We have hundreds of productions dropping their new series on YouTube these days. Local companies vying to make some money banking on the popularity that BL genre is generating. While they can be theoretically dubbed as BL, their quality is still questionable. The storytelling and narrative aren’t always exceptional. But there are some which toe the line between good & abysmal. In today’s article, we are featuring some of these gems that remain unexplored!

Trapped in Osaka

“Secret Of Us Official YouTube” is a lesser known company on YouTube, which has been producing some excellent shorts. Their second venture “Trapped in Osaka” focuses on a mismatched couple. In Osaka, two trapped boys, a dark and confined space, their shared struggle, a journey of rescue and mutual redemption. It tells the story of Chen Xi (Qin Jia Lin) trapped in Osaka with his debt collector, Hao Yu (Wang Zi Hang). Chen Xi is debt ridden because he paid the medical bills for his boyfriend who succumbed to cancer. He is trying to commit suicide when Hao Yu arrives at his doorstep to collect the debt on his mafia boss’s behalf. Even though working for the yakuza, Hao Yu is kind & gentle. As such, instead of collecting the debt, he decides to stay with Chen Xi and make sure that he doesn’t try to kill himself again. Feelings blossom as they spend time together. The actors have exceptional chemistry, worth watching!

A Sketchy Job

This is another show that I’m currently enjoying, simply because the actors are wonderful. Lu Xiao (Su Yu Hang), a university student, applies for an unconventional job to make ends meet: a fake boyfriend service. In this job where he will work as a “boyfriend-for-hire”, all he has to do is play certain roles in front of his clients and maintain this relationship without forming any emotional attachment. Everything goes according to his rules, until he meets his new client, Liu Zai Rong (Lawrence Zhang). Liu Zai Rong is the heir to a Taiwanese business empire, who is hiding in Japan, to escape the marriage arranged by his family. He hires Lu Xiao purely to serve the charade that he is actually gay. Lines begin to blur as they spend time together and try to act like a normal couple. The actors have an unbelievably natural chemistry, which makes this show quite enjoyable!

We Are Brothers

I’m not sure how much of the premise evokes the BL factor, because this show has been produced under strict Myanmar censorship. The story revolves around stepbrothers Linn Yaung Ni (Chris Tao) & Shein Wah (Bhone Myat Htet). Linn Yaung Ni’s father marries Shein Wah’s mother and brings him home. As the only child in the household, Linn Yaung Ni has a spoiled upbringing. He is quite rude and arrogant, as such he despises the idea of his father getting remarried. When Shein Wah enters their home as his new brother, Linn Yaung Ni is left disgruntled. He tries everything to scare him away but Shein Wah is too mature and good mannered. The actors have an interesting camaraderie which is worth exploring within the boundaries of the rigid censorship!

Delivered

This is another lesser known gem from the Korean Studio Queer Deep. The last thing that introverted freelance designer Yun Oh could’ve expected was that receiving a package that he didn’t even remember ordering would kick off his relationship with the chatty delivery man Tae In, who continues to show up at his door, claiming he can see a lot of kindness past Yun Oh’s cold and silent exterior. Yun Oh can’t help but feel anxious about their daily encounters…or is it eagerness, actually? Yun Oh is portrayed as a highly reserved individual. But Tae In gets curious about him when Yun Oh offers him a glass of water. According to Tae In, none of his customers have ever done that. This simple act makes him look past the high walls that Yun Oh has build around himself. The actors have an adorable chemistry and I really love watching their interactions, especially Tae- In (Lee Jae Sung). He is like a golden retriever on the search for an owner!

My Idol

Korean production house Strongberry has a fantastic repertoire of shows to choose from. But it’s been a long since they did a short. So I was pleasantly surprised when the teaser for this show was released. The show focuses on Lee U Sang (Lee Ui Seop) is devastated by the death of his father—and now, even the school track team is about to be disbanded. While everyone urges him to face reality, only Seong Jae Min (Kim Bit) quietly steps closer to stand by his side. U Sung has a quiet resilience which is admirable and Jae Min appreciates this quality very much. Despite the short format, the chemistry between the actors is palpable. Makes for an interesting watch!

We will back with a new feature, next weekend!