Boys Love Series: The Hype and What To Watch | The Nerd Daily (2024)

Written by JM Cabral
Much like the rest of the world, the Philippines has been on lockdown since the start of the community quarantine that began eight months ago. People were asked to, as much as possible, stay indoors, and a lot of the Philippine population were basically forced to find different workarounds to get several tasks done. Students had to make use of virtual e-learning channels, people who spent their days in offices had to work from home, and, of course, there were people who were left with nothing to do but wait out the quarantine. While it was disheartening to see the country (the world, really) suffer from a global pandemic, there was one thing that kept most people occupied and distracted and helped ease and lighten everyone’s worries, and problems. Watching Boys Love (BL) series online have been a Filipino favourite since March, and it’s pretty obvious that 2020, despite it being such a dragging and challenging year, became the “Golden Age” for diverse LGBTQ+ media, at least in my opinion.

According to Honey’s Anime, a website dedicated to providing entertainment to the community of anime enthusiasts around the world, Boys Love is a relatively new term used to broadly indicate manga, anime, or fan works depicting love between men, and it features relationships that are often sexual and have determined and visually codified “top” and “bottom” positions. BL is not to be confused with “Yaoi” though, because the latter emphasises sex, while the former focuses more on the narrative rather than the hot and heavy action between two presumably hom*osexual characters.

One of the many reasons as to why BL is so well-loved worldwide is because it tries to focus more on the romantic and less problematic aspect of a story. As a viewer of several BL series myself, I’ve come to realise that one thing that most, if not all, shows have in common is that it rarely focuses on the “heavy” aspects of life, and it mostly tells a light, warm-hearted story that might not be as well-rounded and flawlessly told as many other high-budget and long-lasting movie franchises or TV shows, but it still tends to be impactful and consequential. Yes, some shows try to be a little more bold in terms of plot-building, but in its core, BL shows are really just comforting, and has a generally “feel good” nature to it.

Now that you’ve familiarised yourself with the idea of Boys Love, here’s a mix of ten, finished and still-airing shows to get you started.

(Disclaimer: All of the shows listed below are produced by either Thai or Filipino media producers, but English subtitles are or will be available.)

TharnType (2019)

Starring: Gulf Kanawut Traipipattanapong and Mew Suppasit Jongcheveevat
Tropes: Cohabitation, Enemies to Lovers, School Romance
Where to watch: Line TV (App)
Status: Finished, with 12 episodes (A second season’s on its way!)
Trigger / Content warning for: hom*ophobia, violence, and sexual abuse
Three words to describe the series: Hot, Intense, Shocking
Show rating: 6 out of 10

TharnType tells the story of two uni students named—you guessed it—Tharn (Mew Suppasit) & Type (Gulf Kanawut) who end up becoming roommates on their first day as freshmen. Tharn is openly gay, while Type claims to be 100% straight. Due to an issue that happened in the past, Type became hom*ophobic, suspicious, and wary towards gay men. As the story progresses, you’ll see why everyone acts the way they do, and it will deliver one heck of a twist towards the ending.

SOTUS The Series (2016)

Starring: Singto Prachaya Ruangroj and Krist Perawat Sangpotirat
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, School Romance
Where to watch: YouTube, Line TV (App)
Status: Finished, with 2 seasons (15 episodes for S01, 13 episodes for S02)
Trigger / Content warning for: Hazing, bullying, and power abuse
Three words to describe the series: Fun, Reminiscent, Youthful
Show rating: 6 out of 10

SOTUS is an acronym for the tenets of the Engineering program in Thailand, and it stands for “Seniority, Order, Tradition, Unity, and Spirit”. This particular series tells the story of Kongpob (Singto Prachaya), a feisty Engineering freshman who, during their “hazing” period, defies the unreasonable orders of Arthit (Krist Perawat), a junior who is known for abusing his power over freshmen. As the story unfolds, Arthit slowly realizes that his strong feelings towards Kongpob might not be annoyance nor hate, but rather the complete opposite.

