KristSingto and EarthMix were both fabulous, and I’m so glad I got to participate in that experience! I discussed it fully last Tuesday during BL Week in Review, which is always a fun time. Thank you all for participating. Don’t forget to join us. It’s on Tuesdays at 6 PM PST on the BL Xpress YouTube channel.

I’d like to highlight a series this week that is worth adding to your must-watch list. In fact, I will be analysing it next for BL “Hidden Gems”. It got quite a bit of hype, but not as much as the quality would have dictated. It’s probably because it was only available on WeTV, which in the US is called Tencent Video. Not many of us subscribe to that service, yet. Some might not call it Boyslove. In fact, the production team didn’t want to use that phrase because these were men, not boys. Also, it had a realistic, gritty vibe, rather than the sweet fantasies that we’re used to in the genre.

Nevertheless, it is a Gay series, and therefore worth mentioning.

Shine the Series

8 episodes/ 1 hour per episode (The final episode is movie length)

WeTV/Tencent Video

First, I’d like to chat about the finale. It was a powerful representative of the time it was set in and the agonies and triumphs that people faced. Here’s a list of what I saw as the most powerful moments:

1. Kreilert’s confession and my subsequent terror for him.

2. The reveal about his wife and his trapped reality.

3. His song.

4. Tanwa’s healing journey and novel.

5. Tanwa’s father’s intervention and love.

6. The final scene.

Also, here’s my recommendation that I put on social media:

C’est la vie

1. This series was a feast for the emotions, the eyes, and the soul that I won’t be forgetting any time soon.

2. Beautifully acted. Achingly told. Stunning cinematography.

3. My next Hidden Gem.

4. Standing ovation.

Check it out! There are quite a few titles that are only available on WeTV that could make a month subscription worth a large binge fest. Examples include: Top Form, Knock Out, Manner of Death, and The Bangkok Boy.

Now, on to the week in review.

Sunday, September 14

My Magic Prophecy Episode 8 (Thai BL on YouTube)

My current favorite

1. Drunken In is very honest. I’m glad he shared all of that with Tul.

2. Thap was just like, “Screw you, pain, I’m going to go get my man.”

3. Boyfriend era! 🤩

Not watching:

Doctor’s Mine Episode 9 (Thai BL on Gagaoolala and YouTube)

You Don’t Know Episode 2 (Myanmar BL on Milestone Entertainment YouTube channel)

Monday, September 15

MuTeLuv “Hi” By My Luck Episode 4 ✴️FINALE (Thai series on YouTube)

I went on a bit of a Sea and Keen ramble, because they are two young actors to watch. Also, “Hi” By My Luck is totally worth checking out. 💯🥰

Video Recommendation:

Rearrange Episode 6 (Thai BL on Gagaoolala and YouTube)

Beautiful Youth

1. It’s official. I’m in love with Withun (Win’s dad). He’s such a sweet dad.

2. This show is such a nice surprise.

3. I think Nut is falling for Win, which is unfortunate for Lin.

(Until next week. 🤞🥰)

Tuesday, September 16

Love in the Moonlight Episode 1 ✴️PREMIERE (Thai BL on Gagaoolala and YouTube)

Note: YouTube doesn’t have English subtitles yet.

1. Thai Gay Lakorn here we come! Bring on the drama.

2. I wasn’t expecting it to have a fictional city element, but it was fun.

3. Anyway, they captured my attention. I’m looking forward to checking out episode 2! 🔥

Not Watching:

Secret Lover Episode 10 ✴️FINALE (Taiwanese BL on Gagaoolala, IQIYI, and YouTube)

Love Sea Japan Episode 6 (Japanese BL on Gagaoolala)

Hot Brother Next Door Episode 1 ✴️PREMIERE (Vietnam BL on YouTube)

Wednesday, September 17

Love in the Moonlight Episode 2 (Thai BL on Gagaoolala and YouTube)

Don’t believe what you see

1. Lesson: Don’t try to drink someone from Chansaeng under the table. It won’t end well.

2. The chemistry that Peak and Pearl have built is palpable. It has to be felt at just a glance because of the era the story is set in.

3. The ending had so much drama and intrigue packed into five minutes. I was impressed.

Not Watching:

The Luminous Begins Episode 5 (Thai BL on YouTube behind a membership wall)

The Guy Next Door Episode 2 (2/2) (Korean BL on Seekmedia YouTube channel)

Thursday, September 18

My Bias is Showing Episodes 7-8 (Korean BL on IQIYI and Gagaoolala)

Revenge is a double-edged sword.

