#bl updates

[absolutebl]

This Week in BL - Are We Overwhelmed Yet?

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top. (Note: there is actually more BL airing right now than ever before in the history of the genre. It is a struggle to stay on top of it all. Forgive me if I miss something.)

May 2026 Week 4

Ongoing Series - Thai

Your Dear Daddy (Sat iQIYI) ep 4 of 8 - I love it. The pursuit is getting aggressive now but in a soft way. We have established the age gap and engaged in some serious honorific play (hello linguistic flirting trope my old friend). This is lots of fun. And you know what else? This show is being kind to us, its a resultful experience, and with so much on, we need soemthing like this in the line up to give us space to breathe. 

Payback (Sat iQIYI) ep 1 of 10 - This is a Thai adaptation of a Korean webtoon and it shows. Korean names in the credits and you can feel their fingers all over the tenor of production and I LIKE THAT. A gang member joins the entertainment industry for revenge, and a powerful mogul becomes obsessed with him. There are no good guys in this one. It's Bangkok Boy + Top Form and I'm obsessed. It has a harsh but great opener. I’m looking forward to a new pairing and some fresh faces. A few familiar ones too (waves at Shogun from Deep Night and Tor from For Him). But the wig is pissing me off.

(We discussed this in 2019, Thailand. No wigs for you.)

Lately It's Winter Season Fourever You2 (Fri WeTV) ep 3 of 8 - Big ol' crush plus gay panic? Suer is SUCH a drama queen.

A Dog and A Plane (Fri Viki & Gaga) ep 1 of 10 - I like it and I gotta be honest, I didn’t think I was in the mood for this kind of show at all. But I quite enjoyed myself. It’s probably just that I find TayNew incredibly appealing on screen. They’re just… fun. And Tay playing a chaos monkey might be the most apt casting ever.

Cherm Chey (Tues Gaga) ep 2 of 10 - Yay kinky sniff test! And more kink! i love that they talk about everything. Permission meets demands meets hardcore flirting and switching verse within all of it. Guess what BL world, communication can be fun! This show is fun. I cackle a lot. Weirdos in love! Also, meeting the family already are we? How uhaul can we go?

Love of Silom (Fri WeTV) ep 6 of 12 - Aww adorable bf wake up scene. Although struggles ahead due to class divided, but cute family is cute. Being told you have to stay in the closet after you’ve decided to become boyfriend is a bit “maybe you should’ve said this first.” At least they are having a conversation about it. Putting Mild in as a foil (the college boyfriend that should’ve been, but wasn’t) to act as second lead is genius romance plotting. But I do spend most of the time Talay and Poom are together feeling sorry for both of them.

Love Upon a Time (Fri iQIYI) ep 10 of 12 - Exciting episode. The sides got some action. Our mains are in danger. Still enjoying this a bunch.

When Oranges Fall (Weds YT) ep 3 of 12 - Yes, yes everyone is v cute. The sides are just glorious. I am enjoying this more than I thought I would.

Ticket To Heaven (Sat Viki Gaga) ep 1 of 5 - Bright appeared on my screen and I squeaked in delight. I had no idea I missed him so much. I do like that Gem gets to carry this show for a change. He’s turning into a great little actor. Look, I’m not really enjoying this, but I never thought I would. But I am intrigued by the concept and I will stick with it, especially as it’s not a particularly long series.

(Is that communal washing setting from somewhere? Caged Again? NO WAIT that SantaEarth mini in Seven Project before My Only 12%. Yay, I love it when my brain actually works.)

Flower Boy (Sat Gaga) ep 6 of 10 - Miserable boys are miserable, and only one of them actually deserves it. This is another one currently airing where I am not sure the main couple should be endgame at all. “I have no sent for you” is such a good line.

Magic Move (Tues iQIYI) ep 6 of 10 - No singing. Love these sides now. 

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Fake Fact Lips (Japan Fri Gaga) ep 6 of 10 - I love them SO MUCH. 

Love Class 3 (Korea Thurs Viki) eps 1-2 of 10 - Oh, I am very much enjoying it. It’s basically the idol drama of my dreams. About the after effects of a boy group competition where the boys fall in love during filming but everything went south when some don’t make it. What happens next? From Korea. Finally.

Smile after Tears (Taiwan Weds Gaga) ep 3 of 12 - This remains painfully cute. Emphasis on the pain, not the cute.

The Gaze (China YT) ep 9 of 10 - It was a decent episode. I like the abject apologizing going on. Still not sure our seme should be forgiven. Do I even want them to get back together? But it’s nice to see some earned suffering. Not enough of the sides tho.

Life in Smokey Blue AKA Smoke Blue no Ame Nochi Hare (Japan Tues Gaga) ep 8 of 10 - OMG I love then. Also the script and dialogue in this show is fantastic. What a lovely lovely BL, it’s very serine. Is this the zen garden of BL?

Journey With You (China Fri Gaga) ep 5 of 8 - Politics politics. Our boys are fighting. Too much time is being spent with evil prince of darkness and his feather duster. Nice angry kisses tho. Also, did China just give us a full on gay nc scene? I fear these boys are def dyeing… again. 

Unexpectedly Naughty Fukami AKA Yatara Yarashii Fukami-kun (Japan Mon Gaga) ep 8 of 10 - Aww, poor baibees. It’s okay, you’re in a comedic JBL, You’ll be fine. 

Wishing Upon The Shooting Stars (Taiwan Thurs Gaga) ep 11 of 12 - Ooo the sides gave us a GREAT NC scene. Everyone say thank you, Taiwan (well, and Japan).

Double Helix (China Fri & Sat Gaga) eps 7-8 of 12 - Oh dear, these poor, ill faded boys. I do enjoy the slides a lot too. Meanwhile THIS SHOW. Just aaaasshhhhh PAIN. 

