I Watched Every Korean BL So You Don't Have To

[@pikawaii]

i loved semantic error so much when it first came out that i later checked out the webtoon and it made me appreciate much more how they adapted and changed the story for the drama, i really disliked the webtoon and i was shocked at how violent the original story is

[@Pastellyn]

Hard agree! The webtoon wasn’t really my thing, so I was surprised I enjoyed the show so much.

[@imightbeadumbo2370]

Okay so you guys won't be able to handle the novel then....the OG is the novel which was number 1 for years in BL category on ridibooks, the sole reason why it has so many adaptations , and please do check out the 4 episode anime it's sweet it's spicy... I am a hardcore fan of semantic error I go around promoting it like an ambassador 😂 (pardon me if I came out a bit rude)

[@shorkelili]

woah, it was violent? as in the two leads were violent towards each other? :(

[@k6eomz]

blueming would 100% be my number 1 spot too !! i have never been so enamored by a series cinematography

[@willloverkfjh]

The eight sense,blueming ,unconditional love story,to my star ,semantic error are all masterpieces i can't stop thinking about them

[@daisha_is_delusional]

Everytime I watch videos like this they just confirm how easily satisfied I am lol.

[@Pastellyn]

😂 I’m kind of a tough critic but if you enjoy something then don’t let me rain on your parade!

[@fruitpunchsamurai6353]

Thank you for appreciating Blueming il it sm and it's really underappreciated 😭

[@Pastellyn]

I’m here to spread the Blueming agenda 😌😌 it’s definitely one of my favorite things to come out of 2022!

[@stacie1595]

The Eighth Sense will always be my number 1. I really don't like rewatching shows but I go back to that one all the time! Otherwise, flawless top 5!

[@seal2270]

My dude, this video came out before the eighth sense. It could not have been included Or else I am mistaking what you're saying here and you are just expressing your agreement with the creator, in which case I totally agree

[@avaaa89]

finally a new pastellyn video, the world is healing!

[@Pastellyn]

Alaldkfjf it’s been too long!!

[@PurplePandaLotus]

Mr. Heart is my comfort K-BL. Mainly because there's really no overly dramatic conflict and so much genuine cuteness. I feel the loan sharks were there for comic relief [albeit unsuccessfully] than real conflict. After watching Where Your Eyes Linger which felt, as you said, pretty much a copy and paste of mainstream Kdrama, Mr. Heart just felt ... different ... in it's utopian embrace of both queer characters. Hehe. Having that said, I have watched To My Star and Semantic Error way more times than I care to count too. I tried to keep up with K-BL releases too but since the new year, that's been a bit difficult. (>_

[@hungryforenglishliterature4740]

adding a timestamp would make this video super awesome ✨

[@juneseghni]

when you realise you've seen them all...

[@Notbythemoon574]

YOURE BACK!!! Thank you for this treat of a video! KBLs have thankfully upped their anti this last little while which I'm so thankful for. Semantic error has my heart at the top of my list

[@SwissLotus]

i've never seen characters fall in love so naturally, like they did in "you make me dance"

[@zebakhan-gd1gb]

YES YES YES Blueming is THEEEEE BL of all time hehehe

[@DUCKPURGE]

would love to see you do this again with future releases!!!

[@cynthiaverjovskymarcotte1379]

I haven't watched Blueming, but it's definitely on my list as every review I have seen is extremely positive. I agree on your ranking (of the shows I have watched). The Eighth Sense would be #1 on this list for me. Truly fantastic. That and Semantic Error are my top series. And I love Coldin's songs in Semantic Error ("Romantic Devil" and "Can you stay"). I finally convinced my husband to watch Semantic Error with me. We're halfway through the series. Mr. Heart is my comfort watch. Light On Me is fantastic. I also liked Our Dating Sim. Love Class 2 was better than the original, I think. Anyway, thanks for your reviews; I am adding a few to my TBW list.

