BLs worth watching (somewhat ranked)
I don't include all the BLs that I watched as I wish I didn't watch some of them (therefore I wouldn't recommend them) but I do include some that I rated pretty badly. Because I rate shows purely on my enjoyment, so if I really don't enjoy something I rate it badly, even if I am aware it's not a bad show for everyone (also I hate sad endings lol).
This list includes series and films. I will try to make a note on the chemistry of main leads for every item on the list, as this is very important to me when choosing what to watch. The notes point out some of the reasons why I think a show is worth watching (and sometimes what made it not so great), but they are not spoilery. I won't be adding specials as to not make this list even longer. Usually if you like the show the special is worth watching at least once.
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1. KinnPorsche
Thai Drama - 2022, 14 episodes
This is a drama about a mafia family. Main couple is mafia x bodyguard and there is also 3 side couples, one of which is very toxic, so watch at your own risk. Everything about this drama is outstanding. The story is interesting, the characters are really well made, the acting is for the most part incredible, the directing is also amazing and the lighting is so so satisfying. Also great costuming and the fight scenes are very nice. All the chemistries are great and the theme is also right up my alley so I can't recommend this enough.
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2. BKPP
Thai Drama - 2020, 5 episodes
This one has a great growing up story, coming to terms with your sexuality type of LGBTQ content. This one stands out in terms of filmmaking, the scenery, lighting and just allround awesome direction. Great chemistry.
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3. I Told Sunset About You Part 2
Thai Drama - 2021, 5 episodes
A great continuation of I told sunset about you. Feels like it answers a question of 'What happens after they lived happily ever after?'. Again great acting and directing and the emotional scenes stand out to me. Great chemistry.
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4. Life Senjou no Bokura: Director's Cut
Japanese Movie - 2020
A life story of a couple. From the beginning, through ups and downs, right to the end. There is no unnecessary scene in this movie it's enjoyment from start to finish (you will cry from all the emotions)! Just incredible. Chemistry is great.
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5. Tian Ya Ke
Chinese Drama - 2021, 36 episodes
My favourite chinese BL (this means it's CENSORED, but they make it pretty obvious it's more than a bromance). Fantasy historical setting. Two very morally grey (if not black) characters falling for eacother. Has a very likeable straight side couple. Great chemistry, it really sells the show.
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6. HIStory3: Trapped
Taiwanese Special - 2019, 20 episodes
Mafia and cop action romance. I love this theme and it was mostly executed well. Great chemistry. I also love the second couple, they are very cute and also have great chemistry.
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7. The Untamed
Chinese Drama - 2019, 50 episodes
Another chinese (censored) BL, fantasy historical setting. This one has a really gripping story, it looks at how your orthodoxy (and thus percieved morality) can be more important to people than the truth of your actions. Many interesting side characters (MANY - you need a character guide on the first watch). Good chemistry.
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8. Bad Buddy
Thai Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
A very silly and lighthearted show on the surface, but the story and emotions are executed superbly, and it breaks many stupid BL tropes. Great chemistry.
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9. Utsukushii Kare
Japanese Drama - 2021, 6 episodes
This depicts two young adults struggling to admit to each other their feelings, because they can't relate. One is socialy stunted and puts the other on an impossibly high pedestal and the other cares too much about his own reputation and is scared to trust anyone. Some have called this a toxic relationship but it doesn't glorify any of the issues these two have. This one is visually very pleasing to watch. Great chemistry.
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10. 30Sai made Doteida to Mahotsukai ni Narerurashi
Japanese Drama - 2020, 12 episodes
Somewhat fantastical set-up, but what makes this worth watching is how the main lead slowly falls in love. I also love that these are adult characters (as oposed to highschoolers in most BLs) and the pleasant depiction of an a-romantic side character. The second couple is terrible I think, their storyline feels creepy. Main couple has good chemistry.
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11. Semantic Error
Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
Best korean BL in my opinion. It's set in university, and the story is not that special but it's executed really well. The pacing and the chemistry are great and this makes it really really exciting to watch.
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12. Old Fashion Cupcake
Japanese Drama - 2022, 5 episodes
Great drama with adult characters, it's about two office workers, one helping the other find the joy in life that he has lost during the years. It has a slice of life feel. The acting, directing and the script are all incredible. The chemistry is also icredible.
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13. A Tale of Thousand Stars
Thai Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
Beautiful setting in a small on-the-border Thai village. This one really makes you fall in love with the side cast of the villagers. The romance develops very slowly. Great chemistry.
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14. After the Restart
Japanese Movie - 2020
Set in a Japanese countryside. The atmosphere is slow, relaxing, calm. Good chemistry.
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15. Blueming
Korean Drama - 2022, 11 episodes
A show about insecurities. Short but beautifully shot, with thought out, complex characters. Some moments stunned me with how real they felt. Great chemistry.
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16. Triage
Thai Drama - 2022, 13 episodes
This is a medical drama that also has an interesting set up with looping time. It's generally really well made and has an interesting story, but unfortunately the ending feels a bit rushed and breaks some of the rules that were previously established. The chemistry is good.
