I agree, there is something very endearing about this series so far. I think part of it is the dichotomy within the 2 lead characters - Ye may be very popular at school, especially with girls, but is also very sheltered by his mother and dominated by his father. And Xu might be quiet and rather nerdy at school, but he transforms when he performs with the band and owns the stage. This makes both characters more interesting. Plus, it doesn't hurt that they have good chemistry together and are easy on the eyes.
I'm in love with this series. I didn't think I'd be interested in yet another high school BL, but this is so, so well done. The leads are engaging, the acting is good, the plot has just enough drama without being over-the-top. I highly recommend it.
I like these series. Good chemistry between main leads is really a corner stone for a bl to be successful and this series has it. And as someone who has a side couple syndrome, I want to see the developement between Ray and Ah Jian. It was so weird, when Ray dressed himself like a girl, to make his lover happy, I was confused, cuz I did not know, if he does it because he want to be a girl for his boyfriend or he only wants to please him. Ost is also great
Exactly! Thtz was me too, when I saw him at first I was so confused, cuz he looked so much like a girl, I mean he is so beautiful and I love him😩I also saw him dress like a girl twice in ep1, Just as you said, I would also love to see their story development, No worries I already love the main leads but second lead syndrome always keeps me awake and their chemistry looks great and they also good at kissing 😽 like when I saw that kiss in the trailer I was like wooww! Who are these two? And boom someone told me it’s a new BL❤️🥺
I am also interested in Ray's storyline, I wanna know whether it was only his ex who made him cross dress or he actually likes that? the toxic relationship dynamic was also interesting, however, they are getting very less screentime.
@@blcritic yes in a short series backstory of why and how Ray is on this situation is the most interesting angle. I wish they'd cut the jealous rival and his gang to give more time to Ray. And glad to hear you are doing well 😄😄
BLC--I am SO glad to see this! It reaffirms my love of this series. I thought people would be saying "boy dolls" and put off by the cliches. You said it, if that is done right it can work. I personally love shyness and you see that in abundance as puppy love plays out. I also like how taking care of each other is the norm. (I hope you being busy translates to you handling all of the things you've been going through well.)
@@blcritic Hugs back atcha! In So. California we are dealing with the effects of Hurricane Kay, high winds and heavy rain. Time to stay inside and watch BLs. Have you seen Tamara-kun to Amagi-kun? Oh my gosh these guys are cuter together than two kittens at play. I am glad you are doing well. The vibe I get from you is that you are a really good person.
Just following up. Did this one sustain itself enough to stay in your top 10? I thought your take about “cliches done right” was spot on. This series broke no new ground but really made me feel something every week. They earned every moment by keeping it real. Even the very last scene felt so genuine and honest. It’s what two guys would say in that situation. They made what had grown old and predictable somehow new again. Also, thank you for pointing out the MODC Easter egg!
It's endearing ☺ .In the 4th eps Xu was so smitten with Gaung. They are fine actors.I think it's going to be a good one time watch regardless of the cliched storyline.The other two series you mentioned I saw a couple of eps & didn't really like them much.Right now I am seeing Good detective & Little women (what a fine modern adaptation of the novel). I was wondering about you when I saw 4th ep of About youth. And today you made a video on that. 😃
hehe... Pls let me know whether I should watch Little Women or not.. as Little Women is very close to me.. we have read that as children's book.. then later as Novel... similarly I have watched a lot of versions including the animated one during my childhood years to the Winona Ryder one, the hallmark one as well as the Emma Watson one. hence when I read the synopsis of the Korean Modern version, I was unsure.
@@blcritic I have seen 2 eps and i like it. It's not frame to frame to as in book. It's dark, gloomy, funny typical Korean but the way modern women are shown is commendable. Women are shown tragic, responsible& irresponsible unkind, logical and smart. The dialogues even though subtitled are good so i can only imagine how good the original must be.Rest other themes like poverty, exploitative rich, opportunities lost which recur in almost all korean dramas is just about same. The book Little women was about women struggling to do well in life eventually - life shown mainly from Jo and Amy's eyes. That tone is the same in this adaptation too.
This one truly is an excellent Taiwanese BL, I like it so much. In every scene you can feel the chemistry between the main couple; the only problem I had in the beginning was recognizing the boy who wears feminine clothes out of school, somehow I didn't connect the fact until in episode three or four when he wanted to take revenge on the ex while not wearing a wig. Maybe I just didn't pay enough attention to his fascial features or maybe it really is little bit poorly laid out... Anyways, besides this tiny thing I love this drama so far and I agree with you, the entro and outro songs are dope, even I end up listening to them.
