Ranking My Top BLs of 2024

What were your favorite BLs, GLs, and queer series from 2024? ♡
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[@definehope3005]

Kinda shocked to not see Love for Love's Sake here, cause it's still easily my fav.

[@Rachel-kr1jh]

@@definehope3005 no same - that show means so much to me

[@Rachel-kr1jh]

love in the big city had me hysterically sobbing on multiple occasions - i will never get over this show

[@blueapples]

One of the best critiques of BL that I've found on here.

[@officialjocelyn9108]

I often find myself screaming, "GO TO THE HOSPITAL!!", "CALL AN AMBULANCE!!", or "CALL THE POLICE!!" during these dramas.

[@ryn2844]

Marahuyo Project was my fave. The actress who played Lili, omg the way she made me cry, wow. I need a season 2 so bad

[@vivrbn]

I watched all the way through this video, even though I haven't seen all of the serious you covered, because I enjoy hearing your analysis of each. For the ones I haven't seen, it's either because I started watching them and they just weren't grabbing my attention, or because the subject was heavier than I wanted to deal with. I've been in need of mostly light and fluffy for some time now, so I probably won't get around to several of these until sometime in the future. Thanks as always for sharing your thoughts 😊

[@lexa4160]

Thank you for the recs! I'll definitely check each one because I haven't seen many of these. One that I feel the total opposite about is Jack & Joker, I am a fan of Yin and War so I was expecting a lot from this series, waited for a lot of time as well. But after seeing the first episodes.. I had to drop it. The tone was jarring overall because it changed a lot, I felt like I couldn't take anything seriously because it doesn't know what to be: a comedy, a dark story, or anything else. Just didn't work for me. But I'm glad it did for others. I still want more from YinWar, I hope they get/create more scripts. Another thing is that I dropped My Stand In because of the acting lol, Up was alright but the co-star's acting didn't do it for me. I love the writer that created the original story from MSI though, I'm a fan of her novels, they're very toxic/unhealthy and it's exactly the dynamic I enjoy lol. I also wanted to enjoy Pit Babe because I love omegaverse but again, didn't work for me :(. Maybe I'll give some of these a second try, but tbh live action BL disappointed me a lot last year. Hoping this one brings stuff that I enjoy more.

[@crimson_sky]

NO! You are 100% right when it comes to Hope and Save. I LOVE THEM!! They were so cute and everything they did was to protect each other. They stole my heart in this series

[@alexajaaay]

one thing about me and kayla, if a show has emotionally devastated us to no return, it WILL be at the top of our lists 🙂‍↕️

[@obscuredangel]

at this point, i really look forward to director hwang daseul’s work every year. seeing how she grows and learns constantly through each project on how to better express and capture such beautiful stories is also thrilling as a viewer. i hope she starts receiving her flowers. she needs to have a huge breakout mainstream hit soon. 👀

[@uyfaerie]

I would LOVE to see you do an outfit ranking on up’s outfits in the series Hearing you go into so much detail with any topic makes the video enjoyable for me I enjoyed only boo and my stand-in as well and ill be sure to check out all of your recommendations and amazing video as always Kayla!

[@Drj.022]

You are so right with Hope and Save the only thing they are doing is saving their lifes, and I also love to much how importat they are to each other in the special episode I hope see more of them And for Love in the big city you are so right too, it wasn't my type of series but I loved it, I also wanted him to stay with Gyuho but at the same time I understand that it gonna ruin the whole point

[@saranissen6210]

As always a great thought out review, critique with detail and valid points (for each entry). I always love that from you in any subject. A lot of the series I haven't watched, but I'm so glad you included This Love Doesn't Have Long Beans(I too love the humor and my favorite couple was JJ and Metas) and Pitbabe, I love those two series. For Pitbabe I agree that the ending felt rushed. But other than that it was a great series, that I understand why you have as a number 1. The acting was so good and the plot was dark, and my hate for Tony was enormous. My favorite character is Kim. I love his sense of justice and just wanting to compete fair and not cheat like his team mates, cause he wanted to show of how good he was and how hard he worked honestly, and that he eventually joined the better team was great. And I didn't mind, that he was one of those not ending up with anyone, cause not all have to.

