2023: A New Format For South Korean BL Dramas

The year 2022 could be regarded as one of the best for BL series as there has been a high influx of BL released to aptly meet the request and desires of fans. This themed series has been a constant hit in many countries like Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, and even China. And although many could say South Korea is late to the party, they are invariably making a mark in this genre.

However, while 2022 has recorded a massive turnout of this themed series from South Korea and enhanced its popularity as well, it has been a slow and steady ride to this point where we can confidently say that South Korea's interest in BL is not just a sparingly desire to satiate the needs of global fans but now a commitment to churn out good and quality contents.

 

2020: South Korea tests out the BL waters

In 2020, the announcement and release of arguably the first South Korean BL "Where Your Eyes Linger", came as a surprise to many fans. Albeit a very welcomed and applauded one. With the interest in the series being vividly piqued by BL fans, many looked forward to the love story of the two young boys who tried to understand their affection for each other amidst the troubling influences of a love triangle and societal status. Despite it being very short (a length style we will eventually come to see in many BL dramas) it still made a very visible global impact.

Fans were impressed by not just the simple yet compelling and engrossing storyline or the intense chemistries displayed by both actors that easily pulled many forward into their screens, but also by the fact that the production of the series was done in a country that is outrightly conservative and anti-LGBT.

A user commented on IMDb saying:

I was surprised to see a K-Drama on two young men falling in love so I watched this show right away. I am touched by the emotions and raw intensity of our 2 leads. Their performance are fantastic and believable, considering the delicate topic.

Another user commented:

I really hope that this series gets the recognition it deserves. If it does, then hopefully we'll get to see more BL K-Dramas in the future. I really want people to give this a try. The actors and the whole crew deserves the best for stepping up a new milestone in the Korean entertainment industry.

This perhaps feeds into our assumption that perhaps this series was also created to test the waters and gauge the reactions of the public. Yes, as at 2020, BL-themed series in many Asian countries were already gaining prominent global attention but South Korea had not yet fully entered the sect of the film industry.

Although, there had been many LGBTQ+ movies like "Night Flight", "Two Weddings and a Funeral", "In Between Seasons", and "No Regrets" and even some series that gave us a "glimpse" of LGBTQ+ characters like "Itaewon Class" and "Sweet Munchies". However, some producers have noted that when it came to series, it has been rather rare for the proper inclusion of an LGBTQ+ character due to great censorship and regulations. However, in some series, viewers could rightfully pick the LGBTQ+ characters, even though many were just "implied". So, it did come as a surprise to many when an actual BL-themed series was released and perhaps this also lead to the incredible global success of the series "Where Your Eyes Linger" as BL and K-Drama fans saw their request answered favorably.

This user practically sums up the thoughts of many following the release of the BL drama.

I was anxious about the censorship that could disrupt the whole story but honestly, this drama was better than expected.

The success of this series (despite its shortcomings) no doubt spark a new wave of opportunities for Korean production agencies, like finding a new land filled with valuable gems or minerals. It was time to dig as many production agencies sought to stake their claims in this growing global niche. Following suit with the release of "Where You Eyes Linger", other themed dramas like "Mr. Heart", "Wish You: Your Melody From My Heart", and "Color Rush" was released in 2020.

 

2021: The South Korean BL wave starts? 

In 2021, the BL wave was slowly accelerating as we saw valuable growth in production value, development, and storyline with series like "You Make Me Dance", "To My Star", "Peach Of Time", "Nobleman Ryu's Wedding", "My Sweet Dear", and "Light On Me". These series in their own right had a great impact and further gripped the global interest of this themed series from South Korea. Taking into consideration some of the comments and reactions to its predecessors 2021 dramas felt more "Whole" in comparison to the ones released in 2020. And the high increase in production rates of this series projected that South Korea was finally entering the BL market and we were all expectantly waiting to see the kind of contents they continue to produce.

One of the BL series that gained notable global attention just like "Where Your Eyes Linger" was "Light On Me". Despite being 20 - 30 mins long, with 16 episodes, the series gave us a full-fledged storyline that brilliantly covered the character introduction, the complexities of the character, and their developments as well. While unlike "Where Your Eyes Linger" that almost immediately solely focuses on the longing tension between the main leads, with "Light On Me", there is a clear path that leads to that feeling of attraction and affection between the main leads. This thoroughly makes it more enjoyable and believable.

Even though it still plays on one of the BL tropes that need to be done with (the case of the hetero girl who pursues the main lead even when she sees he's interested in another guy and ends up looking like a villain), it still serves an all-around interesting storyline that made us learn more about some aspect of the realities of the community amidst the heart-fluttering moments. It aptly tackles some of the key issues that many LGBTQ+ individuals face, the fear of coming out, internalized homophobia, and acceptance. It also speaks to the general struggles many teens face from societal and family pressures as well as public perception.

