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feuqueerfire · 1 year

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2023 Anticipated BL/GL/Queer Shows

2022 Anticipated BLs & GLs || Thai BL/GL Filming Schedules

2024 Anticipated Series & Movies

Shows released in 2023 I'm anticipating: Released, Releasing, To Be Released (with/without release dates)

Show

Country:

Release Dates:

Watch Via: platform link (free/paid)

Status: 👀 To Watch || ⏸️ Currently Watching || ✅ Watched || ❌ Dropped

Watch Dates: Month x - y, 2023 (#)

Rating: /10

Initial Impression:

Overall Impression:

tags:

Also Appears In: [Live Blogging, AO3 link], (Month) 2023 Wrap-Up

Released

These are shows that have ended in 2023 that I’m interested in - ordered by their end date. Note: If it finishes in 2023, it’s a 2023 show for me.

Watched:

The Director Who Buys Me Dinner

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Dec 15, 2022 - Jan 12, 2023

Watch Via: iQiyi (free)

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Jan 18 - 19, 2023 (#3)

Rating: 5.5/10

Initial Impression: kBL same production as Blueming (KENAZ) and it has reincarnation and curses or something? I saw a few clips on twitter about the first ep and it seems hilarious, hope it’s great bc it’s one of the few kBLs I’m acc looking forward to because of the plot and not just for Korean practice. || After ending, people have been criticizing the ending and also for its messy plot in such a short time but I’m still curious about it so I’ll give it a try (esp cuz so many of the kBLs lately have apparently been meh that I needa add this to the watchlist or else I’ll hardly get any practice done)

Overall Impression: I feel like this should be higher just because it’s got a cool concept and the cinematography’s good but I felt like maybe 1 emotion during this whole show (the hug in the car), which sucks. The writing in the show sucked, both in terms of relationship development (there was none. why were they from A to Z without B C...) and the fantasy/lore aspects. In a better show, Dongbaek’s dying wish to be the one who remembers next time coming true would be a punch to the gut but here, I don’t gaf

tags: the director who buys me dinner

Also Appears In: January 2023 Wrap-Up

The New Employee - DROPPED

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Dec 21, 2022 - Feb 1, 2023

Watch Via: Viki (free)

Status: ❌ Dropped

Watch Dates: Mar 27 - 28, 2023 (#8)

Rating: --/10

Initial Impression: I knew hardly anything about this but people have been loving this, esp how queer it apparently is, so I’m excited. hopefully we’ll get another really great kBL from start to finish, I think only Choco Milk Shake was thoroughly well-liked by the masses in recent months

Overall Impression: sad that I've watched worse kBLs but since I had some expectations while going into this, it's more disappointing. I don’t really care for boss/employee romances in general and i think the fact that it’s positioned as wholesome/cute here so far isn’t working for me. if you’re gonna have the boss kiss the intern out of the blue while said intern is drunk, it needs to be framed in more of a rancid way for it to still be fun; dabble more with the weird power dynamics & lean into the bad vibes lol

tags: the new employee

Also Appears In: The New Employee Live Blogging, March 2023 Wrap-Up

Candy Color Paradox

Country: Japan

Release Dates: Dec 16, 2022 - Feb 10, 2023

Watch Via: Viki (free)

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: May 11 - 16, 2023 (#13)

Rating: 5.5/10

Initial Impression: I like the concept that they’re reporters and people seem to like the ending.

Overall Impression: Boring, overall. Which is sad because I was looking forward to watching paparazzi/reporters/glorified stalkers in a BL, since it’s a pretty unique synopsis. It started off cute enough but didn’t keep me engaged.

Live Blogging: May 2023 Wrap-Up

My School President

Country: Thailand

Release Dates: Dec 2, 2022 - Feb 24, 2023

Watch Via: GMMTV (free)

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Feb 18 - 24, 2023 (#4)

Rating: 7 7.5/10 [April 4, 2023 Edit: The characters continue to give me brainrot, as well as actors, so +0.5]

Initial Impression: initially wasn’t interested in this one because everybody kept calling it a boring regular high school romance, watched the mock trailer around August 2022 and was like omg the trope of making the person you like run errands for you? (ex. True Beauty, We Best Love) + I tend to enjoy simply school shows. Then the actual show came out and everyone’s loving it 3 eps in, so that’s fun for sure.

Overall Impression: I really liked it, especially for what it was: a cute, endearing high school BL with really endearing leads and good acting and sometimes turning tropes on their head. I didn't love it or obsess over it the way some people seemed to but it was enjoyable nonetheless. I also loved so many of their faces lol Fourth and Prom my favourite beautiful faces but Gemini and Satang are beautiful too, not to mention Gun's mother whew! This made me giddy and the OSTs are great and there's clear effort from the cast and crew. I liked the dynamic between the characters, whether it be how Gun and Tinn took turns being bold and shy or the parent-child relationships or Chinzhilla band.

tags: my school president, geminifourth

Also Appears In: My School President Live Blogging, February 2023 Wrap-Up

The Warp Effect

Country: Thailand

Release Dates: Dec 12, 2022 - Feb 27, 2023

Watch Via: GMMTV Youtube

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Apr 20 - 26, 2024 (#36)

Rating: 7/10

Initial Impression: there’s a lesbian character. she says the line “trust me. i’m a lesbian.” more than enough reason to watch it. That was my reason for wanting to watch it soon after discovering the OG trailer but recently, I’m excited to see Fah, the show has glowing reviews from the people watching it, and I’m very interested in the sex-related conversations they’re having

Overall Impression: A unique and enjoyable show, it was so fun to see all these characters in their specific situations and how they deal with them. The characters were all compelling, it's wild how I was into all their storylines. how charming each character/their story was, and how the story juggled them. It also made me see a bunch of actors in new lights, New most of all, as they acted in a role outside of their usual wheelhouse. I think the most frustrating part for me was how it seemed like although they were getting at it, they never quite acknowledged that what Alex did to Jean that night was rape. It made me quite angry actually, especially how Alex's actions didn't feel like it actually took Jean's feelings and trauma and requests into account. I was at least glad that in that timeline, Jean doesn't get back with Alex.

