If you’re new to BL Kdramas, then the pickings can be rather overwhelming.
With so, so, so many stellar titles to choose from, it’s hard to tell which ones are worth your time and which will be to your liking.
In this post, I’ll be sharing my top recommendations for BL Korean dramas that are not only entertaining, but also didactic in that some of them explore complex themes and feature the most dynamic characters.
So, kick back, grab some popcorn, and get ready to lose yourself in some of the best Kdramas out there.
Here are 25 of the best and interesting BL Kdramas:
1. Where Your Eyes Linger (2020)
Starring: Han Gi Chan as Han Tae Joo, Jang Eui Soo as Kang Gook, and Choi Kyu Ri as Choi Hye Mi.
Plot: Kang Gook is Tae Joo’s bodyguard, and while the latter is a wealthy heir, they have been best friends for fifteen years.
Kang Gook is very much aware of his feelings for his buddy, but Tae Joo thinks of it only as a very close friendship.
The dynamics of their relationship change when Choi Hye Mi, a new student, tries to come closer to Kang Gook.
I absolutely adore friends-to-lovers BL Kdramas, and if you do, you’ll enjoy this one!
2. Cherry Blossom After Winter (2022)
Starring: Ok Jin Uk as Seo Hae Bom, Kang Hui as Jo Tae Sung, and Lee Hyun Kyung as Ha Eun Sun.
Plot: Seo Hae Bom met Jo Tae Song when he was seven years old after the latter’s parents adopted him.
He always envied and admired Jo Tae Seong, the young son of his adoptive parents.
When they are enrolled in the same high school, cupid strikes as they start spending more and more time together.
3. Semantic Error (2022)
Starring: Park Seo Ham as Jang Jae Young, Park Jae Chan as Chu Sang Woo, and Kim Noh Jin as Ryu Ji Hye.
Plot: Chu Sang Woo, a hard-working and righteous university student, ends up on a team of freeloaders for a liberal art class project.
Annoyed by the complete negligence of his group members toward the project, he removes their names from the presentation he worked on all by himself.
In doing so, he causes a heavy blow to the dreams of Jang Jae Young, the most popular student at the university.
Their story takes a different turn when Jae Young and Sang Woo have to work with each other.
4. Blue Of Winter (2022)
Starring: Min In Gi as Han Ji Seok, Lee Jung Min as Kim Do Jin, and Jeon Yu Bin as Lee Hyeon Woo
Plot: After meeting Hyeon Woo during a judo competition, Han Ji Seok and Kim Do Jin approach him, intending to become close to him.
Ji Seok ends up dating Hyeon Woo, but Do Jin is rejected before Hyeon Woo leaves for the Olympics.
The story unfolds as the gold medallist Kim Do Jin meets Ji Seok and Hyeon Woo again after six years.
5. Wish You: Your Melody From My Heart (2020)
Starring: Kang In Soo as Kang In Soo, Lee Sang as Yoon Sang Yi, and Baek Seo Bin as Choi Min Seong.
Plot: Kang In Soo, an aspiring singer, catches the eye of Yoon Sang Yi, a talented keyboardist at a major record company, when his best friend Choi Min Seong records his performance and uploads the video on YouTube.
His dreams seem to be within reach when the recording company then scouts him on the recommendation of Sang Yi, but this professional alliance takes a personal turn when In Soo must live with Sang Yi in the company residence.
6. To My Star (2021)
Starring: Son Woo Hyun as Kang Seo Joon, Kim Kang Min as Han Ji Woo, and Ko Jae Hyun as Kim Hyung Ki.
Plot: Actor Kang Seo Joon meets chef Han Ji Woo during a difficult time in his career. Sparks ignite between the two, and their opposite personalities attract them to each other.
However, their differences become more prominent as they get to know each other.
The chemistry between the actors in this BL Kdrama was incredible, and the story was so addictive.
If you’re looking for a new drama to binge-watch, this is it.
7. Long Time No See (2019)
Starring: Tak Woo Suk as Chi Soo, Yeon Seung Ho as Gi Tae, and Kim Myung Hwan as Black Rose.
Plot: Chi Soo and Gi Tae, who are assassins, fall in love while living in disguise. When their secrets are revealed, they discover that they are employed by rival bosses.
The story turns dangerous when their bosses tag them as traitors, and they’re forced to flee.
What follows will see their love being tested by the harsh reality of the world they both belong to.
8. Love Class (2022)
Starring: Han Hyun Jun as Cha Ji Woo, Kim Tae Hwan as Lee Ro A, and Yoo Hyuk Jae as Kim Nam Jun.
Plot: Cha Ji Woo’s life is simple and mainly revolves around Bae Yu Na.
Things begin to change when a university class makes him work with Lee Ro Ah on a project on love.
As he spends time with Lee Ro Ah, he becomes curious about his newly developed feelings for Lee Ro Ah and his misunderstood emotions for Yu Na.
9. Once Again (2022)
Starring: Lee Hyun Jun as Kang Ji Hoon, Moon Ji Yong as Shin Jae Woo, and Kang Woo Jung as Joo Hyung Jin.
