Sometimes you just want to binge something sweet, romantic, and not too long—without having to commit to 12 full-blown episodes with one-hour runtimes. We get it. That’s where short BL (Boys’ Love) dramas come in. They’re compact, easy to finish in one sitting, and often packed with enough emotions to make you smile without taking up your whole weekend. Whether you’re in between long series or just craving something quick and satisfying, these short BL dramas might be exactly what you need.
Here are 5 short-episode BL dramas that are perfect for a marathon session:
1. Business as Usual (2025)
Business as Usual is the kind of story that doesn’t rely on flashy twists or exaggerated drama to pull you in. Instead, it takes a more grounded, almost uncomfortably real approach to exploring what it means to reconnect with someone you once loved — and possibly never stopped loving.
The drama introduces Kim Min Jun, a quiet, passive office worker who’s clearly stuck in life. Everything about him — his job, his routines, even his way of speaking — gives off this feeling of someone who’s given up on the idea of things ever changing. But when his ex-boyfriend, Jin Hwan, suddenly joins his company, the calm routine Min Jun’s built starts to fall apart. What follows isn’t some dramatic explosion of feelings or immediate romantic tension, but a slow, complicated process of confronting the past and figuring out what’s still left.
The show moves between past and present, showing how Min Jun and Jin Hwan’s relationship fell apart during college and what’s different (or not so different) now. It’s clever how the story avoids making either of them the “villain.” Min Jun’s jealousy and insecurity were destructive, yes, but they were also very human. Jin Hwan, on the other hand, seems to have grown into someone more grounded, but he’s still figuring things out himself.
What makes this drama stand out is how natural it all feels. The performances by Seong Seung Ha and Chae Jong Hyeok are full of little moments — the way they look at each other, the silences, the awkward conversations — that feel incredibly genuine. You believe their history. You believe that the pain hasn’t faded. And you hope, even if you're not sure they should, that maybe they’ll get a second chance.
Min Jun’s growth is a highlight. Watching him slowly gain confidence, rediscover his voice, and open up again is rewarding. His journey isn’t rushed. It feels earned. And Jin Hwan’s quiet persistence — the way he doesn’t push but stays present — makes it believable that these two might have another shot.
The visual style is calm and muted, almost like the mood of Min Jun’s life, and the music fits perfectly — subtle, never overwhelming. There’s also a warmth in the way some scenes are shot, especially the more emotional or intimate ones, that adds to the sense of nostalgia and vulnerability.
Overall, Business as Usual isn’t just a romance; it’s about timing, about how the right person at the wrong time can still matter years later. It’s a reminder that not all love stories are neat or clean. Sometimes, the ones that linger the longest are the messiest. And maybe, just maybe, they’re the ones worth fighting for.
2. Trapped in Osaka (2025)
Trapped in Osaka is a brief but powerful indie drama that manages to deliver a surprising emotional punch within its tight format. Spread across just four episodes of around 10 minutes each, this series doesn’t waste time—it dives right into the psychological and emotional complexity of two strangers stuck together under the most unlikely and claustrophobic of circumstances. The series premiered on the Secret of Us YouTube channel, and if you've seen any of their past works like Infidelity, It's a Disease, you’ll notice a similar raw and experimental approach here.
The story revolves around Chen Xi, who finds himself unexpectedly stuck in Osaka with Hao Yu—a man sent to collect a debt from him. What starts as a tense and uncomfortable situation slowly transforms into something much more layered. There’s anger, confusion, shared pain, and eventually, a kind of fragile understanding. It's one of those shows where your perception of each character shifts as the story unfolds. At first, it's easy to place blame and pick sides, but over time, their vulnerabilities are laid bare, and you start to understand them in a new light.
What stands out the most is the intense chemistry between the leads. The camera lingers on glances and silence, letting the tension do the talking. Their relationship is messy, emotionally charged, and at times, difficult to watch—but that’s also what makes it feel real. This isn’t a sanitized or romanticized portrayal of connection. It’s about trauma, survival, and the complicated ways people reach for each other when they’re drowning.
That said, there are areas that could have been improved. Some scenes are too dark—literally—making it hard to see the actors’ faces during important moments. The series also begins with a flash forward, which slightly dulls the tension in the first episode. And while the ending tries to tie things up, it feels a bit too rushed for the emotional buildup that came before.
One major talking point is a scene that blurs the line between non-consensual and consensual intimacy. It's ambiguous and could have used clearer handling, especially considering the sensitive nature of the story. Still, the series makes an effort to show healing, without pretending that everything can be resolved cleanly.
Trapped in Osaka is definitely not for everyone, especially with its heavy content warnings (grief, self-harm, blood, suicide themes). But if you're into short dramas that dig deep and don’t shy away from uncomfortable emotions, it’s worth checking out. It’s not perfect, but it leaves you thinking—and feeling—long after it ends.
3. Wrong Number (2025)
Wrong Number is one of those short dramas that sneaks up on you in the best way possible. From the very first scene, there’s something quietly magnetic about it—the kind of story that doesn’t try too hard but still pulls you in. The whole concept of a relationship starting from a misdialed call isn’t exactly new, but the way this one unfolds makes it feel fresh. It’s intimate, understated, and full of unspoken emotions.
The dynamic between Yoo I Seop and Han U Tae is what truly carries this short film. Even though they mostly connect through voice alone, there’s real chemistry between them. The conversations feel natural, sometimes awkward in a very human way, and there’s a growing warmth that builds with each scene. You can feel the tension, the curiosity, and the cautious vulnerability from both characters, and it’s so easy to root for them.