It’s in this section of the post because despite Alex being het, this show is just... queer.

tags: the warp effect

Also Appears In: The Warp Effect Live Blogging, April 2024 Wrap-Up

Never Let Me Go

Country: Thailand

Release Dates: Dec 13, 2022 - Feb 28, 2023

Watch Via: Youtube (free)

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Jan 1 - Feb 28, 2023 (#1)

Rating: 6.5/10

Initial Impression: I’m really looking forward to this. why? i don’t know. i guess i developed some sort of attachment to morkpi in FUTS even though I was mostly ambivalent about their relationship? also, i’m curious to watch something directed by p’jojo

Overall Impression: I actually don't care about the plot of this show that much because I was mostly there for the characters and character relationships but it didn't give me what I wanted. I don't like Ben/Chopper and Nueng/Palm felt meh toward the end and also didn't give me what I wanted really. My big problem with this show which is that nothing feels like it gets enough emotion or gravity and instead it's either fixed quickly or we move on quickly. Anyway, idk. I liked the first 2/3 of the series even though it wasn't A Fave but it had some great moments and lots of potentials to me, so that’s why it’s +.5 more than 6. I stopped caring about the characters while watching these last 4 and these last 2 episodes were just so... agh. I just care about Chopper atp and want better for him. This was one of my most anticipated shows of 2022 (which is why I started watching it weekly), so it's sad that it turned out this way.

tags: never let me go

Also Appears In: Never Let Me Go Ep 1 - 4, Ep 5, Ep 6, Ep 7, Ep 8 Live Blogging, January 2023 Wrap-Up, Ep 9 - 12 Live Blogging, February 2023 Wrap-Up

Utsukushii Kare Season 2

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Feb 8, 2023 - Mar 1, 2023

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Via: Viki

Watch Dates: Apr 18 - 19, 2024 (#34)

Rating: 7/10

Initial Impression: My beloveds! Hope it’s enough to tide me over until the movie is accessible.

Overall Impression: This season is about Hira and Kiyoi's relationship. They didn't become boring after getting together, they didn't magically end up being a perfect happy well-adjusted couple after getting together, nor were there random issues thrown just because; the struggles and hurdles are true to their characters and dynamics. I liked the themes and dynamics it explored and their character + relationship development and progression. I also smiled a lot and lost my mind a little at certain moments. Strong writing, strong characters, strong acting, what a relief.

tags: utsukushii kare

Also Appears In: Utsukushii Kare (S1, S2, Movie) Live Blogging, April 2024 Wrap-Up

Moonlight Chicken

Country: Thailand

Release Dates: Feb 8, 2023 - Mar 2, 2023

Watch Via: Youtube (free)

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Mar 1 - 6, 2023 (#5)

Rating: 7/10

Initial Impression: Moonlight Chicken: I don't like reading or watching stories about cheating but this one looks so good :0 Also, suchhh a good cast like EarthMix, FourthGemini couples and also Khao and First like I’m expecting great acting and storytelling

Overall Impression: It's a good one! High quality with good acting and interesting storylines that are unique in BL. It didn't hit me as hard as it seemed to hit some other people though and I'm not thinking about it much at all since finishing. I think Jim/Wen's relationship was one of the weakest aspects of the show to me because I didn't care nor did I really feel anything and it might’ve been more interesting if it actually involved cheating. I loved Heart and Li Ming, I enjoyed getting to see Jim grow and also how his relationship with Li Ming changed, I liked getting to see Wen and Alan's flashbacks and to present tense relationship, I like Gaipa showing up once in a while to be bright, I thought Gaipa and Leng's interactions were funny, I loved Li Ming as a character so much, I wished to be him so badly.

tags: moonlight chicken

Also Appears In: Moonlight Chicken Live Blogging, March 2023 Wrap-Up

A Shoulder to Cry On

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Mar 15, 2023 - Mar 29, 2023

Watch Via: Viki

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Mar 28 - 29, 2023 (#9)

Rating: 6.5/10

Initial Impression: Watched the leaked trailer from February and it seems actually angsty and enemies to lovers and I’m very curious about that

Overall Impression: I really liked the first 5 episodes when there was so much contempt but Taehyun couldn't stop himself from terrorizing or goading Da Yeol and Da Yeol couldn't stop noticing how beautiful Taehyun was, and then the friendship that bloomed in that but still with an edge. I didn't quite get the reason for separation in episode 6 and think the last episode was cutesy but out-of-character sort of. Still, overall a pretty good one; reminds me of a mix of Blueming and Utsukushii Kare. I was giddy so many times while watching this, especially the first half and was clutching my head and curling my toes despite it not being romantic, just full of tension.

tags: a shoulder to cry on

Also Appears In: A Shoulder To Cry On Live Blogging, March 2023 Wrap-Up

Our Dating Sim

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Mar 9, 2023 - Mar 30, 2023

Watch Via: Viki (free)

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Oct 19 - 20, 2023 (#20)

Rating: 6.5/10

Initial Impression: People seem to have really liked this, on both MDL and Reddit both, so I’m looking forward to it

Overall Impression: The pacing of this was so good, they managed to give everything needed and timed it well within 2 hours. Well written, well acted, well planned, well shot, nice. I liked and understood the main characters and even the side characters had distinct personalities despite not being fully fledged. I loved how Gi Tae and Wan were so playful with each other, whether it be with the teasing they did and playing hard to get but also the easy affection they often had whether it be kisses, pecks, tickles, hugs, hand holding, just regular romantic touching - a good balance between being strangely chaste and very raunchy. Was cute and I’m glad this is the show that I watched after not watching anything for a while but I won't think about them again, probably.

tags: our dating sim

Live Blogging: Our Dating Sim Live Blogging, July - November 2023 Wrap-Up

My Beautiful Man: Eternal

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Apr 7, 2023

Watch Via: Viki

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Apr 19, 2024 (#35)

Rating: 6.5/10

Initial Impression: Need this so bad, the photos from the shooting are killing me

Overall Impression: Great, fun, though not as emotionally invested as Season 2 because they're in a better place in their relationship in this movie (even if it's not necessarily Perfect). It was interesting to have new people in their lives like Anna and Noguchi and how their stories influenced them. I'm happy with where we're leaving off the characters after ~6h of show/movie but lowest rating so far because it felt like we spent too much time on stuff like Anna’s story or the random kidnapping.

tags: utsukushii kare

Also Appears In: Utsukushii Kare (S1, S2, Movie) Live Blogging, April 2024 Wrap-Up

Destiny Seeker

Country: Thailand

Release Dates: Feb 14, 2023 - Apr 11, 2023

Watch Via: :>

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Mar 23 - 26, 2024 (#31)

Rating: 5.5/10

Overall Impression: Not very good, it's kinda non-sensical and has terrible subs and I watched it all on 1.25x speed. However, I was deeply craving a typical university Thai BL and it gave me that with engineer students and enemies to lovers. Sonkhgram and Ai were pretty cute and their pretend enemies while both likes the other for years was endearing ig? The freshmen Pluster and Nano were also really good toward the middle-end, the little gossips and schemers. Meen and Bright were meh, it could've been more compelling. All in all, a mediocre show to watch if wanting something really tropey that requires 0 thought.

Also Appears In: Destiny Seeker Live Blogging, March 2024 Movies/Shows Wrap-Up

Bed Friend

Country: Thailand

Release Dates: Feb 18, 2023 - Apr 22, 2023

Watch Via: uncut on iQiyi, so :>

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Apr 29 - May 2, 2023 (#12)

Rating: 6/10

Initial Impression: bc it seems interesting and I’m enjoying NetJames in Catch Me Baby side BL. omg after the teaser trailer, alksdfj I need it so bad; a Most Anticipated show.

