In the wonderful world of BL, this year saw interesting new storylines and classic themes—from falling in love with a “brother” and gender-benders to virtual games with the final boss being love (aw!). From revolutionary K-dramas like “Love in the Big City” to quirky gems like Japan’s “Love is a Poison,” this year truly showed how far the BL genre has come and what fun is sure to come next year.
Here are 12 of the best BLs that graced 2024; which did you watch this year?
Warning: Light spoilers ahead!
Korea
1. “Love in the Big City”
Starting off strong, “Love in the Big City” easily ranks as one of the best Korean BLs to come out this year. Go Young (Nam Yoon Su) is a man living in the bright, go-go-go city of Seoul in search of one thing: a passionate love. On a seemingly endless odyssey in search of romance as a gay man in Korea, his idea of self and love change while experiencing different kinds of relationships.
Why it’s worth the watch:
This one will really surprise Korean BL watchers because it’s really different in every way. But don’t let that scare you off, because the ways it’s different are why it’s totally worth the watch. “Love in the Big City” gives one of the most realistic and unapologetic depictions of the LGBTQ+ community in Korea that other mainstream K-BL before it just haven’t done yet. The thoughtful cinematography and unfiltered portrayal of the genre can really only be compared to what was probably 2023’s best Korean BL, “The Eighth Sense.”
Watch “Love in the Big City”:
2. “Love for Love’s Sake”
Tae Myung Ha (Lee Tae Vin), a 29-year-old who has lost faith in happy endings, wakes up after a few too many drinks to find himself in a virtual survival game of love. Now back in high school as a 19-year-old, he has 300 days to make the game’s main character, Cha Yeo Woon (Cha Joo Wan), happy. It sounds easy-peasy, except with no friends and a recent loss, making the cold Yeo Woon happy doesn’t come easy at all.
Why it’s worth the watch:
This definitely has a similar vibe to “Our Dating Sim” and “Semantic Error.” Except this time around, the game involved actually becomes a reality, with Myung Ha having to complete tasks and follow the game’s instructions to get out. It’s a mystery as to what is real and what is some sort of virtual simulation, including the leads’ developing relationship. Along with the fun game concept, this one is a more light-hearted watch with lots of feel-good vibes. The fact that the show makes it verbally clear, on several occasions, that being gay is not wrong or abnormal, must also be commended. Way to go!
Watch “Our Dating Sim” too:
3. “Boys Be Brave!”
“Boys Be Brave” is about two college friends with opposite personalities, Jung Ki Sub (Nam Si An) and Kim Jin Woo (Kim Sung Hyen), who suddenly start living together. Actually, Ki Sub invites himself in as Jin Woo’s roommate, that is. This is no good for Jin Woo, who has always had a reluctant crush on Ki Sub. Chaotic silliness ensues when Ki Sub, who is goofy and clueless most of the time, proclaims he not only knows about Jin Woo’s crush, but he will also get Jin Woo to confess and ask him out.
Why it’s worth the watch:
This one is a funny story that hides deeper undertones of love and self-love under its lighthearted exterior. Beyond the fun characters and laughable moments, there’s an interesting backstory that’s worth uncovering. Ki Sub’s character, in particular, is so extremely lovable and hilarious, even with his faults. It’s all about finding the courage to (you guessed it) be brave and confess your feelings.
Watch “Boys Be Brave”:
Thailand
4. “My Stand-In”
Joe (Poom Phuripan Sapsangsawat), a stand-in for actor Tong (Mek Jirakit Thawornwong), is wholeheartedly in love with actor Ming (Up Poompat Iam-samang) until he finds out that he’s only ever been a second choice for Ming. Throwing his good judgment out the door, Joe accepts a dangerous stunt job and dies in the process.
Years later, he wakes up in the body of someone else. Soon, he meets Ming again, who is still grappling with the loss of Joe. Despite their turbulent past, their unavoidable connection brings them together again.
Why it’s worth the watch:
“My Stand-In” dives into unhealthy relationships and toxic partner treatment. It has very interesting, flawed characters who aren’t picture-perfect or idolized. Trying to understand the characters and accept their flaws and potential for growth is why it’s really worth the watch. Lots of BL fans are happy to see more of these complex, adult themes entering the BL genre. This is far from the high school or college BL that Thailand is known for.
