Chinese dramas have gained significant popularity in recent years due to their compelling narratives and entertainment value. Despite certain restrictions on television content, producers and writers have skillfully included intriguing and sometimes controversial topics in their productions. Now, let’s explore a curated list of the best Chinese dramas that are highly recommended for your viewing pleasure.
Main Avatar
1. Eternal Love
The series aired on Dragon TV and Zhejiang TV from January 30 to March 1, 2017, and was based on the 2015 xianxia novel by Tang Qi Gong Zi. This highly acclaimed Chinese drama holds the record for the highest number of viewers in television history, with 50 billion views as of August 1. The story revolves around Bai Qian, also known as Si Yin, who has been practicing and causing mischief for 20,000 years. Bai Qian is kidnapped by the jealous goddess Yao Guang, but is later rescued by Mo Yuan. However, after causing trouble again, Bai Qian is taken into custody by the Ghost Lord, with the assistance of the ninth disciple, Ling Yu.
2. The Untamed
The drama follows two soulmate growers as they unravel puzzles connected to a tragic past event.From June 27 to August 20, 2019, the show aired fifty episodes on Tencent Video in China. A special 20-episode edition of the drama premiered on WeTV on December 25, 2019. The brand and intellectual property of the drama are owned by SMG (NewStyle Media Group). The success of the series led to the release of two spin-off films, Fatal Journey (2019) and The Living Dead, focusing on the supporting cast. In June 2021, just before its second anniversary, the series surpassed 9.5 billion views on Tencent Video, solidifying its position as one of the most-watched Chinese dramas on the platform.
3. Put Your Head On My Shoulder
Xing Fei, Lin Yi, and Tang Xiaotian are the main stars of the Chinese television show Put Your Head on My Shoulder. This drama, based on the novel of the same name by Zhao Qianqian, aired on Tencent Video from April 10 to May 16, 2019. The show released two episodes every Wednesday and Thursday night, with VIP members enjoying a six-episode head start. In 2021, a Thai remake of the series, featuring the same cast, was produced, starring Thitipoom Tachaapaikun (New) and Nilawan Iamchuasawad (Kaimuk). The story revolves around Si Tu Mo (Xing Fei), an accounting student with aspirations to work in advertising, who is seeking clarity about her future goals as graduation approaches. Si Tu Mo harbors feelings for her childhood friend Fu Pei (Tang Xiaotian), but consistently experiences disappointment due to his impulsive and unpredictable behavior.
4. Love O2O
Love O2O is a Chinese television series starring Zheng Shuang and Yang Yang, based on the novel of the same name by Gu Man. However, in August 2021, the show was officially banned in Mainland China by the government due to Zheng Shuang’s involvement in various scandals, including tax evasion, which led to her being labeled as an “actor with poor conduct” by regulators. The story follows Bei Weiwei (Zheng Shuang), a talented computer science student in university, who aspires to develop online video games. In the role-playing game A Chinese Ghost Story, her character is named Luwei Weiwei. After her online husband, Zhenshui Wuxiang, breaks up with her, the top-ranked player Yixiao Naihe approaches Bei Weiwei and suggests they get married to compete in in-game couple contests.
5. Nirvana in Fire
Nirvana in Fire garnered immense praise on social media, with 3.55 billion positive comments on Sina Weibo praising its story and characters. As of December 2016, the drama has accumulated a staggering 13 billion views, solidifying its position as one of the best Chinese dramas available. It has been a commercial success in China, amassing over 25.2 billion views and becoming one of the most popular modern Chinese dramas online. Directed by Kong Sheng and Li Xue, the drama features Hu Ge as Mei Changsu, Liu Tao as Princess Nihuang, and Wang Kai as Prince Jing. On the second day alone, over 100 million people watched the drama on streaming services, and by the end of the series, it had garnered over 3.3 billion views on iQiyi.
6.Go Go Squid!
Li Qingrong and Xiang Xujing are the writers of the Chinese e-sport romance comedy television series Go Go Squid. When the series premiered in 2019, Yang Zi and Li Xian portrayed the lead characters. The show revolves around Tong Nian, a talented computer science major who is also a popular online singer, and Han Shangyan, a cybersecurity expert. Tong Nian and Han Shangyan fall in love, support each other, and participate in global cybersecurity competitions. The series gained significant streaming traffic and achieved 100 million views within the first 13 hours of airing. It received praise for its heartwarming storyline and positive portrayal of youth. After graduation, Zhao Qiaoyi and Yan Mo decided to pursue joint international studies.
7. Le Coup De Foudre
The Chinese streaming television series Le Coup de Foudre, which premiered in 2019, was inspired by the song “I Don’t Like This World, I Only Like You.” The show garnered 100 million views within the first 13 hours of its release and received acclaim for its heartwarming storyline and positive portrayal of youth. After graduation, Zhao Qiaoyi and Yan Mo initially agreed to pursue joint international studies, but a family event caused them to break their promise. Four years later, they unexpectedly reunite at a school gathering, reigniting their connection.
8. Go Ahead
The Chinese television drama Go Ahead, which aired in 2020, revolves around three main characters who are not biologically related but consider themselves as family. The show’s heartwarming and familial atmosphere greatly appealed to viewers. On October 8, 2020, iQIYI streamed the drama with multilingual subtitles. The premiere was broadcasted by FPT Play in Vietnam on August 12, 2020, and Huace TV Vietnam uploaded the video to YouTube on November 11 of the same year. Additionally, Netflix acquired the broadcasting rights for the show.
9. Well Intended Love
Wang Shuang and Xu Kaicheng are the main actors in the 2019 Chinese television series Well-Intended Love. The story focuses on Xia Lin, an aspiring D-list actress who is battling leukemia, portrayed by Wang Shuang. In order to obtain a bone marrow donation, Xia Lin enters into a marriage contract with Ling Yi Zhou, a handsome young CEO played by Xu Kaicheng.
The 10 Greatest Directors in Indian Cinema
10. You Are My Glory
The main focus of the Gu Man novel, which inspired the film, is the famous actress Qiao Jingjing and her unexpected reunion with Yu Tu in the mobile game Honor of Kings. These dramas are all worth watching as they are well-written and showcase incredibly talented performers. The chemistry between the lead actors and the compelling plot make this program one of the top Chinese dramas. We hope that watching these dramas will not only keep you entertained but also bring back some of your old favorites.
