The Historical C-Drama Challenge

Hi dear fellow historical C-drama lovers!

Do you also like to know more about Chinese history, do you like to compare historical dramas to what is written about the historical events, or do you just like the vibe of historical C-dramas? Then you might like this challenge 😊

This drama challenge is a way for you to learn a bit about all parts of Chinese history. I got inspiration for this challenge because of ciliolindemberg’s Historical C-Drama Chronology sorted by Historical Periods List. It not only has an overview of the Chinese historical periods but also a description of every drama, stating the historical period in which the drama is set. Feel free to use this list to find dramas for this challenge!

Another way to find historical c-dramas is to go to Explore and use the Advanced Search function: just add the specific dynasty to the Themes/Tags.

(This is my first time making a challenge, so please give suggestions if something needs to be changed)

Rules:

This challenge is ordered in categories of historical periods. It’s up to you whether you want to follow the order to progress further into history or to watch the dramas in a random order.

As you can see in the challenge below, there are now two versions of the challenge:

- The first version has sub-categories, (e.g. during the Warring States period there were multiple kingdoms). You could choose to broaden the challenge by watching a drama for every kingdom. I have made sub-categories in red, so you can choose to delete them or add them as additional challenges. [My later thoughts: I recommend you not to use them, some hardly have any drama, and it will become too much lol]

- The updated version is based on ciliolindemberg's updated version of the chronological history, it does not have these sub-categories. For a more organized view, I recommend you to use that one! (I'm keeping the earlier version in as some of you told me the sub-categories help with finding dramas.)

If you cannot find a (good) drama for a certain period/dynasty (especially sub-categories), either ask others/me, look at what others watched, or skip that challenge (for now).

Some dramas take place during multiple dynasties, e.g. when a drama starts in one dynasty and it changes to the next dynasty. Also some dynasties overlap with others. Feel free to choose to which dynasty you add a drama. Try to not add a drama to multiple challenges.

To make it more difficult, don’t add dramas you already watched, but if you really want to add a specific drama you already watched, you can just mention that.
(e.g. I’ll add Story of Yanxi Palace/Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace to the Qing dynasty as both are extremely long dramas and both are really great)

To make it easier, you could choose to allow historical movies too.  Or to make it more difficult, you could choose to do a separate list with only movies. This is a list of movies in chronological order. (You can then also add the Yu dynasty!)

Feel free to play around and make some changes to the challenge :)

Badges:

You can find the badges made by Rien on this page: Badges for the Historical C-Drama Challenge! More may be added later. Some of you already made your own badge, they look great, feel free to make and use your own badge :)

!!! Early Version - Updated Version done below !!!

The Historical C-Drama Challenge:

Started: xx/xx/xxxx | Completed: xx/xx/xxxx
Finished categories: 0/5
Total finished dramas: 0/26

Category 1: Ancient China

Xia【夏朝】:
Shang【商朝】:
Zhou【周朝】[Western Zhou, Gonghe, Eastern Zhou] :
Spring and Autumn【春秋时代】[5 Hegemons]:
Warring States【战国时代】[Qin, Zhao, Yan, Wei, Qi, Han, Chu]:

Finished: 0/5

Category 2: Early Imperial China

Qin【秦朝】[18 Kingdoms, Chu-Han Contention]:
Han【汉朝】[Western Han, Xin, Eastern Han]:
Three Kingdoms【三国】[Cao Wei, Shu Han, Eastern Wu, Yan]:
Jin【晋朝】[2 Jins (Western, Eastern)]:
Sixteen Kingdoms【十六国】[5 Liangs (Former, Later, Northern, Southern, Western), 4 Yans (Former, Later, Northern, Southern), 3 Qins (Former, Later, Western), 2 Zhaos (Former, Later), Cheng Han , Xia, Zhai Wei]:
Northern and Southern Dynasties【南北朝】[3 Northerns (Wei, Zhou, Qi), 2 Weis (Eastern, Western)/Liu Song, 3 Southerns (Qi, Liang, Chen), Western Liang]:

Finished: 0/6

Challenge 3: Middle Imperial China

Sui【隋朝】:
Tang【唐朝】[Wu Zhou]:
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms【五代十国】[5 Laters (Liang, Tang, Jin, Han, Zhou)/Yang Wu, Wuyue, Min, Ma Chu, 2 Shus (Former, Later), Jingnan, Southern Tang, 2 Hans (Southern, Northern)]:
Liao【辽朝】[Later Liao]:
Song【宋朝】[2 Songs (Northern, Southern)]:
Jin【金朝】:
Western Xia【西夏】:
(Western Liao【西辽】:)

Finished: 0/8

Challenge 4: Late Imperial China

Yuan【元朝】[Chen Han, Northern Yuan]:
Ming【明朝】[Southern Ming, Shun, Later Jin]:
Qing【清朝】:

Finished: 0/3

Category 5: Modern China

Republic of China【中华民国】:
Second Sino-Japanese War【 抗日战争】:
Chinese Civil War 【 国共内战】:
People's Republic of China (PRC)【中华人民共和国】:

Finished: 0/4

!!! UPDATED VERSION !!!
(mostly based on ciliolindemberg's updated list)

The Historical C-Drama Challenge:

Started: xx/xx/xxxx | Completed: xx/xx/xxxx
Finished categories: 0/5
Total finished dramas: 0/25

Category 1: Ancient China

• Xia【夏朝】(c.  2070-1600 BC)
• Shang【商朝】(c. 1600-1046 BC)
• Zhou【周朝】(c. 1046-256 BC)
• Spring and Autumn【春秋时代】(770-476 BC)
• Warring States【战国时代】(476-221 BC)

Finished: 0/5

Category 2: Early Imperial China

• Qin【秦朝】(221-207 BC)
• Han【汉朝】(202 BC-220 AD)
• Three Kingdoms【三国】(220-280)
• Jin【晋朝】(266-420)
• Sixteen Kingdoms【十六国】(304-439)
• Northern and Southern Dynasties【南北朝】(386-589)

Finished: 0/6

Category 3: Middle Imperial China

• Sui【隋朝】(581-619)
• Tang【唐朝】(618-907)
• Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms【五代十国】(902-979)
• Liao【辽朝】(916-1125)
• Song【宋朝】(960-1279)
• Western Xia【西夏】(1038-1227)
• Jin【金朝】(1115-1234)

Finished: 0/7

Category 4: Late Imperial China

• Yuan【元朝】(1271-1368)
• Ming【明朝】(1368-1644)
• Qing【清朝】(1644-1912)

Finished: 0/3

Category 5: Modern China

• Republic of China【中华民国】(1912-1949)
• Second Sino-Japanese War【 抗日战争】(1937-1945)
• Chinese Civil War 【 国共内战】(1927-1936; 1945-1949)
• People's Republic of China (PRC)【中华人民共和国】(1949-)

Finished: 0/4

The Historical C-Drama Challenge Username: Anusaya Start Date: 2024.12.20 End Date: Mixed: Movies/Dramas Finished categories: 0/5 Total finished movies/dramas: 0/26 Progress: ☐ PTW/Currently Watching ☑ Completed

Challenge:

Category 1: Ancient China
  ☐ Xia [夏朝]: Da Song Yao Wen Lu (TBA).
  ☐ Shang [商朝]: Creation of the Gods Ⅰ: Kingdom of Storms (2023).
  ☐ Zhou [周朝](sub-categories; Western Zhou, Gonghe, Eastern Zhou): Si Jin (TBA).
  ☐ Spring and Autumn [春秋时代] (sub-categories; 5 Hegemon): The Tale of Xishi: Kingdom Rebuilt (2024).
  ☐ Warring States [战国时代] (sub-categories; Qin, Zhao, Yan, Wei, Qi, Han, Chu): Love of Nirvana (2024).
Finished: 0/5

Category 2: Early Imperial China
  ☐ Qin [秦朝] (sub-categories; 18 Kingdoms, Chu-Han Contention): Legend of Chu and Han (2012).
  ☐ Han [汉朝] (sub-categories; Western Han, Xin, Eastern Han): The Thirteen Generals of Han: The Battle of Shu Lei (2019).
  ☐ Three Kingdoms [三国] (sub-categories; Cao Wei, Shu Han, Eastern Wu, Yan): Three Kingdoms (2010).
  ☐ Jin [晋朝] (sub-categories; 2 Jin (Western, Eastern): Shadow Love (2025).
  ☐ Sixteen Kingdoms [十六国] (sub-categories; 5 Liang (Former, Later, Northern, Southern, Western); 4 Yans (Former, Later, Northern, Southern); 3 Qin (Former, Later, Western); 2 Zhao (Former, Later), Cheng Han, Xia, Zhai Wei): General Order (TBA).
  ☐ Northern and Southern Dynasties [南北朝] (sub-categories; 3 Northern (Wei, Zhou, Qi), 2 Wei (Eastern, Western/Liu Song); 3 Southern (Qi, Liang, Chen), Western Liang): Have It All (TBA).
Finished: 0/6

Challenge 3: Middle Imperial China
  ☐ Sui [隋朝]: Qiao Guo Fu Ren (2024).
  ☐ Tang [唐朝] (sub-categories; Wu Zhou]: The Longest Day in Chang'an (2019).
  ☐ Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms [五代十国] (sub-categories; 5 Later (Liang, Tang, Jin, Han, Zhou), Yang Wu, Wuyue, Min, Ma Chu, 2 Shus (Former, Later), Jingnan, Southern Tang, 2 Han (Southern, Northern)): How Much Sorrow Do You Have (2007).
  ☐ Liao [辽朝] (sub-categories; Later Liao]: Demi Gods & Semi Devils (2003).
  ☐ Song [宋朝] (sub-categories; 2 Song (Northern, Southern)): Justice Bao (1993).
  ☐ Jin [金朝]: The Grand Passion (1970).
  ☐ Western Xia [西夏]: The Iron Coffin of Western Xia (2022).
  ☐ Western Liao [西辽]: Da Liao Tai Hou (1995).
Finished: 0/8

Challenge 4: Late Imperial China
  ☐ Yuan [元朝] (sub-categories; Chen Han, Northern Yuan]: The Legend of Kublai Khan (2013).
  ☐ Ming [明朝] (sub-categories; Southern Ming, Shun, Later Jin]: Ripe Town (2023).
  ☐ Qing [清朝]: The Long River (2022).
Finished: 0/3

Category 5: Modern China
  ☐ Republic of China [中华民国]: Case 1922 (2022).
  ☐ Second Sino-Japanese War [抗日战争]: The Flowers of War (2011).
  ☑ Chinese Civil War [国共内战]: Crows and Sparrows (1949).
  ☐ People's Republic of China (PRC) [中华人民共和国]: The White Olive Tree (2024).
Finished: 1/4

Rules; Criteria; OP; https://mydramalist.com/discussions/chinese-drama-movies/133504-the-historical-c-drama-challenge

The Historical C-Drama Challenge:

Started: 22/12/2024 | Completed: xx/xx/xxxx (Target: to be completed on 22/12/2025)

Finished categories: 0/5

Total finished dramas: 2/26

Category 1: Ancient China

Dynasty	Drama Title	Eps	Important Figures/ Countries	豆瓣
Xia【夏朝】 (2070-1600 BC)	THE LEGEND OF JADE SWORD (2018)	65	Set in Xia Dynasty (2070-1600 BC)	3.2
Shang【商朝】 (1600-1046 BC)	GODS OF HONOUR(2001)	40	King Zhou of Shang (1105-1046 BC)	8.3
Zhou【周朝】 (1046-256 BC)	KING IS NOT EASY(2017)	20	Jie Man/King Mu of Zhou (<976-922/918 BC) My rating: 8/10	5.5
Spring&Autumn 【春秋时代】 (770-476 BC)	THE GREAT REVIVAL(2007)	41	King Goujian of Yue (<496-465 BC)	8.3
Warring States 【战国时代】 (476-221 BC)	THE QIN EMPIRE(2009) + S2 (2012) + S3 (2017)	51 51 40	Duke Xiao (381-338) and King Huiwen of Qin (356-311 BC)	9.3 9.3 8.4

