#I'll Turn Back This Time

[guzhufuren]

Kou Weilong and Li Yimu who played Que Siming and Jinbao in Meet You At The Blossom are officially announced to star in the upcoming chinese BL I'll Turn Back This Time from the same filming team!

Will have 6 episodes with 50 minute length each. Filming period: 20 days, starts in Q4 of 2024 in Hubei. Preparations for filming have started.

Production company: ZX ENTERTAINMENT (Singapore)

The show will be about Shen Nan, a 25 year old dentist, and Gu Shiwen, a 19 year old painter.

[bengiyo]

Ben’s Big BL Blurb 5: Let’s Talk About Sex

I was mostly planning to check in again after the current Japanese shows ended, but after three out of four sex scenes left me wanting this week, I want to write down my ideas. I maintain that bed scenes, like action scenes, need to tell us more about the characters. Many sex scenes serve as a release of tension or confirmation of existing feelings. As usual, MAME seems to understand this, and others should probably take notes. 

Call Me By No Name is Doing Nothing For Me (5/8)

I have just about given up on this show. I don’t get Megumi’s whole deal, why she’s so in love with Kohata, or Kohata’s reticence. I was really hoping that an intimate scene would open up some space for vulnerability and truth with them to give us some answers about why these two weirdos are drawn to each other, but that’s not what we got. I was hoping that when we saw these two go at it we’d learn how much Megumi has felt for women before, or how she responded to Kohata’s experience. Instead, I’m left feeling cold by the whole affair, and generally baffled by the conflicting themes around going somewhere she did cutesy girl nights before, and ordering the cute food. This one is a chop.

Impression of Youth is Wasting My Time (5/9)

I have my own squicks as a former teacher with stories where a teacher messes around with their student. However, I don’t see the point of doing a teacher-student story if we’re not going to explore any of the lines being crossed here. We also didn’t get a good arc about the student helping the teacher properly reconnect with a feeling, or discover something, that helped him get back to his art. We simply had him start painting on the beach again, the kid confessed, and then they fucked with awkward kissing. I was a bit let down by the brother’s fast encouragement of the whole thing. It felt like they were reaching for the same energy we had in Call Me By Your Name (2017) with Oliver and Elio, but it’s missing the component where Oliver knew what he was doing the whole time for me. The overall alignment feels off, and I’m getting so little emotion from this show as a result. On top of all that, they showed us the kid’s boxers before implying he was nude in the shower! Ridiculous! 

When It Rains It Pours is Being Shy About Sex in a Show About Cheating (5/7)

This is the biggest offender of the week for me. This show is all about how the leads cannot have sex from the people they love, and find someone they can commiserate with in each other. When the dam finally breaks and they both need the release in each other, I was so dismayed that the show tried to gloss over as much of the sex as possible. It’s so fucking annoying for me when the shows about sex get precious about it and won’t show it. I was thankful that they tried to capture all the emotions happening around the weekend they spent together, but I think we lost a lot in not having Hagiwara blow Sei, because you just know that man has a people pleasing streak that would require him to give pleasure back. The lack of sex also means that there is no gap time between the infidelity and the discovery. We don’t give enough time for the shift in their relationship to breathe before the crisis (@respectthepetty). I’ve lamented before about Japanese shows only showing toxic or breakup sex, and so it’s damned annoying that they’re doing that in the cheating show because they probably want these guys to be together by the end. I was really hoping Mood Indigo would have some company finally (especially after Love in the Air Koi), but I clearly need to stay patient. Cannot overstate how lame it is for the show about two guys cheating because their partners won’t fuck them being shy about the sex effectively sides with the partners who won’t fuck them. Finally, I am not over them getting the insertion angle wrong while making points about it!!

Your Sky Could Have Been A Good Follow-Up on 2gether

I’ve been sitting on this one for a bit because I don’t know what I want to say about this one. I was really into it in the beginning, but it felt like this show didn’t really know what it wanted to do after resolving the issues with Oh. I personally liked the dad being confronted by his wife and father about the way his homophobia was hurting his son, but I didn’t really enjoy it as a Very Special Episode. I would have also liked to see Teerak’s newfound assertiveness in this period beyond is refusal to cave. I think this show also deeply underutilized its own supporting characters, especially the side couples. Still, I thought Thomas was probably the most beautiful newest BL boy we’ve gotten, and I liked the way he and Kong worked together. I also really enjoyed Teerak being allowed to want sex, ask for it, and take charge of it. That’s so important for a cute character. Letting us know that Teerak has also become protective of the private moments he has with Fah, and is growing into his desire for Fah really is a great way to finish a show.

