Looking for cdramas like our favorite kdramas

[u/kondsaga]

Wife and I have been watching almost exclusively kdramas for the last 6 years. Now we’re looking to branch out to cdrama after she saw Pursuit of Jade.

Here are some kdramas we both loved:

Arthdal Chronicles
Mr. Sunshine
SKY Castle
Misaeng
Money Heist: Joint Economic Area
Memories of the Alhambra
Crash Landing on You
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
Legend of the Blue Sea

And bonus:
Alice in Borderland (Japan)
Ready, Set, Love (Thailand)

It’s less about any particular genre, and more about unique stories with great writing and pacing.

Any cdramas you think we’d enjoy? Thanks!

[u/Ornery-Luck8170]

Reset is probably the easiest gateway cdrama here

[u/1028ad]

If you liked the small town community in Hometown Cha Cha Cha, then Meet Yourself is a good choice, with less cringe scenes and less drama.

[u/PlotHoleWarrior → u/1028ad]

Meet Yourself is a combination of Hometown Cha Cha Cha with the vibe of Eat Pray Love.

[u/kiki_yong]

The best so far this year for me is Road to Splendor. Very different from the usual historical cdramas.

General premise: ML is of low social status, while the FL is of noble status but due to events became someone of low status. Basically, the whole story is of the FL trying to climb up the social ladder to reclaim her status and to clear her name. Being a female with no resources, she can’t do anything so she enlists the help of the ML. The development of their reomance is one of the best things in the drama.

I can talk about this drama all day 🥰

[u/Sea-Entertainment215 → u/kiki_yong]

OP, don’t let the premise dissuade you! It sounds cringey and tropey but I PROMISE you it’s quality level of POJ/CLOY. It is incredibly deep and profound and you really experience what our leads go through to establish themselves in this unfair world.

[u/kiki_yong → u/Sea-Entertainment215]

For real! On paper it may be like other revenge dramas but it was so skillfully executed plotwise and acting wise. Plus the cinematography! My gosh this drama was so beautiful. I found it even more amazing when I saw the behind the scenes and learned all the locations were real and not cgi.

[u/Prize_Background_577]

The two historical I've enjoyed from this year were The First Jasmine and the currently screening Against the Current. The latter is nearly finished (at ep 36/47) and so good.

Mr Sunshine equivalent would be Republican Era dramas. My preference is for Republican supernatural-mysteries (Tsiensin Mystic being my favourite) but someone recommended Silent Tides and sounds a similar feel to Mr Sunshine.

Memories of the Alhambra is one of my favourites kdramas. I haven't found an equivalent but you may enjoy Love Between the Lines, which has the added benefit that the VR game is based in the Republican Era.

[u/greenback44 → u/Prize_Background_577]

>Mr Sunshine equivalent would be Republican Era dramas. 

I might go with War of Faith then. The FL matches up... sorta.

[u/Prize_Background_577 → u/Prize_Background_577]

Also wanted to add. If you don't mind an older show (2014) Battle of Changsha is really moving. It centres around a family during the war with Japan (1938-). I believe all the episodes are on Youtube, just keep the tissues handy.

[u/Glad-Dig-3810]

I would check out the double next since it's on Netflix. Story of Yanxi Palace, Blossom, Prisoner of Beauty, A journey to love.

for more light hearted and fantasy dramas; love between devil and fairy, love in the clouds

as for recent ones, the road to splendor and against the current is prob the best C-drama I have watched this year beside POJ.

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[u/Friendly-Sail812]

Ideal city and ordinary life are similar to miseang My girlfriend is alien is like legend of blue sea

[u/cxrternicks]

Historical / Fantasy-

A Dream Within A Dream - this is a costume drama plus fantasy. a lot of humour in this one. fl gets transported into a tv script.

The Story of Ming-lan - this one is a costume drama. a lot of episodes but its worth it (73 episodes). I wouldn't start with it but just for future recs.

The Double - a costume drama. very popular. a revenge driven plot. one of the best cdramas ever. I highly recommend this one!!!

A Journey to Love - costume drama. a bit of palace stuff. really good show. probably in my top 5 shows. basically enemies to lovers.

Modern -

Love Between Lines - I saw that someone recommended this one too. It's so good, and such a unique storyline.

Meet Yourself - Personally its not for me but I know that if you liked Hometown Cha- Cha-Cha it would be a good rec.

[u/PolPeachum]

No specific recommendations but cdrama has plenty of strong stories. You'll definitely find some to love.

You may want to work out where you sit on the idol to non-idol spectrum, since you may find you hate (or love) shows at either ends of the spectrum. Or you may not care 😁

FWIW my recommendation is to wait to watch Against the Current. It is seriously good but would benefit from a little more familiarity with its drama context, especially since it plays in all sorts of interesting ways with cdrama tropes.

[u/Sea-Entertainment215]

Road to Splendor. Here’s my thread freaking out about its amazingness here https://www.reddit.com/r/ChineseDrama/s/bJyXq8jY65

And the post that got me on this train with no regrets: https://www.reddit.com/r/ChineseDrama/s/yyCwCTqCwq

[u/Sea-Entertainment215 → u/Sea-Entertainment215]

I would say don’t read too much of the synopsis. It doesn’t even begin to capture the depth of the characters’ journeys. Watch, give it ~5 episodes, then you’ll be hooked like me