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If you're tired of the usual sweet and predictable films, switch gears to experience a myriad of emotions with gripping heart-wrenching dramas. Below, Mytour presents the top 15 best Chinese heart-wrenching movies for your viewing pleasure.
1. Eastern Palace – Goodbye My Princess (2018)
Eastern Palace is a historical heart-wrenching drama adapted from the novel of the same name by author Phỉ Ngã Tư Tồn. The story revolves around the tumultuous love affair between the beautiful Western Liang princess, Xiao Feng, and the Crown Prince of Trung Nguyen, Li Thua Ngon. Xiao Feng, deeply in love with Li Thua Ngon, ends up in a tragic situation as she sacrifices her homeland for love. Heartbroken, she attempts suicide by jumping into the river, only to be saved by Thua Ngon. However, the shock is so profound that she loses her memory and is married off to Trung Nguyen to become Li Thua Ngon's prince consort.
2. From Pain to a River - Cry me a sad river (2018)
From Pain to a River is the most heart-wrenching film in the Chinese heart-wrenching genre. The plot revolves around the life of Dich Dao, a strong and independent girl with a kind heart. Living with a single mother, unfortunately inheriting a terminal illness from her, and being a victim of school violence, her only friend is Te Minh. However, in the toughest and most painful times, Co Sam Tay appears and saves her life. Nevertheless, the tragedy continues as she is wrongly accused of theft, leading to the death of Sam Tay's sister. In the end, Dich Dao chooses death to find freedom for herself.
3. Let's Love Under the Full Moon - Love Under The Full Moon (2021)
Seemingly a sweet romance film, Love Under the Full Moon surprises audiences with its intense heart-wrenching narrative. The story revolves around the life of Luo Su Ha after losing her memory due to the moonlight effect and falling for the handsome Hua Hieu Dong. Both are bound within a 10-meter space and must always be together. Over time, they develop feelings for each other. To regain lost memories from 10 years ago, Luo Su Ha inadvertently gets entangled in the whirlwind of the past. In the end, despite realizing their mutual affection, they can never be together again.
4. Adorable Programmer (2021)
Adorable Programmer revolves around Lulu's pursuit of the handsome Khuong Dat Thanh. In her love for him, Lulu goes to great lengths, studying hard to become outstanding like him, even cutting her hair to apply for a job at his company. Under family pressure, Dat Thanh is forced to enter into a marriage contract with Lulu. Living together, he unexpectedly develops feelings for her. Complications arise when Dat Thanh's ex-girlfriend appears, causing a rift between them. Despite investing so much and not holding onto their love, Lulu decides to divorce and leave.
5. Life's First Encounter - Siege in Fog (2018)
Set in the Republican era, Life's First Encounter tells the tale of a love-hate relationship between Tang Tang and the third young master of the Ditch family, Ditch Lien Khai. The film not only portrays emotional turmoil but also intricately crafts the characters. Tang Tang, an outwardly delicate young lady with hidden depths and clever behavior. Ditch Lien Khai, outwardly noble and elegant, but with a sky-high cunning. This is undoubtedly a reversal with many enticing elements that you cannot overlook.
6. Flower's Odyssey – The Journey of Flower (2015)
When it comes to heart-wrenching films that steal tears from the audience, Flower's Odyssey cannot be overlooked. As a historical romance with fantasy elements, the film has garnered immense success since its release. It portrays the tearful master-disciple relationship between Flower's Odyssey and Bai Tu Hua. This forbidden yet delicate and cleverly crafted romance is truly poignant.
7. Fragrance Sweet as Frost – Heavy Sweetness, Ash-like Frost (2018)
Fragrance Sweet as Frost is a comprehensive reversal, challenging the male lead, the female lead, and the male supporting character. The plot revolves around the intertwined love and hatred across three lifetimes between Cam Mich and Huc Phuong. During the epic battle between the Heavenly Realm and the Demon Realm, in order to protect Huc Phuong, Cam Mich sacrificed herself, leaving behind sorrow for him. After numerous attempts and with the help of the Flower Realm, Cam Mich was resurrected and found a fulfilling conclusion.
