While we look forward to some fresh new pairings in 2025, there was a lot happening in 2024 that invariably caught our attention. Some old couples, some new; last year catapulted quite a lot of BL couples into new fandoms. We saw their rise, complimented their acting skills and overall chemistry, while reveling in their stardom. I had my personal favorites, choices that resonated with my taste. Let’s find out who grabbed my attention in 2024!

1) Raiden Lin & Jin Yun, See Your Love

It is an extremely difficult job to play an impaired person, the actors need to emulate their struggles, fears and anxiety. Being paired opposite such a character is also an equally taunting task. Raiden & Jin breezed through their performances as the mute caregiver and the rich, spoiled heir looking for an escape route. Both had to learn sign language for their roles and their rendition was heartwarming. Especially Zi Xiang who had to change his attitude and behavior to win Jiang Shao Peng’s trust and his heart. Like most couples, they have their share of problems. But to them, their love comes first, and I was awestruck with their relationship.

2) Hama Shogo & Hyodo Katsumi, Love is like a Poison

An uncharacteristic pairing which involves a charismatic lawyer and a genius con-artist. While Hama had to embody Shiba’s stiff, grumpy personality, Hyodo had to emulate Haruto’s charming yet mystique nature. They were certainly at odds with each keeping their secret close. Haruto fell first but Shiba fell harder. From understanding each other’s struggles, to becoming perfect co-partners, falling in love and fighting against the world, our handsome couple did it all. Shiba never gave up on Haruto despite knowing about his real identity and Haruto decides to change his ways, so he could stand proudly beside his well accomplished boyfriend. Their chemistry was on another level!

3) Motojima Junsei & Kamimura Kenshin, Our Youth

If you are wondering what a young pairing can do for the ratings, you should check this show out. Junsei as Minase shines in his interpretation of an exemplary high school student who falls for the wayward delinquent, Hirukawa. Their romance wasn’t easy from the start; Minase had to get over his own prejudices to even talk to Hirukawa, who was like a mad dog on the run. The daily abuse he faced at his father’s hands have turned his life upside down. Meeting Minase by chance is the only good thing to happen to Hirukawa in a long time and as such he clings to the possibility of staying close to him. Their love story begins from a kiss and quickly they fall in a daily routine which subsides everything else. Junsei & Kenshin have an interesting chemistry, you got to watch the show to believe it!

4) Tan Jian Ci & Jin Shi Jia, Under the Skin 2

In Chinese shores, if an on-air show gets renewed for a third season even before the drama finishes its run, it means one thing- the show is super successful with high ratings. Season Two of the crime thriller “Under The Skin” was a lot darker than the prequel with the storyline focusing on Shen Yi’s psyche. While trying to analyze the mentality of various suspects, Shen Yi gets dangerously close to them & his thirst for truth often gets him into trouble. His partner Du Cheng spends a lot of time protecting our delinquent portraitist who won’t listen to reason. This season, our main couple had a lot of disagreements, fights and arguments; and yet they survive against all odds to emerge stronger. Tan Jian Ci & Jin Shi Jia have an immersive chemistry, you can’t help but fall for them!

5) Nagumo Shoma & Hamaya Takuto, Love in the Air Koi

Never thought that I had fall in love with the main leads of a remake and that too, a Japanese one. But Shoma & Takuto easily slip into the personas of their Thai counterparts, Boss Chaikamon & Noeul Nuttarat. Comparisons are inevitable since the Thai adaptation made BossNoeul popular and yet the Japanese actors managed to create their own interpretation. Despite the fact that the storyline is same, Shoma & Takuto’s rendition is different and intriguing, they add their own charm and mark to their characters. Their chemistry is spot-on and watching them emulate Arashi & Rei’s love story was an exciting experience!

6) JJ Krissanapoom & Tor Thanapob, Spare Me Your Mercy

A crime thriller where we already knew that the ending would be sad and yet we spend weeks cheering on the main couple, knowing they won’t end up together. The show hugely revolves around the morality and legality regarding “Euthanasia”. While Dr. Kan believes in it and supports the adage, Captain Wasan is strongly against anything that goes against the law. Kan & Wasan spend a lot of time dancing around each other, suspecting the other person’s motive before they finally give in to their urges. Jaylerr and Tor have a strong chemistry, unheard- of before. Even in scenes with minimal skinship, their romance was loud and explosive. One of my favorite new pairings from 2024!

7) Kevin Chang & Eden Chen, Eternal Butler

This show kind of caught me unaware. I wasn’t exactly enthusiastic about watching this show since the prequel “Anti-Reset” failed to meet my expectations. I kept wondering if I wanted to waste my time watching a robot romance a human being again. And this is where “Eternal Butler” proved me wrong. Kevin as Ever 4 dazzles in his depiction of a rebellious robot who gets punished by his higher ups and ends up as a butler for a wayward spoiled heir, Boshi. They are at odds from the start with Boshi driving Ever 4 up the wall, their antics and hijinks are hilarious but their romance turned out to be sweet and tender. With Boshi, Ever 4 experiences emotions he has never felt for an employer before and in Ever 4, Boshi finds a kindred soul who actually cares for him. Kevin & Eden have an unbelievably strong chemistry, just love watching them together!

8) William Jakrapatr & Est Supha, ThamePo Heart That Skips a Beat

My magical couple who spun a web and trapped me forever. After watching Est in “Love by Chance Season 2: A Chance to Love”, I wasn’t sure if he would ever star in a BL again. So, I was pleasantly surprised when this project was announced. Compared to William’s popularity as LYKN’s leader, Est has a long way to go. So, I kept wondering what the head honchos at GMMTV were thinking pairing them together. I found the answer when the show aired its pilot episode. Est has changed over the years and it shows in his demure, yet sweet portrayal of Po. William is obviously an enigma, he lives upto to his star image, maintains the tempo as Thame tries to win Po’s heart. William and Est’s onscreen chemistry is as exciting as their offscreen interactions. I’m in love and it doesn’t seem like I’m falling out anytime sooner!

9) Sky Wongravee & Nani Hirunkit, High School Frenemy

A pairing so hot that fans wished they would star in a BL of their own; and although GMMTV didn’t fulfill their wish in the 2025 lineup, there is a strong possibility that Sky & Nani might very soon star in a BL. Interpreting characters from a Korean original isn’t an easy task, especially when the show was popular with lead actors who are hugely successful. Sky and Nani had a lot riding on their shoulders, and yet they lived upto the expectations. Despite being masked as a bromance, the show does absolutely nothing to mask their unwavering chemistry and explosive camaraderie. I spend weeks reveling in their unusual story, love for each other and the way, they fought all odds to stand beside each other.

We will be back with the second edition of this feature next week, keep tracking!