#bl updates

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

July 2026 Week 2

Ongoing Series - Thai

Payback (Sat iQIYI) ep 7 of 10 - Trippy condo there, Jay. Jay is SO INTENSE and a total basket case and I love it for all of us. What a good show.

When Oranges Fall (Weds YT) ep 9 of 12 - it is really so very sweet. And the sides are so cute!!! I mean, the kissing is not awesome but it’s nice to see them try.

The Edge of Horizon (Sat Gaga) ep 4 of 10 - This show is very lakorn dramatic but in a tight tidy way. Not sure how to put it except that the melodrama very much works. Largely this is because of the actors. I’m reminded of JamFilm in this regard (DEATH GLITTER). And I have to say, I’m enjoying this largely because of the actors and the beautiful production values. Pond is possibly having too much fun with his role of Bad Boy. Horrible parents persist. Also... the Hickey of Despair vs the Hickey of Hope = NICELY DONE.

But why must these two persistent making out in public?

On a completely different note, I would like to see the pairing of Net + Ongsa. Please and thank you. The war of the best eye-work in all Thailand would be deeply absorbing to watch on my screen.

Peach and Me (Sat iQIYI) ep 1 of 4 - I love that we open on an affectionate battle between an introvert and his extrovert. I forgot how much this show makes me laugh. It’s so funny. The overabundance of EXTRA is so good. And the loving tolerance of the EXTRA is so sweet. Also, how much did I adore that we got a linguistic negotiation between friends!? Deeee-light-ful! (They put that part in for me.)

Est is having so much fun with his role. (Love the hair, love the glow up. V good. They filming You Maniac rn I assume.) So Rome can get a bit extra, just like his brother? Also, I see the lesbians have entered the chat.

This show defines entertaining and I am entertained.

A Dog and A Plane (Fri Gaga) ep 7 of 10 - I'm still enjoying this. I’m not sure it knows where it’s going anymore, but I don’t care. I have a smile on my face the whole time I watch it, which means I’m not bored. And it seems that’s all I need from Thai BL right now. Also a little linguistic negotiation never fails to make me happy.

Knot (Thurs iQIYI) ep 2 of 10 - Petrichor pheromones, huh? Asshole father brigade persists I see. They certainly went for in the heat/rut tropes. And... that's all I got because look this is not good. I want it to be good!

I like ABO! I also understand it, and its range of flavors. But this? I'm constantly questioning the worldbuilding and I don’t want to be doing that, it makes me think that my main character is an idiot. They could’ve solved this problem easily by making omega Petrichor a foreign exchange student (from some mythical island that also speaks Thai exactly the way they speak it in Bangkok). That’s more believable than whatever tf we have going on here. Also, the dialogue and execution is incredibly stilted. Also, I hate Petrichor's shorts so much. ALSO did it feel to anyone else like the cafe scenes had been cut in out of order?

I finally figured out what’s going on. This watches like fanfic. I don’t mind if something reads like fanfic, but I want my BL to watch like a BL. I don’t care about the authenticity granted to buy the "omegaverse fanfic relationship origin story" that fandom is obsessed with. This should still be a good omegaverse BL. You can argue until you are blue that it is "good omegaverse" but it isn’t good BL. And I DEMAND BOTH. And I'm mad about it. Because they had all the right ingredients with this one but the execution is FAILING ME. *whines in lazy alpha*

Cherm Chey (Tues Gaga) ep 9 of 10 - I’m relieved this is ending next week. I couldn’t really take much more. The weird thing is I do like it, I like it’s saturation of innate queerness and weirdness. But I’m not engaged with it in any way.

Don’t Be Too Emotional (Fri iQIYI) ep 3 of 12 - this is getting nicely creepy, I just don’t love creepy from Thailand. For me, it kinda doesn’t really jive with the nature of Thai BL. I’m interested in it and what is going on, but I don’t like it very much. Still, I am curious to see what happens when you break the devil‘s heart rather than his contract. I hope this is unflinching.

When Light Fades (Thurs YT) ep 3 of 10 - I don’t know what it is about this show, I just cannot engage with it. I’m not interested in the story or the characters or the chemistry. I think I might have to drop it out of boredom. There’s too much airing right now.

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Are the Sexy Buttocks Not Good? (Japan Tues Gaga) ep 1 of 10 - Oh Japan. This is so you. But I like that everybody knows what they want (or want to try) and it’s just all very gay. I really appreciate that we got us actual bedroom voice from our daddy. Very nice. Also, I like the "teach me daddy" trope always. It’s one of my rarely seen favorites. I also like an age gap. So, yeah, this is great. Thanks, Japan. Communication. Permission. And it’s sexy. What’s not to love?

The Servant Prince (Japan Fri Gaga) ep 2 of 10 - I’m not surprised that this one isn’t popular. It appears to have been made for approximately 6 people on the planet (all of us on Tumblr). But that’s it. Essentially, we are just watching two dudes trying to figure out their DS relationship and define the parameters. (Lifestyle service top meets spoiled prince?) It’s an extended kink negotiation BL. Didn’t even know such a thing existed, but apparently it does from Japan. (Then again, maybe that’s what My Personal Weatherman was…)

My Summer of You AKA Kimi wa Natsu no Naka (Japan Weds Gaga) ep 3 of 10 - The quiet sweet cautious flirting is so adorable with these two boys. Also, baby‘s first taste of jealousy. That was fun. It’s nice to watch a JBL that feels like it’s going to be perfectly suited to the length that we all know it’s going to be. This kind of simple high school narrative just seems so well suited to Japan's format.

I MUST say: I have no idea how you get food on your face with chopsticks. I have never once done that. Spoon maybe, fork absolutely (stupid utensil), but chopsticks? Never.

The Prosecutor's Office's Proposal (Korea Fri iQIYI) eps 5 of 8 - oh it’s very good. That lip bite thing is excellent hot-sinister.

Gotta say I enjoy the intro music on this one. And I gotta say it because I never say that.

Love Class 3 (Korea Thurs Viki) eps 13-14 of 16 - It’s a change up for the books that I’m way more engaged with the main couple than the sides in this one. Sides still delivered a sweet NC, I gotta say. I’m looking forward to seeing how they end up resolving this show.

Bittersweet Love AKA The Man Who Married into a Wealthy Family (China Fri Viki & Gaga) ep 4 of 12 - such a fascinating dynamic. Such a complicated little dance of egos around one person who has essentially no ego or self-worth at all. I like this show a lot.

A Winter Sun Wakes the Wind in Spring Hills' Dream (China Fri Gaga) ep 9-10 of 16 - more evil dads. I'm still enjoying this. I really like the acting the directing and the chemistry. It’s the opposite of what Thailand has been serving us recently. We live in very interesting times.

Smile after Tears (Taiwan Weds Gaga) ep 9 of 12 - The backup pair is living together now. They’re very cute. it’s kind of interesting to watch a show where the second lead is the one who actually gets the boy in the end... So to speak. 

It ended my thoughts:

The final pickup ep of Fourever You aired. It was lovely. We got a check in on everyone and it was very sweet.

I adored that it was mainly about North and making sure he had time with his friends.

