Korean dramas have been making quite some noise for the last few years with several joining the second Hallyu wave that has taken the world by storm. And, if you have already had your share of Korean dramas and are looking for more interesting Asian content, Chinese dramas should be next on your watch list. Like K-dramas, Chinese dramas, too, have some interesting content. There are relatable tales, sweet romances, family dramas, suspense, thriller, and more. And, if you are looking to explore the C-drama land, here are some of the best dramas with a 7.2+ IMDb rating that will get you hooked.
10 best Chinese dramas with 7.2+ rating, per IMDb to get you initiated into C-drama land
1. Well-Intended Love – Netflix
This fun rom-com will keep you hooked as the worlds of two individuals from different backgrounds collide. A struggling actress, Xia Lin, meets the multi-millionaire Ling Yizhou when she’s on the lookout for a bone marrow donor for her leukemia. To save her life, she enters into a contract marriage with a handsome businessman. However, her life is turned upside down when Yizhou’s secret and betrayal are revealed. The drama has two seasons, with the second one bringing to screen a completely different narrative but with the lead, pair reprising their roles. This is one of the most engaging Chinese dramas and a perfect way to enter C-drama land.
IMDb rating: 7.2
2. Here to Heart – Netflix, Viki Rakuten
Wen Nuan quits her high-salaried job in London and returns to China to work as an assistant to her former boyfriend and the rich businessman, Zhan Nanxian. As the ex-lovers start to work together again their past catches on and the two slowly realise they are still in love with each other. The narrative is slow-paced and with almost 40 episodes offers enough room for every character to grow. The stories of the supporting cast are equally engaging and will keep you hooked. The drama offers a chance to truly enjoy every scene without seeming rushed. The climax superbly ties all the loose ends. Be ready for a long and riveting ride.
IMDb rating: 7.4
3. Falling Into Your Smile – Netflix
Amateur gamer Tong Yao is navigating her way through the male-dominated world of eSports and trying to carve a niche of her own. She crosses paths with the difficult-to-please Lu Si Cheng, the captain of a highly popular eSport team, who’s looking for someone to temporarily take his place while he recovers from a hand injury. Cheng reluctantly takes Yao in intending to garner more fans by showing off their first female gamer. Things start getting a little too intense when Cheng and Yao spend more time. Sparks fly and attraction grows, with the two learning to come to terms with their feelings for each other.
IMDb rating: 8.3
4. Put Your Head On My Shoulder – Netflix, Viki Rakuten
This is one of the most popular Chinese dramas and makes for a perfect binge-watch session for beginners. Si Tu Mo is an accounting student and unsure of what she wants to do in the future. Her graduation is coming up and is indecisive about what she wants to do next. She likes her childhood friend Fu Pei but is upset when he fails to understand her feelings. Her monotonous life takes an interesting turn with the arrival of the handsome Gu Wei Yi, a physics student. Mo’s mother forces her to give up her dorm and live in an apartment and ends up sharing it with Yi. But, what the two don’t know is that their mothers, who are school friends, have set them up. Nonetheless, the two, as the narrative progresses, fall for each other, much to their mothers’ delight.
IMDb rating: 8.1
5. Arsenal Military Academy – Viki Rakuten
Full of suspense, drama, thrill, and romance, the story follows Xie Xang, who in a bid to follow in her brother’s footsteps, enrolls at the highly prestigious Arsenal Military Academy disguised as a male. There she befriends three fellow trainees. The plot takes an intriguing turn when the four stumble upon a conspiracy involving the Japanese and discover a shocking truth about the Royal members of the Qing dynasty. The C-drama doesn’t fail to keep you engrossed till the very end.
IMDb rating: 8.3
6. Go Go Squid – Netflix, Viki Rakuten
Tong Nian is living the best life. She’s a brilliant IT professional with an immense social media following thanks to the Japanese cover songs she sings. She’s a social butterfly and has no qualms about meeting new people. But, her life takes an unexpected turn after she crosses paths with Han Shang Yan, a highly successful gamer and a popular face in the eSport world. She takes a liking to him while Yan seems disinterested in her advances. She diligently pursues him and goes all out to show her affection, which is ignored by Yan. This endearing love-at-first-sight tale gets you invested in the narrative from the word go. It also has a second season, so binge on!
IMDb rating: 7.8
7. You Are My Glory – Viki Rakuten
Qiao Jingjing is a popular actress and has the world at her feet. She’s the epitome of perfection for the audience, an illusion that Jingjing is too happy with. But, an online clip of her playing a video game and being terrible at it threatens to shatter the perfect image that the audience has of her. Not the one to give up, she enrolls in a gaming competition. Her search for a coach leads her to her former classmate, Yu Tu, whom she used to have a crush on. Now, Jingjing must not only learn the nuances of online gaming and save her reputation but also keep a strong grip on her feelings for Yu Tu.
IMDb rating: 8.3
8. The Romance of Tiger and Rose – Viki Rakuten
The narrative of this period drama follows scriptwriter Chen Xiaoqian, who finds herself transported to the world she has conjured through her writing. She suddenly becomes the hated third princess Chen Qianqian, who’s soon going to be executed by Han Shuo. Xiaoqian, however, knows what happens next having written the story. She uses this knowledge to navigate the world and make it out alive while making the two protagonists fall in love. This is one of the most captivating historical Chinese dramas with a highly engaging plot.
IMDb rating: 8
9. Go Ahead – Viki Rakuten
The three leads in the C-drama — Li Jianjian, Ling Xiao, and He Ziqiu — find solace in each other and bond over family problems. These troubled youngsters become each other’s family and stick together through the various curveballs life throws at them. As they grow into mature individuals, their relationship becomes strained and they finally separate. Years later they reunite, while still struggling to deal with varied problems. This coming-of-age drama quite poignantly highlights various issues like living in a dysfunctional family and struggling with an identity crisis.
IMDb rating: 8.6
10. The Defected – Netflix
Inspector Sheung Sing, a young policeman, sets out on a precarious journey of catching the culprit who was behind his near-fatal accident. His investigation throws up some shocking revelations about his higher-ups including the rampant corruption that’s plaguing the police department. His shooter, Bingo, is revealed to be an undercover cop working with Chief Superintendent Man Hei-wah. Sing was collateral damage as the shot was meant for the chief of police. Aware of his unethical activities and abuse of power, the three then join hands to bring him down. The trio embarks on a deadly mission and a thrilling journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat as every episode offers unlikely twists.
IMDb rating: 7.3
Enjoyed reading this article? To receive more articles like this, sign up for the GQ Newsletter
