it to have been longer, so that we could dive even deeper into these characters and explore their thoughts.

This is just a story of how people survive within the monster of capitalism. Hirokuni is an office worker who is extremely efficiently and very good at his job, but has been brainwashed into thinking the opposite by his superiors because they don't want him to realize he's too good to be working there. He lives life like a robot - barely sleeping, eating store-bought food, and working his absolute ass off. Kai comes in to get him out of that routine and to make him enjoy living again, through giving him delicious homemade food and making sure Hiro gets enough sleep. In turn, Kai gets to feel needed and as if he actually belongs somewhere. Really heartfelt and ultimately optimistic story.

This one will get you In Your Feels. Slow burn friends to lovers, with an open ending (unfortunately Unintentional Love Story doesn't do much to help this point). Kim Donghee, who knows he's gay and is in love with his childhood friend, but is too scarred from his father's abuse and internalized homophobia to anything about it. Go Hotae, who also loves his childhood friend, but takes some time to figure out what kind of love it is. And then as soon as he does, the Yearning just comes on full force, from both sides.. They love and care for each other so much, but suffer just as much, or even more, because of it.

A very good meta show about two BL actors who fall in love and get together. The characters' motivations and reasoning are made very clear to us, and as such any and all conflicts make sense and don't feel forced. The first half is mainly from Shirasaki's perspective, but through a (very well done!) flashback episode we also get a look into Hayama's thoughts, and after that it's well balanced between them. I really recommend watching, although only after you've gotten a bit into your BL journey considering the meta elements.

Please also note that there's a second season which is just as good if not better and which I also highly recommed, as well as a spin-off focused on the side characters that at the time of writing this hasn't come out yet but which I'm sure is also great.

Ok, so, this isn't a BL. A lot of people would say it isn't queer at all. And, to be frank, in many ways it isn't. The focus of this show is on bullying, abuse, and the failings of the older generations in protecting the younger, not on romance or self-identity. But still, there's a queerness that reaches out at you through the screen when you watch this show. Suho and Sieun has been described by the actors and director themselves as each other's first love and as a watcher you can feel that, even if there's nothing explicit.  But before anyone watches this they need to be aware that it's a very dark show that handles a lot of heavy topics, and there's not a happy ending. At least not in season one. It's also one of the best shows I've ever watched. So please watch it, but do so at your own risk.

Genuinely one of the most interesting shows I've ever watched. All of the characters are so incredibly nuanced (not even the guy who commits sexual assualt is villified), and there's an almost infinite amount of symbolism. I highly recommend reading all of the meta and analysis posts around it, because they add so much (the rain! the coffee! the nails!). Only real complaint I have is that it's too short - I think they do well with the runtime they had, but I wish we could've had a bit more time to just linger in some of the plotpoints, with no need to rush anything. Especially the last episode felt a bit pressed, and I think they might've put their focus in the wrong places. I'd be very interested in reading the book if it ever gets an English translation.

This is truly the epitome of slice-of-life. Just following these two gay men through life as they change careers, houses, and their lifes from being grey and drab to colourful and happy. It could've easily been boring - and to be honest it did feel a tad slow at times - but the acting really pulls you in. It's also just really nice seeing older queers living their lives and finding happiness even in their 40's. It's a sight rarely seen in the world of BL, and all the more valuable for it. With that said, this show would've been great even if the main characters were in their 20's. It has an interesting story surrounding finding yourself and what makes you happy, and daring to take the steps towards it, and some very nice NC scenes - not necessarily because of their explicitness, although that is nice as well, but rather how they intergrate into the story and tells us about the characters. I truly recommend watching it (I think it would work quite nicely for a binge).

I now understand why everyone loves this drama. It's really short (8 episodes with 15-20 minutes per episode) but they really made great use of the time. It didn't feel rushed at all, but it didn't feel like nothing was happening either. Story, acting, editing, production quality, everything was really good. It was pretty much the quality of a normal Korean drama, which is impressive since this was made before the BL boom caused by Semantic Error. Just really solid overall, and a nice and sweet (but somewhat short) watch. The second season is also really solid, if not better.

The acting is incredible, and so is the chemistry. I like the Romeo and Juliet set-up, even if I do feel like the parents - especially Pat's - overdo it. Regardless, PatPran's relationship and how they act in context of their parents is generally very believable, something that is also enhanced by Ohm and Nanon's superb acting. I'm also a fan of the GL side couple.

The place that Bad Buddy occupies within the meta of the Thai BL shows is also very interesting - it purposefully goes against so many stereotypes and tropes that it basically single-handedly ushered in a new era of queer content. I mean, just look at My School President - that show would not have existed if it wasn't for Bad Buddy.