Fix the Error! (Korea Fri Gaga) ep 6 end - An aggressively milktoast  piece about a grim reaper who gets confused between two people, one of whom he’s supposed to kill. Then kinda falls in love with both. The premise is intriguing, unfortunately, only the actor playing the reaper had anything going for him. The surrounding cast was lackluster at best and scenery chewing at worst. 5/10 

The Summer You Kissed Me (China YT) Did anyone manage to watch this? It's supposed to be done now. NOTE from helpful comment: this has gotten picked up by both Gaga and Viki as Your Summer, My Storm!

It's airing but...

CrazyLove-MooMoo AKA Crazy Love, Moo-Moo (Thai VIU) 10 eps- It's BossNoeul in a comedy based on a novel but who tf cares when my boy Noh is there paired with Turbo? How delightful. Honestly? I would love to watch this, but they sure aren’t making it easy (as the lack of gifs is proving). This has now ended, worth going grey for?

Lost to Light (Thai Fri YT) 10 eps - I really did try. The leads are cute. I watched the whole first episode. For which you should absolutely praise me. Because this is bad. Very slapstick. Unreal amount of egregious sound effects. To the point that I, who am mostly inured to idiotic noise in Thai BL now, still noticed them. And there’s like some form of some iteration of do we call it?) “music” involved. No. Not for me. Ends next week.

Ordinary Love (Japan Fri ????) 8 eps - Fumihara Ichiro and Higashi Kei are colleagues whose relationship began through a shared love of movies. While Kei admires Ichiro as both a mentor and a supervisor, neither expects their growing bond to develop into something more. I did want to see this, but it seems hard to find from Japan (SIGH) and I just don't have the energy for their prima-donna behavior.

Summer Clouds Bring Love and Chaos AKA Natsuiro no Kumo ga Koi to Arashi wo Makiokosu (Japan Sat ????) 10 eps - Starring Jpop idols (from the same group). Takemiya Natsuki, a high school senior, is having the worst summer ever: dumped by his girlfriend plus terrible mock exam scores. His worried older sister arranges for her boyfriend, Kobayakawa Sota, to tutor Natsuki’s. Surprise, he falls in love. This one is just not avaiable for inter audiences (see Ordinary Love).

Blue Lips (China) 16 eps - I watched 3. I like the visuals, but the production is absolutely abysmal. I mean worse than normal for a pulp out of China. But like the looping is awful. The music doesn’t sync. I don’t know what they want us to believe is going on, but whatever it is, there isn’t much of it. This definitely feels like it should be animated or AI or something. Dropped without further thought.

Sin and Love (Korea Tues iQIYI) 10 eps - Oh, this is definitely not for me. Not only is the chemistry still off with this pair, but the show feels like a bunch of kids playing dress up. I don’t like it at all. Didn’t even make it through the first episode. 

In the News

Poom of UpPoom catching serious flack for good reason. Apology here. It's very complicated, read the whole thread. Ultimately IMHO: yes he's referencing a specific Thai stock character (think: commedia dell'arte) but online is a global stage and some stock characters, like BL tropes, should be left behind. Something need not be preserved through reenactment simply because it is culturally relevant. What's old is not, by default, better. (See logical fallacy argumentum ad antiquitatem.) All cultures evolve and change, sometimes via global pressure and respect for marginalized communities. That is not weakness, that's compassion.

God is back. Or at least returning. Maybe. No not that God. And those of you who have been around since Pink Milk was subbing the original 2Moons will know what I’m talking about. However, he’s not really back, and this YouTube video does a psychological analysis of fandom and parasocial relationships, that I think it’s really important for everybody to watch. So go watch it.

Next Week Looks Like This:

Coming July 2026

7/14 Love Destiny (Thai Tues iQIYI) 10 eps - trailer Adapted from the novel Bupphesanniwat co produced with China directed by the same man who directed the popular Thai het version in 2018 (also Interminable & The Cursed Love). They changed the main character to be a dr not an archeologist (disappointing). Leng stars opposite August (both of whom had prior pairs broken by scandal but) but ALSO both are great actors. I'm interested.

7/16 Be My Player Two (Thai Thurs WeTV) 10 eps - trailer NERDS IN LOVE!!! YAY! A sharp-tongued streamer and rookie gamer! What begins as a hunt for a rival unexpectedly turns into a discovery of love.

7/17 Make if Right 2026 (Thai Fri Viu) 10 eps - It's the remake no one asked for on a channel no one watches.

7/24 Class Crush Crisis (Thai Thurs Netflix/YT) 8 eps - trailer One of those high school messy gay shows Love Sick style.

7/26 Your Third (Thai Sun iQIYI) 12 eps - trailer Like ForceBook I prefer MaxNat when they do drama, not comedy, so I am not sure about this. Enthusiastic secretary has to track down and bring back his boss's spoiled heartbroken younger brother.

7/26 Match Point (Thai Sun YT?) 10 eps - trailer Finally GMMTV is bringing us a sports BL. I don't think Ping is a particularly strong actor and I don't know Teshow but maybe they will surprise me. This is Bad Buddy plays tennis so I'm not exactly mad about it. SingChimon as the second leads is SENDING ME tho.

7/27 Duty First, Kiss Later AKA Kiss wa Sousa no Ato de (Japan Mon ????) - stars Watanabe Shu and Saito Ryu directed by Ouchi Takahiro (Sugar Dog Life). A kindhearted beloved detective in his late 30s constantly bickers with his sharp-tongued, much younger colleague (10-year age gap). A sudden matchmaking proposal for the detective takes their contentious relationship into something deeper.

All BLs Announced for 2026 that I knew of at the start of the year. (Not kept updated.) Domundi Line 2026 Line Up (mid year)

(last week)

The tag BLigade: @doorajar @solitaryandwandering @my-rose-tinted-glasses @babymbbatinygirl @babymbbatinygirl @isisanna-blog @mmastertheone @pickletrip @aliceisathome @urikawa-miyuki @tokillamonger @sunflower-positiiivity @rocketturtle4 @blglplus @anythinggoesintheshire @everlightly @renafire @mestizashinrin @bl-bam-beyond @small-dark-and-delicious @saezurumurmurs @waitmyturtles @worldhopping

(hellsite doesn't allow me to tag that many people, sadly)

Except not from Korea! 2 GREAT NC scenes from KOREA this week. We live in wild times.

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

July 2026 Week 1

Ongoing Series - Thai

Payback (Sat iQIYI) ep 6 of 10 - (in which I get creeped out again by BL’s furry fetish, not to yuck your yum but it really isn’t my thing) These two are serving up a very classic yaoi body language, seme/uke dynamic, and execution. And I’m enjoying it. Chemistry is great. Carry on.

When Oranges Fall (Weds YT) ep 8 of 12 - poor tortured emotional youths. Augar is the BEST! 

A Dog and A Plane (Fri Gaga) ep 6 of 10 - at least we know the chemistry is solid. I do like how the morning after is very fraught. It seems more honest, making this a very mature BL for Thailand. I like that they’re using one of their mature couples executed. New is a very cute rabbit. And I like that they have their little dating moment. Oh my goodness, do I adore the side couple. So much flirting! Mond does a very good pathetic face.

GMMTV is doing some interesting things with this lineup right now. Except WOF, that is pretty classic no-frills.