[@TonyIgnatova]

Let free the curse left such an impression on me that i had to get my friend into BL just so i had someone to gush about it❤

[@sheilaasha7]

Listening to your breakdowns is always refreshing. I look forward to the next video:)

[@epicskyline]

Ming is my favorite bright red flag. His obsession is so satisfying to watch in a "could never be me" distance from the other side of the screen. When he finally gets his shit together and puts that obsession towards helping Joe instead of hurting him, it killed me.

[@jaelsilk]

Pit Babe made me read the novel which was better than the show (and sexier). I was surprised by my own level of fascination.

[@sprinkles4375]

Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo was exceptional. I struggled with understanding how everyone just accepted the father’s abuse. I understand the son not being able to stand up to his father, but why did the students take his abuse? The character needed a taste of his own medicine. Despicable character. My Stand In and Time of Fever also among my favorites. If you have not read My Stand In novel, highly recommend. Ming is even worse in novel.

[@rainbowpride4766]

@@sprinkles4375 the concept "respecting elders" and hierarchy is so deeply rooted in South Korean society( and most asian countries). If an elder hits u, it's "for ur own good, they are not wrong or they are just mistake or so "what if they did, it's not a big deal. "

[@sprinkles4375]

@@rainbowpride4766 I grew up with the same “respect elders” philosophy. I understand parental abuse and why Do Hoe is the way he is. However, I learned long ago that respect is earned. Just because one is an elder, does not mean respect and reverence warranted.

[@myjoy07]

Highly recommend watching Spare Me Your Mercy. Being gay wasn't the main plot of the show but it was more of a moral quandary show were the main characters happen to be gay. And well I have a love - hate relationship with the series. As someone who had read the novel before the series came out, I am mad at how the show ended but at the same time I understand the goal of the making of the series. Tor and JJ definitely got me hooked. And the way Dr. Kan will forever be my fav character 🤧

[@mlkh_0]

i was so shocked to see that your top 3 were, for the first time, all shows i've watched myself but actually dropped them all💀 not because i didn't like them! i just forgot to finish them...and pit babe as your top 1?? didn't see that coming LOL but this was a good watch because now i will most definetly be finishing all three of them and joining you in the brainrot they bring! :D also, before watching love in the big city, i actually read the book it's based on and was very surprised to see some things done differently in the show. the changes weren't bad per say, but the ending definetly leaves a different vibe in the book. i did enjoy the book more in the aspect that, obviously, it gave more insight into Young's thoughts and i feel like more of them should've been included in some parts of the show (mostly about his relationship w his mother). but yeah um definetly recommend the book as well!😊

[@kuro2522]

started watching My Stand-in because of how BEAUTIFUL male lead is, but couldn't get past the toxicity coming from Ming, stayed at the stage where i didn't want him near Joe and didn't even want to see how he would "make himself worthy" of his love. Put me off completely

[@AngeLstoCooLforU]

Oh i think your list is good! Tbh i stilll need to finish Pitbabe i thought it was a bit to silly at the start and then i fell behind and seemed like one that was WAY more fun to watch while it was airing. My list, my #1 was happy of the end but i know that one was VERY decisive, people either love it or hate it. I LOVED it, but be warned, it has all of the trigger warning's imaginable to go with it. Also really liked Our Youth and Spare Me Your Mercy! I highly suggest those if you haven't seen them!

[@jayne8839]

My only problem with My Stand In was that Tong didn't get completely taken down - reputation destroyed. Did you watch Wandee Goodday? I adored it

[@justdave3153]

😅great to hear your thoughts and I havent seen most of these. Hadnt heard of Mtahuya Project! Will add that to watcglist. My top 3 were: 1 Unknown 2 I became the lead in a BL 3 Love For Loves Sake Fave comic performer was actor who played Moo in Only Boo Spdcial applause for interesting concepts to 4 Minutes and Dead Friends Forever

[@Stealaire]

I was thinking of these 3 shows during the video! They are in my top 10 too, loved them

[@thecarterfilez]

Love for Love's Sake ended 2024 as the best BL for me.