Overall Impression: It was good and cute but still somewhat nonsensical and I don't know how to feel about the mountains of trauma. Beautiful Net and James, the acting's not bad, the editing is bad though. They were cute, which is the most important thing I guess.

tags: bed friend

Live Blogging: Bed Friend Live Blogging, May 2023 Wrap-Up

The Eighth Sense

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Mar 29, 2023 - Apr 26, 2023

Watch Via: Viki (paid, so :>)

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: June 20 - 22, 2023 (#16)

Rating: 6.5/10

Initial Impression: long episodes and everybody’s been loving it and feeling every emotion under the sun for it

Overall Impression: It was interesting and I think the show had a good grasp on characters and relationship dynamics and progression. I liked that there were friendships each character had and that they existed outside of just this relationship; even some of the friends existed outside of just being a friend, like Yonnwon was a whole human. The female friends were great, Yoonwon is a treasure and I liked how Aeri was so sweet but so mean sometimes, a very clever city girl type. Also, the tension and cute moments between Jihyun and Jaewon (esp in ep 6 and 10) were great. I think it's a good show that's done well but right now, it's not taking up much brain space and it also didn't make me viscerally feel anything.

tags: the eighth sense

Live Blogging: The Eighth Sense Live Blogging, June 2023 Wrap-Up

Our Skyy 2

Country: Thailand

Release Dates: Apr 19, 2023 - June 8, 2023

Watch Via: GMMTV YT (free)

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Apr 22 - June 8, 2023 (#14)

Rating: 6/10 [based on (6.5 + 5.5 + 6 + 5.5 + 6.5 + 6.5 + 6.5)/7]

Initial Impression: One of my most anticipated out of GMMTV 2023 and MSP, BBS, Eclipse are my top 3 anticipated episodes.

Overall Impression: In the end, some were good, some were meh, some I was disappointed by but oh well. It was still fairly fun and I liked watching it weekly since I get a new story every week. NLMG = MSP = BBSxATOTS > Eclipse > SIMM = Vice Versa

tags: our skyy 2, each show’s tag

Also Appears In: Our Skyy 2 Live Blogging, April 2023 Wrap-Up, May 2023 Wrap-Up, June 2023 Wrap-Up

Love Tractor

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Jun 7, 2023 - Jun 21, 2023

Watch Via: iQiyi (paid, so :>)

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Aug 4 - 5, 2023 (#17)

Rating: 6/10

Initial Impression: Think the announcement for this happened like mid-last year or something and I’ve been curious about it since then, hope it’s great.

Overall Impression: Ah, the dynamic is so delicious. Older, colder, richer, more jaded Seoul city man and younger, cheery, puppy-like new adult. Also, ummm I liked how much Yul scolded Yechan, ah + that one time Yechan apologized by kneeling. Yechan is cute, esp his antics after the sexy dream he had about Yul, but I do think he's a bit too childish sometimes, so that's meh. Overall enjoyable but I didn't super connect with the story or the characters and likely won't be thinking about them again.

Also Appears In: July - November 2023 Wrap-Up

Sing My Crush

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Aug 2, 2023

Watch Via: iQiyi (paid, so :>)

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Nov 18, 2023 (#21)

Rating: 4.5/10

Initial Impression: just found out about its existence (apparently it came out all together on Aug 2) and saw ppl say this was another good kBL this year, hopefully it’ll be good

Overall Impression: It was... fine I guess, the plagiarism subplot had me invested because it was so frustrating (as it was meant to be) but I really didn’t care about the main couple. Their relationship and interactions did nothing for me. Also I’m shallow so either they needed to have more chemistry or needed to be more attractive to my tastes for me to enjoy watching it rip. I literally skimmed so much of Ep 4 - 7, especially skipped over the main couple interactions and watched to see the plagiarism issue get resolved.

Also Appears In: July - November 2023 Wrap-Up

Be My Favorite

Country: Thailand

Release Dates: May 26, 2023 - Aug 11, 2023

Watch Via: Youtube (free)

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Nov 23 - 30, 2023 (#22)

Rating: 5.5/10

Initial Impression: listen i know people are like krist homophobe which fair enough ig but i’m still curious from the trailer and i’ll probably give it a try || Once it’s started being released, people seem to be enjoying these beginning episodes, so I hope it’s really good all the way through.

Overall Impression: It is such a tragedy that despite looking forward to this show for so long and enjoying some aspects and moments, ultimately, it fell flat for me. I feel like a lot of this show was objectively done well like the character arcs and acting and stuff but I'm not attached to any of it. The romance didn't make me feel giddy even though I really wish it had like it's strange that I didn't care at all about all those cute moments Kawi and Pisaeng had or the established relationship montages when usually they're some of my favourite aspects of a BL. agh whatever ig at least the show didn't treat Pear terribly.

tags: be my favorite

Also Appears In: Be My Favorite Live Blogging, July - November 2023 Wrap-Up

Stay With Me

Country: China

Release Dates: Jul 7, 2023 - Aug 12, 2023

Watch Via: Viki (paid, so :>)

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Aug 11 - 14, 2023 (#19)

Rating: 6.5/10

Initial Impression: I skimmed the latter half of Addicted in August 2023 and it was very unhinged and didn’t quite hold up but I understood why people were fucking obsessed with 2016 lol Looking forward to seeing a 2023 bromance version + my beloved angsty high school trope is good always

Overall Impression: Well, this is really as close as BL you can get without saying out loud that they are dating but there are innuendos galore and it's pretty clear (there was lube on their bed, like...). The family aspect was the best, I love that we got to see Su Yu's situation so much and his blended family and the way they were always there together. You can understand why Wu Bi prefers the warmth of their home over the coldness of his, though we got to see progress on that end too. Duoduo sooo cute, little munchkin. The ending is... an ending, that's for sure. Hope we get a season 2 next year but who knows.

tags: stay with me

Also Appears In: Stay With Me Live Blogging, July - November 2023 Wrap-Up

Bottoms

Country: USA

Release Dates: Sept 1, 2023

Watch Via: :>

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Jan 1, 2024 (#23)

Rating: 7.5/10

Overall Impression: First movie of the year! Very, very funny and wacky, thoroughly enjoyed it. Hazel is sooo attractive lol, as is Isabel. Loved Josie being a sweetheart and reluctant to go along with antics except then going in wayyy too hard with the juvie stories lol. PJ was insufferable but like in a good way? like yesss, high school girl who says things before thinking and is an asshole! Also lesbian movies where they kill men is always fun, this time it being an actual funny comedic part. The whole movie was ridiculous and I'm glad.

tags: bottoms

Also Appears In: January 2024 Movies/Shows Wrap-Up

Laws of Attraction

Country: Thailand

Release Dates: Jul 15, 2023 - Sep 2, 2023

Watch Via: paid, so :>

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Feb 3 - 6, 2024 (#28)