I'm enjoying "About Love", and I love how the series has established the friend groups for Qi Zhang, and Ye Guang. Ye Guang has his college-age band mates, while popular, yet lonely Qi Zhang has his "ride and die" pal, Rui Hao. I am also enjoying the 2nd season of "Papa and Daddy". Jimmy, in my opinion has been a wonderful addition to the series. BTW - I just discovered "Club Friday The Series 12: Complicated Love". I can't even describe it as a BL, because it's not set in a youth based setting. It's a juicy, frothy, lakorn, centered around two gay men, being manipulated by one man's fiancée, and her partner in crime, her junior that is determined to end up with one or the other guy. It's kind of like "Together With Me", but with this script, we would of had multiple scenes of Korn going off on Plern Pleng, letting her know that he will not back down from keeping Knock as his love.
Hello Dallas, Critic, and John Master. 🙋🏻♂️ I shall queue this one up. Thank-you for this recommendation. Y'all don't lead me astray. Edit: 🗣 Tell me that y'all are watching "180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us."
@@matthewjay660 Of course, I am watching that series. The tension, and sexual attraction between Wang and In is breathtaking. Wimol is fantastical in her need to hide in her fantasy world, of being this fabulous woman, who's in denial about her son, her "best friend", and her ex husband. I feel that I'm watching a play. I love it.
@@VixenByNight72 Absolutely, a play in black. White, grey and indigo tones. It's fantastic visually. The mother is so self delusional, loud and disappointed in love - tragic. In is delusional too trying to be everything to everyone.
Very enjoyable- though for me it's good acting (especially by the lead who is nerd/singer), good direction , and good music overcoming the cliches and basic plot/characters. Really like closing credit song:)
Great review! I have been kind of at a loss as what to watch. I just started 180 Degrees of Longitude that Separates Us (title might be slightly off) which has a very interesting premise. I am going to add this show ro my viewing list. I have definitely missed seeing your videos. :-)
Hi, would you ever consider doing a video of the breakdown of how much a BL series costs to produce? War of Y and Lovely Writer have given us a glimpse behind the curtain of the BL industry.
I will do a video about the first 5 episodes of War of Y about how much of it is reality and how much of it is fiction.. something like that.. however, I won't be able to do the cost breakdown... It depends.. mostly BLs cost less to produce as it's either the apartment/house and college with occasional shoot on the beach or mountains. Still you can keep it around/ below 10 million Baht, as they have to buy the time slot on bigger channels like channel 3 or channel One31.. however, it's just the cost. There are sponsors, streaming rights and financers that will give you more than the cost so you make a profit.
hehe... but almost all the BL carry similar storyline and the same clichés have to be inserted too.. but if it is done right it feels nice like you said.
@@blcritic So I guess episode 5 and 6 are the mess up, we only have 8 episides what were they thinking. The drama with the parents of Ye Guang was just to over the top, maybe you have to be Asian to understand the pressure of Asian parents, but they just spent tomuch time on it. Also the over reaction of the character Ray from the second couple to both Ye Guang (you are my best friend you need to tell me everything) and Ah Jian the new love interest ( I can not give you time because I have been regected before) shouts drama queen. Why can't we just have the developement of two sweet relationships, why do these writers feel they have to creat unnessasary drama. Now they are going to rush to resolve this in two episodes.
@@blcritic Now that it is finished, liked it, very cute, but they had some major flaws. The whole cliche strict parents story line was just to over the top for me, but did like the video to the parents. Is it just me, but the editing sucked big time. To much time on the parents but other things not enough. The transitions were not smooth. The music was great. The strength of the series is the casting, the main couple is to die for, Li Zhen Hao is so fricking cute. Maybe with less interesting couples we would not be talking about this series. I will leave it to you to pass final judgement. Some notes: Once Again, looks like it could be interesting. Kinda strange, another young boy falls in love with older guy that saves him, like Minato. More than Words, another interesting Japanese one, kinda low budget. Minato finally finished, I liked it. I think they made it to long, it got boring. The ending was sweet. Love in the Air, is just one big bl cliche, this is the Mame world where dominate guys have to train their future male wives to be submissive. Does not matter if the story is stupid, just some sweet couples to ship and lots of fluffy moments. I gage when they lift the future wifie up on the kitchen counter. Fahlanruk not sure what to say, kinda interesting, more graphic scenes like KinnPorsche. The scene in the restroom stall was pretty hot have to say, not my thing but I think done well. Like the hands grabbing the top of the stall wall. The main couple is good, the storey line could be good if they do not over do it.
