#fahlanruk ep 9

[itsjulesharper]

All the BLs I've Watched (so far)

I can't exactly remember when I first started watching BL (seems like years!) but I began making a record of what I'd watched from around July 2022. First it was to just write down what I'd seen. Then it was other details, like country, ep count and some deets to help me remember it. I also marked them by excellence, rewatch value or UGH (aka weird, stupid, terrible).

So here’s my stats month-by-month:

Total BL watched to 30 September 2023 - 282 From - Thailand, Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam Year Range - 2014-present

JULY 2022 Watched - 23

Loved 🥰 - Semantic Error, Cherry Blossoms after Winter, The Untamed, BlueMing, Theory of Love, Bad Buddy, Star In My Mind, Cutie Pie Toxic but still loved it - KinnPorsche, We Best Love, My Beautiful Man WTFery 🥴- TharnType Didn’t match hype - not yet! 🔥 NC - KinnPorsche, TharnType, Not Me Different from the norm - Not Me, Old Fashion Cupcake, The Untamed, BlueMing Just all-round lovely - Cherry Magic Needed More eps - The Tuxedo Still salty about: the ChampDoc buildup that went nowhere (TharnType) Obsessed with - JoongDunk, Wangxian, OffGun, VegasPete, ZeeNuNew, MaxNat, Jeff Satur singing Why Don't You Stay

AUGUST 2022 watched - 39

Loved 🥰 - Don’t Say No, Love Mechanics, Fish Upon The Sky, 2Gether, Love By Chance, 21 Days Theory, Light On Me Toxic but still kinda loved it - Why R U? Tonhon Chonlatee WTFery 🥴- My Lacivious Boss, With Love, Uncontrolled Love, WaterBoyy, Make It Right Didn’t match hype - Unforgotten Night 🔥NC - Don’t Say No, Love Mechanics, Love By Chance Different from the norm - On Cloud 9, Present Perfect + Present Still Perfect Just all-round lovely - Enchante, Light on Me Needed more eps - Ingredients, Calculating Love Still salty about - LeonPob breakup (Don’t Say No), Fighter’s toxicity and the shortness of the MaxNat story (thanks, Covid) (Why R U?) Obsessed with - YinnWar, Saint, BrightWin, LeoFiat/JaFirst, PondPhuwin, ForceBook, Jeff Satur

SEPTEMBER 2022 watched - 8

Loved 🥰 - Love In The Air, Love Class, To My Star, About Youth Toxic but still loved it - none WTFery 🥴 - none Didn’t match hype - Oxygen 🔥NC - Love In The Air Different from the norm - DNA Says I Love You Just all-round lovely - About Youth Needed More Eps - Oh, My Boarding House, About Youth Obsessed with - About Youth OST, PrapaiSky + PayuRain / BossNoeul, baby!!!

OCTOBER 2022 watched - 22

Loved 🥰 - Until We Meet Again, Lovely Writer, The Shipper, Plus + Minus Problematic but still loved it - HIStory 1, HIStory 2, Work From Heart WTFery 🥴- Paint With Love Didn’t match hype - Coffee Melody 🔥NC - Work From Heart, Lovely Writer, Plus + Minus, Big Dragon Different from the norm - Colour Rush, Lovely Writer Just all-round lovely - Second Chance, Takara-kun and Amagi-kun Needed more eps - Precise Shot Still salty about - The vile father's quick redemption (Work From Heart), the salt (HIStory3: Make Our Days Count - iykyk - I paused prior to THAT SCENE as I prefer to remain blissfully ignorant) Obsessed with - BounPrem, Gameplay

NOVEMBER 2022 watched - 9

Loved 🥰 - Vice Versa Toxic but still kinda loved it - Dark Blue Kiss WTFery 🥴- Skinship Didn’t match hype - Checkout 🔥NC - Checkout (the special ep w/- Tee + Ice) Different from the norm - Vice Versa Just all-round lovely - Vice Versa Needed more eps - En Of Love Still salty about - all the Earth crying (My Only 12%) Obsessed with - TayNew, Cake's love confession (My Only 12%)

DECEMBER 2022 watched - 38

Loved 🥰 - Dear Doctor I’m Coming For Soul, HIStory3: Trapped, My Tooth Your Love, I Told Sunset About You, Till The World Ends Problematic but loved it - The Novelist, Mood Indigo, I Am Your King, War of Y WTFery 🥴 - You Never Eat Alone, That’s My Candy, Bite Me Didn’t match hype - Ai Long Nhai, Remember Me 🔥NC - Fahlanruk, HIStory3: Trapped, War of Y, Mood Indigo, Till The World Ends Different from the norm - Till The World Ends, Life Love On The Line, War of Y, Dear Doctor I’m Coming For Soul Just all-round lovely - He’s Coming To Me, My Tooth Your Love Needed more eps - My Best Story, Nobleman Ryu’s Wedding, I Am Your King Still salty about - the wtf ending (Grey Rainbow), Ja’s wig (Remember Me), the absolute tragedy of LongJoke (Till the World Ends), Chinese bromance labeled as BL on YouTube Obsessed with - Copter, Art, Give Me Your Forever by Zack Tubudlo (feat. Billkin) from I Told Sunset About You OST