(Eagle eyes will note this has dropped in the standing substantially, that's because it's proving we ain't gonna end well.)

The Boy and I Who Will Break Up in 100 Days AKA 100 Nichi Go ni Wakareru Boku to Kare (Japan Weds Gaga) ep 1 of 10 - This is filmed like a reality TV series or a documentary drama. It’s intriguing in concept, but I don’t actually like it much.

It's airing but...

One Year (Thai Sun YT) dropped at ep 3 of 8, not for me.

CrazyLove-MooMoo AKA Crazy Love, Moo-Moo (Thai Sat VIU) 10 eps- It's BossNoeul in a comedy based on a novel but who tf cares when my boy Noh is there paired with Turbo? How delightful. Honestly? I would love to watch this, but they sure aren’t making it easy as the lack of gifs is proving.

Lost to You (China Gaga) 12 eps - I decided to hold off on this one and wait until it completes its run and I know the ending. I greatly mistrust any BL description that includes the word “bittersweet” especially out of China. Thus I depend upon those with greater courage than moi to tell me how this goes.

Check in to You (Korea Thurs YT) ep 2 of 6 - didn't drop this week, not sure if moved to paid subscribers only or just got lost. I hate bodyswap so I'm not fussed. My goodness, Strongberry, how the mighty have fallen.

Dual Stars (Taiwan iQIYI) 6 eps: Dropped the whole darn thing, all at once. Like we have nothing better to do. I watched most of it, now waiting for the final 2 eps to release out of "I don't pay enough". I like it a lot, but it doesn't feel like Taiwan, it feels like Mainland using Taiwan to distribute. Anyone know The Truth?

I finally watched it!

Tell the World I Love You (Thai 2021 YT) - Perth (Ae Love By Chance) opposite Bas (Wayo/Wayu 2 Moons, Gen Y) in this action movie direction by Poj, with Net (Bed Friends) in the main support role. A v violent but also kinda sad story of poor hs students who get involved with their neighborhood gang. While I’m glad I finally watched it, and it was better than I expected, the content wasn’t my thing. Also Net pre-James was amazing to watch.

(The fan translation for the grey version on YouTube are truly terrible. I only really understood what was happening because I speak enough Thai to correct some of the worst offenders in my own head.  But I did not take that into account with my rating.)

7/10 recommended with reservations  

Next Week Looks Like This:

The unalloyed insanity.

But Wait... There's More: Coming June 2026

6/4 The Lie We Lived In (Korea Thurs Viki) 8 eps - A contract killer, Seo I Do, arrives at a house to take out his target, Heo Dong Hwa. Before he can finish the job, his boss orders him to stay and keep Dong Hwa captive instead. Then a cheerful stranger (policeman), Chu Tae Jeong, shows up. Tae Jeong and I Do fall in love.

6/4 The Summer You Kissed Me (China Thurs YT) 5 eps - I got nothing more.

6/20 Lost to Light (Thai Fri ????) 10eps - Once an idol group with dreams of stardom, they’re now forced to wear mascots and sing children’s songs for kindergarten kids.

6/24 My Summer of You AKA Kimi wa Natsu no Naka (Japan Thurs ????) 10 eps - I love LOVE this manga. I will watch this grey if if doesn't get picked up for inter distribution.

6/30 Knot (Thai Thurs iQIYI) 10 eps trailer - From the My Stubborn team, Thailand watched ABO Desire and said to the BL world "Here, hold my pink milk" and then tossed it to BoatOat. WE ARE SEATED.

6/?? The Man Who Married into a Wealthy Family (China ????) - Forbidden romance between a poor man and his wealthy wife's older brother. Looks messy and the kind of thing that sould be a vertical... so very much my thing.

6/?? The Prosecutor's Office's Proposal (Korea ????) 8 eps - Watcha is back! Adapted from a novel. Lee Chae Ha, failed police officer, becomes a prosecutor’s office investigator. He has lived his life bearing the label of “murderer’s son,” enduring bullying from peers and violence from his uncle. He reunites with Prosecutor Ju Tae Seon, a respected figure who once helped clear Chae Ha of a false accusation. When Tae Seon selects Chae Ha as his partner in a murder investigation, they get close. I'm paying attention, Korea.

All BLs Announced for 2026 that I knew of at the start of the year. (Not kept updated.)

(last week)

The tag BLigade: @doorajar @solitaryandwandering @my-rose-tinted-glasses @babymbbatinygirl @babymbbatinygirl @isisanna-blog @mmastertheone @pickletrip @aliceisathome @urikawa-miyuki @tokillamonger @sunflower-positiiivity @rocketturtle4 @blglplus @anythinggoesintheshire @everlightly @renafire @mestizashinrin @bl-bam-beyond @small-dark-and-delicious @saezurumurmurs @waitmyturtles @worldhopping

(hellsite doesn't allow me to tag that many people, sadly)

[waaana]

Boss (ator) !★

[qlfilmnews]

Nov 30, 2025 | A Dog and a Plane Fittings

[gunsatthaphan]

JaFirst will be the leads of the upcoming BL Be Mine SuperStar 🌟 

[absolutebl]

This Week in BL - 2025 Is Almost Over, the Trend Report is gonna be WILD this year

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top. Happy to say I'm back on my laptop and beyond the Great Firewall. Honestly, I have no idea how you mobile-only beebees do it.

Dec 2025 Week 3

Ongoing Series - Thai

Me and Thee (Sat iQIYI) ep 6 of 10 - I love this show so much. I love that Thee showed up at Peach's door with a glass of water so it could be thrown in his face. This is the best. I love that Thailand wrote a character who could just be at That Cheesy.

Quattro formaggi levels of cheesy.

(And we even got a cute coming out moment.)

