Guys I know that many of us like to listen to subliminals and frequencies but please be extremely careful with who you listen to. Some of them are malicious and do not have good intentions at all.
The only frequencies I listen to are from « HQ Binaural Beats » on YouTube and « Nerd of Subs » on YouTube and on TikTok (they exposed a lot of people who use fake frequencies on their TikTok account like ‘High Frequency Guru’ or ‘i want it, i got it’).
10 BL DRAMAS THAT HAD SO MUCH POTENTIAL BUT COULDN'T REACH THEIR PEAKS (for various reasons)
Sometimes it’s the acting, plot, dull/badly written characters, unnecessary drama/scenes, sometimes it’s because of other reasons such as color grading, depth or location choices (for example, lack of locations, if not executed perfectly, will be a problem for many low budget series.) And sometimes even the smallest things can ruin the whole project or become a hurdle on its way to achieving more. The vibes, the chemistry... you know…
And honestly, I’d love to see these dramas under a better light but since people would rather work on a new project than to fix older ones, I don’t think it’ll be possible anytime soon. Such a pity...
Oh also, please don't forget that these dramas' popularity has nothing to do with their possible potential to me. Meaning, regardless of their fame, if they're in this list that means that they haven't reached their peak as a whole project to me!
SPOILER ALERT!! (DUHH
1: La Cuisine
La Cuisine is a simple college setting drama. A love story that starts from the scratch and connects through food and friendships (aka side characters). It's so simple that, obviously the script writer ran out of ideas for the last couple of chapters and created a jealous love rival (ooh and ofc it's a petty girl, there's always a petty jealous girl (!)). And it went more and more ridiculous towards the end somehow? I love this series ngl, i love the lovey dovey relationship between the main characters but would i rewatch for it's plot? No. I rewatch it because I just like it?
Acting is all on the floor, especially for the cutie patootie. He can't act for his lifeee bruhh. He's pretty, yes no doubt in that but like at least take some beginner acting classes? Or maybe that was the exact vibe the director wanted? Idek. Also I'm also quite surprised to be saying this but the side characters were too much, their love storylines were just so inessential? Like oh my, a group of friends dating with another group of friends?!?! Like there's no one else left at the fucking faculty? Okay...
With better acting and well positioned side characters, it actually could be so much better. I can't point out the plot exactly but it's a light romance (maybe a little comedy as well) so you actually might enjoy the first episodes! I somehow like this despite everything (uhhhh...)
2: Low Frequency
It was a solid plot but the end felt rushed. Oh no, they didn't have less episodes than everyone else, they just chose to do it that way. Honestly, when will they understand that the growth of the character is much more important than to leave everything to the last second? I, personally, don't feel excited for the ending at all when every major incident is left to be resolved in the last episodes.
Some attempts were made and I genuinely appreciate that! They weren't bad scenes, and I think it helped the characters connect and develop their relationship but while all of this was happening one of them being a whole ass ghost didn't help at all! And the fact that they weren't that close with each other on a certain level when they were both alive made the whole thing a little weird to me. Like, that's almost a stranger...
Back to the topic, I rewatched this show like twice at most and I only rewatched the first three episodes, because the rest turned into an uninteresting ghost story after the first watch. Is it a bad story? Definitely not. Curiosity was alive till everything worked out which is a hard thing to do, so good job on that one! Chemistry was also good, but we could only see them flirting for idk how many but definitely not more than 30 mins. They do get together, yes but I just can't stop feeling like the team wasted a good on screen chemistry with this script...
3: A Secretly Love
You can't even guess how many times I rewatched this one! And believe me it should be counted as an achievement with the way subtitles were made. They got better but not all episodes, it's a torture to watch w those subtitles. I might as well consider learning Thai at this point.
First of all, let me talk about the senior main lead. I don't know his real name but he's a really good actor. He was also in the series "That's my candy" as the main lead and "City of stars" as a second role. I'd love to see him in more and bigger projects!
