We're almost done with half of this year, what are your top five bls you've watched this year so far? (Still running or completed) Thank you so much for your time and patience! :D
2025 Mid Year Assessment - Favorite 5 BLs So Far!
Our Youth AKA Miseinen: Mijukuna Oretachi wa Bukiyo ni Shinkochu
Japan- Gaga
Adapted from a Korean Webtoon I can see why this went to Japan, it's way too harsh for KBL. Essentially a story of two lonely boys from opposite sides of the track who fall madly in love in high school, despite the fact that one is neglected and the other physically abused.
This has a rough premise (all the trigger warnings) BUT is an oddly lovely little show. Darker than is my personal preference but sublimely stylish, turns out sometimes that combo works for me (see also The 8th Sense). The word that springs to mind is “refined.”
I enjoyed the restful distancing feel of the stunning filming style, Japan's signature utter thirst, and some ostentatiously poetic dialogue. This was edgy pretty.
See Your Love
Taiwan Viki & Gaga
An utterly darling little show. I genuinely couldn’t have enjoyed it more. About a deaf care worker and his spoiled broken little prince. Taiwanese BL at its softest and best. Highly recommended.
ThamePo
Thailand YouTube
The boyband idol romance I've been waiting for from Korea, only Thailand did it instead. Quintessentially Thai and very GMMTV with good production values, great chemistry, and a solid support cast. It is also was a hung romance mostly driven by external conflict and a found family reunion trope so I didn’t mind (too much) when that romance thread felt secondary. I loved it.
When it Rains it Pours AKA Futtara Doshaburi
Japan Gaga
I really enjoyed this show, not despite it's darkness but because of it. Certainly cheating and escaping dysfunctional LTRs is dark subject matter and not for everyone (frankly it usually isn’t for me) but this was Japan at its BL best, and they handled it with consummate (if stiff) elegance.
In the end, this was actually a lovely little narrative about finding your person despite being held in stasis by the wrong one already. And while I’m not sure this will get many re-watches from me, but I still appreciate this BL for the unique voice and storyline that it added to the general BL zeitgeist.
Your Sky
Thailand iQIYI
As pulps go this is right up there with my favorite if all time, My Ride, but for different less complex reasons (and with better chemistry). This is a relatively simple yet endearingly old fashioned story of a fake relationship between a sunshine sweetie and an older reserved rich kid who slowly fall in love. Its soft gentle low stakes leans on everything I love best about Thai BL, no damage no trauma. It’s a warm fuzzy robe of a show that will not hurt you, featuring some of the greenest flags I have ever seen in the genre.
(Note I only rate finished BLs so currently airing as of end of May 2025, doesn't appear.)
I'm tagging anyone else who wants to post an answer to this, because I think it would be fun. Or you could leave a comment with your current top picks!