JANUARY 2023 watched - 23

Loved 🥰 - Roommates of Poongduck 304, Between Us Toxic but kinda obsessed with it - Lovesick WTFery 🥴 - Lovesick 2 (omggg so many bitches and dramaaaaa!) Didn’t match hype - Cutie Pie 2 🔥NC - Between Us, Cutie Pie 2 Different from the norm - Between Us, Nekoyashiki-Kun Desires To Be Recognised (manga artist + idol = hilarious!) Just all-round lovely - Mr Heart, The Boy Next Door Needed more eps - Cutie Pie 2, Chapter of Green Still salty about - the wtf ending (Kissable Lips) Obsessed with - WayuFilms on YT, BounPrem, JiwoongSeobin (and this iconic bts kiss in PoongDuck)

FEBRUARY 2023 watched - 10

Loved 🥰 - Candy Colour Paradox, HIStory4: Close To You, Oh! My Assistant, Be Loved In House: I Do Problematic for others but I LOVED it - HIStory4: Close To You WTFery 🥴 - none Didn’t match hype - My Sweet Dear 🔥NC - Candy Colour Paradox, HIStory4: Close To You Different from the norm - Candy Colour Paradox Just all-round lovely - Oh! My Assistant Needed more eps - My Sweet Dear Still salty about - camera angle + fish kisses (First Love, Again + Individual Circumstances) Obsessed with - all the cameos from the MODC actors

MARCH 2023 watched - 13

Loved 🥰 - The Warp Effect, All the Liquors, End of the World With You Toxic but I kinda liked it…? - Together With Me WTFery 🥴- Hit Bite Love, Win Jaime’s Heart, Teach Me How Didn’t match hype - Hit Bite Love, The Eclipse 🔥NC - End of The World With You, The Warp Effect Different from the norm - Moonlight Chicken, The Warp Effect, End of The World With You Just all-round lovely -See You After Quarantine, All The Liquors Needed more eps - none Still salty about - the way Knock believed his vile gf over long-time bestie Korn + the creepy asshole doctor (Together With Me), the TINY amount of JoeArmy scenes (The Warp Effect) Obsessed with - GeminiFourth, JoeArmy (The Warp Effect), Thor (Joe from The Warp Effect) appearing in e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g.

APRIL 2023 watched - 19

Loved 🥰 - Our Dating SIM, Unintentional Love Story, Bed Friend, Jack O’Frost Had issues but I loved it - My Beautiful Man 2 WTFery 🥴- Bro and Me Didn’t match hype - Craving You, Chains of Heart 🔥NC - Bed Friend Different from the norm - Unintentional Love Story Just all-round lovely - Peach of Time, Between Us specials on YT Needed more eps - ReminderS (a sequel of sorts to Lovesick) Still salty about - AePete wtf??? (Love By Chance 2), whyyyy DongHee and HoTae didn't date??? (Unintentional Love Story) *note: yes, I know we're getting a S2 Obsessed with - Unintentional Love Story

MAY 2023 watched - 21

Loved 🥰 - Mr Cinderella, ViAn, Never Let Me Go, , My School President, Our Skyy2 Toxic but kinda loved it - My Dear Loser, Want To See You WTFery 🥴- Papa What Is Love, My Day Didn’t match hype - Tin Tem Jai 🔥NC - My Day, Love Bill Different from the norm - Never Let Me Go Just all-round lovely - My School President, KluenNuea's story (OurSkyy2) Needed More Eps - The 11th Brother Still salty about - the wtf ending (Love Bill) Obsessed with - PondPhuwin, O2 Production and all their actors (especially Bá Vinh and Mai Vũ Luân!)

