BL / Gay - New Movies and Dramas 2020-2021
Currently airing, upcoming and finished BL/Gay themed dramas and movies of 2020 and 2021.
(China--Mainland China + Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Thailand.)
UPDATE: List was created early 2020, so I was pondering on whether to split this list in two, but decided not to, since quite a few series have a split air time 2020/2021.
I'll have to think about this a bit more and I might split it at the end of 2021.
*** Be sure to check out my lists for respective country, as well as my huge collected list (793 titles and counting) for all Asian BL.
(Or, well; China--(mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan), Japan, South Korea and Thailand.) ***
* Updating every now and then *
***Titles included are ones where BL/Gay themes or (male) Gay characters characters, play a fairly significant role***
My other lists already contain all these titles, but a quick-list might come in handy anyway--for an overview.
My ratings are pretty harsh at times, but I judge by quality, not by how much I like/dislike it. Also by intention. Don't compare masterpieces with romcoms. That's not fair. Judge by what they were intended to be. A stupid romcom can be a 10 just as well as a Kurosawa flick, can.
Btw; A "5" means "mediocre". "10" means "perfect". "1" means "a crime towards mankind."
People, there are a whole lot of numbers between 1 and 10.
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201. Sheng Jian
Taiwanese Drama - 0000
Supposedly it was upcoming 2020 but now the info about release date is removed.
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202. Siew Sum Noi
Thai Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
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203. Skinship
Thai Special - 2020, 3 episodes
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204. Skinship 2
Thai Special - 2021, 3 episodes
Sequel to drama "Skinship".
Upcoming April 24th (?)
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205. Skip School
Taiwanese Movie - 2020
Short.
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206. Sleepless Society: Dois Travesseiros e uma Alma Perdida
Thai Drama - 2020, 13 episodes
Supposedly has gay character(s).
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207. Sombra do Coração
Thai Drama - 2020, 17 episodes
LGBTQ theme, with one of the MCs being gay.
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208. Sr. Coração
Korean Drama - 2020, 8 episodes
Short mini series of the super sweet and innocent kind. Had some small flaws, but I really liked it. (And I'm a sucker for all sports BL--which is weird since I absolutely hate most sports IRL...)
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209. Sr. Coração: Especial
Korean Special - 2020, 1 episode
Special episode for drama "Mr. Heart". Nothing much. Behind-the-scenes kind of interview thingy that bored me half to death but I guess it fills its purpose.
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210. Still 2gether
Thai Special - 2020, 5 episodes
Special episodes for drama "2gether".
Special episodes for drama "2gether".
Hmm. I think I actually like these better than the original drama. EVEN though they're even cheesier. Probably because the direction is better and the balance between the couples is more fluid and not so whiplash-inducing. And I'm fond of "everyday life" in BLs.
It still bothers me that it's this innocent--I don't quite see the point of that, considering that even the tamest Thai BLs take stuff further than this. Not that it necessarily needs to be tons of graphic stuff, but somehow it feels a bit odd that it's pretty abundant in hints and innuendoes--while the kissing and stuff keeps to this level. Well, whatever. That one kiss with the Pocky-looking candy--was sooo aesthetically pleasing ;PAnd... the main guys are still cute together. And still gorgeous. (So gorgeous it's distracting, actually. Not my personal type of guys, but these boys are BEAUTIFUL to look at.)
And... I still love Toptap. I want him for a kid brother.
And... I will probably never get enough of Drake and Frank. (First pairing up; 'Cause You're My Boy", from 2018). They have among the best chemistry among all Thai BL couples, ever. Just devastatingly adorable together.
And... Gunsmile still bugs me. Albeit not as much this time around.
But yeah. It's cheesy. Too cheesy for my taste. And not even close to the quality I prefer to my BL.
But I still enjoy it.
Huge plus for an awesome intro! (As in visuals. The super-catchy song is old news by now.)
