Top 10 Heartbreaking Romantic Drama Adaptations

1. Winter Palace

Winter Palace, one of the most tear-jerking romantic dramas of 2019, is hailed as a significant milestone in the realm of adaptations.

Xiao Feng, once a girl of innocence and purity, entrusts her pure love to Cao Xiao Wu - a young man who ventures into her village for trade. Her Cao Xiao Wu is a lively lad, willing to brave all odds for her, even capturing 100 fireflies just to marry her. However, behind the cheerful youth lies a completely different person, with the ruthless schemes of Crown Prince Li Shou Jing. No longer the Cao Xiao Wu she once swore loyalty to. The day she marries Cao Xiao Wu marks the day the Royal Family is brutally slaughtered. The perpetrator behind this massacre is none other than her husband Cao Xiao Wu - precisely Crown Prince Li Shou Jing. The pain of losing her homeland barely fades when Xiao Feng has to face this heartbreaking truth. The agony, coupled with the guilt of bringing Cao Xiao Wu to annihilate her family, drives her to jump into the River Forget. Cao Xiao Wu follows Xiao Feng, and both forget their memories, living together for three years as Royal Consort and Crown Prince Li Shou Jing of the Trung Nguyen Dynasty.

During those three years, Xiao Feng loses her memories but falls in love with Li Shou Jing once again. Amidst love and national grievances, a princess like her cannot accept the prospect of spending the rest of her life with her enemy. According to the original, upon learning this truth, Xiao Feng attempts to execute Li Shou Jing but fails. She flees with Ah Du, attempting to escape the capital but cannot evade the clutches of Li Shou Jing. Eventually, she climbs the city wall and chooses death to end her life, hoping to forget Li Shou Jing or the past Cao Xiao Wu. Watch Winter Palace to delve deeper into the plot twists!

2. Melancholic Spring at the Empty Pavilion

Adapted from the renowned novel by the famous author Phỉ Ngã Tư Tồn, the film Melancholic Spring at the Empty Pavilion, released in 2016, has brought tears to many viewers with an ending that couldn't be sadder.

The film is set in the eighth year of the Kangxi era. The loyal minister Ngao Bái is arrested, leading to a ruthless purge of dissenters. A Bố Nại's family is wrongly accused, leading to their annihilation. Lương Nhi, then 10 years old, narrowly escapes death. While fleeing, she coincidentally meets Khang Hy, and they promise to meet again in the future. Lương Nhi takes refuge in the Nạp Lan family, but after an accident, she loses her memory. To ensure safety, Nạp Lan Dung renames Lương Nhi to Vệ Lâm Lang. Dung Nhược and Lâm Lang grow up together, becoming childhood sweethearts. Nạp Lan Minh Châu, fearing impending disaster, secretly sends her into the palace as a maid. Everything starts from there when Lâm Lang reunites with Khang Hy and they fall in love.

Lang, after regaining her memory, is torn between love and revenge. It's a fateful encounter, only because of the circumstances at the time, because of the grudges of previous years that two people who love each other have to live a lifetime in regret and pain. They are only separated by a single wall, but that wall forever stands as a barrier preventing the destined lovers from being together. In the end, before closing his eyes, Khang Hy still keeps by his bed the tiger shoe, the token of destiny between him and Lâm Lang. 'I've given up the world, but I still can't give up one person.'

3. Legend of Long Châu

The film The Legend of Long Châu, released in 2017, is a historical and romantic Chinese television series directed by Chu Thiếu Kiệt and Châu Viễn Châu, starring young actors such as Dương Tử, Thư Sướng, and Tần Tuấn Kiệt, which has attracted considerable attention from viewers.

The Legend of Long Châu revolves around the tumultuous love story of the last princess of the Ming Dynasty, Chu Dịch Hoan, and the young emperor Khang Hy. Lý Dịch Hoan grows up in Minh Châu Village. Every day, she trains in martial arts with Chu Từ Huyên, Tuyết Khuynh Thành, Diệp Mặc Thanh, and Phàn Thiến Ảnh. After reaching adulthood, Dịch Hoan leaves Minh Châu Village, following her master's orders to approach Khang Hy to seek revenge for her family. However, after experiencing many hardships together, Dịch Hoan and Emperor Khang Hy fall in love.

