✦ china: all watched
completed + unfinished (where noted); ordered alphabetically.
✦ all watched: ► china ◄ | hong kong | japan | philippines | south korea | taiwan | thailand
also see ~ more of my custom lists
a note about the /CAUTION/ tag – most chinese series i've seen have spoilers in the opening and/or closing credits, so i've tried to note which series have credits you may want to avoid.
cw: for warnings on anything you may find disturbing or offensive (depictions of queerphobias, discrimination, shaming, violence, abuse, or other triggering content), please check tags* on the title's page, user reviews, and/or Does the Dog Die (although not all titles are there). [*click "Vote or add tags" to see all - but this will include spoilers.]
pee.ess. i add personal notes to my lists because i use them for my own reference and it's unlikely that anyone else is reading. if you are here and you are not me, please overlook this clutter if it's of no use to you.
{hs39; aff49; apg38; ass56; ah36}
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1. "Hello, Stepmother"
Chinese Movie - 2020
censored GL short film. [3m]
► fansub ◄
✦ completed
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2. A Flower for Three Lives
Chinese Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
censored GL wuxia very short series. [33m]
► fansub ◄
◘ dropped | partially watched / partially skimmed (both series and extra eps)
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3. A Practical Guide to Being a Superstar's Assistant
Chinese Drama - 2022, 6 episodes
censored GL very short series. [13m]
► fansub ◄
✦ completed
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4. A Short Story
Chinese Movie - 2022
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5. A Tale of the Wanderers
Chinese Drama - 2021, 36 episodes
censored BL wuxia series. adapted from a danmei.
♦ prequel to the special Word of Honor - Epilogue (also on this list).
/CAUTION/ both the opening and closing credits contain spoilers, although the opening may be considered light.
► viki (standard sub) | netflix ◄
✦ completed
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6. Addicted Heroin
Chinese Drama - 2016, 15 episodes
BL series that was cut short (mid-story) due to censorship (and definitely feels unfinished).
/CAUTION/ both the opening and closing credits contain spoilers, although i consider the opening fairly light.
► viki (free w/ads) | youtube (playlist) | wetv/tencent (free) ◄
✦ completed
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7. Arsenal Military Academy
Chinese Drama - 2019, 48 episodes
# historical # action # military # drama # comedy # cross-dressing # romance
gender bender drama series set in the early 20th century.
/CAUTION/ the opening credits are spoiler-free (and the song slaps) but the closing credits (both versions) contain spoilers.
► viki (free w/ads) | iQIYI (5ep free, sub for full) ◄
✦ completed
{personal notes: the "foreshadowing" was so thick that at times that the plot was extremely aggravating to me, but it also had some moments that were like, "oh F!!!!" maybe worth it just for Man Ting and her wardrobe! Xu Kai has so much expression, it's unreal. Wu Jia Yi was so fun, plus Bai Lu, Toby Lee, and the other main cadets were good. thanks for breaking my heart, everyone.}
{personal notes: > from here only link used, no search and not copied over. <}
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8. Attraction
Chinese Movie - 2016
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9. Back to Back
Chinese Movie - 2022
GL short film – based on the translation of the on-screen text i don't think censored. [3m]
► fansub ◄
✦ completed
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10. Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress
Chinese Movie - 2002
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11. Buying Ears
Chinese Special - 2020, 1 episode
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12. Cat in the Eastern Palace
Chinese Movie - 2020
censored GL short film. [7m]
► fansub ◄
✦ completed
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13. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Chinese Movie - 2000
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14. Dt.Appledog's Time
Chinese Drama - 2021, 38 episodes
♦ sequel to Go Go Squid! (also on this list).
/CAUTION/ opening and/or closing credits may contain spoilers.
► viki ◄
◘ dropped | @ep12
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15. Falling Into Your Smile
Chinese Drama - 2021, 31 episodes
◒ on hold
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16. General, Can I Sleep with You?
Chinese Movie - 2021
censored GL short film. [4m]
► fansub ◄
✦ completed
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17. Go Brother!
Chinese Movie - 2018
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18. Go Go Squid!
Chinese Drama - 2019, 41 episodes
♦ prequel to Go Go Squid 2: Dt. Appledog's Time (also on this list).
/CAUTION/ opening and/or closing credits may contain spoilers.
► viki ◄
✦ completed
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19. Guardian
Chinese Drama - 2018, 40 episodes
censored BL fantasy series.
/CAUTION/ i consider the opening credits fairly light on spoilers but there are a bit. (the theme song is a banger and that opening must account for half the budget, lol.) the closing credits are bts and has glimpses of light spoilers.
► dramacool ◄ -region locked on
viki-✦ completed | skimmed a lot
{personal notes: really wanted more unmasked Ye Zun! skimmed a lot - should prob drop rating more but i liked the connections between a few characters and i didn't hate the ending. hmmm...}
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20. Happy Times
Chinese Movie - 2000
> no source found <
✦ completed
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21. Help, I Accidentally Stole My Shixiong's Crush!