"It'll make the year end Top Ten...unless it [the Finale] deliberately messes things up." And two weeks later, said Finale aired earlier today, so I will react to that. For me, the Finale neither messed up nor delivered the goods. It just kind of fizzled. The problem parents suddenly say, "are we the problem here?" Too easy. The school election plot never becomes a factor despite having been framed since ep 1 as a potential issue. Too easy. Ray makes up with both Guang and Lian. Too easy? No...his beef with them was pointless (artificial! contrived!) as early as ep 6, so the simple resolution in 8 just felt overdue rather than cathartic. And I waited all series long for Guang to learn the secret identity of his Tea Angel. (Loved the Finale's hint that Ray had known all along.) But he never did definitively catch on. "Oh, you like these too?" In short, the Finale didn't mess with the formula, and it did deliver happy vibes. But but but. The finale also lacked any surprises, twists, or wow moments. Ultimately, the last episode stands out for being one of the weaker episodes of an otherwise strong series. About Youth concluded with a whimper that betrayed its strong start. Notwithstanding these laments, About Youth was delightful. Maybe, possibly, the series is clinging to a Top 10 slot right NOW--but I'd like to think the year's final quarter will deliver 1 or 2 series whose indisputable quality knocks it from my list. Moreover, another recent high school-set BL delivered more endorphins and more fun, and I think I like that one just a bit more. This series from (can you believe it?) 🇹🇭 Thailand is as cliche-ridden and trope-prone as Mr Critic described About Youth (ok, that bit is easy to believe about a Thai production). Nevertheless, I think the charms of *21 Days Theory* warmed my heart just a bit more than this Taiwanese counterpart. One substantive difference lies in the subtext: the Thai series actually makes some gay positive contributions alongside the BL fluff. Also, if my Year End list has one slot left, I probably wouldn't include either of these "seen it before" HS romances. No, that last slot will go the visually gorgeous, meditatively serene, mind-fuck puzzle known as *On Cloud Nine* . For the sheer audacity of being so different and leaning unapologetically into ambiguous storytelling, On Cloud Nine merits a Top Ten slot.
Hehe I am yet to watch the last 2 episodes, let's see if it really breaks into my year end list. I kinda liked 21 days theroy.. it was a typical rookie thailand series.. they are never exceptional but not bad either. On Cloud Nine, I am yet to watch past ep 1.
@@blcritic On Cloud Nine has six episodes, roughly 30 minutes each. So, bingeable in one long session--or break it into two shorter days to let your back brain chew on what's happening. As for my case in favor 21 Days...I think I mentioned previously that I will upgrade a series for two reasons, especially when i need to slot series in a ranking but graded them the same on MDL. First, longer series get favored over shorter series in my rankings (degree of difficulty bonus!). Second, a series that has a more authentic LGBT voice gets preferred over a BL whose characters never contemplate what liking a guy might mean in a wider context. Thus, Heartstopper outranks Semantic Error, and Bad Buddy beats both. People who don't rate those criteria may well reorder those three series. A third tiebreaker is originality--and that's what sets On Cloud Nine apart from the other near great series this year. It's just...different. (An annual Top Ten list most likely has between 1-4 elite series and the back half of the list is the near-greats/just missed. I think all three series in this discussion--About Youth, 21 Days Theory, and On Cloud Nine--are in that mix at the back of the annual list. And none may make it because I feel like 2022 has delivered more than the usual number of elite series!)
@@blcritic "Never exceptional, but not bad." First, great description of what I think that series accomplished. 21 Days Theory won't compete with Make Our Days Count or Light on Me as the elite HS BL series--nevermind the long list of elite Japanese HS Bl series--but it's solid stuff. Not exceptional, not ad--indeed! I also think if you look at a typical Top Ten list (annual lists, not all-time lists), that description likely describes entries 8, 9, and 10--and probably slots 11-18, too!
@@johnmaster3748 Yup, 2022 has been an exceptional year for Korea and Japan with their BLs. Taiwan hasn't produced much, but what has been released isn't just horrible, like what's come out from the Philippines. As for Thailand, they continue to produce so much, that they appeal to a variety of tastes, but the quality of 75% of them (to me is just lacking, be it direction, and/or script development), and at this stage of the genre, it just shouldn't be that way.
@@VixenByNight72 I agree entirely. Long ago, in one of these discussions, someone (most likely Sam Tab while going back and forth with Mr Critic) wrote that it was if Thai production companies lacked the capability to think outside the box. Thus, we get more Enchantés and Vice Versas than Bad Buddies (more standard romantic plot lines that fizzle into boring duds than standard romantic plot lines that nevertheless feel fresh and fun); and more Cutie Pies than On Cloud Nines (more original premises that squander their originality by lazily recycling fan service formulaic events than original premises that makes the viewer sit up and say, "what the hell did I just see?"). Given the sheer volume of Thai BLs, it's not unreasonable to expect them to occasionally produce a Cherry Magic or Kieta Hatsukoi level result. But they sure don't ever get near that level.
I skipped quite a few of the summers BL but right now I eagerly wait every week for quite a few. What If is a mini series I really like. Love in the Air, Eclipse and Vice Versa is also rated high for me. Then there is War of Y, what to say about that one?
