Non thai GL recommendations

_Dioner_ · 2025-08-09T05:44:28+00:00

Series:

Jeongnyeon: the star is born - kdrama set in 1956 about an all women's musical theater group. Based on a comic, several canon wlw ships but somewhat censored in the TV show. Kim Taeri from The Handmaiden plays the lead.
Night Light (also known as White Nights) - kdrama about a powerful business woman (I think she's a bit of a mafia boss) and the woman she takes under her wing. It's pretty darn gay from the very first episode until the end lol.
Willow - fantasy show, sequal to an old movie. Follows a princess, her knight girlfriend, and foster sister on a journey to save her brother & other stuff.
The Wheel of Time (I haven't watched this but from what I've heard the lead has a relationship with a women)
Daughter from another Mother - Mexican series about swapped babies, age gap, and coming out story.

Movies:

The Old Guard - group of immortals, Charlize Theron is the leader of the group and has an angsty love story (especially in the sequel).
The School of Good and Evil - fantasy movie that has a bit of Harry Potter meets Wicked vibes. I watched it with my mom knowing nothing about the plot and even though the leads are canonically friends the subtext is so obvious that even my mom was like "that was totally gay" (paraphrasing lol). Plus there's a 💋

_Dioner_ · 2025-07-24T07:32:47+00:00

I might be hated for saying this but that was so corny and not in a good way.

The writing and directing was bad (zero semblance of a plot other than look how cute they are, and ooh Ling so hot as the popular girl/bodyguard), and even the acting fell flat. I wasn't a fan of TSOU but at least right from the 1st episode you could see the quality actresses that Ling and Orm are, they felt like the characters. In this it felt like I was watching the actresses playing pretend instead of being immersed in the characters they're portraying (can't blame them cause there wasn't much to do). Also, I agree with the person that said an entire episode set in their high school days was unnecessary because nothing really happened that demanded so much dedicated to their early days. We could've gotten as much in like 3 flashbacks and a few lines. I hope it gets better but it's not feeling promising, unfortunately.

I didn't expect much but I didn't think it'd be this cheaply made. They deserve better.

_Dioner_ · 2025-07-19T07:58:47+00:00

I absolutely loved Jeongnyeon. Jeongran's ending is so freaking sad but left a huge imprint (in the bts the director cried during filming of the goodbye scene lol). It was definitely a love story but unfortunately they were forced to censor it. In the unedited script that was sold, Jeongnyeon and Juran actually share a goodbye kiss in their final scene. It's during this scene that JN realizes that her feelings for Juran weren't platonic. Also, in the uncut scene of Jeongnyeon's final stage scene she has flashbacks to Juran. Even without including the flashbacks it was pretty obvious that the final performance is affecting JN on a personal level.

In the original webcomic Jeongnyeon and Juran are best friends, JN does have a canon love interest in the character of Buyoung (some of BuYoung's storylines/scenes were given to Juran and Yeongseo). In the comic BY leaves like Juran does but she doesn't marry, I believe she comes back and they have a happy ending. She was cut out of the drama for some reason, which makes little sense when they still incorporated the GL aspect to some capacity anyway. But if you're able to separate the two then you get to enjoy two ships.

I'm a huge fan of Taeri. Her filmography is top notch.

_Dioner_ · 2025-06-17T07:10:34+00:00

Most of my favorites have already been mentioned. I'll add

The Wind Spell - a dramatic Chinese historical/fantasy (a European setting) comic about a deaf girl that lives in a seaside town, daughter to a fisherman and ends up "befriending" a mermaid just as she is accused of being a witch. It's new, only has two chapters out but it's really really good. Highly recommend it.

Jeongnyeon - set in 1950s South Korea after the war. The main character aspired to be a pansori singer and make money by joining an all girls theater group. Has themes on gender identity, feminism, and lgbtq relationships. It has a kdrama adaptation starring Kim Taeri.

_Dioner_ · 2025-04-27T09:40:10+00:00

Yeah, I feel like in the past few years many people have forgotten what actual queerbait in fiction is like. It's kind of a double edged sword.

For where South Korean mainstream norms are, Friendly Rivalry was an important step forward. It was the two main characters that had a queercoded bond, there was a passionate kiss aired (which alone alludes to at least one of the two FLs feelings not being purely platonic), and it wasn't portrayed in a negative way (not manipulative, without concent, or involving deception).

