Cover Looking for realism in your Chinese dramas? Start with ‘The Long Night’ (Photo: IMDB)
Looking for realism in your Chinese dramas? Start with ‘The Long Night’ (Photo: IMDB)
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Wuxia and xianxia may dominate international conversations about Chinese dramas, but their modern thrillers, period intrigue, psychological mysteries and family sagas are just as rewarding
We love a good wuxia wire-flying duel and a dramatic xianxia celestial battle as much as the next drama addict. After all, who can resist watching flawlessly beautiful immortals pine over each other for centuries? But sometimes, a different flavour is in order—a gripping modern narrative, high-stakes corporate intrigue, or heart-wrenching family drama can be just as compelling as the visual spectacle of wuxia and xianxia epics.
Fortunately, Chinese series offer far more than ethereal realms and brooding martial artists. Whether you’re drawn to crime thrillers, romantic tearjerkers or slow-burn slice-of-life dramas, these standout Chinese dramas prove that you don’t need magical powers to be absolutely captivating.
1. ‘The Bad Kids’ (2020)
Cross Stranger Things with Gone Girl, and set the entire thing a sun-drenched, deceptively sleepy Chinese town. The Bad Kids follows three kids who accidentally film a murder and get tangled in a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with a killer. This show was a cultural phenomenon in China, with audiences dissecting every frame for hidden clues. The line “Shall we go climbing?” became shorthand for “watch your back.” Haunting, unsettling and brilliantly acted, this is prestige television at its finest.
2. ‘The Long Night’ (2020)
If True Detective were set in China, it would be The Long Night. Here, a prosecutor finds himself caught in a 17-year-old murder case, and what unfolds is a nail-biting, layered story about corruption, justice and personal sacrifice. The storytelling is non-linear and keeps you guessing, while the performances (especially by Liao Fan, as crime investigator Yan Liang) are nothing short of phenomenal.
3. ‘Nirvana in Fire’ (2015)
This is the C-drama to convert you to C-dramas. Nirvana in Fire is technically historical, but let’s be clear: this is not wuxia. Think Game of Thrones but without the dragons and with much better plot consistency. Nirvana in Fire is a masterclass in revenge storytelling, following a brilliant strategist who orchestrates a political comeback 12 years after his entire family was wrongfully executed. The chess-like mind games, the slow-burn alliances, and the sheer elegance of the writing make this one of the most beloved Chinese dramas of all time.
4. ‘The First Half of My Life’ (2017)
Rarely do TV dramas portray female friendships and midlife reinvention as realistically as The First Half of My Life. It follows a seemingly privileged housewife whose life collapses when her husband leaves her, forcing her to rediscover herself in a world that suddenly feels much less secure. What makes this show shine is its layered, complicated female leads. These women aren’t just love interests, they’re career-driven, flawed and endlessly fascinating.
5. ‘Reset’ (2022)
A college student and a game developer find themselves stuck in a time loop where they must relive a deadly bus explosion over and over again until they figure out how to stop it. Reset is a fast-paced, intelligent thriller that keeps you guessing, all while diving into themes of fate, responsibility and human nature. The tight writing and tense, edge-of-your-seat storytelling make this a must-watch.
Also read: What to watch: 9 thrilling Korean dramas available on Viu
6. ‘The Story of Minglan’ (2018)
If you love period dramas that don’t rely on flying swords but instead focus on razor-sharp family dynamics, strategy and survival, The Story of Minglan is your perfect binge. It follows the rise of a seemingly docile young woman navigating the brutal world of noble households in ancient China. Subtle power plays, quiet revenge arcs and a beautifully crafted romance (featuring real-life couple Zhao Liying and Feng Shaofeng) make this a rich, immersive watch.
Don't miss: 10 timeless Asian period dramas
7. ‘The Bond’ (2021)
China has a long tradition of excellent family dramas, but The Bond is in a league of its own. This emotionally raw series follows five orphaned siblings as they grow up and struggle with love, ambition and their messy, unbreakable bond. It’s one of those dramas that will destroy you in the best way possible, making you ugly-cry at 3 a.m. while texting your siblings, “Hey, just wanted to say I love you.”
8. ‘Day and Night’ (2017)
Above ‘Day and Night’ (Photo: IMDB)
‘Day and Night’ (Photo: IMDB)
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A detective investigating a high-profile murder has a dark secret—his twin brother is a fugitive and might just be involved. What follows is a twisty, high-stakes mystery packed with psychological tension, gripping action, and one of the best lead performances in recent Chinese TV. If you love crime dramas with complex protagonists and morally grey dilemmas, this is the show for you.
9. ‘Love Me If You Dare’ (2015)
Imagine if Sherlock Holmes was a brooding, socially awkward criminal profiler who falls in love with his bright, kind-hearted assistant. That’s Love Me If You Dare, a psychological crime drama with just the right balance of mystery, romance, and psychological mind games. The chemistry between the leads is fire, and the creepy serial killer cases will keep you hooked.
Also read: 6 definitive Sherlock Holmes performances on screen
10. ‘Ordinary Greatness’ (2022)
Forget the over-the-top action heroes you usually see in Chinese dramas, Ordinary Greatness is about the real heroes: street cops. This underrated gem follows a group of young police officers as they navigate everyday cases, moral dilemmas and personal growth. It’s grounded, heartfelt, and a fascinating look at the complexities of law enforcement in modern China.
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