BL Compilations

opposites attract short series

Overall: this was a decent short series (filmed vertical style). 12 episodes about 4 minutes each. Aired on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL6MkYrE6Co&list=PLX6cx4BgCOtAC9XrO1yBBjLWBRexMGXHH&index=2&ab_channel=Ch7HD

Content Warnings: non con picture taking/sharing, non con kiss

What I Liked
- clear premise
- opposite personalities/their dynamic
- caring/sweet moments
- intimacy
- consent when the 1 guy was very drunk
- excellent way to study muscle groups

Room For Improvement
- sound effects didn't make things funny
- cliche wannabe girlfriend
- the fake out at the end but at least it was short
- O Christmas Tree background song (didn't take off points)
- (neutral) did a grocery store sponsor this series lol (there were a ton of product placements but I didn't deduct points

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historical romance/drama

Overall: I enjoyed the historical setting (spoiler for the type of ending in a spoiler comment). This is based on the book "Memoir of Rati" (จาฤกรติชา) by P.PICHA which I haven't read and am reviewing the series based on its own merits. Aired on GMMTV's YouTube channel everywhere except Southeast Asia https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb6_2JamS9iM2MJATWfoFPY-piHFDtvEC and Netflix in Southeast Asia https://www.netflix.com/watch/82056609

Content Warnings: fight, blood, past death, bullying, punches, beaten up, non/dub con kisses, past death, attempted murder

What I Liked
- historical setting
- tension/chemistry
- intimacy
- styling
- supportive characters
- Lady Pa

Room For Improvement
- exposition dump to start the series
- unrealistic to volunteer him in episode 1
- the pacing felt slow
- nonsense writing particularly in episode 12/1

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still had some fun parts but they needed to focus on the 4 main characters

Overall: season 2 had a promising start, but it fell into season 2 plot cliches like poor communication skills. You can see my season 1 review here https://mydramalist.com/profile/blcompilations/review/326187 - 6 episodes about 20 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala (worldwide except Japan, Korea, Macau & Hong Kong) https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5391/i-became-the-main-role-of-a-bl-drama-2023-s02e01

What I Liked
- laughed several times
- acting

Room For Improvement
- dead fish lip press in episode 1 and the finale
- love rivals/not communicating that dragged on and hogged time that could have been spent on the leads
- was disappointed with the manager reveal, secretly feeling one way and then lying/deceiving your partner out loud is icky

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an established couple with too much repetitiveness (watch suggestions)

Overall: I was looking forward to seeing an established couple navigate a challenge; however, re-telling the same plot points over and over made this challenging to watch. There did seem to be some crossover with Y Destiny, but I don't think you need to watch it in order to watch this series. 10 episodes about 30 minutes each. Aired on iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/suntiny-episode-1-27wncv1edpg?lang=en_us

Content Warning: self harm mentioned, non con kiss

Watch Suggestions (to reduce the repetitiveness)
- watch episodes 1 & 2
- skip episodes 3-6
- episode 7 watch 4-6:50, 12:30-22:20
- episode 8 watch 2-3, 17-19:45
- episode 9 watch 7:15-8 for side couple montage and 30:30-33:15
- watch episode 10

What I Liked
- established couple
- different personalities/styles in the beginning
- styling
- ongoing physical intimacy/mutual want
- that Toy stood up for himself
- supportive friends

Room For Improvement
- the spoiler start of the series
- the exposition/feeling dumps with the camcorder verses showing the viewer how they feel/it happening organically
- going into a bathtub with underwear on
- people laughing at him for his issue
- repetitive and since they were frequently styled similarly it was difficult to know when they were in different bodies
- that mask thing was odd
- the side couple guy felt like a player for way too long, at episode 6 we should have seen character growth/change
- too many flashbacks
- the non con kiss with the side couple
- cliche "I can explain" but doesn't explain in person or text with plenty of time to do so
- comedy sound effects didn't make things funny

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zero payoff

Overall: I was into the obsessed brother but the progression wasn't good and the ending was awful. 6 episodes under 15 minutes each. Aired on PPeachStory YouTube channel https://youtu.be/81-EFRHQbXE?si=XlJ0V6IjmBTRA0no This production also made Uncle Unknown.

