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5 BLs To Make Your Valentine's Day Feel A Little Sweeter
Romance season is back, and it’s coming for all of us. It’s that time of year again when even the rom‑coms start judging your love life, but it’s all in good fun. If your ideal Valentine’s Day watch is a sweet, slightly cheesy romance, full of green flags, with low stakes and zero stress, you’ve got a good variety to pick from in the world of BL. Japanese and Korean BLs definitely rule this corner of the genre, but Taiwanese BLs do it well too. You know, the kind of sincere, warm, and funny love story that can make a bad day a little better? These five BLs have that vibe, and they’ll absolutely fuel your seasonal delusions and convince you that maybe, just maybe, a romance like this exists in your future. Warning: mild spoilers ahead! 1. “School Trip: Joined a Group I’m Not Close to” In the sweet, low‑stakes high school BL “School Trip: Joined a Group I’m Not Close To,” a quiet high schooler gets placed in a group with the popular boys on a school trip. It sparks unexpected friendships, but one of them in particular feels a little more than “just friends.” High schooler Hioki Asahi (Fujimoto Kodai) has friends, but none that are in his current class, so he’s a loner amongst his classmates. With a school trip coming up, Hioki goes into crisis mode when everyone is asked to pair up in groups and he’s just sitting alone. That’s when, out of nowhere, the school’s popular group of boys asks Hioki to join them as their final group member. They’re all guys he’s never really talked to, and they’re definitely not his usual crowd, but he’s inclined to agree. Of the group members, for some reason, Watarai Tsukasa (Kan Hideyoshi) shows extra attention to Hioki, which just confuses Hioki even more. Especially when his friendliness feels more than friendship! But that can’t be, right? At the end of the trip, Hioki expects to be distant again at school, but Watarai is determined to stay close. Hioki might be out of practice with the popular crowd, but he’s also pretty sure this isn’t how normal friends treat each other. He wants to clear up their relationship, but he’s so darn nervous when he’s around Watarai. Why it’s worth the watch:This show has the kind of setup that feels fated in the best way. An unexpected group assignment ends up steering the quiet lead toward someone he might have never been inclined to get to know otherwise. This is what you want to watch when you can’t take any more evil, scheming, or unpleasant characters because this show really doesn’t have any of that. It’s purely butterflies, friendship, and sunshine. For another high school rom-com, watch “My Love Mix-Up!” too: 2. “Peach Trap” “Peach Trap” is a short, cute Korean BL where romance is the plot. A young office worker suddenly ends up in a love square with his longtime best friend, his serious boss, and the flirtatious young barista who makes his coffee. Besides struggling to find his footing in the job department, Yoo Do Ha (Jung Su Bin) lives a pretty average life and has yet to join the world of adult romance. When he’s knocked down again after a work issue, almost like magic, three potential lovers come into his life, all seeking the key to his confused little heart. First in line is his former boss, Jeon Yeon Sang (Lee Do Han), who has quietly been supporting and admiring Do Ha from afar all this time. Even though he seems rough and stern on the outside, he’s got a soft spot for Do Ha. One day, he suddenly speaks more honestly with Do Ha and asks him out. Second is Yeon Ha Ram (Cha Yu Hyun), a flirty barista who takes an interest in Do Ha beyond his coffee order. He seems to have no fear of flirting and pursuing Do Ha, even if that means fighting it out with his love competitors. Last but not least is Do Ha’s longtime friend Taek Gyeon (Cha Se Jin), who is always protecting him and sending mysterious signals. When he sees new people pursuing Do Ha, he decides it’s time to get bolder. It gets extra complicated (in a fun way) when, during a drunken night out, Do Ha remembers accidentally kissing one of them, but he can’t picture exactly which of them it was. Why it’s worth the watch:“Peach Trap” is an easy binge-watch drama with all the cuteness and virtually no stakes. It’s perfect if you want a fluffy feel-good show without a complicated plot or any drawn-out problems. It’s also a little like a fun guessing game for which of the three men Do Ha will choose. It’s really hard when he has chemistry with every contestant for his love. Watch “Jun & Jun” for another K-BL love square: 3. “See Your Love” In the comforting story “See Your Love,” a young man who can’t hear and experiences endless setbacks meets someone who loves him for who he is, and his whole world changes. Shao Peng (Jin Yun) might be hard of hearing, but he’s still somehow the most optimistic person in any given room. He’s been trying to get into caretaking work, something he’s actually very good at, but the world keeps throwing up barriers because he has to use his sign language or his phone to communicate. Fast forward to a very unserious street fight slash meet-cute, and Shao is thrown into the world of Zi Xiang (Raiden Lin), a wealthy business heir. When Zi Xiang gets mildly injured during the scuffle and Shao Peng helps him escape, Zi Xiang decides he must have Shao Peng as a caretaker while he recovers. However, it’s not exactly Shao Peng’s ideal work scenario, especially with a shady stranger he just met. The two eventually land on a work arrangement: Shao Peng moves in to help him recover, and Zi Xiang promises to use his connections to finally secure him the caretaker job he wants. But this living-together scenario leads to something that