Dare You to Death (Thai Netflix) ep 1 of 10 - JoongDunk as police investigators in a mystery thriller. (My boys all grown up and scoring Netflix deals.) I have made no secret that this is one of my favorite GMMTV pairs and I am DELIGHTED with this show. I love a BL police procedural. I love that they’re leaning into a very "Chinese BL bromance" dynamic for the mains.

I love that they’re playing with JoongDunk DunkJoong and I hope they really lean into that (pun intended) and push it. Sure this show is cheesy, but it's like the right amount of parmesan sprinkled on top.

(Did you notice they dropped the egregious sound effects on this one, just left in swelling music? Do we think this is Netflix-deal related?)

Let Me Into Your Heart (Weds YT) 3 of 10 - It’s ADORBS. I didn't expect to enjoy this show so much. Our star and his crush = utterly charming. (I wanna track down some likay next time I'm in Thailand.)

Goddess Bless You From Death (Fri iQIYI) ep 8 of 13 - For a scary ghost investigation involving a serial killer and some gruesome deaths, this is a Cute BL. Not sure on the police procedural part, but otherwise I’m enjoying the hell out of this.

Reloved (Sat iQIYI) ep 4 of 10 - I don’t believe for one moment that is actually his son. Also, I don’t like that we’re at the place where there’s willful refusal to communicate going on. I’m getting Japanese "please just talk to each other" syndrome. Otherwise I am still enjoying this more than I expected. 

I have to say, I like that they’re just airing this show tidy. No behind the scenes. No unwarranted MVs. No specials interrupting anything. Just one episode after another. It’s refreshing.

Burnout Syndrome (Weds iQIYI) ep 4 of 10 - Sill not my thing. Still can't stop watching. Do I like it? Not really. But it’s riveting. 

Melody of Secrets (Thai Viu) eps 1-3 of 10 - Because I got my VPN up and running, I can watch this now. We now have solid evidence that ForceBook (EarthMix) are best in serious roles. (Although I don’t think I will ever be sold on their chemistry. If there is any, I’ve never seen it.) Back to this show…

I seem to have said this many many MANY times this year but man do I hate the amnesia trope! This show, and the way people treat each other (and react to each other) feels dreamlike and atmospheric. It makes it feel slightly unrealistic, but also as if we too are amnesiac. Which I think is the intent. I’m not sure if I like it. It’s on the director, so I am not blaming the pair, but the whole cast feels a little distanced and unreliable because of it. I don’t dislike it, given this concept, but I don’t like it either.

Except lie constantly?

Interminable (Fri iQIYI) ep 7 of 11 - This episode was all about the romance in the past and how it got started. And also how evil the Faen Fetal character is in this particular series. Kinda boring, actually.

Head 2 Head (Sun YT) ep 7 of 10 - Whatever.

The Love Never Sets (Tues iQIYI) ep 10 of 13 - Whatever mark 2. 

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

School Trip: Joined a Group I'm Not Close To aka Shugakuryoko de Nakayokunai Group ni Hairimashita (Japan Sun Gaga) ep 9 of 10 - Elder gay rep! They just hitting every damn bingo square with this show aren't they? It's made for me and @heretherebedork and we are DELIGHTED.

Love Begins in the World of If AKA If no Sekai de Koi ga Hajimaru (Japan Fri Gaga) ep 5 of 10 - I love them so much and I’m so grateful to Japan right now.  

Therapy Game (Japan Thurs Gaga) ep 8 of 9 - Look. Japan is actually saving all of BL at the moment. More power to them. Ending the year strong.

To My Shore (China Sat/Sun Viki) eps 8-9 of 15 - Another game of pharmaceuticals, China? I’m actually back to enjoying this a bit more. It seems that whenever they are at odds, I like this show, but when they are being boyfriends, I don’t. GIVE ME THE PURE UNCUT TOXICITY CHINA.

It's airing but.....

Peach Trap (Korea Thurs Gaga) ep 5 of 8 -paused. I am able to get this now, but figured I'd wait until the finale and then just give up a summary.

Beside the Sky - Fourever You2 (Thai Viu) - Fah & Phoon from Fourever You in a very sad drama trauma piece. Looks GREAT and I think these actors can handle this kinda content. Unfortunately, this one is only on Viu which I don't have. Bummer, because I was looking forward to it.

It ended but...

Delivering a Delicious Divorce AKA Oishii Rikon Todokemasu (Japan Weds TVer) 10 eps - A brilliant lawyer teams up with his bf, a sharp-witted private detective, to tackle high-stakes cases of “love gone wrong” in this legal drama. I'm sourcing this nefariously and will binge once done.

Me and Who (Fri WeTV) ep 8 of 10 - I'm traveling and WeTV is not worth in on mobile. Summary when I gt home

10Dance - reviews are mixed so I haven't taken the plunge yes. Your thoughts appreciated.

I Finished It!

Thundercloud Rainstorm (Korea iQIYI) 8 eps - I don't know. This one lost me over the last few eps. it is a shame KBL can’t hold their toxicity to the same level depths as China and execute on that promise without going sappy. They had some good kinky contenders this year yet every one fumbled in the final quarter. 

Summary

A sort of D/s BL that actually turned out to be about trauma and abuse. Korea + whipping boy + stepbrothers trope + kinky = made for me, and yet... It had courage to its convictions, they were just the wrong convictions. Nicely kinky at the start but otherwise this was depressing. The ending was aggressively FINE. I don’t know how to rate it as a result. 6/10 for pissing me off or 7/10 because that's what it deserves? 6/10 this is my damn blog.

Next Week Looks Like This:

Still to Come?

Secret Lover (my favorite BL of 2025) is getting a special extended version movie recut (with new footage) released into Japan. Hopefully, it goes international too.