[@TrineMortensen]

I loved Jack & Joker for all the same reasons, could never like or justify Hope & Save though.. Didn't care for them one bit 😑 Found it weird that Last Twilight wasn't mentioned, I personally hated the ending but the story and the journey of this show was amazing.. I loved The curse of Taekwondo, but it is the same person behind my favorite Korean BL's so I'm not surprised.. Again I agree with all of the things you mentioned..

[@matthewjay660]

Moon, I guessed wrong. I thought "Love in the Big City" would gave taken your 1st place. 🇺🇸🤝🇵🇭

[@lottieisfashion]

PIT BABE PIT BABE PIT BABE!!! PLS MAKE NORTH AND SONIC KISS IN S2

[@sprinkles4375]

I did not enjoy Jack and Joker, but I adore War and agree with what you say. Together with yin, they are the perfect pairing. For me, the series tried to do too much. It tried to be a thriller, a comedy,, a drama, a gritty crime story ( it was not gritty at all). None of it worked for me. For me, this made the story convoluted and all over the place. The comedic bits were not funny to me, mixed in with serious scenes. It might be better to binge watch and I may give it another chance. Enjoyable video. Thank you, Kayla..

[@Just_j_143]

Omg yes I loved these ESPECIALLY THIS LOVE DOESNT HAVE LONG BEANS OMG ITS SO UNDERRATED

[@Noname-c3z7s]

Love YinWar very very much really wanted to like J&J cos it is a self produced project by YinWar and team but didn't like J&J. It tried to be many things in just 12 episodes. I think it would have made more impact if they stick a 1,2 genres and reduced no. Of characters. War's performance is sooo goodand I'm mind blown by his performance . Yin also acted really great. Found recently that yin performed all fight scenes by himself without any standin. I hope they come back with a good script 🙏

[@lgate8634]

I think 2024 was one of the best in plots and story telling in this genre, and i watch a lot of drama of all types. For emotional angst it has to be My Stand In, it was like one of those books that I read as a teen, you become completely involved. I get why you like Pit Babe, but if you have eved been to a motersport event the race track scenes made it look cheap and not based in a noisey busy reality, the same with Long Beans how the f, did they make any money? Just gave me no sense of place. I liked the often sureal and gritty 4 minutes, raw and full of what ifs. Out of the three school dramas, its a tough pick ,for complete nostalgia, Lovesick, and a bit more complicated Addicted. Grown up drama, Love is better the Second Time Around, spare and beautifully filmed. I like your other choices, but for fun I would add Wanadee Good day, just for the shop scene at the start, and non stock charecters. The short k dramas on KZbin Blue Boys, Bad Guy, show what you can do with a small budget but with good actors and script. I think I must of watched most of the dramas this year. My turkey is Bad Guy My Boss, high on concept but no idea how to deliver it.

[@BLGL252]

My Favorite BL Series from 2024 (which I watched): Century of Love (it’s a MASTERPIECE 😍🥰🤌🏻) My Stand-in (Another MASTERPIECE 😍🤌🏻|| The ending, however, could be better, but I'm satisfied anyway :)) ) Perfect 10 Liners (it’s sooo good 😍🤌🏻, the Arc-Arm story-it’s very good,the Yotha-Gun story-it's good so far but I have the feeling that it's getting stupidly long, for example episode 12 seemed boring to me, while episode 13 is so good, it's my favorite episode of this story 😍🥰, it remains to be seen how it will end and let's see the next story with FaifaWine) Love for Love’s Sake The Sign (it’s a MASTERPIECE Wow Romantic,Action so Good, my favorite episodes are episode 6 and episode 7 🥰😍) Pit Babe (the storyline it’s very good,supernatural,unrequited love,betrayal,evildoers 🤌🏻🥰) We Are (Mark and Poon's character story is stupid and they have very little screen time My second complaint is the last two episodes:episode 15 and 16-They are for nothing, simply boring 😩 otherwise I say it's a good series 👍🏻) Memory in the Letter (very interesting 😮 recommendations) Last Twilight (it’s gorgeous and romantic 😍🫠, the only thing i don't like is episode 11 because they break up and after a year or a few years (I don't remember that 😅) they meet and start over,seriously?😑👎🏻

[@lovhy3191]

Jack and Jocker is my best BL of the year and number 7 best BL I’ve seen since!

