Fair warning: Updates are likely to be slowas I’ll be doing this in my free time.
I hope you all enjoy and I’d love to hear what you think along the way.
Updated with a second chapter of Part One because I know I likely won’t have too much time anytime soon. Finally got to introduce Kiyoi and let you all have the novel version of two of the scenes that were also in the drama!
I’m sorry if the grammar is a little rough here and there, but I figured I’d rather update now than postpone until I have time to proofread, ahaha.
utsukushii kare: full series [ENG SUB by lollipop] (masterpost)
hello gays and theys and (future?) utsukare enjoyers!
I have finally finished/revised subtitles on the entire series of Utsukushii Kare and am hereby making a masterpost with links to all episodes and bonuses as well as my notes on some episodes/translations.
disclaimer: i’m not a native speaker in neither English nor Japanese. My subtitles may contain minor mistakes.
All episodes are password protected to prevent people from sueing me. All episodes share the same password.
PASSWORD TO ALL EPISODES: utsukare
All of these are free fansubs made to help others enjoy the show as much as I did. However, if possible, please support the show via the official channels.
(this episode has been revised and edited from the first version to improve the translations!)
And if you’re really invested, here’s a post with notes and explanations about why sometimes my subtitles may seem less fluent or differ a lot from other subtitlers, and why I have chosen to do so:
I dislike the fact that I sometimes get side couple syndrome. It’s when the side couples in a show are much more interesting that the main couple. It’s to the point where I skip all the main couple scenes or watch with disinterest.
It’s the same with main couple syndrome. All the side couples end up being trash or the writing for the side couple is dumb. It’s really rare that I watch a bl where the show has multiple couples and their all just great, yeah they might have their problems, but I care about everybody.
I need more shows where everyone is great because the recent bls that I’ve been watching have truly not been up to par.
Being a highly subjective assessment of one tiny corner of the interwebs. Organized by which ones (in each category) I’m enjoying the most.
Ongoing Series - Thai
What Zabb Man!(YouTube Sat) Ep 8fin - Having worked in the restaurant and beverage industry myself, nothing was more relatable in the post party scenes. In the end, this was the foodie romance set in the Thai Restaurant industry I have always wanted. The machinations of being in food service formed not just setting but also plot. Perhaps if Bite Me and some of the ones from Korea hadn’t disappointed me in this regard, I wouldn’t be so generous with this show. To be fair, it probably should get a 7/10 from me. But this show was made exactly for me so it has to get an 8/10. RECOMMENDED, especially if you like Thai food. Full review here.
Dear Doctor, I’m Coming for Soul(iQIYI Weds) Ep 10 - Such a nice little twist on the heart knows trope, which is not one of my favorites… until this show. Also, most literal version of “my heart is with you“ ever? I think so. Side couple: drunken hook up is too relatable. Lastly KarnNut give GREAT KISS. Honestly, I can’t remember if their kissing in Grey Rainbow is this good, but in a year of good kisses this was one of the best I’ve seen - we are talking MewGulf or MaxTul level. Very impressive.
Star in My Mind(FriYouTube) Ep 8fin - The previous episode was actually the finale, this was basically an epilogue that didn’t add to plot just rehash things we already knew. But since a lot of Korean BL at ends rather abruptly, it’s kind of nice when Thai BL gives us short form (for them) but still that extra nugget of boys being domestic boyfriends rehashing their romance (honestly it’s very Jane Austen - books not shows). Ultimately these two are a bit sappy and Dao is too blushing maiden for such an aggressive uke, but that’s par for the course with GMMTV. All in all, this show was better than I was expecting and not as good as it could’ve been. 8/10 RECOMMENDED Full review here.
La Cuisine(GaGa Sat) Ep 12 - Very sweet supportive friends and family and dealing with celebrity. We learn why everyone is so protective of lc.
