#yang to sir with love

[bl-bracket]

Greenest Flag Round 1: Pran (Bad Buddy) vs Yang (To Sir, With Love)

[Submitted Reasons Under Cut]

Pran: "His boyfriend is an obvious option for this poll, but I wanna give Pran some credit as well. He is so patient, and knows his boyfriend so well. He is more reserved and had a lot of reasons to why he didn't want to make his and Pat's relationship official at first. However, he noticed how it affected Pat and therefore started to take down his own walls, for Pat. He was scared to hold hands in public, but then he took Pat's hand cos he saw how much Pat wanted to. When Pat was sad on the phone, he dropped everything to go and cheer him up, no questions asked. All Pat wanted was to shout his love for Pran out loud, so Pran arranged a situation at uni where Pat got to do it. He saw how Pat needed to stay in the lil' honeymoon bubble for a bit longer before they went back home, so he stayed in it for Pat. Pran is so considerate, to both his boyfriend and his friends (and fuck u Wai for not seeing that enough), he would do anything for them, and has so much love to give. He may not be as flashy with it, but that doesn't make his flag less green (I love him, your honor)"

Yang: "Despite the influence of his mother, he never betrayed Tian or try to take his place in the family. Accepted Tian when no one else would"

[absolutebl]

BLs with Strong Historical Elements

Costume dramas, historical BLs, and BLs with time travel or flashbacks to historical locations & times.

These are in order of my personal preference, best at the top.

I Feel You Linger in the Air

2023 Thailand

IFYLITA is an exquisite BL, from filming techniques to narrative framework (much like Until We Meet Again). It's about a gay man from our time who falls into the past, becomes a servant to a noble house, and falls in love with the heir. It turns out this has all happened several times before. Steeped in history and family drama it edges into lakorn (but not as much as To Sir With Love and with way less scenery chewing). This is an elegant and classy soulmates BL... from Thailand which normally doesn't even try for classy. The main couple (both as a pair and as individuals) were excellent, particularly Bright (Yai) whose eye-work acting style is a personal favorite of mine. Pity about the ending. Oh it wasn’t that sad but it wasn’t good either. This show could easily have earned a 10/10 from me except that it fumbled the… erm… balls in the final quarter. Argh. Whatever.

Nobleman Ryu's Wedding

2021 Korea - WeTV

A boy cross-dresses to take his runaway sister's place as a bride to a shy scholar, turns out they like being married. A historical setting allowed this BL to use some seriously old fashioned romance tropes (arranged marriage, evil step-sisters, Cinderfella) but also modern BL stylings like fake relationship & secret identity (drag) plus some cute gay panic. It reminded me of 12th Night more than anything else which just happens to be my favorite Shakespeare play. For all these reasons, I adored it.

(the ghat kiss!)

Tinted With You

2022 Korea - Viki

Fun stylish time travel meets portal fantasy with a likable cast, historical setting, and two actual kisses that mitigate the rough plot and issues around anachronisms.

Word of Honor

2021 China (censored) - Viki/YouTube?

I don’t rec Chinese stuff often, because I believe in censoring the censors, but this show is one of my favorites of the post 2016 censored bromances. It’s two murder-gay assassins (pining sunshine/tsundere), and they are so insanely gay for two boys who will never be allowed to kiss. Tropes include: wuxia, soulmates, paranormal, historical, and fantasy elements.

To Sir, With Love AKA Khun Chai

2022 Thailand - YouTube?

This is a true lakorn (basically Thai tellenovella or soap opera) with scenery chewing performances, especially from the mother characters. Gone With the Wind + Days of Our Lives but gay. That said? I loved it: A glorious central brother relationship (the best, made me cry), het romances, class divide + gay *gasp* main romance - oh my word, the campy drama of it all! Arranged marriage, rebellion, cut sleeves, over-the-top death with curses and regrets, beautiful if inaccurate costumes, secrets unraveling, cover ups, sparkle murder, sex herbs, coils within coils including snakes and murderous green metallic sequins (is anything gayer on this earth?). It’s a WILD ride but it does end happy for our gay boys. A man cries when he finds DEATH GLITTER. Come on! You haffa watch it. That said, like Manner of Death I struggle to rate something on a BL scale when it patently isn’t a BL. So I ended up giving this exactly what I gave that show, 7/10 I enjoyed it a whole lot, but not as a BL.

The Untamed (Special BL Edition)

2020 China (censored) - YouTube

Censored wuxia bromance, amorphous ending. Probubly the best known BL of its kind out of China and responsible for bring many fans to the BL side.

Our Skyy 2: Never Let Me Go

2023 Thailand - YouTube

I was nervous to watch this PondPhuwin vehicle but I liked it a lot! Doomed soulmates + paranormal time travel to fix the past. I’m happy for the outfits and the dancing (if not the singing). It’s not a bad premise and it’s nice to see GMMTV lean into its high production values for a change. I'd adore a full historical starring these two and this was definitely the best of the second series of Our Skyy. I don't think you have to have watched the original Never Let Me Go to enjoy this.