[@haleydomenica5406]

seasonal depression = cured

[@beomgyuarmpithair]

So here's my top 10 with brief explanations 1. 4minutes- everything was 🔛🔝 except jesbible chemistry, korntonkla bizarre ending and robotic grandma fahsai. 2. My stand in- another masterpiece but will slander joe and tong for life. 3. The heart killers- people need to stop sleeping on p'jojo. Least gmmtv coded bl series. 4. Thamepo- junpo >>> thamepo. 5. This love doesn't have long beans- better than expected. Change2561 needs to stop pitying on villains. 6. Unknown- not bad but nothing extraordinary. Hated the sister and Taiwan needs to stop making step siblings trope. 7. The on1y one- descent story but I like the second couple more. The English teacher ❤. 8. Perfect 10 liners- perthsanta >>> 9. Jack and Joker- all the characters are dumb.

[@johnmaster3748]

Lists > no list Ranked Lists = tiered lists Lists with detailed explanations > Lists tossed out for List's sake This Viewer appreciates the time and effort put into explaining how this list came to be ordered in this way. Consistent with the nature of publishing Lists in a forum where internet denizens have free reign to comment, This Viewer feels an irresistible compulsion, experienced subjectively as a veritable moral obligation, to inform the List Maker that at times her choices merit effusive praise ("gosh! We think alike! Such great choices!") while at other times her choices lead me to question her sanity, intelligence and good taste ("gosh! Is she daft? That pathetic dreck was nigh unwatchable!") Thus, please consider yourself duly informed that your rankings include well-chosen titles as well as selections of dubious worth. Oh, and the order was jumbled. Because, of course. In keeping with internet discussion traditions, please process these remarks as both effusive praise and vicious, condemnatory critique. Having yielded to compulsion and observed rlevant internet List protocols, This Viewer now considers the matter of 2024 rankings, closed. Well. There is one thing....just a little thing. Hardly worth mentioning. Let alone worth two paragraphs. Yet, here we are. And it deals with list construction, not editorial commentary on the subjective choices. It seems to me if you pick a weird, non-round number like 8; yet, allocate equal discussion time to the Honorable Mention, why not just make the List 9 to start? Especially when the subsequent argument for the Honorable Mention comes across more enthusiastic, substantive, and persuasive than that offered for some entries in the List proper. The attention given to the Honorable Mention was functionally the same as for those items in the list. Furthermore, bringing up the Honorable Mention near the end of the video serves only to spotlight the merits of that title as it basks in the reflected glory of the Top Two. I dont even recall which series started us off, but sure as shooting, I remember LITBC was Honorably Mentioned. In closing, the whole shebang may as well have been introduced as a list of 9. If the list comprised 5 or 10 titles [round numbers for List makers], then any excess is clearly honorable mention. But 8 comes across as arbitrary, and so the List could as easily be 9. Plus, why discuss the Mentions at all? "Mention" implies just that: a Mention in passing without the reward of full discussion given to the series deemed worthy for the Real List. The lack of discussion would delineate series that made the cut from those that missed. Do I obsess over pointless arcana? Of course. That's the fun bit. That is how This Viewer's brain works. For example, consider the detail from Heart Killers e 1 that stuck with me longest. Was it do with actor chemistry? An anonymous hook-up in the first 20 minutes? A storyline laced with originality? No. No. And definitely not. I stuck in on the front door of the restaurant. In creating the brothers' hamburger joint, the set decorators did a fabulous job creating the look of a classic American diner. But but but....on the front door, someone placed the Pull sticker on the inside and the Push sticker on the outside. That door opens the other way, Set Decorators! Will this irrelevant flub disqualify The Heart Killers from my Best of 2025 rankings when the time comes? Of course it won't. I am not that anal. Story freshness and character building drive the subjectivity of my ranking process. Set decoration doesnt rate! Initially. Because, sometimes, I do need a tiebreaker. And if the psychic anguish that is a by-product from the push-and-pull thinking necessary to break ties between closely matched, quality series reminds me of those messed-up stickers, then The Heart Killers will be out. Unforgivable to Push one's way out a door marked Pull. Simply a deal breaker! Arcana matters! Maybe [maybe?] despite the defective door labels, it could still get an Honorable Mention? If so, no commentary. Just a name drop.

