#all of these dramas got an 8.5 or up out of 10

[sarah-yyy]

Jie jie, what is The Double about?

hahahahahaha i was waiting for someone to ask!! mr r has bailed on me at work again and bossman has the man flu so it's just. me at the office today. working my ass off for partners who are trying to Kill Me™.

what: period cdrama // completed // 40 eps, roughly 45 mins each where: youku (standard disclaimer that i don’t watch with subs so i don’t speak to the quality of eng subs) // i think viki is picking this up?

this is xue fangfei. daughter of a small town magistrate. married a poor scholar for love against the wishes of her dad. this turns out to be a bad, bad, bad decision because he ends up burying her alive in the mountains sometime post-marriage. :)

this all happens in like ep 1, we're just getting started.

xff ends up being rescued by jiang li, who is the prime minister's kinda-sorta-exiled daughter. jl has been stuck in a kinda-sorta-nunnery in the mountains for the past 10 years because of her evil stepmother.

i'll skip past all the other bits because there is a bit of a backstory about what happened to jl, but long story short!! jl dies (kinda-sorta-because of xff). xff decides to get justice for both herself and jl. her plan is:

1. become jiang li 2. go back to the capital 3. ?????? 4. profit make everyone pay

this is xiao heng a.k.a. su-guogong (the translation is duke su but it sounds weird to me so i'm going to stick with su-guogong). he chances upon xff while he's trying to catch a criminal.

xff, who is in the process of executing her Escape Plan, decides eh, any way to escape will do and lets s-gg arrest her to take her back to the capital for interrogation.

(yes, this is wang xingyue who played zhang zhe in kunning palace. yes he looks a++++++ in this show. i am obsessed.)

side bar, counsels, for a bit of very important information -

su-guogong recognises xue fangfei!! he knows 100% that she is not jiang li and that she is going to cause some chaos. he is Committed™ to watching this drama play out.

ANYWAY. this is the loose premise of the show. it's been fun to watch, and i'm enjoying this a lot!! why should you watch the show?

wang xingyue looks so good in this!! the fans? the capes?? i am obsessed!! everyone in the costumes department deserves a raise.

the story moves quickly and doesn't really drag on. so far, it's been nothing complicated and interesting to watch - i wouldn't say this is a plot-heavy show, just a v good 宅斗 for now, but i'm only like 10 eps in.

the torture my ex-husband who murdered me by showing up in front of him and saying all the right things to remind him of me and the fact that he killed me is so good - normally when this happens, the person looks nothing like their former self, but!! xff's looks haven't changed!! so she's just out here going - hi i am jiang li now and oh btw do you know how cold it is in the mountains where you killed me :)

look i'm......intrigued by this whole shen yurong (ex-husband) and the zhang-gongzhu storyline. i want to see how this whole thing plays out!!

eta: quick post-watch thoughts (may contain spoilers)

a v enjoyable drama!! this is a 爽剧 for reals, like all the plot points get wrapped up and we get a few cute snippets into their happily ever after!! i'm a bit :/ about the way the last few scenes were done in ep 40 (the side character deaths??? extremely unnecessary 🙄🤬 actually the whole war scene was unnecessary but i'm not complaining too much because it gave us That Scene), tbh the whole thing looked more OE leaning BE than HE to me, so the 番外 was quite important to me!! glad we got that!!

shen yurong and zhang-gongzhu both turned out to be so much more interesting than i thought!! a+++ villains, v well-written, and both actors played them beautifully 👏🏼

still an 8.5/10 rec tbh, started strong and held my interest the entire way through

[happypotato48]

List of Thai BL dramas i've watched with short opinions about them i guess :P

Thai BLs that i finished:

A Boss and a Babe. It's cute for what it is, i loved the gaming friendships and i'm a sucker for forcebook. 7/10 need more unhinged energy from book.

A Tale of Thousand Stars/Our Skyy 2 : Bad Buddy x A Tale Of Thousand stars. this show reminds me a lot of early to mid 2000s lakorns. it's a beautiful by the book love story, i appreciated that a bl got to take a spin on this kind of quiet thai story. 8/10 loved it but still too vanilla for my taste.

Bake Me Please. Guide Kantapon is the cutest man alive and CAKES! that it, that all i have for this show. 6/10 it's a show that exist.

Be My Favorite. damn fluke gawin is so pretty what was this show about again? :P i'm kidding, i actually really liked this show. i watched it when i had zero knowledge about bl industry, i was oblivious about krist's controversy and i find krist acting to be charming and think kawee is very relatable as a cringe fail human myself. 8.5/10 this show made me want to collected weird thingies.

Cherry Magic (Thailand). oh boy this show. it's was everything to me also the only show so far that i've written extensively on this site. here is my personal feeling about this show. 9.5/10 would kill for taynew.

Cooking Crush. what! the fuc$! look look, i just learned that both offgun are older than me. when i first saw the show i thought they were some rookie actors with how young they looks. watching cute bl is gonna be the death of me. anywho this show is supercute don't have a lot of thought about it though. 7.5/10 cutting half a point cause of no samsee x metha.

Cutie Pie/Naughty Babe. what a fuckin legend of a series. all the characters have zero braincells and somehow all the rich pretty boys are engaged to each other and by arranged marriages nonetheless. wtf is this fanfic version of thailand and where can i get hit by a truck and get isekai to it. 7.5/10 still haven't watch Cutie Pie 2 U, i hope it get dumber.

Enchanté. this show is so dummmb it should've go full camp reverse harem yaoi nonsense but it didn't and ended up being kinda boring. 6.5/10. meh, i'm still a sucker for forcebook.

Last Twilight. UGHHH!! i'm still so mad. this show was going to be THE SHOW for me then ep 11-12 happened i legit mentally check out halfway through ep 12 and i basically blocked the ending from my mind. this show came out at the right place and the right time for me, the first 9 episodes helped me through a very tough time in my life. the story of two people helping each other finding their way out of the dark was very compelling to me. ughh. 5.5/10 (9/10 for ep 1-9) P'Aof why are you like this!!

Laws Of Attraction. yassssssss this show slay(literally :P) the show is a breath of fresh air for me despite how very lakorn of it is. i'm glad that there is a bl that feel this soapy and campy cause like i do love my angsty and innocent school bls but the industry really need show like laws of attraction. jamfilm also were very great in their roles espically film, charn is the most babygirl corrupted cute evil lawyer of all time. 9/10 no note headempty only charn's evil smirks in my mind

La Pluie. now, this is a romance. this show is one of the most romanctic media that i personally have experience. i loved that the show took the cheesy premise of soulmates and work it so well to do both deconstruction and exploration of the trope. i think using rain, thing that isolated people as a narrative tool for love connection is absolutely brilliant. last but not least pat is just the perfect bl love interest, he's an very idealized character but he do feels like an actual person. i want to give a shout out to Pee Peerawich the way he said "มันหนาวอ่ะ" in ep 8 sent me, the raspy voice, the eye twich and combo those with a back cuddle, sir! you just commited a mass murders with that move. 9/10 plz i need season two with my baby boy tien.

Love in Translation. the unhingendness of that first meeting is probably my favorite bl meet cute. look if you don't get into a fistfight with the guy you destined to be with then what is the point of life. this show fake date is very well done it's doesn't feel forced like in a lot of other bls and it make the growing attraction feels very genuine and it pay off in one of the best sex scenes in all of bl, yang is such a freak and i loved him for it. 8/10 the last two episodes did got slightly off the rail for me but i still enjoyed the show.

Moonlight Chicken. one of the most beautiful shows i ever watched. when watching this show i can feels, smells and tastes everything it depicted. from the comfort khao man gai to jim's loneliness, from alan's heartbreak to liming and heart's midnight motorcycle ride. this show gave me all the feels and i still can't completely shake it off. 9.9/10 this show is a healing.

My School President. These boys!!!! i can't, i loved these boys so much, all the boys, YES ALL OF THEM! this show is on the opposite spectrum of Moonlight Chicken for me. while MC give me the good heartaches this show give me unbridled joy it's like heartstopper on cracks. i absolutely adored tinn and gun and the show relentless optimism about thier first love. love is awesome no matter the romantic, familial or platonic kind and i think this show hit the marks with all three. 10/10(i'm super bias but fuck it idc i even liked the singing) this show made me started watching thai bl and it always will have a place in my heart.

My Ride. this show is lacking in intimacy but making up by being all heart. could this show be better if they fleshed out and explore more of tawan and his cheating bf's relationship, maybe but i'm happy for what we got. 8/10 mork and tawan were very cutie patootie, i don't remember much about the het and the side couple were just st ok.

