9 Best Asian Boys’ Love (BL) Dramas That Define the Genre

The BL movement is taking over the world—specifically, Asian BL. In case you didn’t know, BL stands for Boys’ Love, a genre that explores romantic relationships between two men. It has its roots in the Japanese yaoi manga genre, which is historically more sexual in nature. The BL genre has since evolved from this hypersexualised depiction of male relationships to produce a plethora of LGBT-friendly storylines that range from university life to the workplace. 

The appeal and success of the BL genre have also catapulted many actors into international stardom. If you’re wondering why celebrities such as Bright Vicharawit and Win Metawin are everywhere, it’s because the BL series they debuted in gained them millions of fans! For Pride Month, we glean the best Asian BL series raved by fans and are perfect for those wanting to start their Boys’ Love journey.

2Gether The Series

We can’t start the list without mentioning the BL series that captured hearts all over the world first! Featuring Bright Vicharawit and Win Metawin as the star couple, 2Gether The Series was an instant hit when it was released in 2020 and is largely responsible for making the BL genre go mainstream. It’s based on the hugely popular Thai comic of the same name. The first episode on YouTube alone has a staggering 82 million views, and Vachwarit and Metawin became (and still are) Thailand’s It-boys. The beloved series has even spawned two sequels and a movie!

While viewers were more interested in the stunning visuals of the cast at first, the plot of the GMMTV drama was also sweet, lighthearted and funny enough to keep audiences entertained. When Tine asks Sarawat to fake-date him to get away from a stalkerish admirer, both university students have to confront their feelings for each other that might be more real than they thought. 

Watch here.

Bad Buddy

Another Thai BL series with a huge following is Bad Buddy, which premiered in 2021. It starred Ohm Pawat and Nanon Korapat, the latter being a child actor who was stepping into a BL role for the first time. The series gained a lot of attention for the chemistry between the two actors as well as the rom-com-esque style. If you’re looking for a classic enemies-to-lovers trope, this is the one for you! 

The series follows two neighbours, Pat and Pran, whose parents have a long-standing feud with each other. All their lives, the two have been pitted against each other as rivals, and naturally, they developed an intense dislike for each other. At university, their respective departments are also always at constant war (do you see a trend here?). But away from their families and their feud looming over their heads, the two students find out that they actually get along. With a budding friendship and blossoming feelings forming, can this star-crossed couple overcome the odds stacked against them?

Watch here.

I Told Sunset About You

Our personal favourite Thai BL drama has to be 2020’s I Told Sunset About You. Starring PP Krit and Billkin, the two first garnered popularity by starring as a side couple in a medical drama, and fans eagerly anticipated the pair’s first lead roles together in a Boys Love drama. From the get-go, I Told Sunset About You stands out from other BL productions in its cinematography and scriptwriting. From its orange-tinged colour grading and atmospheric shots to heart-rending dialogue, the show gained critical acclaim, showing its impressive calibre in the BL genre with its production quality. PP Krit and Billkin are also BFFs in real life, making the chemistry between the two leads palpable and naturally bleed through the screen.

The series tells a tender coming-of-age story between two childhood best friends turned rivals, Teh and Oh-aew. Preparing for their university admissions in the same field of Communication Arts, the two meet in a Chinese language class. It isn’t long before their reunion awakens complicated feelings between the two. If you’re looking for a BL with impressive depth of character and blossoming young love set against the majestic backdrop of Phuket beaches, this is one to add to your watchlist.

Watch here.

Not Me

Another impressive Thai BL series is 2021’s Not Me. Starring the popular pair Off Jumpol and Gun Atthaphan, Not Me stands out for its blend of social commentary, superb acting, and political intrigue. As OffGun have been acting together in several BLs since 2016, fans were eager to see the established duo showcase their chemistry and performance in a more mature and gritty series. Not Me is not afraid to explore Thailand’s government corruption, oppression, and social injustice experienced by queer and handicapped individuals, serving as a great, informative series for international viewers. It also features one of the most beautiful moments between its two leads under a Pride flag. 

Not Me follows a pair of estranged twins, Black and White, who have not seen each other in years after their parents’ divorce. When Black is viciously attacked and put into a coma, White decides to disguise himself as Black to infiltrate his twin’s gang and find the traitor. However, the gang members are quickly suspicious of White’s actions as he behaves differently from the Black they know, especially Sean. As White spends more time in the notorious gang, feelings begin to form, with more mysteries waiting at every turn.

