🌺 my top picks: GL + lesbian 🌈 ⚢

[Life as a Girl]

slice-of-life (too) short series about a lesbian and her new roommate.  GL content is important to the story but not the main focus and only shown occasionally.  adapted from a novel.  [3h 14m]

• note: transgender woman is played by a cisgender man (amab).

◘ Shison Jun & Machida Keita as Miki + Goto.

► dramacool ◄

{personal notes:  ❤ i love the MCs too much!!!!!  must protecc at all costs!  Shison Jun is a great actor and he is especially lovely in this role, plus Machida Kieta is always fun to watch!  there's only 4 episodes but i wish there were 40.  my main complaint is that the ending is rushed. ❤}

GL science fantasy(?) mid-length film that is a very dark, intriguing, wild ride set in a dystopian future.  [43m]

◘ Han Ning & Yu Pei Jen as Yu x Lien.  awards & selections: 2021 Kaohsiung Film Festival.

♠ one of the FLs (Yu Pei Jen) is openly lesbian irl.

► gagaoolala (sub) ◄

{personal notes:  ❤ super loved, especially Yu Pei Jen!  swoon!! ❤  i had the honor of adding her to MDL!!!  so proud, heheh!

yo, my mind is blown: i was checking credits and Yu Pei Jen also has a track on the OST.  sadly there's no trace of the song online.  so i was listening to her popular songs on spotify (under JenJen there) and $holy shit$ she sang the theme from The Teenage Psychic (at the top of this list) which i f'king love!  (it was credited to her old band so i didn't make the connection.)  more about that on The Teenage Psychic entry...

pee.ess.  omg, there's more.... this is ❤ the MV for her #1 song ❤, and here's her acceptance speech when she won an award for it.  i don't speak mandarin(?) so i have no idea what she's saying but it was so cute i watched it entirely. XD }

pee.double.ess.  her IG has pics and videos with her wife and they are so damn cute! (will try to remember to link later...)

GL short film about about a pop star celebrity and her long-term girlfriend.  [15m]

◘ Lillian Wong & Ziya Chiang as Lillian x Jackie.

• features a song by one of the FLs: Avalanche by J1M3 & Lillian Wong (also on spotify).

► youtube ◄

{personal notes:  ❤ loved!  ffffffff, it tells so much in 15 minutes but i want more, gah! ❤}

dark lesbian or GL short film.  if you're considering this one don't read the description and beware of spoilers on both MDL and gagaoolala.  [30m]

◘ Sohn Su Hyun & Yu Eden as Eun Young x Jay.  awards & selections: 2022 Korea Queer Film Festival, 2021 Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, 2021 Seoul International PRIDE Film Festival.

► gagaoolala (sub) ◄

{personal notes:  ♡ more pls!  sooo glad i didn't read a synopsis or know anything about it, just went in blind.♡ }

GL short series about being reunited with a high school crush later in life.  [2h 17m]

◘ Zai Zai Lin & Lyan Su as Yi Min x Tin Ting.  awards & selections: 2022 Golden Bell Awards Best Writing, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress in a Mini-Series/TV Movie, 2021 Tokyo International Film Festival Official Selection, 2021 Festival Series Mania Short Forms Competition.

♠ one FL (Zai Zai Lin) is openly bisexual irl.

♦ prequel to S2!!! (listed in the "upcoming" section further below)  yaaaasssss!!

► gagaoolala (ep01 free, sub for full) ◄

{personal notes:  ♡ the energy of that last episode... wowz.  i wasn't disappointed with the ending but because it was emotionally complex story i wish there had been a few more episodes to flesh it out further. ♡}

lesbian MC in 'Once Again', part 3/"episode 3" of this triptych feature film which is comprised of stand-alone stories.  [40m beginning @1:19:52]

◘ written and directed by Hamaguchi Ryusuke; included in MUBI top films of 2021 & also top 1000 films.

◘ Urabe Fusako & Kawai Aoba as Natsuko + Aya.