The Edge of Horizon ( Sat Gaga) ep 3 of 10 - very much an "other side of the tracks" romance that is giving me The Servant and the Young Master meets Love in the Moonlight. (It seems we’ve been getting a lot of of these lately. Or is that just me?) So we got a very dramatic and sad parting. And then a full 11 year time jump. Which I appreciate. WE now facing up to the Siamese Revolution of 1932. I said it in previous commentaries on these shows, this is one of my favorite times in Thailand’s history. It looks like we’re gonna get a meeting of the minds that facilitates a smooth power transition, through the lens of lovers. Our prince is a pretty sweetie with very yearning eyes, but boy has no riz whatsoever. Phob’s character clearly is referencing real officers involved at the time of the revolution.

(All of which is to say, I encourage you to read the Wikipedia article I linked above, I think it will facilitate your enjoyment of this show substantially more.) 

Cherm Chey (Tues Gaga) ep 7 of 10 - not gonna lie, I'm kinda bored with this. All this nothingness could have happened in 5 eps and I'd have been fine with the show. But this is just dull.

Knot (Thai Thurs iQIYI) ep 1 of 10 eps - From the My Stubborn team, Thailand watched ABO Desire and said to the BL world "Here, hold my pink milk" and then tossed it to BoatOat. WE ARE SEATED.

Okay we were seated. I'm fidgeting now. It is stiffer than I wanted (yes yes I get the pun and the irony). It's just not as good as I want it to be. I have questions:

Why is the script so terrible? Was this written by a 12 year old?

What us the directing so juvenile?

Why us the hair so ghastly? (this isn't Japan)

Why his he wearing the ugliest shorts I have ever seen in my life.

Why does our omega know nothing about this own society?

Why so much infodumping about the stuff we don't need to know and so little character devlopment?

I did seriously entertain doing a trash watch for this. But I’m not sure it’s going to be bad enough for a trash watch. I'm mostly just confused and bored and, frankly, disappointed.

Don’t Be Too Emotional (Fri iQIYI) ep 2 of 12 - this remains sinister and creepy and I remain modestly intrigued. Not yet sure if this is going to be about a standard abusive relationship, or one that involves a pact with an actual demon, or if it’s meant to blurr the boundaries between the two. There is something weirdly endearing about a monster who is trying not to be a monster because he has encountered the first person in the world who makes no demands or desires of him.

When Light Fades (Thurs YT) ep 2 of 10 - Hum. Not sure. 

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Love Class 3 (Korea Thurs Viki) eps 11-12 of 16 - HOORAY, IT’S SO GOOD! Good kisses (FINALLY) and a nice soft mutual NC. From Korea? You really gunning to win the ranking, aren't you?

My Summer of You AKA Kimi wa Natsu no Naka (Japan Weds Gaga) ep 2 of 10 - this is one of those where just by the gentle reaction to the confession we understand why Saeki likes Wataru. 

The Prosecutor's Office's Proposal (Korea Fri iQIYI) eps 3-4 of 8 - oh unexpected drunk hook up. My goodness this is going quickly in a direction I was not expecting. These two are in all sorts of trouble and all sorts of protocol violations, all of the time. And I don’t know anything about the Korean legal system, but I still know that. Fun for us to watch, tho.

Bittersweet Love AKA The Man Who Married into a Wealthy Family (China Fri Viki & Gaga) eps 1-3 of 12 - Buckle up, strap in, put on your collars folx, we got un one of THOSE. 

This is a period piece (1990s) which I wasn't expecting. It's also more realistic and less camp than I thought it'd be. Frankly, I thought this would be one of those CBLs that could be a vertical, but nope. It’s more gritty than that. It’s actually a pretty cutting critique of the elite and ultra wealthy. How daring of you, China. (But I suppose it’s a BL they can get away with more when it’s not being internally distributed.) I really do not think the voiceover is necessary at all. The actors are doing a fine job conveying what’s going on. Owner/pet dynamic. I really hope the lead is going to come into his own eventually, but I suspect not, given the title.

If you're kinky, this is your show. This is an obvs D/s dynamic. There are aspects of both whipping boy and bully romance to this, but really it is just pure D/s. 

I’m gonna add this note, 'cause I know there are a few of you out there who read this blog because you know my personal proclivities. So far, the D/s is well done. This is a lifestyle submissive with pleaser tendencies and a strict demanding dominant (possible saddest). These first 3 episodes they’re quite young, so we’re watching them figure this out about themselves.

There is this little twist that it’s obvious the sister was married to our submissive because they needed either a scapegoat, a fall guy, or a husband in reserve because she is so wild. Essentially, the marriage is a face-saving endeavor. And it would seem the idea for this came from the brother. Since he seems to be a manipulative strategist. The fact that in arranging this marraige, he got himself a subby boy who is a near perfect match to his proclivities, is part of his internal conflict and struggle.

Clearly, I am enjoying this cause I have a lot to say about it. 

The Servant Prince (Japan Fri Gaga) ep 1 of 10 - Ah whipping boy my old friend. No one does you like Japan does you. Plus spoiled price? Nice. This is another extremely fun dynamic. (They making this one for both me and @heretherebedork at last!) The hair is obligingly ghastly. Interesting that we are essentially starting with the end. I’m not mad about it. How are we gonna get 10 episodes out of it though?

A Winter Sun Wakes the Wind in Spring Hills' Dream (China Fri Gaga) ep 7-8 of 16 - I really do enjoy the lead couples dynamic, and I like the filming style a lot. I suspect you have to enjoy both those two things to stick with this show for as long as it’s gonna go, as it is slow. All that said, I'm now watching this on 1.5 speed.

Fix the Error! (Korea Fri Gaga) eps 5 of 6 - The bad guy Grim Reaper seems to be just a kind of a caricature of a villian with no motivation whatsoever. I’m not wild about this plot twist. Cute unexpected kiss from the white knight. And more kisses. OK. I mean, we all knew the roommate was endgame because he’s taller, but I’m a little confused as to what’s going on in terms of chemistry.

Smile after Tears (Taiwan Weds Gaga) ep 8 of 12 - It’s just sad. 

It ended my thoughts:

Lately It's Winter Season Fourever You2 (Fri WeTV) ep 8 end - It was a very sweet final episode and this is a very sweet installment in this series. Probably not my favorite of the line up, but still sweet.

Summary

A classic friends to lovers story except one of them happens to be in the mafia and pines for six years through high school and then college. Then they finally get together. That's basically it. 8/10

Love of Silom (Fri WeTV) ep 12 - A nice, if slightly unearned, ending.

Summary

UpPoom (kings of complex BL) return for their 2nd offering. The story of a closeted cop and a bar host with family troubles who fall in love and investigate drug trafficking. This was a good BL with a solid story, but what carried it was, without question, the lead pair. Who were excellent. It’s never going to rise to the top as one of my personal favorites, but I did enjoy it. 8/10 

On a completely different note, it was very fun for me (I don’t know if any of you were in on it) to imagine that Host Kade (who is also a college bestie in Lately It’s Winter Season), was actually the same character. He obvs had this whole double life as a host.

Ticket To Heaven (Sat Gaga) ep 6 end - Ah, the insidiousness of faith. I enjoyed that in this final episode we got the contrast between parental figures, both of whom want the best for the lead character, but who represent polar opposites of social hierarchy, politics, and POV. In fact, all along this show has had some interesting dialogue around mentor and parental figures.

