Spoilers ahead.
Since the year 2020 surprised everybody with the pandemic and various other catastrophes, many people all over the world were forced to stay at home. From making Dalgona coffee to creating a Tiktok account, people tried to keep themselves busy. And watching Chinese and Korean dramas was just one the many things that helped keep us sane.
From my long list of completed Chinese C-dramas, here are my personal favorites for 2020:
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. She then meets Wen Bing, who can’t recognize faces due to an accident he was involved in when he was a kid. The two are like cats and dogs, fighting and teasing each other, but slowly, they develop a mutual respect for one another.
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Youth, Sports
Number of episodes: 24
Cast: Darren Chen, Sebrina Chen
Intense Love 韫色过浓
If you don’t like heavy drama, I would also recommend Intense Love. This drama tells the love story between a genius doctor, Zhou Shi Yun, and an actress, Su Jin Bei, who both refuse to be part of arranged marriages. But when Jin Bei gets into an accident and is rushed to the hospital where Shi Yun works, Jin Bei makes the first move to love and pursue the genius doctor.
Genre: Friendship, Comedy, Romance, Life, Medical
Number of episodes: 24
Cast: Zhang Yu Xi, Ryan Ding
The Blooms at Ruyi Pavilion 如意芳霏
Adapted from the historical novel, Chong Hou Zhi Lu by Xiao Jia Ren, this drama is about the life of the second daughter of the Fu family, Fu Rong. After suffering from a serious illness, she has the ability to foresee dreams. The Prince Su Xu Jin can also foresee dreams and the two are linked as he also predicts the same tragedy that Hou Zhi saw. Adding to the kilig factor: They also meet in modern times as Price Xu Jin waited hundreds of years for Fu Rong’s reincarnation!
Genre: Historical, Mystery, Romance, Life
Number of episodes: 40
Cast: Zhang Zhe Han, Ju Jing Yu, Liu Yi Chang, Wang You Shuo, Kiki Xu
Begin Again 从结婚开始恋爱
Begin Again may have a cliché plot, but it’s one of the most charming and well-executed dramas this year. The drama is about a domineering female CEO and a warm doctor who turn their fake relationship into a real one for certain practical reasons.
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Number of episodes: 35
Cast: Zhou Yu Tong, Simon Gong, Garvey Jin, Wu Man Si
The Wolf 狼殿下
For this one, I must say that you need to grab your tissues because of the bittersweet love story between the Wolf and the girl. On top of that, it’s a drama full of misunderstandings and sacrifices. Like me, you may also fall in love with the second lead because he never lets Xing’er down and loves her with everything he’s got, even if he knows that it can never be repaid.
Genre: Historical, Romance, Wuxia, Fantasy
Number of episodes: 49
Cast: Darren Wang, Li Qin, Sean Xiao
Love is Sweet 半是蜜糖半是伤
The chemistry between the main leads 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.
Genre: Friendship, Business, Comedy, Romance, Family
Number of episodes: 36
Cast: Leo Luo, Bai Lu, Kido Gao,
Love and Redemption 琉璃
I have re-watched this several times already and I must say that every time Xuan Ji transforms into the legendary God of War still gives me goosebumps. Whenever I see Hao Chen, I always want to swear at his wrongdoings. Definitely worth watching and re-watching! For some 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.
Genre: Action, Historical, Romance, Drama, Fantasy
Number of episodes: 59
Cast: Cheng Yi, Crystal Yuan
Go Ahead 以家人之名
THE BEST FAMILY SHOW I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE. From the first episode to the last, this drama never fails to make me cry. This is also one of the few dramas that explore our human nature and interpersonal relationships. More than that, it’s the most relatable drama I have ever seen because it has a glimpse of the Chinese culture, such as wearing red during the holidays, always aiming to be first in class, the mother always choosing the child’s clothes, and many other superstitions. You can’t leave this drama off your list! To know more, you can read about the drama here.
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Youth, Drama, Family, Melodrama
Number of episodes: 46
Cast: Seven Tan, Song Wei Long, Steven Zhang
Bonus:
Legend of Fei 有翡
Although this one is still ongoing and is set to end on January 14, 2021, it’s already one of the most-watched dramas this 2020! It has reached no. 1 on the WeTV PH app in just a week and is still at the top until now! The story is about the life of the 48 Strongholds of the Shu Mountains and the warriors and bandits who are sworn to protect it.
Genre: Action, Historical, Mystery, Romance, Wuxia
Number of episodes: 51
Cast: Zhanilia Zhao, Wang Yibo, Zhang Hui Wen, Chen Ruo Xuan, Oscar Sun
