#utsukushii kare series

[alwayspining]

Get it Hira.

Utsukushii Kare 2/My Beautiful Man 2/美しい彼 シーズン2 (2023) l S2 ep 4 l dir. Sakai Mai

[babybison]

You've tried your best. No need to say sorry.

[lemonfreshlysqueezed]

The blush on this man!!

Gif by @guangchuan

[divineandmajesticinone]

TAKANO AKIRA in

Utsukushii Kare (2021) Ghost Yankee (2024)

[wanderlust-in-my-soul]

Delicious adjective, /dɪˈlɪʃ.əs/- used to describe a situation or activity that gives you great pleasure (Part 1/?)

Utsukushii Kare

Old Fashion Cupcake

Bad Buddy

War Of Y

Bed Friend

Love At The End Of The World

History 5

Summerdaze

Part of my favorite bl-tropes collection, as always in no particular order.

[lurkingshan]

What are your favorite examples of deep unbridled yearning in a bl? I think my is I told the sunset about you the way they used the coconut smell to showcase one the leads feelings for the other was so unique and sensual. He starts out hating coconut and how it smells but slowly as he falls in love he becomes obsessed with it since it's the other MLs unique scent and he uses it on everything, so we get a scene of him inhaling a paper written by the MLs coconut pen and then another one just devouring a coconut like it's the best thing in earth. I don't think I have ever seen such a depiction of attraction/love/lust that's so different but also visceral and beautiful and it really stuck with me. It's very different but it's one of the rare romance things that I'll never forget akin to the hand flex from pride and prejudice.

So you want to talk about yearning.

*Lan Wangji has entered the chat*

There’s a lot of good yearning in the romance genre, and plenty of bls feature it. The example you gave from ITSAY is definitely one of the standouts in terms of how visceral it felt. I will never forget Teh shoving his whole face into that coconut, or all the super charged scenes where he and Oh-aew stare at and touch each other and keep testing boundaries until they break.

There are definitely other expressions of yearning that stick out for me for one reason or another, and not all in this same tone.

The Untamed

Let’s get this out of the way upfront, because no one can step to this man on yearning. He adopted a whole child and named him after his yearning for his lost love. What I love about the presentation of Lan Wangji's particular flavor of yearning is how steady and matter of fact it is. He is always yearning for Wei Wuxian and it's just a part of who he is, whether his love is alive or dead. And while I love that Teh is such a big mess of emotions, I also like this more understated flavor of yearning where nothing is ever said out loud but Lan Wangji's feelings are clear in how he chooses to live his life. He's the poster boy for "actions speak louder than words."

Eternal Yesterday

I'm not sure if you've seen this one, but it's one of the most poignant and devastating depictions of yearning I have ever seen. Mitsuru yearned for Koichi so hard that he kept his body alive for precious extra days and his memory alive forever. Brb gonna go cry.

Utsukushii Kare 2

This is probably one of the more unique expressions of the emotion (on brand for this series), since this sequel season has Kiyoi yearning for the man who is already his boyfriend to love him for real instead of idolizing and holding him from a distance. It's one of my favorite explorations of how lonely we can feel even while in a relationship.

I Cannot Reach You

This show wins for best visual effects to convey yearning, with a beautiful bokeh effect taking over the screen in moments when the characters were extra in their feelings over each other.

Unknown

Wei Yuan's yearning was more of the desperate and hopeless variety, especially in his teens years when he knew his feelings for his adoptive older brother were impossible. I liked that his feelings were expressed via caretaking; he didn't think he could have the relationship he really wanted with Wei Qian, so he made it his mission to take care of him and help shoulder his burdens instead.

I Feel You Linger in the Air

This story stands out in my memory for its dedication to anticipatory yearning. That is, knowing a separation is coming against your will and yearning desperately for the person who is still in front of you. Yai and Jom did not want to let each other go despite knowing they could not stay together, and that yearning was so strong it ultimately connected them through time.

Theory of Love

And on the comedic end of the spectrum, I absolutely cannot end this list without giving a shoutout to one of the funniest manifestations of yearning that has ever graced my screen. Every time his feelings for Khai got overwhelming, Third ran to the bathroom for a Sadness Shower, and if the water wasn't working he was happy to improvise (and now I am cackling).