Content Warnings: arson, (past: child abuse, beaten up, murder/death, blood), violence, coercion, sexual assault, non con kissing, manhandling, non biological brothers raised as siblings from elementary age

What I Liked
- visuals
- tension
- how the younger guy was the unhinged one
- enjoyed how they were watching other BL/queer series in episode 3
- good dream in episode 3

Room For Improvement
- sexual assault in episode 6
- the first "kiss" was terrible, not sure their lips even touched and also the circumstances of how it happened
- terrible ending
- the adopted brother thing didn't bother me a ton but he kept saying 'brother' every single sentence which was cringey
- sound effects like the hits or footsteps were cheesy/unrealistic/too loud
- nonsense stuff, they didn't call for help for the dad???
- dubbing
- annoying how free episodes only stay free for 1 week

Note: the two were not biological brothers as the older guy said he adopted the younger guy in episode 2, but it did show that they were raised together (the younger one seemed to be in elementary school). That aspect of their relationship didn't bother me, but I can see how it might not be everyone's cup of tea.

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choppy indie series (watch suggestions)

Overall: way too many characters/plot threads in this series. 6 episodes about 35 minutes each (taking out the intro/outros/etc) Aired on Loy Kaew YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLsPniimXTgfDEGMCYnL_MGY_Ic96dsM6&si=TgztkVxn1VRCg7z6 (note the playlist is in a different watch order)

Content Warnings: murder, blood, gang rape off screen, bullying, beaten up, blood, sexual harassment, non con touching, manipulation, punch

Watch Suggestions (focuses on the m/m couple, sweet & steamy parts, removes the content warnings)
- watch episode 1 part 1 4:30-6:15 and 12-14:45; part 2 9:30-end; part 3 beginning to 5:15
- watch episode 2 part 1 13:40-15
- watch episode 3 part 2 1:30-end and part 3 11:30-end
- watch episode 4 part 1 beginning-9:20
- watch episode 5 part 2 8:10-end; part 3 3:30-end
- watch episode 6 part 1 13:55-end and part 2 beginning-3:50 and 6:05-13:25

What I Liked
- vistas/countryside (or historical, not 100% sure) setting
- 1 kind mom
- good kissing/intimacy

Room For Improvement
- super long intro
- too many characters, I couldn't figure out who they were or their relationships to each other, choppy
- love triangle/s?
- the implied gang rape was horrific, I don't care what that character did, she did not deserve that
- the ending was disappointing, we've seen it done many times before, at least they could have cut out some of the other plot threads and added a reincarnation part at the end

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baseball backdrop for short vertical BL series

Overall: once again needed to cut out the love triangle and focus on the leads and their relationship development. It was between a 7.5 and 8 overall for me, a decent way to spend a little time. 35 episodes 1-2 minutes each, episodes 1-5 are free on the Shortime app and you can watch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZoFZr9mELc  Aired on Shortime app which also has: Please Teach Me, Falling For My Boss, Summer Indigo, The Secrets of Male Students, Accent, Influencer Love and Buddy Boy. App information is below. My referral link is https://playground.shortime.en/invite/NKNIWI (all letters) and it should get you a bonus.

Content Warnings: dub con kiss

What I Liked
- caring moments
- though there wasn't a ton of baseball, it was nice to have a different sport as a backdrop

Room For Improvement
- love triangle
- relationship development felt sudden

My Watch For Free Plan (updated Feb 2025), should take about 3 days
My referral link is https://playground.shortime.en/invite/NKNIWI (all letters) and it should get you a bonus.