looks suspiciously like l-o-v-e. PS: While feelings are brewing at home between patient and caretaker, another adorable, mischievous romance is happening on the sidelines. Zi Xiang’s assistant has been busy pretending to be him for safety reasons, which leads to a whole side plot involving an assassin who’s way too cute and soft-hearted to actually assassinate anyone. Why it’s worth the watch:“See Your Love” plays with the idea that love isn’t something you hear, it’s something you feel, and it doesn’t get more romantic than that. It’s a gentle story about two people who earn each other’s trust over time and genuinely connect, no strings attached. You might call a lot of the slo-mo moments, lingering stares, accidental almost-kisses, and slips into each other’s arms cliché, but they’re so addictive in this drama. Condolences for your replay button. Start watching “See Your Love” now: 4. “Ossan’s Love Returns“ “Ossan’s Love Returns” picks up right where “Ossan’s Love” ended. Still on the high of being newly in love, Haruta Soichi (Tanaka Kei) and Maki Ryota (Hayashi Kento) went through a heck of a lot to get to where they are now. If you watched season one already, you know that it was definitely a lot, but it isn’t entirely over yet. Dun-dun-dun. In season two, Maki and Haruta have moved in together and are dealing with juggling their demanding 9-to-5s, endless household chores, and making time for each other between it all. Their lack of free time to spend together and mismatched schedules are what lead them to take on a friend’s suggestion: get a housekeeper. They set up a meeting with the area’s top housekeeping company, but they’re shocked to see that the famous housekeeper they planned to hire is none other than their old third wheel and ex-boss, Kurosawa Mushashi (Yoshida Kotaro). Kurosawa has since quit his job at the office and devoted his household-husband skills to becoming the best at Carriage Cleaning. Now that Kurosawa is cleaning, organizing, and doing all the cooking, he starts to get re-tangled into their lives, even though he has been trying to move on from the heartbreak of losing Haruta. But with how dramatically in love Kurosawa gets, that wound might always burn a little. Even though hiring a helper at home was meant to lessen the strain on the relationship between Maki and Haruta, the situation starts bringing up old insecurities and jealousy in their house. Haruta is all for the extra help, but Maki isn’t a fan of a three-husband household. Meanwhile, new players have joined the Ossan board, and a mystery is unfolding right next door. What follows is the same hilariously unhinged and unpredictable storytelling that this drama franchise has mastered. Why it’s worth the watch:The second season of “Ossan’s Love” is just as good as the first season (they somehow accomplish the tone and humor once again), but this season is less focused on most of the love triangle mess of season one and more on Maki and Haruta growing as a newlywed couple living under one roof. It’s secretly a lesson on an accepting, open, and loving relationship, even though there are a few learning curves in the road to get there. Start watching “Ossan’s Love Returns” now: 5. “Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!” You can’t talk about feel-good romance BLs without mentioning “Cherry Magic”! In this essential Japanese BL, an ordinary office worker suddenly gains the ability to read minds the moment he turns 30. One accidental touch leads him to find out his super cool and annoyingly good-looking co-worker has a secret crush, and that’s when the fun begins. In this world, there’s a rumor that if you hit 30 without any romantic experience, you become a “wizard” who can hear people’s thoughts. You could look at it like a silver lining, but not for Adachi Kiyoshi (Akaso Eiji). He’s just trying to keep his head down at work and get through the day, and these new powers are the last thing he wants messing with his mundane life. But 30 hits, and there’s nothing he can do about it. He can now read minds. After trying to ignore his new abilities, he ends up bumping into his coworker Kurosawa Yuichi (Machida Keita) in a packed elevator and hears something he never expected: Kurosawa has a crush on someone in the office, and it’s none other than Adachi. He takes a good minute to figure this out, and the sudden shift from being intrigued to deeply confused is one of the drama’s most iconic moments. Now, Adachi has to figure out what to do with this new, slightly scary information and play it cool as if nothing has changed between them. Unfortunately, Adachi is a nervous wreck 24/7 and is terrible at playing it cool. When the two start spending more time together at work, it’s nearly impossible for Adachi not to overthink everything and freak out knowing how Kurosawa feels. Knowing the truth opens up the possibility of “what if,” forcing Adachi to face how he really feels. Why it’s worth the watch:Magically being able to read minds and immediately finding out someone you’d never expect to even notice you has a huge crush on you is the sort of wacky genius that Japanese BL do so well. If you can imagine an adorable office romance between two adult guys who sincerely like each other with no ulterior motives or red flags, this is that, but also so much more. “Cherry Magic” has had a Thai remake and an anime adaptation, which just goes to show how loved this story is. Watch “Old Fashioned Cupcake” for similar vibes: 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: “Our Universe,” “Positively Yours,” “Undercover Miss Hong,” “Countdown to Yes,” “IDOL I,” “Dare You to Death,” “Peach Lover,” and “Duang with You.”Looking forward to: “Magic Lover,” “Mr. Fanboy,” “The Love Matter,” and “Be My Player Two.”
