Zhao Liying: 10 Best Chinese Dramas You Should Watch
Zhao Li Ying, aka Zanilia Zhao, is a prominent Chinese actress. In 2006, Zhao participated in and won the “Yahoo Search Star Game”.
Zhao made her acting debut in 2007 in the family drama “Golden Marriage”.
In 2013, Zhao’s breakthrough role was in “Legend of Lu Zhen” as Yu Wu Xin. The drama was a hit in China, South Korea and Japan, leading to her increased popularity.
She then went on to star in “Boss & Me” and “Journey of Flower”. In 2017, she had a memorable film role in “Duckweed” and the drama “Princess Agents”. She ranked 4th on Forbes China Celebrity 100 list in 2017. Here are “Zhao Liying: 10 Best Chinese Dramas You Should Watch”
(10). The Legend of Chasing Fish
- Main Role as Hong Ling
The Legend of Chasing Fish is a 2013 Chinese mythology fantasy romantic comedy television series directed by Wu Jinyuan, Chen Guohua and Huang Jintianby.
Details
- Episodes: 36
- Aired: Jul 13, 2013 – Aug 19, 2013
- Genre: Fantasy, Romance
- Episodes: 36
- Broadcast network: Hunan TV
- Broadcast period: 2013-Jul-13
- Stars: Zhao Li Ying as Hong Ling, Kenny Kwan as Zhang Zhen and Dai Jiao Qian as Mu Dan
Synopsis: Hong Ling is an optimistic and naive mermaid that lived under the ocean. She embarks on a journey to the human world to find a birthday present for the Sea King. During this journey, she meets a young boy and receives his help with choosing a present. Unfortunately, her present upsets the Sea King and Hong Ling is sent to the human realm to repent for her wrong doing. The journey initially began for something simple, but Hong Ling falls in love with a human boy and her small actions have much larger consequences than she ever imagined.
Drama Rating:
- Overall: 8.0
- Acting: 8.5
- Music: 8.0
- Re-watch Value: 7.5
(9). Legend of Zu Mountain
- Main role as Yu Wu Xin
Legend of Zu Mountain is a 2015 Chinese television series. It is adapted from the novel The Gods and Demons of Zu Mountain written by Huanzhulouzhu
Details
- Country: China
- Episodes: 56
- Aired: Sep 22, 2015 – Jan 22, 2016
- Original Network: iQiyi
- Director: Huang Wei Jie
- Stars: William Chan as Ding YinZhao, Nicky Wu as Luo Pao and Janice Man as Zhou Qing Yun
Synopsis: The Zhu sect has been a powerful and righteous leader in the martial arts world for quite some time. To save the world from the evil that is Lu Pao (Nicky Wu), the sect leader of Zhu places a magical blood stone inside the body of our hero, Ding Yin (William Chan), in order to enhance his already gifted talents. As a result, Ding Yin stays at Zhu Mountain, working on building and controlling his powers. In a chance encounter, he meets Lu Pao’s daughter, Yu Wu Xin (Zhao Li Ying), who is the spitting image of his deceased wife (Xiao Yu). They initially use each other – she wants to steal the blood demon, and he wants to use her to get to her father. Unfortunately, proximity brews feelings and complicates everything else. Things build up to many majestic battles between the good and evil sects involving betrayal, sacrifices, and deaths.
Drama Rating:
- Overall: 8.1
- Acting: 8.0
- Music: 8.6
- Re-watch Value: 7.2
#8 Boss & Me
- Main Role as Xue Shanshan
Details
- Country: China
- Episodes: 33
- Aired: Jul 8, 2014 – Jul 20, 2014
- Original Network: BTV
- Director: Liu Jun Jie
- Stars: Zhang Han, Huang You Ming and Li Cheng Yuan as Yuan Lishu
Based on Gu Man’s very popular internet novel, the story tells of a kind-hearted young girl named Xue Shan Shan (Zhao Li Ying) who works at a big conglomerate. However one of her weaknesses is eating, she loves to eat, and so upon discovering this her boss, Feng Teng (Zhang Han) decides to intentionally fatten her up; she just so happens to share the same blood type as his sister, and thus has the motive of making her the blood donor. Hence comedy ensues as she melts his heart with her exceptional appetite and her cute char
(7). Our Glamorous Time
- Main Role As Lin Qian
Our Glamorous Time is a 2018 Chinese television series based on the novel of the same name by Ding Mo.
Details
- Genre: Romance, Modern
- Episodes: 50
- Broadcast network: Dragon TV, Zhejiang TV
- Broadcast period: Nov-12, 2018 to Dec-09, 2018
- Stars: Jin Han as Li Zhicheng
Drama Rating:
- Overall: 8.8
- Acting: 7.8
- Music: 8,0
- Re-watch Value: 7.5
(6). Rookie Agent Rouge
Main Role As Lan Yan Zhi
Details
- Country: China
- Episodes: 45
- Aired: Sep 27, 2016 – Oct 22, 2016
- Original Network: JSTV
- Duration: 45 min.
- Stars: Lu Yi as Zhou Yu Hao, Tao Xin Ran as Feng Man Na And Yuan Wen Kang as Song Mian
Synopsis: As the start of WWII draws near, Lan Rouge, a young dilettante and student in Shanghai, is recruited into the world of espionage in this historical fiction series. Using unusually acute perception and intelligence, she aids the Chinese underground resistance against Japanese imperialism. This comes at the expense of her personal friendship with Manna Feng, who works with the Japanese to try to get revenge on Rouge for the death of her parents. As Rouge bgins increasingly dangerous missions, Feng rises to leadership within the Japanese secret operations division.