KinnPorsche(iQIYI Sat) Ep 8 - I’ve been kinda quiet on this show but this week I got shit to say. So buckle tf up. (Or have your hot mafia bf do that seatbelt for ya.) There’s a lot going on (the boyfriends, the sex, the bisexual identity grappling, the mafia, the bodyguards) that everyone else here on tumblr is already debating so I don’t feel like I have to. Here’s what I do think: the chemistry is good, the bisexual crisis is on point, I’m a little concerned by some of the kink components but less than I would be if this were a MAME offering. So I’m all in on those aspects of this show. Porsche and Kinn are cute together because their respective sexual experiences are unevenly matched, but their dating experiences are not. Their awkwardness around emotional chemistry contrasts nicely against the high heat component, which makes for a very modern narrative. The footie action under the table in ep 8 did make me bark laugh. THIS is the kind of humor I want from a show like this. And then they had to do the weird horror movie Porsche scared of ghosts going slapstick. It was not bad. I’m not saying it’s BAD. Apo is a perfectly serviceable comedic actor. But this kind of humor is a jarring disconnect. This is what is driving me nuts with this show. It’s good, and when it’s on point its great, but tonally? It’s all over the fucking place. It’s like the two directors each have an entirely different point of view about what this show is doing, and as a viewer I can tell when we switch from one to the other. (It really makes me wonder if one directed for a while and then the other came on to do all pickups. Or if it was half way filmed when it switched studios or SOMETHING.) It’s got a bad case of production personality disorder. Honestly, the first half of this episode I was like “weeee” but the second half “qua?” That’s it, that’s how I feel about KinnPorsche. It’s not consistent and it feels like a production issue. (Incidentally the actor playing Tawan is Sorn from UWMA in case you also suffered from “holy déjà vu that-man?!”)
Before anyone asks me (and knowing I only judge based on the show, never the original y-novel), I’m getting a very weak seme/uke from Kinn & Porsche, and might even place them in the switch and verse categories as well. In other words, this show is reading more queer than yaoi.
Meow Ears Up(GaGa Tue) Ep 7 - Evan & Faiyen are basically married at this point, they’re the only ones who haven’t figured it out yet.
Close Friend 2AKA I smell mothballs! (Viki Thur) Ep 4 - It’s basically dealing with two kinds of closet: the one imposed on us, and the one we impose on ourselves. Honestly Pierce and Phoon are very mature characters for a BL couple. This is the kind of relationship that only OhmFluke could really portray, and they do it very well. That’s almost the problem, this is too well done and thus discomforting. if you don’t like realism in your BL avoid this show. That said drunk uke Besties is a fun trope.
That’s My Candy(Viki Tues) Ep 5 - Side couple Viking & TamTam are stealing this one. Star Hunter always does this thing where characters neither eat nor drink what they’ve ordered. Now it’s in this show too. Frankly, I don’t want Jing and Guy to stay/be together. So I’m not really invested in the primary story arc at all.
Cupid’s Last Wish(YouTube Sun) Ep 9 - I love a “smells like my boyfriend” visual but it is a bit rich occurring on a farm. I did like this twist to the body swap. It doesn’t save the series for me, but I am liking these last few episodes. Still, Win remains an impossibly difficult character to like at all, and I doubt I will ever get over that.
Triage (AISplay Mon) Ep 5 - didn’t get it in time for this post.
My Secret Love(YouTube Sun) Ep 1 - it’s jock/nerd NitimanmeetsSemantic error only so far not as good as either and already the side dishes are more interesting than the mains.
Ongoing Series - Not Thai
Plus & Minus(TaiwanViki *rec* & GaGa Fri) Ep 8 - How can they be so cheesy and so cute at the same time? Also, yay Taiwan pushing the consent bandwagon, I love that look on you - especially combined with no clothes. Such a nice take on a first sex scene. This episode was basically just lots of boyfriends being boyfriends, very cute but AWFULLY calm. Like still waters before the storm calm, so I’m a bit worried too. We still have 4 episodes to get through (maybe more, there’s confusion on this), what ARE they gonna do? The pacing of this series is good, but the beats of the narrative are really unusual, it’s HARD to predict.
