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BL Compilations
swimming in the BL vortex
slice of life with some angst
Overall: I thought it was a fairly well done slice of life short indie series but it could have used some improvements. Two parts, 27 minutes total. Aired on Mind Trio's YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHWvrNIJL6cWsd5_gigdAGHlGQAC4UYCUContent Warning: punch
What I Liked
- a realistic confession and running away
- a few cute moments
- production value
Room For Improvement
- voice over exposition dumps
- flashbacks in such a short series
- at first I was confused that there were 3 characters, having a scene with all 3 of them would have been helpful before they had separate scenes
- timeline/how much time passed was confusing, also that extra scene at the end of the 2nd part, was that a flashback or did it take place after the series events?, because it doesn't seem like a lot of time passing and Time seems very fickle with his love
- the punch was not needed
- wish they had just focused it on 2 characters
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mixed feelings
Overall: there were parts that I really liked and one aspect in particular that I really didn't. I initially watched for the side m/m couple (they meet in episode 2 and have a few minutes every episode). At times, this series has a bit of a soap opera feel. Watching on Viu with VPN set to Thailand. This is the episode 1 part 1 link https://www.viu.com/ott/th/th/vod/439286/My-Coach Watch past the credits of the final episode for wrap ups of the characters (Plueng and Yu are at the very very end).Content Warnings: past bullying, sexism, punches, manipulation, harassment, drugging, attempted sexual assault, non con kiss, past trauma, homophobia, transphobia, unwanted outing, blackmail, held against will, high school student/coach relationship, bribery
What I Liked
- discussion of issues: i.e. challenges of being a woman in a male dominated career, importance of having safe sex and carrying around condoms, sexual harassment, pursuing your dreams, about being your true self and deserving love and happiness
- the end of episode 14 brought tears to my eyes
- Plueng and Yu, I wish they had had more screen time
- nice to see a darker skinned character and I really liked their conversations with Yu
- the intro song
Room For Improvement
- how both the coach and assistant coach were ogling the bodies of their students (high schoolers) and the things that followed, this just reinforces negative stereotypes of women in male dominated careers
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First Impression: Kidnap
Overall: I enjoyed the first episode and am interested to see how the story/relationship develops. 12 episodes about 40 minutes each. Airing on GagaOOLala in: US, UK, Germany, Australia https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/4709/kidnap-2024-e01 ; Netflix Asia http://www.netflix.com/us/title/81927 ; YouTube in some countries https://youtu.be/KhSyfKC06J4Content Warnings: violence
What I Liked
- an engaging intro that for once wasn't a flashback or a flash forward
- clear and unique premise
- subverted meet cute
- tension
Room For Improvement
- the beginning scene needed a little more light
- why does the guitar have to make an appearance in episode 1
- nervous about pacing with 12 episodes
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Terrible Ending In My Room
Overall: I watched the first 3 and half episodes and the last episode (cut version). Very disappointed at the ending.Content Warnings: kind of attempted self harm/suicide - it's complicated, character death, horror, watching someone without their permission
What I Liked
- there was some stunning cinematography for example in the beginning with the light behind the characters, nice color scheming, music contributes to the mood
- the intro drawing/animation sequence
- the kiss in the final episode was well done
Room For Improvement
- in the cut version, there is zero explanation why Phob didn't turn into an evil ghost?!?
- Phob was too gutless to say goodbye to Phat (but then they did say goodbye, I have no idea why/how that came about)
- time skip and 50ish year old Phat says he married a woman but it didn't work out, he's dying of cancer and his mom died...then Phat and Phob reunite after Phat's death
- free version cuts out parts and it felt choppy in many places
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First Impression: Jack & Joker
Overall: even though the first episode was set up, I'm already hooked on a plot/tone we rarely get in BL. 12 episodes about 1 hour each. Airing on iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/jack-joker-u-steal-my-heart-episode-1-l2dlqwi91c?lang=en_usContent Warnings: theft, past death, violence, blood, bullying, attempted kidnapping, coercion, manipulation
What I Liked
- unique premise
- fight/action sequences
- grey protagonists
- how Jack called out his coach
Room For Improvement
- started with a flash forward
- nonsense thing: the door wasn't locked but people chasing right behind didn't enter the room right away
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cooking and cuteness
Overall: I was hooked right away on the characters and their dynamic - they continue to deliver every week. 10 episodes about 25 minutes each. No official international release.Content Warning: kind of non con pulling, spying, attempted violence
What I Liked
- clear premise
- their dynamic
- sweet moments
- the food/cooking
- interesting characters
- *supportive friends
Room For Improvement
- pacing could pick up a little
- *the friend overstepped boundaries and took up too much screentime, it wasn't funny that they were basically stalking their friend
- repeated misleading cliffhanger endings
- (neutral) a love rival but thankfully handled it well