► kanopy (w/library card)  |  hoopla (w/library card)  |  dramacool  |  amazon (rent or buy) ◄

{personal notes:  ♡ conversational pieces with fantastically flowing dialogue.  has a literary feel to me, makes me want to read a book!  lol ♡}

feature film with a lesbian (or bisexual) MC, about misfit besties on a hero's journey (*joseph campbell reference).  [1h 35m]

◘ Yeh Pao Wen &  Chang Ya Ling as Mickey + Gin Gin.  awards & selections: 2020 Golden Horse Film Festival Best Supporting Actress Nominee, 2020 Taipei Film Festival Best Actress Nominee.

·=═ leaving gagaoolala soon ═=·   ► gagaoolala (sub) ◄

GL short film set in the 1950s/post WWII.  [23m]

# lesbian romance     # drama     # 1950s     # post-war japan     # factory

► vimeo ◄   -video is private but link works for now-

GL short series about a late-night radio dj and a listener, each with their own disability.  [2h 24m]

◘ Janine Gutierrez & Lovi Poe as Harry x Luna.  awards & selections: 2022 Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival Audience Award for Best Episodic.

► gagaoolala (ep01 free, sub for full)  |  youtube (ep01 only)  |  iwanttfc (sub) ◄

{personal notes:  ♡ yeee, really liked but plenty of room for improvement.  Lovi Poe's character is (to me) maybe the most relatable on this list(?) and her visuals are off the charts.  this is the only filipino title on my list so far. ♡}

supernatural series with a lesbian couple featured in one episode.

► max ◄

{personal notes:  ❤ so many feels. ❤  re: Butterflies notes (from above)... here's the OST version of The Teenage Psychic's theme song (by JenJen's old band) and here's JenJen's solo version (JenJen = Yu Pei Jen).  she played the MC in the parent story to this, The Busy Young Psychic!!  it's been on my ptw but i haven't tracked it down a subbed version yet.  i'm hype because i just love discovering connections like that!}

dark lesbian or GL short film.  if you're considering this one don't read the description and beware of spoilers on both MDL and gagaoolala.  [14m]

◘ directed by Kang Rim (one of the FLs).

◘ Seo Jieun & Kang Rim as Yeo Bin x Hae Kwang.  awards & selections: 2021 Seoul International PRIDE Film Festival, 2021 Korea Queer Film Festival, 2021 Poland Woman's Film Festival, 2021 Scottish Queer International Film Festival, 2021 MIX Copenhagen .

► gagaoolala (sub) ◄

{personal notes:  i'm still processing this one and have no idea how to rate it.  unsure if i will keep on this list and i would be hesitant to recommend it even though it's very well done.}

censored GL wuxia short film.  [4m]

◘ Yang Yi Mo & Yang Fu Yu as Sect Leader Ye x Zhao Xiao Yu / Shi Mei.

► fansub ◄

{personal notes:  ♡ so cute it's impossible to rate rationally! ♡}

censored GL xianxia short series.  [31m]

◘ Wang Lao Ji & Peng Jing Xian as Jiang Zhao Yun x A-Ze + a third unknown actor that i loved!

♦ prequel to S2 (directly below) plus a spinoff special season (not listed here because i didn't enjoy it).

► fansub ◄

{personal notes:  ♡ really enjoyed S1 & S2! ♡  additional notes on my china list.}

censored GL xianxia short series continued.  [57m]

♦ sequel to S1 (directly above).

► fansub ◄

GL (too) short series with a manager and employee in a cafe setting.  [31m]

◘ Park Hayoung & Park Sanha as Yoon x Ahyoung.

► youtube (binge version) ◄     ► youtube (series playlist) ◄   -mixed in with another show-

{personal notes:  ♡ uwu, really needs more! ♡}

GL short series about a group of lesbians, set in a struggling lesbian bar.  [52m]

◘ written and directed by Soo Not Sue, who is a lesbian! (director of Out of Breath, below)

◘ too many lesbian characters to list, heheh.

► youtube (playlist) ◄

{personal notes:  ♡ i thought the episodes got better as they went! ♡}

censored GL short film advertisement about actors.  [9m]

◘ Zhi Yue & Qi Xiaxia as Yiren x Chuchu.

► fansub ◄

{personal notes:  ♡ a lesbian with shark stuffies?!?  be still my heart!!!  no spoilers, but i can't believe the movie being watched, lol!  (how am i still pussin' out on it???)  the story is very light and fluffy, but of course much too short and censored. :|  it is an advertisement but they integrated that fairly well (obvious but fits imo). ♡}

[She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat]

lesbian short series about neighbors that revolves around food.  adapted from a manga.  [2h 28m]

◘ Higa Manami & Nishino Emi as Yuki + Kasuga.

