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absolutebl · 8 months

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This Week in BL - Korea drops my favorite cameo ever & gives KISSES

Entirely subjective yadda yadda. Organized sorta by favs in each category.

Sept 2023 Wk 1

Ongoing Series - Thai

I Feel You Linger in the Air (Fri grey) ep 4 of 12 - Well that’s one way to find out if he’s gay, see how he reacts to reading a het sex scene out loud. Yai is flirting so hard it’s like he knows everything.

Dangerous Romance (Fri YT) ep 4 of 12 - Oh no! I love them. Also cohabitation trope! Also ALL the other ones: hair dry, meet in childhood... GMMTV going no frills with this one.

Hidden Agenda (Sun YT) ep 9 of 12 - Zo’s drama over Pat helping Joke flirt seems awfully manufactured. I’m losing faith in this show. Could GMMTV PLEASE hand JoongDunk a decent script?

Only Friends (Sat YT) ep 5 of 10 - Sand & Ray are the only interesting couple, and I’m pretty much only watching for them. They gonna go south fast, tho, and they're already ruined by persistent singing. Ooo. When Sand said Top "stole his ex" did he mean Boston? How gay.

Naughty Babe (Sat YT) ep 2 of 8 - The pronoun conversation had a bonkers translation but I enjoyed the actuality of it. The reasons for Yi's trickery are very convoluted soap opera. But I suppose that is the amnesia trope for you.

Be Mine Super Star (Mon Viki) ep 10 of 12 - Boys. We discussed this already. No sex in onsens! I found this one dull, until the end when LLS showed up. Happy to just have him in everything. Thank you Thailand. Looks like it is a classic ep 11 DOOM next week. Who cares?

Venus in the Sky (Tues iQIYI) 1-2 of 10 eps - The usual Thai pulp claptrap this time a reunion romances in and around a convenience store between a boy who recently quit his job and his former bestie who is now a doctor. Mostly not great acting, plot, or production but the sound is okay and no bad effects or singing (so far), so that’s something. The gay brothers have a fun relationship. It’s vampy and campy but fun. I like it but not sure anyone else would.

Love in Translation (Sat iQIYI) ep 4 of 10 - The date was cute but I still don’t like the lead or the premise (we moved into Cyrano de Bergerac territory). It’s moving slowly but it seems like we might be over the crush/stalker part of the narrative, so that’s a relief.

Crazy Handsome Rich (Sun Gaga) ep 2 of 10 - I just can’t. The sound is too weird. With punch down humor and other issues incoming I may DNF this. You’ve been warned. This ep we got to see LLS with his shirt off. Did anything else happen?

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Jun & Jun (Korea Thur Viki) ep 8fin - No wonder he is everyone’s favorite hyung, boy can read the room like no one else. I love that we got to see exactly how clingy and demanding Choi Jun was always going to be. Only Lee Jun is easy-going enough to put up with him. Also I’ve never watched a KBL with more innuendo. For Korea this was… raunchy. I gotta say had Laws of Attraction not come along, Simon might have been my favorite character of 2023.

Final thoughts on Jun and Jun:

A delightful office romance about an ex-idol who joins cubical life only to find his new boss is his first love. Others boys are sniffing around too. Operative word being "sniffing" as much of this romance involves smell. With a snappy script, enjoyable sides, a pretty as peaches cast, and descent chemistry this show made up for in style what it lacked in substance. I like fluff. I loved this. I smiled every moment I was watching. With tons of rewatch potential (especially the last few eps), my only caution is this is for fans of the BL genre only, I don’t think it’ll work for anyone else. A solid 9/10 from me. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

I like that Korea is trying high heat, but Taiwan and Thailand are leaps and bounds better at it.

Love Class Season 2 (Korea Fri Viki) eps 9-10fin -

Omg they so cute as flirty bf. Eeeeeeee! CAMEO!!!!! My fav guest couple ever! So exciting!!!! I love that they intersected with MY Strongberry couple (Private Lessons). I’m not used to this but Holy innuendo Korea, what with Jun & Jun and now this show? It’s a bit much for my gay little heart. The final episode was entirely unnecessary, but it was fun to see them being all domestic and stuff. Maru with his dumb lettuce leaves was hilarious. I feel like I need to rewatch this one to really understand it properly, so I will likely do that soon.

Summary of Love Class 2:

3 couples form within a semester of university: 1. a hyung romance reunion of exes, one of whom has a dangerous past, 2. a friends to lovers romance, and 3. a mature student and TA one night stand + complexities (many aspects of which had me laughing). I enjoyed the characters and dialogue of this show immensely. It was a little bit more breezy and friendly than I was expecting after the first installment, Love Class. I’m not entirely sure Korea can handle multiple couples like this because it definitely felt disjointed, especially the 3rd more mature couple (also my favorite) who probably should’ve had their own series. But it was definitely fun and something different from Korea. 8/10 RECOMMENDED

Also, Korea tried to give us higher heat... that was... interesting. I mean, you tried hon...?

