Admittedly, my second-tier favorite Asian BLs for this year (so far) is as equally eclectic as my first list was and is again not of a ‘mainstream’ conformity. It bears repeating that I am an individual who does not follow any set of established social norms in what I find to be favorites.
Continue reading My Favorite Asian BLs So Far (2024)- Part II
“One great friend is worth more than a thousand lovers.” – Quote from The Secret Of The River
Continue reading “The Secret of the River” Series Review (Ep.1 to 8)
This is a classic. When it first arrived on the stage in 2020, it was quite notable. In a sense, it was refreshingly different because it dealt with more adult content. However, it is a roller coaster of a series, honestly. This is one of those series that everyone will profess to dislike but secretly love. It is a guilty pleasure for sure.
Continue reading “My Day The Series” Series Review (Ep.1 to 12)
Admittedly, my favorite Asian BLs for this year (so far) is an eclectic mix and perhaps not of a ‘mainstream’ conformity. I am an individual who does not follow any set of rules in establishing what I find to be my favorite. Therefore, I tend to not like what most others find as fashionable or currently trending. I am also not an avid follower of any particular BL artist, although I do think some actors are better than others.
Summarily, this is a chef-d’oeuvre. This also is an original dieresis. However, to watch this series, especially for those of us from the West, you must indeed prepare yourself. One must suspend one’s frame of reference. Your first task is to not instinctually begin to make comparisons as to what you might do if you were in a similar situation. It is so easy to doubt and question, “Why are they doing that? Can’t they see the obvious?” This series in NOT from your universe of discourse. Two, do not judge the protagonists in terms of right or wrong, moral or immoral, ethical or unethical, or any other dichotomous standard. That would not be fair. Simply take their love story as presented at face value and go with it. Otherwise, you will drive yourself into a moral whirlpool of unnecessary emotional highs and lows. In the end, in essence, all you will need is yourself, alone, with a box of tissues, and a strong sense and a deep appreciation of how indestructible love for one another genuinely can be. And three, be prepared throughout to face lots and lots of pain – intense pain. Deeply personal, physical, emotional, and mental. Be forewarned: this is not a series that has a happy ending. However, it brandishes like no other BL I have ever seen, or undoubtedly will ever see, the power, intensity, sacrifice, and yes, the gift of love. This story is breathtaking in its simplicity but is as complex as any creation story of life itself. None of it is fathomable or inscrutable, yet when you watch it in its entirely and reflect on what you saw – it crystallizes. You understand even if it rips away at every fiber of your moral being.
This small independent Cambodian production was a resplendent treasure. It honestly is well-acted and well directed with a surprisingly interesting screenplay. While not necessarily unique, the cast gave it a new life I was not expecting. To be sure, there are some production issues, but do not let those get in the way of simply enjoying a rather entertaining and fun story with heart and a ginormous amount of temperament.
This series is best described by the beginning line from Charles Dickens novel, “A Tale of Two Cities”: “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” In other words, this story had such salient and poignant moments in it and then it slipped into cartoonish and hackneyed over-the-top silliness, not worthy of the story. It almost seemed schizophrenic in nature.
I was thunderstruck by the theme of this series. It is a story in an anthology labeled “Club Friday”. Its content is one I have never seen before and certainly involves a very controversial topic. If they had been more adult about its fruition and handled it like a ruminative production, this would and could have been up there as the Best BL for 2024. However, in my opinion, they lacked the courage to push the envelope here to make it more consequential.
Continue reading “Club Friday Season 16: Domestic Incident” Series Review (Ep.1 to 4)
“All people should be treated equally regardless of who they are or who they love…” – Ending Quote
Yes, indeed I did watch this phenomenal series and, while not a gamer nor understanding much about the intricacies of this series, I treasured its theme and ambition. This series is breathtaking in its presentation, cinematography, storytelling, and acting. I was completely mesmerized and astonishingly could pretty much follow the gist of the story minus the minutiae and detailed storylines. Being a Westerner, I also got hopelessly entangled by the names and relationships of individuals. None of that mattered to me, however. My focus was on the two main protagonists and the heart of their story.
The BL Xpress 