Time of the year to summarise everything. 2021 is definitely a year I caught more Chinese drama than any other content from other countries. Here are the top 12 C-dramas that I’ve hand picked for those who love romance or rom-com.
#1 – Unforgettable Love
Definitely one of my top choice in 2021. 贺先生的恋恋不忘 is a romance comedy that also talks about the struggles of child psychology, be it being the patient, the doctor or the family of the affected child.
He Qiao Yan (Miles Wei) is a young handsome and capable man but he is rational and has a son that is different from other kids. He engaged a child psychologist Qin Yi Yue to help his son to recover and their romance bubbles from then.
#2 – You Are My Glory
Airing in the same period, the long anticipated Cdrama starring Yang Yang and Dilraba Dilmurat did not disappoint us (at least it did not disappoint me). The chemistry they had at least in the drama is flawless and you can feel their love through the cold screen.
Started from long lost classmate reconnected through a game, evolves into aerospace and showbiz.
The romance between long-lost high school friends reunited after more than a decade. Yu Tu is an aerospace engineer that struggles between dream and bread. Qiao Jing Jing is a popular female actress.
#3 – Cute Programmer
This drama talks about the struggles of being a programmer/ engineer, a male dominating industry that stereotype females. The love lines here has their own stage and limelight which is perfectly scripted.
Lu Li fell in love with her senior, a genius programmer, and inspires to work in his company after graduation. However, his company only recruits male programmers, so she disguises to enter.
#4 – The Day of Becoming You
The eureka you have at the end of the drama made you reflect and everything make sense from the beginning. It is not just a fantasy romance drama, there is a hidden message that the scriptwriter wants to convey. A message which is a commonly problem in every relationship.
Accidentally switching their souls, a popular idol Jiang Yi and an entertainment reporter Yu Sheng Sheng swapped lives for a few days by force. Finally switched back but they are still caught in a complicated relationship that no one will understand.
#5 – My Heroic Husband
First time seeing Actor Guo Qi Lin and it is an eye opener. The progress of the drama is so good, the mix of modern day cliche and historical scene blends together.
A modern-day scriptwriter travels back in time, woke up in the body of Ning Yi who is a man to be married as a matrilocal husband to a Nobel cloth merchant, Su Tan Er. By using modern-day business methods and ideas, he grew the business.
#6 – Stop! Miss Hua
Chance upon this drama while browsing through “what’s next”. Seeing the fresh combination of Judy Qi Yan Di and Ryan Zhang He, production by Mango TV so gave it a try. And it is not disappointing.
Hua Ming Yue is being treated like a princess all her life, born with a silver spoon but she is a bimbo. Her grandfather fell into a coma and her half-brother Hua Ming Chen kicked her out of the house. Nowhere to go, she was taken in by Qin Dong Hai, a mentor hired by her grandfather hired beforehand.
#7 – Sweet Teeth
Light-hearted romance drama about three different couples. One fairytale but the other two love lines are common struggles we hear from friends or friend’s friends.
A group of 26-year-old, the three best friends, and Zeng Li’s stepbrother Deng Hao Ran became really close friends. Supporting each other no matter what. Zeng Li fell in love with her dentist Ai Jing Chu after her mom forces her to get braces to increase her visuals.
#8 – Falling into your Smile
E-sports is popular and now there are more dramas build on different kind of games. This drama started when one of the top team hire the industry’s first female competitive player and shook the world.
#9 – Ni Chang
Starring Nicky Li Jia Qi, Bi Wen Jun and more. This historical drama shows the life of Ni Chang over a course of a few years, her progress and growth as an independent woman.
Xie Family is a silk merchant that was caught up in a conspiracy against them. Xie Xiao Ni became the only survivor and she works hard to get back on her feet in hopes to find the truth that causes her family’s downfall.
#10 – Once We Get Married
Not the classic drama where a happy-go-lucky female lead fell in love with a charismatic CEO. True that there is a charismatic CEO, but the female lead is a smart woman that knows her way to achieve her goals.
Romance story between a new fashion designer Gu Xi Xi and WHYMALL’s CEO Yin Si Chen. They crossed path when both of them trying to do business with a famous wedding designer Alex. To convince their sincerity, they fake relationship and entered contract relationship.
#11 – Rebirth For You
Adapted from the novel Mu Nan Zhi (慕南枝). The historical drama took place in Jian An country, story of Jiang Bao Ning, the princess who did not want to be locked behind the palace walls. She met Li Qian, an Imperial Army leader by chance and they went under the radar to dig out truth behind cases.
#12 – A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College
Adapted from a web novel of the same name. The drama is set in the imperial college 国子监 (which was founded in the Sui Dynasty) where Grand Marshal’s daughter, Sang Qi becomes the only female student.