Some (Most) of Viki's Best Dramas Based in 1912-1949.
I Will add more as they come to Viki, Like My Bittersweet Taiwan

Republican-Era Dramas

TJTV

Rendong (Zhao Han Ying Zi), daughter of a famous doctor Gu Feng (Liu Xi Ming), loses her privileged life after her father's accidental drowning. The family's butler, Fang Cheng (Zong Feng Yan), switches his illegitimate daughter Gu Qianwei (Liu Yu Xin) with Rendong, causing her to be raised in difficult circumstances while Qianwei enjoys luxury. Years later, Rendong unexpectedly works at the Gu family's Qingyuantang Pharmacy, where she meets Han Chong (Qian Yong Chen), who competes for her affections with her longtime friend Zhengding (Zhang Zhuo Wen). When Fang Cheng and Qianwei discover Rendong's true identity, they conspire to keep the secret hidden. As Rendong struggles to uncover her past and find her rightful place, she must rely on Han Chong and Zhengding's support. This is a 2016 Chinese drama series directed by Wang Wei Ting.

Switch of Fate

Gone with the Shirt Team

JSTV

Gu Yan Mei (Zhang Han), the youngest of four Gu brothers, aspires to make his mark in the film industry during 1930s Shanghai. Following his third brother Ruo Xia (Kevin Tan) to Singapore, they expand their film business and later relocate to Hong Kong when war erupts. Yan Mei takes control of the family enterprise, transforming it into the leading film production company and earning the title "Czar of Asian Movies." His remarkable journey is intertwined with his relationships with three women: Hu Bi Yu (Jia Qing), Mei Gui (Joe Chen), and Qu Meng (Song Yi), while his philanthropic efforts further cement his legacy. This is a 2017 Chinese drama series based on the life of Run Run Shaw, the influential Hong Kong entertainment mogul who founded Shaw Brothers Studio.

The Legendary Tycoon

SZTV, JXNTV

In 1927 China, Shen Bi Yun (Zhang Meng), a brilliant young woman, strategically marries into the wealthy Xuan family to gain access to their ancient Book Converging Pavilion, a four-hundred-year-old library of rare volumes. Xuan Xiao Ji (Han Dong), the fourth son, attempts to help her escape the family's restrictive ancestral rules, but Bi Yun remains determined to stay and pursue her scholarly ambitions. As she navigates the family's internal power struggles and conflicts, Bi Yun seeks to challenge traditional barriers and potentially open the library to the public. Her complex motivations and intellectual passion drive her forward in this turbulent historical period. This is a critically-acclaimed 2015-2016 Chinese historical drama series that explores a woman's intellectual journey during a transformative era in Chinese history.

A Scholar Dream of Woman

Hunan TV

When an unknown Country X sends a dangerous spy known as "The Awakener" to infiltrate China using an advanced coded communication system "Purple Secret," the government struggles to decipher the code. Dang Zheng (deputy director of Unit 701) recruits top talents to combat the spy network, including Rong Jinzhen (Cheney Chen), an autistic math genius forced to leave academia. Alongside cryptographer Di Li (Ying Er), Jinzhen begins his dangerous mission to crack the code, often finding unexpected help from Shen Yu Er (Ady An), a young woman from a fishing village. As Jinzhen and his fellow cryptographers navigate intense espionage training and life-threatening challenges, they race against time to unravel the mysterious "Purple Secret" communication system. This is a 2016 Chinese drama series directed by Atkins.

Rancangan