Love in the air is so engaging. That actor Noeul has really played the stupid boy very well. I am sure being Mame codified there will be red flags but it's so funny, well acted that it's fun as of now. I hope they don't derail midway.
@@zahrabjinu I watched a snippet of them watching episode 3 together and I was soooo relieved to see two happy boys laughing and enjoying the result of their acting, no cringy fan service. And yes, I agree, I really enjoy this type of BL and it’s very well made. I don’t wish to be young again but it reminds me of what was good as well as bad. As shallow that type of series might seem, my hidden youth is recognizing the feelings and angst of it.
Love in the air and The Eclipse are so goood. Both of them from their first episode. Stupidly cute Rain and Phayu who plays to be hard on him.And I still waiting for Sky and Prapai story. Akk and Ayan in The Eclipse, Akk who is in panic everytime, he is near to Ayan, so adorable.
There are so many series going on right now that I haven’t gotten around to watching a lot of them, including About Youth. But I’ll check it out now. Maybe I’ll drop one of the less inspiring BLs that I’m watching to make room for this one.
A BL that is "less than inspiring"? Surely, no such purple unicorn exists! Why, right now my Watch List features....um, actually I only have 3 series going right at the moment, and only one of those is a BL. And that one is Vice Versa, which has justifiably been raked over the coals in this comments section. (At this point I am tuning in from a) sheer stubbornness and b) curiosity about which Popular Actor in the GMMTV stable will show up this week in a breezy cameo. Mix, the veterinary student, playing a veterinarian was genius, but Tay delivering pizza 🍕 was inspired.)
I dropped Vice versa way back... and I dropped The Eclipse also, though a lot of people are going gaga about the actors and the series ( esp. the eclipse) however I failed to connect with them.
@@blcritic Eclipse debuted on the first day of vacation, so not starting that series at the beginning was an easy choice. Despite lacking internet service for 10 days, i still returned Stateside aware of that early "gaga" reaction. That fervor seems to have cooled more recently. At any rate, when we get within two weeks of the finale, I will likely binge my way through the whole. For better or for worse. As for Vice Versa, the BL story is a dud. But as a veteran sci-fi and fantasy reader, the alternate universe storyline appeals to me, and I stick around more from that side of my Fandom than the BL side. I'm going to guess the screenwriters haven't familiarized themselves with alternate universe genre literature. They clearly don't know how to handle the world building necessary to make this type of project succeed. They may not even realize that "world building" in fantasy and sci-fi is, like, a prerquisite to success, more important than other genres. They've been clever (fun) with some of the details that differentiate the alternate universe, but the world building hasn't felt coherent.
@@johnmaster3748 I think that’s exactly what feels so lackluster about both Eclipse and Vice Versa. I’ve been trying this entire time to figure what was off about them and I just couldn’t put my finger on it! 🤯 They both require a world-building along with a certain ambiance to feel real and interesting. Vice Versa needs to fully develop out the character of the alternate universe, and Eclipse needs to establish the feeling of this intense, hyper- authoritarian school administration. But both series seem to skip that step in order to get to the tropey love story. I haven’t dropped either one yet, simply because I need the escapism at the moment. And Vice Versa has those cameos, so I gotta keep watching for those.
Hey, Mama! I discovered your channel about one day before this video dropped. Good stuff. If there's a congruence of subject matter in some future content I'll get in the comments and exhort this local Peanut Gallery to sample your videos, too. (This video is two weeks stale already, so the regular participants have already come and gone.)
Oh god.. I am like what?? it looked like the makers just lost interest after ep 5 and decided to wrap it up in ep 8th .. Minato's could have been better had it been short, may be upto ep 8 only.
I agree, there is something very endearing about this series so far. I think part of it is the dichotomy within the 2 lead characters - Ye may be very popular at school, especially with girls, but is also very sheltered by his mother and dominated by his father. And Xu might be quiet and rather nerdy at school, but he transforms when he performs with the band and owns the stage. This makes both characters more interesting. Plus, it doesn't hurt that they have good chemistry together and are easy on the eyes.
I'm in love with this series. I didn't think I'd be interested in yet another high school BL, but this is so, so well done. The leads are engaging, the acting is good, the plot has just enough drama without being over-the-top. I highly recommend it.
And the OST!
@@strlen6441 Yes, it is also good.