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211. Surrogacy
Japanese Special - 2021, 1 episode
Not BL, it seems--but with a central gay theme.
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212. Tanabata
Taiwanese Movie - 2020
Short.
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213. Tão Apaixonado
Thai Drama - 2020, 13 episodes
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214. Taste Love
Hong Kong Special - 2021, 1 episode
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215. Teoria do Amor: Episódio Especial "Fique Comigo"
Thai Special - 2020, 1 episode
Special episode for drama "Theory of Love".
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216. Ter Kao Ngao Kaen
Thai Drama - 2021, 18 episodes
No release date available as of right now.
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217. Thamnew
Thai Movie - 2020
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218. TharnType 2
Thai Drama - 2020, 12 episodes
Well...
I wasn't really expecting much from this second season. Their story was "complete" in season one, IMO. It wouldn't have needed more. But since the couple is insanely popular and there IS a second novel--why not. Even if I didn't "need" a S2--I'm still deliriously happy that I get to see more of them. And that--we get.
It's pretty much like the second season of "SOTUS". Not all that much to say, not all that much to elaborate, not all that much to develop nor explore. The journey was completed in the first season since the premise was that two opposites needed to meet in the middle. This just is that kind of story--the kind that works the best with the climax that was already achieved in season one. But this couple just is one of those that one can't quite get enough of. So it doesn't matter to me that the storyline of this sequel season is (so far) "boring" and more or less non-existent. Just to see them is enough :)
So yes--I love it. Because it's Tharn and Type. (AND because it's Mew and Gulf.) But there is absolutely no way that I will rate it as high as S1. Because S1 was a bull's-eye. A idiotic, compelling and funny story--that was tight, complete and lacked nothing. The ultimate romcom BL.
S2 is just... milking it.But I'm totally fine with that. <3
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219. TharnType 2 Special 2
Thai Special - 2021, 1 episode
Special for second season of drama "TharnType".
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220. TharnType Special
Thai Special - 2020, 1 episode
Okay, this should, in one way, be counted as part of the main series, which started airing 2019 and therefore shouldn't be on the list--but on the other hand, it IS a special disconnected from the first 12 episodes. So let's include it.
Review is available in my "Thai BL" list as well as the "Asian BL" list.
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221. The CEO
Thai Drama - 2020, 6 episodes
Mini-mini-drama.
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222. The Confidential Coffee Brake
Korean Movie - 2021
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223. The Cornered Mouse Dreams of Cheese
Japanese Movie - 2020
Based on one of the best BL/gay-themed mangas ever written.
(Two volumes, by mangaka Mizushiro Setona--which recently were released in English by Seven Seas. And immediately landed in my book shelf. I had to wait 10 years for that...)I was equal parts thrilled--and nervous--before watching it. But I was pretty sure that even if it might turn out crappy, it's still an adaptation of a phenomenally good comic--so I would probably love it no matter what.
So... how'd it end up, then...?
I loved it.
Not just because I'm happy every time I get live action adaptations of my favourites--but because it's GOOD. I have absolutely no idea why some people disliked it, and the ratings are fairly low. It caught the manga very well, and the direction and acting was pretty great.
I'll definitely update with an elaborated mini-review when I find the time...
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224. The Cupid Coach
Thai Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
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225. The Gamer And His Awkward Boy
Thai Drama - 0000
Previously stated to be released 2020 but the info has since been removed.
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226. The Immeasurable
Taiwanese Movie - 2021
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227. The Making of 2gether the Movie
Thai Special - 2021, 4 episodes
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228. The Moment Since
Thai Drama - 2020, 5 episodes
Sequel to mini-drama "The Moment".
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229. To My Star (Movie)
Korean Movie - 2021
Movie version of the drama "To My Star".