Summary

The story of an orphan boy in seminary and the rebellious troubled kid who enters and upsets his life with love. There’s some unique allegory around parental figures in this show, but apart from that it’s a relatively simplistic narrative that manages to be quite special because of cast and productions. Ultimately this is a beautifully acted (G4 both do a stellar job with their respective parts ) short series about the conflict between morality as prescribed by faith, and the ethics of an honest identity and real love. This is not new ground, it has been tread, many times over, by thousands of queer narratives. But it was new for Thai BL. In this, although they are different in tone, this show has more in common with BLs like Present Perfect, I Told Sunset About You, or Not Me. While. I understand why these shows appeal, they simply do not appeal to me. Yes I cried. I can see how this could go high as 10/10 for some but for me its a 8/10. 

The Boy and I Who Will Break Up in 100 Days AKA 100 Nichi Go ni Wakareru Boku to Kare (Japan Weds Gaga) 10 eps - I gave the first ep a try and it just really wasn't for me. (Advised that yes, don't bother.)

The Summer You Kissed Me (China YT) Did anyone manage to watch this? It's supposed to be done now.

It's airing but...

The Boy and I Who Will Break Up in 100 Days AKA 100 Nichi Go ni Wakareru Boku to Kare (Japan Weds Gaga) 10 eps - I gave the first ep a try and it just really wasn't for me.

CrazyLove-MooMoo AKA Crazy Love, Moo-Moo (Thai Sat VIU) 10 eps- It's BossNoeul in a comedy based on a novel but who tf cares when my boy Noh is there paired with Turbo? How delightful. Honestly? I would love to watch this, but they sure aren’t making it easy as the lack of gifs is proving.

Lost to Light (Thai Fri YT) ep 1 of 10 eps - I really did try. The leads are cute. I watched the whole first episode. For which you should absolutely praise me. Because this is bad. Very slapstick. Unreal amount of egregious sound effects. To the point that I, who am mostly inured to idiotic noise in Thai BL now, still noticed them. And there’s like some form of some iteration of do we call it?) “music” involved. No. Not for me.

Ordinary Love (Japan Fri ????) 8 eps - Fumihara Ichiro and Higashi Kei are colleagues whose relationship began through a shared love of movies. While Kei admires Ichiro as both a mentor and a supervisor, neither expects their growing bond to develop into something more. I did want to see this, but it seems hard to find from Japan (SIGH) and I just don't have the energy for their prima-donna behavior.

Next Week Looks Like This:

Coming July 2026

7/7 Are the Sexy Buttocks Not Good? (Japan Tues Gaga) 10 eps - The older man who saved him from a groper turned out to be the president of the company where he would later work.

7/8 Sin and Love (Korea Tues iQIYI) 10 eps - Not gonna lie I find this pair utterly lacking in chemistry. Police, drug lords, undercover agents, and spies—all layers of the power system are collapsing. Behind a seemingly lawful police hierarchy lies a city controlled by corruption, desire, and hidden power games, where human lives are only bargaining chips. Love and sex become tools of control and exchange.

7/11 Peach and Me (Thai Sat iQIYI) ? eps - You know how I feel about second seasons but I am making an exception for this ridiculous gem.

7/11 Summer Clouds Bring Love and Chaos AKA Natsuiro no Kumo ga Koi to Arashi wo Makiokosu (Japan Sat ????) 10 eps - Starring Jpop idols (from the same group) in the lead roles. Takemiya Natsuki, a high school senior, is having the worst summer ever: dumped by his girlfriend plus terrible mock exam scores. His worried older sister arranges for her boyfriend, Kobayakawa Sota, to tutor Natsuki’s. Surprise, he falls in love.

7/14 Love Destiny - gay remake of the 2018 het drama (Thai Tues iQIYI) 10 eps - trailer Adapted from the novel Bupphesanniwat co produced with China directed byt the same man who directed the popular Thai het version in 2018 (also Interminable & The Cursed Love). They changed the main character to be a dr not an archeolgist (disappointing). Leng stars opposite August (both of whom had prior pairs broken by scandal but) but ALSO both are great actors. I'm interested.

7/16 Be My Player Two (Thai Thurs WeTV) 10 eps - trailer NERDS IN LOVE!!! YAY! A sharp-tongued streamer and rookie gamer! What begins as a hunt for a rival unexpectedly turns into a discovery of love.

(Yes yes I'll try to get July releases together next week. You want more? Insanity)

All BLs Announced for 2026 that I knew of at the start of the year. (Not kept updated.) Domundi Line 2026 Line Up (mid year)

(last week)

The tag BLigade: @doorajar @solitaryandwandering @my-rose-tinted-glasses @babymbbatinygirl @babymbbatinygirl @isisanna-blog @mmastertheone @pickletrip @aliceisathome @urikawa-miyuki @tokillamonger @sunflower-positiiivity @rocketturtle4 @blglplus @anythinggoesintheshire @everlightly @renafire @mestizashinrin @bl-bam-beyond @small-dark-and-delicious @saezurumurmurs @waitmyturtles @worldhopping

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

June 2026 Week 4

Ongoing Series - Thai

Payback (Sat iQIYI) ep 5 of 10 - Oh, this was a great episode. We got this sinister romance still happening plus a great kiss. Even better, we got the start of the payback that we’ve been promised in the boxing ring. Delightful. Make no mistake, the dub-con is strong with this one. That said, I think there’s a good reason they depicted the kick-ass fighter right before he’s taken advantage of. And then they show him easily getting away. The damaging trope is still in place tho, this is not a defense. Can't mount one. Other things def being mounted in this show tho.

Lately It's Winter Season Fourever You2 (Fri WeTV) ep 7 of 8 - I kind of love Nao’s attitude now that he knows the truth. It’s so charming and in character. North is such a great through line for this series.

*bounce bounce* Did ya’ll notice Suer shifter to ter instead of meung for the you pronoun as soon as he was given permission to court Nao? SO CUTE. Also, I see panther/penguin endgame is still in place.

When Oranges Fall (Weds YT) ep 7 of 12 - Finally, a real confession. It’s very dramatic. They better be careful hanging out in the rain that much, one of them is definitely gonna get sick.

Are we not a BL?! 

Still loving the sides, look at these cuties:

A Dog and A Plane (Fri Gaga) ep 5 of 10 - Well, that’s one way to calm him down and stop him from fighting, I suppose. This is a cute episode. I can pretty much watch TayNew do anything and be happy. Also, how much is their kissing improved over the years. A lot. But I would’ve liked more of the side couple.

Love of Silom (Fri WeTV) ep 11 of 12 - Another episode that was predominantly sad.

Cherm Chey (Tues Gaga) ep 6 of 10 - They are just these two queer little weirdos (affectionate). And I love them for it. I have to say I’m not at all invested in their little bar scheme or whatever is going on there. But the language play is chefs kiss. (bartender’s kiss?) 