Step by Step. man trisanu is exactly the same height at me and i want everyone to know that is the only reason i started this show🤣 . i feels like this show have a lot to say about stuff but i kinda got lost staring at man trisanu while watching. one thing i really loved is the very fem *ตุ๊ด coworker who got to be a real character not just a jokey sidekick and having a loving relationship with a hottie. 7.5/10 can i get more man trisanu in bl plz.

Triage. asshole doctor stuck in a timeloop for him to find the meaning of life, yes plz give it to me. i loved stories about assholes who need to better themself for love and other junk. tinn and tol are both grumpy bitches and i just loved that the show use the timeloop to soften these nerds. at the end i just want to wrap them in blanket and let's them cuddle each other forever. 8.5/10 the last ep is bit convoluted but i forgave the show for that cute clocktower kiss.

You're My Sky. i started this show for my boy suar and he did not disappointed. the pining and the longing for an older boy who been there for you most you life, chef kiss. this show also very beautiful to look at. 8/10 i'm kinda meh about the side couples, i do think they all got the "good ending" for their stories.

Thai BLs that i didn't finish or gave up and skipped to the ending:

Bad Buddy. Oh boy, am i gonna get murder for this??? sorry but idk why i didn't wholeheartedly love and give this show my undivided attention. i watched this show very weird and out of order, i started with the last ep than just watch other episodes in bit and peice. i think i've seen 70% of this show. plz forgive me this is the first thai bl i tried to get into but can't. maybe i need to give this show another chance and watch it properly. or idk maybe cause the way i watched it, it's ruined for me forever. 6.5/10 i loved the rooftop kiss plz don't kill me.

Dangerous Romance. this show is trash and not the good kind, how this show depicted relationship between a rich asshole and a poor boy feels very gross to me. i fast forward a bunch and gave up after the not just dumb but very cruel breakup. 4/10 it's watchable if you ignore the plot and the chatacters.

Hidden Agenda. wow this is the most nothing show that ever nothing for me. it's a perfected white noise while playing chill video games. i stopped watching after ep 8 cause look like there going to be a dumb break up, i have no desire to revisit this show. 5/10 joongdunk were kinda cutes.

The Miracle of Teddy Bear. this show is too god damn long with too many side plots the one and a half hour per episode killed the momentum for me. i liked the show and do think i want to revisit and finish it one day. 6/10 for now.

Vice Versa. why are they giving jimmysea this show. this show is so boring for me, i gave up in episode 6. 4/10 gmmtv give my babies better shows!!

Thai BLs that i've watched all the sex scenes and have no intention of watching the actual show:

Kinnporsche: heheehehhehehe everyone were so hot, too bad i don't like rich mafia story. mile being a nepobaby also significantly killed the mood for me. 55555/dead bodyguards (idk how many there are but i don't care) the ost are bangers though.

Venus in the Sky and Love in the Air. cringe gay sex for the wins. 69/420.

ok, whoo that was a lot. gonna pin this cause i don't think anyone want to read all that in one sitting. i think i'm gonna make another post for non thai BLs in the near future. thanks for reading my unhinged opinions hope i'm not gonna get moider for it 55555555.

[alltomevibes]

Summer 2024 Watchlist

It is officially summer which means I am out of school and have time to just sit !!! watch !!! and do nothing !!!

which means - here's my drama watchlist & my thoughts on everything so far:

Dare to Love Me - i started this yesterday and let me j say I flew through those 2 episodes. I decided to brave the comments on MDL to see what people were saying, and then i ignored them LOL because yeah. this show is highkey silly goofy but i love it! the FL is endearing to me and i hate how nowadays every woman has to be Strong and Confident to be loveable and it's like - no. i love the fact that she gets choked up, that she tries and fails, that she is mad clumsy, that she's clearly talented but has been burdened by lack of self-esteem like yes!!! she's human i love it give me MORE. and don't get me started on the ML. i love him - i love THEM your honor. currently at a 9.0 rating for me, we'll see if it keeps up.

Dating in the Kitchen - this has a 8.0 rating for me and i want to keep going (i only watched 1 episode and it's been two weeks since then) because i watched This Isn't What I expected THREE (3!!) times and i LOVE that movie and when I saw there was a drama based on it, i wanted to give it a go but i am STRUGGLINGGGG. imma keep it pushing because, look. i watched the movie 3 times. it's def worth it. (maybe)

Fight for My Way - this has a 9.5 rating rn, and i am stuck in the middle of episode 15. i have been stuck on the middle of episode 15 for a HOT minute. my interest in this show dropped like crazy, i am trying to hold on.

Good Morning Call - my roommate for two years (and sadly no more a ha ha) recommended this show to me and we watched the first episode together and it was cute! i liked it, so it's on my list. currently has a 8.5 rating, but it's low on my priorities (when it comes to dramas), so im gonna pirate it whenever i have time💀

Lovely Runner - don't even talk to me about this show if you want a short conversation - I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS SHOW BRO. look at my tumblr, it's all lovely runner rn and I HAVE NO REGRETS. 9.5 rating - won't get a 10 because it ENDS SOON. this is my type of show, i LOVE this type of show the cinematography and everything IM EATING IT UP. it got me out of my drama funk its so nfjsdfhdsifsd

The Midnight Romance in Hagwon: let me just say! i watched this yesterday and i flew by the two episodes. lovely runner x tmrih on my tumblr? yes. this show is a much slower-pace show and I LOVE IT. YEs! Give me real life, give me real conversations! I love this show, i love the micro-expressions, i love the fact that WHJ is the MAIN LEAD FOR ONCE LIKE YES SIR, GIVE ME ALL THE BUTTERFLIES and i've never seen this actress before JRW but she is absolutely gorgeous and i love the FL! these people are not acting, they ARE the characters and im so !!!!! 9.0 rating because i skip the intro every time (sorry)

Will Love in Spring - this is on pause on episode 15 because the ending actually has me severely messed up rn. i have been in love with li xian's acting since gogosquid and i absolutely adore chen mai dong. i adore the way zhuang jie says his name ALL the time like she can't help it. I adore zhuang jie and just the way she operates through life - she's so clearly flawed when it comes to romantic love, but she is so clearly filled with love and always tries her best and !!! zhou yu tong is eating her character up rn, i've never seen her act and this was such a good intro to her BUT WHAT ZHUANG JIE SAID TO MY BOY IN EPISODE 15????? locked up. i have never felt so disrespected in my life and i had to give it a pause because i know she's gonna apologize but i needed that on the train. not the next episode. actually, not even on the train!! IN THE STREET BEFORE HE DROVE OFF AFTER DRIVING HER HOME AFTER SHE ACCUSED HIM OF FORCING HER!!!! That's when she should have apologized, but fidjofdshifudsf i love her so much i know why she couldn't IM JUST IN AGONY RN. anyways, let me breathe lol cause the way i was holding my breathe writing that is,,,,,. yeah. has an 8.5 rating rn, will probably go up to 9.5 because the fact that i actually had to stop watching because of emotional damage is crazy.

thats my list (and crazy descriptions, so sorry) that i'm watching rn! i would 10/10 recommend these to everybody (except dating in the kitchen im highkey struggling)! if you guys have any recs based on what i shared or wanna be friends on MDL j let me know :)

[alloveydovey]

Dramas from this past month. I'm having such a hard time finishing things 😭

The Forbidden Marriage (rewatch) (kdrama) 9 ⭐️

A broken-hearted king imposes a seven-year ban on marriage, and after claiming to be able to channel the deceased crown princess, the FL ends up as one of his court ladies. Both the king and the officer assigned to protect her (the king's closest friend) end up developing an interest in her.

I love it so much that it became a comfort drama. I’m not into love triangles (who is?), but I looved every aspect of it. It’s a bit crazy how they go from extreme comedy to extreme drama, I’ll admit, but the actors deal with it really well. Romance is 11/10, the usual historical visuals are stunning, and the comedy had me laughing hard.

Love Me, Love my Voice (cdrama) 7.5

Nothing more soft and warm than watching these two characters fall in love. There are no obstacles here, just a doctor/voice actor wooing a senior student/singer/composer with the magic of cooking.

On the other side, because there are no complications, it gets boring. The characters get together way too soon for a drama where nothing happens. Luckily the second couple is as entertaining (if not more) as the leads. So, the main reason I continued watching, honestly, was because of them.

Secret Playlist (kdrama) 7

Cute 8 episode drama about an internet music composer and an idol who join forces to create music. Romance was a bit mid, but the songs were cute as hell, and so were the leads.