Final Verdict: 7, Recommended With Reservations. I find it hard to give this a stronger recommendation. I just think the show ends up being overall inessential from how much of it ends up being fluff that doesn’t connect much to each other. The biggest things I liked were Fah and Teerak, especially in the early episodes, and I liked the family dynamics. Still, I feel like this show didn’t know what to do without Tine’s internalized homophobia, and what to do with Fah’s ex that was mentioned. There’s just too much hanging off this to recommend it as a strong drama. Everyone is very pretty, and the performances are earnest. It’s a show that means well, even if it’s a bit indulgent. 

The Boy Next World Understands that Phu Has a Dick (5/10)

MAME, as usual, understands the assignment. There’s no way that their first encounter is going to be Cir showing up to stick is dick in Phu’s ass. He’s been obsessed with this boy for years in a way that prioritizes Phu’s wellbeing. It was absolutely correct to payoff that Cir keeps making Phu hard by having Cir take care of him, let us see that Phu enjoyed it. Like @babyangelsky I think it’s important that we let go of the notion that cute characters cannot want and enjoy sex. We got so much from this. We know that Cir likes to give pleasure, and that he’s not going to ask for it from Phu. We also know that Phu cares about Cir, too, because he asked about his time in the bathroom (Cir clearly jerked off and rinsed his mouth, y’all). What’s so excellent about putting a sex scene at this point is it means we’ll see their sex change after Phu learns that Cir has been stalking him for years. MAME is consistently the best storyteller at using the kisses and sex to help inform the arc of the relationship. Most importantly, she gets what the angles are supposed to be.

Ossan’s Love Thailand Is…Fine (5/12)

I’m not really into this one much right now, despite what I think is a pretty solid performance from Krit Shahkrit. I understand the choice to go back to making Kongdech a widower, but I don’t think giving him a daughter who initially opposed the romance added much to this for me. I’m hoping activating Thor’s character next week will add some energy to this for me, because I’m feeling a bit flat with it at this point. I’m glad they’re letting Earth and Mix continue to play adult characters, but it doesn’t feel like they knew what they wanted to do with office romance dynamics here.

Gelboys is a Welcome Return from Boss Kuno (1/7)

Started this today and I am seated. I really love how much it feels like we get to actually be inside of Bangkok. I love that we opened with an ad for the Bangkok rail system as a mechanism for freedom. I love how filming on iphones has enhanced the naturalistic feeling of the production. I also love how we completed the major arc of the het angst of Make It Right in the first like five minutes. Incredible stuff. I’m so excited to see the mess Fou4Mod is going to make of everything, and I’m excited to see Chian dickmatize that boy. Curious to see how much this feels like a bubble show. Shout out to Boss for showing us a naked teen at the start of this show to scare off the pearl clutchers.

RED BLUE is EVERYTHING (6/8)

This is not BL, but it’s got enough BL boys rolling on the floor and sweating on top of each other that I’m saying here loudly that I LOVE IT. Kimura Keito is fantastic in this, and I loved his fight with Okura Takato in episode 6. I almost didn’t recognize my boy from his role as Amane in If It’s With You with the change in his hair. I did not know I needed a wrestling show with BL boys…who am I kidding? We’ve been asking for this every year. This is hitting all the notes I want from a sports shonen show. It’s fantastic.

Please Use the Sex Well in Romance

I think there’s a real place for clean romance in the BL genre. Some of our favorites don’t involve sex being a major component of their romance narrative, but that often requires significantly more drama and better storytelling and plots. What I cannot abide is when I find myself bargaining about how a show that wants to talk about sex every episode seemingly doesn’t want to deal with sex. Romances about sex that don’t use the sex well in their stories are as bad as comedies with terrible jokes, or action flicks with no suspense and satisfying fight sequences.

Other than that, I dropped I'll Turn Back This Time. It’s just too stupid and incoherent for me to put up with it’s nonsense. Seeya next time. 

