This is exactly the kind of absurdist, gay nonsense I’m looking for

Lily fever isn’t for everyone because it doesn’t care whether it’s for you or not. With its irreverent meta humor, including constant fourth wall breaks, it’s not taking itself seriously in the slightest. It also features one of the most unhinged main characters put to screen in Serang. Serang is a character seemingly occupying a parallel, yet strange universe where constant verbal abuse, out-of-pocket actions and a general sense of “anything goes” is somehow acceptable. Serang is a true maniac with a supremely warped sense of reality. She’s “committed to the bit” so to speak. The characters around her react to this strangeness with varying degrees of disbelief, to great comedic effect. There is not shortage of genuinely odd interactions that add to the absurdity and you never really get a sense of where any of this is actually going. This might be understandably off putting for some viewers but at the very least it makes for an interesting ride. That’s not even to speak of the queer aspects of the show, a bold choice for the time and place, and Lily Fever seems to revel in both the oddity and the unique identity this gives the show. I think the actors are giving it their all and should be commended for taking part in a progressive, before-its-time type of show like this. The only real gripes I have is the fact that this was never truly finished and we’ll likely never get a real resolution. In a way, this is fitting; with no real beginning, middle, and end, Lily Fever is truly is a gay fever dream for the ages. My other gripe is just the fact that I’m only now finding this little weirdo, having been put off by the low rating

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Finally, something challenging!

It’s been a while since a BL challenged me and I appreciate that greatly as a viewer. Some BLs can begin to feel like stagnate rehashes of stories we’ve already seen, but 4Minutes is wholly its own and takes big risks when it comes to storytelling. I understand that some people may not like the non-linear narrative, but for me, that’s what made the show. Once I realized what was actually happening, I audibly gasped. Brilliant. It’s writing so good that as a writer, I’m mad I didn’t come up with it myself.

The acting was fantastic for the most part. The NC scenes had me blushing behind my sweater sleeves. The characters were nuanced and flawed in a way that most BLs wouldn’t touch. It was free of so many of the BL cliches we’re used to and I think that’s created a disconnect for some viewers. Nothing about this show is straightforward and it doesn’t try to make you comfortable. It’s suppose to make you uncomfortable and then force you to sit with the discomfort and that’s not what a lot of people want out of their BL. It’s exactly what I want though. For me, this was the perfect show. It may even top Manner of Death and Not Me which sit at the top of my list.

I’m also not one to rewatch BLs; there are maybe a few I’ve seen more than once out of the countless dozens I’ve watched, but 4Minutes is sure to have me back again. I’m sure there’s a plethora of things that I missed on first watch. That’s how deep this show is. It helps that the entire show is beautiful too. It looks high budget and screams quality.

MORE BL LIKE THIS PLEASE!

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