Shows I really loved

Why'd you become the Third Crown Prince's agent?

For my family.

Your family? Where are they?

In hell.

This is a fast-paced, tightly-plotted, gritty supernatural thriller about a doomsday countdown and a man who's tangled within it because of his own karma. Iconic figures are reinvented through a modern-day lens, retaining their power and mythic status but gaining contemporary style and interpretation.

Dark tone, lush camerawork and a vivid, moody atmosphere lend this show a unique feel. With only 8 episodes, the action is relentless and intense. I enjoy when a drama drops me straight into the story without warning and it really works here.

Our leading ML, a man whose death has been paused while he performs supernatural errands beneath the weight of karmic debt, is fantastic and carries the show with charisma and talent. A cynical badass who gets shit done. Many memorable and fun supporting characters, especially Third Prince. Great twists, and a finale that I found emotional and satisfying.

I felt as though I had been dunked in the story and only came up for air at the end. Really fabulous. Amazing cast and very cool production. I can't recommend this hidden gem enough.

"I'm going down to hell. Give me a hand."

Blood River knew exactly what it wanted to be and the story it wanted to tell. A tight, skillfully written wuxia with a stellar cast, engaging action, and solid plot. Features some of my favorite FLs ever. One of my favorites to rewatch.

Super sweet, hopeful and affirming. This is a slice-of-life romantic drama about a gender nonconforming ML and the FL who loves him just the way he is. One of my favorite dramas ever. It's really wonderful and very underrated.

A meditative and bittersweet wuxia story that rests on the stellar performances of its cast, both in acting and the intense action scenes. I really enjoyed it, I feel like it's a matter of personal taste and others may not love what I did lol. So many cool women. Zhou Yiwei and Chen Duling were the standouts to me, but everyone is amazing.

A well-plotted thriller, but the real draw for me was the central relationship between the leads. Turns a lot of tropes on their head. Somewhat goofy but very fun. Hyped up for a good reason. The two leads play a game of emotional cat and mouse that I really enjoyed, they're both so talented.

One of the cleverest and most heartbreaking transmigration dramas I've ever seen, and the one that haunts me the most. This show will hook you, reel you in, and leave you stunned by the time it ends.

FL is transmigrated, nothing new. But ML- the tyrannical emperor- is also transmigrated, and the truth of how he got there before her is horrifying. Their romance is extremely well done. Funny, sweet, tragic, hopeful... and all around incredible. Each part of the dynamic between the leads was done perfectly.

The plot is entertaining, as FL and ML try to stay ahead of the story as it unfolds and fight to change their fates. And they aren't the only transmigrators either. Truly this is a transmigration story you won't soon forget.

An emotional classic. This show doesn't shy away from exploring mental illness and portrays its characters with affection and sympathy, as well as honestly depicting the impact mental illness and trauma has on a life. Not just the drawbacks many may know, but also how isolating, annoying, and even boring it can be to the people who have to live with it every day.

Each of the central relationships in this show are the standouts to me. Seeing these characters become closer with each other and inspire each other to live was so wonderful. A truly moving and well written drama.

A story of justice and vengeance and the complications that life and humanity introduce to both. Anchored by some of my favorite FLs of all time and a truly wonderful ML who supports the leading lady's incredible performance. One of the more satisfying crime and revenge dramas I've seen.

Campy and cheesy with some really talented leads and a cast of very fun characters. I have a huge soft spot for this show lol, I know it drew some deserved criticism for the corny looking sets but it's such a fun time. Dozens of fascinating and well-written women of all kinds as supporting characters! The lead is a bold and daring FL and the show's story is always centered on her as she becomes a true hero. Role reversal slant to many of the dynamics because the women get to play character types that are usually only given to men.

Loved how this show was a classic scheming and politicking type of drama, but it had nothing to do with the plots of royalty or nobility and was more focused on regular people: merchants, pawnbrokers, convicts, tea farmers, and so on. Slice of life married to a steadily building plot; each bleak circumstance is faced with courage and cleverness. A fabulous cast and an engaging story underpinned by a sweet slow-burn romance.

