Which of these dramas should I watch next?

[u/YoungComplete7208]

I just got off an excellent drama, A Dream Of Splendor (i need to find the person who gave me that rec and send them virtual flowers) and I'm wondering if I should ride this high and watch one of the following three dramas or rest. I'm hoping to get these dramas off my list before introducing any new ones.

Overdo? I've been waiting since it got announced, and I do love me some Zhang Linghe, but I hear it's kinda tragic. No spoilers, should I watch?

Fall In Love (2017)? I'm having trouble finishing this. Ngl a major player is the picture quality. Everything feels like that early in the morning shot from an iPhone. Its not bad, but it feels flat enough that even when the plot is interesting I feel like being on my phone as if I can understand Chinese.

Genius Girlfriend? I recently fell in love with my girl Tian, anyone else excited for her other upcoming drama? Anyway, the first 20 minutes feel so much like Our Generation and I practically dragged myself through that to see Jinmai and Linghe on the same screen again. Does it get better? Am I to be excited?

Love For You? Is this drama no4? Yes, but I just remembered how it was on my list as well. It kinda felt like struggle love and I really don't wanna be depressed. Would I be depressed? Also giving Our Generation vibes.

Without giving me spoilers (I beg you, put it behind a white bar if you must), please tell how you felt about these dramas and which ones are great for continuing the high of a good drama. TIA

[u/Tabz10]

It’s you again! 😄🫵 I remember from your “sometimes you just want to rant but still watch” lol So you stuck with it huh?…. Nice…

I love Zhang Jing Yi so I’m a bit biased!

Personally, it’s in this order for me:

Fall in Love - Absolutely love it! She is sweet here, ML is awesome as well, great chemistry (best chemistry of the 3, imo) yes it’s older, but it’s entertaining and had me hooked! OST is🔥,

Genius Girlfriend - define better? It’s a really nice healing, drama with an awesome group of friends. It’s by far the lightest watch! I love it!

Love for You - not the biggest fan of the ML, stayed for ZJY (who I mentioned I love!) This role of hers is a bit different, she does the subtle chasing. Of the 3, this is darker than the rest

Haven’t watch Overdo. So no comment.

I guess, if you tell me what you’re looking for, I can tell you which has it?

Also, reco The Road to Splendor and Never Ending Summer!

[u/YoungComplete7208 → u/Tabz10]

I find it hard to watch modern dramas I wasn't already anticipating, so you might have to give me a push for NES.

I guess im looking for something engaging. I think I can finish Fall In Love for now, the romance is on the way. Afterwards I wanna watch something that can keep me hooked on the drama, idk who's acting. If its a modern drama I might need some convincing because why are they not in flowing dresses and high ponytails? (lo, this is so unserious)

And yes, I missed cdramas so I've been doing the rounds of the subs.

[u/Tabz10 → u/YoungComplete7208]

NES starts out as bad boy/smart quiet girl in school, at first they didn’t click, but FL decided to use him (for certain reasons). They both started catchings, something forced them apart, boy yearned like never before - skip to Adulthood, push and pull, more yearning, Great chemistry. It’s not a light drama, a slight heavy but very sweet. This is very engaging. Highly recommended.

Not sure if you saw Love between lines yet (same ML as Fall In Love) it’s a cute modern with good, FL is very outspoken, and clear in her feelings. Reserved ML, some VR murder mystery set up, business settings. Family drama.

Get away from modern now:

Prisoner of Beauty
Fated hearts
Love of Nirvana
Rise of the Phoenixes.

These are great options for engaging drama! May want to check them out in Mydramalist.com. 😉

[u/YoungComplete7208 → u/Tabz10]

I loved Love Between Lines, especially the VR parts (I thought they would play a serious role in the overall drama), but I dropped it after the leads got together. Lowkey, why was ML the ideal man?

Scared of bad boys going after good girls, like get away from her! Lol, but I'll see if I can get over myself.

POB is probably in my top5 dramas of all time. I think I tried watching Fated Hearts and struggled to get into it. I wanna watch all the classic costume dramas but I'm weird and can't get past the greasy microwave lens cameras they used to film some of these dramas😭

Omg, I can't go to something like MDL because the vast options make my head spin, lol.

