Within the fantastic world of BL, this yr noticed attention-grabbing new storylines and basic themes—from falling in love with a “brother” and gender-benders to digital video games with the ultimate boss being love (aw!). From revolutionary Ok-dramas like “Love within the Massive Metropolis” to quirky gems like Japan’s “Love is a Poison,” this yr actually confirmed how far the BL style has come and what enjoyable is certain to return subsequent yr.
Listed here are 12 of the perfect BLs that graced 2024; which did you watch this yr?
Warning: Gentle spoilers forward!
Korea
1. “Love within the Massive Metropolis”
Beginning off robust, “Love within the Massive Metropolis” simply ranks as among the finest Korean BLs to return out this yr. Go Younger (Nam Yoon Su) is a person residing within the vivid, go-go-go metropolis of Seoul in quest of one factor: a passionate love. On a seemingly limitless odyssey in quest of romance as a homosexual man in Korea, his concept of self and love change whereas experiencing completely different sorts of relationships.
Why it’s well worth the watch:
This one will actually shock Korean BL watchers as a result of it’s actually completely different in each manner. However don’t let that scare you off, as a result of the methods it’s completely different are why it’s completely well worth the watch. “Love within the Massive Metropolis” offers probably the most sensible and unapologetic depictions of the LGBTQ+ group in Korea that different mainstream Ok-BL earlier than it simply haven’t carried out but. The considerate cinematography and unfiltered portrayal of the style can actually solely be in comparison with what was in all probability 2023’s greatest Korean BL, “The Eighth Sense.”
Watch “Love within the Massive Metropolis”:
2. “Love for Love’s Sake”
Tae Myung Ha (Lee Tae Vin), a 29-year-old who has misplaced religion in blissful endings, wakes up after a number of too many drinks to seek out himself in a digital survival sport of affection. Now again in highschool as a 19-year-old, he has 300 days to make the sport’s most important character, Cha Yeo Woon (Cha Joo Wan), blissful. It sounds easy-peasy, besides with no mates and a current loss, making the chilly Yeo Woon blissful doesn’t come straightforward in any respect.
Why it’s well worth the watch:
This undoubtedly has an identical vibe to “Our Courting Sim” and “Semantic Error.” Besides this time round, the sport concerned really turns into a actuality, with Myung Ha having to finish duties and observe the sport’s directions to get out. It’s a thriller as to what’s actual and what’s some kind of digital simulation, together with the leads’ creating relationship. Together with the enjoyable sport idea, this one is a extra light-hearted watch with plenty of feel-good vibes. The truth that the present makes it verbally clear, on a number of events, that being homosexual just isn’t fallacious or irregular, should even be recommended. Technique to go!
Watch “Our Courting Sim” too:
3. “Boys Be Courageous!”
“Boys Be Courageous” is about two faculty mates with reverse personalities, Jung Ki Sub (Nam Si An) and Kim Jin Woo (Kim Sung Hyen), who instantly begin residing collectively. Truly, Ki Sub invitations himself in as Jin Woo’s roommate, that’s. That is no good for Jin Woo, who has at all times had a reluctant crush on Ki Sub. Chaotic silliness ensues when Ki Sub, who’s goofy and clueless more often than not, proclaims he not solely is aware of about Jin Woo’s crush, however he may even get Jin Woo to admit and ask him out.
Why it’s well worth the watch:
This one is a joke that hides deeper undertones of affection and self-love beneath its lighthearted exterior. Past the enjoyable characters and laughable moments, there’s an attention-grabbing backstory that’s value uncovering. Ki Sub’s character, specifically, is so extraordinarily lovable and hilarious, even along with his faults. It’s all about discovering the braveness to (you guessed it) be courageous and confess your emotions.
Watch “Boys Be Courageous”:
Thailand
4. “My Stand-In”
Joe (Poom Phuripan Sapsangsawat), a stand-in for actor Tong (Mek Jirakit Thawornwong), is wholeheartedly in love with actor Ming (Up Poompat Iam-samang) till he finds out that he’s solely ever been a second alternative for Ming. Throwing his common sense out the door, Joe accepts a harmful stunt job and dies within the course of.
Years later, he wakes up within the physique of another person. Quickly, he meets Ming once more, who continues to be grappling with the lack of Joe. Regardless of their turbulent previous, their unavoidable connection brings them collectively once more.
Why it’s well worth the watch:
“My Stand-In” dives into unhealthy relationships and poisonous accomplice therapy. It has very attention-grabbing, flawed characters who aren’t picture-perfect or idolized. Making an attempt to grasp the characters and settle for their flaws and potential for progress is why it’s actually well worth the watch. Plenty of BL followers are blissful to see extra of those complicated, grownup themes getting into the BL style. That is removed from the highschool or faculty BL that Thailand is understood for.