Very cute and lighthearted. A wuxia master travels to the modern day, after a modern day woman travels to her time and becomes her apprentice. They fall in love along the way. Also has some nice emotional drama that is happily resolved. A nice quick watch, funny and sweet.

Creative, kindhearted and very emotional romantic drama. Hopeful and heartwarming, but it pulls you through the entire wringer first. You really get to inhabit the main ML's head and his perspective on life, and the show doesn't flinch away but quietly follows him as he begins to change and take control of his life instead of existing miserably in a world that feels hostile to him. Very underrated in my opinion. An office romance unlike any you've ever seen before.

Deserved the hype! Villain ML who slowly becomes a better and nicer guy thanks to his love for FL, who has a mysterious destiny of her own. A perfectly paced slow-burn romance. Lots of cute comedy and juicy angst. Their chemistry was wonderful. Terrific story too.

One of my favorite revenge dramas ever, with a fabulous cast of iconic characters. Deserves all of the hype in my opinion.

ML had assumed a false name and faked his own death in order to enact revenge. He poses as his old friend (some gay undertones here I thought)'s strategist and advisor in order to get him on the throne. Meanwhile FL is a clever badass in armor, and there are many other players with agendas of their own; the cast is overflowing with talent, and each character has their own unique story and depths of personality.

Fun as hell, perfect for when you want to sit back with some popcorn and just have a good time. A comedic take on wuxia that still delivers hefty emotional weight, featuring a talented cast with many interesting dynamics and some nice gay subtext. I loved the story and the action scenes as well as the comedy and sweetness. One of my favorites to rewatch.

Poignant, thoughtful drama about a crossdressing painter who disguises herself as a man for personal advancement but finds her life complicated by romantic feelings. Pretty gay, I loved it. Bittersweet open ending.

Grim and passionate historical romance drama set in 80s Kowloon City. A slow and steady build of both story and romance, as each of the two MLs reveals more of their personality and pasts. Immensely satisfying. I loved all the supporting characters too.

A cinematic masterpiece.

Dark, bleak show about two gangsters falling in love without either of them seeing their own feelings coming. Very layered and subtle performances from them both. Once you watch the full story, a rewatch allows you to see earlier scenes with new eyes, analyzing emotion and motivation from both leads. I found it very cathartic and satisfying personally.

One thing I really admired about this show was the theme of perceptions and personas. Both of the leads are wearing a mask, at detriment to themselves. Both of them begin to see through the other man's persona, and you watch as their perceptions of each other and of themselves begin to change. It's done in a mix of subtle and broad storytelling and I really liked it. YMMV, this show centers some upsetting topics and the relationship between the leads has some fucked up aspects. But it was very true to their circumstances IMO. And you get to see them climb out of the pit together, and face the costs.

A classic tragedy adapted with perfect poise. Beautifully produced and filmed, wonderfully acted. Heartbreaking and unforgettably good.

YMMV because the ML starts off extremely unlikable, this is done on purpose and I found him fascinating but you might be frustrated.

As much a send-up of drama tropes as it is a show in its own right. This classic focuses on the making of a drama, riddled with way more drama than what is actually in the show and a very very slow burning romance that I really liked. Full of twists, many of them direct parodies of drama tropes you've probably seen before, and packed with a talented cast. Very of its time, but I think it could be cool to watch as a time capsule for this particular decade (I remember watching when it just came out lol, time has flown). Funny and heartwrenching. Ends on a bittersweet but happy note, despite what you may expect.

If you want to watch an asshole CEO experience a solid character arc, I recommend this show, because wow is he an asshole, but he really comes very far in a way that feels realistic. He isn't a completely different person by the end but he has become a better one. While you understand why he makes the decisions he does and says the things he does, the show never excuses him for it, and includes multiple characters who constantly push back against him and challenge him. A lot of why I liked him so much is because of the lead actor's talent!

Very satisfying to see the crew come together and make their drama happen despite insane obstacles and interpersonal problems. Ultimately it's a triumph, and what ML viewed as a tragedy he had to endure alone becomes a hopeful future.

The screenwriter FL is one of my favorite ladies ever. She has such a great arc in this show as she gains confidence in her writing, pushes back to see her story on the screen, and just transforms so much as a person. Her personality remains strong but by the end of the story you see how much happier and more confident she is. Love her <3 she's so cute too.