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230. To My Star: Making Film
Korean Special - 2021, 1 episode
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231. Toast to You
Taiwanese Movie - 2021
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232. Ton Hon Chon Tee
Thai Drama - 2020, 10 episodes
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233. Top Secret Together
Thai Drama - 2021, 15 episodes
Upcoming May 2021. (Probably.)
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234. Triple - Do You Want?
Korean Movie - 2020
Short.
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235. Try To Know Love
Thai Drama - 0000
No release date available as of now.
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236. Two Hearts
Thai Movie - 2021
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237. Último Crepúsculo em Phuket
Thai Special - 2021, 1 episode
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238. Um Conto de Mil Estrelas
Thai Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
So far--I love this. Love it. Love, love, love it.
Love the story, love the direction, love the OST/score, love the cinematography, love the setting, love the script (for most part), love the acting, love the cozy, lovely, happy, sunny feel, love how it makes me smile.
I even kind of love Earth in this one--and THAT'S a first for me...
Basically; a whole lotta' love.
This one's a keeper, even if there is potential for a derailing further down the line. -
239. Veneno do Amor 2
Thai Drama - 2021, 8 episodes
Sequel for 2019 drama "Love Poison".
No releasedate available as of now.
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240. Vida - Amor em Jogo
Japanese Drama - 2020, 4 episodes
I literally went "OHMYGAWD!" when I saw that this is coming as a drama. YES! YES! YES!
Based on an absolutely lovely one-shot manga--and this mini-drama turned out quite lovely, too. A bit of a different flavour compared to the earlier years of Japanese BL--fully in line with the freshness and "closer to reality makes it more beautiful, not less so", that they've delivered during the past couple of years.Sweet, quite simplistic and lacking all that over-the-top melodrama/exaggeration in acting and direction, that used to wreck far too many Japanese productions. An EXCELLENT choice of manga to adapt to a Live Action--and an excellent result, as well. It managed to catch the air and feel of the original work, bringing it to life with dedicated and believable acting and script.
Yay!
(Btw; If you read comics and decide to read/have read the one this is based on--do not miss out on the larger work which this one has more or less copied. "Complex", by Manda Ringo. Get through the first, messy part--and you will be rewarded with a knock-out of a BL...)
DO NOTICE the extremely gratifying cameo in the end--our (at least my) beloved boys from Taiwanese BL-drama "HIStory 3: Make Our Days Count" make a quick appearance! :D (I literally shouted and jumped up and down). Without spoiling too much--it was somehow a little bit of comfort to see them in an "alternative universe" as opposed to the actual drama...
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241. Você é o Meu Céu
Thai Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
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242. Você Me Faz Dançar
Korean Drama - 2021, 8 episodes
Mini-drama.
Hmm. For some reason, I didn't like this. I enjoyed the other recent Korean mini dramas more, even though they were less qualitative... I'll give a decent rating because it's pretty well produced and there's nothing WRONG with it--it just didn't hit home with me. I get annoyed with unrealistic plot/relationship developments--and here, it's too much for me. Sure,when talking about BL--realistic stories are rare. But as long as it's built up and elaborated from the haphazard meeting/hook-up, it's fine. Especially if it's the sillier kind of BL.
But this isn't silly--so it becomes awkward. And the relationship dynamics are fuzzy and somehow... the characters keep their feelings and thoughts to themselves. There is no need to write it on the nose, but some kind of outreach, explanation, voicing out what takes place in their minds and hearts--is kind of crucial to make us believe what happens on the screen.
This doesn't.It's cute and all that... but it's flat. The characters are flat and the story is told in that shallow and "let's show a little bit of this and a little bit of that, screw the fluidity" kind of way.
Which is a pity, since the plot premise was kind of unique.Acting was fair, but not in any way exceptional.
Random cred; The far-from-acceptable dancing by the MC, was edited quite cleverly and smoothly and almost pulled off fooling an experienced and critical eye.