In Between (Hello and Goodbye) (2020)

Starring: Genesis Redido and Miguel Villasis
Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Second Chance Romance
Where to watch: YouTube, GagaOOLala (Video streaming subscription service)
Status: Finished, with 14 episodes (A second season’s on its way!)
Three words to describe the series: Slow-paced, Impactful, Symbolic
Show rating: 7 out of 10

In Between is an online BL series that tells the story of Joseph “Otep” Malaya (Genesis Redido), and Taurus “Tau” Noble (Miguel Villasis), two long-time friends who later on, develops deeper feelings for one another. They end up in a romantic relationship only to be broken up after a few months because Otep’s family decides to migrate to a different country so his father can undergo treatment for a grave disease. Reunited after a couple of years, Tau and Otep must come to terms with each other’s presence or risk losing each other for good.

Theory of Love (2019)

Starring: Gun Atthaphan Phunsawat and Off Jumpol Adulkittip*rn
Tropes: Friends to Lovers, School Romance
Where to watch: YouTube, Line TV (App)
Status: Finished, with 12 episodes
Trigger / Content warning for: Verbal and emotional abuse of a best friend
Three words to describe the series: Relatable, Melancholic, Angsty
Show rating: 7 out of 10

Theory of Love is told from the perspective of Third (Gun Atthaphan), a college student majoring in Film, and is ¼ of the infamous “Savage Squad”, a friend group who’s notoriously known for being the biggest heartbreakers of their school. Also part of their group is Khai (Off Jumpol), extremely popular with the ladies, and Third’s closest friend. Khai and Third have been best friends since they were freshmen, and the latter has been hiding his true feelings for the former just as long as they’ve known each other because, just like most of us, he’s afraid that his friend doesn’t feel the same way. Refusing to be Khai’s emotional punching bag after his frequent heterosexual break ups, Third tries to engage in different activities to distract himself only to (very, very slowly) realize that his best friend just might have feelings for him too.

Ben x Jim (2020)

Starring: Jerome Ponce and Teejay Marquez
Tropes: Childhood Friends to Lovers, Contemporary Romance
Where to watch: YouTube
Status: On-going, with 2 episodes already available, and 5 episodes yet to air
Three words to describe the series: Hopeful, Modern, Intoxicating
Show rating: 8 out of 10

While the rest of his family permanently lives abroad, struggling online seller Benjamin (Teejay Marquez) is given an ultimatum by his mom to become financially stable and self-reliant. Otherwise, he’ll have no choice but to leave Manila and come live with them in the United States. While shipping out his sold items, he later finds out that this old neighbour and childhood friend, Jimson (Jerome Ponce), is moving back home to spend his time in quarantine with his family. Upon his arrival, though, Ben realizes that a lot has changed, and the person who came home might not be the one he fell in love with so many years ago.

Gameboys (2020)

Starring: Kokoy de Santos and Elijah Canlas
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Quarantine Love Story
Where to watch: YouTube
Status: Finished, with 13 episodes (A second season’s on its way!)
Trigger / Content warning for: Death of a relative, unplanned “outing”, COVID-19
Three words to describe the series: Swoony, Fast-paced, Exciting
Show rating: 8 out of 10

Gameboys is one of the most iconic BL series from the Philippines, and it’s the first to tell a story that happens during the COVID-19 quarantine. It revolves around the lives of Cairo Lazaro (Elijah Canlas), and Gavreel Alarcon (Kokoy de Santos), two live stream gamers who, after engaging in several online matches, ends up becoming friends, and later on, lovers. Gameboys is also called a “desktop film” mainly because most of its episodes were shot via computer and/or phone screens. It talks about very relevant topics such as gender acceptance, familial love, and the importance of staying indoors and wearing a goddamn mask!

