The best cdrama of 2025
[General thoughts]
Vendetta of An was thoroughly enjoyable, and also a very pleasant surprise to me. It’s a show that defies any preconceived notion about what cdrama has to offer. They somehow managed to jam pack 10 episodes' worth of story into an episode, and yet it never felt rushed, and the story beat is very apt. This series is backed by a stellar cast of actors and a very strong production team.
[Plot/Writing]
The screenwriter deserves far more recognition. The writing is genuinely impressive it relentlessly throws us twist after twist after twist (sometimes several within a single episode). Chekhov’s gun is pushed to the absolute limit, with setups planted so early, consistently and subtly that their payoffs feel both shocking and inevitable. The show clearly respects its audience, trusting viewers to catch small details and form their own judgments without over-explaining.
Easter eggs are woven into the environment across the entire run of the series; an innocuous, fleeting background shot can later take on significant meaning. What truly astonishes me is how the show introduces such a large ensemble cast yet still manages to give each character depth and individuality. Even minor side characters leave a lasting impression.
Every character exists in a morally grey space to varying degrees, and their motivations are understandable (yes even the antagonistS). You can see how they arrived at who they are. Not to mention, even background NPCs play a role in the larger narrative, and tiny character tics are meaningfully incorporated into the plot.
The level of writing here is frankly ridiculous. This is the first cdrama I’ve seen that delivers storytelling on a level that rivals, and in some respects surpasses, its Western counterparts. It’s almost compulsory to rewatch this series just to catch all the minute details carefully seeded throughout the series.
Very special mention: There are so many great quotes came out of this series that still lives rent free in my head. Quotes that can’t even be transposed out of mandarin because it’ll loose its impact. Without spoiling too much, the food and season symbolism that is scattered throughout the show is very fitting for the message that this show is trying to carry.
[Acting]
Chengyi once again proves himself to be a multi-faceted actor. His ability to layer on micro-expressions within seconds continues to astound me. The emotional precision, the restraint, and the control. I don't think I have seen a cdrama actor with this much skill and respect for the craft of acting.
I went into 24G with bated breath, hoping he could once again deliver the acting depth he displayed in Mysterious Lotus Casebook. Plus, this role was also a massive departure from anything he’s played before, which makes it a real test of whether he could carry such a complex character. Chengyi doesn't disappoint.
Once again, Chengyi disappears into the role. Xie Huaian is an exceptionally difficult character to portray; he bears the weight of the world and an all-consuming desire for revenge, yet must retain love, and moral clarity. It’s a fine line. Played poorly, he could easily become a one-note, hatred-ridden caricature. And Chengyi pulled it off brilliantly, I completely understand why the production team specifically requested him to play this role. Acting alongside multiple industry veterans is no small feat. Younger actors often fade into the background, ceding scenes to more seasoned performers. But Chengyi holds his ground, and for some even devours the veterans.
[OSTs / Soundtrack]
The soundtrack for this show is actually really wonderfully curated. A few moments when the OST played during the show's run, and it drops at the right moments which definitely brought me to tears.
[Production Quality]
Each episode felt like cinematically shot. The use of colour and contrast was striking, and the series was beautifully filmed throughout. Their decision to build physical sets and spend months scouting real locations really paid off. Major props to the entire production team.
[Further comments after rewatching]
24G felt like 3 seasons packed into 28 episodes
Season 1: 1-12
Season 2: 13-20
Season 3: 21-28
During the rewatch, I was trying to test if there was any plot holes, and surprisingly (or not so surprisingly) there was none. This show is very well done.
Vendetta of An was thoroughly enjoyable, and also a very pleasant surprise to me. It’s a show that defies any preconceived notion about what cdrama has to offer. They somehow managed to jam pack 10 episodes' worth of story into an episode, and yet it never felt rushed, and the story beat is very apt. This series is backed by a stellar cast of actors and a very strong production team.
[Plot/Writing]
The screenwriter deserves far more recognition. The writing is genuinely impressive it relentlessly throws us twist after twist after twist (sometimes several within a single episode). Chekhov’s gun is pushed to the absolute limit, with setups planted so early, consistently and subtly that their payoffs feel both shocking and inevitable. The show clearly respects its audience, trusting viewers to catch small details and form their own judgments without over-explaining.
Easter eggs are woven into the environment across the entire run of the series; an innocuous, fleeting background shot can later take on significant meaning. What truly astonishes me is how the show introduces such a large ensemble cast yet still manages to give each character depth and individuality. Even minor side characters leave a lasting impression.
Every character exists in a morally grey space to varying degrees, and their motivations are understandable (yes even the antagonistS). You can see how they arrived at who they are. Not to mention, even background NPCs play a role in the larger narrative, and tiny character tics are meaningfully incorporated into the plot.
The level of writing here is frankly ridiculous. This is the first cdrama I’ve seen that delivers storytelling on a level that rivals, and in some respects surpasses, its Western counterparts. It’s almost compulsory to rewatch this series just to catch all the minute details carefully seeded throughout the series.
Very special mention: There are so many great quotes came out of this series that still lives rent free in my head. Quotes that can’t even be transposed out of mandarin because it’ll loose its impact. Without spoiling too much, the food and season symbolism that is scattered throughout the show is very fitting for the message that this show is trying to carry.
[Acting]
Chengyi once again proves himself to be a multi-faceted actor. His ability to layer on micro-expressions within seconds continues to astound me. The emotional precision, the restraint, and the control. I don't think I have seen a cdrama actor with this much skill and respect for the craft of acting.
I went into 24G with bated breath, hoping he could once again deliver the acting depth he displayed in Mysterious Lotus Casebook. Plus, this role was also a massive departure from anything he’s played before, which makes it a real test of whether he could carry such a complex character. Chengyi doesn't disappoint.
Once again, Chengyi disappears into the role. Xie Huaian is an exceptionally difficult character to portray; he bears the weight of the world and an all-consuming desire for revenge, yet must retain love, and moral clarity. It’s a fine line. Played poorly, he could easily become a one-note, hatred-ridden caricature. And Chengyi pulled it off brilliantly, I completely understand why the production team specifically requested him to play this role. Acting alongside multiple industry veterans is no small feat. Younger actors often fade into the background, ceding scenes to more seasoned performers. But Chengyi holds his ground, and for some even devours the veterans.
[OSTs / Soundtrack]
The soundtrack for this show is actually really wonderfully curated. A few moments when the OST played during the show's run, and it drops at the right moments which definitely brought me to tears.
[Production Quality]
Each episode felt like cinematically shot. The use of colour and contrast was striking, and the series was beautifully filmed throughout. Their decision to build physical sets and spend months scouting real locations really paid off. Major props to the entire production team.
[Further comments after rewatching]
24G felt like 3 seasons packed into 28 episodes
Season 1: 1-12
Season 2: 13-20
Season 3: 21-28
During the rewatch, I was trying to test if there was any plot holes, and surprisingly (or not so surprisingly) there was none. This show is very well done.
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