🌺 my top picks: GL + lesbian 🌈 ⚢
#1-28 are ordered very loosely by how much i enjoyed the title overall, not necessarily for representation.
#29-30 are currently watching/unfinished; or ptw airing soon.
#30 on are unwatched, first ordered by released/unreleased then loosely by interest. (below those may be titles to sort.)
labels:
GL = lesbian relationship is a significant part of the story.
QC = queer cinema, more realistic portrayals.
censored GL = either chinese GLs skirting censorship laws, or "sismance" adapted from lesbian source material.
lesbian = representation but either no romantic and/or physical relationship between female characters, or an ambiguous relationship, or relationship is clear but the couple does not have much screen time.
notes: labels do not indicate a "happy ending". some characters are not introduced or identified as gay (or bisexual) from the start, so spoilers are possible - proceed at your own risk! for cw warnings on anything you may find disturbing or offensive (depictions of queerphobias, discrimination, shaming, violence, abuse, or other triggering content), please check tags* on the title's page, user reviews, and/or Does the Dog Die (although not all titles are there). [*click "Vote or add tags" to see all - but this will include spoilers.]
also see ~ GL + lesbian: all watched | ❤ my top picks: BL + gay | more custom lists
pee.ess. i add personal notes to my lists because i use them for my own reference and it's unlikely that anyone else is reading. if you are here and you are not me, then i hope you can overlook this clutter if it's of no use to you.
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1. Joshi-teki Seikatsu
Japanese Drama - 2018, 4 episodes
[Life as a Girl]
slice-of-life (too) short series about a lesbian and her new roommate. GL content is important to the story but not the main focus and only shown occasionally. adapted from a novel. [3h 14m]
• note: transgender woman is played by a cisgender man (amab).
◘ Shison Jun & Machida Keita as Miki + Goto.
► dramacool ◄
{personal notes: ❤ i love the MCs too much!!!!! must protecc at all costs! Shison Jun is a great actor and he is especially lovely in this role, plus Machida Kieta is always fun to watch! there's only 4 episodes but i wish there were 40. my main complaint is that the ending is rushed. ❤}
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2. Butterflies
Taiwanese Special - 2022, 1 episode
GL science fantasy(?) mid-length film that is a very dark, intriguing, wild ride set in a dystopian future. [43m]
◘ Han Ning & Yu Pei Jen as Yu x Lien. awards & selections: 2021 Kaohsiung Film Festival.
♠ one of the FLs (Yu Pei Jen) is openly lesbian irl.
► gagaoolala (sub) ◄
{personal notes: ❤ super loved, especially Yu Pei Jen! swoon!! ❤ i had the honor of adding her to MDL!!! so proud, heheh!
yo, my mind is blown: i was checking credits and Yu Pei Jen also has a track on the OST. sadly there's no trace of the song online. so i was listening to her popular songs on spotify (under JenJen there) and $holy shit$ she sang the theme from The Teenage Psychic (at the top of this list) which i f'king love! (it was credited to her old band so i didn't make the connection.) more about that on The Teenage Psychic entry...
pee.ess. omg, there's more.... this is ❤ the MV for her #1 song ❤, and here's her acceptance speech when she won an award for it. i don't speak mandarin(?) so i have no idea what she's saying but it was so cute i watched it entirely. XD }
pee.double.ess. her IG has pics and videos with her wife and they are so damn cute! (will try to remember to link later...)
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3. No Distance Left to Run
Hong Kong Movie - 2022
GL short film about about a pop star celebrity and her long-term girlfriend. [15m]
◘ Lillian Wong & Ziya Chiang as Lillian x Jackie.
• features a song by one of the FLs: Avalanche by J1M3 & Lillian Wong (also on spotify).
