My favourite BL series
Having too much time and too little to do during the pandemic, I accidentally watched my first bl-series, "Until we meet again". Got curious, still had time, so watched some more. It was like walking along the beach. You find lots of worthless pebbles, but every now and then you find a beautiful little piece of amber, and if you are very lucky, one day you find a precious gem. So far, I found two gems, and some pieces of amber.
Although I call this the list of my favourite bl series, not all of them are genuine bl series but sometimes only contain some elements of bl. I would call ITSAY a coming of age drama, for example. The 'boys' in Manner of Death or H3 Trapped aren't boys any more, and PS Side by Side is no bl at all.
You can find the full list of my favourite BL series, which includes series from countries that aren't covered by MDL, here: https://www.wattpad.com/1369733429-my-bl-lists-favourite-series-favourite-movies
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1. I Told Sunset about You
Thai Drama - 2020, 5 episodes
This is a wonderful coming-of-age story. Perfect in every respect. It's the only series - except Gaya Sa Pelikula, which is much shorter - I've rewatched four times so far, and I'm sure I'll do it again some day.
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2. Like in the Movies
Filipino Drama - 2020, 8 episodes
Telling a true-to-life story in 8 rather short episodes, great actors, great cinematography, and a very, very good ost. Perfection. One of the most beautiful BL-series I've ever watched.
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3. Stay with Me
Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes
I didn't expect a beautiful BL series like this could be produced under Chinese censorship, but they managed to create one of the greatest Bl series ever. Plus I just can't get enough of Wu Bi and Su Yu.
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4. The Eighth Sense
Korean Drama - 2023, 10 episodes
As perfect as ITSAY. The writing, the directing, the editing, the coloring, the acting, the music - everything is brilliant.
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5. Utsukushii Kare
Japanese Drama - 2021, 6 episodes
Perfect. Beautiful. Breathtaking. One of the best series of 2021. Extreme rewatch value.
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6. Utsukushii Kare Season 2
Japanese Drama - 2023, 4 episodes
It's only March, but I already know that this is going to be one of the best series of 2023, because this is as perfect as season 1.
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7. I Feel You Linger in the Air: Uncut Version
Thai Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
Wow. This series is perfection - the writing, the directing, the cinematography, the settings, and the acting. And it contains some of the most erotic scenes I've ever seen in a BL series. Although the episodes are well over an hour, they always seemed too short.
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8. Choco Milk Shake
Korean Drama - 2022, 11 episodes
My favourite BL series of 2022. A magical love story, full of cuteness and angst. Wonderful acting, especially by Lee Jae Bin (Choco) and Kim Seong Hyuk (Milk).
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9. Eien no Kino
Japanese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
2022 has given us some of the most beauutiful Bl series of all times, but none of them made me cry as much as this one. So beautifully heartbreaking!
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10. On Cloud Nine
Thai Drama - 2022, 6 episodes
The most beautiful journey into the unknown, and the saddest happy ending of all times. A masterpiece, well written, brilliantly acted, and set in breathtaking locations.
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11. Bokura no Shokutaku
Japanese Drama - 2023, 10 episodes
Heartwarming story of two shy, adult men gradually getting closer, with a little boy being their love doctor. Brilliant.
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12. Kimi to Nara Koi wo Shite Mite mo
Japanese Drama - 2023, 5 episodes
Very short, very cute love story without artificial drama and unnecessary side couples. Another proof of Japan's BL dominance in 2023.
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13. About Youth
Taiwanese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
A true gem. Bl at its very best.
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14. Love for Love's Sake
Korean Drama - 2024, 8 episodes
Unique story, wonderful actors, in a word - a masterpiece.
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15. Kiseki: Dear to Me
Taiwanese Drama - 2023, 13 episodes
One of the best Taiwanese BL series. Good writing, great production, a gorgeous cast and endless cameos - the Who is Who of Taiwanese BL. I love it.
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16. Jack o' Frost
Japanese Drama - 2023, 6 episodes
Although their (second) love story is based on a lie, their love is true and deep. The series touched my heart.
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17. Laws of Attraction
Thai Drama - 2023, 8 episodes
Another masterpiece with Film and Jam, and this time it's Lakorn and BL at the same time. The second couple, See and Pearl, were great, too.
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18. Kieta Hatsukoi
Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
One of the best series of 2021 - good script, almost no boring tropes, funny dialogues, amazing cast. Japanese BL at its best.
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19. Moonlight Chicken
Thai Drama - 2023, 8 episodes
Writing, directing, cinematography and above all acting - everything perfect.
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20. The Miracle of Teddy Bear
Thai Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
This has been the most ambitious BL project to date, and they deliver in every respect. From now on, BL history has two eras, the one before, and the one after Teddy Bear. It has been pure pleasure watching this.
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21. DNA Says Love You
Taiwanese Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
What a beautiful journey this has been - a unique story, perfect directing and acting, and a wonderful OST.
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22. War of Y
Thai Drama - 2022, 20 episodes
The series gave revealing insights into the entertainment industry. It was brilliantly written, and the acting was better than in most BL series.