For this series, the plot again is a college setting light romance. The acting is off, especially with the main lead (waiter one). And omg that hairstyle??!!! JAIL! Why would they try to make him look more needy/timid w only his hairstyle and lack of communicational skills. Due to the lack of characterization, he looked bothered, even egocentric at times when he obv should've looked introverted... Didn't anyone point that out at all when this was made? Not even one person?!?! Yeah, no. I'm pissed because I think locations, lacking personalities in side characters (unfortunately you can see this clearly in their conversations), bland reactions made the whole thing bad when they could've just had a mid light romance series. And it's not even a budget thing, the angles, acting and a bit of deep thinking about the side characters could easily fix this... Everything was all over the place, esp towards the end. I mean If you write a group of 5 friends (could be less i don't even remember the exact number) you should at least be able to write a proper sentence about their characters. You can't write personality traits only for the main leadss (well one is written and the other just exists...). This isn't a fanfic. Wait maybe that's why I kinda like rewatching it for no reason?? Well what a pity...
4: I Saw You In My Dream
This one is not bad at all but not THAT good either unfortunately. This dreamy kind of plot was quite popular when I Saw You In My Dream was on air, so I kinda get why it didn't become famous or known in general. It feels like the whole dream thing was added as an AD (Was it actually?). But they somehow did unexpectedly nice? Or it might just be me idk. 10 episodes + 1 special episode, pretty good. Softie main lead's acting was stiff but I've seen worse soooo why not hehe (nervous laughing). Others did a good job in acting though, very promising actors.
The plot didn't go as i thought it would, I thought it'd be more focused on dreams but the changes in rhythm between that and unnecessary subplots were unsteady. Let's talk about the parents, this was one of the most healthy parent-child relationships I've ever seen in a bl. Such a fresh breath of air, good to see it! The side couple was nice. The little brother also starred in head 2 head (I just realized that these two have almost the same plot?????) as a second couple, and did a great job! 'Why's this series on this list then?' You might ask. Because it could've been so much better! Pacing, acting, chemistry and everything was nice but the plot was shallow. Again the dream thing wasn't based on a solid ground and eventually it felt like listening to a neighbor gossip.
In its twin series Head2Head, the ground was much more solid and no unnecessary characters were added for the sake of creating more drama to fill the episodes... And that's why they did it better obviously. Because the storytelling is not extremely different. But honestly go watch it, i think you guys might actually like it! I rewatched this like a week ago
5: Be Your Star
Yup, you're seeing correct, this is, indeed a Vietnamese bl! Maybe the style of the Vietnamese series is not fit for me but the scenes, cuts, angles and good for nothing scenes always bothers me. For example in this series, the plot is good, simple and painful but it was good, the feelings were portrayed nicely. The acting was great. Even for the side couple, you can understand the motive of their existence in the series which can be hard to find in many bl's.
The series has 20 episodes, honestly I'd be okay if the plot was more complex or something that needed detailed scenes or required in depth dialogues between characters because it'd just make sense! But the problem is, the side couple was shallow and the main couple kept going back and forth. It can be understandable because he's coming out of the closet where he didn't even know that he was trapped in it BUT that dilemma could be done in one single episode too! Side couple's troubles were slightly mentioned in the early episodes while there was so much room!
Towards the end their lines and stories became a bit better, but the ground was already made. Starting off with the wrong foot, now everybody is shaking. The storytelling wasn't bad, i just think it could be better.
Also, Trigger Warning! Homophobia, sa, abuse etc. Please take a second thought before watching this series, this might be extremely triggering for some.
6: Reloved
"Reloved the series" ended like a week ago and I'm already criticizing pfffttt This was quite promising from the start. Then all of a sudden the side character died??? His death didn't even add any useful things to the plot! And mind you, he was part of the second couple... After the death accident, the whole series went downhill unfortunately. It's a pity because the chemistry was good, side characters were supportive, could be better but with this kind of simple plot it was just enough. The misunderstanding trope is already a negative start for me but the couple's vibe was great.
Also the flashbacks between the past years and present confused me a little ngl. Instead of going back to the one single memory on each eye contact scene, why don't you just make one episode about what really happened in the past? Well that's not up to me to decide but this version was messy af. But will I rewatch? Yup, probably.
7: Dangerous Romance
The plot started simple then it shifted into something completely different BUT (and yes, it is a big 'but') there were signals about what was yet to come! So yeah, whew what a save! Before we talk about anything else, can we talk about the acting? Cause honey everybody was eating tf up!!! The main couple did so great, especially Perth (yes i looked up his name, he was that good!) did an amazing job! He also was paired with Santa in the series "Perfect 10 Liners" as another love story. Santa is an amazing actor as well, so it was such a feast to watch them as a viewer.