► youtube ◄
{personal notes: ❤ loved! ffffffff, it tells so much in 15 minutes but i want more, gah! ❤}
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4. Sipjangsaeng
Korean Movie - 2021
dark lesbian or GL short film. if you're considering this one don't read the description and beware of spoilers on both MDL and gagaoolala. [30m]
◘ Sohn Su Hyun & Yu Eden as Eun Young x Jay. awards & selections: 2022 Korea Queer Film Festival, 2021 Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, 2021 Seoul International PRIDE Film Festival.
► gagaoolala (sub) ◄
{personal notes: ♡ more pls! sooo glad i didn't read a synopsis or know anything about it, just went in blind.♡ }
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5. Fragrance of the First Flower
Taiwanese Drama - 2021, 6 episodes
GL short series about being reunited with a high school crush later in life. [2h 17m]
◘ Zai Zai Lin & Lyan Su as Yi Min x Tin Ting. awards & selections: 2022 Golden Bell Awards Best Writing, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress in a Mini-Series/TV Movie, 2021 Tokyo International Film Festival Official Selection, 2021 Festival Series Mania Short Forms Competition.
♠ one FL (Zai Zai Lin) is openly bisexual irl.
♦ prequel to S2!!! (listed in the "upcoming" section further below) yaaaasssss!!
► gagaoolala (ep01 free, sub for full) ◄
{personal notes: ♡ the energy of that last episode... wowz. i wasn't disappointed with the ending but because it was emotionally complex story i wish there had been a few more episodes to flesh it out further. ♡}
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6. Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy
Japanese Movie - 2021
lesbian MC in 'Once Again', part 3/"episode 3" of this triptych feature film which is comprised of stand-alone stories. [40m beginning @1:19:52]
◘ written and directed by Hamaguchi Ryusuke; included in MUBI top films of 2021 & also top 1000 films.
◘ Urabe Fusako & Kawai Aoba as Natsuko + Aya.
► kanopy (w/library card) | hoopla (w/library card) | dramacool | amazon (rent or buy) ◄
{personal notes: ♡ conversational pieces with fantastically flowing dialogue. has a literary feel to me, makes me want to read a book! lol ♡}
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7. Mickey on the Road
Taiwanese Movie - 2020
feature film with a lesbian (or bisexual) MC, about misfit besties on a hero's journey (*joseph campbell reference). [1h 35m]
◘ Yeh Pao Wen & Chang Ya Ling as Mickey + Gin Gin. awards & selections: 2020 Golden Horse Film Festival Best Supporting Actress Nominee, 2020 Taipei Film Festival Best Actress Nominee.
·=═ leaving gagaoolala soon ═=· ► gagaoolala (sub) ◄
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9. Sleep with Me
Filipino Drama - 2022, 6 episodes
GL short series about a late-night radio dj and a listener, each with their own disability. [2h 24m]
◘ Janine Gutierrez & Lovi Poe as Harry x Luna. awards & selections: 2022 Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival Audience Award for Best Episodic.
► gagaoolala (ep01 free, sub for full) | youtube (ep01 only) | iwanttfc (sub) ◄
{personal notes: ♡ yeee, really liked but plenty of room for improvement. Lovi Poe's character is (to me) maybe the most relatable on this list(?) and her visuals are off the charts. this is the only filipino title on my list so far. ♡}
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10. The Teenage Psychic
Taiwanese Drama - 2017, 6 episodes
supernatural series with a lesbian couple featured in one episode.
► max ◄
{personal notes: ❤ so many feels. ❤ re: Butterflies notes (from above)... here's the OST version of The Teenage Psychic's theme song (by JenJen's old band) and here's JenJen's solo version (JenJen = Yu Pei Jen). she played the MC in the parent story to this, The Busy Young Psychic!! it's been on my ptw but i haven't tracked it down a subbed version yet. i'm hype because i just love discovering connections like that!}
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11. The Elephant Joke
Korean Movie - 2020
dark lesbian or GL short film. if you're considering this one don't read the description and beware of spoilers on both MDL and gagaoolala. [14m]
◘ directed by Kang Rim (one of the FLs).
