2023 Chinese Costume Dramas List That Worth Watching

In 2022, plenty of wonderful Chinese costume dramas accompany us. For example, the military and espionage drama "The Wind Blows From Longxi" based on the Three Kingdoms period; "Luoyang" and "Strange Legend of Tang Dynasty" set in the Tang Dynasty; "A Dream of Splendor" set in the Song Dynasty; "Imperial Cuisine" and "The Imperial Age" with the Ming Dynasty background; and the latest Qing Dynasty theme drama "The Long River".

There are still some dramas in the 2022 to-broadcast list that have not yet aired, check them out here.

The following is a list of Chinese costume dramas in 2023, as compiled by Newhanfu.

Destined · 长风渡 (Aired)

• Aired: June 18, 2023
• Also known as: Chang Feng Du
• Period Background: Alternative Reality
• Genres: Historical, Romance
• Main Role: Bai Jing Ting as Gu Jiusi, Song Yi as Liu Yuru, Liu Xue Yi as Luo Zishang

Plot summary of Destined

The drama "Destined" is based on Mo Shubai’s novel of the same name.

Liu Yuru (柳玉茹, played by Song Yi), the daughter of a cloth merchant, has been suffering from her mother's illness, her concubine mother's lack of mercy, and her father's lack of attention since she was a child, so she has to be careful and be a model girl for more than ten years.

Unexpectedly, Liu Yuru was arranged by her family to marry Gu Jiusi (顾九思, played by Bai Jingting), a famous dandy from Yangzhou. Gu Jiusi misunderstood that Liu Yuru married him in order to attach the powerful and sneered at her. Liu Yuru suddenly realized that she could not connect fate with marriage and others. She decided to follow Gu's mother to learn the business and realize her self-worth truthfully, independently, and wonderfully. After hard work, Liu Yuru gradually became proficient in business. In the process, she found Gu Jiusi's kind, enthusiastic and sincere side, the relationship also becomes closer.

However, at this time, Yangzhou regional military governors was perverse, resulting in the displacement of the people, and the whole Gu family had no choice but to flee. Looking at thousands of displaced people, Gu Jiusi grew up overnight. In order to end the chaos and let the people live in peace, Gu Jiushi started as a constable and then became the minister of household affairs.

He and like-minded people eliminated the accumulated ills and lighted taxation and duty. Liu Yuru, on the other hand, built charity inside and business associations outside, making the materials prosperous and the people well. The two wrote a good story of prosperity together.

 

Wonderland of Love · 乐游原

• Also known as: Le You Yuan
• Period Background: Alternative Reality
• Genres: Historical, Romance
• Main Role: Xu Kai as Li Yi, Jing Tian as Cui Lin

Plot summary of Wonderland of Love

In the cdrama "Wonderland of Love", the court was in turmoil and imperial power fell, the imperial grandson who guarded the border gate Li Ni (李嶷, played by Xu Kai) was forced to take on the responsibility of suppressing the rebellion.

Li Ni and Cui Lin (崔琳, played by Jing Tian), the only daughter of the general who hides her true identity, each led an army and were involved in the strife. The two fought openly and secretly in many forces, using novel ways to win. In several times of cross swords, they met their matches in a contest and were thirsty to get together with each other but hurt each other's feelings, acting a romantic love story that rivers and mountains as a bride price, double strong together to go to the happy tour.

 

The Fated General · 霍去病传奇

• Also known as: Huo Qu Bing Chuan Qi
• Period Background: Western Han Dynasty
• Genres: Historical, Political, Adventure, War
• Main Role: Zhang Ruoyun as Huo Qu Bing, Rachel Momo as Zhen'E, Bai Yu as Bo Li

Plot summary of The Fated General

The drama is based on the "Records of the Grand Historian" and the "Book of the Han Dynasty", and tells the story of the "god of war" Huo Qu Bing’s heroic military exploits, and the mysterious life behind his reputation.

Huo Qu Bing (霍去病, played by Zhang Ruoyun) became from an illegitimate son of a slave to a relative of the emperor by coincidence. He seized the opportunity and practiced the skill, becoming a young heroic man of outstanding courage and wisdom.

As the northern border suffered from repeated invasions by the slave rulers, the frontier people suffered unendurably. Emperor Wu of Han decided to launch a counterattack by attacking instead of defending. Seventeen-year-old Huo Qu Bing join into battle with army. He won the battle in some amazing ways, became famous for his surprising victories.

