Xianxia, Wuxia, & Ancient China: C Dramas with Happy Endings

Director: Yang Yang

Screenwriter: Zhang Wei

Actors: Liu Yifei (Crystal), Chen Xiao, Liu Yan (Ada), Jelly Lin

Zhao Pan Er, is a smart and savvy teahouse owner in Qiantang, living alongside her two best friends Sun San Niang and Song Yin Zhang. When she finds out her fiancé left her for another woman of a high ranking officer after becoming an official in the Capital of Bian Jing, she refuses to give into her fate and decides to travel to the Capital in search for the truth. On her way there, she crosses paths with both of her best friends, whose lives she saves and they follow her onward. Gu Qian Fan, is a commander in an elite Capital squadron nicknamed "Living Devil". He is setup by the very people he swears allegiance to and must find out the truth behind a nefarious scheme involving the imperial court. When he first meets Zhao Pan Er, they don't see eye to eye, however this intelligent businesswoman has caught his attention and as they help each other, they get closer to their own goals. Once arriving in the Capital, Zhao Pan Er, her two friends, and Gu Qian Fan must weather many storms together and apart but will their strength, care for one another, and sheer perseverance by relying on their own ability to make a small teahouse they opened into the largest and most successful restaurant in Bian Jing? And will they each get the love and happy ending they all so desperately deserve?

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMX26aiIvX5rcYjAW7p_bguZDB-imN_4u&si=xWpLTjxrhuZcQFCG (ENG subs)

Viki Rakuten (FREE) (ENG subs)

Director: Chen Wei Xiang

Screenwriter: Rao Jun

Actors: Guan Xiaotong, Hou Minghao (Neo), Li Chunglin, Xia Nan

The beautiful baroness, duchess, princess (She gets promoted a lot!) Ban Hua has skirted marital bliss three times. Her straight-shooting manner and explosive temper ensured that each relationship ended in disaster – for the potential grooms! Despite her awful reputation, she is quite well-meaning and thoughtful deep down. Of late, her dreams have been forecasting danger around every corner. She has interpreted them quickly in order to keep her family safe and to protect those around her. Her life changes forever when she meets Count Rong Xia, a young gentleman scholar whose family suffered a tragic fate. Rong Xia is on the hunt for answers regarding the past, namely the true identity of those responsible for his family’s demise, a secret long-kept from him. A friendship is formed, with Ban Hua determined to help Rong Xia learn the truth. As their alliance deepens, could this be a case of ´fourth time lucky’ for Ban Hua?

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs3DOuT3JlGQ1HdFPUz5sUBWzJeupTyEQ&si=kDVx--v1EqEA8T7i (ENG subs)

Director: Zeng Qing Jie, Guo Feng

Screenwriter: Jia Bin Bin

Actors: Meng Ziyi, Li Yunrui

After losing her mother, Dou Zhao became disillusioned with love and family, retreating to a remote village to study and protect her estate. One stormy night, she helped Song Mo, disguised as a merchant, protect the orphaned descendant of Duke Ding Guo. This fateful encounter led to their paths intertwining as they each faced personal struggles—Song Mo with his family’s downfall and Dou Zhao with malicious rumors of an arranged marriage. Given a second chance, they slowly grow close, overcoming distrust and falling in love. Together, they navigate political turmoil, uncover secrets, and support each other through life's challenges. 

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDuzvnRIfxZpDZ4FCrxKFTrAYlcA1YvYF&si=SWLSWHYkfD7s858d (Eng subs)