Gaya Sa Pelikula (Like In The Movies) (2020)

Starring: Ian Pangilinan and Paolo Pangilinan
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Cohabitation, Roommate Romance
Where to watch: YouTube
Status: On-going, with 5 episodes already available, and 3 episodes yet to air
Three words to describe the series: Fresh, Engaging, Unpredictable
Show rating: 8 out of 10

Gaya Sa Pelikula tells the story of Karl Almasen (Paolo Pangilinan), a questioning. 19-year old Architecture student who was indirectly forced by his parents to learn to be financially independent by moving into his uncle’s apartment. Feeling pressured to have more than enough money to earn his keep, Karl takes on online writing jobs to generate quick income. But when he’s ghosted by his first major client, he is left unable to pay for his first month’s rent. He then meets Vladimir Austria (Ian Pangilinan), his mysterious next door neighbor who is later on discovered to be hiding from his own family. After briefly introducing his older sister to Karl who was tasked to take him home, Vlad proposes that they become roommates for the rest of the semester break in exchange for rent.

Dark Blue Kiss (2020)

Starring: Tay Tawan Vihokratana and New Thitipoom Techaapaikhun
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Secret Relationship, Contemporary Romance
Where to watch: YouTube
Status: Finished, with 12 episodes
Trigger / Content warning for: Unplanned “outing”, mild violence, slightly possessive partner
Three words to describe the series: Charming, Tear-jerking, Heartfelt
Show rating: 9 out of 10

This is actually the third instalment in a three-part series called “Kiss”, and the story of its lead characters Pete (Tay Tawan), and Kao (New Thitipoom) unfortunately doesn’t start here. The first two shows “Kiss The Series”, and “Kiss Me Again” mainly feature heterosexual relationships, and Pete and Kao were first introduced there. In Dark Blue Kiss, we see Pete and Kao navigate their relationship through uncharted territories. Kao remains secretive of his true gender towards his family, and since he’s basically the one paying for his younger sister’s studies, it’s no secret that he’s having a hard time juggling their finances. Pete struggles to find the right company to work for after graduation without the help of his very supportive father. While they promised to make their relationship work, both Pete and Kao are faced with different challenges that ultimately test their bond, leaving the both of them questioning whether their love is strong enough to get them through all the hardships.

Hello Stranger (2020)

Starring: JC Alcantara and Tony Labrusca
Tropes: School Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Contemporary Romance,
Where to watch: YouTube
Status: Finished, with 8 episodes (A movie is on its way!)
Three words to describe the series: Iconic, Inspirational, Gripping
Show rating: 10 out of 10

In Hello Stranger, we get to know Mico Ramos (JC Alcantara), a driven, independent, and highly organised academic who has his whole future all mapped out. During his time in quarantine, he hosts an online quiz night with his friends, The Young Padawans, and during the activity, star basketball player, Xavier de Guzman (Tony Labrusca), logs in by accident, and later calls their show lame, leaving Mico with a bad impression. Much to Mico’s dismay, they get paired together as part of a school project, and despite their stark differences, they form an unlikely bond that neither of them expected.

2gether & Still 2gether (2020)

Starring: Win Metawin Opas-iamkajorn and Bright Vachirawit Chivaaree
Tropes: School Romance, Fake Relationships, Contemporary Romance, Destined Lovers
Where to watch: YouTube, Line TV (App)
Status: Finished, with 13 and 5 episodes respectively
Three words to describe the series: Addicting, Legendary, Award-winning (Literally)

2gether tells the story of Tine (Win Metawin), a college freshman studying Law, who is known for being a chic heartthrob who has spent so much time looking for “The One”. When he’s pursued by a loud, openly gay suitor, he defies the odds, and befriends the mysterious Sarawat (Bright Vachirawit), a Political Science freshman who is also a talented musician and much more popular with the ladies. Tine asks him to be his pretend boyfriend just until they shake off his admirer, and—you guessed it again!—they end up falling in love with each other for real. As the story progresses, viewers will get to see just how madly, deeply, and undeniably in love they are with each other and I guarantee that once the show’s over, you’ll want to watch it at least five more times. Or maybe fifteen.

Do you have a favouriteBL show? Are any of these titles on your radar? Let me know in the comments below!