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23. Gameboys Season 2
Filipino Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
Wonderful series, amazing actors. I like it even more tha season 1, because the restrictions of online chats are not there any longer. Cairo and Gav will always have a place in my heart.
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24. Bad Buddy
Thai Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
My favourite series of 2021. Good script, good cinematography, no annoying tropes - and brilliant acting and chemistry of Ohm and Nanon.
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25. Last Twilight in Phuket
Thai Special - 2021, 1 episode
Special episode between ITSAY and IPYTM. Just amazing. Rewatch value + 20
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26. Love Mechanics
Thai Drama - 2022, 10 episodes
Great remake, with a good script and actors that have improved so much, especially Yin.
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27. I Promised You the Moon
Thai Drama - 2021, 5 episodes
It's a different colour than ITSAY, but it has to be because life's colour changes when you get older. Script, cinematography, and most of all acting is miles and miles ahead of all the other series in this list.
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28. Something in My Room
Thai Drama - 2022, 10 episodes
This beautiful series was well written, all the persons were carefully drawn characters, and the acting was perfect. One of the best series I've ever watched.
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29. Not Me
Thai Drama - 2021, 14 episodes
Unique subject, great cinematography, first class acting. OffGun at their best, FlukeFirst at least as good if not better than them.
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30. Secret Crush on You
Thai Drama - 2022, 14 episodes
This series has been the biggest surprise of 2022 so far. It came in the disguise of a silly, shallow, OTT comedy, and it turned out to be one of the most beautiful series ever, with a wonderful cast, from the leads to the smallest support roles, with comedy that was funny, romance that was romantic, and messages that were so much deeper than expected.
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31. Happenstance
Filipino Drama - 2020, 9 episodes
This not not just another BL-series. It's history, politics, mystery, and a very beautiful love story. A true masterpiece.
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32. Bite Me
Thai Drama - 2021, 11 episodes
My favourite series of 2021 - before Bad Buddy was released, that is. Beautiful cinematography, the pace just right, brilliant acting, especially Mark.
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33. His - Koisuru Tsumori Nante Nakatta
Japanese Drama - 2019, 5 episodes
A beautiful, charming, quiet, natural coming of age story.
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34. Given
Japanese Drama - 2021, 6 episodes
An absolute highlight of 2021, though too short. Lalalalala!!!
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35. BL Drama no Shuen ni Narimashita: Crank Up Hen
Japanese Special - 2023, 3 episodes
Hilarious romcom. Great writing, great acting. Exactly the right way to wrap up 2023, which was dominated by Japanese BL series, and to start into 2024, with hopefully some more great JBL series to come.
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36. Meet My Angel
Filipino Drama - 2021, 8 episodes
Kaleb Ong deserves a best actor award. Some weaknesses like sound and some dialogues can be excused because it's a low budget production, so hard to compare with other series in this list. Beautiful OST, too.
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37. Meet My Angel Season 2
Filipino Drama - 2022, 9 episodes
The acting of the entire cast is brilliant, with Kaleb Ong shining more brightly than ever. I rate it only a "9" this time because of some inconsistencies of the script which contradicts season 1 in the final episodes, and because actors claim that they were not paid..
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38. Daddy Love
Filipino Drama - 2021, 6 episodes
The acting, the plot, the production quality, the OST, everything about this series is just amazing.
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39. Love Class Season 2
Korean Drama - 2023, 10 episodes
This has been a big surprise. I found it a bit confusing at first, but it's become one of my favourite KBLs, although I'm not even sure if I should call it BL, because it does without most of the annoying BL tropes. Thanks to an intelligent script, the developments of the three couples feel natural and realistic, the acting is fine, the chemistry good, and the final episodes were very beautiful, with exactly the right amount of comedy.
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40. Peach of Time
Korean Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
I started watching this for Tommy and Jimmy, and then I fell in love with Jae Hyun. What an amazing actor! And what an amazing series!
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41. Call It What You Want Season 2
Thai Drama - 2021, 6 episodes
Dramatic, true to life, honest. Plus an unbelievable performance by Michael Kiettisak.
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42. The Eclipse
Thai Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
One of the highlights of 2022. Brilliant acting by First, Khaotung, Neo, Louis and all the others.
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43. A Tale of Thousand Stars
Thai Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
Does have some flaws, but the beautiful setting in rural Northern Thailand, storyline and cinematography make up for them.
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44. We Best Love: Fighting Mr. 2nd
Taiwanese Drama - 2021, 6 episodes
Good plot and production, outstanding acting esp. by Chih Tian Shih who is the main reason why I rate this a 10.
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45. He She It
Thai Drama - 2019, 3 episodes
Very short, but brilliant.
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46. Love in Translation
Thai Drama - 2023, 8 episodes
The script has some flaws, but the acting of the entire cast, and Offroad and Da Ou's amazing chemistry compensate for it.
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47. Gameboys
Filipino Drama - 2020, 13 episodes
Outstanding actors, and a story that shows a good way to make the best of the shutdown situation.