◘ Seo Jieun & Kang Rim as Yeo Bin x Hae Kwang. awards & selections: 2021 Seoul International PRIDE Film Festival, 2021 Korea Queer Film Festival, 2021 Poland Woman's Film Festival, 2021 Scottish Queer International Film Festival, 2021 MIX Copenhagen .
► gagaoolala (sub) ◄
{personal notes: i'm still processing this one and have no idea how to rate it. unsure if i will keep on this list and i would be hesitant to recommend it even though it's very well done.}
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12. Help, I Accidentally Stole My Shixiong's Crush!
Chinese Movie - 2021
censored GL wuxia short film. [4m]
◘ Yang Yi Mo & Yang Fu Yu as Sect Leader Ye x Zhao Xiao Yu / Shi Mei.
► fansub ◄
{personal notes: ♡ so cute it's impossible to rate rationally! ♡}
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13. Legend of Yunze
Chinese Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
censored GL xianxia short series. [31m]
◘ Wang Lao Ji & Peng Jing Xian as Jiang Zhao Yun x A-Ze + a third unknown actor that i loved!
♦ prequel to S2 (directly below) plus a spinoff special season (not listed here because i didn't enjoy it).
► fansub ◄
{personal notes: ♡ really enjoyed S1 & S2! ♡ additional notes on my china list.}
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14. Legend Of Yunze 2
Chinese Drama - 2022, 15 episodes
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15. Our Relationship Ended Before It Began
Korean Drama - 2022, 4 episodes
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16. She Makes My Heart Flutter
Korean Drama - 2022, 5 episodes
GL short series about a group of lesbians, set in a struggling lesbian bar. [52m]
◘ written and directed by Soo Not Sue, who is a lesbian! (director of Out of Breath, below)
◘ too many lesbian characters to list, heheh.
► youtube (playlist) ◄
{personal notes: ♡ i thought the episodes got better as they went! ♡}
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17. Your Ship Is Real
Chinese Special - 2022, 1 episode
censored GL short film advertisement about actors. [9m]
◘ Zhi Yue & Qi Xiaxia as Yiren x Chuchu.
► fansub ◄
{personal notes: ♡ a lesbian with shark stuffies?!? be still my heart!!! no spoilers, but i can't believe the movie being watched, lol! (how am i still pussin' out on it???) the story is very light and fluffy, but of course much too short and censored. :| it is an advertisement but they integrated that fairly well (obvious but fits imo). ♡}
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18. Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna
Japanese Drama - 2022, 10 episodes
[She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat]
lesbian short series about neighbors that revolves around food. adapted from a manga. [2h 28m]
◘ Higa Manami & Nishino Emi as Yuki + Kasuga.
♦ S2 is upcoming!!!
no release date yet tho.(listed in the "upcoming" section further below)► fansub ◄
{personal notes: a lesbian who loves to cook = heaven. it was warm and cozy but i was left a bit unsatisfied at the end. update: I CAN'T BELIEVE WE'RE GETTING A S2!!!!}
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19. SF: Joan's Galaxy
Korean Special - 2020, 1 episode
lesbian or GL sci-fi mid-length film. [52m]
• ep03 in an anthology series.
◘ Kim Bo Ra & Choi Sung Eun as Shin Jo An x Yi Oh.
► dramacool ◄
{personal notes: i'm on the fence with this one... mainly i wanted more.}
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20. Out of Breath
Korean Drama - 2019, 3 episodes
GL short series about women who meet through a dating app. [43m]
◘ directed by Soo Not Sue, who is a lesbian! (writer/director of She Makes My Heart Flutter, above)
◘ Son Soo Hyun & Lim Ji Ahn as Ha Eun x Min Seo.
► youtube (playlist) ◄
{personal notes: ♡ not bad! ♡}
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21. Soo Hee
Korean Movie - 2021
[Su Hee]
GL short film about young women who meet at church. [25m]
◘ Min So Jeong & Mon Woo Bin as Su Hee x Han-na. awards & selections: 2021 Seoul International PRIDE Film Festival.
