Hope Battling Cynicism

This blog is mostly QL stuff, with occasionally forays into other topics. I like to keep things pretty light here.

[befuddledcinnamonroll]

Currently Watching: ChermChey, A Dog and a Plane, Enemies With Benefits, Fake Fact Lips, Flower Boy, Life in Smokey Blue, Love of Silom, Love Upon a Time, Ticket to Heaven, Unexpectedly Naughty Fukami, Your Dear Daddy

2026 Shows Finished: Beside the Sky (Fourever 2), Cosmetic Playlover 2, Dare You to Death, DMD Friendship Reality: The Third Chapter, Duang With You, Girl Rules, Goddess Bless You From Death, Head 2 Head, , Love Alert, The Love Never Sets, Love You Teacher, Me and Thee, Melody of Secrets, My Romance Scammer, MuTeLuv, Only Friends: Dream On, Reloved, The Sun From Another Star (Fourever You Part 2), To My Shore, Yesterday

2025 Shows Finished: 10 Things I Want to Do Before I Turn 40, The Bangkok Boy, Boys in Love, The Boy Next World, Burnout Syndrome, Caged Again, Clairebell, The Dark Dice, Desire, Doctor's Mine, Eternal Butler, The Ex-Morning, Fourever You, The Heart Killers, I Promise I Will Come Back, The Journey to Kill You, Khemjira, Knock Out, Love Begins in the World of If, Love in the Air: Koi No Yokan, Love in the Moonlight, Love is a Poison, Love Sea: Ai no Ibasho, Lover Merman, Me and Who, Memoir of Rati, My Golden Blood, My Magic Prophecy, My Stubborn, My Sweetheart Jom, The Next Prince, Our Youth, Perfect 10 Liners, Petrichor, Pit Babe 2, The Promise of the Soul, The Proper Way to Write Love, Punks Triangle, Rearrange, Reset, Revamp, School Trip: I Joined a Group I'm Not Close To, Secret Lover, See Your Love, Shine, Spare Me Your Mercy, Sweetheart Service, That Summer, Therapy Game, Thundercloud Rainstorm, Top Form, The Wicked Game, Your Sky, Zomvivor

2024 Shows Finished: 1000 Years Old, Anti Reset, Bake Me Please, Cherry Magic (Thai), Cosmetic Playlover, Dead Friend Forever, Deep Night, First Note of Love, For Him, I Cannot Reach You, I Feel You Linger in the Air, Jack and Joker, Last Twilight, Living With Him, Love Class 2, Love for Love's Sake, Love is Better the Second Time Around, Love Sea, Monster Next Door, My Stand In, Peaceful Property, Perfect Propose, Pit Babe, Playboyy, The Rebound, The Sign, Sunset x Vibes, This Love Doesn't Have Long Beans, Twins, Two Worlds, Unknown, Wandee Goodday, We Are

For funsies

Tag Games:

Rasas

Actors on Actors

Beyond BL

QL Balderdash

CPs I Want To See Torture Each Other

QL Essentials

QL Firsts

Other:

Tumblr Top 10 2025

QL Wrapped 2025

2025 BL/GL/QL Recommendations (so far)

Tag Game: Hopeful Little Queer Shows (collection post here)

Tumblr Top 10 2024

QL Things That Made Me Happy in 2024

Top 10 Things I Love About the QL Tumblr Community 2023

2023: A Summary

Meta

Zomvivor, Love, and Family

We Are and the Evolution of BL Tropes

Perfect Propose, Complicity in Toxic Systems, and Individual Choice

Pit Babe: Self-Worth & Characterization

Pit Babe: Self-Worth & Relationships

Pit Babe: Self-Worth & Self-Determination

[my-rose-tinted-glasses]

Pride Month Tag Game 🌈🏳️‍🌈 created by @colourme-feral (here) Kieta Hatsukoi Edition

[onlyrainbowshipstbh]

Ohm x Disaya and Iconiology!

