Though you may shed a tear or two, these five touching BLs are worth the watch.
Warning: light spoilers ahead!
1. “Eternal Yesterday”
Despite being total opposites, a social, athletic student named Yamada Koichi (Komiya Rio) and a quiet, gloomy student named Oumi Mitsuru (Inoue Sora) are attracted to each other at first sight. They don’t know what to do about it, so they just decide to start having lunch together. Eventually, they start walking home together too.
While walking home together one rainy day, Yamada is hit by a car out of nowhere. Even more shocking is that he gets up and acts as if nothing has happened, but his bruises and dislocated bones clearly prove what Oumi just witnessed happened for real.
As Oumi and Yamada try to figure out what really happened, they confide in a group of friends to keep Yamada’s mysterious condition a secret. However, they notice more and more people are forgetting about Yamada. As Yamada’s predicament gets more peculiar, the feelings between him and Oumi only get stronger.
Why it’s worth the watch:
“Eternal Yesterday” has a super original, quirky storyline about young love that hides a deeper conversation about loss and moving on. Its quiet sadness lingers long after you’re done watching it.
Start watching “Eternal Yesterday” now:
2. “The Shipper”
Pan (Prigkhing Sureeyares Yakares) and Soda (Piploy Kanyarat Ruangrung) are hardcore BL shippers. Their major ship is two friends, Way (Fluke Pusit Dittapisit) and Kim (First Kanaphan Puitrakul). Things take a turn when Pan and Kim wind up in what should have been a deathly accident, but instead, their souls swap bodies. It’s only Pan who wakes up, while Kim remains unconscious in a hospital bed, in her body.
Now posing as Kim, Pan takes the body switch as the perfect opportunity to pursue Way, who is completely unaware that it is now Pan in Kim’s body. Pan pulls out her BL shipper knowledge to try and pair Way and Kim, but it isn’t easy, especially when Kim’s brother Khett (Ohm Pawat Chittsawangdee) notices something is off.
Why it’s worth the watch:
If you’ve seen “Why You… Y Me?” this drama has a similar vibe. But while it is funny and goofy throughout, that’s not all it is. This may be about a girl who ships boys and has an unexpected body switch, but the sadness is in the twist, and it seriously sneaks up on you. Seeing reality versus imagination in the BL world almost makes it worth the watch.
3. “Last Twilight”
Day (Sea Tawinan Anukoolprasert) is a famous doubles badminton player soaring toward the height of his career when he loses most of his sight. Ashamed he can no longer be who he used to be, he leaves his friends and badminton partner in the dark about his condition and goes into hiding at home.
Though his brother and mother try to care for him, it’s nearly impossible for him to go places on his own and care for himself, despite his desire to remain as independent as he once was. Though Day is initially unwilling, his mother convinces him to hire a live-in caregiver, and he chooses the most unqualified candidate, Mhok (Jimmy Jitaraphol Potiwihok).
Mhok is an outspoken but hardworking guy who has never worked as a caregiver but is desperate for cash. Unlike others, Mhok doesn’t treat Day like someone who is at a disadvantage. Once they figure out how to live in harmony, Mhok helps Day regain his life.
Why it’s worth the watch:
It’s heartbreaking but eye-opening to see Day face the challenge of losing everything he once knew and loved and being thrust into a different life. One moment, you’ll be holding back tears; the next, you’ll be feeling all warm inside. It’s an emotional rollercoaster, but worth the ride.
Watch Sea and Jimmy in “Vice Versa” too:
4. “Until We Meet Again”
When freshman Pharm (Fluke Natouch Siripongthon) first meets eyes with Dean (Ohm Thitiwat Ritpraser), they both feel as if they already hold a deep relationship, despite not knowing each other. It takes a few missed opportunities for the two to actually meet and talk, but when they do, they’re overwhelmed with emotion.
What the two don’t know, at least not at first, is that their connection goes back to a story from the past about two students whose love ended in tragedy. Through nightmares and feelings that are not their own, they find out there is more to their connection than meets the eye.
As Pharm and Dean’s relationship progresses, their connection to the past unravels. With the help of friends, they try to piece together what happened to the couple they see in their dreams.
Why it’s worth the watch:
This one already holds cult status as a staple Thai BL that every BL fan should have in their repertoire. The story gets major points for its originality, stellar cast performances, and deep story that tugs at the heartstrings. If there’s one that’ll certainly make you cry, it’s this one.
Start watching “Until We Meet Again” now:
5. “Jazz for Two”
Yun Se Heon (Kim Jin Kwon) is an aspiring pianist with a strict father who prioritizes his music over everything else. When Se Heon returns to school after a break, he’s forced to go to an abandoned music room to practice piano, as all the pianos at the main school are booked.
While practicing, another student named Han Tae Yi (Ji Ho Geun) comes in and confronts him. He’s angry that Se Heon is playing the piano and warns him not to come back. Of course, Se Heon doesn’t understand why and comes back anyway to practice.
Behind Tae Yi’s rough exterior hides a kid struggling to recover from the loss of his brother, who used to use that very room to practice piano. Tae Yi can’t help but notice an uncanny resemblance between his brother and Se Heon. Still unable to accept his loss, Tae Yi doesn’t know how to be around Se Heon, while Se Heon becomes more and more interested in Tae Yi.
Why it’s worth the watch:
You might come for the BL high school setting and cute romance storyline about musical students, but you’ll stay for the story that is between the lines. This one is a slow-burn kind of sad (you’ll get it if you watch). There’s also a short cameo of the couple from “A Should To Cry On“!
Watch “A Shoulder To Cry On” too:
What BL has made you shed a couple of tears? Have you watched any on this list? Let us know in the comments below!
Asya’s a BL-biased Soompi writer with a love of K-pop and all types of Asian dramas. Some of her favorite shows are “Psychopath Diary,” “Mr. Unlucky Has No Choice but to Kiss!,” “Light On Me,” “The Untamed,” “Go Go Squid!,” and “Cherry Magic!”
Currently watching: “Perfect 10 Liners,” “Impression of Youth,” “Weak Hero Class 1,” “Study Group,” “Hearstrain,” and “Gel Boys.”
Looking forward to: “Secret Relationships,” “I’m the Most Beautiful Count,” “Love Carved in the Moonlight,” “Me and Thee,” “The Love Matter,” and “Ticket to Heaven.”
