Buzz
High school films are one of the intriguing themes often explored by filmmakers. They allow us to reminisce about the joyful and innocent moments of youth. The top 15 most entertaining Chinese high school films will be compiled by Mytour in the article below to assist readers in further exploration.
1. The Girl We Pursued Together in That Year
Year of Release: 2011
A classic film adapted from the novel by Nine-Dao Cuu Ba, hardly anyone is unaware of this distinctive film and novel. The film depicts a youthful period akin to a refreshing rain shower, where even in the cold, one longs to immerse oneself in that rain once more.
It is a melancholic regret for a love that never fully blossomed, yet it remains the most beautiful sorrow throughout one's life.
It tells the story of the high school romance between Kha Canh Dang, a mischievous student, and Tham Giai Nghi, a model student who is admired by many male classmates.
The two shared youthful moments together, but due to mundane reasons, they couldn't be together, leaving behind memories of a beautiful first love.
2. If Youth Cannot Be Retained
Year of Release: 2015
If Youth Cannot Be Retained is a romantic comedy film from China adapted from a novel.
What color does youth hold in your heart?
Many youths will be as red as brocade, some will carry the color of azure like water, others will be shining golden, some will be a melancholic shade of blue, or simply pure white. When you choose to reminisce about youth in a certain color, you are expressing how your youth once was, how intimate your old stories were.
If Youth Cannot Be Retained is a film about college life, and then each person graduates, establishes a career, and goes their separate ways in life.
Wang Jinghui and Chu Tuo met at the university campus, accidentally nurturing feelings for each other and eventually budding love. They experienced, struggled, let go, regretted, and then couldn't bear to let go again... Believing that many people who have had a college love will resonate with the experiences of the main characters' love story.
3. Sending Youthful Days
Year of Production: 2013
Adapted from the classic novel by Tan Di O: Do You Like America? As a renowned realistic writer, Tan Di O is famous for many contemporary romance works, including this adapted novel.
Sending Youthful Days is not a comedy film, so despite some adorable moments, viewers can still feel the emotions contained throughout the story.
The film depicts the image of the cool guy Truong Khai, Hua Kai Duong with his junior sister, the strong-willed and passionate Trinh Vy whose love and hate are clear, and the unlucky boy Tran Hieu Chinh who is both hated and loved by Vy.
The film evokes nameless nostalgia as the love of young couples is sometimes temporarily set aside to make room for other twists of life.
4. It Turns Out You're Still Here
Year of Production: 2016
To Van Cam and Trinh Tranh have known each other since their school days. Trinh Tranh has a crush on To Van Cam but doesn't know how to approach her, so he often does things that make her laugh or cry.
Although deeply moved, To Van Cam decides to distance herself from Trinh Tranh's 'care' due to their different family backgrounds and personalities.
But later, when they meet again, To Van Cam suddenly realizes, 'It turns out you're still here.'
The main characters perhaps annoy viewers the most by refusing to communicate their thoughts to each other and share their own emotions, leading to continuous conflicts and misunderstandings. But that's the essence of youth - everyone has their own hidden mistakes and struggles to express them.
5. My Girlhood
Năm sản xuất: 2015
'Do you like who you are now? As we grow up, for survival, we gradually lose our principles, easily compromise. Sometimes, we even become someone we can't understand ourselves. Sometimes, you will remember the time when you dared bravely pursue your dreams. Does that person still exist within you now?'
My Girlhood is a realistic portrayal of the social atmosphere in Taiwan at that time, perhaps everyone has at one time passionately admired the Four Great Heavenly Kings.
The film revolves around the fiery journey of Lam Chan Tam gradually being lost on her path to adulthood. It focuses on exploring the aspect of first love, the romantic fantasies of adolescence.
Although a bit cheesy with the happy endings resolving all doubts, the film still remains a sweet dream that many girls aspire to.
6. The Hasty Years
Year of Production: 2014
What is youth? The New World Dictionary once said youth is the beginning of a year, the start of life.
Adapted from the novel by Nine Nights Return, the film The Hasty Years offers nothing new in its storyline, still being a typical coming-of-age film where an adult reminisces about their youth. Yet, those vivid memories will touch many viewers with the beauty and innocence of youth.
It's a remarkably authentic portrayal of high school stories, with plenty of laughter at the mischievous antics of the 'class clown'.
The main characters, each with their distinct personalities, embody the essence of adolescence, surely prompting viewers to see themselves in their shadow.
7. Upper Secret
Released in 2016
Upper Secret is a Chinese term meaning 'addictive'. True to its name, the film may unwittingly captivate viewers with its storyline and the personalities of each character.
Upper Secret is a rare adaptation of a boys' love novel in Chinese cinema. For those unfamiliar with boys' love, it depicts a romantic relationship between two men.
Upper Secret only shows us the early stirrings of affection between two young men, with very ordinary details that nevertheless deeply move the audience. They had to overcome intense gender stereotypes to be together.
Perhaps everyone who watches movies will reminisce about their youth, because everyone has their own 'Gu Hai' or 'Bai Luo Yin'.
8. The Best of Us
Released in 2016
Adapted from the novel of the same name, The Best of Us is a school-themed film depicting the innocent love of Cai Cai for Du Huai.
A young girl unexpectedly passes the entrance exam for Chan Hua High School and inadvertently befriends the most special boy in her heart. High school life with close friends and a crush to cherish and remember becomes incredibly colorful in Cai Cai's life.
The film not only depicts the adorable secret love of the young girl but also shows viewers the vibrant high school life of the Chinese people in the early years of the millennium.
9. Fifteen Years Waiting for the Migratory Bird
Released in 2016
Adapted from the novel of the same name, the film tells a poignant love story between Bui Thuong Hien and Le Ly.