And Yet, You Are So Sweet (jmovie) 7

This was adorable af. A little silly (as usual with school love) but I liked the vibes. Girl confesses to her crush, he turns her down harshly and popular boy offers himself as a replacement for the crush. They both start a game where he basically lends himself to her so she can have a fake crush on him and forget about the other guy, except he obviously has feelings for her and she starts having real feelings for him as well. It’s a weird premise, but it gave out a lot of cute moments.

D.P. Season 2 (kdrama) 10

I’ve never watched a season 2 from a drama, and from what I’ve gathered, most of them usually disappoint or are good but don’t come close to the first season. Well, for me, this one was not the case at all. It just felt like a continuation of the first part. I'd say I even enjoyed this one more. Also, I miss theeeeem.

Sixteen Shoukougun (jdrama) 7.5

Okay, so basically, a fuckboy with mommy issues wants to get in between a "tomboy" girl who is known among girls as a prince and her best friend, a girl suffering from severe PTSD. He initially tries to go for the PTSD one, but soon realizes that her friendship with the "tomboy" girl is a little... special. After a few interactions, though, he begins to actually like the "tomboy" girl. In between all this, a sensible boy who is deemed "feminine" is thrown into the mix.

I'll be honest, I went into this one thinking it'd be gl but got disappointed it wasn't the case. At the same time, I actually enjoyed tomboy and fuckboy's relationship too. It's all a bit crazy, especially the friendship between the girls, but I was low-key into it. Fuckboy redeems himself, so I was okay with it, I guess? I don't know, jdramas are extreme, man. What I liked a lot about this one (apart from the sick intro that goes really hard) was how they showed the characters' feelings and the overall theme of just being 16 and growing up around prejudice, abandonment, and liking someone regardless of gender.

Our Secret Diary (jmovie) 8.5

Girl finds a love confession note on her classroom desk from the popular guy in school. Confused about it, she decides to answer him and soon begins exchanging secret notes until she realizes that the note was actually meant for her best friend.

This cute little school movie was very cliché but absolutely perfect.

I am Not a Robot (kdrama) 8/8.5

Here's to me never adding this one to my list because I was not into robots and stuff like that at all, and then completely ignoring my watchlist and going for it since I've read it's very cute.

The comments were right. The storyline is a bit wack and unreliable buuuut, as usual, the main leads make up for it with good acting and adorable scenes.

I'm adding these ones even though I didn't really finish them he ⬇️

The Matchmakers (kdrama) 8/8.5, because it's actually good, just a bit heavy.

Another comedy with Rowoon, sign me up. This one took me a while to get into because even though it was clever, the comedy was really good, and the mockumentary style rocked, there were just too many politics in it for me to fully dive into. I’d get lost and bored at times. It picked up after episode 5, though, and by episode 7, it was definitely more fun. It's more entertaining when they focus on the leads and the ladies they are supposed to set up. I still haven't finished it yet because... I don't know. It is a kind of slow drama, and I don't think I fully get what's going on with the murder and politics.

I May Love You (cdrama) 6.5

Oof. I have so many opinions about this one. ML asks FL to help him woo her best friend not knowing that FL has been in love with him for the past four years. FL fails to help him (on purpose lol) and after spending some meaningful moments together decides to confess in what I like to call the lousiest confession ever. ML rejects her but regrets it later on.

I'm always a girls girl, but here... FL was testing me. The ML spends most of the drama groveling because the FL is mad and upset he asked her for help wooing her friend and then rejected her (also rejected her book project which is possibly the worst thing he did) But the thing is, ML didn't even know FL liked him when he asked for help in the first place, and I believe he had every right to reject her after she told him she liked him because he was rich and handsome. Like?? Who confesses like that? And that's basically the whole drama. I don't know why they thought it'd be cute for the FL to have a wall full of his pictures and then forcefully kiss him. Truly not a good-written character.

A Good Day to Be a Dog (kdrama) 8

I'm gonna finish this, I swear. The whole girl turns into a dog and boy has to kiss her in dog form to break the spell is a bit... weird. Buuut aside from that, these characters and their interactions are just the cutest. It works well because Park Gyu Young is amazing with comedy and her chemistry with Eun Woo is perfect.

Now, the past lives part of the story? A bit too much meh. Some aspects are interesting (the whole story of the mountain spirit and the lady. I thought I'd die of boredom, but they actually made it cute and sad lol). The revenge thing? Boring and so over it. Still gotta watch the last four episodes.

[ninja-muse]

Last month I clearly posted my wrap-up a day too early because I ended up DNFing a book that same day and therefore starting another. I don't think that'll happen again, but I'm making sure to schedule this for the first just to be sure.

Anyway, this was an all right month of reading—some greats, some simple okays—and a very good month for not acquiring books. Only one ARC came home with me, I offloaded three, and I'm almost certainly not going to buy any books in the last day of the month, but I still have 12 hours. That might change, in which case this post will also and you'll never know what I originally typed. Yeah, that worked well. Darn used bookstores!

You already know how much I liked The Briar Club. My other top reads were A Desolation Called Peace (anyone surprised?), Wandering Stars (outside my wheelhouse but good), and Nicked, which is also out in the summer and was my solo ARC haul of the month. If anyone thinks "gay medieval heist novel" sounds like a good time, they should pick that up. Also, anyone who likes cats and picture books needs to pick up Floof.

And my lows might as well start with my DNF from last month, I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons. I was really hoping it would pick up and I could push through, but it was just the wrong sort of silly for me. (I ended up going home without a book, then binging Most Ardently over the next couple days after my Libby hold came early.)

I also found The Deerfield Massacre to be odd—less rigorous than I'd have liked, a little wobbly on its thesis, doing a poor job of balancing "this must have sucked for the survivors" with Indigenous perspectives and an awareness that the Europeans were, in fact, colonizers. And A Letter to the Luminous Deep sounded so good, but I found it slow and couldn't quite connect to the characters or world.

I don't know how May is going to go, in terms of reading, so this book might end up being my review of the month, but I'm enjoying it so am going to rec it now: Evelina! Frances Burney was one of Austen's favourite authors and I can absolutely see why, and how she influenced her. If you like Austen's novels, you should 110% pick this up, because it's got romantic troubles, a highly embarrassing family, a number of awkward balls and parties, and all manner of drama. Why hasn't this been adapted? It should have been years ago.

Lastly in bookish and/or life news, my store's latest Indie Bookstore Day party was a rousing success and I don't think my legs have recovered yet from all the walking. My ability to socialize almost certainly hasn't. (It's been three days.) Thank goodness for book lovers and my fellow booksellers. Couldn't have done it without all of them.

Click through to see everything I read this month, in the rough order of how glad I was to have read them.

A Desolation Called Peace - Arkady Martine

The war with the aliens is not going well and Mahit Dzmare and Three Seagrass are called on to help. Which won’t be easy, but it’s harder because politics.

8.5/10

🏳️‍🌈 main characters (bisexual, sapphic), 🏳️‍🌈 author

library book

Wandering Stars - Tommy Orange

150 years in the life of a Cheyenne family, before and after the events of There, There.

8/10

largely Cheyenne cast, 🏳️‍🌈 secondary characters (multisexual, nonbinary), Cheyenne-Arapaho author

warning: genocide, alcoholism, addiction, drug use, self-harm

library book

The Briar Club - Kate Quinn

A new boarder moves into Briarwood house in Washington, D.C. in 1950, upending the dull day-to-day. Four years later, someone dies. Out in July.

8.5/10

🏳️‍🌈 POV character (bisexual), 🏳️‍🌈 secondary character (sapphic), Black secondary and minor characters

warning: domestic abuse, murder, race riot

reading copy

Nicked - M.T. Anderson Brother Nicephorus accompanies the saint hunter Tyun and his piratical crew on a mission to, erm, liberate the bones of St. Nicholas. Out in July.

8.5/10

🏳️‍🌈 protagonist (Achillean), major 🏳️‍🌈 character (Achillean), major Central Asian character, Muslim secondary characters

reading copy

Nanny Ogg’s Cookbook - Terry Pratchett with Stephen Briggs and Paul Kidby (illustrator)

A collection of Nanny Ogg’s recipes and thoughts.

7.5/10

gifted/off my TBR shelves

Most Ardently - Gabe Cole Novoa

Oliver Bennett yearns to live on his own terms, under his real name, and kiss boys. Unfortunately, the first boy in question, one Fitzwilliam Darcy, might like him as Oliver but hates his “other self”.

6.5/10

🏳️‍🌈 main character (trans man), 🏳️‍🌈 secondary characters (gay, bisexual women), 🏳️‍🌈 author

warning: deadnaming, misgendering

library ebook

Slippery Creatures - KJ Charles

When various threatening men appear in Will Darling’s bookshop seeking information he doesn’t have, Will turns to the first helpful person he meets—an aristocrat named Kim.