With the full support of the Han court, Huo Qu Bing began to display his talent, led his elite division deep into the desert in successive series of duels with the Xiongnu. He achieved a glorious record of battling five Xiongnu kingdoms in six days. Especially in the process of accepting the surrender of the Hunnu Evil King, Huo Qubing rode alone into the enemy camp and made vigorous efforts to turn the situation, and successfully completed the surrender, showing beyond the imagination of courage and courage, which can be called a generation of military god. Finally, Huo Qubing completely defeated the main forces of the Xiongnu rulers, established outstanding military exploits, and achieved peace in northern for generations.

 

Silk-washing Stream · 浣溪沙

• Also known as: Huan Xi Sha
• Period Background: Spring and Autumn Period
• Genres: Historical, Political, Romance, Adventure
• Main Role: Tong Li Ya as Xi Shi, Han Geng as Fan Li, Peter Ho as Fu Chai, Chen Du Ling as Zheng Dan

Plot summary of Silk-washing Stream

The drama tells the history of revenge and hegemony between Wu and Yue over a period of ten years, and the story between Xi Shi (西施, played by Tong Li Ya), Fan Li (范蠡, played by Han Geng), Fu Chai (夫差, played by Peter Ho) and Zheng Dan (played by Chen Du Ling).

In 494 BC, the state of Yue (越) was defeated by the state of Wu (吴). King Goujian (勾践) of Yue entered Wu as a slave for three years and suffered great humiliation. After returning to his country, Goujian made great efforts to restore his kingdom by appointing virtuous ministers Wen Zhong and Fan Li, and Wenzhong presented "nine ways to fight against Wu".

An silk-washing girl that was originally ordinary Xi Shi was willing not to be a subjugated slave so she bided farewell to her lover Fan Li and went to the state of Wu. When Wu king Fu Chai and his minister were wary and vigilant of Goujian and repeatedly sound him, Xi Shi often learned in time and sent letters to warn, and Fan Li and others tried to solve it so they turned the danger into safety.

The state of Yue was hiding its ability and accumulate popular support, but the state of Wu only wants to do great things and they crusade without limit. Later, one is rising and the other is falling, the national strength of Wu and Yue was obviously getting almost the same. Goujian finally seizes the opportunity of Fu Chai's northern expedition, broke through Gusu, and completed the restoration of the country.

While respecting history, the story also expresses the legend that Xi Shi and Fan Li know each other and fall in love and sacrifice themselves for the overall situation.

 

Unchained Love · 浮图缘 (Aired)

• Aired: December 27, 2022
• Also known as: Fu Tu Yuan, Floating on the Edge
• Period Background: Alternative Reality
• Genres: Historical, Political, Romance, Adventure
• Main Role: Dylan Wang as Xiao Duo, Chen Yu Qi as Bu Yin Lou

Plot summary of Unchained Love

Based on the ancient romance novel of the same name by You Si Jie, the drama tells the story of Xiao Duo, a powerful eunuch, and Bu Yin Lou, a talented man who should have been buried alive with the dead.

During the Longhua period, the powerful eunuch Xiao Duo (肖铎, played by Dylan Wang) and King Fu planned the palace revolution to help him ascend to the throne of the emperor.

The talented Bu Yinlou (步音楼, played by Chen Yu Qi), who was supposed to be a martyr for the previous emperor, was favored by the emperor to be rescued by Xiao Duo. Later, she was placed in Xiao's mansion. The two got along day and night and gradually lost their hearts to each other, but they had to hide their feelings due to their identity.

Xiao Duo went to Jiangnan to supervise the silk and satin transactions with the foreign country. Yinlou went with him to visit her relatives. During this period, the two fell in love with each other and finally showed their hearts, but there were many obstacles ahead. Xiao Duo's real identity, the threat of the king of Nanyuan, and the suppression of the emperor in the palace, any accident would lead to the disaster of killing.

Yinlou sacrificed herself for the overall situation and decided to enter the palace. Xiao Duo didn't know what was going on and misunderstood her. The people who originally loved each other hide their miss and feel very painful. What on earth was the fate between them?

 

Peace in Palace, Peace in Chang'An · 天下长安

• Also known as: Tian Xia Chang An
• Period Background: Tang Dynasty
• Genres: Historical, Political
• Main Role: Zhang Han Yu as Wei Zheng, Qin Jun Jie as Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Xue Jian as Emperor Gaozu of Tang

Plot summary of "Peace in Palace, Peace in Chang'An"

The drama is adapted from Dong Zhe's novel "Li Shimin: From Xuanwumen to Chang'an".

