We are here with the sixth installment of our hugely popular news feature, wherein we bring you the latest updates from the Asian BL Universe!
While the current on-air shows are keeping the BL fandom busy, exclusives related to upcoming BL dramas are always anticipated with enthusiasm. Today’s feature includes some dramas that will definitely have an unprecedented effect on the BL industry. With some iconic stories being remade, the Asian Subcontinent is surely exploring the unexpected. Without further ado, let’s get down to business and learn more about the BL dramas that will most probably grace our silver screens in the later half of 2021!
THAI BL
What Zabb Man!
Counted as one of the most bankable couples after their formidable act in recently on-air Thai BL “Gen Y The Series”, Bank Toranin and Bonus Tanadech are going to set the screen on fire with their new gourmet romance “What Zabb Man!” . Starring alongside main leads Peter Chonpachara (Poon) and Boss Thawatchanin (Tian / Athip), the drama promises a forbidden romance between a young hot-headed hotelier and a hardworking breadwinner chef.
Synopsis-
Poon is a hardworking guy. Ever since his parents passed away, he quit school and started working to provide for himself and his little brother. Poon opened a somtum stall in front of his rented house but could barely make ends meet. That was until one of his customers recruited him as a chef for a hotel owned by his friend. The hotel owner, Tian, is a young and hot-headed businessman. They had actually met each other before and they had bad impression of each other. When Poon found out that Tian was the hotel owner he immediately refused to work there. However, Tian challenged him to do the job and, not wanting to be looked down at, he decided to accept the position. Tian fell in love with Poon’s food once he tasted it but didn’t want to lose his face, so he told Poon that the food was horrible. These two always fought when they see each other. But after some time, their daily spat grew into something special. (Source: Lazy Subber, edited by Baddie on MDL)
We have quite a few Star Hunter Entertainment’s actors joining the fray. Their roles haven’t been outlined yet, but I’m definitely intrigued with the premise and looking forward to a recreation of the sensual romance that is characteristic of the “Bank & Bonus” pairing.
Bite Me The Series
Adapted from popular author Sammon Scene’s novel “Grab a Bite”, the upcoming drama “Bite Me The Series” recently held their blessing ceremony. Starring BL actor Mark Siwat alongside newcomer Zung Kidakarn, this show is another gourmet affair designed to sensitize your senses. The drama focuses on the journey of Chef Eua, runner-up to The Chef Master, who was unable to win against the champion. As he tries to figure out what he’s missing, he loses his focus on cooking. He never expects that the missing piece would be discovered in an ordinary delivery boy, Ake, who hides extraordinary skills. The shooting would commence, so most probably we would be able to watch the drama very soon.
Paint with Love
Touted as one of the most ambitious projects of 2021, TV Thunder announced the main leads of their upcoming BL drama last week. Starring BL veterans Tae Darvid and Singto Prachaya, Paint with Love or Sai Dak Phai Si is another BL adaptation. After Singto’s recent announcement that his contract with media giant GMMTV had ended, there were a lot of speculations surrounding his return to the BL genre. The press release of this show has finally put to rest all the rumors surrounding his future projects. There is alot of excitement surrounding this drama because of the unusual pairing and I’m definitely looking forward to the premiere.
Synopsis-
Met is a wedding organizer who has hired Phap, a poor artist, to work on a painting for an upcoming wedding. Phap has ruined something and now has to work for Met to pay off his debt to him.
(Source: Lazysubber Facebook)
Secret Admirer The Series
The levels of excitement surrounding “Secret Admirer The Series” is understandable. Actors Earth Teerapat and Art Pakpoom’s comeback vehicle is certainly charting new territories, as their individual fandoms wait with bated breaths for prolific Director Aam Anusorn new drama. Adapted from Thai BL author Jamie’s novel of the same name, Secret Admirer focuses on the journey of Kimhan (Earth Teerapat) as he tries to win the affections of his secret crush and university Senior, Singto (Fluk Chatchawan). The show’s casting is a star-studded affair and there are three more supporting couples alongside the main pairing- Mhai (Art Pakpoom) with Boat (Boat Yongyut); Bomb (Yut Kritsadayut) with Bear (Bew Sitthikarn); Phing (Kaprao Pongkorn) and Bung (Leoji Jirasin). The drama’s popularity can be gauged from the various endorsements and ad campaigns that the actors are busy with. We have some exclusive stills of the same.
PINOY BL
Gameboys: The Movie
Gameboys The Series was the trailblazer romance which heralded Filipino BL to uncharted territories. As such, the news of a movie adaptation was met with relief and euphoria. For those who are unaware, Gameboys focuses on the rustic romance between teenage streamer Cairo and his new online rival called Gavreel. The show became popular and won accolades because of the sensual chemistry between main leads and famous actors Kokoy de Santos and Elijah Canlas. While they practically started off as strangers, the shooting bought them closer and they share an incomparable chemistry, unknown in the rather dormant Filipino industry. The show’s success spearheaded the genre to global recognition and the fans had been awaiting the news of the sequel. Idea First Company finally decided to give them a reprieve. We finally have the trailer for the movie and it surely seems intriguing. While our reconciled couple are settling into the new dynamics of their relationship, societal norms and work pressures might tear them apart. The trailer hints at a surreal storyline and given Kokoy as well as Elijah’s sublime performance, this movie is surely going to be another trendsetter.
