2024 was already a big year for Chinese dramas. Joy of Life 2 ruled the year with its smart mix of politics, humor, and action. Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Red-Moon Pact kept fantasy fans busy and showed how much love there still is for xianxia stories. The Double stood out for its suspense and strong female lead. These dramas kept people talking for months and built high expectations for 2025.
The new year came with variety. Some shows leaned on romance and nostalgia, while others took risks with bold plots or fast crime arcs. The best part is that different viewers found different favorites. Let’s go one by one through the top 10 chinese dramas that shaped the first half of 2025.
1. The First Frost
This chinese drama follows Sang Yan and Xu Mucheng from their school years into adulthood. It is a gentle romance that balances humor, awkwardness, and heart. It first aired on Youku in February and was also released on Netflix, which gave it a global audience. Many call it a companion to Hidden Love since Sang Yan is the brother of Sang Zhi, but you barely see the connection apart from the phone call from his sister. The story stands fully on its own. Viewers liked how natural the leads felt and how steady the romance built up without being rushed.
2. The Legend of Zang Hai
This is a large-scale historical fantasy with heavy focus on revenge and power struggles. The sets are big, with ships, ports, and markets recreated in detail. The show premiered on Youku and quickly became one of the most-watched dramas of the year. Fans liked its fast pace and polished look, while some even compared it to classic epic dramas from the past.
3. The Prisoner of Beauty
Released on Tencent Video in May, this palace drama quickly gained attention. The female lead is caught in a web of lies and betrayals at court. The story moves fast, with political turns almost every episode. Romance is part of the show, but the heart of it lies in survival and strategy. Many people enjoyed the strong female perspective and the tight 36-episode run.
4. Justifiable Defense
This crime drama explores the meaning of self-defense in law. It is only 15 episodes long and aired in July as part of iQIYI’s Mist Theater. Each case tests the limits of justice and morality, and Bai Jingting’s performance was praised for holding the tension. Many viewers said it was easy to binge because the short length kept the pace sharp.
5. Mobius
This is one of the more creative releases of the year. The lead detective can reset time up to five times a day. Each attempt changes events slightly, and he has to piece together the right path to stop crimes. The mix of sci-fi and mystery makes it stand out from other shows. People who wanted something fresh and unusual gave this high marks.
6. Blossoming Love
This drama started airing in January and focuses on a couple who meet again after years apart. Their story is full of regret, unspoken feelings, and the slow rebuilding of trust. The pace is calm, and the emotional weight comes from small moments. Viewers who prefer grounded, realistic romance found this one meaningful.
7. When Destiny Brings the Demon
A fantasy romance between a human and a demon, this show mixes adventure with emotion. It rolled out new episodes weekly on Youku in August. The visual effects may not be the biggest draw, but fans enjoyed the chemistry of the leads and the way the story leaned on choice and sacrifice.
8. Shadow Love
Here the female lead is a general, while the male lead is a king who has lost his memory. Their relationship builds while they face spies, betrayal, and hidden enemies. It premiered on iQIYI in late August. The biggest praise went to the bold female character and the way the show kept the action moving alongside the romance.
9. Pride Meets Love (Under Fire Under Your Spell)
This modern romance blends everyday love with a touch of mystery. It started on August 19 and streams with quick subtitles for international viewers. What stood out most was the chemistry between the leads. Fans often called it an “easy watch” but also noted that the emotional depth surprised them.
10. Desire
This is the boldest title on the list. It is a Boys’ Love drama set in the Omegaverse, with themes like power imbalance and even male pregnancy. It premiered in July and streams on multiple platforms, including Youku and Viki in many regions. While it drew debate, it also showed that 2025 was willing to push boundaries. Many fans described it as unlike anything they had seen in a Chinese production.
What stood out in 2025
Looking at fan discussions, you can see clear patterns. People praised The First Frost for being warm and rewatchable. The Prisoner of Beauty drew praise for its court politics. Justifiable Defense was called one of the best short dramas of the year. And even if not everyone agreed on Desire, it got everyone talking.
How does the next half of 2025 look like for Chinese Dramas
The year is not over. Viewers are waiting for Speed and Love on iQIYI, which is about siblings reunited through underground racing. Legend of the Magnate and The Thirteen Hongs in Canton are also on the upcoming list. If the first half of 2025 is any sign, the second half will be just as busy.
FAQs
1. Which is the most watched C-drama in 2025 till now?
As of now, The First Frost (2025) is leading in terms of viewership and discussions online. It achieved 1.751 billion total online views by mid-year. Its popularity comes from both the cast performance and its strong link to the hit drama Hidden Love (2023).
2. What are a few other good options besides the ones mentioned above?
Apart from The First Frost, chinese dramas like The Best Thing and Our Generation have been getting good attention. The Best Thing is praised for its realistic storytelling, while Our Generation connects deeply with young audiences through its portrayal of modern struggles.
3. Is The First Frost (2025) a prequel to Hidden Love (2023)?
Yes, The First Frost is officially a prequel to Hidden Love. It follows the story of Sang Yan, brother of Sang Zhi, offering a deeper look into his life before the events shown in Hidden Love. This makes it an important watch for fans who want to understand the complete timeline of the Sang-Sang world!
4. What is the most anticipated upcoming Chinese drama?
One of the most anticipated dramas is Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Wang Quan. With a strong cast and a fantasy-romance setting, it has created high expectations among drama fans for its release.
5. Where can I watch Chinese dramas?
Chinese dramas are widely available on platforms such as iQIYI, Tencent Video (WeTV), Youku, Viki, and Netflix. Availability may vary depending on region, but most popular shows are streamed globally with subtitles.
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