Best Chinese Dramas to Watch
I’ve been watching Chinese dramas since I was a teenager and it’s been a good way to make sure my Chinese doesn’t get too rusty. In this list are dramas from mainland China, as well as some from Taiwan.
If you’re interested in watching them, some of them are available on Netflix, while others can be found on Viki or IQIYI.
One reason I really enjoy watching Chinese dramas is that most of them produce their own original soundtrack (OST), which is usually amazing and I have found some songs I really enjoy listening to.
This list is a bit shorter than that of the Korean dramas that I recommended, this is because I have a hard time finding Chinese dramas that I like. A majority of the Chinese ones seem to favor a weak female lead which can get annoying to watch (in my opinion).
Another thing to note is that the mainland Chinese dramas do record all the sounds in a studio instead of having the actors voice their characters on set. Some of the actors real voices will still be used while others are voiced entirely by a voice actor. This is because there are so many different dialects and China wants the lines to be delivered in the standard Mandarin for everyone to understand. The female voices can be overly cutesy, just a little thing to be aware of. Overall, I think it’s something that I had to get used to, but now it’s not very noticeable.
Down below, the dramas are listed in oldest to most recently released. I also included my favorite songs from each drama in case you’re curious and want to check those out. Enjoy the recommendations and let me know what you think!
My Recommendations
Just You
Chinese title: 就是要你爱上我
Aired: Jun. 21, 2013 (21 episodes)
Categories: business, comedy, romance
Favorite song: Because of You - Alex To & Freya Lim
Drama Details
A Taiwanese office romance where the male lead bans office romance and the female lead vows to change his mind. A fun little enemies-to-lovers office romance drama.
My Thoughts
I loved this drama and the main actors (Aaron Yan and Puff Guo). I am also a sucker for an enemies-to-lovers romance so this hit the spot. Very lighthearted and I loved the interactions between the office staff.
Perfect Couple
Chinese title: 金玉良缘
Aired: Apr. 21, 2014 (45 episodes)
Categories: historical, comedy, romance
Favorite song: Perfect Couple - Li Qi
Drama Details
Yu Qi Ling sets off to find her adoptive mom’s son, Jin Yuan Bao, but somehow ends up swapping places with his fiancée and marries him.
My Thoughts
Only recently did I start to really appreciate historical dramas. However, this one was a surprising find all those years ago in university when I actually found one that I really enjoyed. A little court drama, adventures, and a theme song that you won’t soon forget.
Memory Lost
Chinese title: 美人为馅
Aired: Oct. 4, 2016 (36 episodes)
Categories: action, thriller, mystery, romance
Drama Details
Han Chen is a man who is searching for his lost fiancee, despite having amnesia and everyone insisting she doesn’t exist. Han Chen and Bai Jin Xi work together to solve crimes and along the way unlock the secrets to their past.
My Thoughts
I loved that this drama had a really strong, independent female lead. I think it’s rare to find one in Chinese dramas that acts cutesy and relies on the male lead. The chemistry between the main leads is great and I always love a good crime drama.
Put Your Head on My Shoulder
Chinese title: 致我们暖暖的小时光
Aired: Apr. 10, 2019 (24 episodes)
Categories: friendship, comedy, romance, school
Drama Details
Situ Mo and Gu Weiyi are studying at the same university and coincidentally end up living in the same apartment.
My Thoughts
I honestly don’t remember much about this drama, but I do remember that I thought the lead couple was really cute together. For a feel good drama that has more of a daily pace, I think it successfully accomplishes that.
The World Owes Me a First Love
Chinese title: 世界欠我一个初恋
Aired: Sept. 15, 2019 (24 episodes)
Categories: comedy, romance, youth, life
Drama Details
A gaming drama that tells the story of a newly hired talent and her boss. On the road to success, the pair clashes and slowly fall in love.
My Thoughts
Gaming dramas seemed to be pretty popular around this time. The female lead stands up to the boss and helps lead the company towards success. I was here for these two actors who I have loved seeing in other dramas.
