Guys, we are all aware that BL shows is technically banned in China, most of which are stuck inside each platform’s dungeon respectively, and none of them will be seeing the light of the day. In other words, they are trapped in the obscurity of darkness for eternity until somebody can lift a hand to help them get out of this confinement. What I mean is that most of BL shows need to have international airing permit or cut down several intimate scenes so that the show can be censored safely without unnecessary conflicts.

This case also happens in Bright Time, the show that I will be reviewing today. Back in 2021, Bright Time had got the airing permit but never got the chance to air, supposedly because of the BL vibes in it. After 3 years of uncertainties, Bright Time finally aired in July 2024 though it was not overly hyped unlike other popular romance shows. Dating back to November, I coincidentally found Bright Time as I was scrolling at MDL as usual, while keeping my face to the grindstone for end-of-year exams. At first, I thought this was going to be another old-school drama where they deployed all sorts of tropes into one dish. But lord, was I proven wrong?

Bright Time’s story revolves around seven youths consisted of the wild and unruly Lan Jinghui, the stone-faced straight-A student Ling Dong, the cute and adorable Xiao Xiaohua, the foodie Xia Qingtian, the optimistic class monitor Chen Luyang, the playful Ma Yiming, and the school belle Xu Mengyu. Together, they bravely face the challenges of highschoolers’ daily lives and learn the importance of friendship and self-discovery and embark on a fantastic journey to find their true selves.

Actually, the plot focuses more on Lan Jinghui and Ling Dong’s storyline, with Xiao Xiaohua as the ‘mediator’ so that Bright Time can pass censorship. Widely known as an unruly bad boy, Lan Jinghui becomes notorious for his silly pranks and constant neglection of schoolwork. Therefore, his father and the principal, who happens to be an old friend, decide that Lan Jinghui would be better off to be tutored by the cleverest student in the class, which is none other than Ling Dong. When they first encounter each other, Ling Dong is dismissive of Lan Jinghui’s antics but still has to this ruffian for greater good. Unexpectedly, Ling Dong’s daily routine is turned upside down by Lan Jinghui’s sudden appearance and thus marks the start of a heartwarming and passionate story of the youths who want to pursue their dreams and be each other’s life companion.

If you’re a BL lover, you’ll immediately discover that this show is a BL disguised as an ordinary friendship drama. There are a lot of not-so-intimate scenes where they sleep or lie on the ground together, or perhaps when they hug each other for a certain period of time. I’m sure there are more of it, but since the shitty censorship is playing cruel, we can’t have dozens of scenes like this (it’s already such a fortune that it doesn’t get banned like other BL)

I must also appreciate for the actors’ phenomenal acting especially Hao Fusen and Bian Cheng. Hao Fusen is a talented young actor who can easily capture the essence of Lan Jinghui’s character and he’s definitely a force to be reckoned with. His facial expression is also on point, which makes me easier to relate to his character. In contrast, Bian Cheng plays the cold and aloof Ling Dong, a role which is neither challenging nor complicated. Despite this, he still pulls off Ling Dong’s character seamlessly and also explores a wide range of emotions with the aid of his good micro-expression. I’ll also looking forward to seeing his future works – bet he’s going to be a rising star lol. Also, the other actors also contribute to the success of the show, and I would like to commend them for tackling and understanding each character pretty well.

OSTs, cinematography, costumes, sets, and backgrounds are of high-budget value and look pretty nice. I can’t help but fall in love with the song that they sing at the Art Competition – it’s quite something, I must say.

Overall, a brilliant ten of out ten. I highly recommend this show for those who’re still longing for BL or perhaps who want to see an outstanding high-school drama amongst a bunch of flops drifting here and there. Have a good watch and good luck!!!