At First Glance to See It With

In this poignant 18-minute Chinese short film, university athlete and guitarist Gu Jinxuan lives a life of denial, hiding his true sexuality from his conservative sister and the world. His carefully constructed facade begins to crack when he meets Huang Lin, a free-spirited music lover, at a local restaurant. A simple shared Coke sparks an undeniable connection, leading to stolen moments of guitar duets and tender glances. As their bond deepens, Jinxuan is torn between the warmth of real love and the suffocating fear of coming out. A third character—a persistent school junior named Ye Yuhan who has her own feelings for Jinxuan—adds painful layers to this love triangle. 'At First Glance to See It With' is a bittersweet exploration of internalized homophobia, the cages we build around ourselves, and the heartbreaking cost of choosing safety over authenticity. With evocative music and grounded performances, it delivers an emotional punch far beyond its short runtime.