One of my favorite xianxia dramas of all time, if not my favorite. Commanding and competent immortal general FL defends the world against the Xutian Abyss, but accidentally meets the forbidden love of her life (all-powerful deity ML) in the mortal realm. The plot is creative and twisty, with so many great moments throughout. Turns some tropes on their head and fully indulges in others. I can't recommend this show enough to xianxia fans.

If you've ever wanted to see an FL who wears elegant armor and wades into battle with a cool spear the way so many awesome MLs do, this is your show. You will love her!

A smart, mature romance that ends with a satisfying finale and bonus episode. The plot is clever and well developed, he worldbuilding is creative and fun. Highly, highly recommend.

Age gap romance done in a really satisfying and original way. FL wants to become a court official, ML is one of the royal princes. Together they uncover a mystery and accidentally fall in love. An understated, yearning type of romance with a satisfying happy ending. The secondary cast is incredible, packed with talented actors who bring so much depth and emotion to their characters. I loved the friendships as much as the romance, and I stayed up WAY too late bingewatching this show.

Old favorite. I love swashbuckling adventures and this one is a good time. Bonus points in my book for a very cool lady character :)

i didn't put untamed: special edition on this list because it would basically be a repeat, but i enjoyed it just as much. <3

This extremely famous show was right up my alley, a cultivation drama with some very creative twists and an amazingly talented cast. Every character has depth and nuance and an intriguing story to tell. Cried my eyes out at the ending.

Don't even start me on how much I loved this show...

Enemies to lovers... sorta. Drama and tragedy is the name of the game as FL tries to find a way to prevent ML from destroying the world by going back in time. But then they end up falling in love... toxic, unhinged love. I adored them! I like when enemies to lovers is super unhinged and this hit the mark for me.

Definitely a show that will rip your heart out and stomp on it. I'm obsessed with it.

My icon of transmigration/tragic "villain" romance dramas; even with its flaws, I love it so much.

Modern FL that you will adore meets powerful grandmaster ML you will also adore (if you like morally grey insane men who go all out for their lovers.) Incredible chemistry, their first kiss was crazy as hell. The plot still haunts me, it's such an unforgettable tragedy, and the layers to their bond together are what kept me watching to the very end. FL never gives up on trying to pull ML out of the bloody mire that everyone else wants to push him down into.

Beautifully filmed, costumed, and paced, with an open ending that felt so fitting for the characters and their story. I really love all the performances from the entire cast, so much stunning talent. Not only from the leads but the supporting characters as well.

There's an underlying gentleness and affection to this show that makes the tragedy and tension hit even deeper. I laughed, I cried, and I still love to rewatch it. It's every bit as good as you expect it to be.

The only thing that could make this adaptation better is if they'd let the guys kiss lol.

Brings the novel brilliantly to life, and even fleshes out the characters and their relationships further. A wuxia story that has the hero in a supporting character position, and focuses instead on the mentor and villain.

Fabulous cast, great production. Heartwrenching, intriguing, fun, exciting and satisfying all at once. Hyped up for a good reason.

"You must live. That is the only divine law for me."

An underrated sleeper hit of 2026, this phenomenal drama examines morality, justice, loyalty, what we owe to each other, and the worth of human life. Featuring FANTASTIC fight scenes and jaw-dropping stunts from Yang Yang, as well as a talented cast, a dark and intriguing plot, and a trio of main leads you will adore.

This drama relies on a previous knowledge of Zhan Zhao's character and history, as well as his connection to Judge Bao, but if you go in completely cold just keep your mind open so you can understand who he is and what he stands for.

Don't let the lack of romance turn you away. The OT3 dynamic between the two MLs and FL is so good, I adored them. Went through a whole box of tissues lol. The best part is how balanced their OT3 is, they're in each other's corners from the start. Each of them is important to the other, part of each other's personal struggles, and they deeply impact and inspire each other. I loved them so much.

(I think in some ways the lack of closure regarding a certain character in the finale is because it would be beyond the show's scope- Judge Bao would need to be involved, and he doesn't actually show up in the show itself. So it's a compromise between the court drama they couldn't do and the wuxia adventure they were concluding.)