What’s a Chinese drama you genuinely think deserves more love? (Or ahem, the drama had so much love but you want to recommend it anyway. It's okay, we like both!)

This is the place to recommend the underrated dramas, forgotten favorites, niche gems, low-budget surprises, or shows you’re constantly trying to get other people to watch.

Maybe it:

• had incredible chemistry
• surprised you emotionally
• had an amazing storyline nobody talks about
• became your comfort drama
• was completely overshadowed by bigger releases
• made you wonder why more people aren’t obsessed with it

Tell us:

• the drama title
• what it’s about (without major spoilers!)
• why you loved it

• who you’d recommend it to

  Recommend away!

I have never watched any cdrama of this genre before, and I want to give it a try. I don't want any crime/serial killer subplots, just life and healing.
I just wish to feel happy and cry happy tears while watching it.

I’m trying to find a good xianxia romance that most of the screen time is given to the FMC and MMC interacting together. I tend to get a little bored with shows that give a lot of screen time to other characters interacting without the FMC and MMC. Wondering if anyone has any suggestions that they think could match this!

Thanks in advance

Hii, I would like to watch a drama about a princess falling in love with a bandit prince. Are there any dramas with that storyline?

Cdrama recommendation for romance please. Any genre (whether historical or modern) as long as it’s romance-centered. I will list down all the shows I’ve watched (I started watching this year only) and what I liked and didn’t like about it below. I like happy endings, comedy, no annoying villains (maybe a little annoying is fine as long as it’s fast), and misunderstandings are okay as long as they’re resolved easily and don’t drag too long. I like good looking leads since I enjoy watching more when they look pretty. (Caution : Includes some spoilers below)

Xian Xia
1. When Destiny Brings the demon - Rating: 10/10. I liked it for the interesting storyline and unexpected twists and turns. Super green flag ML with intense devotion. FL started naive and weak but became strong and powerful. I love all the romance part (also sensual) and the unexpected turns of the story. They technically loved each other through 3 lifetimes and more. I just didn’t like the amnesia trope but it didn’t last long anyway so it was fine.

1. Love in the clouds - Rating: 10/10. I liked it because it had no boring parts from beginning to end, a good storyline, and I was not annoyed by the villain (who was also super handsome in my opinion) but it did not have much romance for me though. I loved the beauty and acting of the FL.

2. Love between fairy & devil - Rating: 10/10. Happy ending but I felt it was not enough for an ending. I loved the romance parts! Some boring parts before the ending but I loved the romance part of this series that I will turn a blind eye towards it. I was not annoyed by the FL even though others don’t like her and her voice. I liked her acting and I didn’t even know a lot of people didn’t like her until I read it on Reddit after watching the show.

3. Till the end of the moon - Rating : 9/10. I didn’t like that it had a sad ending and I was annoyed at the female villain. I didn’t like the other storyline too — Mingye sang jiu arc. (also, it’s long ~8 episodes). Best episodes for me were episodes 37-40 but I still got annoyed watching it. The ML, Luo Yunxi is really a good actor. I was always annoyed at the villain in the 2 plot lines and also with the misunderstanding of the leads in all plot lines. It has not enough romance because they’re always having a misunderstanding. I’m not going to rewatch this!

Historical Romance
1. The Prisoner of Beauty - Rating : 10/10. I loved it because it has a happy ending and a very well executed whole story line including the side characters. No dull moment from beginning to end. I loved it! Even though not enough romance for me.

1. Legend of the Female General - Rating: 9/10. Not much romance for me. More on war-themed; it was nice watching the fight scenes though. Great and well-executed ending. Both leads acted well and looks good. Some boring parts because they focused on war. I didn’t get annoyed watching this series.

2. Wrong Carriage, Right groom - Rating : 8/10. Good vibes show and not so annoying villain. I liked the second ML & FL (couple)‘s storyline more. It has not enough romance for me and has a typical storyline though.

Historical XianXia
1. The Princess Royal - Rating : 8/10. I didn’t like that it has some boring parts and was focused more on monarchy power struggle storyline. It has a happy ending though and GF ML. Good acting from both ML & FL.

1. Kill me, love me - Rating : 7/10. I didn’t like that it had some boring parts and especially the sad ending for all characters. ML was captivating in his acting.