6.5/10

🏳️‍🌈 protagonists (bisexual man, achillean), Black Welsh secondary character

library ebook

A Letter to the Luminous Deep - Sylvie Cathrall

In 1002, E. and Henerey begin a correspondence. In 1003, her sister and his brother begin to piece together what might have happened to them.

6.5/10

POV character with anxiety disorder, 🏳️‍🌈 POV characters (lesbian, bi man), 🏳️‍🌈 secondary characters (sapphic, achillean), brown-skinned secondary character

reading copy

Hansel and Gretel - Neil Gaiman with Lorenzo Mattotti (illustrator)

An illustrated retelling.

7/10

off my TBR shelves

The Deerfield Massacre - James L. Swanson

The story of an infamous raid in 1704 New England, and the way it’s been mythologized since.

5/10

warning: racism, violence, murder, murder of children

library book

Picture Books

The Pie Reports - Hayley Lowe

Noor and Granddad love pie, but there’s an ocean between them, so they meet every week to eat pie on video chat. Then one day, Granddad doesn’t log on—he’s having a blue day.

🇨🇦

Floof - Heidi McKinnon

A day in the life of Floof the cat.

DNF

I’m Afraid You’ve Got Dragons - Peter S. Beagle

Robert doesn’t want to be the country’s dragon exterminator on the best of days, but then Princess Cerise meets Prince Reginald. Out in May.

Currently reading

Evelina - Frances Burney

Evelina travels to London and learns that the only thing more distressing than suitors is her newly discovered family. Inspired Austen.

off my TBR shelves

The Demon of Unrest - Erik Larson

The story of the six months leading up to the American Civil War.

warning: racism, slavery

reading copy

Music from the Earliest Notations to the Sixteenth Century - Richard Taruskin

A history of early written European music, in its social and political contexts.

The Penguin Complete Sherlock Holmes - Arthur Conan Doyle

Victorian detective stories

disabled POV character (limb injury), occasional Indian secondary characters

warning: racism, colonialism

Monthly total: 10 + 2 Yearly total: 42 Queer books: 5 Authors of colour: 2 Books by women: 4 Authors outside the binary: 0 Canadian authors: 0 Classics: 0 Off the TBR shelves: 2 Books hauled: 4 ARCs acquired: 1 ARCs unhauled: 4 DNFs: 1

January February March

[kaylinlmao]

OKAY SO

MY SCENARIO IS THAT READER IS SELECTED IN THE PLAY ROMEO AND HULIET, THEY GET JUILET ONE OF THE MAIN CHARACTERS AND THE GHOST BOYS+FINNEY ARE FIGHTING TO BE ROMEO?? IT CAN BE YANDERE OR NOT

THANK YOU! 💕💕🫶🏻

This is so creative! Thank you for requesting @notaudreyxx Love ya!

I walked over to the cast list on the bulletin board outside the gym. I GOT THE PART! I GOT JULIET! Yes! Boo yah! Now who was I gonna be kissing? There were 6 prospects for Romeo? Jesus. Billy Showalter, Griffin Stagg, Vance Hopper, Robin Arellano, Bruce Yamada, and Finney Blake. I know those boys

They're creepy. They're always fighting over everything! Mostly me. Like who gets to sit by me, who gets to sign my yearbook, who gets to partner up with me on the project. I just hope they don't fight over the part of Romeo.

When I get to the stage after school, the drama teacher, Ms. Godfrey, was sitting down on a chair in front of the stage. "Hi, Ms. Godfrey! How are you?" I asked. "Oh I'm doing fabulous, sweetheart. Have a seat." I sat next to her. "I loved your audition for Juliet but there are 6 boys who I think would be perfect. You can watch them audition and then talk to them and do a scene with them to see who you have the most chemistry with. Rate their auditions out of 10. Ok?" "Ok. Got it."

Just then Billy walked out on stage. He preformed a pretty good act, 8.5/10. Then Vance. He didn't seem into it at all, 4/10. Bruce walked out next. His was really good, 9/10. Then Robin. He also didn't seem into it as much as the others but it was still good, 8/10. Griffin came out next. His was ok. I just didn't feel anything from the performance, 7/10. Then, lastly came Finney. His performance left me shook. He was into it, he showed his emotions perfectly, 10/10.

"So, Y/N. Who stuck out to you? Read your scores to these boys here." She said as the boys stood in a line on stage. "I gave Billy as an 8.5/10. You did good but not great. Vance, I gave you a 4/10. You just didn't seem like you wanted to be here. Bruce, I gave you a 9/10. Really good but still room for improvement. Griffin, I gave you a 7/10. You just weren't, into it. Lastly, Finney. 10/10. Performance was spot on, emotions showed clearly, you were into in just enough. You left me shook." I said giving him a smile.

"Ok. Now, Y/N. Go backstage and take 5 minutes for each boy to see who you spark the most chemistry with." "Kk" I said, grabbing Billy and taking him backstage. "Sup." I said. We talked for a few minutes. He seemed like a sweet boy. To others. I knew they had threatened to kill Ms. Godfrey if she didn't let them do this. So I'm going with it.

After talking to all 6 boys, Finney seemed like the least fake. "I chose Finney as my choice for Romeo. Ms. Godfrey, what do you think?" "I think that's perfect, hun." "Also, boys." I said. "Its not ok to threaten a teacher." I saw them glaring at Ms. Godfrey. "She didn't tell me. I'm not stupid y'know. Now go home and Finney, be back here at 4pm every day."

I heard punching sounds backstage. I walked back there to see them ganging up on Finney. "BOYS! STOP IT!" I said, running over to Finn who was laying on the floor crying. "Hey, its ok, its ok." I said hugging him and running his back. I felt really bad for him.

What I didn't know was that he was smirking over my shoulder at the other boys.

Hope you like it @notaudreyxx! Love y'all! :) -Kaylin

[sanvees]

2024 mid-year drama review

just a little look at what i enjoyed and didn't enjoy so much from my corner of the dramasphere 🤭 this post covers everything i've watched from january to now. i wonder how this will change when i do my end of the year post. (these are just my opinions 🫰🏻)

🍑 currently watching 🍑

at 25:00 in akasaka (japan): i find myself struggling to get through this. the pacing, the script, and some of the acting just drags this series down so much.

love sea (thailand): just barely started airing so i won't be too critical but i find peat as tongrak to be flat in ways that i hope pick up as the series goes on.

my love mix up (thailand): another one that just started. not entirely sold on fourth as atom buuut i do love the distinct thai flavor added into this. i think that's what's getting lost in all the dog-piling and negativity is what an adaptation is and should be. (that and people just can't have fun.)

my stand in (thailand): incredible amazing enjoying every moment of this (minus the sol haters).

omg vampire (thailand): silly silly little vampire show that doesn't take itself very seriously with frank and long being bonkers lol

only boo (thailand): initially, i really enjoyed this show but then it started going in circles around itself and just is meh, watchable but meh, to me now.

wandee goodday (thailand): i am absolutely enjoying every second of the journey yakdee and yeicher are taking us on.

we are (thailand): my precious slice of life found family drama that will always be famous to me.

🩷 favorites of 2024 🩷

pit babe (thailand) 10/10: my first foray into omegaverse, something i never thought i'd engage with lol but the way pit babe handled everything *chef's kiss* i frequently find myself rewatching certain eps lol plus pavel the man that you are.

ossan's love returns (japan) 10/10: as a big fan of the series i was so excited by the announcement of this proper epilogue for maki and haruta and was not disappointed. i cried (a lot) and laughed so much. /this was everything kinou tried and failed to be.

love for love's sake (korea) 10/10: i read the webtoon and didn't have high hopes for the live action but i am so glad i was wrong???? how incredibly good was this drama??

unknown (taiwan) 10/10: not the biggest fan of this trope buuuuut i was blown away by how good it ended up being? (was it perfect? no. but i enjoyed it.)

✨ stand out dramas ✨

deep night (thailand) 8.5/10: i had zero expectations for this but ended up loving khemwela an absolutely healthy amount plus we got milf yuri 😌

cherry magic (thailand) 8/10: i'll let y'all in on a secret lol i gave the original a 3/10 and it had everything to do with the actors (ifykyk) and the absolutely bland way they handled the story. but the thai adaptation really added a certain charm to it that i enjoyed.

the sign (thailand) 7.5/10: incredibly unique from the bl world and definitely out of the box. had it's issues but absolutely cool otherwise!

two worlds (thailand) 7.5/10: suffered from pacing issues but overall enjoyed this!

