Word Of Honor - Blog Posts

Favourite Trope: meeting before canon plot starts.

BL dramas where the characters either met as children or before the show plot started. (Will include spoilers for each show).

- Time of Fever.

This drama was beautiful. It portrayed two childhood friends who were separated for two years to then reunite in their late teens.

The show explores how they struggle to adjust to the new people they have become while trying to pick up where their friendship has left off. The introduction of new feelings and the personal struggles each character goes through in relation to this was explored beautifully. There was a real sense of long pining and teen awkwardness that both the actors and the cinematography displayed with effect.

It was a beautiful show that had me clutching at my plushies at frustration over the chemistry between the main characters. You get a real sense of depth in their relationship. There are many layers and history between them that just gives the show a more poignant feel.

Available on KissKH.

- Minato’s Laundromat.

I have mentioned this drama before and I will probably do so again. This is one of my favourite comfort dramas. While a bit cliche and unrealistic and clearly based off a manga, it is still a fun and capturing watch.

This show tells the story of a jaded man in his late twenties and the peace he has found running a laundromat and the young man who is pursuing him. Their dynamic is flirty, teasing and fun. The characters going through their own growth and learning about each other before they get together.

The added reveal that the main character saved the male lead from drowning as a child adds depth to the male lead’s stubborn pursuit of the main character. What was a memorable but ultimately past moment for the main character was a life changing experience for the male lead. Their first meeting before the show really adds backstory for the show plot and adds another layer to their dynamic.

Available on Viki and KissKH.

- 4 Minutes.

This show was a whirlwind of second guessing plots. With plots layered on top of one and another the reveal that the main couple met as children, an event forgotten by both of them, served to be more of an Easter egg for the viewers rather than adding much to their story.

A Easter Egg that I and other viewers ate up. It was fun to watch their interactions as children and see them unknowingly play out similar interactions as adults. Since the majority of this drama plot involved the viewers having knowledge that the characters did not have themselves, the viewers having a omnipotent view of all the interacting events, this reveal into a bit of their childhood was a spoon of sugar to sweeten us for further angst.

Still, the scene was adorable to see and it only added another layer of ‘What if’ to the plot line.

Available on KissKH.

- We Best Love.

Instead of childhood friends to lovers, this is childhood enemies to lovers. Well, one sided enemies to lovers. That just means that their chemistry was that just bit more fiery than other dramas. And I love a good enemies to lovers dynamic. Especially one with lots of history as this one had.

Even in season 2, when they have gone from e-bikes to lovers to bitter exes back to lovers again, their chemistry has a passion to it that many dramas miss. The main couple love each other so much that it angers them. They simply cannot get over each other and even when fighting and manhandling, they are gentle and sweet. As a viewer you can really feel the history between them despite them not getting to know each other on a deeper level until university. The fact that they don’t truly learn about the other properly until they’re adults means that their relationship can develop further than it would have ever done as children. It was great fun to watch.

Available on KissKH and Bilibili.

- Mr Heart.

If you want one sided unrequited love between a silent admirer and someone who doesn’t know he exists, then Mr heart is for you. Adorable and sweet. The drama starts with Jinwon being properly introduced to Sangha and as it develops the viewer gets to see their backstory from both their points of view as the characters get tangled in their marathon careers and their backgrounds.

Well made with a sweet atmosphere despite the angsty parts, it is a wholesome drama with a lovely ending.

Available one Viki and KissKH.

- I became the main role in a BL drama.

This is a short Japanese bl, only 4 episodes. Yet it had such a funny and wholesome story. The character development between the MC and the ML is so sweet and perfectly explored despite the short run time. The side characters were fun and all of it was well acted.

The reveal that they met briefly when they were teenagers is the perfect backstory for the ML’s love and devotion to the MC. He accepted him for his differences and it left a lasting impression.

This show had me laughing.

Available on Bilibili and KissKH.

- Word of Honor.

While China made this a bromance, it’s still high quality gay (with all that flirting and long pining stares, how could it not be?). I love the slow burn and the mysteries that move the plot along.

Especially the mystery behind Wen Kexing’s past. That had me hooked for the majority of the show. The revelation that he and Zhou Zishu had met as children, that their lives were always meant to be tangled together was both lovely and bittersweet for me. Their lives both full of tragedy and trauma yet they still found each other. I did cry watching this show, more than once. Yet I still love it.

Available on Netflix and Viki.

- Kiseki: Dear to me.

While the main couple meet for the first time during the canon plot. The side couple are childhood friends to lover trope, but not without angst and separation and lots of drama.

In any other setting, with any other characters their dynamic would be toxic. It’s codependent and even with the separation, they are too obsessed and wrapped up in each other. They carry a history which is clear in all of their interactions and chemistry. Even though we don’t get to see know how they met, we know that their history is tangled and caught up emotions.

It’s safe to say that the second couple stole the show for me. I wish we got more of their backstory.

Available on Viki and KissKH.

- Old Fashion Cupcake.

Another excellent 4 episode drama from Japan. This show is the love story between a 39 year old office worker and his 29 year old coworker. Since the characters are adults there is a softness that is sometimes lacking in other dramas. They are independent and do not need each other. That makes the moments of vulnerability and affection between them that much sweeter.

Their shared history and the flashback of Nozue interviewing and hiring Togawa just add more history to their bond. I love their romance and their bond. One of my favourite comfort shows.

Available on Viki and KissKH.

This took far longer than I expected. Hope you like the recommendations.

Feel free to comment any trope recommendations you want next.

Top ten bl couples- 2022 version.

(This may change as new dramas come out). In no particular order. These are just the ones that I enjoyed the most for various reasons. Posting this just because I have watched so many shows that I have lost count, but yet these are my absolute faves.

1. Adachi and Kurosawa. (Cherry Magic). Such a lovely story about respect and overcoming anxiety. They have such a sweet relationship and their story was really well paced. I want to see more of them.

2. Yoohan and Yeonwoo. (Color Rush). I loved their story and was so upset about season 2. They had such great chemistry and were literal soulmates.

3. Sarawat and Tine. (2gether). This was such a dorky but sweet romance story and season 2 only made it cuter. They had such great chemistry and I loved their interactions.

4. Mark and Ouwen. (Love is science). Even though they were a side couple I loved their story and the found family they created. They also had great chemistry and character development.

5. Wen Kexing and Zhou Zishu. (Word of honor). Two messed up and traumatised people band together and accidentally created a family while causing chaos. Loved their dynamics.

6. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. (The untamed). I have always loved these two from MDZS. They are such opposites but fit so perfectly.

7. Togawa and Nozue. (Old fashion Cupcake). I loved their banter and their relationship development. Their age gap was perfectly incorporated into the show. I wish the series was longer so we could see more but the few episodes were also amazingly well paced.

8. Arthit and Kongpob. (Sotus). They were one of my first dramas and I have had a soft spot for them ever since. Grumpy cat and smitten puppy is a perfect dynamic and I love it.

9. Jack and Zhao Zi. (History3: Trapped). Sunshine and sunshine protector with such a great storyline. Mercenary and a policeman with a surprising little amount of drama considering their backgrounds. They’re just so sweet and I love them so much.

10. Jang Jaeyoung and Chu Sangwoo. (Semantic Error). They had such great enemies to lovers plot and the height difference was adorable. They had me hooked by the first episode and their interactions are everything.

If you haven’t seen any of these shows then I high key recommend.

Chinese bl dramas for those who loved The Untamed.

I watch a lot of Asian dramas and thought that since Chinese (b)romance (it’s so bro it’s gay) dramas are becoming more popular since the untamed joined Netflix, I thought I’d recommend some more for people to watch. These are some I really enjoyed. Hope you enjoy them too.

Word of honor. It’s already on Netflix. Amazingly well done. The plot twists are amazing and the main characters are soulmates. There is seven minute epilogue episode that is not on Netflix, so you will want to watch that.

Love is more than a word. Short 12 episode drama on YouTube with English subtitles. Very well done and the characters are really endearing and their romance is amazing.

Till Death tear us apart. Has the exact same cast as the one above^. If you watch that one first then Till death tear us apart then it’s like they have been reincarnated. Amazing romance set in the communist revolution. Extremely well acted and amazing costumes. On YouTube.

The silent criminal. Enemies to (b)romance. Criminal joins up with a soldier trying to find a hidden weapon. Funny and adorable. On Viki.

Winter Begonia. Love between a rich man and a male Chinese opera singer. There is such a good build up in their relationship. On YouTube with eng subs.

My roommate is a detective. (Not a bl unfortunately but still fruity) Hilarious main character. (B)romance between the detective and the chief of police. Sherlock Holmes inspired drama set in the 1920s. On Viki.

Oh my General. Straight main couple but explores ideas of femininity and Masculinity. Female is a badass general and the male is a beautiful spoiled city boy. Funny and dynamic. On Viki.

Guardian. Like The untamed and Word of honor, a (b)romance based off a bl book. Fantasy show set in the modern era with funny characters and good mysteries. On Viki.

Arsenal Military academy. (Not a bl but fruity anyway). Girl dresses as a boy to attend a military school. Set in the 20s. A lot of bromance and guys having a crises like Shang from Mulan. On Viki.

Advance bravely. Has Gong Jun from Word of honor. Another (b)romance based of a bl book. The main characters have good chemistry and a funny dynamic. Side couples are also interesting. Ends a bit ambiguously. Set in modern era. On Dailymotion.

Painted skin: the guo jingming edition. Fantasy based short film. Poignant and beautiful. On dailymotion.

Wuliang. 30 minute short movie. Amazingly done. Really well done despite its shortness. Has the same actors play the male leads as Painted Skin. If you watch that first you can view them both as reincarnation. So beautiful and emotional. On Dailymotion.

The Ying Yang master: Dream of eternity. Same director as the two short films above. Chinese fantasy film not to be confused with the other Ying Yang master film. Amazing with a enemies to Bromance with a beautiful film style. Full of action and intrigue and a tragic romance. On Netflix.

The lost tomb. (There’s various dramas of this name, five and then a reboot. They’re all based off the same books and I recommend them all). Found family with an immortal man and they go on Tomb Raider style avengers. Gay undertones but not canon. On Viki.

Under the skin. A crime drama where a artist joins the police force. Enemies to brothers relationship (though I wish it was more gay). Really interesting and great cases. On Viki.

League of noblemen. Historical murder mystery drama with a Sherlock Holmes type character. Very beautifully filmed but I am still confused over who the Male Lead is in love with cause they guy has three love interests.

So uh....I’m drawing a bit again, and the full view of this is over on Pillowfort. 

as a note, this is 100% not my fault. I was given the idea via my art idea master. She joined me in watching Word of Honor, and uh....yeah....this is all her.