Watch Up in “Step By Step” also:
5. “Century of Love”
San (Daou Pittaya Saechua) is as devoted and loyal as they come — when his love tragically dies, he agrees to a magical curse that will let him live for the next hundred years in order for a chance to find his reincarnated lover. The tradeoff is that he must endure extreme pain each night, and if he doesn’t find his love in her next life, he’ll die.
With almost a century having already passed, his reincarnated love finally falls right into his arms, Vee (Offroad Kantapon Jindataweephol). Vee is shockingly different from the love he knew, besides also being a man. San most definitely did not read the fine print when making this deal.
Why it’s worth the watch:
This one gains major brownie points on originality for its supernatural storyline. The storyline is definitely “Guardian” coded if you’re familiar with that 2018 C-drama. The unexpected moments due to the gender flip and Vee having a totally different personality than what San had wished for add to the fun. The subliminal message that you love a person for who they are on the inside rather than exterior qualities or labels is also top-tier wisdom.
6. “The Trainee”
Off and Gun, one of Thailand’s favorite OTPs in BL land, brought another memorable performance this year in “The Trainee,” a drama about a group of interns joining a production company with different dreams, skills, and expectations. Ryan (Gun Atthaphan Phunsawat) is a timid yet hardworking student who is unsure about his future. His supervisor is a skilled, no-nonsense Assistant Director named Jane (Off Jumpol Adulkittiporn).
At first, Jane feels like a standoffish supervisor rather than the caring mentor Ryan had hoped for. While Jane doesn’t ever seem to make mistakes, Ryan becomes a magnet for unfortunate events in the office. But things change when Ryan starts to get to know the real Jane, who is extremely dedicated to his work, is talented, and caring.
Why it’s worth the watch:
While this one is focused on the relationship between Ryan and Jane, there’s a whole lot more to love. Along with an inside look at film production, there are various types of relationships shown, including a straight couple and even a sprinkle of GL. This one wins on equal representation, and though there isn’t any grand climax or heavy plot, it’s a fun watch with major re-watch value.
You also can’t help but love Ryan’s timid, sometimes melodramatic, character. He’s relatable in so many ways, especially as a helpless intern just trying to get through the workday without any hiccups.
Watch Off and Gun in “Theory of Love” too:
Japan
7. “Love is a Poison”
Shiba Ryoma (Hama Shogo) is a stoic lawyer with eyes on becoming a successful name in the legal field, no matter the cost. He believes that romance is a poison that will only get in the way of his goals. After an unplanned encounter at a bar, he unwillingly becomes entangled with a cute, persistent scammer named Haruto (Hyodo Katsumi). After a series of events, Haruto moves in with Ryoma and becomes his legal aide. Going against everything he believes in, Ryoma starts catching feelings for Haruto but tries his best to ignore them. This goes about as well as you’d expect.
Why it’s worth the watch:
“Love is a Poison” is such a page-turner. For one, the leads have crazy chemistry that you can feel through the screen. Secondly, you can never really tell what is going to happen next. It has such a funny, out-of-pocket character to it that makes it strangely addicting to watch. If you like the unique quirk that J-BLs tend to have, you’ll definitely enjoy this one. Bonus points for Ryoma being so awkward and weird in the best ways.
8. “Love Is Better the Second Time Around”
Miyata Akihiro (Hasegawa Makoto) and Hoshizawa Takashi (Furuya Robin) were in love as teens, but an unfulfilled promise breaks them apart without any real closure. Now adults, Miyata runs into Hoshizawa during work. Unsurprisingly so, old feelings awaken between the two. Despite Akihiro proclaiming he has moved on and is going to propose to his girlfriend soon, Takashi is determined to win him back and continue from where they left off.
Why it’s worth the watch:
As the name suggests, this one is all about a second chance at love that didn’t work out the first time around. For two people who are meant to be together, a second chance at love is really all you can wish for. It’s also way too much fun to watch Akihiro try to keep his distance and not make the same mistake again while Takashi persistently tries to get Akihiro to give in.
Takashi’s jealous assistant, Shiraishi Yuto (Takamatsu Aloha), also has to be given a shoutout. Yuto has an unrequited crush on Takashi and is iconic for not being afraid to voice his feelings.