Oh Yeon Seo Faces The Decision Of A Lifetime In "Positively Yours"
Oh Yeon Seo will face a difficult decision on the next episode of Channel A’s “Positively Yours.” Based on a popular webtoon, “Positively Yours” is a romantic comedy about the unexpected consequences of a one-night stand between a man and a woman who have both sworn off marriage. Oh Yeon Seo stars as Jang Hui Won, a workaholic who has never been in a relationship, while Choi Jin Hyuk plays Kang Du Jun, the CEO of the company where she works. Spoilers Previously on “Positively Yours,” Kang Du Jun and Jang Hui Won began a secret relationship while attempting to hide their romance from their co-workers. However, at the end of the latest episode, an anonymous post on the company’s online forum put Hui Won at risk of having her pregnancy publicly revealed. In newly released stills from the drama’s upcoming episode, Du Jun and Hui Won spend some quiet time together alone, away from the prying eyes of others. However, the two of them seem to be reacting entirely differently to the situation at hand. In contrast to her usual demeanor, Hui Won seems to be noticeably less cheerful and talkative than usual, and at one point, she appears to be lost in thought. Although Du Jun attempts to reassure her with a smile, Hui Won can’t help but feel worried that she’s jeopardizing his position as the CEO of Taehan Liquor. Later, Hui Won wears a resolved expression that hints at a mixture of determination, anxiety, and peace, suggesting that she has made up her mind about something important. Meanwhile, Du Jun suddenly appears troubled as he stares at her, hinting at turbulence in their future. To find out what choice Hui Won has made—and how it will impact her relationship with Du Jun—tune in to the next episode of “Positively Yours” on February 14 at 10:30 p.m. KST!
Park Shin Hye Shocks Everyone With Her Real Personality In "Undercover Miss Hong"
Park Shin Hye’s real personality will rear its head at work on the next episode of “Undercover Miss Hong”! Set in the late 1990s, tvN’s “Undercover Miss Hong” is a comedy starring Park Shin Hye as Hong Geum Bo, an elite financial supervisory officer in her 30s who goes undercover as a 20-year-old entry-level employee at a securities firm where suspicious financial transactions have been detected. Spoilers Newly released stills from the upcoming episode capture a tense conflict between Hong Geum Bo and her bitter enemy Cha Joong Il (Im Chul Soo). Hong Geum Bo fixes Cha Joong Il with an icy glare, and after her patience runs out, Cha Joong Il winds up on the floor with a shocked expression. Bang Jin Mok (Kim Do Hyun), So Gyung Dong (Seo Hyun Chul), Albert Oh (Cho Han Gyul), and Lee Yong Gi (Jang Do Ha) all rush to the scene, where they are visibly stunned by the unexpected situation unfolding before them. After the surprising confrontation plays out, Albert Oh is seen trying to calm down a still-fuming Hong Geum Bo by sympathizing with her uncontrollable anger. Meanwhile, the commotion created by the conflict between the two employees causes a stir that makes waves throughout the entire company. What could have led Hong Geum Bo, who had been suppressing her fiery temper for the sake of her undercover mission, to finally explode? And what will be the result of this unexpected rebellion by a low-ranking employee? To find out, tune in to the next episode of “Undercover Miss Hong” on February 14 at 9:10 p.m. KST!
