Chinese drama about family have been a frequent theme, so we have recommendations for the best Chinese family dramas that are emotional and heartfelt.
The storylines vary, ranging from the plot of life between parents and children to the story of a family business conglomerate. Family dramas not only focus on the love story between the two main characters, but also address issues that the characters’ family members face.
In general, these Chinese family dramas emphasize the differences between generations, the expectations of parents, and the struggles of children to meet those expectations.
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Recommended Best Chinese Drama About Family
1. Go Ahead (2020)
| Genre: | Comedy, Drama, Romance, Family |
| Year of release: | 2020 |
| Number of episodes: | 46 |
| Cast: | Tan Song Yun, Song Wei Long, Zhang Xin Cheng, Tu Song Yan, Zhang Xi Lin |
| Platform to watch: | Viu, iQIYI, Mango TV |
The story focuses on three families living under very different circumstances. One of the characters, Li Jianjian, lives with his father after losing his mother. On the other hand, Ling Xiao’s family faces a big problem that almost brings them to ruin.
Meanwhile, He Zi Qiu, who also suffered the loss of having his mother leave without explanation, lives with Li Jianjian and his father. After years of sharing their lives, they eventually have to go their separate ways. However, as time passed, they met again and felt a new emotional difference.
2. Dear Parents (2021)
| Genre: | Family, Life |
| Years of release: | 2021 |
| Number of episodes: | 43 |
| Cast: | Yan Ni, Wang Yan Hui |
| Platform to watch: | iQIYI |
If you’re looking for a Chinese family drama rich in life lessons, Dear Parents could be the right choice. The drama tells the story of Liu Bi Yun and Jiang Tian Huai, who each have children from their previous marriages.
Their home life is full of challenges. Liu Bi Yun and Jiang Tian Huai strive to be good parents to their children, although they have to adapt a lot to understand the meaning of family.
3. The Bond (2021)
| Genre: | Family, Life, Businees |
| Year of release: | 2021 |
| Number of episodes: | 36 |
| Cast: | Bai Yu, Mao Xiao Tong |
| Platform to watch: | Tencent Video |
The Bond tells the story of Qiao Zu Wang’s family who have just welcomed their fifth child. Instead of feeling happy, Zu Wang’s family felt sad because his wife disappeared without a trace. Zu Wang was forced to take care of his five children by himself.
With a very busy life, he focuses more on his work, so he often leaves his children alone. Recognizing this, the eldest son, Yi Cheng, voluntarily took over his father’s responsibility to look after his younger siblings. The Qiao siblings supported each other and built a strong bond between them.
4. Unforgettable Love (2021)
| Genre: | Life, Romance, Comedy |
| Year of release: | 2021 |
| Number of episodes: | 24 |
| Cast: | Miles Wei, Hu Yi Xuan |
| Platform to watch: | Video, Mango TV |
Unforgettable Love is also a must-see on your list of Chinese family dramas. This story tells the story of a contract marriage between He Qiaoyan and Xiao Bao. Unexpectedly, the arranged marriage leads to true love.
The drama also tackles the theme of mental health and parenting in the aftermath of a tragic accident that left Xiao Bao with PTSD.
5. Zhao Jia Di (2022)
| Genre: | Life, Romance, Family |
| Year of release: | 2022 |
| Number of episodes: | 30 |
| Cast: | He Pang, Yang Xing |
| Platform to watch: | Youku |
When it comes to Chinese family dramas, Zhao Jia Di is one you can’t ignore. In general, the story is about three generations struggling to deal with various emotional challenges in their lives. Zhao Jia Di, a young man from a wealthy family who did not appreciate his family at first, had to face a painful separation from his father.
After realizing the true meaning of life, he sought to stand on his own feet and challenge the business world with his cleverness. Although he had to face various challenges and risks.
6. Against The Light (2023)
| Genre: | Family, Life, Mystery |
| Year of release: | 2023 |
| Number of episodes: | 45 |
| Cast: | Lan Ying Ying, Ray Zhao |
| Platform to watch: | JSTV |
Recommended Chinese drama about family is Against the Light. This story tells the story of Bai Xining who tries to prove her abilities while hiding her true identity. After experiencing a deep loss, Xining develops into a strong woman who works with dedication.
When Xining walks into her mother’s company, she gets caught up in the power dispute between Li Zhuoran and Lin Yi. In addition, Xining is determined to uncover the mystery behind her mother’s incarceration. These efforts add to the tension in a drama set against the backdrop of the jewelry industry.