[lurkingshan]

Quick Plug for I Will Turn Back This Time

A new Chinese BL produced in Hong Kong [ETA: or Singapore! Production info a bit confusing, thanks @guzhufuren] just started airing, and it's on Gaga for international fans, yay! It's six episodes total with the first out today, and I really enjoyed it. Some info on the premise (spoilers for basic story set up):

Shen Nan, our protagonist, meets Shi Wen when their parents get remarried to each other.

They are both adults and the four of them are not living as a family, so it's really not a stepbrothers story. The marriage is the device for the two leads to meet and not what the narrative is about.

The tone of this is more dramatic than comedic, but not too heavy. And they are using all your favorite tropes in the romance.

In this first episode they meet, get to know each other over several months, fall for each other, and then as Shi Wen runs to confess to Shen Nan, he gets hit and killed by a truck of doom.

This starts a time loop for Shen Nan, and presumably the rest of the show will be him attempting to prevent the accident and them falling in love repeatedly.

The overall production quality is pretty solid, it's a very interesting premise, the first episode was well paced, and the short episode order gives me hope they can manage the story well. There is cast crossover with Meet You at the Blossom. And it's just pretty cool to have another high quality BL from China that's actually accessible to us. I highly recommend joining the weekly watch for this one!

[heretherebedork]

It's been a week for umbrellas over wet boys in BL.

[wanderlust-in-my-soul]

Currently Watching - January

aka The Masterlist

Because I love a good little list - in alphabetical order! 😊

Regularly updated during the month, latest update 31.01.2025

A little link to my favorite bl-tropes-collection 💙

gif-requests are open, but you'll need to have some patience🌼

Here you can find all of my gifs.

At the end you can have a look at what we can expect in January with a MDL link and a link for a trailer (if avaible).

This is guaranteed to contain spoilers!

1. Eternal Butler 🇹🇼 (5/12)

I really don't like this one that much. Why am I still here? The plot is hiding, the acting is playing catch with the writing. Some emotions are shining through and yet this feels very muh bland.

2. Futtara Doshaburi 🇯🇵 (4/7)

My intention was to talk about what a nice social study this show is. How the lack of sex can make you feel this insecure and lost and that the missing communication is not helping. I wanted to talk about how much Nakarai is longing for some physical touch, some love, not just sex and how this situation is slowly eating him up. And then there was the preview and my mind went "oh." Just "oh". See you next week.

3. I'll Turn Back This Time 🇨🇳 (2/6)

Okay, just time travel this time. Cut the step brothers. I enjoyed this episode and Shen Nan building a connection with Gu Shi Wen. I still don't understand the time travel and the changes that been made because of it, but I hope we get a little more information in the future.

4. Ossan's Love Thailand 🇹🇭 (4/12)

What in the Luigi is happening here? This series is really challenging me. The only thing I kinda like is Mix's acting and the soundtrack. The OST is so funny. The show? Not so much. It is really difficult to watch. Just not my humor.

5. Sangmin Dinneaw 🇹🇭 (5/8)

This series is such a rollercoaster. One moment they are sweet and innocent and the other second they are eating each other! And everyone beside the main couple is just pure chaos. I watch it only half, because I can't watch most of the cringe scenes. And now I am kinda curious what Sangmin's secret is.

6. Study Group 🇰🇷 (4/10)

I like the study group. They are all such characters. And I really enjoy the fight-scenes. So the study group is finally complete and now they are fighting evil bastards? I guess. And I am here for it. But I am so sorry Cha WooMin. Ever since Weak Hero Class 1 I can't like you. You hurt me too much! And now you're a villain again? Damn!

7. ThamePo Heart That Skips A Beat 🇹🇭 (8/13)

Oh you mother of all slow burn! This is pure torture for them and for us! And I love every bits of it! So we finally get Jun telling his intentions (I was right, yeah!) and Thame showed again why he is the greenest flags of them all! He is such a fair player and a loyal friend, who wouldn't sacrifice one or the other, but wants Po to make the decision. Only Jun already knew that Po already likes Thame (and like everyone else knows too). I didn't like the fact that Jun told Thame and Po about their mutual crush, but without him, let's be honest, they would still just stare at each other. And yes, I was screaming at my screen "Just kiss already", but this is such a delightful torture of a slow burn! Really delicious! And we got some hand holding. But Thame... your idea putting Po's hand in your pocket and nobody will know is just dumb. But they hold hands! AHHHHH! And next week... AHHHHHH!