Fukou-kun wa Kiss Suru Shikanai! AKA Mr Unlucky Has No Choice But to Kiss! (JapanGaGa *rec* & Viki Fri) Ep 6 - Somebody please save him. Poor baby. Anyway, they are very adorable. In this ep everything gets cleared up and intentions are stated openly and we have boyfriends launched onto the sea of drama. 2 more eps tho so… what next?
Getaway (Singapore Mon YouTube) Ep 1 of 5 - based on an original story from a gay creator featuring an openly gay cast. vacation romance. “After his coming out goes horribly wrong, Singaporean Sam jets off to Bangkok to search for his exiled gay uncle, where he stumbles upon Top, a hopeless Thai romantic unlucky in love.” Pretty classic start to a gay romance (not BL). This is a Singapore production but it’s set in Bangkok, Thailand. I like the way they speak Thai in the show, it’s really easy for me to understand. The lead is good but I’m not sure about the muscle boy love interest, his acting is a little… uh… bad. Still it’s amusing and enjoyable so far.
The New Member(TaiwanGaGa Weds) Ep 1 - Described as “the first rock n’ roll musical.” No thank you, musical theater is NOT my thing. This seems to be a broadcast of a stage performance from 2019. DNF It didn’t even make the spreadsheet.
Gossip
MUCH anticipated Pinoy BL sequel, Gameboys 2 (already airing?) has supposedly been picked up by GaGa for international distribution. Not yet listed.
Taiwan’s (not really a) BL Papa & Daddy 2 is coming to GaGa starring Melvin Sia (Damian) and Chiu Mu Han (new actor as Jerry) scheduled to be released on August 8 (Taiwan’s Father’s Day). Not yet listed.
New Japanese BL Old Fashion Cupcake announced, adapted from the manga of the same name by by Sagan Sagan (trailer on FB). Seems to be a hyung romance: office set, employee/boss, age gap. About a subordinate with a crush on his boss - seems a bit Cherry Magic light? Locally to Rakuten so we’re hoping they get international too. Only 5 episodes, no listing yet.
IN CASE YOU’RE CURIOUS: Yes, statistically Japan has definitely ramped up production on BL. This is odd, normally they don’t cater to the market like this. I did not think this was going to happen.
Everyone’s favorite Vietnamese hottie Ba Vinh (O2 Productions: Mr Cinderella etc…) is bringing us a new BL, Want To See You AKA Muốn Nhìn Thấy Em, starts June 5. This one has distribution, so I’m not sure if it will go international on their YouTube channel like usual.
New Thai HISTORICAL gay romance came outta nowhere (probubly not BL) Khun Chai, English title (right now) is To Sir, With Love. Does not look like it’s gonna end happy, but I’m still VERY excited! (trailer)
In Case You Missed It
Korea’sTo My Star 2: Our Untold Storywill be getting its international release to GagaOOLala - except Taiwan, Japan, Korea, USA, and Canada. We seem to be getting it on Viki. (So this is a Semantic Error situation.) A very concerning eng sub trailer here on YT. I AM SO SCARED. MY BABIES. (But also shouty babies giving anyone else WBL 2 teaser flashbacks?) It’s a Korean drama and “a year later,” that is basically code for a breakup. I’m thinking of letting some watchers braver than me go first so I don’t have to suffer the tension. A year ago I would have said we were safe, because… Korea did HEA BL. But then they produced Peach of Time&Kissable Lips so now I don’t trust them anymore.
There’s movement on Japanese BL Senpai, Danjite Koidewa!AKASenpai, This Can’t be Love! which is taking over Mr Unlucky’s time slot, and has been reported as picked up by GaGa for international, June 17. However, I’m showing it listed for Viki.
While this is one of those series carried by the sunshine seme character, and he does a stand-up job, Erek Lin, who plays the love interest, Amber, is luminous. I found the twist entirely predictable, but knowing what would happen didn’t spoil this show for me, in fact I think I sympathized more with Amber and understood his behavior better, because I knew. DNA is full of queer found family representation and an unexpected amount of domesticity, plus it’s Taiwan, so the kisses are great. The last few eps really are special and life/love affirming - and the ending is big-grin charming. No obvious triggers.
