#match play

[wanderlust-in-my-soul]

My Year in Kisses

At the end of each year, I reflect on the past year and consider what has particularly moved me. This year is a little different. I started collecting memories during the year. I love kisses. I love well-executed kisses. I prefer a good kiss to a sex scene, no matter how well done it may be. And it doesn't always have to be one of those phenomenal, life-changing kisses. Sometimes a sincere kiss in between, a good first kiss, a kiss that shows how much you mean to each other is enough to make me a happy bundle of emotions in front of my screen. That's why this year's review takes the form of my favorite kisses I have seen this year. Doesn't mean the series started this year, but was ongoing. Have fun. And please keep in mind that this is my list. I haven't seen everything and my taste may differ from yours.

The best first kiss (Your Sky)

Your Sky was a surprise for me. I didn't expect it to be so cute and so steamy. Their first real kiss was an incredibly tender kiss that made it clear that the two of them would have great chemistry together. And I would say they didn't disappoint us.

The cutest Kiss (The promise Of The Soul)

Well, did I expect this series to appear somewhere in any of my “best of the best” lists? Definitely not. The series itself was not that good. And there were certainly a lot of sweet kisses this year. But for whatever reason, I found this one particularly cute and just so beautifully gentle, as if Xia Cha was fragile and Ye Hai Yuan would break him if he applied too much pressure.

The hungriest Kiss (ThamePo)

Is anyone surprised that these two made it onto this list? But to be fair, that kiss was wild! No one saw it coming, and we all freaked out for a moment. Well, at least I did. You could just tell how much they wanted each other, how much they desired each other. I still get goosebumps just thinking about it! The way Thame grabs Po's neck and pulls him closer? Perfection.

The kiss with the softest lips (Fourever You Part 1)

Take a look at Johan. He may be a bit of a yellow flag, but his kisses look so soft. And he loved North for so long before they finally got together. A sweet story with great kisses, and this one is one of my favorites.

The saddest kiss (My Magic Prophecy)

Sea's tear ducts were put to the test in this fantastic series. He had many sad memories to work through and trust to build. And Thap didn't have an easy time winning him over, but in the end he succeeded, and that's how we got this great moment, among others. Thap comforts In with a kiss on his teary eyes? Absolutely great! Not the saddest kiss I've seen so far, but one of the saddest this year. Not to be confused with the most comforting kiss.

The most comforting Kiss (The Heart Killers)

Both couples were made for each other in their own way and toxic in their own ways. And there were some scenes that other people would probably rather put here, but for me, this scene is one of the best in the entire series. And I find this kiss incredibly tender and comforting, like this whole scene. The kiss expresses so much emotion and trust and understanding. Simply beautiful.

A Kiss that made me happy (Match Play)

Yes, sometimes there are those kisses that just make me happy for a moment. The ones I come back to and watch over and over again, simply because I find them so fitting, because they make me happy, because they can be the perfect ending to a series. I watched Match Play as a vertical series and binge-watched it in one evening, with lots of commercial breaks. I was all the happier when it was finally taken over by Gaga and I could watch it on my big screen. And this kiss was and remains one that simply puts a smile on my face. The perfect ending to an incredibly great, simple series.

The Kiss that surprised me the most (Ball Boy Tactics)

I always knew Koreans could kiss, even if some of the shows don't really show it. But Ball Boy Tactics really upped the game. The whole scene was like a dream. So well done and lit and shot. I was blown away. The series already had one good kiss, but then this scene came along and I think we all sat there with our mouths open for a moment before we simply enjoyed the scene and, above all, this incredibly great, emotional kiss. I guess it was the whole scene that surprised me, not so much the kiss itself. But some people thought afterwards that history had been made here. But I'm sorry to disappoint you, there have definitely been series and films before that have shown incredibly great kisses and intimate scenes. And there will be more, and I hope there will be many, many more great kisses, because in most cases, Korean dramas are really good and deserve to be well executed in their intimate scenes.

The best shut-up-Kiss (My Golden Blood)

This little award goes to my little Tong who so beautifully shut his vampire boyfriend up with a kiss. I like those kisses when they are well timed. There can't be a long pause between talking and kissing and those two did a really good job. And Joss looks like a really good kisser, so extra points here.

The softest Kiss (Sangmin Dinneaw)

We got the softest lips, but not the softest kiss. And despite my dislike of the series, which really wasn't good, the point here goes to Sangmin Dinneaw. Sorry, but the story was wild and confusing and not fully developed. The intimate scenes were just crazy… I immediately have very explicit images in my head again… But this kiss, it was just beautiful.