Watch here.

Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!

Japanese BLs are known for their exceptionally sweet and romantic storylines, and Cherry Magic hits that gooey spot for many viewers! We know the title sounds very out of pocket, but give this series a chance and you’ll quickly see why audiences love it. Released in 2020, the manga-based series starred Eiji Akaso and Keita Machida (who you might recognise as the dashing Karube in Alice in Borderland!). The drama was so popular in Japan that a sequel movie was made in 2022. 

Cherry Magic is based on a Japanese legend that believes an individual will gain mythical powers if they are a virgin at 30 years old. Kiyoshi Adachi, who is a socially awkward office worker, is inexperienced in love and wakes up with powers that allow him to read people’s minds through touch. By accident, he finds out that his popular co-worker Yuichi Kurosawa is actually in love with him! What does Adachi do with this information? 

Watch here.

Semantic Error

Not one to fall behind on the trend, South Korea has also recently started producing its own BLs. While the stance on LGBT+ remains taboo and controversial in the country, the release of several BL shows has helped change the sentiments surrounding same-sex love—and 2022’s Semantic Error is one of them. To say the series was a success is an understatement. While airing, Semantic Error became number one on Watcha (a popular Korean streaming platform) and had so many viewers logging onto the platform that the government thought it was a cyber attack. It also ranked third in popularity amongst all Korean dramas, beating out Business Proposal and Our Beloved Summer.

Despite the manhwa-based web series not starring any A-listers (both protagonists come from relatively unknown K-pop groups) and only having eight episodes that are 25 minutes long, Semantic Error still managed to go viral for the couple’s chemistry and heart-fluttering plot. In the series, a strict and studious computer science major has to work together with the resident campus Casanova and art major on a project. We love a couple that screams “opposites attract”! 

Watch here.

The Eighth Sense

Another South Korean BL that made waves was 2023’s The Eighth Sense. Despite the limited budget and the lack of a major Korean distributor to promote the series, The Eighth Sense gained attention through word of mouth for its arthouse, indie style and arresting performance by the two leads. Rather than the usual sugary-sweet romantic comedies, the drama was a clear departure in the Korean BL sphere, both in its cinematic production and storytelling. The series was a passion project co-directed by long-time friends, Werner du Plessis and Baek Inu, who are both queer and wanted to create a BL series that invites audiences to “immerse themselves in the madness, sadness, and uncertainty of finding oneself.”

In The Eighth Sense, Ji Hyun, a freshman from a quaint, rural town, struggles to adjust to the bustling life in Seoul. Meanwhile, Jae Won returns for his senior year after completing his military service, but does not seem like his usual bright self. After a brief encounter with each other, Ji Hyun decides to join Jae Won’s surf club, and the pull between the two is instant. During a surfing trip, they share a kiss, sparking a whirlwind romance that will ultimately break them or bring them closer to each other.

Watch here.

History

As one of the Asian countries at the forefront of LGBT+ rights, Taiwan is no stranger to BL content. The History anthology series (a wordplay on “his story”) is dedicated to exploring homosexual love stories and is made up of various storylines. Each season covers several gay couples and their struggles, giving audiences variety and most importantly, a safe space for queer viewers.

We won’t say that some of these narratives are completely unproblematic (there is a step-brother plotline in seasons two and four), but for the most part, the series offers a good balance and a look into the lives of male-male couples. Some fan favourites are History 3: Trapped, which depicts a relationship between a criminal and a cop; and History 2: Crossing the Line, a sweet high school romance that takes place within a volleyball club.

Watch here.

The Untamed

Contrary to popular belief, China also releases BL content! Of course, its stringent laws and censorship are big obstacles for explicit LGBT+ content to be produced, which is why most BL series in China have to be packaged in a different way. An immensely popular example is 2019’s The Untamed which was responsible for the astronomical rise of stars Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo. The cult-favourite novel the series is based on does have explicit gay content; however, the live-action adaptation had to be watered down for TV. 

Instead of Lan Zhan and Wei Wu Xian being lovers, the series depicts them as platonic soulmates (read: they are very, very good friends). The 50-episode historical drama follows the two training disciples who uncover a secretly hidden conspiracy and work together to solve a string of murders. There are classic wu xia fighting scenes, jaw-dropping visuals and plenty of homoerotic subtleties to make viewers dissect every gaze and touch!

Watch here.

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