My Colleague at BL Shop Might Be the Meant-to-Be – Series Review

Shing is a new part-time employee at The Fu Court, a small bookstore in Hong Kong. This shop is dedicated to providing BL manga for its patrons. Shing is welcomed by Diane, one of the owners at the store. He also meets Yiu, his bespectacled coworker. Yiu greets his new colleague and gives him a quick job orientation on his first day of work.

Shing quickly gets used to his new role. With his bubbly personality and chatty demeanour, Shing makes his presence known around the shop. He is well-versed in the BL genre. He's familiar with the lingo and can recommend suitable manga for customers. In addition, Shing befriends Yiu as they work closely together. Although Yiu is shy and sensitive, he slowly opens up around his enthusiastic coworker. They form a close connection.

My Colleague at BL Shop Might Be the Meant-to-Be is a cute short series made by a Hong Kong bookstore. Recently, I watched an interview about the owners and felt moved by their dedication. Years ago, they opened a shop for BL manga. They want to provide a safe, inclusive environment where customers can read yaoi without judgment. Beyond offering books, The Fu Court has created two web dramas. These self-funded projects are part of their ongoing efforts to promote BL culture across the city.

I have opted out of giving a review score for My Colleague at BL Shop. Given the sincerity of this fanwork, I'd like to focus on gentle feedback than harsh critiques. Let me start with the positives. My favourite part of the series is the setting. I adore the concept of a drama in a BL manga bookstore, which is never done before anywhere else. The clever idea leads to many creative storytelling possibilities. Also, it's a relevant premise for these filmmakers. They can draw from their personal background of running a bookstore and deliver unique insights.

My Colleague at BL Shop features likable protagonists with endearing personalities. Shing carries the series with his bubbly enthusiasm. The adorable performer brings a natural charm to the role, from lively expressions to infectious energy. His costar portrays a shy character with a sensitive demeanour. Part of the fun is watching Yiu open up and become communicative with his coworker. The pair shares a lighthearted rapport, developing their precious friendship persuasively. My Colleague at BL Shop succeeds in creating two lovable mascots for the series.

My Colleague at BL Shop is a gentle BL drama with a laidback vibe. I feel relaxed while watching each casual episode. However, there's hardly any dramatic tension in the narrative. Only the finale introduces a conflict, which resolves without surprises. Otherwise, the lightweight plot doesn't provide a compelling incentive to watch the next installment. The leads don't overcome hardships or have challenging experiences. This series should introduce more suspense to excite the viewers. We want to see the characters go through ups and downs in an inspiring journey.

The series teases a subtle romantic connection between the leads. Each episode shows them growing closer through sweet and wholesome interactions. Yet, the ending may leave the couple's relationship too open-ended. Many viewers would want more closure from the final episode of a love story. At least show Shing & Yiu agree to date outside of work, hinting at their happy future. This finale needs more strength. The same critique applies to the rest of the series, which operates on a low intensity. My Colleague at BL Shop can benefit from an adrenaline rush.

After working on The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name, The Fu Court brings their expertise to My Colleague at BL Shop. Compared to their past work, the production shows more polish and professionalism. I'm also impressed by their passion. This series is done by three friends who read BL manga, watch BL dramas, and attend fan meetings for stars like MileApo. They don't work at a commercial studio. They're regular fans like you and me. Yet, they have achieved the extraordinary feat of making a 20-minute series for their favourite hobby. They deserve my respect.