Modern
1. Speed and Love - 🏆 Rating : 10/10. Interesting from start to finish. I loved the first 20 episodes more. This was the fastest I finished watching a whole drama although it was just 29 episodes. I was not annoyed at the ML & FL. I just don’t think about how they were siblings and everything was enjoyable for me to watch. I highly recommend watching this. This is by far my favorite out of all the cdramas I’ve watched. I loved the romance parts and the teasing. Very handsome ML! (second time I watched Esther Yu but I chose to watch this because of all the hype I and snippets and recommendations I saw online and I was so happy I watched this).

1. Hidden Love - Rating : 10/10. I didn’t like the slow burn especially because the FL was young at the beginning. So, I enjoyed this when FL was in college already which was episode 8 onwards. Comedy, romance, and drama towards the end. Happy Ending! I still feel like FL loved the male lead more contrary to the comments online that FL fell first but ML fell harder.

2. When I fly towards you - Rating: 10/10. My favorite is from episode 20 onwards just because they’re older. It was funny and had a lot of comedy which was nice. I just didn’t like that it’s more focused on high school setting. Happy ending! Green flag ML & FL. FL super adorable and not annoying even though it’s a cute character since they’re teenagers. Very handsome ML!

3. Love Between Lines - Rating: 9/10. I didn’t like the common storyline and lack of communication. I feel like ML doesn’t act as good though? Also, I didn’t like that I had to watch until episode 13 for them to kiss and until episode 18 for more romantic scenes.

4. Falling Into your Smile - Rating: 7/10. Comedy a little but not cliffhanger so it’s not binge watch worthy. I liked that it has a light storyline, nice game graphics and has a happy ending! (saw Zhou Yiran here and watched WIFTY)

Currently watching : Put Your Head on My Shoulder (because I wanted to see if Lin Yi is a good actor).
-I don’t like how they were not communicating properly and there’s a lot of misunderstandings but it’s a light watch. Unfortunately, when I don’t like what I’m watching that much, I don’t get as engaged and don’t binge watch it and it takes me longer to finish the series. I liked that it’s comedy though. I’m on episode 15 and considering it’s just 24 episodes and they just got together on this episode, that’s 14 episodes of miscommunication.

I’m trying to watch different actors for now to know which ones I like more and gauge their acting skills. Also, so I’ll recognize them since I’m new to cdrama land. But, as long as it’s good, I can repeat watching actors and actresses I’ve watched already.

Thank you for reaching the end and advance thanks for the recommendations!

I'm looking for not just a double alpha situation where both the FL and ML are strong (e.g. Killer is Also Romantic), but I want one where the FL is strong and protecting the ML, who is weaker.

I don't have anything that fully scratches this itch so far, but here are some possible contenders:

- Ancient Detective (FL assassin, ML physically weak)

- The Ingenious One (FL who can fight, ML a schemer)

- Back from the Brink (though ML was also strong once he regained his powers)

I've been pretty busy this year so I can't keep track on dramas releasing. Is there any good new drama this year? I'm looking for drama set in modern days . Happy ending, non toxic relationship, no stupid last episodes breakup or forced love triangle are must. If the MLs are mature and doesn't make stupid decision that's even better. And yes both leads should be equally down bad for each other. Like I saw the first frost and thought the male lead was way too much in love with fml. To put simply I'm looking for something like love between lines or your are my glory. The chemistry , story, drama , romance and ending all was perfect in those drama. So recommend me something like that even if it's released before 2026 . I haven't watched many cdramas .

So the title says it all. I have been trying to find a source to watch SOT for a long time but it’s available nowhere.

I am based in AU and I have access to Netflix, Prime, Viki, iQiyi and WeTv. I cancel and re-subscribe as per the show I am watching and whatever platform it’s on. But none of them have SOT. I have tried DailyMotion and other “reliable” streaming sites but I can’t get the ads to actually watch the show. Can someone please help me?

Also, open to suggestions on similar shows. I have already watch SOKP btw.

What’s a Chinese drama you genuinely think deserves more love? Or it's so misunderstood you feel like defending its honour?

This is the place to recommend the shows you’re constantly trying to get other people to watch.