Watch “Love Is Better the Second Time Around”:
9. “I Hear the Sunspot”
With hearing problems, Sugihara Kohei (Nakazawa Motoki) has pretty much had no luck making friends and integrating into his college community. One day, he accidentally meets a talkative, friendly schoolmate with a forever-hungry stomach, Sagawa Taichi (Kobayashi Toranosuke). Unlike others, Taichi doesn’t ostracize or pity Kohei because of his hearing disability. It also helps that Taichi speaks so expressively that Kohei can understand him more easily than others.
So they strike a deal. In exchange for sharing his homemade lunch boxes with him, Taichi will become a notetaker for Kohei. The two connect in unexpected ways, and Kohei begins to break out of his shell thanks to Taichi.
Why it’s worth the watch:
“I Hear the Sunspot” is a heartwarming story without anything super stressful or complicated in the plot. It’s a slower-paced story about accepting others, growth, and gentle love. It’s also an important look at how disabilities like hearing loss can affect the way a person lives and sees the world. This one truly feels like a much-needed hug after a long day.
Taiwan
10. “Unknown”
Wei Qian (Chris Chiu) took Xiao Yuan (Kurt Huang) in when he was abandoned as a kid on the streets. Now an adult, Yuan has developed feelings beyond brotherly love for Qian, and his feelings only grow more passionate as he spends time with him. When Yuan finally reveals his true feelings, Qian is unable to accept that they could have romantic feelings for each other. Yuan therefore leaves abroad, and during their separation, Qian realizes he can’t live happily without Yuan. When Yuan returns, all bets are off.
Why it’s worth the watch:
You can run away from a lot of things, but you can’t run away from your true feelings. The angst and tension that builds up between Yuan and Qian is wild. When Qian finally realizes how Yuan sees him, it’s so satisfying to see the roles reverse, and Qian starts to get nervous and flustered around Yuan. The wait for these two is long, but it’s so worth it.
Watch “Unknown”:
11. “The On1y One”
Classmates Sheng Wang (Liu Dong Qin) and Jiang Tian (Benjamin Tsang) are forced to live together as brothers when their parents remarry. At first, they can’t stand each other, but they bond over mutual feelings of loss, loneliness, and being young. Before they realize it, their bond starts to grow into something more. “The On1y One” follows the life of Wang and Tian as they try to navigate school, family, and their confusing new feelings for each other.
Why it’s worth the watch:
This one is a cozy, comforting show with lots of beautiful Taiwanese scenery. It really feels like the visual representation of a poem sometimes. The love between the two leads is a slow burn that’s enjoyable to watch. It overall gives off a vibe that just feels so nostalgic and warm. If you liked storylines like “Addicted” and “Stay With Me,” this one is very similar.
Watch “The On1y One”:
China
12. “Meet You at the Blossom”
Last but certainly not least is “Meet You At the Blossom.” Set in ancient China, the carefree Jin Xiao Bao (Wang Yun Kai), the heir to the wealthiest family in Jiangnan, is a ladies man who falls in love at first sight with who he thinks is the most beautiful, crime-fighting woman he’s ever seen. This elegant lady turns out to be a cold-hearted dude named Huai En (Leslie Li). Hiding an ulterior motive, Huai En plays along with Xiao Bao’s crush. With a conspiracy and lies plotting behind the scenes, the two fall into a deep, complicated love full of betrayal, epic fights, and arduous journeys.
Why it’s worth watching:
“Meet You at the Blossom” is so special. It’s considered the first-ever Chinese wuxia drama that is openly BL. Besides that, amazing quality, the setting, costumes, and iconic espionage, and drama associated with the wuxia genre all come together to make this a stellar show. Huai En stands out as an anti-hero, who does many questionable, red-flag things, but you still can’t help but root for him when you see his undying devotion and love for Xiao Bao.
Watch “Meet You at the Blossom”:
And that’s a wrap! What BLs did you enjoy watching in 2024, and what are you looking forward to in the new year? Let us know in the comments below!
Asya’s a BL-biased writer with a love of K-pop and all types of Asian dramas. Some of her favorite shows are “Psychopath Diary,” “Mr. Unlucky Has No Choice but to Kiss!,” “Light On Me,” “The Untamed,” “Go Go Squid!,” and “Cherry Magic!”
Currently watching: “Spare Me Your Mercy,” “You Are,” “Our Youth,” and “Caged Again.”
Looking forward to: “I’m the Most Beautiful Count,” “Love Carved in the Moonlight,” “Me and Thee,” “The Love Matter,” and “Ticket to Heaven.”