8. The Heart Killers 🇹🇭 (10/12)

Joong really delivered in this episode. His single tears were so good. Fadel breaking down and allowing Style to comfort him, to protect him, to love every side of him was indeed beautiful. The series is not good, but this episode was quite good. But Mama being the bad guy here. Who was surprised? Be honest.

9. Word of Honor 🇨🇳 (25/36)

Yes, I kept watching. Well, this will take me a while to finish, I fear.

10. Your Sky 🇹🇭 (11/12)

The question for me this episode was: Why do you think Rak can't have a happy family and someone who cares about him with Fah? Why do you think he needs a woman for that? The father really annoyed me with his I don't want to talk about it attitude. He is just worried? He wouldn't be worried if Fah was a woman. I understand where they were coming from with this plot line, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. What I still love about this series is the communication, especially between the mains. And that Rak didn't sacrifice his relationship in the end, but he stood by his man and so did Fah. I love them!

Finished in January

Series

Miseinen: Mijukuna Oretachi wa Bukiyo ni Shinkochu 🇯🇵

Somewhere along the way I lost interest. I don't like the trope of noble idiocy and that kinda ruins my wish to continue the series. And while it might fit into the narrative, I still don't like it. And so I didn't like the ending. Well, the ending itself was okay and it felt real. Coming out to the friends and family would have not fit the plot. I liked that about the series. Overall a strong start, a mediocre middle and a weaker ending. I give it a 7 out of 10.

See Your Love 🇹🇼

I went into this without any expectations. And damn, I am so happy I could binge this one. I loved it! They are so cute. The height difference is adorable! The story might came a little bit short, but but the characters and their developments and relationships made this series really enjoyable. I love how enthusiastic Yang Zixiang learned sign language. You could see, that this was important for him. The depiction of disability was good and well performed. The side-couple is the only thing that was not for me. I give it a strong 9,5 out of 10.

Fourever You Project 🇹🇭

I just binged this one. I started for Johan and North and I stayed for them. And for the others beside Hill and Ter. I adore Pond. I loved him in 180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us. But this series was not for him. He and Earth have no chemistry together. Perhaps I don't like the typecast of Earth. Most of the times his characters annoy me and he isn't allowed to play an adult. And with Pond there was no spark on my screen. Other with Maxky and Bas. Their characters were goo. The chemistry was good. Their story was good and not that cliche-loaded as HillTer's was. I want to know what is going on with the other two, Tonfah and Arthit. The plot was a college bl. Plain, good ol' college bl. Nothing more nothing less. I admit I skipped most of Hill and Ter's scenes after Johan and North got the lead. I give it a 7 out of 10.

Movie

Short Film

Dropped in January

Looking forward to in January

The Boy Next World - Trailer (Jan 5th)

Ossan's Love - Trailer (Jan 6th)

Call Me by No-Name (Jan 10th)

Impression of Youth (Jan 15th)

The Paradise Of Thornes - Trailer (Jan 22nd)

[thisonelikesaliens]

not sure if someone else already pointed this out but the title is more accurately translated as "this time I'll turn back first"

這次換我先回頭

that "first" feels like to key word but maybe I'm just overthinking. maybe it means nothing

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[dramalove247]

If you watched I'll Turn Back This Time and it left you a broken mess like it did us, you need this, trust.

The series ending was just mean! Thank the drama gods for giving us this bonus ending because we needed it. Didn't know 8 min could heal us that much!

[babyangelsky]

I looooooove this bookshelf staircase situation happening in this house. I want it.

[bl-bam-beyond]

I'LL TURN BACK THIS TIME (2025, CHINA)

Episode 1

Post 1 of 3

Two stepbrothers finding a balance with one another. A balance that leads Shen Nan (KOU WEI LONG) and Gu Shi Wen (LI YI MU) to develop feelings.

@pose4photoml @just-another-boyslove-blog @wanderlust-in-my-soul @absolutebl

[guzhufuren]

New modern chinese BL I'll Turn Back This Time premieres on GagaOOLala on January 11, 2025

Made by the same team that made first uncensored chinese wuxia BL Meet You At The Blossom and has the same actors that played the side couple (Li Yimu as Jinbao and Kou Weilong as Que Siming) in main roles this time

Time: 8:00PM GMT+8

Should have 6 episodes with 50 minute length each.

