As The Boyz’s Hur Hyunjun debuts in new BL K-drama Color Rush, here’s 5 more Korean LGBT movies and TV series to watch

Dec 4 , 2020

Former The Boyz member Hur Hyunjun is set to star in upcoming BL K-drama Color Rush. Photo: @hyun.jxx0_p/Instagram

Netflix picked up Strongberry’s miniseries Long Time No See in 2017, while web series Where Your Eyes Linger, starring Han Gi-chan and Jang Eui-soo, made waves this year –new BL series Color Rush is just the latest in a line of dramas and movies bunking LGBT stigma in South Korea

Hur Hyunjun might have left The Boyz – the South Korean boy band where he went by the name Hwall – last year, but his career shows no signs of slowing down. He debuted as a solo act this summer and now he’s set to star in his first K-drama, which will premiere internationally before the end of 2020.

Color Rush is a boy’s love or “BL drama” – a genre with plots focusing on romantic relationships between gay men – that tells the story of Yeon Woo, played by Yoo Joon, who can only see the world in monochrome. But once he meets Yoo Han, played by Hur, he experiences a “colour rush” – suddenly being able to see colour during intense experiences. (For those not in the know, one character being “colour blind” until they meet their fated soulmate is a popular BL trope.)

At the same time, Yeon embarks on a search for his missing mother. The drama will surely provide the actors with ample opportunities to dig deep with some emotional and passionate performances.

Can’t wait for Color Rush’s release? Here are some of the best Korean BL dramas and films to tide you over in the meantime.

No Regret (2006)

Regarded as South Korea’s first “real” gay feature film, No Regret tells the story of Sumin, who leaves the orphanage he grew up in upon turning 18 to work various jobs to pay for his computer classes. Eventually, he gets a job at a host bar and meets Jaemin, a former client of his when he worked as a driver. The film follows their budding relationship as well as their struggle to be accepted as Jaemin’s mother opposes their relationship.

No Regret was also directed by Lee-song Hee-il, who is lauded as South Korea’s first openly gay mainstream filmmaker. The film won Lee-song the best independent filmmaker award at the 2006 Director’s Cut Awards.

REC (2011)

REC is about a couple who decides to film themselves as they celebrate their fifth anniversary in a motel, hoping to create a memento of their special bond. The viewer is placed as voyeur, watching on as Young-joon and Joon-seok spend the night together discussing their feelings. But although their conversation begins with how strong their relationship has become over the years, the two eventually dredge up negative memories that lead them to consider going their separate ways.