Cover These romance C-dramas, starting with ‘Love and Redemption,’ will keep you up all night, swooning (Photo: IMDB)
These romance C-dramas, starting with ‘Love and Redemption,’ will keep you up all night, swooning (Photo: IMDB)
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Each of these romance C-dramas proves that love stories aren’t one-size-fits-all: some are tear-stained epics that span lifetimes, while others are tender modern tales that celebrate everyday love
Romance is where Chinese dramas shine brightest. Whether set in misty celestial realms, bustling metropolises or dynastic battlefields, these stories do more than entertain. They mirror generational ideals of what love should mean—whether destiny, devotion, healing or equality.
For anyone who has ever swooned over a grand gesture or cried for a star-crossed couple, these nine romance C-dramas defined the genre. Together, they chart the evolution of love stories in Chinese drama: from fantasy epics obsessed with fate to modern romances about ambition and partnership. More than just entertainment, they are cultural touchstones that reveal what Chinese audiences—and increasingly international viewers—believe love looks like.
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1. ‘Eternal Love’ (2017): the Chinese fantasy romance epic that defined a generation
Above A sweeping xianxia fantasy where Bai Qian (Yang Mi), a fox goddess, and Ye Hua (Mark Chao), a crown prince of the heavens, fight through lifetimes of love and destiny.
If one drama defines the modern Chinese romance epic, it’s Eternal Love (Three Lives, Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms). Bai Qian (Yang Mi), a powerful fox goddess, and Ye Hua (Mark Chao), a crown prince of the heavens, are bound across three lifetimes of love, betrayal and reincarnation. Their story ticks off all the boxes of satisfying romance C-dramas. It is a sweeping fantasy with tender human emotion: stolen glances, heart-shattering misunderstandings and a passion that endures centuries. On-screen, Yang and Chao ignite a chemistry that makes every longing stare unforgettable.
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2. ‘Love O2O’ (2016): gaming sparks true love in this modern romance
Above When computer science major Bei Weiwei (Zheng Shuang) and gaming prodigy Xiao Nai (Yang Yang) meet online and offline, their romance proves that love can be as strategic as a perfectly played game.
Set in both the virtual gaming world and the buzzing reality of university life, Love O2O is a light yet intoxicating romance. Bei Weiwei (Zheng Shuang), a computer science student and gamer, finds herself paired in-game with the aloof yet brilliant Xiao Nai (Yang Yang). Their online partnership blossoms into real-life attraction, blurring the line between pixels and reality. What sets this drama apart is its refreshing lack of contrived misunderstandings—instead, it celebrates the joy of falling in love with someone who respects your mind as much as your heart. Xiao’s suave confidence (delivered with signature coolness by Yang) made him a star overnight across Asia.
3. ‘Ashes of Love’ (2018): star-crossed deities and a tragic love triangle
Above Jin Mi (Yang Zi), a flower deity stripped of emotion, falls into a heartbreaking love triangle with the Fire God Xu Feng (Deng Lun) and the Night God Run Yu (Luo Yunxi).
A love story as fiery as it is tragic, Ashes of Love begins with Jin Mi (Yang Zi), a naïve flower deity, who has been fed a pill that prevents her from feeling love. She encounters Xu Feng (Deng Lun), the passionate Fire Deity, and their relationship takes her on a journey of first love, betrayal, and cosmic warfare. Yang’s innocent charm makes Jin Mi heartbreakingly endearing, while Deng’s intensity as Xu Feng brings a smouldering edge to their star-crossed bond. Expect tears, betrayals and a finale that will leave you both gutted and grateful you watched.
4. ‘Love and Redemption’ (2020): 10 lifetimes of destiny and devotion
Above Haunted by a forgotten past, Xuanji (Crystal Yuan Bingyan) and star-crossed warrior Yu Sifeng (Cheng Yi) uncover their true identities while defying fate and divine punishment.
If you like your romance C-dramas with heavy doses of fate and angst, Love and Redemption is essential. Chu Xuanji (Crystal Yuan Bingyan), born without the ability to feel emotions, crosses paths with the loyal Yu Sifeng (Cheng Yi). Across 10 lifetimes and countless trials, the two face curses, sacrifices and heavenly conspiracies that test their love at every turn. Cheng’s Yu Sifeng stands as one of the most selfless, tortured heroes in C-drama history, while Yuan Bingyan’s gradual transformation from detached to deeply feeling makes for a riveting arc. Their love is an epic symphony of longing and devotion.
