Blissful Delight Month, Soompiers! There’s a lot to like about new-generation BLs from numerous storylines to being extra self-aware of the style and the neighborhood, however in celebration of Delight, this checklist is all concerning the OGs of the BL world earlier than the large increase in boys love from 2020 and past.
You possibly can actually argue that right now’s BLs are higher in high quality and amount in comparison with the outdated stuff, however nostalgia for the basic (and typically flawed!) BLs of yesteryear remains to be sturdy, particularly for longtime watchers.
Should you haven’t already seen these 5 OG BLs, there’s no higher time than Delight Month to look at a couple of of the classics that began all of it!
“Addicted”
“Addicted” follows the sophisticated enemies-to-lovers relationship between Bai Luo Yin (Timmy Xu) and Gu Hai (Johnny Huang). Gu Hai transfers faculties despite his controlling father, and he instantly butts heads along with his new classmate, the quiet and hardworking Luo Yin. They begin out annoying one another at each likelihood they get, however their relationship adjustments when Gu Hai stands up for Luo Yin.
Unbeknownst to them, their connection began earlier than they turned classmates. Gu Hai’s father has remarried, and he needs Gu Hai to turn into shut along with his new stepmother and stepbrother, however Gu Hai doesn’t need something to do with them. What he doesn’t know is that his new stepmother occurs to be Luo Yin’s estranged mom. Gu Hai turns into more and more near Luo Yin, finally even residing with him, unaware he’s truly sleeping subsequent to the brand new stepbrother he’s attempting to keep away from.
Should you’ve already seen the newer drama “Stay With Me,” it’s truly based mostly on the identical storyline as its older sibling, “Addicted.” For a lot of BL followers, “Addicted” is actually the present that began their BL habit, so it’s very becoming to begin with this beloved collection.
Begin watching “Addicted” now:
Additionally watch “Keep With Me” under:
“Along with Me”
Talking of OGs within the BL world, “Along with Me” is the primary collection that Max Nattapool and Tul Pakorn labored collectively on. Max and Tul are one of many authentic Thai drama OTPs (one true pairing), and Thai collection actually love their OTPs.
In “Along with Me,” Korn (Max) and Knock (Tul) are college pals who’ve a passionate one-night stand. Whereas the one-night stand seems like a drunken mistake to Knock, Korn truly has emotions for Knock. Being in a relationship like this along with his buddy is uncharted territory for Knock, not to mention the actual fact he already has a critical relationship along with his girlfriend.
Past Korn and Knock’s rocky path to like, the collection additionally exhibits the relationships of a few of their pals as they attempt to navigate the difficulties of younger love and college life.
Korn’s supportive and no-nonsense shut buddy Yiwha (Maengmum Tanshi Bumrungkit) makes the present all of the extra enjoyable to look at. She performs a giant position in serving to Korn and Knock kind out their emotions for one another. “Along with Me: The Subsequent Chapter” can also be the sequel to “Along with Me,” whereas “Dangerous Romance” focuses extra on Yiwha’s love life.
“HIStory 1”
“HIStory” is a rising assortment of Taiwanese BL dramas. You may need seen widespread installments like “HIStory 3: Trapped” and “HIStory 3: Make Our Days Count,” however the authentic collection “HIStory 1” goes method again to 2017. The primary installment of “HIStory” follows three totally different {couples} with stand-alone tales. Generally, you’ll discover the collection damaged up into three longer episodes, one per couple, whereas different instances, every couple’s storyline is damaged up into a number of episodes.
Nevertheless you watch it, this can be a basic on the subject of Taiwanese BLs, and it’s an important place to dive into the “HIStory” assortment. In “HIStory 1,” the three tales are “HIStory: My Hero,” “HIStory: Keep Away From Me,” and “HIStory: Obsessed.”
“My Hero” is a few woman who dies and wakes up within the physique of a boy and should make her residing boyfriend fall in love along with her once more. “Keep Away From Me” is about new step-brothers shifting in collectively and a meddling BL-loving buddy who takes it as a possibility to pair the 2 collectively. Lastly, in “Obsessed,” a person passes away in an accident after being betrayed by his boyfriend. When he reincarnates to the time earlier than they obtained collectively, he’s decided to not fall in love with him once more.
