The Asian BL industry is going through a revolution, where new shows are being incessantly churned, launched and marketed as an inevitable brand.

The number of BL shows currently under production are staggering and exceeding the expectations of the global audiences. With widespread popularity gained by tactile marketing and support provided by local streaming portals, the BL entertainment world is now within the reach of every consumer who is equipped with an internet connection and the requisite apps. The BL Xpress is here with the latest updates related to the most anticipated BL dramas in the first quarter of 2021!

KOREAN BL

Nobleman Ryu’s Wedding

Idol Romance (producers of the recently on-air musical romance “Wish You”) are heralding a new era, by adding a touch of historical flair to BL romance. Although the genre is quite new, Korean BL are fast gaining popularity because of their intricate storylines and stellar star cast. As such, the premise of a new Korean BL drama, set during the Josean dynasty and based on cross-dressing is obviously intriguing. Starring popular actors Jang Eui Soo (Where Your Eyes Linger), Kang In Soo (Wish You) and Lee Se Jin (Mr.Heart), Nobleman Ryu’s Wedding primarily deals with conflicting feelings in an arranged marriage and the resulting conflicts arising from misunderstandings.

Synopsis-

On a warm day, Ryu Ho Seon (Kang In Soo) and the beautiful bride Choi Hwa Jin marriage ceremony is arranged. But on the first night itself, the bride seems suspicious. It’s not a woman, but a man! Choi Ki Wan (Lee Se Jin), brother of Hwa Jin who disappeared before the wedding because of her hatred for political marriages, is sitting in the room with Ho Seon instead. He tries to reverse the marriage, but his ill mother opposes it. The family secretly pursue this union and Ki Wan should never be caught by anyone! A few days later, Kim Tae Hyeong (Jang Eui Soo), a senior at Ho Seon’s school, comes to congratulate him. But he falls for Ki Wan and starts to court him, putting them in a difficult position. With the interests of the sick mother and Tae Hyeong who sends letters tirelessly, there is no time to rest. And one day, Hwa Jin reappears. How to get everything back in place? And what is this new pain in their heart?

The production house has released a short trailer for the show, which is set to premiere on April 15, 2021 at 11 am on WeTV Philippines. The miniseries will have 8 episodes and 2 episodes were be released every Thursday!

Peach of Time

Peach of Time is an upcoming Korean-Thai BL collaboration, being produced by a Korean company. Starring Thai BL “Why R U The Series” hot couple Jimmy Karn as Peach and Tommy Sittichok as Mario along with popular Korean actor Choi Jae Hyun as Yoon Oh (a ghost), the drama will have 10 episodes with 20 minute runtime. Filming started last month and the show will presumably air in Spring 2021. Choi Jae Hyun has already played an openly gay character in the drama “Sweet Munchies”.

Synopsis-

It depicts a joyful love story from beyond death. Yoon Oh is a ghost who cannot leave the humans’ realm because of his grudge. Despite that, he tries to rekindle a love story with a human. Peach goes to Korea to meet Yoon Oh and somehow loses his heart (Mario). With Yoon Oh’s help, will Mario able to redeem what he lost? Is Peach that person?

CHINESE BL

Immortality

Adapted from the novel “The Husky & His White Cat Shizun” and starring two eminent names (Arthur Chen and Leo Luo) from the Television Industry, Immortality is possibly the most expensive xianxia adaptation in the history of Chinese Bromances. While currently on-air shows “Word of Honor” and “Killer and Healer” are drawing interest from the international arena because of the combustible chemistry between their main leads, it is rumored that this show has an obvious portrayal of homo-eroticism. The main lead’s relationship has been portrayed as exactly similar to the original content and if it is true, we are obviously in for a ride! Amidst random speculations about the script, the grapevine is abuzz with the news about the possible premiere of this highly anticipated drama. The show might premiere in the first or second week of April, on various WeTV platforms.