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17. Not Me
Thai Drama - 2021, 14 episodes
This is a show all about social justice and fighting for it. I think the concept and acting and directing were good, but it had some pacing issues and it felt a little unresolved at the end - hoping for a second season. The chemistry of the main couple is good but I actually fell in love with the second couple so much more - their chemistry was off the charts.
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18. To My Star
Korean Drama - 2021, 9 episodes
This is short but really well executed. Adult characters, one is an actor and one is a chef. It's interesting to see how media can affect certain parts of life for a public figure. Really what sells this show is great acting and great chemistry.
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19. Between Complete and Incomplete
Korean Movie - 2021
Super short movie about a throuple where one is asexual and what that means for them. So good, I wish it were longer.
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20. Kei×Yaku: Abunai Aibou
Japanese Drama - 2022, 10 episodes
This is actually a bromance. If you want you can imagine a romance happening, so close enough I guess. This is a cop x mafia show, they are unraveling a mystery together. It was really exciting to watch on a week to week basis, but it started dragging a bit at the end - probably saving content for a second season. Good chemistry.
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21. HIStory3: Make Our Days Count
Taiwanese Special - 2019, 20 episodes
This is a fairly simple high scchool romance. It starts out a bit obnoxios but I really fell for the puppy kind of love one lead had for the other. Both the first and second couples have amazing chemistry. I really recomend spoiling yourself the ending before watching it though.
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22. Before Your Eyes Stop
Korean Drama - 2020, 8 episodes
A bodyguard is in love with the one he's been protecting for years. Short but the story is simple enough that it works. Good chemistry.
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23. Kimi no Koto Dake Mite Itai
Japanese Drama - 2022, 4 episodes
This is a very short high school coming of age story. It feels nostalgic and warm. Has a somewhat open feeling to the ending. Good chemistry.
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24. Until We Meet Again
Thai Drama - 2019, 17 episodes
This one deals with rebirth (soulmates) and trauma from past lives. Very interesting story, but sometimes the acting is a bit lackluster. Interesting tidbits about thai traditional sweets. The second couple has some great chemistry, the main one has OK chemistry. The past lives couple also has OK chemistry.
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25. Kieta Hatsukoi
Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
I'm not a big fan of misscomunication as a plot device and this show uses it CONSTANTLY. If that doesn't bother you, then this is a great cute fluffy romcom. I also enjoyed the friendship that developed between the main guy and the girl. Good chemistry.
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26. Lovely Writer
Thai Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
Interesting look behind the scenes of BL industry. The story drags a bit and the villain is somewhat unbelivable. Even though it tries criticising some aspects of BL industry it falls into some bad tropes itself. OK chemistry.
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27. You're My Sky
Thai Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
For once a college BL featuring sportsmen that actually focuses on the sport! Main storyline is friends to lovers and their basketball team struggles, and one of the two side storylines is a very compelling and emotional forbidden love. The other side couple is average BL couple. There is some interesting lighting and filters that give this show a different feeling. The whole thing could be about 3 episodes shorter as it starts dragging a bit towards the end. The chemistry is sizzling for the forbiden love couple, but only barely passable for the main.
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28. My DNA Says I Love You
Taiwanese Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
A lovely LGBTQ story mostly about discovering and accepting your identity and identity of people around you, wrapped in a little ghost hunting story. Good chemistry.
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29. Color Rush
Korean Drama - 2020, 8 episodes
Very interesting premise (soulmates based on one being colorblind and the other makes them see colors), sadly not much time to execute it. One of the leads is very eyecatching. Some of the story feels unfinished, but there is a second season (I have yet to watch). OK chemistry.
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30. Long Time No See
Korean Drama - 2017, 5 episodes
Love me some mobster romance. This is really more of a movie with its length. I would also classify this as LGBTQ more than BL. Great chemistry.
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31. Golden Blood
Thai Drama - 2021, 8 episodes
I will again point out that i love mafia/bodyguard related shows and this is another one like this. There is nothing particularly outstanding about this show, but also nothing bad to say. The chemistry is good.
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32. Papa and Daddy
Taiwanese Drama - 2021, 6 episodes
This is about a family (2 fathers and a son) which is what makes it stand out. One of the guys is still mostly closeted which makes for some interesting dynamics with his family and other parents from kindergarden. I also like the 2 other gay families. Great chemistry.
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33. Star and Sky: Star in My Mind | Sky in Your Heart
Thai Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
Fairly typical university love story, but I really liked the feel of it - it was realistic, calm, sort of like slice-of-life genre. Also one of the leads has a REALLY likeable personality. Right before the end there were a couple of episodes that felt a little draged out, like the story was repeating unnecessarily. The chemistry is good.
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34. Ingredients
Thai Special - 2020, 21 episodes
Very light and soft miniseries. The acting is incredible and so is the chemistry. Just warms your heart.
