ARTICLE
8 Most Popular Chinese Drama In Recent Years
By Chen Shun / 03 Mar 2020 (Tuesday)
With the recent trend of Chinese dramas on the rise, many people have started watching it compared to the past. I also enjoy watching it because of how fast they release the episodes and I don’t have to anticipate forever just for the next episode.
Pretty Li Huizhen | 漂亮的李慧珍
“Pretty Li Huizhen” is a drama aired in 2017 starring Dilraba Dilmurat in the title role, with Peter Sheng, Vin Zhang and Li Xirui. This show is a remake of the South Korean drama "She Was Pretty". It was a huge commercial success in China, ranking first in its time slot during its run, and has over 7 billion views online.
Li Huizhen was a pretty girl when she was young but due to setbacks and hardship over the years, it took a huge toll on her physical appearance. Huizhen’s childhood friend, Bai Haoyu, was short and chubby but grew up to be successful and attractive. Fast forward to the present day, Haoyu tracks down Huizhen and tries to reconnect with her. Will love blossom when things turn complicated?
Eternal Love | 三生三世十里桃花
“Eternal Love” also known as Three Lives, Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms aired in 2017 starring Yang Mi and Mark Chao. As of 2019, the series has reached 50 billion views, becoming the most-watched series in China. The second series "Eternal Love of Dream/三生三世枕上书" is currently airing.
Eternal Love talks about two star crossed lovers spanning across three lives and three worlds and finally to a road of peach blossoms. Will love finally bloom in their third life or will they be split apart just like the first two?
My Amazing Boyfriend | 我的奇妙男友
“My Amazing Boyfriend” aired in 2016 starring Janice Wu and Kim Tae Hwan. The series is inspired by the huge Korean drama “My Love From the Star”. The series had a sequel, "My Amazing Boyfriend 2" continuing off where it ended but due to scheduling conflicts, the main actors were replaced with new faces.
Xue Lingqiao, a super-entity with otherworldly powers, is accidentally awakened by a B-list actress, Tian Jingzhi. She is forced to share her home with the awkward man Xue Lingqiao. From the initial love-hate relationship, they start to warm up to each other and an unlikely romance blossoms. Will they manage to stay together until the end when they are faced with a cosmic conspiracy?
Story of Yanxi Palace | 延禧攻略
“Story of Yanxi Palace” aired in 2018 starring Wu Jinyan, Charmaine Sheh, Qin Lan, Nie Yuan, Tan Zhuo and Xu Kai. During its run, the series was streamed more than 15 billion times and because of its explosive success, it was distributed to more than 70 markets worldwide. It has also been named the world’s most Googled TV show in 2018. The series recently released a spin-off named “Yanxi Palace: Princess Adventures”.
In the 18th century, a young and daring girl by the name of Wei Yinglou enters the imperial palace. While learning survival tactics to protect herself from the two-faced imperial consorts in the harem, Wei Yinglou will climb her way up the ranks to become one of the most known ladies of her time. “Story of Yanxi Palace” will be right up your alley if you enjoy the intricate designs of ancient China as the series has some of the most detailed embroideries I have ever seen from a show.
Put Your Head on My Shoulder | 致我们暖暖的小时光
“Put Your Head on My Shoulder” aired in 2019 starring Xing Fei and Lin Yi. The drama received positive reviews and was ranked #5 most romantic drama of the year.
As Situ Mo is preparing for her future after graduation, she is lost as she has to decide between working in the field she studied or pursue her dream job and thus, she tries out all sorts of things. Her life is shaken up when the genius Physics student, Gu Weiyi enters her life. Due to some misunderstanding, they end up living together and chaos begins. This drama is perfect for someone that is finding a light-hearted series.
The Empress of China | 武媚娘傳奇
“The Empress of China’ aired in 2014-2015 starring producer Fan Bingbing as the titular character - Wu Zetian. The series boasted a budget of roughly $50 million and is believed to be the most expensive TV series in Chinese history to be ever produced.
At the age of 14, Wu Ruyi enters the palace to be the consort of Emperor Taizong. Even though the Emperor loves Ruyi, he kept his distance from her due to a prophecy. After the death of Emperor Taizong, Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne and took Ruyi as a consort. Due to her time as a minor consort for the previous Emperor, she knew how a king should rule effectively. With her help, Emperor Gaozong manages to take back his rightful power from his Regent and she placed herself into the position of Empress. After the Emperor’s death, she ruled the country in her own right.
Love O2O | 微微一笑很倾城
“Love O2O” aired in 2016 starring Zheng Shuang and Yang Yang. The drama was a huge commercial success in China and it has over 25 billion views online.
Bei Weiwei is the computer department goddess who excels in her studies. Little do people know, she is also known as “Luwei Weiwei’ in A Chinese Ghost Story and she is the only female player in the top 10 PK ranking. In-game, she was approached by “Yixiao Naihe” and they became an in-game couple. However, Weiwei never expected that the real identity of her virtual husband to be her senior, Xiao Nai, who is the ideal man in everyone’s eye in school. Together, they must overcome multiple obstacles to go down on the road of happiness.
Till today I still remember one memorable quote from the drama “夫人为何要咬我，在下要讨回公道”. Watching this drama always makes me squeal in excitement from all the heart fluttering moments!
Ashes of Love | 香蜜沉沉烬如霜
“Ashes of Love” aired in 2018 starring Yang Zi and Deng Lun. The series was based on the novel Heavy Sweetness, Ash-like Frost by Dian Xian. With its beautiful cinematography, the series was a commercial success and as of 2019, it has reached 15 billion views.
Jin Mi, daughter of the Floral Goddess, was kept in the Flower Realm. Unwittingly, Jin Mi was entangled in a complicated relationship with the Fire God and Night God. Through twist and turns will Jin Mi find out who she truly loves while keeping evil at bay?
What other Chinese drama caught your eye in recent years? Let us know in the comments below!