Premieres internationally with exception of Thailand, Japan and Korea

Actors and filming team from China, filmed in mainland China, made through a production company of Singapore

Synopsis: Shen Nan and Gu Shiwen become step-brothers through their parents' remarriage. As they grow closer, and Gu Shiwen decides to confess his feelings, tragedy strikes. Shen Nan, who travels back in time, tries to change their fate.

Li Yimu as Gu Shiwen, Kou Weilong as Shen Nan

[yinwaryuri]

Yo how am I currently watching 13 shows rn 👁️👄👁️

[heretherebedork]

The lightest touch of fingers can mean the most.

[ellsieee]

I'll Turn Back This Time premiers Jan 11, 2025 on Gaga.

Stars Kou Weilong and Li Yimu from Meet You At the Blossom (Que Siming and Jin Bao).

Trailer:

The admins of Stealing From My CEO fangirling again under Gaga's premiere post.

I love them.

[nyskaaluu]

[pinkkop]

Another week has passed! And I'm still sticking to my weekly recap, though I know 2 weeks isn't super impressive but I'm sticking to this!! I've actually set up a whole system to make these posts and I'm probably going to make a post explaining how tomorrow (link to post)

As always, any constructive criticism is welcome and I'll probably keep improving this format for a while.

QL Recap for Week 2

The 6th of January to the 12th of January

🇹🇼 See Your Love

Episode 13 of 13 || Watching on: Gagaoolala

Final notes: This show was just so good and it definitely stuck the landing. Both couples were great, felt very fresh and I was super invested in both. If they'd had a longer runtime they could have definitely used more time on the core plot and the second couple but that's really more of a wish of mine. They used the time they had well and I can definitely see myself returning to this. And just the cherry on top of two great pairings came an interesting plot which didn't treat Shaopeng's disability as something to be fixed and instead showed all the ways he was perfect just the way he is.

🇹🇭 ThamePo Heart That Skips a Beat

Episode 5 of 13 || Watching on: Youtube

Another great episode! Was a little surprised that Thame hadn't realized he has feelings for Po yet but at least we got there now. I'm not entirely sure what Jun's problem is yet but at least it seems like Po knows he is up to something. Nano's fear of failure and desperate need to not feel like a burden to other people was so relatable and I'm really happy they all were there to help him understand that it's okay to rely on other people. It's safe to say I'm very invested in this show!

🇹🇭 The Heart Killers

Episode 7 of 12 || Watching on: Youtube

Oh this was delicious! Just the intricacies of Bison and Fadel now also knowing Kant and Style's motives and pretending they don’t. The BB gun scene was insane because it felt very close to home when Bison and Fadel are used to being out shooting people but this was just for pretend. Two things were said in this scene which I'd bet was foreshadowing: Style asking to be allowed to help which might mean he'll be shooting a real gun in the future and Kant saying he'll shield Bison which I'd bet means he'll try and shield Bison for real in the future and might actually get shot. Overall the acting in this episode was phenomenal!! Particularly the final boat scene was just *chef's kiss*

🇹🇭 Your Sky

Episode 9 of 12 || Watching on: iQiYi

Oh they are just the sweetest boyfriends!! Can't wait for Hia and Real to finally get their shit together and have a proper talk but luckily they'll take steps towards that next week. This show is just my happy space right now.

🇹🇭 Fourever You

Episode 16 of 17? || Watching on: Gray

I'm still one episode ahead but I wont spoil anything so don't worry if you haven't seen episode 16. I feel a little bad but I was pretty happy about having an episode for just Johan and North. I absolutely adore them so it was so great get more background story on them. For some reason I thought this show was only 16 episodes so I have no clue what the total nr. of episodes are anymore. I wouldn't mind a couple of more episodes with Johan and North as the focus though because they're the highlight of this show for me. I do also love seeing the two friend groups and their friendships which to be honest I could use more of. I love that even the very masculine group of friends have each others backs and are able to be vulnerable in with each other.