► gagaoolala (sub) ◄
{personal notes: solid foundation, would like to have seen this developed a bit more.}
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22. Avvocata Woo
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
lesbian couple shown/featured in one episode of this series (very little screen time).
► netflix ◄
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23. Am I The Only One With Butterflies?
Korean Special - 2018, 3 episodes
GL very short series about a boss x subordinate in an office setting. [21m]
◘ Kim Jung Ah & Lee Yoo Ha as Jung Ah x Lee Ji Won.
♦ prequel to S2 (directly below).
► fansub ◄
{personal notes: *really* needs at least a third season to round out the story, two more would be better.}
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24. Am I the Only One with Butterflies? Season 2
Korean Special - 2019, 4 episodes
GL very short series continued, still set in workplace. [26m]
◘ new character addition of Manager Park Young Joo (wish i knew the actor's name).
♦ sequel to S1 (directly above).
► fansub ◄
{personal notes: story feels like it's just getting warmed up by the time it's over.}
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25. A Practical Guide to Being a Superstar's Assistant
Chinese Drama - 2022, 6 episodes
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26. Bad Buddy
Thai Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
BL rom-com series but 2nd/side couple is GL. {really sorry if this is a spoiler for anyone!} they aren't shown together nearly enough but their scenes are worth it. adapted from a novel.
◘ Milk & Love as Ink x Pa.
♦ prequel to their own spinoff special, ep01 of Magic of Zero (not included here because i didn't enjoy it).
► youtube (playlist) ◄
{personal notes: such a soft couple, so precious.}
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27. Futari Monologue
Japanese Drama - 2017, 6 episodes
[The Misunderstanding of Sunny Girls and Cloudy Girls | literal translation = "two person monologue"]
lesbian short series about childhood friends who are reunited in high school. adapted from a manga. [1h 56m]
◘ Yanagi Miki & Fukuhara Haruka as Mikage + Hinata.
► youtube (playlist) ◄
{personal notes: where can i find my own bug loving lesbian?!? Yanagi Miki was so cute and relatable, hee hee!! i wanted more from this show, that's my complaint. if there was a S2 i would check it out (and might bump up this rating). since this came out in 2017 i'd say there's no chance that's happening.}
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28. Girlfriend Project Day 1
Korean Drama - 2022, 4 episodes
GL very short series of students going on a mock date for a class assignment. [25m]
◘ Park Hyun Woo & Bing Hye Jin as Ahn Ga In x Song Hee Ram.
♦ prequel to S2 (listed in the "upcoming" section further below).
► youtube (compilation of full series)◄
{personal notes: i found it mediocre but their kiss was sizzlin'.}
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next up are the GL and lesbian picks from my currently watching and ptw lists, starting with released titles and ordered loosely by interest.
(these are not recommendations, i'm just holding here for convenience.)
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29. Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna Season 2
Japanese Drama - 2024, 20 episodes
[She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat S2]
☼ currently watching – LOVING THIS SEASON AND THEY DOUBLED THE # OF EPS!!!!
{
should be in unreleased section below but it's releasing soon and i don't want to miss it!}UPCOMING!!!!!!AIRING!!!!! – GL series.♦ sequel to S1 (above).
# no release date yet #Airs: Jan 29, 2024 - Feb 29, 2024{personal notes: tg, honestly it's a relief. i wanted a second season so bad but i didn't expect it to actually happen.}
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30. The Vampires
Chinese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
on hold
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31. Heavy Snow
Korean Movie - 2023
UNWATCHED/NO SOURCE – GL feature film.
◘ Han So Hee & Han Hae In.
▲ trailer: youtube ▲
# no release date yet #Release Date: Apr 29, 2023{personal notes: jc, this. can. not. wait.}
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32. My Favorite Person
Japanese Movie - 2022
UNWATCHED / NO SOURCE – GL mid-length film that looks beautiful and melancholy.
