My drama OTPs

A great example of compatible power couples. Their love stories proved again and again how they were made for each other, how they made each other better people and how meeting each other made their life more colourful.

The women, though, were the real deal in these couples. They did everything in their power to protect and cherish their men, they did so much for them that sometimes it felt like the men could not even compare. Yes, the men also went to great lengths to stand by their side and support them. However, these women were power women and the clear pillars in the relationship. Protecting each other, protecting their love, protecting their family and protecting their friends. Not even once did they slip into submissive and weaker roles, something we very rarely encounter in C-dramas.

I think this is actually the first time I witness female roles in C-drama that did not slip into the cliche called "the women cannot protect themselves, they must be protected by men".

Liguang Yetan x Shaodian Youqin and Liguang Qingkui x Chao Feng

It is based on a BL-novel after all and I adored this couple in the books. You can also feel the main characters (romantic) love for each other in the drama, even though this is classified as bromance.

Wei Wuxian x Lan Wangji

Another example were the villain gets the girl. Many times better than Love Better Than Immortality, though.

Once again we have a possessive ML (no surprise, he is a "villain" after all), but the couple was on equal footing, even though the ML was a Supreme Lord and the FL was an ordinary flower. There were times were I thought that the ML suffered more for the relationship and didn't get enough credit for that. Nevertheless, their relationship were filled with hardships (Romeo & Juliet, you know?), tribulations, sacrifices and unconditional love. I suffered while following their love story and hoped multiple times that their hardships would finally come to an end.

Dongfang Qingcang x Xiao Lanhua

A rare healthy couple in a xianxia drama. There were no misunderstandings or any stupid jealousy. Instead, the couple was very mature and respected each others wishes. Also, they actually communicated! Any issues in their relationship was discussed and solved quickly, which only strengthened their bond. Despite being a melodrama, all conflict came from outer factors, such as dark forces trying to destroy the world, not from the main characters relationship.

In my opinion, the FL might be one of the most intelligent and emotionally mature FLs of all the xianxia dramas I have watched. She might be annoying in the beginning, as she is both stubborn and domineering, but these traits helped her endure all the losses and sacrifices in her life.

I guess some people might consider the FL a Mary Sue, but she did have times of weakness were she questioned the meaning of everything. In addition, she would never have saved the world in the end if not for the ML.

I do think that the ML got overshadowed by the FL sometimes. Despite being a Demon Lord, he lost to the FL in terms of intelligence many times. His power was also downplayed a lot. However, he was still able to shine in the drama

Bai Shuo x Fan Yue

The ML did cross over to the controlling and overly jealous side a few times. There was also a few episodes where he teetered between obsession and love, as well as madness and sanity due to being rejected by the FL  (but that is my guilty pleasure). In a way the FL had more power in the relationship, but they still respected each other and stood on equal footing.

Chen Qian Qian (Chen Xiao Qiang) x Han Shou

A guilty pleasure again, but there are rarely villains who get the girl in the end in dramas. The drama has some toxic traits, with the FL and ML being quite unequal in power and feelings. This is a love triangle and the FL fickleness in choosing between the two men can and will grate on your nerves. However, the ML's love for the FL will make you swoon.

Shangguan Qiu Yue x Chun Hua

This couple will make you cry, smile and swoon, until the ending breaks your heart to pieces. A very nice example of a tragic romance between soulmates. Also, even though tragic, this ending was still the best.

Hae Soo x Wang So

In this case, the FL has been put first, due to how emotionally dependent Wang So was of Hae Soo. Otherwise, he is the clearly more dominant one.

A great example of a power couple.  Even though I feel that FL became a bit weak and lost some of the characteristics I liked about her when she fell in love and they started dating. This, however, is normal in C-dramas. She is still a strong and intelligent woman and no damsel-in-distress. The ML also respects her and they stand on equal footing, even though the ML is often portrayed as the more intelligent and powerful one (both in standing and martial arts).

Actually, when I think about it, she probably saved the ML more times than the ML saved her.

Yuan Jin Xia x Lu Yi

A power couple once again (those are clearly my favorite). However, I sometimes felt that it would have been nice if they showed Tian Yaos powers instead of handicapping him. Although, the whole story circulated around the fact that he was handicapped, I would still want to see his actual "ancient" powers.

Not that I complain about the role reversal, everybody loves a strong female protagonist.  Yan Hui was a fantastic female character. Bold, straightforward, cunning, intelligent, selfless and regal. She was the one protecting the whole world, as well as herself, her friends, and her love. The epitome of strength. Of course, when the burden of being the one shouldering everything became too much, Tian Yao was there giving her comfort and safety.

Honestly, though, I felt that Tian Yao did not always deserve Yan Hui. However, he needed her to heal.

Yan Hui x Tian Yao

However, I could not give this drama more than 8 stars, due to the many things left unexplained in the end. It seems like I need to read the book.

ZJY seems to like to pick these types of dramas, aka the "he falls first but she falls harder". Lighter & Princess is another example of this category. Although, I did like the couple dynamics here better than in L&P, as it doesn't feel like the FL shouldered everything in the relationship. The ML made it clear that he also wanted the FL in his life - and made sacrifices to keep her in it.

Similar to L&P, the FL and ML in Fall in Love felt like two puzzle pieces who fit perfectly together. It was clear that the FL was the only one who fit the ML both intellectually and emotionally. She was the only one strong enough to endure the dangerous life the ML had thrown himself into. She was also the only one intelligent and cunning enough to save the ML from sticky situations, as well as support him in his endeavors.

Additionally, I loved how intelligent both of them are and how much trust they had in each other. It was incredibly rewarding to see this intelligent couple always being one or two steps ahead of the villains! "A couple who plots together stays together" was kind of the running theme in the show. However, it also meant that I was incredibly annoyed when they included the "break her heart to save her" C-drama cliché.

Also, although I found the fact that the FL fell deeper somewhat annoying, I could understand it completely. The ML loved her deeply, but he was a military commander and a leader through and through. He would always prioritize his soldiers over the FL, which is exactly what a real leader should do (side-eying Legend of Fuyao).

Tan Xuan Lin x Mu Wan Qing

I put this here with somewhat mixed feelings. They were undoubtedly soulmates; clearly made for each other. However, this didn't come easily. Especially for one person, which is the main reason behind my mixed feelings.

Firstly, the complexity of the characters must be highlighted. This is the greatest strength of the drama and the reason why I enjoyed the drama so much. It is also the reason why I both loved and hated the main relationship. After all, its about one very complex character (ML) who got together with another, slightly less complex character (FL). However, I really enjoyed these two characters both separately and together. Hence, why they found themselves on this list.

The FL was the main force behind the relationship with the ML. She shouldered everything in the relationship throughout the whole drama. It was her who started the relationship, and also her who made it work again after a very messy break up (caused and initiated by the ML). She was doing sacrifices after sacrifices  for the ML, but he never really gave back anything. It would have been nice to see him taking the initiative even once in the relationship (like being the one who chased her when they reunited). In the end, though, I felt that it was never meant to be portrayed like that: she loved him much more than he ever loved her.

However, this is also something that made the story realistic, and enjoyable. After all, due to the heavy trauma the ML had suffered throughout his life, I don't think the ML had the same emotional capacity as the FL. Thus making him unable to fall as deeply for her.

Li Xun x Zhu Yun

Warning! Due to the FL's deep love for the ML, she may come off as: obsessive, clingy, dependent, jealous, stubborn and without self-worth. However, she is also: smart, protective, tough, kind and just.