Plot: When destiny separates Shin Jae Woo and Kang Ji Hoon, all Shin Jae Woo wants is to return to when things were simpler.
Little does he know that his wish will be granted, and somehow, he travels back 15 years into the past, where he meets the young Kang Ji Hoon.
10. Light On Me (2021)
Starring: Lee Sae On as Woo Tae Kyung, Kang Yoo Seok as Noh Shin Woo, and Choe Chan Yi as Shin Da On.
Plot: Woo Tae Kyung is an introverted guy with no friends, and he’s adjusted to this way of living.
His teacher then suggests that he joins the school’s student council to make new friends, and he follows through with her instruction.
He meets Shin Da On and Noh Shin Woo, but things get complicated when Shin Woo doesn’t sit well with his relationship with Da On.
11. First Love Again (2022)
Starring: Jin Gun as Yeon Seok, Jeon Chang Ha as Jeong Ha Yeon / David, and Kim Jeong Seok as Kim Jin Hyeok.
Plot: For 300 years, Yeon Seok has waited for his first love. Never in his dreams did he imagine that said first love would be reborn as a man.
When this happens, Yeon Seok pushes Ha Yeon – his reborn first love – away.
But their bond is beyond lifetimes, and they find themselves being pulled together against their wills.
12. You Make Me Dance (2021)
Starring: Choo Young Woo as Song Shi On, Won Tae Min as Jin Hong Seok, and Lee Soo Ryun as Cha Soo Ryeon.
Plot: Song Shi On is a student of contemporary dance who has been abandoned by his family. He then meets Jin Hong Seok, a debt collector for the Chachacha capital.
While one is all about pursuing his dream of being a dancer, the other has buried his dream of becoming a pianist in exchange for doing anything to make money.
Love starts to bloom between them as they share a rooftop apartment.
13. Mr. Heart (2020)
Starring: Han Se Jin as Go Sang Ha, Cheon Seung Ho as Jin Won, and Lara as Hyo Ri.
Plot: Jin Won is a goal-oriented marathon runner in high school with an outstanding record.
When he starts finding it hard to maintain his winning streak, his coach pairs him up with Go Sang Ha, an optimistic athlete who is passionate but very laidback.
Dissatisfied with his new partner, Jin Won initially keeps pushing Sang Ha away, but the passion for running brings both athletes closer to each other.
I was utterly hooked on Mr. Heart – the story was so captivating, and the characters were so lovable.
If you’re a fan of BL Korean dramas, you have to add this one to your watchlist.
14. Nobleman Ryu Wedding (2021)
Starring: Kang In Soo as Ryu Ho Sun, Han Se Jin as Choi Ki Wan, and Jang Eui Soo as Kim Tae Hyung.
Plot: Nobleman Ryu Hu Seon discovers that his bride is a man on his wedding night.
It turns out his ‘bride’ is actually Choi Ki Wan, his actual bride’s brother who took his sister’s place when she disappeared right before the ceremony.
For the sake of his ailing mother, Ryu Hu Seon decides to continue with the sham marriage and keeps Ki Wan away from the eyes of anyone.
Things get complicated when Hu Seon’s friend Kim Tae Hyung sees Ki Wan and falls for him.
15. Ocean Likes Me (2022)
Starring: Han Gi Chan as Han Ba Da, Holland as Tommy, and Han Seo Ul as Go So Young
Plot: Han Ba Da dreams of one day opening an Udon restaurant on a beach.
However, his dream seems almost impossible as he’s unable to get many customers.
Then, he meets Tommy, a failed musician, and the two decide to achieve their dreams come what may.
16. A Shoulder To Cry On (2023)
Starring: Kim Jae Han as Lee Da Yeol, Shin Ye Chan as Jo Tae Hyun, and Shin Si Ye as So Yeong.
Plot: Lee Da Yeol is a talented archer who has no problem living like an outsider in his high school as he pursues his passion for archery.
But, his life is turned upside down when the most popular student of his school, Jo Tae Hyun, puts his scholarship at risk by falsely accusing Da Yeol of trying to make out with him.
Their story begins with hate, but the limits of love and hate start to blur soon for Da Yeol and Tae Hyun.
17. Blueming (2022)
Starring: Jo Hyuk Joon as Hyeong Da Un, Kang Eun Bin as Cha Si Won, and Moon Hye In as Cha Si Yeong.
Plot: Cha Si Won’s personal theory is that only good-looking boys can become popular in school.
He decides to put this theory to the test by challenging himself to gain popularity through his grades, discipline, and personality.
His plan seems to be going well in the first year of college. But, his world is shaken, and his theory is displaced by the entry of Hyeong Da Un, who is not only good-looking but also rich and brilliant.
If this was not enough, Hyeong Da Un also has a great personality. It is now difficult for Cha Si Won to understand if he is intimidated or attracted to Hyeong Da Un.
If you’re a fan of slow-burn romance with a side of heart-wrenching drama, Blueming is the show for you.
I couldn’t get enough of the well-developed characters and the intricate plot, and I have no doubt you’ll become emotionally invested in time.