Kisseki: Dear to Me (Taiwan Tues Viki & iQIYI) ep 4 of 13(?) - Everyone is a sad sack this ep. Ooooo. Teach/student my favorite. We never get this one. It’s messy. I’m not sure if there is a plot. I’m not sure they’re sure if there is a plot. But I am still enjoying it.

Why R U? (Korea Wed iQIYI) eps 5-6 of 8 - Why is the Fighter character always so frustrating regardless of name or country? Ji Oh stalking his crush via IG is so relatable. He’s very first crush awkward, unsure, and sweet. They also gave a nice kiss - I love the backpack drop (kiss version of a mic drop?) I still hold that if you haven’t seen the original this might not make much sense. But I am enjoying it.

My Personal Weatherman AKA Taikan Yoho (Japan Sat Gaga) ep 4 of 8 - Oh goody, another JBL where we have to pay attention solely to what they do and not what they say.

Minato's Laundromat Season 2 AKA Minato Shouji Coin Laundry Season 2 (Japan Thu Gaga) ep 9 of 12 - Big fat sigh.

It's Airing But...

My Universe (Sun iQIYI) ep 3 of 24 eps - I couldn't get hold of it and I'm not mad. I'm putting it on hold until distribution gets sorted, or icky get their shizz in order (like that'll happen).

Next Week Looks Like This:

Starting

9/15 You Are Mine (Taiwan Gaga) Secretary has to deal with grumpy boss.

9/15 Bump Up Business AKA Bump Up Project (Korea movie) suspected cinema release? I don't know much about what's going on. Last status update. Love story between a trainee who is about to debut and a celebrity from the same agency. Kpop boy group OnlyOneOf has signed up to star in this idol-based BL (based on a webtoon). They’ve been auditioning for this since Libido IMHO. You can watch me chronicle their BL MV series in this post. It’s from Idol Romance who will do sad but can do good kisses (Wish You, Nobleman Ryu, Once Again, Kissable Lips, Poongduck 304, Tasty Florida, Tinted With You).

Still To Come In September

9/26 I Cannot Reach You AKA I Can't Reach You AKA Kimi ni wa Todokanai (Japan ????) - Adapted from the manga, childhood best friends: The cool, smart one who’s good at everything, and his average, dorky friend who struggles. Always by the other’s side, but not together in the way they truly want to be. No matter how hard they try, their hearts cannot reach each other.

9/27 Absolute Zero (Thai iQIYI) - from 2021, Studio Wabi Sabi and New Siwaj finally bring us this “time loop to prevent tragedy” romance. We don’t always get HEAs from them, so I'm on my guard.

9/27 Bon Appetit (Korea iQIYI) - from 2022, 8 eps from GoGo Studio, romance between an office worker who lives off junk food and the man next door who cooks well.

9/? Mr Cinderella 2 (Vietnam YouTube?)

2023 forthcoming BL master post (see comments, some are inaccurate, NOT KEPT UPDATED).

THIS WEEK’S BEST MOMENTS

I love him. And I love his version of this character better than Jimmy's.

I also love it when a show gets meta. (Both Why R U? Korea) Why they didn't just go for YRU? the world may never know.)

(Last week)

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thorns-and-rosewings · 2 months

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Soooo wanna hear about another AU I have brewing? God this is now the third one I have created now for TSAMS, which is a lot even for me. But still I am really fond of this one. It's one of those cute stories full of FLUFF... But also ANGST 😈

This AU focuses on Ruin and Eclipse and the Steampunk-Themed Bar that they open together.

Behold the Home Sweet Bar AU! 🍻

The first thing I guess I need to explain is that this is technically in the same universe as Reaper King AU 💀 as in literally the same world and the stories overlap A LOT but they focus on different character groups but it was to such a degree that it only felt right to give the two sections their own titles.

The starting information for this idea is below, but TW: There's some darker topics touched on...

-In a bit of an edit to the story of Reaper King AU, yes, it was Ruin who brought KC back using the Killcode that was present in Solars Moon... However... This was not done maliciously... It was done by the desperately lonely Ruin trying to create a threat that only HE could defeat. His plan being that he would defeat the Reaper and finally earn a place with the Celestial Family.

-Sadly this didn't happen. In fact when Moon discovered what Ruin had been up too, he ran him out of the Pizzaplex himself. After sending both Reaper Killcode and Bloodmoon through the portal hopefully never to be seen again. (Yeah they are back after 8 days, even though to them it's 8 years...)

-During this same time Eclipse returned do to unknown reasons...

-After some further events, Earth encounters the devastated Ruin sobbing in a back alley and feels incredible pity for him and she makes a VERY risky move.

-Earth had noticed that Eclipse, while being bound to return to the back of the Fazcade every night... Before that, during the time after he finishes looking for his creator, he goes to this one bar and gets absolutely wasted every night. So he's always hungover the next day...