7. Our Ordinary Days (2023)
| Genre: | Life, Family, Raomance, Businees |
| Year of release: | 2023 |
| Number of episodes: | 38 |
| Cast: | Li Xiao Ran, Li Nay Wen, Zhou Yi Ran |
| Platform to watch: | iQIYI |
The next Chinese drama about family is Our Ordinary Days. This drama tells the story of an attempt to reunite a family caught in conflict.
In this story, there are three main characters, Wang Xue Ha, Dong Fang Hong, and Yang Si Yu. They were born on the same date and initially had a very good family relationship. However, circumstances change and the harmony is broken, so their children attempt to reconcile the divided family.
8. Grandma’s New World (2023)
| Genre: | Family, Life, Businees |
| Year of release: | 2023 |
| Number of episodes: | 18 |
| Cast: | Yan Ni, Ancy Deng |
| Platform to watch: | iQIYI |
It tells the story of a grandmother who acted as a substitute and support for her family after her husband passed away. After five years, the family suddenly finds that their grandmother is no longer living at home.
The two children, twins Dou Qi and Grandma, approach to find their grandmother. They travel together while listening to stories about their grandmother, who was a singer and was instrumental in increasing Dou Qi’s strength.
The drama contains a valuable message about the importance of perseverance and strength in the process of self-discovery. Grandma’s New World is an interesting choice for Chinese drama fans who want to enjoy a series with interesting storylines and good moral messages.
9. A Long Way Home (2022)
| Genre: | Family, Life, Businees |
| Year of release: | 2022 |
| Number of episodes: | 30 |
| Cast: | Gu Tao, Liu Lin |
| Platform to watch: | WeTV, Tencent Video, CCTV |
Chinese family drama A Long Way Home is set in the late 1990s when the forestry industry was in decline. The Gu Changshan family along with its 923 employees are faced with the difficult choice between staying put or leaving their jobs. Gu Changshan took in an orphan named Xingjie, who was the son of a deceased colleague, and tried to help with his education.
As the layoff crisis began to ease, Gu took the initiative to lead a family ecological forest project to provide new hope for her community. In 2007, they were faced with another difficult situation with the start of the relocation project. Xingjie, now an adult, returned to the mountains to replace his adoptive father in leading the project.
10. Born to Run (2024)
| Genre: | Life, Family |
| Year of release: | 2024 |
| Number of episodes: | 28 |
| Cast: | Zhong Chu Xi, Yang Chao Yue |
| Platform to watch: | iQIYI |
Born to Run airs on January 11, 2024, with Zhong Chu Xi, Yang Chao Yue, and Xu Di in the lead roles. The story revolves around two brothers, Xiu Fang and Xiu Li, who have very contrasting characters. After losing her husband, Xiu Fang decides to open a fried chicken shop to make a living.
Unlike Xiu Fang who always looks on the bright side, Xiu Li tends to be pessimistic, but she is very determined to control her two children. After Xiu Fang’s 60th birthday celebration, a car accident results in An Xin losing her leg and taking the life of her son. Now, they must face the huge challenges that haunt their family.
11. Best Choice Ever (2024)
| Genre: | Romance, Family, business, Life |
| Year of release: | 2024 |
| Number of episodes: | 37 |
| Cast: | Yang Zi, Xu Kai |
| Platform to watch: | iQIYI |
The drama revolves around the story of Mai Cheng Huan who is encouraged by her mother to discuss marriage plans with her boyfriend, Xian Jia Liang. Her mother’s overly dominant interference hastens Mai’s decision to break up with her boyfriend, and leaves her caught in a dilemma between fulfilling her mother’s expectations or pursuing her own happiness.
Mai Cheng Huan sought independence from her mother’s domineering influence and focused more on her work. Her efforts pay off, and she gains recognition and responsibility for managing a family-owned hotel business with Yao Zhi Ming. The drama airs on April 9, 2024 starring Yang Zi and Xu Kai.
12. Simple Days (2024)
| Genre: | Family, Comedy, Romance |
| Year of release: | 2024 |
| Number of episodes: | 26 |
| Cast: | Cheng Xiao, Tong Yao |
| Platform to watch: | WeTV, Tencent Video |
The drama follows the story of Gu Mo Li and Zhu Jin Cao who struggle from their village to Shanghai to build a family. However, their marriage faces a variety of problems, from the loss of personal freedom, to conflicts with their respective parents, to infighting among themselves.
As the situation became more difficult, they both realized that the problems were caused by themselves. Eventually, they make the decision to divorce in order to improve family relations. The drama airs on March 14, 2024 and stars Chen Xiao and Tong Yao.
That’s the information about the latest Chinese family theme drama recommendations from 2020-2024. Which drama will you watch first?