JUNE 2023 watched - 11

Loved 🥰 - Tale of 1000 Stars Had issues but I loved it - none WTFery 🥴- Love Syndrome III, Gen Y 2 Didn’t match hype - Boss and a Babe, StarStruck 🔥NC - Love Syndrome III, Destiny Seeker, The Eighth Sense Different from the norm - PastSenger Just all-round lovely - Star In My Mind (3rd rewatch - still love it!) Needed more eps - The Ring Goes Missing, StarStruck Still salty about - the ruination of Pha/Wayu (GenY) the weird ending (PastSenger), the fish kiss (StarStruck), the weird cuts to Love Syndrome III Obsessed with - EarthMix

JULY 2023 watched - 12

Loved 🥰 - Love Tractor, La Pluie Had issues but was really interesting - Innocent WTFery 🥴 - House of Stars Didn’t match hype - House of Stars 🔥 NC - La Pluie, House of Stars Different from the norm - 3 Will Be Free Just all-round lovely - Love Tractor Needed more eps - Innocent Still salty about - massive holes in the SC story (Innocent), can’t watch all the eps (BoyBand) Obsessed with - yelling about plot holes on Twitter, this absolute freaking song poetry from La Pluie

AUGUST 2023 watched - 13

Loved 🥰 - Why You Y Me?, Mignon (anime), Stay With Me, Happy Merry Ending, Tokyo In April Is… Had issues but I loved it - Gay Ok Bangkok, Tokyo In April Is… WTFery 🥴 - Hidden Love Didn’t match hype - none 🔥NC - Step By Step Different from the norm - Gay OK Bangkok (had a very Queer As Folk feel to it) Just all-round lovely - Sing My Crush Needed more eps - Hyperventilation (anime) Still salty about - the two year gap AND no JaabJane reunion (Step By Step), the cliffhanger (Stay With Me), fricking Skinship Obsessed with - WuBi and SuYu (Stay With Me), Evening Sunday (Why You Y Me?)

SEPTEMBER 2023 watched - 19

Loved 🥰 - Choco Milkshake, Call Boy, Love Class 2, Jun and Jun, Stay By My Side, Hidden Agenda Had issues but I loved it - none WTFery 🥴- Dinosaur Love (TOO. MUCH. TONGUE) Didn’t match hype - Wedding Plan, Dinosaur Love, Be Mine Superstar, Why RU? (Korean remake) 🔥NC - Wedding Plan, Be Mine Superstar, Call Boy, Love Class 2, Why RU? Different from the norm - Call Boy Just all-round lovely - Choco Milkshake Needed more eps - Choco Milkshake, Stay By My Side, Why RU? Still salty about - the lying (Wedding Plan), lack of chemistry (Low Frequency) fish kiss (Love Class 2), the choppy scenes + underdeveloped characters (Be Mine Superstar) Obsessed with - JoongDunk (again!) Kpop idols acting and kissing in BLs

[aliceisathome]

Fah and Sher are just repetitive now - Fah gets jealous of Sher and Prince and has a hissy fit, Sher throws back that they're just 'friends with benefits', make up sex, blah blah fishcakes. Looks like it's happening YET AGAIN next week. Extra predatory femme added to this week's roster will undoubtedly be the one who attempts to hook Fahlan while they're rowing AGAIN - esp as Pai's moved on to hunting Ping.

Ah Ping and Tap - you're killing me you poor babies. Ping sobbing his heart out because Tap was wiping his tears while Tap was upset because Ping was upset (but didn't quite understand why yet). Still, looks like Namwan is going to sort him out next week. Fucking Fah knows but is electing to keep his friends in pain rather than help them out, the dick.

And I'm afraid Gear and Prince are just too wet to even think about (sorry boys). At this point I'm more interested in Tar's crush on Pink. Sigh.

[gillianthecat]

Fahlanruk - episode 9 the last third

The last third... happened. I continue to wish Pink would go jump off a bridge.

I kind of like Fah's white sweater with the abstract black lines. The texture looks like it might not be that comfortable, but visually it's interesting.

Speaking of sweaters, Pie* looks very cute. And cozy. And that's all I'll say about him.

*as distinguished from Pai. There are multiple confident effeminate boys with homonymic names trying to go after Fah at the moment.

(Can you tell it's cold where I am?)

Somehow I continue to ship Pink and Tar despite hating them both. And not in an they're evil they deserve each other way, unfortunately it's more a they're so cute together, oh wait I forgot they're awful people way.

Oh Ping. My heartbroken darling. Your face. If they don't give these two a happy ever after I will riot. (Also you look cute in your rolled up sleeves.)

But the way he keeps looking at Tap and then averting his eyes. The way Tap just stares at him, heartbroken himself and trying to understand what's going on. I'm also still a big fan of Namwan so far. I like how she's confident and knows what she wants, and how she's watching and taking it all in. She's going to figure this all out long before Tap, I'm guessing. The question is, will she bow out gracefully, become and faen fatale and fight, or be the wise councilor who helps Tap see what's in front of his nose? I honestly have no guesses with this show.

Ooh. Pai is interested in Ping now. You're right Pai, he is cute. And honestly this is probably a good thing for everyone. Ping deserves to feel sexy and wanted. Tap probably needs a bit of jealousy to shake him up (at least according to Romance logic).

Ooh, and Ping goes over to their table. Good call, both for your own mental health (distract yourself! Have fun and flirt with someone else!) and for the narrative (make that boy jealous! Make him figure out these new feelings!)