Dịch Hoan abandons her revenge mission and makes a lifelong promise with Khang Hy never to betray each other. Despite their difficulties and promises, due to family grudges, both have to bury their feelings deep in their hearts. The ending of the film shows Khang Hy standing alone in the Forbidden City, leaving viewers full of regret for this tumultuous love affair.

4. Encounter with Vương Lịch Xuyên

Encounter with Vương Lịch Xuyên unfolds a love story more beautiful than a fairy tale, starring Vương Lịch Xuyên and Tiểu Thu. They once deeply loved each other, then separated for 10 years, but in the end, their love was too great to ever be apart again.

When you love someone, you want them to be happy, even if it means bearing more than your share of sorrows, just hoping that the one you love is safe and happy. If you could turn everything you have into happiness for the one you love, they would also be willing to accept it, but in reality, achieving what you desire is not easy. For Tiểu Thu, love is like a wall in a room, whether you look at it or not, it's still there.

Love etched deep in the heart is a love like a knife through the soul, both painful and profound. Pain can also create an addictive feeling because when there's still pain, it means that love is still there. Encounter with Vương Lịch Xuyên evokes a sense of melancholy as love is like a night-blooming cereus flower, stunningly beautiful but withering swiftly as the sunlight rises.

The movie Lan Lăng Queen is adapted from the online novel of the same name by Dương Thiên Tử, directed by the renowned Hong Kong director Diệp Chiêu Nghi. The film features the participation of famous actors such as Hà Nhuận Đông, Trương Hàm Vận, Trần Dịch, Bành Quán Anh,...

Lan Lăng Queen tells the story of Nguyên Thanh Tỏa, the successor of the Đoan Mộc family, who was raised in an aristocratic family with a talent for painting since childhood. She is childhood friends with Lan Lăng King/Cao Tường Cung. However, due to seeking the Trấn Hồn Châu and Thanh Loan Kính, she was married to Vũ Văn Ung. At the wedding due to meeting a familiar guest, she lost her memory, and it was also at this time that she met and fell in love with Lan Lăng King.

Due to some misunderstandings, she returned to Vũ Văn Ung and helped him ascend the throne. Over time, she realized that she had fallen in love with Vũ Văn Ung. Just when everything seemed to end here, Lan Lăng King was sentenced to death. She returned to take care of Lan Lăng King's mother, who was also her mentor. The ending left viewers with a lingering sadness about the tragic fate of Cao Tường Cung.

Originally adapted from the novel 'Spy War at Shanghai Port' by writer Trương Dũng, The Disguiser tells the story of the Minh family with three siblings: Minh Kính, Minh Lâu, and Minh Đài. In the film, Minh Đài is a double agent with the codename 'Deadly Scorpion.' He not only has to outsmart the traitors and Japanese invaders but also hide his true identity from his own family.

While watching the movie, audiences will experience suspense and excitement with each plot twist, and also gain a deeper understanding of the resistance against the Japanese as well as the brutal nature of the Sino-Japanese War. In The Disguiser, Hồ Ca portrays the character Minh Đài – outwardly a government employee named Uông Ngụy but actually a special agent. Initially, Minh Đài (Hồ Ca) was a carefree young man, unconcerned about worldly affairs. Due to a misunderstanding, Minh Đài was kidnapped into a military school specializing in espionage training.

During his training, he underwent remarkable changes, transforming from a carefree youth to an extremely skilled operative, possessing intelligence and quick reflexes. Because of his outstanding performance, he was appointed as the leader of the action team in the military. From then on, his life took a new path filled with danger and challenges.

Adapted from the popular online novel of the same name by author Fresh Quả Quả, Flower of the Soul is hailed as a masterpiece with a satisfying ending. Flower of the Soul marked a significant breakthrough in the career of the lead actress Triệu Lệ Dĩnh.