Okay, back to the "Dangerous Romance". I think the lack of communication between the characters towards the end was not it. Again near the ending, the second couple took too much time on the screen. Because of the limited screen time between the stories, i think the second couple's story was used as a saving step which didn't do really well... In short, there was a huge lack in character "pov"s. Separation scenes were dragged on...
Other than that tho, it was great overall. Last but not least, why was the main character sad when he got whatever he wanted bruh? Oh nooo my cake is too sweet, my coat is so warm!
8: Battle Of The Writers
If you watch bl for a while you will know that this one isn't the first drama of the main couple. They made their names known in the series "Cutie Pie" as a third couple and they attracted attention with their on screen chemistry and oddly written love story which is quite a hard thing to do! I think this duo had a serious problem with script choosing oooorr whoever was in charge of choosing their projects genuinely hated them... But considering the industry, they probably didn't have many options as beginner actors. If that was the situation, i can understand. I don't approve but I understand. Gotta pay those bills somehow, right?
For their first main lead project, which is "The Middleman's Love". The series was as simple as its' name. The acting, script, the pace was such a let down! The problem is, The Middleman's Love wasn't good but the production team did an amazing job! I could see the budget wasn't ordinary or low, even though it was i didn't see a glance of it so shout out to them fr!
The main couple did some small scenes in other dramas, then the Battle Of The Writers started to air. Didn't have any expectations but it caught me off guard! At least this one is better than their other projects. Stable script (well...), nice pace and again production was good. I don't know how famous they were w this but I feel like the series could be better regardless of their fame. Acting was balanced with the one main being good at it and other main bad. Shortie one in this can't act and needs to catch up to his partner! OR they should just go separate ways so the cute tall guy can be in a better place in his career. I'm sorry for saying this but it is what it is.
What a waste of acting (cute tall guy) and good production. Also exclusive historical scenes or whatever they were, felt so uncalled for...
9: Past-Senger
Okay let's be honest, did you even hear about this series at all? The plot is promising and I think, was, executed okay. A 19 yo boy in the 90's, suddenly finds himself in the present year and then he meets with his love interest.
The beginning of this series was so good, I never rewatched this one but I still remember it perfectly (Which is pretty rare for me). Acting is good! I think the chemistry between the main characters though, wasn't good. They lacked harmony as a couple which is an important problem. Colors and the cinematography in this series looked like a youtube video, and that's another huge problem. Where are the colors?? Why are y'all nonchalant-izing these dramas' visualsss •́ ‿ ,•̀
Like almost all of the other time travel themed dramas, unfortunately and inevitably, this one also had some plot holes in it... Since they have a solid topic, main characters' daily struggles could be connected to the main topic because like, why not? Overall it was a good show nonetheless. You guys should watch. However, it could be better AND shorter. Started off strong and then things went south...
10: The Ex Morning
First problem, the project relied too much on the famous pairing! Yes good couple, good acting but what else? Well I guess the target audience was the fans of this pairing because the plot wasn't something big. Production, on the other hand, was good but I think the colors and the locations could be better. The side character's existence in the story was pointless. Wait actually, literally anyone other than the main couples' existence added only air to the story <3 I've seen worse but I'm sure they had a chance to make it better and yet they didn't.
The plot is simple, old lovers that were once separated due to misunderstandings reuniting once again. About the pace, I think the world stopped turning for at least a good 20-30 minutes in this drama's universe because nothing happened in so many scenes...
Also why do I think that this drama could've been better? Because of the actors and their loyal fans! They could handle any plot with no problems, but they were stuck with this... Well whatever man, I won't be rewatching this anytime soon anyways ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
This Week In BL - I’m pleased with what’s airing, but conflicted about what’s ended & getting started
Aug 2023 Wk 1
Being a highly subjective assessment of one tiny corner of the interwebs. Organized by which ones (in each category) I’m enjoying most.
Ongoing Series - Thai
Laws of Attraction (Sat iQIYI) 4 of 8 - Omg the way the bodyguard (handler?) looks at the rich kid. Gah. I see why @heretherebedork loves these 2. But I really hate him (not the handler, the kid). Fun fight scene. I love lawyer babygirl SO MUCH. HE WILL BE MY 2023 FAV CHARACTER. I’M CALLING IT. This ep, Srs? You’re killing me. Suits! Pussycat bows! And then... The Public Claiming!!!!! One of my favorite tropes! And openly flirting? Boys. I’m getting spoiled. Wait… is that…? NO SINGING. Ah well, Thai BL giveth and Thai BL taketh away.