There are bunch of shorter pulps from Korea (and China) airing on YT these days, but I haven't been chronicling them since they look, act, and feel rather throw-away. If I enjoy it enough, I'll let you know. But if you wanna watch subscribe to YT channels they are: TRUE FILM, Sukfilm, SEEKMedia, Strongberry & Lovememory.

2025 Line Up

BL Announced for 2025 - PART 1

BL Announced for 2025 - PART 2

20 BLs Announced for 2025 That I'm Really Excited About

GMMTV 2025 Line Up - My Totally Biased and Wildly Flawed Feels

THIS WEEK’S BEST MOMENTS

(last week)

The tag BLigade: @doorajar @solitaryandwandering @my-rose-tinted-glasses @babymbbatinygirl @babymbbatinygirl @isisanna-blog @mmastertheone @pickletrip @aliceisathome @urikawa-miyuki @tokillamonger @sunflower-positiiivity @rocketturtle4 @blglplus @anythinggoesintheshire @everlightly @renafire @mestizashinrin @bl-bam-beyond @small-dark-and-delicious @saezurumurmurs @waitmyturtles @worldhopping

(hellsite doesn't allow me to tag that many people, sadly)

[absolutebl]

This Week in BL - Good Stuff!

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

May 2026 Week 3

Ongoing Series - Thai

Lately It's Winter Season Fourever You2 (Fri WeTV) ep 2 of 8 -I love this so much. I love our poor little Rich kid who has never known family or warmth. I love our casual, affectionate, easy-going sweetheart who just welcomes him without a care. It’s all painfully precious.

Your Dear Daddy (Sat iQIYI) ep 3 of 8 - Oo creepy opener. But aside from the shoulder-molesting ghost, this show is darn tootin’ cute. Bonus: GL side couple!

Cherm Chey (Tues Gaga) ep 1 of 10 - Oh noes, I love them so much. This is gonna be a great show to start my week. I am charmed. We went out of the gate with a linguistic negotiation and some pronoun action and I’m v happy. It is a little weird, and a little disjointed, but I  like it. Quirky. Flirty. But also, what is this show about? Or is it just a slice of life thing? (Also, I know that temple well!) Until proven otherwise, I am subtitling this one: Eat, Pray, Gay.

Love Upon a Time (Fri iQIYI) ep 9 of 12 - Honeymoon phase did not last very long, did it? Our rich boy is certainly making promises he cannot keep. As ever, this installment was engaging and I am still pleased with this show.

Love of Silom (Fri WeTV) ep 5 of 12 - Yet another case of “absolutely awful parents.” It’s like they came out of an AMA Reddit thread into our BL. Oh no, it’s so early on and already a full on love confession? This means we were in for a world of hurt in pain. The family, trauma, and drama is going to downpour upon us.

When Oranges Fall (Weds YT) ep 2 of 12 - Not so much linguistic negotiation as linguistic instruction? (Is that the kink version? Asking for a friend.) What he actually says in the image pictured is “Didn’t I say no using guu/meng?” It’s v clear K2 has a big’ol crush, while K1 is Captain Oblivious. I’m liking this better this week than last, but I have to say that it is largely because of the secondary couple. They’re very cute. Gimme moar. 

Flower Boy (Sat Gaga) ep 5 of 10 - I am never a big fan of lying liars who lie. And this show is kind of based on one. I have to admit, it’s diminishing the expereince it for me. I sure hope our flower boy gets some major revenge at some point.

Magic Move (Tues iQIYI) ep 5 of 10 - I’m getting bored with this one, at this juncture. Most of the fortuneteller stuff is silly to me. And the main couple, while cute, just doesn’t have much oomph. Side dishes gave us a great kiss tho. (That was one v specific kink.) 

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Double Helix (China Fri & Sat Gaga) eps 5-6 of 12 - OMG these boys! Why so painful and melodramatic? Moving directly in with your ex-boyfriend is not “taking it slow.” This is a wild soap opera of a show. I’m sorry, but putting toothpaste on a burn is bonkers behavior. DON’T DO THAT! A note for the director: you can’t cut back to back NC seems like that when one pair is so much better at kissing than the other. In other news, things are about to go terribly terribly wrong for everybody.

Fake Fact Lips (Japan Fri Gaga) ep 5 of 10 - Argh. These losers are so terribly in love, and so terribly bad at it. Also FINALLY. Also, the JBL we are accustomed to would have ended on this episode. So I’m not entirely sure where we’re going as were are only halfway through. Still, I’m obeying my own mandate, and having no expectations of Japan. 

Smile after Tears (Taiwan Weds Gaga) eps 1-2 of 12 - I do enjoy the style and troubled softness of Taiwanese high school BLS. I’m sad we get them so rarely, and they so often must revolve around music. But frankly, I will take what I can get in this sub genre. I’m enjoying this, the optics are good. Our cutie is very cute, our tsundere is very tsundere with a crush, our second lead is v earnest. However, the title is ominous. I am not reassured by the plot description on MDL.

The Gaze (China ??? YT) eps 7-8 of 10 - This is turning into one of those shows where I actually think the happiest ending would be if the mains do not end up together. He is a bully and as such he’s not a good boyfriend. The sides on the other hand, remain eminently enjoyable.

Life in Smokey Blue AKA Smoke Blue no Ame Nochi Hare (Japan Tues Gaga) ep 7 of 10 - If Thailand is banned from using wigs, then Japan is henceforth banned from using facial postiche. Unwatchably bad facial hair there. Anygay, as is common with me and BL, if the leads are apart for most of an episode, I find the episode dull. This one was also sad. 

Journey With You (China Fri Gaga) ep 4 of 8 - Drama drama, court politics, brother against brother, gays against gays, gay on gay crimes, etc. Also yay CBL kiss! Still a surprise thrill whenever it happens. This being a good kiss, my doubts as to an HEA have multiplied. 

