New batch of Chinese dramas (2022 edition)
Disclaimer: The list is based on what I have watched. I am not following ‘release’ schedules or any other list.
The serial is from ‘I have absolutely loved watching every episodes, including OSTs and for some, even background music’ to gradually ‘I have watched and finished though the stories seemed a bit draggy, off beat, not so well interconnected’!
You can learn a lot about the use case of Chinese language by watching historical/mythical/historical-mythical dramas. But modern dramas are the best; they will be the first in the row. I now check modern dramas firstly to observe the language usage. Of course story, visuals, songs matter too.
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— Falling Into Your Smile
It has everything in it. Not even a single dull episode. Watch worthy many times yet guaranteed not to be bored at all. ‘Close to real scenarios of life’, comedy, romance, respect even for competitors and what not! I even learned about ‘Onmyoji Arena’ game and kinda liked some of the game characters as well. The ‘game play’ scenes are real treats for the eye. The team co-ordination is also noticeable. Of course happy ending. The background music during ‘game play’ part — I liked the most. OSTs of this drama didn’t really appeal me.
— Immortal Samsara
The relationship progress between female lead and male lead, many tiny moments are really indulging, the visuals and costumes for overall drama are spectacular. I have watched their relationship growing episodes more than once. The opening and ending songs are good, ending one is my favorite, ‘listening on repeat mode’ worthy. The ending may seem a bit sad to some. To me, it’s acceptable. In Youtube, they haven’t published the extra episodes; in extra episodes they are shown brought back to life.
— Love and Redemption
This is another drama that I was at first reluctant to even explore, then I just got hooked like crazy! Anything with phoenix theme — count me in. This drama is a bomb. The songs of this drama are top notch too. I really like the opening and ending songs of this drama. It’s a long ride but worth riding. Spoiler alert: Happy ending.
— Love Like The Galaxy
A masterpiece; one of a kind (I have seen a fair amount of dramas. I don’t get that easily impressed unless it’s really good, catchy!). It has everything. Slowly unfolds but never a dull moment; thoroughly weaved, no loose ends. Historical context yet nothing flashy, not even overly dramatized — it’s a classic. Really well prepared. It has only instrumentals, they are pleasure to ears. You can listen and visualize anything you want with it; the instrumentals are a mood in itself. Of course it has a happy ending.
— Mirror: A Tale of Two Cities
For me, merman (you have read it correct. It’s not mermaid, it’s truly merman and merfolk) themed first drama. The story — I have found it quite unique. Of course romantic but actions are plenty too. The opening instrumental and the ending song is delightful and heart piercing! Happy ending (I make sure that I choose dramas mostly with happy endings. I prefer to avoid crying while watching dramas. Also I watch them to enjoy something beautiful; in this case beautiful visuals, costumes. Yes! I am defending my drama choices here. Not so sure though how much sense it is making!)
— The Blue Whisper
Another masterpiece. Visuals are stunning; music are honey like; story is well weaved. Merman themed 2nd drama that I have watched. Action sequences are well choreographed too. A bit short but happy ending.
— Word of Honor
This drama has a ‘The Untamed’ kinda vibe (I have mentioned this drama in my previous post) though the story details are quite different. There are zombies too but not as much as it was in the ‘The Untamed’. It’s not like traditional romantic story but still can hold attention till the end. Here I liked the opening song the most. A bit short but yeah! Happy ending. I don’t know why they tend to make the endings significantly short compared to the whole drama! Maybe they get tired after producing all these episodes!!
— Miss The Dragon
Anything dragonish — count me in here too. I was not so hopeful about this one as well; literally I was ignoring it. As usual, turns out quite attention grabbing; pleasing songs, visuals are also mention worthy. Both couples are cute. The story — at first I kinda didn’t like a lot, the later episodes are most interesting to me. Can’t claim a typical happy ending; it’s sort of happy.
— A Romance of The Little Forest
This drama is awesome, pure bliss. Another masterpiece. Countless repeat watch worthy moments! The romance and the comedy points are totally cracking, I laughed till my belly ached. The songs are awesome, put in the loop and totally ‘lose yourself in the work’ type. Visuals are so stunning here that I literally drooled at every scene. It’s totally an eye candy. I really loved the ending here. It is lighthearted and yet has it all.
— The oath of love
I think this is my first medical themed romantic Chinese drama. It’s not very big in terms of number of episodes but a sweet story. Many cute moments. A healthy balance was there between main leads and second leads. It’s also in modern set up. I love the family dynamics shown here. Yes! It’s scripted still it was a delight to watch all those scenes. Songs are good, though didn’t make it to my ultimate playlist. Yes! It has a happy ending too, a way too much sweet, predictable ending. Sometimes it’s just more comfortable to watch something predictable. It has its own charm to it.
— Lost in the Kunlun Mountains
The tone of this drama is a bit serious. Treasure hunting type. Romantic? Yes! With romance it is mixed with discovering the way to the ultimate treasure. The visuals are nice here too. I love to see different Chinese regions through watching dramas. Basically ‘greed no matter how much sugarcoated it is, always leads to destruction’, this drama is a reminder of this ancient wisdom in a modern set up. ‘A bit confusing, may seem not so well explained too’ happy ending. Side stories were quite interesting on their own.
— Love Designer
Tried to represent mature romance (of course dramatically), weaved with fashions tits and bits. Though the characters wore them mostly, not so many ‘making scenes of clothes’ (I kinda expected this part when I began watching it). To me, I kinda lost interest in the long run. I haven’t finished watching till the end. Still keeping it in the list because I have seen more than half episodes of it; actually I was that close to finish it and then I stopped watching and moved onto next drama. Someone may like it till the end. The story is good. Modern set up; I have told myself to consider it as a listening practice for my Chinese language learning process. The modern dramas are loaded with conversational tones and uses of the regular Chinese language which is amazing!
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These two drama (the last ones in this list) are about either ‘above my head’ concepts or ‘below my interest level or taste level’. That’s all I can say for these two. I am mentioning these because I have finished watching them and they have their fans too. Someone may like it, who knows! May even love it.
— Love Better Than Immortality
I was looking for ways to numb myself; was stuck in a downward spiral. I decided to be a drama drunkard and I watched this drama. The story — it seems to me a bit loosely weaved. I kinda watched it just to keep me busy, occupied, and not really hooked. Romantic but the relationship development — nope, not so attention grabbing. No favorite songs. Happy ending if it means being together at the end!
— Love of Thousand Years
This one also didn’t make it to my favorite list. I wasn’t hooked to it even at the end. Another drama to numb myself out. I deliberately binged. I stayed wide awake and watched it until I was really sleepy. I won’t recommend doing this kind of stuff to someone else. I was testing myself, my self-sabotage nature or habit — how far I can self-sabotage myself. Do I have a limit mechanism available or not? No ‘hit into the heart’ type songs here too. A bit confusing happy ending.
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An update on my ‘binge watch tendency’:
I am working to tone it really down in the upcoming year, 2023. So this is my last post including so many dramas in one post. I have made a list of 6 dramas for ‘2023 watch list’ and I am planning to stick with my new list and spend more time investing in my design skill developing bucket. Of course I will be writing; it’s just that the list will be shorter.
Lastly, thank you for reading. Also feel free to check out these dramas if you feel interested. They are all available in Youtube and yes! They have English subtitles.
I will see you soon in another post! Till then, take care. ❤
