2024 was a banner year for Chinese dramas: Wong Kar-wai’s eagerly anticipated Blossoms Shanghai fused art house cinema with a Shanghainese soap opera, and a spate of other shows including To the Wonder demonstrated a perhaps surprising dedication to realism. Major acting talent equally at home on the silver screen, for example actresses Liu Yifei and Song Jia, took the lead in The Tale of Rose and She and Her Girls, respectively. And while many shows referenced real life social issues, if you’re looking for pure costume-clad escapism, series like Love Game in Eastern Fantasy (starring Esther Yu and Ding Yuxi) or The Double (featuring Wu Jingyan and Wang Xingyue) will not disappoint!
Looking back, many of this year’s hits featured strong female characters and unique settings that fueled viewers’ nostalgia or wanderlust — in turn leading to the emergence of a few new tourist hotspots.
Blossoms Shanghai (繁花)
In the final days of 2023 [to us, justifying inclusion in this list! — Editor], Wong Kar-wai unveiled his first TV drama after five years of preparation, making a significant splash in the Chinese drama market. Adapted from Jin Yucheng’s novel Blossoms, the show follows the life of A Bao, a charismatic young man navigating the complexities of bustling 1990s Shanghai. Played by Hu Ge, A Bao captivates audiences not only with his dramatic journey of triumphs and setbacks but also through his profound influence on those around him. The three main female characters who share different connections with A Bao — Ling Zi (Ma Yili), Miss Wang (Tang Ye), and Li Li (Xin Zhilei) — are positioned as multifaceted models of feminism in China’s dynamic 1990s.
While the series received mixed reviews, Wong’s TV debut undeniably reignited interest in Shanghai’s local culture. Blossoms Shanghai was released in both Mandarin and Shanghainese versions, a rarity for Chinese television these days. Besides the innovative use of Shanghainese, the appearance of veteran actors including You Benchang and Chen Guoqing evokes a deep sense of nostalgia, particularly for viewers in Shanghai. And the drama’s success extends beyond the screen: film sets for the show in the suburban district of Songjiang have been turned into a popular public film park. Meanwhile, other tourists are flocking to Huanghe Road in central Shanghai, which features heavily in the show and retains some of its old school charm. Major brands like Prada were also involved in the production, further cementing its cultural and commercial impact.
Blossoms Shanghai boasts a Douban rating of 8.7. To watch it outside of China, head to WeTV / Tencent Video.
Will Love in Spring (春色寄情人)
After starring in and co-directing Blossoms Shanghai, director Cheng Liang premiered his own TV series, Will Love in Spring, in April 2024. Adapted from a serialized novel published on Douban, the heartwarming series is set in Quanzhou, a small city in Fujian province known for its well-preserved ancient cultural heritage. The story follows a young couple falling in love after returning to their hometown.
The drama has captured the attention of younger viewers, thanks to the star power of actors Li Xian and Zhou Yutong, as well as its exceptional production quality, compelling plot, meticulous lighting, and a carefully curated soundtrack featuring rising singer Jingfei Chen.
Li Xian has earned praise for his portrayal of Chen Maidong, a once-rebellious young man who has become a funeral makeup artist. Additionally, the show, which showcases many Quanzhou landmarks, has sparked a surge in tourism to the city, which is already a popular destination.
Will Love in Spring has a Douban rating of 8.0 and can be watched on Youtube.
To the Wonder (我的阿勒泰)
To the Wonder is an adaptation of writer Li Juan’s 2010 essay collection My Altay. Li’s original work provided a snapshot of her life with her mother, who managed a small store in Xinjiang’s scenic Altay Prefecture, where the predominant ethnic group is Kazakh. As Han Chinese, Li Juan and her family led a life as outsiders in this remote region.
The TV adaptation takes a slightly different approach from the book, following protagonist Li Wenxiu as she returns home after trying to make it in the literary scene of Urumqi, Xinjiang’s capital. The series explores her complex struggle with a sense of lost identity, caught between her minority status in the region and the broader shifts in her life.
The drama has led urban viewers to romanticize and fantasize about the distant, “mystical” Altay. However, it doesn’t shy away from portraying the more difficult aspects of life in a remote, less developed area. Over the course of its eight episodes, the series delves deeply into the boredom, emptiness, and anxieties surrounding love, family, and daily existence that Li Wenxiu faces.
In the series, Altay comes across as both a complex, rugged environment for its inhabitants and an unspoiled natural utopia for urban viewers. Unsurprisingly, To the Wonder has led to a new wave of tourism in Altay — though not without leaving some visitors disappointed.
To the Wonder has a high Douban rating of 8.9. Full episodes are available on Youtube.
Joy of Life (庆余年）
After achieving both widespread popularity and critical acclaim with its first season in 2019, Joy of Life returned this year with its much-anticipated second season. The first time around, the show was praised for its exceptional storytelling and innovative premise as a time travel drama.
The second season retains its stellar cast from the first, including actors Chen Daoming and Zhang Ruoyun, whose performances continue to captivate audiences. As in the first season, protagonist Fan Xian is a modern man who travels into an ancient world — one based on a novel he read in his original reality. In this fictional realm, Fan Xian uses his modern perspective and knowledge from the digital age to navigate the palace intrigues he becomes embroiled in.
Beyond this unique premise, Joy of Life has also attracted attention for its detailed, engrossing depiction of court politics.
Season two of Joy of Life has a solid Douban rating of 7.3. Full episodes are up on Youtube.
