CP, or coupling, is when fans show special interest in not only the two main leads but also the actors and actresses who play the roles. It is a hot topic in Chinese. In common terms, it may be called "real person shipping". Following are 10 Chinese drama couples who gained immense popularity both on and off the screen.
1. Wei Lei And Zhao Lusi
Love Like the Galaxy was released in 2022 as a C-drama series. It is based on the novel "Xing Han Can Lan, Xing Shen Zhi Zai". The two leads of this costume drama are Wei Lei and Zhao Lusi. Previously, we saw both stars in The Long Ballad. The chemistry shared by the actors has been praised by many. Zhao Lusi is a terrific actress, and Wei Lei did a good job matching her energy and expression. The story is about a protagonist who hasn't known much about love, even from his own family and as the adopted son of the emperor. Both of them have suffered neglect in their own ways, and as their paths cross, they start finding solace in each other. This drama is split into two parts.
2. Dilraba Dilmurat And Gong Jun
The Legend of Anle is a film looked forward to by many C-drama lovers, mainly because of the two leads. Gong Jun's previous explosive success in Word of Honour made him a known face in costume dramas, while Dilraba has been a beloved actress since her groundbreaking role in Eternal Love of Dreams. Both of them look youthful yet serious with their sharp features and exquisite delivery. Nothing fits them better than period dramas. The story is about Anle, a former royal consort who is cast out of the palace on wrongful suspicions of treason. Years later, she returns to avenge her wrongfully murdered family and, in the process, falls for her previous fiance, the prince of the kingdom.
3. Lin Yi And Yukee
C-dramas are not just famous for costume dramas but also their nostalgic, cheesy, and youthful school dramas. One such drama would be Memory of Encaustic Tile. This is a light-hearted school drama that is bound to make your heart flutter with its engaging story and modern setting. It is based on the novel Glazed Tiles of the Past by Bei Feng San Bai Li. The two leads show insane chemistry as the story follows the childhood friends-to-lovers trope. The plot is heavily reliant on the pressure caused by parents and the true talents of the leads. They fall in love secretly. Despite restrictions, this drama displayed the sweet yet angsty plot surrounding the two characters.
4. Luo Yunxi And Bai Lu
Till the End of the Moon is another 2023 Chinese costume drama. Luo Yunxi and Bai Lu are undeniably two of the best romance actors, and fans have gone into a frenzy about their drama together. The story is about love, intrigue, and time travel. The world of cultivation sends someone back in time to control the evils to be committed by the devil lord. The female lead falls in love with him despite being sent back in time to kill him. The drama is almost comic in its plot but serious as it displays an unusual romance between a husband who is to become the harbinger of doom and a wife who is supposed to murder him before his transformation but ends up falling in love with him.
5. Yang Yang And Zhao Lusi
Adapted from Qing Lengyue's captivating Wuxia romance novel, "Let's Try the World," this drama embodies the Wuxia genre like no one before. The most attractive aspect of it, undeniably, is the chemistry between the main leads, Yang Yang and Zhao Lusi. Their characters, 'Hei' and "Bai," echo the contrasting dynamics of the duo. The story is based on love, politics, adventure, and power struggles. The two leads, however, become significant as their love sows the seeds of hope for peace in their world of unrest. The two collaborate behind the scenes despite their families and sects being in constant dispute. The two actors do an impeccable job embodying this complex role of opposites in love.
6. Xiao Zhan And Ren Min
All eyes have been on Xiao Zhan since his leading role in The Untamed. This time, he is starring in another period drama alongside Ren Min, the actress of Ray of Light, Shooting Stars, and Never Grow Old. The two of them leave fans awestruck with their chemistry. Xiao Zhan is renowned as a great actor, and the role of a royal prince fits his appearance the same way the princess of the cultivating sect suits Ren Min. The primary trope of the drama involves a relationship between a student and a teacher who faces various feats and challenges. This drama showcases the politics so common to Wuxia dramas, but the striking acting of the two leads keeps us engaged in the plot. This drama also has one of the best camera graphics.
7. Zhai Xiaowen And Zhang Linghe
Every Wuxia BL fan had been waiting for the adaptation of Heaven Official’s Blessings by Moxiang Tongxiu. The live-action drama is called Eternal Faith. The story is about a fallen God and a Crimson Rain who is 'one of the four calamities,' in other words, an evil entity. The two of their lives get intertwined when both are mere mortals and find each other again after attaining immortality. It is primarily wuxia, xianxia, action, adventure, and, of course, romance. Zhai Xiowen and Zhang Linghe starred in the live adaptation of this story, and they killed it. Their behind-the-scenes pictures made all fans fall head over heels. The two do justice to the incredible chemistry between Xie Lian and Hua Chen.
8. Xiao Zhan And Wang Yibo
The Untamed was the most successful Chinese BL-based drama in the year it was released. The story takes place in the cultivation world, where two soulmates decide to figure out the source of the darkness enveloping their world. Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo were the main leads, and they did so well that fans were obsessed with both the characters and the actors together. There have been many sweet moments between the two that have been released, which have taken their popularity as a 'coupling' further. They are good friends, and their interactions are cute and genuine. They have garnered a huge fanbase solely to support the two of them in their other ventures. Fans continue to look for moments where they mention each other.
9. Zhang Zehan And Gong Jun
Word of Honour followed The Untamed to become another domestic and international success. This story, too, is about soulmates, albeit much less censored. They travel the world to discover and diminish the people who have hurt their parents. However, the main reason for the drama’s success is the insane chemistry between Gong Jun and Zhang Zehan. Although not in contact following Zhang Zehan's Chinese social block right now, their relationship was the hottest topic. The two made the original characters come alive, whether or not their relationship was pleasant. The behind-the-scenes shootings and their concerts further strengthened their CP fans, and they received a lot of love from all over the world for their roles together.
10. Wang Anyu And Fan Chengcheng
Chasing the Light is a drama that reflects redemption. Both the main characters come from rough backgrounds and find solace in each other. The CP fans adored the way they fit their roles. Both Wang Anyu and Fan Changcheng were thus greatly anticipated. The two actors formed a friendly relationship as they supported each other's future works even after the commencement of their drama. They bring a lot of heartwarming feelings to fans.