Rating: 6/10

Initial Impression: JamFilm new BL! Seems like it’ll have some sort of lawyer or justice type storyline, which is interesting. I’m really looking forward to it

Overall Impression: I really liked To Sir, With Love which was a lakorn and so was different than every other BL I've watched and was hoping I'd similarly love this one, which is also bringing something unique to the BL table. It started off really well for me, I thought Charn was such a fun (morally corrupt) character and was intrigued about what was going on. I liked the lesbians Maya and Rose as well ofc. However, I think toward ep 7 and 8, it kinda became very meh for me (that warehouse live stream scene not counting) because the mystery was too predictable/boring and thus had no tension, people kept making incredibly stupid decisions, and I wasn't attached to the characters enough to care/be emotional about all the wedding stuff. Nawin was a great addition in ep 7 though, so unexpected and fun. Unfortunate that the meh impression ended up being the last ones since that sticks with me more than liking it in the earlier eps.

tags: laws of attraction

Also Appears In: Laws of Attraction Live Blogging, February 2024 Movies/Shows Wrap-Up

Love Class Season 2

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Aug 11, 2023 - Sep 8, 2023

Watch Via: Viki (paid, so :>)

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Jan 26 - 27, 2024 (#26)

Rating: 6/10

Overall Impression: I liked the main couple: a younger, insistent pursuer to an older, reluctant hyung who was also his tutor when the younger was in high school. I do wish the random stalker, weird hyung wasn't haunting them for so long though because the premise of this couple is so good. I came around to the second and third couple even though if the show was longer or deeper, I might not have. I was bored by the last 2 eps though, so ehhh

tags: love class 2

Also Appears In: Love Class 2 Live Blogging, January 2024 Movies/Shows Wrap-Up

Bon Appetit

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Sep 27, 2023

Watch Via: :>

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Jan 13 - 14, 2024 (#24)

Rating: -/10

Initial Impression: Originally didn't have this on my list because it has a meh MDL rating but this tiktok of guy 1 liking girl liking guy 2 like guy 1 is fun

Overall Impression: Started watching because the guy1 likes girl likes guy2 likes guy1 tiktok was funny but not high hopes for the actual show. Skimmed through this so hard, honestly shouldn't have even watched it because it didn't seem too good from my skimming. The main two characters were cute-ish in the first half of the show and the Yoon Seobin surprise cameo for 2 minutes was fun, but meh otherwise. Skimmed even the main couple scenes in the last 2 eps because random fighting and misunderstandings. Not rating it because I skimmed through like 60% of it lmfao

Also Appears In: January 2024 Movies/Shows Wrap-Up

My Personal Weatherman

Country: Japan

Release Dates: Aug 11, 2023 - Oct 13, 2023

Watch Via: Viki (free)

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Mar 20 - 22, 2024 (#30)

Rating: 6/10 [May 12, 2024 Update: Decreased by 0.5 stars when rerating shows I've watched in 2024: 6.5 -> 6]

Overall Impression: The concept is so delicious (messy dubcon d/s overtones and stilted emotions) and the execution is mostly good but I wish it was more fleshed out (never really saw a proper resolution to Yoh being mad that Mizuki doesn't take his manga job seriously and idk if they actually fully worked out their problems in the last ep lol). It was a very fun and exciting watch.

tags: my personal weatherman

Also Appears In: My Personal Weatherman Live Blogging, March 2024 Movies/Shows Wrap-Up

Only Friends

Country: Thailand

Release Dates: Aug 12, 2023 - Oct 28, 2023

Watch Via: Youtube (free)

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: May 7 - 12, 2024 (#37)

Rating: 6/10

Initial Impression: Insanity based on the mock trailer.

Overall: I'm just glad that I binged this by watching 2-3 eps a day for a week instead of watching for 3 months to arrive at that ending. Great first half of the show IMO (~6 eps), then there's a weird narrative shift there somewhere, then the last 1/4 of the show was dragging and then the last episode was boring and upsetting. SandRay and TopMew feel weirdly happy, artificially happy while Boston is the only character who is left to rot by his friends and Nick. I didn't need a happy ending for Boston/Nick but Boston's storyline felt... cruel and since the only character who wasn't monogamous got a bad ending and had all his faults amplified (while the others just had their faults or mistakes forgiven or never even apologized for them), it felt pointed at Boston's promiscuity.

tags: only friends

Also Appears In: Only Friends Live Blogging, May 2024 Wrap-Up TODO

Kiseki: Dear to Me

Country: Thailand

Release Dates: Aug 22, 2023 - Nov 7, 2023

Watch Via: Viki (free)

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: May 14 - 17, 2024 (#38)

Rating: 6/10

Initial Impression: I've seen it mentioned sooo many times that I thought I'd give it a try.

Overall: The thing with these crime/mafia BLs is that often they literally have no plot and this show doesn't even bother establishing anything, what even is going on? something with Zhang Teng... but the gangs and the families and the crimes are all so vague and out of sight, it's mostly just about the relationships against the backdrop. However, I really enjoyed the characters and the couples, specifically Zongyi/Ruei in the first half and Ai Di/Chen Yi in the second half. The couples also have some fun tropes that I like (age gap with the younger guy being overly eager, the ChenAi dynamic esp the part where they both manhandle each other so much) and Ai Di is a menace, which is always enjoyable. Is it enough for me to overlook how the show introduces a criminal and crime-life element but does not explain or expand on it? I don't necessarily think so, and thus the meh rating, but honestly, if I'm plagued by the couples or feel the need to rewatch certain parts, I'll increase the rating.

tags: kiseki: dear to me

Also Appears In: Kiseki: Dear To Me Live Blogging, May 2024 Wrap-Up TODO

A Breeze of Love

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Nov 10, 2023

Watch Via: iQiyi (so, ;>)

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Mar 28, 2024 (#32)

Rating: 5.5/10

Overall Impression: The concept is somewhat similar to Our Dating Sim, having a friendship/situationship in middle school, one character disappearing, but then meeting again a few years later. Nothing about this was egregious of anything but it just felt like Dongwook had treated Dohyun terribly and was also being way too presumptuous in the current timeline, so it didn't fully work for me. I just wanted Dohyun to beat Dongwook up lol

Also Appears In: A Breeze of Love Live Blogging, March 2024 Movies/Shows Wrap-Up

Ranking of Watched: 27

My School President = Bottoms

Moonlight Chicken = Utsukushii Kare S2 = The Warp Effect

Never Let Me Go = A Shoulder To Cry On = The Eighth Sense = Stay With Me = Our Dating Sim

Our Skyy 2 = Love Tractor = Bed Friend = Love Class 2 = Laws of Attraction = My Personal Weatherman = Utsukushii Kare: Eternal = Only Friends = Kiseki: Dear To Me

The Director Who Buys Me Dinner = Candy Color Paradox = Be My Favorite = Destiny Seeker = A Breeze of Love

