6. The Eighth Sense | 10 Episodes (Rakuten Viki)
Ji Hyun (Oh Jun Taek) is a freshman at a university in Seoul. He comes from a small rural town and is used to living in the quiet countryside. He struggles to form meaningful relationships, and moving to the busy South Korean capital has left him feeling disorientated and confused. The older Jae Won (LIm Ji Sub), meanwhile, is now returning to Seoul – and the same university – after completing his mandatory military service. The duo starts to develop a mutual curiosity about one another. But things begin to escalate when Ji Hyun joins the same surfing club that Jae Won attends. Their bond begins to deepen as Ji Hyun discovers a love of surfing and the sea. When the surfing club embarks on a journey, the duo finds themselves together alone – and share a kiss. Later, though, Jae Won begins to act as if nothing happened between them. Is this just a fleeting attraction…or the love of a lifetime?
7. Happy Merry Ending | 8 Episodes
Seung Jun (Lee Dong Won) has been a wedding singer for many years and has become bored with this job. He no longer has any illusions about the romance people yearn for through these ceremonies. One day, he meets Jae Hyun (Byun Seong Tae), who is also working at the wedding as an accompanist, and the lively and charming guy in front of him is his ideal type! As the two of them get closer and closer to each wedding, the introductory notes of love start to play out between them…
Binge-watch ‘Happy Merry Ending’ on GagaOOLala!
8. Starstruck | 8 Episodes
Jo Yoo Jae (SF9 Zuho) and Seo Han Joon (Kim In Sung) have been friends since middle school and share dreams of attending the same university. They enjoy their time together, filled with joy and happiness. Han Joon has secretly loved Yoo Jae from the start, but he’s too afraid to confess his feelings. Being close to Yoo Jae is all that matters to him, regardless of the time or his mood. However, their uncomplicated love takes a different path when Han Joon decides to open up about his true thoughts and emotions.
Binge-watch ‘Starstruck’ on GagaOOLala!
9. Love Mate | 8 Episodes
Jeong Ha Ram (Cho Han Gyeol), a new hire at a production company, falls in love with his team leader Seo Yi Jun (Chu Hyun Min), at first sight. Ha Ram, who is used to getting all the attention, is surprised to find out that Yi Jun is not easily swayed and is busy planning a reality dating show. Will the smart and introverted Yi Jun learn to accept the enthusiastic and straightforward Ha Ram both in the workplace and in love? The back-and-forth battle between the two begins to quietly play out in the office…
Binge-watch ‘Love Mate’ on GagaOOLala!
10. Love Tractor | 8 Episodes (iQIYI)
Seon Yul (Do Won), a temporarily relocated city man, meets Ye Chan (Yoon Do Jin), a rural man who adores the countryside. Seon Yul comes to the countryside to experience life knowing nothing about farming and Ye Chan appears before him. As Seon Yul learns to adapt to rural living and engage in farming activities, he becomes increasingly attracted to Ye Chan’s sincerity and enthusiasm. Together, the two embark on a chaotic and romantic countryside journey of healing and love.
11. Jun & Jun | 8 Episodes
Lee Jun (Yan Jun Mo), a former singer turned office worker, finds his world turned upside down when his first love, Choi Jun (Ki Hyun Woo), unexpectedly reappears as his department head. As their paths cross once again, the sparks of their past ignite a passionate story within the confines of the office.
Binge-watch ‘Jun & Jun’ on GagaOOLala!
12. Sing My Crush | 8 Episodes (iQIYI)
Baram (Jang Do Yoon), the frontman of the band Ddara Baram, learned from the painful failure of his first love that he should be cautious with his feelings and is now a decisive person. During his high school days, he met Hantae (Son Hyun Woo) at a guitar training class, and due to a certain event, she developed feelings for him, becoming both his good friend and manager. In truth, Baram’s feelings for Hantae have already surpassed friendship, but he has not shown it. One day, when Baram becomes embroiled in a plagiarism controversy and his attitude becomes extremely negative, Hantae decides to help him in his way.