🇯🇵 Miseinen: Mijukuna Oretachi wa Bukiyo ni Shinkochu

Episode 10 of 10 || Watching on: Gagaoolala

Final notes: Oh these two! This was such a good story of living in a world that doesn't accept you. Just two lonely lost boys finding love and a home in each other. Even when they get their happy ever aften they still live in a society where they have to hide and it just breaks my heart. I just hope they find better friends. Overall I really liked this show and how it was produced. I could easily feel the pain of these two and put myself in their place. It was by no means perfect but it was a good little show with all the things that made me enjoy watching it.

🇹🇭 Petrichor

Episode 7 of 10 || Watching on: iQiYi

I'm still enjoying this very much and putting the killer in-between our two main characters was so delicious. The crime plot and the romance are heavily intertwined and one enhances the other. This was the same with Spare Me Your Mercy but also the reason why when SMYM didn't develop the relationship enough it also affected the rest of the plot. I don't find that this is the same problem here though.

🇹🇭 Caged Again

Episode 10 of 10 || Watching on: Gagaoolala

Final notes: This concept was absolutely bonkers but they made it work really well. I loved how they played into the animal characters because it made it feel more believable and original and fun. I fully believed that the two were transformed from specific animals and it made it great. It kinda lost it's magic towards it's end but I still think its well worth a watch.

🇹🇭 Perfect 10 Liners

Episode 12 of 24 || Watching on: Youtube

I'm still invested in Gun and Yotha, and I'm loving Arc's presence in their lives. I however was very confused about Aou and Boom's couple suddenly getting screen-time. I like these two as actors but since their characters came into this show already established and with very little screen-time before this week I'm not invested in them at all.

🇹🇭 The Boy Next World

Episode 2 of 10 || Watching on: iQiYi

This show is suffering from the large amount of shows airing on Sunday because I'm struggling to pay enough attention to actually get invested. The acting and production value is there and I like the plot a lot but I usually get to this third so I'm usually tired and anxious about in being Sunday when I get to it which isn't an easy situation to get into a new show.

🇯🇵 Futtara Doshaburi

Episode 1 of 7 || Watching on: Gagaoolala

I don't understand how you can slowly start moving your beds away from each other in a relationship. They got some serious issues and desperately need to talk about it but are doing anything but that. I'm a little confused about the otsee your loher couples(?) dynamic, are they dating? Just roommates? They're acting like they're more than roommates at times but I guess we'll find out. I assume that all that is something we'll find out so I'm intrigued by this show, even if I worry a little that they'll get into "cheating" territory at some point which is not my cup of tea.

🇹🇭 Sangmin Dinneaw

Episode 3 of 8 || Watching on: iQiYi

Sangnim and Dinneaw are super cute and I love all the languange stuff and I'm also interested so see where the second couple goes. But other than that I kept thinking all episode: "What even is this show? " The Pony thing still isn't my kind of humor but I'm assuming someone is finding it funny. The third couple however, what even is the point of them? We don't know them at all so I'm not invested in them or their relationship and I don't even know what those sex scenes are? Like they're neither funny nor sexy, why are they there? This is the one time where I'll allow NC scenes to be called unnecessary. I'm just so confused so if anyone has any insights please let me know!! Maybe it's just not my thing? I don't ever remember watching a show where I really liked parts of if but then absolutely didn't like other parts.

🇨🇳 I'll Turn Back This Time

Episode 1 of 6 || Watching on: Gagaoolala

I really like Meet You at the Blossom so I'm very curious to see if this can live up to the hype. They pretty much speed ran "enemies to lovers to something more" so I'm worried that this will come back to bite them in the ass later. Either way I'm intrigued and I'll wait and see the show unfold more before I make more of a judgement on this show.

🇹🇼 Eternal Butler

Episode 5 of 12 || Watching on: Gagaoolala

I'm watching this incredibly casually because I'm not big on robots in romantic relationships and, like it's predecessor, Anti Reset, you shouldn't think too hard about the plot.

That's it for this week!

For links and airing schedule check out World of BL (Only for BLs)

[thisonelikesaliens]

compared the subs for Gaga and YoYo, and overall Gaga is better, but i need to thank YoYo for adding innuendo here:

"united as one" is a freaking stroke of genius (idk if it was intentional or i just have a dirty mind but i seriously laughed so hard at this so thank you)

(idiom basically means "if people work together they can achieve anything")