Sing My Crush

Dropped: The New Employee

Skimmed: Bon Appetit

Watched in 2023: 15 (until #22)

Watched in 2024: 12

To Watch:

I Will Knock You (Thai - Feb 3): this hasn’t started airing yet but I watched the trailer (lol even I do that sometimes) bc I caught a glimpse of it on twitter and honestly it seems good and fun! i like it when the seme/pursuer is younger and also like when one or both of the characters is just rancid and i think it could be interesting and engaging to watch the troublemaker grow and change. also the cinematography or something just looks appealing

Rookie (Php - Aug 4): GL, a Phillipino lesbian movie, saw this tiktok and wanted to give it a try

A Breeze of Love (Kor - Nov 10)

Lucky My Love (Thai - Nov 25): GL, wanna watch it cuz it's a GL but unfortunately people don't seem too keen on it :/ oh well, I'll keep it on hand for when I'm craving a GL

Releasing

These are shows that are currently releasing in 2023 that I’m interested in - ordered by their end date. Tracking both currently watching and to be watched

Currently Watching

None

To Watch

Pit Babe, Last Twilight, The Sign, Dead Friend Forever but these are all ending in 2024

To Be Released

These are shows that have are planned for a 2023 release, may or may not have release dates (and some might get moved to 2024 lol)

From 2022 - these are rolled over from plans of being released in 2022

MeMindY: Just Say Yes, Past Love In The Future - Cautiously curious about these and I hope these are still happening since it’s rolled forward from 2022. I wanna check them out because they’re from Don’t Say No characters but also I’ll probably check out most MMY shows just to see where I land

Planned for 2023 - these were announced with the plans for 2023 release

2023 GMMTV Shows: Only Friends, Our Skyy 2, 23.5 (GL) are my 3 most anticipated. Will likely watch Last Twilight, the other BLs don’t seem that great. Also, TODO: Go through #gmmtv 2023 and tag the shows properly

BOC: ummm idk I might check out Man Suang (the MileApo movie) and 4 minutes (the BibleBuild show written by Sammon) but I also wanna avoid the KP fandom so bad

kBLs: Gonna keep an eye on all the kBLs, though might not watch a few

GLs: seems like Thai GLs and kGL webseries are starting to be released more, will keep an eye on them (ex. Be My Baby, Reverse 4 You, etc)

Wish You Luck: Sci-fi, post-apocalyptic show :00 seems cool, also has Tonnam who I’ve only seen in comedic roles so far

The Sign: or something like that, it’s not on MDL yet but it’s Idol Factory’s newest BL announcement - it’ll involve the characters in some sort of investigation unit. I like this trend of BLs in crime/justic/thriller type of stories but idk if they’ll actually deliver.

Flirt Milk the series: I don’t have much faith or curiosity about Starhunter shows but I think the “we both change ourselves to fit the other” thing is funny

Het/non-QL shows

There aren’t as many of these I’m interested in, comparatively, so I didn’t have this section last year but might as well try it this year.

Released

Midnight Motel

Country: Thailand

Release Dates: Dec 28, 2022 - Jan 12, 2023

Watch Via: Youtube (free)

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Jan 11 - 14, 2023 (#2)

Rating: 6.5/10

Initial Impression: I’ve been anticipating this since early 2022, especially because I like both Jan and Off individually as actors. Now to see them as a pair! And it seems like a cool concept from the mock trailer. Thank goodness it’s being released on Youtube at the same time as Disney+Hotstar.

Overall Impression: The acting was great, the script was comprehensible and well-paced, the production is good, featured sex work without villainizing the workers or the work itself. I loved Mote’s little fantasies of possible scenarios or of imagining an interaction in a different way (the card game with June, convo with dead Pat). I’m impressed by the creative team behind it. I won’t think about this much after today I don’t think but I liked this little show.

tags: midnight motel

Also Appears In: Midnight Motel Live Blogging, January 2023 Wrap-Up

Island Part 1

Country: South Korean

Release Dates: Dec 30, 2022 - Jan 13, 2023

Watch Via: Amazon Prime :>

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Mar 14 - 15, 2023 (#6)

Rating: 6/10

Initial Impression: I’ve started getting into thriller/horror kdramas, think I’m gonna start watching Fantasy ones as well and starting with this because of Cha Eunwoo my beloved. || It’s finished and I know a biiig S2 ending spoiler and the reviews are meh but people loved CEW here, so I’ll watch it still probably

Overall Impression: The main female lead was whatever, wish she was just good at something. Whether it be fighting demons, fighting back via kindness and empathy, or actual power due to her status/wealth/connections. She's not the worst ever because she can still stand up for herself and she has personality but I mourn that they've written her like this. Van is just fucking boring and I don't care. My beloved Johan <3333 I liked his charming, cocky, beautiful character who was so intrigued by everything going on as if he really was 20 and curious about everything but also I liked his apprehension when it came down to it. The storyline with his brother was so T.T Also curious to see the evil brother half-demon Guntan and his sidekick niece Yeom-ji. They're both pretty cool compared to our 2 main characters. I wish the show flowed better in terms of the sequence of scenes and pacing and the main characters were more intriguing.

tags: island

Also Appears In: Island Part 1 Live Blogging, March 2023 Wrap-Up

Island Part 2

Country: South Korean

Release Dates: Dec 30, 2022 - Jan 13, 2023

Watch Via: Amazon Prime :>

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Mar 16 - 17, 2023 (#7)

Rating: 5.5/10

Overall Impression: Literally how was it worse than part 1? Especially when we focused more on Guntan and Yeom-ji than fuckass Miho and Van? Maybe because of less focus on Johan (I wanna know his backstoryyyyyy) and also just incomprehensible writing/plot direction. Yeomji and Johan my beloveds + Guntan being cool were the highlights. Hated the dumbass cliffhanger ending. such a forgettable show.

tags: island (Search s2)

Also Appears In: Island Part 2 Live Blogging, March 2023 Wrap-Up

Dirty Laundry

Country: Thailand

Release Dates: Jan 18, 2023 - Feb 2, 2023

Watch Via: GMMTV YT (free)

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Apr 25 - 28, 2023 (#11)

Rating: 6/10

Initial Impression: seems hilarious and people seemed to like it.

Overall Impression: Personally worth watching just to see the plethora of the gendered terms used with Night in drag/pretending to be kathoey (esp with Momey). Also liked the ending with “but who’s gonna direct?” [look into the camera] [screen with Directed by Jojo’s name] This was really fun and kept my attention well. I’ve seen people say that the humour didn’t work for them but it did for me. Also fun to see actors like Nanon, Film, Pond in these roles.

tags: dirty laundry

Also Appears In: April 2023 Wrap-Up

Midnight Museum

Country: Thailand

Release Dates: Mar 6, 2023 - Apr 4, 2023

Watch Via: GMMTV YT (free)

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Apr 5 - 7, 2023 (#10)

Rating: 5.5/10

Initial Impression: not super sure on the concept because I didn’t watch the mock trailer but cool actors, cool vibes; hope it has strong script and production. || 2 eps are out and people have been really enjoying it, so I’m even more curious.

