QL shows that personally sparked joy for me
This is just my personal list of favourites
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1. I Told Sunset about You
Thai Drama - 2020, 5 episodes
This show was on a whole other level from the rest of them. I felt all the intense teen emotions of the characters. I always compare this show to the Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe because it made me feel the same intense emotions of first falling in love with your best friend.
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2. Moonlight Chicken
Thai Drama - 2023, 8 episodes
This to me is P'Aof's masterpiece. It's short but so well done. Just the various levels. the relationship between Li Ming and Uncle Jim is probably my favourite. But everyone in their extended family is just so good and all their individual relationships are so great. Such a solid cast and solid script and solid cinematography and it was all just soo good. Just such a quality piece of work all around.
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3. Bokura no Shokutaku
Japanese Drama - 2023, 10 episodes
I am weak for all the shows that feature queer characters falling/being in love over food. So you will definitely notice this theme be featured here a lot. I also have a soft spot for kind characters and kind storytelling and this show is just so so kind. Also the brotherly bond between Tane and Minoru and Tane and Yutaka is just such a joy to watch
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4. Kinou Nani Tabeta? Season 2
Japanese Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
Seeing Shiro-san change over time, smiling more and being more comfortable in his life make me so happy. He's coming out to more people. He gushes over Kenji to his neighbor. Shiro-san's character development this season is so wonderful to see.
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5. Kinou Nani Tabeta?
Japanese Drama - 2019, 12 episodes
I love stories about older people. I love how ridiculous Shiro is even in his 40s. I love how emotional Kenji is even for his age. These two make me feel okay about aging. they make me feel okay about being a bit ridiculous while being old. This show is such a joy
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6. Koisenu Futari
Japanese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
I did not expect to find such an amazing aro representation in this japanese show but it made me so so happy and I cannot shut up about it. I've been so used to barely getting any ace characters let alone mentioning of aromantic. I had to be okay with Todd from Bojack horseman as a rep. But then came this show and it explored specifically aromanticism and how this constant need for romance and love and the allocisheteronormativity is just so damaging and oppresive to aroace people. It explored different aspects of being aro or ace and that not everyone will feel it the same way. It was just so amazingly complex and I quite frankly cannot believe this show is real
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7. A Tale of Thousand Stars
Thai Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
The set up is a bit rough but once we get to the village you get completely enthralled with the chemistry the two of them have.
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8. 3 Will Be Free
Thai Drama - 2019, 10 episodes
Okay I admit this is here purely because I became so obsessed with the throuple and the side love story. I could spend hours imagining what their life could be like after the show ends. Perfect dynamic 10/10
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9. Not Me
Thai Drama - 2021, 14 episodes
Idk why but this show sucked me in. Actually I know why. 'Cause I loved the revolution/activism/vigilante aspect of it all. I found myself thinking about what a potential season 2 would be like. How I'd love to see the characters develop and understand that fighting through vigilantism will not get them the results they want. That they need to do the actual activism work that neds to be done. I wanted the girls to get bigger roles. I wanted the background lives of the characters be explored more. Like i was half writing the fanfic of ficitional season 2 already, okay? Also First and his cocky smile in this show made me a bit insane.
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10. Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna
Japanese Drama - 2022, 10 episodes
Falling in love over food #3. No but listen I love how feminist the show actually is. The manga even more so but even the show manages to make these commentaries on what it's like to be a single japanese woman in today's society.
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11. Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna Season 2
Japanese Drama - 2024, 20 episodes
God season 2 is even better than season 1. I loved all the women that had more screentime on the show. I loved that all of them had a different relationship to food and that neither of them were shaped for it. I loved that the girls had their love story completely backwards to what you're used to. Move in together and only then start exploring the intimacy of the relationship. Like why not? Why do we think there's only one correct way to be in a relationship, you know?
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12. The Untamed
Chinese Drama - 2019, 50 episodes
I mean is there an explanation needed. Watch it. Become obsessed. There's no option where that doesn't happen
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13. Love in the Air
Thai Drama - 2022, 13 episodes
Listen. I will be first to admit it's kinda toxic. Especially Prapai's stalking is just such a no-no. But the chemistry between both pairings is so strong that it sucks you in. I find myself rewatching scenes from it often. But it is also full of red flags and the entire storyline surrounding the rape is not handled well (though I defintiely have seen worse). But despite all of that I still love the relationships that both pairings build and the friendship they have with each other.
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14. My School President
Thai Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
i was surprised by how much I ended up enjoying this silly little show. It is largely because of its excellent cast. Fourth and Gemini have a bright future ahead of them. But the rest of them were great too. And it did feel like the characters were all actual friends for once. This was just silly little teen fun. Nothing problematic or offensive. Just fun
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15. Like in the Movies
Filipino Drama - 2020, 8 episodes
my relationship with this show is really bittersweet. 'cause I really loved it when it came out and I still absolutely love the soundtrack to it and listen to it daily. But knowing what the screenwritter did made me not wanting to interact with it anymore. I don't go and rewatch scenes. I don't make gifs or anything. It's such a shame because it was good. Bu the writer is such a trash that it soured it all. Except the songs. The songs remain pure in my heart.
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16. She Makes My Heart Flutter
Korean Drama - 2022, 5 episodes
I wanted to badly for this to be a whole ass full on show with multiple seasons. Give me the show about an owner of a lesbian café/bar and her niece. Give me all the generational differences. Like please make this a reality I beg you. This had such a good promise