This week's watchlist (it's a lot):
In my quest to discover more free-to-view BL, I've been on YouTube a lot this week. I perused some independent channels and also discovered that quite a few of the production companies upload the first two episodes of some series to garner interest. The apps do that as well.
This is an older series from Strongberry, which produced Blossom Campus. The plot is a little absurd, but I'm still enjoying it.
After watching some clips, I am watching the channel videos through in order. It's a BL setup as a vlog/reality series, apparently from the studio that produced Semantic Error. I'm up to episode 6.
Top Form episodes 1 & 2. I watched Dakaichi, so I was prepared.
Shine episodes 1 & 2. MileApo, ApoMile, never disappoint either way. Although I predict the second couple will be my fave.
I Saw You in My Dream episodes 1 & 2. Cute but kind of a snooze.
Knock Out episodes 1 & 2. Um, the shower scene? Hello? Gives me Bangkok Boy vibes; I wonder why boxing is like THE sport for Thai BL. Would like to continue this series.
Me and Who episode 1. This really surprised me. I started and dropped Monster Next Door, and the yaoi-accurate size difference with BigPark throws me off, but this was great. Really funny and the chemistry between the characters is palpable. I'll probably try to finish this at some point.
Knock Knock Boys episode 1. Eh.
From other channels on YouTube:
Dominant Yakuza and Wimpy Corporate Slave episodes 1-5. The short form dramas give you a little bit of whiplash with the pacing, but it wasn't bad.
Gu Jin Nan Qiu episode 1. I dropped this very quickly. It seems like they may be actual literal brothers? And that's too far for me.
Therapy Game episode 1. Never have gotten around to reading this so I want to see what happens, although the premise I find to be kind of basic.
Punks Triangle episode 1. I read the manga so I already know this will be good.
I started watching the free first episodes on iQIYI, and then I got so engrossed that I caved and renewed my subscription.
Burnout Syndrome. I just started this and I'm excited to see how it develops.
Me and Thee. You can call it a crime, but I've never seen anything that PondPhuwin or WilliamEst have been in. They must be having fun with this one. Khun Thee is a lovable idiot. I'll take Est in a suit any day.
Thundercloud Rainstorm. This is the reason I renewed my subscription. I've never seen a show with such exhilarating sexual tension. At the midway point the characters are irritating me a little bit, but their toxicity still has an electric undercurrent. It's insane for a KBL, especially one starring an idol. Also, they are technically cousins but not blood-related, so while not ideal still toeing the line.
The Wicked Game. I'm hovering right on the finale for this because I think I'll need some mental preparation. Definitely some similarities to Laws of Attraction, if Charn was just a little bit worse. I don't think I'll be able to extend redemption privileges to Pheem at this point.
Mystique in the Mirror. A must-watch. Psychological drama, pulls you into the twists even though they feel somewhat predictable. This series devastated me. I do have personal experience with the themes of the show so it hit me hard, but I recommend keeping tissues nearby.
Goddess Bless You From Death. Sucked me right into the story. Creepier than Khemjira, so avoid if you don't like horror. I really like PoohPavel together, and you've got MichaelTopten in there as well. I saw a comment on one of the episodes with someone saying, "Oh, Pooh can't act, his face is so blank but the other actors carry it" and I was like b*tch where? Are you blind? Just because he doesn't exaggerate his expression doesn't make him blank. His facial shifts are very subtle, which I think shows immense skill at a young age. I will say it did throw me off a little bit that their hair styling, down to the coloring, is so similar to Babe and Charlie. I think we can retire Pooh's mullet. But the light makeup was on point.
Clearly I have a lot to say about a few of these, so I'll be back.
