C-dramas that I've watched and would recommend(?)
Completely subjective
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1. Make a Wish
Chinese Drama - 2021, 24 episodes
Watched it for GeXinyi after YWY. But I was surprised how natural her acting was for a newbie to main roles. ML grew on me a lot. The production/filter was also very nice? The setting was pretty cozy. What a weird premise but honestly way better than I expected.
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2. The Story of Ming Lan
Chinese Drama - 2018, 78 episodes
If I had to watch only one drama for the rest of my life, this would probably be it. Production quality through the roof. I can understand Chinese so I don't know what the subtitles are like, but I imagine it might be confusing with culturally specific references/idioms and the like. I love ZhaoLiying, tolerated the ML for her (jk) but the cast as a whole was really great. Cohesive kind of energy. XiaoGongye and MingLan kind of broke my heart but that's fine. The story was kind of like court ?intrigue (but better and more family-oriented) and I just really like this drama as a whole.
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3. Eternal Love
Chinese Drama - 2017, 58 episodes
Looped the OST for ages after. Frankly finished the series for FengJiu and Donghua. Idk. Just found them more appealing. The production was through the roof. Honestly my favourite role of YangMi. Her acting went above and beyond.
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4. Put Your Head on My Shoulder
Chinese Drama - 2019, 24 episodes
enjoyed it a lot more than i expected. very warm cozy sort of drama, the casually living together kind. eventual romance grows on you.
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5. Boss & Me
Chinese Drama - 2014, 34 episodes
Zhao Liying here made me realise that 傻白甜 can also be acted really well. She fit her role really well. One of the few dramas I loop as a pick me up. Her energy as Shanshan was really on point. Frankly not watching this drama for the plot.
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6. The Journey of Flower
Chinese Drama - 2015, 58 episodes
Cried my eyes out when I first watched it. One of my gateway dramas I think?? Absolutely fell in love with Zhao Liying here. The CG... and the ending... but the rest was exactly what I was looking for when I saw Xianxia. My obsession with Liying really started here.
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7. Love O2O
Chinese Drama - 2016, 30 episodes
The plot - what plot there is no plot. Yangyang is hot. Lighthearted, some comedy. It's fun to be brainless sometimes, genuinely.
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8. Three Lives, Three Worlds, The Pillow Book
Chinese Drama - 2020, 56 episodes
Watched this to ease the pain from the predecessor of the series. The story restarted so it was kind of weird? But I still really liked their dynamic and chemistry and the pretty setting so it was worth it. I read the novel in a fever dream back in 2017 and have been waiting for this drama since then so it was really worth it.
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9. Cendres d'Amour
Chinese Drama - 2018, 63 episodes
Production quality through the roof. I was decently invested in the tragedy of it all. I think it was a bit exhausting.
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10. Princess Agents
Chinese Drama - 2017, 67 episodes
I despise the ending. As always, I completely trust Zhao Liying's acting. The action scenes were amazing. Personally I was kind of taken in with Yan Xun (ouch). The story went dark very quickly. I want to take a moment to admire Li Qin's acting - it was amazing, particularly in latter parts.
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11. La légende de Fei
Chinese Drama - 2020, 51 episodes
Production quality was completely below my expectations. The main leads really carried. YunFei were always going to be a sweet couple, and they did turn out very well. The strong FL was completely my style. Wang Yibo's acting in this kind of role was kind of a personalbest from him. The story dragged but the leads' chemistry progressed well. Frankly, watched the drama for the leads.
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12. The King’s Avatar
Chinese Drama - 2019, 40 episodes
For me, personally, Yang yang's acting was surprisingly appetizing as Ye Xiu. Started following King's Avatar from the donghua. The drama wasn't bad, I guess.
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13. Go Ahead
Chinese Drama - 2020, 46 episodes
So much trauma (mommy issues welp)?? Still, I am a sucker for found families, and Jian Jian's dad kept making me cry. Ending was a bit abrupt but Song Wei Long is hot. An aside - he was also a nice dentist in the drama, which was a nice portrayal of a profession that is usually so hated (this is an aside from a prospective dental student btw).
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14. A Little Thing Called First Love
Chinese Drama - 2019, 36 episodes
Eye candy, fluff! yeet yeet! ngl, Lai Guanlin you have caught my attention! MiaoMiao (Angel Zhao/Zhao JinMai) was really cute, and her portrayal of growing up and becoming more confident was on point. Wasn't really feeling the message of "as long as you try hard enough, they'll love you back" (read: WangChao and XiaoYue, art teacher + architecture teacher, HeXin+KaiTuo etc.). The last miscommunication arc was kind of ridiculous. Anyhow.
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15. Nuts
Chinese Movie - 2018
Technically not a drama but a movie. I remember really liking this for no obvious reason, but it made laugh and cry at any rate.
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16. A Love So Beautiful
Chinese Drama - 2017, 23 episodes
A few years late to the game but I love angst and eye candy so sue me
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17. Unrequited Love
Chinese Drama - 2021, 38 episodes
I just like angst?? Kind of glad my crushes never like me back so I don't have to go through this hassle lmao
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18. Go Brother!
Chinese Movie - 2018
A movie. Never had a sibling but cried my eyes out. Loved the setting too - xiamen is so pretty.
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19. You Are the Apple of My Eye
Taiwanese Movie - 2011
Another movie bc I have commitment issues. Youth! Yes, we love youth. Like, regrets and all, but the essence of youth! The unforgettable memories that are forever tinged gold! I love the ost btw.
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20. The Imperial Coroner
Chinese Drama - 2021, 36 episodes
You can feel the sincere effort from the production team. Reduced budget by hiring lesser-known actors, but casting of all main and side roles was impeccable. Wholesome character dynamics + relationships, even side characters played off each other very well. A pleasant surprise. Detective mystery and intrigue - won't go so far as to say there wasn't a single plot hole - but the plot weaves together really well. Highest quality drama I've watched in a while.
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21. New Life Begins
Chinese Drama - 2022, 40 episodes
So chill. My standards for historical dramas have been creeping higher honestly. The casting and characterizations honestly surpassed my expectations. Feminism rules, I guess. Slice of life feels. Nice OST.
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22. The Whirlwind Girl
Chinese Drama - 2015, 32 episodes
If I have to suffer this cliffhanger everyone should suffer with me ffs I wish the og cast continued dear god I think the ending has traumatised me.
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23. When I Fly Towards You
Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes
Just healing. Mindless, healthy communication, secondhand embarrassment through the roof, but the main characters are obsessed with each other which makes everything okay. Honestly it's crazy uplifting and calming and relies on all these nostalgic vibes. The drama is just vibes.
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24. Love Game in Eastern Fantasy
Chinese Drama - 2024, 32 episodes
Was wholesome and fun and good at the start (aside from repetitive death but that was glossed over so it was fine). Devolved into a big mess near the end. Unsatisfying ending to say the least.