Name: The South City
Genre: Romance
Released: 2017-01-01
Rating: 5.6
Cast: Kang En He, Romance, Short Film

Synopsis

Cast & Crew

Episodes

Reviews (5)

Over ten years, Yu Gao has harbored a quiet, unrequited love for his childhood friend Weisen Li. They've been inseparable since junior high, but Li has always insisted he's straight, leaving Yu to bury his feelings in the shadows of their friendship. The South City is a poignant Chinese short film that captures the raw, aching tension of a one-sided love and the fragile boundary between devotion and self-destruction. With a runtime that favors emotional density over plot, the film zeroes in on a few pivotal moments where words left unsaid and gestures misunderstood threaten to unravel everything. It's not a fairy tale – it's a realistic, bittersweet look at what it means to love someone who may never love you back. While the production is modest, the honesty of the storytelling resonates deeply, offering a quiet but powerful exploration of queer longing in a conservative society. For fans of angsty, slow-burn romance, this is a hidden gem that stays with you long after the credits roll.

Kang En He

Cast

Romance

Cast

Short Film

Cast

Episode data is coming soon.

5.6

out of 10

631

473

1105

947

logic_over_fluff

March 15, 2025

5/10

I found this short film disappointing. The acting was weak, especially the fight scene which looked laughable. The dubbing was out of sync with the emotions. The story had potential but trying to cram a decade into a few minutes felt rushed. This didn't work for me.

hopeless_romantic_95

January 22, 2024

7/10

Despite its flaws, I really felt for Yu Gao. The longing and heartbreak were palpable. The brief moments of tenderness between the leads made my heart ache. Yes, the production is rough, but the emotional core is genuine. A hidden gem for those who love angsty BL.

queer_eyes_on_media

August 5, 2025

6/10

I appreciate that the film tackles the painful reality of loving someone who claims to be straight. However, it doesn't critically examine the power dynamics or the impact on Yu's self-worth. It could have been more nuanced in showing the friend's behavior. Still, it's an important depiction of queer struggle in China.

frame_by_frame

October 12, 2026

4/10

The cinematography was amateurish with poor lighting and shaky camerawork. The color grading felt flat. As a short film, visual storytelling should be a priority, but here it failed to evoke the intended mood. The dubbing only exacerbated the disconnect.

melody_of_hearts

July 19, 2025

5/10

The background music was barely noticeable, and the lack of a memorable soundtrack made the emotional scenes fall flat. For a film relying on mood, the audio design was a missed opportunity. However, the dialogue in one quiet scene was touching.