5 BL K-Drama Recommendations Based On What You Love
There’s much to celebrate in the world of Korean BL dramas. More and more K-BLs are coming out with storylines that are just as unique and diverse as non-BL dramas. With the number of must-watch K-BLs accumulating faster than you can press play, how do you navigate through the pile and choose which to watch? Here are five Korean BL recommendations with storylines based on what you love the most, whether that’s books, games, or blood-sucking vampires.
If you love books: “Happy Ending Romance”
Dive into the tricky world of writing and publishing with a story that follows Cha Jung Woo (Karam), an amazingly talented writer whose career is cut short after speaking up about a senior writer’s dishonest actions. VIXX fans are in for an extra treat as VIXX’s Leo stars as the ever-popular and successful writer Kim Jung Hyun, one of the only people who has stood by Jung Woo during his lowest point. Since the scandal, they’ve moved in together and have grown a special bond that has turned into a romantic relationship. Just when writing again seems out of reach for Jung Woo, he’s approached by publisher CEO Han Tae Young (Ha Jong Woo), who wants to work on a book together. Jung Hyun, however, is afraid Jung Woo will only get hurt again, so he tries to keep him from working with Tae Young. At the same time, Tae Young has always been a fan of Jung Woo’s work and is unwilling to give up. When feelings start to mix with work, what route will Jung Woo choose?
If you love writing or reading (or both), “Happy Ending Romance” gives you a peek into the realities of the literary world and how the relationships of everyone involved in the publishing process are intertwined. The push and pull between the three male leads will keep you coming back to see if the characters will accept reality or fight to overcome the odds. Just like your favorite books, there are certainly a few twists and turns in this story that’ll surprise you.
Start watching “Happy Ending Romance”:
If you love vampires: “Kissable Lips”
College student by day, blood-sucking immortal vampire by night, Kim Jun Ho (ZEROBASEONE’s Kim Ji Woong) has lived long enough to experience life’s hardships more than once. The only thing that can turn him human and allow him to end his immortality is the blood of a rare pure-blooded human. One day, Jun Ho runs into lovable college student named Choi Min Hyun (Yoon Seo Bin), who just happens to be one of those rare pure-bloods. Min Hyun, oblivious to his status as a rare pure-blooded human, is heart-struck when the most handsome student at school starts showing an interest in him. As Jun Ho tries to get closer to Min Hyun in order to drink his blood and end his immortality, Jun Ho is reminded that life isn’t all that bad and questions if his heart is in the right place.
Full of longing vampire stares and cavity-inducing sweet moments, “Kissable Lips” is a must-watch for anyone who loves a good vampire storyline. The show gives BL lovers a fun and fresh take on college romance when feelings bloom between a cold vampire and a pure-hearted human. Kim Ji Woong’s performance as a hottie vampire is polished to perfection thanks to his previous vamp role in “The Sweet Blood.”
Start watching “Kissable Lips”:
If you love dance: “You Make Me Dance”
Contemporary dance student Song Shi On (Choo Young Woo) is pursuing his dreams despite struggling to live on his own away from his family. Things get complicated for this stressed-out dancer when financial circumstances force him to move in with a persistent debt collector, Jin Hong Seok (Won Hyung Hoon). With Shi On navigating the cut-throat world of professional dance and Hong Seok unhappy with his current profession, the two are able to find new happiness together. With their personal struggles getting in the way, will their growing romance have a chance?
“You Make Me Dance” tells a heart-leaping story of following your dreams and listening to your heart despite the situation life has put you in. Starting with the show’s captivating intro that you just can’t skip, there are plenty of beautiful choreographies throughout the story for dancers and dance lovers alike to enjoy. You can also expect one of the cutest meet-cutes you’ll ever see.
Start watching “You Make Me Dance”:
If you love games: “Our Dating Sim”
Lee Wan (Lee Jong Hyuk) and Shin Ki Tae (Lee Seung Gyu) were best friends in high school. When Lee Wan confesses he feels romantically for Ki Tae on graduation day, Ki Tae is speechless. Lee Wan (quite literally) runs out of Ki Tae’s life out of fear of rejection, and they lose touch. Seven years later, Lee Wan is pursuing illustration and winds up at a job interview for a start-up gaming company where Ki Tae appears. Unresolved feelings and awkward situations are in tow when they must work together to create a dating-themed game. As Lee Wan keeps trying to run from his feelings, Ki Tae just wants the chance to say how he truly feels.
For those who still can’t get over “Semantic Error,” “Our Dating Sim” offers a similar game-creation premise. The show offers insight into the creation of an interactive story game, from character design to programming, while giving you the fluffy romance scenes you know and love. It’s too fun to watch the perpetually nervous Lee Wan interact with confident and cheeky Ki Tae. The tight-knit office workers also add a fun tone to the drama, especially in moments like when they realize that Lee Wan’s character design looks a lot like Ki Tae!
Start watching “Our Dating Sim”:
If you love food: “My Sweet Dear”
Yoon Do Gun (Lee Chan Hyung) is the creative and seasoned lead chef behind Laura Dining, one of the most renowned places in the city to grab a bite. Though Do Gun is largely the reason why the restaurant has seen such success, his goals toward culinary innovation clash with the restaurant owner’s desire to make popular recipes that everyone will like. After the owner hires Chef Choi Jung Woo (Jang Eui Soo) to work in the kitchen alongside Do Gun, their opposite cuisine philosophies cause a rivalry between the two chefs. The only way to settle who belongs as lead chef is a cooking competition, but there’s more going on behind the scenes. Love begins to simmer as the two get to know each other better, but only one chef can come out on top.
“Top Chef” meets K-BL in “My Sweet Dear,” where cooking segments and tasty dishes might have you pausing and running to the kitchen for a late-night snack. If you love food just as much as you love BL K-dramas, this drama might be your dream come true. FYI: there most definitely is a shirtless beach scene.
Start watching “My Sweet Dear”:
Are you a BL newbie, or do you already have some favorite BLs? Let us know in the comments!
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!”
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