Tagged by @hughungrybear and @mikuni14 😊

Rule: Post 6 (and only 6) gifs/pics of the QLs you personally consider essential viewing for fans of the genre—emphasis on “personally.” These are your feels, so no need to pick series you don’t like just because they seem ’important.’ Feel free to explain your choices or not. Then tag 6 friends for their 6.

Ok this one was really hard for me, because I could pick 6 Thai BLs that I think are essential viewing, but I think a lot of us probably agree on what those are. So instead I’m doing one per country, which brought me a total of 5 instead of 6 🙊 please don’t cancel me 🙈

Thailand: I Told Sunset About You

What can I say about this show that hasn’t already been said? It’s beautiful, poetic, sensitive, angsty, sensual, tender. The cinematography is splendid, the acting is phenomenal, the tension is palpable. To paraphrase eloquent king Harry Styles, “It’s a series… that feels… like a movie.”

Taiwan: Unknown

To me, this is Taiwanese BL at it’s best. You’ve got coming of age, found family, angst. It’s got good writing, great acting, and a randomly great soundtrack as well. Plus, this absolutely unforgettable exchange: “Aren’t we moving too fast?” “I’ve been waiting all my life. This isn’t fast at all. You don’t even know what I dream of at night.” (GAAAGGEDDD)

Japan: Utsukushii Kare (My Beautiful Man)

This is everything I want out of a Japanese BL: obsessive characters, a mildly toxic yet loving relationship, and a beautiful setting (Hira and Kiyoi’s house is basically my dream house). Plus, finger sucking.

Korea: You Make Me Dance

This was (as far as I know) one of the first KBLs, it seems to have been made with $2 and a dream, and yet it’s got a decent enough story, good acting, a good soundtrack, and, shockingly for 2021, good kissing! (And even an nc scene, wild)

China: Revenged Love

Admittedly, I haven’t watched enough Chinese BLs to really pick a favourite/essential one, but nonetheless I think Revenged Love is required viewing. It’s absolutely nuts, but it knows it and revels in it, which makes it a delightful watch. It’s got snakes! It’s got frenemies! It’s got erotic cigarette sharing! What more could you want?