Tag Game: QL Firsts
@embersinthefirelight wants to know my first QLs that got me into the genre.
Rules: Post the first 3-5 (or as many as you want) QL shows that got you into the genre. Feel free to explain or give propaganda 😁
(updating to include some things I realize I left out after reading @hughungrybear's post for this tag game)
My first exposures to QL did not bring me into the QL genre, as at the time I wasn't even aware there was a genre. These were films I saw at Frameline, the San Franscisco queer film fest. But I want to include them for completeness, as they primed me for what follows. All are theatrical-release films, not series, and all are worth a watch:
Sailor Moon (Japan, not sure which version)
You know, I don't remember anything about this, other than that it was animated and that I saw it, sorry.
East Palace, West Palace (China, 1996)
A man is arrested after being caught cruising for sex in a restroom. He proceeds to attempt to seduce his interrogator. Recommended for patient watchers, but it's not artsy. This film had to be smuggled out of China.
Formula 17 (Taiwan, 2004)
A guy who hates casual sex falls for a guy who only sleeps with his partners once. It is very much a QL in the trope sense of the word. Quite funny, with a couple fabulous riffs on Chinese opera. Recommended.
Eternal Summer (Taiwan, 2006)
Three high school friends navigate a romantic triangle. Recommended.
No Regret (Korea, 2006)
By a queer director. An escort meets a rich guy and things go batshit. Dark ending, although not tragic for the leads if I recall correctly. This film is an acquired taste. Mysteriously has just shown up on Gaga, if you're adventurous.
And a bromance:
Vive L'Amour (Taiwan, 1994)
By a queer director. A young man finds a key to a vacant apartment and moves in, only to be interrupted by the real estate agent and her hookup. Recommended for very patient viewers into artsy films.
I'm not going to include Hush or Okoge, both from Japan, as I don't consider either one to be QL.
Now back to what brought me to QL as I know it today.
Unfortunately, I don't keep track of when I watched something, so this is going to be a guess. However, it would have been on YouTube (with a side trip to CrunchyRoll) as my subs to other services came much later, after I was solidly into the genre. Still, I have some pretty good guesses.
I'd guess I was brought to it from Teen Vogue's articles on BL that showed up in my Twitter feed, back when Twitter was Twitter and I was on it. But of course YouTube has the algorithm, and when I started watching them it started recommending others.
I can't tell from my Tumblr postings, as I came to Tumblr after watching Bad Buddy, which I know was not one of my first. Actually, it was Bad Buddy that brought me to Tumblr, especially @telomeke-bbs's posts about the series. But we're talking about what brought us to QL, not to Tumblr.
I'm not sure when I started watching, but it would likely have been somewhere after COVID first hit and I needed something to keep me sane (still do).
So, to the likely list, in order of recommendation:
Until We Meet Again (Thailand, 2019)
A masterpiece of a series (with some problems) in which tragic 70's (?) fated lovers get reincarnated (sort of) for a chance at durable happiness in the much gay friendlier present. Recommended with content warning for suicide.
Cherry Magic (Japan, 2020)
A virgin turns 30 and gains the ability to mind read anyone he touches. Then he discovers the office heartthrob is attracted to him and has to deal with them both being guys. Lots of fun. Recommended.
Dark Blue Kiss (Thailand, 2019)
Two guys carry on a hidden relationship, which is endangered by an underage guy pursuing one of them. Recommended.
Together With Me (Thailand, 2017)
Guy has sex with a guy and wants to know if that makes him gay, while still dating a nefarious girlfriend. Series is a mix of a great journey and painful tropes. Approach with caution.
I also watched the first episode of SOTUS, was immediately turned off by the hazing, and abandoned it.
I'm pretty sure I watched Gaya Sa Pelicula fairly early on, but I'd guess I was already hooked on the genre at that point.
As for GLs, my first would have been the second couple InkPa in Bad Buddy, but for a specific series, it would be:
Sleep With Me (Philippines, 2022)
A wheelchair using late night talk show host meets a fan who can only sleep in the daytime and they navigate a new relationship. Recommended.
I can't say I've gotten into GL, but ClaireBell blew me away.
Oops, forgot to tag. No pressure.
@telomeke @respectthepetty @heretherebedork @hughungrybear @hyeoni-comb @lurkingshan @lurkingteapot