[firstkanaphans]

Oat’s speech at Siam’s “Right to Love” Pride event today

[my-rose-tinted-glasses]

The Rasa Tag Game

Brain child of @siathawisit and started by @maybe-boys-do-love (post). I was tagged by all these wonderful humans @befuddledcinnamonroll (here) @dramalove247 (here) @embersinthefirelight (here) @colourme-feral (here). Thank you all 🫶

Rules: The rasas are South Asian aesthetic categories that remain influential in the regions dramas and art (read more on the wikipedia article here). Literally, it’s the dominant “flavour” of a work or performance. For the game, pick a pair that represents each rasa to you. You can choose whether you want to do CP, pairings or just characters. No need to explain unless you feel like it. Then tag 5 friends to find out their flavours of love.

Well I've been reading about this and it's so interesting and completely new to me. So thank you to @siathawisit and @maybe-boys-do-love for giving me the opportunity to learn something new. After reading a bit about this I decided to go for characters instead of pairs. With one exception. Keeping it to just gifs cause time and brain.

1. Sringara (शृङ्गारः): Romance, Love, Beauty, Eroticism [Peem, Khemjira]

2. Hasya (हास्यं): Laughter, Mirth, Comedy [Aoki, Kieta Hatsukoi]

3. Raudram (रौद्रं): Fury, Anger [Wei Wuxian, The Untamed]

4. Karuṇā (करुणा): Compassion, Mercy, Spiritual Longing, Sorrow [Koichi, Eternal Yesterday]

5. Bībhatsa (बीभत्सं): Disgust, Aversion, Repulsion [Young, Love in the Big City]

6. Bhayanaka (भयानकं): Horror, Terror, Overwhelm [Tae Myungha, Love for Love's Sake]

7. Vīram (वीरं): Heroism, Energy, Adventure [King, Marahuyo Project]

8. Adbhutam (अद्भुतं): Awe, Wonder, Amazement [Kakeru, I Cannot Reach You]

9. Santam (शान्तरस): Peace, Tranquility, Calm [Kasuga & Nomoto, She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat]

Well that's it. This is my interpretation of the theme and the chars. Tagging but as always no pressure @thisonelikesaliens @incandescentflower @mikuni14 @negrowhat @tanrak @abstractelysium @nonglukest @byemambo @bluesandfilms @mewsthumbring @troubled-mind @wanderlust-in-my-soul and if you see this and want to play consider yourself tagged here ➡️@ 💜

List for easy copy-paste under the cut ⤵

Here’s the list in an easy copy-paste format: 1. Sringara (शृङ्गारः): Romance, Love, Beauty, Eroticism 2. Hasya (हास्यं): Laughter, Mirth, Comedy 3. Raudram (रौद्रं): Fury, Anger 4. Karuṇā (करुणा): Compassion, Mercy, Spiritual Longing, Sorrow 5. Bībhatsa (बीभत्सं): Disgust, Aversion, Repulsion 6. Bhayanaka (भयानकं): Horror, Terror, Overwhelm 7. Vīram (वीरं): Heroism, Energy, Adventure 8. Adbhutam (अद्भुतं): Awe, Wonder, Amazement 9. Santam (शान्तरस): Peace, Tranquility, Calm

[bl-verse]

LOVE UPON A TIME | Ep 8 JJ & Kim

[maybe-boys-do-love]

People were really whining about this aging work

Look at that subtle make up work! The freckles, the darkening, the highlighting of the under eyes, the few gray strands on the edges! This is beautiful middle-age work! Y’all are just mean.

[coricomile]

There's some question of if Barth is 37 or 47 in the time jump, but this looks appropriate for both. It might have been nice to have some smile/frown lines or wrinkles, but this looks right.

A big problem that seems to be forming here is that 30-40 year olds are being played by 20-somethings (Earth was 28/29 playing almost 40yo Jim in Moonlight Chicken, 27/28yo Fluke is playing mid-30s Sila in Your Dear Daddy, etc) while also having high school students being played by those same 20-somethings.

