Love, Censorship, and Chinese BLs – When Bromance Saves the Day

 Welcome back, BL fanatics! We’ve been to Thailand, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, and now it’s time to venture into the land of dragons, dumplings, and deeply coded love stories—China! Chinese BLs are like beautiful porcelain vases: stunning to look at but super fragile when it comes to showing romance on screen. Why? Because the dreaded censorship dragon swooped in and decided that boys loving boys was just too much for the masses to handle. Sigh.

The Great Wall of Censorship

Chinese censorship regulations around BL content are stricter than your mom when you bring home a bad report card. In 2016, the government banned portrayals of same-sex relationships on TV and in web series, leaving BL creators scrambling to find loopholes. You’ll often see intense friendships, brotherly bonds, and way too many longing glances, but nothing remotely romantic. So instead of giving us full-on confessions, they give us subtext—lots and lots of subtext.

Before censorship came down like a hammer, Chinese BLs were surprisingly bold. We had series like Addicted (Heroin), which had openly romantic and intimate scenes between two male leads. Sadly, the show was yanked off the air halfway through, and the internet has been in mourning ever since. It was like giving us the world's best cake and snatching it away after one bite.

Advance Bravely – The Bromance That Could Have Been

Ah, Advance Bravely—the ultimate example of “we’re totally straight... but not really.” The story follows Yuan Zong, a tough bodyguard, and Xia Yao, a rich playboy who’s too pretty for his own good. They start off as enemies but slowly develop feelings through training montages, awkward conversations, and a whole lot of intense eye contact. It’s romantic, it’s hilarious, and it’s also kind of tragic because the censorship monster made sure they never actually admitted they were in love. Just bros being bros... with way too much chemistry.

The Untamed – The Crown Jewel of Chinese BL

No conversation about Chinese BLs is complete without mentioning The Untamed. Adapted from the BL novel Mo Dao Zu Shi, it tells the story of Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji—soulmates who fight evil together while acting like the most married non-couple in existence. The show is a masterpiece of subtlety, with every glance and gesture carrying ten tons of unspoken affection. You’ll find yourself screaming, “JUST KISS ALREADY!” about fifty times an episode.

Word of Honor – Sword Fights and Soulmates

After The Untamed dominated the BL scene, Word of Honor took up the mantle with a similar strategy—lots of intense eye contact and zero actual confessions. Zhou Zishu and Wen Kexing are practically married by the end, and fans were left analyzing every line of dialogue for hints of romance. It’s like a giant, gorgeous puzzle that somehow forms a love story without ever saying the word “love.”

Guardian – Supernatural Love Story in Disguise

Based on the BL novel Zhen Hun, Guardian follows Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei as they protect the human world from supernatural threats. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, but censorship transformed their love into an unbreakable bond of friendship. Honestly, though? They’re still more romantic than half the couples on TV.

Why Chinese BLs Are an Emotional Rollercoaster

Watching Chinese BLs feels like reading between the lines of a secret code. You’ll be staring at the screen, trying to decipher whether that lingering touch meant something or if it was just a really intense high-five. But despite the restrictions, these dramas manage to deliver emotional gut punches and beautifully crafted relationships that stick with you long after the final episode.

Final Thoughts: Subtext Supremacy

Chinese BLs remind us that love can be quiet, hidden, and sometimes painfully restrained. They make us treasure every tiny hint, every soft smile, and every word that could mean “I love you” if you squint hard enough. Sure, it’s frustrating sometimes, but it also teaches us that love doesn’t always have to be loud to be real.

Until next time, my fellow BL adventurers—再见! (Zàijiàn!)**

Haru💁