[@a.moonchild4877]

Truly enjoyable video. The sound references in each transition had me laughing at times. Thanks again for your work on another video!

[@Frickitzbatz]

To me,This video is a love letter. A love letter to your own passion for analysis and review. This was so well done and i agree with most of your rankings! Do i think mr.heart should have been lower on the list..perhaps🤷‍♂️ but what do i know. I definitely would have liked some more time dedicated to wish you, as that was my first kbl and i may or may not have Hated it(but im biased). Overall your top five were deserved and im glad to see 2 hwang da seul productions stick it out towards the end!!! Thank you for pouring your time and dedication into this passion project. Myself and others have been looking forward to this, as we will continue to do for all your other endeavours! Thank you again

[@Frickitzbatz]

Also side bar, but i relate 100% to what you said about to my star. Any minor inconvenience happens and I’m turning that shit on. I’ve seen it more times than i can count and it truly is my favourite. Great minds 😎

[@Pastellyn]

😭 Thank you so much for your support!! (And I’d love to know your thoughts about Mr. Heart since I put it so high on my list!)

[@sprinkles4375]

Yay! You are one of my favorite BL commentators, and I’m so happy for another video! There have been many Korean BLs, but few have been good. They are usually too short with resulting undeveloped characters and story. For chemistry of its leads, acting, and plot, I loved Semantic Error, Blueming, and Roommates of Poongduck. I loved, loved, loved Mr Heart! It’s so sweet! Strongberry’s Long Time No See is good and worth the watch. My absolute favorite Korean BL is To My Star 1 and 2. Both seasons are perfection, to me, and I have rewatched multiple times.

[@fairyitsay]

you’re back yasss, i was waiting to see blueming in that spot! i feel like it’s still quite underrated, but yet it’s cinematography really stole my heart :)

[@billsanderson4296]

Thanks for an awesome framing of how great or not so great the 20 series you critiqued from 2023. I think I watched almost all of them and I was quite entertained by the brilliant analysis you provided as you have a great sense of humor.

[@tamiajohnson7582]

One thing I think you got wrong is that cherry blossom after winter one they are not step brothers one of the characters parents died so he lived with the other main lead mom but she never adopted him he just lived with her

[@Pastellyn]

I see your point, but what you’ve described sounds very similar to a step siblings dynamic since they grow up under the same roof with the same guardian. It’s not incest, but it just isn’t my cup of tea! 😊

[@localbrews]

I LOVEEEE SEMANTIC ERROR ITS THE BEST BL IVE EVER SEEN, I HAVENT SEEN MANY BUT ITS STILL NUMBER ONEEE I EVEN READ ALL THE CHAPTERS still waiting for season 2 🗣️‼️

[@amorupatieee]

i feel like semantic error is sooooo good because the characters actually have personalities.... some old bls were trash because the point of the series was literally "being gay" and etc

[@avsambart]

Light on Me was SO GOOD. Also I'm so glad Korean is finally making regular bls but as usual, gls are almost non existent or not enough. Same in every other country 😭

[@GG_ab]

Omg you are insane. I kinda tried to do the same - watch every kbls, but the cringe stopped me. You are a true soldier. I whole heartedly agree with your top 5, maybe not exactly in this order but yeah. I kinda wish we could hear your thoughts on Blueming though. I think kbls still have some work to do, because in my opinion the ratio of bad/mediocre dramas and good dramas is not good enough. They need to up their game a little. Anyways, I really loved this video and I am happy to see you finally posted! Little question, did you or will you watch Eternal Yesterday? It is my favorite BL this year, with Semantic error and Blueming. Just one of my new favorite bl overall, with cherry magic and to my star. Because I would loooove to hear your thoughts about it. You are so articulated lol

[@Pastellyn]

Hi!! Glad you enjoyed this video (and sorry it took me so long to respond to this comment 😭). I haven’t watched the Eternal Yesterday yet, but I’ve heard great things and may check it out in the near future. :) thanks again for watching!