Chinese Movie - 2021
♡
censored GL wuxia short film. [4m]
► fansub ◄
✦ completed
{personal notes: so cute it's impossible to rate rationally!}
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22. Hero
Chinese Movie - 2002
♡
♦ written by Wang Bin | directed by Zhang Yi Mou
► amazon (rent or buy *subbed version*) ◄
-language not specified: google play (rent or buy; trailer in english so probably dubbed)- -english dubbed: youtube | youtube (rent or buy)-
✦ completed
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23. House Rules
Chinese Special - 2019, 1 episode
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24. I Am Not Madame Bovary
Chinese Movie - 2016
# historical # "comedy" # drama # political # satire # adapted from a novel
·=═ leaving mubi soon ═=· ► mubi ◄
✦ completed | skimmed second half
▼ exception | marked C – change to D?
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25. I'm Her Weapon
Chinese Movie - 2022
censored GL short film. [3m]
► fansub ◄
✦ completed
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27. Led Astray by Love
Chinese Drama - 2022, 24 episodes
censored GL short series. [52m]
► fansub ◄
✦ completed
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28. Legend of Yun Qian
Chinese Drama - 2020, 15 episodes
censored GL short series. [53m]
► fansub ◄
✦ completed
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29. Legend of Yunze
Chinese Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
♡
# fantasy # wuxia # xianxia # mystery # investigation # comedy # adventure # censored lesbian romance
censored GL xianxia short series. [31m]
♦ prequel to S2 and a spinoff special season (both also on this list).
◘ Wang Lao Ji & Peng Jing Xian as Jiang Zhao Yun x A-Ze + a third unknown actor that i loved!
► fansub ◄
✦ completed
{personal notes: i may have rated this higher than it deserves. it might feel choppy if you're not used to this style of editing (similar to douyin/tiktok style). it condenses an epic tale down to a mini short story, but the benefit is that the story is distilled to efficiently convey major plot points and doesn't waste time. also great for productions on a budget! many of the censored GL short series and short films on this list are filmed/edited this way but i'm only noting this one.}
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30. Legend Of Yunze 2
Chinese Drama - 2022, 15 episodes
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31. Legend of Yunze Special
Chinese Special - 2021, 14 episodes
censored GL short series. [47m]
♦ sequel / spin-off to Legend of Yunze (also on this list); aired second but chronologically third in the series (could watch after S1 or S2). same characters as S1 & S2 but the aspects of reincarnation combined with a modern day setting make it feel more like a spinoff than a sequel.
► fansub ◄
✦ completed
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32. Long Day's Journey Into Night
Chinese Movie - 2018
♡♡♡
# thriller # mystery # drama # fantasy # investigation # suspense # ???
► mubi ◄
☼ currently watching
{personal notes: i want to eat this up - i don't know how to explain why i left it unfinished. it's so lush and intriguing, i think i just want to savor it. must finish.}
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33. Love Through a Millennium
Chinese Drama - 2015, 24 episodes
♦ remake of korean series Queen In Hyun's Man.
/CAUTION/ opening and/or closing credits may contain spoilers.
► dramacool ◄
◘ dropped | @ep03 – skimmed a lot
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34. Mongolian Ping Pong
Chinese Movie - 2005
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35. Prince Coffee Lab
Chinese Drama - 2018, 38 episodes
[Nice To Meet You]
series with gay support character (based on mdl tag because i don't remember that).
♦ chinese remake of the korean series Coffee Prince, except she's a tomboy (not cross-dressing).
/CAUTION/ opening and/or closing credits may contain spoilers.
► youtube (playlist) ◄
◘ dropped | @ep33
{personal notes: everyone makes a huuuge deal about her being a tomboy. what??? this stupid plot point creates so much aggravatingly sexist bs.}
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36. Red Devil and Heroine Su
Chinese Movie - 2020
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37. Seven of Me
Chinese Drama - 2017, 38 episodes
♦ remake of korean series Kill Me, Heal Me.
/CAUTION/ opening and/or closing credits may contain spoilers.
► youtube (playlist) ◄ -official playlist is out of order so this is alt-
◘ dropped | @ep29
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38. Shadow
Chinese Movie - 2018
❤ another chinese film pick! ❤
# fantasy # wuxia # action # martial arts # historical fiction # three kingdoms # adventure # drama # black-and-white (mostly) # g
♦ directed by Zhang Yimou
·=═ leaving mubi soon ═=· ► mubi | kanopy (w/library card) | hoopla (w/library card) | dramacool ◄ -english dub: tubi (free w/ads)-
✦ completed
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39. Shanghai Triad
Chinese Movie - 1995
♦ written by Wang Bin & Bi Fei Yu | directed by Zhang Yi Mou
► kanopy (w/library card) | hoopla (w/library card) | amazon (rent or buy) | google play (rent or buy) | youtube (rent or buy) ◄
✦ completed
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41. The Courtesan and the Female Scholar
Chinese Movie - 2021
censored GL short film. [4m]
► fansub ◄
✦ completed
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42. The Demonic Lord and the Virtuous Cultivator
Chinese Movie - 2021
censored GL short film. [4m]
► fansub ◄
✦ completed
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43. The Female Doctor and Rabbit Spirit
Chinese Movie - 2020
censored GL short film. [4m]
► fansub ◄
✦ completed
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44. The Fox Spirit and the Little Priest
Chinese Movie - 2021
censored GL short film. [4m]
► fansub ◄
✦ completed
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45. The Girls on Rela
Chinese Special - 2017, 15 episodes
collection of 15 GL short film advertisements for a lesbian dating app. i don't think(?) this was censored.