The film revolves around the poignant yet beautiful love story between master and disciple Trường Lưu Thượng Tiên Bạch Tử Họa (portrayed by Hoắc Kiếm Hoa) and Flower of the Soul (portrayed by Triệu Lệ Dĩnh). The film tackles a taboo subject that has always been intriguing, attracting numerous viewers since its release. Flower of the Soul depicts a love story filled with love, hate, conflicts, separations, happiness, and regrets. It's a love story that cannot be easily summarized, between the apathetic and indifferent Trường Lưu Thượng Tiên Bạch Tử Họa and the ethereal beauty Flower of the Soul. The essence of love in Flower of the Soul is profound and overwhelming.

True happiness sometimes arises from the reunion of shattered pieces, yet it may not always be complete. While the main characters could have been together, the ending, though 'happy,' feels rushed and fails to adequately capture the overwhelming emotions and tragedies endured throughout their love journey. But the pain of separation always lingers, leaving a deep longing. Because that's the essence of love—sometimes a slight deficiency makes one yearn, while being too full leads to satisfaction and eventual forgetfulness.

Debuting to audiences in 2012, Enchanting Love in the Imperial City is a romantic drama adapted from the renowned novel Thương ly by author Tuyết Linh Chi.

A love story that begins with misunderstanding and ends with misunderstanding, that's the love story of the headstrong Mỹ Ly from Mongolia and Tĩnh Hiên in the movie Enchanting Love in the Imperial City. When Mỹ Ly travels to Beijing due to a misunderstanding, she meets Tĩnh Hiên, and they develop deep feelings for each other despite not knowing each other's true identities. Growing up in a foreign court, Mỹ Ly always longs to reunite with her father. But she never expected to face so many challenges.

Here she meets Tĩnh Hiên, and the two fall in love. To protect Mỹ Ly, Tĩnh Hiên is forced to marry Tố Doanh as his empress. This leads to misunderstandings between them. This also leads to many tragedies, and the price to be paid is Mỹ Ly's life.

Lost Love (Lạc Tuấn Khải) is a modern drama released in 2013, adapted from the novel of the same name by Phi Ngã Tư Tồn. Despite being comprised of only 9 episodes, each lasting just over 20 minutes, the cast includes top-notch actors such as Hà Nhuận Đông and Trương Quân Ninh. Despite its short format, the series garnered much attention and moved many viewers with its tragic storyline.

The plot revolves around the tearful love story of Lạc Tuấn Khải and Lệ Dạ - a love filled with twists, obstacles; desiring to be close, yet fate brings only pain and sorrow. It's a love story brimming with desperation and deception. Lạc Tuấn Khải marries the daughter of his enemy - Lệ Dạ - seeking revenge for the death of his first love. After marriage, he uses various schemes to torment her, leading her to leave.

Lệ Dạ conceals her child with Lạc Tuấn Khải and raises him alone. In the tangled web of love and hate, on one hand, Lạc Tuấn Khải toys with Lệ Dạ, while on the other, he silently cares for her. Meanwhile, in this deceitful love affair, Lệ Dạ almost goes mad trying to escape him, unaware that he has long stolen her heart. Both tormented by stubbornness and revenge, they both fall into tragedy. Tuấn Khải's enemy captures their son, and to save him, he goes alone, finally falling in front of Lệ Dạ. When Tuấn Khải confesses his love, it's already too late.

When it comes to heartbreaking endings in romantic dramas, Palace (Bộ Bộ Kinh Tâm) cannot be overlooked. The series is adapted from the popular romantic novel of the same name by author Đồng Hoa. Even after 11 years since its release, Palace (Bộ Bộ Kinh Tâm) is still hailed as one of the most captivating historical dramas from China.

Palace (Bộ Bộ Kinh Tâm) tells the story of office worker Trương Hiểu who travels back in time to the Qing Dynasty and becomes the palace maid Nhược Hy. Here, she becomes entangled in a complex love triangle between Tứ A Ca and Bát A Ca, amidst the power struggles for the throne.

She assists and remains by Tứ A Ca's side until he ascends to the throne. Just when they think they have found happiness, palace intrigues force them apart. The series concludes with Nhược Hy waiting for Tứ A Ca but unable to meet him one last time. When Tứ learns of Nhược Hy's death, he cremates her as per her wishes before his own demise.