Synopsis-

Immortality follows the ill-fated romance of Chu Wanning (Leo Luo), the number one grandmaster in the world, and his disciple Mo Ran (Arthur Chen) in a story about overcoming all odds to protect humanity. Chu Wanning is an elder with immense spiritual powers. He is an upright and noble man who bears the responsibility of defending the mortal realm. Mo Ran is one of his disciples. Mo Ran is a gifted cultivator with a good heart but due to his sufferings at a young age, he is unruly and often opposes his master Chu Wanning. An accident causes Mo Ran to remember an inexplicable memory. Mo Ran begins to secretly guard against Chu Wanning and even engages in some actions. Despite seeing a change in Mo Ran, Chu Wanning remains steadfast in leading Mo Ran to follow the right path as he continues to protect him from the shadows.

Winner is King

A month after YouKu announced the sudden premiere of currently on-air BL adaptation “Word of Honor”, the social media outlets have been in rift with possible assumptions related to the premiere of “Winner is King”. Popular author Priest’s adaptations are fast garnering attention and as such this show is listed high on BL 101. Starring popular actors Tan Jian Ci (Winter Begonia), Chen Zhe Yuan (Hello Dear Ancestors) and Song Ji Yang (The Untamed), Tencent Video have been consistently released exclusive photoshoot related to the main lead actors to build suspense.

Synopsis-

The young Chang Geng (Chen Zhe Yuan) was rescued by Shen Shi Liu (Tan Jian Ci) when he encountered wolves, and he recognized him as a foster father in return for his gratitude. During a surprise attack by a foreign race, Chang Geng was shocked to learn that he was actually the fourth prince of Da Xuan, and Shen Sixteen was Gu Yun, the commander of Xuan Tieying. Gu Yun repelled the alien and brought Chang Geng into Beijing. The new emperor Li Feng (Li Jun Chen) has ascended the throne, but he was eager to make a difference without a stable foundation. King Wei coveted the throne and created a crisis. Da Xuan is weak and while strong enemies are surround him, Gu Yun struggles to resist foreign enemies, and Chang Geng strives to eliminate the accumulated abuses. In the end, the mountains and rivers remain the same, and the world is clear.

TAIWANESE BL

Be Loved in House: I Do

Producers of popular Japanese BL “Life Love on the Line” are helming a new Taiwanese BL “Be Loved in House: I Do”. The story of a steel-like Art Director and an annoying employee is all set to premiere this summer via KKTV & VIDOL (Taiwan).

Starring popular HIStory actor Aaron Lai (HIStory: My Hero) along with Hank Wang, the storyline is based on “Enemies to Friends” trope.

●Aaron Lai will play the character of Yuzhen Jin. Jin is a successful Director who is strong headed and acts aloof but hides emotional scars. He is not allowed to date at his company, but what will happen if he falls in love?

● Hank Wang will play his love interest Shi Lei. His quick-witted and his meticulous thinking is different from his appearance. Although, he pays close attention to Yuzhen, eventually he ends up falling in love with the cold-hearted Director.

Papa and Daddy (2021)

GagaOOLala is one of the few streaming portals, continuously broadcasting quality content that showcases the vibrant LGBTQ community and focuses on their prudent issues. As such their upcoming BL drama “Papa and Daddy” which is set to premiere on Apr 23, 2021. The show highlights the various problems faced by same-sex couples who opt for surrogacy and the resulting differential treatment that the children have to face.

Synopsis-

Damian who runs a restaurant in Taipei always had a dream of “getting a family and raising children”. After two years of stable relationship with his boyfriend Jie Li, the two embarked on a surrogacy journey together and successfully gave birth to his son Kai Kai. Everything is fine, until Kai Kai enters the kindergarten and begins to face the curiosity and differences of his peers and the gossip of other parents. The two fathers are at loggerheads on how to explain to the young Kaikai what “mother” actually means.

Keep watching this space as we bring you further updates about Boys’ Love from all over the Asian Subcontinent!

(Synopsis credit to MyDramaList)