Korean BLs are slowly evolving into a substantial industry with their well-written scripts and phenomenal casting. Coupled with a massive fan following, they are becoming as popular as their Thai counterparts. In today’s feature, our authors will be sharing their favorite choices- the ones that touched their hearts!

Drama_Llama’s Favorites

To My Star 2- Starring Son Woo Hyun and Kim Kang Min

Where to watch: Viki/Gagaoolala

While the first season of To My Star caught viewer’s attention, the second season owned the soul. A romance between two people with very opposite personalities and very different traumas isn’t easy to maintain. Falling in love is easier than keeping love alive, especially when generational trauma and personal insecurities are involved. To My Star 2 is a perfect example of that love, especially between two people who don’t necessarily match. It takes a lot of nurturing, time, compromise, and attention. And To My Star 2 encompasses this beautifully.

Semantic Error -Starring Park Seo Ham and Park Jae Chan

Where to Watch: Viki

The Korean BL Semantic Error is an enemies-to-lovers youth drama. Following a neurodivergent lead, Sang Woo, it tells the story of a college student with OCD tendencies who falls in love with his rival, the free-spirited Jae Young. Semantic Error is as much about breaking down walls and finding safety in another person as it is a youth drama. The highly organized Sang Woo not only allows Jae Young into his disciplined life but also begins to rearrange it around Jae Young’s existence. That’s a beautifully intimate thing to watch on screen.

Once Again -Starring Lee Hyun Jun and Moon Ji Yong

Where to Watch – Viki/Gagaoolala

https://www.instagram.com/p/ChZP47nP1-j/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Entirely too short but beautifully filmed, the Korean BL Once Again takes viewers into a traumatic time loop that links the past and present of two men connected by death and tragedy. While it effectively alternates points of view, the true power of this series is in its raw leap into one man’s need to save the man who once saved him. It tackles survivor’s guilt and post-traumatic stress in a realistic soul-stirring way that stuck with me long after the show ended.

Blueming- Starring Jo Hyuk Joon and Kang Eun Bin

Where to watch: iQiyi

The Korean BL Blueming felt personal to me. Shot in an indie style that I found easy to connect with, Blueming tells the story of two boys caught up in appearances, the reality of who they are hidden by the popular public personas they’ve cultivated. Cha Si Won’s distorted view of himself and the eating disorder he fights spoke to my history of battling anorexia and bulimia. It spoke to the part of me that dealt with a broken family and the control issues I developed from it. Like Cha Si Won, my body was the one thing I could control, becoming an obsession. So, while the romance between Cha Si Won and Hyeong Da Un is beautiful, the personal struggles they overcame resonated the most with me.

MychelleLove’s Favorites

The New Employee

This series was cute and very refreshing. In seven short episodes, we watch Kwon Hyuk, who plays the very stoic and seemingly untouchable boss Kim Jong Chan and Moon Ji Yong, who plays the sweet Woo Seung Hyun become a couple. This series was a breath of fresh air as it was without the “Cursed Episode-11″ vibe. A very simple man meets another man. They fall in love and all the funny, heartwarming situations happen along the way, with friends and co-workers supporting them wholeheartedly. Once they overcame all the obstacles they faced, they were the most adorable couple. Seung Hyun was very sweet, shy, and innocent to an extent, and Kim Jong is the polar opposite of his boss/boyfriend. An absolute must-watch for 2022.

Oh, My Assistant

Another sweet and heartwarming series. Song Seung Hyun plays the adorably funny Seon Ho and Ko Chan Bin plays the reserved yet very determined Gu Mu Yeong. Seon Ho draws adult webtoons and is in need of an assistant; the very cute Gu Mu Yeong applies for the job and as a result, chaos ensues. Unbeknownst to Seon Ho, Gu Mu Yeong is his number one fan and is over the moon to be working with his idol. Gu Mu Yeong is not in dire need of money, as he is quite rich. He just wants to work with his idol. The pair is adorable together, and I enjoyed watching these two fall in love and become a couple. Seon Ho is very confused about what he is feeling as he has never liked men, but he feels an undeniable attraction to Gu Mu Yeong. You can see Seon Ho struggle with his feelings. After some misunderstandings and Seon Ho’s inner turmoil, wonderful things happen. I’m hoping we get a Season 2 of “Oh, My Assistant”.

We will be back next week with the second edition of this feature. So till then, keep watching this space as we bring you more updates from the Asian BL World!