Light the Night (2021)
A lush, murder-laced drama set in the glittering hostess clubs of 1980s Taipei, where women's secrets run as deep as their desires.
Light the Night - Series Information
- Original Title: 華燈初上
- First Air Year: 2021
- Last Air Year: 2022
- Created by: Lin Shao-chien, Hong Li-yen et al.
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Mystery, Crime
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (50 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 24
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Chinese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese, Mandarin
- First Air Date: November 27, 2021 (United States - TV-MA), November 27, 2021 (United Kingdom - 15), November 27, 2021 (Australia - MA15+), November 27, 2021 (Brazil - 16), November 27, 2021 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: Netflix
- Production Companies: Bossdom Digiinnovation, Gift Pictures
- Production Countries: Taiwan
Light the Night - Plot
In the red light district of 1980s Taipei, women at a popular Japanese night club navigate jealousy, heartbreak, friendship and love.
Light the Night - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a first look at the world of Light the Night:
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Light the Night - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Lin Shao-chien
- Hong Li-yen
- Du Zheng-zhe
Main Cast
- Ruby Lin
- Tony Yang
- Cheryl Yang
- Rhydian Vaughan
- Derek Chang
- Puff Kuo
- Esther Liu
- Cherry Hsieh
- Nikki Hsieh
- Cammy Chiang
Writers
- Du Zheng-zhe
- Jaxton Lin
Executive Producers
- Aben Lee
Light the Night - FAQs
Where can you stream Light the Night?
Light the Night is available to stream on Netflix, including Netflix Standard with Ads. Both options give you access to all 24 episodes of this Taiwanese drama. Check JustWatch for the most up-to-date streaming availability in your region.
Is Light the Night based on a true story?
Light the Night is a fictional drama, though it draws heavily on the real atmosphere of Taipei's 1980s bar and entertainment districts. The creators crafted an original story inspired by the era's social dynamics, blending period authenticity with invented characters and a murder mystery plot.
Who are the main characters in Light the Night?
The central figures are Rose (Ruby Lin), the composed owner of the nightclub, and Sue (Cheryl Yang), her fiercely competitive rival. Tony Yang plays Pan Wen-cheng, a detective drawn into the murder investigation, while Rhydian Vaughan and Derek Chang portray men entangled in the women's lives.
What is the ending of Light the Night explained?
The finale unravels the identity of the murderer behind the central crime, tying together threads of betrayal, hidden pasts, and complicated loyalties that have built across all three parts. The resolution is bittersweet, reflecting the show's tone — lives are changed, but closure comes at a cost.
How many episodes does Light the Night have?
Light the Night comprises 24 episodes across a single season, divided into three parts released in installments on Netflix. Each episode runs approximately 50 minutes, making the full series a substantial but rewarding watch for fans of slow-burn mystery dramas.
Is Light the Night worth watching?
For fans of atmospheric period dramas with a mystery backbone, Light the Night is a compelling choice. Its lush 1980s Taipei setting, strong female performances — especially from Ruby Lin and Cheryl Yang — and layered storytelling make it one of the more distinctive Taiwanese productions on Netflix.
What language is Light the Night in?
The series is primarily in Mandarin Chinese, with Japanese also spoken throughout — a fitting choice given the story's setting in a Japanese-style hostess club in 1980s Taipei. Subtitles are available in multiple languages on Netflix for international audiences.
What are similar shows to Light the Night?
If you enjoy Light the Night, consider Griselda for another crime-driven story centered on a formidable woman, or Dear Child for tense mystery storytelling. The Long Season also offers a brooding, atmospheric mystery. For more Taiwanese or Asian drama, Call It Love and The Bequeathed are worth exploring.
More About Light the Night
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