Chinese and Korean must see costume dramas.

Best of the best costume dramas

ZJTV

Meng Fu Yao (Yang Mi), reincarnated from a divine lotus flower, masters an invincible fighting technique at 16 and sets out to collect secret talismans from five kingdoms. Her quest leads her to Crown Prince Zhangsun Wu Ji (Ethan Juan), who becomes her ally in battling powerful political forces. Together, they navigate a dangerous conspiracy that threatens the land, with Fu Yao determined to restore peace and uncover the truth behind her mysterious origins. As she travels through different kingdoms, she encounters challenges that test her skills and resolve, ultimately seeking entry into the sacred Firmament. This is a 2018 Chinese historical fantasy drama directed by Yang Wen Jun, based on the novel Empress Fuyao by Tian Xia Gui Yuan.

Legend of Fuyao

Fuyao's Court 

Beijing TV, Dragon TV

In the midst of a bitter feudal conflict between the Northern Wei and Southern Liang dynasties, Lin Shu (Hu Ge) helps the Liang secure a significant victory. Betrayal follows, leading to the massacre of his family. Poisoned and transformed, Lin Shu becomes Mei Chang Su, adopting a new identity to seek revenge. He allies with Prince Jing (Wang Kai), an unfavored royal heir embroiled in a fierce succession battle, and reconnects with Mu Ni Huang (Liu Tao), a strong-willed female general resistant to traditional marriage expectations. As Mei Chang Su navigates the complex imperial court, he carefully plots his path to justice while concealing his true identity. Will he successfully avenge his family and expose the truth behind their betrayal? "Nirvana in Fire" is a 2015 Chinese historical drama series directed by Kong Sheng and Li Xue.

Nirvana in Fire

Lang Ya Bang

During the Song Dynasty, a mighty female general accomplishes the unthinkable for a woman of the era. When tragedy befalls her family, Ye Zhao (Sandra Ma) dresses like a man and takes the place of her father in the Chinese military and rises to the rank of general. When the Empress Dowager begins to worry about Ye Zhao gaining too much power, she decides to marry Ye Zhao off to Zhao Yu Jin (Peter Sheng), the prince of Nanping who is known for being incredibly handsome, lazy and pampered due to his weak health. Ye Zhao’s love transforms Yu Jin into a different man. But who will end up holding the ultimate power in the kingdom? This series was adapted from the novel "General Above I Am Below" by Ju Hua San Li.

Oh My General

Gone with the Shirt Team 

iQiyi

Wei Ying Luo (Wu Jin Yan) enters the royal court of the Qian Long Emperor (Nie Yuan) to investigate her sister's death, suspecting imperial guard Fucha Fu Heng (Xu Kai). Transferring to Chang Chun Palace as a maid, she is mentored by Empress Fucha Rong Yin (Qin Lan), who teaches her to read and write, and eventually falls in love with Fu Heng. Through a series of strategic moves, Ying Luo becomes Consort Ling, navigating the complex imperial harem alongside other concubines like Consort Xian (Charmaine Sheh). As she balances her personal quest for justice with her duties to the Emperor, Ying Luo must decide whether revenge or survival will guide her path. This is a 2018 Chinese historical drama series is directed by Hui Kai Dong and Wen De Guang.

Story of Yanxi Palace

The gentle Empress Team

Hunan TV

Following the tragic and untimely death of her concubine mother, Sheng Ming Lan’s (Zhao Li Ying) life becomes a nightmare. Her stepmother and half-siblings mistreat her, leaving her seething from the injustice, and longing for revenge on those responsible for her mother’s downfall. However, Ming Lan is constantly looked down upon, despite her beauty and keen wits. She decides to pretend that she is content with her fate, but will secretly devise a way to bring down those who wronged her mother. Fate shines on Ming Lan when she meets Gu Tingye (Feng Shao Feng), the hedonistic but determined son of the Marquis of Ningyuan, eventually falling in love and marrying. Tingye hopes to help his beloved take her revenge. But as evil schemes begin to unfold, will they succeed in their shared goal? This 2018 Chinese drama, based on the novel of the same name by Guan Xin Ze Luan, was directed by Zhang Kai Zhou.

