Hi...I want to start watching BL dramas, and I kinda confused where to start...I still read your blog to learn more about this genre....Before this I enjoy watching shounen-ai anime and read danmei novels....Can I ask for your drama recs (if you don't mind) that kinda like Sasaki to Miyano (one of my fav bl series)? It's slow burn, friend to lovers trope (and can be called wholesome BL romance?)... Sorry if I can't explain it better and also for the long ask.....Thanks for your blog.....Have a wonderful day....
Hi hi, WELCOME!!!
I have a couple master lists that might help:
BL Master Post (how the countries are different and what to watch and expect)
THAI BL MASTER POST
But if you love Sasaki to Miyano here are some quick suggestions. Now I’ve only read the manga, but I would call Sasaki to Miyano classic light yaoi, slow burn, low heat, angst but generally very light weight.
GENTLE & Soft BL (like Sasaki to Miyano)
Mostly you're gonna be looking for Korean BL, a select few from Japan, and some Thai stuff. The ones I’ve listed have little to no violence or triggers. Just oodles of adorable softness and comfort.
1. Seven Days (Japan - DramaCool in 2 parts Seven Days: Monday - Thursday, Seven Days: Friday - Sunday) - regular readers of this blog will be unsurprised to see this top the list but it really is EXACTLY what you are looking for. It is one of the best live action yaoi ever made (if not THE best). Popular first year Seiryo has a policy of going out with any girl who asks… for one week. On a lark, third year Yuzuru tests to see if that policy also applies to boys. Seiryo agrees that it does. Along the way they accidentally fall in love. (Forgive it its hair for that is a mark of its time.)
2. Cherry Magic (Japan - indie subbed) AKA 30-sai made Dotei Da to Mahotsukai ni Nareru rashii - the sweetest, fluffiest, most charming bit of office-set adorable ever, full of found family and slapstick, the characters are utter spazzes, but so cute about it. All angst is self confidence based, nothing really distressing ever happens.
3. Light On Me (Korea - Viki) - Korea does a pitch perfect classic high school set BL with all tropes cleverly deployed to bolster one of the most riveting love triangles ever put on screen… and I don’t like love triangles! Shin Woo is probubly the softest, gentlest, sweetest seme in the whole universe. I LOVE HIM SO MUCH.
4. Wish You (Korea - Netflix or Viki, you want the movie version) AKA WISH YOU: Your Melody in My Heart - low stakes high pining romance about a pianist who falls in love with a busker who is on his way to being the next big idol. It’s about singing but this drama is very quiet. Hugely underrated.
5. To My Star (Korea - Viki) - is a touch quirky, but utterly appealing once it hits its stride. It’s the ultimate grumpy/sunshine pairing plus the most appealing light-filled kitchen of our dreams. Famous actor (adorable bundle of neurosis) takes refuge in the house of a reserved chef and is immediately smitten by Mr Tall Dark & Glowering. The chef is also smitten but refuses to admit it to himself or anyone else.
6. The Tasty Florida (Korea - Viki) - not really a love triangle featuring the prettiest men ever to be grouped together outside of K-pop, honestly the visuals are ridiculous, there’s a story, it has to do with food, whatever, they so pretty
7. Oxygen (Thailand - YouTube) - softest seme in the universe sings his affection to the older boy at the cafe. Let the slow burn courting commence. There is a tiny bit of angst at the end, and one storyline is naff (the doctors) but this is high production Thai softness so I forgive it.
8. Ingredients (Thailand - YouTube) - if all you want is two soft boys being domestic, cooking together, cuddling on the couch, cat sitting, and babysitting - just put this on and be comfy.
9. He’s Coming to Me (Thailand - YouTube) - want your soft sweetness with a dose of paranormal and a little mystery but none of the violence or extreme triggers of Manner of Death or Until We Meet Again? Then this is for you.
10. You Are Ma Boy (Vietnam - YouTube) - is there angst? Nope even what could have been angst (a gay idol) doesn’t materialize, it’s just cuties in a cafe confusing each other with cat & mouse games. The side het couple is a touch disturbing, tho.
More If You’ve Already seen those:
Kieta Hatsukoi AKA Vanishing My First Love AKA My Love Mix Up (Japan - Viki)
Mr. Heart (Korea Viki)
Behind Cut (Korea - Viki)
My Sweet Dear (Korea - Viki)
Tinted With You (Korean historical time travel - Viki)
Nobleman Ryu's Wedding (Korean historical fairytale - hard to find)
Nitiman (Thai YouTube)
En of Love: Tossera (Thai YouTube)
Gameboys (The Philippines - Netflix)
Old Fashion Cupcake (Japan Viki & GaGa)
What to avoid?
Taiwanese BL - as of 2022 I can think of only a few that you might find palatable but they still go higher heat than your original criteria: Be Loved in House: I Do, See You After Quarantine? and HIStory 2. All are on Viki.
Chinese BLs & Bromances
Most of Japan's back catalog and the early live action yaoi
Most everything I’ve seen out of the Philippines with a few noted exceptions
Coming in 2022-23
I can tell you that manga Our Dining Table is slated to be adapted and I am OVER the moon about it. It will definitely scratch this itch.
Up coming 2022 KBL Semantic Error might fill this bailiwick too. (see comments)
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