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| From Wuxia to Workplace Romance: China’s Highest-Rated Dramas of 2025 |
If you're tired of the same ol’ K-drama love triangles or looking for something fresh after your last Thai series binge, China’s coming in hot this year with a killer line-up of dramas that’ll make you laugh, cry, and maybe even reconsider your life choices.
From swoony reunions to soul-stirring historicals, the 2025 C-drama catalogue is already stacked — and we're only halfway through the year. Whether you're into teenage heartbreak, political marriages or cheeky wuxia fantasy, there’s something on this list with your name on it.
We’ve rounded up the seven Chinese dramas that are absolutely smashing it in terms of ratings and viewer hype as of May 2025. So grab a snack, make some space on your watchlist, and let’s dive in.
1. The First Frost
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Rating: 8.9/10 | 32 Episodes | Genre: Romance, Youth, Slice of Life. Platform: Youku, Netflix
If you're a sucker for long-lost high school love stories with a grown-up twist, The First Frost is pure gold. Wen Yi Fan and Sang Yan were once desk buddies back in the day — now they’re full-grown adults awkwardly bumping into each other years later, with just a touch of heartbreak and a whole load of chemistry.
She’s a journalist, he runs a bar. They pretend they don’t remember each other (they totally do), and before you know it, they’re housemates again. Classic setup, right? But this drama gives it emotional depth without drowning you in cliché. Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan deliver that subtle slow-burn magic that’ll have you hitting next episode before you even blink.
2. The Prisoner of Beauty
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Platform: Tencent Video
This one’s got arranged marriage, family feuds, and enemies-to-lovers energy done right. Xiao Qiao marries Wei Shao for the sake of peace between two noble households — only these two aren’t exactly keen on being tied together. What follows? Schemes, stares, and eventual swoons.
Song Zuer and Liu Yuning bring serious heat, with Xuan Lu and Liu Duan Duan adding spice in the supporting cast. It’s a polished period piece with just enough tension and tenderness to keep you hooked. Politics and passion never looked this good.
3. The Best Thing
Every day with you is a blessing.💕#iQIYIOriginal #cdrama #爱你 #TheBestThing #张凌赫 #ZhangLinghe #徐若晗 #XuRuohan #romance pic.twitter.com/C8xFckcYQ9
— iQIYI (@iQIYI) March 21, 2025
Platform: iQIYI
Don’t let the calm title fool you — this one’s packed with feels. Shen Xi Fan is a high-powered hotel manager battling insomnia and stress. He Su Ye is a gentle TCM doctor who ends up treating her... and accidentally stealing her heart.
It’s a slow build with grown-up chemistry, neighbourly run-ins, and low-key emotional healing. Based on the novel Ai Ni, Shi Wo Zuoguo Zui Hao De Shi, the adaptation stays faithful to its thoughtful roots. Xu Ruohan and Zhang Linghe keep it realistic but still romantic enough to make you sigh into your pillow.
4. Love of the Divine Tree
Su Yishui becomes Su Meowmeow! 🐱✨#iQIYIOriginal #仙台有树 #LoveoftheDivineTree #邓为 #DengWei #向涵之 #XiangHanzhi #cdrama #costumedrama pic.twitter.com/K5PqZAuUVT
— iQIYI (@iQIYI) February 17, 2025
Platform: iQIYI, WeTV
Now we’re diving into fantasy territory, and it’s giving all the right vibes. Su Yi Shui, a prodigy in cultivation, owes his life to a mysterious woman who saved him 18 years ago. Turns out that woman — Mu Qing Ge, now living under the alias Xue Ran Ran — is thought to be long gone… and also maybe a bit of a legend.
What follows is an ethereal love story wrapped in martial arts, mystical identities, and stunning visuals. Deng Wei and Julia Xiang lead this moody, magical ride with charisma and chemistry to spare.
5. Always Home
He got jealous!🤭#AlwaysHome is streaming now on WeTV👉https://t.co/qdIKXNgDYO (Available globally)
— WeTV.Official (@WeTVOfficial) February 25, 2025
Starring #ZhaiXiaowen #ZhouKeyu #YangXizi #HeQiu#树下有片红房子 #翟潇闻 #周柯宇 #杨肸子 #鹤秋 #WeTV #WeTVAlwaysMore pic.twitter.com/PBCj63QjOK
Platform: WeTV, Viki
This drama’s all about friendship, growing pains, and everything in between. When Chen Huan Er moves to the big city, she forms an unforgettable bond with Jing Xi Chi and Song Cong. Together they tackle school life, relationships, and the messy bits of becoming adults.
Zhai Xiao Wen, Daniel Zhou, and Yang Xi Zi shine as the trio at the heart of the story. It’s warm, nostalgic, and painfully relatable at times — like flipping through your old school yearbook and wondering where the time went.
6. Moonlight Mystique
Long Distance Relationship in Moonlight Mystique was like:#iQIYIOriginal #白月梵星 #MoonlightMystique #白鹿 #BaiLu #敖瑞鹏 #AoRuipeng #cdrama #costumedrama pic.twitter.com/O1WzhAWV82
— iQIYI (@iQIYI) January 10, 2025
Platform: iQIYI
Here’s one for fans of forbidden love, immortals, and tragic misunderstandings. Bai Shuo, daughter of a general, is determined to achieve immortality — only to cross paths with Fan Yue, a divine being from a mythical clan. Let’s just say sparks fly… but not the cosy kind at first.
The tension is real, the visuals are lush, and the emotional payoff is chef’s kiss. Bai Lu and Ao Rui Peng serve up angst and longing in generous doses, and you’ll probably cry at least twice — don’t say we didn’t warn you.
7. Flourished Peony
ยินดีกับทีม #งามบุปผาสกุณา #FlourishedPeony กับรางวัล "TV series of the year" จากงานThe Spring Market & Exhibition of Capital Audiovisual Programs 2025 ด้วยค่ะ🎉🎉🎉👏👏👏#หยางจื่อ #YangZi #หลี่เซี่ยน #LiXian pic.twitter.com/eOEWAcXPeT
— ซีรีส์จีนเจียงฟูเหริน自由自在🕊🪴🌈 (@AlittelAlittle) April 25, 2025
Platform: MangoTV/MGTV, Viki
He Wei Fang, the daughter of a merchant, wants more than a boring arranged marriage — and she’s got the brains and green thumbs to make it happen. With some help from a kindly official (and maybe a hint of romance), she opens a flower shop and builds a safe haven for women who’ve been through tough times.
Set in a picturesque Chang’an, Flourished Peony is as aesthetically pleasing as it is empowering. Yang Zi and Li Xian bring warmth and grounded performances that’ll stay with you long after the credits roll.
8. Youthful Glory
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Platform: iQIYI, Viki, MGTV
Last but far from least, Youthful Glory is a slow-burn political-romance wrapped in royal mystery. Jiang Xu, a young noble with brains and backbone, returns from the frontier to uncover a massive scandal — and ends up marrying General Ming’s daughter, Tan, to protect her family.
What starts as a marriage of convenience morphs into a tender love story under fire. Song Wei Long and Bao Shang En hold it down with compelling performances and enough chemistry to light up a palace lantern.
So there you have it — Tonboriday’s top C-drama picks for 2025 (so far). Whether you’re into fantasy realms or cosy modern romances, this list’s got a little something for everyone. Watch one, watch them all — just don’t blame us when you end up sleep-deprived and emotionally attached.