Queer Asian Women - GL Series/Movies (Les, Bi, Trans, Ace)
A list for someone who is looking for this kind of representation in Asian TV, more specifically from the Southeast and Far East countries. So far I have reviewed movies and series from these countries: Japan, S. Korea, Thailand, China, and Taiwan.
The notes on this list reflect more on the quality of demonstrating and representing queer people and relationships than the other general cinematic aspects. If you are looking for a list for this purpose consider looking at my other list "Must-see Asian movies".
May have SPOILERS.
If you're looking for a list to:
- Find new series and movies to watch;
- Prevent the famous and hated queerbaiting;
- Hear someone's personal opinion (mine is based on everything I've seen so far in WLW media, mostly Les/Bi* (but trans and ace etc too), and specific opinions of a film student;
This list is for uuu
I'll be reviewing as I find important titles to comment on.
°Up to interpretation "tag": not comproved/non-canon couples. AKA "If was a man and a woman people would assume is romantic." It may have some romantic content but it's not explicit as a couple.
Consider checking my YouTube Channel Sapphicfying , I make edits about GL couples ❤ https://www.youtube.com/@SapphoWLW/videos
Obs: The list ends at the last movie/series rated (1 to 10 stars). The ones with 0 stars will be reviewed in the future.
May have some grammar mistakes, I'm not fluent in English.
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1. The Handmaiden
Korean Movie - 2016
My favorite movie so far! Ahgassi is a movie of great photography and ambiance as well as his soundtrack and script. A ton of plot twists. Plus, it's an excellent sapphic movie, well written female protagonists.
Written by the same creator of Old Boy (another acclaimed and award-winning film), you can often see similarities between the two. However, both are very unique in their way.
Warning: Gore, soft-core, child abuse and suicide.
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2. GAP
Thai Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
Guys... This is GOLD. Freen and Rebecca have THE CHEMISTRY ~~~~ (August update: outside the series Freen and Becky never had a romantic relationship although they suggested and promoted that way sometimes, so don't be fooled. Let's separate SamxMon - FreenxBecky)
Honestly, when just trailer 1 came out It didn't catch much of my attention, but when the 2nd came out I started to get really excited. This series didn't disappoint me, they got the fanfic essence and made it 100x better with the changes. A few changes bothered me like Grandma's redemption arc, nonetheless, is very well built and the actress dynamics are amazing!
No wonder I made 3 videos about them on my YT channel.
Best Thai GL series so far. -
3. The Loyal Pin
Thai Drama - 2024, 16 episodes
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4. Drama Special Season 4: Jin Jin
Korean Special - 2013, 1 episode
Has an interesting plot twist, well built.
It's sad, so don't watch if you're feeling unwell -
5. Family Plan
Korean Movie - 2016
This movie is a very good short film!
The actresses are very good, the story touches on palpable themes present in the life of a queer woman, and it has a very good balance between innocence and the discovery of a teenager's sexuality. It's kinda sad, but it has a bunch of funny and cute moments that makes my heart beat fast <3 -
6. The Villainess
Korean Movie - 2017
Up to interpretation.
I went to see this movie because I'm a big fan of some people called "femme fatale". What was I waiting for? One of those action movies that contains good fights but a mediocre story. MAN, I WAS SO WRONG
Although the story is confusing, is very rich. Believe it is worth it to watch again understand all details. But nothing that a person who is already used to this kind of narrative will not understand.
The acting is very good, really pass the emotions.
The only point I thought could have been further developed is the idea of moving the camera from first person to third person and vice versa. Because it is an action movie, it looks the same as an FPS game, so those who are not used to it have an easy headache.TW: The movie is very gore, I do not recommend watching who is sensitive to this kind of thing. There may also be some more triggers.
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7. As One
Korean Movie - 2012
Up to interpretation
Taken place in 1991 when the two koreas "became one" in name of sports (more precisely table tennis).
To be honest movies about sports in general are not the type that catches my attention, yet this one surprised me a lot.
The main plot tells the story of two women one from south korea and the other from north korea, leaders of each team. It tells in an interesting and fun way the differences of each country, either their behavior or beliefs.
Its really nice to watch and its a great story about union, even more touching because portraits a post-war union.
And (my opinion) its pretty much gay
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8. Spirits' Homecoming
Korean Movie - 2016
Up to interpretation.
