"Boys Planet": The BL Edit - A Textbook Example Of Queerbaiting
"Boys Planet" is here, and it is making some questionable choices. How long will queerbaiting be the clickbait?
Ishani Sarkar, Kpopmap Editor 5 min to read ·
Published : Feb 14, 2023
· Updated : Jul 13, 2023
Boys Planet's Instagram
"Boys Planet" is here, and it is making some questionable choices. How long will queerbaiting be the clickbait?
One of the most highly anticipated idol survival shows of the year, "Boys Planet", has officially premiered with an excellent roster of aspirants chasing their dreams. However, one thing continues to irk us: why is queerbaiting still a thing in 2023? Let's dive into it!
Note: This article is based on speculation. It does not claim to state facts.
The second episode of "Boys Planet" featured the continuation of the first Star Level Test. One by one, we got introduced to the remaining candidates and saw their performances as well as the mentors' remarks. Naturally, the introductions were
Want to know how you can say "rizz" in Korean or what the Korean equivalent of the english slang word is? Find out in this article!
Ishani Sarkar, Kpopmap Editor < 1 min to read ·
Published : Apr 27, 2024
ZEROBASEONE on X / Kpopmap
Did you know that the Western slang word "rizz" was picked as the Word of the Year for 2023 by Oxford University Press, the publisher of the Oxford English Dictionary? The word has permeated into our culture and is now known all across the world! Do you want to know what the Korean equivalent of "rizz" is? Keep reading!
Rizz is said to be short for "charisma" and refers to one's style, charm, and attractiveness that can attract others, especially a romantic partner. If you have 'rizz', it means you can charm people with your charisma.
The Korean word that is the closest to the meaning of "rizz" is maeryeok (매력). Maeryeok means "charm" or "attractiveness" in Korean. It refers to the quality or characteristic in a person that attracts or captivates others. However, unlike 'rizz', 'maeryeok' is not exclusively used in a romantic context.
You can use 'maeryeok' in a sentence (informal) as follows:
그 사람 매력 있어.
Geu saram maeryeok isseo.
That person has rizz.
To learn more fun and interesting Korean words, stay tuned to Your Korea Tutor - Kpopmap!
The Tallest South Korean BL Actors (Above 179cm) (2023 Version)
Here are the South Korean BL actors who are over 179cm tall.
Kay Sesoko, Kpopmap Editor 5 min to read ·
Published : Nov 13, 2023
· Updated : Dec 18, 2023
WAKEONE Entertainment / Park Seo Ham's Instagram / Park YoungWoon's Instagram
Over the last 3 years, there has been a high influx in the production and releases of South Korean BLs as many production companies have finally listened to the pleas from fans of this themed series and created amazing works that have no doubt satiated their desires. 2022 has no doubt been a very successful year for this themed series as its popularity has even fostered the creation of more dramas in this genre.
Like the rest of the K-Drama genres, one of the things that make people enjoy a series is the visuals of the actors. And a prevalent element that makes fans swoon harder for their favorite male leads is the height difference between them and their love interest. Quite similar to BLs today, an almost subtle but vital part of what makes their stories and scenes even more special and attractive is the height of the actors.
Many of the BL actors today are either models and/or idols as well. So, it is no surprise that many of the main leads have an amazing body proportion and towering presence.
With many of these actors posing as some of the tallest actors today, here are the tallest BL actors who are over 179cm tall.
Top 10 Saddest BL K-Dramas To Have On Your Watchlist
Need to cry out your feelings? Here are 10 of the saddest BL K-Dramas to help you go through your sad day.
Ash, Kpopmap Editor 9 min to read ·
Published : Nov 6, 2023
· Updated : Dec 7, 2023
"Kissable Lips" / "A Shoulder To Cry On"
While we do like rom-coms and light stories, a good sad story once in a while is also enjoyable. Plus the more tragic it is, the more we tend to enjoy and get attached to the characters as well. And K-Dramas are good at tricking us into falling for characters with a tragic destiny. But luckily, most of the time, it is still a happy ending and we can ease our pain by enjoying some lovely romance.
