Boys’ Love dramas these days spell romance in variant ways. Gone are the days when BL dramas were all about sex, sensuality or sheer high school/university love stories. As the genre evolves, so is the storytelling; and likewise popular BL pairings are also evolving. The comfort they share reflects their great chemistry onscreen and this year’s winners have strongly imprinted this viewpoint in our minds. We are definitely pleased and honored to announce the “Top Ten BL Couples” in 2023!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote. Check out the results below.

10) Hagiwara Riku & Yagi Yusei, My Beautiful Man 2

When they first started their journey in 2021, Hagiwara Riku & Yagi Yusei were settling into their roles. Despite the difficult caricatures that they portrayed, Riku & Yusei boasted a chemistry that was undeniably resilient. Returning to the same roles in 2023, Rigu & Yusei join Hira & Kiyoi as they pursue their relationship earnestly; leading to a heartwarming conclusion in “My Beautiful Man: Eternal”. The rapport shared by these two stars has been consistent throughout the years. The romance was spellbinding and we were left enthralled.

9) Lee Seung Gyu & Lee Jong Hyuk, Our Dating Sim

Lee Seung Gyu & Lee Jong Hyuk set our screens on fire with their amazing chemistry in “Our Dating Sim”. “Friends to Lovers” is a repetitive trope and yet the show became popular because of the sublime chemistry between the lead pair. They bought so much yearning and warmth to their characters, then we rejoiced when Lee Wan and Shin Gi Tae reconciled. One of the most memorable pairings in 2023!

8) Earth Pirapat & Mix Sahaphap, Moonlight Chicken

Earth & Mix are a common name, when it comes to the BL hierarchy. They have been since the pairing debuted in “A Tale of Thousand Stars”. They have further cemented their ranking with “Moonlight Chicken”. While the nuanced storytelling was definitely one of the highlights of this show, Earth & Mix’s natural chemistry was the unique selling point. Our lively pair have the ability to portray romance without overt gestures or sensual scenes. Totally redefining love in their own way!

7) Nishijima Hidetoshi & Uchino Seiyou, What Did You Eat Yesterday? 2

Our yesteryear’s gourmet pair return with new recipes and an even better chemistry. Nishijima Hidetoshi & Uchino Seiyou’s “What Did You Eat Yesterday?” is a adaptation spanning over five years. The prequel introduced us to the middle-aged couple, Shiro & Kenji. Over the past five years, we have witnessed their growth as Shiro went from being a closeted individual to someone who wear his heart on the sleeve. The movie version and the sequel have further anchored this beautiful relationship, and we love them even more!

6) Boun Noppanut & Prem Warut, Between Us

Based on the novel “Hemp Rope”, “Between Us” delivers the complicated love story between two characters who are faced with complex emotions. Team suffers from post-traumatic stress because of a childhood accident, while Win is a lonely soul looking for companionship. A soothing romance that bought them together and led to healing on both sides. Boun & Prem have been together since their “Until We Meet Again” days and the comfort they share shows in their acting.

5) Nonkul Chanon & Bright Rapheephong, I Feel You Linger in the Air

One of the most popular dramas in 2023, “I Feel You Linger in the Air” has been consistently winning accolades and awards. While it can be attributed to the solid storytelling, the winning streak can be attributed to the effervescent chemistry between main leads, Nonkul and Bright; who lend their bodies and souls to the characters; transforming IFYLIA into a timeless saga. Very few pairings have the chemistry that they dared to portray, mindblowing indeed!

4) Higuchi Kouhei & Mashiko Atsuki, My Personal Weatherman

A mature romance with a stellar casting, “My Personal Weatherman” renders its voice to the complicated relationship between an arrogant weatherman and his increasingly confused roommate/sex buddy. The characterization was unique because we were opening talking about characters drenched in sensuality; the only means for them to explore their misguided relationship is through sex. The show struck gold because main leads, Higuchi Kouhei & Mashiko Atsuki had an uncanny chemistry that spoke volumes about the sexual tension between their characters. Truly unbelievable!

3) Xu Bin & Zhang Jiong Min, Stay With Me

When “Addicted Heroin” dropped its episodes in 2015, the show was an instant hit. Unfortunately, it’s popularity bought it under the scanner, and we never got a chance to bid farewell to this romance. Sinking it’s tooth into the popularity generated by this classic, “Stay With Me” drove the narrative by imploring a subtle bromance between main leads, Xu Bin & Zhang Jiong Min. The pairing clicked and as such, the bromance was quickly catapulted to the status of a full fledged romance. The lead couple totally ignited the flames and their chemistry was lit!

2) Lim Ji Sub & Oh Jun Taek, The Eighth Sense

Falling in love can be cathartic too, especially when it is tied to a traumatic experience. Starring Lim Ji Sub and Oh Jun Taek, “The Eighth Sense” depicts an unexpected romance between a senior and his new, countryside junior. The lead pair embodied the difficult nuances of their characters while delivering a believable romance that was both soothing & healing.

1) First Kanaphan & Khaotung Thanawat, Only Friends

Elevating from the lower berth to the top, First & Khao have rewritten history. Raising from the tenth position in last year’s poll to reaching the top this year, First & Khao have shown a stellar growth in their acting prowess and their chemistry just keeps getting better. Against all odds, they delivered a solemn performance as Sand & Ray in the sleeper hit, “Only Friends”. Their chemistry was topnotch and they totally deserve this crown!

Keep watching this space for the next announcement!