· by her-cool-aunt.bsky.social ·1d ago · view on bsky.app ↗

So it seems Youku wants in on the BL action. #Ash is a smoking hot, gritty Hong Kong gangster BL. In my view, ep 1 did a great job of setting up the characters and getting us invested in them. Lots of showing not telling. Nice. Let’s see what ep 2 has in store.

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Promo poster for Chinese BL drama Ash, showing the two MLs smoking and looking intently into each others’ eyes.

#ash

4 comments — live from bluesky

catniss | ♡ ✧･ﾟ 💘 · 1 · 1d ago

oh was it out today?!? omg somehow i missed this! i'll need to check it out!

Her Cool Aunt · 1 · 1d ago

Do do!! I *really* enjoyed it.

Her Cool Aunt · 5 · 1d ago

Here’s the #Ash trailer for anyone who’s interested.

Lu · 1 · 1d ago

I dont have Youku 🥺

Her Cool Aunt · 1 · 1d ago

It’s on their YouTube channel too. (But only ep 1, whereas I get eps 1 and 2 in the Youku app.)

Lu · 1 · 1d ago

I'm suspicious because WeTV put the first ones for free, and no more.

Lu · 1 · 1d ago

Damn. It looks so good ... I'll take the risk 🤣

Carrie · 2 · 1d ago

Be careful. They do this to hook you and often don't upload more.

Her Cool Aunt · 4 · 1d ago

Hearing all the Cantonese in #Ash is reminding me of my childhood. All the Chinese language I heard during those years was Cantonese, and it’s only recently through watching C-dramas that I became familiar with Mandarin Chinese.

Kimberly Hahn · 1 · 1d ago

Yes, me too! It has such a familiar soothing vibe to me when I hear it from all those years listening back then. This looks like a good one from the trailer! Tysm. They have big shoes to fill for a Hong Kong bl. I love the film Happy Together. 🖤 I can't help it. I will think of this film every time.

Farnes · 2 · 1d ago

Wow, and completely new to me, thanks for the heads up! I didn't realise youku had an international front that would let them release a #cbl

Her Cool Aunt · 0 · 1d ago

Youku has an international app just like WeTV and iQiyi. If those two can, I think there’s no reason Youku can’t. And now they’ve decided to join the party. (Also very nice to get 9 x 45 minute episodes!)

Farnes · 0 · 1d ago

I hope they air it entirely on youtube because I don't subscribe to youku

Her Cool Aunt · 1 · 1d ago

Sorry. No clue. I have (for various random reasons) got a cheap Youku sub. Apparently this is a Youku original co-production rather than a buy in, so this is a big deal for them. They’re promoting it heavily, e.g. special pop-up banner on opening the app. #Ash

Her Cool Aunt · 1 · 1d ago

#Ash ep 2 excellently built on ep 1, moving swiftly into what I think will be the main (thorny! this isn’t going to end well!) arena for the rest of the show. What was hinted at before for one character came to pass and we now see his true persona clearly.

Her Cool Aunt · 0 · 1d ago

Their relationship is appropriately prickly and hard-edged. But also vulnerable and tender. Loving it! Hate that I now have to wait a whole week (presumably) for more. #Ash (P.S. I’ve already got an idea for who was the shooter at the end.)

Farnes · 1 · 1d ago

Spoilers :)

Her Cool Aunt · 1 · 1d ago

Also look what I spotted in the #Ash end credits. Is this our beloved Thai Wabi Sabi studio? Do we think P’New is advising his Hong Kong BL production comrades?

Farnes · 1 · 1d ago

I saw some Thai names in the credits so there's definitely a connection, but I missed wabi sabi. I thought wabi sabi was dead, tbh, I'm very out of the thai bl loop

continue thread on bsky.app →

🐸🌈♾️🏄🏻‍♂️ · 1 · 1d ago

And i just cancelled my sub some few months ago...😫

Her Cool Aunt · 1 · 1d ago

Noooooo!!! (Ep 1 is up on YouTube though.)

Her Cool Aunt · 1 · 1d ago

👇

🐸🌈♾️🏄🏻‍♂️ · 1 · 1d ago

Thanks 😘 It's just that i hate yt... I probably wait and see...

Her Cool Aunt · 2 · 1d ago

I understand. I’m the same. #Ash is only 9 eps, with 1 and 2 out today. If we assume a weekly drop for each subsequent ep, that means 2 months’ Youku subscription required to watch it. Or wait until halfway and then get 1 month’s sub.

🐸🌈♾️🏄🏻‍♂️ · 1 · 1d ago

Sounds like a plan

Her Cool Aunt · 1 · 1d ago

👍👍