I found the drama between uncle Jim, Wen and Alan to be a bit tiring, but it was still definitely well executed. The whole script and directing feels very natural and realistic, which makes it easy to get invested in the characters and relationships. The highlight of the show for me was definitely Heart and Li Ming - the more lighthearted tone of their scenes served as a nice break from the drama, and their overall chemistry and dynamic just feels so sweet. Gemini and Fourth's acting is also absolutely flawless.

This series is so much. So very much. And I feel hesitant to call it a BL - the focus isn't really on the romance but rather on Go Young and all the different loves he has experienced with different people throughout his life, including friendly and familial love as well as romantic. Throughout the whole series there's this authenticness that just pours out of the screen. We see the good and nice, but we also see the horrible and apathetic - the story wasn't cleaned up to make it more palatable or commercially appealing, and I love that.

Not explicit (as in it's never outright said that they're gay and/or in a relationship) but it's about as close to it as you can damn get without breaking censorship laws. Anyone that says that this a bromance is either lying or they didn't actually watch it.

Overall a very heartfelt story, and it felt very realistic in terms of emotion and setting. The drama as well feels real and justified, not as if it's just thrown in there for excitement or conflict. I really liked all of the characters - they felt very fleshed out and believable (if a bit exaggerated). Only reason it's this low is because of the ending and the fact that there isn't a season 2 (we all hate Chinese censoring laws).

I do love me a second-chance romance. I very much appreciate that the MC's reasons for running away the first time around makes sense (if a bit extreme), and that there are actuak consequences for that later when they meet again. Or, maybe consequences is a bit of a strong word, but that sudden disappearance and the years of no contact that followed does affect them as their relationship debelops, and even after they get together. The way the whole show is framed around a dating simulation is also fun, especially as the characters actually are developing a game in-universe. Overall a pretty lighthearted watch with a solid plot and execution.

Just the impact this had on the Korean BL market makes it a must-watch. But aside from that, it's just genuinely good. Jaeyoung and Sangwoo's dynamic is really fun, and I generally like the changes they made from the book/manhwa. The acting's good - even if Jaechan can be a bit awkward sometimes - and the chemistry between Jaechan and Seoham is great.

Fluff. Just pure fluff. I mean, there's obv a bit of angst to make it dramatic and interesting, but generally it just a big ball of fluff. An easy and comforting watch for when you're feeling tired of all the drama. The larger themes surround healing from trauma and learning how to love.

A masterclass in slowburn, involving two lonely 17 year olds brought together by their somewhat distant parents' relationship. Jiang Tian had closed himself up and distanced himself from his peers, but is brought out into the sunlight by Sheng Wang, who in turn opens up to Jiang Tian under the gentle reflections of the moon. 

I did really enjoy this, but I wish that the teachers had been in an established relationship like in the book because that just makes more sense, and the love triangle thing the show was attempting just didn't really bring anything to the table. Also, giving a show an ambiguous ending in the hopes of getting a second season is never a good idea considering how uncommon it is for BLs to get several seasons. Overall I'd probably recommend reading the book (A Certain Someone) over watching the show, simply because the show as it exists currently isn't a full story.

Very cute. Very "adorkable" (a word that I don't particularily like, but which is nonetheless fitting).  Aoki manages to strike that perfect balance between being an overthinking idiot and honest-to-his-feelings cutie. Ida could probably be seen as annoying because of how "emotionless" and non-reactive he is sometimes, but personally I love this little autistic sweetheart who couldn't read a social cue if it was written in all caps on a sign held right in front of him. I really like the side characters (and the side couple) as well.

Now, it's been a few years since I watched this at the time of writing this comment, so I'm not entirely sure what to write about it. I remember being at first interested in the story and the lesbian representation, then disgusted by the patriarchy and the lack of respect and compassion men have for women, then scared and worried for the characters, then immensly impressed by the director and scriptwriter for putting this story together and pulling it off. I do consider it to be one of the best queer films I've watched, although admittedly I haven't watched too many. Nevertheless, I recommend anyone who hasn't seen it yet to do so, and be prepared for an intricate and at times heavy watch.

What an absolute gem! It's a short and very sweet watch, and the gorgeous cinematography and colours make it a delight to look at. I loved the chemistry between the leads, it felt really natural and their acting was great. I also really liked the story, even though I wish the series had been a bit longer so we could explore it a bit more. Only real negative I have about it is the editing - transitions between scenes are often abrupt, and it doesn't always flow that well. The subtitles were also really small so I recommend watching on a bigger screen (the translations werea also sometimes a bit odd, as they were made by AI).

There's a bunch of special episodes showing the main couple's daily live after the series, and I really recommend giving those a watch as well.