At the end of the Sui Dynasty and the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, Chinese history experienced a period of turbulent struggle. During this period, Li Yuan and his sons, whose state name was "Tang", stood out and occupied Guanzhong and set their capital in Chang'an. After defeating other separatist forces one by one, they unified the Central Plains and started the prosperous era of the Tang Dynasty in Chinese history that was comparable to the Han Dynasty from then.

Li Shimin (李世民, played by Qin Jun Jie) made great contributions in the process of the rise of the Tang Dynasty, but his father Li Yuan (李渊, played by Li Xue Jian) never awarded the crown prince to Li Shimin, which directly caused the deteriorating relationship between Prince Li Jiancheng and Prince Li Shimin. Finally, Li Shimin was forced to launch the "Xuanwu Gate Incident", killed Li Jiancheng, and forced Li Yuan to abdicate.

Wei Zheng (魏征, played by Zhang Han Yu) is the representative of the vast number of intellectuals in the late Sui and early Tang Dynasties. He experienced the suffering of the war and chaos of the people of common people and he has lofty ambitions and aspirations. He hopes that he can help the wise emperor unify the Central Plains, create the "Rule of Wen and Jing" again, and reproduce the prosperous era of the Tang Dynasty. Fate was not going well, and the three monarchs assisted by Wei Zheng died in Chang'an one after another. But the broad-minded Li Shimin still put Wei Zheng in high regard. Taking history as a mirror, the king and ministers joined hands to realize the "Peace in Palace, Peace in Chang'An".

 

Zhuo Zhuo Feng Liu · 灼灼风流 (Aired)

• Aired: August 20, 2023
• Period Background: Alternative Reality
• Genres: Historical, Political, Romance, Adventure
• Main Role: Jing Tian as Mu Zhuo Hua, Feng Shao Feng as Liu Yan, Wang Li Kun as Princess Rou Jia

Plot summary of Zhuo Zhuo Feng Liu

Adapted from the novel "Ceng Feng Liu", the drama tells the story of Mu Zhuo Hua (慕灼华, played by Jing Tian), a female official who broke away from the traditional fate of women and studied with great difficulty to seek a career, she breaking away from the power of ancient rituals and escaping from marriage to enter the capital to seek a career as a beginning. Then she meet Liu Yan (刘衍, played by Feng Shao Feng), who met the battlefield failure but not depressed, endured illness and eliminated grievances.

From the beginning they used each other for their own purposes, to become a legendary story of guarding the world together, they created a new situation in which women can also join the court as officials.

 

Winner Is King · 烽火流金

• Also known as: Feng Huo Liu Jin
• Period Background: Alternative Reality
• Genres: Historical, Political, Adventure
• Main Role: Tan Jian Ci as Gu Yun/Shen Shi Liu, Chen Zhe Yuan as Chang Geng/Li Min

Plot summary of Winner Is King

Adapted from Sha Po Lang, the drama tells the story of Gu Yun (顾昀, played by Tan Jian Ci) and the fourth prince that left behind among the folk Chang Geng (长庚, played by Chen Zhe Yuan), to grow up together and realize their personal aspirations. Young Chang Geng was rescued by Shen Shiliu when he encountered wolves, so he recognized him as his adoptive father to repay his kindness.

In the barbaric race’s sneak attack, Chang Geng suddenly found that he was the fourth prince of Daxuan surprisingly, and Shen Shiliu was the commander of Xuantie Camp Gu Yun. Gu Yun repulsed the barbaric races and brought Chang Geng into the capital.

The new emperor Li Feng ascended the throne, his foundation was not stable but he was eager to make a difference. The king of Wei coveted the throne and created a crisis. Da Xuan was weak for a long time and was attacked by enemies on all sides. Gu Yun struggled to resist foreign enemies, and Chang Geng worked hard to eliminate the accumulated malpractices. In the end, the country was safe and stable for a long time.

 

Echo of Her Voice · 幻乐森林

• Also known as: Huan Yue Sen Lin
• Period Background: Alternative Reality
• Genres: Historical, Fantasy, Romance
• Main Role: Xu Jia Qi as Su Ruo Fei, Wei Zhe Ming as Yun Mu

Plot summary of Echo of Her Voice

Everyone in Dongsheng mainland likes rhythm. The young Yun Mu (云沐, played by Wei Zhe Ming) is famous for loving music, but no one knows that he has amazing secrets. He went to Yunyao to recruit a musician, but was attracted by a piece of music by Su Ruo Fei (苏若非, played by Xu Jia Qi), the owner of the Music Square, he accidentally found that she means extraordinarily to himself, so he tempted her to be his private musician. Unexpectedly, the fate of the two had long been entangled.