⚰️ most disappointing ⚰️

playboyy (thailand) 5.5/10: messy in ways that i didn't enjoy for the most part (and mid-way i really only watched it for promnont).

middle man's love (thailand) 5/10: jade was rough to deal with 🫠

1000 years old (thailand) 4.5/10: not entirely sure what i expected but...

🫧 looking forward to 🫧

THE TIME OF FEVER (south korea) ; century of love (thailand) ; singsala death (thailand) ; khemjira (thailand) ; thamepo (thailand) ; eternal faith (china) ; heesu in class 2 (south korea) ; pit babe s2 (thailand) ; your dear daddy (thailand) ; the boy next world (thailand)

🙏🏻 dream adaptations 🙏🏻

endou-kun no kansatsu nikki (japan) ; qi ye (china) ; aitsu no daihonmei (japan) ; the summer hikaru died (japan)

[restlessmaknae]

2023 drama recap

Note: these are dramas (webdramas & one cdrama & one Western show as well) that I’ve watched this year, but not all of them were released in 2023.

Shadow&bone s2: not gonna lie, this one felt messy and a bit all over the place, but I guess when you read the books and the TV show is a mix of different book series, it's expected

My review: 6/10

Use for my talent: the supporting couples carry this show on the back, I have nothing more positive to say because the main leads' love triangle is super annoying and the kiss scenes are so forced and unrealistic, it's not even funny anymore :') I haven't yet watched it until the end, but so far:

My review: 6.5/10

When i fly towards you (cdrama): this was a charming drama that got me until the second half of it when it lost its charm, and I realised that it's way too unrealistic, there were a lot of cringey scenes, the end felt dragged and repetitive, and I didn't really see any character development even though we saw the main leads growing up (but props to the second leads, I really loved their dynamics!)

My review: 6.5/10

User not found (webdrama): it was more enjoyable than annoying, but overall, it did have some unnecessary drama and the main female lead's acting wasn't up to my liking

My review: 7/10

Tracer: I'm pretty sure it would have been more enjoyable if we had managed to find good subtitles for it because the acting was really good, but I didn't get the plotline fully because of the Google Translate-like subs, so yeah, that's why it's only 7.5 (but Im Siwan's acting is 10/10 as always)

My review: 7.5/10

The witch store reopens (webdrama): it was perfectly fine considering that it was a webdrama (so expect some overexaggerated acting and such), it was cute, funny, and the leads (Yonghee and Yerin) did well

My review: 8/10

The heavenly idol: I've watched it for Kim Minkyu, but it was unexpectedly serious at times (touched upon bullying, double standards for idols, the nasty parts of the showbiz industry), so it did surprise me positively - however, the special effects were a bit odd at times, and you can't take the storyline seriously, but if you let go of reality, it's pretty enjoyable

My review: 8/10

Revenge of others: it was pretty dramatic at times and I didn't necessary like the big plot twist at the end, but I really loved the investigating part of it and the whole storyline wasn't that predictable

My review: 8.5/10

Seasons of blossom: this definitely delivered some emotional punches (read: I cried), and the acting was really good on the leads' part, some other acting was kind of forced, but overall, it was a meaningful drama

My review: 9/10

Crash course in romance: me and my mother both really enjoyed this show, we were waiting for the episodes to come out week after week. It was really funny, had some serious topics to touch upon, and the acting was overall really good. I deduct 0.5 point because sometimes I didn't feel the balance between the crime part (yes, there's one like that) and the main storyline, it wasn't that annoying, but I have to mention it

My review: 9.5/10

King the land: it was similar to Business Proposal to me in terms of how much I enjoyed it and why I deduct 0.5 point - it was funny, it was cute, the acting was really good, but there were a lot of clichés that you can't help but shrug off because it was really enjoyable

My review: 9.5/10

Castaway diva: I have 3 episodes left, so this is not my final verdict, but it's been really good so far, I really love the way they touch upon such sensitive topics, and the acting ranges here on the three main leads' parts are just wow! (I only deduct 0.5 point because of Yoon Ranjoo and her whole showbiz team, it's like they can't decide which side they want to be on)

My review: 9.5/10

Twinkling watermelon: my favourite drama this year, genuinely a 10/10, it was funny, heart-warming, heart-breaking, and very meaningful, would highly recommend

My review: 10/10

[leekimdramas]

My Sweet Mobster Review

It went from being a 2/10 drama to 8.5 to 7.5 to...

Seo Ji Hwan meets Go Eun Ha by accident but as they slowly go through all misunderstandings they become more than friends.

However, Seo Ji Hwan's past as a gangster keeps ruining all of his plans.

Mild spoilers ahead!

I HATED the first two episodes, it was not funny just all cringe especially that Minnion music!

But the trope sounds quite interesting. A former gangster meeting a children's content creator does sound wholesome.

It did get better after those two episodes, there were some really good moments and the cliches could be avoided more easily.

The fun ended quite soon. Somewhere around episode 11, I got absolutely bored of the drama.

The pacing did not help either! For example, Go Eun Ha had a very good childhood friend that she wants to find in the present day.

This part of the storyline seems to get wrapped up when they all decide not to look for him. So why do we choose to go back to this storyline again???

It might be less boring if we didn't know who is this childhood friend but as a viewer, I just felt like the stuff was repeating.

Plus all the gangster stuff? It should have come out sooner than the last two episodes and the storyline was messy. (You do not have to forgive or protect shitty parents say it with me now!)

I did enjoy the characters, the main leads were cute and also the second couple! Loved it!

The side characters were also interesting, and I liked how we got some of their background stories.

Maybe if they gave us more of the background stories I wouldn't complain about the gangster storyline which dragged.

Overall, this is another drama I will forget pretty soon and it was a good background noise. I had some enjoyable moments with it but looking back, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

5.5/10

[gale-gentlepenguin]

Gale Reviews: ML Season 5 episode 3 Destruction

(Spoilers below)

-Marinette was watching Alya's video on the ladybug and Alya caught her in 4K. She knew Marinette is worried and is sleeping over. This is good friendship

-Gabriel still being a bitch. Forcing the Kwami to help

-So learning about the rooster. He cant just copy the powers of other Kwami. So at least he isnt THAT broken.

-The kwami are totally trolling him. I love it.

-Xuppa my lovabale monkey child. KEEP TORTURING HIM

-The Kwami family defend themselves against the abusive Gabriel. HOW ABOUT YOU LEARN GABE!

-Nice Try Gabe. But their owner IS LADYBUG. Fu being smart made sure to say the guardian was LADYBUG. Look at that. Fu was actually being smart with that.

-Oh no, Gabe is using them like GOOGLE MAPS!!!

-Sabine in Pajamas... Nice

-Damn it, Tom is adorable. I will not interfere... for now Tom.

-Something seems off. What present?

-Did Marinette think this far ahead?

-OH DAMN! This is smart! They planned in the event Hawkmoth ever got one of them. Well played.

-Alya shows up and is like "I caught you creeping in 4K Hawky!"

-"Hey thats censorship." That made me giggle

-Xuppa my sweet boy. You are now my third fave kwami

-Now we at the Ice Rank

-And wipe out.

-The ice skating guy just like "Here you go sir". Like it isnt the villain of Paris.

-Gabe thinks he is being clever. Side note, this look he has is growing on me. Except the ears...

-This guy just took a selfie with Monarch like it will get him cred

-Hawk-Penguin? HE F***ING WISHES

-HE TWEETED IT. AMAZING

-And now the wax meuseum

-ITS A TRAP! Well done.

-42 Halfwit Street. This is the donkey drawing of oblivio for season 5

-And IT WAS THE REAL CHAT NOIR

-Oh cataclysm, and tied to him. THEY GOT HIM.

-TAKE THE MIRACULOUS OFF OF HIM NOW!!!

-the kwami think they are free. But its episode 3, way too early.

-LADYBUG STOP THE MONOLOGUE! You are leaving yourself open!

-Well at least he didnt try to escape during that.

-Damn, Gabriel ate a cataclysm to escape!

-Oooo, that looks painful! Damn. He deserves it

-You know what, I will give Hawky props, I didnt think he would actually do it.

-Oh s***, Chat noir feels guilt. Baby boy no. He doesnt count as people, dont feel bad.

-Well, this is Gabe's fault.

-SO THIS WAS ALL A FLASHBACK EXPLAINATION TO ALYA?!

-So marinette came up with a plan in case this happened. So this is what she did. Thats a clever plan. (I wont explain it, watch it, its clever)

-Simp noir is canon and a key part of the plan. Brilliant.