This is must-watch for it's importance to the KBL industry alone, not even considering that it's a really good series with such genuine characters and great acting. Even watching in 2025, five years after it was first released, it holds up and is definitely deserving of a place in this list even because of the pure enjoyment it gives. Due to it being made in the very early days of KBL, before the breakthrough of Semantic Error, the budget and runtime were unfortunately very limited, something the pacing suffers a bit from. But to put it simply, there's a reason that Hwang Daseul has become the representative director for KBL. She just doesn't miss.

Editing was a bit choppy, but the acting, story and OST was absolutely phenomenal. Very realistic portrayal of the characters, and a good balance between sweet fluff and drama. The drama also had substance and was understable and relatable - it wasn't just thrown in there for the sake of it. Tbh, aside from the editing (and that's just mostly the abrupt cuts between scenes, nothing more) and how short it was, I have no complaints. Absolutely phenomenal series.

Wow, seeing characters that I can actually relate to being depicted on screen is kind of wild. I really love the discussions this series bring up about asexuality and aromanticism, as well as the deep examinations of what it means to be a 'family'. All of the characters feel like real people, for both the good and bad. The worst part of the series were the subs I watched it with, so I'd be interested in rewatching it if I find better subs or learn Japanese one day.

It's a slowburn, but neededly so. It's a difficult topic (pseudo-incest), but it's handled extremely well. The characters themselves talk about the taboo-ness of it all and are subsequently forced to question why  it is taboo, and why it makes them uncomfortable. There are honestly so many things that could've gone wrong with this series, but they didn't because of the careful handling of the story and characters by everyone involved. Chris (Qian) especially had a standout performance - Qian is someone who bottles things up inside and doesn't talk much, but Chris did an immaculate job at queing the viewers in to what he was feeling with his microexpressions and actions.

The ending was slightly disappointing (mostly because it seemed rushed) but the first 10 episodes are immaculate. And even in the last two episodes there are a few really good scenes, it's just the overall flow that's a bit off.

Just pure fluff and softness. I love how big of a simp Karan is for Achi and how much he loves him, and how Achi is too unsure of himself to quite believe that someone could love him that much. They build such a beautiful relationship together, boosting each other up every step of the way. The second couple is also really cute, even though I never really got that into them. I don't even mind the straight couple, as Rock is really respectful of Pai and genuinely supportive of her interests.

The Japanese version is also very good and definitely worth watching, but I prefer this one because the characterization is less extreme and it goes further in the story, past the separation arc. It's also nice to have some actual kissing scenes and allusions to sex in the story about how being a virgin gives you magic powers (and boy is the chemistry between TayNew great).

A very real show about four very real teenagers going through very real teenager experiences. The way every character interacts and intertwines with each other is really interesting to watch, especially since everything feels so grounded and as if it's something that truly could have happened. The way the show uses various social medias to show how teenagers flirt and communicate is so interesting, and it truly feels like a peek into the world of the current teenagers of Thailand. Personally I found Baabin and Bua's storylines to be the most compelling, but Fourmod and Chian's is definitely also very interesting - it's truly a matter of taste, I think.

OBS! When watching the episodes, you should also watch the charging gels (available on YouTube) that accompanies each one.

A very inoffensive and sweet watch. The chemistry between Thame and Po is great and it's nice that we get to see their relationship develop properly - their pre-dating flirting is so incredibly sweet and it's obvious that, on top of liking each other romantically, they simply enjoy the other's company. I was also pleasantly surprised with how they handled the idol storyline (although I could've done without the CEO-redemption at the end). Ultimately, I think one of the biggest draws for this show is that it's obviously got passion behind it, something that's unfortunately uncommon for GMMTV shows.

A genuine story about polyamory that discusses all aspects of a three-person relationship, from dividing chores and learning to live together to sex and threesomes and all the way to the legal issues surrounding getting married and having a child together. It's so nice seeing a functioning polyamorous relationship develop like this, in a show that is so positive and supportive towards it. It's truly a rare sight even in the very queer landscape of BLs and GLs. I also find the narrative framework that exists in and around the show to be very fun, if also very unserious. It brought a lot of humour to a show that is otherwise a fairly straightforward drama, although there are definitely a few humourous moments in the show itself.

I wasn't sure whether to add this to the list as it isn't officially a BL, but I think the queer aspects of the show are well and enough to justify its presence. They have an episode centered around a relationship between a trans woman and a delivery guy (where they explicitly bring up the fact that she's trans as well as their own heteronormativity) and another episode about a homosexual relationship set in the past where one of them committed suicide because of homophobia. And the queer undertones between Home and Peach truly can not be understated - they're even canonically shipped with each other in the show, and Peach's sister is the captain. The director also posted what is essentially fanfiction about the two of them getting together after the events of the series. So while some people may call it a bromance - and they aren't necessarily wrong - I choose to view it as a show where romance simply isn't the focus and where the reason for the two main characters not getting together is simply them being too busy chasing ghosts and solving mystiries to start a relationship.

As it's a Chinese production, Word of Honor is not a BL, officially.  But oh my god these characters are so fucking gay. Wen Kexing is a master of flirting, and Zhou Zishu never stood a chance. But aside from that, the story itself is just really good. The two main characters are villains, people who are hated and feared and punished for their crimes. But they're good. They are so good. Even aside from Wen Kexing and Zhou Zishu, all the other characters are really fleshed out and sympathetic. Ah-Xiang, Cao Weining, Xie-er, Beauty ghost and Tragicomic Ghost all have my heart. If I ever end up learning Chinese I'd really love to rewatch this so that I can properly understand all the innuendos and references.

And after reading the book, I can actually say that I prefer this adaptation. The detail of Wen Kexing changing his name and the whole of the Tragicomic ghost's storyline doesn't exist in the book, and I think they really add a lot of depth and just enjoyment.

This is such brainrot material, oh my god. Lan Wangji is so unbelievably loyal and patient, as well as just plain good. For the sake of the happiness of someone he loves he would endure any sort of emotional or physical pain - including literal torture. And Wei Wuxian is not beat in that regard - if anything he's worse, considering that he willingly lost his cultivation for the sake of his adoptive brother and intended to never let anyone know about. He also died, so there's that too. On a more serious note, this series and the characters in it is such a fascinating study in good and evil and what makes people who they are. Wei Wuxian and Jin Guangyao are similar in so many ways except the ones that matter the most - Wei Wuxian is still fundamentally good even after all that he went through, while Jin Guangyao ends up completely losing his faith in humanity. Did I mention that this is very brainrot-inducing?

First of all, this isn't really a BL - it fits better under 'Queer'.  The show focuses on Taichi and Kohei not as a couple but as individuals: we see how they change each other and then explore how those changes affect their lives in a greater context. Thanks to Taichi, Kohei stops isolating himself and finds friends and a community that he likes and that makes him happy. Through taking notes for Kohei, Taichi finds something he's passionate about and gains courage and belief enough in himself to able to pursue that with all his might. They grow from needing each other in the beginning to wanting and actively choosing the other come the end. The latter half is a bit slow but I loved the characters and the story enough that it didn't really bother me. Although I do recommend reading the manga and familiarizing yourself with the characters before watching to minimize frustration.

(Gets minus points for the director calling it a 'bromance')

Really simple and soft. A slice-of-live show without any big drama or complicated plots: it's just the story of two friend groups becoming one, and the new relationships that develop in the process. Some of those relationships are romantic and some of them aren't, which I really appreciate At its core, this series celebrates having people who you know and who knows you in turn; people who you can just be yourself around without worrying about being judged. Whether the love between you and those people is romantic or platonic doesn't matter.

I wasn't the biggest fan of the ending of this show (and especially the second-to-last episode) but I did enjoy the journey there. I enjoyed all the characters and relationships, with favourites in CharnJet and Rampheung. As for the mains, Khem and Paran, I liked them but didn't love them. I didn't find Khem as endearing and charming as I think I was supposed to, but Paran did become one of my favourite characters by the end. One of my favourite aspects of the show as a whole is the use of traditional Thai culture and folklore - they handled everything very respectfully, and it was very interesting getting an insight into a belief and religion I didn't know too much about. The whole vibe is also really good and consistently so (except for episode 11), so it's a great watch for when you're craving something more high-concept.

I actually really like the negotiation of power dynamics in this, and how they shift in different situations. Jiwoong and Seobin have tons of chemistry and they do bring these characters to life. It's also just really nice to have an office BLs with characters who are adults and who talk about stuff like rent and debt without the whole series being dark and serious. All of that is important but this is still just a fun little BL with a lot of comedic scenes and cute moments. I will say though this is definitely a series that gets better the longer you watch, so even if the first episode doesn't capture you I'd still say it's worth it to continue watching.

This show isn't really anything special. That's not to say it's bad - far from it. It just doesn't have much in terms of story or execution that makes it stand out. The best thing about it is by far the main couple: to be precise, their chemistry. Having these two on your screen is a blessing, and i promise you that you will wonder on multiple occasions whether these two actors are just goated or they're actually dating. That's how good they are together.

Overall, I'd say the second season is better than the first. It expands on the characters and has some pretty interesting storylines surrounding ghosting, homophobic fathers, characters with disabilities, and the ways in which love can both hurt and heal you. Combined, these two seasons make for a great watch that has you really sympathising with the characters. They show so many different sides of themselves, while still having a really clear charactarisation that never gets strayed from. There's actually some great opportunities for character analysis here.