Unexpectedly Naughty Fukami AKA Yatara Yarashii Fukami-kun (Japan Mon Gaga) ep 7 of 10 - Unbelievably awkward date for the win? Maybe more for the draw?

Wishing Upon The Shooting Stars (Taiwan Thurs Gaga) ep 10 of 12 - It’s just kind of sad now. And I don’t see how they’re gonna resolve it.

Check in to You (Korea Thurs YT) eps 1-2 of 6 - I just am not sure about this. I don’t love either of the characters and I hate the backbone trope of bodyswap (pun intended). If this becomes "pay to watch" I won’t continue. 

It's airing but...

One Year (Thai Sun YT) dropped at ep 3 of 8, not for me.

CrazyLove-MooMoo AKA Crazy Love, Moo-Moo (Thai Sat VIU) 10 eps- trailer It's BossNoeul in a comedy based on a novel but who tf cares when my boy Noh is there paired with Turbo? How delightful. Honestly? I would love to watch this, but they sure aren’t making it easy on international audiences.

Lost to You (China Gaga) 12 eps - I decided to hold off on this one and wait until it completes its run and I know the ending. I greatly mistrust any BL description that includes the word “bittersweet” esepcially out of China. Thus I depend upon those with greater courage than moi to tell me how this one goes.

I Watched It!

Love Punch! (Japan YT grey) 7/10 - Quiet, reserved Tsuru, top student at rival Shiraiwa High School, visits and flirts with outgoing but violent Madoka, causing tension between school gangs. Tsuru moves into Madoka's grandmother's place and pursues him, but maybe just for revenge? It's a bit odd and disjointed and violent but it actually is a BL and it all ends on a not-as-bad-as-it-could-be-couch-cough-Japan kiss.

Boku no Tomei na Dokyonin (Japan vertical YT grey) - 5/10 Vertical series about a high school student, left alone at his grandmother’s house, who ends up living with a ghost. The ghost's past and lingering regrets begin to unravel while the human's feelings deepen. I'm never a fan of the "my ghost bf" trope but this one at least managed to end it not unhappily, he still dead tho.

Next Week Looks Like This:

Still Coming May 2026

5/27 The Guy and I Who Will Break Up in 100 Days AKA 100 Nichi Go ni Wakareru Boku to Kare (Japan Weds Gaga) 10 eps - "Documentary" about the "ideal gay relationship" features a couple already broken up who decide to fake it for the camera.

5/28 Love Class 3 (Korea Thurs Viki) 10 eps - that's all we got folx.

5/29 A Dog and A Plane (Thai Fri Viki & Gaga) 10 eps - trailer A prissy gay flight attendant in a push-pull relationship with an EMT dude-bro. Characters are a bit throwback to PeteKao (no bad thing) not to mention the looming shadow of What the Duck? (bad thing). Okay GMMTV, surprise me, I'm game. (And you all know TayNew are my OG GMMTV pair du jour.)

5/30 Ticket To Heaven (Thai Sat Viki & Gaga) ep 1 of 5 - trailer GMMTV is doing a Boy Foretold by Stars concept? Interesting. I did not have religious boundary pushing and bildungsroman down on the BL bingo card. This isn't my thing but I think G4 are actually going to be amazing in it and I certainly look forward to them pushing their acting chops and the discomfort something like this can cause in viewership. I like it when BL makes people (who aren't me) uncomfortable.

5/30 Payback (Thai Sat iQIYI) 10 eps - trailer Thai adaptation of the Korean webtoon of the same name 페이백 written by samk and illustrated by Fujoking. A gang member joins the entertainment industry for revenge, and a powerful mogul becomes obsessed with him. This could go to YT, Gaga, or iQiyi. (I am VERY intrigued by this premise - Bangkok Boy meets Reset?)

All BLs Announced for 2026 that I knew of at the start of the year. (Not kept updated.)

(last week)

The tag BLigade: @doorajar @solitaryandwandering @my-rose-tinted-glasses @babymbbatinygirl @babymbbatinygirl @isisanna-blog @mmastertheone @pickletrip @aliceisathome @urikawa-miyuki @tokillamonger @sunflower-positiiivity @rocketturtle4 @blglplus @anythinggoesintheshire @everlightly @renafire @mestizashinrin @bl-bam-beyond @small-dark-and-delicious @saezurumurmurs @waitmyturtles @worldhopping

(hellsite doesn't allow me to tag that many people, sadly)

[absolutebl]

This Week in BL - It's Official, We ARE Overwhelmed

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

June 2026 Week 1

Ongoing Series - Thai

Payback (Sat iQIYI) ep 2 of 10 - I continue to enjoy this very much. It’s a unique premise and I’m entertained by it.

Love Upon a Time (Fri iQIYI) ep 11 of 12 - And now the mystery has been solved. The friends came to the rescue and we got a friendship hug which was adorable and made me very happy. I'm looking forward to the final episode. I’m glad they left an entire episode for the present day so that the romance could be properly resolved. They seem to be doing a lot of things right with this series that previous historicals failed to execute well. Good for you, little show.

Lately It's Winter Season Fourever You2 (Fri WeTV) ep 4 of 8 - Poor boy with his first crush is fucking everything up. It’s actually hilarious. I did very much enjoy the mafia brothers in a pink ice cream parlor. Quite funny. 

When Oranges Fall (Weds YT) ep 4 of 12 - I gotta say, every episode I enjoy this a little more. It’s just a slice of life high school BL reminiscent of Make it Right more than Love Sick. Although not quite so rough. I like it. It’s sweet. And my goodness are these sides dropping everything I want to pick up. MOAR!