Director: Guo Hu, Ren Hai Tao

Screenwriter: Wang Ting

Actors: Zhang Zhixi, Tong Mengshi

Rumor has it that Yun Qian Yue, the eldest daughter of Prince Yun manor, is playful, arrogant and illiterate. In reality, the rumors were spread intentionally by Qian Yue herself because she does not want to marry into the Imperial Family. Qian Yue has also been in disguise as Ye Tian Shuo's subordinate for nearly a decade. She is in love with Rong Jing from the Prince Rong manor but is oppressed by the Imperial Family's authority. Rong Jing, a man who possesses extraordinary good looks, suffers from a disease that left him weak and sick for years due to the aftereffects of aphrodisiac. To find a cure for him, Qian Yue triggers the Phoenix flight without a care for consequences. However at the same time, the current Emperor Ye Qing Ran is deeply in love with Qian Yue and to gain her love, he puts a life-and-death lock heart poison into her body, thus forbidding her from leaving his side. Despite losing her memories due to the poison, Yun Qian Yue does not forget her true heart.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6xVgUZ4UP2NPFT7IS2xEjP62ObGIsmCM&si=3XQsxKgAudCG7DGq (ENG subs)

Director: Li Xiao Jiang 

Actors: Tang Min, Yang Kaichen

A story about food and romance follows Hua Xiao Mai as she falls in love with a bodyguard. Through her passion for the culinary arts, Hua Xiao Mai starts small and slowly makes her way up in the food business. She meets the cool-headed Meng Yu Huai who heads up a bodyguard agency and excels in martial arts. With his qualities, he is the definition of a true man. Meng Yu Huai and Hua Xiao Mai become quarrelsome lovers who are sweetly in love.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_YRrI7So6bhVO4STJ76DNJqeNzwwGUn8&si=MltT-Q0d2tF-CE2f (ENG subs)

Director: Wu Qiang

Screenwriter: Rao Jun, Li Zhen Ru

Actors: Zhang Xueying, Xing Zhaolin, Riley Wang, Jerry Yu

Shen Miao is the treasured daughter of the wealthiest merchant in Yangzhou City. Blessed with wealth and beauty, she has had many men clamouring for her hand in marriage. The two men met with success, only to have their alliances with Miao cut short. The first is the talented and principled scholar Pei Yan Zhen, and the other one is the gorgeous and glib Song Xi Yuan, Third Lord and successful merchant in his own right. Both men have separate agendas in marrying her but quickly fall for her. While the two men fight to marry Shen Miao, in the background, a political storm is brewing, and it is headed straight for the trio.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi244hRssEie45eQ6fU6M7WxB1ImfC3CQ&si=3soO1UVg3tzfcCTa (ENG subs)

Director: Shen Jin Fei 

Actors: Ireine Song, Ding Zeran

Writer Hua Qing Ge transforms into a character within the world of her own novels. She thought she was in control of the script, but falling in love with Ji Chu was not part of the plan.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbBcESCAiV7E4rpl-9IV2_u7zdFqSiULC&si=wIyzYSqoeIxQL0JK(ENG Subs)

Ending Extra:  https://v.douyin.com/iNc4REVr/ 

Director: Mai Guan Zhi

Screenwriter: Qing Mei

To outsiders in the Yannan region and beyond, Jun Qi Luo is Jun Fei Fan, the illegitimate son of the family, at a time when women weren't considered anything but mere window dressing. She is a creative genius that has held her family business together to help them and her king through various intelligent inventions way beyond their time. The business is booming making her male persona a household name far and wide. Xuan Lie, is a royal general from neighboring and unrestful Beixuan. He is seeking the truth of his parent's murder while also trying to win the Wolf Lord competition making his quest easier and reuniting all of the clans in peace. He believes Jun Fei Fan has knowledge and wants to capture him to get an explanation; not knowing the truth. Their paths cross one day and through a series of events that involve kidnapping, misunderstandings, hidden agendas, bickering, and wit; as with slow and unmistakable chemistry, they are drawn towards each other, like moths to a flame. But there are many that lie in wait from both sides trying to harm and take advantage. What will happen when Jun Qi Lou's identity is exposed? Will a deep wedge be driven between them by those trying to harm them? How will they deal with both their deep love and the secrets swirling around? And will their everlasting longing for one another bring them the answers, peace, and justice they both desperately need?

