There are many dramas that you can enjoy as a form of entertainment, one of which is a drama from China. Some of these Chinese royal drama recommendations even have a very grand production, so they can make you feel as if you are back in the past. In addition, the performances of the actors and actresses in these dramas are able to make you feel deep emotions while watching.
Chinese dramas have always been able to captivate the attention of their fans with complex but highly entertaining storylines. For those of you who are loyal viewers, here are some recommendations for Chinese dramas based on true stories.
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5 Recommended Chinese Dramas Based on True Stories
1. A Dream of Splendor (2022)
Based on a play from the Yuan Dynasty called Saving a Prostitute by Guan Hanqing. The play is set during the Northern Song Dynasty, with director Yang Yang and stars Liu Yifei, Chen Xiao, Liu Yan, and Lin Yun.
The story follows Zhao Pan-Er (Liu Yifei), a famous teahouse owner in Qian-Tang, who promises her fiancé, Ou-Yang Xu (Xu Hai Qiao), to get married after she passes the imperial examination. However, everything changes when he gets involved in a major scandal in Jiang-Nan and is accused of being a fugitive.
Unsatisfied with his lot, he sets off for the Eastern Capital in search of new opportunities. There, he meets some friends who need his help, including Sun Niang (Li Xingmei), a cook who almost cut corners. Together, they set up a small teahouse that later grows into a successful restaurant.
2. The Rebel Princess (2021)
The drama is based on the novel Di Wang Ye that MeiYuzhe wrote, and premiered on January 9, 2021. Directed by Cheng Yuan Hai, Xu Zhi Ming, and Hou Yong, Rebel Princess (2021) features a number of well-known Chinese actors, including Zhang Zi Yi, Zhou Yi Wei, and Yang You Ning.
The Rebel Princess (2021) tells the story of Wang Xuan (Zhang Ziyi), a woman known for being brave and smart in making choices. She was born into a royal family, but due to various circumstances, she is forced into a conflict over inheritance.
At that time, Wang Xuan’s father arranged her marriage to an ordinary man named Xiao Qi (Yiwei Zhou). Wang Xuan and Xiao Qi helped each other, especially since the kingdom was in a bad state.
3. Qin Dynasty Epic (2020)
This true story Chinese drama recommendation The Qin Dynasty marked the beginning of imperial rule in China, ruling from 221 BC to 206 BC. However, the power of the Qin Dynasty soon collapsed after the departure of Huangdi, its first emperor. A dispute between Huangdi and the crown prince led to the latter being forced to end his life, while Huangdi’s other son became king.
The drama follows the life of Prince Ying Zheng (Edward Zhang) of the Zhou Kingdom, who is worried that his kingdom is in danger if he gets involved in a dispute. He gets support from Lu Bu Wei (Duan Yihong), a merchant who holds a lot of important information about him.
With much effort, Ying Zheng finally succeeded in becoming King of Qin, with the support of Lu Bu Wei who served as prime minister. Thanks to the support of its people, their government was able to unite the various families and end the long-standing conflict between the six countries.
4. The Thirteen Generals of Han: The Battle of Shu Lei (2019)
This Chinese drama has a second season that airs on September 29, 2020. It is directed by Yui Hu, a famous director known for her great works such as Love of Thousand Years and Alien Troopers.
The movie depicts the violent actions of Geng Gong (Xie Miao), a prominent general of the Eastern Han Dynasty. After the battle of Shu Lei, Geng Gong was given the task of leading patrols in the west.
During patrols in the western area, Gong Gong and his troops suffered attacks from bandits and faced enemies from outside. The unrelenting battle left them feeling depressed and trapped. Despite this, the Gong Gang managed to find a way to survive.
5. The Imperial Doctress (2016)
The movie The Imperial Doctress (2016) revolves around the story of Tan Yunxian (played by Cecilia Liu), a female doctor in Ming Dynasty-era China. In the context of Emperor Zhu Qi Zhen’s reign, Tan Yunxian comes from a prominent family of doctors who have served the court for generations.
Although it was forbidden for women to become doctors at that time, Yun Xian was determined to study and clandestinely attended medical school. However, unexpectedly, she fell in love with the Emperor.
The characters of the two brothers in the kingdom, Zhu Qizhen (Wallace Huo) and Zhu Qiyu (Huang Xuan), are drawn from Chinese historical figures. With Yun Xian’s character, the audience can better understand and explore the world of Chinese medicine in ancient times.
It’s no surprise that the number of Chinese drama fans continues to increase every year. The interesting storyline and rich Chinese culture seen in every scene always manage to attract the attention of the audience.
Which Chinese dramas would you like to watch first? Give us your thoughts in the comment section below!
