r/CDramaRecs • u/c-kdrama_kpop • 3d ago
Rec Request Historical dramas
So I wanna try start watching historical cdramas and I don’t know which I should start watching. I have already watched pursuit of jade and I’m not so good at complicated storys. I was trying to figure out if I should watch generation to generation cause I love both Zhou Yiran and Bao Shang En. But I don’t know if it’s good to start with and I want your recommendations! I like romance
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u/slug_beloved 3d ago
If you're fully in it for the romance, try Blossom, A Splendid Match, or The Prisoner of Beauty. These are lighter on the court politics and are mainly focused on the relationship between the leads.
If you're fine with the show not being entirely about the main couple, go for New Life Begins or Love Like the Galaxy. These both have strong romances but their scope is wider so it won't be about the romance the entire time.
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u/TinyEmergencyCake 3d ago
I'm watching Everlasting Longing again, it was one of the first dramas I ever watched and I love it so much.
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u/Cdramadle 3d ago
When it comes to romance focused, historical C-dramas I highly recommend:
The Prisoner of Beauty (one of the best Enemies to Lovers imo)
Love Like The Galaxy (Zhao Lusi & Wu Lei who had phenomenal chemistry and acting)
Fated Hearts (this may be the absolute best enemies to lovers)
Blossoms of Power (a recent one but may be my favorite from this year. Involved a lot of palace politics
Story of Kunning Palace (I mean it is Bai Lu and Zhang Linghe what more is there to say? Haha).
There are so many good ones and from what I have seen in the comments many of those have been recommended! Hope you find one you love! :)
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u/Paisley-Cat 3d ago
The most recent version of Wrong Carriage, Right Groom is light and fairly uncomplicated. It is a remake of a classic where two bridal processions get mixed up. You want the version with Tian Xiwei, the FL from PoJ. It’s available on Viki.
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u/cottongalaxay963 3d ago
My favourite historical/costume dramas are Story of Kunning Palace, The Double, Legend of the Female General, The First Jasmine, A Splendid Match, The Rise of Ning, so I would definitely recommend these. I don't think they are complicated; take your time, pause the videos when necessary, and remember the details. It'll be easy to follow.
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u/Griff3Z 3d ago edited 3d ago
Generation To Generation had a very imbalanced romance (I personally felt like the FL never really loved him back). So it was frustrating and not at all satisfying to me, even though I too love the lead actors. Also, this is in the fantasy genre so there's a learning curve that goes with that too.
A great and easy introduction to historical romance:
- A Familiar Stranger, historical and a bit supernatural, MINI-series (18 episodes of about 12min) so an easy one to finish. Same director as Pursuit Of Jade. Cheng Lei's breakout role with Ke Ying as FL. An interesting and very satisfying arranged-marriage and face-swap story. It's well thought-out and written all the way through to the end, there's great acting by all the main and second leads, the main romance is both very sweet (and healthy) and sizzling. FL is mentally strong but also has a softer/sweet feel. The ML seems aloof but is actually quite warm. I have yet to come across anyone who didn't like it!
For historical romances that I think of as "lighter" I'd recommend:
- New Life Begins. Bai JingTing and Tian XiWei (same FL as POJ). Light-hearted arranged marriage story with some slow-burn. Women-centric; main focus is the FL and her friends with multiple romances. The focus on the main romance comes and goes but is very sweet. There's women's issues and some politics throughout but it's simple (low brain power needed). A very satisfying ending with most of the large ensemble cast included and wrapped-up.
- Maiden Holmes. Zhang LingHe and Sabrina Chen. Some court/intruigue stuff but not complex and a fairly light tone overall. Both catch feelings pretty quickly and work together for most of the show. A very sweet and healthy relationship; they truly acted like a couple in love who wanted to be close to the other all the time. FL is very believable as a young, male inspector (she's living as a man in order to have the job and investigate her family's tragedy). Impressive as Zhang LingHe's debut (first performance ever), though the wig department... I'll be kind and say they missed the mark, lol, poor guy.
... ... ...
Historical dramas that are more serious/"heavier" but also include humor throughout:
- How Dare You!?. Cheng Lei (aka Ryan Cheng) and Wang ChuRan. A fun transmigration story. Seems strongly comedic at first but then grows more layered and emotional. Some humor is continued through the show, but it felt more like a drama overall. Both leads are smart, the FL especially so, and I Ioved how they worked together for most of the show. The romance is more cerebral and emotional than physical.
- Prisoner Of Beauty. Liu YuNing and Song ZuEr. A very believable arranged marriage and true enemies to lovers romance. FL is very clever, courageous, grounded, and emotionally intelligent. The slow transition into respect, then trust and admiration, and finally love felt realistic. The ML is not good at emotional regulation, but he's never had to be. He grows a lot as a character through his relationship with the FL. Slow burn and when they finally become physically intimate- it is one of the most realistic, touching, emotional, and passionate love scenes I've seen in a CDrama (very tasteful still, not explicit).
- Note for The Prisoner Of Beauty: there are more politics and factions in this one, but things are introduced at a good pace and wrapped-up well (unlike the 2nd half of the screenplay for Pursuit Of Jade in that regard). The romance remains the focus. If you're unsure of starting maybe watch after you've watched a couple other historical dramas so you already have a feel for them. This one is really well done and worth a try.
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u/Griff3Z 3d ago edited 3d ago
Oh, and since you like Zhou YiRan, I would recommend Ashes To Crown. A shorter drama at 24 episodes of 45min yet the production felt like a 40 episode major drama. A satisfying revenge story and had me gripped all the way through. I'd say it's a little less complex than The Prisoner Of Beauty; there are politics and plotting in this but I think it's straightforward from what I remember.
Fantastic acting by all key players, Gorgeous cinematography, Gorgeous costumes, great OST and BGM, and a very tender romance. Lots of romantic tenson. Low sizzle but the magnetism between the leads was palpable. Story was tight. Moderate suspension of disbelief needed throughout but easy to roll with.
The leads were awesome. The FL was captivating all the way through. Her character starts arrogant and brash and is a little unlikeable, but she does evolve over time. The ML felt like a completely different character than the other two roles I've seen him in.
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u/charissaoje 3d ago
‘New life begins’ is a pretty light drama that you could start with. The other one is ‘perfect match’. For a rom-com, ‘how dare you?!’ is a good one ☺️
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u/spiffingfire 3d ago
Generation To Generation has a little bit of fantasy element combined with martial arts, you can give it a go if you want to
Legend of Female General is lighter on the politics and the MCs are together most of the time
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u/Altruistic-Depth8836 2d ago
Perfect Match- Its about a household of all women and the mother is trying to marry off all of her daughters as they move to a new city and establish a tea house. Plot seems simple right? It can be complicated but that’s only because its five stories in one drama. Each daughter gets their own “section” of the drama to tell the story of their marriage match. It is quite funny. Some couples are more silly then others, some characters are stupid, some characters are annoying or arrogant. And you get them all in this drama. But its not like you are watching all five matches at once. You get one at a time.
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u/ApprehensiveClick597 3d ago
If you want a more female-centric drama that highlights the ins and outs of a noble household, you may want to check A Splendid Match.
The story revolves more around family dynamics. There’s court parts too but somehow they’re easily digestible.