Choi Jin Hyuk Holds A Press Conference To Protect Oh Yeon Seo In "Positively Yours"
On the next episode of “Positively Yours,” Choi Jin Hyuk will take action to protect Oh Yeon Seo! Based on a popular webtoon, “Positively Yours” is a romantic comedy about the unexpected consequences of a one-night stand between a man and a woman who have both sworn off marriage. Oh Yeon Seo stars as Jang Hui Won, a workaholic who has never been in a relationship, while Choi Jin Hyuk plays Kang Du Jun, the CEO of the company where she works. Spoilers Previously on “Positively Yours,” Kang Du Jun and Jang Hui Won began a secret relationship while attempting to hide their romance from their co-workers. However, at the end of the latest episode, an anonymous post on the company’s online forum put Hui Won at risk of having her pregnancy revealed to the product development team. Amidst this unexpected situation, Du Jun takes the drastic step of holding a national press conference in the name of Taehan Liquor. As he stands at the podium before a throng of reporters, unfazed by the cameras flashing around him, his gaze reveals a steely determination. At this press conference, Du Jun will play his hidden ace card in order to protect Hui Won. He will also stand up to Jung Eum (Baek Eun Hye), and his counterattack will involve a restructuring of Taehan Liquor. However, Du Jun’s decision will also lead to a change in Hui Won’s mindset. Watching the press conference from a distance, Hui Won is unable to hide her anxiety as she observes Du Jun confronting the situation head-on. “In Episodes 9 and 10, Du Jun and Jung Eum will engage in a suspenseful and thrilling battle over both Taehan Liquor and Hui Won,” teased the “Positively Yours” drama production team. “In particular, please look forward to seeing Du Jun’s next moves as he takes action to protect Hui Won and their baby.” The next episode of “Positively Yours” will air on February 14 at 10:30 p.m. KST.
Nam Ji Hyun Takes Care Of Moon Sang Min After Life-Threatening Injury In "To My Beloved Thief"
Nam Ji Hyun will nurse Moon Sang Min back to health on the next episode of “To My Beloved Thief”! KBS 2TV’s “To My Beloved Thief” is a period fantasy drama starring Nam Ji Hyun as Hong Eun Jo, a woman who is secretly the legendary thief known as Hong Gil Dong, and Moon Sang Min as Yi Yeol, a prince who unexpectedly swaps bodies with her. Spoilers In the upcoming episode of “To My Beloved Thief,” Hong Eun Jo will step up to take care of Yi Yeol, whose life is in danger after a potentially lethal attack by Lim Seung Jae (Do Sang Woo). Newly released stills from the episode capture Hong Eun Jo tending to the injured Yi Yeol and doing her utmost to help him recover. As she gazes down at the helpless Yi Yeol, Hong Eun Jo’s expression is full of worry, concern, and heartache. Later, after Yi Yeol regains some of his energy, the two enjoy a special meal together. Remembering that Yi Yeol had joked about wanting to eat the hen at Hong Eun Jo’s house, she prepares a nutritious meal of chicken soup for him, which brings a satisfied smile to his face. To find out what happens after Yi Yeol recovers from his injury, tune in to the next episode of “To My Beloved Thief” on February 14 at 9:20 p.m. KST!
"Single's Inferno 5" Star Lim Subeen In Talks For Kim Woo Bin's New Drama
“Single’s Inferno 5” contestant Lim Subeen may be appearing in a new drama alongside Kim Woo Bin! On February 13, SPOTV News reported that Lim Subeen, who recently rose to fame on Season 5 of the hit dating show “Single’s Inferno,” had been cast in tvN’s upcoming drama “Gifted” (working title). Later that same day, tvN responded by stating, “Lim Subeen is currently in talks for the new drama ‘Gifted,’ and the outlook is favorable.” Based on the popular webtoon of the same name, “Gifted” tells the story of a baseball coach who gains extraordinary abilities after an unexpected accident and goes from coaching a professional team to a bottom-ranked high school team. Kim Woo Bin is reportedly starring in the drama, while Seo Eun Soo is in talks to play the female lead. Notably, Lim Subeen was originally a baseball player in real life before an injury led him to pursue a new career path. Last year, he appeared in the drama “A Head Coach’s Turnover” under the stage name Cha Been.