Interesting Female Characters
Chinese dramas are full of standard female stereotypes/archetypes - the female leads are often some combination of young, clumsy, foolish/naive, virtuous, self-sacrificing girl, with other women being moms, best friends, or malicious evil bitches. Even when it's a "big female lead" drama where she is a badass or warrior, she is usually still second to a man, whether he's older/wiser (her master, teacher, leader) or is someone she has decided to follow where his goals and needs come first in the story.
These archetypes can still be executed well and be extremely enjoyable, but it's a breath of fresh air to find a drama where the female characters are more interesting and noteworthy - whether it's a flip of gender roles, having a well-acted and well-written range of more nuanced female characters, or where female relationships are much more complex.
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1. Begin Again
Chinese Drama - 2020, 35 episodes
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2. Oh My General
Chinese Drama - 2017, 60 episodes
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3. Arsenal Military Academy
Chinese Drama - 2019, 48 episodes
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4. Ode to Joy
Chinese Drama - 2016, 42 episodes
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5. I've Fallen for You
Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes