BL Must Watch
These are the BL's I consider good enough to watch. BL start becoming very similar at one point and these are the ones that were good enough for me to want to rewatch or recommend to other's.
This is a list for anyone who has started watching BL, is trying to get into it, or is tired of cliche BL.
I wrote this list based on what I enjoyed, if it's memorable, and whether I would rewatch it or not.
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1. He's Coming to Me
Thai Drama - 2019, 8 episodes
A Must Watch
Honestly I did not think that it would be as good as it was because of the description, but it suprises you. The plot is new and sucks you in.
The acting is great and the characters are lovable. Simply a show I would recommend to anyone wanting to watch an Asian drama.
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2. Two Weddings and a Funeral
Korean Movie - 2012
This story goes deeper into the problems that LGBTQ+ couples face, especially in countries and societies that do not approve of them. It uncovers the heartaches that people face in order to be with someone they are attracted to, and the heartaches that comes once they are in a relationship.
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3. HIStory3: Make Our Days Count
Taiwanese Special - 2019, 20 episodes
This is a drama that I rewatch constantly.
For those who have watched this show already they understand the bittersweet of this romance. The actors portray the characters perfectly. An annoying bully struck with puppy love and a struggling straight A student.
I'll be honest Xiang Haoting(the bully) annoyed the living hell out of me, but his transformation is realistic and raw.
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4. Mr. Heart
Korean Drama - 2020, 8 episodes
This was a nice fluffy show that made me feel all warm inside.
I am also biased because I love sport shows.
It portrays a runner and his pace maker's growing relationship.
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5. Mood Indigo
Japanese Drama - 2019, 6 episodes
This is an Rated R show.
Holy moly going into it I did not expect what I saw. Knowing that a lot of LGBTQ+ shows are naturally rated R I did not expect the action that happens. It is a show that shows a mature relationship and their struggles.
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6. Sotus
Thai Drama - 2016, 15 episodes
Ah, yes. Another bully lead.
Anyone who has watched BL know about this one. It is a must watch. The bully senior and his junior that pushes the boundaries. I loved loved LOVED Arthit's (the bully) character development. His cuteness coming from the character we had seen as only being strict and a bully makes your heart melt.
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7. Color Rush
Korean Drama - 2020, 8 episodes
Very interesting.
Fantasy and magical. Being colour blind until you are with your soulmate. It's a very well made show and the actors are really good. This is one of the Korean BL's I really enjoyed. I wished there were more episodes or a second season because it does leave the feeling that it is incomplete.
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8. HIStory2: Right or Wrong
Taiwanese Special - 2018, 8 episodes
A single dad and a nanny/his student.
It is a little weird said like that, but this show is one that I rewatch often. Seeing the student struggle and the teacher's straight fowardness is addictive.
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9. 2gether
Thai Drama - 2020, 13 episodes
Music is part of this one. This is a BL that many people recommend and enjoyed.
I'll be honest, the story line is not memorable. It is a nice light watch of a classic BL starting story of fake dating. My favourite part was the revelation that happens. I thought that it was a nice little change from the classic.
It is a BL that people should watch while starting getting into the genre.
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10. HIStory4: Close to You
Taiwanese Drama - 2021, 20 episodes
This is a morally wrong romance for me.
It is an obsessed person's dreams coming true. I had a hard time welcoming this couple into my heart.
The second couple is simply adorable and a BL's typical starting story. The actors are all very good looking and portray different personalities which is a nice change. There is an extrovert that's very touchy, a compliant and calm one, one with anti-social disorder, and a classic pretty boy who's loyal.
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11. We Best Love: No. 1 For You
Taiwanese Drama - 2021, 6 episodes
A lovely story that has a great confession scene. They are simply adorable together.
I didn't think I'd like this show but I was pleasantly surprised. It was a nice watch that made me have a rollercoaster of emotions.
The second season is a must watch after the first. If else do not watch the episode 6.5 of the first season.
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12. We Best Love: Fighting Mr. 2nd
Taiwanese Drama - 2021, 6 episodes
Much needed watch after the first season and special episode. Everything is answered and things finally fall back into their rightful places.
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13. TharnType
Thai Drama - 2019, 12 episodes
The story of a homophobic guy who falls for his gay roommate. What more do you need?
It has heavy subjects, such as rape, that is discussed. If you feel uncomfortable with it, it is better to watch something else.
The couple is well paired, having an overly nice hero type lead with an aggressive no filter ,think after you act lead. It is a borderline abusive relationship. The portrayal of the aggressive lead is pushing the limits of what is ok when in a relationship, gay or not.
Since it is a drama, it is well... dramatic and enjoyable to watch with all the ups and downs of their relationship.
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14. Why R U?
Thai Drama - 2020, 13 episodes
The story is all over the place at the beginning.
They mixed a lot of different classic BL concepts together, which made a bit of a mess. I recommend watching this show because of the actors and the kiss scenes. In my opinion the acting is pretty good in this show, especially the main leads Fighter and Tutor.