The Romance of Tiger and Rose
Chinese title: 传闻中的陈芊芊
Aired: May 18, 2020 (24 episodes)
Categories: historical, comedy, romance, fantasy
Favorite song: Moonlight - Shuang Sheng, Yao Yang
Drama Details
Screenwriter Chen Xiao Qian is transported into her own story and realizes she has become a side character. She is determined to not be killed and uses her knowledge of her story to stay alive and find her way out.
My Thoughts
A unique story that I haven’t seen in Chinese dramas before. The female actress is one of my top favorites and she doesn’t disappoint in this drama. Her struggles to adapt and live are fun to watch.
In a Class of Her Own
Chinese title: 漂亮书生
Aired: Jul. 23, 2020 (36 episodes)
Categories: historical, romance
Favorite song: Complete - Gao Jia Lang
Drama Details
Xue Wen Xi is struggling to support her family that she even disguises herself as a boy. She catches the attention of Feng Cheng Jun who helps her enroll in the top school. Will she be able to conceal her identity for long?
My Thoughts
This drama appeared after a long slump of not watching Chinese dramas. It was a great way to get back into them. I loved all the main characters and the OST is great to listen to.
Love is Sweet
Chinese title: 半是蜜糖半是伤
Aired: Sept. 27, 2020 (36 episodes)
Categories: business, comedy, romance
Favorite song: Miracle - Kido
Drama Details
As a result of her dying father’s wish, Jiang Jun begins working at MH. She encounters her childhood friend who has now become her rival. Danger lurks in MH as someone is determined to get rid of her.
My Thoughts
A little mystery mixed with the romance made it a drama I wanted to watch. I loved the cute moments between the main leads. Though, I didn’t really like the second couple that much. Overall, a great watch.
The Blooms at Ruyi Pavilion
Chinese title: 如意芳菲
Aired: Oct. 21, 2020 (36 episodes)
Categories: historical, mystery, romance, life
Favorite song: Ancient Painting - Kiku
Drama Details
Fu Rong foresees her tragic end after marrying Su Xu Jin. She tries to avoid him to thwart fate, but begins to work with him, in hopes that she can change her future, when terrible events take place.
My Thoughts
I have really started to enjoy the historical dramas. Some light action and romance is a perfect mix that can only get better with the amazing OST. Seriously, I loved every song on the soundtrack (which is rare for me).
My Little Happiness
Chinese title: 我的小确幸
Aired: Jan. 13, 2021 (28 episodes)
Categories: comedy, law, romance
Favorite song: I’m with U - Sa Ji
Drama Details
Cong Rong begins working as a legal intern while also dealing with her childhood friend, Wen Shao Qing, who is now her neighbor and landlord.
My Thoughts
I loved the mix of legal and medical since I love watching both types of dramas. Also loved the main couple and their cute height difference.
Love Scenery
Chinese title: 良辰美景好时光
Aired: Apr. 8, 2021 (31 episodes)
Categories: music, comedy, romance
Favorite song: You Have Me - Zhao Bei Er
Drama Details
Liang Chen, a singer, and a university student meet and together they overcome their struggles and pursue their dreams.
My Thoughts
I am in love with the songs throughout the drama and the main couple was very cute. I sometimes thought that they fought over ridiculous things, but the overall interactions between them were great.
Truth or Dare
Chinese title: 花好月又圆
Aired: Jun. 8, 2021 (30 episodes)
Categories: historical, comedy, romance
Favorite song: My Heart - Ye Xuanqing
Drama Details
Two women get married on the same day, but accidentally get on the wrong sedan, setting them on the path to find love.
My Thoughts
Fake marriages that turn into something more are one of my top favorite romantic tropes. Gotta love that the male acts cold but then is a sweet person.