And not only regular K-Dramas, but BL K-Dramas also make us go through a roller coaster of emotion. Some make us feel rather sad while still enjoying a passionate romance. And it's not all bad, because after crying a river, we can always enjoy the sweet romantic relationship of the characters. So hang on to your snacks and blanket, and get ready to cry over and over again with those 10 lovely yet sad BL dramas on your watchlist.
Summary: Han TaeJu is the rightful successor to his father's company, and he's got it all: looks, wealth, and popularity. Kang Gook, his childhood friend and bodyguard is also his only friend. TaeJu trusts Gook and is most comfortable around him. But everything changes when a new female student, Hye Mi, shows interest in Kang Gook, who also shows interest. As they go on a date, TaeJu becomes jealous and realizes his true feelings towards Gook. Will their friendship take a step further?
Reasons to watch: Based on the synopsis, "Where Your Eyes Linger" feels like your typical slice-of-life romance, but there are more plot twists than you could imagine. Without giving too many spoilers, TaeJu and Gook's relationship isn't going smoothly all along. Between love, hatred, and separation, you could get your heart broken more than once with this drama. When their love is so strong they get hurt for one another, we can only end up crying while waiting for their love to bloom.
Summary: In this world, there are two kinds of people, 'monos' and the others. A 'mono' is someone who cannot see colors. But all monos have a 'probe', a person who, while they're together, will allow them to see colors. Choi YeonWoo is mono, and he found his probe, a fellow student named YooHan. The two grew closer and developed a deep relationship due to their special link. But YeonWoo hides some secrets regarding his mother, and soon enough his past is coming back to haunt him.
Reasons to watch: First of all, the scenario of this drama is quite unique and worth the watch, plus, there are two seasons of this BL drama, meaning there is even more content to watch. Now the reasons this drama could be considered sad are various, and YeonWoo's past story is part of it. Once again, it would be hard to go into details without spoiling too much, but someone goes missing in the second part of the drama, and the story behind his disappearance is quite sad. Don't miss the chance to see this masterpiece, and discover the beautiful yet painful world of monos and probes.
Cast: Choi JaeHyun, Jimmy Karn Kritsanaphan, Tommy Sittichok Pueakpoolpol, Jun AeYun.
Summary: Peach decides to fly from Thailand to Korea only to meet his beloved Korean friend YoonOh. But while their encounter is so heartwarming, there is a darker reality that Peach was not prepared to face when he came to meet YoonOh. concerned by YoonOh's situation and his own feelings towards his friend, will Peach manage to help YoonOh fulfill his dream?
Reasons to watch: This BL drama is the very first Korean-Thai collaboration, and it's worth watching. The scenario is also quite unusual, and each episode will surely thrill you to watch the next one. But the secret that YoonOh has been keeping from his best friend Peach is what causes this drama to be among the saddest BL dramas. And while the story grows into a happy one, we can never forget YoonOh's real identity, and we can only cry until the very end, whatsoever.
Summary: JunHo is a vampire who wants to become a human and die normally. In order to do that, he has to drink the blood of a pure-blooded human. As he searches for one, he meets MinHyun, a pure-blooded human, who also happens to have feelings for JunHo. When love comes in the way of JunHo's plan, nothing happens as it was supposed to.
Reasons to watch: If you are already a fan of these actors, that is a first good reason to watch. But we're here for the heartbreaking part of this drama. JunHo's first objective was to finally be able to die normally. And even if his plans get disturbed, his objective is still the same, considering that, we cannot avoid getting our hearts broken by this drama and one specific scene. It's so hard to hold back our tears while seeing MinHyun cry his heart out for JunHo.
Summary: Shin JaeWoo was saved from a murderer when he was a child, and he always felt guilty yet admirative towards his savior. 15 years after the incident, JaeWoo manages to meet with the man who saved him so long ago, and he wants to try to save him this time around, but can he really defy destiny?
Reasons to watch: This story includes time travel and fated love, who wouldn't like such a trope? But honestly, fate is also the reason why you will cry a river at the end of this drama. No matter how lovely the romantic relationship is, shedding some tears is unavoidable while watching "Once Again". So prepare your tissues and heart because this drama must be the saddest on this list.
Cast: Jeon ChangHa, Jin Geon, Song HanHee, Kim JeongSeok, Jung HyunJi (Christine Jung).