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35. Saebit Boys' High School Council
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
Cute highschool love story. Features a love triangle with 3 guys. The aesthetic feels very like animation to me. The whole cast has good chemistry, but the acting is not the greatest and at times the story feels a bit boring.
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36. Guardian
Chinese Drama - 2018, 40 episodes
Chinese (censored) and you have to really look for clues to consider this BL not bromance. This one has a supernatural setting (sort of like cops for supernaturals), and the story (and execution) goes a bit downhill in the last third of the show. The effects are also pretty terrible. Only watch if the theme really intrigues you. Good chemistry.
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37. We Best Love: Forever the First
Taiwanese Drama - 2021, 6 episodes
This is unrequited love set in college, quite cute but a bit forgettable. The actors have good chemistry and are very hot. The second season is more interesting.
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38. We Best Love: The Runner-Up Strikes Back
Taiwanese Drama - 2021, 6 episodes
This is a second season. The characters are now working age. The starting conflict makes for some interesting drama but it gets resolved quite quickly without much effort. Still somewhat forgettable. Still very hot actors. Good chemistry.
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39. Love Mechanics
Thai Drama - 2022, 10 episodes
This is a very dramatic story full of cheating and tears and apologies. The acting is good and the chemistry is very good.
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40. Cupid's Last Wish
Thai Drama - 2022, 10 episodes
This is a mediocre show overall (that includes writing and directing and editing...) but it's set in a not often used countryside setting and it is good at making you feel sad - basically an angst fest. Chemistry is very good .
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41. Manner of Death
Thai Drama - 2020, 14 episodes
This is a crime drama that feels quite unbelivable. It's fun most of the time and the romance is nice. But the story goes downhill at the end and really, you need to STRONGLY suspend your disbelief at some points. The chemistry is good.
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42. Stalker
Thai Drama - 2022, 14 episodes
This one starts really (really!) weird, but it develops beautifully so it's worth suffering through the first few episodes. It showcases some issues like body insecurity, not feeling good enough, cyberbullying, and more in a very nice way. A big plus is also the strong friend groups that are quickly established. This one has a lot of steamy scenes if you like that. Chemistry is great for all the couples.
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43. Absolute BL
Japanese Special - 2021, 1 episode
This is a very funny concept but it's short and the main romance was the most boring one. It's about a guy that knows he's in a BL world and he tries to avoid tropey situations that would get him into a BL relationship. It's funny to see the many BL tropes represented and made fun of. Watch more as a comedy than BL.
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44. To My Star 2
Korean Drama - 2022, 10 episodes
This is a second season. Much more angsty, gets alittle dragged out toward the end, and then the ending is rushed. Still great chemistry.
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45. Love Class
Korean Drama - 2022, 6 episodes
Very short college love story. The leads get paired up as a fake couple for a class on marriage and relationships. Good chemistry.
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46. Pornographer
Japanese Drama - 2018, 6 episodes
Interesting premise - a porn author gets hit by a student and hurts his arm, so he gets the student to write while he narrates his novels. Gets quite steamy and the characters are interesting. To be honest it's a bit TOO porny for me, that's why it's not rated better. Other than that it's pretty solid. Good chemistry.
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47. HIStory2: Right or Wrong
Taiwanese Special - 2018, 8 episodes
This one is interesting because of the family dynamics, but it features a (problematic) relationship between the college student and his professor (also big age gap). Weirdly this feels like a minor obstacle in the show and it's not really condemned, so beware of that. OK chemistry.
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48. Don't Say No
Thai Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
This one... The story is stupid, the editing is SO bad, the acting is also sometimes bad and the terrible BL tropes are aplenty, so really it shouldn't be on this list. But for some reason everytime the edits of the main couple float onto my Insta feed I feel like I want to rewatch it. So I added it anyway since I guess it's a guilty pleasure of mine. The chemistry is great.
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49. HIStory4: Close to You
Taiwanese Drama - 2021, 20 episodes
I was debating even puting this on the list. It has two couples and one is nice - two friends/buisness rivals fall for eacother. The other couple is everything problematic rolled into one. Stepbrothers, stalking, rape, obsession, blackmail, drugging, gaslighting and more. They even make the main couple look bad because of how casually they react to some of these issues. Basically without the second couple this would be a cute show with adult characters and good chemistry, so maybe worth watchin with lots of skipping.
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50. I Secretly Fell in Love with the Student Council President
Taiwanese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
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51. Love Storm
Thai Drama - 2022, 13 episodes
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52. Mr.Heart
Korean Drama - 2020, 8 episodes
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53. Seven Days: Monday - Thursday
Japanese Movie - 2015
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54. Rak Diao
Thai Drama - 2022, 15 episodes
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55. The Circumstances of Pungdeok Villa Room 304
Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
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56. The Eclipse
Thai Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
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57. My Engineer
Thai Drama - 2020, 14 episodes
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58. Eien no Kino
Japanese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
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59. Oh My Assistant
Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
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60. Love is Dang Nyang Dang Nyang
Korean Drama - 2022, 11 episodes
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61. My School President
Thai Drama - 2022, 12 episodes