Your Dear Daddy (Sat iQIYI) ep 5 of 8 - Oh noes, why such a dark backstory? Too harsh for my soft end-of-week BL! Also trigger warning. Was not expecting this.

A Dog and A Plane (Fri Gaga) ep 2 of 10 - I LOVE Ryu in this role. This is a very silly show, but I like it.

Love of Silom (Fri WeTV) ep 7 of 12 - The linguistic battle over “nu” was lots if fun and not what I expected from this show. Nu means mouse and is very cutesy. Sorry but Wayu is NOT a nu. (I suspect Erng would love it tho.) Anygay, this was “the boyfriend era” episode so I was happy, love a cute gay musical montage or two. 

Cherm Chey (Tues Gaga) ep 3 of 10 - It’s interesting to hear “nong” used as I personal. It’s so incredibly rare IRL and in BL. Half of me expects nu half the time. Erng really does want to be thought of as small and delicate. I have to be honest, much as I like the characters and performances, I am finding this show slow and disjointed and awkward. In more consummate hands than Thai BL I would stay it’s being done intentionally to reflect the character’s personalities, but that’s not what is going on. And I don’t have confidence in this show knowing what it wants to be or where it wants to go. I guess it’s leaning into the slice of lifestyle? We just rarely get anything like this from Thailand (Gelboys maybe?), it feels more like Japan, but drawing Japanese style into a Thai length does no one any favors. 

Ticket To Heaven (Sat Gaga) ep 2 of 5 - The cast is great, and everybody is doing a great job, I just don’t like this story. This is not the BL for me. I’m so glad it’s short. 

Flower Boy (Sat Gaga) ep 7 of 10 - Right, we now alll know the truth.

Magic Move (Tues iQIYI) ep 7 of 10 - Oh dear, the lies are beginning to unravel.

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Love Class 3 (Korea Thurs Viki) eps 3-4 of 10 - I love past them. Adorable hyung romance. How dare. I do not understand why hyung has to be that cruel, but I’m sure there is some sort of dumb (maybe?) excusable reason for it. I’m glad we are going back into the training room starting next week and… I am really enjoying this show.

Double Helix (China Fri & Sat Gaga) eps 9-10 of 12 - On again, off again, hot cold, this is such a soap opera. And now we go as dark as we all know source material was leading us too. Kidnapping, imprisonment, torture, PAIN!!!! (So FYI in the original it ended with the shooting.) Oh dear oh dear, what a doozy of a CBL. Whatever will be next? How will this resolve? Do I want it to end badly, sadly, or not?

Life in Smokey Blue AKA Smoke Blue no Ame Nochi Hare (Japan Tues Gaga) ep 9 of 10 - I hold with my previous assessment that this is an oddly calm and strangely paced show, but endearing.

Smile after Tears (Taiwan Weds Gaga) ep 4 of 12 - Oh dear. They are a little too sweet for what is coming.

The Summer You Kissed Me (China Thurs YT) ep 1 of 5 - We are suitably intrigued (mostly by the shirtlessness because holy muscles batman). 

Journey With You (China Fri Gaga) ep 6 of 8 - Awww. They so pretty. We are also making very pretty vows in a bathtub. No objections here. 

Fake Fact Lips (Japan Fri Gaga) ep 7 of 10 - I don’t like the new guy or anything he represents for our plot. I also think this episode has spent too much time on him. Anyway, mistakes were made by the characters in this episode, and by production with characterization in general. We are no pleased.

Unexpectedly Naughty Fukami AKA Yatara Yarashii Fukami-kun (Japan Mon Gaga) ep 9 of 10 - Oh dear, these poor babies are hurting so bad.

The Lie We Lived In (Korea Thurs Viki) eps 1-2 of 8 - This is gonna be a hard sell for me. I don’t like anti-hero main characters as a rule. And while I can tolerate this kind of concept from Japan, I’m not wild about it from Korea. We’ll see. IMHO KBL doesn’t jive with darker themes. Still this is gonna be interesting, at least it’s something different?

Backdoor a KBL shorter series currently airing on YT is also good. I don't usually report ont he shorts but I like how office set creepy and sinister this one is. Also, my new favorite lines:

It ended my thoughts

Wishing Upon The Shooting Stars (Taiwan Gaga) ep 12 end - nice final ep. But also ???

Summary

A reverse-amnesia narrative, where a man wishes to never exist, and everybody he loves forgets about him slowly but surely, including the boy who’s had a crush on him his whole life and never told him. This is a beautifully made and well-scripted peace, I just didn’t jive with the premise. Turns out, the only thing I like less than an amnesia trope is a reverse-amnesia trope. But if you feel like the nature of remembrance + identity + love it’s something you want to watch explored on screen in Taiwan’s signature style (a little gritty, very soft, and beautifully high heat) then this is the show for you. I had no issues with production or performance, this just wasn’t at all to my personal taste. Still a solid 8/10 show.

I am left with the wistful notion that I would love to see Max Kuo to star in Taiwan’s version of Love Sick. 

The Gaze (China YT) ep 10 end - Well, I guess he did fight really really hard for his forgiveness. Well earned? Enough for me, I think. 

Summary

The story of a celebrity tennis player who becomes obsessed with his club’s new team doctor. Includes v pretty side pair of team photographer + celebrity artist. It had elements that we expect from China: manipulation as a love language, hash treatment and uke abuse, obsession and other toxic traits. But it didn’t entirely lean into them, shying away halfway through into a resolution that was more honestly queer and humane, but jarring when contrasted to expectations of CBL as a newly reemerged genre. I, who am trash, definitely enjoyed the toxic beginning more than the healthy end. It felt like it moved from being a CBL to a Taiwanese BL. Which was fascinating to watch play out, but felt disjointed, and disingenuous to the genre, but also somehow.. better? (How contradictory I am being with this review.) Although I’m disposed to be satisfied with the ending and intrigued by a shifting style out of China, actually watching a show change mid run was unsettling. Do we judge on what this show was or what it became or what it tried to be? I’m not sure. Do we start expecting this kind of thing out of China now, or was this an aberration? All of which is to say, I found this more thought-provoking than ultimately enjoyable. So… I’m giving it an 7/10

It's airing but...