The Edge of Horizon ( Sat Gaga) ep 1-2 of 10 - This is a whipping boy narrative (in truth, out the gate) set around the turn of the century. About a young nobleman/prince and the servant boy who is his childhood love. Very much a poor little rich boy + other side of the tracks romance. The leads are solid, the visuals are on point, and the optics are excellent. I wasn’t gonna pick this up, but I can’t resist. Meanwhile, if I have taught you nothing else in this blog, it should be this: If they kiss early in the show, it’s never a good sign for the plot. If they do more than kiss, it’s even worse. 

Ticket To Heaven (Sat Gaga) ep 5 of 6 - This remains an excellent show, just not my thing. It is really nice to see G4 get all meaty with their acting chops. They have come so far.

Don’t Be Too Emotional (Fri iQIYI) ep 1 of 12 - The sinister thing is very interesting. And I would love it if they actually leaned into the demon contract and the paranormal elements. I have to say that I am not vibing with the lead couple though. At least not so far.

When Light Fades (Thurs YT) ep 1 of 10 - What an interesting time period for Thailand to be tackling. I’m not sure how I feel about this premise or show. There’s a lot of “damseling distressfully through the woods,” a trope that has never been one of my favorites. Not sure I'll stick with this.

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Love Class 3 (Korea Thurs Viki) eps 9-10 of 16 - I love this show so much. I’ve been waiting for this from Korea forever, and it’s exactly what I hoped it would be. No notes. Carry on stupid little show.

My Summer of You AKA Kimi wa Natsu no Naka (Japan Weds Gaga) ep 1 of 10 - The manga of this is great. So far the show is too. YAY! I am v pleased. I said Japan was in it to win 2026 and I’m holding that.

The Prosecutor's Office's Proposal (Korea Fri iQIYI) ep 1 of 8 - Yay, gays investigate crimes! I’m excited for this. Just go into that boy’s apartment and eat his ice cream. So tsundere seme, I can’t even. 

A Winter Sun Wakes the Wind in Spring Hills' Dream (China Fri Gaga) ep 5-6 of 16 - Is that… a really nice NC in my CBL? This studio spoils us. And then another sad episode. Everyone is dropping sad episodes this week. 

Minor critique, I’m not a fan of the style of acting that forces you to realize how hard everybody is acting. I understand it’s a stylistic choice and I don’t know why I’m pointing out. It’s just that in ep 6 was a lot of “Watch me perform grief. Watch me.”

Smile after Tears (Taiwan Weds Gaga) ep 7 of 12 - Aww this is v sad. 

Fix the Error! (Korea Fri Gaga) eps 4 of 6 - Poor little gay reaper boy surrounded by shirtless men. We’ve all been there, no? 

It ended my thoughts:

The Lie We Lived In (Korea Viki) 8 eps

Summary

About a hired killer who imprisons his mark and then gets discovered in the middle of the job by a off duty cop. They sort of fall in love. And then things go violently south from there. I’m not sure this was BL. I’m also not sure what it was trying to be. There was a germ of an interesting story buried in it somewhere but I’m mostly mad about that fact, as if it taunted us with what could’ve been. The most interesting character was the bilingual yakuza boss, and we didn’t get enough of him (also the best actor by a landslide). 5/10 

Oh, and guess what we’re gonna do now?

We’re gonna pause to talk about the guy who played Kentaro. That is Terada Takuya of CROSS GENE who also just happens to have starred in one of Korea‘s very first BL reps, 2015’s The Lover. Just so you know your BL history and remember who I am and why I exist. 

Magic Move (Thai iQIYI) 10 eps - I do like the sides. aAdding another show to the ever growing list of health code violations in BL.

Summary 

A BL built around lies and superstitions, which turned out to be one and the same. The side couple was cute but the main couple was lackluster and the NC, while well executed, came out of nowhere (pun intended). It wasn’t the only wood int he show, either, the acting was also stiff as a board. I would call this a classic pulp of our times and thus largely forgettable. 6/10 

Your Dear Daddy (Thai iQIYI) 8 eps - I adore the little cross-dressing-room moment. The blessing ceremony was super sweet too.

Summary 

A solid and sincere little BL about a troubled young man who escapes to the countryside and falls in love with an older farmer. There is other business stuff going on, but that’s pretty much it. It’s very earnest, charming, and full of found family and other delightful tropes. 8/10 

Fake Fact Lips (Japan Gaga) 10 eps - How much do I love that we got this huge dose of domesticity in the last episode? (Special my arse, it’s just the finale.) I love it so very very much. We go the onsen trope! Lucky us. Really you couldn’t ask for more from a final ep. At least I couldn’t. And you all know finale’s count for a lot with me. Right up until this ep, this was a solid 8/10, when they introduced the love triangle element it  fell off for me, but this final bought it back around. 

Summary 

Work colleagues who define “rivals” and have been frenemies since high school realize that they’re actually in love with each other. One of them has been pining for a long time, but the other one jumps on board in a big way once he knows what’s that stake. This is a charming BL with very few missteps. A true died-in-the-wool office yaoi, rivals who end up lovers but very much remain rivals. Hard to beat such a classic executed so beautifully. 9/10 

It's airing but...

The Boy and I Who Will Break Up in 100 Days AKA 100 Nichi Go ni Wakareru Boku to Kare (Japan Weds Gaga) 10 eps - I gave the first ep a try and it just really wasn't for me. Ends this week.

CrazyLove-MooMoo AKA Crazy Love, Moo-Moo (Thai Sat VIU) 10 eps- It's BossNoeul in a comedy based on a novel but who tf cares when my boy Noh is there paired with Turbo? How delightful. Honestly? I would love to watch this, but they sure aren’t making it easy as the lack of gifs is proving.

Lost to Light (Thai Fri YT) ep 1 of 10 eps - I tried. I really did try. The leads are quite cute. And I watched the whole first episode. For which you should absolutely praise me. Because this is bad. Very slapstick. Unreal amount of egregious sound effects. To the point that I, who am mostly inured to idiotic noise in Thai BL now, still noticed them. And there’s like some form of some iteration of do we call it?) “music” involved. No. Not for me. @heretherebedork is going to have to suffer this one for us all. 

The Summer You Kissed Me (China Thurs YT) ep 3 of 5 - dropping too sporadically for me to keep up. Did anyone manage to watch this? It's supposed to be done now.

Next Week Looks Like This:

Still Coming June 2026!

6/30 Knot (Thai Thurs iQIYI) 10 eps trailer - From the My Stubborn team, Thailand watched ABO Desire and said to the BL world "Here, hold my pink milk" and then tossed it to BoatOat. WE ARE SEATED.

(Yes yes I'll try to get July releases together next week. You want more? Insanity)

All BLs Announced for 2026 that I knew of at the start of the year. (Not kept updated.) Domundi Line 2026 Line Up (mid year)

(last week)

The tag BLigade: @doorajar @solitaryandwandering @my-rose-tinted-glasses @babymbbatinygirl @babymbbatinygirl @isisanna-blog @mmastertheone @pickletrip @aliceisathome @urikawa-miyuki @tokillamonger @sunflower-positiiivity @rocketturtle4 @blglplus @anythinggoesintheshire @everlightly @renafire @mestizashinrin @bl-bam-beyond @small-dark-and-delicious @saezurumurmurs @waitmyturtles @worldhopping

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

June 2026 Week 3

Ongoing Series - Thai

Payback (Sat iQIYI) ep 4 of 10 - Well, at least we know we are going to get some good chemistry in the future. And I am very much enjoying this. It is my kind of trash.

