When watching C-dramas, you get to enjoy a lot of different genres, such as romance, sci-fi, historical, and action. In celebration of Women’s History Month, we present some dramas that have powerful female protagonists and empower women.
Here are some of our favorite Chinese dramas with strong female leads that are worth watching:
Just an Encore 八分钟的温暖
This story is lovely and heart-wrenching at the same time and depicts ordinary and flawed characters — they get jealous, and they can be selfish and petty. One of the characters is Yan Zhe, a very popular girl not because of her looks and grades but because of her strong personality and genuine character — a worthy protagonist to follow episode to episode.
Genre: Friendship, Romance, School, Youth
Number of Episodes: 31
Casts: Jiang Zhuo Jun, Chen Xun, Ryan Ding, Zhu Dan Ni
My Unicorn Girl 穿盔甲的少女
If you’re looking for a light and chill drama, I recommend My Unicorn Girl. In this drama, Sang Tian, an aspiring figure skater, fails to get into the university that her mother once attended. She decides not to give up and disguises herself as a male ice hockey player to be able to study at her mom’s alma mater. Defying all the norms of only having a boy’s hockey team, she then meets Wen Bing, who can’t recognize faces due to an accident he was involved in when he was a kid.
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Youth, Sports
Number of episodes: 24
Cast: Darren Chen, Sebrina Chen
In a Class of Her Own 漂亮书生
In a Class of Her Own is the latest Chinese adaptation of the Sungkyunkwan Scandal where Wen Xi dresses up as a guy to help pay for her family’s debt and her brother’s medicine. She then meets the prime minister’s son who is deeply impressed with her work and wants her to join the Yun Shang Academy. In the drama, she has no choice but to continue disguising herself as a boy since being a scholar has a lot of benefits and she can learn at the same time.
Genre: Historical, Comedy, Romance, School, Family
Number of episodes: 36
Cast: Ju Jing Yi, Song Wei Long, Bi Wen Jun, Richards Wang
When We Were Young 人不彪悍枉少年
When We Were Young is a nostalgic school drama set in the year 1996. High school friends Yang Xi, Hua Biao, Li Yu, Si Tu Er Tiao, Yang Xiao He Mei face ups and downs during their third year in high school. They face various adventures and challenges in school, home, as well as choices in their individual careers and college. However, they all conquer these because of their strong friendship. Yang Xi has a very tomboy-ish attitude and style, but when it comes to justice, she is always brave and stands up for what’s right.
Genre: Friendship, Romance, School, Youth, Family
Number of episodes: 24
Cast: Neo Hou, Wan Peng, Gala Zhang, Marcus Li, Pan Mei Ye
Arsenal Military Academy 烈火军校
Arsenal Military Academy is one of our favorite dramas yet! Yes, this drama tackles serious topics like corruption, but the chemistry between the three leads is also incredible and one to watch! Set in the Republican era, Xie Xiang joins the army under her brother’s name to find out the reason behind his death. While pretending to be a man, she earns the respect of her peers and superiors.
Genre: Action, Friendship, Historical, Comedy, Romance
Number of Episodes: 48
Casts: Bai Lu, Xu Kai, Toby Lee, Wu Jia Yi
The Romance of Tiger and Rose 传闻中的陈芊芊
Finally managing to sell her TV show script, aspiring screenwriter Chen Xiao Qian soon falls under the scrutiny of the male lead who refuses to act in the role she has written for him. In the process of re-writing the script, she takes a nap and is suddenly transported into her own story, becoming Third Princess Chen Qian Qian. Trying to find her way back home, she falls in love with Prince Han Shuo who also loves her very much.
Genre: Historical, Comedy, Romance, Drama, Fantasy
Number of Episodes: 24
Casts: Rosy Zhao, Ryan Ding, Zhao Zi Xin, Sheng Ying Hao
Love is Sweet 半是蜜糖半是伤
The chemistry between the main leads in this C-drama is just undeniably sweet! Although the sickness Jiang Jun has is unrealistic, it makes Yuan Shuai protect her more. From being high school frienemies to having a boss-and-employee relationship, their connection to each other just gets cuter and cuter! Plus, the wedding proposal to Jiang Jun will always be a “sana all” moment. Desperate to become a successful investment strategist, any hindrance is unacceptable for this female character.
Genre: Friendship, Business, Comedy, Romance, Family
Number of episodes: 36
Cast: Leo Luo, Bai Lu, Kido Gao,
Love and Redemption 琉璃
For reference for C-drama fans, this one is slightly similar to the hit drama, Ashes of Love, as Xuan Ji can’t love and Si Feng tries his best to love her despite all the rules and hurdles in his way. Xuan Ji has a very strong character, along with a touch of innocence. And every time Xuan Ji transforms into the legendary God of War will give you goosebumps!
Genre: Action, Historical, Romance, Drama, Fantasy
Number of episodes: 59
Cast: Cheng Yi, Crystal Yuan
Meteor Garden 流星花园
This Chinese remake of the hit Taiwanese drama with the same name also has a very strong female character in Shan Cai. Despite the hindrance of Dao Ming Si’s mother and Dao Ming Si’s arrogance, Shan Cai overcomes her problems. Even if the infamous F4 is in front of her, she isn’t scared of any punishments from anyone as long as she knows that she is right.
Genre: Friendship, Comedy, Romance, School, Youth, Drama
Number of episodes: 50
Cast: Shen Yue, Dylan Wang, Darren Chen, Caesar Wu, Leon Leong
We hope you enjoy these female-driven dramas. Happy Women’s Month!
If you’re in the mood for romance, check out these C-dramas.
