Admittedly, my second-tier favorite Asian BLs for this year (so far) is as equally eclectic as my first list was and is again not of a ‘mainstream’ conformity. It bears repeating that I am an individual who does not follow any set of established social norms in what I find to be favorites.

My criteria for what I like are simple and basic. Is the series moving me in some manner? Are the characters deep? Is it absorbing? In other words, it is more sensory in nature. I must feel something. Second, is there a sensual element to it that feels natural. Can I feel a romantic connection to it in some way? Does it have the right amount of passion, love, connection, bromance, or annexation to one another that really makes me think that there is something between two people that is real, genuine honest, sincere and/or passionate?

With the third criteria being more of a technical feature. Overall, how is the series produced? That is generally more objective in nature. Qualities such as cinematography, direction, artistry/settings, screenplay, editing, and of course translations are all paramount. A major subcritical exemplar to all of this is how the physical connection of love, such as kissing and/or intimate scenes, are filmed. Are they using camera trickery, props to hide or guise kisses, or showing intimacy only from a silhouetted distance? Or worse yet, the romantic associations are too afraid or hesitant to show any real commitment to sensuousness or ‘love’ in the scene, such as when they leave clothes on (e.g. pants), or when performers seem hesitant, reluctant, or are holding back in intimate scenes or are uninvolved or only grudgingly engaged in passionate enactments? These speak volumes in the quality/sincerity of production values and honesty of the story as well as the commitment, or lack thereof, of the actors to their respective roles.

Genuinely, I think most of us who watch these series and movies, more-or-less utilizing some versions of these three criteria to formulate how we judge whether something is ‘good’ or ‘bad’.

With these concepts in mind, the following are my second-tier level of my favorite BLs for 2024. Previously, I listed my bottom list which does not mean less in terms of quality. It only means that this current list had a greater impact on me personally. I felt something deeply personal about the following series. To be sure, I saw more of ‘me’ in these than perhaps I care to evoke, having lived a long time. Thus, their impact on me triggered greater emotional responses. Perhaps you will not feel the same way, but they are still nonetheless some emotionally charged series that may leave you questioning a lot more than you realized before watching them. While there is no specific ranking to this order either, these are pure, solid entertaining gems. Mainly felt from an emotional level triggered by their artistry and style or theme. My final list that I shall share will detail which ones this year that had me roiling with emotional upheavals and internal dissonances in either positive or negative ways. Nonetheless, all of these made me feel deeply engaged in what was happening:

Night Dream

A beautifully told tale of love almost lost because of the agony of acceptance of being gay. It also shows the pain and acceptance of a jilted love as well as the heartache of stepping aside in an unrequited love that will never be. The title whispers more than just the name of the two protagonists. It reflects in essence who they are. One of the best out of Thailand. (This series began in late 2023 but ended in 2024).

Dead Boy Detectives

A smart creative fantasy with cute overtures towards the world of BLs. A story of lost souls who are still looking for love even after death. It is very creative, funny, sad at times, but always imaginative world of mysticism and supernatural fantasy. They had a way of showing intimacy uniquely even after death; that somehow it still remains strong and powerful. This series was a joint venture from the United States and the United Kingdom.

Deep Night

Admittedly, an unexpected erotically-themed love story tackling issues usually left to the periphery of other stories. Some solutions to their dilemmas were not only creative but broke moral and ethical glass ceilings. This story leans into the ribald world and is not your traditional BL series but more in line with the LGBTQIA+ genre. A surprisingly strong adult story from Thailand.

Unknown

It is dark, brooding, and exceedingly realistic. The characters are real people with real problems in real life actualities. It is one of the most intelligently thought-out and refined BL I have ever seen. It is a painfully charged emotionally gut-wrenching series from Taiwan, brilliantly acted and directed. The decision to love is soul-searching and deeply contemplative.

Dead Friend Forever

This story is a classic one of haves against have-nots. The privileged against the disadvantaged. Everything about this series is dark. Although BL is not the major focus of this series, it still nonetheless what ties the story together. One may question one’s own sense of reality after watching this series from Thailand.

Gray Shelter

It is contradictory, oxymoron, yet completely genuine in its absurdity. If you want answers to questions, any questions from and about this series, you will not find them. Simply, it is a brilliant avant-garde series from South Korea and is pure artistry. Yes, there is love but it is shown cryptically and in pieces.

Blossom Campus

While both unconventional protagonists want love, they are frightened of its prospects because they are terrified of losing it once gained. This series is an odd, quirky epiphany to love filled with wonderfully relatable individuals. This rare whimsical BL from South Korea is deeply intense and draws you into these sympathetic characters. It is worth a ‘look-see’ because of it is mundane.

If you have not seen these BLs, I would highly recommend you begin your journey with some of these. Quintessentially, they are unique to say the least.