A very important movie about comfort women, a pretty serious historical issue, very hard to watch some scenes. The scenes of the protagonists together is what gives hope in the midst of so much disgrace, very touching and emotional.
Warning: violence, rape, cruelty -
9. 23.5 Degree the World Incline
Thai Drama - 2024, 12 episodes
That's the gayest thing I've seen in a whiiile.
It's still airing so I might change the rating, but, so far I'm in love. It's soft, cute and innocent. I highly recommend it to someone who's looking for a safe place. Tired of seeing sapphic characters die and suffer? This is for you my love.
-Finished! I lowered the rating a little cause I didn't like the last few episodes, how they handled some things, but still a very good soft series. -
10. S.O.S
Korean Movie - 2015
---------------AN ACE MOVIE GUYS------------ Ace/Queer - Short Film
I can't even discourse much about it cause I couldn't find with subtitles ANYWHERE so the dialogues I made mostly in my head LOL.
So I focused the rating more on the art, concepts, acting aspects, and of course the representativity. This film is straight to the point when it comes about asexuality, and I found it pretty accurate, got me chills. -
11. Drama Special Season 2: Daughters of Bilitis Club
Korean Special - 2011, 1 episode
Everyone is gay, the teens, the adults and the old ladies, NICE.
Jokes apart, really good k-drama that got canceled cause SK doesn't like gays. It addresses different issues from different realities regarding their age, which makes everything seems very real and somewhat welcoming/nice -
12. Make Up
Taiwanese Movie - 2011
One of the protagonists is a mortician. After receiving one particular body we are teleported to the past to discover what happened to her. Interesting and unique premise.
Warning: This e movie talks a lot about death, so if you're sensitive consider watching another movie on this list. -
13. Hormones 3
Thai Drama - 2015, 13 episodes
Was the b
estGL Thai series couple until now. I still like this series very much, but we can all agree that we deserved a series just about GL like GAP, and not just a secondary couple. (Its good tho) -
14. Boss in Love
Korean Movie - 2018
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15. Alice: Crack of Season
Korean Movie - 2016
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16. Drifting Flowers
Taiwanese Movie - 2008
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17. Between The Seasons
Korean Movie - 2019
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18. Floating Deep Down Summer
Korean Movie - 2019
I feel lighter after watching this short film.
The encounter of a photographer uncertain about herself with a designer who knows very well who she is and what she wants, takes us on a journey of self-knowledge of the photographer's sexuality. -
19. Seonam Girls High School Investigators
Korean Drama - 2014, 14 episodes
Side story (appears in one specific episode) S01E11
This drama "just" showed to South Korea it's first on-screen lesbian kiss (it was really a kiss not one of that weird touch of lips that k-dramas love to show) and almost got cancelled for that (congratulations on your homophobia SK).
This series is not afraid to show sensitive subjects like abortion, bully, as well as same-sex couples and it's response in form of homophobia.
Their relationship is super cute and is a "slow burn" type of.
One of them is too afraid to suffer the consequences of being a non-het in a homophobic society, so she wants to avoid contact with the another girl as much as possible as soon they began to suspect of them. The other girl on the other hand, is much like "fuck this", we love each other type (And this does not make her suffer less with the consequences (of course), in fact,she was the main target of the bullies).
The way they will react to this and the outcome its a huge spoiler, so I will leave to you find out while watching ;). -
20. Do you "Truth or Dare" with me?
Korean Drama - 2019, 2 episodes
Unfortunately was deleted and replaced with another one with the same title and other actress. The new one it's waay inferior and weird.
I searched, you can still find the original on unofficial channels in SUS quality. -
21. Graduation, Present + Propose
Korean Movie - 2021
Really cute short film, very worth watching
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22. Out of Breath
Korean Drama - 2019, 3 episodes
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23. 1 in 10,000 (Act I)
Korean Movie - 2018
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24. Couple of Mirrors
Chinese Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
Up to interpretation cause China is homophobic
This one takes place in +-1940 (not sure) Republic of China. Has the cutest femme fatale :3, good chemistry, and an interesting historical background.