Watch Up in “Step By Step” additionally:
5. “Century of Love”
San (Daou Pittaya Saechua) is as devoted and dependable as they arrive — when his love tragically dies, he agrees to a magical curse that may let him stay for the subsequent hundred years to ensure that an opportunity to seek out his reincarnated lover. The tradeoff is that he should endure excessive ache every evening, and if he doesn’t discover his love in her subsequent life, he’ll die.
With virtually a century having already handed, his reincarnated love lastly falls proper into his arms, Vee (Offroad Kantapon Jindataweephol). Vee is shockingly completely different from the love he knew, moreover additionally being a person. San most undoubtedly didn’t learn the tremendous print when making this deal.
Why it’s well worth the watch:
This one positive aspects main brownie factors on originality for its supernatural storyline. The storyline is unquestionably “Guardian” coded for those who’re accustomed to that 2018 C-drama. The surprising moments as a result of gender flip and Vee having a very completely different character than what San had wished for add to the enjoyable. The subliminal message that you simply love an individual for who they’re on the within relatively than exterior qualities or labels can be top-tier knowledge.
6. “The Trainee”
Off and Gun, one in all Thailand’s favourite OTPs in BL land, introduced one other memorable efficiency this yr in “The Trainee,” a drama a few group of interns becoming a member of a manufacturing firm with completely different goals, abilities, and expectations. Ryan (Gun Atthaphan Phunsawat) is a timid but hardworking pupil who’s not sure about his future. His supervisor is a talented, no-nonsense Assistant Director named Jane (Off Jumpol Adulkittiporn).
At first, Jane looks like a standoffish supervisor relatively than the caring mentor Ryan had hoped for. Whereas Jane doesn’t ever appear to make errors, Ryan turns into a magnet for unlucky occasions within the workplace. However issues change when Ryan begins to get to know the actual Jane, who’s extraordinarily devoted to his work, is proficient, and caring.
Why it’s well worth the watch:
Whereas this one is concentrated on the connection between Ryan and Jane, there’s an entire lot extra to like. Together with an inside have a look at movie manufacturing, there are numerous forms of relationships proven, together with a straight couple and even a sprinkle of GL. This one wins on equal illustration, and although there isn’t any grand climax or heavy plot, it’s a enjoyable watch with main re-watch worth.
You can also’t assist however love Ryan’s timid, generally melodramatic, character. He’s relatable in so some ways, particularly as a helpless intern simply making an attempt to get by means of the workday with none hiccups.
Watch Off and Gun in “Concept of Love” too:
Japan
7. “Love is a Poison”
Shiba Ryoma (Hama Shogo) is a stoic lawyer with eyes on turning into a profitable identify within the authorized subject, regardless of the price. He believes that romance is a poison that may solely get in the way in which of his objectives. After an unplanned encounter at a bar, he unwillingly turns into entangled with a cute, persistent scammer named Haruto (Hyodo Katsumi). After a sequence of occasions, Haruto strikes in with Ryoma and turns into his authorized aide. Going towards every little thing he believes in, Ryoma begins catching emotions for Haruto however tries his greatest to disregard them. This goes about in addition to you’d anticipate.
Why it’s well worth the watch:
“Love is a Poison” is such a page-turner. For one, the leads have loopy chemistry which you can really feel by means of the display. Secondly, you may by no means actually inform what’s going to occur subsequent. It has such a humorous, out-of-pocket character to it that makes it unusually addicting to observe. If you happen to just like the distinctive quirk that J-BLs are inclined to have, you’ll undoubtedly take pleasure in this one. Bonus factors for Ryoma being so awkward and bizarre in the perfect methods.
8. “Love Is Higher the Second Time Round”
Miyata Akihiro (Hasegawa Makoto) and Hoshizawa Takashi (Furuya Robin) have been in love as teenagers, however an unfulfilled promise breaks them aside with none actual closure. Now adults, Miyata runs into Hoshizawa throughout work. Unsurprisingly so, previous emotions awaken between the 2. Regardless of Akihiro proclaiming he has moved on and goes to suggest to his girlfriend quickly, Takashi is decided to win him again and proceed from the place they left off.
Why it’s well worth the watch:
Because the identify suggests, this one is all a few second probability at love that didn’t work out the primary time round. For 2 people who find themselves meant to be collectively, a second probability at love is absolutely all you may want for. It’s additionally manner an excessive amount of enjoyable to observe Akihiro attempt to maintain his distance and never make the identical mistake once more whereas Takashi persistently tries to get Akihiro to offer in.
Takashi’s jealous assistant, Shiraishi Yuto (Takamatsu Aloha), additionally must be given a shoutout. Yuto has an unrequited crush on Takashi and is iconic for not being afraid to voice his emotions.