The Kiss that was needed the most (Khemjira)

There are kisses that are built up to over the course of an entire series. They form the finale, the climax of the whole thing. Then there are kisses that happen in the heat of the moment, a release of pure, pent-up emotions. I feel like this one belongs in the higher category. This kiss was needed by everyone. By the protagonists and by the viewers. After all the shit the two of them had been through, this kiss was redemption. Finally, they could be together again. Finally, they could love each other the way they had always wanted to. And I love that Khem initiates the kiss.

The Kiss which started it all (See Your Love)

I don't know what makes this kiss stand out from the others in the series, but I'm hooked. Maybe it's the sitting on the lap, I don't know, but I can't get enough of it!

The most perfect Kiss (ThamePo)

Oh ThamePo. The series has been on my mind since 13. December 2024… Which is a lie, it's been on my mind since April 2024. And when it finally aired, my excitement was beyond compare. I'm afraid I'm responsible for half of the views for episode four alone. And even if the kiss here wasn't perfect, it was for me. It gave me all the feelings I hope for from a good film kiss… again and again and again. And I can't get enough of it. The way Po sucked in Thame's lower lip...Another fucking soft kiss. And yes, I built a house here and now live here...

That was my review of 2025 in kisses. I like this format. Perhaps I make it a regular thing. If you don't agree with me, please feel free to make your own list or just make your own list and tell me about it so I can see your favorite kisses of the year.

[theside-b]

They say once you find someone cute, is all over. It's over, you're doomed.

MATCH PLAY [Re-edited Version] (2025) dir. Kang Dong-hee

[my-rose-tinted-glasses]

Favourite QL Shows

Not from Thailand. (Thai QL Recap here) So in previous years I made posts for each country but it's been a weird year with not to many amazing shows so all other countries go on this one. I usually can count on Japan to give me a few solid shows per year but this year not a lot got me excited. The biggest contrast has got to be Korea that last year delivered so much pain and trauma and quality content and this year...not so much. China joined the chat in a big way but it's also what I watched the least and Taiwan has seen better years for sure. So without further ado, these are some of my faves of the year outside of Thailand.

The one with the fifth prince School Trip

The stakes are low except in Watarai's mind. This is Japan doing what it does best and putting two boys with opposing personalities in the centre and letting the romance unfold. It's soft and wholesome and with a great friend group holding it together. They are so delightful and supportive. It was wonderful to see Kan and Fujimoto again and I would love to see the rest of the cast again.

The one where the crowd fandom went wild Revenged Love

I can't separate this show from the communal watching experience. It's one of the best things about being on the hellsite and this show would not be the same without it. I might still enjoy it but it would be a very different experience for sure. And that's amazing. The actors make this show, or better yet, the characters make this show. So many times I was watching and I thought to myself, 'this is bonkers' but it works. It's compelling television. I'm partial to the sides in the romance department but I love the friend pairs most of all. Oh and I missed the snakes. They should've stayed.

The one where the little girl came to stay Delivering Delicious Divorces

This was a roller-coaster of emotions. I laughed, I cried, I cheered. Domesticity my beloved. I adore the main couple. They have somewhat opposite personalities but they balance each other well. It made me wonder about how they became a couple. I thought there was a particular care in the cases it chose to tackle and how it brings forward many of the issues that face couples, not only lgbt ones but straight couples as well, and how despite the popularity of bl works and queer narratives, Japan still has a long way to go when it comes to giving queer couples the protections and rights afforded to straight couples. By the end this little family won my heart and I wish I could see that girl growing up and watch that family tackle many more cases. Give me all the seasons.

The one where the dimples are outside your comfort zone Love begins in the world of if

This show fumbled the ending but I enjoyed the ride. It needed one more episode for the switched pov to really land as it usually does and for a better conclusion. I really liked the idea that it wasn't the other world that was perfect, it was Kano that by making different choices and reaching out, made it better. And by better I mean Ogami. Well, ok, it's not all about him but for sure he made it so much better. And if you wanna get the smiling tall boy you need to stop trying to go at it alone, in the process making yourself sick, and perhaps reach out and share the burden.

The one that came back horizontal Match Play

This show has only one problem. It was too short, I needed more. The editing is rough at times but considering this was originally vertical and with 60+ episodes, I'm gonna give that a pass. A simple story but well done, with charismatic leads with good chemistry. I like how the mains jump from being direct to being incredibly shy but given the dynamics it makes sense. Honestly the lack of faults is why it ended up here. It's super cute and will definitely become a short comfort watch.