▼ yet to track down ▲ trailer: youtube ▲
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33. Outing
Korean Movie - 2021
UNWATCHED / NO SOURCE – GL short film about MIDDLE-AGED LESBIANS!!! THANK YOU!!!! [23m]
◘ Kang Ae Shim & Woo Mi Hwa as Geumja x Yeo-ok. screened at 2021 Busan International Film Festival.
{i'm bummed that it's so short but i'm looking forward to watching this.}
▼
mubi|gagaoolala|dramacool -
34. The Handmaiden
Korean Movie - 2016
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35. A Song Sung Blue
Chinese Movie - 2023
UNWATCHED / NO SOURCE – GL feature film.
◘ Cannes Queer Palm: Feature Film Selection 2023
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37. Ice Cream Fever
Japanese Movie - 2023
UPCOMING– feature film, appears to be lesbian. i hope it's not baiting cuz the girls are the *cutest*.# releases Jul 14, 2023 # -- still unavailable online
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40. Three of Us
Korean Movie - 2022
UNWATCHED / NO SOURCE – poly with GL mid-length film about a husband and wife beginning a polyamorous relationship with a woman.
▼ ▲ trailer: youtube ▲
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41. Cloud Cuckoo Country
Thai Movie - 2022
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42. As We Like It
Taiwanese Movie - 2021
UNWATCHED / NO SOURCE – lesbian(?) feature film (comments aren't unanimous). adapted from a play (Shakespeare).
▼
mubi|netflix|max|viki|gagaoolala|tubi|kanopy|hoopla|youtube|dramacool -
43. Aka X Pinku
Japanese Movie - 2014
UNWATCHED – feature film with lesbian and also transgender content. could be fun but the tags make me nervous.
► dramacool ◄ -can't find elsewhere-
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44. The First Girl I Love
Hong Kong Movie - 2021
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45. Couple of Mirrors
Chinese Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
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47. Green Night
Hong Kong Movie - 2023
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48. Moonlit Winter
Korean Movie - 2019
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49. Lulu: A Girl Meets Girl Love Story
Filipino Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
UNWATCHED / UNSURE – GL series that looks very beachy. : ) it's filipino... so there's that. >__>
▼
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50. We Can’t Go to Heaven, but We Can Love
Korean Movie - 2023
UNWATCHED / NO SOURCE – GL feature film.
▼
mubi|netflix|max|viki|gagaoolala|tubi|kanopy|hoopla|youtube|dramacool -
51. Rookie
Filipino Movie - 2023
UPCOMING– GL film.# athlete # volleyball # teen
# releases aug 4, 2023 #
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52. Kazoku no Kyori
Japanese Movie - 2023
UPCOMING– GL short film◘ directed by one of the FLs!
♦ sequel to Veils (not on this list).
# Release Date: Jun 28, 2023 #
{personal notes: just keeping and eye on this. i didn't care for Veils but i'm curious what the sequel will be about.
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53. Queer Asia - Japan
Japanese TV Show - 2018, 3 episodes
UNWATCHED – documentary short series.
► gagaoolala (free) ◄
♦ related titles also ptw:
♣ Queer Asia - Hong Kong ► gagaoolala (free) ◄
♣ Queer Asia - Philippines ► gagaoolala (free) ◄
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54. Queer Taiwan
Taiwanese Drama - 2018, 4 episodes
UNWATCHED / UNSURE – documentary short series (not part of the Queer Asia series).
► gagaoolala (free) ◄
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55. Taiwan Equals Love
Taiwanese Movie - 2020
UNWATCHED – documentary feature film.
► gagaoolala (sub) ◄
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the remaining picks are upcoming GL/lesbian titles that i think look most promising, ordered loosely by interest.
(these are not recommendations, i'm just holding here for convenience.)
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56. Fragrance of the First Flower Season 2
Taiwanese Drama - 2024, 12 episodes
UPCOMING!!!!!! – GL short series.
◘ Zai Zai Lin & Lyan Su as Yi Min x Tin Ting.
♦ sequel to S1 (above).