♦ S2 is upcoming!!! no release date yet tho. (listed in the "upcoming" section further below)

► fansub ◄

{personal notes:  a lesbian who loves to cook = heaven.  it was warm and cozy but i was left a bit unsatisfied at the end.  update: I CAN'T BELIEVE WE'RE GETTING A S2!!!!}

lesbian or GL sci-fi mid-length film.  [52m]

• ep03 in an anthology series.

◘ Kim Bo Ra & Choi Sung Eun as Shin Jo An x Yi Oh.

► dramacool ◄

{personal notes:  i'm on the fence with this one... mainly i wanted more.}

GL short series about women who meet through a dating app.  [43m]

◘ directed by Soo Not Sue, who is a lesbian! (writer/director of She Makes My Heart Flutter, above)

◘ Son Soo Hyun & Lim Ji Ahn as Ha Eun x Min Seo.

► youtube (playlist) ◄

{personal notes:  ♡ not bad! ♡}

[Su Hee]

GL short film about young women who meet at church.  [25m]

◘ Min So Jeong & Mon Woo Bin as Su Hee x Han-na.  awards & selections: 2021 Seoul International PRIDE Film Festival.

► gagaoolala (sub) ◄

{personal notes:  solid foundation, would like to have seen this developed a bit more.}

lesbian couple shown/featured in one episode of this series (very little screen time).

► netflix ◄

GL very short series about a boss x subordinate in an office setting.  [21m]

◘ Kim Jung Ah & Lee Yoo Ha as Jung Ah x Lee Ji Won.

♦ prequel to S2 (directly below).

► fansub ◄

{personal notes:  *really* needs at least a third season to round out the story, two more would be better.}

GL very short series continued, still set in workplace.  [26m]

◘ new character addition of Manager Park Young Joo (wish i knew the actor's name).

♦ sequel to S1 (directly above).

► fansub ◄

{personal notes:  story feels like it's just getting warmed up by the time it's over.}

censored GL very short series that is just as the title suggests. :)  [13m]

◘ Wang Lao Ji (from Legend of Yunze) & Sheng Wei (from a bunch of titles that didn't make it to this list) as Xu Zi Yi x Ji Chang Yu.

► fansub ◄

BL rom-com series but 2nd/side couple is GL.  {really sorry if this is a spoiler for anyone!}  they aren't shown together nearly enough but their scenes are worth it.  adapted from a novel.

◘ Milk & Love as Ink x Pa.

♦ prequel to their own spinoff special, ep01 of Magic of Zero (not included here because i didn't enjoy it).

► youtube (playlist) ◄

{personal notes:  such a soft couple, so precious.}

[The Misunderstanding of Sunny Girls and Cloudy Girls  |  literal translation = "two person monologue"]

lesbian short series about childhood friends who are reunited in high school.  adapted from a manga.  [1h 56m]

◘ Yanagi Miki & Fukuhara Haruka as Mikage + Hinata.

► youtube (playlist) ◄

{personal notes:  where can i find my own bug loving lesbian?!?  Yanagi Miki was so cute and relatable, hee hee!!  i wanted more from this show, that's my complaint.  if there was a S2 i would check it out (and might bump up this rating).  since this came out in 2017 i'd say there's no chance that's happening.}

GL very short series of students going on a mock date for a class assignment.  [25m]

◘ Park Hyun Woo &  Bing Hye Jin as Ahn Ga In x Song Hee Ram.

♦ prequel to S2 (listed in the "upcoming" section further below).

► youtube (compilation of full series)◄

{personal notes:  i found it mediocre but their kiss was sizzlin'.}

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next up are the GL and lesbian picks from my currently watching and ptw lists, starting with released titles and ordered loosely by interest.

(these are not recommendations, i'm just holding here for convenience.)

═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

[She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat S2]

☼ currently watching – LOVING THIS SEASON AND THEY DOUBLED THE # OF EPS!!!!

{should be in unreleased section below but it's releasing soon and i don't want to miss it!}

UPCOMING!!!!!!  AIRING!!!!! – GL series.