Forgive the quality, but that is Fourth and Gemini at 16/17.

That is Gemini and Fourth at 20/21- playing 17.

The "aged up" look is closer to a lot of reality than some of the 26yos playing 16. (Looking at James Van Der Beek in Dawson's Creek. This is not a BL/Asian drama only thing.)

What real people look like at all ages has been so warped by media that some can no longer even guess at what a real person's age is. I know 60yos that look 35, and 60yos that look 80. I know 30yos that look 20, and 30yos that look 50. Some men in their 60s have full heads of thick, dark hair with a few strands of grey, some men in their mid-twenties are already half grey and balding.

This, and the Father's aged up makeup, are doing their job to show the time passed. It's not glaringly obvious "old" prosthetics, which would cheapen the moment because they would draw attention to them.

Stop being a bitch because you don't know what aging actually looks like.

[gotmehookedonthekpop]

The Rasa Pair Tag Game

This was created by @siathawisit Excellent!

Tagged by @befuddledcinnamonroll 😘

Rules: The rasas are South Asian aesthetic categories that remain influential in the regions dramas and art (read more on the wikipedia article here). Literally, it’s the dominant “flavor” of a work or performance. For the game, pick a pair that represents each rasa to you. You can choose whether you want to do CP pairings or just characters. No need to explain unless you feel like it. Then tag 5 friends to find out their flavors of love.

1. Sringara (शृङ्गारः): Romance, Love, Beauty, Eroticism

My Stubborn. Thailand. I'm leaning HEAVILY on the eroticism on this one. They are hands-down one of the most overtly erotic pairings in bl. But I do think there is also a lot of beauty and love if you look closely. Look at that pink light of love in the above gif.

2. Hasya (हास्यं): Laughter, Mirth, Comedy

Perfect 10 Liners. Thailand. I'm thinking of specifically ArcArm here. Arc starts out very stoic. Being annoyed and angry when his picture gets posted, etc. And Arm is a very silly guy. He crashes into Arc's life and people start to notice Arc trying to hide his smile. He starts showing up at events he would never attend. Arm brings a lot of mirth into his life. This happens with YothaGun too.

3. Raudram (रौद्रं): Fury, Anger

Kill to Love. China. These fucking two. They started out so beautifully. You hoped they could make it. But so much political intrigue, war, and violence led to real anger and resentment between them. It clouded all of their interactions despite real love between them.

4. Karuṇā (करुणा): Compassion, Mercy, Spiritual Longing, Sorrow

Bad Buddy. Thailand. Oh, the fucking longing. Y'all. The longing and sorrow in the rooftop kiss scene by itself is enough to take this one for me. Everyone is against this in their lives. They have to fake a breakup to stay together. They were legit yearning for what seemed like the impossible.

5. Bībhatsa (बीभत्सं): Disgust, Aversion, Repulsion

Thundercloud Rainstorm. Korea. Jeonghan was initially so put off by his attraction that he only acted on it when he was drunk. He was also mean and rude until he let go of that disgust.

6. Bhayanaka (भयानकं): Horror, Terror, Overwhelm

The Bangkok Boy. Thailand. The horrors these two have to face feel insurmountable. They really should have wanted to kill each other. But horrible shit is happening all around them, and they have to cling to each other as the only port in the storm.

7. Vīram (वीरं): Heroism, Energy, Adventure

10 Things I Want to Do Before I Turn 40. Japan. What an adventure to have a hot, loving partner to help you complete a mid-life bucket list. I loved this for them both.

8. Adbhutam (अद्भुतं): Awe, Wonder, Amazement

Me and Thee. Thailand. At first, Thee was in awe of this person who treated him so differently than anyone else in his life. He went out of his way to try to win Peach over with grand gestures that just didn't work they way he hoped. I think Peach was a little bit amazed by how wonderful of a person Thee was under all of the grand behavior. Thee ended up being a safe haven that he didn't know he needed. I love them.

