While Gu Xue Jiao (Sun Zhen Ni) originally dreamed of being a top student, she couldn't help but get swept away by ideas of romance, and she eventually failed her college entrance exams. Even though she got a job, she consistently underperformed, resulting in her boss Lin Zhi Hua (Chen Jing Ke) firing her. When Xue Jiao confronts him, a strange incident transports her back in time to her third year of high school!
Xue Jiao is determined to change her future, dedicating her life to studying and making wiser choices based on her experiences as an adult – like finding past-Zhi Hua and roping him into becoming her tutor. Will Xue Jiao's second chance succeed, and will her relationship with Zhi Hua become something different in this timeline?
This drama was adapted from the web novel "Tan Lian Ai Bu Ru Shang Qing Hua" by Shi Wei Tu.
Prince Nan Chen becomes famous in his youth from making great achievements in battle. He is determined to be loyal to his country and his rigorous style and modesty are praised by the world.
The only daughter of the Cui family, Shi Yi is born to be the future crown princess. Because of her family friendship with the palace, she is sent to the palace to study art from her elders.
Cui Shi Yi’s kind-hearted, lovely, lively and intelligent personality is deeply adored by everyone in the palace. She is also very fast in learning skills and livens up the palace.
While getting to know each other, Cui Shi Yi admires Zhou Sheng Chen’s lofty ambitions and refined character, and falls in love with him unknowingly.
Whether it is staying at the palace waiting for a victory or fighting alongside Zhou Sheng Chen, Cui Shi Yi is Zhou Sheng Chen’s strongest supporter.
The emotions of the two warm up quickly, but they still remain courteous. The border was in an emergency again, and Zhou Sheng Chen was obliged to lead the soldiers to the battle. At the same time, Cui Shi Yi had to take the responsibility of the family reputation and marry the Crown prince.
Zhou Sheng Chen fights bravely against the enemy, becomes seriously injured and dies after leaving his last words to Shi Yi.
When Shiyi (Played by Bai Lu), a sweet, low-key but talented voice actress, meets the elegant Zhousheng Chen (Played by Allen Ren), an oversea returnee chemistry professor, at the airport for the first time, they felt a sense of familiarity. In order to save his family's business, Zhou agreed to his mother's terms and proposed to Shiyi, whom he had a crush on. During their time together, they started to fall for each other. Shiyi was always by his side when Zhousheng Chen faced difficult decisions. Later on, in order to save Zhousheng Chen who was framed, Shiyi became injured and fell unconscious. Zhousheng Chen took good care of Shiyi and she finally woke up; promising each other that they would never part ways in this life. (Synopsis from iQiYi)
Fifteen years ago, fate brought Mu Xiao Ru (Wen Mo Yan) and Yan Sui (Sky Li) together. Though their meeting was brief, both were left with memories that would stay with them the rest of their lives, and Xiao Ru was left with a little something more. Picking up a strange bracelet, Xiao Ru had no idea that in doing so, she would ultimately alter not only her fate, but the fate of countless universes as well.
Still fascinated by the bracelet she found more than a decade ago, Xiao Ru keeps it with her always. Completely unaware of the unique power it possesses, Xiao Ru might have been ignorant of that power forever, had she not wandered into a bookstore one fateful day. Activated by a mysterious flame, the bracelet pulls Xiao Ru into not just one parallel universe, but many. Traveling between these strange new worlds, Xiao Ru soon meets the very same Yan Sui, who she met all those years ago. Shocked by this unexpected meeting, Yan Sui initially tries to brush off this chance encounter. But it doesn’t take long for him to realize that the fate of these worlds is directly connected to Xiao Ru’s sudden appearance.
Determined to save the worlds from the clutches of a growing evil and help Xiao Ru get back home, Yan Sui and Xiao Ru embark on a journey that will literally change all of their lives forever. But the evil that hunts them is relentless and it soon becomes apparent that they are quickly running out of time. Will good ultimately triumph over evil?
An epic adventure through multiple worlds, “Serendipity” is a 2021 fantasy adventure romance drama directed by Liu Ding Ye.
I'm four episodes in. Despite a bit of cheesy "It's taste" and "It's flavour" concerning a fried potato, I find myself rather enjoying this adventure. Unfortunately, there's no trailer to post (yet?).