Lately It's Winter Season Fourever You2 (Fri WeTV) ep 6 of 8 - I am so glad we are finally at university and things are going to happen. Oh no. This kind of a confession from a friend is so rough on the person getting it. So very painfully queer. I actually feel more for Nao than Tiger. 

When Oranges Fall (Weds YT) ep 6 of 12 - Kiss! Oh noes. These babies are about to go though embarrassment trauma. 

Your Dear Daddy (Sat iQIYI) ep 7 of 8 - The romance seems mostly to have completed its arc, and now we’re getting just businessman machinations over tea, and I’m not upset about it, but it feels like a different show.

A Dog and A Plane (Fri Gaga) ep 4 of 10 - I am really enjoying all the dynamics in this show, but I have to say, I like the competitive nature of the side couple best. I’m glad the cheating X storyline has been resolved, and I’m curious as to where we’re going to go from here.

Love of Silom (Fri WeTV) ep 9-10 of 12 - This can be summed up as: 2 men fall in love, solve crimes, while being thwarted at every turn by their horrible parents. (Oh and whoever it was who wanted more kidnapping trope, there is kidnapping in episode 10.) 

Cherm Chey (Tues Gaga) ep 5 of 10 - I think, just from the language, that this might be one of the queerest Thai BLs we have ever gotten.

Magic Move (Tues iQIYI) ep 9 of 10 - I like that there was a reverse twist: the big lie was actually 2 big lies, and they were deceiving each other. It means no one person is totally in the wrong, but also it makes it hard to believe a substantial relationship could possibly be built on what is amounting to a whole bunch of lies.

Ticket To Heaven (Sat Gaga) ep 3-4 of 5 - Yes, absolutely, this is very well done. The acting is on point. The filming is great. The kissing is excellent for GMMTV. Everything about it is wonderful. G4 are doing an bang up job with it. But I still don’t like it. (I am feeling v ITSAY about it, in that i get the hype it just isn’t my thing.) i confess I like my BL ay least a little trashy, there isn’t even a whiff of dumpster with this one. 

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Love Class 3 (Korea Thurs Viki) eps 7-8 of 16 - The conflict is truly great in this one. There is so much of it: exes and maybes and wannabes and interpersonal relationships, but also the different companies and the merger. It’s so good.

Fake Fact Lips (Japan Fri Gaga) ep 9 of 10 - Oh, a baby claiming coming out sort of thing as part of their jealousy competition dynamic. Plus most of this episode they were together. I’m happy. MDL says this is the final ep, but Gaga says one more, and I trust the streamer. 

A Winter Sun Wakes the Wind in Spring Hills' Dream (China Fri Gaga) ep 2-4 of 16 (I'm behind) - I am enjoying this. It is mellow, interesting, and slow moving. I understand why, what it is trying to accomplish, but I’m still watching it on 1.5 time.

Fix the Error! (Korea Fri Gaga) eps 3 of 6 - I hold with what I said before, the lead is engaging but no one else in the show is. I’m kinda sorry for that actor. 

The Summer You Kissed Me (China Thurs YT) ep 2 of 5 - the secodn ep dropped to YT and it was fine.

Smile after Tears (Taiwan Weds Gaga) ep 6 of 12 - The aquarium visit itself (plus parts of the whole excursion) nodded to so many BLS, from Until We Meet Again to Color Rush. Still, my loves, if you reference so precisely something you got to be parody or better than the original, and this show is neither. Which make this not just trope drops but a mite derivative.

The Lie We Lived In (Korea Thurs Viki) eps 5-6 of 8 - Oh, how fun. Now who is playing cat & mouse? I guess there are no good guys in this show.

It ended my thoughts:

Journey With You (China Fri Gaga) ep 8 end - Well, that was that, they ended up together, but the implication is one of them is dying of consumption so Chinese historical gays remain Chinese historical gays. Meet You at the Blossom continues to  stand alone as our mainstay frivolous, historical CBL fun and happy offering. Am I surprised? Not at all.

Summary

A prince is betrayed by the man who should have been his lover in a game of court politics. They both die and the prince is reborn determined to survive and figure out why his boyfriend behaved the way he shouldn't. The optics are good and there are some of the prettiest NC scenes plus one gratuitous evil feather duster. While our pretty boys iwth flowing robes and long hair survive the narrative, one of them is doomed, and it's not exactly happy.

A rating? Well… China didn’t exactly kill the gay, perhaps that is an improvement? 5/10 i’m feeling magnanimous.

Lost to You (China Gaga) 12 eps - It ended, description included the word “bittersweet” so I was scared. So, those with greater courage who watched it... is it safe?

Check in to You (Korea Thurs Gaga) ep 2 of 6 - Anyone like to tell me how this bodyswap eent? Worth it?

It's airing but...

The Boy and I Who Will Break Up in 100 Days AKA 100 Nichi Go ni Wakareru Boku to Kare (Japan Weds Gaga) 10 eps - I gave the first ep a try and it just really wasn't for me. I'm open to changing my mind on this one, but you'll have to let me know how it's going.

CrazyLove-MooMoo AKA Crazy Love, Moo-Moo (Thai Sat VIU) 10 eps- It's BossNoeul in a comedy based on a novel but who tf cares when my boy Noh is there paired with Turbo? How delightful. Honestly? I would love to watch this, but they sure aren’t making it easy as the lack of gifs is proving.

The Edge of Horizon (Thai Fri Gaga) 10 eps - "A love across different classes and ranks. One has only his honour, the other has a royal lineage at stake." Historical with class conflict and possibly the whipping boy trope. I don’t currently have access to the platforms that are airing this show. And I’m not particularly upset about it. I depend upon you all to tell me if it is worth watching once it’s ended, and I will track it down and binge.

Lost to Light (Thai Fri YT) ep 1 of 10 eps - I tried. I really did try. The leads are quite cute. And I watched the whole first episode. For which you should absolutely praise me. Because this is bad. Very slapstick. Unreal amount of egregious sound effects. To the point that I, who am mostly inured to idiotic noise in Thai BL now, still noticed them. And there’s (some form of some iteration of do we call it?) “music” involved. No. Not for me. @heretherebedork is going to have to suffer this one for us all. 

Next Week Looks Like This:

Still Coming June 2026!

6/24 My Summer of You AKA Kimi wa Natsu no Naka (Japan Weds Gaga) 10 eps - I love LOVE this manga. I am THRILLED Gaga picked it up.

6/25 When Light Fades (Thai Thurs ????) 10 eps trailer - One of them tourism BLs set in 1976 about a young man adventuring in the jungle. Apparently party produced (not jsut funded) by Thai govt. So that's fun.

6/26 Don’t Be Too Emotional (Thai Fri iQIYI) ?? eps trailer - Thai adaptation of a Hwang Seol novel (Korean). Freshman realizes his senior is hiding dark secrets. Starts dating him anyway. Turns out he has actually made a contract with a daemon. Oops. Guess we've all been there.

