As we bid farewell to 2024, it’s safe to say that it hasn’t been the most exciting year for Chinese dramas (C-dramas). The year was marked by a general sense of déjà vu, with many new series failing to bring anything ground-breaking to the table and a lot of the underwhelming sequels . With a pool of 49 new C-dramas under my belt, I ended up dropping 13, primarily because they either leaned too heavily into childish themes or simply didn’t offer anything fresh or engaging. However, amidst the repetitiveness, there were a few diamonds in the rough that stood out for their unique storytelling, compelling characters, and overall charm. Here’s a look at the top C-dramas of 2024 that managed to capture my attention and delivered something worth watching.
1) She and Her Girls (23 Episodes)
Genre: Youth, Drama
Starring: Song Jia
Based on true events, She and Her Girls tells the inspiring story of Zhang Guimei, a teacher who establishes a free girls’ high school in rural Yunnan. The series is a heartfelt tribute to perseverance and the transformative power of education. Its realistic portrayal of struggles in rural China has earned a 9+ rating on Douban, cementing its place as one of the most impactful dramas of the year.
2) Strange Tales of the Tang Dynasty 2: To the West (40 Episodes)
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Horror, Wuxia
Starring: Yang XuWen, Yang ZhiGang, Gao SiWen, Chen Chuang, Sun XueNing
Blending historical intrigue with supernatural elements, this drama follows Tang Dynasty detectives solving bizarre mysteries. With exceptional production quality, gripping storylines, and well-developed characters, it stands out in the historical fantasy genre. As one of the few successful sequels this year, it has excelled in continuing its predecessor’s success and captivated viewers with its intrigue.
3) Blossom (34 Episodes)
Genre: Historical, Mystery, Romance, Fantasy
Starring: Meng ZiYi, Li YunRui
Blossom masterfully explores themes of love, resilience, and redemption against a backdrop of political intrigue and personal struggles. The chemistry between the leads is authentic, and their evolving relationship is beautifully portrayed. This is more than just a love story—it’s a tale of healing and trust in the face of adversity. With stellar performances and high production values, Blossom rightfully earns its spot among the best C-dramas of 2024.
4) Tied for Fourth Place:
Will Love in Spring (21 Episodes)
Genre: Romance, Life, Drama, Family
Starring: Li Xian, Zhou Yutong
A deeply emotional drama, Will Love in Spring explores themes of healing, love, and personal growth. It shines by shedding light on often-overlooked professions and the life struggles of its characters. The journey of Chen MaiDong and Zhuang Jie, from misunderstanding to deep, transformative love, is beautifully portrayed, making it a must-watch.
Angels Fall Sometime (24 Episodes)
Genre: Romance, Life, Melodrama
Starring: Lin Yi, Landy Li
Angels Fall Sometime is a heart-wrenching drama about love, loss, and the courage to face life’s toughest challenges. The story follows Lin Tuo, who falls in love with An Zhi Que during their summer internship, only for his life to be shattered when he’s diagnosed with ALS. This emotional love story explores themes of resilience and sacrifice and is perfect for fans of deeply moving narratives.
5) The Spirealm (78 Episodes)
Genre: Mystery, Horror, Comedy, Fantasy
Starring: Xia ZhiGuang, Huang JunJie, Liu RuoGu, Liu XiaoBei
The Spirealm is a thrilling and captivating drama set in a high-stakes virtual reality game. The protagonist, Ling Jiu Shi, finds himself trapped in an enigmatic virtual world, where he must navigate twelve doors filled with mind-bending mysteries. The drama keeps viewers on the edge of their seats with its suspenseful twists and intellectual challenges.
Honourable Mentions
While these dramas were enjoyable, they fell short of being ranked among the top five due to significant flaws in their narratives or execution:
6) Heroes – A historical action-packed drama set in the late Qing Dynasty, filled with political intrigue, treasure hunts, and moral dilemmas.
7) To the Wonder – A visually stunning drama about Li WenXiu, a girl from Altay, who returns home to find inspiration in nature and love while pursuing her dream of writing.
8) The Tale of Rose – A poignant journey through love, heartbreak, and personal growth, centered around Huang YiMei’s struggle with loss and resilience.
9) Blossoms in Adversity – A powerful tale of resilience, following Hua Zhi as she evolves from a sheltered girl to a strong leader after tragedy strikes.
10) Romance in the Alley – A nostalgic, heart-warming drama set in 1970s Suzhou, exploring love and societal change amidst academic pressures.
Next Ten Dramas
These are the next batch of dramas that were good but didn’t quite make the top 10:
11) The First Shot
12) The Legend of Shen Li
13) Joy of Life S2
14) Tender Light
15) We have another tie between- In Blossom and The Double
16) War of Faith
17) Snowy Night Timeless Love
18) 19th Floor
19) Under the Skin S2
20) Regeneration
A One-Time Watch
These dramas were watchable but lacked rewatch value and didn’t earn a spot in the top 20:
- Amidst a Snowstorm of Love
- Best Choice Ever
- You Are My Lover Friend
- As Beautiful As You
- The Rise of Ning
- Love Song in Winter
- Smile Code
- My Boss
- You Are My Secret
- Lost You Forever S2
- Shooting Stars
- Brocade Odyssey
- Begin Again (2024)
- Married
- Dark Night and Dawn
Dramas I Couldn’t Finish
Unfortunately, these dramas didn’t keep my interest long enough to finish:
- Fangs of Fortune
- Love Game in Eastern Fantasy
- Are You the One
- The Story of Pearl Girl
- Love of Nirvana
- The Princess Royal
- Love Endures
- Kill Me Love Me
- Everyone Loves Me
- Deep Lurk
- Guess Who I Am
- Sweet Trap
- Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Red- Moon Pact
Final Thoughts:
2024, A Year of Missed Opportunities
While there were certainly a few standout dramas in 2024, it’s hard to ignore the fact that this year felt like a bit of a let-down compared to previous years. Many dramas felt like carbon copies of stories we’ve seen before, and the over-reliance on tropes and predictable plotlines left little room for innovation. For me, watching 48 new C-dramas and dropping 13 was a testament, some even from few of my favourite actors/actresses, to how difficult it was to find something truly captivating.
That being said, the top dramas listed above do offer something fresh and enjoyable, and they’re a reminder that even in a year dominated by repetition, there are still gems to be discovered. Let’s hope that the trend of innovation and risk-taking continues into the next year, as audiences crave more diversity in storylines and character development.
Do you agree with this list, or do you have your own standout picks for 2024? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!
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