♦ sequel to S1 (above).

# no release date yet #   Airs: Jan 29, 2024 - Feb 29, 2024

{personal notes:  tg, honestly it's a relief.  i wanted a second season so bad but i didn't expect it to actually happen.}

on hold

═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

UNWATCHED/NO SOURCE – GL feature film.

◘ Han So Hee & Han Hae In.

▲ trailer: youtube ▲

# no release date yet #   Release Date: Apr 29, 2023

{personal notes:  jc, this.  can. not. wait.}

UNWATCHED / NO SOURCE – GL mid-length film that looks beautiful and melancholy.

▼ yet to track down     ▲ trailer: youtube ▲

UNWATCHED / NO SOURCE – GL short film about MIDDLE-AGED LESBIANS!!!  THANK YOU!!!!  [23m]

◘ Kang Ae Shim & Woo Mi Hwa as Geumja x Yeo-ok.  screened at 2021 Busan International Film Festival.

{i'm bummed that it's so short but i'm looking forward to watching this.}

▼   mubi  |  gagaoolala  |  dramacool

UNWATCHED – feature film with some GL content.  i know it will be a masterpiece but i'm afraid it'll be too disturbing for me.

► dramacool  |  amazon (free w/ads or prime sub) ◄

{personal notes:  be brave!}

UNWATCHED / NO SOURCE – GL feature film.

◘ Cannes Queer Palm: Feature Film Selection 2023

UNWATCHED / NO SOURCE – GL feature film.

▼   mubi  |  netflix  |  max  |  viki  |  gagaoolala  |  tubi  |  kanopy  |  hoopla  |  youtube  |  dramacool

UPCOMING – feature film, appears to be lesbian.  i hope it's not baiting cuz the girls are the *cutest*.

# releases Jul 14, 2023 #  --  still unavailable online

UNWATCHED – feature film with a lesbian character.  although it looks intensely awesome, the tags got me sweatin'.

► mubi ◄

/ / / / / SPOILER / / / / /  {sorry!}  UNWATCHED – lesbian or GL feature film.

► viki (standard sub)  |  tubi (free w/ads)  |  amazon (free w/ads, rent, or buy)  |  dramacool ◄

UNWATCHED / NO SOURCE – poly with GL mid-length film about a husband and wife beginning a polyamorous relationship with a woman.

▼     ▲ trailer: youtube ▲

UNWATCHED / NO SOURCE – GL mid-length film of old classmates reunited 10 years later.

▼   mubi  |  dramacool  (page only, no vid yet)     ▲ trailer: vimeo ▲

UNWATCHED / NO SOURCE – lesbian(?) feature film (comments aren't unanimous).  adapted from a play (Shakespeare).

▼   mubi  |  netflix  |  max  |  viki  |  gagaoolala  |  tubi  |  kanopy  |  hoopla  |  youtube  |  dramacool

UNWATCHED – feature film with lesbian and also transgender content. could be fun but the tags make me nervous.

► dramacool ◄     -can't find elsewhere-

UNWATCHED / NO SUBS – GL feature film.

► dramacool (RAW) ◄   subs:  subscene  |  d-addicts

▼   mubi  |  netflix  |  max  |  viki  |  gagaoolala  |  tubi  |  kanopy  |  hoopla  |  youtube

UNWATCHED / UNSURE – censored GL series.

► viki (free w/ads)  |  youtube ◄

UNWATCHED / UNSURE – feature film with bisexual character, pretty sure a young girl?

► viki (free w/ads)  |  tubi (free w/ads)  |  kanopy (w/library card)  |  hoopla (w/library card)  |  dramacool ◄

/ / / / / SPOILER / / / / /  {sorry!}  UNWATCHED / NO SOURCE – lesbian or GL feature film.

▼   mubi  |  netflix  |  max  |  viki  |  gagaoolala  |  tubi  |  kanopy  |  hoopla  |  youtube  |  dramacool

UNWATCHED – lesbian feature film.

► viki (standard sub)  |  tubi (free w/ads) ◄

UNWATCHED / UNSURE – GL series that looks very beachy.  : )  it's filipino... so there's that.  >__>

▼

UNWATCHED / NO SOURCE – GL feature film.