[braceletofteeth]

[distressed self-sacrificing boyfriend silence]

[bl-bracket]

Bonus Round: Horniest on Main Drama

*This is NOT what show has the highest heat/most sex scenes/etc but what show is the HORNIEST on MAIN. Not all sex scenes are horny and not all horny scenes are sex scenes.

[scarefox]

Sick and twisted that comfort shows have a last episode and then just end.

[mondstalgia]

10 BL boys I want carnally ... lovingly, cause I'm too asexual for this trend

Jiang Dian - He's talented, beautiful, I utterly adore him and will lose my shit fighting people for his honour (I am a knight now apparently)

Jeff Satur - Voice of an angel, face of an angel, an absolute goof; what more does one want really?

Toyoda Yudai - A recent favorite, he reminds me of a stubborn cat. Also look at his eyes, have you ever seen eyes that pretty???

Tul Pakorn - been obsessed with him for like what, nearly ten years? And it never ends, it just doesn't. He's such a gem, I hope we will get him on screen again soon

Ohm Pawat - I'm so old I remember when this man had braces ahh anyway everyone should watch "He's Coming To Me" it's really underappreciated (unrelated to the braces btw)

Honda Kyoya - listen he feeds us so well lately, he's in everything. Gay, straight, he even did a polyship drama, I love him.

Chen Bowen - I mean...duh, can't just mention one part of the Nat Louis ship, they are a package deal for me. I just have less stress trauma with this man

Yagi Yusei - could a casting be any more perfect? He's ethereal and he was already such an amazing idol and then he decided to act and give us an amazing BL franchise. Ah, I'm so proud

Cha Joo Wan - I wouldn't have thought so many recent BL boys would make it on this list but this rookie really grabbed me by the throat with his talent, I can't wait what his future brings. He's such a cutie.

First Kanaphan - and last but never ever EVER least, my heart, my soul, the one and only. Apple of my eye or however you say it, the industry wouldn't be the same without him.

tagging: @nibupei @bunni-bun @respectthepetty

[alwayspining]

Hagiwara Riku as HIRA & Yagi Yusei as KIYOI - their dynamic is SO unhealthy but they love each other SO much.

Utsukushii Kare 2/My Beautiful Man 2/美しい彼 シーズン2 (2023) l S2 ep 1 l dir. Sakai Mai

[babybison]

Don't you ever have thoughts like that? (subs by @DE4RKAZU)

[absolutebl]

Top 10 Best BLs on Gagaoolala

My Beautiful Man AKA Utsukushii Kare

Japan 2021

One of the most Japanese BLs to release in the last decade, as weird and as messed up as any 2000s yaoi: emo af and hella warped, entirely true to itself with no attempt made to modify its POV for modern sensibilities or current BL fandom. It used seriously old school problematic and kinky tropes, like whipping boy, for a truly uncompromising piece that also manages to hit up themes of communication, consent, and self acceptance. It’s a wonderful BL but uniquely dirty and harsh, in the best possible way - Japanese cinema, uncompromising.

I lost my ever loving mind over the ending. This show won the Grand Prix “My Best TV Award” at the 16th Galaxy Awards.

Minato's Laundromat AKA Minato Shouji Coin Laundry

Japan 2022

A classic age gap romance where a high school student pursues the man of his dreams (who runs a laundromat). This BL is so steeped in yaoi nostalgia, not to mention a classic romance arc, that it will overload some, but those of us who love this genre for its DNA will adore it. It made me very happy because it did everything I want a BL to do - there’s not much more I could ask of a show than this. It’s the closest Japan has come to perfect live action yaoi since Seven Days (and I never make that comparison lightly).

Squee watch-along here.

My Ride

Thai 2022

Thai BL grew up with this pulp (the first ever to make my end of year top 10). It’s a truly lovely and special little show featuring the extremely rare pairing of sunshine/sunshine (AKA a cinnamon roll couple) plus mature explorations of relationships using one of the softest, sweetest, and most innocent friends to lovers vehicles. Kindly, overworked doctor meets broken-hearted motorcycle taxi driver in an “other side of the tracks” slow burn romance. The support cast is excellent, making for great friendship groups and family dynamics. With honest queer rep that adds to, but doesn’t impede, the story, and genuine conversation about the nature of class, wealth, and classism, not to mention communication, honesty, and respect for boundaries, you can’t go wrong with this show. In other news, I am a sucker for a single dimple.