I like these series. Good chemistry between main leads is really a corner stone for a bl to be successful and this series has it. And as someone who has a side couple syndrome, I want to see the developement between Ray and Ah Jian. It was so weird, when Ray dressed himself like a girl, to make his lover happy, I was confused, cuz I did not know, if he does it because he want to be a girl for his boyfriend or he only wants to please him. Ost is also great
Exactly! Thtz was me too, when I saw him at first I was so confused, cuz he looked so much like a girl, I mean he is so beautiful and I love him😩I also saw him dress like a girl twice in ep1, Just as you said, I would also love to see their story development, No worries I already love the main leads but second lead syndrome always keeps me awake and their chemistry looks great and they also good at kissing 😽 like when I saw that kiss in the trailer I was like wooww! Who are these two? And boom someone told me it’s a new BL❤️🥺
I am also interested in Ray's storyline, I wanna know whether it was only his ex who made him cross dress or he actually likes that? the toxic relationship dynamic was also interesting, however, they are getting very less screentime.
@@blcritic yes in a short series backstory of why and how Ray is on this situation is the most interesting angle. I wish they'd cut the jealous rival and his gang to give more time to Ray.
And glad to hear you are doing well 😄😄
@@justdave3153 someone heard your wish. Toxic Rival disappeared, right along with the school election storyline.
@@johnmaster3748 true lol!
Although I call eps 5 & 6 “Ray pouts 100 times”
💀👿
BLC--I am SO glad to see this! It reaffirms my love of this series. I thought people would be saying "boy dolls" and put off by the cliches. You said it, if that is done right it can work. I personally love shyness and you see that in abundance as puppy love plays out. I also like how taking care of each other is the norm. (I hope you being busy translates to you handling all of the things you've been going through well.)
this one is really good. hehe. thank god now I am doing fine. Thank you a lot for asking as well as supporting me throughout. Hugs!!
@@blcritic Hugs back atcha! In So. California we are dealing with the effects of Hurricane Kay, high winds and heavy rain. Time to stay inside and watch BLs. Have you seen Tamara-kun to Amagi-kun? Oh my gosh these guys are cuter together than two kittens at play. I am glad you are doing well. The vibe I get from you is that you are a really good person.
Oh.. stay safe. TKAK, I have seen some clips here and there, I am thinking about binge watching it.
Oh BL Critic this is the reason I wait for your videos. You always come with great contents. 🤗💖💖💖. Love your videos
Thank you so much 🤗
@@blcritic 🥰🥰🥰
Currently watching this show and one word....amazing! The visuals are really stunning.
Just following up. Did this one sustain itself enough to stay in your top 10? I thought your take about “cliches done right” was spot on. This series broke no new ground but really made me feel something every week. They earned every moment by keeping it real. Even the very last scene felt so genuine and honest. It’s what two guys would say in that situation. They made what had grown old and predictable somehow new again. Also, thank you for pointing out the MODC Easter egg!
umm as of now, it is in my top 10, towards the 8-10 rank, however, we still have 3 more moths and the list is kinda full already. hehe
It's endearing ☺ .In the 4th eps Xu was so smitten with Gaung. They are fine actors.I think it's going to be a good one time watch regardless of the cliched storyline.The other two series you mentioned I saw a couple of eps & didn't really like them much.Right now I am seeing Good detective & Little women (what a fine modern adaptation of the novel). I was wondering about you when I saw 4th ep of About youth. And today you made a video on that. 😃
hehe... Pls let me know whether I should watch Little Women or not.. as Little Women is very close to me.. we have read that as children's book.. then later as Novel... similarly I have watched a lot of versions including the animated one during my childhood years to the Winona Ryder one, the hallmark one as well as the Emma Watson one. hence when I read the synopsis of the Korean Modern version, I was unsure.
@@blcritic I have seen 2 eps and i like it. It's not frame to frame to as in book. It's dark, gloomy, funny typical Korean but the way modern women are shown is commendable. Women are shown tragic, responsible& irresponsible unkind, logical and smart. The dialogues even though subtitled are good so i can only imagine how good the original must be.Rest other themes like poverty, exploitative rich, opportunities lost which recur in almost all korean dramas is just about same. The book Little women was about women struggling to do well in life eventually - life shown mainly from Jo and Amy's eyes. That tone is the same in this adaptation too.
This one truly is an excellent Taiwanese BL, I like it so much. In every scene you can feel the chemistry between the main couple; the only problem I had in the beginning was recognizing the boy who wears feminine clothes out of school, somehow I didn't connect the fact until in episode three or four when he wanted to take revenge on the ex while not wearing a wig. Maybe I just didn't pay enough attention to his fascial features or maybe it really is little bit poorly laid out... Anyways, besides this tiny thing I love this drama so far and I agree with you, the entro and outro songs are dope, even I end up listening to them.
True... I had to again rewind back to the start to confirm the cross dressing one is main lead's best friend.
I'm enjoying "About Love", and I love how the series has established the friend groups for Qi Zhang, and Ye Guang. Ye Guang has his college-age band mates, while popular, yet lonely Qi Zhang has his "ride and die" pal, Rui Hao.
I am also enjoying the 2nd season of "Papa and Daddy". Jimmy, in my opinion has been a wonderful addition to the series.