Visually, it’s impressive too. The cinematography is clean and thoughtful, and the lighting adds to the mood without overdoing it. There’s a softness to the way scenes are framed, and the soundtrack complements the emotional beats without distracting from the dialogue. For such a short runtime, the production quality definitely stands out.
But if there’s one drawback, it’s the length. Just as things start to deepen, it ends. It’s not that the story feels incomplete, but more like it was only just beginning when the credits rolled. There’s so much more that could’ve been explored—especially about their pasts and how those experiences shaped them. A few extra minutes could’ve really given the emotional arc more weight.
Still, Wrong Number leaves an impression. It’s sweet, a little melancholic, and full of that quiet hope that comes with unexpected connection. If you like gentle BL stories that focus more on emotional resonance than dramatic twists, this one is definitely worth watching.
4. I'll Turn Back This Time (2025)
I'll Turn Back This Time is the kind of series that quietly works its way into your emotions without trying too hard. At first glance, it might look like just another slow-paced BL romance with a fantasy twist, but by the end, it proves to be something much deeper—an emotional journey about love, loss, sacrifice, and the small details that make a connection feel real.
The story begins with Shen Nan, who returns to his hometown for his father’s remarriage and ends up meeting Gu Shi Wen, his soon-to-be stepbrother. Their dynamic starts off cautiously polite but gradually softens into something more sincere and affectionate. There’s no forced tension or dramatic clashes—just two people trying to figure each other out while navigating this new family structure. Their chemistry doesn’t scream at you, but it simmers in every shared glance and moment of quiet understanding.
One of the standout elements here is how grounded everything feels, even with the time-travel plotline. Shen Nan’s desperate attempts to undo a tragic accident that takes Gu Shi Wen’s life never come across as overly dramatic. Instead, the series handles this with restraint and tenderness. The stakes are high, but the emotions stay personal. You really feel Shen Nan’s pain and confusion as he relives the past, trying to get things right while knowing he may never fully succeed.
Visually, the series is stunning. The cinematography takes full advantage of its setting, with calm riverbanks, cozy indoor spaces, and rainy city streets adding a poetic layer to the storytelling. Everything is soft and purposeful, from the lighting to the way scenes are framed. There’s also a clear eye for symbolism—long objects passed between characters, subtle nods in the background, repeated motifs. It’s the kind of series that rewards close watching.
The acting is another strength. Both leads give nuanced, emotional performances that feel honest and lived-in. They aren’t overly polished, but that works in their favor. Kou Wei Long as Shen Nan brings a quiet intensity that makes his character’s internal struggle incredibly moving, while Li Yi Mu portrays Gu Shi Wen with just the right mix of sensitivity and guardedness. You can see the layers of their personalities unfold with each episode.
What makes I'll Turn Back This Time stand out from other BL series, though, is how much it leans into the idea of love as something both beautiful and painful. It doesn’t shy away from difficult topics—like the taboo around their relationship or the idea that sometimes loving someone means letting them go. And yet, there’s also a softness to it, a refusal to sensationalize that gives the whole story a sense of quiet power.
It’s not a perfect series. Some side characters could’ve been explored more, and the pacing may feel too slow for viewers used to faster drama beats. But those are small things in the grand scheme. This is a series that lingers in your mind because of how human it is—messy, hopeful, and a little heartbreaking.
In the end, I'll Turn Back This Time is about the moments that change everything and the love that refuses to disappear, even when fate seems set against it. It’s a story told with care, depth, and a lot of heart.
5. Eye Contact (2025)
Eye Contact (2025) really pulled a fast one on me. At first, it felt like it was setting up for a sweet, slightly awkward university romance—the kind where you’re ready to root for the underdog and enjoy some classic slow-burn tropes. Nu, the nerdy guy with glasses, gets hit by a car driven by the campus heartthrob Sun. It sounds like the kind of setup that could turn into something soft, warm, and romantic. But instead, the show flips its tone so fast it gave me whiplash.
What starts off light suddenly veers into extremely uncomfortable territory. There’s a scene involving non-consensual behavior that the show seems to try to brush off or disguise as something deeper, but it just doesn’t work. It’s jarring, insensitive, and honestly, a little dangerous. Viewers expecting a typical BL romance might find themselves deeply unsettled.
The writing doesn’t help much either. Characters make decisions that don’t match their personalities, scenes escalate for no clear reason, and the plot feels like it's stitched together from three different drafts of three completely different stories. There are moments where I genuinely wondered if something had been cut or skipped because the transitions just didn’t make sense.
The cheating subplot, if we can even call it a subplot, pops in out of nowhere and vanishes just as fast. No build-up, no emotional weight, just chaos for the sake of chaos. It makes it hard to take any of the emotional beats seriously, because you’re constantly questioning why they’re happening in the first place.
That said, I won’t pretend everything was terrible. Tora, one of the supporting characters, really stood out. There’s something very grounded and watchable about him. His scenes added some much-needed stability and energy. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind seeing him in a spin-off or something more coherent.
In the end, Eye Contact feels like it didn’t quite know what it wanted to be—and as a result, it ended up being a messy mix of genres and tones that just don’t blend. Watch it if you’re curious, but go in with low expectations and maybe a little emotional armor.
So, if you’ve got a free evening (or just don’t feel like committing to something long), try diving into one—or a few—of these. They’re short enough to finish with your favorite snacks and long enough to leave an impression. Who knows? You might just find your new comfort drama.
0 Comments