Discover China’s golden year of television through these 20 groundbreaking dramas that blend cultural depth, innovative narratives, and stunning production values. From historical sagas to sci-fi thrillers, this list offers a curated journey into China’s vibrant screen culture.
- Story of Yanxi Palace (《延禧攻略》)
Director: Hui Kaidong
Genre: Historical Drama
Starring: Wu Jinyan, Nie Yuan, Qin Lan
This Qing Dynasty epic revolutionized historical dramas with its strong female protagonist, intricate palace politics, and exquisite Ming-style costumes. Its global popularity on platforms like Netflix makes it a perfect entry point for international viewers. - The Rise of Phoenixes (《天盛长歌》)
Director: Shen Yan, Liu Haibo
Genre: Political Intrigue
Starring: Chen Kun, Ni Ni
Praised as “China’s Game of Thrones,” this visually lavish series explores royal power struggles with Shakespearean depth. The 4K cinematography sets a new benchmark for TV production. - Guardian (《镇魂》)
Director: Zhou You
Genre: Fantasy/Thriller
Starring: Bai Yu, Zhu Yilong
A supernatural detective story based on priest’s BL novel, this cult hit combines crime-solving with mythical creatures. Its nuanced LGBTQ+ subtext sparked global fan theories . - Meteor Garden (《流星花园》)
Director: Lin He Long
Genre: Youth Romance
Starring: Shen Yue, Dylan Wang
The fourth adaptation of Boys Over Flowers became Asia’s most-streamed show in 2018. Its Cinderella storyline and Gen-Z fashion trends fueled TikTok challenges worldwide. - The Story of Minglan (《知否知否应是绿肥红瘦》)
Director: Zhang Kaizhou
Genre: Historical Family Drama
Starring: Zhao Liying, Feng Shaofeng
A Song Dynasty masterpiece dissecting women’s societal roles through Minglan’s journey from marginalized daughter to strategic matriarch. - Ashes of Love (《香蜜沉沉烬如霜》)
Director: Zhu Ruibin
Genre: Xianxia (Immortal Fantasy)
Starring: Yang Zi, Deng Lun
This celestial romance about a flower goddess and war god features breathtaking CGI realms and became China’s top-rated fantasy drama of 2018. - The Drug Hunter (《猎毒人》)
Director: Tian Mengli
Genre: Crime Thriller
Starring: Yu Hewei, Xu Hongjie
A chemistry professor infiltrates drug cartels to avenge his brother’s death. Gritty and fast-paced, it mirrors Breaking Bad’s moral complexity. - Ever Night (《将夜》)
Director: Yang Yang
Genre: Wuxia/Fantasy
Starring: Chen Feiyu, Song Yiren
Adapted from Mao Ni’s novel, this martial arts saga blends philosophical debates with spectacular combat choreography. - The Way We Were (《归去来》)
Director: Liu Jiang
Genre: Youth/Immigration Drama
Starring: Luo Jin, Tang Yan
Exploring Chinese students’ struggles in the U.S., this series offers rare insights into cultural adaptation and generational expectations. - Siege in Fog (《人生若如初相见》)
Director: He Shupei
Genre: Republican-era Romance
Starring: Han Dongjun, Sun Yi
Set in 1920s warlord China, this tragic love story between a general’s son and rebellious bride redefines historical romance tropes. - Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace (《如懿传》)
Director: Wang Jun
Genre: Historical Drama
Starring: Zhou Xun, Huo Jianhua
A thematic sequel to Yanxi Palace, this darker exploration of Emperor Qianlong’s empress features Zhou Xun’s career-defining performance. - The Brightest Star in the Sky (《夜空中最闪亮的星》)
Director: Liu Yulin
Genre: Music Industry Drama
Starring: Huang Zitao, Wu倩
A semi-autobiographical drama co-produced by Huang Zitao, revealing K-pop-style idol training systems in China’s entertainment industry. - Old Boy (《老男孩》)
Director: Liu Junjie
Genre: Urban Family Drama
Starring: Liu Ye, Lin依晨
A pilot’s journey into single parenthood blends humor and tearjerker moments, reflecting China’s evolving family dynamics. - The City of Chaos (《悍城》)
Director: Lin Nan
Genre: Undercover Crime
Starring: Li Guangjie, Yuan Wenkang
This noir-style thriller about a cop infiltrating Southeast Asian gangs features John Wick-level action sequences. - The Legend of Fuyao (《扶摇》)
Director: Yang Wenjun
Genre: Martial Arts
Starring: Yang Mi, Ethan Juan
Adapted from Untamed author’s work, this female-centric wuxia drama showcases Yang Mi as a warrior challenging patriarchal systems. - Suddenly This Summer (《忽而今夏》)
Director: Lü Xiaobo
Genre: Youth Romance
Starring: Bai Yu, Bu Guanjin
A bittersweet love story spanning 10 years, praised for its authentic portrayal of long-distance relationships and career struggles. - The Disappeared Child (《失踪人口》)
Director: Wang Ruichang
Genre: Sci-Fi Mystery
Starring: Liu Chang, Chen Xiao
Survivors of a bus crash discover time loops in a Tibetan canyon—a mind-bending mix of Lost and Dark. - The Rise and Fall of a Stand-in (《替嫁医妃》)
Director: Wu Qiang
Genre: Historical Comedy
Starring: Peng Xiaoran, Zhao Yi
A body-swap comedy where a physician impersonates a princess, blending slapstick humor with medical intrigue. - Mr. Right (《南方有乔木》)
Director: Lin Yan
Genre: Tech Entrepreneurship
Starring: Chen Kun, Bai Baihe
A drone engineer and ex-soldier collaborate on AI projects, offering rare insights into China’s tech startup culture. - The Guardian (《守护神之保险调查》)
Director: Zhong Shujia
Genre: Financial Crime
Starring: Michael Miu, Xu Zixuan
Insurance investigators unravel fraud cases in Hong Kong—a fresh take on white-collar crime dramas.
Where to Watch
Most series are available on international platforms like Viki, iQIYI International , and YouTube (with multilingual subtitles ). Historical dramas like Yanxi Palace and Ruyi’s Royal Love have dedicated fan subbing communities.
Cultural Takeaways
2018 marked China’s shift toward quality-over-quantity TV production, with historical dramas innovating through feminist retellings (Yanxi Palace) and fantasy series adopting cinematic techniques (Ever Night). Modern dramas like The Drug Hunter reflect growing interest in socially conscious storytelling.
This list merely scratches the surface—explore these gems to understand why Chinese TV generated over 30 billion global views in 2018 .