Director: Cha Chuen Yee

Screenwriter: Jin Yuan Yuan

Actors: Ariel Lin (Yi-chen), Zhang Binbin (Vin), Lin Bohong (Austin)

Follow the tale of a blossoming romance between a young business-savvy wanderer and the masked hero who comes to her assistance. The wanderer’s true identity is that of the Divine Maiden. When revealed she will obtain legendary treasure, enemies begin to hunt her down. While living on the run, she meets her saviour, an ambitious prince with his sights firmly set on the throne.

Viki Rakuten (FREE) (ENG subs)

Director: Zhong Qing

Screenwriter: Yu Hai Lin, Zhong Jing

Actors: Ju Jingyi, Liu Xueyi

In the sinful city of Heyang, very well-liked Pan Yue married Yang Caiwei, who was despised by everyone. However, Yang Caiwei was murdered on their wedding day. The suspected culprit was none other than Pan Yue. Reborn from death, Yang Caiwei became known as "wicked woman" Shangguan Zhi. She came back in a fierce attempt to expose Pan Yue's true colors. As they bravely confronted the Four Major Clans and uncovered many old cases, their hearts drew closer once more. Yang Caiwei discovered that the true culprit was not Pan Yue, who had loved her deeply all along and never betrayed her. Just as things seemed to be falling into place, the mastermind behind the scenes set another trap, pushing them into the abyss of despair. Will their love survive it all?

Viki Rakuten (STANDARD) (ENG subs)

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLATwx1z00HseWI55WMF03RoBRLxhDGJtp&si=JzzuxxDaBPsn0b-y (ENG subs)

Director: Yin Tao

Screenwriter: Liu Fang

Actors: Deng Wei, Julia Xiang

Su Yi Shui, a talented young cultivator, had his destiny changed by his master, Mu Qing Ge, eighteen years ago. Mu Qing Ge, known as the "female demon", was also branded with a bad reputation and presumed dead. Eighteen years later, Mu Qing Qe transforms into Xue Ran Ran, and Su Yi Shui, now the head of the West Mountain Sect, takes the critically ill Ran Ran as his disciple, vowing to protect her for life. Thus, the roles of master and disciple are swapped, and various amusing and unusual stories unfold between them.

Director: Chu Yui Bun, Gu Zhi Wei

Screenwriter: Yan Mo Yi

Actors: Bai Lu, Ao Ruipeng, Dai Luwa, Chang Huasen

Bai Shuo, the youngest daughter of the Governor's mansion, made a vow to cultivate immortality to repay a favor. While on her journey to seek immortality, she encounters the powerful demon king, master of the bright moon palace, Fan Yue. Initially strangers, they gradually went from mutual distrust and manipulation to mutual affection, and eventually, both fell in love. Along with Fan Yue and the two guardians of the Bright Moon Palace, Tian Huo and Cang Shan, Bai Shou continues her journey. Despite facing many obstacles, their friendship, love and desire are strong enough to overcome any limitations, allowing them to embrace each other truly. 

Director: Zhu Shao Jie 

Actors: Yuan Bingyan, Zheng Yecheng, Merxat, Zhang Yue

Liu Ling is a young member of the royal family who has been granted the auspicious title of Princess Chang Le by the Emperor – who has a soft spot for her (and thinks little of her father). She is aged 20, and until now she has lived a pampered and privileged life. She is capricious, impatient, and quite bratty. Even when people lavish gifts upon her, she treats them with disdain. She has a habit of rubbing people up the wrong way and acting impulsively – a fact that has seen her develop many enemies at court. Even the common folk have a habit of spreading malicious – and often totally unfounded – rumors about her. On her birthday, she decides – on a whim – to travel out of the palace to drink in a private room at an exclusive inn. She drinks herself into a stupor and is sleeping off the alcohol when Shen Yan, a young army commander and an ice-cold martial artist stumbles into her room after having been injured in a sword fight with a notorious bandit. The Princess falls for this wounded warrior and tries to win his heart – although he initially doesn’t seem very impressed with her advances. But, given time, could this unlikely duo strike up a friendship – or an even more unlikely romance?