Overall Impression: I liked the first half with the artifacts and side stories more than the second half where they tried to do too much for a short runtime, not too much budget, and mediocre writing skills. I couldn't make myself care about Khatha or Dome and also it was funny how they kept emphasizing phi-nong with words but so romantic in action. I wish the fantasy and magic and parallel universes and time travel and cult and God and whatever else made more sense together.

tags: midnight museum

Also Appears In: Midnight Museum Live Blogging, April 2023 Wrap-Up

The Good Bad Mother

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Apr 26, 2023 - Jun 8, 2023

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Via: iQiyi (so, ;>)

Watch Dates: Apr 1 - 3, 2024 (#33)

Rating: 7/10

Overall Impression: Lee Dohyun <3 My reason for watching but the show is bigger than just him. It was so addictive and entertaining, watched the whole show in like 2 days and 2 hours. Impressed by the acting of Lee Dohyun and the mother and Mijoo's actors. The show was mostly about the mother and son relationship, with the revenge plot + the Mijoo/Kangho romance arcs in the background. I deeply wish that Kangho hadn't apparently forever loved and understood his mother and did everything for her and sang her favourite song while studying for the Bar or whatever. He went low-contact with her in Seoul even before he discovered the stuff that made him break up with Mijoo, so I think the reasons behind that and the hurt and betrayal that caused him to take such an action should have been focused on more. We got fleeting moments of him being angry or her saying she's bad but it was all explained away or he understood or whatever. Anyway, idk, I think if that relationship was more clear + the ending of the revenge arc was more solid, I would've rated it higher because I did enjoy this but some things bothered me significantly.

Also Appears In: The Good Bad Mother Live Blogging, April 2024 Wrap-Up

Bloodhounds

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Jun 9, 2023

Watch Via: Netflix, so :>

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: June 10 (#15)

Rating: 6.5/10

Overall Impression: Good enough, especially the heart of episode 6 but not something I'll be thinking about at all. The characters didn't resonate a whole lot, this focused a lot on just fighting scenes (more than like strategizing, being clever, etc, which is usually what I'm a fan of), the defeat of the villains wasn't really satisfying at all - especially with how cruel episode 6 went down. Also, I don’t ship Geonwoo and Woojin, sadly.

tags: bloodhounds

Live Blogging: Bloodhounds Live Blogging, June 2023 Wrap-Up

When I Fly Towards You

Country: China

Release Dates: Jun 13, 2023 - Jun 29, 2023

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Via: Youtube

Watch Dates: Mar 13 - 19, 2024 (#29)

Rating: 6.5/10 [May 12, 2024 Update: Decreased by 0.5 stars when rerating shows I've watched in 2024: 7 -> 6.5]

Initial Impression: Saw this Tiktok edit while going through an account for TeeWhite (DFF) edits and the most popular Tiktok of this show made me wanna watch + this one like omg idk why I’m so excited to see him get jealous/grovel I don’t know this man. It also has a really high rating like 9/10 on MDL. Okay wait I saw this (pretend crush) on a reel before, I didn’t know this was from the same drama, no wonder the name seemed familiar.

Overall Impression: This was so cute, I liked the characters and their characterizations, the friend group, and their romance. I liked how they were mutually helping each other achieve their goals and paths in life. It was just cute. They had a 1 year long-distance thing in the middle where they were obviously sad but they got through it. I like that they trusted each other and liked each other and were nice to each other. Love that so much of this was them while in a relationship! Their high school undefined situation, then relationship while in uni and jobs and getting married. I love an established relationship situation and this delivered. They got through situations together, no unnecessary breakup or miscommunication. It's just good and cute and endearing.

tags: when i fly towards you

Also Appears In: When I Fly Towards You Live Blogging, March 2024 Movies/Shows Wrap-Up

Enigma

Country: Thailand

Release Dates: Aug 4 - 5, 2023

Watch Via: GMMTV Youtube

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Aug 7 - 8, 2023 (#18)

Rating: 6.5/10

Initial Impression: school themed horror? Could be cool and interesting if they have a good script and good production and one of the only non-queer GMMTV 2023 shows I’m looking forward to

Overall Impression: I wish the wrap-up/ending was done better/explained a bit more like what was that Ajin possession thing? No Ajin past? Why did we redeem mother so easily? Who was the blurry girl in ep 1 (maybe Yiwha?)? I wish the horror aspect continued on cuz I think it was strongest in the first episode but not much after that. It's had me hetshipping and lesbian shipping (Fa/Namsine were literally soooo) and that's a good mark. Good after credits scene to pique interest for a larger story, hope we get a good follow up next year.

tags: enigma

Live Blogging: Enigma Live Blogging, July - November 2023 Wrap-Up

Twinkling Watermelon

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Sep 25, 2023 - Nov 14, 2023

Watch Via: Viki (paid, so :>)

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Jan 19 - 22, 2024 (#25)

Rating: 7.5/10

Initial Impression: same reason as My Perfect Stranger (Saw this Tiktok (Twinkling Watermelon x My Perfect Stranger) and ended up watching a few more and idk, it reminds me of 18 Again somehow with like younger version and family stuff), it's also in the same tiktok, and it seemed to be very popular among the kdramas this year

Overall Impression: I'm fucking obsessed with this sort of concept: Parent and child being the same teenage age through some magical concept. It's got a good storyline, hilarious yet touching. I was afraid that they'd make Yi Chan's hearing come back but I'm glad it didn't; it's just something that has to happen to him for no reason the way these things just happen sometimes. The characters were well-crafted and the acting was great. Kinda slow paced, there were certain episodes where I was like nothing really happened, but I guess that's the point of the slice of life aspect in some cases; just watching the characters exist alone and together.I was into the ChCh romance from the get-go and thought they were sooo cute whereas EunEun were a more fun menace pair who I just liked to watch fighting before it gradually became a couple I shipped Very Much. Also, a shoutout to my Se Kyeong (OG, not Eun Yoo) and Chung Ah ship, I can't believe Se Kyeong's first love was her husband instead of Chung Ah. A well-crafted show, good acting, hit some feels and I expect some attachment to it (I'm rewatching and skimming certain parts as I write lol).

tags: twinkling watermelon

Also Appears In: Twinkling Watermelon Live Blogging, January 2024 Movies/Shows Wrap-Up

Death's Game Part 1

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Dec 15, 2023

Watch Via: paid, so :>

Status: ✅ Watched

Watch Dates: Jan 29, 2024 (#27)

Rating: 7/10

Initial Impression: Hadn't heard much about it until I saw Pocha Playlist podcast covering it but I didn't listen to that episode. Then I find out that Lee Dohyun plays a (reincarnation) character in it and now I'm like hmm maybe + the rating and reception seems really good on MDL.