Legend of Long Yang: Rebirth

2017 China

Gaga

Whipping boy trope... literally, servant character takes the strap for the prince, who then makes him his bodyguard and lover when he becomes king. Low budget historical, comes off as kind of cosplay wuxia version of Irresistible Love, but we get (in the credits) an actual kiss, and they both live. So yay for small mercies.

The Director Who Buys Me Dinner

2023 Korea (historical flash backs)

iQIYI

A new employee at a film company encounters a director who claims to have lived 300 years and insists that they have to date (eat, hug & kiss) if baby doesn't want to die. It has a lot of Japanese elements, not the least of which are: an office setting, the fact that every character in this show is unhinged, and a killing of the gays. Featuring a gorgeous & stellar cast, TDWBMD should have utilized them less for melodrama and more for chemistry. This BL surprised me by going there with a lipstick mark AND an actually gay idol. But (you knew there was a but) while it's a unique twist on an office romance it is NOT a unique twist on the doomed red thread trope, resulting in it feeling less than the sum of its parts and ultimately unsatisfying. This might have also had to do with the fact that this was one of those KBLs where I felt how very short it was the whole time I was watching, like I was missing something constantly, in every episode. Worth watching for some but seriously flawed.

First Love Again

2022 Korea (historical flash backs) - Viki

A popular novelist who remembers his past lives meets his soulmate for the third time, only to find she has been reincarnated into the body of a man. This one started out a touch mean-spirited, but we eventually got a good kiss. The confession/rejection scene was justified and the reconciliation and ending was... fine. All in all, the pacing felt rushed and the romantic arc was underdeveloped. They go from like to love to boyfriends in a red hot minute. But that’s par for the course with Korea’s short form. If you don’t mind a heavy does of melodrama in your BL this one has a solid story with a strong concept that’s well acted and produced, making it a classic KBL with better than average chemistry but ultimately a touch forgettable.

Love in Spring AKA Spring of Crush

2022 Korea

This show was all over the place with uneven acting, narrative, and focus (sometimes it wanted to be a slapstick comedy, sometimes a depressing melodrama) which meant no one, actors or viewers, took anyone or anything seriously.... AND it’s a bromance. I was left wondering if SalHyung is now code for “they were roommates” in Kdrama historicals but otherwise largely apathetic and unimpressed. Korea, I now know you can do better. Do better.

Mermaid's Jade

2019 China (censored-esk) - Gaga

Kills the gay.

The Male Queen: Han Zi Gao

2016 China - Gaga

Kills the gay. Schrodinger's BL, both a BL and entirely not one at the same time.

Diary of Heong Yeong Dang

2014 Korea

Kills the Gay

I was gonna do a top 10 list, but there aren't enough by my metrics, so many end sadly.

This post at the behest of @verymuchof thank you for the idea!

Dated April 2023, includes only BLs that had finished their run by that date. Not responsible for cool costume flix that come after that. But you should check the comments to see if any have been added by others!

I might have missed a few that only have time historical elements since I don't always track those.

Also I would like to point out a decided lack of Japan on this list. My ninja yaoi consuming tiny past self is VERY upset about this void.

WHERE ARE MY GAY NINJAS??!!!

(source)

[moeblob]

Mr. Yang is indeed the absolute love of my life. The man I wish would just talk to me as he chaperoned my adventures. Please. I love him so much. I just..... wanna listen to him talk about whatever.

(and I genuinely love how the MC texts him like "what is this" and I do have a silly idea involving that but.... the fact even in canon your character looks at him and goes 'that's a very smart man whom I trust with my life despite him literally knocking me out! I'll just text him!')

[staydandy]

To Sir, With Love (2022) - คุณชาย - Whump List

List by StayDandy Synopsis : In a time where masculinity is prized, and the love between two men is obstructed by society. Thian, the eldest son of a Guild Leader, is the face of the family, the one who will eventually succeed his father, and will carry the power his father has built. A position that is constantly under threat by other Guild members, and even his own family, as his father's second wife wants her son, Yang, to succeed instead. This family, suffering from external and internal power struggles, is now facing an even greater secret, the oldest son and heir is gay. (MDL)

Whumpee : Thian played by Film Thanapat Kawila (top right) • Jiu played by Jam Rachata Hampanont (top left) • Yang played by Tongtong Kitsakorn Kanogtorn (right below Thian)

Country : 🇹🇭 Thailand Genres : Historical, Mystery, Romance, Drama, BL / Boys Love

Notes : This is a Full Whump List • And the award for Bestest Brother goes to Yang! 🥰

Episodes on List : 11 Total Episodes : 17

*Spoilers below*

02 : Yang is in a fight … Thian is slapped … Jiu's arm is cut in a fight … Yang is caned as punishment

03 : Is "hit" with a hand-cart and falls over (oh the drama! lol 😆) … (aw! Yang's love & support for his brother is gonna make me cry!!)