5. ‘Go Go Squid!’ (2019): a sweet esports romance full of healing and humour
Above Shy computer science student Tong Nian (Yang Zi) falls head over heels for cold, genius esports captain Han Shangyan (Li Xian), sparking a tender romance filled with quirky competition.
A modern romance with a sweet yet mature twist, Go Go Squid! pairs the bubbly, shy computer science student Tong Nian (Yang Zi) with the brooding esports legend Han Shangyan (Li Xian). What begins as a crush slowly evolves into a relationship of mutual respect, vulnerability, and healing. The show balances humour and warmth with the challenges of pursuing one’s dreams. Li’s stoic Han Shangyan may seem unapproachable, but his eventual softening around Tong Nian makes their romance feel all the more rewarding.
6. ‘Princess Agents’ (2017): love and survival in a time of chaos
Above Captured and enslaved during a turbulent era, Chu Qiao (Zhao Liying) rises through grit and cunning and navigates deadly palace intrigues alongside warrior Yuwen Yue (Lin Gengxin).
Part romance, part survival saga, Princess Agents is set in a time of chaos and slavery. Chu Qiao (Zhao Liying), a courageous young woman sold into servitude, catches the eye of the noble but calculating Yuwen Yue (Lin Gengxin). Their connection unfolds against a backdrop of scheming royals, bloody rebellions and political intrigue, making their love story equal parts delicate and dangerous. Zhao’s Chu Qiao is a warrior heroine you’ll root for endlessly, while Lin’s icy Yuwen Yue delivers both cold authority and aching vulnerability.
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7. ‘Meet Yourself’ (2023): Liu Yifei’s tender tale of healing and rural romance
Above After the loss of her best friend, Xu Hongdou (Liu Yifei) retreats to a Yunnan village where she finds both healing and unexpected love.
For those who prefer gentle, contemplative romance C-dramas, Meet Yourself offers a modern-day fairytale. Xu Hongdou (Liu Yifei), burned out from city life, retreats to a rural village where she rediscovers joy and purpose. There, she meets Xie Zhiyao (Li Xian), a former urban professional who returned home to revitalise his hometown. Their romance unfolds through shared meals, quiet walks and mutual healing, embodying the beauty of finding love not in grand gestures but in everyday kindness. Liu and Li’s chemistry makes this slow-burn romance feel like a warm embrace.
8. ‘The Long Ballad’ (2021: Dilraba Dilmurat’s battle for vengeance and love
Above Disguised as a man to avenge her slain family, princess Li Changge (Dilraba Dilmurat) finds herself torn between vengeance and an unexpected love.
After her family is massacred, princess Li Changge (Dilraba Dilmurat) disguises herself as a man and seeks vengeance. Along the way, she crosses paths with Ashina Sun (Leo Wu), a general of the opposing tribe. What begins as enemies across battle lines matures into a love of mutual respect, strategy and sacrifice. With breathtaking visuals and unforgettable leads, this is romance against the backdrop of war. It’s not just about love. More importantly, it’s about how two people can bridge cultures and conflicts while staying true to their values.
9. ‘You Are My Glory’ (2021): Yang Yang and Dilraba Dilmurat’s modern love story
Above Top actress Qiao Jingjing (Dilraba Dilmurat) reconnects with her high school crush Yu Tu (Yang Yang), now an aerospace engineer, in a story where ambition and love shine together.
A modern love story for the dreamers. Qiao Jingjing (Dilraba Dilmurat), a glamorous actress, reconnects with her high school crush, aerospace engineer Yu Tu (Yang Yang), through a mobile game. What follows is a heartfelt exploration of ambition, vulnerability, and love between equals. Dilmurat and Yang Yang’s sizzling chemistry elevates this into one of the most aspirational romance C-dramas of recent years. More than a love story, it’s also a meditation on chasing big dreams without losing sight of the quiet joys of companionship.
Sasha Lim-Uy Mariposa is a lifestyle journalist who is known for her food writing. Based in Manila, she also covers entertainment and dining, as well as a broad range of topics. She was the former digital editor at Esquire Philippines and was the digital managing editor at Spot.ph, and now writes for the different Tatler Asia markets as a contributing writer for T-Labs.
