20 Recommendations for Popular Chinese Dramas, Just as Exciting as K-Dramas

Kapanlagi.com - The most popular Chinese dramas have successfully captured the attention of viewers, achieving high ratings. Supported by the popularity of streaming service applications, various titles of recommended Chinese dramas have emerged and become trending.

Recommendations for Chinese dramas also feature stories that are just as compelling as Korean dramas. You can find exciting, entertaining, romantic, and even touching stories. The charming visuals of the actors and actresses, along with their impressive acting skills, are also a significant attraction in Chinese dramas.

So, are you interested in watching Chinese dramas? If so, here are some lists of exciting drama recommendations from Kapanlagi.com compiled from various sources.

1. NOTHING BUT YOU (2023)

(credit: imdb)

NOTHING BUT YOU is one of the recommended Chinese dramas that is exciting to watch. This comedy genre Chinese drama is perfect for those of you who need entertainment when feeling tired from work. This drama is an adaptation of a famous novel titled He Came Against The Light.

The story in the drama NOTHING BUT YOU revolves around the lives of a pair of twin siblings, Bi Xiao and Jiang Li, who have different personalities. Bi Xiao has a cold nature, while Jiang Li has a warm nature. One day, an accident befalls Bi Xiao. As a result, Jiang Li has to continue Bi Xiao's life. This is where the humor of this drama unfolds.

2. BEGIN AGAIN (2020)

The second recommendation for a Chinese drama is BEGIN AGAIN. This drama tells the story of a couple involved in a contract marriage. The couple consists of Lu Fang Ning, a company leader, and Ling Rui, a surgeon.

Lu Fang Ning and Ling Rui's contract marriage faces controversy when one of them desires to have a child, while the other does not. Curious about how the story of Lu Fang Ning and Ling Rui continues? Just watch the story!

3. ONCE WE GET MARRIED (2021)

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If you are looking for a romantic genre show, the Chinese drama ONCE WE GET MARRIED could be a choice. This 24-episode drama is adapted from a novel titled Flash Marriage of The President's Contract Wife.

ONCE WE GET MARRIED tells the story of Gu Xi Xi, an amateur clothing designer who is ambitious to establish her own brand. One day, she meets Yin Si Chen, a son from a wealthy family that owns a famous fashion retail business. This meeting leads Gu Xi Xi and Yin Si Chen into a complicated relationship. Curious about how the story continues?

4. LUCKY WITH YOU (2021)

LUCKY WITH YOU is one of the Chinese drama recommendations that you definitely should not miss. This particular Chinese drama has a very touching story. LUCKY WITH YOU tells the story of a mother's struggle to regain custody of her child. The mother is Wu Yi, who lost custody of her child after a divorce.

To regain custody of her child, Wu Yi chooses to become a taekwondo athlete. Not only that, Wu Yi also becomes a professional bodyguard. Yes, not many would suspect that behind her seemingly strong persona, Wu Yi is hiding her life's burdens.

5. BE YOUR SELF (2021)

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BE YOUR SELF is a recommendation for a Chinese drama with a theme of friendship. The story revolves around four characters who are friends: Xia Lang Lang, Fan Xiao Yu, Huangfu Shu Min, and Yang Jia Qian. All four are journalism students.

Their friendship is very close despite having many differences. From the drama BE YOUR SELF, viewers will be invited to learn to appreciate friendship by being themselves. If you need something to watch while hanging out with friends, just watch BE YOUR SELF!

6. OPERATION LOVE (2017)

Recommended sixth Chinese drama titled OPERATION LOVE. This Chinese drama is also of the romantic genre. Through its 34 episodes, viewers will be invited to explore the love stories of its characters.

This drama stars Zhang Yixing or Lay EXO. The actor playing the main male character has to travel through time to fight for his love. You EXO-Ls, especially fans of Lay EXO, must watch this Chinese drama!

7. LOVE 020 (2016)

(credit: imdb)

LOVE 020 could be a great watch for you fans of romantic comedy films or series. This drama is one of the best-selling and most popular Chinese dramas. Therefore, it would be a shame to miss it.