On the Rewards (popcorn bag icon page)
- check in = 5 (increases over 7 days up to 25)
- turn on notifications = 30 (1 time bonus)
- create a login = 20? (I did create a login because otherwise you only get 1 Always Win box instead of 3 per day, I think this was 20 popcorn)
- do the 3 random popcorn from the daily Always Win box = 30 (I'd normally get 5-15, around 30 in total)
- Watch Ads, watch all 10 ads each day, have to wait 30 seconds in between ads = 110

When you run out of popcorn while watching, you can watch 5 episodes each day with ads

Note that there are other 1 time bonuses like following on social media

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aggressive pursuer

Overall: the pursuer was too aggressive. 40 episodes 1-2 minutes each, episodes 1-6 are free on the Shortime app and you can watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/6-JLrv9n048?si=39BhMVZVh5SDRba7. Aired on Shortime app which also has: Accent, Please Teach Me, Falling For My Boss, The Secrets of Male Students and Buddy Boy. App information is below.

Content Warnings: blackmail, non con touching, non con kissing turned consensual, manhandling, sexual harassment

What I Liked
- when he stood up for himself
- there was an apology

Room For Improvement
- started in the present then flashback to a week ago
- the blackmail and ignoring boundaries
- they switched their heads too much when kissing

My Watch For Free Plan (updated Jan 2025), should take about 3 days
My referral link is https://playground.shortime.en/invite/NKNIWI (all letters) and it should get you a bonus.

On the Rewards (popcorn bag icon page)
- check in = 5 (increases over 7 days up to 25)
- turn on notifications = 30 (1 time bonus)
- create a login = 20? (I did create a login because otherwise you only get 1 Always Win box instead of 3 per day, I think this was 20 popcorn)
- do the 3 random popcorn from the daily Always Win box = 30 (I'd normally get 5-15, around 30 in total)
- Watch Ads, watch all 10 ads each day, have to wait 30 seconds in between ads = 110

When you run out of popcorn while watching, you can watch 5 episodes each day with ads

Note that there are other 1 time bonuses like following on social media
In general it should take about 3 days to watch for free: Day 1 watch 1-6 (free), 7-21; Day 2 watch 22-33; Day 3 watch 34-40

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an enjoyable KBL with excellent acting/chemistry

Overall: a well done office romance. 7 episodes 20 minutes each. Aired on Viki.

Content Warnings: bullying, dub con kisses*, semi outing

What I Liked
- the opening sequence with its manga like animation/editing and the animation other points
- cute, sweet and funny moments
- acting/chemistry
- ongoing affection (could have used a little bit more in the final episode though)
- how the characters don't have identity crises about their sexual orientation
- how the boss Jong Chan is very supportive
- friendship between Seung Hyun and Ji Yeon

Room For Improvement
- in the first episode, it was odd that there was no one in the office when a whole big thing was made about how on time was late, it would have made more sense if everyone else was already there and working when he started
- *I do think Jong Chan knew that Seung Hyun liked him but would have preferred that Seung Hyun initiate at least the first kiss
- needed more runtime, things jumped a bit, also wanted more of a resolution with Yoo Seong
- some night scenes were too dim and needed more lighting
- another stupid "plan" by a villain
- kind of wanted the interns to have more of a plan when they made that video
- Seung Hyun promised not to do something and then he did it in the last episode though he apologized
- an hr nightmare with Seung Hyun talking to his coworkers about his personal relationship and even had some of it recorded

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tried to do too much

Overall: I liked the unique premise but when people have to make charts to understand the plot, then that's a bad sign. 11/12 episodes (there is an alternate final episode). Aired on WeTV.