Hidden Agenda that isn’t hidden (Sun GMMTV YouTube) ep 4 of 10 - I like the script for this. It feels like the conversations they have are very honest to a uni experience. It’s comfortable and breezy. I did not expect the kiss. Bit early in the arc. There is either going to be a lot of backend drama, or a long domestic honeymoon period. (Bet you can guess which one I vote for.)
Low Frequency (Sat iQIYI) ep 5 of 8 - It’s moving along in a Ghost Host kinda way (minus the killer chemistry). I’m not mad about it, I don’t think I'll remember it tho.
Be Mine Super Star (Mon Viki) ep 5 of 12 - My ambivalent relationship with this drama continues. Cohabitation trope. Punn is basically a huge puppy trying to spoil/cuddle/fuck his pretty kitty prince. It is what it is. Meanwhile, I just want more of Big Daddy & the Hot Doc. (Also the name of my burlesque show.) Why does Kevin have more chemistry with Ashi in a 1 min long scene than Punn has had… ever? Is this nascent bad boy effect or nascent 2nd lead syndrome I’m feeling? (Meanwhile Ben! Hi! Long time no see!)
Be My Favorite (Fri YouTube) ep 11 of 12 - Whatever. Trash(ish) watch here.
Dinosaur Love (Sun iQIYI) ep 6 of 8 eps - Aw pretty baby is unhappy his bf got injured. But also very blushing maiden. This is profoundly NOT GOOD.
Wedding Plan (Weds YT & iQIYI) ep 3 of 7 - I have decided that Lom’s theme song is BigBang’s Monster. Listen. You’ll see what I mean. Also BigBang = also very problematic but banging. What I’m saying is, I wanna punch Lom so bad, I went slightly bonkers. Water sports are addressed. A trash watch is happening!
Ongoing Series - Not Thai
Jun & Jun (Korea Thurs Viki) 3 of 8 - How DARE they make me love this show so much? I feel personally attacked. The smell thing! Gah. The way they automatically go informal in private. The flirting. The language. The suits, the EVERYTHING. It’s embarrassing how much I rewatch the final bits of each ep.
Stay By My Side (Taiwan Fri Gaga) 6 of 10 eps - I adore this ridiculous show. (I just realized that the actor playing Jiang Chi played Ray’s evil 2-timing bf in About Youth). Baby boy is quite clueless. Sweet dreams tho. I love them both so much. The washing his jersey scene was so fucking cute. Couple’s numbers, couple’s keychains, bridal towel, kisses. Thank you Taiwan for NOT activating blushing maiden. However, confident gay/confused bisexual is a go. And we got us some justifiable angst. Sigh. I’m so happy.
Sing My Crush AKA Follow The Wind (Korea Weds iQIYI) 1-2 of 8 eps - supposed to have released in the first half of 2022 this is a adaption of Myung’s webtoon, from the director of My Sweet Dear, and Love Tractor’s production house, basically Korea does About Youth. It’s sweet (the singing bits are easy to skip) and very much a story of young first love but less stiff than KBL’s usual high school fare (kinda Taiwan feeling). I like it but that very imprecision in production makes me concerned for an HEA, especially with such a low MDL rating.
Tokyo in April is... AKA Shigatsu no Tokyo wa (Japan Fri Gaga) ep 8fin - Rough final episode, but it does end happily. Fortunately, I had some warning for my personal triggers, but this is Japan and they did go dark. Full review below.
Minato's Laundromat Season 2 AKA Minato Shouji Coin Laundry Season 2 (Japan Thu Gaga) 5 of 12 eps - Shin is so cute and proud and boldly out. I love him. Movement in the relationship with both couples, even if it’s movement into arguments and misunderstanding. I suppose we got 12 eps they need to do... something.
Stay Still (Hong Kong Tues YouTube) 1 of 5 eps - It’s confusing. And… not good? Some flashbacks some present day?
It’s airing but ...
Stay With Me ... NO I WILL NOT! And you can’t make me.
Review: Tokyo in April is... AKA Shigatsu no Tokyo wa
I had to chew on this for a while but here’s where I ended up.