Being a highly subjective assessment of one tiny corner of the interwebs. Organized by which ones (in each category) I’m enjoying the most.
Ongoing Series - Thai
Triage (AISplay Mon) Ep 7- This ep was mostly to give movement to the romance plot and since (oddly for me) that’s the bit I find the least engaging I wasn’t as wild about this installment. Next week looks VERY dramatic tho.
Check Out(IQIYI Sat) Ep 1 - This season’s messy gays be messy series! I gotta say I love the intro credits on this one: character + actor names. I need that in all my BL. Our leads are Nine (Chahub) and Daonuea (Best). (My boy Plustor is coming too!) So Daonuea is pining for the boy who ghosted him after a hot fling AND a boss/ex/cheater that wants to date him again. Of course boss & fling turn out to know each other. Best is GOOD. I like an office setting but I’m not wild about the execution here. But the messy exes drama is relatable and fun/different. Captions are quite poor.
KinnPorsche(iQIYI Sat) Ep 10 - Well KimChay moved fast. Meanwhile Kinn’s bodyguards are all pretty naff, letting Tawan get away. The traitor(s) = no particular surprise. Oo death! Also dumb crazy drama gay, but whatevs. I’m mad that everyone looked for Porsche but no one looks for Pete? I guess it’s good to be the boss’s f-toy. Oh, I’m salty abotu this show. Sigh. At least it was an exciting ep?
Sky in Your Heart(FriYouTube) Ep 2 - It’s perfectly serviceable. I’m not wowed by the chemistry but it’s fine.
My Secret Love(YouTube Sat) Ep 3 - Fake relationship is a go and watching them lampoon BL tropes is kind of fun. No screen caps because, you know, fakel but they covered (deep breath): head in lap, picnic, feeding,back hug, movie date, sharing earbuds, and library assignation. Just because I am having a really hard time keeping this straight (pun intended) here is the character breakdown (aside from the leads): campus star = P’Tim (he comes with portable adorable bestie); pair in the 7 year relationship = P’Park & Lee (who switched departments) - they use rao/ter with each other (cutesy). Everyone else = unimportant.
Ongoing Series - Not Thai
To My Star (Korea Viki) Ep 1-2 - YES FINE I’m watching it. I said I was gonna wait but… I CAN’T. OMG I’m so scared. The doorway being used for transition shots between past| |present was very clever. Also my goodness I almost forgot what really good acting looked like in BL! The year separation after a break up is a classic Korean drama plot point that usually comes at the end of a show, not the beginning. It’s going to be interesting and bumpy to watch them deal with this reverse plotting. They better come up with a really good justification for Ji Woo leaving and being that cruel or heads will ROLL. Also, that better be his sister and not an ex girlfriend, I have it up the here with faen fatales. Please don’t betray our trust Hwang Da Seul.
Love in Spring(Koreagrey) Ep 5-8 - I love to see a brushing hair trope (in a way I don’t love the usual hair dry trope we get in BL). I have no idea why. Also we had an example of the boy protecting “the girl’s” reputation with fisticuffs. This story reminds me a little of those girl disguised as a boy host club shows we got from Japan for a while – same kind of comedy that is a little beyond my ken and slightly jarring. At ep 7 it finally got good as the leads develop a genuine friendship. The snake thing was odd though. To be fair there’s a lot of odd in the show. I’m enjoying the tension and liking it more each ep.
Plus & Minus(TaiwanViki *rec* & GaGa Fri) Ep 10 - The dreaded unnecessary break up. At least we understand the bar owner’s motivations. I don’t know where I am with this show now, but I do like that its general assumption is that everyone is at least a little bit bi, and since I too like to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, I’m not opposed to seeing it on screen.
Want to See You (Vietnam YouTube) Ep 1 - Boy likes his baths, that’s for certain. Standard psycho female character and a basic but uncommon servant/master set up. I’m getting Jane Eyre or something. Nice kisses already but this is no Mr. Cinderella. (The bar has been set, VBL, now I know what you can do.)
