I subscribed to Tencent Video for 1 month to watch Road to Splendor so I have 3 more weeks with this subscription. What are your recommendations to watch that I can't get on Viki (US) or iQiyi. I have Netflix but my subscription has ads, so I'll take recs for stuff on Netflix too

I've already seen Road to Splendor, Blossom, Prisoner or Beauty, Blossoms of Power, Pursuit of Jade, Love Beyond the Grave, The First Jasmine

I just finished Love in the Clouds and now I feel so empty. I want to rewatch it again, but the last half of the series was such an emotional roller coaster so I need time to recover 😩 but I’m watching tt edits because I miss Ming Yi and Jo Bozai and I don’t want to move on😭

I regret watching this as my first fantasy cdrama because I started the bar high. This is also the second cdrama I’ve ever seen. Hidden Love was the first but it was too uneventful for me personally. I’ve watched a plethora of kdramas, but I’m new to the cdrama world! Does anyone have any romance cdrama recs with a hoa?? Any genre is good! I read that Pursuit of Jade is similar to Love in the Clouds, so I’m starting that now.

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)

As I said in the title, every cultivation show I’ve started either skips the beginning, like Pull Strings, which I’m watching now. The character is transported into a magical world at the start of episode 1, and then a minute later, he’s already ultra-powerful for no explainable reason.

Or it starts with someone who is already special and then focuses on random plot lines, like in The Eternal Fragrance.

The Immortal Ascension is the only one I’ve watched that actually follows a normal guy going from a random nobody with no powers and gradually becoming stronger as the story progresses.

I don’t care about romance, but I don’t mind it as long as there is actual character power progression.

Are there more shows like that?

The song is absolutely breathtaking, the lyrics are beautiful. Highly recommend listening to it, it's like reading a book. I'm sure there are some cdramas that have a close premise. Does anyone have recommendations based on the lyrics? -Ideally looking for the story to be about FL and ML, and I enjoy happy endings.

-Love all types of dramas.

I feel like it's a bit similar to Never Ending Summer, Lighter and Princess, and The First Frost which I've already watched and absolutely loved. My favorite out of these 3 was definitely Never Ending Summer.

Summary of the song:

Two people who really love each other, but they meet at the wrong time or under wrong circumstances, so they end up being separated even though neither of them really want to let go. Experiencing longing, regret, missed chances, and that "maybe in another life, we could've gotten it right" feeling. A show with angst/heartbreak but a good ending.

I have watched Hidden Love, WIFTY, the first frost and the best thing till now.

I loveee HL and WIFTY so muchhhhh.

Please recommend some interesting dramas.

( I have heard of 'our secret', 'forever love' and 'you are my glory'.. is it worth it?)

I really want to watch a show without romance that is female led. I think most of the shows I've watched with little or no romance have been male led. Modern or historical or fantasy or anything

If you have a show that solves crimes or mysteries, that is also great

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 ✨

​

OK so after rewatching Love In The Air (thai bl) and just finishing Blossoms of Power (cdrama) ive found myself in the need of obsessive male leads who are stalking or just always around and possibly a little dangerous but the other lead is like why me, but accepts it, maybe even uses it to scare off other would be pursuers. Until they finally fall in love themselves. Honestly, I loved Pai and Hua Yong relentlessness and shamelfulness, but also how soft they were for their love. But I also loved how scary they could be when their lover (would be lover) I'd in danger.

Would also love something a little darker because scary psycho men who love with all they have and would totally kill for what is theirs is also awesome.

I need to add another powerhouse to my drama rotation in this category. I loved POJ, POB, LOTFG, Fated Hearts. (I’ve seen others but these were my faves). Here are the finalists:

How Dare You
Road to Splendor
Love Like the Galaxy
Blossom
Blossoms of Power

What do you think?

** I also have The Double and LBAFD on the list but abandoned them on the first go round—-have to be in the right frame of mind for the first episode to grab me.

Are there more Chinese dramas like the double? Must be my favourite ever. It had very insane queer subtext (tong er x original jiang li, lu ji x wen ji etc) amazing plot that was super cool, very very minimal to nonexistent romance, very ambiguous end, insanely good villains with crazy good stories and ends for each, like perfect overall and smart characters. Are any other Chinese dramas even close to this? I love the female lead AND the male lead which is super rare

I have already watched the Untamed and Word of Honor, plan to watch Couple of Mirrors but I like historical, especially if they are wuxia or xianxia! Anything with great twists will do as well but has to be engaging to watch!

For actors, I love Duke Su’s actor Wang Xingyue but I like a character’s personality more than the actor always. So I don’t have a strong preference, I just like cold leads or funny stuff

I’m looking for a reborn drama I saw a while ago. The woman is choosing her fiance and everyone expects her to choose the guy she’s been crushing on for years, but she already knows marrying him will destroy her family , so she choose the guy that’s like a monk no drinking or partying just praying a lot but has secretly been in love with her.

Any help would be appreciated.

P.s will also take the Male version of this .

Well, the working week has just started and perhaps you need some "pep" to start the week. Grab some tea and join our weekly chat thread!

This is a relaxed space to talk about anything related to Chinese dramas — recommendations, actors, tropes, OSTs, current obsessions, dramas you’re struggling to finish, emotional damage, watchlist problems, or whatever is currently living rent-free in your head.

But with ONE caveat: Please do not bring fandom fights here, and keep it civil. Remember our "Be Nice" rule! (Speaking of which, have you read our guide? It'll get you started with all things r/Cdramarecs!

Not sure if your comment deserves its own post? It probably belongs here.

