It felt liked I watched an endless amount of shows this year, but I can tell you I spent enough time in front of the television to consume over 650 episodes amongst 67 different series. Here’s what really stuck out to me this year.
Bloodhounds – Easily my favorite series from the year. Gunwoo and Woojin are boxers, initially competitors, but fast friends who become even closer when they decide to take down a ruthless loan shark with some unlikely help. This show was shot beautifully and it’s the perhaps the best bromance I’ve ever seen on screen. I was so excited to learn a few months after watching it that a second season is in the works!
Fargo – With some needed time off, this comedy-drama came back stronger than ever. It’s worth noting that this is the first season with no ties to any previous season which may have been to its benefit. Dot is a seemingly ordinary housewife until people from her past start causing some serious trouble. Jon Hamm is chilling in this!
True Detective – Similar to Fargo, this series needed a good reset and it got that in the form of Jodie Foster and Kali Reis. They make an unlikely but like-minded duo intent on figuring out what happened to eight researchers in a fictional Alaskan town. There was a bit of a supernatural element to the season, but it didn’t take away from how creepy it was. Highly recommend!
Slow Horses – Since I knocked out three of the four seasons this year, it’s safe to say I like this British action-crime show. Give it a minute to grow on you and I promise you’ll come to love these problematic MI5 rejects. Led by the most sloppy human being, it turns out they’ve got real talent when they’re not constantly being monitored by First and Second Desk.
Tokyo Vice – Similar to Slow Horses, I was not convinced this was a show I wanted to continue with after the first season. Boy am I glad I stuck with this one! Back in the 90s, an American journalist working in Japan gets roped into stories involving the Yakuza and the complicated webs they weave. The stakes are pretty high in this second season and I am gutted that Max axed it. Here’s hoping another network saves it. Still worth investing in regardless!
Wandee Goodday – Of the countless BLs I watched this year, this particular GMMTV series just made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Dr. Dee is unlucky in love with a fellow doctor and outright embarrasses himself. In order to ease those events he coerces his recent f-buddy boxer, Yoryak, into being in a fake relationship with him. As these types of stories go, they both catch feelings, but it takes them both far too long to come clean to each other. I hope these leads get more future projects!
Semantic Error – One of my first KBLs happens to be one of the best I’ve ever seen. Again, the plot is not all that complex, and that’s probably a good thing because the episodes were so short. Here, uptight and regimented college student Chu sangu ruins Jaeyoung’s abroad plans. Intent on seeking revenge, he instead falls head over heels in love. These two had incredible chemistry and the series was the perfect blend of drama and comedy.
A Shoulder to Cry On – I promise BLs were not the only thing I watched this year, but I did see this one twice, so that automatically means it makes the best of list. It also helps that it stars the leader and maknae of Omega X, a K-Pop group I am still currently obsessing over. Dayeol is an archery student who almost gets the class president in trouble after a misunderstanding in the infirmary. Taehyun makes it his mission to pester Dayeol endlessly, but that very quickly transforms into friendship and then something more. In love with this BL.
Cobra Kai – How could I not be including Cobra Kai in here? Finally blessed with the first two parts of the final season, you know I watched these ten episodes as fast as I could. And it’s so, so good! Now operating under Miyagi-Do, everyone is initially competing to be the captains and team members for the Sekai Taikai. Once they finally get there, it’s a mess. Not only against former enemies, but also personally. I both cannot wait and am dreading February coming around when we get the final five episodes. I want to know what happens but I don’t want it to be over!
The Day of the Jackal – This one came into view for me very late in the year, but it definitely made a lasting impact. The Jackal is a top-tier black market assassin who has just made waves with a high powered German official. Now with a tech giant hell-bent on exposing the rich set as his next target, he runs into trouble with his previous gig, his wife and her family, and an MI6 agent who doesn’t like to lose. Eddie Redmayne is incredible here, and if I need to do anymore convincing I can tell you a second season has already been ordered. Yay!