IQIYI (VIP) (ENG Subs)

Viki Rakuten (FREE) (ENG subs)

Actors: Zhao Lusi, Gu Jiacheng (Jason), Xiao Zhan, Wu Jiacheng

Huangdao Country and Ophiuchus had always been at odds. Therefore, the revelation of Luo Fei Fei's link to Ophiucus quickly puts a target on her back. Her star sign has the three Bei Tang boys, Emperor Yi, Lords Mo Ran and Tang, scrambling to protect her. Mo Ran goes against Empress Dowager's wishes when he publicly announces his wedding to Fei Fei, only adding fuel to the fire of an already complicated love triangle between himself, Fei Fei and Emperor Yi. Their union, now public, subjects them to much scrutiny from the nation. Their relationship is brought to the forefront of national matters. When Emperor Yi discovers a secret thousand-year-old conspiracy, he risks his name and position to help Fei Fei and the people of her tribe.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTB73Ibi_X3HENx5OHsjhgVPwPJpw4OLi&si=zwlsidIX8q0kaCFp (ENG subs)

Director: Cheng Ming Ko 

Actors: Xia Ningjun, Xi Zi, Lan Bo, Karen Kang

Xiong Xi Ruo is a young female painter who infiltrates the family home of the powerful Li family to paint a copy of a precious item. However, her escape from the Li home goes horribly wrong and she finds her fate at the mercy of Li family heir Li Hong Bin. On the verge of arrest, Li Hong Bin and Xiong Xi Ruo hatch a lie – they pretend that she is pregnant with his child. This arrangement suits Li Hong Bin fine, as a marriage with Xiong Xi Ruo will help him escape an arranged marriage with the daughter of the Song family – a union he is particularly keen to avoid. The Li family grants its consent for Li Hong Bin and Xiong Xi Ruo to get married, but it is not long before some relatives – and the plotting Song family – begin to suspect that the pregnancy is a fake. Meanwhile, as Li Hong Bin and Xiong Xi Ruo spend more time in each other's company, they begin to develop a growing fondness for one another. Could love bloom between the pair? And can they survive – or even thwart – the schemes at court?

Director: Yang Huan, Bai Yun Mo, Ma Shi Ge

Screenwriter: Zhou Mo

Actors: Lu Yuxiao, Wang Xingyue, Liu Xiening, et al.

During the Northern Song Dynasty under Renzong, Mrs. Li, from a wealthy Luoyang family, moves to Bianjing with her daughters, each unique in personality, to reunite with her second daughter and resolve a family matter. Despite their beauty and talent, her daughters struggle with marriage prospects, prompting Mrs. Li to seek new suitors in Bianjing. However, their journey is met with challenges, including social setbacks and difficulties in settling down. Ultimately, through perseverance and twists of fate, the Li family finds suitable husbands for the daughters, creating a lively comedy about marriage in the Northern Song Dynasty.

Director: Jin Xiong Hao 

Actors: Xia Yubing, Li Geyang, Jiang Yiduo, Hu Dandan (Smile)

Xia Yu Bing is a minor and somewhat unpleasant and malevolent character in a universe – set in Ancient China – dreamed up by a comic book author. She dies early in the “story,” after being poisoned by her husband Xu Zi Yan. But after she is killed, the author confronts her in a sort of comic book afterlife space and tells her that she will have the chance to be re-spawned. Furthermore, she learns, if she plays her cards right, she will be able to become the “female lead” and a “good” character in the story. She comes back to “life,” but finds that becoming a “goodie” isn’t an easy task. Xu Zi Yan is still determined to wipe her out and conduct ghastly experiments on her body. And on top of it all, a number of other “characters” in the story now have it in for her – including female characters who also want to be the main heroine. A number of other minor characters also block her way or plot her downfall. But as she spends more time with Xu Zi Yan – all the while trying to avoid his plans to destroy her – an unlikely bond begins to form between them. Will Cupid become her ally in Xia Yu Bing’s bid to become the ultimate female lead?