Stuck On You
Producers of Filipino BL “Quaranthings” Ride or Die are back with another interesting concept. Starring “Cheat The Series” fame Iyo Canlas as Reb / “truelovekiss” and Yves Flores as JM / “Alt.media”, the storyline promises a romance between two individuals with different online identities, who indulge in a hookup, leading to something more!
Synopsis-
We all have our fantasies. We’d all like to believe that dreams do come true. At least once in our lives, we’ve dreamed of having the perfect love story. But life isn’t a fairy tale. After what was originally supposed to be just a hook up, JM aka alt.media and Reb aka trueloveskiss are made to look beyond their desires when they’re forced to lockdown with each other. Will 14 days lead to forever?
(Source: Ride or Die Twitter)
Ride and Die has released some interesting snaps of their main actors and we are awestruck with their comfortable chemistry. Certainly on my watch list!
JAPANESE BL
Given
Japanese BL Manga Given’s live-action will premiere on July 17 on Fuji TV (Japan). Fuji TV is already quite famous for its highly explicit adaptation of the “Pornographer” series. Adapted from the manga “Given” by Kizu Natsuki, the anime’s unprecedented popularity will surely be a deciding factor in this show’s ratings. Starring Jin Suzuki as Ritsuka, Sanari as Mafuyu, Kai Inowaki as Akihiko, and Shuntaro Yanagi as Haruki, the show will be following the journey of the main leads as they find love and success. Fuji TV hasn’t confirmed the streaming platform for international release and fans are eagerly awaiting the news, hoping that the show will be available online alongside its local premiere.
Synopsis-
Tightly clutching his Gibson guitar, Mafuyu Satou steps out of his dark apartment to begin another day of his high school life. While taking a nap in a quiet spot on the gymnasium staircase, he has a chance encounter with fellow student Ritsuka Uenoyama, who berates him for letting his guitar’s strings rust and break. Noticing Uenoyama’s knowledge of the instrument, Satou pleads for him to fix it and to teach him how to play. Uenoyama eventually agrees and invites him to sit in on a jam session with his two band mates: bassist Haruki Nakayama and drummer Akihiko Kaji. Satou’s voice is strikingly beautiful, filling Uenoyama with the determination to make Satou the lead singer of the band. Though reticent at first, Satou takes the offer after an emotional meeting with an old friend. With the support of his new friends, Satou must not only learn how to play guitar, but also come to terms with the mysterious circumstances that led him to be its owner.
(Source: MyAnimeList)
HONG KONG BL
Ossan’s Love: Love or Dead
Remake of Japanese BL drama Ossan’s Love (2018), this show is Hong Kong’s first foray into the forbidden BL genre. With a variant casting that involves young actors Edan Lui, Anson Lo along with veteran Kenny Wong, there is alot of speculation surrounding the storyline. Will the show’s producers be true to the subject matter at hand? I’m desperately hoping that the premise remains unchanged and we have a realistic portrayal of Boy’s Love. The original content was quite famous for the inflammable chemistry between their main leads and recreating the old magic would be a difficult task.
Synopsis-
Tin Yat Hung is a single man who isn’t popular with women. He works at a real estate office and lives with his parents. However, one day, his mother walks away from him and he has to live independently. Tin Yat Hung doesn’t know basic things such as cooking or washing his clothes. He then decides to live with Ling Siu Muk, a coworker who is good at housekeeping. One day, Ling Siu Muk and KK/Dik Kwok Keung, a gay coworker, both confess their feelings to Soichi.
(Source: MyDramaList of Japanese BL Ossan’s Love)
We have some exclusive stills of the main actors, Edan Lui and Anson Lo in Harper’s Bazaar HK. The show is set to premiere on June 28, every Monday to Friday at 9:30 PM on Viu TV. Till then enjoy these beautiful pictures and give free rein to your imagination!
CHINESE BL
Winner is King
Since the recently on-air Chinese BL’s Word of Honor and Killer and Healer have finished their successful run, the fandom is rife with speculations regarding upcoming adaptations Winner is King and Immortality. While Immortality’s fans are still awaiting news about the highly anticipated bromance drama, Sha Po Lang’s avid fans are rejoicing about the fact that Winner is King has recently obtained a distribution license for 40 episodes. The show has however changed its name to Feng Hou Liu Jin and is ready to air. Starring Tan Jian Ci as Gu Yun / Shen Shi Liu and Chen Zhe Yuan as Chang Geng / Li Min, the drama might not have the same levels of romance that its precedents did (blame it to the strict Chinese censorship). However, that doesn’t change the fact that Chinese BL adaptations are fast becoming a rage and this show is surely on the hit list for now!
Seizing Dreams
Streaming portal IQIYI’s upcoming Chinese Bromance Duo Meng (Seizing Dreams) which is a modern fantasy drama has finally wrapped filming. Based on the BL Novel by Fei Tian Ye Xiang, the show follows young student Yu Hao’s journey as he encounters a new universe in his dreams and forges a strong friendship with the mysterious stranger General. The drama’s official Weibo account has released new photo stills of main leads Bi Wenjun as Yu Hao and Wang Ruichang as Zhou Sheng. Here are some BTS pictures as well, that betray the actor’s close friendship.
Keep watching this space as we bring you further updates about Boys’ Love dramas from all over the Asian Subcontinent!
(Picture Credit- Original Sources
Synopsis Credit- MyDramaList
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