An actor’s caliber rests on his ability to command the audience’s attention. 2025 saw a sudden rise in BL dramas and as such, the focus has shifted to intelligent storytelling and smart casting. Gone are the days, when popular actors could drive the ratings for a show. These days, audiences focus more on quality than quantity. If the show is mediocre, not even the most popular actor’s inclusion could save it!

Off Jumpol, Burnout Syndrome

Playing a main protagonist with antagonist vibes isn’t an easy task. But Off Jumpol has been doing the job quite well and with an altruistic favor that matches the vibe of this show. In Burnout Syndrome, Off portrays the role of Ko, a busybody millionaire, who spends his time, holed up in his penthouse suite. The hotel caters to his every need, and he runs his business empire from home. Ko is exceedingly arrogant, insomniac, self-centered and callous. He doesn’t think much about other’s or their situation; he simply lives life according to his principles, which adheres to making money. His life is uprooted when he stumbles across Jira, an artist looking to make easy money. The only difference between them is that Jira cares about people, Ko doesn’t. Ko hires Jira to play his alter ego and forces him to carry out his schemes. The range of emotions that Off plays in this show is vivid and commendable. From acting like a self-centered person, Ko slowly gives into his emotions. He begins to worry about Jira’s well-being and cares about him. Simply put, this is one of Off’s best work till date!

Zhang Zhe Xu, Kill to Love

Playing a deranged character who is constantly at odds with his emotions isn’t an easy job. Emperor Duan Zi Ang is crazy, overprotective and borderline obsessive. The love story begins with Duan Zi Ang slipping through the shadows and entering the Sixth Prince Mansion. Although, initially he loathes the idea, Duan Zi Ang slowly starts falling in love with Xiao Shu He, the sixth prince of the Southern kingdom. They dance around their feelings for each other, avoid accepting them but in the end, falling deeply in love. Until, Duan Zi Ang completes the mission he was sent for and kills Shu He’s elder brother. Grief stricken, Shu He ends all ties with Zi Ang and unwillingly ascends the throne. Zi Ang refuses to accept their breakup and obsessively conquers the Southern Kingdom. He forces Shu He to leave his motherland and settle with him in his kingdom. Their ending is a disaster, it’s obvious that Shu He would never bow down to Zi Ang’s tyrannical ways. Zhang Zhe Xu literally embodies Zi Ang’s psychotic mentality. Zi Ang is in a lot of pain and yet, his entire focus always remains on reconciling with Shu He.

Yun Qi, To My Shore

Since we are on the subject of psychotic characters, Yun Qi deserves a standing ovation. Fan Xiao is his debut role, he is new to the industry and yet, he breezed through his performance of this complicated character. Fan Xiao had a difficult childhood, his stepbrothers hate him; his mother died in a tsunami, which left him in a huge trauma. His childhood difficulties have shaped him into a bitter person. He doesn’t trust anyone easily and questions their intentions. So, when he meets the do-gooder You Shu Lang, he decides to test his limits. Fan Xioa plots and schemes to get You Shu Lang under his control. He alienates him from reality, mocks his intelligence and forces him into a relationship build on deceit and deception. They have a disastrous breakup when Shu Lang learns the truth. Fan Xiao recognizes his true feelings and decides to atone for his sins. Yun Qi makes a phenomenal debut with this role; stalwarts in the BL industry would have definitely noticed him!

Peak Peemapol, Love in the Moonlight

A forbidden romance that clicked with the masses. And at the center of this love story was Peak Peemapol, playing the role that will be memorable for decades. As Prince Saenkaew, he portrayed the role of a fallen royal from a nation that is on the verge of downfall. Set in 1963, the story is ridden with economic crisis coupled with homophobia. Prince Saenkaew of Chansaeng is sent to Bangkok to marry Pinanong, a union to transfer his assets. Everyone is happy with this union, except for the groom who has been hiding his sexuality in the closet since his mother’s untimely death. Saenkaew’s father sees this marriage as an opportunity to straighten his gay son. At behest, Saenkaew agrees to the marriage; but his resolve slowly falls apart as he is attracted to Sasin, Pin’s cousin. Peak, a BL veteran since his “Make It Right” days returns to the genre with this diffident role. He embraces Saenkaew’s pain, struggles and fears so readily, they seem to merge into one person!

Kan Hideyoshi, School Trip: Joined a Group I’m Not Close To

The highest rated show in 2025, “School Trip: Joined a Group I’m Not Close To” attributes its popularity to one man, Kan Hideyoshi. You might have first noticed him in “Although I Love You, and You?”. The show was decent, but within that short timeframe, Kan Hideyoshi left a deep impression on the BL fans. So, it wasn’t a surprise to see him leading another BL romance. We were truly surprised by his performance. School Trip is a typical high school romance with endearing characters. It is easy to fall in love with the group of friends who are enjoying themselves at a school trip. But what unfolds at the trip is the slow burn romance between main leads, Watarai & Hioki. Kan Hideyoshi portrays Watarai with an honesty that will pluck at your heartstrings. Watarai is sincere, loyal and overprotective when it comes to pursuing his love interest, Hioki. It was truly a joy watching them fall in love and Hideyoshi certainly makes it an enjoyable experience. Watarai is the kind of boyfriend that everyone dreams about- handsome, sweet and caring.