I liked the chemistry between them and also the way that the show does not shy away from intimacy. It is a bit "oser" and dirty at times, so beware. If the main story was better I think I would've loved this show, but there was simply too much and it ended up confusing the heck out of me.
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15. A Tale of Thousand Stars
Thai Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
This is a fluff filled show.
Do not expect a lot of "action". The characters are simply lovable and adorable. The plot and development of the show is well done.
I would recommend this to people who are starting BL or not too certain about it, especially, because the romance is not in your face we are lovers. It does not mean I don't recommend it to BL regulars because in my book this is a good show that I would rewatch.
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16. I Told Sunset about You
Thai Drama - 2020, 5 episodes
This show has the true teen romance feels. Filled with the awkwardness and mistakes that we make when in love, especially in high school.
I enjoyed the friendship to love development. I think it was well done, not rushed(actually pretty slow) but still giving us some feels. I would have more to say but I do not want to spoil. All in all the show was a nice watch and didn't feel cheap.
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17. To My Star
Korean Drama - 2021, 9 episodes
I would manly recommend this if you want to watch BL from a different country. Korea does not have a lot of mainstream BL shows. This one was fairly good.
Its a classic cohabitation story we get in kdramas. One is a celebrity and the other is a chef. I enjoyed watching their relationship develop from hate-ish, to friends, to love. (and its always nice when the actors are good looking)
By stumbling upon a video of the shows highlights it made me remember why I enjoyed it and made me want to watch it again. I would consider this a good filler show that's nice to watch between long shows.
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18. Light on Me
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
This show has you wondering who the end couple will be the entire time.
The friendship between the characters are adorable, and depict different personalities and interactions. The Main Character (Woo Taekyung) is simply lovable and extremely honest. No more tip toeing around subjects or big misunderstandings because he will say it to you clearly. He's a character a viewers fall in love with, not because he's perfect, but more because of his flaws and how hard he works at bettering himself.
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19. You Make Me Dance
Korean Drama - 2021, 8 episodes
Two lonely souls finding each other by a complicated relationship.
A creditor and a debtor are the male leads. As you can guess, its a complicated relationship. These two are adorable and I wish that the show was longer. I feel like they could have so much more to explore if they had more time. The plot and relationship is already really good, if only.
This is a light watch, I'd recommend watching it in-between shows or when you are tight on time but still want to watch a show.
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20. Long Time No See
Korean Drama - 2017, 5 episodes
Such an underrated show.
I truly loved this show, the plot, the characters, the acting, I simply loved it. This is about a gang member who falls in love with a guy he met online. There aren't any "coming out" frustrating scenes, you know the ones we all dread while watching anything LGBTQ+.
The only bad thing I had with this show was how short it was. I would love if there would be a remake of this show that lasts longer. It would have to be with the same actors though.
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21. His
Japanese Movie - 2020
This is both a realistic and unrealistic movie.
How they suddenly come back together is a bit unrealistic for me but their hardships, society acceptance troubles, and divorce problems are all very realistic.
I enjoyed how mature and complicated their relationship felt.
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22. Given
Japanese Drama - 2021, 6 episodes
This is a biased pick.
I absolutely loved the anime version to the point of rewatching it every few months. This live version is still pretty good but didn't have the same impact as the anime. I'd suggest watching it because I enjoy a good show with music and the couple is really cute. If you do watch this, please watch the anime version even if you aren't an anime watcher. The BL feels are really good and I personally think that the song is better.
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23. Until We Meet Again
Thai Drama - 2019, 17 episodes
Wow... Simply wow.
This is a show I would recommend to everyone. Fair warning it is pretty sad, I think I cried at least 4 times during this show, but I might just be sensitive. I love the story, I love the characters, I love the side characters, I liked their acting, I mean I LOVED this show.
A story about unfortunate soulmates that find each other again. I enjoyed how they went about the past lives and how everything tied together. It was a little predictable at some points, but overall it was well written.
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24. Boy Meets Boy
Korean Movie - 2008
Cute short film that is also a musical. There's no dialogue but we still perfectly understand what's happening and the emotions of these two meeting on the bus and their story. A cute little add on to your BL list that doesn't take much time.
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25. Not Me
Thai Drama - 2021, 14 episodes
A great show with a mystery.
Twin brothers have been separated since childhood, when they finally meet again one is in a coma. His brother decided to take his identity and uncover what happened to his brother. What he didn't expect was to fall for a guy in his brother's gang.
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26. Bad Buddy
Thai Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
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27. KinnPorsche
Thai Drama - 2022, 14 episodes
Dammmnnnnn
Mafia centered BL, where the couple is a mafia and his bodyguard. Everything about this was wow.
Expect near R rated stuff
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28. Cutie Pie
Thai Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
The love between the couple is amazing. A bit juvenile in their problems and I was frustrated at the lack of communication at first but their relationship grows. And their kiss scenes are top notch.