Oh my god, the way Tap is staring. Good. I know he's in turmoil right now, and I love him, but it makes me happy. Growing pains, my oblivious friend, necessary growing pains.

Ooh. It looks like next week will be PingTap heavy. Fucking finally.

[gillianthecat]

I'm not sure if it's actually a tumblr shirt, but it is a blue lowercase serif font t logo 🤷🏻‍♀️ can anyone with a better eye tell?

Apologies for the terrible photo of my laptop screen. Whatever anti-ad/anti-cookie stuff I put on Firefox now makes GagaOOLala unwilling to play videos in that browser. But it's at 5:50 in episode 9 if anyone wants to check/get a better shot.

Sher's brother Charles was literally wearing a tumblr merch??

Wait. Where?

Do I really need to go rewatch that nurse's office scene? (I'm totally going to, I need to see Charles the tumblrina)

[absolutebl]

This Week In BL - The Floodgates Have Opened

Oct 2022 Wk 1

Being a highly subjective assessment of one tiny corner of the interwebs. Organized by which ones (in each category) I’m enjoying the most.

Ongoing Series - Thai

The Eclipse (Fri YT) 9 of 12 - Aye is such an intense and focused little thing. The eye contact with these 2 is beyond eye fucking into something more like eye soul-mating. The pool kiss was fine, but they looked cold. GMMTV loves a pool kiss. 

My Only 12% (Fri iQIYI) 9 of 14 - this show makes me cry. Fee is a wonderful friend. This was a good episode, it was fun to see Eiw come into his own. I look forward to the reunion next week.

Ai Long Nhai (Mon iQIYI) 2 of 10 - I figured it out, this is Make it Right the uni years! That’s why I like it. Nhai Is apparently flirtier and gayer when drunk. I’ve known some British lads like that. OK so sex happened. I like that there was some kind of confused drunken consent. But also serious regrets and bisexual identity crisis. Poor Nhai: You can’t have your friend and eat him too. This plot is moving quickly: it’s ep 2 and they have slept together and confessed, plus a one month trial relationship. I like it. This is messy gay in a way I appreciate. 

Ghost Host, Ghost House (Weds YouTube & Gaga) 1 of 8 - I'm enjoying the lead pair, the meet cute, and the combative nature of their relationship. I’m not wild about the premise but I like how different it is from all the previous “my ghost boyfriend” takes on this concept. More “our human pet.” I’m beginning to be weirdly charmed by how bureaucratic the Thai afterlife always seems to be. 

Big Dragon (Sat Gaga) 1 of 8 - Basically we have player love-rivals (a girl)/enemies to lovers + a rich/poor pairing: Yai & Mangkorn. It had a good hook but most of the ep was dull; thankfully Gaga has a 1.5x speed. The acting is bad but the sex scene was fine: dominance struggles, lots of switching, and verse stuff. *we likie* This show is using drugging (impaired judgement/dub-con/both men), sexual extortion, and blackmail as a plot device not unlike LITA. But it’s using antiheroes and presenting everything, including the characters, in a negative light. Thus right now in BL we have a great example of how the same plot device can be depicted differently and result in an entirely different perspective and watcher experience. In other words: a narrative I’m hating in LITA doesn’t bother me here, because of characterization.  

Work from Heart (Thurs YouTube) 3 of 7 - The agro yet deeply in-crush behavior of our tsundere seme is kinda fun, but the fashion remains truly terrible and the most unpleasant performer in this show. Although it’s got competition. 

Love in the Air (Thurs iQIYI) 8 of 13 - the premise and blackmail set up for this couple really fucked with me (because Sky is a broken angel-baby and Pai is an irredeemable pustule). I am not happy about it: DUMPSTER FIRE TRASH WATCH ALONG HERE. That said, there is a GREAT analysis of Sky’s character here (that I totally enjoy and want to be true, but I think gives Mame too much credit). 

Fahlanruk (Sun GaGa) 4 of 12 - So Fah’s bf cheated first? Okay, still doesn’t justify his behavior. Honestly, I really can’t stand this show. Now we are playing a game of how long can I go before dropping it.

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Takara-kun and Amagi-kun (Japan Thurs GaGa & Viki) 7 of 8 - these two pretty much define awkward. Takara because he is trying desperately to keep his cool reserve (and perform perfect seme) while simultaneously being so in love/lust with Amagi in high school where desire is, by definition and practice, uncool. Amagi is all frenetic movements and angles, like he cannot control his limbs or his emotions, everything is deeply confusing to him including Takara’s affection. Watching them stumble around each other and agonize over every little movement and conversation is an exercise in joy, patience, and agony. It’s all so “teenager” I can hardly stand it. This episode, however, was more about Tanaka coping with learning his friend is 1. not straight and 2. deeply in love with an adorable weirdo. It was a quieter ep than I expected but sweet. “He said something cute and I couldn’t help myself“ is so traditional Japanese seme in one sentence I can’t even.