Watching LOVE 020 is guaranteed to make you feel emotional while also smiling to yourself. This Chinese drama tells the story of a female gamer who is trying to find a "potential husband" online. Uniquely, the female lead in this drama has another mission in searching for a "potential husband," which is to invite him to compete in games together as a couple.

8. ABOUT IS LOVE (2018)

Next on the list of popular Chinese drama recommendations is a drama titled ABOUT IS LOVE. This drama tells a love story that is unlike any other. The main character in this drama is a perfect man. He is handsome and well-off as he works as a CEO.

However, behind his perfection, not many know that he actually suffers from OCD. Because of this condition, he finds it difficult to approach women. Until eventually, he meets a woman who slowly but surely manages to steal his heart and change his life.

9. PUT YOUR HEAD ON MY SHOULDER (2019)

PUT YOUR HEAD ON MY SHOULDER from its title alone, it can be guessed that this Chinese drama has a romantic and touching story. PUT YOUR HEAD ON MY SHOULDER tells the story of a girl named Si Tu Mo who is about to graduate but is still confused about her next steps.

Until one day, a man enters Si Tu Mo's life. The man is Gu Wei Yi, who is known to be handsome and a genius. Instantly, Si Tu Mo falls in love with Gu Wei Yi. Unfortunately, Gu Wei Yi is a very cold person. As a result, their interactions can sometimes be hilarious but often also romantic.

10. A LOVE SO BEAUTIFUL (2020)

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A LOVE SO BEAUTIFUL is also one of the popular Chinese drama recommendations that should not be missed. Just like the previous recommendations, A LOVE SO BEAUTIFUL is also a romantic comedy genre. Thus, it can make the audience laugh and feel touched at the same time.

The drama A LOVE SO BEAUTIFUL tells the story of a girl named Shen Yue. For a long time, Shen Yue has harbored feelings for a male friend. However, because they have been friends for so long, the guy never knows Shen Yue's feelings. Additionally, the guy has a cold and indifferent personality. As a result, Shen Yue has to work hard to make the guy aware of her feelings.

11. ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE (2018)

The eleventh recommendation for popular Chinese drama is ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE. This drama has a unique story about a rising male singer who suddenly has to return to school. His presence at school immediately becomes the center of attention.

At that school, he then meets a girl who seems quite ordinary. The girl becomes the singer's desk mate. However, after getting to know her, it turns out that the girl suffers from a split personality. Gradually, these two desk mates become entangled in a location-based romance. Their love story is also filled with comedic elements.

12. MY GIRLFRIEND IS AN ALIEN (2019)

(credit: imdb)

For those of you who enjoy fantasy drama stories, MY GIRLFRIEND IS AN ALIEN will be a suitable Chinese drama. True to its title, MY GIRLFRIEND IS AN ALIEN tells the story of a woman who is an alien from a planet called Cape Town, who eventually comes down to Earth.

One day, the alien meets a handsome man with an arrogant personality. Unintentionally, an important device used to return to her planet is taken by the man. As a result, the alien must strive to reclaim the device. But unexpectedly, the effort to retrieve the device becomes the starting point for love to blossom between them.

13. FIND YOURSELF (2020)

For those of you who enjoy dramas with a metropop-style love story, FIND YOURSELF could be the right choice. This drama tells the story of two people who get involved in a workplace romance. It narrates the story of a career woman who falls in love with her subordinate at the office. However, from the beginning, the man, who is an intern, does not hesitate to show his admiration for the woman.

However, their love becomes quite dilemmas, as they feel uncomfortable with their colleagues at the office. Eventually, they agree to hold back in front of their coworkers. Until one day, a new man appears who is equally charming. Moreover, the man is also around the same age as the woman. This makes the woman's love put to the test.

14. CROCODILE AND THE PLOVER BIRD (2019)

(credit: imdb)

The formula of turning hate into love may sound common. However, this outdated formula is packaged interestingly in the Chinese drama recommendation titled CROCODILE AND THE PLOVER BIRD. The Chinese drama CROCODILE AND THE PLOVER BIRD tells the story of an ambitious girl who works as an architect. One day, she meets a man who is researching animals.

Unexpectedly, the man is also an architect. Both of them, who are equally stubborn, end up clashing over various issues. Until one day, they must work together to complete a joint project. From there, their feelings of hate gradually turn into love.

