The BL genre continues to explode as more and more shows are produced each year. When I started watching, I felt like I was drowning in university stories, but there’s plenty of variety to choose from these days. In this post, I share 6 iconic shows that had genre-wide impact, each contributing to the landscape of BLs today.

SOTUS

Premise: A freshman student enters the engineering department at university, where hazing of freshmen is a common practice. One of the seniors is particularly harsh with him.

SOTUS set the stage for the global popularity of Thai BLs. It was the first full-length BL produced by GMMTV, which is now a major contributor to the industry. The chemistry is really fun, even if there are times the conflict feels drawn out. The bullying is exaggerated, so if that’s a dealbreaker for you, be careful.

But even watching it now, it’s easy to understand why it got so much hype and how it spawned so many more.

KinnPorsche The Series

Premise: After saving a mafia man’s life, Porsche gets recruited to be his bodyguard. His job is unforgiving, even as love blooms.

KinnPorsche pushed Thai BL onto a new playing field with an action-packed story and high production values. It’s adult, messy with complicated characters. It certainly has funny moments, but it also heightened the stakes and veered away from the fluffier storylines full of guys who all seem to play acoustic guitar.

This show was a sensation for a reason. The chemistry is off the charts and the action sequences are a lot of fun. There are secrets to uncover, spies to root out, and a love to be saved.

Semantic Error

Premise: A rule-abiding computer science student must collaborate with a free-wheeling artist who won’t leave him alone.

It’s notable for breaking out of the BL niche and into the mainstream Korean entertainment industry, increasing the popularity of the lead actors. It’s charming, well-made, and the enemies-to-lovers arc delivers real chemistry.

It remains a favorite among Korean BL watchers and for good reason. The story may not surprise you, but it’s well-done and worth the watch.

Khemjira The Series

Premise: Plagued by a family curse, a young man expects to die by his 21st birthday. He meets a shaman who gives him hope.

Khemjira stands out for how it grounds a fantasy romance in Northeastern Thai culture. The details are breathtaking, with everything from the musical landscape to the shaman’s tattoos having origins in real traditions and beliefs. It’s a great story of star-crossed lovers plagued by fate and a truly vengeful antagonist.

The level of investment in production paid off, hopefully marking continued development into truly great television from the industry.

Shine The Series

Premise: An economist returns to Thailand where he meets a free-wheeling musician. He faces impossible choices amid political turmoil in 1969

Made by the same company as KinnPorsche, this show is uncompromising in quality. It’s as sexy as it is emotionally mature. You instantly grasp why the actors shied away from calling it boys love…it’s a story about men navigating a complex political reality. It’s similar to its predecessor in production value with incredible music, acting, and filmography. And if you found Kinnporsche’s plot too messy, you won’t have that problem here.

Heated Rivalry

Premise: Star hockey players face-off on the ice while things heat up between them in private.

This Canadian show went mainstream in record time, vaulting its unknown stars into global limelight. These 6 episodes of television pack a punch—delivering emotion with amazing chemistry. Between the sex scenes, you’ll find commentary about how homophobia limits professional hockey players. But this is truly a romance genre show, so it never veers too far off the goal of a happily ever after.

Which shows would you add to this list?

This article is written by Ruth’s Rec Room, adapted from one of her recommendation posts on Instagram.