-It is cute to see this more playful side of Marinette, explaining the plans

-The kwami deserve a reward for their acting

-I love seeing how they planned the pose.

-So Marinette out here playing 4d chess. She only never expected Gabe to cataclysm himself. So I dont blame her.

-I am with Alya that plan was brilliant

-The alyanette juice is great

-Wait a minute. THIS HAPPENED BEFORE MULTIPLICATION?!

-OF COURSE IT DID, SO WAIT, EPISODE 26 OF SEASON 4, SEASON 5 EPISODE 1, AND 3 ALL HAPPENED IN THE COURSE OF A DAY?!

-Oh that is a nasty mark you got their Gabe. But you deserve it.

-Oh no the ring making process is really messed up

-HE MELTS THEM AND THEN MAKES THEM RINGS

-Nathalie, why are you helping him?

-Gabriel really making these rediculous bling for the sake of elaborate BS

-All to hide his cataclysm, he decided to look like a sterile tampon

-And The rings give him a new suit

-I do think the transformation leading to it looks cool. But its crappy costume

____________________________________________________________

OKAY I HAVE THOUGHTS!

So I think this episode was well written, it had drama, it had comedy, and it had lasting consequences.

I like that Gabriel didnt get out of this unscathed.

I do find it fitting in the timeline a bit weird... But aside from that. I dont mind it

8.5/10

I still think Evolution is the best episode of season 5 so far. But this one is pretty good.

I think leaks or not, I will be willing to watch the episodes and judge them on their merit, not just the leaks

[morathicain]

HELLO CAIN!!! First of all how are you my favourite mutual? (can you believe we've been mutuals for 4 years now? So weird)

As you may have noticed I got back into my Thai series obsession - Uni is KILLING ME - and I'm rediscovering some series that came out during these years that I unfortunately missed and let me tell you I am both EXTATIC and dissapointent

So let's start with the dissapoint: I've noticed that after bad buddy (straight up one of the best BL ever made) Thai series, but EXPECIALLY gmmtv, have started to make the couple fall in love very VERY soon in the series which for me - a slow build and slow burn lover - is AWFUL

What do you MEEEEEAN they kiss in episode 3?!? Come on where is the drama? Where is the falling in love??? Heck they are making me miss the love triangles just saying

And because of this some series just, stop making sense after a certain point? Like the story is finished so they fish out a random and stupid storyline to fill the last episode which sucks⭐✨⭐✨ (coff coff 23.5)

NOW FOR THE EXTATIC PART

We are getting so many GLs!!!!!! LET'S GO!!! GIVE ME THE LESBIANS!

But also they are pushing a lot more on the "self discovery" arc of the characters which is really good? Like because the romance happens so soon the rest of the episodes are about the characters as their own and honestly? Sometimes it's good sometimes it's bad

Like the self discovery in We are? Amazing

In My boo? Eeeeeh...

Now for the series i'm watching

Airing: We are and My boo

We are grew on me

At the beginning I did not like it but it was still something simple and sweet to watch after a bad day in uni but now... Damn Cain I'm getting attached to these idiots

It's truly a lovely story about friendship and simple love that even if stereotypical it's still very very good because it's ""real"""? If it makes sense? I'm currently writing a LONG review about it that when I remember how to write properly I will publish (oh yeah btw I also started posting small reviews)

My boo is... Something

It exist, it's sweet but the main couple is that type of sweet that it becomes annoying after a while

Honestly I'm here for the side couple

ALSO IT'S SO WEIRD?!? Because it's clear that GMMTV put a LOT of money into this but it's still??? Mediocre??? Man idk let's see how it ends

Finished

I've just finished Mama gogo and I really liked it! It has its ups and downs but it's still a very funny and sweet series so 8.5 lovely IT COULD have given me more but in 12 it did what it could

23.5 made me incredibly mad but it's still a good GL to start with for GMMTV and that's all I'm going to say

Currently watching

CAIN BE MY FAVOURITE IS GOOD?!? WHAT

Girl I remember watching it while it was airing: I dropped after 3 episodes

But then! Like 3 days ago I was like "y'know I miss Krist (phrase never said by anyone, I know but listen) let me see what people think of "be my favorite"... BOOM 8 on MDL

So I thought "okay let's give it another go..."

Best

Decision

Ever

Cain truly I'm at ep 7 and I'm so fucking intrigued

It's so nice and different?!?! Why no one talks about it!!! Plus Gawin

My MAN

That man was written and made for women he is SUCH A GOOD ACTOR JESUS

Anyway sorry for the long ass ask but everytime I get back into this fixation my first thought is "let me message Cain"

I hope you are doing well!!!!

- Randy✨

Update from my last ask (sempre Randy✨) Girl i Be my favorite was so fucking good man Not going to spoil anything but if you liked "He's coming to me" I would 100% recommend this show Truly a 10/10

Hello Randy!!!

Thank you for thinking of me when watching Thai shows and then sending me whole novels, WOW!!!!

Also sorry for replying late, I wanted to take proper time and work has been slightly exhausting ^^° still, thank you so much for all your words!

It's really fascinating because AHHHHHHH MAMA GOGO! I really love the show so much with all the characters and arcs and growth and little stories and tropes. Right up my alley XD

I have neither watched We are nor My Boo so far, so I can't say anything about it but I'm happy you are enjoying We are a lot =^^= it's on my potential watch list, albeit not up high, which is mostly because I am currently brain rotten about Wandee and At 25:00 in Akasaka XD

I started 23.5 degrees but was slightly discouraged by the catfishing at the beginning, so I stopped for a while. When the show basically vanished from my dash towards the final, I was already wondering what went wrong, and I now suppose a lot did? Tbh I have been enjoying the Japanese GLs more than the Thai ones so far, but there's so many coming out soon and currently, I will find the ones for me =^^=

Regarding Be My Favourite, I'm happy you enjoyed it so much <3 it was THE talk when it aired, but too many shows make it impossible for most shows to stick. I know a lot of people who really liked it actually ^^ I did, too, for several episodes. Sadly, it used a trope I really can't endure and my interest dropped, so I dropped the show in the middle. Might continue one day or not, but my interest kinda vanished ^^° which is okay, can't be for everyone but I know lots of people who had their fun and that's nice =^^=

Anygay, hope you continue to have all the fun and joy with the shows and that enough slow burn will get produced for you :D I do enjoy a good slow burn, too, but I also LOVE when a couple is interested early on and they keep the dynamic and tension till later like in Wandee.

What luck that we have so many shows to choose from now :D

Take care and stay safe and healthy. I wish you the best and a wonderful day (with lots of Gawin-feels!) <3

[bengiyo]

BL Round-Up #5

So @negrowhat tagged me in a current watchlist and I realized I haven’t done one of these since I started a new job. We have a lot to catch up on! We’ll clear out what I’ve completed first.

Recently Finished

I apologize in advance. I have completed a great many shows.

Minato Shouji Coin Laundry aka Minato’s Laundromat (GagaOOlala) 10 - I absolutely loved this show, and am currently showing it to my BL watch partner on our Tuesday/Thursday watch sessions. This show utilized its entire cast so well to explore the nature of age-gap romance, being gay and cowardly, and the nature of youth desire. Absolutely phenomenal, and I can’t recommend it enough.

Gameboys 2 (GagaOOlala via VPN) 10 - Gameboys 2 knew exactly what it wanted to be and completely delivered. I enjoyed this so much more than the movie, and was glad that the Terrence and Wesley dynamic was given more breathing room. Pearl and Achilles fit well into the drama this time, and I even enjoyed the way we got to see more of Gav’s family this time around. The IdeaFirst Company continues to make absolutely incredible queer content. It’s just a shame that so much of it ends up behind difficult paywalls for international viewers.

21 Days Theory (Rookie Thailand YouTube) 9.5 - This show shot up in my rankings for this year because of the way the adults played out their insecurities and supported the youngsters in this drama. This show is so good that it actually made me root for a straight couple. I am 100% here for shorter Thai BLs that use all of their couples well, rather than the bloated mess so many of the pulps tend to be.

Triage (Grey) 9.5 - This was everything I hoped to get out of a time loop show. Continue to love with the Manner of Death team has been up to and can’t wait to see more of their work. This isn’t exactly the normal fare for BL, but it’s the kind of gay characterization I enjoy. 

About Youth (Gaga or Viki) 9 - I don’t think this show had enough time to explore all of its ideas, but this show is a valuable addition to the Summer ‘22 High School BL Extravaganza. The cast is just so beautiful, and the boys from Taiwan continue to give earnest performances that I find incredibly endearing. Fuck Ye Guang’s parents, though.