Overall Impression: Weird to rate just this half-show 4 episodes but really good and interesting, I'm enjoying it a lot. My favourite eps are eps 2 and 4, they balanced a good amount of heart with excitement (for ep 2) and plot progression/answers (ep 4 + ofc Lee Dohyun my initial reason for checking out the show). The 18 Again characters/actors are haunting me with this fr.

tags: death's game

Also Appears In: Death's Game Live Blogging, January 2024 Movies/Shows Wrap-Up

To Watch:

Oh No! Here Comes Trouble (2023, TWN) - wanted something thriller that had a bromance/BL but romance wasn’t at the forefront and was recced this

My Perfect Stranger (2023, Kor) - Saw this Tiktok (Twinkling Watermelon x My Perfect Stranger) and ended up watching a few more and idk, it reminds me of 18 Again somehow with like younger version and family stuff

Ranking of Watched: 11

Twinkling Watermelon

Death’s Game Part 1 = The Good Bad Mother

Midnight Motel = Bloodhounds = Enigma = When I Fly Towards You

Island Part 1 = Dirty Laundry

Island Part 2 = Midnight Museum

Watched in 2023: 7

Watched in 2024: 4

Releasing

To Be Released

2023 GMMTV Shows:

Kdramas mentioned in Certified Noonas 2023 Releases: Murder DIEary (the synopsis is cool and the director is the same as Strangers From Hell but I’m looking at the MDL again and 2024? D: why so far but someone on comments has also been saying that the filming ended recently - Mar 25 - and it can still come out this year)

Lost Interest

Till the World Ends (Thai - Jan 7)

Initial Impression: it’s an end of the world BL and people who watched it enjoyed it, so I’ll try to give it a watch

Removal Date: Feb 01, 2023

Lost Interest: I’ve started watching non-BL/non-webseries kdramas, so I think I’d just rather watch the kdramas with cool concepts and higher quality than meh quality BLs even if it has a unique plot for a BL

609 Bedtime Story (Thai - Feb 3)

Initial Impression: OhmFluke directed by P’Golf (director of The Eclipse) and it’s parallel universes, sci-fi and has 2 endings, seems cool!

Removal Date: Feb 03, 2023

Moments of Love (Thai - Feb 14)

Initial Impression: I don’t actually know what this is about but I saw a gif of SmartJames shotgunning and yeah, I’ll probably watch it. + it’s a movie with Fort, SmartJames, directed by P’Golf, so not much of a time sink and I’ll get to see some people I’ve watched before

Removal Date: Mar 19, 2023

I forgot this even existed tbh but I was adding Laws of Attraction and The Sign to my anticipated list and was like oh? anyway, the movie has a low rating on MDL and apparently all the couples end sadly. After LeonPob, don’t want another SmartJames sad ending tbh even though the shotgunning was hot

Joseon Attorney: A Morality

Initial Impression: was mentioned in Certified Noonas 2023 Releases and it seemed interesting

Removal Date: May 20, 2023 - the day finale aired

Lost Interest: seems like everybody is disappointed by the ending and said the middle/end is bad so rip

Show Me Love

Initial Impression: Another GL! This time it’s characters who are in the beauty pageant industry played by beauty pageant contestants.

Removal date: June 6, 2023

Lost Interest: heard that it’s not really good or interesting/well-crafted + it’s behind a paywall. good longer GLs whennn

GAP (Thai - Feb 18)

Initial Impression: GL, the gifs of them from Secret Crush on You is <3, i’m shallow and they’re pretty, (one-sided?) enemies to lover? i don’t know but i’m hyped for it, one of my most anticipated

Removal Date: June 2023

Lost Interest: man I was really looking forward to this but ik people say it’s overdramatic and messy by the end and I don’t feel like it

Home School

Initial Impression: first in 2022 and Finally, I think this is the last of the GMMTV 2022 batch and I hope it’s really great. Releasing twice a week, so I also won’t have to wait 3 months to watch it

Removal Date: Aug 5, 2023

Lost Interest: I’ve heard it’s bad lol rip

Middle Man’s Love

Initial Impression: Domundi: Middleman’s Love (TutorYim~ excited). The 2023 showcase happened and the premises for some of these are really good (ZeeNuNew’s prince/bodyguard drama, MaxNat parallel worlds(?), NetJames historical and time travel(?), so I hope the execution is good as well. Haven’t watched mock teasers except for Bed Friend and the ZeeNuNew one, wonder when these will acc come out. Gonna watched teasers (+ showcase in general) after the shows actually come out

Removal Date: Jan 4, 2024

Lost Interest: everybody says it was bad, which is tragic. Still willing to try out ZeeNunew The Next Prince if it turns out well

Shadow

Initial Impression: has a stacked cast and may or may not be BL (but I think it’s been mentioned that it has queer characters for sure)

Removal Date: Jan 4, 2024

Lost Interest: I heard the first half was really good, not sure about the second half but apparently it’s not BL. maybe i’ll add it back if someone says it’s way too good to pass up

#tracking #general bl #to watch

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absolutebl · 2 years

Note

Hi!

Unlike 2020 or even 2021,...why does it feel like the BL audience are not really that excited for BL drama series from GMMTV this year?

Correct me if I'm wrong,....

1. "Not Me" is technically not a 2022 BL series,...but apparently it's the only BL from GMMTV after "Bad Buddy" that went on create history by being a trending topic on Twitter until it's last episode this year.

2. "Enchante" happened at a time when a lot of other BL series are aired at the same time. In fact,...given the hype of the South Korean BLs the focus of the audience has shifted more there,...so I did not see that kind of craze for "Enchante".

3. GMMTV fucked up big time by airing "Cupid' Last Wish" in another OTT platform, before broadcasting it again on GMMTV. And now,...most of the audience have lost interest, barring a few.

4. I'm not sure how many are excited for "Star and Sky". Honestly,..I'm not a fan of Joong, so I'm going to give "Star and Sky: Star in My Mind" a skip. But,..I'm more than excited to see Mek Jirakit & Mark Jiruntanin, so,...I'm certainly looking forward to "Star and Sky: Sky in Your Heart". But this is my personal opinion. I'm not sure how far the BL audience are gung-ho about this.

5. "The Eclipse" starring Khaotung and First definitely will be a success,...if not for the story, then surely for the lead pair because they are terrific as actors with amazing on-screen presence.

6. "Never Let Me Go" stars the same couple from FUTS,...with a mafia style story. But I'm not sure how much of a success it will be.

7. "Moonlight Chicken" seems to be a BL drama that many are excited for given the smoking-hot scenes it has between Earth & Mixx. And given the fan-following the lead couple has,...I believe it will garner good views on YouTube.

8. Last but not least,...launching Mike & Krist as a BL couple is perhaps the biggest stupidity done by GMMTV, I think. So,...I'm not sure what kind of response "You are my Favourite" is going to receive. (*Facepalm*)

***

"Cutie Pie" from Mandee seems to have garnered record-breaking views on YouTube. And now with "KinnPorsche" happening on iQIYI,...audience don't seem to mind shelling out a few extra bucks if the content given is of great quality.