- unfortunately there is no international release (didn't take off points)
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3rd Time Is Not The Charm
Overall: I debated even starting this because of the production company (google Motive Village controversy and you can learn about it). But I wanted to support the actors.Content Warnings: flashback to non/dub con sex (drunk)
What I Liked
- the Forth/Beam kiss was decent
- (neutral) animations
Room For Improvement
- the reboot (season 2 aka season 1 plus extra plot line) ended on a major cliffhanger so I expected this to pick up where it left off but instead we have 2 new characters as the leads with a totally different plot
- the 6 of them sitting around and re-creating their stories was an exposition dump
- there are 3 established couples that didn't really do anything and don't have chemistry/they don't feel like established couples, i.e. an established couple who had a dead fish lip press kiss
- two seemingly straight guys starting as rivals who will eventually fall into the 'gay for you' trope
- production value (odd camerawork, goofy background music that didn't fit)
- effeminate guys stereotyped as boy obsessed/shrill
- boring, they even put a flashback in 27 min to earlier in that same episode
- a stupid competition
- what a weird thing for a person in an established relationship to do when someone asks for his phone number
- no official international release
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covid/unversity setting romance (watch suggestions)
Overall: the first episode was a jumble of characters and plot. The second episode was very repetitive. 5 episodes. Uncut is about an hour to 1hr 30min each; cut is 47min. Airing uncut on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/4689/live-in-love-2024-e01 ; uncut on WeTV https://wetv.vip/en/play/0i9b5l3c9l95149-Live%20In%20Love%20the%20series%20(Uncut%20Ver.) ; cut on WeTV https://wetv.vip/en/play/i947av13118qaoy-Live%20In%20Love%20the%20series ; cut on YouTube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0tRjHmbcbQLx8pLeSxkmMqrOsXiVyWX7&si=VJeqs7s6Y4MgU-FcContent Warning: manhandling
Watch Suggestions (read the plot synopsis)
- watch the very end of episode 1 (1hr 3min for uncut and 7m 45s in part 4 cut) to the end
- in episode 2 uncut watch 9-14, 17:45-19:20, 34:50-35:30, 40:40-42:20, 48-51:20, 53:25 (shirtless push-ups), 1hr 24 -1hr 25m17s (kissing) ; I'm not re-watching all of episode 2 cut version but beginning of part 3 and then part 4 7min to 8m 12s (the uncut of this scene is better)
What I Liked
- supportive friends/family
- production value was fine other than jumpy flashbacks/to present, good transition images
Room For Improvement
- a ton of characters were introduced in episode 1 and I did not really form a solid connection with them or why I should care about them
- the main couple did not have a scene together until 1hr 3 minutes of episode 1 which was much too late
- love rivals
- confusing time jumps/timeline in episode 1
- episode 2 uncut was very repetitive
- cliched female characters
- the covid setting/format is not doing any favors in this series, seeing characters repeatedly talk on the phone or texting in episode 2 was not entertaining nor did it produce good chemistry
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wished for a better plot for these great actors (watch suggestions)
Overall: SUKFILM does some things really well such as the chemistry/tension. However, the cliched plot elements bog the series down. Airing 8 episodes about 10 minutes each https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYfaogVGCvwQ_32A8H9oWjdEtXVTWcrja&si=212BSBvITHARKx3G I am watching the cut version, the uncut has longer kissing scenes.Content Warning: dub con kissing turned consensual?
Watch Suggestions
- watch episode 1 and end it at 9:55
- skip episode 2
- watch episode 3 beginning to 45s, 5:15-7:40, 9:35-end
What I Liked
- acting/chemistry/tension
- visuals
- sweet moment with the first aid
- music
Room For Improvement
- the cliched woman character (which I think has appeared in all 3 of their BLs, ugh)
- one character is kind of a jerk (this is also a running theme in their BLs)
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First Impression: The Hidden Moon (cut version)
Overall: the first made me intrigued, especially how the supernatural/horror elements will play out. Airing 10 episodes about 45 minutes each on WeTV https://wetv.vip/en/play/17g7rz51mczkxkf-The%20Hidden%20Moon/a4100mvcw5u-EP01A%3A%20The%20Hidden%20MoonContent Warning: scary image
What I Liked
- intriguing premise with mystery/horror/supernatural elements
- production value (the off key music at the end and then the music at the end was especially fitting)
Room For Improvement
- choppy at times (even in the uncut version it felt a little choppy)
- Khen and a friend had several moments that made me ship them which was especially bad because the other ML wasn't introduced until the very end of ep 1 (this was less in the cut version)
Episode 1 cut ~43 minutes vs uncut ~57 minutes (the removal of the following scenes may have added to choppiness but it was good to have less romance coded moments between Khen and another character and that they reduced the sing-along)
- parts 1 & 4 didn't notice any changes
- beginning of part 2 they cut a scene when they are back at the house, a brief group conversation, then Khen brings sweets and chats with the housekeeper
- in part 2 they cut a scene where the group is by a river, a character tells Khen that he senses a spirit hanging around him and then a library scene where Khen is trying to find additional info about the house, later cut out them doing additional research
- in the beginning of part 3 they cut down some of the singing/camping stuff
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The Hidden Moon (Uncut Ver.)