The Double (墨雨云间)
One of Chinese TV’s most popular guilty pleasures this year, costume drama The Double is centered on the story of Xue Fangfei (played by Wu Jingyan), a woman seeking vengeance after the massacre of her entire family. Disguising her identity, she infiltrates the life of male protagonist Xiao Heng (Wang Xingyue) to carry out her plan. Wu, who gained fame for her role in 2018 mega-hit Story of Yanxi Palace, delivers a compelling performance in this complex role. The drama also features standout performances by male lead Wang and supporting actress Li Meng, who pleasantly surprised viewers with their acting chops.
Adapted from the web novel Marriage of the Di Daughter by Qian Shan Cha Ke, The Double retains the novel’s intricate narrative style. Its unique approach to storytelling has some fans comparing it to a Shakespearean drama, with many praising its sophisticated plot progression and emotional depth. The series has garnered the most attention from international audiences of all Chinese dramas this year.
The Double has a Douban rating of 6.6. Check out full episodes on Youtube.
The Tale of Rose (玫瑰的故事)
The Tale of Rose is based on Hong Kong writer Yi Shu’s 1981 romance novel The Story of Rose, which was previously adapted into the 1986 film Lost Romance (starring Chow Yun-fat and Maggie Cheung). The story centers on Huang Yimei (Liu Yifei), a young woman from a wealthy family, and the three pivotal men in her life who shape her journey of growth and self-discovery.
The drama has sparked widespread interest, in part because it marks a rare TV role for Liu, who is internationally-known for her turn as the title character of 2020 live action remake of Mulan.
Additionally, a line from Huang Yimei’s ex-husband Fang Xiewen (Lin Gengxin) which went viral online, “So why are you insistent on going to Beijing? Who exactly is in Beijing?” has been humorously adopted by the social media accounts of various universities and tourism bureaus across China. For example, Tsinghua University — which features prominently in the series — posted “Tsinghua tell will you who’s in Beijing” on its Weibo account.
The Tale of Rose has a Douban rating of 7.4. It’s available internationally on WeTV / Tencent Video.
Escape from the Trilateral Slopes (边水往事)
Escape from the Trilateral Slopes takes a slightly grittier approach than many of the other TV series in this list, obliquely addressing social issues arising from criminal activity along the China-Myanmar border. The drama is set in a fictional locale called Sanbianpo, inspired by the real-world Golden Triangle, a region where drug trafficking underpins the local economy. The plot follows Shen Xing, a young man who travels to the area in the hopes of joining his uncle’s construction business, but soon finds himself falling into Sanbianpo’s criminal underworld.
With emerging actor Guo Qiling and Hong Kong’s Francis Ng (Wu Zhenyu) playing the male leads, the series is in good hands. Additionally, actors like Jiang Qilin and Wang Yuwen have received accolades for their performances in supporting roles.
Escape from the Trilateral Slopes stands out for its bold focus on crime, in particular the drug trade and sex trafficking. The show debuted in China on Youku in August, but was released internationally on Netflix this December.
Escape from the Trilateral Slopes has a Douban rating of 7.9. Find full episodes on Youtube.
She and Her Girls (山花烂漫时)
She and Her Girls is based on the life of Zhang Guimei, an educator who is celebrated for establishing a free high school for girls in a remote area in Lijiang, Yunnan province. Zhang is played by renowned actress Song Jia, looking less glamorous than usual — indeed, the show has been praised for its impressive makeup design, which makes the actress closely resemble Zhang.
This actually isn’t the first time Zhang’s inspiring story has made it to screens: a feature film on her life, Beyond the Clouds, starring actress Hai Qing, premiered last year. However, the movie was criticized for altering facts about Zhang’s life and awkwardly handling gender relations. She and Her Girls, on the other hand, has been commended for its balanced portrayal of both male and female characters.
The show is another major achievement for Song, who also recently starred in the hit feminist film Her Story. Her performance in this drama further highlights her commitment to bringing nuanced and impactful stories of women to screens.
She and Her Girls has an extremely high Douban rating of 9.6. Full episodes are up on Youtube.
In Between (半熟男女)
In Between is an adaptation of a serialized romance novel by Liu Cuihu originally published on Douban. The story follows He Zhinan, portrayed by Tian Xiwei, an “ordinary-looking” woman — well, by the standards of Chinese romantic dramas anyway — who finds herself perpetually transitioning between relationships. This somewhat unconventional protagonist who defies stereotypes of a romantic lead has piqued the curiosity of audiences.
As the title suggests, the characters in this drama can’t be easily categorized as entirely “good” or “bad,” adding depth and complexity to the story. In Between has achieved a remarkable global reach, premiering simultaneously on major platforms in 185 countries and regions, including Netflix.
In Between has a Douban rating of 6.3, and despite its international distribution it can actually also be watched on Youtube.
Love Game in Eastern Fantasy (永夜星河)
Love Game in Eastern Fantasy is a xianxia (literally “immortal heroes” — think fantasy driven by ancient Chinese culture and history) drama adapted from the popular web novel The Guide to Capturing a Black Lotus by White-Feather Eagle Bow. The story follows Ling Miaomiao (played by Esther Yu, aka Yu Shuxin), a young woman who accidentally enters the world of a supernatural novel called Monster Hunting. Inside this fictional realm, she finds herself in the role of an unlikeable supporting character. To survive, she must win the favor of the male protagonist, Mu Sheng (played by Ding Yuxi).
This marks the second collaboration between Yu and Ding, who demonstrated their strong chemistry in the 2021 drama Moonlight. The series takes a lighthearted approach to storytelling, delivering a warm and relaxing mood within a fantasy setting. Its unique tone and engaging plot have made it a hit, particularly among younger viewers.
Love Game in Eastern Fantasy has a Douban rating of 7.4. Full episodes are available on Youtube.
Banner image by Haedi Yue.