▼   mubi  |  netflix  |  max  |  viki  |  gagaoolala  |  tubi  |  kanopy  |  hoopla  |  youtube  |  dramacool

UPCOMING – GL film.

# athlete     # volleyball     # teen

# releases aug 4, 2023 #

UPCOMING – GL short film

◘ directed by one of the FLs!

♦ sequel to Veils (not on this list).

# Release Date: Jun 28, 2023 #

{personal notes:  just keeping and eye on this.  i didn't care for Veils but i'm curious what the sequel will be about.

UNWATCHED – documentary short series.

► gagaoolala (free) ◄

♦ related titles also ptw:

      ♣  Queer Asia - Hong Kong     ► gagaoolala (free) ◄

      ♣  Queer Asia - Philippines     ► gagaoolala (free) ◄

UNWATCHED / UNSURE – documentary short series (not part of the Queer Asia series).

► gagaoolala (free) ◄

UNWATCHED – documentary feature film.

► gagaoolala (sub) ◄

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the remaining picks are upcoming GL/lesbian titles that i think look most promising, ordered loosely by interest.

(these are not recommendations, i'm just holding here for convenience.)

═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

UPCOMING!!!!!! – GL short series.

◘ Zai Zai Lin & Lyan Su as Yi Min x Tin Ting.

♦ sequel to S1 (above).

# no release date yet #

{personal notes:  whaaaaaaaa!?!  i can't believe we're getting a S2!!!!  omo, & there's 12 episodes this time?!?!!  *shooketh*}

UPCOMING – GL short series set in high school, but hear me out ~ the clips i've seen look hella cute!!  based on a manhua.

◘ Sun Mei Lin & Zhu Lin Yu as Cang Shu x Qi Lin.

# no release date yet #

{personal notes:  i might try to read this before it comes out.}

UPCOMING – GL sci-fi / time travel series!!!!!  adapted from a novel.

◘ Mae Methakarn Anektanasuwan & Sayya Warintorn Pahuyut as "Wa" Jattawa x Vivi.

# no release date yet #

{personal notes:  i might try to read this before it comes out but idk if i can track it down... thanks to @AthenaTheStorierX i have a source! this is the one i prefer.  i tried reading a bit but dropped it due to some racist stuff.}

UPCOMING – censored GL mid-length film (anticipated to be 30-40m).  based on a novel.

# no release date yet #

UPCOMING – GL series.  dunno the source but an mdl user commented: "from what i understand, the characters are a gym teacher, a librarian and a doctor (in a love triangle) plus two college students!"

# no release date yet #

UPCOMING – GL short film.

◘ Lim Han I & ??? as Young Won x Chae Ri.

# no release date yet #

UPCOMING – GL series.

◘ Milk & Love are comin' back, baby! as Earth x Sun.

# scheduled to begin airing in 2023 #   pushed to early 2024

# Airs: Mar 8, 2024 - May 24, 2024 #

UPCOMING – GL film.  based on the title plus a bts photo it seems this will have some astronomy slant (haven't researched further).

# no release date yet #   Release Date: May 2, 2024  Jun 13, 2024

{personal notes:  sorry i am not on the Becky x Freen bandwagon but i will continue to check on their projects for now.  the few photos i've seen so far are gorgeous - i hope this will be an opportunity for them to act in something with more depth.}

UPCOMING – GL short series.

◘ Park Hyun Woo &  Bing Hye Jin make their return as Ahn Ga In x Song Hee Ram.

♦ sequel to S1 (above).

# no release date yet #

{personal notes:  i thought season 1 was meh so i'm just vaguely curious to see what's up with this.}

UPCOMING – censored GL short series in high school setting with supernatural / parallel universe elements.

◘ Wang Lao Ji (from Legend of Yunze, A Practical Guide to Being a Superstar's Assistant) & Nai Hao Xuan?

# no release date yet #

{personal notes:  looks okay-ish, i'm more interested due to the genre.}

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titles below i need to either sort or verify if they really are wlw...

═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

UNWATCHED – feature film.  i can't find reference to anything queer in this film but it's on several other lesbian lists so i'll leave it here for now.

UNWATCHED – series.  can't find reference to anything queer in this series so i'm unsure if i added it by accident.  holding for now.