13. Love Class 2 | 10 Episodes
Freshman year at university for three best friends. Hyun (BAE173 J-min), Minwoo (Woo Hyun Won), and Joo-Hyuk (Ann Jong Gyun) are looking forward to their freshman year at college. But little do they know of the trials and tribulations of love that await them outside the classrooms. From learning about maturity to being unable to forget the scars of past lovers, they’ll have to balance both their studies and social skills as they venture off into this new journey.
Binge-watch ‘Love Class 2’ on GagaOOLala!
14. Why RU? | 8 Episodes (iQIYI/ Rakuten Viki)
Jung Lee Won (Lee Jung Min) is a student at a leading South Korean university. He is majoring in acting and hopes to become a star in the future. His nemesis is Kim Ji Oh (Lee Ye Hwan), a student in the same academic year who is majoring in Directing. They bicker whenever they meet and constantly accuse one another of getting in each other’s way. The nature of their majors, however, means they often have to work together. However, little did Jung Lee Won know that his younger sister is writing an online BL novel where he and Kim Ji Oh are lovers! One day, Jung Lee Won uncovers his sister’s secret writings and becomes outraged. He vows that if there is any truth in the fact that he secretly likes Kim Ji Oh, the novel’s fantastic storyline should become reality. He may soon rue this vow, though! At university, he finds he must spend more time with Kim Ji Oh than ever. And he starts to wonder if he really is starting to feel the pull of attraction to his bitterest enemy…
15. Bon Appetit | 8 Episodes (iQIYI)
Do Hoon (Yoo Jung Hoon) is a dedicated office worker who immerses himself in his job, shuttling between home and the office day in and day out. His life seems monotonous, filled with loneliness and sadness. However, one day, his life is completely turned upside down by his neighbor, Yoon Soo (Lee Ki Taek). Yoon Soo is Do Hoon’s junior in college, a young man who suddenly dropped out of school. One day, Yoon Soo appears in front of Do Hoon, holding a bowl of sweet rice soup as a housewarming gift. Do Hoon accepts, and suddenly, his world brightens as the sweetness warms his weary soul. Yoon Soo confesses that he once lacked the courage to confess his feelings to Do Hoon and chose to avoid him. However, over the years, Yoon Soo has put this past behind him, while Do Hoon begins to unconsciously care about Yoon Soo from that moment on. From that day forward, Yoon Soo and Do Hoon’s lives undergo a transformation. After work, they spontaneously become a perfect pair for sharing meals, and every meal becomes precious quality time for them. Do Hoon even realize that his feelings for Yoon Soo are growing warmer and deeper with each passing day?
16. Bump Up Business | 8 Episodes
Eden (OnlyOneOf Mill) is about to make his idol debut, but first, he must team up and form a relationship with his predecessor Ji-hoon (OnlyOneOf Nine). For the sake of his dream, he sets out on stage; what kind of feelings will develop between the two of them?
Binge-watch ‘Bump Up Business’ on GagaOOLala!
17. A Breeze of Love | 8 Episodes (iQIYI)
Do Hyun (Woo Ji Han), the captain of the basketball team, is preparing for the championship. Hye In, the team manager, brings Dong Wook (Shin Jeong Yoo), Do Hyun’s first love, to fill in for an injured teammate. Dong Wook and Do Hyun used to go to the same high school. They spent time together and eventually kissed, but Dong Wook had to transfer schools. They meet again on campus and have to play together in a game. They make a bet that if Dong Wook wins, he can officially join the basketball club. After winning, Dong Wook suggests they live together. Do Hyun is unsure, but Dong Wook can only sleep well when they are together. Will they be able to fix their relationship?
As we move forward into 2024, the K-BL drama scene continues to grow and evolve, offering a diverse range of stories and characters that captivate audiences around the world. With each new release, we are reminded of the power of love and the importance of embracing our unique individual circumstances. Which title do you think is the best Korean BL released in 2023?
RELATED ARTICLE:
Debuting Fake Gay Romance in ‘Bump Up Business’ Episodes 1–2
