Top 10 Must-Watch Chinese BL Dramas You Shouldn't Miss

Addicted is a web drama adapted from the novel of the same name by Nghịch tập Sài Kê, premiered on January 29, 2016. The series revolves around the love story of Bai Luo Yin (portrayed by Johnny Huang) and Gu Hai (portrayed by Timmy Xu). Their relationship begins from high school to university.

Gu Hai, a wealthy heir, has his father remarrying Bai Luo Yin's mother. In school, Bai Luo Yin excels academically, while Gu Hai plays tricks to annoy the diligent student. Over time, they develop feelings for each other. Addicted immediately stirred up a strong wave of interest from the public, not only from the youth but also from parents who support it. With a stellar cast and adorable couples like Bai Luo Yin - Gu Hai, and engaging plot, the series has captivated fans, especially BL enthusiasts, praising its success.

Word of Honor tells the tale of a world steeped in mystery, with terrifying ghosts and demons. The people here are besieged by dark magic and monsters, leaving them with no peaceful days. Trương Triết Hạn's character - Chu Tử Thư, is a nobleman who always appears aloof and speaks little.

He crosses paths with Ôn Khách (played by Cung Tuấn), a heavenly envoy sent down to become the leader of the Demon sect, mischievous and sinister, with a devilish smile. The two develop into a black-and-white pair, enduring countless trials and competitions despite each having their own journey before meeting.

Truth Behind the Veil is an epic television series adapted from the famous BL novel 'Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation' by author Mặc Hương Đồng Khứu.

The story revolves around Ngụy Vô Tiện (portrayed by Tiêu Chiến), a man labeled as evil and betrayed by his own sect. After 13 years, he is reincarnated into the body of Mạc Huyền Vũ, an unfavored young master of the Mạc Clan, and is reluctantly drawn into the battle against demons alongside the descendants of aristocratic families practicing cultivation. Along the way, Ngụy Vô Tiện reunites with Lam Vong Cơ - Lam Trạm (played by Vương Nhất Bác) - the respected Hàm Quang Quân, who also happens to be his childhood friend. While Ngụy Vô Tiện fears Lam Vong Cơ might recognize him and seek revenge, he is unaware that Lam Vong Cơ has long harbored affection for him and is overjoyed to discover that Ngụy Vô Tiện is alive. Thus, many secrets from the past are gradually revealed.

Not only a sensation domestically, Truth Behind the Veil has also gained widespread popularity across Asian countries. Netflix has even acquired the broadcasting rights for the series in 100 different countries. The success of Truth Behind the Veil has propelled the actors to new heights of fame. Lead actors Tiêu Chiến and Vương Nhất Bác have become the most sought-after pair.

Moreover, Truth Behind the Veil made history as the first Chinese drama to be honored in the top 50 hottest television shows globally on Tumblr 2019 rankings, as announced by Billboard.

Not by the Red of Hibiscus (English: Winter Begonia; Chinese: 鬓边不是海棠红; Pinyin: Bìn Biān Bùshì Hǎitánghóng) is a Chinese television series directed by Hue Giai Đống[1]. The series is adapted from the famous Chinese novel of the same name set in the backdrop of the period of the Sino-Japanese War. It features renowned actors such as Huỳnh Hiểu Minh, Doãn Chính, and Xa Thi Mạn,…

Set in Beiping (Republic of China) in the 1930s during the tense period of the conflict between China and Japan, Not by the Red of Hibiscus is a bittersweet love story of a patriotic businessman Trình Phượng Đài (Huỳnh Hiểu Minh) with the talented opera performer Thương Tế Nhụy (Doãn Chính). Two men thought to be parallel lines, two opposing worlds seemingly unrelated to each other, yet in the end, they stand side by side because of shared ideals, refusing to surrender to foreign invaders, ready to sacrifice to defend the homeland.

The film is adapted from the novel of the same name by author Priest. The Special Investigation Department (SID) at 4 Quang Minh Street, Long Thanh City is a task force responsible for protecting citizens to maintain peace and solving mysterious cases related to Diatonic people. After a strange case occurs at Long Thanh University, Captain Trieu - Trieu Van Lan of the Special Investigation Department and team members investigate the case and meet Tham Nguy - a professor at the Department of Biology of Long Thanh University.

Later, Professor Tham moves to be Trieu Van Lan's neighbor. The Special Investigation Department discovers that besides the strange case at Long Thanh University, Tham Nguy is also involved in several strange incidents thereafter. This raises suspicions for Trieu Van Lan, but he doesn't know that Tham Nguy's true identity is actually a Messenger of the Black Guardian, who has been cooperating with them for a long time. They then together search for the Four Holy Relics when a mysterious enemy threatens to reignite war. Trieu Van Lan and Tham Nguy go through many lifetimes to depict the chessboard between the mortal world, demon realm, and immortals.