Getaway (Singapore Mon YouTube) Ep 2-3 - Look, I’m the first to admit that there’s a lot of bad and awkward acting in this genre, but for some reason… it feels a lot worse in English. I like how unabashedly gay this show is but (how do I put this nicely?) if I’m gonna watch English language gay-vacay shizz – I’d rather watch Fire Island. Still, as one might expect, the heat execution is good (Taiwan still holds the crown, tho).
BLs That Finished this week!
Dear Doctor, I’m Coming for Soul(iQIYI Weds) Ep 12fin - I was mixed over the sides, but in the end, they were a cute couple (weird kisses thing notwithstanding). This show had a very Korean style unnecessary-separation in the last ep. But I guess I’m used to that now. Are KarnNat the best Thai origin couple at domesticity? Seems like. The show’s ending reminded me A LOT of Love: Life on the Line (Director’s Cut) so if you like that you’ll like this one, but it’s not strictly HEA. I thought it suited the narrative so I’m not mad. But I’m not sure I’ll ever rewatch it either. Like Peach of Time, everything was set up for us, so the end wasn’t surprising and it managed to be substantially happier than Peachor Grey Rainbow (shudder). So maybe I rate it higher because it could have been a lot worse? ARGH. Decisions. 7/10 RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATIONS Full review here.
Close Friend 2 (Viki Thur) Ep 6fin - I liked the dealing with celebrityhood and fandom storyline, although I thought it was too generous to those fans. But in the end this is, like the first installment, fine but forgettable. I did like the breaking the fourth wall and mentioning each other‘s projects at the end. That was fun insider trading. (I guess we get a season 3 featuring DunBas, not my favorite. Shrug.) Anygay, both pairs did well but in terms of content and story, I wasn’t wowed. 6/10 WORTH WATCHING BUT FLAWED
I still can’t believe they’re allowing it but it really does seem like Korea is bringing us A Shoulder To Cry On starring Jaehan (oldest) & Yechan (maknae) BOTH from Kpop group OMEGA X. Enemies to lovers, school set, 12 eps, due out in the fall.
Also in Korea announced adaptation of Lily’s comic Heesu in Class 2 . About a shy unpopular boy with a secret crush on best friend. Looks pretty pat but I’m always open to KBL school-set stuff.
Japan announced BL adaptation of Minamoto Kazuki’s comic: Kabesaa Doujin Sakka no Neko Yashiki-kun wa Shounin Yokkyuu wo Kojirasete iru starring Matsuoka Koudai (I know him from Five) and Nakao Masaki (Kakafukaka,Bow Then Kiss - he’s a BIG DEAL ya’ll) slated to be released in October. (source) The description from Crunchyroll is up on MDL but it’s incomprehensible.
Cambodia released a trailer of upcoming Khmer BL មើលបានហាមសម្លឹង AKA Eye Contact. We are in “don’t bet on it happening (or finishing)” territory.
New Thai drama My Coach seems to have a BL side plot.
Art Adore En got a trailer. Country boy studying at a university in Bangkok catches the eye of his senior.
Korean BL Blueming is getting a movie version. Since this aired on iQIYI not Viki, not sure if inter fans will get to see it.
iQIYI has picked up SantaEarth’s friends-to-lovers (possibly sad) BL My Only 12% from Wabi Sabi, coming late summer.
Japan is airing a BL comedy-drama adaptation of Naruko's Fudanshi Bartender no Tashinami AKA Accomplishment of Fudanshi Bartenderstreaming on FOD. About a fancy pants bartender who is secretly a nerdy BL fan.
3 BLs have been submitted for consideration to the Seoul International Drama Awards 2022: Semantic Error(Korea), I Promised You The Moon (Thailand), and My Beautiful Man(Japan).
The boys from Kissable Lips are pair branding. (They are rumored to have a new series The Circumstances Of Pungdeok Villa Room 304.) I mention this because it’s my first time seeing a Korean pair consciously use Thai techniques on their social media.
Next Week Looks Like This:
We’re hitting the Thai summer slow down season, thank heavens. There was too much for even me to keep up with for a while there. I could used some down time, except Japan won’t let me!