The Boy and I Who Will Break Up in 100 Days AKA 100 Nichi Go ni Wakareru Boku to Kare (Japan Weds Gaga) 10 eps - I gave the first ep a try and it just really wasn't for me. I'm open to changing my mind on this one, but you'll have to let me know how it's going.

One Year (Thai Sun YT) I dropped at ep 3 of 8, not for me. Ends this week.

CrazyLove-MooMoo AKA Crazy Love, Moo-Moo (Thai Sat VIU) 10 eps- It's BossNoeul in a comedy based on a novel but who tf cares when my boy Noh is there paired with Turbo? How delightful. Honestly? I would love to watch this, but they sure aren’t making it easy as the lack of gifs is proving.

Lost to You (China Gaga) 12 eps - I decided to wait until this completes its run and I know the ending. I greatly mistrust any BL description that includes the word “bittersweet” especially out of China. Thus I depend upon those with greater courage than moi to tell me how this goes.

Check in to You (Korea Thurs YT) ep 2 of 6 - moved to paid subscribers only or just got lost. I hate bodyswap so I'm not fussed. My goodness, Strongberry, how the mighty have fallen.

Dual Stars (Taiwan iQIYI) 6 eps: Dropped the whole darn thing, all at once. Like we have nothing better to do. I watched most of it, now waiting for the final 2 eps to release to us peons who only pay the lowest subscription on a platform that still serves adverts. I like it a lot, hope the eventually release the end. Research has concluded that this is Mainland China using Taiwan to distribute.

Next Week Looks Like This:

The unalloyed insanity continues.

Still Coming June 2026

6/20 Lost to Light (Thai Fri ????) 10eps - Once an idol group with dreams of stardom, they’re now forced to wear mascots and sing children’s songs for kindergarten kids.

6/24 My Summer of You AKA Kimi wa Natsu no Naka (Japan Weds ????) 10 eps - I love LOVE this manga. I will watch this grey if if doesn't get picked up for inter distribution.

6/25 When Light Fades (Thai Thurs ????) trailer - One of them tourism BLs set in 1976 about a young man adventuring in the jungle.

6/30 Knot (Thai Thurs iQIYI) 10 eps trailer - From the My Stubborn team, Thailand watched ABO Desire and said to the BL world "Here, hold my pink milk" and then tossed it to BoatOat. WE ARE SEATED.

6/?? The Man Who Married into a Wealthy Family (China ????) - Forbidden romance between a poor man and his wealthy wife's older brother. Looks messy and the kind of thing that sould be a vertical... so very much my thing.

6/?? The Prosecutor's Office's Proposal (Korea ????) 8 eps - Watcha is back! Adapted from a novel. Lee Chae Ha, failed police officer, becomes a prosecutor’s office investigator. He has lived his life bearing the label of “murderer’s son,” enduring bullying from peers and violence from his uncle. He reunites with Prosecutor Ju Tae Seon, a respected figure who once helped clear Chae Ha of a false accusation. When Tae Seon selects Chae Ha as his partner in a murder investigation, they get close. I'm paying attention, Korea.

All BLs Announced for 2026 that I knew of at the start of the year. (Not kept updated.)

(last week)

The tag BLigade: @doorajar @solitaryandwandering @my-rose-tinted-glasses @babymbbatinygirl @babymbbatinygirl @isisanna-blog @mmastertheone @pickletrip @aliceisathome @urikawa-miyuki @tokillamonger @sunflower-positiiivity @rocketturtle4 @blglplus @anythinggoesintheshire @everlightly @renafire @mestizashinrin @bl-bam-beyond @small-dark-and-delicious @saezurumurmurs @waitmyturtles @worldhopping

(hellsite doesn't allow me to tag that many people, sadly)

[absolutebl]

This Week in BL - Charming Endings

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

April 2026 Week 3

Ongoing Series - Thai

Love Upon a Time (Fri iQIYI) ep 4 of 12 - This show is very engaging. There’s a lot going on. Heavy plot in my Thai BL? Amazing! I don’t like the fact that there are a lot of characters intentionally obfuscating the truth, and never giving Klao a direct answer. That feels like the narrative manipulating us. But it doesn’t stop me from enjoying this show. Still love the side couple, tho Jom is a prick of the first water. 

The Sun From Another Star: Fourever You2 (Weds WeTV or YT) ep 7-8 - What can I say? I love this couple’s dynamic. I love that there is finally BL in my BL. (This is gonna be another one of those where we have incredible ever-changing hair color.) North is such a little shit. He may be one of my favorite characters this year. My goodness does this cast make me laugh. Wall slide, my old friend! I kinda like the half Korean dude, he cute! Give him his own BL. I do wish the fight and the beating had been set up a little bit better. But it was a great cliffhanger, and I had to watch the final episode right after because of it.

Summary

Essentially, this is the story of a bad boy with mommy issues and the cute sullen medium who wins his heart by talking with the dead. But there wasn’t much actual romance until episode 6. Honestly, just with the final 2.5 episodes this became one of the better BLs I’ve seen this year. We even got well executed sexitimes without it being too explicit. Delightful. Perfection at  40%. The friendships are the best thing about this whole series and they really shine in this final installment. (Also it was fun to see Ngern & Oat together again 12 years later!) 8/10 

Duang With You (Sat iQIYI) ep 12 end - Qin is peak babygirl. Of course I loved the linguistic begging (it cannot be dignified with the term negotiation) over the use of ter. Delightful.