BTW - I just discovered "Club Friday The Series 12: Complicated Love". I can't even describe it as a BL, because it's not set in a youth based setting. It's a juicy, frothy, lakorn, centered around two gay men, being manipulated by one man's fiancée, and her partner in crime, her junior that is determined to end up with one or the other guy. It's kind of like "Together With Me", but with this script, we would of had multiple scenes of Korn going off on Plern Pleng, letting her know that he will not back down from keeping Knock as his love.
Hello Dallas, Critic, and John Master. 🙋🏻♂️ I shall queue this one up. Thank-you for this recommendation. Y'all don't lead me astray. Edit: 🗣 Tell me that y'all are watching "180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us."
@@matthewjay660 Of course, I am watching that series. The tension, and sexual attraction between Wang and In is breathtaking. Wimol is fantastical in her need to hide in her fantasy world, of being this fabulous woman, who's in denial about her son, her "best friend", and her ex husband. I feel that I'm watching a play. I love it.
@@matthewjay660 where does it stream?
@@VixenByNight72 Right, girl? "Best friends." Ok, dreamweaver. Keep up that fantasy, and oh yeah-pour yourself another glass, honey. 💅🏻💆🏻♂️
@@VixenByNight72 Absolutely, a play in black. White, grey and indigo tones. It's fantastic visually. The mother is so self delusional, loud and disappointed in love - tragic. In is delusional too trying to be everything to everyone.
Very enjoyable- though for me it's good acting (especially by the lead who is nerd/singer), good direction , and good music overcoming the cliches and basic plot/characters. Really like closing credit song:)
Great review! I have been kind of at a
loss as what to watch. I just started 180 Degrees of Longitude that Separates Us (title might be slightly off) which has a very interesting premise. I am going to add this show ro my viewing list. I have definitely missed seeing your videos. :-)
I like 180 Degrees... it feels like we are watching a stage play.
Hi, would you ever consider doing a video of the breakdown of how much a BL series costs to produce? War of Y and Lovely Writer have given us a glimpse behind the curtain of the BL industry.
I will do a video about the first 5 episodes of War of Y about how much of it is reality and how much of it is fiction.. something like that.. however, I won't be able to do the cost breakdown... It depends.. mostly BLs cost less to produce as it's either the apartment/house and college with occasional shoot on the beach or mountains. Still you can keep it around/ below 10 million Baht, as they have to buy the time slot on bigger channels like channel 3 or channel One31.. however, it's just the cost. There are sponsors, streaming rights and financers that will give you more than the cost so you make a profit.
@@blcritic thanks. looking forward to that.
i so so agreee this is why I'm a svcker for cliches that are not cringeyyy
hehe... but almost all the BL carry similar storyline and the same clichés have to be inserted too.. but if it is done right it feels nice like you said.
I adore About youth. 💕 Well, you knew about that already. 😄
I agree with all the points made in this video… this show is really endearing!
I agree so far really like it and hope they do not mess it up.
Shush you, don’t jinx it!
@@strlen6441 haha BLC said it first in his video just agreeing.
hehe...
@@blcritic So I guess episode 5 and 6 are the mess up, we only have 8 episides what were they thinking. The drama with the parents of Ye Guang was just to over the top, maybe you have to be Asian to understand the pressure of Asian parents, but they just spent tomuch time on it. Also the over reaction of the character Ray from the second couple to both Ye Guang (you are my best friend you need to tell me everything) and Ah Jian the new love interest ( I can not give you time because I have been regected before) shouts drama queen. Why can't we just have the developement of two sweet relationships, why do these writers feel they have to creat unnessasary drama. Now they are going to rush to resolve this in two episodes.
@@blcritic Now that it is finished, liked it, very cute, but they had some major flaws. The whole cliche strict parents story line was just to over the top for me, but did like the video to the parents. Is it just me, but the editing sucked big time. To much time on the parents but other things not enough. The transitions were not smooth. The music was great. The strength of the series is the casting, the main couple is to die for, Li Zhen Hao is so fricking cute. Maybe with less interesting couples we would not be talking about this series. I will leave it to you to pass final judgement.
Some notes:
Once Again, looks like it could be interesting. Kinda strange, another young boy falls in love with older guy that saves him, like Minato.
More than Words, another interesting Japanese one, kinda low budget.
Minato finally finished, I liked it. I think they made it to long, it got boring. The ending was sweet.
Love in the Air, is just one big bl cliche, this is the Mame world where dominate guys have to train their future male wives to be submissive. Does not matter if the story is stupid, just some sweet couples to ship and lots of fluffy moments. I gage when they lift the future wifie up on the kitchen counter.
Fahlanruk not sure what to say, kinda interesting, more graphic scenes like KinnPorsche. The scene in the restroom stall was pretty hot have to say, not my thing but I think done well. Like the hands grabbing the top of the stall wall. The main couple is good, the storey line could be good if they do not over do it.
