> excellence in production (lighting design)

This show is far above and beyond every other BL I've watched in terms of lighting design. Highly stylized and prone to neon flourish and shadow, Playboyy creates a grungy, exciting, dark world. Each pairing has their own lighting world and color story that follows them throughout the episodes, all of which blend together to create a cohesively designed world. 

Personal Highlight: The way in which Zouey's lighting reflects the classical and romantic influences of his art, and swings between warm, beautiful goldens when he is in love and happy and soft blues that leech the warmth from the room when he struggles with his trauma.

While largely lit in realistic styles, Semantic Error elevates its college romance with flourishes of neon signs, overlaid texts, and convenient lamps to produce a style that closely mirrors the manhua's style. While understated compared to the rest of the titles on this list, it produces the perfect qualities to support this particular story. 

Personal Highlight: The 'love me, kiss me' neon sign outside of the restaurant turning on between parallel scenes.

This lighting was absolutely gorgeous. I felt the strong lighting choices really crept up on you slowly, sliding from simple realism to something warmer and more intentional as Akira began to open up. Several scenes were so beautiful I found myself rewinding because I had stopped reading the dialogue.

Personal Highlight: Akira and Shintaro in the laundromat at golden hour, extra points for any scene where they couldn't make eye contact at all.

I might be alone in this opinion, but the way this show leans into the 2000s sports movie (a la Step Up or Bring It On) is so unbelievably funny and good. It places the tone of the piece perfectly and really sells the stakes and childhood romance so well. It's excellently done. 

Despite an ultimately simple and traditional color scheme, 609 Bedtime Story uses its limited palette and locations very well to evoke strong emotions. I find that the unique red/green themes of Mum's bar help to contrast and soften the stereotypical pinks of Room 609 and prevent the show from tipping into cheesey design. 

Personal Highlight: The first time Mum leaves and we watch Dew's 609 fade from the gorgeous, love drunk pinks to his cold office lighting.

I am such a sucker for this style of lighting it is not even funny. I think saturated, not-quite-neon look is so utterly romantic when used correctly, and this show definitely used it correctly. Each scene feels so intimate, small, and emotional with colorful, not always realistic washes of color. It's very beautiful. 

Personal Highlight: The night lighting of Jiang Tian and Sheng Wang's dorm room that nearly looks like stained glass. (Yeah, girl! Religious imagery in the shame spiral!!)

Heightened realism all the way through, Moonlight Chicken strikes and evocative color palette that perfectly manages the the gritty, struggling poverty of the characters while still maintaining the warmth, joy and love of their personal lives. The deep, rich ambers bring such a presence to the suffocating summer heat that fuels tempers and passions alike. 

Personal Highlight: Honestly? The way Earth Pirapat looks absolutely edible in every single scene...

This might surprise some people, but Kinnporsche is really hanging on by the virtue of the safe house scenes. While the lighting is absolutely gorgeous throughout the show, it largely lacks an intentionality and storytelling aspect. That said, the highs are certainly high enough to merit its presence on this list. 

Personal Highlight: The creation of an entirely alien, isolated, and unexpectedly romantic world for Vegas and Pete in the safe house.