1. I feel bad for Aejun’s precarious self-esteem, which seems to have been thoroughly stomped on by his idol and the man he liked.

2. The biggest lesson learned today is that revenge is likely to backfire. 😔

My Secret Vampire Episodes 1-2 ✴️PREMIERE (Korean BL on IQIYI and Gagaoolala)

Fatten him up.

1. Ju-won is an intriguing, brooding vampire. He has the classic vibe but doesn’t like to drink blood.

2. The whole house is eccentric and quirky. I would not call this series scary at all.

3. I found it entertaining and will keep watching.

Not Watching:

The Last Night Episode 1 ✴️PREMIERE (Thai BL cut on YouTube, Uncut on VIU Thailand (With VPN))

The Heart of Tsukuyomi ✴️FINALE (Chinese BL on YouTube): There are 7 episodes. Only 3 of them have been released to the public. The rest are behind a paywall on the Secrets of Us YouTube channel.

Boy, Do You Still Love Me? Part 1 ✴️PREMIERE (Hong Kong Short Series on 不是一個人NotAlone YouTube channel)

Friday, September 19

I’m the Most Beautiful Count Episode 8 (Thai BL on IQIYI)

Ants are awful

1. The lesson to be learned in this episode is not to roll around on the ground in the woods.

2. In this story, it’s not only the people who need freedom; even the prince feels bound by shackles.

10 Things I Want To Do Before I Turn 40 Episode 12 ✴️FINALE (Japanese BL on Gagaoolala)

✨Must Watch

1. Kazama Shunsuke is an adorable man.

2. I loved the realistic portrayal of people trying to navigate office life and relationships where there is a power imbalance.

3. Get cozy and enjoy.

That Summer Episode 1 ✴️PREMIERE (Thai BL on YouTube)

A princely tale

1. Winny did a great job of playing a self-centered jerk.

2. Satang makes an elegant prince, though some of his looks made me wonder about his amnesia in later parts of the episode.

3. I will keep watching. I love a sweet romance.

Not Watching:

Mandate Episode 3 (Thai BL on Monomax)

Never Ending Story Episode 1 ✴️PREMIERE (Korean BL on Lovememory YouTube Channel)

Saturday, September 20

Revamp the Undead Story Episode 5 (Thai BL on IQIYI)

Faster is not always better

1. I’m unsure if we can trust Ramil to stop using his mind-reading power.

2. Punn was right to protect his little brother. That was a powerful moment.

3. Punn probably wonders if his feelings can be real.

Shine Episode 8 (Thai BL on WeTV/Tencent)

See my recommendation at the top

Khemjira Episode 7 (Thai BL on IQIYI)

The calm before the storm.

1. Jet and Chan are fun together! I love their vibe. 😍

2. Firstone might be my fav actor from this series. He’s doing a great job and is so believable as Jet.

3. Exciting progress on the romance plots.

On Hold:

Awaiting Dawn Episode 3 (Vietnamese BL on YouTube)

Not Watching:

ABO Desire Episode 13 (Chinese BL on Gagaoolala and Viki)

The Guy Next Door Episode 3 (½) (Korean BL on Seekmedia YouTube channel)

You Don’t Know Episode 3 (Myanmar BL on Milestone Entertainment YouTube channel)

First, I want to let everyone know that “Secret Ghost”, which is a Thai BL, is now available in its entirety with English subtitles on YouTube. Thanks to 0cilrv21ti6d from my Patreon Discord server for pointing it out.

The next week in BL is full of fun surprises, starting with “Takumi-Kun”, which premieres on Sunday, September 21st. It is a Japanese BL that will air on Gagaoolala and is a series set in high school, and is a coming-of-age love story.

Another series that premieres Sunday on iQiYi is the special episodes for “My Stubborn”. Anyone who enjoyed the 12-episode series will probably also enjoy the extension.

On Friday, September 26, another Japanese BL is coming to Gagaoolala. “The Journey to Killing You” is a series about a gang member who has been assigned to kill a young leader, but instead develops feelings for him.

On Saturday, September 27, two highly anticipated series will begin.

The first one is “The Wicked Game”, on iOiYi, which is the new series with Daou and Offroad, who became well-known after the idol reality show Laz1. They then worked together on two series: Love in Translation and Century of Love. This will be their third series together. It is about a young heir who hires a bodyguard. I am excited for this one.

The other series is titled “Lover Merman”. It is about the forbidden romance between a merman and a human. It is from a lesser-known Thai production house, so I’m curious to see what they do with it. It will be the first-ever live-action BL merman series. It’s on Gagaoolala but not yet in the U.S.

Until next time, everyone. I hope you have a fabulous week full of BL series.