The Day of Becoming You
Chinese title: 恋成你的那一天
Aired: Jun. 17, 2021 (26 episodes)
Categories: friendship, comedy, romance, supernatural
Favorite song: I See You - Qian Xi
Drama Details
The lead singer of a boyband and an entertainment reporter accidentally meet and somehow switch bodies. Many situations occur when they have switched bodies, so they grow to rely on each other in order to not raise suspicion.
My Thoughts
The situations of the main characters switching bodies and having to deal with situations was hilarious and I loved their interactions. A little fantasy thrown into a romance drama; it was perfect.
Forever & Ever
Chinese title: 一生一世
Aired: Sept. 6, 2021 (30 episodes)
Categories: romance, family
Favorite song: Continue Writing - Shan Yi Chun
Drama Details
A voice actress and a chemistry professor briefly met and later continue to get to know each other while trying to preserve his family’s traditional clay teapot business.
My Thoughts
Much more on the daily life drama side, this could be more boring for people, but it was a nice breather in between other dramas. Sometimes it’s nice watching dramas that have less going on and just appreciating the little nuances.
Fall in Love with a Scientist
Chinese title: 当爱情遇上科学家
Aired: Sept. 25, 2021 (24 episodes)
Categories: comedy, romance, life, school
Drama Details
Yan Lang Hang destroys Bai Ling Ling’s thesis defense, which leads to her hating him. However, as online friends who don’t know each other’s identities, he helps her gain entry to work in a lab.
My Thoughts
Finally seeing another drama with Jasper Liu in it after years and years. I liked seeing the work in the lab and the school environment. To be honest, I just remember liking this drama and not much more.
A Camellia Romance
Chinese title: 许纯纯的茶花运
Aired: Nov. 22, 2021 (24 episodes)
Categories: historical, comedy, romance
Favorite song: Tea Blossom Fall - Huang Yali
Drama Details
Xu Chun Chun catches the eye of the Zhou family, the number one tea merchant family. They arrange for her to marry the heir, Zhou Jun Jue. She is constantly looking for a way to divorce him, but he falls in love with her.
My Thoughts
Even if you don’t watch the drama, I would listen to at least my favorite song that I listed above. I could listen to it everyday. I loved the persistence of the male lead while the female lead is trying to find a way out of the fake marriage.
Nothing but You
Chinese title: 眼里余光都是你
Aired: Jan. 10, 2022 (24 episodes)
Categories: comedy, romance
Favorite song: 余光 - 付豪
Drama Details
As a result of an accident, Jiang Li Li is forced to pretend to be her sister, who is a top producer. Will she be able to keep it a secret and succeed?
My Thoughts
Another trope I love is the identity switch and then falling in love with someone. I felt bad for her when she was struggling to adapt to situations, but loved the way she grew and fell in love.
Sassy Beauty
Chinese title: 潇洒佳人淡淡妆
Aired: Jan. 14, 2022 (24 episodes)
Categories: historical, romance, comedy, fantasy
Favorite song: Write Down into Mourning - Zhang Zining
Drama Details
A beauty blogger enters an ancient Chinese beauty video game and discovers she is a low-level maid. She has to level up and become the main supervisor of the royal court to escape the game.
My Thoughts
At first the female lead seemed to be very self-centered and superficial, but she gradually grew and blossomed. I loved the development that she had in the drama. I also really enjoyed the concept of the video game and her having to level up through missions.
Love Between Fairy & Devil
Chinese title: 苍兰诀
Aired: Aug. 7, 2022 (36 episodes)
Categories: comedy, romance, wuxia, fantasy
Favorite song: Remaining Love - Zhou Shen
Drama Details
30,000 years ago, Dongfang Qing Cang wreaked havoc in the immortal realm. To prevent him from destroying everything, he was sealed away in a tower. By accident, Orchid (a weak fairy) enters the tower and encounters him. This meeting could change the world.
My Thoughts
I loved the versatility that the main characters showed when they switched bodies. I started watching this drama because of the CG and costumes and how amazing everything looked, but stayed for the plot. I loved the growth of the relationship and how they fought to bring peace.
Mr. Bad, The Trick of Life and Love,