In 2016, following the sensational series Addicted, Rising to Glory became the most anticipated drama. This is a work by the author Saike Dàn. Rising to Glory is a BL drama adapted from the famous novel Advance Bravely by Saike Dàn. Right from the release of the trailer and the cut version, Rising to Glory was already hot, and the cast is incredibly handsome as well.

The first impression of Rising to Glory is that it's quite well-invested compared to Saike Dàn's previous works. Of course, it cannot match the grandeur of the novels, but the houses, backgrounds, costumes... all are pleasing to the eye.

The second impression is the beauty of the main couple, Ha Dieu and Vien Tung, who are truly charming. They act very naturally and seamlessly, without any stiffness. The plot of the drama sticks quite closely to the novel, so it doesn't feel forced, even the 'eighteen plus' scenes between the two.

The story of Rising to Glory (Advance Bravely) is about Ha Canh Quan - Ha Dieu - a handsome police officer. Vien Nhu - Vien Tung's sister - initially likes Ha Dieu, but our protagonist is utterly disgusted by her. To win him over, she enlists the help of her brother.

However, ironically, upon meeting Ha Dieu, Vien Tung is struck by love at first sight. He then succeeds in making Ha Dieu become 'a member of the family' as his sister dreams. But the only problem is that the position is a bit wrong. At first, it was to bring someone home for his sister, but unexpectedly, he ends up bringing someone home for himself.

Irresistible Force is an incredibly captivating Chinese BL drama adapted from the talented author Lam Lam's work of the same name. It's one of the most popular novels with a large fan base. Therefore, when adapted into a drama, it received a lot of attention from the audience.

Irresistible Force revolves around the love story between Thu Niem and Ta Viem. Thu Niem is an orphan, taken in and raised by the Ta family. He secretly loves Ta Viem but is constantly hurt and tormented by him. After many emotional ups and downs, there is finally a perfect ending for this beautiful couple. The acting of the cast is highly praised, transitioning seamlessly from the novel. Irresistible Force is a must-watch Chinese BL drama.

Heavenly Fortunes an animated series adapted from the sensational novel on Tân Giang by author Mặc Hương Đồng Khứu. It tells the story of the over 800-year love affair between the celestial official Tạ Liên and the demon king Hoa Thành.

The plot revolves around a forbidden romance and profound emotions between a deity and a demon spanning over 800 years. Born as a prince of the prosperous nation of Tiên Lạc, Tạ Liên is gifted and virtuous, ascending to the heavenly realm at the age of 18 to become the renowned Martial Flower Deity.

However, Tạ Liên inadvertently commits a mistake that leads to the destruction of his nation, and he himself is cast down to the mortal realm due to his altruistic beliefs of “saving sentient beings”. Even worse, he faces scorn and persecution from the very people who once worshipped him. Yet, even at his lowest point, the prince of Tiên Lạc still has a loyal devotee, willing to live and die to protect him for a single word.

Throughout 800 years and three ascensions, Tạ Liên, once again becoming a celestial official, brings blessings to sentient beings. The humble devotee, once insignificant, now one of the “four great scourges”, strikes fear into the three realms, embodying the essence of the title “Heavenly Fortunes”. Hoa Thành, with devotion that blooms like blood-stained flowers, worships only one.

Love's Journey is a web drama adapted from the renowned novel Love's Journey by Lam Lâm. Despite loving each other sincerely since their youth, Lục Phong (portrayed by Cao Thái Vũ) and Trình Diệc Thần (played by Hoàng Tĩnh Tường) face prejudice from friends and opposition from family.

To thwart their burgeoning love, their families separated the couple for many years, causing them to drift apart like lost lovers, each going their separate ways. Then one day, Lục Phong returns from the United States to visit his hometown and reunites with his former lover Diệc Thần. With the participation of hot actors and the appearance of famous Chinese cosplayers like Hoàng Tĩnh Tường and Ất Suất Indigo, the series Love's Journey receives immense support from a large fan base. It is one of the hottest Chinese BL dramas on screen.

Haoyi Xing is a Chinese period drama adapted from the popular work Husky And His White Cat Shizun by the author Meatbun Doesn't Eat Meatbun. The storyline is highly innovative and stars two Chinese screen heartthrobs: La Van Hi and Tran Phi Vu.

The story revolves around a world set in the cultivation context, where each sect has its own territory and stronghold. Within the stronghold, there are mortals working and living. Among them, there are secret arts such as reincarnation (coming back to life), saving the dead, repeating the same timeline, or returning to the past, like So Van Ninh and Mặc Nhiên.

Mặc Nhiên is like a dog searching for a master, a refuge, but foolishly bites chaos everywhere. Only when she is alone does the Husky understand that even if the master only gives bones without meat, it is better than being a stray dog, lonely and lost. Haoyi Xing is among the most anticipated Chinese BL dramas of 2021.