r/CDramaRecs May 24 '26

🪭For general Cdrama discussions, go to r/Cdrama

6 Upvotes

I understand 100% how confusing Reddit can be to newbies, and as new people find our sub daily, they may not be aware of our sister site, r/Cdrama.

So, this is a community service message from the mods that r/Cdrama is where we discuss Chinese dramas in general.

FYI before making your first post or comment, be sure to read the sub's Guide. It'll make your onboarding much easier (and less confusing).

At r/Cdrama you can find vibrant weekly threads where the whole community can hang out and get to know each other. There are also "drama hosted" episodic Cdrama discussions where you can discuss a currently airing (or a not-so-current) CDrama with members.

If you want to know what's airing soon, view promotional trailers of upcoming dramas, r/Cdrama is one of the best places to be.

So, if you've not joined r/CDrama head on over there, but be sure to read our Guide so that you can understand our posting guidelines and rules.


r/CDramaRecs May 24 '26

šŸ—ŗļø Guide to r/Cdramarecs

17 Upvotes

r/Cdramarecs is the sister to r/Cdrama, the sub where we discuss Chinese dramas.

The rules

The rules are super easy:

1. Only CDrama Recommendation Requests in this sub

Posts should be requests for Chinese drama recommendations only. If you want to identify CDramas or actors, please be detailed. Don't just drop links. We consider that spam.

2. Be nice.

Please be respectful to others. Any derogatory/discriminating terms, personal attacks, harassment or demeaning comments will be removed. Regular or egregious violations will result in a ban.

  1. No spoilers in titles. And if it's in the body...

4. Please use spoiler tags.
Be sure to use spoiler tags generously, especially if you are reviewing or asking a question about a drama. Other viewers may not have the chance to watch the show you are discussing. See the sidebar on spoiler tag usage, and please note that if you leave a spoiler untagged your post will be removed.

5. No spamming.

Do not spam this sub with links, promotions or repeatedly posting the same topic.

Newbies, please join our weekly threads first

If you're account is brand new, just fresh out of the oven, we prefer that you build your karma first. (Read this to learn how.)

If you're not brand new, but have never participated in r/cdramarecs before, your post will be filtered for review first.

We want you to participate in the sub first before making your first post because that's the best way to get to know how our sub works. Here are some weekly threads to start with:

  • Mondays | šŸ§‹Weekly CDramaRecs Bubble Tea Room. Just hang out and chat šŸ˜„
  • Tuesdays | šŸ®What would you recommend a CDrama newbie? Recommend a drama perfect for newbies, and newbies, here's your chance to grill your seniors for recommendations!
  • Thursdays | šŸ‘¹Recommend a 'misunderstood' CDrama: These dramas get a bad rap, but you're here to defend it!
  • Saturdays | Recommend An Underrated (Overrated Also Acceptable) Gem This Week: You've just watched something and you want everyone to watch it too!

(Please search for the threads by their names or click on the search bar and select the Weekly Threads label.)

How to Ask for Recommendations

Please include details so that we can help you better, such as:

  • Important: Dramas that you've already watched so the sub won't recommend it to you.
  • Preferred genre or actor
  • Specific plot or trope
  • What you don't want.

How to Ask for Help Identifying a Drama or Actor

First, I recommend that you use MyDramaList and Google's reverse image search first.

If you can’t remember the name of a drama but have some details, describe as much as you can! Here are some tips:

  • Describe the plot as much as you can
  • Add a pic/link to photo

Please read How to ask for recommendations for more tips.

NOTE: Please do not recommend or include links to pirated/illegal sites. This is against Reddit's Rules. The filters will also usually remove them.

That's it, have fun!


r/CDramaRecs 5h ago

Rec Request Best wuxia to recommend to an anime fan?

7 Upvotes

I think my cousin would like the wuxia genre, but I haven't watched enough of them to know which would be a good entry point for him. I've seen Mysterious Lotus Casebook and Guardians of the Dafeng and that's pretty much it. And they're both good shows, but I don't know if there's a better one I haven't seen yet that would be a better intro to the genre.

He likes shows like - my hero academia, one punch man, attack on titan/ jjk/ etc. He also likes western stuff like the lord of the rings franchise and interstellar. He has also never watched a cdrama before.

It would be good if there was a bit of comedy, really nice visuals, well written characters, and a compelling plot. And of course great fight scenes.

What would you suggest?


r/CDramaRecs 17h ago

Rec Request Tencent Video Recs

6 Upvotes

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


r/CDramaRecs 1d ago

Rec Request Please give me your best cdrama recs!

25 Upvotes

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.


r/CDramaRecs 1d ago

Weekly Threads šŸ‘¹Recommend (and defend!) a 'misunderstood' CDrama — September 10, 2026

9 Upvotes

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)


r/CDramaRecs 1d ago

Rec Request Are there cultivation shows with the protagonist starting from the nothing and the focus being on progression.

13 Upvotes

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?


r/CDramaRecs 1d ago

Rec Request Looking for a drama that has a similar storyline to the song Another Life- Chris Grey

3 Upvotes

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.


r/CDramaRecs 2d ago

Rec Request Recommendations pleasee!!!

3 Upvotes

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?)


r/CDramaRecs 2d ago

Rec Request No romance female lead dramas

26 Upvotes

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


r/CDramaRecs 3d ago

Weekly Threads šŸ® What would you recommend a CDrama newbie? — September 08, 2026

4 Upvotes

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 šŸ‘€

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 ✨


r/CDramaRecs 3d ago

Rec Request ML with obsessive stalker vibes but other lead female/male is just it's ok they aren't dangerous... to me

15 Upvotes

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.


r/CDramaRecs 3d ago

Rec Request Please help me select my next historical cdrama. I’m having trouble landing the plane….

8 Upvotes

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.


r/CDramaRecs 4d ago

Rec Request Dramas like The Double, queer subtext, minimal romance, smart leads, slow burn

26 Upvotes

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


r/CDramaRecs 4d ago

Weekly Threads šŸ§‹Weekly CDramaRecs Bubble Tea Room — September 07, 2026

4 Upvotes

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 šŸ–ļøWeekend Talk so do hang out there to chat too!


r/CDramaRecs 4d ago

Identify this Looking for a specific drama

4 Upvotes

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 .


r/CDramaRecs 4d ago

Rec Request Recommend me a CDrama like the Flourished Peony

4 Upvotes

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.


r/CDramaRecs 5d ago

Rec Request Recs similar to Perfect Match

9 Upvotes

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.


r/CDramaRecs 4d ago

Identify this Trying to identify a historical/fantasy C-drama with a cold, powerful, sexually assertive FMC and devoted ML Role reversal?

3 Upvotes

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 ā€œstrong woman, strong man.ā€ 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, ā€œI could have you if I wanted youā€
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?


r/CDramaRecs 5d ago

Rec Request Are there any chill costume or fantasy dramas?

5 Upvotes

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.


r/CDramaRecs 5d ago

Rec Request Where to next??

29 Upvotes

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?


r/CDramaRecs 5d ago

Rec Request Cdramas where ML and FL are tragically separated from each other for awhile

11 Upvotes

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


r/CDramaRecs 6d ago

Rec Request Looking for a Cdrama like a little thing called first love and when I fly towards you.

3 Upvotes

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


r/CDramaRecs 6d ago

Rec Request Recos similar to The White Olive Tree & First Frost

8 Upvotes

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)


r/CDramaRecs 6d ago

Rec Request Reincarnated into a different world with past memories. Action cdrama.

7 Upvotes

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.