8 Korean BLs for first-time viewers
Want to start watching BLs but have no clue which one is up your alley? Look no further. We’ve compiled a list of eight enthralling BLs for every type of viewer to enjoy.
Our Dating Sim. Image: viki.
The genre known as BL — short for Boy’s Love — has recently seen an uptick in popularity and South Korea has been making its own mark on the genre with a number of these dramas.
While these series involve romance, no show is exactly the same and BL has something for everyone! Here are eight Korean BL dramas for beginners to dive into.
Semantic Error
Chu Sang-woo (Park Jae-chan) and Jang Jae-young (Park Seo-ham) find themselves at odds as Sang-woo hands in a group project with only his name, purposely leaving out his slacking group — Jae-young included. Their opposing personalities don’t help at all, Jae-young is easygoing and popular while Sang-woo keeps to himself and prefers to live by the book.
While Jae-young is stubborn in his pursuit to annoy and torture Sang-woo as revenge, their relationship begins to take a turn. Park Jae-chan and Park Seo-ham’s chemistry and their embodiment of the characters makes this enemies-to-lovers show a delight to watch!
Our Dating Sim
After separating seven years ago, ex-best friends Lee Wan (Lee Jong-hyuk) and Shin Ki-tae (Lee Seung-gyu) meet again after the latter’s company hires Lee Wan to be an illustrator.
Ki-tae’s commitment to reconciling their friendship conflicts with a reluctant Wan, yet it seems the two are bound to connect again. But now, in what way?
Our Dating Sim is a sweet series, full of fluff and a proper serving of angst. Don’t forget to tune into the lovable ensemble of characters they share the screen with.
Choco Milk Shake
What would life be like if you could reunite with your childhood pets?
Jung-woo (Ko Ho-jung) finds out when the now-human Choco (Lee Jae-bin) and cat Milk (Kim Seong-hyeok) show up at his door. The trio settle into a cozy routine, living together and working at a café run by Jung-woo’s uncle (Park Seung-bin).
Feelings continue to brew, and stakes climb as the four characters grapple with romantic and platonic love.
The trope of pets appearing as humans may seem iffy at first glance, but Choco Milk Shake takes it in stride. Some comedy and cuteness can only come from the personalities of man’s best friends.
Wish You
Busker Kang In-soo (Kang In-soo) captures the eye of record company employee Yoon Sang-yi (Lee Sang), who became a fan after watching his YouTube videos. After putting In-soo’s name out there for a company project, the opportunity to work and live with the artist presents itself.
Wish You. Image: IMDb.
Their coworker relationship slowly morphs into something else, but not without any roadblocks. This drama is straightforward but remains charming until the very end.
Where Your Eyes Linger
Heir to a wealthy family business, Han Tae-joo (Han Gi-chan) appears carefree but is under his parents’ watchful eye. Enter Kang-gook (Jang Eui-soo), Tae-joo’s best friend and bodyguard.
The appearance of new student Hye-mi at school only further rattles the dynamic between the two. The line between friendship, obligation, and romance blur as the situation forces Tae-joo and Kang-gook to face their feelings for one another.
Where Your Eyes Linger. Image: IMDb.
Where Your Eyes Linger is surprisingly deep and certainly tugs at the heartstrings, dragging viewers into the complicated and emotional world of the two young leads.
Love for Love’s Sake
The mission? Make Cha Yeo-woon happy.
Tae Myung-ha (Lee Tae-vin) is transported into the virtual world of the game “Love for Love’s Sake” and is tasked with this one goal. Myung-ha has to navigate both his assignment to Yeo-woon (Cha Joo-wan), and the numerous other relationships present in his world. Ultimately, the fate of the game rests in Myung-ha’s hands.
Love for Love’s Sake. Image: Netflix.
What does it take to make Yeo-woon happy? What does this happiness mean to Myung-ha? You’ll have to watch to find out.
To My Star
One fateful day, serious chef Han Ji-woo (Kim Kang-min) crosses paths with sunshine actor Kang Seo-joon (Son Woo-hyun). Despite their different temperaments, the two become closer as they spend more time together.
Anyone who adores a good amount of forced proximity may enjoy seeing their bond blossom. Seo-joon and Ji-woo’s consistent push and pull adds an element of drama that keeps you invested in how exactly their relationship, friendship or otherwise, will turn out.
If To My Star’s total runtime of two hours leaves you wanting more, don’t worry. The sequel, To My Star 2, came out in 2022 and continues Seo-joon and Ji-woo’s story.
WHY R U?
A fanfiction come to life is Lee-won’s worst nightmare — or is it?
Why R U?, the Korean remake of a Thai BL, stars the bickering duo Jung Lee-won (Lee Jung-min) and Kim Ji-oh (Lee Ye-hwan) as they are paired up for an assignment. Traumatized by the discovery that his own sister ships them together, Lee-won makes an unbelievable bet, one he may regret in the near future. Is Ji-oh as unsufferable as Lee-won thinks he is?
Why R U? excels at being entertaining. It’d be fair to consider it a comedy as much as a romance drama. You’re guaranteed to have fun watching this BL!
Edited by Chelsea Cheetham.