Tang Ming Xuan (Zhang Han) is the workaholic general manager of the highly successful Ming Yuan Fashion Group. Married to his job, he is the consummate professional, and has all but resolved to remain single so he can focus his time and effort on making sure his business endeavours go off without a hitch.
But life changes forever on the day he meets Tang Fei (Xu Lu) at a design fair. She is a lively young woman with a passion for traditional embroidery, and plans to hone her skills by studying in Europe.
Although they adore spending time together, they refuse to consider the notion of changing their own long-set plans. So the day finally comes when Tang Fei must set off for Paris, and Tang Ming Xuan stays in China, working on his business plans.
But love will not be shunted aside so easily. And when the opportunity to launch a European fashion venture comes up, the duo let set to be reunited – as business partners...and perhaps more.
"Sunshine of My Life” is a 2021 Chinese drama series that was directed by Tien Jen Huang.
Two legal worlds collide when Luo Bin (Jin Dong) meets Dai Xi (Lan Ying Ying).
The former is one of the most focused lawyers in the business, and a senior partner at the prestigious Panorama Law Firm. For him, the job is all about winning cases and very little else.
Dai Xi, meanwhile, is the polar opposite. Deeply invested in her clients’ plights, she values empathy and understanding.
But when Dai Xi is charged with representing her best friend’s cause, she ends up at Panorama – and must work as Luo Bin’s assistant.
She joins the Panorama team, and together with Luo Bin, the lawyers tackle a wide range of cases – from copyright infringement to custody rights in divorce cases, and property rights disputes to trade secrets infringements.
The two lawyers’ radically different outlooks mean that working together is anything but easy.
But could working together on key cases eventually prove beneficial for the duo? Will Dai Xi’s influence help mellow Luo Bin? And can he, in turn, spur Dai Xi on to greater legal success? Could they develop a mutual respect for one another – or will it be dis-order in the court?
“The Best Partner” is a 2019 Chinese drama series directed by Liu Jin.
If you liked the American show Suits then you just might enjoy this drama. It has less sexuality and more integrity. However, I wouldn't classify it as a Romance.
Side note: There is actually a 16 episode Korean remake of the American show Suits. Same name = Suits. I've never watched it but it's currently available on Netflix
A talented rookie, Zhang Xiao Yu (Wu Jin Yan) has worked hard to secure a foothold in the cutthroat corporate world. Having caught the attention of Lin Rui (Yin Tao), the sales director of SW Cosmetics, a well-established company with global reach, Zhang Xiao Yu now works as Lin Rui’s assistant. But life in this fast-paced and highly competitive workplace is anything but easy.
Because of her numerous achievements, Lin Rui has gained recognition from the company’s board of directors in France and as such, has been shortlisted to replace the company’s current boss, Shu Wanting (Liu Min Tao). Unwilling to give up her position without a fight, Shu Wanting appoints Lin Rui’s rival, Fang Jing (Zuo Xiao Qing), to head up a second sales department, thereby pitting the two rivals against each other and forcing Lin Rui to prove herself once again. Despite finding herself caught in the middle of Lin Rui and Fang Jing’s never-ending feud and an overwhelming deluge of office politics, Xiao Yu finds her footing and not only manages to stand her ground, but to bloom.
Working hard to overcome the obstacles and stereotypes that plague today’s professional women, Xiao Yu and her co-workers will have their mettle tested time and time again, as they set out to make their dreams come true.
Focusing on the life and struggles of professional women, “Fighting Youth” is a 2021 workplace drama directed by Mu Xiao Jie.
While the romance is rather subdued in this one, I'm very much enoying it. And for a refreshing twist, one of the lead males manages to have his own life and not have everything he does revolve around the lead female. I'm about twenty episodes in and she's barely registering on his radar. ;)
As childhood playmates, Luo Zhi (Hu Bing Qing) and Sheng Huai Nan (Hu Yi Tian) were nearly inseparable. Growing up, they attended the same schools and participated in the same activities, but as time passed their friendship slowly faded. Through high school, Luo Zhi focused more on her studies than anything else, and Huai Nan became nothing more than a distant acquaintance. Yet secretly, her heart still longed for the boy who made her laugh, all those years ago.