Like some others released that year, it was clear the production value put on the South Korean BL series was becoming great and even though there had been a handful of dramas released (which at that time was in great contrast to the number released in other countries like Thailand and Japan), the South Korean BL was undoubtedly making global waves as it attracted two important markets: global K-Drama fans, and BL fans.

 

2022: South Korea finally solidifies its position in the BL market

2022 has put the production and release of South Korean BL-themed series in full gear as we have recorded 33 BL series that are to be released this year. (Some of which have been released and others with no airing date yet.)

In February 2022, the release of "Semantic Error" could be tagged as the cement that finally solidified the interest of not just the viewers but also production firms/platforms as well as K-Pop idol agencies too. As it had notably become clearer now that there is a global demand and interest in it.

The college-themed series aptly plays on the "enemies to lovers" trope which vibrantly keeps us intrigued and invested in the storyline. Well, that and the incredible cinematography, brilliant dialogue, and expressions, as well as the intense chemistry between the handsome main leads.

A user on IMDb commented:

What a treat! I loved this so much! I have a bad habit of dropping BL dramas midway when I lose interest. This is the first one I have successfully completed. And not only that, I have binged it in one sitting - well past my bedtime - and came here right away to write this comment. The story is well written, the characters are intriguing and easy to get invested in, the enemies-to-lovers trope is scrumptious🍪☕️, the acting is immaculate, the story feels authentic and tangible, and the length of episodes is just right. And I haven't cringed even once, which is so unlike me. I have nothing but praise honestly.

Another mentioned:

I'm just starting to have an interest in Korean BL and I just watched 4 series in the past few days but out of the 4 Korean BL, "Semantic Error" has the best in cast, storyline, camera work &, etc. This deserves a season 2. I'm waiting for season 2!!!!!

Following suit with its release, the ripple effect in terms of casting (as more idols began to play more roles in the series), development, production, storyline, and success could be visibly noted in many other BL dramas that have been released this year. While like in many genres of  K-Dramas there are hits and misses especially with the plots and production, quite similar in the BL genre, there were some who gained notable acclaim and others who fell a bit flat for due reasons.

To speak to the former, series like "Cherry Blossoms After Winter", “Kissable Lips”, "Oh! Boarding House", "Blueming", "Love Class", "To My Star: Our Untold Stories", "Once Again", and “Roommates Of Poongduck 304” all gained success in their own right.

Also, the recently concluded series "Choco Milk Shake" and the ongoing one "Oh! My Assistant" are making vibrant airwaves and gaining tons of positive compliments from fans as well. The statement can be proven true with the former "Choco Milk Shake", which records over 1 million views with each of its episodes days after its release.

 

2023: A new plan for BL dramas?

Like many fans of this themed series, while we are vividly impressed by the high increase in its production rate and even its diverse and interesting storyline, we still believe that there are more ways that this genre could grow and become of even more high value and a platform that can be of positive influence to its ever-growing community.

Here are some of the new formats or directions we would like to see BL try in 2023.

 

1. More explorative stories

BL-themed series are often tagged as "cute love stories" and many LGBTQ+ people do not necessarily feel they capture the realities or the essence of the community. So far, its themes are meant to spark the interest in a fantastical scenario where everything is rosy and warm and even though we all enjoy watching the budding stories of two star-crossed lovers, it almost feels like a concept, a fantasy, as many of its scenarios are based on a romanticized idea.

Yes, while it gives room for a sought of escape into this idealized world where love across all genders, sexualities, and even race are equal and normal, it doesn't reflect the truth many face today, especially in its country of production, South Korea. In comparison to other K-Dramas which have often ably reflected some of the true life stories and realities that many do face in South Korea and other parts of the world, BL dramas haven't really tapped into the essence of truth and still play on cute and romance alone. One might argue that this is perhaps a key aspect or purpose of BL drama but we can counter that with the same themed dramas from other countries like Thailand which gave us a mix of cute coming-of-age romance and depth in the drama "The Eclipse". Its bold and visible explorative themes on oppression, peer pressure, archaic societal norms, and the quest for freedom made its story even more elevated than it would have been if it were a mere teen romance series.

Also a series like "To My Star: Our Untold Stories" is a perfect example of this as well. While it might not necessarily tackle external pressure or challenges that many LGBTQ+ people face, it does bring to spotlight many of the fears and insecurities faced by both gay and hetero couples. In contrast to many other BLs, it takes us in another direction and in its way answers the question "Now that the cute stuff is over, what next?" It gives us a depth, a more mature and dare we say realistic view into the workings of holding and sustaining a relationship that is not necessarily plagued by external pressure but internalized ones, which frankly is much more difficult. This plot and its amazing delivery by the cast made us beckon the question "Is "To My Star: Our Untold Stories" the best BL released so far?"