[@ammusgsp846]

Blueming is literally a gem!!!!!

[@kiyaradunuwille6866]

I swear the ONLY thing I liked from Colour Rush was the soundtrack cuz damn it was good but other than that I just hated watching it. I agree with most of ur views about the Korean BLs. Currently my fave korean BLs(as of the time time writing this) are Love For Love's Sake(A LITERAL MASTERPIECE), Semantic Error, The Eighth Sense ,Blueming ,Light On Me 😊😊 while I love You Make Me Dance and Mr.Heart cuz they were the first 2 KBLS I actually liked and also nostalgia lol

[@LuanSantos-gf6tf]

I watch all your videos and love them all. This one was no different. Loved your points about Korean BL! I hope you make a part 2 one day - because with the quantity being released it won't be difficult. But especially, I would love a video about the Japanese BL released in the last few years and what you are thinking about them. Much love from Brazil.

[@Pastellyn]

Glad you liked it!! I'm actually considering making this a sort of yearly tradition since, holy shit, Korea is releasing these series at lightning speed. Japanese BL ranking is also on my potential videos list but I'd have to watch them all first! :D

[@tjohannam]

I love your changing tone of voice from sarcastic to loving while describing the BL's. 😂 Also great audio editing, loved each "jingle" you edited in to indicate your opinion on the next show. My favorite BL must be The Eighth Sense from 2023, a true masterpiece of storytelling and cinematography. 🩵

[@issey1456]

I am less familiar with Korean BL than with Thai, Japanese or even Taiwanese BL. I did watch quite a few, but apart from the Eighth Sense, they did not leave me with strong impressions ( setting S E, Cherry Magic etc apart because I had read the webtoons first so I was biased even before I started watching) . Your video makes me want to start or restart 4 of them, which I should have given a second chance at the time. To my Star, Blueming ( I can't even remember how much I watched before dropping it) Mr Heart and You Make me Dance. Thank you for the clear and detailed analysis. I feel I can trust you on the cinematographic aspects, which are important to me.

[@yongeomma]

To my star is my favourite BL. It's soooo well done and so sweet. You don't need anything else. Granted I haven't watched Blueming yet (thanks for the suggestion btw), so maybe I'll reevaluate my #1 spot, but at the moment I can't imagine liking anything as much as I liked to my star. P.S. I just found your channel and I LOVE! Keep up the good work 💜

[@heatweve]

i'm out of the BL world for YEARS and let me tell you my reaction seeing park seoham's face in one of your highest ranking BLs i was like !!!!!!!!!!!kdnsjdgbghjdg!!!!!!!!!! i was a KNK girlie back in the day so yeah imma eat this up soon for dinner and lunch!!!

[@Pastellyn]

LMAO yeah seeing older kpop idols in BLS is such a trip!

[@chasingclouds9176]

So glad to see another video from you! Funny that since subscribing to your channel I've gone on to document the evolution of LGBT+ representation in K-Dramas myself. It's become something I'm very passionate about.

[@Pastellyn]

Thanks for stopping by again :D it’s been a wild ride for Korean lgbt content this past year, hasn’t it?

[@chasingclouds9176]

@@Pastellyn It really has. Now I'm crossing my fingers for some Korean GL's. Like, anytime now. Please 🙏 The editing was hilarious in this video by the way 😄

[@ragerteenager968]

YOUR TOP 10, I COULDN'T AGREE MORE!!!! it warms my heart to see bl like where your eyes linger and mr. heart there as well

[@ShinichiKudoQatnip]

Loved the list, many I haven't seen, but my favs are cherry blossoms, where your eyes linger, semantic error and to my star, also loved the fact that there is a second season to that 😇 Absolutely hated colour rush and 2.

[@zammich3649]

I think I'll check out Mr. Heart thanks to your review! I was surprised I didn't see Eighth Sense in here, but then I realized it hadn't come out by the time you put this together. Great reviews though, and impressive work going through all these shows and PUTTING TOGETHER this compelling video that must've taken forever.