Monday: Japanese BL Old Fashion Cupcake adapted from the manga of the same name by by Sagan Sagan (trailer on FB). Seems to be a hyung romance: office set, employee/boss, age gap. About a subordinate with a crush on his boss - seems a bit Cherry Magic light? Only 5 episodes, coming to Viki!
Thursday: Kimi no Koto Dake Mite ItaiAKAI Only Want To See You only 4 eps, starts June 16, Hulu JP. Not sure on inter.
I love how Kota wonders if Naoya is having trouble sleeping, assumes he isn’t and then we get to see that yes, yes he is. Because the real problem that Kota has isn’t the bad luck. It’s the way he assumes everyone about everyone around him and the way he acts and the way he hides himself behind his own assumptions about the people around him. Kota hides behind this fake version of himself that he’s put together and he refuses to show anyone the real him and he doesn’t even understand that about himself.
And the more he tries to hide, the more he panics each time any of his real emotions rears up and shoves past his defenses. Kota doesn’t know how to be himself anymore and he’s convinced that being himself is the part that brings bad luck.
I love all the little growth that he goes through each episode,the way that falling for Naoya is changing him and the way he sees himself and the way he fears himself so much…
Such an important part of this is that the typical coming-of-age narrative is about being young and free and discovering yourself and in those stories everyone knows who they are by the time they’re graduating university. Everyone knows their own shape by the time they head into the working wold, obviously. They have partners, they know their own heart and soul, they know who and what they are and what they want and what life has for store in them and that’s when life start, life starts after you discover yourself.
But not in Old Fashon Cupcake.
Instead we’re being given the narrative of two adult man, one nearing 40, and the discovery of what it means to be queer and what it means to be different and what it means when the box you’ve always shaped yourself to fit is the wrong one. The idea that life can happen and you can live and you can still discover yourself.
Nozue has spent a lifetime fitting himself into the box he thinks he should be in, trying to fit into every nook and cranny of ‘normal’ without any consideration for himself. He has filled out the box and hollowed himself out in the process.
And now he’s hitting a time in his life when he’s expected to have figured everything out, to be living the life he knows he wants, to be an Adult and a Man and to know what the future holds… but all he sees is swathes and swathes of the same hollow life, the same false box, the same lies he’s been trying to make the truth.
Togawa is younger than him but he’s accepted that he doesn’t fit the box everyone expects him to, he’s accepted that he has to make his own shape, find his own place. That he can live life and be himself. And in finding himself, he’s learned to see people who don’t. And he sees Nozue.
This narrative is so deeply, inherently queer that it is beautiful because it is about the kind of self-discovery journey that comes from a world telling you one thing only to realize that what you want, what you need, who you are, doesn’t fit that path. And when you’re never offered an alternative that fits you… you take that path and you make the path work.
But when you finally have a chance to see the path that wasn’t? To see the path you wantedandneeded but were never given… you grab it with both and you run and then you panic because this in unfamiliar and new and that’s terrifying.
Nozue is peeking down a path that is everything he’s ever dreamt of, freedom and friendship and desserts and a partnership and a chance at more and he is both reveling and he is panicking because he’s never felt this before. He’s never felt this nameless hope and joy that bubbles up and fills up the hollow parts of himself that he shaped for society.
Being yourself, even in little moments, even in the tiniest things, when you haven’t been for so, so long? It’s exhilarating. And it’s terrifying. The box is comforting when you’ve contorted yourself so long… stretching is painful and scary even as it relieves and reveals pain you have forgotten about.
How is it that Thailand is the master of producing BL dramas and Japan only has a few? When Japan started it all with massproducing all kinds of bl manga.
Japan needs to step up their game. Simply because I love japanese BL dramas besides Thai dramas. (though a lot of the first old j bl dramas are trash… sad lol. But the newer ones are )
Not that I not like them from other countries, but japan is a bit extra. Look the spectrum goes from “Mr. Unlucky” and “My Beautiful Man” to the “Pornographer / The Novelist” series and “Dangerous Drugs of Sex” (the term BL might not fit for that one).