8. Scarlet Heart – Heartrending Palace (2011)
Belonging to the genre of historical time-travel dramas, Scarlet Heart drives the audience wild with its intense emotional rollercoaster. The story revolves around office worker Zhang Xiao, who meets an accident and time-travels to the Kangxi era, assuming the identity of Ma Nhi Thai Nhuoc Hy. Here, she becomes entangled in a whirlwind of love and power struggles among the princes...
9. The Legend of So Kieu – Princess Agents (2017)
Despite being a period drama, The Legend of So Kieu matches the emotional intensity of contemporary dramas. The plot revolves around the sweet yet complicated love between So Kieu and Yan Tu. Even though he loves So Kieu deeply, Yan Tu must set aside everything to wait for the day to avenge the ancient grudge that destroyed his sect.
10. Summer's Enchantment – Summer’s Desire (2018)
Summer's Desire narrates a tangled love triangle involving Lac Hi, Ha Mat, and Au Thanh. Lac Hi was adopted by the Ha Mat family from a young age. As time goes by, he develops feelings for Ha Mat, but in her heart, she carries the image of her ex-boyfriend Au Thanh. All three have hearts scarred by possessiveness and numerous wounds. They lack a sense of security and don't know what they truly need. Time provides them with maturity to learn how to love and appreciate what's in front of them.
11. Flowing Passion Beauty Assassination – Love and Redemption (2020)
Love and Redemption, a tearjerker, unfolds the tumultuous love story spanning ten lifetimes between Chu Toan Co and Vu Tu Phuong. Chu Toan Co, originally a War God of the Celestial Realm, is unjustly demoted to the mortal world. Born as a weak cultivator with impaired five senses, she lacks emotions, doesn't feel pain, and doesn't know love. Fate leads her to Vu Tu Phuong, a intelligent, calm, and rational young man, sparking the beginning of their mutual affection. Their love must endure through 10 lifetimes before they can reunite.
12. Love Across Three Lifetimes – Eternal Love (2017)
When it comes to emotionally gripping narratives and an ensemble cast of beautiful actors, Eternal Love is a must-mention in the realm of heart-wrenching dramas. The story revolves around the three-lifetime love of the fox deity Thanh Khâu Bạch Thiển and the Crown Prince Cửu Trùng Thiên Dạ Hoa. In her quest to be with Dạ Hoa as Bạch Thiển, she endures countless hardships, even drinking the elixir of forgetfulness to erase it all. Can they find happiness amidst the trials and tribulations?
13. Love Unspoken – Too Late to Say I Love You (2010)
Set in the Chinese society of the Republican era, Love Unspoken narrates the poignant love story of Bái Lâm and Tĩnh Uyển. In the original work, they tragically lose each other for 8 years due to war, turning a love that should have been beautiful into something bitter and regretful. Upon their reunion, Bái Lâm, out of jealousy, unknowingly causes the death of Tĩnh Uyển's daughter, a deed that he later regrets deeply.
14. The Fate of Chang'an (2020)
The Fate of Chang'an primarily follows the life of Hạ Lan Minh Ngọc on her journey to becoming a respected Empress. Initially, a clever and resourceful District Princess, she inadvertently forms a romantic connection with the Ninth Prince Tiêu Thừa Húc. However, due to the impending danger faced by the Ninth Prince, she is forced to marry the Third Prince Tiêu Thừa Duệ. Returning from the dead, Tiêu Thừa Húc helplessly witnesses the woman he loves become his sister-in-law. Despite this, he continues to assist his elder brother in ruling the country. Ironically, that elder brother is the hidden cause behind their mother's death.
15. Silver Princess – Princess Silver (2019)
Silver Princess, a poignant historical drama, revolves around Princess Tây Khải Dung Lạc, married to the Prince Vô Ưu of Northern Lâm. In order to approach and investigate Tần Gia's secret letter, she disguises herself as the teahouse owner Mạn Yêu. When Vô Ưu develops feelings for Mạn Yêu, it coincides with her marriage to the General Phó Trù. It is only then that Vô Ưu discovers she is Dung Lạc, the girl he once rejected. Despite being a beauty in the world, Dung Lạc endures much suffering. Watch to discover whether the men in the story truly loved her or just exploited her for their ambitions.
Here is a subjective ranking of the Top 15 Chinese heart-wrenching dramas. If you believe any other deserving dramas should make the list, feel free to comment below for everyone's reference. Wishing you all enjoyable moments of entertainment!