Summary 

The puppiest puppy to ever gooddoggo pursues the sulkiest cat to ever babygirl in a classic Thai uni BL. There is some friendship drama and family trauma but not much else going on... for 12 episodes. But the little that does happen, leaves you smiling, and the NC scenes are sweet and hot. Side couple was underused, no surprise there, but it was great to get an unashamed legman in one of our shows. Been too long since Ghost Host Ghost House. All of which is to say, one cannot ask for much more out of ones Thai BL these days. (Although, I could’ve done without the singing, and I’m going to expunge the jazz from my brain meats.) 8/10  

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Always Meet Again (Korea Thurs iQIYI) ep 7 of 8 - I am so enjoying the show and I am so scared of it at the same time. It’s very tense. Also, I’m so glad Korea chose to confer the rare reboot upon a pair that can kiss well.

Sammy's Children's Day (HK Fri Gaga) eps 7 of 9 - Hong Kong gangster babygirl with sexual identity crisis was not on my bingo card for 2026, but I sure am delighted to have him here. Paired with manipulative af genius college kid seme and life ain't bad. The "manipulation as a love language" agenda proceeds a pace I see. I'm scared that we are in a The On1y One situation. But I can’t stop watching this. So I am girding the proverbial loins. (And so should you.)

Contrast (Japan Fri Gaga) eps 6 of 8 - This remains an excellent show. I think we all yelled “too late“ at the end of this episode. Also, I think we all are hoping that the tutor character gets his competence. This is JBL tho - I’ll remind you “cherish no expectations.”

Life in Smokey Blue AKA Smoke Blue no Ame Nochi Hare (Japan Tues Gaga) ep 2 of 10 - I do like this a lot, but I’m not riveted or obsessed with it. And I would like to be.

Feel What You Feel (China via HK Fri Viki & Gaga) eps 5 of 8 - They are such utter boyfriends. There’s no doubt about it. It’s just that they haven’t realized it. I’m into the side couple, too. I love a little enemies to lovers drunken hate fuck bisexual slut moment in my BL. 

Wishing Upon The Shooting Stars (Taiwan Thurs Gaga) ep 5 of 12 - When Taiwan is good, it’s really very good. Also: "Hi Sam, long time no see. I always miss you, and I’m always happy to see you show up even when you're playing a sleeze."

Unexpectedly Naughty Fukami AKA Yatara Yarashii Fukami-kun (Japan Mon Gaga) ep 2 of 10 - This is not my favorite kind of JBL, it’s just a little too slapstick and camp for me. Still, I’m not mad about it the way I sometimes get. Meanwhile, how much do I love a show actually playing into the old adage (that my promiscuous arse figured out in my 20s): the better looking the person the less good they are in bed.

It's airing but...

Flavor of Us (Mon YT) 3 of 10 - Search me, search the hard drives, it seems they have lost the damn thing.

My Romance Scammer (Thai YT) ep 9-10 of 12 - Ends soon. Circumstances beyond my control seem to have dictated that I drop this. I don’t care.

Love Like A Bike (Thai iQIYI) 8 eps - Ends this week. Dropped at ep 2. Too many ethical violations but not toxic in the way that makes it work, I'm out. DNF 

Only Friends Dream On (Thai) 12 eps - I was virulently against this except I do love watching pairs get busted up, but it doesn't look like they gonna let EarthMix fly free soooo... meh

Love You Teacher (Thai Viki) 10 eps - I do like Perth & Santa (although I'm not sold on them as a pair) but words cannot describe how much I dislike this premise. No thank you very much. Infantilization and people acting like children wigs me tf out. YKINMKBYKIOK of course, but not in my BL GMMTV.

Next Week Looks Like This:

Coming April 2026

4/19 Wuju Bakery (Korea Sun Gaga) 8 eps - From 2023, Silkwood & Be On Cloud (!) production about a spaceship that crash-lands into and destroys a bakery shop. Of course this means the alien and the baker end up living together. At the same time, other aliens-in-hiding all around the city start hunting for them. One of my most anticipated BLs of 2024. It sounded SO WEIRD. Now I'm not sold (dev hell for this long is never a good sign) and it looks like they haven't paid the talent.

4/21 Magic Move (Thai Tues iQIYI) 10 eps - trailer From 2023, When an architecture student in his final year accidentally becomes a famous university fortune teller, he pretend-reveals that he was the childhood ship partner of the young heir to a real estate fortune. Although their relationship begins with a lie, it develops into a genuine love.

4/24 Love of Silom (Thai Fri WeTV) 12 eps - trailer UpPoom are back in another complex piece. Closeted brokenhearted policeman meets struggling single dad. We adore this idea!!! (This may pull me back onto WeTV - curses.)

4/24 Fake Fact Lips (Japan Fri Gaga) 10 eps - 2 former high school rivals end up working together in the same sales department.

4/25 Flower Boy (Thai Sat Gaga) 10 eps - Pearl and Peak From 2025's Love in the Moonlight, in a magical realism about smell. Caught between survival and the gradual development of feelings, will this love blossom or be plucked prematurely?

All BLs Announced for 2026 that I knew of at the start of the year. (Not kept updated.)

Best thing this week:

(last week)

The tag BLigade: @doorajar @solitaryandwandering @my-rose-tinted-glasses @babymbbatinygirl @babymbbatinygirl @isisanna-blog @mmastertheone @pickletrip @aliceisathome @urikawa-miyuki @tokillamonger @sunflower-positiiivity @rocketturtle4 @blglplus @anythinggoesintheshire @everlightly @renafire @mestizashinrin @bl-bam-beyond @small-dark-and-delicious @saezurumurmurs @waitmyturtles @worldhopping

(hellsite doesn't allow me to tag that many people, sadly)