Knock Knock, Boys! – WDIW June 15th, 2024

Welcome to my weekly blog post where I give thoughts on dramas I’m watching, whether I’m at the beginning, middle, or end. Whatever I want, because I’m petty that way.

This week I recapped episodes 5-6 of Thai BL romcom Wandee Goodday. These two will put on animal costumes at the drop of a hat. I also recapped episode 4 of Korean fantasy High School BL Love for Love’s Sake. Myungha finally makes progress with Yeowoon, but the death notifications are back.

What did I watch this week? A raunchy-not-raunchy Thai BL that has me talking about sex more than usual:

Knock Knock, Boys! – Knock Knock, Boys! บ้านหนุ่มโสด โหมดพร้อมเลิฟ – 2024

Currently airing Thai sharehouse BL, I’ve watched 4 of 12 episodes.

A young rich virgin offers a deal to his three housemates, if one of them gets him together with his crush he’ll pay their rent for the year.

Here’s the trailer.

This show is raunchier than the typical Thai BL I watch, though I wouldn’t call it graphic. There’s a lot of talk about sex and a casual physical attitude with one another, but I’ve seen more skin and depictions of sex on other shows, like Kinnporsche or Love in the Air.

Generally, I gravitate towards shows that focus on love and intimacy over the physical, but it’s fun to change it up. 

So we’ve got three very different housemates and multiple games of spin the bottle

Our virgin wants to have sex, but he wants it with someone in particular. Our pansexual character explains that he’s open to sex with anyone, but he still has a choice about who and when. Our gay-and-out housemate has a very sensual attitude toward crispy pork, and recently left a long-term relationship. Our final roommate is either in the closet or in denial and keeps getting lost in sensual thoughts about his roommates. 

But despite these differences, they all get along. I have the comforting feeling that if the virgin didn’t want to have sex, no one would push him. Their relaxed, non-judgemental attitude should be the norm so it’s nice to see. 

I also like that the couples aren’t as in-your-face as they can be in other dramas. It’s clear from the intro and some other hints who will be with who, but the meetings between the couples aren’t epic, staring-into-the-eyes, multi-camera-angle affairs. It feels more like strangers meeting who have no idea they’re in a BL and about to be paired off.

On the other hand, they’re incompetent idiots when it comes to getting the virgin together with his crush. If you expect anything realistic here you’ll be frustrated fast. The crush isn’t one of the four leads though, he’s just a part of watching these guys go about life in ridiculous, humorous, and stupid ways.

I’m more interested in what drove each person to move into the house and whether those issues will be addressed and resolved.

Our virgin has a smothering mother he’s escaping. Our closeted/denial guy is avoiding something that looks very much like one thing but will likely be something else. Our other two have less immediate issues, but I’d still like to learn more about their backstories. My hope is the story handles all that while maintaining its playful nature.