Takara & Amagi AKA Takara-kun to Amagi-kun

Japan 2022 I gnawed on my knuckles and squealed a lot with this BL. Reserved cool kid who must learn to communicate to keep the tiny disaster nugget he’s madly in love with. It is beyond charming: soft and gentle, packed with cuteness and high school angst, thirst, & yearning. Was there plot? Not really. Was it emotionally tense and paced well enough for me not to notice? Absolutely. Did I enjoy the hell out of it? Oh yes.

Kiseki: Dear to Me

Taiwan 2023

The plot is totally ridiculous and slightly unhinged, but that’s normal for Taiwan. It involves all the tropes under a very casual framework of gay mafia gangs + food = love. Absolutely every character is queer. There’s a gum-ball machine of cameos, elder gay rep, great chemistry from all pairs, and a KILLER side couple. As a result Kiseki is a poster child for Taiwanese BL, and I happen to love Taiwanese BL. Bonus? They also managed to END IT WELL, which we cannot expect from Taiwan.

My Personal Weatherman AKA Taikan Yoho

Japan 2023

This style of live action yaoi really only works from Japan. Basically: boys who fell in love in college end up living together but both are so repressed they actually don't realize they're in love. It's higher heat than we usually get from Japan's HEA stuff, and that part is also very well done, but it leaned into the "why don't they just talk for fuck's sake?" trope which is only exacerbated into undiluted frustration by the fact that they're already fucking. It's great, but watching requires more patience than usual, even for Japan.

Our Dining Table AKA Bokura no Shokutaku

Japan 2023

A lonely salaryman and talented cook gets accidentally adopted by a college kid and his little brother. I was always gonna love this show if they stuck to the manga (which is very dear to my heart). And they did, paralleling it almost exactly. It’s a quiet & cozy little parable of found family alleviating loneliness. Possibly too slow for some but definitely high up there for me as the best of what Japan can do with softness (like Restart After Come Back Home). It’s only flaw (if I dare say such a thing) is that it is not really “romantic.” Lovely & sweet but the romance beats are being used to build a family relationship, not just couple intimacy, but that's OK with me. This is a very safe show for anyone to watch.

Step By Step

Thai 2023

This was Thailand’s answer to The New Employee, and everything I loved about that show I loved about this one. This office romance between a stern boss and sweet subordinate felt more authentic to cubical work than previous Thai BLs of this ilk. That authenticity added tension to the narrative and its characters development (how novel). I also really enjoyed the charming side characters and the brothers' relationship to each other (although I could have done without that brother's side BL).

Long Time No See

Korea (Strongberry) 2017

Catfishing assassins on either side of a turf war who fall in love not knowing they are on opposite sides. Or do they? Suspenseful plot, good fight sequences, mature characters, hot sexitimes and even hotter beating the shit out of each other and kissing while covered in blog (this came from KOREA?), plus an HEA. One of the hidden gems of the BL genre.

About Youth

Taiwan 2022

A truly lovely little coming of age high school BL with a classic YA low drama but high angst and an earnest depth. I didn’t even mind the singing, and that’s saying a lot. A weak seme/uke dynamic but tons of BL tropes (both rare in a high school setting but common for Taiwan) makes this one feel both sweet and colored by real world authenticity and grit.

Some of these shows ALSO appeared on Viki or iQIYI, but these BLs will appear only once on these round up posts (here for Gaga), not on the other platforms top 10.

(source)

This list updated Spring 2024, not responsible for cool stuff that aired on Gaga (or was taken off the platform) after that date.

This is part of a series more here:

[divineandmajesticinone]

MY BEAUTIFUL MAN (2021) I 1.04

"I never thought me and Kiyoi would go anywhere."

[wanderlust-in-my-soul]

Forehead touches - an indication of not only the emotional or physical connection, but also a mental one (Part 3/?)

HIS

Never Let Me Go

Between Us

Stay With Me

Eien No Knou / Eternal Yesterday

The Promise

Destiny Seeker

La Pluie

Our Skyy 2

Utsukushii Kare Season 2 / My Beautiful Man 2

Part of my favorite bl-tropes collection, as always in no particular order.