While we are not saying "end the cute stuff", we believe there is a way to aptly mix real stories and fantasies and give viewers a notable learning and cinematic experience as well. Real stories go a long way in not just bridging the gaps or changing perceptions, but also it makes people feel seen and heard.

 

2. Diversity in the genre

Like in every other aspect of entertainment, diversity, and inclusion in BL dramas is a welcomed and applauded idea as it applies to the realities. Again, this speaks to not it being a fantasy and more of a reality. This is broken down into 2 aspects.

A. Characters, themes, and settings

2022 has given us a diverse theme of BL dramas and we would love to see that trickle into 2023 as well. However, in terms of characters, there is still an almost stereotypical type of character that is portrayed in this series. And this perhaps doesn't just relate to only Korea but other counties as well. With the aim of inclusivity, more kinds of characters that yet again, reflect the realities of the LGBTQ+ communities should be created and brilliantly portrayed in these series.

This can be seen in the reality series "His Man". Even though it had its shortcomings, when it came to representation, it scores a big 9/10 as it presented a very diverse cast. Yes, this is a dating reality series, however, it serves as the pivotal step in the kind of LGBTQ+ themed contents many want to see from South Korea and there are some tips to be derived from it on how to make a good and inclusive series.

 

B. The casting

While we love idols playing lead or supporting roles in BL and it does play a vital part in the growing popularity of the genre, it shouldn't become too much of a norm as it could eventually downplay the value and turn into a fanservice project rather than a work of art. BL series should not be seen as a tool to gain more popularity or reach a wider audience just for the sake of it, rather, it is should be seen as what it truly is and should be, a platform that helps tell the story, stories with great potential and influences in the minds of its viewers.

Yes, there are many idols who have proven to be amazing actors, and their abilities to not just immerse themselves into the characters but also portray them brilliantly is just as outstanding, however, we would want to see more than just idols or influencers starring in a BL series next year. Trained actors who can appropriately understand their characters and portray them on our screens in a brilliant way will inevitably lead to more critical and not just commercial success of the genre.

 

3. Longer episodes

While many fans of the genre especially like it because of the short duration of its episodes, this should not be the standard as in the grand scheme of work, a 15 to 30 minutes series with 8 or 10 episodes, doesn't give viewers a chance to fully connect and understand the character.

If a majority of K-Dramas can be over 45 to 1 hour long, then a BL-themed series should be as well. While we understand this is either due to the platform that they are released on, due to the production cost, or even the script itself, it doesn't necessarily suit the significance of the series nor its story. In countries like Thailand where BL series are regularly produced and hosted on various platforms, the duration of the series also has an effect on its success as viewers want a well-developed and told storyline. Applying this same format to the South Korean BL series would no doubt increase its global popularity and value.

An example would be "Where Your Eyes Linger" which sort of lacks in the character development angle. We are immediately thrown into the tension of the attraction between both leads without so much as a proper backstory. Again, a great series, but things like this almost demeans its value.

But in contrast, a series like "Choco Milk Shake" albeit short as well, does give us a better glimpse into the backstories of the characters. The point is that, a more melodramatic series like "Where Your Eyes Linger" needs a longer duration for viewers to ably understand and connect with its characters and their stories.

 

4. The shift from web to TV

Following the previous point, one of the reasons why many can argue for the short duration of the episodes of a series is because they are produced for Websites and not Televisions. While web series have staked their claim in the film industry, thanks to platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Hulu, etc, there is still a value that the TV series possesses, despite its restrictions, it is often seen as more efficiently produced and all around more enjoyable. This also speaks to reducing the restrictions and censorship around BL-themed dramas. A win-win situation is proposed for these TV stations who are no doubt losing a chunk of viewers to OTT platforms with way fewer restrictions and who are meeting the requirements of consumers. And with BL's going more into this format, we will perhaps not just be able to get more explorative and researched stories like in point 1 but also a longer duration as stated in point 3.

 

5. Production

Production is a key part of every series. From the development of the script to the editing of the series to bring a finished product, production may very well be at the core of the success of every good series. Notably, we have seen many BL series with great production value which has in turn lead to garnered positive attention from viewers and thus increased its popularity as well. However, there are some that sadly fall short in this area.

While we recognize that not all budgets for BL or dramas are the same, hence affecting the cost of production, in this term, we are looking at the delivery of the performances. The dialogue in particular. Many of the BL dramas that have fallen short have mainly been because of how draggy and unimpressive the dialogue or the acting was. A slow-paced scene might be cute or endearing in one drama and it might be annoying in another. The onus is on the production team to find out what pace of dialogue suits the storyline and deliver accordingly.

Just as we have seen some changes in this themed series following our previous article (which you can read in the related post below), we hope to see more changes in 2023 that will continue to foster the growth and popularity of the genre.