Content Warnings: punches/fight scenes, manhandling, blood, non con picture taking, gaslighting, there is a major one in the first episode but I'm keeping this spoiler free

What I Liked
- unique premise
- the intro sequence
- lighting, kind of supernatural vibe and it differentiates the universes
- the brother/sister dynamic
- some cute moments
- same sex marriage advocacy
- the side couple (though wish for a bit more enthusiasm earlier and also that stuff in ep 10 was way too early/rushed)

Room For Improvement
- the world building was just too confusing, I think they should have stuck with 1 world building concept instead of multiple, the characters tried to explain it a bit in episode 5 and 7 but that was too late
- lack of clear resolution for Dew's universe
- unrealistic how player Mum just flips on a dime and how Dew and Mum interact when 1 doesn't know the other person and then only talk afterwards
- did not understand why Dew/Mum loved each other so much or feel their chemistry
- didn't like Mint's character but did not like Dew either for not being clear and going along with her suggestion, Mint's character did a bizarre 180 in one of the final episodes
- police should have been called a few times and weren't
- Mum with the 'gay for you' trope
- would a younger person not know about bi/pan as options???
- did not like the choose your own ending

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slice of life series

Overall: this is what I would call a slice of life series, i.e. more true to life versus a romanticized version. Though I was put off at the beginning of the 1st episode with the flash forward and the first few episodes were especially slow going, I'm glad that I stuck with the series. Watched on Gagaoolala (also on iQIYI).

Content Warnings: distant past suicide mentioned, punch/bullying, stalking, outing, manhandling

What I Liked
- some cute moments
- there were actually customers in the cafe at times and the cafe workers were actually working
- a character dreams different kdrama scenarios (I think one was Crash Landing On You) which was fun
- a character said that people who love each other should be able to marry
- the female friend wasn't a cliche evil wannabe girlfriend, though I don't approve of how she handled something
- representation (although I think the writers could have had a more realistic explanation/explained things better)
- Le's mom
- that nose ring, I think it's the first nose piercing I've ever seen in a BL, the hair was fun too
- the friendship between Le and Li

Room For Improvement
- I wish they portrayed the relationship between Li and Gwan differently. At first, I wasn't even sure what their relationship was. It didn't seem that they really even liked each other as friends with the way they treated one another.
- cliche "let me explain" then does not explain with side couple
- the main couple/side couple screen time was odd. Li and Gwan had an entire episode and then pretty much vanished.
- a bit choppy when they were in the forest the first time
- slow pacing
- I think the title "DNA Says Love You" should be "My DNA Says I Love You", I see it's listed as an alternate title but I wish this was the main title
- the pronouns appeared incorrect a few times, but I think this was a translation error (I didn't take off review stars for this)

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horny butler and bratty owner (watch suggestions)

Overall: the beginning episodes containing non con/dub con with the main couple was disappointing, but there were good visuals and sweet moments. 12 episodes about 20 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala (Americas, Europe, Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, India, Southeast Asia) https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5016/eternal-butler-2024-e01 ; iQIYI (available in USA, Spain and ???) https://www.iq.com/play/eternal-butler-episode-1-dst0wmvc9g?lang=en_us ; YouTube (available in African countries, Greenland, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Egypt and a few others) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZCKtVEQmC4

Content Warnings: past suicide, blood, manhandling, non con kisses, drugging, violence, past self harm/suicide?, non con/dub con, torture, kidnapping, fight

Watch Suggestions (takes some of the dad out, focuses on sweet moments)
- watch episodes 1 & 2
- episode 3 end at 21:55
- episode 4 watch 4-5 for a cameo, it does get steamy around 15 min but I couldn't enjoy it due to the circumstances
- episode 5 skip 5:50-17:30
- episode 6 end at 20 and then watch 24:30-end
- episode 7 watch 11:20-end
- episode 8 watch beginning-3:35, 5-15:30 and 21:20-end
- episode 9 watch 3:30-4:30, 8:30-10:30, 17-19:30
- episode 10 watch 2:50-11:10, 13:30-25:20
- episode 11 watch 7:45-12:30 and 15:50-end
- episode 12 watch 5-end

What I Liked
- easy to understand premise
- the sci fi element
- visuals
- supportive friendship
- sweet/caring moments
- the side couple dynamic
- Stay By My Side and other cameos
- character growth with the dad
- good they discussed something in the final episode*