[@rituchaure6466]

I love to my star to it has a relaxing and at home vibe. I remember during the 2nd season my emotions were all over like I am so attached to those characters. They feel so real it has its own flaws but still the emotions I got from 2nd season was overwhelming. Also love semantic error the webtoon is even good and funny if you see how jaechan's character reacts to seoham's confessions and all its pretty funny 🤣. But yeah the editing is so gorgeous and cool 😻😻and the chemistry and ost❤️. Mr. Heart I didn't expected it to that good but they also felt quite real and the development of their relationship as well and that guy is just too cute 😍

[@Engenegovroomvroom]

You should watch love for loves sake i recommend it 100000000%

[@akhileshdandge]

I quite much agree with your ranking! Though i would rate To my Star and WYEL on top. WYEL may have a heavy tone, but whenever I'm in a mood to cry a river, i start rewatching it 🤣. I'd rate blueming 3rd and semantic error 4th, though i loved both. Just a personal preference haha. Keenly awaiting your review on To my Star 2 though

[@Kale23-wo8ct]

Yep, Bleuming is different caliber, its even better than 70% Kdramas being shown in Netflix right now. The director is so capable and so as the Cinematographer. Semantic Error is a bit corny for me but I cant help but to like it too because I really love the main casts. 😂

[@jka1165]

20:26 STAPH NOT FERGIE 😭😭😭😭

[@brendakagyekum92]

I rerranged my watch list after this luckily I took out Color Rush & Cherry Blossoms and added in Blueming & Mr Heart 😁

[@sophiaisis1679]

I was waiting for light on me to be on the list. To me its my number 1 korean bl series

[@Pastellyn]

I loved LOM but unfortunately since it’s basically a full length kdrama I didn’t want to compare it to shorter series. If I have time I may do a separate video on it! :)

[@seal2270]

Lol. I looked over my own reviews as I listened to this video and until the top few, it was just 8, 8, 8 ad infinitum. I guess 8 is just my filler for not great but not horrific - I should really learn to rate lower, because some of the ones higher on this list were definitely better than ones lower down

[@johnsondoee]

Still waiting for Semenatic Error! T_T Also, you're so good at making these gay specific videos! Love your content!

[@nanikazoldyck1457]

Thank you for the video!

[@Gayasf450]

This is why I’m subscribed I agree with everything you said . Please do a list for Thai bl I want to hear your thoughts.

[@andreeamcpufi3688]

i really like the way you structure your videos and the things you cover in them. i especially like your latest video! i would love to see your take on to my star 2 if you are still interested in making that video and if you have the time, of course

[@gwyn_8562]

thank you for validating my love for blueming lol one of my friends who’s really into BL didnt like it at all

[@theshikakufox]

I absolutely enjoyed this monstrosity of a video! 🤣 I agree with your top 10 however my number 1 is 'Semantic Error.' My issue with 'Blueming' was Da Un's lack of character growth. Even the last 2 episodes, the scenes were fake outs and had the screen writers focused on him, it would've made it my number one choice easily. Ah well, such is life but they'll get another chance next year since season 2 was confirmed. Yay! ♥ Thank you for this fantastic summary and for making me see I'm not alone with how I view K-BLs. They always have a solid first 2 episodes then it's downhill from there with the exceptions of your top 10. Til next time, hugs from Orlando, FL. ☀ 🌴 🏖

[@starlight8554]

lol I learned form this video that VIXX’s Hyuk was apparently in a BL?