► youtube (playlist) ◄
◘ dropped | @ep07 – partially watched / partially skimmed
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46. The Imprisoned Canary
Chinese Special - 2023, 1 episode
[The Caged Canary]
censored GL short film advertisement set in the chinese republican era. [6m]
► fansub ◄
✦ completed
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47. The Last Emperor
Chinese Movie - 1987
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48. The Last Wish
Chinese Movie - 2019
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49. The Little Disciple and Her Beautiful Shifu
Chinese Special - 2021, 1 episode
censored GL wuxia(?) short film advertisement. [10m]
► fansub ◄
✦ completed
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50. The Romance of Tiger and Rose
Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
♡
# historical # fantasy # wuxia-lite # transmigration(ish) #time-travel(ish) # comedy # romance # matriarchy # gender role reversal # politics
♦ prequel to upcoming S2!
/CAUTION/ the opening credits contain spoilers but the closing credits are spoiler-free.
► viki (free w/subs) | youtube (tencent playlist; eps and 3-part binge version) | amazon (prime sub or buy) ◄
✦ completed
{personal notes: some characters fell a bit flat for me but overall a fun watch. Zhao Lu Si & Ding Yu Xi were cute but without Wu Yi Jia & Liu Shu Yuan it might have gone stale.}
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51. The Story of the Demon Cult Leader and the Decent Miss
Chinese Movie - 2019
censored GL short film. [14m]
► fansub ◄
✦ completed
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52. The Third Solar Term
Chinese Movie - 2021
gay (or BL) short film. contains explicit sexual content. [20m]
• 2021 SIPFF Selection.
► gagaoolala (sub) ◄ ▲ trailer ▲
✦ completed
{personal notes: watching this made me realize i *really* don't grasp how chinese censorship works.}
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53. The Untamed
Chinese Drama - 2019, 50 episodes
❤ top chinese series pick! ❤
[Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation | The Founder of Diabolism | Mo Dao Zu Shi]
# fantasy # wuxia # xianxia # mystery # investigation # adapted from a novel
censored BL long series dripping with gay subtext. the danmei (BL novel) has also been adapted to a manhua, two donghuas, and an upcoming mobile game.
♦ prequel to the spinoff films The Living Dead and Fatal Journey (no gay content in either afaik).
♦ note: The Untamed Special Edition is a drastically edited version of this series (~20h vs ~37.5h) that tightens the story to focus more on the MCs but may be more difficult for new viewers to follow. there are other differences in the edit, such as a few slightly longer scenes and the ending scenes of the finale are reordered.
/CAUTION/ both the opening and closing credits contain spoilers (and hearing either of those songs will punch you in the feels by the end).
► viki (free w/ads) | netflix | youtube (playlist) ◄
✦ completed
{personal notes: despite the censorship (TT__TT) and plenty of cheese, this story is still so good. at first i was making notes to keep track of all the characters and sects but it was so worth it to see how all they all intertwined and played off each other. the combo of Xiao Zhan + Wang Yi Bo = ascension to a heavenly realm. honestly the whole cast had me by the end! additional notes on my gay list.}
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54. The Vampires
Chinese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
supernatural short series. [40m]
► fansub ◄
◒ on hold | @ep02
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55. The Wild Goose Lake
Chinese Movie - 2019
► mubi ◄
✦ completed
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57. The Young Master and the Tea-Picking Girl
Chinese Movie - 2020
censored GL short film. [5m]
► fansub ◄
✦ completed
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58. Three Hundred Years Later
Chinese Special - 2021, 2 episodes
censored GL very short series. [6m]
► fansub ◄
✦ completed
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59. Two Belles in Love
Chinese Movie - 2021
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60. Word of Honor - Epilogue
Chinese Special - 2021, 1 episode
censored BL wuxia very short special that is mostly MVs with repeated footage. adapted from a danmei. [11m but only ~2m of new content]
♦ sequel / short special to the series Word of Honor (also on this list).
► viki (standard sub) ◄ -listed as ep37-
✦ completed
{personal notes: what a waste.}
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61. Xiaoshimei's Strategy Guide for Winning Her Shijie's Heart
Chinese Movie - 2021
censored GL short film. [3m]
► fansub ◄
✦ completed
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62. Your Ship Is Real
Chinese Special - 2022, 1 episode
♡
censored GL short film advertisement about actors and the entertainment industry. [9m]
♦ written and directed by Zhi Zhu
► fansub ◄
✦ completed
{personal notes: a lesbian with shark stuffies?!? be still my heart!!! additional notes on my GL + lesbian list.}
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63. Zhang Gong Zhu Zhai Shang
Chinese Drama - 2022, 27 episodes