Drama Rating:
- Overall : 9.1
- Acting: 9.2
- Music: 8.9
- Re-watch Value: 9
( 5 ). The Mystic Nine
- Zhao Li Ying as Yi Xin Yue
Details
- Also known as: Old Nine Gates
- Genre: Mystery, war
- Broadcast network: Dragon TV / iQIYi
- Related show: The Lost Tomb (2015)
- Stars: William Chan as Zhang Qi Shan and Zhang Yi Xing as Er Yue To
Synopsis: The drama is a prequel to The Lost Tomb in which the story focuses on the exploits of the nine grave robbing families in the 1940s. With the help of his friends Fortune Teller Qi Tie Jue and Opera Singer Er Yue Tou, General Zhang Qi Shan entered into a strange mine to discover a mysterious ancient tomb. After many untold dangers, he uncovered a Japanese plot to kill the residents of Changsha city. The men banded together to stop the Japanese’s plot, thereby saving their city.
Drama Rating:
- Overall: 9.5
- Acting: 9.2
- Music: 9.0
- Re-watch Value: 9.3
(4). Journey Of Flowers
- Main Role as Hua Qiangu
Details
- Genre: Costume, Fantasy
- Airs : June 9, 2015 – September 7, 2015
- Language: Mandarin
- Episodes: 58
- Stars: Wallace Huo as Bai Zihua
Synopsis: Based on the novel by Fresh Guo Guo, tells the story of Hua Qian Gu, on the day of her birth flowers wilted and the skies turned dark as her mother passed during child birth. Her father past away when she turned 16 years old. Before he died, he advised her to learn some skills in order to help her survive as it appears that she has the strange ability to lure demons and other worldly creatures through her scent.
She heeds her fathers advice and heads to Mount Shu, where it is said there are people who are experts in dealing with demons and other creatures. However, upon reaching Mount Shu, her journey is stalled when she witnessed the death of the leader of the sect. Thus Qian Gu heads to the Chiang Lu sect to seek for help. There she meets Bai Zi Hua, the most gentle yet cold-hearted man, who becomes her teacher, mentor and lover. Besides Bai Zi Hua, are Dong Fang Yu Qing who cares for Qian Gu’s safety and Sha Qian Mo who is the leader of the demon realm, that are also romantic interests of Qian Gu.
The drama is also directed by Lin Yu Fen who has previous dramas such as ‘Da Mo Yao’, ‘Bu Bu Jing Qing’ and ‘An Angel’s happiness’ to his credits
Drama Rating:
- Overall: 9.5
- Acting: 9,5
- Music: 9.5
- Re-watch Value: 9.2
(3). The Story Of Minglan
- Main Role as Sheng Ming Lan
Synopsis: The Story of Ming Lan follows Sheng Minglan as she progresses from the unfavoured sixth daughter of an official to the wife of a powerful noble. After being mistreated by her father’s first wife and annoying half-sisters, Minglan learns to hide her skills and true intentions, and ultimately succeeds in avenging her biological mother’s death. Gu Tingye is seen a a hedonistic and pleasure-seeking noble, though he later decides to turn over a new leaf by becoming a trustworthy official of the eighth prince, and eventually earns Minglan’s affections.
Drama Rating:
- Overall: 9.63
- Acting: 8.9
- Music: 9.0
- Re-watch Value: 9.4
(2). Noble Aspirations
- Main Role as Bi Yao
Details
- Episodes: 55
- Aired: Jul 31, 2016 – Nov 8, 2016
- Original Network: Hunan TV
- Duration: 45 min.
- Stars: Li Yi Feng as Zhang Xiaofan and Yang Zi as Lu Xueqi
Synopsis: Zhang Xiaofan’s entire village is massacred, and he and his good friend Lin Jingyu are adopted by the righteous Qing Yun Sect. Zhang Xiaofan lacks the skills to become a skilled cultivator, he is treated kindly by his fellow disciples and teachers. One day, he acquires a magical weapon which allows him to become a strong cultivator. By chance, he is able to learn the skills of the Heavenly book, and becomes the first person to possess cultivation from Fu (Buddhist), Dao (Taoist), and Mo (Heretics). He meets and falls in love with Bi Yao, the daughter of the Ghost King, leader of the demon sect, but their love faces numerous hurdles as the tension between the righteous sects and the demon sects intensifies.
Drama Rating:
- Overall: 9.7
- Acting: 9.0
- Music: 8.0
- Re-watch Value: 9.7
(1 ). Princess Agents
- Main Role as Chu Qiao
Details
- Episodes: 67
- Aired: Jun 5, 2017 – Aug 1, 2017
- Original Network: Hunan TV
- Duration: 45 min.
- Stars: Shawn Dou as Yan Xun, Allen Deng as Xiao Ce and Kenny Lin as Yu Wen Yue
Synopsis: The story seems to be your typical cliche story of a young person who suffers from tragedy and you follow him as he grows and matures and develops. I like how they got both Zhang Xiao Fan and Lin Jin Yu to suffer from the same tragedy and you can see how the two people develop differently giving you a comparison giving you a feel of the main antagonist. Through out the whole series you can see how Zhang Xiao Fan changes and become more mature
Drama Rating:
- Overall: 10
- Acting: 10
- Music: 10
- Re-watch Value: 8.9
