With so many fantastic dramas released this year, it’s hard to know which were the best. That’s why we’ve put together this collection, highlighting the best Chinese dramas of 2021. Check it out!

BEST CHINESE DRAMAS of 2021

Tencent

Cong Rong (Xing Fei) dreams of becoming a lawyer. Defying her mother's wishes, she secretly rents a place near home to start a legal internship. Her first case reunites her with childhood friend Wen Shao Qing (Tang Xiao Tian), who is also her new neighbor and landlord. As they spend more time together, tensions rise, blending professional challenges with personal emotions. Will this unexpected reunion jeopardize her legal ambitions, or could it help fulfill them? And might their rekindled connection ignite a lasting romance? This 2021 Chinese drama series was based on a novel by Dong Ben Xi Gu and was directed by Yang Long.

My Little Happiness

👩‍❤️‍👨 Happily Ever After 🩺

Shi Yi Niang (Tan Song Yun) is the strong-minded, ambitious daughter of a concubine, with dreams of becoming an embroiderer and living a life of freedom. But her hopes appear to be cut short when her family arranges for her to marry the powerful general and Duke Xu Ling Yi (Wallace Chung). Ling Yi’s family initially treats Yi Niang with disdain, but she is undeterred by this sudden marriage and her subsequent change of circumstances. However, the challenges have just begun for both Yi Niang and her new husband: the Xu family faces impending ruin! Together, Ling Yi and Yi Niang realize that they must pool their wits together if they are to avoid an unhappy fate. Will they save the family – and find love along the way?

The Sword and the Brocade

⚔ Jin Xin Si Yu ✾ Team

Jiangsu TV, iQiyi

Ai Qing (Li Yi Tong), a top robot combat player known as Appledog, is a professional and friendly gamer with numerous fans. Under Ai Qing’s tutelage, Wu Bai (Hu Yi Tian), or DT, becomes a rising star in the robot combat scene, now captaining the promising Pirate team that challenges Ai Qing's Appledog team. Despite their professional rivalry, their personal connection deepens, with romantic possibilities emerging between them. The ultimate test of their skills and relationship comes during the annual Robot Combat Competition, where multiple teams compete for a prestigious trophy. Based on a novel by Mo Bao Fei Bao and featuring actors reprising their roles from "Go Go Squid!", this is a 2021 Chinese drama directed by Yu Zhong Zhong.

Go Go Squid 2: Dt, Appledog's Time

The Puppy Love Team

Newly qualified doctor Mi Ka (Sandra Ma) joins a joint emergency rescue training exercise with an elite special forces unit, but finds herself thrust into action right away when a powerful earthquake devastates the city. She finds herself working with special ops agent Xing Ke Lei (Bai Jing Ting), but this isn’t the first time they’ve met – a series of misunderstandings previously left them both with poor impressions of each other. With hundreds of people in mortal danger, they must put their personal issues aside and work together to save lives. As the nation’s situation starts to become more perilous, can they rescue those in need? And might love bloom between them as they learn the true meaning of teamwork? This 2021 Chinese drama series was based on the novel by Mu Qing Yu and was directed by Zhang Tong.

You Are My Hero

Youku

In the ultra-competitive world of e-sports, the all-male team, ZGDX, is second to none. But when their star player suffers a career-halting injury, team captain Lu Si Cheng (Xu Kai) is forced to search for a replacement. Si Cheng’s quest to find the best ultimately leads him to Tong Yao (Cheng Xiao) an amateur gamer with exceptional skills. Convinced that adding the first female player to his team would boost their PR, Si Cheng makes Tong Yao the team’s trainee. While fans of the team aren’t sure how they feel about the new addition, the members of ZGDX slowly warm up to her, though none quite as much as Si Cheng. Will sparks of romance ignite in their future?

Falling Into Your Smile

🎮 League of Love Team ❤️

iQIYI

Fu Rong (Ju Jing Yi), the second daughter of the powerful Fu family, receives the extraordinary gift of foresight after a painful illness. She sees her future marriage to the dashing Duke Su Xu Jin (Zhang Zhe Han), but also glimpses a tragic destiny that may be linked to their relationship. Determined to avoid her seemingly predetermined fate, Fu Rong attempts to keep her distance from the duke. However, as dastardly plots threaten to dethrone the royal family and throw the realm into chaos, she realizes that joining forces with Xu Jin might be her only chance to change her fortunes and save the kingdom. This is a 2020 Chinese historical drama series based on a novel by Xiao Jia Ren, directed by Lam Kin Lung and Chen Guo Hua.

The Blooms at Ruyi Pavilion

💞 Blooming Love Team 🌼

When wealthy business group heir Ling Yue (Liu Te) collides with deliveryperson Gu An Xin (Zhao Lu Si), the former ends up in hospital with injuries and amnesia. Terrified, An Xin takes Yue back to her house to care for him. The pair ends up living together, despite their differences – and both start to feel the pull of attraction. But what will happen to their romance when Yue’s memories start to return? This 2021 Chinese romantic comedy drama was based on a novel by Chun Feng Yi Du and directed by Zhong Qing.

Please Feel At Ease Mr. Ling

The Rabbit and Wolf Team

Zhou Zi Shu (Zhang Zhe Han), leader of an elite imperial unit, leaves his prestigious position seeking personal freedom. Shortly after embarking on his journey, he encounters Wen Ke Xing (Gong Jun), a mysterious martial artist from Ghost Valley seeking vengeance for his parents' death. United by fate, they become close companions and embark on a perilous quest to find a legendary treasure that could grant ultimate power in the martial arts world. As they navigate complex conspiracies and dangerous challenges, Zi Shu and Ke Xing's adventure threatens to reshape the existing martial arts landscape.

Word of Honor

⚔ Honorable Team ⚔

Zhou Jian Qing (Yan Zhi Chao) was raised like a princess, but when her wealthy family falls on hard times, her fairy tale life collapses. Unsure of her next move, Jian Qing follows fate and crosses path with Gu Nan Zhou (Chen Jing Ke), a successful CEO with a debilitating fear of crowds. Forced into a scandalous situation, Jiang Qing and Nan Zhou agree that a contract marriage is their only way out. Despite their initial animosity, they begin to find comfort in their married life. As they navigate their unconventional relationship, Jian Qing and Nan Zhou wonder if real love might be on the horizon. Tian Shao Bo directed this lighthearted 2021 Chinese romance series.

Hello Mr. Gu

How to raise a CEO

Zhao Xiao Qian (Joseph Zeng), Prince of Julu, yearns to escape his predetermined fate of ruling a small territory and dreams of becoming a military general. Forced into an arranged marriage with Xie Jiang Er (Liang Jie), a determined and outspoken woman, he is surprised when she follows him to a prestigious academy. Initially believing women have no place in education, Zhao tries to convince her to leave, but Xie's steely resolve keeps her studying alongside him. As they continue to clash, the duo gradually realizes they work better as a team than as rivals, potentially opening the door to an unexpected romance.

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