"It'll make the year end Top Ten...unless it [the Finale] deliberately messes things up." And two weeks later, said Finale aired earlier today, so I will react to that. For me, the Finale neither messed up nor delivered the goods. It just kind of fizzled. The problem parents suddenly say, "are we the problem here?" Too easy. The school election plot never becomes a factor despite having been framed since ep 1 as a potential issue. Too easy. Ray makes up with both Guang and Lian. Too easy? No...his beef with them was pointless (artificial! contrived!) as early as ep 6, so the simple resolution in 8 just felt overdue rather than cathartic. And I waited all series long for Guang to learn the secret identity of his Tea Angel. (Loved the Finale's hint that Ray had known all along.) But he never did definitively catch on. "Oh, you like these too?" In short, the Finale didn't mess with the formula, and it did deliver happy vibes. But but but. The finale also lacked any surprises, twists, or wow moments. Ultimately, the last episode stands out for being one of the weaker episodes of an otherwise strong series. About Youth concluded with a whimper that betrayed its strong start.
Notwithstanding these laments, About Youth was delightful. Maybe, possibly, the series is clinging to a Top 10 slot right NOW--but I'd like to think the year's final quarter will deliver 1 or 2 series whose indisputable quality knocks it from my list. Moreover, another recent high school-set BL delivered more endorphins and more fun, and I think I like that one just a bit more. This series from (can you believe it?) 🇹🇭 Thailand is as cliche-ridden and trope-prone as Mr Critic described About Youth (ok, that bit is easy to believe about a Thai production). Nevertheless, I think the charms of *21 Days Theory* warmed my heart just a bit more than this Taiwanese counterpart. One substantive difference lies in the subtext: the Thai series actually makes some gay positive contributions alongside the BL fluff. Also, if my Year End list has one slot left, I probably wouldn't include either of these "seen it before" HS romances. No, that last slot will go the visually gorgeous, meditatively serene, mind-fuck puzzle known as *On Cloud Nine* . For the sheer audacity of being so different and leaning unapologetically into ambiguous storytelling, On Cloud Nine merits a Top Ten slot.
Hehe I am yet to watch the last 2 episodes, let's see if it really breaks into my year end list. I kinda liked 21 days theroy.. it was a typical rookie thailand series.. they are never exceptional but not bad either. On Cloud Nine, I am yet to watch past ep 1.
@@blcritic On Cloud Nine has six episodes, roughly 30 minutes each. So, bingeable in one long session--or break it into two shorter days to let your back brain chew on what's happening. As for my case in favor 21 Days...I think I mentioned previously that I will upgrade a series for two reasons, especially when i need to slot series in a ranking but graded them the same on MDL. First, longer series get favored over shorter series in my rankings (degree of difficulty bonus!). Second, a series that has a more authentic LGBT voice gets preferred over a BL whose characters never contemplate what liking a guy might mean in a wider context. Thus, Heartstopper outranks Semantic Error, and Bad Buddy beats both. People who don't rate those criteria may well reorder those three series. A third tiebreaker is originality--and that's what sets On Cloud Nine apart from the other near great series this year. It's just...different. (An annual Top Ten list most likely has between 1-4 elite series and the back half of the list is the near-greats/just missed. I think all three series in this discussion--About Youth, 21 Days Theory, and On Cloud Nine--are in that mix at the back of the annual list. And none may make it because I feel like 2022 has delivered more than the usual number of elite series!)
@@blcritic "Never exceptional, but not bad." First, great description of what I think that series accomplished. 21 Days Theory won't compete with Make Our Days Count or Light on Me as the elite HS BL series--nevermind the long list of elite Japanese HS Bl series--but it's solid stuff. Not exceptional, not ad--indeed! I also think if you look at a typical Top Ten list (annual lists, not all-time lists), that description likely describes entries 8, 9, and 10--and probably slots 11-18, too!
@@johnmaster3748 Yup, 2022 has been an exceptional year for Korea and Japan with their BLs. Taiwan hasn't produced much, but what has been released isn't just horrible, like what's come out from the Philippines. As for Thailand, they continue to produce so much, that they appeal to a variety of tastes, but the quality of 75% of them (to me is just lacking, be it direction, and/or script development), and at this stage of the genre, it just shouldn't be that way.
@@VixenByNight72 I agree entirely. Long ago, in one of these discussions, someone (most likely Sam Tab while going back and forth with Mr Critic) wrote that it was if Thai production companies lacked the capability to think outside the box. Thus, we get more Enchantés and Vice Versas than Bad Buddies (more standard romantic plot lines that fizzle into boring duds than standard romantic plot lines that nevertheless feel fresh and fun); and more Cutie Pies than On Cloud Nines (more original premises that squander their originality by lazily recycling fan service formulaic events than original premises that makes the viewer sit up and say, "what the hell did I just see?"). Given the sheer volume of Thai BLs, it's not unreasonable to expect them to occasionally produce a Cherry Magic or Kieta Hatsukoi level result. But they sure don't ever get near that level.