Kabe Koji (Japan Mon Viki) 1 of 10 - basically this is A Man Who Defies the World of BL + Senpai This Can’t be Love (as @heretherebedork said). Nakao Masaki playing a sunshine bouncy himbo character is a fucking revelation, I didn’t think he had it in him. But our tsundere uke is far too tsundere for me, and despite the premise (AN IDOL LOVE INTEREST!) I do not not really like it. I just hate the stalker photograph obsession thing (My Engineer, SCOY, STCBL, now this) and I can’t support a character that starts out this way, it’s apparently a trigger I didn’t know I had until BL tried to romanticize it. I love Nakao Masaki (in a non stalker, no photos kind of way) so I might muscle through but... 

Once Again (Korea Fri GaGa) 7-8fin - Cute date plus hand holding and a mild but sweet moot kiss does not a satisfying ending make. They are great boyfriends even if only for a few days. As expected, like Kissable Lips, this one ends sad. Can’t stop the Koreans when a temporal paradox and death is on the line. They do love their tragedy, not to mention unavoidable fate. 2/10 NOT RECOMMENDED

It’s Airing But I’m Not Watching It

War of Y - 20 eps A spy have reported in on a spoiler assessment of the first 2 installments here. 2 more to go. 

Oh My Sunshine Night 16 eps - I’m scared it’s gonna be sad, so I’m waiting for spies to tell me it’s safe, so far reported to be quite the soap opera. 

To Sir With Love AKA Khun Chai 10 eps - dito OMSN, so I’m holding until it finishes its run. 

My Roommate - 32 eps of 2 minutes each? Terrible production values, worse than the pulps. I not bothering. 

In Case You Missed It

180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us had a sad end, or at least, not a happy one, so I will not be watching it. I’m happy to leave it permanently listed dnf. 2022 will be the year I dnf’d the most BL, partly because there’s so much of it. (Thailand is at 108 BLs and counting this year). 

I talk a lot on this blog about linguistics (language intersecting with culture) here’s a fun podcast from Hidden Brain on How language shapes our perspective on life. 

Gossip

HIStory 5 is coming! Called HIStory5: Love in the Future. Since it’s going to be the only one under the 5 moniker I’ll probably default (like it did with H4) to just calling it H5. 

That omegaverse Thai BL got cancelled. Probably because of the fuss being kicked up about it. I am sad. No trash watch for me. Maybe Japan will still do one at some point. 

Next Week Looks Like This:

Starting: Remember Me starts tomorrow, Thai (Sun Gaga)1 of 8. 2 Moons 3 Thai (Mon ??) 1 of 10. Roommates of Poongduck 304 (Korea Thurs Viki) 1 of 8. SELF Thai (Thurs ??). My Tooth Your Love (Taiwan Fri Gaga & Viki) 1 of 12. Hard Love Mission Thai (Sat WeTV & iQiyi?). Wish Me Luck Thai (Sat ??). 

I’m traveling so I may not be able to watch the ones I already have in rotation, let alone track down the new babies. You on your own peeps, best of luck! 

Honestly Thailand, too many. You gotta stop now. We saturated. 

FULL October 2022 line up is here.

This week’s best moments?

The return of That Staircase in Eclipse! 

Tell us something we don’t know, Aye. 

Breaking news: Cute bit is very cute. 

Work from Heart: I just love the sniff test trope (AKA I like the way he smells) one of my favs. 

Although neck kisses are good too, thanks Ai Long Nhai. 

Activating seme agressive tendencies. 

Bisexual rep, yes please! 

And a direct address of drunk one night stand regrets. You’re doing well little pulp. 

Such boyfriends. 

The most seme line in a BL ever. 

(last week)

Current earworm? The Rose’s Sour 

[bengiyo]

Coffee Melody Ep 9 Stray Thoughts

I honestly didn't think I was going to write these for this show anymore, but I will try to finish.

Okay, the next drama is Duen Yi possibly leaving for work. I'm sure this will be handled with grace and somehow Plengruk won't be the bad guy in this. /s

It's been two months and I still don't like Pavel's hair like this.

It's emotional for the band to beg Chan Chao to stay, but they don't know why she needs to leave. Also, everyone looks so stiff in this scene, like they didn't know what to do with all these characters in a scene.

Is Thunwa still pursuing Duen Yi, too? I thought we were past this? FFS

I don't even remember the boss's name. Just done with him and this entire dynamic.

It's incredibly frustrating that Duen Yi is talking to everyone about possibly leaving except Plengruk. You pushed him to open himself to you. Don't back down now.

