Romance is great and all, but have you ever felt the heartwarming satisfaction of a family overcoming struggles together?
I’ll be honest: At first, I entered the world of C-dramas because of the promise of sweet-sugary fluff, insanely cute couples, and romantic diabetes. But what made me realize how good Chinese entertainment can actually be isn’t just the romance — it’s how it features love in its entirety: the kind that you share with your family, friends, and even the upstairs neighbors who come down to have dinners with you for all of your childhood. (Yes, if you know, then you know.)
These are the dramas about growing up, living life, and discovering what the days passing by mean to you. So if you’re up for a touching series that makes you bawl your eyes out, we have the perfect list right here! Check out our recs below:
Go Ahead (以家人之名)
We’re starting out the list with this classic! Touted as one of the best Chinese dramas in 2020, Go Ahead is an endearing tearjerker that tells the message of family being the people you choose.
In the midst of two dysfunctional households are three unrelated children who grow up together as unofficial siblings: eldest brother Ling Xiao, middle brother He Xiao, and youngest sister Li Jianjian. Although the three have spent their youth together, they grow apart when time forces them to separate and live with their original families. After nine years, the three are then reunited, allowing them to confront the joys and pains of their shared past.
Cast: Tan Songyun, Song Weilong, Zhang Xincheng
Episode Count: 46
Where to Watch: WeTV, Netflix, YouTube (China Huace TV)
A Little Reunion (小欢喜)
In China, one of the most important events in a person’s life is the gaokao, the notoriously difficult nationwide college entrance exam that has the power to determine one’s success and future. In order to prepare for the gaokao, high school students have been known to not only put in rigorous hours into studying but also make sacrifices for the greater good.
Shedding light on this national experience, A Little Reunion has become one of the highest-rated dramas in 2019. The series tells the story of three families whose children undergo their final year of high school, navigating through the ups and downs of academic pressure and everyday life along the way.
Cast: Huang Lei, Hai Qing, Tao Hong, Wang Yanhui
Episode Count: 49
Where to Watch: YouTube (Kukan)
All is Well (都挺好)
Sadly, many things are not quite well in this emotional family drama. Adapted from a novel of the same name, All is Well follows the heart-wrenching story of the Su family, whose lives are disrupted by the sudden death of their matriarch. Now free of his wife’s influence, Su Daqiang starts to make constant excessive demands of his children, who all face problems of their own.
As the eldest son, Su Mingzhe returns from the United States in an effort to support his family but crumbles from pressure, inevitably becoming emotionally estranged from his wife and daughter. Meanwhile, second son Su Mingcheng lives his life as an unemployed man, waiting for success to come without hard work. Lastly, despite having been unrecognized by her parents for several years, daughter Su Mingyu finds herself dragged back into the family’s affairs, becoming the key to bringing them all together again.
Cast: Yao Chen, Ni Dahong, Guo Jingfei, Gao Xin
Episode Count: 46
Where to Watch: YouTube (CN Drama)
Lovely Us (如此可爱的我们)
Want a coming-of-age story sprinkled with some family drama? Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. Exploring the glory of their youthful days, Lovely Us charmingly describes the day-to-day lives of five students who enter high school together as children from the Shu De Faculty and Staff Family Hospital.
As they embark on the journey of their adolescence, they quickly become best friends, experiencing the joys and sorrows of growing older together with dreams, warmth, and romance.
Cast: Li Mingde, Tian Xiwei, Li Mingyuan. Li Yingying, You Haoran
Episode Count: 16
Where to Watch: iQIYI
Can’t get enough? Why not check out our rec list of medical C-dramas here!
