2024 BL Universe Award Winners!
Thank you for your patience! We have tabulated the scores and the winners are…
Category 1: Language & Culture
Japanese Title:
Happy of the End by Tanaka Ogeretsu
2024 drama adaptation of comic.
Audio drama also exists.
Fun fact! This is the same creator for Yarichin Bitch Club.
Chihiro, a gay man rejected by his family meets Keito, a handsome loner with a troubled past. After a bizarre first encounter, Keito takes Chihiro in despite initial conflicts, and an unlikely bond forms between the two as they start living together.
Korean Title:
Love in the Big City by Sang Young Park
2024 drama adaptation of a novel.
Go Young, a gay man, and Choi Mi-ae, a straight woman, are best friends living together. Young sets out on a 10-year journey of self-discovery; his mother denies his sexual orientation, and he is compelled by social pressure to break up with his lover Sim Gyu-ho. Heartbroken, he travels back to Thailand and discovers more about himself.
Chinese Title:
The On1y One by Mu Su Li
2024 drama adaption of a novel called, “A Certain Someone.”
Also has an audio drama.
Fun fact! This is the same creator for Global University Entrance Examination and Copper Coins!
Sheng Wang and Jiang Tian must negotiate their new status as stepbrothers, enduring the ups and downs of their school and family experiences together. However, neither of them expected that romance would begin to spark between them!
Thai Title:
Jack & Joker: U Steal My Heart!
2024 drama.
Fun fact! Completely Original Story!
Two men with contrasting lives are brought together by fate to collaborate on a grand heist. Joker, a boastful and talented thief, leads a double life, robbing corrupt elites and redistributing their wealth to struggling villagers. Jack, a calm and intimidating former taekwondin-turned-debt collector, believes in using his strength only to protect the weak and prefers peaceful solutions to conflict. Despite their differences, their uneasy partnership forms the heart of the story.
English Title:
Heartstopper by Alice Osman
2024 drama adaptation (season 3) of a comic.
Charlie would like to tell Nick that he loves him. Nick also has something important to say to Charlie. As they learn more about each other and their relationships, plan social events and parties and start thinking about university choices, everyone must learn to lean on those they love when life doesn’t go to plan.
Category 2: Medium / Format
Novel Title:
The Ballad of Sword and Wine by Tang Jiu Qing (Chinese)
Vol 1 & 2 released in 2024.
Also has a comic and audio drama!
Shen Zechuan is the eighth son of a traitorous Prince. He bears the hatred of the nation, but no one’s hate burns hotter than that of Xiao Chiye, the youngest son of another powerful Prince. As these two bitter enemies beat against the bonds of their fate, they find themselves kindred spirits, unlikely allies… and perhaps something more.
Comic Title:
Semantic Error by Angy & Jeo Soori (Korean)
Released in print in 2024.
Also has a novel, a drama, an animation, and an audio drama.
Fun Fact! The novel is being released in 2025 too!
Two university students start off on the wrong foot due to group project drama, but as they spend more time together, spicy attraction begins to develop between them.
Animation Title:
Twilight Out of Focus by Jyanome (Japanese)
Released on CrunchyRoll in 2024.
Also has a comic and audio drama.
Everything begins with second-year roommates Mao Tsuchiya and Hisashi Otomo setting, and recording, three rules to keep the peace in their dorm. The first is that Mao won’t tell anyone that his roommate is gay and “has a secret.” The second is that Hisashi won’t approach Mao romantically. The third is that both boys will respect each other’s “alone time.”
Live Action Title:
Our Youth by Hinoon (Japanese)
2024 drama adaptation.
Based on a Korean comic.
An exemplary student and a troublemaker delinquent are drawn together after the former discovers the latter’s secret, leading to an intimate relationship between the two.
Other Title:
Hedwig & the Angry Inch by John Cameron Mitchell (Korean)
2024 stage play adaptation.
Based on English stage play and movie.