You’ll undoubtedly be capable to inform that the tales of “HIStory 1” are first-generation BLs. They’ve a number of stereotypical tropes in addition to some scenes that may be thought-about problematic right now, nevertheless it all goes to indicate simply how far BLs and the “HIStory” franchise have grown since then.
Begin watching “HIStory 1” now:
“SOTUS: The Collection”
If seeing a gear or pink milk makes you tremendous nostalgic, then you definately’ve most likely seen the long-lasting Thai BL, circa 2016, “SOTUS: The Collection.” Should you don’t get this area of interest reference, I received’t spoil it for you. “SOTUS” is one other enemies-to-lovers storyline from the early days of Thai BL.
Like many Thai BLs of this period, “SOTUS” is about in faculty, targeted on the engineering subject. It tells the story of third-year faculty pupil Arthit (Krist Perawat Sangpotirat), who’s head of the college’s hazing group. Arthit is in control of overseeing the brand new freshmen class, which, fortunate for him, consists of the outspoken Kongpob (Singto Prachaya Ruangroj).
The present portrays an exaggerated hazing system, the place the freshman should full grueling duties and team-building actions to be acknowledged as college students of their division by the upperclassmen. Through the hazing program, Kongpob is the one pupil who all the time stands up in opposition to the seniors and protects his pals, which makes him the goal of Arthit’s hazing.
![](https://0.soompi.io/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/22133211/Krist-and-Singto.gif)
Irrespective of what number of instances Arthit places Kongpob in his place, Kongpob doesn’t hand over. He continues to impress Arthit, which finally turns into flirting. Kongpob’s sturdy spirit and trustworthy persona begin to break down Arthit’s stern persona as lead hazer, however the college and hazing system have inflexible views on hierarchy, so it isn’t simple for Kongpob to get near Arthit. Whereas Arthit tries to take care of his place as Kongpob’s senior, Kongpob begins to affect him.
![](https://0.soompi.io/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/22133404/Singto_Krist.gif)
“SOTUS: The Collection” is adopted by a second season, “SOTUS S,” and a particular episode. The principle couple can also be featured within the Thai BL anthology “Our Skky.”
Begin watching “Our Skky” now:
“Advance Bravely”
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“Advance Bravely” dives into the intriguing world {of professional} bodyguards. When the rich and carefree Xia Yao (Gong Jun) catches the attention of a glamorous and equally rich woman named Yuan Ru (Li Qiao Dan), Yuan Ru is for certain that they’re the right match. Nevertheless, Xia Yao ignores her advances, so she asks her older brother Yuan Zong (Jason Xu) to assist.
Yuan Zong is a former particular forces soldier who now runs a bodyguard coaching firm. Whereas he’s an knowledgeable in self-defense, he isn’t precisely an knowledgeable on the subject of romance or subtlety. Thus begins an unpredictable sport of cat and mouse between Yuan Zong and Xia Yao. Yuan Zong begins following Xia Yao round whereas Xia Yao is at a loss for what Yuan Zong needs from him. As the 2 spend extra time collectively, Xia Yao begins creating emotions for the flawed sibling.
![](https://0.soompi.io/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/22175723/Gong-Jun-and-Feng-Xu.gif)
The plot of this one actually takes eccentric turns and has some wild situations, however the chemistry and loopy unstated rigidity between the leads make it actually definitely worth the watch.
Begin watching “Advance Bravely” now:
This checklist of OG BLs shouldn’t be complete! Honorary mentions go to dramas like “2Moons: The Collection,” “Love Sick: The Collection,” “Diary of Tootsies,” “Purple Balloon,” and Japan’s two-part collection, “Seven Days.”
What have been among the first BLs that you simply watched? Tell us within the feedback under!
Asya’s a BL-biased Soompi author with a love of Ok-pop and all varieties of Asian dramas. A few of her favourite exhibits are “Psychopath Diary,” “Mr. Unlucky Has No Choice but to Kiss!,” “Light On Me,” “The Untamed,” “Go Go Squid!,” and “Cherry Magic!”
Presently watching: “My Sweet Mobster” and “Jazz for Two”
Trying ahead to: “Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo” and “The Rebound”