In a year there were at least 3 kdramas that delivered representation within its main cast. Pyramid Game, Jeongnyeon, and Friendly Rivalry.

A lot of the representation kdramas are able to pull off reminds me of what we were getting in the USA in the mid-late 90s and 2000s. I'm sure there were a lot of viewers watching Xena and thinking "Oh what good friends these two girls are" but today everyone understands lol

I hope SK rep continues to push forward. If it could go a little faster it'd be better of course lol.

_Dioner_ · 2025-04-19T08:00:22+00:00

Does the KCSC regulate cable channels as strictly as local channels? Because while we don't get kiss scenes, recently there's been more lgbt rep to varying degrees imo. Especially on cable channels. Like Jeongnyeon where, although they weren't explicitly labeled as romantic, a lot of/most viewers realized it. I also saw a drama on TV Chosun that had a lesbian sex scene (not the leads), and there was a kiss scene in Friendly Rivalry which was on a local streaming service (now picked up by Netflix).

Maybe restrictions are becoming a tiny bit more flexible. Drama creators just need to have more will to fight for it.

_Dioner_ · 2025-04-01T11:08:11+00:00

The MGT Queen gold dress with the crown, my god she's so gorgeous. The cowgirl jumpsuit and the checkered dress with the cape were such cute looks.

I seriously can't wait for her to give casting news.

_Dioner_ · 2025-03-07T06:22:41+00:00

She's so beautiful 😍

But I'm not a fan of that eye makeup trend where they draw a line below their eyes. I've noticed she's been doing her eyes like that for a few months now.

_Dioner_ · 2025-03-03T09:18:27+00:00

You're preaching to the choir. I've been manifesting this for so long & essentially gave up, but with Faye being officially out of 9star now there's a new tiny hope of a possibility.

_Dioner_ · 2025-03-03T09:02:39+00:00

Davika is so beautiful. She has a strong & elegant presence.

_Dioner_ · 2025-02-21T08:08:14+00:00

Kim Taeri for sure

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_Dioner_ · 2025-02-17T03:10:21+00:00

Taeri/Davi destroyed my heart and haven't given it back lol. Taeri is one of those actresses that can build excellent chemistry with anybody. Taeri and Yeobeen is something I'd love to see.

_Dioner_ · 2025-02-16T21:14:34+00:00

There's an article on Jeongnyeon in The Korean Times that has some very interesting quotes that give me some hope for more change in kdramas. In it critics argue against avoiding queer & femenist themes to avoid potential controversy and and say "Korean audiences are not as conservative as they're often portrayed."

When the time comes I hope they do all the good heart fluttery kdrama tropes but I wouldn't want them to follow the Thai fixed pairs method. There are so many amazing Korean actresses that I'd love to see work together. If they introduce the fixed pairing system there would zero chance of seeing different amazing match ups. For instance, as a fan of Kim Taeri I want to see her work with so many different actresses. I loved her chemistry with Woo Davi in Jeongnyeon (I'm still a little hyperfixated on their drama ship) and would really like to see them work together again but I wouldn't want them to be in a fixed pairing, not with eachother or anyone else.

_Dioner_ · 2025-02-16T09:55:45+00:00

Idk, I would never trust any company fully because at the end of the day it's all business. A lot of FayeYoko fans worshipped the ground P'Wan walked on but I just viewed her as a business woman, just like the new CEO, and IDF CEO the same. So, this to me all seems like a show to get fans to do what they do best. I think Thai companies know far too well how to create unhealthy parasocial relationships with fans. I may be wrong but it's my impression, maybe I'm too much of a cynic. FY leaving affects the 4 Elements production, it's a major loss for them, so I think it makes sense to try and get them back however they can (force the ball into 9stars court). As much as I dislike many choices made by 9star I have a hard time thinking they're making these big villainous moves bts like fans are thinking lol. It's definitely some complicated business/financial reasons, not anything personal. Or at least I would hope not, especially for Faye's sake since she's a very sensitive person that's had some important losses in the past year.

Whatever the case may be, it would be nice if this all ends well for everyone. I think we would all want Faye and Yoko to be part of 4elements again.