[@lynnzajicek]

This was a delightful read over my morning cup of ice coffee ☕️! Thanks John, it’s a great way to start my Friday morning! Cheers 🥂 to you and all drama 🎭 watchers!

[@johnmaster3748]

@lynnzajicek "Ice coffee." Lynn, during winter you should stay indoors to imbibe your hot morning beverage. Then it will not ice over like that. ☕

[@lynnzajicek]

@@johnmaster3748 🥁 You are on a roll! 🤣 Actually, I have always ponder this whole concept, though. Iced coffee, and it’s relevant in the 🥶 Midwest! However here I sit watching this video and musing over series that I had forgotten about or haven’t watched yet! This evening might be a good chance to remedy that growing must watch list!

[@sweetasbloodredjam]

Jack & Joker was such a disappointment to me, because I can agree with literally everything you say about the show, War is a powerhouse actor who deserves a brilliant script, Yin is steadily improving and matches him very well as a partner, the camerawork and colorgrading on the show was gorgeous, all of the systemic issues and intersectionality between poverty and discrimination are powerfully shown and yet, and YET! It just didin’t stick the ending. I don‘t know if it is some sort of censorship or self-censorship, or a cultural diffrence, but for a show that had so much to to say about systemic issues, it ended up unilaterally endorsing individualistic solutions to those problems, wich is a real head scratcher. In the end it seems to have nothing much to say about the problems it brings up, or affect any real change. The show very aptly identifies how the poor in the neighbourhood are oppressed and disenfrenchised, by an abusive, unjust and unequal system of power, and then sort of shrugs and goes: ‚If we just put nicer people in the positions of power, surely no one will ever abuse these powers again. No need to change anything about this, guys, walk along.‘ If you think about it for a second, frustratingly little actually changes throughout the show, except for our main characters rising in power-level. Notably ONLY our main characters, who have all adapted to the existing system, some actively upholding positions of power in it, rather than work dismantle it. Nothing has tangibly improved for the people of the Neighborhood. They are still lacking their own agency and the last episode insultingly implies that they NEED to be kept in check and saved from their own poor decision making by Save, who is effectively the new Boss. Just putting a slightly friendlier face in the same oppressive position. I‘d give the show credit for having a realistic ending in this regard, if there was literally ANY sign that this was intentional commentary, but there isn’t, we‘re clearly supposed to be delighted with Rose, doling out grants for the gifted instead of supporting free education for all. We‘re supposed to be relieved that Save is going to be a slightly friendlier loan shark and we are supposed to root for Jacks school, wich he is running on undisclosed funding he probably got through wealthy connections. We‘re supposed to believe that a minor trickle of wealth and power is sufficient, when proper redistribution is needed. Any and all critique of our main characters is heavily diluted, by how cartoonishly evil they decided to make Boss for the last few episodes. People are unhappy with Roses little lions den loans? Nor they‘re not, it was all Boss spreading discontent! Getting a school off the Ground with one semi-qualified teacher and his boyfriend as well as no funding is hard? No it‘s not, it‘s just that Boss is trying to kill children! The entire bomb collar climax is goofy and i wish we had gotten something competent writing instead. I also found the place Joker, the one character working outside of these systems, ended up in terms of his character arc unsatisfying. While he found his family with Jack, Toi Ting and Grandma and even reconciled with his father, working as a teacher really doesn‘t suit him and doesn‘t feel like a satisfying place for him. The show sets up an arc for him, about finding himself, but he doesn’t, he finds Jack. He’s living Jacks dream, not his own. I wish they had given him more agency as a character. Aaaaanyway, sorry for the novel, I really liked your list, and I really liked parts of J&J, hence why i have so much to say about it.