My BL Series 2023 Ranking (Top 10 BL Series 2023)
Time goes by so quickly. We're here for our final blog of the year, creating my own ranking of the BL Series, which made it into my Top 10 list. In comparison to prior years, I based this year's ranking primarily on what I actually appreciated in terms of narrative and relationship chemistry. This year's ranking includes omitted BLs that have not yet been completed in order to make the ranking more equitable. Let's get started without further ado.
Honorable Mention (2023)
Before we get to our actual Top 10, I'd like to highlight Last Twilight and The Sign. This year's ranking might have been slightly different if these two had already finished airing, but for the time being, both are doing well with their storylines and plot twists. They're two of the current popular favorites, but let's hope the plot holds up to the conclusion.
10th Place: Our Dating Sim
Something about this Korean BL drew me in, and it was probably its simplicity. Most of the time, I choose BL shows with a deeper story and convoluted plotline just because they are first appealing. But as I watched this series, I found myself not caring about the other things that I generally seek for while reviewing a BL. I was blown away by the chemistry between the main characters, which is one of the reasons I adore this show. The premise was simple, yet it nevertheless provided some thrill with its plotline. Our Dating Sim was brief, but it left an impression on me.
9th Place: Only Friends
This is one of the messiest BL series I've seen this year, but that's what makes it unique. The instability between the main characters' friendship and romance piqued my curiosity in viewing this series. Only Friends is not a perfect , but it was an eye-opening series for me that taught me that love between same sex isn't all about beauty and butterflies. It is always defective in some manner, and this is what distinguishes its storyline. We've seen how faulty all of these characters were, whether it was their commitment to their lovers or friends, or even their grasp of what their hearts truly desired. The only reason I gave this a lower ranking was because several aspects did not resonate with me. Overall, Only Friends is a series that is difficult to avoid watching.
8th Place: The Eighth Sense
The characters were the first aspect of this series that drew me in. Their chemistry, visuals, and acting in the series were some of the highlights of the show. People loved The Eighth Sense much more since it was a surprise rather than an expected blockbuster. This seemed like an ordinary series at first, but it grew on me so much that I couldn't stop thinking about the main characters. To be honest, The Eighth Sense isn't the typical romantic drama that we see in other Korean BLs. In that sense, the series created its own identity by providing us with true concerns that are important in today's society rather than a love story.
7th Place: Laws of Attraction
This is something I'd term a hidden treasure because just a few people have noted this BL. Even though I thought the editing and special effects should have been better, the actors made certain that their performances were flawless in every manner. We've previously seen Jam and Film in a previous series called To Sir With Love, and they've demonstrated their acting abilities. The positive thing about Laws of Attraction is that we've seen a variety of people with distinct characteristics, so comparison won't be an issue. Film provided us a character we don't normally see in a BL, and he nailed it in every moment. His chemistry with Jam was fantastic, and their amorous scenes were certainly nice, but perhaps less so than others on our list. Overall, Laws of Attraction is a distinct new with its own cast of characters.
6th Place: Our Dining Table
Even though I adore every BL series I stated earlier, it's difficult for me to place this lower just because of how I feel about this show. When I think about Our Dining Table, I remember how wholesome the plot is and how much fun it is to see Yutaka and Minoru eventually learn about each other. Tane's inclusion in the series added a fresh taste to it, and it felt so much better than just having the main couple as the focus of the plot. Our Dining Table isn't innovative, yet it seems like a genuine love story that everyone should watch.
5th Place: Be My Favorite
Be My Favorite is one of my personal faves this year because it fulfilled all of my requirements for a BL. I was skeptical at first, but Gawin and Krist established their connection on-screen even in the first episode. Their acting talents were outstanding, and they made their characters extremely relatable and believable. The time travel story has always been perplexing, but not in Be My Favorite. It was simple to grasp, and its incorporation into the overall plot was perfect. It's unfortunate that some people refused to see this BL because to their issues with Krist, but it's normal and their sentiments are genuine. This is one of the few BLs this year that I can call a bundle deal.
4th Place: Stay With Me
Stay With Me may be contentious in this list owing to the argument over whether it is a BL or not, but the series was worth watching and was pleasant during its whole run for me. Because Wu Bi and Su Yu's connection could not be established directly in the series, they had to rely on the subtle dialogues and interactions between the main and supporting actors to make it work. Fortunately, the chemistry between Wu Bi and Su Yu was palpable, and I could sense it just by gazing into their eyes. Unfortunately, the series concluded with an unresolved story between the main characters, and there is a rumor that the serialized season 2 will no longer appear; instead, it will be a stage play and radio drama hybrid with other voice actors. Anyway, Stay With Me is an excellent series and an excellent adaptation of Addicted.
3rd Place: Moonlight Chicken
Because the ratings for this BL are strong, labeling it an underestimated series may not be appropriate, yet it is underappreciated by certain individuals. When it comes to the realistic approach to the plot and the portrayal of some characters, this is one of the rare shows that has nailed everything about story-telling. There were a lot of characters, but each one had a certain job to play in order to make the story more successful. Jim and Wen were perhaps the least liked characters in this series, although they had a lot of growth in terms of coping with their troubles in life. Heart and Li Ming were popular favorites because they presented a completely unique love story that we hadn't seen in a BL before. Not only that, but the actors were lovely during their scenes, which piqued the audience' curiosity. Alan and Gaipa's love story may be non-existent, but I was pleased when they demonstrated a faint affection through their eyes during the climax. Moonlight Chicken wasn't perfect, but it depicted real-life community circumstances that several BLs lacked or couldn't handle properly.
2nd Place: My School President
This BL sprang from nowhere. It was a shocking show since I didn't anticipate to be drawn into the story as early as the first episode. Not everyone will enjoy this because it is a school series, but it is one of the BLs of 2023 that has a high production value and several unforgettable situations in each episode. This BL series also demonstrated Gemini and Fourth's relationship while also building their characters to offer them natural growth. Some scenes may appear infantile, but that is the aim of this series. It's a sweet love story about two high school lads who loves music and want to be champions for their school and club. I particularly like the emphasis on the individuals' friendships throughout the story, not only at the beginning. Gemini and Fourth have the charm to win over their fans' hearts, and I hope they continue to progress for the future. My School President is the greatest example of a typical series that is executed well.
2023 BEST BL SERIES: I FEEL YOU LINGER IN THE AIR
This is perfect. The episodes are almost an hour long, yet I was never bored watching every interaction, whether between the lead characters or the supporting cast. I was astonished by the small nuances that connected the flow of the story without abandoning its logic over the full run. Nonkul and Bright have been the highlights of my year as a BL fan due of their incredible relationship as well as their outstanding performances. Because of the excellent quality and big budget production, the series seemed more like a film. I never expected a period drama to be this amazing in a BL, but I'm glad it happened this year to elevate the caliber of shows. The notion of time travel isn't new, but I'm not sure why the series seemed new to me the instant I saw it. After witnessing the ending, I wanted more from it, not because it was disappointing, but because it had the opportunity to explore the novel's opposite side, which may be as interesting. I Feel You Linger In the Air is a breath of new air, and it shows that the BL industry is still evolving.
And those are my top BLs for 2023! Your favorite BLs may not be on this list, but that doesn't mean they aren't fantastic in their own right. After all, we all have different tastes, so simply enjoy watching those BL shows that make you happy and fulfilled. Happy New Year everyone! Thank you for reading, and I hope to see you next year!
Incomplete BL series are not included in this year's ranking. These will be considered for the 2024 ranking.
ReplyDeleteEveryone should have a Happy New Year!
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