11 Bromance Series That Were Mislabeled as BL Series

 11 Bromance Series That Were Mislabeled as BL Series

    There have been a few instances where an allegedly BL series turned out to be a bromance, which is typically disappointing for people who desire a true romance between the main characters. However, bromance can be so fantastic that it doesn't matter if it's a BL or not. In this blog, we will explore some of the shows that were previously speculated and assumed to be a BL but ultimately turned out to be a bromance. If there is something missing from this list, please share it in the comments area below. Let's get started without further ado!

#1. Stay With Me

 

    What is the difference between a BL and a bromance? Stay With Me is a fantastic illustration of this because the first adaptation — Addicted — was definitely a BL, but the present version is a substantial revision of that in order to pass the censorship of its home nation. Despite these constraints, Stay With Me discovered a unique approach to portray the story of the main characters in the most subtle manner. Another factor is that Stay With Me had gotten to the point where people would finish watching it regardless of whether it was a BL or simply a bromance since it was a wonderful show. Wu Bi and Su Yu's chemistry is off the charts merely by flirting and playing with one other. As of today, there is an incoming season 2 of this drama that will pick up where season 1 left off, and I'm hoping that we won't have to wait too long. Stay With Me is available to view on Viki, GaGaOOLala, and YouTube.

#2. The Shipper

 

    Since this series took over the time slot of 2gether the series in 2020, many BL fans were excited to watch it because, first, The Shipper was supposed to be a BL, and second, Ohm was a part of the cast, who has always been a famous actor among BL fans. I won't lie, I loved watching most of it except for the final episode, which left me sad and dissatisfied for a few days. Despite seeing shots of Kim and Way acting like a BL couple, it was Pan who was on his body throughout the series. This might have been improved if the series finished without the cliffhanger and simply gave it a joyful conclusion for all of the characters. On the other hand, the comedic bits were the finest, and the actors did an excellent job of making everything plausible. The Shipper is available on YouTube.

#3. I'm Tee, Me Too

 

    The thought of having the major three BL couples in a single show generated a lot of excitement for this drama series, but it turned out to be more of a bromance. This is one of the series I didn't bother watching because I knew it wouldn't be a BL, but I was glad to see that we got another series with the six of them. This was also Krist and Singto's last appearance together since SOTUS S in 2017, thus it was a pleasant surprise for their fans. Even if this series wasn't a BL, people who had watched it praised it for its strong storyline and plot twist. I'm Tee, Me Too is available on YouTube.

#4. The Untamed

 

    I finished this drama in a matter of days since the first few episodes were so captivating. The problem with The Untamed was the same as it was with Addicted and Stay With Me. The original materials were prepared with the BL story in mind, but owing to China's severe restrictions, they had to conceal anything regarding the relationship between the male characters. Because of its unrivaled excellence, The Untamed remains unrivaled among other bromance shows. The Untamed is available for viewing on Viki, Apple TV, Prime Video, WeTV, and Netflix.

#5. Great Men Academy

 

    Back when there were just a few BL series in a single year, BL fans would watch everything, even if it only had a faint whiff of being a BL. The Shipper had the same issue as Great Men Academy because of the body-swap storyline between a male and female character, which generated misunderstanding. Because of this factor, people expected the show to be a full-fledged BL series, but it was not. Despite this, many people like the show because of its excellent cinematography and compelling story. The series was created by the same firm that produced I Told Sunset About You, and it reflected in the quality of both dramas. Aside from that, the aesthetics on this bromance series were on another level, which is undoubtedly one of the reasons why some fans stuck with it to the conclusion. Great Men Academy is available on Netflix and YouTube.

#6. Color Rush 2

 

    The first season of Color Rush was one of the most engaging Korean BL dramas I've watched, even if some of the technical parts were underwhelming. Color Rush may have been stronger plot-wise if it had a solid implementation of the mono-probe interactions as main characters, but the story seemed stagnant. When the second season was announced, I was sad that one of the main characters would be replaced by another, but it wasn't the reason I didn't bother watching this show. The main reason was suspicions that the second season will be a bromance rather than a BL, as well as the unfavorable reviews this series received. What do you think of the story, for those who have seen it? Color Rush 2 is available on Viki.

#7. Midnight Museum

 

    When this series was announced last year, many fans hoped it would be a BL, but it turned out to be more of a bromance. Although the company would not confirm that this was part of their BL lineup, viewers were blown away by Tor and Gun's chemistry in the teaser, even without a romance plot between them. There was a subtle bromance in the final episode, but I suppose it might open up new possibilities for the series' second season in the future. Midnight Museum is available on YouTube.

    Aside from this list, here are some additional prominent bromance shows that were incorrectly identified as BL:

#8. The Devil Judge

 

    Set in a dystopian version of modern-day Korea, where daily life is chaotic and society has crumbled to the point where individuals freely express their disdain and contempt for their leaders. Head Trial Judge Kang symbolizes the need for reform in a society devoid of law and order. His courtroom has been the topic of a reality program in which he severely punishes the guilty, giving him the moniker "Devil Judge." As a contentious person with an air of secrecy that hides his actual identity and goals, the public is confused whether he is a true hero or someone who is deliberately sowing dissatisfaction in his courts. A furious competition has developed between the "Devil Judge" and the immensely ambitious Jung Sun Ah, who rose from poverty to become the director of a corporate social responsibility organization. Two childhood friends on a quest for fair justice enter this volatile world: rookie Judge Kim Ga On and Police Officer Yoon Soo Hyun. Do they have what it takes to take on the cunning Jung Sun Ah as well as the infamous "Devil Judge"?

#9. Word of Honor

 

    Zhou Zi Shu, the chief of the assassin group The Window of Heaven, executes a required departure method, leaving him only three years to live. He hides his face and attempts to spend the rest of his days as an alcoholic traveling the martial arts world. Three months later, he encounters the mysterious Wen Ke Xing, who recognizes Zhou Zi Shu's mask right away. When they become involved in a scheme involving the Glazed Armor, a protected mythical key to a formidable armory, the two become even closer.

#10. Kei x Yaku

 

    Three years ago, an unexplained disappearance known as the Joker Case was concluded. The renewed interest in the case necessitates a re-examination of the evidence. Investigator Kinoshita Ichiro of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's Public Security Bureau is summoned for a reunion of the investigation. He is, however, given a very different task. His mission is to spy on a gang clan commanded by Hanabusa Shiro, its teenage leader. Shiro, a man of mystery, has ascended in three short years to the level of Wakagashira (young top subordinate in the yakuza gang). Ichiro discovers a disturbing secret while on a journey to get close to Shiro, prompting him to draft a bogus lover's contract with Shiro. Their covert activity progressively leads to an incident that will rock both the nation and their lives.

#11. Killer & Healer

 

    A story about two polar different guys, one who murders and the other who cures. One is a brutal officer, while the other is a kind doctor. During difficult times, they support and redeem each other. Jiang Yue Lou, the chief of the Jingcheng Police Station, looks neutral. Smugglers, on the other hand, are terrified of him. Yue Lou meets Yu Zhi while investigating an opium case in Hong Kong, and Yu Zhi finds that Yue Lou has bipolar illness. Yue Lou finally opens up to Yu Zhi, despite her initial reluctance to seek treatment. Despite their opposing viewpoints, they gradually become good friends. At this point, old secrets begin to boil to the surface.

    BL and Bromance shows are commonly confused, especially when trailers portray explicit romance between male characters. What are your thoughts on these bromance series? Thank you for taking the time to read this! That's all for now; see you on the next one.