6/26 The Prosecutor's Office's Proposal (Korea Fri ????) 8 eps - Watcha is back! Adapted from a novel. Lee Chae Ha, failed police officer, becomes a prosecutor’s office investigator. He has lived his life bearing the label of “murderer’s son,” enduring bullying from peers and violence from his uncle. He reunites with Prosecutor Ju Tae Seon, a respected figure who once helped clear Chae Ha of a false accusation. When Tae Seon selects Chae Ha as his partner in a murder investigation, they get close. I'm paying attention, Korea.

6/30 Knot (Thai Thurs iQIYI) 10 eps trailer - From the My Stubborn team, Thailand watched ABO Desire and said to the BL world "Here, hold my pink milk" and then tossed it to BoatOat. WE ARE SEATED.

6/?? The Man Who Married into a Wealthy Family (China ????) - Forbidden romance between a poor man and his wealthy wife's older brother. Looks messy and the kind of thing that sould be a vertical... so very much my thing.

All BLs Announced for 2026 that I knew of at the start of the year. (Not kept updated.) Domundi Line 2026 Line Up (mid year)

(last week)

The tag BLigade: @doorajar @solitaryandwandering @my-rose-tinted-glasses @babymbbatinygirl @babymbbatinygirl @isisanna-blog @mmastertheone @pickletrip @aliceisathome @urikawa-miyuki @tokillamonger @sunflower-positiiivity @rocketturtle4 @blglplus @anythinggoesintheshire @everlightly @renafire @mestizashinrin @bl-bam-beyond @small-dark-and-delicious @saezurumurmurs @waitmyturtles @worldhopping

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

June 2026 Week 2

Ongoing Series - Thai

Payback (Sat iQIYI) ep 3 of 10 - Boss enters the chat and suddenly we have a sullen-off. I like this BL. The creepy vibe makes sense for this style of show. It’s always nice to get something tonally different from Thailand. 

Lately It's Winter Season Fourever You2 (Fri WeTV) ep 5 of 8 - I am sorry, but the furry outfit thing wigs me out. You do you with whatever kink you’re into, it’s just not my thing and I find it cringe on screen. (Frankly, I have done since Puppy Honey, or whenever it first showed up in BL.) Apart from that, this is v good. And I’m v much looking forward to the university years.

When Oranges Fall (Weds YT) ep 5 of 12 - I love that there is the one friend who knows exactly what’s going on, but obviously nobody will believe him. Hello, Cassandra. Honestly, I’m enjoying this so much more than I thought I would when it was announced. I have to say, that’s largely because it’s a high school BL and I just really like Thai HS BL. I blame Love Sick and Make It Right and I’m OK with that.

Your Dear Daddy (Sat iQIYI) ep 6 of 8 - Gap’s sleeveless agenda seems to have extended to all his shows. We accept this tribute.

A Dog and A Plane (Fri Gaga) ep 3 of 10 - This is an extremely silly show but I'm enjoying it immensely. I do absolutely adore the side couple. I mean, we knew I loved them going in. I’m just delighted to have them back on my screen. I think all of the rigmarole and machinations are fun and I love watching this sort of combative affection that’s going on between all of the couples. This is indeed a silly show, but it’s also kinda… good?

Love of Silom (Fri WeTV) ep 8 of 12 - Yet another show in which I hate the father so much. But that it is par for the course in BL.

Cherm Chey (Tues Gaga) ep 4 of 10 - This remains extremely silly, but I must say I’m enjoying it, mostly because there is no plot just language play. I love that for me, but this cannot possibly make sense for anybody who doesn’t speak at least some Thai. Right? 

Magic Move (Tues iQIYI) ep 8 of 10 - I do like the sides in this one, but I find the high heat in this show kind of startling. It’s not that I don’t like high heat, it just feels jarring in this one for some reason.

Ticket To Heaven (Sat Gaga) ep 3 of 5 - sorry it was "get this out to you 2 days late, or watch this and be 3 days late" So... yeah. I didn't watch this week.

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Love Class 3 (Korea Thurs Viki) eps 5-6 of 16 - I love this show so much. I love the different couples. I’m in it for the plot, such as it is. This is the idol drama I’ve been waiting for. And it’s 16 episodes? Fantastic.

Journey With You (China Fri Gaga) ep 7 of 8 - Too much time spent on evil prince. Not enough evil feather duster. More gay on gay crimes. More chewing scenery crime. What a melodrama. Gay baddies are all dead. So I guess it’s possible this show could end well? (RIP evil feather duster.) 

Fix the Error! (Korea Fri Gaga) eps 1 & 2 of 6 - A confused (adorable) intern grim reaper is confronted by 2 boys with a similar name and he must decide which one to reap. I like the actor playing the lead, but I’m not sure about the rest of the cast.

Smile after Tears (Taiwan Weds Gaga) ep 5 of 12 - I honestly don’t know what’s up with this one and me. I’m not feeling it. It’s fine, but the acting is particularly wooden, even for a KBL.

Fake Fact Lips (Japan Fri Gaga) ep 8 of 10 - I truly dislike the new bully bowl-cut character. As per usual when the mains are apart, I’m much less interested in the whole show. The reunion kiss was good though. Honestly? I kind of wish the show had just ended when they got together.

A Winter Sun Wakes the Wind in Spring Hills' Dream (China Fri Gaga) ep 1 of 16 - I suspect they saw how much was airing right now and they thought “why not just drop four 45m+ episodes at once?” So? I only managed to watch 1. I don’t care what rank or honor: The person who gets carsick sits shotgun! Always. So, initial thoughts: This is an interesting piece but not as engaging or magical as I found its sister project. But it’s so beautifully well done that I am intrigued. These shows do require patience tho. I guess we have a heartbroken princess and a hot mountain boy as our pairing? I’m not mad about it. 

The Lie We Lived In (Korea Thurs Viki) eps 3-4 of 8 - Def not into this. Also, why is the hair so bad? This is not JBL.

It ended my thoughts:

Love Upon a Time (Thai iQIYI) ep 12 end - Everyone mourning Klao was really sad. I like that this was an opportunity for Net to show us his acting chops, but I don’t love the dwelling in the misery of the one left behind. I didn’t like it with I Feel You Linger In the Air and I don’t like it here. Still this version was ultimately delightfully sappy, with a good ending, and a lot more satisfying than some of the other historicals I could name. I still feel very sorry for the Phop of the past, but somehow, knowing he wasted away quickly, it doesn’t hurt as much as it did with IFYlITA.

Summary

The story of a college kid transported to historical Ayutthaya to solve the crime of his past life, who falls in love with a nobleman with yearning eyes. Side couple (an enamored beauty and his tsundere doctor) is also entangled with their reincarnated selves. The setting is great, including a visit to the archeological site, filming and acting is soft and professional, and the NC scenes are lovely. This show used established reincarnation to neatly solved for many flaws in both time travel and historical series. I thought about this rating for a really long time, and finally decided that while this doesn’t have a lot of rewatch potential for me, I liked it a whole lot, and I suspect I will be recommending it a whole lot. So... 9/10 

Double Helix (China Gaga) eps 11-12 end - I actually said “oh no” when I realized it was time for me to watch these final 2 episodes. So I guess I wasn’t expecting much. I do love the younger brother character, he is behaving forcefully, but he’s trying to save his brother from an abuser. He is trying his absolute best.