Room For Improvement
- started with a flash forward
- the main couple dynamic of brat vs ignores boundaries robot
- nonsense stuff such as dumb design with the glasses aspect (which is then later completely dropped), an extremely intelligent robot caused the main lead to hobble around the next day, a character in debt wore a shirt full of holes to work (he was later shown as having non-damaged shirts) but had an apartment full of nice furniture, an ultra intelligent robot only could find paid work as an escort, just ignoring warnings instead of dealing with them
- (neutral) sound effects
- episode 4 steamy scene was ruined by the circumstance which I labeled as non con/dub con
- the line "if you caused it, you have to take responsibility" in that circumstance
- the contrasting reactions to giving vs receiving
- the yelling dad
- noble idiot trope in ep 9 but thankfully only lasted a few minutes
- put a tracker on someone without their knowledge
- told parents without consulting his partner first
- can't believe the side couple didn't do something for 10 years
- *one character was still selfish/bratty to the very end, thinking about what he wanted as most important

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I've forgotten why I liked this series...

Overall: although I love some of the realistic slice of life parts, it's just too slow. Aired on GagaOOLala.

Content Warnings: manipulation, something else that is spoilery for a side character and I'll put it in a comment after this is done airing

What I Liked
- those kids were super adorable in ep 1 and did a great job
- set the time well with SARS (2003), although VHS tapes weren't new technology, it should have been a DVD player unless I understood this incorrectly
- differently abled representation with two characters
- the transition with the photo taking helped me figure out who was who in ep 1
- some realistic parts like having school pen pals, how you feel when you first start university and are on your own
- that hair made me laugh and the grandpa and friends reactions were hilarious*
- supportive friends with the pen pal thing
- production value

Room For Improvement
- too many time jumps and some not clearly marked, this reminds me of when I used to write stories and came to a less interesting part I'd just skip over it and jump to the next section
- I watch at double speed and it still feels slow, they should have cut this down to 6 or 8 episodes instead of 14
- in general I didn't care about any of the romantic relationships, I felt nothing about them
- Champ's character's plot could have been folded into another character
- that's an oddly aggressive pursuit from Nan, I guess it's supposed to be romantic but it felt unrealistic and unwarranted
- the whole thing with the Name's secret online friend was annoying and I would have been waaaaayyy more angry but I guess with the other circumstances he didn't care
- the lack of communication/being honest dragged out way too long
- need more than 1 song played on repeat every other minute (it's a nice song but I've come to loathe it)
- the constant references to the time period are unnecessary
- in episode 1, it seemed unrealistic that a parent or teacher wouldn't have talked to the other students about Name (update, confusing if he was homeschooled at that point because he was wearing a school uniform)
- the awful wigs* why oh why were there sooooo many bad wigs for so much screentime

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The Improper Way to Seek Revenge

Overall: both characters were annoyingly stupid and I didn't feel the romance. Based on a manga that I haven't read and I reviewed the series on its own merits. 8 episodes about 25 minutes each. Aired (not available in Japan, Korea or Taiwan) on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5607/the-proper-way-to-write-love-2025

Content Warnings: sexual assault, slap, past bullying, manipulation

Watch Suggestions (to focus on sweet moments with the leads)
- episode 1 watch 10:15-end
- watch episode 2
- episode 3 watch beginning-6:15 and 22-end
- watch episode 4
- episode 5 watch beginning-3:45
- episode 6 watch 6:40-end or the whole thing
- episode 7 watch 8:20-10:20
- episode 8 watch 17-end

What I Liked
- how two people viewed the same interactions differently
- that Dai was in this (from The Boyfriend on Netflix)
- production value

Room For Improvement
- the flash forward, it was a jarring way to start a series
- a long running revenge plan for a guy who made 1 mistake not deserving of said revenge plan
- way too many flashbacks
- introduced a new character in episode 5 that added nothing to the story
- both leads were unrealistically stupid
- that one lead was hung up on his high school love which made his love feel fickle in the present
- the sexual assault and then 20 minutes later the viewer is supposed to think it's all good and want them together forever?!!!

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