Korean Boys Love anime is a new breed of exciting animation! Netflix and other streaming sites target Korean drama or Japanese anime (or both), yet it appears to me that there is something of value with Korean anime too – The boys love genre, in particular.

Background

While not yet a massive industry like Japan, certain South Korean animators are getting accolades here and there – a testament to the quality of their products.

LAFTEL also announced that there are 3 Korean BL anime to be released before the end of 2023.

Here are samples:

Unbelievable Space Love – 언빌리버블 스페이스 러브 (2018)

A screenshot of Unbelievable Space Love, directed by Kim Eun-jin

Directed by Kim Eun-jin, Unbelievable Space Love is about a young couple who talks about their relationship in the past. They’re in outer space – in a dream-like sequence while unbeknownst to one – the other may be AI (artificial intelligence, a machine).

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Further:

Gazing at the scenic view of the sky, a man is joined by a stranger who informs him that he is in a dream. Unable to recall the memories of his life, he relies on the visitor to take him on a journey of discovery. Revealing everything—from their seven-year relationship to the emotional hardships they faced together—the two rekindle their bond severed by time. Behind this beautiful love story, however, lies a much darker truth.

My Anime List | Synopsis

In less than 10 minutes, this anime encapsulates quite effectively the 7-year relationship between two young men. Substance and form caught in lightning-speed story-telling. There is something sweet and poignant in the way the two characters interact – exhibiting moments of romance and fear of separation.

Watch it here.

Hyperventilation – 과호흡 (過呼吸) (2017)

After the romantic outer space vibes of Unbelievable Space Love comes the terrestrially-appealing Hyperventilation.

In the case of our lead character, Lee Myeongyi, his collapsed lung paved the way for his treatment as an outcast in school. Yet the class president, Han Seonho, shows Myeongyi kindness and empathy. Fast forward nine years later, Myeongyi attends his high school reunion for only one reason: to see Han Seonho once again.

Erotic, dreamy, and pensive, Hyperventilation offers more than the romantic notion of togetherness after years of separation. The sex only added another dimension to what could have been an ‘illicit’ affair.

Watch it here or here. There’s a bonus clip – more erotic for our viewing pleasure.

Semantic Error – 시맨틱 에러 (2021)

Manga cover, Semantic Error | Published by Beyond

Semantic Error is an ongoing manhwa written by Jeosuri and illustrated by Angy. A four-episode anime at four minutes per episode was released in 2021.

A live-action series with eight episodes of 20+ minutes each was released on February 16, 2022. It stars Park Seo Ham and Park Jae Chan.

Computer science major Chu Sangwoo is the epitome of an inflexible and strict rule-abiding person. While working on a liberal arts group project with freeloaders who don’t put in any effort, Sangwoo reasonably decides to remove their names from the final presentation. But he didn’t imagine how involved he would become with the person whose study-abroad plans were messed up because of that project. The involved person: the campus star who everyone knows, Department of Design’s Jang Jaeyoung.

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The live-action drama is fast becoming a favorite among BL fans. This gives me a reason to search for the anime version, and I’m not disappointed. The soundtrack is super!

You can watch it here.