Watch “Love Is Higher the Second Time Round”:
9. “I Hear the Sunspot”
With listening to issues, Sugihara Kohei (Nakazawa Motoki) has just about had no luck making mates and integrating into his faculty group. At some point, he by chance meets a talkative, pleasant schoolmate with a forever-hungry abdomen, Sagawa Taichi (Kobayashi Toranosuke). Not like others, Taichi doesn’t ostracize or pity Kohei due to his listening to incapacity. It additionally helps that Taichi speaks so expressively that Kohei can perceive him extra simply than others.
In order that they strike a deal. In change for sharing his do-it-yourself lunch containers with him, Taichi will turn out to be a notetaker for Kohei. The 2 join in surprising methods, and Kohei begins to interrupt out of his shell because of Taichi.
Why it’s well worth the watch:
“I Hear the Sunspot” is a heartwarming story with out something tremendous worrying or difficult within the plot. It’s a slower-paced story about accepting others, progress, and delicate love. It’s additionally an essential have a look at how disabilities like listening to loss can have an effect on the way in which an individual lives and sees the world. This one actually looks like a much-needed hug after an extended day.
Taiwan
10. “Unknown”
Wei Qian (Chris Chiu) took Xiao Yuan (Kurt Huang) in when he was deserted as a child on the streets. Now an grownup, Yuan has developed emotions past concord for Qian, and his emotions solely develop extra passionate as he spends time with him. When Yuan lastly reveals his true emotions, Qian is unable to just accept that they may have romantic emotions for one another. Yuan due to this fact leaves overseas, and through their separation, Qian realizes he can’t stay fortunately with out Yuan. When Yuan returns, all bets are off.
Why it’s well worth the watch:
You possibly can run away from numerous issues, however you may’t run away out of your true emotions. The angst and pressure that builds up between Yuan and Qian is wild. When Qian lastly realizes how Yuan sees him, it’s so satisfying to see the roles reverse, and Qian begins to get nervous and flustered round Yuan. The look forward to these two is lengthy, however it’s so value it.
Watch “Unknown”:
11. “The On1y One”
Classmates Sheng Wang (Liu Dong Qin) and Jiang Tian (Benjamin Tsang) are compelled to stay collectively as brothers when their mother and father remarry. At first, they’ll’t stand one another, however they bond over mutual emotions of loss, loneliness, and being younger. Earlier than they understand it, their bond begins to develop into one thing extra. “The On1y One” follows the lifetime of Wang and Tian as they attempt to navigate faculty, household, and their complicated new emotions for one another.
Why it’s well worth the watch:
This one is a comfortable, comforting present with plenty of lovely Taiwanese surroundings. It actually feels just like the visible illustration of a poem generally. The love between the 2 leads is a sluggish burn that’s pleasing to observe. It general offers off a vibe that simply feels so nostalgic and heat. If you happen to appreciated storylines like “Addicted” and “Keep With Me,” this one could be very comparable.
Watch “The On1y One”:
China
12. “Meet You on the Blossom”
Final however definitely not least is “Meet You On the Blossom.” Set in historical China, the carefree Jin Xiao Bao (Wang Yun Kai), the inheritor to the wealthiest household in Jiangnan, is a women man who falls in love at first sight with who he thinks is essentially the most lovely, crime-fighting lady he’s ever seen. This elegant woman seems to be a cold-hearted dude named Huai En (Leslie Li). Hiding an ulterior motive, Huai En performs together with Xiao Bao’s crush. With a conspiracy and lies plotting behind the scenes, the 2 fall right into a deep, difficult love filled with betrayal, epic fights, and arduous journeys.
Why it’s value watching:
“Meet You on the Blossom” is so particular. It’s thought-about the first-ever Chinese language wuxia drama that’s overtly BL. In addition to that, wonderful high quality, the setting, costumes, and iconic espionage, and drama related to the wuxia style all come collectively to make this a stellar present. Huai En stands out as an anti-hero, who does many questionable, red-flag issues, however you continue to can’t assist however root for him whenever you see his timeless devotion and love for Xiao Bao.
Watch “Meet You on the Blossom”:
And that’s a wrap! What BLs did you take pleasure in watching in 2024, and what are you wanting ahead to within the new yr? Tell us within the feedback under!
Asya’s a BL-biased Soompi author with a love of Ok-pop and all forms of Asian dramas. A few of her favourite reveals are “Psychopath Diary,” “Mr. Unfortunate Has No Selection however to Kiss!,” “Gentle On Me,” “The Untamed,” “Go Go Squid!,” and “Cherry Magic!”
At the moment watching: “Spare Me Your Mercy,” “You Are,” “Our Youth,” and “Caged Once more.”
Trying ahead to: “I’m the Most Lovely Rely,” “Love Carved within the Moonlight,” “Me and Thee,” “The Love Matter,” and “Ticket to Heaven.”