See, this is what I'm saying. Plengruk cares about his own professional goals, so he's not going to be broken up about some distance for a time. However, because Duen Yi is a brat, he is sad that Plengruk can't drop his work to talk about it immediately.

Here we go with the children again.

This is the second time they've yelled into this mics. Pain.

I do love Jean. I like how earnest Tit Nhuea's affection is as well.

I basically skipped the song. I saw Jean's sign. I just can't listen to this same song anymore.

This is honestly just reminding me that You're My Sky handled impending long distance better.

Next week this will finally be over. Then j suppose Fahlanruk will be the show I snark at.

[gillianthecat]

Fahlanruk - episode 9 the first third

I dislike everyone in this show besides Ping and Tap. (well, i'm indifferent to mildly positive about Gear and Prince, but I don't spend much time thinking about them, tbh. And Anna, but she's hardly in it.)

Pink I loathe most of all. Which is unfortunate because I really like the actress's face; it kept me believing in Pink long past the time I should have. But now I detest her and every time she tries to give Fah advice or *shudder* asks him what's happening with him and Sher I want to throw something at my screen. Perhaps she's acting out of the goodness of her heart but it just feels like she's mining data for her creepy little cute boys page. Which she's lying about and pretending is not her. 😱😡

I am generally annoyed at people telling Fah and especially Sher what to do though. Especially his brothers. There's a way that people can intercede and give advice that feels loving and helpful (Kabe Koji pulled it off beautifully this week) but Fahlanruk is not managing it, at least in my eyes. The brothers just feel like they're riding roughshod over what Sher wants and needs, based on what they think he should need. I was briefly hoping to ship Sher and Apo, in sheer defiance of Fah and Sher, but unfortunately they seem pretty boring together. 🤷🏻‍♀️

But Ping is breaking my heart sobbing alone on the beach. 😥 I want them to find love with each other. 🥺

[gillianthecat]

Fahlanruk - episode 9 the middle third

Fah, you were so drunk you thought Pink was Sher and tried to kiss her less than an hour ago. (I think, time is confusing. But still.) You should not be driving please and thank you.

Sorry Fah, you've lost all my good will you'd slowly gained over the past few months. You don't get to go looking for Sher's hookup like you're going to beat him up just cause you're jealous and pissy.

Also why are they having these intimate private emotional moments in front of the creepy stalker Pink. Oy vey. I realize they don't know she's the main campus paparazzi stalker, but they must notice she's creepily over-invested, no?

Oh Tap. Oh Ping. Tap is waiting outside Ping's apartment and leaps up when he sees him. So relieved, look at that smile. And Ping. So honest and yet of course he can't say the most essential part. My poor heartbroken darling.

Oh baby. The uniquely exquisite pain of having the person who's breaking your heart comfort you over your broken heart, and he doesn't even know it's him. Just. Ouch. These boys. The way they look at each other. Tap's confusion and worry and heartbreak on Ping's behalf. The way Ping just crumples and sobs as soon as Tap touches him. You're breaking my heart. My baby.

Ping's actor is MVP this series for me, no question.

[absolutebl]

This Week in BL - P’ABL Versus The Hotel Wifi

(spoiler, I lost)

Oct 2022 Wk 2

Being a highly subjective assessment of one tiny corner of the interwebs. Organized by which ones (in each category) I’m enjoying the most.

Ongoing Series - Thai

The Eclipse (Fri YT) 10 of 12 - Neo is so damn good in this role. But the plot is starting to drag. I don't think this show will hold up to a binge watch. But Akk & Aye really are a killer couple. Akk caught himself a live one. I didn’t even mind the wifey talk. 

My Only 12% (Fri iQIYI) 10 of 14 - Cake being back and jealous as fuck and totally into Eiw is way better and more satisfying than I thought it would be. Santa is good in this role. These 2 define codependency and it’s a little worrying, but Cake’s unalloyed joy at being with Eiw and just looking at him again is the warmest I’ve felt since the final ep of DNA Say Love You. This is a greta little show. 

Ai Long Nhai (Mon iQIYI) 3 of 10 - It is a perfectly serviceable little pulp, it’s hitting all the tropes, but was a bit dull this ep (plus a bit crass and theres the stalker thing). I don’t really have a lot to say about it. Ai does switch from mueng to ter after kissing Nahi - that was cute! 

Ghost Host, Ghost House (Weds YouTube) 2 of 8 - I still hold that the lead couple is nice but not sure about anything else. 

