Many dramas are produced in China every year, but only a handful of them manage to grab people’s attention and stand out successfully. Adapting novels into a drama is a common source of inspiration for Chinese dramas. Today, we talk about must-watch Chinese dramas for those who want to read a book and then see it come alive or those who wish to fall in love with a drama and then experience it all over again in more depth in the form of a book. Below is the list of the Top Ten Chinese Dramas adapted from Novels.
1. Untamed
It is a 2019 drama based on the novel ‘Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation.’ It follows the story of ‘Wei Wu Xian’ and ‘Lan Wang Ji’- two disciples from prestigious clans who meet during cultivation training and unintentionally uncover a long-kept secret. While following their ancestor’s legacy of fighting evil, Wei Wu Xian dies. Sixteen years later, Wu Xian is brought back to life, but he hides behind a mask and takes on someone else’s identity. After reuniting with Lan Wang Ji, the two begin working together to solve mysteries and uncover the truth behind their tragic past.
2. Put Your Head On My Shoulder
It is a 2019 drama adapted from ‘Zhao Qianqian’s’ novel of the same name. ‘Si Tu Mo,’ the female lead, starts looking for work as her graduation date gets closer. Her crush and her closest friend, ‘Fu Pei,’ only bring her disappointment, but she soon meets ‘Gu Wei Yi,’ an intelligent physics major who captures her attention. They don’t have an excellent initial impression of each other, but as they continue to share an apartment, their feelings for each other grow into something more.
3. Love O2O
It aired in 2016 and is adapted from the novel of the same name by the writer, ‘Gu Man.’ The plot revolves around the most popular boy in the university, who also happens to be a gaming prodigy and a beautiful computer science girl. The first time he sees this girl at an internet cafe, he falls madly in love with her after seeing her incredible gaming skills. He then becomes her husband in the game that they play together. He also tries to woo her in real life.
4. A Love So Beautiful
It revolves around a group of high school friends and their journey from teenagers to adults. ‘Chen Xiaoxi,’ a cheerful girl, has been chasing after this intelligent and handsome boy, ‘Jiang Chen’ since they were kids, but to no avail. The neighbors and classmates go through many adventures together as Xiaoxi’s feelings finally started to get reciprocated. The show has been adapted from the novel ‘To Our Pure Little Beauty’ and was a hit on both global as well as national levels.
5. Falling Into Your Smile
It is a 2021 drama based on the novel ‘You’re beautiful when you Smile.’ The drama recounts the story of ‘Tong Yao’ who is invited to be a part of the ‘ZGDX pro-gaming team’ for her gaming abilities, and becomes the first female player in the male-dominated world pro-gaming. As the show progresses, Tong Yao and ZDGX’s leader Lu Si Cheng’s bickering turns into friendship and eventually into something more while they try to win the championship.
6. Eternal Love
It is one of China’s most popular television shows and has been adapted from the novel ‘Three Lives Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms’, written by Tang Qi Gong Zi. The drama is about a fox spirit, ‘Bai Quian’, and the Crown Prince of the Heavens, ‘Mo Yuan,’ who eventually fall in love. Because of this, they must overcome many obstacles before finding each other again in another universe. The question remains- whether fate will allow them to meet again in three separate worlds as they live three different lives, or will they continue yearning for each other’s love.
7. Ashes Of Love
It is a 2018 fantasy drama with over 60 episodes adapted from Dian Xian’s novel ‘Heavy Sweetness, Ash Like Frost.’ The story takes place in ancient times. It recounts the love between two prisoners, a flower goddesses daughter- ‘Jin Mi’ and the heavenly emperor’s son, ‘Xufeng.’
8. Word Of Honor
It aired in 2021 and is based on Priest’s novel ‘Faraway Wanderers,’ originally a ‘Boy’s love’ novel. It follows ‘Zhou Zi Shu,’ the head of the assassin group ‘The Window of Heaven’, who executes a departure technique to quit the group, leaving him only 3 years to live. To survive the rest of his life, he disguises himself as a drunkard. Soon he meets ‘Wen Ke Xing’ and becomes entangled in a conspiracy with him, which brings them closer.
9. Nirvana In Fire
It aired in December of 2017 and is adapted from the novel ‘Lang Ya Bang’ by Hai Yan. The drama is about ‘Lin Shu,’ who disguises himself as ‘Mei Changshu’ and infiltrates the Liang Dynasty capital to seek vengeance on his family, falsely accused of treason twelve years ago. He assists his childhood friend to win the crown.
10. Crush
It is a 2021 drama that recounts the love story between ‘Sang Wu Yan,’ a college student who wants to be a radio host, and ‘Su Nian Qin,’ a blind teacher. Su Nian is also the anonymous songwriter- ‘Yi Jin,’ Wu Yan loves very much. The show follows their journey as they become a couple and break up, only to meet three years later. The drama is based on the novel ‘So I Love You Very Much.’