 

Romance of a Twin Flower · 春闺梦里人 (Aired)

• Aired: March 21, 2023
• Also known as: Chun Gui Meng Li Ren
• Period Background: Alternative Reality
• Genres: Historical, Romance
• Main Role: Ding Yu Xi as Ning Yu Xuan, Peng Xiao Ran as Ji Man / Nie Sang Yu

Plot summary of Romance of a Twin Flower

The drama is adapted from Bailu Chengshuang's novel of the same name.

Ji Man (季曼, played by Peng Xiaoran), who grew up in Haifang as a child, was originally a carefree girl and lived a happy life at will. Unexpectedly, an accident occurred during a trip to the capital. When she woke up again she became the wife of Ning Yu Xuan (宁钰轩, played by Ding Yuxi). Ji Man not only had to bear the humiliation of being divorced by Ning Yuxuan but also faced the danger of her life. In order to get out of the predicament, Ji Man decided to escape from Ning mansion on her own ability. But at this time, Ning Yu Xuan was deeply imprisoned and assigned to Haifang. Ji Man followed him to go together in order to realize her business dream.

In Haifang, Ji Man assisted Ning Yu Xuan in relieving the victims, punishing evil, and promoting good, and Ji Man also opened his own rouge shop with the support of Ning Yu Xuan.

Along the way, the two deeply fell in love with each other. When Ning Yuxuan and Ji Man marry, Ji Man's birth is revealed. Her father is the leader of the tea gang who killed Ning Yu Xuan's father. The two lovers go their separate ways in the face of their father’s hatred. Two years later the two met again. Facing the past, how should they choose again?

 

Lu Xiang Yuan Han Yuan Chuan · 露香园韩媛传

• Period Background: Ming Dynasty
• Genres: Historical, Romance, Business
• Main Role: William Chan as Gu Shouqian, Song Yi as Han Ximeng

Plot summary of Lu Xiang Yuan Han Yuan Chuan

During the Ming Dynasty, Gu Mingshi excavated a pond and used the stones he found to build the Luxiang Garden. The women of the Gu family were skilled in embroidery, with Miao Ruiyun being the most accomplished, and Gu Embroidery became well-known. Gu Mingshi admired Miao's embroidery work, and Gu Huihai tried to get her to take over the Gu family embroidery workshop so he can eventually the Lixiang Garden.

However, Gu Mingshi favored his great-grandson Gu Shouqian, who had learned the true art of embroidery from Dong Qichang as a child. Dong Qichang founded the Danfeng Painting Garden, and Gu Shouqian temporarily took over as head of the workshop. Han Ximeng stood out in the painting exam, and she aspired to become a female teacher.

After many twists and turns, Han Ximeng married into the Lixiang Garden. Miao Ruiyun saw that Han Ximeng had great skill in embroidery, and privately taught her the Gu Embroidery needlework, which Lady Gu strongly opposed. With the help of Gu Shouqian, Han Ximeng was able to study the Gu Embroidery needlework and created a new style of embroidery-painting combination that became famous throughout the world. Merchants opened embroidery shops and competed to buy Gu Embroidery products.

The Gong family was jealous of the Gu family's reputation and spread rumors after the death of a Western Region merchant. They also united with other embroidery shop owners to boycott Gu Embroidery products, intending to destroy the Gu family. Lixiang Garden declined, and Gu Shouqian's fate remains unknown. Han Ximeng passed on her skills to her disciples behind a curtain, and the art of Gu Embroidery was passed down outside the Gu family. Han Ximeng became a renowned female craftsman of her time.

 

The Emperor's Love · 倾城亦清欢

• Also known as: Qing Cheng Yi Qing Huan
• Period Background: Alternative Reality
• Genres: Historical, Romance
• Main Role: Wallace Chung as Zhan Qing Cheng, Yuan Bing Yan as Feng Qing Huan

Plot summary of The Emperor's Love

The protagonist of "The Emperor's Love" is Zhan Qing Cheng, a skilled strategist with a short lifespan, who also serves as the leader of the mysterious Tianzun Sect in the martial arts world. Feng Qing Huan is the daughter of the Feng family, who pretends to be foolish in order to protect herself. She is a highly skilled and wise modern scholar in the field of medicine.

The constantly changing identities of the characters, coupled with the intrigues and strategies of the court, the free-spirited life of the martial arts world, and the brutal and merciless nature of the battlefield, not only depict the grand ideals of patriotism, but also incorporate the dramatic element of sacrificing oneself for love.

