Shows I would re-watch

We deserve a Season 2.

I loved this show even though I normally shy away from time travel dramas. This one just pulled me in, hook, line and sinker. Both leads did a fantastic job, esp. the ML juggling his multiple roles as student-athlete, rock star, regular college student and celebrity actor/model. The FL was impressive as well, plus they had great chemistry together. I also loved the SML who had fun bromance moments with the ML. The OST was so good, it made it into an actual Top 10, and fans were clamoring for the show's band to perform IRL.

ITSAY is one of the best coming of age LGBTQ+ stories I have seen. Set in Phuket, the scenery is breath-taking. It's well-acted, well-directed, and I loved it. Emotional.

Sequel to I Told Sunset About You.

This is an incredible BL, full of details and "clues" about the MLs' growing closeness, from the posters and artwork on the walls and the color schemes of clothing, lighting, etc. You can search for the Reddit on-air discussions for additional details, which was esp. useful for me on culture/language insights. SWM was adapted from book 1 of the novel "Are You Addicted?" by Chai Ji Dan, who was the screenwriter for this drama. Watch until ep 23 if you want to stay happy and reserve ep 24 when you have tissues on hand. Unfortunately, the promised Season 2 was cancelled.

Secret marriage in a workplace setting. I have re-watched this series as a pick me up. 

Only the first 3 episode were re-done.

An angsty drama, where Vee and Mark have a one night together after a very drunk Mark mistakes Vee for his crush. Mark is all for forgetting the embarrassing incident but Vee can't seem to let go of Mark.

ML greatly dislikes FL as the replacement for one of his e-sports team members who retires due to injury. FL is one the best female gamers who starts to impress the ML with her skills.

High school and college story of awkward Hira and popular Kiyoi.

Sequel to Utsukushii Kare 2.

• Great acting, wonderful cinematography, political intrigue, chemistry between the MLs is fantastic. I love this Xianxia-danmei BL drama. It uses queer-coding at its best, bypassing Chinese censorship. While we don't see depictions of an actual queer relationship, there were plenty of examples of the MLs' growing closeness.
  • They call each other their soulmates.
  • Lan Zhan allows Wei Ying to touch his headband, a privilege reserved for parents or spouses. In one scene, they are attached with the headband (which many viewers liken to the red sash in a Chinese wedding ceremony). I think of it as handfasting, a Celtic marriage tradition.
  • Physical touching: holding each back, carrying each other, etc.
  • Flirty eyes from WY and longing gazes from LZ.
  • Drunk LZ gifted WY two chickens (Chinese betrothal gift).
  • Bowing together in front of memorial tablets.
  • Bowing together in front of Lan ancestor.
  • Bunnies saved by WY, shown kissing. Bunnies on lantern when they made their wishes/vows. Tu Shen (Chinese: 兔神; pinyin: Tùshén, The Rabbit God), is a Chinese deity of love and sex between men.

High school romance where one is super rich and the other is a classmate hired as his bodyguard.

High school best friends meet again in a workplace setting. Really cute flashbacks (after the cresdits) and I loved their chemistry.

Sweet, youth romance. OST is a 10/10!

College and surf club setting. Emotional BL as one of the MLs has trauma and depression. Camerawork seems shaky at times but is meant to make you feel as if you’re in the characters’ space. The scenes were imbued with symbolism using shades and colors. MLs had great chemistry. One of the few dramas that include therapy and medication as treatment for depression in the show.

High school to college. Sweet story. FL goes through a physical transformation. ML is kind, smart and generous.

Sequel to Utsukushii Kare.