Finished: 1/5

Category 2: Early Imperial China

Dynasty	Drama Title	Eps	Important Figures/ Countries	豆瓣
Qin【秦朝】 (221-207 BC)	A STEP INTO THE PAST (2001)	40	Ying Zheng/Qin Shi Huang/Emperor of Qin (259 BC- 210 BC)	8.6
Han【汉朝】 (202 BC-220 AD)	THE ADVISOR ALLIANCE (2017) + SQ (2017)	42 44	Sima Yi (179-251), a political advisor	8.2 8.4
Three Kingdoms【三国】 (220-280)	THE WIND BLOWS FROM LONGXI (2022)	24	Xun Xu (<221-289), a politician	8.1
Jin【晋朝】 (266-420)	THE LOVERS (1994) rewatched done	1	Set in Eastern Jin (266-420) My rating: 10/10	8.6
Sixteen Kingdoms【十六国】 (304-439)	PRINCESS AGENTS (2017)  previously dropped	67	A fictional prince of Northern Yan (407/409-436)	5.3
Northern and Southern Dynasties【南北朝】 (386-589)	NIRVANA IN FIRE S2 (2017)	50	A fictional general of Liang Dynasty (502-557)	8.4

Finished: 1/6

Challenge 3: Middle Imperial China

Dynasty	Drama Title	Eps	Important Figures/ Countries	豆瓣
Sui【隋朝】 (581-619)	THE LEGEND OF DUGU (2018)	55	Dugu Qieluo/Empress Wenxian of Sui (544-602)	6.1
Tang【唐朝】 (618-907)	FLOURISHED PEONY (2025) + SQ (2025)	32 24	Set in Tang Dynasty (618-907)	7.8
Five Dynasties &Ten Kingdoms 【五代十国】 (902-979)	BLOODY ROMANCE (2018)	36	Li Cunxu/Emperor Zhuangzong of Later Tang (885-926)	7.0
Liao【辽朝】 (916-1125)	THE YOUNG WARRIORS (2006)	43	Yang Ye (920/930-986), defends Song againts Liao	8.4
Song【宋朝】 (960-1279)	RIVERSIDE CODE AT QINGMING FESTIVAL (2024)	26	Northern Song (960- 1127) Zhang Zeduan (1085 -1145) - a painter	6.6
Western Xia 【西夏】 (1038-1227)	DEMI GODS  AND SEMI DEVILS (2003)	40	A fictional princess of Western Xia (1038-1227)	8.6
Jin【金朝】 1115-1234)	THE PATRIOT YUE FEI (2013)	69	Yue Fei (1103-1142), defends Song against Jin	6.9

Finished: 0/7

Challenge 4: Late Imperial China

Dynasty	Drama Title	Eps	Important Figures/ Countries	豆瓣
Yuan 【元朝】 (1271-1368)	A WEAVER ON THE HORIZON (2010)	36	Huang Qiao Er/ Huang Daopo (1245-1330), a textile artist	7.3
Ming 【明朝】 (1368-1644)	RIPE TOWN (2023)	12	<1583-1609 Emperor Wanli of Ming (1572-1620) My rating: 10/10	8.5
Qing 【清朝】 (1644-1912)	SCARLET HEART (2011)	35	Yinzhen/ Yongzheng Emperor of Qing (1678-1735)	8.4