Like other c-dramas, they can't portray them as a cannon couple. They do everything that a couple does, but can't kiss, make obvious declarations etc. Regardless, it's a very interesting series. I think they will release a second season soon :) -
25. Angry Mom
Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes
Up to interpretation
So, the main plot of this drama is that the protagonist's mother camouflages herself as a student at school to protect her daughter from continuing to suffer extreme bullying.But before all this, Oh Ah Ran (Protagonist) had a very close friend, they did everything together and their close relationship raised the rumor that they were dating, so they start to suffer from homophobic bullies, verbally and physically.
It is not cannon, but it has very strong indications that (at least one of them) shared a romantic feeling. They don't end up together, and something bad happens to her friend.
------------------------ major spoiler (don't read if you don't want to know)------------------------
Her friend dies. -
26. The Girls on Rela: Season 2
Chinese Drama - 2018, 8 episodes
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27. Hormones 2
Thai Drama - 2014, 13 episodes
The best Thai GL couple until now.
2023 Update: lost for GAP, sorry. -
28. Pragma
Korean Movie - 2014
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29. Friend Zone 2: Dangerous Area
Thai Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
Rating based on GL couple composed with one lesbian (with borderline) e one bi (?) asexual woman. Really liked the representativeness <3
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30. The Painter of the Wind
Korean Drama - 2008, 20 episodes
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31. i STORIES
Thai Special - 2018, 4 episodes
In my opinion the L story is the best, T second and B last
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32. Hello? Spring is Coming
Korean Movie - 2019
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33. Romantic Witch's Starlight Sonata
Korean Drama - 2019, 2 episodes
I subtitled it <3
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34. Our Time
Korean Movie - 2022
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35. Beguine
Thai Movie - 2018
Is there anything gayer than dancing with your crush?
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36. My Dear Friend
Korean Drama - 2019, 4 episodes
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37. Are You Pregnant With My Child?
Korean Movie - 2022
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38. Dear Lover
Korean Movie - 2019
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39. The Girls on Rela
Chinese Special - 2017, 15 episodes
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40. Girls Who Talk to Flowers
Chinese Movie - 2016
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41. Last Friends
Japanese Drama - 2008, 11 episodes
Interesting, the highest Les point is in EP 1 LOL. If you like throuples or anything like that I recommend checking out
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42. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
Chinese Movie - 2011
Up to interpretation
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43. The Silenced
Korean Movie - 2015
Up to interpretation.
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44. Don't Say Sorry
Korean Movie - 2018
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45. Dear Uranus
Taiwanese Drama - 2021, 3 episodes
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46. Fragrance of the First Flower
Taiwanese Drama - 2021, 6 episodes
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47. Exchange Student
Korean Movie - 2019
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48. Please Come Back, Mister
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
Up to interpretation.
Body switch type. I don't know if this can be classified as lesbian, but I came to the conclusion that it is, at least, more than just het, cause the other woman doesn't know until the end that it was a guy in that woman's body -
49. Afraid Of
Korean Drama - 2019, 3 episodes
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50. X-LOVE
Chinese Special - 2015, 1 episode
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51. Red Devil and Heroine Su
Chinese Movie - 2020
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52. Lily Fever
Korean Drama - 2015, 9 episodes
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53. A Girl at My Door
Korean Movie - 2014
The couple is adult, but the movie implies that the girl likes the protagonist (Bae Doona), which made me a little uncomfortable. It's fine cause it's not reciprocated, but still.... Some scenes are odd
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54. Our Love Story
Korean Movie - 2016
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55. The Greatest Love
Thai Movie - 2016
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56. 1 in 10,000 (Act III)
Korean Movie - 2018
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57. Condo/Barista/Architect
Thai Drama - 2016, 4 episodes
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58. Am I The Only One With Butterflies?
Korean Special - 2018, 3 episodes
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59. Re:Mind
Japanese Drama - 2017, 12 episodes
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60. Five Steps to Accept Farewell
Korean Movie - 2016
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61. The Substitute
Taiwanese Movie - 2017
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62. Triple - Do You Want?
Korean Movie - 2020
This is a compilation of three short films. The first one is lesbian, the second straight, the third gay. Both three stories are based "couple drama"
I am evaluating the WLW one (lesbian), which is not the best out of the three, but it's kinda cute and serves it's purpose. -
63. After My Death
Korean Movie - 2017
Warning: This film addresses very heavy issues and does not relieve in any sense, in fact in some parts it is very graphic, so if you are sensitive to topics such as suicide, I do not recommend that you watch it (one scene in particular is still in my mind to this day).
