South Korean BL dramas dominate GagaOOLala charts
Translated from Chinese and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.
At a glance
- South Korean vertical BL (Boys' Love) dramas are achieving significant success on the streaming platform GagaOOLALA.
- Five South Korean titles now occupy spots in the platform's top 10, including the No. 1 ranked "Resignation, CEO!"
- The trend reflects a broader rise in short-form video content, with users spending more time on mobile-based viewing.
South Korean vertical BL (Boys' Love) dramas are making a significant impact on the streaming platform GagaOOLALA, with five titles currently ranking in the top 10. The genre, known for its rapid pacing and mobile-first format, is proving highly popular with audiences.
Leading the charge is "Resignation, CEO!", which debuted at the top of the charts and has garnered twice the viewership of the second-place drama, "Boys' School". Another highly anticipated series, "Painter of the Night", is adapted from a BL work with over a hundred million views, promising a compelling narrative from its initial setup.
"Resignation, CEO!" appeals to viewers with its relatable premise of workplace struggles. The story follows Seo Jin-woo, who, after facing ostracism and a near-fatal accident at work, gets a second chance at life. His sole goal is to quit his job, but his plans are complicated when he's drawn into a project by his superior, Director Baek Ui-hyun, leading to a shift in their professional relationship.
This surge in BL short-form content aligns with global trends. According to Sensor Tower, global downloads for short-form video apps surpassed 850 million in the first quarter of 2026, with users spending an average of 25 minutes daily on these platforms. This shift towards "snacking" on content in short bursts is perfectly suited for BL narratives, which can quickly establish relationships and plot points within minutes.
The top 10 BL list on GagaOOLALA includes: "Resignation, CEO!", "Boys' School", "Bad Buddy", "Uncle", "Prey Is Brother", "My "Oshi" Is Watching Me", "Falling For Your Body", "I Don't Know What I Like, But You Taught Me "Like"", "That Otaku Is My Brother!?", and "Our Deep Blue".
Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.