And since this year,...many amazing BL series are being launched on other OTT platforms,...I'm not sure how far GMMTV will be able to retain it's numero-uno position as the best source for BL in 2022.

So,...my question to you is,...

1. Do you think GMMTV will start to face tough competition from independent BL filmmakers launching the BL series on paid OTT platforms?

2. How far do you think GMMTV will have the advantage of offering few content on YouTube, over top-quality content given by others despite it being paid?

xoxo

Arjuna

Ooof, this is a doozie. You always ask the tough ones, Arjuna.

Don't get me wrong, I like it, makes me think.

Lets see...

I'm might challenge some of your premises a little to sort my thoughts out. But I’m diving in, here we go...

Unlike 2020 or even 2021

Why does it feel like the BL audience are not really that excited for BL drama series from GMMTV this year?

There is a TON of competition. In marketing this is The Paradox of Choice. We have finally reached a supersaturation choice. More to the point GMMTV in particular cornered the market on high production. However Mandee and Wabi Sabi have been nipping at their heels, and more importantly...

KOREAN BL

KBL’s have finally come up to the plate: dressed beautifully, fully trained, and with a high batting average. Aside from length, they are actually GMMTV’s biggest eyeball competition in every other category: production value, quality, rapidity, story adaptation and more.

BUT REMEMBER:

the most common reaction to Paradox of Choice is either paralysis (no choice) or to STICK with the familiar (brand recognition). And this works in GMMTV’s favor.

I think Not Me is an aberrant. I’m not sure how successful it was in Thailand. The politics and scandal of it was a huge assist to publicity. (Sorry there’s not other way of putting this. You know what they say about publicity, it’s still true.) Twitter topic trending numbers are IP by country (not global). But I loathe Twitter so I only work with it at client insistence. It’s been a while.

It also wasn’t very good. That actually does matter. I draw your attention to GMMTV flops of the past like My Gear and Your Gown. But yeah, there’s a lot of competition right now, more than ever before.

3. GMMTV fucked up big time by airing "Cupid' Last Wish" in another OTT platform, before broadcasting it again on GMMTV. And now,...most of the audience have lost interest, barring a few.

I don’t know their numbers so I wouldn’t make that call. They might have a gotten a sweet deal in terms of $$$ for that early distribution exclusive. And or a lot of new eyeballs (and YT subs) by airing it that way. Not sure what their strategy was with that. But I wouldn’t rule out intentional fan enthusiasm sacrifice in order to gain traction in some other arena. After all EarthMix have another BL coming. I actually wouldn’t be surprised to see GMMTV try to monetize early access (paid VIP subs) on their YouTube channel. That’s what I would do.

Also, remember Enchante was meant to air last year, they are probubly scrabbling for spots in the line up and shuffling things around. Also, they are producing MORE BL this year than they ever have before. Not less. So they are also causing Paradox of Choice for their own viewership.

I’m excited, but not as much as I could be.

5. "The Eclipse" starring Khaotung and First definitely will be a success,...if not for the story, then surely for the lead pair because they are terrific as actors with amazing on-screen presence.

Also GMMTV has already done really well with this kind of story (Blacklist, Gifted) so combine it with BL is very smart strategy. I am actually not sure how well it will play to the Western audience, but I think it will do VERY well in the broader Asian market. And it should do well outside of that. This one will depend on story, we know acting and chemistry will be on point.

But never forget the lesson we all learned with Tonhon Chonlatee...

6. "Never Let Me Go" stars the same couple from FUTS,...with a mafia style story. But I'm not sure how much of a success it will be.

I think this is a good call. I’m not much fussed about the couple but the content is solid.

If KinnPorsche is a success then they can ride that wave. Fans lack imagination, they will absolutely want more of the same. If KinnPorsche flops or loses its way, they can capitalize on th disappointment (doing it “better.”) I don’t see fan fatigue around the bodyguard or mafia trope.

Well people are loving the kiss chemistry in Cupid so this was a good call from GMMTV. There will be backlash if it ends sad, but GMMTV might still do that. They do like dark and messy sometimes. They like to do at least one racy piece a year, I’m thinking about Friend Zone, but it does impact some of their distribution and air time numbers in country. I think we can assume this one is targeting the interfans. (Of which EarthMix has A LOT.)

Yeah I don’t know about this one. It think it’s more Thailand targeted. They don’t seem to carry the same Krist baggage. I’m gonna watch it. It looks kind of kdrama esk in it’s story and approach. I’l like to see Thailand tackle this kind of content.

Did you skip Vice Versa intentionally?

Because I think that’s the most likely to be their big runaway hit this year. Jimmy is insanely charismatic and already very popular from just a few bit parts, that’s speaking to something deep in fandom. If GMMTV gets the story and chemistry even slightly right... this will actually be their most cost efficient revenue generator.

So,...my question to you is,...

1. Do you think GMMTV will start to face tough competition from independent BL filmmakers launching the BL series on paid OTT platforms?

Yes. but not as much competition as they might given...

2. How far do you think GMMTV will have the advantage of offering free content on YouTube, over top-quality content given by others despite it being paid?

Their YouTube forward free content for paid ads model is still superior by any metric. And they are holding that line hard core. (Mandee has sold over Cutie Pie to Viki, so it will may be taken down after it complete’s its YT run.) I think they have a HUGE advantage with this strategy and domination of this platform. I don’t think any pair exclusive first deals they cut (like the did with Cupid) are going to cut into their bottom line.

Never discount that GMMTV was doing/targeting the

most,

best,

first.

It’s why Netflix is still king of streaming wars ‘round these parts. Those three count for a whole lot so long as they can continue to produce a few hits, and Bad Buddy & Not Me were both big recent hits.

GMMTV only has to worry about attrition and continued growth. Attrition with a subscription model is less concerning: Once you have the subs people are a lot less likely to unsub. To a certain extent, GMMTV can rest on their laurels. (Most producers have to worry about growth first, then everything else. It’s a luxury to have a large dependable back catalogue.) GMMTV has the name recognition and the content. Their new content therefor is designed to 1. hack the algos, 2. gain what new audience they can, and 3. satisfy existing subscribers.

Remember every time GMMTV gets new fans there’s a whole lot of content for them to find and work their way through and more ad revenue for GMMTV to garner on existing back catalogue as a result. 2gether is still holding strong as one of the most popular BL series ever. Millions of view. This is the “comet” long tail marketing model. And it’s a smart one. capitalize on the content you’ve already created.

As a result, GMMTV doesn’t have to be consistently the best, they only have to be occasionally the best - so long as their first goal is accessibility and ad revenue.

#gmmtv #thai bl #korean bl #the bl wars #new bl #upcoming bl #bl industry #industry speculation.

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