The first half of 2024, i.e. between January and June, saw the releases of some top-rated Chinese dramas. With marvelous storylines and star-studded lineups, they exceeded the viewers’ expectations. From Youku’s The Double to Tencent Video’s Angels Fall Sometimes, this article has listed down Chinese drama recommendations that made the first half of 2024 so enthralling for fans:
Angels Fall Sometimes
This modern romance Chinese drama featuring prominent actors Lin Yi and Landy Li came out in March 2024. Tuo (Lin Yi) and An Zhi Que (Landy Li) start dating in their junior year of college. They plan to figure out the adult world together and build a beautiful future together. However, their plans are interrupted when Lin Tuo gets diagnosed with a nerve disease. Not only does Zhi Que become his support system, she learns to live for Lin Tuo.
On the other hand, Lin Tuo slowly loses all hope and his ability to lead a normal life. Seeing Zhi Que struggle, he wishes to end his miserable life. But Zhi Que is not ready to give up. She cares for him until the day he passes away and also takes it upon herself to make her lover experience everything on his bucket list. The drama is available to watch on Tencent Video, WeTV, iQIYI, and Viki.
The Double
Released in June 2024, The Double is one of the most critically acclaimed Chinese dramas of the year. It tells the story of Xue Fang Fei (Wu Jinyan), who almost gets murdered by her husband after conspirators frame her for being an adulterer. Furthermore, her entire family faces murderous consequences.
An exiled minister’s daughter named Jiang Li brings her back from the brink of death. After Jiang Li passes away under mysterious circumstances, she takes on her benefactorress’s name, returns to the capital in disguise, and punishes those who wronged her and Jiang Li. She establishes herself as a scholar and becomes a liberator for those in need. Fang Fei falls in love with Duke Su (Wang Xingyue) and ultimately finds her happy ever after. All episodes of The Double are available to stream on Youku and Netflix.
Tender Light
The drama follows the story of Zhou Luo (Zhang Xincheng), who finds himself in the middle of a murder mystery. He returns to his hometown during a gap year at the university. On the other hand, Nan Ya (Tong Yao), the town’s most beautiful woman, can find no way out of an abusive marriage.
Moreover, Nan Ya does not have a good reputation in the town as all men drool over her, and women are jealous of her. Zhou Lou gets close to her through his family and soon falls in love with her. So much so that when Nan Ya’s husband gets murdered, and she goes to jail, he takes the blame on herself to save her from trouble. Tender Light is available to stream on Youku.
Amidst a Snowstorm of Love
One of the most popular Chinese dramas of this year, it tells the love story of Lin Yiyang (Leo Wu), a retired snooker genius, and Yin Guo (Zhao Jinmai), a professional nine-ball player. After accidentally running into her during a blizzard in a foreign land, Yiyang falls in love with Yin Guo at first sight. He becomes her personal mentor.
After Yin Guo discovers Yiyang’s troubled past, she heals his childhood trauma and reunites with his former coach. By the end of the series, Yiyang, who had forgotten how to feel emotions, learns how to love again and asks for Yun Guo’s hand in marriage.
The Legend of Shen Li
This Xianxia Chinese drama tells the story of Xing Zhi (Lin Gengxin), the last remaining god, and Shen Li (Zhao Liying), the queen of the devil world. She falls into the mortal world while escaping from her marriage in the form of a phoenix.
Xing Zhi, who has been banished from the immortal sect, rescues and nurses her back to health. They fall in love, but he is reincarnated in his true form. She goes to extreme lengths to make him fall in love with her again. It is available to stream on Tencent Video, We TV, Mango TV, and Viki.