Now in university, it is merely by coincidence that Luo Zhi and Huai Nan attend the same school. Though no longer a part of each other’s lives, Luo Zhi can’t seem to forget her long-lost friend. Every glimpse she catches of Huai Nan makes her heart race, but with their lives heading in such different directions, the connection between them seems to have all but disappeared. Pining for a boy she has loved for fifteen years, Lou Zhi is resigned to her fate, accepting the fact that her feelings for Huai Nan will remain unrequited forever. But Destiny, it would seem, has other plans.
Finding themselves unexpectedly thrown together during an excursion in Red Canyon Valley, Luo Zhi and Huai Nan’s old friendship is rekindled and soon sparks of love begin to fly. But the meddling of others makes things complicated and a series of misunderstandings threatens to ruin everything. Can these reunited friends overcome the challenges before them, or will their new-found love fade before it even has a chance to bloom?
Based on the novel of the same name by Ba Yue Chang An, “Unrequited Love” is a 2021 romantic drama directed by Li Mu Ge.
It's an endearing enough story. Girl meets boy. Girl likes boy. Girl manages to mouth off at every opportunity that doesn't involve her feelings for said boy. The best parts of the story are all in her head. Which only makes them worthless and utterly infuriating.
Meanwhile, lead boy notices the girl. Is moved by the girl. But doesn't know who the girl is. Or whom she's not.
Zhuo Rong (Fei Xing) has long dreamed of becoming a lawyer, but her mother is absolutely determined to see her daughter study finance abroad. Hoping that her daughter will successfully settle down somewhere overseas, Zhuo Rong’s mother won’t take “no” for an answer. Unable to convince her mother to let her pursue her dreams, Zhuo Rong has no choice but to do as her mother wishes. Or does she?
After successfully convincing her mother that she has set off for distant lands, Zhuo Rong secretly returns home to begin work as a legal intern. Taking on her first case, Zhuo Rong comes face-to-face with her childhood friend, Wen Shao Qing (Tang Xiao Tian). Now a surgeon, Shao Qing isn’t just Zhuo Rong’s client, he’s also her landlord and next-door neighbor. Tied together by the ever-tightening strings of fate, Zhuo Rong and Shao Qing find themselves drawing closer, despite their best efforts.
Engaged in a never-ending battle of wits, the childhood friends may fight against the ties that bind them, but how long will they be able to resist the inevitable?
Based on the novel of the same name by Dong Benxi Gu, “My Little Happiness” is a 2021 romantic comedy directed by Yang Long.
While I'm not completely engrossed by the storyline, the lead male's similarities to Big Bang Theory's Sheldon has me sticking around.
Love isn’t always found in the places you expect it.
Ai Ruo Man (Zhang Tian Ai) is a successful career woman. But her strong personality and independent nature chases men away in her personal life.
Lu Fei (Zhang Ruo Yun) is a gentle, easy-going man who loves to cook, clean and tend to his garden. Women appreciate his kind spirit, but not enough to date or marry him.
Ai Ruo Man and Lu Fei have been best friends for the past 15 years. As they both enter their 30s, can they help each other find the mate of their dreams?
“The Evolution of Our Love” is a 2018 Chinese drama series directed by An Zhu Jian.
My first introduction to this story was with the Kdrama version "The Time We Were Not in Love" that was released in 2015.
Anyway, I came across a review that claimed the Korean make (or remake) was a bastardized version of this Chinese drama. And I did quite enjoy the Kdrama. So, being thoroughly intrigued, I smashed that play button on “The Evolution of Our Love”.
And found that that reviewer was ever so right!
Not only is the story unfolded over 40 episodes, whereas the Kdrama was condensed down to 16 (and even then managed to feel drawn out in the middle), this take goes beyond the relationship. While it spans deeper into the layers of their friendship, this version revolves more so around the lead male and his hang ups while also delving into the long held one sided love the female protagonist endures for her crush. Knowing that pain and being able to mirror it onto her best friend when she finally realizes Lu Fei’s feelings was one of the best expressed details of this version. Episode 24(?) alone had me fighting back the tears. Don’t even get me started on episode 38.
Highly recommend both versions!
Side note:
The original story, from what I gathered, comes from Taiwan in a 2011 drama entitled, "In Time With You". It was remade again in 2019 in Japan with the same name, "In Time With You" but also known as “I Don’t Love You Yet.” A truly beautiful sentiment. I have, as of now, watched and enjoyed all versions of this story. This version from China remains my favorite.