 

The Prisoner of Beauty · 折腰

• Also known as: Zhe Yao, Feng Huo Hong Xiao
• Period Background: Alternative Reality
• Genres: Historical, Romance
• Main Role: Song Zu Er as Qiao Man / Xiao Qiao, Liu Yu Ning as Wei Shao, Xuan Lu as Su E Huang

Plot summary of The Prisoner of Beauty

In times of chaos, after experiencing the pain of losing his father and brothers, Wei Shao, a man of keen insight and strategic ability, shouldered the heavy responsibility of his family. When he led his clan to avenge the past massacre, he discovered that what the people truly desired was not revenge and warfare, but rather peace.

For the sake of the people's livelihood, he sent a marriage proposal to the Qiao family, who had betrayed the Wei family in the past, and the young Qiao Man was forced to marry him. It was rumored that Wei Shao was an aggressive demon addicted to conquest, and Qiao Man knew deep down that his marriage to her was just a ploy to ease hostilities, so she lived cautiously in Wei's family, like walking on thin ice.

After experiencing many crises, Qiao Man and Wei Shao gradually became attracted to each other's intelligence, strategy, and open-mindedness, but the enmity between the previous generation always loomed between them, creating a barrier to their marital relationship.

When the Wei family faced a life-or-death crisis, Qiao Man vowed to defend the city to the death and won the hearts of both the Wei family and Wei Shao. In the end, the two truly fell in love and, with their mutual understanding, resolved the conflicts within the family, working together to restore peace and tranquility to the people.

 

Love Under the Floral Rain · 半城花雨伴君离

• Also known as: Ban Cheng Hua Yu Ban Jun Li
• Period Background: Alternative Reality
• Genres: Historical, War, Romance
• Main Role: Sebrina Chen as Hua Zhu Yu, Leon Leong as Feng Jun Li

Plot summary of Love Under the Floral Rain

Within the borders of Qi, there is a renowned figure who dominates the frontiers and whose musical talents are said to awe the entire army - named Hua Zhu Yu. As the only daughter of General Huamu, her beauty is unrivaled, and her mastery of both military tactics and music is unparalleled. Despite her arrogant demeanor on the battlefield, she possesses the same romantic and innocent qualities as her peers.

During her childhood, she inadvertently rescued a solitary and eccentric boy, who suddenly appeared and then disappeared from her life. He became the source of comfort that she yearned for in her heart. Many years later, Hua Zhu Yu was bestowed in marriage to the Left Minister of the Arm, Feng Jun Li. However, on the night of her grand wedding, the Huamu family was accused of wrongdoing and suffered a sudden downfall. Huazhe Yu received a letter of divorce and was forced to go to the enemy state for a political marriage.

The family's unjust suffering made Hua Zhu Yu hide and scheme within the palace as she navigated the treacherous political landscape. As the mysteries surrounding the imperial court deepened, she and Feng Jun Li worked together to uncover the truth behind the massacre of her family. This time, she recognized him was the boy she rescued. They were no longer fighting alone, for they had each other, and together, they will conquer any obstacles that lie ahead.

Su Ji · 苏记

• Period Background: Alternative Reality
• Genres: Historical, Political, Romance
• Main Role: Landy Li as Su Li Li, Zhu Zheng Ting as Qi Feng Xiang

Plot summary of Su Ji

Su Li Li is a young woman who manages the Su family's coffin shop. Two aristocrats suddenly enter her life, pulling her into a struggle involving family and country.

In this chaotic world, three young men and women, each harboring secrets and grudges, develop a unique kind of affection. Qi Feng Xiang cannot explain why he has fallen for Su Li Li, but he senses a fatal attraction between them. Meanwhile, Su Li Li follows Qi Feng Xiang with trepidation, unable to leave this man exuding a dangerous aura. The fate of these three individuals is intertwined, and their unwavering commitment to love ultimately leads them to make their final choices.

 

Faithful · 九义人 (Aired)

• Aired: September 15, 2023
• Also known as: Jiu Yi Ren
• Period Background: Alternative Reality
• Genres: Historical, Mystery
• Main Role: Janice Wu as Meng Wan, Li Jia Hang as Liu Xin, Qiao Zhen Yu as Wu Lian, Hu Yi Xuan as Lin Ru Lan

Plot summary of Faithful

he young woman Lin Rulan risked her reputation by accusing the owner of an embroidery house, Wu Lian, but her report was dismissed on all fronts, leading her to take her own life to prove her innocence. Seven years later, nine people with intricate connections to Rulan's case came together for different reasons and embarked on a quest for revenge, ultimately seeking justice for Rulan's tragedy.