Reasons You Should Dive Into C-drama Land

Are you running out of Korean dramas to watch? Or do you want a breath of fresh air after binge-watching a series? Would you mind us introducing you to Chinese drama?

Albeit having similar genres, from historical to modern, there are some differences that you can find between the drama of the two countries. K-drama typically runs 16-20 episodes long but C-drama usually have more than 30 episodes! Now you don't have to find a new drama to watch as often anymore!

Besides, C-drama usually has more complex plots than K-drama, especially in the fantasy and wuxia genres. Wuxia literally means “martial heroes” and is a Chinese fiction genre concerning martial arts adventures in China. Some of them also have great plot twists that would keep you on the edge of your seat! So why don't you give them a try? The streaming platforms for C-drama have grown over the years. You can stream them on Netflix, WeTV, Tencent Video, iQIYI, and even find official channels like MangoTV and Youku on YouTube!

If you are currently learning Mandarin, watching C-drama is the best way to train your listening and reading skills! Watching a C-drama is like a guessing game, as the accents range from Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore to Malaysia! Although most of the drama predominantly speaks in putonghua (standard Mandarin), the expressions used in the respective countries might differ from what you have learned! You can also try reading the subtitles to improve your comprehension skills!

Not sure who to search and where to start? We'll briefly introduce some high-rated drama and the casts of all time! First is a drama that received an 8.8/10 rating on IMDb; The Untamed (陈情令), starring Xiao Zhan (肖战) as Wei Wuxian and Wang Yibo (王一博) as Lan Wangji. The story is about two good friends who went on an adventure to solve murder mysteries. The relationship between the main character with his family and his character development is something to look out for when watching the drama! All the cast have done well in bringing out their character's emotions, plus the storyline is enthralling enough to keep you going on the series.

Next is Ashes of Love (香蜜沉沉烬如霜), rated 8.3/10 on IMDb and starred Yang Zi (杨紫) as Jin Mi and Deng Lun (邓伦) as Xu Feng. Jin Mi was living as a prisoner in Shui Jing until Xu Feng accidentally entered Shui Jing and mistakenly released her because he was repaying his debt for saving his life. It is easy to mistake this drama as a light, heart-fluttering rom-com with all the comedic scenes. However, as the plot thickens, you will be overwhelmed with mixed emotions. Are you intrigued yet? Watch the whole series to find out what is the endgame between Jin Mi and Xu Feng!

If you are not interested in the wuxia/fantasy genre and want to see these two actors in a contemporary drama, try watching The Oath of Love (余生，请多指教)! The story centers on an aspiring cellist, played by Yang Zi (杨紫) as Lin Zhi Xiao falls in love with a surgeon, starred by Xiao Zhan (肖战) as Gu Wei. After their awkward and unexpected first encounter, how will their relationship progress? They keep bumping into each other as Lin Zhi Xiao’s father is hospitalized in the hospital where Gu Wei is working at. It also focused on family relationships and the importance of self-love before loving others. Although the storyline is cliche and predictable, the great acting definitely makes up for it. It is certainly a lighter drama than both previously mentioned dramas, and you can’t go wrong with a good ol’ romance drama!

How are you finding Chinese drama after this read? The list of C-drama is endless as more production houses are producing more quality drama! And if you would like to be able to understand the drama without subtitles, why not join Fasih Mandarin classes? Have fun with your C-drama journey!