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64. Five Lessons in Happiness: Throuple
Taiwanese Movie - 2020
Open end. Can be with the guy, with the girl or both, you decide
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65. Intimates
Hong Kong Movie - 1997
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66. Cross Your Fingers
Korean Movie - 2011
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67. Can I Kiss My Best Friend?
Korean Movie - 2021
You can
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68. Art of Cry
Chinese Movie - 2017
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69. Toms: The Complex World of Female Love in Thailand
Thai Movie - 2015
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70. Moonlit Winter
Korean Movie - 2019
Secret gay mom
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71. Love Tech
Korean Movie - 2021
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72. Butterfly
Hong Kong Movie - 2004
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73. Happy Ending
Korean Drama - 2016, 3 episodes
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74. Boku wa Mari no Naka
Japanese Drama - 2017, 8 episodes
Body Switch
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75. 1 in 10,000 (Act II)
Korean Movie - 2018
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76. Yes or No
Thai Movie - 2010
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77. Fantasy of the Girls
Korean Movie - 2018
Warning: The couple consists of a high school student and an adult woman.
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78. Two Weddings and a Funeral
Korean Movie - 2012
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79. Mr. Egotistic
Korean Movie - 2018
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80. One Summer's Day
Taiwanese Movie - 2020
Pane no sistema alguém me desconfigurou
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81. Drama Special Season 5: First Birthday
Korean Special - 2014, 1 episode
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82. Embrace
Filipino Movie - 2018
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83. That Strangely Horrifying Windy Day
Korean Movie - 2018
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84. Once a time with you
Taiwanese Movie - 2013
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85. Are We Really Done?
Korean Movie - 2017
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86. I Can't
Korean Movie - 2017
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87. Silence
Japanese Movie - 2016
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88. Age of Youth 2
Korean Drama - 2017, 14 episodes
Up to interpretation
I want to make it clear that this note is based on the "queer" aspect. This is probably my favorite k-drama, but it is not a good example of (romantic) love between women.I decided not to put the first season (Kang Yi Na and Ye-eun ship), which I ship, but the show never wanted to develop the characters as LGBTQ+ in any way, and it sounds more like bait to me. Which I think differs from the second season.
In the second season, it seems clear to me that the character Ahn Yeji has a crush on her friend (and protagonist) Jo Eun. An unrequited love. So when Jo Eun starts to like a boy, their friendship changes and starts to fall apart.I didn't want to give too many spoilers, I just wanted to make it clear about which path the series takes, to make it easier for you if you're looking for a relationship that really worked and not one-sided.
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89. The Underwear: The Series
Thai Drama - 2017, 10 episodes
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90. Fragment
Thai Movie - 2018
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91. Transit Girls
Japanese Drama - 2015, 8 episodes
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92. Aka X Pinku
Japanese Movie - 2014
Blood and sus gay things
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93. Hello Dracula
Korean Special - 2020, 2 episodes
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94. Really Lily?
Korean Movie - 2019
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95. Tattoo
Taiwanese Movie - 2007
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96. Show Me Love
Thai Drama - 2023, 9 episodes
Don't get me wrong, I really like Englot, but this series...
Both of them are not actresses, that alone is complicated by itself. What this series needed was a great crew to compensate for their lack of experience even more as protagonists, but the feeling I had is that the crew made the project worse. The story doesn't make much sense, the characters are shallow, stereotyped and either they were angels or they were devils, the montage is a mess (lack of chronological or something that situates the viewer), and their relationship seems unnatural (which is bizarre because in real life it's pretty natural).They give us a bunch non contexted hot scenes for us to ship and get hyped for then the next scene to have them acting as if they weren't intimate and lovers. I don't know if the post-production was left to the last minute or if they put it in the order they wanted according to what the public was anxious about.
I had hope when they brought up the subject of ships, how much a ship impacts people's lives, and that's really cool because it's something that is rarely addressed in series out there, but like other things, they end up choosing not to delve into it and just use it as a catalyst for them to stick together.
For me they lost an excellent opportunity to have a cute series about a very hyped couple that emerged from a place famous for female rivalry. -
97. 24 Hours
Taiwanese Movie - 2015
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98. Pond, Fish
Chinese Movie - 2019
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99. Unrequited Love
Chinese Movie - 2016
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100. Puberty Play
Japanese Movie - 2014