Finished: 1/3

Category 5: Modern China

Period	Drama title	Eps	Years/Important Events Mentioned	豆瓣
Republic of China 【中华民国】 (1912-1949)	TIENTSIN MYSTIC (2017) + S2 (2020)	24 24	1920s	8.1 7.3
Second Sino- Japanese War 【 抗日战争】 (1937-1945)	BATTLE OF CHANGSA (2014)	40	1938-1945 Battle of Changsa (1939, 1944)	9.1
Chinese Civil War 【 国共内战】 (1927-1936; 1945-1949)	THE REBEL (2021)	43	1936-1949	7.7
People's Republic of China (PRC) 【中华人民共和国】 (1949-)	THE KNOCKOUT (2023)	39	2000-2021	8.5

Finished: 0/4

This may take a few years ... but I'm willing to give it a try.  lol

The Historical C-Drama & Movie Challenge

(Second version - no subcategories)

Started: January 4th, 2024 | Completed: ?
Finished categories: 0/5
Total finished dramas: 1/25

✅ Watched    ⏳ Currently watching    📝Plan to watch 

Category 1: Ancient China		0/5
Xia 【夏朝】 (c.  2070-1600 BC)
Shang 【商朝】 (c. 1600-1046 BC)	Creation of the Gods Ⅰ: Kingdom of Storms	📝 Wiki
Zhou 【周朝】 (c. 1046-256 BC)	Colourful Bone	📝
Spring and Autumn 【春秋时代】 (770-476 BC)	Sacrifice The Ugly Queen	📝 Wiki
Warring States 【战国时代】 (476-221 BC)	The Legend of Hao Lan Love of Nirvana	📝 Wiki
Category 2: Early Imperial China		0/6
Qin 【秦朝】 (221-207 BC)	Legend of Chu and Han (King's War) The Legend of Qin The Myth	📝 Wiki
Han 【汉朝】 (202 BC-220 AD)	The Little Fairy	📝 Wiki
Three Kingdoms 【三国】 (220-280)	Secret of Three Kingdoms	📝
Jin 【晋朝】 (266-420)	General and I	📝 Wiki
Sixteen Kingdoms 【十六国】 (304-439)	The Princess Royal	📝 From ciliolindemberg's list: "IMPERIAL - possibly (Hu) Xia kingdom* (from the Sixteen Kingdoms period)"
Northern and Southern Dynasties 【南北朝】 (386-589)	Nirvana In Fire	📝 Wiki
Cat. 3: Middle Imperial China		0/7
Sui 【隋朝】 (581-619)	Queen Dugu	📝 Wiki
Tang 【唐朝】 (618-907)	Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty	📝
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms 【五代十国】 (902-979)	Bloody Romance	📝 Wiki
Liao 【辽朝】 (916-1125)	The Legend of Bao Zheng: Blood Curse Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils The Legend of Xiao Chuo	📝 Wiki
Song 【宋朝】 (960-1279)	The Story of Ming Lan	📝 Wiki
Western Xia 【西夏】 (1038-1227)	Legendary Amazons Young Blood	📝 Wiki
Jin 【金朝】 (1115-1234)	The Legend of the Condor Heroes	📝 Wiki
Category 4: Late Imperial China		1/3
Yuan 【元朝】 (1271-1368)	A Weaver on the Horizon	📝 Wiki
Ming 【明朝】 (1368-1644)	Blossom	✅ 2025, Jan 17      ⭐ 10
Qing 【清朝】 (1644-1912)	Story of Yanxi Palace The Long River	📝 Wiki
Category 5: Modern China		0/4
Republic of China 【中华民国】 (1912-1949)	Lost in the Kunlun Mountains	📝
2nd Sino-Japanese War 【 抗日战争】 (1937-1945)	A Lonely Hero’s Journey Youth in the Flames of War	📝
Chinese Civil War  【 国共内战】 (1927-1936; 1945-1949)	Anarhan The Rebel	📝
People's Republic of China (PRC) 【中华人民共和国】 (1949-)