Toxic BLs are on the rise and literally the Chinese industry is flaunting the genre, despite the existent censorship. We have shows buzzing with toxic characters who are obsessive and hot-tempered. They are mostly handsome, filthy rich and possessive as hell. At times, it makes for a fine watching experience; the rest of time, you spend your time cursing at their intrusiveness. We have lined up the best storylines with such obtuse characters!

Revenged Love

This show was a gamble of sorts. Born into a humble family with little financial success, Wu Suo Wei (Zi Yu) finds himself constantly insulted by his much wealthier (now-ex) girlfriend. He gets dumped by her for a richer substitute, Chi Cheng (Tian Xu Ning), the spoiled heir to his own family’s business. Thus begins their cat & mouse game. Suo Wei decides to seduce Chi Cheng and make him breakup with his girlfriend. Most of their exchanges are fake, with Suo Wei using ridiculous yet high-handed tricks to seduce Chi Cheng. In due course of time, they grow closer & Suo Wei ends up falling for Chi Cheng in real. This show was the hit of the decade, because of the overflowing chemistry between Zi Yu & Tian Xu Ning. Their romance spoke to all kinds of audiences, as both actors risked portraying diffident characters in an industry that is dead set against queer representation.

Kill to Love

There are obsessive characters and then there is Duan Zi Ang. Hired as an assassin, Duan Zi Ang (Zhang Zhe Xu) was raised in the shadows, trained to kill without hesitation. He is sent to spy on Xiao Shu He (Mi Jin), the sixth prince of the Southern kingdom, who was never meant to rule. Coincidentally, Zi Ang belonged to erstwhile Duan family who were mercilessly executed by Xiao Shu He’s elder brother, Xiao Shu Qian. That is the story fed to Zi Ang, so he be use him to kill Shu Qian. Zi Ang masquerades an elaborate scheme and somehow sneaks into the Sixth Prince’s Mansion. The only thing on the agenda is not falling for the Sixth Prince. As childhood friends who grew apart, Shu He tries to trust Zi Ang despite his suspicions. Shu He’s kind-hearted attitude and caring nature wins Zi Ang, and they fall in love. Unexpectedly, Zi Ang ends up killing Shu Qian and the lovebirds part ways on a bitter note. Years later, Zi Ang vanquishes the Southern Kingdom, so he could imprison Shu He and force him to return to his side. Zi Ang is the literal definition of obsessiveness and Zhang Zhe He portrays the character vividly.

ABO Desire

The only guy who could give Duan Zi Ang, a run for his money is Hua Yong (Huang Xing). Obsessive, overprotective and arrogant, Hua Yong redefines the meaning of being a daredevil. Only he is THAT and much more. I have never seen a more tyrannical character in a BL before. Hua Yong is one of his kind, as an upper tier Enigma, he is the head of the most powerful company in his country. People quiver in fear on hearing his name. His eccentric nature & unpredictable nature him make him dangerous. And yet despite his abundant misgivings, he ends up falling in love with an S- Tier Alpha, Sheng Shao You (Qiu Ding Jie), the head of a pharmaceutical company. He obsessively stalks Shao You, masquerades an entire imaginary persona as an Omega to earn his favor and in the end, even gets him pregnant. Hua Yong does everything and anything, to get close to Shao You. Obsession’s new name should be Hua Yong!

To My Shore

Highly toxic, that was my first perspective of this show. You Shu Lang (Hao Yi Ran), a director at a pharmaceutical company, lives an ordinary, stable life. But that all comes crashing down after he gets into a car accident with Fan Xiao (Yun Qi), the heir to a Thai conglomerate who’s returned to China for business. When Fan Xiao finds out that Shu Lang is interested in men, he devises plans to entice Shu Lang. The first two episodes portray Fan Xiao’s erratic nature. First, he hurts Shu Lang for hitting his expensive car and later tries to get closer to him, when he sees Fan Xiao save a sick baby at the hospital. Fan Xiao’s kind nature draws his attention, and he makes it his personal mission to drive a wedge between Fan Xiao & his current boyfriend. Yun Qi gives an impressive performance; as Fan Xiao, he is tyrannical & obsessive.

Tide of Love

A hot yet seductive display of BDSM, for first time ever. Han Jae Hun (Jung Myeong Cheol), a cold heir signs an exclusive contract with Kim Hae Jun (Kim Hyeon Seo), a bright art student, who needs money for his mother’s treatment. He only ever enters into these contracts with art students. Their first meeting leaves Hae Jun, flustered and speechless. Jae Hun is handsome, hot and seductive; his entire personality screams dominance. The first two episodes portray a risqué relationship between the two characters who are intriguing in their own ways. I have noticed Jung Myeong Cheol in quite a few short dramas, but this is his first time playing a main lead. As Jae Hun, he is charming, and he manages to depict the BDSM lifestyle quite accurately. Don’t miss out on this one!

Gu Jin Nan Qiu

Another stepbrother romance with a twisted attitude. Seventeen-year-old Wen Hai’s (Zhong Zebin) parents died unexpectedly. Because he was under 18, the court awarded him sole guardianship to his wealthy half-brother, Gu Huai Zhou (Tang Chenxi), whom he had never met. Gu Huai Zhou treats Wen Hai with indifference and torment. Wen Hai, after taking refuge with Gu Huai Zhou, appears to be obedient and well-behaved, but in reality resents Gu Huai Zhou’s torment. Gu Leng (Shan Jiaqi), Huai Zhou’s cousin approachs Wen Hai, trying to sow discord between them and use him to exact revenge on Gu Huai Zhou. This love triangle seems unlikely and yet addictive. The only disadvantage is the short format.

Secret Relationships

Harem romances are slowly becoming the norm in Korean BL industry and the show which heralded this shift was “Secret Relationships”. Da On (Kim Jun Seo), a smart and handsome salary man, often clashes with his colleague Seong Hyeon (Cha Sun Hyung). Their relationship becomes more and more ambiguous as time progresses, while other figures like Jae Min (Kim Ho Young), a former tutor, and company-heir Su Hyeon (Cha Jung Woo) make their way into his life. While Da On’s budding romance with Seong Hyeon was endearing, his relationship with Jae Min was highly toxic. Jae Min was too obsessed with Da On and wanted to own him completely. His relationship with Su Hyeon was enviable, but it quickly turned sour with Jae Min driving a wedge between them. The actor’s did a commendable job portraying the toxic aspects of this four way relationship.

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