Le Ly was born without a father and had to live with her grandmother since childhood. Bui Thuong Hien is a peculiar student who ranks last in class but has a very handsome appearance that many admire.
The girl, not beautiful, is very tough and independent. She has no friends, only Bui Thuong Hien treats her well and makes her feel warm.
Her feelings for the boy blossomed from close care, gradually accumulated over the years like honey in a jar. But perhaps because Le Ly is too good at concealing her emotions, Bui Thuong Hien did not understand, or perhaps he did not want to understand because in his eyes, Le Ly was just his closest friend.
They missed out on their youth together, and 15 years later, they realized their feelings for each other. However, fate did not allow them to achieve complete happiness because Le Ly fell ill and hoped for too little to live.
In 2005, Bui Thuong Hien received a punch from Lieu Thien Nhan.
Bui Thuong Hien's mouth corner bled, his left eye socket bruised, as if going crazy clutching fifteen diaries searching for a locksmith. He dared not imagine that Le Ly had loved him for fifteen years. What had he given her? Just a cheap cake for one dong, a few candles blown out by the wind.
Fortunately, his regret was not yet too late. Le Ly was still there, waiting for Bui Thuong Hien to turn back....
'You owe me a bet, and I've figured out what I want.'
'Want you to live until you're a hundred years old by my side, isn't that too much to ask?'
'Marry me, Le Ly.'
What the future holds is uncertain, but at this moment, after 15 long years, their hearts beat as one.
A vow, a vow of eventual return.
Fifteen years, the migratory bird carries happiness back.
10. Yet to Blossom
An adaptation from the novel by Quach Kinh Minh. The film carries a gentle yet profoundly melancholic tone.
The main characters of the film possess a vibrant enthusiasm like the summer sky, yet hidden deep within those souls is a delicate sensitivity. The story we witness could be found in any high school girl or boy.
Everyone burns with passion to pursue their dreams, cherishing friendship and embracing pure love fervently.
No matter how painful the setbacks may be, when we reminisce, there will only be smiles for the bright summer days, forever without regret.
The days of Lap Ha and Pho Tieu Tu overflow with sunshine, the youthful emotions settling down, but they both endure hardships together. It's only when the world turns its back on Pho Tieu Tu that Lap Ha cries, crying because no one understands what's in his heart.
11. Letters to Our Simple, Beautiful Days
First love is always a sweet fluttering that our hearts can never forget. Letters to Our Simple, Beautiful Days is a film about the pure beauty of first love.
Giang Thanh and Tieu Hi have always been childhood friends, but they belong to different worlds. Giang Thanh is the handsome, intelligent, and aloof guy, while Tieu Hi is the adorable girl who always smiles brightly like the sun.
The barrier between their worlds was shattered when the simple-hearted Tieu Hi decided to openly confess her love to the icy Giang Thanh. Despite being bluntly rejected by the guy, she determinedly refused to give up and continued to pursue him relentlessly. It was because of this that Giang Thanh's life was disrupted by the foolishly endearing antics of his persistent classmate.
But just when their love seemed to bear fruit, unexpected events along with mistakes from both sides led them to break up and be apart for three years. It was a long, bitter period filled with regret and sorrow.
12. Classmate
Year of Production: 2014
The original title of this film translates to 'classmate'. It's a movie about high school love, where feelings for the classmate sitting next to us during those years of school become an important part of our lives.
The love between Lam Nhat and Cu Tieu Chi is pure and beautiful. Classmate is a lovely noun from our school days, reminding us of the times of debating, discussing issues, intentionally holding onto each other's belongings from elementary to high school, and even through high school… all those innocent and beautiful memories.
Each of us has memories of school-time friendships that we can never forget, especially with our desk mate.
The ending of Classmate leaves viewers feeling joyful, but upon reflection, we all know it's just a dream we aim for. True feelings still remain buried in the most beautiful memories.
13. First Love
Year of Production: 2017
First Love is a film about the innocent love story of two high school students. Han Mai Mai is excellent in physical education but struggles with English. She coincidentally falls for Ly Loi, a very talented English student.
This contrast makes Mai Mai feel ashamed in front of him. The first love emotions of Mai Mai and the tender romance in the movie have attracted a lot of audience love.
The film revolves around friendship and love in the high school years. The high school years are incredibly beautiful yet filled with challenges that test the young couple.
14. Blooming Flowers of Youth
Year of Production: 2017
The film 'Blooming Flowers of Youth' is set in an art performance school, depicting the love story of a couple that many envy in school, Hua Na and Gong He.
This is a film about youth filled with optimism and complete plotlines. Hua Na and Gong He are both very diligent in pursuing their life dreams.
With a simple yet captivating storyline, filled with thrilling and touching moments, it makes viewers burst into laughter due to its cheerful and warm moments.
Although the tragic content of the film is remarkable, it doesn't make viewers cry because the tragedy has been delicately transformed from existence to non-existence. It allows viewers to feel the familiar positive feelings creeping into their minds.
15. Long Night, You're Definitely Dead
Year of Production: 2017
Long Night, You're Definitely Dead is a refreshing high school romance film. Truong Tinh My, a talented student who just transferred to a new school, encountered the most unique 'head ghost' of the Long Night school on her first day.
Their encounter sparked fireworks, and after engaging in intellectual battles, they unexpectedly developed feelings for each other. Their love caused a sensation throughout the school and complicated the relationship within the Long Night family.
Although the film's storyline may be considered somewhat cliché and overdone, it still provides viewers with enjoyable moments and hearty laughs with the intriguing confrontations between the two main characters.
Thank you for reading the article by Mytour on the Top 15 best and most worth-watching Chinese high school films. Films about youthful high school days will be the most memorable memories of our youth. Wishing you enjoyable moments while watching.