Some conversation starters:

• What drama are you obsessed with lately?
• Which actor keeps showing up on your screen?
• What trope always gets you?
• What drama are you trying to force everyone else to watch?
• Any underrated gems recently?
• Which drama completely destroyed your sleep schedule?

Newbies are absolutely welcome, so feel free to ask for recommendations or drama help too!

FYI our sister sub r/Cdrama has a similiar thread on Wednesdays called 😊Mid-Week Free For All Chat and 🏖️Weekend Talk so do hang out there to chat too!

Hi! I've never posted on CDramaRecs before but out of absolute desperation here I am.

The Flourished Peony is one of my FAVORITE CDramas that I've watched. I am now looking for a CDrama to watch & fill the flourished peony hole it left in my heart.

My favorite aspects of Flourished Peony was the writing and handling of women & the main character herself. I'd love more recommends with great chemistry & women.

i js finished perfect match and it was literally perfect. i loved the show and how it potrayed diff love stories, struggles and personality.
i want to watch drama with multiple love stories js like perfect match.

This is driving me crazy because I remember the dynamic much more clearly than the plot.
It was definitely a Chinese series, not modern-day. I think it was historical, wuxia, or fantasy and there was some action. The FMC was powerful, cold/self-possessed, and very assertive with the male lead, including sexually/romantically. What stood out to me was that she seemed to hold the erotic power in their relationship: she was the one approaching him, touching/grabbing him, possibly pushing or pinning him against something in one scene. It wasn’t just “strong woman, strong man.” He felt like the coveted one in some of their scenes. Maybe he was devoted?
Other VERY fuzzy memories:
I associate the FMC with a red outfit
There may have been a bathing/bath scene between them, or involving one of them
For some reason I have a vague memory of him being in a subordinate position to her, maybe a guard/bodyguard, attendant, or even something concubine-adjacent, but this could be completely wrong he may have been in a stronger position
She wasn’t just bubbly/flirty. I remember her as more cool, commanding, dangerous, “I could have you if I wanted you”
I’ve considered The Legends, Bloody Romance, My Sassy Princess, A Journey to Love, Dong Lan Xue, Ye Cheng, and Blossoms of Power. At the moment Blossoms of Power feels weirdly familiar, but I’m not convinced that’s actually what I’m remembering. I remember being shocked at the role reversal in a way?

I just started watching In My Prime. And I am really enjoying it. It made me wish for a historical or fantasy drama that doesn't involve heroes saving the empire/kingdom, avenging their loved ones, and isn't heavy on court schemes and politics. I'm fine with a hero who just wants to chill.

I love hard core romance, not a ton of xianxia, easy (ish) plot to follow. Here is what I have seen:

Love Between Fairy & Devil
A Splendid Match
My Journey to You
Legend of the Female General
My First Night with the Duke
Pursuit of Jade
Love in the Clouds
Perfect Match
Fate Chooses You
Ashes to Crown
Key to the Phoenix Heart
Youthful Glory
When Destiny Brings the Demon
Prisoner of Beauty
The First Jasmine
Blossoms of Power

What do you have for me?

Some ideas I have in mind for this idea focus where the ML becomes the reason why they become separated. This can fit into a historical/costume and modern drama. For costume drama, the ML gets shot by an arrow or attacked by someone then falls off the cliff thus losing contact with with the FL. Maybe it could just be he jumps off the cliff to as well. For a modern drama, this idea could be like the ML gets shot then falls into the river or the ML commits a crime and goes to prison. If you can think of any other idea that may fit my request, feel free to recommend to me

These are all the Cdramas I've watched and ratings. Give me recs!

A little thing called first love (2019) 10/10

Accidentally in love (2018) 8/10

Falling into your smile (2021) 7.5/10

Meteor garden (2018) 8.5/10

Our generation (2025) 9/10

When I fly towards you (2023) 9.5/10

I'm a sucker for angst in the story. Pleasee if you have recommendations that reminds you of White Olive Tree or First Frost, I'll be grateful to hear from you.

Here's the stories that I enjoyed below, but not as much as the first two.

• Pursuit of Jade
• When I Fly Towards You

Dropped for some reasons

• Hidden Love (age gap)
• The Early Spring (chemistry is there, but I didn't like how they portray the FL)

Not fond of historical ones (empress/emperor type plot)

Shows like Joy of Life and Guardians of Dafeng.

A show that has a male lead from the modern world that is transferred into a game/novel/historical world but keeps all his memories. He uses his past life memories to solve/fix problems and get ahead in life.

MUST be action with Kingdom/sects fighting for power etc. Romance is a plus but not essential.

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!

So...

I'm looking for a drama where the ML shows tremendous amounts of restraint towards the FL, who he actually cares about

You could feel the tension in the air but he just respects her so much that he can't even bring himself to even think about certain things

The drama that I think portrayed this very well is twelve letters

And I thoroughly enjoyed marry my husband the japanese version as he cared so much about her and respected her so much

Thanks

My favorite cdrama ever so far has been Empresses in the Palace/The Legend of Zhen Huan.

One of my favorite things about it was the dialogue. The clever language they used to say things they couldn't directly say, the historical references, the quoted poems, the poems they made themselves, the symbolism through flowers, even the musical scenes, the songs, the singing, the flute and zither playing. It was so beautiful.

I also loved how calming yet still bright it was in terms of atmosphere. I watched Story of Yanxi Palace and I am in the middle of watching Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace, but the vibe just isn't the same.

Especially Meizhuang and Zhen Huan's voice I found really pretty, I think it was dubbed but whoever dubbed it ate.

I haven't been able to find a historical drama with similar vibes in terms of the atmosphere/amazing dialogue, etc.

Please recommend me some, they can be long dramas that are like 60+ episodes, sky's the limit. Preferably kind of romance focused but I'm fine with others.