Tech work was quite nice with some extra lovely shots.And above all; Cred to South Korea for developing their BL, and managing to dig out a path of their own, with a distinct flavour that differs from the Japanese and Taiwanese productions, even though they have similarities.
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243. Wake Up Ladies 2: Very Complicated
Thai Drama - 2020, 10 episodes
Upcoming sequel season for "Wake Up Ladies". (Not BL but the MC is gay.)
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244. We Best Love: Fighting Mr. 2nd Special Edition
Taiwanese Special - 2021, 6 episodes
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245. We Best Love: Fighting Mr.2nd - Special Episode 6.5
Taiwanese Special - 2021, 1 episode
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246. We Best Love: No. 1 For You Special Edition
Taiwanese Special - 2021, 6 episodes
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247. We Best Love: Spin-off
Taiwanese Special - 2021, 1 episode
Special episode for the first season of "We Best Love".
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248. Why R U? : The Series
Thai Drama - 2020, 13 episodes
I reluctantly love this...
Okay, this isn't that GOOD, per se--it's messy and far from perfect in execution, but it's more like... a parade of BL, BL, BL.
I can't resist this shameless poking fun at the BL fandom. Here you have ALL the tropes, ALL the stereotypes, all which is ridiculous about BL, fanservice and insane Fangirls/Boys. Served with a huge portion of sarcasm and self-awareness--it's just pretty much hilarious.I'm a Fangirl, but still, I despise a lot about the BL fandom. I see real and troubling issues in many of the tendencies surrounding shipping and delusional fantasies. At the same time, I can't help but laugh my ass off at the insanity. Because it IS funny.
So to make a drama that highlights the stupidity--is entertaining. Though, this one does it lovingly, not nearly as venomously as I do :P
So, you are served; A shitload of couples (too many) of different types, in every single super-trope scenario/coupling you can think of--generously sprinkled with intense kissing, a bit of groping, silly crotch-shots and jokes, sweaty/freshly-out-of-the-shower male bodies, slip-and-catches, running-in-the-rain, accidental "kisses", piggy-back rides, bed-baths, an army of engineer boys, guys-with-guitars and soccer players, gratuitous-but-oh-so-rewarding cameos by iconic BL couples, super-cheesy dialogues and sugar-sweet moments, crude sexual innuendoes and everything else.
Huge plus for some of the hottest scenes in any Thai BL to date. I will never be able to wrap my head around how Saint, with his innocent baby-face looks, can look so lethal when he turns the switch. (And his crazy versatility. I mean... from Pete in LBC, to this?)
I love it.
NOTE; Watch the special episode before you watch the drama. It will make everything easier to follow. -
249. Why R U? Special
Thai Special - 2020, 1 episode
Watch this before you watch the drama.
It'll make things a hell of a lot clearer, since the first episode of the drama leaves you kind of "huh, wait, what, umm, what was that supposed to.,..?, say what?" until the picture becomes clearer in following episodes.
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250. Why R U? Special 10.5
Thai Special - 2020, 1 episode
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251. WISH YOU: Your Melody From My Heart the Movie
Korean Movie - 2021
Movie version of the drama "Wish You: Your Melody From My Heart".
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252. Y-Destiny
Thai Drama - 2021, 15 episodes
Upcoming 2021. (Probably?)
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253. Y-Destiny Special Episode
Thai Special - 2021, 1 episode
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254. You Are My Arm
Thai Movie - 0000
Upcoming 2021.
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255. You Make Me Dance (Movie)
Korean Movie - 2021
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256. Your Star The Series
Thai Drama - 0000
Upcoming 2020? (Release date yet to be announced.)
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257. Your Voice, My Heart
Taiwanese Drama - 0000
No release date available.
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258. YYY
Thai Drama - 2020, 6 episodes
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259. YYY 2
Thai Special - 2020, 3 episodes
Special episodes for drama "YYY".
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260. YYY Special: Episode 0
Thai Special - 2020, 1 episode
Special for drama "YYY".