Offroad Kantapon, The Wicked Game

If devil had a face, he would definitely look like Pheem from “The Wicked Game”. Utterly despicable, ruthless and coldhearted, Pheem doesn’t spare anyone; not his family, neither his boyfriend. His single-minded approach to achieving his end goal turns him into an enviable antagonist. He has his own struggles and fears, but whatever he does defy morality and legality. He is brutal to anyone who comes in his path to achieving his endgame. Offroad surprises everyone with this role. We are so used to seeing him play nice characters, that Pheem seems like a shocking contrast. You are unable to digest his atrocious nature, but you can’t help but fall under his spell. If awards are being handed out, Offroad clearly deserves one for his portrayal of Pheem. No other villain in the BL world can compete with Pheem on the basis of ruthlessness. He is defiant, stubborn and clearly a protagonist with a twisted attitude!

Zi Yu, Revenged Love

When you are looking at a remake, there is intrigue and also interest-could it be better than the original? As the main lead, Zi Yu had to step into the shoes of another actor who had already immortalized the role. Wu Suo Wei is cunning, street smart and also manipulative. All traits that come handy when he sets out to seduce his love rival, Chi Cheng. They are a mismatch; Suo Wei is poor but seeks revenge while Chi Cheng is rich and has all the time on the world to fool around with his love adversary. As they ebb and flow, Suo Wei’s schemes fall apart as Chi Cheng’s sincerity and devotion win him over. Zi Yu plays this role with an unmatched honesty that sets him apart from his predecessor. Any comparison with the original can be forgotten as Zi Yu set a new benchmark in the Chinese BL industry by playing this challenging role with an ease that was previously unknown in the genre. Going against censorship and territorial tyranny, Zi Yu made an impressionistic debut as a BL actor!

Apo Nattawin, Shine

Apo Nattawin returns to the BL arena with a “Shining” performance. The contrast between his Porsche (KinnPorsche) and Trin (Shine) is highly viable. He sheds his crude, wannabe bodyguard persona to fully embrace the new personality of a principled economist. Set against the backdrop of the political turmoil of 1969-1971, Trin enjoys a rather comfortable life in Thailand, on his return from abroad. It’s all thanks to his Uncle Krailert, a military spokesman. His life is turned upside down when he encounters two different people; firstly, Thanwa, a free-spirited hippie, with whom he experiences the kind of freedom he never had before. Secondly, his student Victor who helps him realize that the common people are suffering under militancy. Trin is torn apart between sticking to his own ideology while trying to understand his student’s point of view. His relationship with Thanwa is equally tumultuous. Watching Apo in “Shine” was like breathing in fresh air; he really embodies every role he portrays and that’s the mark of a true actor!

Huang Xing, ABO Desire

Another wild debut of the year, Huang Xing stuck gold with his obsessive portrayal of Hua Yong. Starring in the first altruistic depiction of ABO universe, Huang Xing plays the role of an Enigma, one of strongest yet rarest species in the Omegaverse. Hauntingly beautiful yet deceptive, Hua Yong is rich, powerful and obsessed with Sheng Shao You. His entire existence revolves around Shao You. From carefully crafting an Omega persona, to acting docile against his nature; Hua Yong does everything to win Shao You’s favor. Huang Xing plays this role decisively, embracing Hua Yong’s craziness. You might be shocked to see his fervent transformations from a weaker Omega to an overprotective Enigma. This was indeed one of the best portrayals of Omegaverse in a long time!

Pooh Krittin, Goddess Bless You From Death

We are so used to watching Pooh act as Charlie in the Thai Omegaverse “Pit Babe Series”, that his depiction of an orphan with extraordinary senses comes as a surprise. Pooh literally transforms into Thup; he is slightly weak hearted yet kind. Thup unexpectedly gets entangled into a messy serial murder case where the suspect seems to follow ancient beliefs, supernatural forces and sorcery. Initially, Thup is afraid of facing ghosts but on meeting Singha, the Inspector investigating the murder case; slowly he grows braver and helps the police with solving the mystique behind the murders. Even though he is fearsome of the ghosts, Thup does everything to help Singha and the other officials in the case. Pooh breezes through his performance as Thup; his approach is mature and quite praiseworthy. This is certainly one of his best works till date!

The past few weeks were interesting; we have been consistently following avid fans as they enthusiastically voted for their favorite BL Dramas/Couples. The results were surprising to say the least. A story’s merit depends on various factors: settings, locales, script writing, direction and lastly, the acting prowess of the artists involved. As such, we bring you the best in the “Popular BL Actors” category. Vote and show your unwavering love to your favorite actors!

☆☆☆ Voting lines close on 10th December, 2023 ☆☆☆