Remember Me (Sun Gaga) 1 of 8 - I don’t know what it is about a voice over + Thailand but it never works well, it’s always jaw-clenchingly cliché. I don’t know if it’s the way the script is written or the limited capacity of those captioning it, but it’s never as poetic as it’s trying to be. It’s like a poem written by a middle schooler who thinks they’re very deep. This is one of those situations where the Gaga interface is failing me, because I need the skip ahead button and not the 1.5 speed (although I’m using it). Look, I’m really not into 90s nostalgia. All that said, and despite the fact that this was mostly about a pack of kids running around, which is not my thing, I actually enjoyed this ep. I was hoping to take this one out of rotation because I have too much on at the mo. But I guess it’s staying in. JaFirst = penpals who never meet. ManTitle = sunshine chatty and The Boy Who Never Speaks. Mean = the clownish leader, and random other boy = the token het. 

Big Dragon (Sat Gaga) 2 of 8 - Surprise kink! This is a bunch of rough and angry nonsense, but fun nonsense. Like relationship drama between friends you don’t really like. Things that are meant to be funny, aren’t funny, things that are meant to be tense, aren’t tense, but I’m still watching it. I think that makes me the sucker, tho. 

Work from Heart (Thurs YouTube) 4 of 7 - My Favorite boy with the tattoos makes a reappearance. But mostly this show is just really boring. 

Love in the Air (Thurs iQIYI) 9 of 13 - whatever, Pai: DUMPSTER FIRE TRASH WATCH ALONG HERE. 

Fahlanruk (Sun GaGa) 5 of 12 - And I’m out. This one is a dnf for me. Someone can tell me if the 2nd half is worth it, after it finishes, but I’m not gonna bother to watch it every week anymore. I genuinely don’t like any of the couples and the fujoshi framing is repulsive under the context of a narrative trying to be this authentically gay. I’ve lost all patience. 

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Takara-kun and Amagi-kun (Japan GaGa & Viki) 8fin - These 2 were tooth achingly sweet and impossibly lovely. This show was beyond charming: soft, gentle, adorable and packed with cuteness and angst. Did anything actually happen? No. Was there any kind of even attempt at a plot? No. Did I enjoy the hell out of it, anyway? Oh yes. 9/10 TOTALLY RECOMMENDED UNDEMANDING FLUFFY GOODNESS 

Roommates of Poongduck 304 (Korea Thurs Viki) 1 of 8 - I like it a lot. Rich poor. Enemies to lovers. Forced proximity. Pretty boys. What’s not to enjoy? 

My Tooth Your Love (Taiwan Fri Gaga & Viki) 1 of 12 - It’s cute, quirky, well acted, and a bit slow moving. Pretty much what I expected. 

Kabe Koji (Japan Mon Viki) 2 of 10 - Seriously this should be everything I love in the world but Japan has to be overly creepy and stalker about it and now it’s totally borked it for me. Oh well. I’m still watching.

It’s Airing But I’m Not Watching It

War of Y 20 eps - it’s just all too much for me.

My Roommate 32 eps of 2 minutes each + terrible production values? - I’m not bothering.

Oh My Sunshine Night 16 eps (update: 20) - I’m scared it’s gonna be sad, so I’m waiting for spies to tell me it’s safe, so far reported to be quite the soap opera.

To Sir With Love AKA Khun Chai 10 eps (update: 28!) - dito 

2 Moons 3 Thai (Mon ??) 10 eps - I searched for it in a lacklustre manner but couldn’t find it legally anywhere convenient so gave up. I will watch it if it’s easy to do so. 

SELF (Thurs ??) - same again 

Wish Me Luck (Sat ??) - and again

Hard Love Mission (Sat WeTV?) - and again 

I might have a bit of a hunt when I get back, but for now it difficult enough to keep up with the main list. 

Gossip

I have been seriously considering an UWMA rewatch (as Between Us starts up next month). I’ve never chronicled or properly reviewed UWMA (which is my all time favorite Thai BL). And my understanding of Thai has markedly improved since i last watched it. What do you think? Anyone else interested? 

Japan announced a new Takumi adaptation. I think is is a terrible idea for many reasons. 

Sorry the whole work thing means I haven’t had time to check my usual sources for BL announcements and new releases. Also, you’ll notice very few screen shots. It’s a mad crazy world out there beyond the boundaries of one’s homey high speed internet. 

Next Week Looks Like This:

Look my calendar is a nightmare. It’s all just too much right now, you’ll have to wait tell I get everything sorted. There’s a lot of stuff airing, you should watch what you like and ask me for recs if none of it appeals. 

October 2022 line up is here.

This week’s best moments?

Finally!

Those smiles! 

So many jellies 

(last week)

Current earworm? HYNN's The Story of Us featuring a very familiar face with some of my favorite dimples 

[absolutebl]

September 2022 BL Line Up

9/11 Fahlanruk (Thai) 

GaGa Sundays, 10 eps, 45 min ea.