-Eclipse is taking the long hike up Substance Abuse Mountain

-She brings Ruin there one night when Eclipse is about halfway to drunk... And Ruin is obviously terrified due to Eclipse's accusations and threats against him. But Earth points out Eclipse never actually hurt him... And... Eclipse is alone and hated. Just like Ruin. Maybe, now that his motor skills are a bit impaired, Ruin could try talking to him. After all it's not like Eclipse could possibly hate him any more.

-Swallowing nervously Ruin wrings his hands before cautiously approaching Eclipse... Sitting next to him at the bar, while Eclipse looks up from his drink to glare at him. Or in his general direction due to his buzz...

-Sadly Earth gets a text from Lunar and she has to leave... She isn't comfortable with just leaving Ruin with Eclipse, but she has no choice now.

-Due to the fact that she's with Lunar a lot and with how Moon is still raging about Ruin, Earth has no ability to stop by where Eclipse is usually resting. But she does return to the bar Eclipse drinks at... Only to find the whole place boarded up and under massive renovations. Sooo... Something clearly went down.

-She feels overwhelmingly guilty, fearing something happened to Ruin. Even though she's aware that Eclipse is physically unable to hurt him... She thinks... Earth never got the complete details.

-But something odd occurs when Earth gets an invitation to the opening of a new bar... In the same location as the one she saw that had closed. Apparently it's under new management.

-She goes there with Monty... Only to see the bar completely redone in a Steampunk theme, now rebranded as Infernal Machine. Inside the now completely packed bar they find friendly staff, tons of steampunk creations, Frank as an actual server with a uniform...

-And Ruin happily interacting with guests.

-He greets Monty and Earth. Getting them a table and introducing himself as one of the two owners of this place. Much to Earth's shock, though she is happy for him... Although Monty's proverbial hackles raise as he glances towards the bar... Where Eclipse is bossing around the bartenders while also acting as the head bartender himself.

-Ruin explains, a bit nervously, that he and Eclipse had a erm... Productive? Conversation. That even transferred over when he sobered up. And the two have gone into business together. With Eclipse not trusting Ruin, but confronted with his reality of what was at the Pizzaplex and seeing a better option, even if it's an option he equally HATES... Being away from Sun and Moon while still working on his search for his creator is something he could tolerate.

-And having the 'Stupid Bar' as a hobby would keep his mind from completely tearing itself to pieces... Along with the fact that Ruin had seemingly removed the chip from his head... And did so without Eclipse blowing up.

Monty: Was that... Wise?

Ruin: (Getting nervous) Probably not honestly. But it was a good faith gesture on my part...

-Earth and Monty share a worried glance at that...

-But Ruin changes the subject and presents Earth with a letter from Eclipse to give to Sun and Moon explaining the new situation... Although he advises her not to read it... Eclipse wrote it and it's full of profanity and a lady shouldn't have to read that.

-Thus this is the official beginning of the Home Sweet Bar AU! 🍻

-Important Things to Note: Eclipse is very much still a complete and total ASSHAT... that being said he's not the worst boss though. He's tough but can be fair, provided people do their jobs right.

-Ruin is a total sweetheart. He is definitely the more personable one and is the individual that the employees talk to if they are having a problem. He's kind and happy... Even if there is a certain amount of desperation to his happiness... But he makes sure the guests have a good time.

-Both Eclipse and Ruin actually live in the basement/bunker below the building of the bar which is two stories tall and every inch is themed perfectly

-Eclipse is currently expanding the basement into a massive underground base...That Ruin is decorating... much to Eclipse's annoyance. But Ruin is also doing all the cleaning and tending things that spares Eclipse from having to do any of it, so he's tolerating it.

-For Ruin... The guy is trying SO hard. Not only to prove to Eclipse that he genuinely doesn't know how he came back, but also that the arrangement they currently have can truly be beneficial to them both.

-Its not hard to see that Eclipse is mentally a wreck and having difficulty with his sense of self... He ISN'T the real Eclipse. He's just a copy with his memories. Hated for things beyond his control. He also feels the guilt of his predecessor and still has to suffer for actions he himself never did.

...just like Ruin...

-Now Ruin owns that he messed up with the Reaper Killcode situation that finally got him kicked out. But... He has been lonely prior to that. Looked at with distrust from the moment he woke up in a strange new universe. He's been just so alone... And he is DESPERATE for company.

...as much as Eclipse is an asshole... At least Ruin knows exactly where he stands with him...

-Ruin hopes that eventually this situation can become more positive overtime... As Earth stated, in spite of Eclipse threatening and scaring him, he never actually hurt Ruin. Even if he intended too... so... As far as Ruin is concerned, there's a chance things might work out.

-He hopes...

-Nobody worry, things actually DO go well for them. There ain't no abuse, its about to get fluffy in here...

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