Summary: The popular web novelist YeonSeok has one big secret. He has been living for 300 years in order to achieve his first love. He is searching for his first love, HaYeon, who suddenly appears in front of him as a 25-year-old man. YeonSeok, who never thought his first love would be reborn as a man, pushes HaYeon away at first. However, because HaYeon is YeonSeok's editor at SinBi Books, YeonSeok can’t escape HaYeon and they naturally grow closer over time.
Reasons to watch: If you've watched the K-Drama "Goblin", you already know what you're in for, and why it's worth watching. Not that the stories are identical, but here again, we have some sort of goblin, YeonSeok lived for 300 years, and only finding his first love can break his curse. But here, the sad part is mostly YeonSeok's past, when we see his memories of his past loves with whom he could never be, it is truly heartbreaking. But luckily, YeonSeok's last relationship with HaYeon is successful and full of love for you to recover.
Summary: JungWoo used to have two pets, a dog named Choco and a cat named Milk. Both passed away when he was still quite young, but somehow the three of them got reunited later, under different circumstances. Milk and Choco are now two handsome men but still insist on staying with JungWoo as they used to. This time, a different kind of love is going to fill the house.
Reasons to watch: The actors are playing so well with cat-like and dog-like personalities, and their relationships are just so lovely, you wouldn't want to miss on that. But if it seems all happy and nice, there is a sad twist plot at a point in the story, we let you discover it by yourself. And if Season 1 felt too short, or too sad for you, don't worry because Season 2 has been confirmed by the actors! While we have no official release date yet, we know that what we last saw in the drama isn't the end Of JungWoo, Choco, and Milk's story.
Summary: DongBaek is the new employee of Min Entertainment, but on his first day, he realizes he has been employed to work as the director's secretary. In a dead-end, DongBaek has no choice but to work for his director, YuDam, who strangely tries to get close to him. But if things couldn't get weirder, YuDam tells him that if he wants to live, he has to date him. When one remembers all three lives they spent together and the other has no clue, it's harder to win over one's heart.
Reasons to watch: Another fantastic story about destined love, how could we miss it? But once again, who says fate and curse also mean tragic accidents and heartbreaking scenes. And we don't know what's more painful. The past that only YuDam can remember? DongBaek's ignorance of his past with YuDam? Or when the past repeats itself, yet once again? This drama surely has a lot of emotional scenes stored for you!
Summary: Lee DaYeol dreams of becoming an archery master, he encounters Jo TaeHyun, who picks on him shamelessly. But hate slowly turns into friendship and DaYeol gets to see that TaeHyun hides his feelings because of past wounds. Follow their blooming romance that walks the line between love and hate.
Reasons To Watch: if you're a FOR X, then you shouldn't miss on YeChan and JaeHan's amazing acting in this drama to begin with. But of course, the story of the drama is the most interesting part, as it explores the thin line between love and hate, and how easy it is to go from one to another. And of course, hate, unhealed past wounds, and repressed love are the cause of very heartbreaking and sad scenes. So for a good cry, make sure to watch "A Shoulder To Cry On".
Summary: JiHyun comes from a rural town to study in the capital, but he has a hard time getting used to this new life. At university, he meets with JaeWon, a senior from the surfing club. As JiHyun joins the club, he grows closer to JaeWon, but their closeness is not welcomed by many of JaeWon's friends. As the son of a CEO, the expectations that weigh on him become an obstacle in his relationship with JiHyun. Between past trauma and present student struggles, will JiHyun and JaeWon's relationship be successful?
Reasons to watch: This drama touches upon a lot of serious issues, which already sets a specific tone for the story. And while the evolution of JiHyun and JaeWon's relationship is heartwarming and lovely at points, there are also a lot of obstacles they must face and overcome before being officially together. The past of JaeWon also comes back to haunt him, and this is enough to make you cry while watching this drama.
With all those sad dramas, you may cry not just a river but an entire ocean! But don't worry as much as there is sadness there is also love and happiness in those dramas, so make sure to fill your heart with love as well.
Make sure to let us know which of those dramas made you cry the most!
What is the saddest BL K-Drama according to you?
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Where Your Eyes Linger
Color Rush & Color Rush 2
Peach Of Time
Kissable Lips
Once Again
First Love Again
Choco Milk Shake
The Director Who Buys Me Dinner
A Shoulder To Cry On
The Eighth Sense
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