[negrowhat]

Hi, just wondering do you have any fav bl couples from shows you watched? If you do, what's your top 10?

Thanks.

Oh Anon! I have a TON of fave couples! Here are 10 of my all time fave couples off the top of my head. Of course I could keep going lol.

Nubsib and Gene from Lovely Writer. I love them to bits and pieces. Gene is one of my most favorite BL characters and I love him so much. I love how much Nubsib babies Gene even tho Gene is almost 6 yrs older than Gene. I love that Gene took such good care of Nubsib when they were boys and now Nubsib takes care of Gene...also I love that Nubsib highkey finds everyone else besides Gene annoying.

Kang Seo Joon and Han Ji Woo from To My Star. My dysfunctional boys. Seo Joon is just a sweet pupper who loves to cling to his black cat boyfriend Ji Woo. I think it's sweet that they both work so hard to protect each other. Ji Woo is so bad a communicating and Seo Joon overshares. Seo Joon knows Ji Woo like the back of his hand and even though he won't admit it Ji Woo depends heavily on Seo Joon. They're both at ease when they're together.

Payu and Rain from Love in the Air. What can I say? Love that Rain flips between Payu's most goodest boy and an absolute brat. I love that Payu fell in love with Rain the moment he met them. I love that Payu is a lover and a mentor to Rain. I love that Rain brings so much joy and excitement into Payu's life. And I'm so glad my boys are engaged.

Cairo Lazaro and Gavreel Alarcon from the Gameboys. Ugh the epitome of young love. These boys helped me through the pandemic. It was such a treat watching Cai fall in love with Gav because Gav loved Cai the moment he met him. They share so much with each other and encourage each other and protect each other and love each other. They make me feel like long distance relationships are worth it.

Hira Kazunari and Kiyoi Sou from the Utsukushii Kare. More dysfunction. I love that Kiyoi went from wanting to be adored and untouched by all to wanting to be seen and loved as just a person by one. Kiyoi went through some of the best character growth I've ever seen and he truly helped Hira become more confident. I love that Hira would do any and everything for Kiyoi. He worships the ground Kiyoi walks on and I love that he began to find equal ground between him so he could allow himself to love and be in love and be loved by his idol.

Cha Yeowoon and Tae Myungha from Love for Love's Sake. The love I have for them is deep and strong. They made me cry. Like sobbed. They're my two sad boys who make each other happy. Love that Myungha would do anything to take care of Yeowoon and I love that Yeowoon wants to protect Myungha...and also smooch him all the time. They found their happiness with each other and can live in that happiness eternally.

Phaya and Tharn from The Sign. SOULMATES! OTHERWORLDLY BEINGS ! SOULMATES! OTHERWORLDLY BEINGS! Love how instantly drawn to each other they were. Tharn wanted to keep Phaya safe and Phaya was looking for his truth in Tharn. There's just something about a couple whose love transcends time and death and reincarnation.

Uncle Jim and Wen from Moonlight Chicken. I loved the tension between them. I love how determined Wen was to be with Jim, he saw that man and was like 'He's my Daddy forever'. I love the soft spot Jim had for Wen, he couldn't deny him anything no matter how hard he tried...no matter how utterly MESSY Wen was. I love that Li Ming could confide in Wen when he couldn't talk to Jim. I love that JimWen maintained high sexual chemistry even tho Jim was playing hard to get.

Pluem and Kevin from Ghost Host Ghost House. I love everything about them. I love that Pluem was immediately taken with Kevin and I love that he wasn't shy about it. Gawd he was so flirty. I love how easily Kevin gravitated to Pluem because he liked him back. They had such a sweet lil summer romance and I know people were mad about their breakup and time jump but I will defend those events with my life! It was necessary!

Zhou Shu Yi and Gao Shi De from We Best Love. I love Shi De's manipulative ass. I love that he decided the best way to be relevant in Shu Yi's life was to one-up him in everything. I love how earnest Shu Yi was, my boy was practically incapable of lying. I love that Shi De did so much to be a constant in Shu Yi life but was still too fearful to confess. Also I'm glad that Shu Yi didn't immediately take Shi De back. I'm glad he held Shi De and his father accountable.