[@imightbeadumbo2370]

I am not a drama person... just ...I was so excited to know that my fave webtoon was going to be adapted into a drama ....yes I am taking ab semantic error....back then I was cringing to the fact that I'll be watching two actual boys acting all lovey-dovey (i was probably 16 back then lol)....so i decided to watch a few dramas so that I could gasp the fact what BL dramas were...and boy it was not that bad ...but one thing that i was really scared of was that I won't be able to unsee two random boys being lovey-dovey in my eyes (everything was sparkling BL around me ) ... I don't wanna be that person who sees everything through a BL tainted glass... thus limiting myself to a few dramas only ...i am here for the sake of story ...

[@imightbeadumbo2370]

When I fist watch Bluming....I was confused, it was no where near to what it was, supposed to be, adapted from, the webtoon Who Can Define Popularity?(I was looking forward to bluming as an adaptation ok) ....the webtoon was comedy, slight misunderstandings, slight college drama, with romance as an undertone ... So the drama ... became,why is it so heavy focused on the Love aspect of the story? ....for the sake of the drama I have to forget the webtoon, show it out the window , to be more exact...thus the drama experience was really bad I was confused for the whole show .... now that I have mostly forgot the story of webtoon as its been sooo long .... I might consider giving drama another try ....

[@jka1165]

13:54 *JAILIANA BESTIANA* 😭😭😭

[@Pastellyn]

LMAO I’m sorry it’s the only thing I could think of when I watched that scene 😭😭

[@jka1165]

@@Pastellyn understandable hahahahahah bit can you do something like this but with J-BLs?

[@GreenGoblin9]

Can you do one for Japanese BL too? 🥺

[@Pastellyn]

I just might sometime next year! :)

[@xXMusicMixxiXx]

I am shocked by how high Ocean like me is! I've watched most of these, but it's one of my least favorite in the genre. Bump Up Business is the worst I've seen like everything except the concept was awful IMO. I agree with the top 5! To My Star is my favorite. Season 2 wasn't as good though.

[@Pastellyn]

Lol, yeah, I'm probably in the minority when it comes to Ocean Likes Me. To each their own!

[@xXMusicMixxiXx]

@@Pastellyn Definitely, I'm glad you enjoyed it☺

[@mrkenjichan]

Hi Pastellyn, I have recently watched a LGBTQ TV drama from Japan, More Than Words. Have you watched it yet? It is simply superb and I guess you will love it. I'm looking forward to your video essay about More Than Words.

[@Pastellyn]

Haven’t heard of it, but will definitely put it on my watchlist- thanks for the recommendation!

[@mrkenjichan]

@@Pastellyn the best one from Japan, even better than Cherry Magic and My Love Mix Up. It’s reallllllly good! After watching it, I immediately thought of you and left you a message yesterday haha.

[@TheVolumeIv]

Are most of the tv shoes based on webtoon BLS?

[@Pastellyn]

I’d say somewhere around half!

[@manale9366]

i kinda disagree with you on some of these? i didnt find anything confusing or the editing weird

[@Pastellyn]

I’ll admit I’m a bit harsh on some of these shows- I’m a cinematography nerd, so i tend to nitpick stuff like editing and shot composition. 😂

[@berna61]

I just watched Kissable Lips and found it super awful to the point it made me cringe - especially the pureblood guy‘s acting. the fact that it’s still „so high“ in your list makes me wonder how bad the others in your list are

[@Pastellyn]

yeah Kissable Lips isnt... great, but the concept was interesting enough to put it above stuff like Color Rush 2 (which is absolutely unbearable lol)

[@therapistandenglishlanguag6268]

They were never step brothers. Wdym? He wasn’t even “adopted” adopted.

[@Pastellyn]

The mom literally calls them her two sons but ok?

[@friya196]

blueming was so awful i don't know why people even like it. Acting was subpar and chemistry was meh.

[@douglasjensen8986]

You always say the show's name too fast.

[@changos1.]

no thank you..wanna watch myself..you are so negative...my opinion

[@jenniboo9441]

Idk maybe you should just watch a different genre...you don't seem to like anything

[@Gayasf450]

This is why I’m subscribed I agree with everything you said . Please do a list for Thai bl I would love to hear your thoughts.