Two young men with a shared tragic past reunite and fall in love all over again, but the past will not stop hunting them. Based on a manga, this office set reunion romance is GREAT… damn it. It’s Japan in full on soft focus which means it gets emo, abusive, and chewy. These two characters are giving parts of their souls away in a desperate attempt to shape themselves to the expectations they have of each other.
Japan gave us the Bed Friends that Thailand could never even imagine. But here’s the thing: I don’t enjoy my BL this heavy and cutting. I know that for The 8th Sense crowd this is peak BL and I can’t argue with the fact that the romantic devotion, domesticity, script, and acting IS all on point. It’s just not my personal preference for that point to be so damn sharp. I appreciate that this being 2023 I have the luxury of consistent quality (especially from Japan) and thus the ability to say…
I acknowledge that this SHOULD get a 9/10 but I can’t emotionally go higher than 8/10
RECOMMENDED BUT KNOW WHAT KIND OF BL THIS IS AND TRIGGER WARNINGS LIKE CRAZY
Japan = sticking to its lanes like their BL is on rails.
Next Week Looks Like This:
Starting:
8/11 Love Class Season 2 (Korea Fri Viki) 10 eps
8/12 My Personal Weatherman AKA Taikan Yoho (Japan Sat Gaga) 8 eps
Still Coming August 2023
8/19 Love in Translation (Thai Sat One31) ? eps - Two strangers start working in a cafe together.
8/19 I Feel You Linger in the Air (Thai Sat Gaga) 12 eps - The time travel historical romance many of us have been waiting for.
8/20 My Universe series (Thai Sun iQIYI) 24 episodes - This is sampler pack BL, 12 pairs, each pair gets 2 eps, not sure on the order they’ll drop. Known couples include EarthBank from Destiny Seeker and KaownahTurbo from Love Stage!!!, mostly fresh faces otherwise. Jane to direct several.
8/22 Kisseki: Dear to Me formerly known as Miracle (Taiwan Tues ????) 13 eps - From screenwriter Lin Pei Yu (We Best Love, H3: Trapped) features a student doctor forced to take care of a gangster. I love the premise and like the writer, Viki or Gaga will get this one.
8/24 Man Suang (Thailand movie, domestic cinema release) - historical drama about Thai burlesque with KP’s MileApo. Tong is in this one too?
8/? Why R U? (Korean remake) is supposed to be out this month, filming started in sept 22. I find everything about this hilarious. I mean if Korea remakes it, we lose all the sexy and then... would we have a story at all? No we would not. Not even for six short eps. It’d be like one of those mesh shopping bags.
Oh yeah, Only Friends is coming.
2023 forthcoming BL master post (see comments, some are inaccurate, NOT KEPT UPDATED)
THIS WEEK’S BEST MOMENTS
Hidden Agenda. I love them.
Public claiming with the waist grab maneuver! A true hero.
But I think we can all agree that THIS is the hero all love triangles deserve. (both Laws)
The less glamorous siblings of the cable stayed bridges of the Chao Phraya River as seen in Thai qls, specifically in Bangkok and slightly north of Bangkok.
(I have left out bridges that have not made any appearances thus far)
Nonthaburi Bridge (in Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi Provinces)
My Ride, Siew Sum Noi
Maha Chesadabodindranusorn Bridge (in Nonthaburi Province)
The Luminous Solution, Not Me, Enigma, Be Mine Superstar
Krung Thon Bridge
Absolute Zero, My Dear Gangster Oppa, You and My Stars, Moments of Love
Memorial Bridge
Low Frequency Pilot Trailer, 'Cause You're My Boy / My Tee, Last Twilight
Phra Pok Klao Bridge (and Chao Phraya Sky Park)
Low Frequency Pilot Trailer, 'Cause You're My Boy / My Tee, Last Twilight, Cherry Magic Thailand
Taksin Bridge (King Taksin the Great Bridge)
Our Skyy x Dark Blue Kiss
Rama III Bridge and Krungthep Bridge (all appearances have included both bridges together)
KinnPorsche, Cutie Pie, He's Coming to Me, Tell the World I Love You
References:
@absolutebl's BL Visual Trope Du Jour: Boys on bridges post
@virtualtadpole's The Rama VIII Bridge in Bangkok post
5 cable-stayed bridges that cross the Chao Phraya River