Summary

If you know the first version of this BL you know this show chooses violence by way of toxicity. Make no mistakes, this is the story of an abusive obsessive relationship that edges into torture corn. It is also torture to watch. If you like an absolute rollercoaster of emotions from the highs of pure romance to the lows of imprisonment and neglect, then this is the show for you. It is a rocky road soap opera. There are marshmallow too-sweet bits. There’s a lot of yummy chocolate. And then some very disagreeable nuts. And nut jobs. Given the subject matter, this ended as happily as it possibly could, and as healthy as it possibly could by portraying a "cured" mental illness (and admitting that the seme was mentally ill). The couple ends up together and nobody dies or is permanently disfigured (much to my surprise). It was both extremely entertaining and extremely unhinged. If that’s your jam, you’re going to love this BL. I had a wild time and... I’m never watching this again. In short: What a g-damn mind-fk of a BL, effing heck. 8/10 but under sufferance.

Life in Smokey Blue AKA Smoke Blue no Ame Nochi Hare (Japan Gaga) ep 10 end - Aww, the nibbling cried 'cause his uncle was finally happy. Best coming out response ever. 

Summary 

This is one of those charmingly mature JBL‘s that we get once a year out of Japan (when lucky),in the style of Our Dining Table or Old Fashion Cupcake. It is a deceptively simple but rather special story of 2 former work colleagues who had a one night stand, then meet and rekindle their connection later, alleviating each other’s loneliness and grief. It is quiet and simple, with very little drama or extremes of emotion. It does not follow the beats of a romance, but it is a love story. I would call it zen BL. I happen to enjoy this “contemplating a koi pond” watching experience, but it isn’t for everybody. Beautifully acted and shot, with an excellent script, this is heartwarming in its quiet elegance. A show about ordinary people doing ordinary things that is anything but ordinary. 9/10 

Unexpectedly Naughty Fukami AKA Yatara Yarashii Fukami-kun (Japan Gaga) ep 10 end - Ultimately, these two are quite cute together.

Summary 

An office romance between the top popular sales guy + the nerdy IT dude. But twist, the jock falls first and harder. And the nerdy guy is aero. This is a high heat piece and they talk about everything, pretty much, including eventually their own feelings. Crazy communication levels from Japan. It was interesting, complicated, and entertaining, but also a little awkward, uncomfortable, and not particularly to my taste. 7/10 

Flower Boy (Thai Gaga) ep 8 end - Thank goodness this was only 8 episodes, I was somewhat hate watching the second half. While it was a happy ending (and I love an HEA) I’m not personally sure it is the right ending. This is one of those that I actually would’ve liked better if it had ended with pathos, but it is a Thai BL, so they choose improbably sweet.

Summary

The story of a boy who, when he is in love, smells incredibly good, and the man he falls in love with. The problem is that man is the nibbling of the man who murdered his mother. There’s a mystery around this that we sort of know the answer to from the start, and resolution on the love story after a pretty unforgivable betrayal. This was a rocky watch for me and I didn’t love it, and I really should have given the concept was something that very much appeals to me, the lead pair is solid, and production was on point. Still, I was left feeling unsatisfied and resentful. 7/10 but I'm awfully tempted by a 6/10

Dual Stars (Taiwan iQIYI) 6 eps

From Mainland China (using Taiwan to distribute) this was yet another show where the "play within the play" was more interesting to me. 2 actors, one of whom is a CEO vertical pulp star, and the other of whom is a former best actor fallen on hard times, do a CBL together, and fall in love. We’ve seen this from Japan, this is China’s version. It deals with the consequences of being out as a celebrity among other things. The leads made for pretty cute boyfriends, and while domesticity is not usually China’s strong point, it was nice to get something. Ultimately, this was fine, but I was annoyed by the not-kisses. Those times are over now, even for you, China. 6/10 

It's airing but...

The Boy and I Who Will Break Up in 100 Days AKA 100 Nichi Go ni Wakareru Boku to Kare (Japan Weds Gaga) 10 eps - I gave the first ep a try and it just really wasn't for me. I'm open to changing my mind on this one, but you'll have to let me know how it's going.

One Year (Thai Sun YT) I dropped at ep 3 of 8, not for me. Ended, should I bother? @heretherebedork says not to.

CrazyLove-MooMoo AKA Crazy Love, Moo-Moo (Thai Sat VIU) 10 eps- It's BossNoeul in a comedy based on a novel but who tf cares when my boy Noh is there paired with Turbo? How delightful. Honestly? I would love to watch this, but they sure aren’t making it easy as the lack of gifs is proving.

Lost to You (China Gaga) 12 eps - I decided to wait until this completes its run and I know the ending. I greatly mistrust any BL description that includes the word “bittersweet” especially out of China. Thus I depend upon those with greater courage than moi to tell me how this goes.

Check in to You (Korea Thurs Gaga) ep 2 of 6 - I hate bodyswap so I'm not fussed. Wating to be told if it's worth it. My goodness, Strongberry, how the mighty have fallen.

The Summer You Kissed Me (China Thurs YT) ep 2 of 5 - For some reason this didn’t drop on YT. I’m not sure if that’s because it’s been moved to a different platform or what.

Next Week Looks Like This:

Still Coming June 2026!

6/20 Lost to Light (Thai Fri Gaga) 10 eps - Once an idol group with dreams of stardom, they’re now forced to wear mascots and sing children’s songs for kindergarten kids.

6/20 The Edge of Horizon (Thai Fri Gaga) 10 eps - A love across different classes and ranks. One has only his honour, the other has a royal lineage at stake. Historical with class conflict and possibly the whipping boy trope.

6/24 My Summer of You AKA Kimi wa Natsu no Naka (Japan Weds ????) 10 eps - I love LOVE this manga. I will watch this grey if if doesn't get picked up for inter distribution.

6/25 When Light Fades (Thai Thurs ????) 10 eps trailer - One of them tourism BLs set in 1976 about a young man adventuring in the jungle.

6/26 Don’t Be Too Emotional (Thai Fri iQIYI) ?? eps trailer - adaptation of a Hwang Seol novel (Korean), freshman realizes his senior is hiding dark secrets. Starts dating him anyway. Turns out he has actually made a contract with a daemon. Oops. Guess we've all been there.

6/30 Knot (Thai Thurs iQIYI) 10 eps trailer - From the My Stubborn team, Thailand watched ABO Desire and said to the BL world "Here, hold my pink milk" and then tossed it to BoatOat. WE ARE SEATED.

6/?? The Man Who Married into a Wealthy Family (China ????) - Forbidden romance between a poor man and his wealthy wife's older brother. Looks messy and the kind of thing that sould be a vertical... so very much my thing.

6/?? The Prosecutor's Office's Proposal (Korea ????) 8 eps - Watcha is back! Adapted from a novel. Lee Chae Ha, failed police officer, becomes a prosecutor’s office investigator. He has lived his life bearing the label of “murderer’s son,” enduring bullying from peers and violence from his uncle. He reunites with Prosecutor Ju Tae Seon, a respected figure who once helped clear Chae Ha of a false accusation. When Tae Seon selects Chae Ha as his partner in a murder investigation, they get close. I'm paying attention, Korea.

All BLs Announced for 2026 that I knew of at the start of the year. (Not kept updated.)

(last week)

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