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTB73Ibi_X3HnmXpjnxbgiaapZJKIqsft&si=ORIzDuJjp2_ml80y (ENG Subs)

Director: Xie Ze 

Actors: Ding Yuxi, Peng Xiaoran, He Chengxi, Ma Ke

Ji Man is a young woman from Haifang. She is cheerful and has a keen head for business. She is traveling to Beijing to pursue her dreams when she is involved in a sudden accident. When she wakes up, she realizes that she has lost her memory. And, for some reason, she is now living in the palace of a powerful dynasty. Worse, she discovers that everyone in this palace seems to think she is someone else – a woman with a reputation for treachery, scheming, and evil! Further, she comes to understand that she is supposedly set to marry Ning Yu Xuan, the cold-blooded, aloof, and impetuous master of the dynasty. Ji Man resolves to leave and still feels a strong desire to launch her own business. But regaining her “freedom” won’t be easy. Could her unique charms melt Ning Yu Xuan’s icy heart? And what will happen when everyone learns the secret of her true identity?

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMX26aiIvX5pFhXW0wTjg2rpVhsD950WE&si=GdE_95xNcRzdi1-h (ENG subs)

Director: Li Cai, Wang Wei 

Actors: Jing Tian, Zhang Wanyi

Jiang Si, reborn after being killed by her lover Yu Jin, is determined to change her fate. She breaks off her engagement, outsmarts her cruel aunt, opens a perfumery, and investigates mysterious crimes. Reuniting with Yu Jin, they work together to save her siblings, clear her father's name, and protect the peace of the Zhou dynasty, rekindling their feelings for each other along the way.

Director: Sam Ho 

Actors: Zhang Binbin, Su Zhenni, Wang Duo, Zhang Yaqin

In ancient times, Emperor Zhao Ming made the ultimate sacrifice to protect humanity, setting in motion a cycle of reincarnation that spanned thousands of lifetimes. In the present day, Zhao Ming is reborn as Xie Xue Chen, the leader of the Immortal Alliance, while his past love has transformed into Mu Xuan Ling, the Saintess of the Dark Realm. Unaware of their shared history, the two find themselves on opposite sides, locked in a tense rivalry. Fate forces them together on a journey filled with danger, secrets, and unexpected alliances. As they navigate treacherous schemes and powerful artefacts, their bond deepens in ways neither could have foreseen. In a world teetering on the edge of chaos, Xie Xue Chen and Mu Xuan Ling must confront their destinies and uncover the truth about their intertwined pasts. Will they be able to overcome the forces that seek to tear them apart and bring peace to a fractured world?

Director: Gary Sing, Jones Ma, Jason So

Screenwriter: Xuan Zhao

Actors: Dilraba Dilmurat, Gong Jun, Liu Yuning

Di Zi Yuan seeks revenge after her family was falsely accused of treason ten years ago and beheaded according to the emperor's edict. As the sole survivor, she changes her name to Ren An Le and schemes her way into the court. She admires Crown Prince Han Ye's concern for his people's welfare. While slowly developing feelings for him, she remains haunted by her past, unable to dismiss the enmity that exists between their two families. Han Ye, driven by his deep love for Di Zi Yuan, vows to resolve their differences at any cost.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIPiKkS-FpK-rXS1vbZCyqJ8tMQi-w_ka&si=_KHZhbnsxSbvR-b7 (ENG subs)

Director: Li Yang, Xu Zhi Ming 

Screenwriter: Yang Shi Ye 

Actors: Fang Yilun (Alen), Ling Meishi, Zhang Bohan (Lawrence), Zhou Zixin

A diplomatic marriage decreed, Xiyue’s Princess Li Ming Yue is off to the neighbouring state of Beixuan to wed Li Qian, Prince Zi. The highly-disciplined Qian meets the free-spirited Ming Yue resulting in a poor first impression. Reluctant to get married, the two antagonise each other in hopes one of them will break off the engagement. While hypnotising Qian, Ming Yue causes lost memories resurface. Curious about the trigger for his amnesia, Qian suggests a marriage of convenience, providing Ming Yue help him regain his memories. Qian’s brother Li Xun would prefer those memories remain in the past, as they would only impede his schemes of becoming Crown Prince. Which brother will make the throne his own?

