Hi ABL! After watching episode 1 of Between Us, I was impressed with the level of "thirst" between Boun and Prem's characters in the last couple of scenes. Are there shows or scenes of shows, regardless of actual heat level, that you think did "thirst" well, regardless of how that's resolved at the time? Subjective, I know, but would love to get your take on this!
20 BLs with the BEST Thirst!
Thirst wants to slide a hand under his waistband right tf now and grind. Horny wants to rip his clothes off, and probably pop buttons and laugh about it. Yearning wants to run both hands up his back while they kiss deeply. Hunger wants to lift him by the ass and slam him against the wall.
Raise your glasses please, to THIRST.
I Cannot Reach You - Japan 2023
It's fresh in my mind, so first on this list.
Secret Crush on You - Thailand 2022
This scene in particular sprang next to mind, just because for me it kinda defined thirst in Thai BL. (Also see my #1 pick for sides at the end.)
We Best Love: Fighting Mr 2nd - Taiwan 2021
2 Moons: Ambassador (AKA 2 Moons 3) - Thailand 2022
Eternal Yesterday - Japan 2022
HIStory 3 - the BL that shall not be named - Taiwan 2019
Bed Friend - Thailand 2023
They sleeping together but King still thirsty af
Big Dragon - Thailand 2022
My Beautiful Man - Japan 2021
Between Us - Thailand 2022-23
Minato's Laundromat - Japan 2022
Ghost Host Ghost House - Thailand 2022
the infamous leg scene alone qualifies them, but they very mutually thirsty in general
My Personal Weatherman - Japan 2023
I Feel You Linger in the Air - Thailand 2023
The oil scene is a stroke of genius.
Old Fashion Cupcake - Japan 2022
I Told Sunset About You - Thailand 2020
Love in Translation - Thailand 2023
Just because of that damn convenience store make-out scene.
I find thirst is often (although not always) the provenance of the seme character.
Mutual thirst is really rare.
Shorts, side couples, and so forth.
Oh My Sunshine Night - Thailand 2022
Noh appears 2x on this list. He's GREAT at thirst. Possibly the only Thai actor to give Japan real competition. GIVE HIM ANOTHER LEAD!
HIStory 4: Close To You - Taiwan 2021
@heretherebedork and I call them PokeTongue for a reason.
Y-Destiny - Thailand 2021
kiss x kiss x kiss: Perfect Scandal - Japan 2022
No shocker that Japan is the only one to field a micro on this list. Usually thirst takes more build up.
I make a distinction between thirst and other types of physical desire. This is just me and language.
Thirst usually leaps off the screen and has an edge of danger to it. Like they gonna get caught, or go out of control just from wanting to touch. They gonna die without physical contact. It's pure survival need. Japan kinda specializes in this.
There's no humor to thirst, but horny can get kinda cheeky. It's more fun and mutual (ee.g. KinnPorsche). More want than need. So it's more Thailand and Taiwan.
There's also yearning (e.g. The 8th Sense), which has a more emotional soul tether to it. Korea in particular, but also like GMMTV and lower heat prestige stuff, high school things for example (My School President).
And finally hunger, which I tend to think of as desire but with a nourishment component. It's I want what's MINE. Like Taejung in Cherry Blossoms After Winter.
These aren't mutually exclusive, mind you.
I dithered but they didn't quite make the list
Irresistible Love - China 2016
Second Chance - Thailand 2021
Takara & Amagi - Japan 2022
Love Area - Thailand 2022
Moonlight Chicken - Thailand 2023
My Engineer (RamKing) - Thailand 2020
It's why we're all still mad we never got full RamKing
This posted dated end of 2023. Not responsible for thirsty BL that happens after. Check the comments for additions and other's thoughts on the matter.
