12 Binge-Worthy Chinese Dramas That Will Make You Go, ‘Why Didn’t I Watch This Before!’

It’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with another culture that you’ve been intrigued with. One of the best ways to do that is by watching foreign movies and TV shows about another culture. Speaking of which, Chinese dramas aka C-Dramas have been slowly gaining popularity in India recently, and it’s not for no reason! They are fascinating, have a limited number of episodes, and are known for romance, historical, and fantasy genres. If you’re looking to dive into the world of Chinese dramas but have no idea where to start, might we suggest some of the best Chinese dramas to get you started? 

Top Chinese Dramas

Parasite director Bong Joon Ho aptly said, “Once you overcome the one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.”. It’s true! Digital streaming platforms have made it extremely easy to stream captivating movies and shows in various languages from all over the world. If you’re looking to explore genres of shows such as romance, comedy, ancient fantasy, then you must give Chinese dramas a try. Here are some of the best Chinese TV series that you’d like! 

Legend Of Fuyao

Action, romance, drama- this popular Chinese show has it all! The story is about Fu Yao, who grew up as an orphan, and how she evolves from being a slave to eventually a very powerful woman. Discontent with her fate, Fu Yao takes matters into her own hands, finds the courage, and sets out to carve her own path. In the process, she meets the Crown Prince and falls in love with him. 

The Rise Of Phoenixes

This Chinese drama is a delight for fans of historical fiction! The is one of the best Chinese historical dramas and it focuses on the story of the illegitimate daughter of the Qiu family, who is banished after being accused of a crime she didn’t commit. She then disguises herself as a man to attend an elite academy. After acing it, she enters the court as a royal scholar, and remains loyal to the reigning Emperor. However, she seeks revenge after she is manipulated into thinking that her loved ones were killed by the current dynasty. Watch this show for the cultural experience- the architecture, the beautiful costumes, and more. 

Lost In 1949

Lost in 1949 is a spy drama that is set in Communist China. It follows the tale of two people who meet by chance, fall in love with each other and devote their lives to their country. A secret mission, action, a beautiful romance- what’s not to love? 

The Untamed

The Untamed is a concoction of well-written characters, an amazing screenplay, and most importantly a gripping storyline. Wei is a practitioner of the dark arts who comes back to life 16 years after he had passed away. On resurrecting, he is able to find people close to him during his previous life and joins them in uncovering the series of events that led to his death.

Romantic Chinese Dramas

While K-pop dramas gained a lot of popularity last year, most people in India have only just begun exploring Chinese dramas recently. If you’re thinking of starting something new to watch, but don’t want it to be too heavy, complicated, and time-consuming, then romantic Chinese dramas are perfect for you!

Here To Heart

Adapted from the novel The Warm Chord by An Ning, this romantic Chinese drama follows the love story of a young couple who were separated because of a tragic accident. Years have passed, and while both of them have found new companions, they aren’t really happy in their lives. Fate intervenes, and the two cross paths once again. Can they overcome resentment and rekindle their love? 

Love O2O

Don’t wish to watch a heavy, emotional series? Then this sweet, refreshing, and light-hearted Chinese drama will be perfect for you! Love O2O is another really popular Chinese modern drama that follows the story of two university students Xiao Nai and Weiwei, who fall in love through an online game! The series isn’t very time-consuming and is just 30 episodes long. Go ahead, give this one a try if you love the romance genre.

Ashes Of Love

Ashes Of Love follows the story of Jin Mi, who is unable to feel emotions, but gets caught in a love triangle between Xu Feng and his half-brother Runyu. While it’s a love story, this romantic Chinese drama has enough battles and power struggles to keep you hooked! With 63 episodes of approximately 42 minutes each, this Chinese drama is a bit longer than others, but rest assured, it is interesting enough to keep you entertained throughout. 

Eternal Love (Three Lives, Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms)

Eternal Love, also known as Three Lives, Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms is said to be one of the most-watched and popular series in China. If you enjoy romance as well as fictional stories about immortals, gods, goddesses, then this might be the right pick for you. Eternal Love is the story of Bai Qian and Ye Hua and their romance across three lifetimes, in three different worlds. 

Romantic Comedy Chinese Dramas

There are so many C-Drama gems out there that are just waiting to be explored. Chinese dramas have addictive storylines, fascinating characters that will keep you hooked to the shows. When it comes to Chinese TV series, one of the most popular genres is romantic comedy or rom-com. They are entertaining, light-hearted, and refreshing! Below are a few romantic comedy Chinese dramas that you must watch.  

A Love So Beautiful

Based on the novel To Our Pure Little Beauty by Zhao Qianqian, this coming-of-age romance drama focuses on a lovestruck high school student Chen Xiaoshi, and her next-door neighbour Jiang Chen who grew up together. It’s a cute, refreshing high school romance that you’ll easily fall in love with! This show is one of the most popular romantic comedy Chinese dramas, and there’s also a Korean remake of this show.

Put Your Head On My Shoulder

‘Put Your Head On My Shoulder’ is a simple, sweet coming-of-age Chinese drama that is perfect for you if you’re a sucker for romcoms! The story follows Si Tu Mo, a cheerful girl who meets Gu Wei Yi, a really famous and smart guy in the school. Chaos ensues when they coincidentally start living together! 

Meteor Garden

Dong Shancai is an ordinary girl who gets accepted into the most prestigious university in the country. There, she meets F4, an elite group consisting of the four most popular, rich, and handsome boys- Dao Ming Si, Hua Ze Lei, Xi Men, and Mei Zuo. It’s a classic haters-turned-lovers story that is easy and entertaining to watch.  

Go Go Squid!

Go Go Squid! Is a love story between an intelligent, bubbly girl Tong Nian and a cold guy Han Shang Yan, who is basically a legend in the professional gaming world. It’s the typical ‘opposites attract’ love story, and how the two inspire and support each other as they work towards their dream to win a championship.

More Shows To Explore

Best Korean Dramas On Netflix: Wanna dive into the world of K-dramas? Check out this list of the best Korean dramas that you can stream on Netflix. 

Best Pakistani Shows: Loved watching Pakistani shows such as Zindagi Gulzar Hai and Humsafar, and wondering what to watch after that? Check out this list of the best Pakistani shows that have really intriguing storylines!  

Best Crime Series To Watch: If you enjoy watching mysterious dark thrillers, then you might enjoy these bone-chilling crime series too! Take a look. 

Best Romantic Web-Series To Watch: Here’s a list of the best romantic web series on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hotstar that you’ve gotta watch if you’re a fan of the genre. 

Best Indian Comedy Web Series: From Panchayat to Chacha Vidhayak Hai Humare, these comedy web series will leave you in splits! 

Best Zee5 Web Series: There are some really amazing web series on Zee5 that you might’ve missed! Check out this list of the best web series on Zee5 that we are sure you’ll love! 

Now that you have the list of the best Chinese dramas, binge-watching them should be next on your to-do list! 

Featured Image: IMDb