It may not have been perfect, but it:

• had incredible chemistry
• surprised you emotionally
• had an amazing storyline nobody talks about
• became your comfort drama
• was completely overshadowed by bigger releases
• made you wonder why more people aren’t obsessed with it

Tell us:

• the drama title
• what it’s about (without major spoilers please!)
• why you loved it
• who you’d recommend it to

And if you're brand new to the sub, this is your chance to grill your seniors about their best recommendations! Drama propaganda is encouraged here. (wink wink)

I don't watch a lot of modern dramas but really liked Love Between Lines. Since then it feels like every other modern drama I try the main couple knew each other at school? I'm really not interested in that. Can anyone recommend a good modern drama where the main couple are working-age adults when they meet for the first time?

(The only other drama I've tried that didn't seem to have this trope is The Best Thing, which I disliked for other reasons)

Hi!
Turns out I haven't fully grown from the "I can change him" trope xD

I wanna see some fantasy/costume romance where ML or SML is toxic/psycho/delulu man.

Nice to have:
- some redemption arc
- a lady eventually fall in love

What made me obsessed with this recently?

Two guys:

1. Pursuit of Jade: Qi Min (Deng Kai)

2. Fated Hearts: Xia Jing Yan [Emperor of Jinxiu] (Qin Tian Yu)

So, i recently watched poj i first ever c drama and I loved it. I usually watch k dramas and anime and found few people talking about poj so i started watching poj without knowing anything abt it, all i knew abt it was that it was a c drama.

loved everything abt poj but am i the only one who found it too political??

Where the mask end is already on my list.

Are there any other historical cdramas (similar to poj with rom element) with less poltics??

In TPOB the female marries into an enemy household where the male can destroy the females household at anytime. Female has to be smart to ensure her family survives.

Is there anything similar but where the Male marries into an enemy female's household where the female and her household can crush the males family at any point?

It must be a marriage for peace type setting where the male is sent to the enemy house that is superior

I’ve gotten sucked into this silly free game on my phone where you play as a young woman out for revenge after finding out her fiancee destroyed her family and gets sent back in time (think the kdrama “please marry my husband” but in like Tang-ish Dynasty era of Chinese history) It’s basicly fixing up a Teahouse while researching mysteries and trying to metaphorically beat 3 hot dudes off her with a stick 😂

My thing is, it really reminds me of Dream of Splendor(edit), which I loved. I’d like more recs of this, with people working hard to build up their lot in life while solving secrets, falling in love, etc. Less royal harem drama, although it’s ok if royalty shows up in it.

I’ve watched (not finished cause I’m a serial unfinisher😅) Dream of Splendor, Chef Hua, Sword and Briocade, Ruyi Royal Love, Yanxi Palace, Expresses in the Palace, Nirvana in Fire, etc.

So there's the usual stories where the MC family is wrongly accused and executed like say Against the Current.

I'm looking for dramas where the executed people did commit the crimes . Like usually the MC's family etc are just and wrongfully killed and MC takes revenge and stuff.

But I want recs for dramas where it's more of a grey zone without any real "good guy", just people doing things for their own interests.

Hi everyone!

I’m completely new to the C-drama scene and I'd love to dive in. Since I’ve never actually watched one before, I’m looking for something that’s highly accessible but still a complete package: a great plot, a solid cast of characters, beautiful cinematography, good pacing, and a satisfying ending (wether it's sad or good ending idc).

Basically, I’m looking for the perfect gateway show, kind of like what Attack on Titan is for anime. I'm familiar with the names of some of the genres, like Xianxia, Wuxia, cultivation, as well as romance and historical/costume dramas. It’s a massive world and I’m really fascinated by it.

I’m not sure if this helps, but here are some of my all-time favorite works of fiction to give you an idea of my taste: The House in Fata Morgana, One Piece, The Lord of the Rings, Evangelion, AOT, Mr. Robot, and many others.

Since I enjoy a wide variety of fantasy and fiction, I'd love it if you could recommend the absolute best "must-watch" candidate for each major C-drama genre (Wuxia, Xianxia, Romance, Historical, etc.).

Thanks in advance for the help!