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First Impression: The Hidden Moon (uncut version)
Overall: the first made me intrigued, especially how the supernatural/horror elements will play out. Airing 10 episodes about 1 hour each on WeTV https://wetv.vip/en/play/t18faj0t8naijs5-The%20Hidden%20Moon/s4100gfzhl8-EP1%3A%20The%20Hidden%20Moon%20(Uncut%20Ver.)Content Warning: scary image
What I Liked
- intriguing premise with mystery/horror/supernatural elements
- production value (the off key music at the end and then the music at the end was especially fitting)
Room For Improvement
- even in the uncut version it felt a little choppy
- Khen and a friend had several moments that made me ship them which was especially bad because the other ML wasn't introduced until the very end of ep 1
- the camping sing-along (which was shorter in the cut version)
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joyful, emotional & drama-filled (reality m/m dating series)
Overall: Sparks Camp contestants bare their souls, get hurt, heal, laugh, cry and love. 10 episodes 45 minutes each. Aired on Black Sheep YouTube channel. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL87uyU6xM7Lft-Lpwbv5G3ZQJZDvxC9_p&si=gVVHvglgds-tTvix Here is my review of season 1 https://mydramalist.com/profile/blcompilations/review/278749Content Warnings: past death, grief, trauma, past coercion
Reality Series Note: with any "reality" series I keep in mind that what the audience sees doesn't necessarily reflect what actually happened. There can be guidelines the audience doesn't know about, parts are edited out or ordered in different ways to show a certain narrative. I read in the YouTube comments of season 1 that the director said it wasn't scripted, but I always take that with a grain of salt. My goal for reality dating series is for people to have a good time and maybe make a new friend. Any actual pairings at the end of the show are icing on the cake.
What I Liked
- really good diversity with the cast, it wasn't all actors/models/influencers
- that the guys had name tags on which was helpful to remember who was who
- the initial game of guessing who the items belonged to was much better than the oil game from season 1, they made items easy enough they were guaranteed to get a few correct but not super easy so there was a bit of a challenge
- the deepest darkest secret game was fine, I'm assuming the guys knew it would be recorded/aired publicly
- Mother Mela is a good emcee*
- the trivia game
Room For Improvement
- the platinum gay thing was cringey
- having them repeatedly draw the sparks publicly was really sad and they should figure out another way to accomplish this (like write letters and the production crew see who has matches and then sends them on 1 on 1 dates)
- a contestant asked to sit something out and the emcee* said no, people should have the right to pass in situations like that
- putting 1 person on the spot to answer all questions was definitely to make things messy/drama-filled
Comparison to other m/m dating shows
1. The Boyfriend (Japan) on Netflix. Guys run a coffee van and live together for 1 month.
2. His Man (South Korea) on iQIYI, currently on season 3. Anyone can date anyone. Beautiful production and conventionally attractive guys.
3. Boys Like Boys (Taiwan) on GagaOOLala, had a very similar aesthetic/vibe to His Man
4. Love House seasons 1 & 2 (Vietnam) on YouTube (most have English subs, this is ep 1 of season 2 no subs though https://youtu.be/TKzT_nHfVTA ). I liked this set up more than Bromance because the guys could all pursue one another. I didn't like the "secret couple" aspect and dividing them up based on sexual position seemed odd (can't they discuss that in private???) Season 1 was also the most brutal "rose ceremony" I've ever seen in any dating reality show. Season 2 was better.
5. Bromance (Thailand) is also on Gagaoolala. This is the typical Bachelor/Bachelorette set up with a bunch of people competing against one another to be with the 1 bachelor. I didn't like this because they could have all been hitting on each other and we have multiple couples! I got kind of bored and skipped a bunch.
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a soap opera (side BL couple)
Overall: I saw this on a BL list and decided to watch it although it doesn't have English subtitles. I watched the first 2 episodes and the last episode. Unfortunately the sweet established m/m couple breaks up in the final episode (at least they both seem to move on/be happy) but that made me not want to go back and watch all of the episodes especially because I didn't understand most of what they were saying. Watched (not subtitled) on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh45VQur4AvofKLgui5nvD9m96BiIlu8VContent Warnings: murder/death, held against will, attempted kidnapping, intimate partner abuse, violence, blood (likely more)
M/M couple scenes (from episodes that I watched)
- episode 1 part 5 4:15-end
- episode 2 beginning-2 min
- (they broke up at the beginning of episode 32)
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