The one where they don't need words See Your Love

AKA the one where I keep forgetting that the rest of the plot is nonsense because the main romance is so damn perfect. This show overall is not amazing. The mafia plot is ridiculous and the sides are a mess. But no one cares. Because Shao Peng and Zi Xiang deliver one of the most compelling love stories of the year.

The one with the cicadas and the red thread The Promise of the Soul

The weirdest plot of the year, by far. And against all odds it was one of my favourite watches of the year. Is it perfect? Not even close. The writing was flawed, the execution at times messy and the pacing uneven. But there was just something about them. Martin and Kenji are stunning in these roles and even with the outrageous premise I was rooting for them all the way through. They give us such beautiful moments and their chemistry is one of the best and I just want to watch them forever. Look, this one is all heart, no brain. I loved it.

The one with the greens and summer love Secrets Happened on the Litchi Island

What a breath of fresh air. Since I haven't seen the film cut, I can only speak to the series, but the visuals were amazing. The colours were striking and the framing felt very intentional. The scenery made it feel like I was walking into a painting in every scene. While the story is simple, it’s delivered with an emotional depth that the actors captured perfectly. I’m especially thankful for the specials; they provided the fluff I desperately needed for these two. Overall, this was a real standout of the year for me.

Honourable mentions: Journey to Kill You, Therapy Game, Ball Boy Tactics, My Bias is Showing?!, Trapped in Osaka.

And that's it for my shows of the year. I'm super late but it's been a weird time. Thank you for reading. 💜

[mikuni14]

Tomorrow is Thursday, my favorite day of the week because:

Love Begins in the World of If

Match Play

Thundercloud Rainstorm

I just wanted to say that I'm absolutely loving the end of this year. I feel completely pampered. Spoiled. Even the West decided to do something for me for once, and go all out with the hot hockey players 👍 What makes me especially happy is this small crowd of charismatic, intense, very forward, very unhinged characters that December has blessed me with, each one more obsessive, possessive, horny, and with some crazy and childish heh behavior. My head is spinning. I'm delighted.

Just look at them. Not a single sane thought behind those eyes 😄👌

[troubled-mind]

01/2026

New year, yay! Let's see what this one brings. We're off to a good start already.

🇰🇷 Match Play -> This one was so adorable, especially the latter part. I loved seeing our actor getting all shy once the feelings got strongly reciprocated. Yeah, it's a vertical turned full format series, and it shows, but still, I would love to see the leads in something else again.

🇯🇵 30 Days to Make You a Prince (v) -> The leads are both a flavour of pretty that I enjoy, what can I say. Also, the IT guy being this skilled at doing make-up? Now that's a thing I support. All in all, nice little thing to decompress to; the sweet moments are worth it.

🇯🇵 Tengu's Kitchen S1 -> I watched most of this show, snowed in under the blanket with a cup of hot tea, and I wouldn't have it any other way. This show is so slow and gentle, and exactly what I needed at that moment. It oddly reminded me of Our Dining Table (was it two adults and a kid?). It also includes a beautifully shown connection with nature and its cycles, and the blooming of siblings' relationship. Chef's kiss.

🇯🇵 The Summer Hikaru Died -> This show was beyond fascinating. I think I am still processing it. I mostly agree with the great review I read (in Polish, but you can get the gist via auto translation). To quote: what is the monster's terror compared to the terror of one's own complicated feelings and emotions? It's simultaneously a story about grief and lack thereof, about identity and otherness, about what we define as evil and a mundane teenage summer in the countryside. Also, beautifully done graphically - I loved how they played with the format. RECOMMENDED.

🇰🇷 Can this love be translated? -> Nothing describes this better than @captainjoongki post. It truly is a mix of classic kdrama tropes, family trauma and a pinch of jdrama in a travel ad sauce. Go Youn Jung did a great job. I especially liked her portrayal of Do Ra-mi. It was also great to see this many beautiful locations - each country shown in the series has its charm. That being said, some beats fell flat, and I couldn't truly get into the rhythm of it all. The final twist was not needed, and to be honest, a week after finishing, any remnants of the plot left my mind.

[heretherebedork]

I love them so much. The world's neediest actor and the stuntman who doesn't really want to be all that famous are on a not-a-date that, frankly, should be a date... and hopefully will be! Soon!

[avorbl]

Match Play is getting a Gagaoolala release from November 27th.

It's one of the best vertical ultra short BLs I've seen so far, so it will be interesting to see how it holds up as 20 minute episodes.