Great Men Academy (Grey) 9 - I didn’t intend to watch this, but @flukenatouch convinced me and it ended up being a lot better than I expected. It’s not BL at all really, but holy hell was I absolutely obsessed with James Teeradon by the end of this show. Also I got to enjoy Captain’s gorgeous eyes again! This show involved a lot of gender swapping, but I enjoyed the show’s kind exploration of masculinity and what it means to admire someone.

Papa & Daddy Season 2 (Gaga) 8.5 - Papa & Daddy 2 has all of the same struggles as the first season, but I genuinely love it for what it’s trying to be. I think, in so many ways, this show encapsulates the strange experience many queer people have of growing into parents and starting families when it was something we never thought we would do. I think straight people naturally consider what kind of parents they might be because procreation is a likely outcome to their desires for intimacy, but it’s not something queer people really have a lot of guidelines for. I liked the challenges and themes of this season, even if I find myself consistently frustrated with filial piety.

Senpai, This Can’t Be Love! (Gaga or Viki) 6 - Very disappointing finish. I felt the lack of communication to be overly juvenile, so I can’t walk away from this show envisioning them as a functional couple at all. 

Love Mechanics (WeTV) 6 - There are some things I liked here, but Mark and Vee are not my thing, and I found much of this to be rather tedious. 

Coffee Melody (Viki) 5.5 - Boring, and frustrating. Not a good show. Don’t waste your time.

Currently Watching

This is still a lot, but I’m finally under 10 shows.

Takara-kun & Amagi-kun (Gaga or Viki) 10 - Episode 5/8. I cannot overstate how much I’m enjoying the way this show is exploring first desire and relationships with Takara and Amagi. It is the show I most look forward to each week.

180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us (Gaga) 9.5 - Episode 7/8. This is not BL. It is a story about a young, angry gay man; his overbearing, narcissistic mother; and his father’s best friend and missed love. It is exploring the ways different generations have reacted to queerness, and I cannot stop thinking about it. It is essentially a play adapted to screen, and everyone involved is giving some of the best performances I’ve ever seen out of Thailand. It is no surprise that Pond Ponlawit is a Nadao alum, because I haven’t been this gripped by a Thai performer since ITSAY/IPYTM and Great Men Academy.

I know many folks will never watch this because it isn’t the kind of fun fare that Thai BL often offers, but this is the kind of play that someone sees on a whim that alters the way they see themselves and the world.

The Eclipse (YouTube) 9 - Episode 7/12. I’m really enjoying how complete this show feels. Each moment feels intentional and like it’s contributing towards the end goals. I enjoy it when BL knows what it wants to say, and I’m enjoying the unsubtle politics of this show. Also, Khaotung and First are such a great pair. Neo is finally in a role that he can really shine, and he’s working with Louis in a way that finally lets me see why they’ve been paired.

Love in the Air (iQIYI) 8.5 - Episode 6/13 This show doesn’t really have a plot, but I honestly like it more for that. I personally love when BL is more character driven, and I’m enjoying watching this as a vanilla type and reading commentary from folks like @lutawolf. Though I still struggled with the early bits of this show, I like where it’s gone and can understand why they skipped what I think are incredibly necessary aspects of consent to show. I remain surprised that I have this many positive things to say about a MAME production.

My Only 12% (iQIYI) 8.5 - Episode 7/14 I think @absolutebl broke me when he said this show felt like a Thai take on a Big Eden (2000) prequel (iykyk). I also imploded over the inclusion of Love of Siam (2007) in the storytelling of this narrative. In so many ways this show feels like it’s screaming out the pain and frustration and loneliness we felt as queer in the early 00s trying to sort out the kind of people we wanted to be when we were young and struggling to find community. It was hard entering the community when all of your elders were still coping with so much grief, and there were just so few depictions of queer joy to turn to.

Earth and Santa are a good pair, but for once I’d like to see one of Earth’s characters be happy. I’d also like him to not play a naggy character in the future.

Once Again (Gaga or Viki) 8 - Episode 4/8 - I like the way the sci-fi elements feel in this show with the time travel implications. I know this is going to end sad, but I’m loving the texture of the sense of inevitability in this show.

Ai Long Nhai (iQIYI) 8 - Episode 1/12. It’s fine so far. I like the gay dads. I like the friend dynamic. Subs are only okay. This show might end up being forgettable, but I hope it’s fun.

Vice Versa (YouTube) 7 - Episode 11/12. I haven’t been enjoying this for a while. I have just had to accept that I am not a Jittirain fan, and the way she tells stories just doesn’t work for me. I find myself completely frustrated with and by Puen, and I feel constantly bad for Talay. Otherwise, Jimmy and Sea are a pretty pair. I hope all the constant ads are generating enough revenue to pay for the rest of the BLs on GMMTV.

War of Y (Gaga) 7 - Episode 8/20. I continued this because it moved to Gaga, but I constantly suffer from a dissonance with this show. It wants to explore the dark side of BL by making so many recognized BL pairs and supporting cast play out scenarios that are incredibly uncomfortable. It’s a weird experience to watch a BL that seems to want us to not watch BL anymore.

Not BL

Midnight Diner (Netflix) 10 - This has become my wind down watch before bed. I find this kind of light drama incredibly relaxing. I also love Japanese filming styles that rely on long takes. I like letting the actors act. I don’t want to feel the editing constantly when I’m watching something. I notice it when I come back to Thai productions and it’s constantly cutting and changing the angle of the shot, or refusing to put actors in the same frame for more than one line delivery.

Is It Wrong To Try to Pick Up Girls In a Dungeon? IV (HiDive) 9 - We all have shows we make exceptions for. I make mine here because I enjoy adventuring party shows. This season has been a really good adaptation, and I continue to love all of the character dynamics.

Do Revenge (Netflix) 9 - As a long-time fan of Throw Momma From The Train (1987), I do love a good Strangers on the Train story. This one was excellent, and used its lesbian characters well. Everyone turns in fun and memorable performances, especially Camila Mendes, Maya Hawke, and Sophie Turner.

9-1-1 (Fox, HULU) 8 - I’m an American and do love a first responder procedural.

[toomanyopinionss]

My thoughts while watching…

Young Royals, Season 2

It was EVERYTHING

I don’t think you understand how much i adored this season. I think I liked this one more than the last season two be honest. But maybe that’s because i lowkey thrive on drama.

First things first:

My lil’ Crowned Prince?! best character this season. i love him so much The pure chaos wille brought this season was GOLD.

they had my boy leaning against fences and looking out at the sunset with a sad song playing in his ears like he was the female protagonist of a 2000s romcom.

they had my man scheming and orchestrating august’s downfall like a young swedish doofenshmirtz. (as he fucking should, but we’ll get to his pasty behind in a minute)

they had my dude jumping on a desk renouncing his claim to the throne because he saw ex singing karaoke with someone on insta.

they had my baby point a RIFLE at his cousin to defend his man’s honor like a champ.

Ok ok but in all seriousness, the emotional range from wilhelm this season was staggering. watching him navigate his rocky relationship all while having quite literally the weight of the country on his shoulders was a lot. shoutout to edvin for that performance.

I have surprisingly little to say about Simon, other than the fact that his voice is angelic and makes me cry and he deserves to be protected at all costs.

Now August….

*sigh*

You have to understand, I try my best to give characters the benefit of the doubt. We’re all human, we all make mistakes. But I’ve truly had it trying to quell my intense dislike of this dude. At first I went between hatred and pity, but the minute they named him Wilhelm’s successor I KNEW there was no going back. This man is a selfish and self centered prick who cares more about himself and what others think about him then he does the people around him. And I’m tired of trying to like his bitch ass, cause it’s just not gonna happen at this point.

And while we’re on that note, let me break a couple bubbles here:

For any August/Sara shippers out there… the only reason you like them together is because they are both attractive people.

Name one reason they work together… I’ll wait.

Their relationship was built on August outing her brother and Wilhelm’s relationship. So it’s already flawed to begin with. Add on top of that the fact that they both could use a lesson in a little something we like to call “loyalty”. i think it would benefit them greatly seeing as they both were too quick to betray family for personal gratification. but hey 🤷🏾‍♀️ maybe that’s just me.

Other hot takes:

Alexander is stupid af. the hell is wrong with that kid. this herd mentality thing that he’s got going on is not it. he needs to start thinking for himself if he wants to get anywhere in life. when they said he got back in, i thought we were gonna see some type of evil storyline with him… nope, he’s just an idiot.

