I just finished He's Coming to Me (and it was excellent) and it occurred to me that I seem to like how, like Bad Buddy's family feud and Color Rush's mono/probe, it feels like it uses the ghost theme for some creatively clever queer allegories without making the queerness and its status itself as the or one major in-world centerpiece hurdle or Za Big Drama ingredient on building the relationship. Is there maybe more of that out there?
Hum. I think it's more that they use magical realism elements for this kind of thing, and ghosts fall into that. Let me try to explain.
Paranormal & Magical Realism Elements Used in BL
Great Men Academy almost goes there although there's legitimate questions around whether this can be considered a BL.
Would Until We Meet Again qualify? Or is it too in your face?
I feel like quite a few Asian dramas use magical realism rather than jumping genres entirely into something more commercially categorical (like we do in Hollywood).
Generally speaking of there are fantastical elements leaking into a BL then it's probubly being used for some kind of allegory. The specialness and uniqueness of the ability is almost always an allegory for othering and therefore gayness (or queerness). Sometimes it’s used for insight into the true desires of the protagonist (often physical). Korea likes this one.
Essentially it is a means of using the fantastical for insight into true character and motivation. (Body swaps often do this.) Incidentally this is generally why I love sci-fi and fantasy so much.
Some others that might qualify:
Secret Spectacles (2017 Korean microfilm)
The Fairy Fox (2017 Chiese bromance)
My Dream (2018 Thai just terrible)
PickRome’s episode of Our Skyy (OffGun)
PeteKao’s episode of Our Skyy (TayNew)
Guardian (2018 China bromance but very good)
Love from Outta Space (2019 Thai)
Mermaid’s Jade (2019 China, the “mermaids” are anallegory for the oppressed in general and queers in particular being squeezed for their (2020 Japan)
Youth in the Breeze (2020 China bromance-esk) it’s hella odd
Cherry Magic (2020 Japan)
The Cupid Coach (2021 WE DO NOT TALK ABOUT THIS)
Sweet Curse (2021 Korea microfilm)
KimCop’s ep of Just Friend (Thai 2021)
The timeslip ep of Y-Destiny (Thai 2021)
Kissable Lips (2022 Korea airing now)
China is big on allegory because they can’t really get at gay any other way.
But BL pairs with ghost stories has been around for a REALLY long time, actually: (although I would argue that He’s Coming to Me does it best.)
BL Ghostly Visitations
Weird Housemates (2015 Korean microfilm)
China has a whole series called My Ghost Boyfriend (2016-2018 it's problematical, well, it's China).
So Much in Love (2020 Thai pulp) I actually like this a lot, it’s every unique in it’s approach to the idea of ghosts but also, craptastic
YoonLayPerth’s episode of Y-destiny (2021 Thai )
Hidden Love (2021 Thai pulp) I dnfed this, ask @heretherebedork
Something In My Room (2022 Thai airing now)
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