Historical-wuxia etc.
Historical setting, with or without fantasy elements, excluding those mainly focused on the romcom aspect.
Disclaimer: comments about my thoughts and feelings attached.
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1. Joy of Life
Chinese Drama - 2019, 46 episodes
Mix of genders done right, especially the comedic moments. A lot of interesting characters, I probably remember around 15 people and their story, which shows just how many stories were developed. Waiting for season 2...
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2. Nirvana in Fire
Chinese Drama - 2015, 54 episodes
It needs no introductions. Its strong point is this kind of political chess play. There was one particular situation I was not fond of, but this is like saying there is a scene you did not like in a drama, which is to be expected.
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3. The Story of Ming Lan
Chinese Drama - 2018, 78 episodes
I loved the woman perspective. They are the focus , with their schemes and their smarts or deviousness and their own ''political battlefield''. Naturally the leads' chemistry is beyond comparison.
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4. Queen Cheorin
Korean Drama - 2020, 20 episodes
Korean. Loved the comedy and main lead chemistry. Not satisfied with some aspects, but I could not overlook the personal entertainment aspect.
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5. Mr. Sunshine
Korean Drama - 2018, 24 episodes
Beautiful cinematography and full-fledged characters to depict an era of korean history through the lives of the characters. The only issue is its length, which makes it difficult to bingewatch, but truly one of the best in quality for me.
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6. The Untamed
Chinese Drama - 2019, 50 episodes
I already loved the book and had watched the anime, so naturally I was afraid of being disappointed. I feel it preserved most of the essence of the original and of course it is pure entertainment. After watching one episode of the short edition, I appreciate the way things were presented in the long one.
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7. My Heroic Husband
Chinese Drama - 2021, 36 episodes
A story within a novel about a businessman transmigrating to ancient times as a husband who relies on his wife. I loved the first episodes sooo much because of the business, comedic elements and I am also a fan of the leads and the main actors. Unfortunately, the hype was not long-lived as I did not love the subsequent sub-story. Still, recommended.
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8. Regatul
Korean Drama - 2019, 6 episodes
A political battle and zombies in 6 episodes... So...great. Although it is not a fully completed story, it has seasons.
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9. Under the Power
Chinese Drama - 2019, 55 episodes
The main reason I love this is the romance between leads and the bad guy who I loved to hate. I skipped all the SML and his family scenes. In fact I would not even call him a SML, he was the most annoying character I have encountered in a drama.
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10. The Princess Wei Young
Chinese Drama - 2016, 54 episodes
Great revenge story with smart woman as the lead. The romance was great, too. It became a little repetitive towards the end.
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11. Legend of Fu Yao
Chinese Drama - 2018, 66 episodes
I think this was the first c-drama I watched. I love the independent woman lead and the romance. Also, it is quite of a journey-adventure with sub-missions, which prevented it from getting too boring considering its length .
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12. The Eternal Love
Chinese Drama - 2017, 24 episodes
Fantasy-comedy setting, with great couple chemistry and comedy.
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13. The Imperial Coroner
Chinese Drama - 2021, 36 episodes
Detective in an ancient setting drama that was set far above others by giving us logical characters and plot, with standard communication abilities and respect towards their friends and loved ones. Great job although I am still hoping that would be considered a bare minimum...
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14. A Tale of the Wanderers
Chinese Drama - 2021, 36 episodes
Both the chemistry between leads and the ''wandering in the martial word'' elements made me a fan of this drama, with quite a lot and different characters. Unfortunately, the airing format and some rushing of the story towards the end made me lose some of my enjoyment.
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15. The Long Ballad
Chinese Drama - 2021, 49 episodes
I was a little skeptical at the beginning with this drama, but although it was not perfect and I thought the political, war plots were lacking I found it quite enjoyable with its journey through cities and tribes, the unexpectedly kind ML and the slow building of two main couples' relationship.
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16. Regatul Sezonul 2
Korean Drama - 2020, 6 episodes
It is also a small season, but I did find some parts slow and hoped for more focus on the zombie-bloody fight. Maybe it is because I watched most of it on the train...
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17. Handsome Siblings
Chinese Drama - 2020, 44 episodes
I found one of the two leads boring as a character, loved the other. Also, a kind of going from place to place with mini sub-plots.
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18. Ashes of Love
Chinese Drama - 2018, 63 episodes
Well. one of the well-known ones. The middle was not interesting for me and the FL's premise not one I am a fan of, ML saved it.
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19. Miss Truth
Chinese Drama - 2020, 36 episodes
Independent cases, logical FL, loved the relationship between leads, not much the love-triangle thing and it started becoming inconsistent towards the end.
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20. Joseon Psychiatrist Yoo Se Poong
Korean Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
Ancient psychiatrist, well kind of, mystery, with comedy. The FL was smart and independent and the ML and gang also enjoyable to watch, plus independent cases format
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21. Eternal Love
Chinese Drama - 2017, 58 episodes
Classic. Too many episodes to be entertaining from start to finish, FL not stupid, did not care about second couple. Great images and main leads.
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22. Legend of Yun Xi
Chinese Drama - 2018, 48 episodes
Surprisingly good. I am obviously not a fan of third parties , especially with the main leads so fitting, conflicted about ending.
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23. The Mysterious World
Chinese Drama - 2019, 24 episodes
The subtitles in this one are kind of a torture at the moment, but it is a kind of personal guilty pleasure.
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24. The Silent Criminal
Chinese Drama - 2020, 13 episodes
Great bromance, overall entertaining (only 12 ep.) but nothing extraordinary. There were some points that made it lose value.
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25. Alchimia Sufletelor
Korean Drama - 2022, 20 episodes
Fantasy setting with soul exchanging, so I am sold. But the ending was disappointing and supposedly there is season 2. We shall see.
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26. Affection
Korean Drama - 2021, 20 episodes
The FL was the main reason for watching, as Park Eun Bin is stunning, and the crossdressing done right. Not a fan of the ML and 20 episodes were far too many considering the politics plot was not much. Maybe I am strict but pacing is important to me.
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27. Jin Xin Si Yu
Chinese Drama - 2021, 45 episodes
As much as I love Seven Tan, I had to skip through most of this ''war of the concubines'' story, which shows women in a most unfavorable way (but I'll try not to get political here). The main relationship was supposed to be based on mutual respect and understanding, but it did not look that way to me and I also had issues with the ML and even the FL. Oh and there is mother-in-law from hell here...The only people and relationships I liked were the main leads' sidekicks, so like 10 min of relationship.
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28. Mysterious Tales of Changan
Chinese Drama - 2022, 18 episodes
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29. Horror Stories of Tang Dynasty
Chinese Drama - 2022, 36 episodes
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30. Flower Scholars Love Story
Korean Drama - 2023, 18 episodes
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31. The Evil Face
Chinese Drama - 2022, 18 episodes
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32. Invincible Stepmother
Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes