BL for beginners

Since I've watched a fair amount of BL now, both tame and UnTaMeD (I know I know that was a bad pun lol)... I thought I'd make a list for anyone who wants to get into the genre but doesn't know where to start. It can be a bit overwhelming to just jump in and choose a series/movie; some are a LOT, some not enough. So here's a guide I formulated as someone who was introduced to the genre not too long ago :)

[I still need to add more and re-order this. Right now it goes from light to mature/steamy, with a few must-watch' in between]

Ella_mei Mar 30, 2021
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  • 2gether

    1. 2gether

    Thai Drama - 2020, 13 episodes

    8.0

    Released at the start of 2020, for a lot of people this was their first BL. I believe it's also the most streamed BL series to date.

    It's a great introduction to the genre because it's mild and fluffy. There aren't any serious kisses and at times it's more bromancy, so if you're not used to the genre this is a great start

  • SOTUS

    2. SOTUS

    Thai Drama - 2016, 15 episodes

    8.0

    A legacy BL. Like 2gether it's fun and light BL to watch

  • His - Koisuru Tsumori Nante Nakatta

    3. His - Koisuru Tsumori Nante Nakatta

    Japanese Drama - 2019, 5 episodes

    8.5

    Really innocent short story about a boy developing a crush on another boy

  • Still 2gether

    4. Still 2gether

    Thai Special - 2020, 5 episodes

    8.5

    The 5-special-episode continuation of 2gether. Still somewhat innocent but a graduation from the high five

  • The Untamed

    5. The Untamed

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 50 episodes

    9.5

    Chinese fantasy BL. It's censored but still amazing

  • Great Men Academy

    6. Great Men Academy

    Thai Drama - 2019, 8 episodes

    10

    Despite the body-switching technicalities, it is a BL imo. The story is also really interesting and original and the production/ actors are good

  • Light on Me

    7. Light on Me

    Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes

    9.0

    The best KBL for many. Fluffy. Shinwoo supremacy

  • Kieta Hatsukoi

    8. Kieta Hatsukoi

    Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes

    10

    Currently airing - softest series ever

  • He's Coming to Me

    9. He's Coming to Me

    Thai Drama - 2019, 8 episodes

    8.5

    Mixes BL with fantasy in a really nice way. 

    If you're looking for a more emotional plot though, this is a great start. It has really valid lgbt+ representation for coming out, but also the plot is just touching in general

  • Ingredients

    10. Ingredients

    Thai Special - 2020, 21 episodes

    8.0

    This was originally meant to be a short cooking promotional show, but people liked it so much they expanded it into a miniseries. It's really fluffy and also a good place to find recipes too

  • 30-sai made Dotei Da to Mahotsukai ni Nareru rashii

    11. 30-sai made Dotei Da to Mahotsukai ni Nareru rashii

    Japanese Drama - 2020, 12 episodes

    10

    A must see. Very sweet, funny, awkward and interesting

  • Where Your Eyes Linger

    12. Where Your Eyes Linger

    Korean Drama - 2020, 8 episodes

    10

    The first proper Korean BL webseries. Very angsty with great chemistry

  • Mr. Heart

    13. Mr. Heart

    Korean Drama - 2020, 8 episodes

    8.0

    The second Korean BL webseries. More soft and funny than the first

  • Color Rush

    14. Color Rush

    Korean Drama - 2020, 8 episodes

    7.5

    Cool concept but very tame

  • My Engineer

    15. My Engineer

    Thai Drama - 2020, 14 episodes

    8.5

    Multiple unique couples with adorable moments. Also a really funny series

  • We Best Love: No. 1 For You

    16. We Best Love: No. 1 For You

    Taiwanese Drama - 2021, 6 episodes

    9.0

    A popular Tawianese BL. The chemistry, acting and production are amazing (even though they all wear like the same two outfits the entire season)

  • Gameboys

    17. Gameboys

    Filipino Drama - 2020, 13 episodes

    9.5

    A filipino BL on Youtube. Takes place during the pandemic through mostly video call, but it is really well made.

  • Gameboys Level-Up Edition

    18. Gameboys Level-Up Edition

    Filipino Drama - 2020, 13 episodes

    The same as Gameboys but because Netflix decided to release it, a few of the beginning episode scenes were reshot to make them better. 

  • Theory of Love

    19. Theory of Love

    Thai Drama - 2019, 12 episodes

    9.0

    Very angsty and more skinship than the previous ones

  • Dark Blue Kiss

    20. Dark Blue Kiss

    Thai Drama - 2019, 12 episodes

    9.0

    Out of all the GMMTV BL's I think this is the most mature. It has a lot of angst as well but more romantic moments and kisses. 

    [if you don't want to be lost I suggest watching Kiss Me Again, the prequal where the main couple first get together, or the KMA cut that GMMTV released on Youtube, which has most of the couple's scenes together.]

  • Like in the Movies

    21. Like in the Movies

    Filipino Drama - 2020, 8 episodes

    10

    No we're getting more emotional. If you're looking for great LGBT+ representation, symbolism, and a real story, this is it. Also the cinematography is really pretty

  • Life: Love on the Line (Director's Cut)

    22. Life: Love on the Line (Director's Cut)

    Japanese Movie - 2020

    10

    Another emotional one

  • Until We Meet Again

    23. Until We Meet Again

    Thai Drama - 2019, 17 episodes

    10

    A great and emotional story with a ton of romance and chemistry between the three couples. A bit more mature as well

  • I Told Sunset about You

    24. I Told Sunset about You

    Thai Drama - 2020, 5 episodes

    10

    A lot of people's favourite Thai BL. The story and production is beautiful and realistic. A must watch (which is why it's so low because not much compares after watching this)

  • To My Star

    25. To My Star

    Korean Drama - 2021, 9 episodes

    8.5

    Short but sweet popular Korean bl

  • Together with Me

    26. Together with Me

    Thai Drama - 2017, 13 episodes

    7.0

    A classic with one of the legendary BL actor ships. It has a few bed scenes

  • HIStory2: Crossing the Line

    27. HIStory2: Crossing the Line

    Taiwanese Special - 2018, 8 episodes

    7.0
  • Love by Chance

    28. Love by Chance

    Thai Drama - 2018, 14 episodes

    8.5

    Another popular series. There are a couple bed scenes and also a storyline some may find upsetting

  • Lovely Writer

    29. Lovely Writer

    Thai Drama - 2021, 12 episodes

    8.5

    Calls out the toxicity of the bl industry, and is really interesting. They also don't shy away from skinship

  • Manner of Death

    30. Manner of Death

    Thai Drama - 2020, 14 episodes

    9.0

    An action mystery series, with the same actors as Together With Me but more mature roles and scenes

  • 2 Moons 2

    31. 2 Moons 2

    Thai Drama - 2019, 12 episodes

    8.0

    Cute and varied couples.

    [2moons is the prequal of the same story with different actors. Its whole season is recapped in the first four episodes of this one so it isn't mandatory to watch. Imo it isn't as good, but if you want more of an idea about the characters you can watch it before this one.]

  • TharnType

    32. TharnType

    Thai Drama - 2019, 12 episodes

    8.0

    Controversial especially because of the beginning of the relationship and the way the writer handled some topics, but it is really intimate and intense

  • HIStory3: Trapped

    33. HIStory3: Trapped

    Taiwanese Special - 2019, 20 episodes

    10

    A Taiwanese action BL with great acting and romantic scenes

  • Why R U?

    34. Why R U?

    Thai Drama - 2020, 13 episodes

    8.0

    Covid disrupted the filming of many scenes but its still a good series with great actors. Some of the scenes are wild though

  • HIStory3: Make Our Days Count

    35. HIStory3: Make Our Days Count

    Taiwanese Special - 2019, 20 episodes

    9.5

    Oh the discourse. Imo, it's genuinely a great series despite you know what. The chemistry is amazing and its funny, sweet and deep. 

    All I'm going to say is episode 6 is especially intense, like nothing has ever topped this intensity intense

  • Addicted

    36. Addicted

    Chinese Drama - 2016, 15 episodes

    3.0

    A miss for me, but a hit for some. Also controversial because of the storyline. It contains quite a bit of mature content as well

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