9. Santam (शान्तरस): Peace, Tranquility, Calm

Love for Love's Sake. Korea. This might be a stretch but I think it fits. I think MyungHa needed to change his life. It wasnt just about him making Yeo Woon happy, it is also about him realizing what it takes to build his own happy/calm/peaceful life. When he saved Yeo Woon he was also saving himself and giving them both the peace and calm of connection and contentment.

I'll tag: @byemambo @gay-wrongs-activist @thisautistic @hughungrybear @slonekaru with no pressure as always. Everyone else is also invited to join if interested.

Here’s the list in an easy copy-paste format: 1. Sringara (शृङ्गारः): Romance, Love, Beauty, Eroticism 2. Hasya (हास्यं): Laughter, Mirth, Comedy 3. Raudram (रौद्रं): Fury, Anger 4. Karuṇā (करुणा): Compassion, Mercy, Spiritual Longing, Sorrow 5. Bībhatsa (बीभत्सं): Disgust, Aversion, Repulsion 6. Bhayanaka (भयानकं): Horror, Terror, Overwhelm 7. Vīram (वीरं): Heroism, Energy, Adventure 8. Adbhutam (अद्भुतं): Awe, Wonder, Amazement 9. Santam (शान्तरस): Peace, Tranquility, Calm

[lattekims]

THUNDERCLOUD RAINSTORM | EP. 3

[chainofclovers]

Put in the tags the completely finished (whether cancelled or wrapped up on its own terms) TV series that has YOUR perfect ending, however you define that

Please don’t include huge spoilers for the specifics of the endings, and it would also make me happy if people don’t use this to talk about the shows whose endings they hated

[theside-b]

J-BL + ♨️

Life in Smokey Blue (2026) Ossan's Love Returns (2024) If It's With You (2023) Love is a Poison (2024) Our Dining Table (2023) Love is Better the Second Time Around (2024) Baban Baban Ban Vampire (2025) School Trip: Joined a Group I'm not Close to (2025) Cosmetic Playlover (2024 - 2026)

[scarefox]

Will never understand how people are bothered by others accent or bit off talking speed in their second or third language. First of all I love when there is a little accent of someones motherlanguage coming through. Second it's lowkey racist / xenophobic to demand that everyone speaks their newly learned languages perfectly.

[aprilblossomgirl]

Five more minutes, Papa. Who are you calling Papa? Wake up.

[wanderlust-in-my-soul]

Just let me rest my head in your lap for a while and calm down from the troubles of the world. (Part 3/?)

Cherry Magic Thailand

4 Minutes

We Best Love: Fighting Mr. 2nd

Fourever You

Sweet Tooth Good Dentist

I Became The Main Role Of A bl Season 2

My Golden Blood

Top Form

Perfect 10 Liners

Kidnap The Series

More of my favorite bl-tropes-collections.

[mxtxnet]

Happy Pride!

[dramalove247]

Tag Game: The Rasa Pair

Brain child of @siathawisit and started by @maybe-boys-do-love (post). Tagged by @befuddledcinnamonroll (post)❤️

Rules: The rasas are South Asian aesthetic categories that remain influential in the regions dramas and art (read more on the wikipedia article here). Literally, it’s the dominant “flavor” of a work or performance. For the game, pick a pair that represents each rasa to you. You can choose whether you want to do CP pairings or just characters. No need to explain unless you feel like it. Then tag 5 friends to find out their flavors of love.

Dear tumblr peeps, if you wanna stop being tagged by us every 5 min, you're going to have to tell us! No pressure and everyone that wants to play is invited!