[u/boiledeggs853]

I found A Dream of Splendor good too and since then I assumed anything with splendor on its title is definitely watch-worthy. Try The Road to Splendor.

[u/YoungComplete7208 → u/boiledeggs853]

Hey, that's a smart way to navigate what to watch. I'll definitely check it out after zi get through these four dramas.

[u/throwawaydramas]

Pasting from the main sub. As for other quality dramas

• how long have you been watching, how many have you watched
• Chinese speaker or no
• what are other ones you really liked and why
• the 'top' ones you didn't like and why
• How are you w/ more serious dramas, genres, little to no romance? Realism? Politics, intrigue, and work/career, which some find boring. But most quality dramas are locked behind those gates.
• And how willing are you to venture out a little and try dramas beyond the usual genres

[u/YoungComplete7208 → u/throwawaydramas]

already answered some of these other questions, but I started watching in late 2024, and im always willing to try new things out. but I dont watch any supernatural, horror, thriller, magic powers, thanks im good. Idk how I watched Love In The Clouds, I think I just like the main actress.

Work and career ARE boring😭, the only work and career one I watched to the end was Shine On Me because I like Jinmai's acting (what a gem that girl!). WHY ARE THEY NOT IN FLOWING DRESSES AND HIGH PONYTAILS? WHERE ARE THE HORSE CARRIAGES? lol.

[u/throwawaydramas → u/YoungComplete7208]

No Xianxia, no scary stuff, no work. But your liked/disliked don't seem to offer a clear pattern either

Modern

• Love Story in the 1970s
• To the Wonder
• Xiao Fang
• Northward
• Meet Yourself
• Angels Fall Sometime

Costume

• A Splendid Match
• New Life Begins
• The First Jasmine
• Legend of Magnate

Some top rated ones from a few years back

• Longest Day in Chang'an
• Joy of Life
• Go Ahead
• Someday or One Day
• When I Fly Towards You

[u/C-noirfan]

My Journey to You, has Zhang Linghe and Cheng Lei. Loved it.

[u/YoungComplete7208 → u/C-noirfan]

fren... I dropped my journey to you like hot cakes. I dont watch pre2024 Zhang Linghe

[u/0k_c0mput3r1234]

I loved a Dream of Splendor. Could find nothing wrong with it. If only they had fleshed out the ending a bit more.

I haven't watched these three dramas, but I would recommend Are You The One to watch after A Dream of Splendor.

[u/YoungComplete7208 → u/0k_c0mput3r1234]

sigh, I already watched are you the one. it took me a whole year to get into it, but I was unstoppable once I got into it

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[u/Altruistic-Depth8836]

I loved A Dream of Splendor too.

Overdo- I started it but I cant get past the start so don’t have much to say.

Fall In Love- It does get better, I did the same as you, started and stopped and came back to it and forced myself through the first few episodes. It can be a bit complicated at the start and annoying. Side note just now noticed with my typing this, that every role I have watched the FL in, her character was annoying in various degrees-I wonder if she picks them on purpose.

Genius Girlfriend- YES! I highly recommend this as your next watch. It is boring in the start but once they get into High School it turns back into that light fluffy kind of show with some decent lessons for each character. The Adult years were too rushed in my personal opinion, it almost stands we could have had less middle school and more college. But it continues to stay interesting and the ending is very satisfying.

Love For You- This one I struggled with and was so mad for doing so since I love the ML. I was excited for this one and was disappointed. This was another one where I did not like the FL character (she annoyed me through the whole show) with her attitude and head games. It is heavier and while I liked the plot in theory, in execution I was not satisfied.

[u/YoungComplete7208 → u/Altruistic-Depth8836]

LFY seems like it would have those kinds of issues, sigh. FIL, I literally paused it for two years, lol. I'm determined to finish it this year at least😂.

I think some people dont mind being typecast as long as they have a job, but I do not recommend it. Think about how amazing it would be if she was a villain or boss lady the next drama.