# no release date yet #
{personal notes: whaaaaaaaa!?! i can't believe we're getting a S2!!!! omo, & there's 12 episodes this time?!?!! *shooketh*}
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57. She Is Still Cute Today
Chinese Drama - 0000
UPCOMING – GL short series set in high school, but hear me out ~ the clips i've seen look hella cute!! based on a manhua.
◘ Sun Mei Lin & Zhu Lin Yu as Cang Shu x Qi Lin.
# no release date yet #
{personal notes: i might try to read this before it comes out.}
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58. Reverse 4 You
Thai Drama - 2024, 8 episodes
UPCOMING – GL sci-fi / time travel series!!!!! adapted from a novel.
◘ Mae Methakarn Anektanasuwan & Sayya Warintorn Pahuyut as "Wa" Jattawa x Vivi.
# no release date yet #
{personal notes: i might try to read this before it comes out
but idk if i can track it down... thanks to @AthenaTheStorierX i have a source! thisis the one i prefer. i tried reading a bit but dropped it due to some racist stuff.} -
59. Fireworks of Yesteryear
Chinese Movie - 0000
UPCOMING – censored GL mid-length film (anticipated to be 30-40m). based on a novel.
# no release date yet #
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60. Un-trovert
Thai Drama - 0000
UPCOMING – GL series. dunno the source but an mdl user commented: "from what i understand, the characters are a gym teacher, a librarian and a doctor (in a love triangle) plus two college students!"
# no release date yet #
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61. In Spring, Not in Autumn
Korean Movie - 0000
UPCOMING – GL short film.
◘ Lim Han I & ??? as Young Won x Chae Ri.
# no release date yet #
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62. 23.5 Degree the World Incline
Thai Drama - 2024, 12 episodes
UPCOMING – GL series.
◘ Milk & Love are comin' back, baby! as Earth x Sun.
# scheduled to begin airing in 2023 #pushed to early 2024# Airs: Mar 8, 2024 - May 24, 2024 #
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63. Uranus 2324
Thai Movie - 2024
UPCOMING – GL film. based on the title plus a bts photo it seems this will have some astronomy slant (haven't researched further).
# no release date yet #Release Date:May 2, 2024Jun 13, 2024{personal notes: sorry i am not on the Becky x Freen bandwagon but i will continue to check on their projects for now. the few photos i've seen so far are gorgeous - i hope this will be an opportunity for them to act in something with more depth.}
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64. Girlfriend Project Day 1 Season 2
Korean Drama - 0000
UPCOMING – GL short series.
◘ Park Hyun Woo & Bing Hye Jin make their return as Ahn Ga In x Song Hee Ram.
♦ sequel to S1 (above).
# no release date yet #
{personal notes: i thought season 1 was meh so i'm just vaguely curious to see what's up with this.}
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65. Cloudy Stream
Chinese Drama - 0000
UPCOMING – censored GL short series in high school setting with supernatural / parallel universe elements.
◘ Wang Lao Ji (from Legend of Yunze, A Practical Guide to Being a Superstar's Assistant) & Nai Hao Xuan?
# no release date yet #
{personal notes: looks okay-ish, i'm more interested due to the genre.}
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titles below i need to either sort or verify if they really are wlw...
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66. On the Beach at Night Alone
Korean Movie - 2017
UNWATCHED – feature film. i can't find reference to anything queer in this film but it's on several other lesbian lists so i'll leave it here for now.
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67. Anna: Extended Version
Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
UNWATCHED – series. can't find reference to anything queer in this series so i'm unsure if i added it by accident. holding for now.
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68. How Do I Kill That B?
Korean Movie - 2021
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69. Action!
Korean Movie - 2021
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70. The Passengers
Thai Movie - 0000
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71. The Loyal Pin
Thai Drama - 2024, 16 episodes
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72. Who'll Stop the Rain
Taiwanese Movie - 2023
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73. Jai Son Rak
Thai Drama - 2024, 8 episodes
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74. To the X Who Hated Me
Korean Drama - 2024, 2 episodes