15. THE FIRST FROST (2025)

THE FIRST FROST (credit: Youku)

Telling the romance of Wen Yi Fan and Sang Yan, who reunite at a bar called Overtime. Both pretend not to know each other, but fate brings them together again when circumstances force them to live under the same roof. Their long-delayed relationship begins to rekindle. This drama is among the most popular Chinese dramas of 2025.

16. SPEED AND LOVE (2025)

SPEED AND LOVE (credit: iQiyi)

This drama centers on the relationship between siblings separated by their parents' divorce. Jiang Mu and Jin Zhao grow up in two different countries, until one day they reunite in Thailand. Jin Zhao, who was once gentle, has now become a street fighter and racer. Jiang Mu tries to win back her brother's heart. Seeds of love emerge between them as Jiang Mu and Jin Zhao are not blood-related. However, their love is tested after Jin Zhao has an accident.

17. LOVE ON THE TURQUOISE LAND (2025)

LOVE ON THE TURQUOISE LAND (credit: WeTV)

In the Qin Dynasty, Emperor Qin Shi Huang sent secret troops, the Nanshan Hunters, to search for the secret of immortality. Centuries later, their descendant, Nie Jiu Luo, lives as a modern artist who suddenly gets caught up in past intrigues. He meets Yan Tuo, a wealthy heir searching for the truth about his family. Together, they uncover mysteries about the power of the earth, the secret of immortality, and a grand conspiracy.

18. BE PASSIONATELY IN LOVE (2025)

BE PASSIONATELY IN LOVE (credit: WeTV)

The story begins in the small town of Qingyi, where the stubborn President Zhi meets Poet Chen. A small disagreement at first actually fosters an unavoidable attraction. However, separation pulls them apart when Chen Lu Zhou is sent abroad. Fate reunites them at the same university in Beijing. From that meeting, the seeds of old love begin to resurface.

19. THE LEGEND OF SHEN LI (2024)

THE LEGEND OF SHEN LI (credit: WeTV)

Born in the eternal world, Shen Li is a female general who rejects a political marriage. When severely injured, she transforms into a phoenix and falls into the human world. There, she is bought by Xing Yun, a sickly human who unknowingly binds his fate with hers. However, evil forces rise again and bring destruction to the three worlds.

20. LOVE IN NIRVANA (2024)

LOVE IN NIRVANA (credit: WeTV)

As the young heir of Yueluo City, Xiao Wu Xia disguises herself as Wei Zhao to uncover the truth behind her family's downfall. In her escape, she meets Jiang Ci, a naive woman who inadvertently gets involved in royal conflict. Their relationship develops into a romantic love amidst danger. They fight against the tyrannical power of Emperor Liang to uphold justice and protect the city.

21. QnA Chinese Drama PopuleR

1. What are some popular Chinese dramas that are just as good as K-dramas?

Some popular and widely discussed Chinese dramas include Nothing But You (2023), Begin Again (2020), Once We Get Married (2021), Lucky With You (2021), as well as The Legend of Shen Li (2024), and Speed and Love (2025). These dramas feature a combination of romantic stories, humor, and engaging emotional conflicts.

2. What is the main theme of The Legend of Shen Li and why does it attract international viewers?

The Legend of Shen Li tells the story of Shen Li, a general from the immortal realm who rejects a political marriage and ultimately falls in love with a human, Xing Yun, who buys him in the form of a phoenix.

3. Are there any contract marriage themed dramas in this recommendation list?

Yes, one of the dramas featuring this theme is Begin Again (2020). This drama tells the story of Lu Fang Ning, an ambitious CEO, and Ling Rui, a surgeon, who get involved in a contract marriage for personal interests.

4. What is the genre difference between Love in Nirvana and Be Your Self?

Love in Nirvana is a historical and fantasy themed drama, showcasing the characters' struggles in a world of politics and revenge in a fictional kingdom. Meanwhile, Be Your Self raises the theme of friendship and coming-of-age, focusing on four journalism students learning to be themselves.

Here are some exciting recommendations for Chinese dramas to watch. So, which one are you interested in? Follow the latest celebrity news only on Kapanlagi.com. If not now, when?

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