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48. The Day I Loved You
Filipino Drama - 2023, 10 episodes
It starts as a fluffy rom-com, but then turns into a beautifully sad story. Brilliant acting by Tommy Alejandrino
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49. Takara-kun to Amagi-kun
Japanese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
This was so damn cute - a wonderful start into a BL weekend.
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50. HIStory3: Make Our Days Count
Taiwanese Special - 2019, 20 episodes
Would have been full 10 points if it had ended after ep 18
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51. Minato Shouji Coin Laundry
Japanese Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
This is the perfect example of a fluffy feelgood BL, with excellent actors, and a happy ending for everyone.
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52. Triage
Thai Drama - 2022, 13 episodes
Unusual story, brilliant acting by the whole cast, last two episodes were a little weird, with characters being barely recognizable, so it's "only" 9.5.
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53. You're My Sky
Thai Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
A real gem with respect to cinematography, plot, cast, and acting. 3 very different couples, each of them adorable, with realistic problems Would have been full 10 points but for the time lapse.
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54. Innocent
Taiwanese Drama - 2021, 4 episodes
Brilliant acting, unique story. Would have been a plain 10 without the secondary couple appearing out of nowhere. Rewatch value extremely high.
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55. Quaranthings
Filipino Drama - 2020, 8 episodes
Upgraded it during rewatch. Royce Cabrera at his very best.
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56. Red Balloon
Taiwanese Drama - 2017, 8 episodes
Upgraded it after rewatch. Short, but very well scripted and acted series. Plus: Edward Chen is hot.
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57. Lakan
Filipino Drama - 2020, 10 episodes
I like the plot (the idea of a culture clash), the beautiful setting and the acting of the main couple, and I love the ost songs by Spencer Geronimo. Unfortunately, the production was obstructed by a typhoon, so it's a miracle they finished it at all.
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58. HIStory3: Trapped
Taiwanese Special - 2019, 20 episodes
Different from all the others. Good story and cinematography, very professional actors.
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59. Until We Meet Again
Thai Drama - 2019, 17 episodes
Very interesting story, but a bit too long.
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60. Call It What You Want
Thai Drama - 2021, 6 episodes
Important topic, good acting (especially Michael Kiettisak). Many loose ends so season 2 is a must.
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61. Once Again
Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
A beautiful fairy tale with two amazing lead actors.
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62. Papa, What Is Love?
Filipino Drama - 2022, 6 episodes
Good script, good acting, good production, beautiful OST - one of the best Pinoy budget series. directed by the late great Shandii Bacolod who died when the series was airing.
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63. HIStory2: Crossing the Line
Taiwanese Special - 2018, 8 episodes
It's a superb, warm, touchful, cute and beautiful LOVE confession. A great script. Fabulous acting.
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64. Semantic Error
Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
It's a wonderful quiet little enemy-to-lover series. Brilliant lead actors.
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65. HIStory4: Close to You
Taiwanese Drama - 2021, 20 episodes
Two reasons why I give this controversial series a 9.5: because of Lin Chia Wei and Anson Chen, and because of the most beautiful final episode.
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66. Happy Ending Romance
Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
Great cinematography, good acting. If there had't been the confusing time lapses in the first few episodes, this would have been a full 10 points.
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67. My Ride
Thai Drama - 2022, 10 episodes
A beautiful series that made me smile a lot. Good script, good acting, the feelgood series of 2022.
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68. Cherry Blossoms after Winter
Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
It's a cute and sweet series, and I love Hae-Boom.
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69. Stuck on You
Filipino Drama - 2021, 8 episodes
A beautiful little chamber play. Amazing actors.
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70. 21 Days Theory
Thai Drama - 2022, 4 episodes
Short and sweet series with a great cast.
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71. Be Loved in House: I Do
Taiwanese Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
This series may be a little slow, but I liked the main couples, and most of all I loved Hank's smile. - Upgraded after rewatch.
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72. HIStory: My Hero
Taiwanese Special - 2017, 4 episodes
Good acting, good script, fun to watch.
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73. Manner of Death
Thai Drama - 2020, 14 episodes
Crime story in great setting of Northern Thailand, MaxTul the iconic lead couple
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74. Stranger's Kiss
Filipino Drama - 2021, 8 episodes
Said everything I have to say in my review
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75. Padayon
Filipino Drama - 2021, 6 episodes
Said everything I have to say in my review
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76. To Sir, With Love
Thai Drama - 2022, 17 episodes
This is no BL series, but a lakorn with a gay lead couple. Cinematography, writing, editing, and most of all acting was near perfection, with Film and Jam being an iconic couple.
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77. Project S: Side by Side
Thai Drama - 2017, 8 episodes
This is no Bl series unless you define BL as 'brotherly love', or rather cousins' love, so does not really belong in this list. I have added it because it is one of the best series I've ever watched.
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78. 55:15 Never Too Late
Thai Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
This isn't a BL series either, but Kob and Khatung as the gay character(s) are brilliant, as is the rest of the cast. A wonderful series!