A genderqueer singer who undergoes botched gender reassignment surgery and struggles with her identity while navigating love and her musical career.
Category 3: Content & Features
Best Emotional Title:
Love in the Big City by Sang Young Park (Korean)
Second win! Also won for Best Korean Title.
Best Comedy Title:
Perfect 10 Liners by JittiRain (Thai)
2024 drama adaptation.
Based on the novel called Engineer Cute Boy.
Arm, a new engineering student, manages an online fan page featuring campus heartthrobs. His feud with Ark, a senior in the elite ‘Divine Peers’ group, escalates when Arm posts Ark’s photos without consent. Ark has feelings for him.
Best Fantasy Title:
Meet You At The Blossom by Shui Qian Cheng (Chinese)
2024 drama adaptation.
Based on the novel called, Blooming Flowers, Silent Sorrow.
Also has an audio drama.
Fun Fact! A joint production between China and Thailand!
Jin Xiao Bao falls in love with icy, white-clothed beauty Huai En due to an unexpected meeting. Huai En seems to have aroused a lot of enmity however. When he comes to the rescue of an injured Huai En, who’s tainted by an aphrodisiac, the true identity of this beauty is revealed.
Best Kinky Title:
Wandee Goodday by Nottakorn (Thai)
2024 drama adaptation.
Based on the novel called Wandee Witthaya.
Because of a broken heart and drunkenness, Dr. Wandee goes from darling to daring, entangling himself with Muay Thai fighter Yoryak Phadetseuk. A one-night stand somehow turns into a fan with benefits relationship, though feelings creep up that the two don’t dare accept when they each have someone else lingering in their hearts.
Best Dead Dove Title:
Happy of the End by Tanaka Ogeretsu (Japanese)
Second Win! Also one for Best Japanese Title.
Best Omegaverse Title:
Tadaima, Okaeri by Ichikawa Ichi (Japanese)
2024 animation adaptation.
Also has a comic and audio drama.
In a heartwarming tale of love and acceptance, Masaki Fujiyoshi, a househusband, navigates societal prejudices alongside his beloved husband, Hiromu Fujiyoshi, and their adorable son, Hikari.
Best Explicit Title:
Deep Night by Guy Suwannaroj & LITA P (Thai)
2024 drama adaptation.
Also has a novel.
Khemthis, son of Madame Freya who owns top host club Deep Night Club, is fascinated by star host Wela. As he tries getting closer, obstacles arise.
Best Fluffy Title:
Only Boo! by peachhplease (Thai)
2024 drama adaptation.
Based on the novel called Just Curry.
Kang sells curry-rice at a school. Moo is a grade twelve student who dreams of becoming an idol. He splits his time between hitting on Kang and training. He simultaneously wants love and to realize his dream, but it seems he cannot have it when debuting comes with the caveat that relationships are forbidden.
Best Couple:
Jack and Joker from Jack & Joker: U Steal My Heart! (Thai)
Second Win! Also won for Best Thai Title.
Best Overall Title:
Jack & Joker: U Steal My Heart!
Third Win! Also won for Best Thai Title & Best Couple.
Thank you!
We appreciate everyone’s participation and have gathered a lot of great feedback!
Some things to clarify:
The Chinese Title for Language & Culture does include Taiwan and Hong Kong for now. This is very similar to the English Title including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. We understand that may people feel strongly that these should be separate, but they do have many similar backgrounds that should not be ignored and right now they help prop each other up in areas they lack a bit. This may change in the future, but we think this is acceptable for now.
We will be adding and taking away some awards in the future! We’re already considering what will be in next year’s! Additionally, we know it’s hard to keep track of what is released in the year, so be on the lookout for our monthly wrap-up posts!
We were recommended to add a Community Category where we can highlight other entities helping to promote and celebrate BL! We have many exciting ideas for this, so please look forward to next year’s Awards!
Thank you very much!
The BL President