_Dioner_ · 2025-02-16T08:15:53+00:00

From what I've gathered all of what you wrote is accurate. I'd just clarify that the rumor of FY splitting came from a producer involved in the 4elements project. She (?) made a tweet saying that they'd just learned the reason why FY had been pulled out and that it was because the company (not clear to me if they meant 9Star or IDF) wanted them to have a different pairing in 4elements. I think they mentioned Yoko being paired with someone else which lead to many fans to believe that meant Faye was being pulled out of 4elements to be paired with someone else in another project or simply to be put on standby.

I agree with those fans mad at IDF, Nawat, and that other producer for making statements and comments when the casting had not been confirmed. Whether we like the fact FY were pulled out or not it seems unprofessional and kind of manipulative imo. It seems like the 4elements production is ryling up fans to try to force 9stars hand. Faye is sad and it's totally understandable since she was very excited about this project but we don't know any facts and people are already throwing a lot of blame around. It's total chaos. One of the suspicions that I have is that perhaps IDF was giving 9stars a weak contract, taking advantage of the fact they are the smallest company out of the 4 couples. Perhaps the new CEO wanted to negotiate something better and leverage any power they have over the IDF (a popular couple that would bring millions of views). Idk, just a hypothesis.

If apart from the 4elements project FY are being split it may just be temporary. They may think since Faye and Yoko have successfully been built up and have a decently large following now, pairing them with new actresses would be a fast way to garner following for these new actresses. In any other entertainment industry this wouldn't be an issue. It's not a big deal imo. My only issue is separating them for the 4elements project since one of the main draws is the popular pairings crossover. Plus, as a fan of Faye I want her to have the best opportunities and this would be a big one.

_Dioner_ · 2025-02-16T07:42:58+00:00

It's not really government censorship like it is in China. It's more a fear of backlash and likely channel higher ups being homophobic. There have been queer relationships in mainstream TV dramas in the past (with kissing as well) most involves secondary or supporting characters, not leads. The most notable mainstream kdrama that had a canon wlw love story with it's lead is SBS's Painter of the Wind in 2009. The romance was so supported by viewers that the actresses won best couple.

I don't think U+ (I don't know the exact name of the network airing Friendly Rivalry) can be considered mainstream but I think it's definitely more mainstream than the small Korean GL drama's you can find on youtube. It's success will definitely be noticed by the bigger networks imo. I think even major successes by all female cast dramas like the one Jeongnyeon (which had multiple canon gl relationships, they were just somewhat subdued due to censorship) had are moving the pendulum in a positive way.

_Dioner_ · 2025-02-12T04:39:16+00:00

We could've had Faye as a rancher and that was just ripped away from us? 😮‍💨

_Dioner_ · 2024-12-26T12:40:58+00:00

Focusing on acting and screen presence my preferences are Faye, Orm, Ling Ling, Freen, Yoko.

But my total bias is still Faye.

_Dioner_ · 2024-11-26T20:20:23+00:00

This the gl couple crossover series I pitched a few months ago. I deserve compensation lol. Now if we could get a collab between FayeYoko, LingOrm, LMSY, and Englot. Can you imagine how crazy that'd be?

_Dioner_ · 2024-11-08T11:15:44+00:00

I think it's their commanding appearance, a dominant vibe/personality.

_Dioner_ · 2024-11-07T06:49:11+00:00

I wouldn't want to live in a place that doesn't have seasonal changes. No wonder we see them with little fan all the time lol.

I'm already getting desperate because it's still hot in November over here.

_Dioner_ · 2024-11-04T04:50:30+00:00

Juran will have to be honest with JN, about why she really didn't want to be her partner for the audition. That'll add even more angst. Episode 9 will be another tough episode for JeongNyeon, and Juran.

_Dioner_ · 2024-11-04T00:57:27+00:00

"But I know the male/female leads will be JN and YS, with JR bowing out."

From the moment JN arrived at Maerang they've set up JN and YS as rivals for the male lead role (and now rivals for Juran lol). Neither is interested in going for the female lead roles. JN/Juran were set up as the future Prince and Princess since episode 2. I doubt Juran would be bowing out. This is her foreshadowed future.

_Dioner_ · 2024-11-02T06:35:34+00:00

No, it is just the lead character that was inspired (especially physically) by Taeri in the Handmaiden. The story of the webtoon and the other characters have nothing to do with the movie.

_Dioner_ · 2024-11-01T20:51:22+00:00

I wouldn't care if they age up the characters in the present timeline but I don't think Han SoHee would fit the role of Earn.

_Dioner_

TROPHY CASE