Felice was absolute perfection, as usual. she did nothing wrong and i love her. i wish we got more of her, tbh. In fact, that entire friend group is the cutest thing, we love it alllll. (and i saw that lil bestie in love with bestie thing they had going on 👀👀)

Marcus is boring. I forgot his name, so i had to look him up… he was too sweet, to the point where he made me uncomfortable. Although that scene with him and simon and the fish tank had me screaming laughing. This just goes to show that I can’t do the sweet nice boring white guy thing anymore, netflix, do something different.

Ok this is getting long. these are just something’s i had to get out the minute i finished watching the series.

8.5/10, could round up or down depending how i’m feeling later - it needed to be longer. six episodes is not enough time

[deafening-enthusiastic-dreamer]

The First Responders- SPOLIER REVIEW Part 2

Season 2 was a step up for them. Dex , the villain. The character gave me goosebumps. The actor did a fair job. But I feel it could have been a bit better. I just thought something was missing from his acting.

The story was over all interesting, gripping and enjoyable. Though it gave us emotional stress due to multiple times Ho gae could or did die. The black mailing and how Ho gae was trapped into it. Was shocking for me. I honestly love shows like these. The frantic emotions got to me.

I was constantly thinking many thoughts but I was dragged back into the story. Also the police- firefighter friendships and romances get to me honestly.

When this actor I got more excited. I have seen him in other dramas, so it was nice to see him here. Kang Do ha kicked ass. Bomb squad for the win I guess.

😁 like the characters dynamics in the series were greatly written.

If you don't mind a bit of gore ( barely ) but it's there. So please be cautious while watching.

Other then that. Great series would give it a 8.5 out of 10. Cause the season 1 was a bit confusing.

[alloveydovey]

Ok, random thoughts on dramas I finished watching this month (some of which I've been dragging out since July).

Meet Yourself (cdrama) 10 ⭐️

It's the first cdrama I've seen that I felt was well-acted and felt genuine. Perhaps because the ML has a personality and isn't simply some stone-cold dude and the FL (who I was obsessed with) is mature and insightful.

It’s very light and yet deeply meaningful. Yes, it could be a little draggy at times (could have been shorter), but I can't really complain because I didn't want it to end. You really find yourself falling in love with the entire town, as well as most secondary characters.

A Time Called You (kdrama) 8

It was really emotional, but I lost interest in episode 9 and wanted it to end. I don’t know if it was because I didn’t fully understand what was going on or because, although I like time travel plots, this one was just too twisty for me to get.

King The Land (kdrama) 8/8.5?

People complaining because it had no plot— what do you mean? The plot was ✨love✨

I mean yeah, I get it, though, because I started it in August and finished it in October (I got low-key bored on episode 11). The .5 is only because Yoona and Jun Ho’s chemistry was insanely good, like the kind of chemistry where you feel like you're intruding on them or something.

My Lovely Liar (kdrama) 7.5

This one was all over my fyp on tiktok, and I'm not sure why everyone was so into it.

I initially started to watch it because of Kim So Hyun. The first eight episodes were okay. I wasn't particularly intrigued by the mystery of who the killer of the ML’s girlfriend was, but it was enough to keep me going. But, later on, I just wasn't into it at aaall. The ML and FL were cute, but i didn’t feel any spark between them :\

Here We Meet Again (cdrama) 8

Another cdrama with good acting 🙌🏽 lol I swear I’m not bashing Chinese dramas, it's just I watched some questionable ones. I wasn’t that much into the whole work thing but, let's be honest, I only saw this one because FL and ML were the cutest and had an insane chemistry.

Why I Dress Up for Love (jdrama) 9

Workaholic social media girl moves into a house with four roommates and ends up having a situationship with one of them.

This is my fourth jdrama (Only Just Married, The Fallen High School Girl and The Crippled Teacher, and A Girl and Three Sweethearts), and it is without a doubt the best one and most likely a future all-time favourite. The obstacles the characters experienced were not too deep, but enough to soften you, and the chemistry was excellent. It was simple, natural and cute. An overall feel good 👌🏽

Destined With You (kdrama) 8.5/9 still not sure lol

Okay, I’ll be honest, this probably doesn’t deserve a 9. That whole extra point is for Rowoon's face and Bo Ah's cuteness.

I feel like the writers of this one got down and began pulling out pieces of paper from a bag full of common clichés that are currently used in dramas. Past lives lovers? Check. Sort of enemies to lovers? Check. Rich ML x Poor orphan FL? Check (although a little twist with the mom being the cutest mother ever) Mean ex girlfriend who can’t get over ML? Check. A culprit dressed all in black who is after the FL? Check. I don’t know what else but I’m sure there’s more… and it should have been boring but somehow they made it work?!?! And I was so into it?!? The comedy was comeding, the chemistry was chemistring, the Samsung phones were samsunging (?), Subway was there, music was banging? Magic was entertaining, even the angsty moments were hitting.

Like yeah, I don’t know. Maybe it was Rowoon and his perfect face or maybe this was a really entertaining and romantic watch. Anyway, a 9.

[drama-pop]

Dramas I Watched in 2022

I moved an hour away from my drama-watching buddy this year.  I wonder how that will affect my show count in 2023.  Of the 9 dramas listed here, 3 of them are re-watches.  I guess I was feeling a little nostalgic this year!  See Dramas I Watched in 2020 for more on those re-watches.  Here’s the dramas I watched this year and I what I thought of them!

My Fellow Citizens (6/10)

1st Watch – Again, I picked a drama purely out of my attraction to Choi Siwon. He can be a little over the top, but boy does he commit to the part.  This drama was silly, exciting, and went in directions I wasn’t expecting.  I really enjoyed the relationships between the characters and thought Park Hu Ja was a particularly interesting role.  She was scary, silly, and at times, pitiful.  It wasn’t my favorite drama and I got a little lost in the politics, but it was a fun way to start the year!

Our Beloved Summer (7/10)

1st Watch – I had only seen Choi Wooshik in Parasite, so I was excited to see him as a soft romantic lead.  I was not disappointed!  This show was beautifully shot and Christmas Tree was the perfect song.  For whatever reason, I can’t remember much of the plot now, but I know I enjoyed it.  Admittedly, I didn’t like the female lead all that much, but probably because her defenses were so high all the time.  I wish I had written about the show earlier when I remembered more about it!

Twenty Five, Twenty One (8.5/10)

1st Watch – I was excited to watch this after seeing Kim Tae-ri in Mr. Sunshine and Nam Joo-hyuk in Start Up.  They are stellar actors, even if I did have to suspend reality quite a bit to watch them as teenagers.  Again, I can’t remember everything about this drama, but I know that it really affected me. I teared up, I grinned ear to ear, I got mad.  It was a beautiful coming of age story and a highlight of the year.  If you haven’t seen it, I won’t spoil anything, but this show has some fun characters and touching relationships.  Yes, I did watch this because of Jungkook.  

Her Private Life (6.5/10)

1st Watch – My second Park Min-young drama, and I love it for her.  I’m here for her gorgeous fashion and hilarious facial expressions. And who doesn’t love a good fake-dating trope?  A huge portion of the show takes us through Deok-mi’s “private life” as a fangirl.  More than that, she’s a fan site manager.  As an ARMY myself, I was grateful for the male lead’s acceptance of Deok-mi’s love for Sian and the representation of adult, professional women being fangirls.  There are definitely 15-year-old girl fans, but it’s so reductive to act like that’s all there is to it.  And we can be passionate about our interests while still being engaged, sociable adults. Ok, off my soap box now.  It was a cute show overall!

Extraordinary Attorney Woo (9.5/10)

1st watch – Highlight of the year!  I legitimately cried 3 times in the first episode, and I rarely cry while watching things.  The show was so touching and I think Park Eun-bin did a great job delicately bringing ASD representation to the screen.  I loved the law firm ensemble.  This show even gave me a vacation episode, though…it was not as happy and cute as I expected.  Iykyk.  I love to see Kang Ki-young finally getting the love he deserves as an actor.  Young-woo has so many lovely, tenderhearted people in her life and seeing such care between the characters warmed my heart.  I highly recommend this drama!

Start Up (8/10)

2nd watch – My sister and I got COVID this year and watched this in our quarantine.  It’s still a lovely show.  I was glad to show it to my sister!

Boys Over Flowers (10/10 lol)

4th watch – Every single song that played in this show – and there is always something playing - became a sing-along.  This show is so addicting, so ridiculous, and so good.  I can’t believe I got through all 24 episodes in the course of 2 weeks, but that’s winter for you!

Little Women (In progress)

1st watch

Dream High (In progress)

2nd watch

And that’s it!  I hope that you have a happy new year and that 2023 brings good things for you!  Feel free to send me any drama recs!