A range of highly anticipated BL series is set to be released on iQIYI in the last few weeks of 2023, turning up the heat this holiday season! Bringing together a myriad of styles and themes, these six titles cover the beloved genre of mafias, redemptive campus love stories, the long-awaited love story of a middleman, a dream chasing journey in the entertainment industry, speed and manipulation and a mystery party for you to uncover – there’s surely something fans of BL would enjoy.
The titles include My Dear Gangster Oppa, which has already dominated the charts for weeks, followed by the adaptation of the popular Korean novel, A Breeze of Love, and the new series The Middleman’s Love, which is produced by the same team behind Bed Friend. Also in the lineup are Beyond the Star, featuring a group of youth with big dreams in the showbiz, the highly anticipated Thai IP series, Pit Babe the Series and the eerie comedy Dead Friend Forever, which features young actors from KinnPorsche the Series La Forte and The Hidden Character.
Following Ai Long Nhai, “Ping” Krittanun Aunchananun and “Meen” Nichakoon Khajornborirak continue their on-screen chemistry in My Dear Gangster Oppa. The series was quick to dominate various platforms, including iQIYI’s popularity charts and was also trending on Twitter for two consecutive weeks. Staying true to the recent audience-favourite mafia theme, the storyline takes the characters from online to offline, from mistaking the other for a beauty to realising it has all been a mix-up, from a gentleness that helped open up one’s heart to the other to the revelation of some deep dark secrets, My Dear Gangster Oppa promises a roller-coaster-like viewing experience for its audience.
Starring Shin Jungyu and Woo Jihan, Korean BL drama, A Breeze of Love is an adaptation of the popular online novel of the same name. The love between Dong Wook (starring Shin Jungyu) and Do Hyun (starring Woo Jihan) is as unpredictable as the weather, throwing the two into an emotional whirlwind of uncertainty. When Dong Wook encountered Do Hyun in school, his appearance seemed like an umbrella in the rain, bringing solace to Dong Wook, who was struggling with insomnia. Dong Wook’s swoon-worthy and heartfelt line “Stay with me, be by my side” melts many of the audiences’ hearts. However, the smooth-sailing relationship didn’t last and they started to encounter obstacles. Despite being newcomers in the BL genre, the performances of the two actors are able to keep the audience captivated and asking for more.
How will the story develop when the constant middleman finally rises to prominence, and starts getting held in high regard and as priority to others? Starring “Yim” Pharinyakorn Khansawa and “Tutor” Koraphat Lamnoi, The Middleman’s Love Story is directed by “Cheewin” Thanamin Wongskulphat, who was also behind the popular BL series, Bed Friend. The prospect of seeing the married life of the couple from the series has also successfully attracted much anticipation. The two lead actors Yim and Tutor had previously starred as supporting roles in Cutie Pie. This time, they finally have their own series where the two are the leads and managed to showcase a chemistry that has won over many fans. Tutor, in the series, pulls Yim out from the darkest point in his life, offering him a love that is purely for him and without any ulterior motives. This not only immerses Yim in love but also brings tears of joy to fans, akin to witnessing a beloved child overcoming his struggles and succeeding eventually.
Those looking for a feast for the eyes have expressed their satisfaction with the Thai BL series, Beyond the Star, which is also already streaming on iQIYI. Beyond the Star brings forth not only two, but nine handsome young men who successfully stood out from the crowd with their talents, landing themselves a spot in a project that aims to help them enter the entertainment industry. However, when love, dreams and commitments become obstacles they have to overcome, how will they choose? What will the path to becoming the next big star look like for then? These questions are just some of the queries the audience are waiting for the plot to eventually answer for them.
Adapted from an online novel with over eight billion reads online, Pit Babe The Series promises to deliver a visually pleasing feast full of passion and romance to its audience, hoping to once again ignite a trend and become the blockbuster series of 2023. After its premiere last Friday, it swiftly claimed the top spots on Twitter and iQIYI’s popularity ranking, proving its potential and promising its quality. In this BL story, the two lead actors will gradually give in to their feelings for each other but are set to also face revenge, betrayal, and an evil conspiracy to seize Babe’s (starring “Pavel” NaretPromphaopun) special ability. The series not only surrounds itself around the intense competition on track but also portrays the deep emotions between the racer Babe and the handsome nerd Charlie (starring “Pooh” Krittin Kitjaruwannakul). The plot is filled with suspense, making the audience blush and feel their hearts pounding as they watch the story of a forbidden love unfold before them.
Dead Friend Forever, a Thai drama that combines elements of suspense, comedy, and drama, is set to meet the diverse emotional expectations of the audience. The drama boasts an eye-catching cast, including Copper Phuriwat, JJ Patiphan, Fuaiz Thanawat, Mio Athens, Jet Jetsadakorn, and Bump Pawat, all of whom made their debut in The Hidden Character. Additionally, audiences can look forward to the return of actors Ta Nannakun, Barcode, Us Nititorn, and JJ Chalach, who made appearances in KinnPorsche The Series La Forte. Originally just an eight-member high school reunion, the arrival of an unexpected 9th member took the plot on a 360° change, leading to a thrilling and intense story. What secrets could they be hiding among themselves?