1. Sringara (शृङ्गारः): Romance, Love, Beauty, Eroticism

2. Hasya (हास्यं): Laughter, Mirth, Comedy

3. Raudram (रौद्रं): Fury, Anger

4. Karuṇā (करुणा): Compassion, Mercy, Spiritual Longing, Sorrow

5. Bībhatsa (बीभत्सं): Disgust, Aversion, Repulsion

6. Bhayanaka (भयानकं): Horror, Terror, Overwhelm

7. Vīram (वीरं): Heroism, Energy, Adventure

8. Adbhutam (अद्भुतं): Awe, Wonder, Amazement

9. Santam (शान्तरस): Peace, Tranquility, Calm

Bed Friend

Me and Thee

Double Helix

Khemjira

To My Shore

Secret Relationships

Sammy's Children's Day

My Beautiful Man

Duang with You

Always tagging @my-rose-tinted-glasses. Anyone else wanna play? No pressure tags for some that like games: @abstractelysium @colourme-feral @delesaria-blog @heretherebedork @hyeoni-comb @miss0atae @outofthemouthsof @thisonelikesaliens @wanderlust-in-my-soul @watchthisqqq

Here’s the list in an easy copy-paste format: 1. Sringara (शृङ्गारः): Romance, Love, Beauty, Eroticism 2. Hasya (हास्यं): Laughter, Mirth, Comedy 3. Raudram (रौद्रं): Fury, Anger 4. Karuṇā (करुणा): Compassion, Mercy, Spiritual Longing, Sorrow 5. Bībhatsa (बीभत्सं): Disgust, Aversion, Repulsion 6. Bhayanaka (भयानकं): Horror, Terror, Overwhelm 7. Vīram (वीरं): Heroism, Energy, Adventure 8. Adbhutam (अद्भुतं): Awe, Wonder, Amazement 9. Santam (शान्तरस): Peace, Tranquility, Calm

[embersinthefirelight]

Tag Game: The Rasa Pair

Brain child of @siathawisit and started by @maybe-boys-do-love (post). Tagged by @befuddledcinnamonroll (post) 🩷 Thank you!

Rules: The rasas are South Asian aesthetic categories that remain influential in the regions dramas and art (read more on the wikipedia article here). Literally, it’s the dominant “flavor” of a work or performance. For the game, pick a pair that represents each rasa to you. You can choose whether you want to do CP pairings or just characters. No need to explain unless you feel like it. Then tag 5 friends to find out their flavors of love.

This was such an interesting game. I actually came up with two character pairs per category so I guess this is part 1.

1. Sringara (शृङ्गारः): Romance, Love, Beauty, Eroticism

2. Hasya (हास्यं): Laughter, Mirth, Comedy

3. Raudram (रौद्रं): Fury, Anger

4. Karuṇā (करुणा): Compassion, Mercy, Spiritual Longing, Sorrow

5. Bībhatsa (बीभत्सं): Disgust, Aversion, Repulsion

6. Bhayanaka (भयानकं): Horror, Terror, Overwhelm

7. Vīram (वीरं): Heroism, Energy, Adventure

8. Adbhutam (अद्भुतं): Awe, Wonder, Amazement

9. Santam (शान्तरस): Peace, Tranquility, Calm

I'll tag (no pressure): @mewsthumbring @williamrikers @honeycoveredliquorish @my-rose-tinted-glasses @seatawxnan @jiratchapongs @moonverus @moon0fairy @doublel27 @miss0atae @baseballmomlesbiandad @pointlesscandies @poetry-protest-pornography and anyone else who wants to play!

Here’s the list in an easy copy-paste format: 1. Sringara (शृङ्गारः): Romance, Love, Beauty, Eroticism 2. Hasya (हास्यं): Laughter, Mirth, Comedy 3. Raudram (रौद्रं): Fury, Anger 4. Karuṇā (करुणा): Compassion, Mercy, Spiritual Longing, Sorrow 5. Bībhatsa (बीभत्सं): Disgust, Aversion, Repulsion 6. Bhayanaka (भयानकं): Horror, Terror, Overwhelm 7. Vīram (वीरं): Heroism, Energy, Adventure 8. Adbhutam (अद्भुतं): Awe, Wonder, Amazement 9. Santam (शान्तरस): Peace, Tranquility, Calm