04 : (near end) Thian gets a splinter (well boo, poor Thian lol)

07 : Attacked, arm cut

11 : Drugged with an aphrodisiac, dizzy, passes out.. unsteady, feverish

12 : Jiu is in a fight, arm cut

13 : Yang is knocked out with an anesthetic gas(-ish) … Thian is slapped …. Jiu is kicked to the ground … Thian collapses, passes out … being carried, unconscious, sick … Jiu is in a fight, arm cut … shot

14 : Jiu wakes bandaged, in pain … pain from being poisoned … collapses in pain

15 : Thian is slapped … pistol whipped & beat up … Yang is beat up … Thian is captured & tied up, pistol whipped & beat up

16 : Beat up, passes out

17 : Tied up & unconscious.. beat up.. held hostage

More Whump Lists for this show: whumpily-ever-after

[connorjesup]

Tongtong Kitsakorn as Yang Song in To Sir, With Love (2022)

[shyishsarawat]

“But dad won’t let you go outside, what should we do?” “We’ll sneak out. We were just kids but I remember our promise--that I'd take you to watch Chinese opera everywhere.” ( To Sir With Love, 2022 )

[transbookoftheday]

My Favorite Trans Books

Today is my (@traeumenvonbuechern) birthday, so I want to share some of my favorite trans books with you to celebrate!

[heretherebedork]

The passion of the cutsleeve being a thematically important story here is wonderful to behold and to use it as both a symbol of their love and a way to Yang to realize his beloved brother's sexuality and support him? Absolutely beautiful. The through line of Chinese opera and legends in this story is already fantastic. @absolutebl Still want my historical himbo shirt with 'cutsleeve' written on the sleeve. Someday.

[littleragondin]

So I may have been slightly obsessing over “To sir with love”, as one does, and a thing that has been circling in my head for the last few days is the way Tian's confrontation with his mother at the start of episode 13 and his talk with Yang at the end of the same episode echo and oppose each other.

Madame Li comes to Tian when he is in love, hopeful, begging for a chance at happiness, and how does she respond? She crushes it, with the revelation about Jiu and Mr. Ma yes, but mostly with everything else. You will never know love, she says, except mine. That stifling love who wants him to be someone else, that chips at who he is again and again and again.

Then Yang finds his brother (heart)broken, and Tian holds him back to confess his love, again, now in despair and shame and self loathing. And Yang response to that is as it has always been, that his brother is wonderful just as he is. You deserve love he promises, and I love you I love you I love you. A love with no reservation and for all that Tian is, a love always there.

And they both love Tian, they are both afraid and worried for him, both are going to great lengths to protect him, at this point both believe that Jiu has lied to Tian and played him. And. Yet. His mother again puts the blame on him, on who he is, makes him guilty of his own betrayal. His brother reminds him that it's not true, that the betrayer is to blame, and that the fault never laid with him.

And so it's no surprise that Tian pushes away his mother and the prison her love has built around him, but seeks the comfort of his brother's love who has always celebrated who he is.

[blue-grama]

So I had some post-Khun Chai feelings to work through... if you, too, would have liked to see Jiu, Tian, Pin, and Yang hang out more, this may be the fic for you.

A huge thanks to @unhinged-silkshirt for the beta!

Word count: 5,094

Teaser:

“No,” Yang says, slapping an open palm against the table in unconscious mimicry of his father when he wants to drive home a point. “No. No more wedding talk. Not today. I beg you.”

They’re out on the back gazebo, crowded together around a rickety metal table Yang and Tian have dragged up the steps. Mei and Fu have been put to bed, and the older generation has settled into bedrooms and offices and parlors for the evening. The night air is fresh with the smell of recent rain, and the moon is nearly full. There’s a small bottle of baijiu and a pot of chrysanthemum tea on the table, which wobbles anytime someone picks up a cup and threatens to overturn when Yang slaps it. Tian sighs at him and gets down on his hands and knees, pulling a handkerchief out of his pocket to try to balance the legs.

“You’ll ruin your pants,” Pin warns. Jiu looks alarmed and drops down next to Tian; one of his guiding principles is that Tian should never be put out in any way and also that Tian should not be allowed anywhere near a home-repair project, no matter how minor.

[bl-bracket]

Greenest Flag Prelims: Yang (To Sir, With Love)

Propaganda: "Despite the influence of his mother, he never betrayed Tian or try to take his place in the family. Accepted Tian when no one else would"

[tinnchan]

To Sir, With Love (2022): Ep. 14

"I'm getting married."

[foulbearobservation]

now the eternal question,,,, what pronouns should I have butch yang use in the detective fic,,, I'm honestly leaning towards he/him it must be said

[connorjesup]

[mikuni14]

YANG REMAINS UNDEFEATED CHAMPION OF BL SERIES, CATEGORY - BEST FAMILY MEMBER/BEST FRIEND

Yang from To Sir, With Love, set in the 1940s, who witnessed the death of a gay man, who is brought up in a world where being gay means being ostracized from society at best, when he finds out that his half-brother is gay his first thought and reaction is to assure his brother of his unconditional love, then for the rest of the series he shows love and support to his brother at every turn

Jim, in 2023, seeing his nephew happy, in love, kissing his boyfriend: ✨well, this is the worst✨

Sorry, since To Sir, With Love, I keep everyone up to Yang's standard (and yes, almost everyone fails that test)

[littleragondin]

"I had a brother who was my savior, made my childhood bearable." - Maurice Sendak