Such a cute show and I love the music too
I skipped quite a few of the summers BL but right now I eagerly wait every week for quite a few. What If is a mini series I really like. Love in the Air, Eclipse and Vice Versa is also rated high for me. Then there is War of Y, what to say about that one?
Love in the air is so engaging. That actor Noeul has really played the stupid boy very well. I am sure being Mame codified there will be red flags but it's so funny, well acted that it's fun as of now. I hope they don't derail midway.
@@zahrabjinu I watched a snippet of them watching episode 3 together and I was soooo relieved to see two happy boys laughing and enjoying the result of their acting, no cringy fan service. And yes, I agree, I really enjoy this type of BL and it’s very well made. I don’t wish to be young again but it reminds me of what was good as well as bad. As shallow that type of series might seem, my hidden youth is recognizing the feelings and angst of it.
@@strlen6441 So cute 😄
@@zahrabjinu He really does play stupid very well.
Love in the air and The Eclipse are so goood. Both of them from their first episode. Stupidly cute Rain and Phayu who plays to be hard on him.And I still waiting for Sky and Prapai story. Akk and Ayan in The Eclipse, Akk who is in panic everytime, he is near to Ayan, so adorable.
There are so many series going on right now that I haven’t gotten around to watching a lot of them, including About Youth. But I’ll check it out now. Maybe I’ll drop one of the less inspiring BLs that I’m watching to make room for this one.
I like this one. Plus 180 degrees longitude passes between us too.
A BL that is "less than inspiring"? Surely, no such purple unicorn exists! Why, right now my Watch List features....um, actually I only have 3 series going right at the moment, and only one of those is a BL. And that one is Vice Versa, which has justifiably been raked over the coals in this comments section. (At this point I am tuning in from a) sheer stubbornness and b) curiosity about which Popular Actor in the GMMTV stable will show up this week in a breezy cameo. Mix, the veterinary student, playing a veterinarian was genius, but Tay delivering pizza 🍕 was inspired.)
I dropped Vice versa way back... and I dropped The Eclipse also, though a lot of people are going gaga about the actors and the series ( esp. the eclipse) however I failed to connect with them.
@@blcritic Eclipse debuted on the first day of vacation, so not starting that series at the beginning was an easy choice. Despite lacking internet service for 10 days, i still returned Stateside aware of that early "gaga" reaction. That fervor seems to have cooled more recently. At any rate, when we get within two weeks of the finale, I will likely binge my way through the whole. For better or for worse.
As for Vice Versa, the BL story is a dud. But as a veteran sci-fi and fantasy reader, the alternate universe storyline appeals to me, and I stick around more from that side of my Fandom than the BL side. I'm going to guess the screenwriters haven't familiarized themselves with alternate universe genre literature. They clearly don't know how to handle the world building necessary to make this type of project succeed. They may not even realize that "world building" in fantasy and sci-fi is, like, a prerquisite to success, more important than other genres. They've been clever (fun) with some of the details that differentiate the alternate universe, but the world building hasn't felt coherent.
@@johnmaster3748 I think that’s exactly what feels so lackluster about both Eclipse and Vice Versa. I’ve been trying this entire time to figure what was off about them and I just couldn’t put my finger on it! 🤯
They both require a world-building along with a certain ambiance to feel real and interesting. Vice Versa needs to fully develop out the character of the alternate universe, and Eclipse needs to establish the feeling of this intense, hyper- authoritarian school administration. But both series seem to skip that step in order to get to the tropey love story.
I haven’t dropped either one yet, simply because I need the escapism at the moment. And Vice Versa has those cameos, so I gotta keep watching for those.
🙋♀I join your recommendation!!!!
I hope you'll like it. ..
Hey, Mama! I discovered your channel about one day before this video dropped. Good stuff. If there's a congruence of subject matter in some future content I'll get in the comments and exhort this local Peanut Gallery to sample your videos, too. (This video is two weeks stale already, so the regular participants have already come and gone.)
Oh wait!! The guy from History is in here… but with hair!!!
I was surprised to see him.. he looked really decent here. haha
@@blcritic I didn’t even recognize him when I saw the episode…
Did you see the end? It was lacking. Minato's coin laundry has also ended - one long fest of Minato panicking and Shin being calm & overconfident.
Oh god.. I am like what?? it looked like the makers just lost interest after ep 5 and decided to wrap it up in ep 8th .. Minato's could have been better had it been short, may be upto ep 8 only.