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMX26aiIvX5rsWXKgnXGPRMsu9ZY3Dyq_&si=TGRoibMAq3BeUZle (ENG subs)

Director: Yin Tao 

Actors: Ren Jialun, Tan Songyun

Lu Yi is a cold, ruthless and authoritative high-ranking officer of the Ming Dynasty's Jinyiwei (also known as the Brocaded Guards for their elaborately embroidered uniforms). The Jinyiwei are part of the Emperor's elite bodyguards that also serve as the secret police, and Lu Yi is one of the best at his job. He meets Yuan Jin Xia, a smart, feisty and tom-boyish female officer from the Police's 6th Division, and they clash over a case that the both of them were involved in. Their paths continue to cross unpleasantly over a series of minor cases until Lu Yi was commissioned by the Emperor to secretly investigate the disappearance of funds that have been set aside for river repairs in Yangzhou. Part of the small team accompanying him includes Yuan Jin Xia, and as the two of them work together to solve the case, they find themselves uncovering a conspiracy involving high court officials while their feelings for each other slowly change from dislike to respectful friendship to love.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4P1OCiJ7Wk_1yqxpNGZmULiEBc3YVMsr&si=co-xSOB1_gIrUNKp (ENG Subs)

Director: Steve Cheng

Screenwriter: Fei Wo Si Cun

Actors: Xu Kai, Jing Tian

"Wonderland of Love" follows the story of the emperor's grandson Li Ni, who guards the border and is forced to take on the responsibility of quelling the rebellion. Although Li Ni is the grandson of the emperor, he was never loved by his father. He hides his identity and is content with being a carefree frontline border general who has no intention of fighting for power. During military campaigns against the rebels, he encounters the ambitious Cui Lin, who is the only daughter of General Cui Yi, the commander of the Cui family army. Cui Lin concealed her true identity and disguised herself as Lieutenant He, fighting alongside the army. They cross paths with each other many times on the battlefields. One is scheming and witty; the other is guileful and forthright. In their competitiveness with each other, from time to time, they calculate and predict each other's plan and movement to fight as the winner, which leads them down the path of falling in love.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTB73Ibi_X3EOatBVEylG4NwUtbBe57dW&si=VULuLv7eubyDr9BF (ENG sub)

Director: Cheng Feng

Screenwriter: Ma Sha Sha

Actors: Tian Xiwei, Ao Ruipeng, Zhao Shunran, Bai Bingke

In the affluent city of Yangzhou, in Tang Dynasty China’s Jiangsu Province, powerful parents from the Du and Li clans are planning marriages for their daughters, with the weddings coincidentally slated to take place on the very same day. Du Bing Yan’s intended husband is the sickly Qi Tian Lei, the third son of the Qi family. The Qi hope that marrying Qi Tian Lei off to a beautiful woman will reverse the man’s bad luck, and restore his health. But rumor has it that Qi Tian Lei is actually on the verge of death. Du Bing Yan is dismayed by the fact that she must marry such a sick individual, but bows to her parents’ wishes. Meanwhile, the Li family has agreed to marry their daughter Li Yu Hu to a general named Yuan Bu Qu, a man with a reputation for ferocity and roughness. Li Yu Hu is equally distraught by this choice of a husband, but also acquiesces to her family’s wishes. But while they travel by sedan to their respective weddings, they both take refuge from a rain shower in a temple they pass along the way. When a monk warns them that bandits are going to attack the temple, their respective entourages panic. In the confusion, the two women are taken off in the “wrong” sedans – and end up heading to weddings with the other woman’s intended husband! Will Cupid be able to sort out the mess? Or will chaos ensue for this quartet?

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIPiKkS-FpK_Cmpo7tK7FWD4CAQ8U7yoW&si=IDSoDQucJwcHBzLH (ENG Subs)

Viki Rakuten (FREE) (ENG subs)