18. Kissable Lips (2022)
Starring: Kim Ji Woong as Kim Jun Ho, Yoon Seo Bin as Choi Min Hyun, and Moon Ji Hoo as Kwon Hae Soo.
Plot: Kim Jun Ho is a vampire in search of pure blood to survive and become human. His search ends when he meets a human with pure blood, Choi Min Hyun.
But things become complicated as he ends up falling for Choi Min Hyun. Living a human life or protecting his love – Kim Jun Ho has a tough decision to make.
19. My Sweet Dear (2021)
Starring: Jang Eui Soo as Choi Jung Woo, Lee Chan Hyung as Yoon Do Gun, and Jang Do Yoon as Ye Jun.
Plot: Yoon Do Gun and Choi Jung Woo are both talented chefs, but their methods are different.
While Yoon Do Gun is a creative chef who takes pride in developing new recipes, Choi Jung Woo does not mind copying other’s hit recipes.
A clash between these two is inevitable when they end up working in the same kitchen.
But the rivalry starts to turn into something else when they begin to develop an understanding of each other’s working style and choices.
20. Tinted With You (2021)
Starring: Jun as Jung Eun Ho, Yoo Hyun Woo as Lee Heon, and Kim Tae Jung as Go Geum.
Plot: Jung Eun Ho, art student extraordinaire, is assigned to complete a mysterious and unfinished canvas.
While working on it, he ends up travelling to the distant past, where he meets Lee Heon, the deposed crown prince living in exile, and falls in love with him.
The story evolves as Eun Ho tries to protect Lee Heon from the acting king, who wishes to permanently secure the throne by killing Lee Heon.
21. Peach Of Time (2021)
Starring: Choi Jae Hyun as Yoon Oh, Jimmy Karn Kritsanaphan as Peach, and Tommy Sittichok Pueakpoolpol as Mario.
Plot: Peach, a Thai boy, flies to South Korea to meet Yoon Oh, who he first met in Phuket.
While Peach is happy to be able to live with Yoon Oh, he also notices the strained relationship between Yoon Oh and his mother.
So, he decides to step in and fix the mother-son relationship but wonders when and why Yoon Oh’s happiness became so important to him.
If you’re in the mood for a story that explores complex and nuanced themes, Peach Of Time is a must-watch.
The characters are multidimensional, and the plot is thought-provoking, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
22. Behind Cut (2021)
Starring: Bum Jun as Kim Ki Jin, Eom Se Ung as Yeong Woo, and Choo Suk Young as Hwang Yi Bin.
Plot: Kim Ki Jin, a fashion design student with big dreams, meets Yeong Woo, a delivery boy with no ambition or vision for his future.
Opposite attracts, as they say, and they both start enjoying each other’s company without thinking much about it.
But, the dynamics between the duo change when a famous model, Hwang Yi Bin, tries to get close to Kim Ki Jin.
23. Oh! My Assistant Is Coming (2022)
Starring: Song Seung Hyun as Seon Ho, Ko Chan Bin as Gu Mu Yeong, and Lee Do Ha as Han Joon Seok.
Plot: Seon Ho is an artist for adult webtoons, but his occupation starts taking a toll on his personal life, and he finds that he has not been aroused in a long time.
To get some space from his work, he hires a charming and talented assistant, who turns out to be his biggest fan.
24. Roommates Of Poongduck 304 (2022)
Starring: Kim Ji Woong as Ji Ho Jun, Yoon Seo Bin as Seo Jae Yoon, and Kang Woo Jung as Yoo Seung Seok.
Plot: Ji Ho Jun, a rich heir, is kicked out of the family house by his father with a challenge to survive on his own for two years and become a successful team leader in their company.
Moving to his new abode, he meets Seo Jae Yoon, who isn’t the nicest.
Soon, both face each other again when Ji Ho Jun appears as the team leader of Seo Jae Yoon’s team.
If you’re in the mood for a BL Kdrama that will make you laugh and cry, Roommates of Poongduck has the perfect balance of humor and heart.
The show will have you experiencing all the feels, and I was thoroughly entertained.
25. Color Rush (2020)
Starring: Hur Hyun-jun as Go Yoo Han, Yoo Jun as Choi Yeon Woo, and Yeon Min Ji as Yoo Yi Rang.
Plot: As a monochromatic, Choi Yeon Woo’s life is limited to shades of gray, black, and white until he meets Go Yoo Han.
Meeting with Yoo Han makes Yeon Woo experience a “color rush” for the first time.
Now, as much as he wants to be near Yoo Han, he is also afraid of ending up being obsessed with the one who makes him see the colors.
For those who appreciate a well-crafted soundtrack, Color Rush features music that will make your heart soar.
I was blown away by the beautiful score and how it elevated the emotional scenes. This is one BL Kdrama you definitely don’t want to miss.
As always, thank you for reading up until this point, and I hope you enjoy watching these dramas as much as I did.
I hope these recommendations can give you a good starting point for your BL Kdrama journey, and whether you’re an existing enthusiast or newcomer to this genre, you’re definitely going to find something on this list.
If you have any other recommendations or posts, please feel free to leave them in the comments below.