Fahlan (smart jock) meets Sherbet (edgy bad boy) sparks fly and they end up in bed together. Fahlan feels a lot more for Sherbet than is allowed, so he hides his feelings. Fahlan’s friends Ping and Tap, try to help their boy win his man, but are struggling with friends-to-lovers woes of their own. Looks to be a strong contender in the Thai BL pulp dumpster fire of joy arena. It’s using tropes we rarely see and it tonally seems like a combination of Nitiman + Y-Destiny’s players episode (2 of my 2021 favorites). I like sexually messy and identity confused college dramas but Love Mechanics might have tapped me out. 

Y-novel adaptation featuring a pining seme and high heat, from director Koo who has a long back catalogue of shows, if not a great track record with BL (Club Friday and Tonhon Chonlatee are his). 

9/14 Once Again (Korea) 

Viki Thursdays, 8 eps, 25 min ea  

Time-slip fantasy BL from Moving Picture studio & Idol Romance behind Wish You, Ryu's Wedding, Tasty Florida, Tinted With You, and Kissable Lips (also forthcoming Happy Ending Outside The Fence and The Circumstances of Pungdeok Villa Room 304). Stars actors (no idols) Moon Ji Young (also star in an upcoming BL The New Employee), Lee Hyuk Jun, and Kang Woo Jung. 

JaeWoo lives with childhood trauma. He travels to the past where he meets JiHoon, a law student who JaeWoo admires most in the world. Will he be able to change both their fates?

9/16: More Than Words (Japan) 

Amazon Prime Video JP (only?)

Adaptation of Etsuko’s two mangas In The Apartment and More Than Words, starring Ryōko Fujino (Fujoshi, Ukkari Gei ni Kokuru), Yuzu Aoki (Kakafukaka), Daisuke Nakagawa (Colorful Love), and Daiki Kanechika (EXIT).

Told from the perspective of the female best friend who is against (?) the workplace gay relationship of her bff. Also there is another gay plot line. 

9/22: My Tempo (Thailand) 

Unknown distribution. 

BL movie about the Thai music industry. What joy is mine.

9/26 Ai Long Nhai (Thai) 

No international distribution as yet, 10 eps 45 min ea. 

About a man expelled from foreign university who returns to a Thai university in disgrace and meets A Boy.

From Thailand’s Mflow Entertainment for Ch3Thailand. Adapted from a Y-novel, directed by Nob (La Cuisine, Gen Y). Secondary couple Nan & Sippakorn are IRL husbands Arm & Porsch (Together with Me). Familiar faces include Gun (Love Area’s Valen) and Jom (Nitiman’s Jin).

This is actually the inception story of the characters of AiNi in Tonhon Chonlatee which I didn’t realize. Now I loved those characters, but I disliked that series from a story standpoint and this is the same author so I’m now nervous.

Comfort the Boy AKA A Shoulder to Cry On (Korea) 

No international distribution as yet, 12 eps 20 min ea (?)

Looks to be a longer than usual KBL, got an R15+ rating for topic & vulgarity (we likey), stars idols Jaehan & Yechan BOTH from Kpop group OMEGA X (we scairedy). Interesting that an idol company is allowing two idols from the same group star in a BL together. *danger will robinson.” 

Adaptation of Dongmul's manwha A Shoulder to Cry On, high school set, features a teasing confident gay, and a rich/poor pairing, about homophobia/gossip putting a scholarship in jeopardy. 

SELF the series (Thai) 

No international distribution as yet, no known length.

From Studio Common about a young artist who mysteriously loses his reflection and sees a strange boy in the mirror instead. Stars fresh faces, directed by Too (Triage) and NutSor (screenwriter of Dew).

Happy Ending Outside the Fence (Korea ) 

No international distribution as yet, probably usual KBL length. 

JungWoo is a writer who disappeared after being treated unfairly in the publishing industry. TaeYoung, the head of a publishing company, admires and wants him to write again. JungHyun became a star by borrowing JungWoo's writings. The three characters interact and drama results. Stars idol Leo of VIXX. 

Magic of Zero: Zero Supporter (Thai) 

GMMTV feat advertisement specail (c 45 min) on their YT channel 

Cupid's Last Wish spin off, features EarthMix in another bodyswap on this time with each other (KornWin). I disliked the origin show intensely, so I can’t see myself watching this. 

MPD (missing presumed dead): 

Ghost Host, Ghost House. Thai PNR pulp BL was billed as dropping in August. 

(source)

Information dated beginning of September 2022. If you have updates, leave a comment share the love. 

[poetry-protest-pornography]

Oh no, next week looks actually sad.

How did real feelings get in this show?

(I legit looked up if somehow Fahlanruk only had 9 episodes, and so we were getting an angsty ep 8 instead of an angsty ep 11, but no, it's still 12 episodes...)