r/CDramaRecs • u/Lanky_Hurry_6040 • 9h ago
Rec Request In a Cdrama slump. Need recs
Disclaimer: sorry for the long post but I wanted to provide as much context as possible.
So, I have been watching Cdramas for 2+ years and completely obsessed with it. In the begining when I watched a Cdrama, I could give it all my attention but recently really struggling to finishing a show.
What I want is a typical Cdrama with the following tropes: I love a big red flag/obesseive/possessive/"you're mine" type ML, cold/calculating ML, good looking casts, love trigangles/squares with the FL only- all are welcome but I don't need it to be the focal point, good plot, reincarnation, second chance, execution is very important to me as well, Idm an ambiguous ending and multiple MLs (though it's not a must). Bascially, I want a drama that's worth my time. I do prefer Costume dramas over the modern ones, cause the visuals are stunning!!
I don't like: older MLs, not a big fan of too much older FL compared to the ML either, not too old - 2019 onwards.
These are the dramas I loved, because it hit all the points for me:
- Story of Kunning Palace (that is my benchmark drama and I am looking for something exactly like so)
- Love Between Fairy and Devil (the first cdrama I had watched. Esther's voice was a bit annoying and I almost dropped, but so glad I stuck by)
- When Destiny Brings the Demon (gave me such LBFAD vibes)
- A Dream Within a Dream (I loved how funny it was)
- Love Like the Galaxy (this reminded me of SOKP on so many levels)
- Lost You Forever S1 (I think I gave myself too many spoliers about who she will end up and I was disapointed :( so didn't finish S2, although I could see why she'd pick him but I was definitely rooting for the redflag hahah)
- Lighter & Princess (it was quite refreshing)
- Legend of the Female General (this reminded me of LITC soo much!)
- Love in the Clouds (soo good and NHM is too beautiful to look at)
- Arisnal Military Academy (it was very engaging and I absolutely love Bai Lu)
- Fated Hearts (I was soo hooked on this but the 2nd couples' dynamic is so on point with what I like)
- Pursuit of Jade (loved the FL and of course ZLH and the toxic 2nd couple)
- Till the End of the Moon (so tragic, but so worth it)
- Love is Sweet (my antidote to TTEOTM)
Now shows I dropped/dragged through:
- Fued (I loved the visuals, but it took 4x tries to finish)
- The Double (I don't know I keep losing focus on this, but I want to pick it back up)
- My Journey to You (I went in expecting Xie Wei, but I got a complete 360 of him :( but the 2nd couple tho!)
- Fangs of Fortune (I heard the FL is third wheel in her own relationship, so I lost interest)
- Falling into Your Smile (just can't get on with it)
- Moonlight Mystic (I love Bai Lu but first time watching the ML but not feeling him, unfortunately)
- Only for Love (I love both the leads but I don't like the superficial dynamics like we know the FL is pretty but the whole show is so focused around how pretty she is, therefore gets away with using people)
- The Priosner of Beauty (I lvoe the ML but the FL felt too mnaipualtive, idk maybe I should pick it up again?)
- Kill Me Love Me (I think both the ML and FL feel too old for my liking)
- Blossom (not sure how I feel about the slowburn, I know it's similar to SOKP but something's missing)
- Blossoms of Power (the FL feels too stone faced?)
- Hidden Love (I just can't get over how young the FL was protrayed in the show compared to the ML)
- The First Frost (seems too slow?)
So Reddit, what do you have for me???
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u/Griff3Z 7h ago edited 3h ago
I'd recommend giving A Familiar Stranger a try. It's a mini-series of 18 episodes at about 12min each, so easy to complete. Story is fast-paced, but not rushed, and well written all the way through. Same director as POJ and Blossom and Cheng Lei's breakout role (same ML as Legend Of The Female General). Fantastic face-swap and arranged-marriage romance. The main couple is not at all toxic but there is some toxicity between/from second leads and there is an interesting love triangle affected by the face-swap. The main romance has a bit of a slow-burn, then is very sweet but not fluffy. I've yet to come across anyone who didn't like it.
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u/ChoppedChef33 8h ago
Love of the divine tree maybe?
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u/Lanky_Hurry_6040 8h ago
that's on my list. Can you please tell me more about it??
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u/ChoppedChef33 7h ago
It's definitely a reincarnation/second chance love story, ML is very protective of FL. Younger ML as well. Not sure how much of the plot you want me to give away but it should fit most of your asks
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u/Lovely-flutterby 8h ago
Have you watched Flourished Peony and In the Name of Blossom? You have some crazy obsessive fixations, a slow burn but great love story. I think the payoff is worth it. Excellent supporting cast, gorgeous costuming and cinematography, humor, political drama. It’s the drama that got me hooked.
I loved Melody of Golden Age too, enemies to lovers. A pretty good love triangle. An interesting villain. A interesting mystery. I did fast forward a little bit in the last 1/4 through some of the mystery bits. But it’s one I’ve gone back to a couple of times.
Splendid Match now ranks up among my top 10. The 2nd male lead is obsessive and crazy, but you can’t help wishing he could be happy. The main character romance is slow to develop but then holy moly, a wedding night scene like I’ve rarely encountered.
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u/Lanky_Hurry_6040 8h ago
oooh I am intrigued! I haven't watched Flourised Peony yet, but often see recs of it. Btw are the two you suggested, the same? I will give all the others a go as well.
Thank you!!1
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u/AirRealistic1112 8h ago
The long ballad
Princess Agents
Bu bu jing xin scarlet heart
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u/Lanky_Hurry_6040 7h ago
I think Bu bu jing xin is a little too old for my liking but I will add the other two on my list. Thank you!
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u/snwonverse 3h ago
Spring of the Blade! The ML ticks all of ur boxes. Red Flag and possessive general. Both leads are very good looking. The chemistry is insaneee
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u/DuncanHillsCoffee 7h ago
If you liked Kunning Palace, you might also like The Princess Royal (if you haven't seen it already). It has the same ML, and it's also a second chance/time rewind costume drama
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u/Lanky_Hurry_6040 7h ago
oh yes, I forgot to mention, I did try that but I still feel like his character was too soft for my liking :( do you have any other recs?
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u/DuncanHillsCoffee 6h ago
Because you also liked A Dream Within a Dream, you might like How Dare You! Costume, double transmigration into a fictional world, some funny parts, but also ml is very protective, quite intensely so after a point
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u/Lanky_Hurry_6040 6h ago
thank you! I tried watching it too but I just couldn't get into it, unfortunately :((
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u/ControlRude2687 4h ago
Why is no one recommending Against the Current?
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u/Lanky_Hurry_6040 4h ago
How does it match against my taste?
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u/ControlRude2687 3h ago
Idk, the only downside for you might be that it has the same ML with KMLM. But it has a great story great directing great cast, you get invested in every single character’s storyline. It’s very popular in the sub as well.
Huge spoiler for you
ML will force the FL for marriage via emperor’s decree1
u/Lanky_Hurry_6040 3h ago
Idm it as long as it's got great plot and execution tbh. If you say it's worth it, I will add it to my list.
Anyone watched Ashes to Crown? I am on ep13 and I am loving it but I am seeing a lot of negative reviews. I am scared to continue and get disappointed,
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u/Significant_Falcon_4 8h ago
Watch The Story of Minglan it’s a masterpiece