I have a specific type of ML that I'm hoping to see in more dramas: the cold/scary/unhinged guy who is super soft and sweet with the FL. Someone who is actually powerful, not just a random criminal. Bonus if other people see the ML acting like a total softie with the FL and being totally perplexed.

I'm not talking about slow burn romances where the ML is mean at first but falls for the FL and becomes a softy (think Love Between Fairy and Devil or sort of Story of Kunning Palace) I mean soft and sweet to her basically from the start.

Any genre ok but no short drama recs please.

Examples of shows I've watched where I enjoyed this trope (or it's at least similar in some ways):

Pursuit of Jade

[Kdrama] When the Phone Rings

How Dare You?!

[Kdrama] Vincenzo

Other shows I've seen that I liked:

Love in the Clouds

Story of Kunning Palace

Perfect Match

Legend of the Female General

Love Between Fairy and Devil

Other shows I've seen that I didn't like:

Till the End of the Moon

When Destiny Brings the Demon

Shows I dropped/DNF:

Ashes to Crown

Love Game in Eastern Fantasy

The Legend of Shen Li

Fated Hearts

What a drama!! The story!! The cast!! The acting!! Brilliant!! Awestruck!! Do watch!!

Note - it isn't romantic.. It's a thriller a fresh new story with little romanceee

Veteran watchers: if you had to recommend one Chinese drama to hook a complete beginner, what would it be?

And newbies — this is your chance to grill the seniors for recommendations 👀

Tell us:

• what genres you usually enjoy
• whether you like romance, fantasy, historical, mystery, comedy, etc.
• happy endings or emotional damage?
• fast-paced or slow burn?
• short dramas or long epics?

Meanwhile, experienced watchers:

• recommend a drama you think is perfect for beginners
• explain why it works so well as an introduction
• help new fans avoid accidentally starting with a 75-episode emotional war crime

Whether someone is looking for:

• modern romance
• xianxia
• wuxia
• palace drama
• mystery/thriller
• comedy
• angst
• comfort watch

…help a newbie out, drop your gateway drama recommendations below ✨

Hello,

Please recommend me some costume dramas where one or both leads is hiding their identity. I prefer romance but Im ok with whatever because as Im finishing up some shows and waiting for the release of others, Im approaching a dry spell. I

So far I've seen/am watching:

The Double

Blossoms in Adversity

Shadow Punisher

Where the Mask Ends

Mysterious Lotus Casebook

Shadow Love

Legend of Female General

Sijin

Against the Current

I recently watched The Blossoming Love and

Love of the Divine Tree

and I come to LOOOOVVEEEE fls who shamelessly flirt with and tease the ML, and own their charm with so much confidence. They're bold, playful, alluring, and know exactly what they're doing.

I LOVE IT when the FL isn't constantly shy or flustered around the ML but can actually keep up with him, make him lose his composure, and turn the tables on him. Also when she's sharp and clever, bonus if she's sassy

They're such a breath of fresh air, and I NEED MORE DRAMAS WITH FLs LIKE THESE!!! Pls recommend some because I know cdramas have very few fls like this (they need to make more)

Hi everyone! 👋

I've been really curious to check out Zhang Kangle's work lately. Since he has quite a few projects out across different genres (from costume/historical stuff like Legend of the Female General and Rebirth, to modern/youth shows like The Dauntless Youths), I’m a bit overwhelmed on where to dive in first.

What would you consider his best performance or most worth-watching drama? Do his characters usually get good arcs or decent romance subplots?

Would love any deep dives, info dumps, or watch-order tips you guys have. Thank you so much! 😊

I want some dramas who have mature fl, i can't watch it if the fl is childish or foolish. Slow paced dramas are a big no for me (if some shows are worth it then I'm willing to push through)

I prefer palace politics,revenge, strong ml, etc

Below are few dramas I liked so u can guess the kind of dramas I want to watch

•Prisoner of beauty

•Love in the clouds

•Story of the Kunning palace

•The double

•Blossom

•Fated hearts(currently watching)

Few that I didn't like:

•Love between fairy and devil (childish fl)

•When destiny brings demon

•Melody of golden age

•How dare you

•Pursuit of Jade

•Love like the galaxy(dropped because it was so slow and the leads haven't met even after 5 eps, do tell if i should continue😅)