The Story of Ming Lan

MEI DAXIA  (大俠)

Tencent Video

A scheming prince carries out a bloody coup, taking charge of the Tang Dynasty and killing Li Chang Ge's (Dilraba Dilmurat) family in the process. She escapes, and vows to take revenge on the prince, who places himself on the throne. Chang Ge gathers an army, but her plans take a turn when her forces fall to the Eastern Turkic Khaganate. The victorious General Ashile Sun (Leo Wu) holds her captive, ordering her to become his military strategist as he looks to pursue his own goals. Over time, they form a formidable partnership, and she slowly finds herself falling for her captor while he starts to develop feelings for her as well. Despite this, Chang Ge hasn’t forgotten her quest for vengeance on the usurper. Can she convince Sun to help wipe out her family’s killer? And will she and the general find love on the way? This 2021 Chinese drama series, based on a hit comic by artist Xia Da, was directed by Chu Yui Bun.

The Long Ballad

The Ode to Love Team

Tencent

In the tumultuous Song Empire, young prince Liu Yi Kang (Qin Hao) seeks to restore peace amid political chaos and powerful aristocratic families plotting against him. Recognizing the need for strategic alliances, he agrees to marry Shen Li Ge (Li Qin), a brilliant woman from a strong military family, to strengthen his position and enact crucial reforms. Together, they courageously confront the nation's most corrupt clan, fighting to transform a broken political system while navigating their own complex personal challenges. Their journey is fraught with danger, requiring immense wit, resilience, and sacrifice as they strive to heal both the nation and their wounded hearts. This is a 2020 South Korean historical romance drama directed by Li Hui Zhu and Deng Wei En.

The Song of Glory

⚔7️⃣ Songs of Glory ⚔

Xu Xiao (Hu Jun), the King of Northern Liang, has successfully defended his kingdom against steppe kingdoms and southern rebellions. His son and heir, Xu Feng Nian (Zhang Ruo Yun), is a free-spirited yet skilled horseman who has spent years on the road. Along the way, Feng Nian meets martial arts expert Nangong Pu She (Zhang Tian Ai), who becomes his confidante. Jiang Ni (Li Geng Xi), a court member with a hidden past as a rival kingdom's princess, joins the royal household. When Xu Feng Nian ascends to the throne, court members doubt his ability to lead. A critical campaign to another province will test his leadership and potentially determine the kingdom's future. "Sword Snow Stride" is a 2021 Chinese drama series directed by Song Xiao Fei.

Sword Snow Stride

Gone with the Shirt

ZJSTV, DragonTV

In this epic tale of love transcending mortality, the beautiful High Goddess Bai Qian (Yang Mi) loses her memories while sealing away an evil demon lord. Sent to the mortal world to regain her powers, she encounters Ye Hua (Mark Chao), and they fall deeply in love. When Bai Qian regains her immortality, Ye Hua struggles to rekindle their connection, facing her initial indifference. Will Ye Hua be able to regain Bai Qian’s affections and have her fall in love with him all over again? Based on the xianxia novel 'To the Sky Kingdom,' this is a 2017 Chinese fantasy romance drama.

Eternal Love

♞ Candle Knights ♘

Tencent, Mango TV

Aspiring screenwriter Chen Xiao Qian (Zhao Lu Si) is struggling to get her TV series off the ground. The male lead is kicking up a fuss about her script, leading her to worry that the series will never reach viewers’ screens. Suddenly, she is dragged into the pages of her own screenplay, where she becomes the Third Princess, a lowly minor character with a terrible reputation... and a drastically short lifespan! Fortunately, she knows that her killer will be Prince Han Shuo (Ding Yu Xi) and Xiao Qian uses her “insider knowledge” to rewrite the character’s fate to ensure she survives. Can she cheat death and reverse her TV show’s fortunes? And could this messy situation inadvertently lead her to love? This 2020 Chinese drama was based on a novel by Popsicles and was directed by Cha Chuen Yee.

The Romance of Tiger and Rose

Tencent TV

In the Ancient Southern Qing Empire, Fan Xian (Zhang Ruo Yun) finds his head full of bizarre “memories” about life in the 21st Century, becoming haunted by questions about his true identity and his mother’s death. After he survives an assassination attempt, he decides to head to the capital to search for answers. He meets the chancellor’s daughter Lin Wan Er (Li Qin), and the duo become close allies. Before long, he finds himself drawn into a web of schemes involving the Imperial family – while a mysterious security agency seems to be monitoring him. Will these dark forces overwhelm Fan Xian before he can discover the truth? This 2019 Chinese drama series was based on a novel by Maoni and produced by Chen Ying Jie.

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