"Do you keep your lights on?" is a question from a clip from an African dating television show called "Hello Mr. Right" rather than its inspiration, China's "If You are the One".

Launched in Zambia in 2018, the show created a record high of viewing figures on the channel. Afterward, it has been broadcast in other African countries and has drawn a lot of fans. Now the Kenyan version has been put on the screen.

If they were to watch it, perhaps while on holiday in Africa, Chinese people probably would feel quite familiar with the show, as it was partly developed from the Chinese blind date TV show "If You are the One".

An executive from the Chinese production team of "Hello Mr. Right" revealed that they added Chinese experience from making the TV show to the local African dating program, enriching the initially relatively monotonous dating section.

The eventually presented "Hello Mr.Right" has more fun with a simplified format. In each show there are eight ladies standing on the stage while four male guests introduce themselves and display their talents. Then the ladies choose to leave the lights for each male on or off. After some interactions, the men can make their final decision among those ladies who have kept their lights on.

A comedian and a socialite host the dating TV show.

The lively and novel show soon captured many viewers' hearts in Zambia. It always became a hot topic after its showing every Saturday night.

"I like this." "Love this show...it's awesome."

It is worth noting that compared with the Chinese dating show, "Hello Mr. Right" has a higher success rate for matchmaking.

Africans are generally more passionate and enthusiastic in comparison to introverted Chinese people. Therefore, the African version seems to possess a more distinct personality and dramatic presentation.

Some African netizens are curious about the subsequent stories following the successful couples' dates. "Are they really together afterwards?"

An American netizen even posted a comment to ask for the link to the TV show, saying that "I searched it up, and nope, it is not available in the US. Can you make it?"

International media observed that besides those "Made in China" products, more and more Chinese TV shows and TV dramas have been very much favored by the African people, such as the costume drama "Nirvana in Fire", the costume romance story "Eternal Love", and the contemporary drama "Struggle".

Chinese elements are integrating into Africans' TV viewing life, whether those elements are behind the scenes or front and centre.

African audiences are attracted not only by the stories but also by the Chinese culture and history portrayed, said the UK's Daily Telegraph.

A poster of "Nirvana in Fire"

Currently, there have been a number of Swahili versions of Chinese TV series in Tanzania since the contemporary emotional drama "A Beautiful Daughter-in-Law Era" went viral in Africa in 2011. A dubbing industry chain has even emerged there.

A still of "A Beautiful Daughter-in-Law Era"

In order to present a better viewing experience for African audiences, Chinese companies started to hold dubbing matches and recruit dubbing actors in Africa.

A hit drama "Ode to Joy" received high popularity even when it was broadcast in Africa for the second time. Netizens delighted in talking about the fates of characters in the drama.

"She will get a rich guy, so the answer is YES." "Must watch it."