Top 9 Hottest Chinese Dramas at the Beginning of 2020

"The Hairpin and the Red Camellia" is set in China during the 1930s-1940s, focusing on the traditional art of Chinese opera. The story follows Shang Ze Ri (played by Yuan Zhen), a renowned opera artist who faces jealousy and sabotage due to his extraordinary talent. Trinh Phung Dai (played by Huang Xiaoming), a businessman, unexpectedly discovers Shang's performances and becomes enamored with this art form, forging a friendship and offering help to Shang. As war breaks out, the two men are swept up in the tide of history, standing together in the fight for survival.

"The Hairpin and the Red Camellia" presents a polished and well-crafted narrative. The performances, particularly by Huang Xiaoming, have been praised for breaking away from his previously criticized acting style, showcasing a more grounded and authentic portrayal.

I Don’t Want to Be Friends with You is a青春校园 time-travel drama that blends nostalgia with youthful energy, stirring up a range of emotions. The story follows Li Jianbo (played by Zhang Dafi), who accidentally enters the men's restroom and finds herself mysteriously transported back to 1999. Realizing that returning to the past is a rare opportunity, she decides to meet her younger mother, Li Chengdong (played by Chen Haoyu), and uncovers the mystery of who her real father is. Along the way, she also meets a warm and caring young man, whose presence melts away the chill of winter and becomes part of her unforgettable journey.

With a charming young cast and an emotionally rich storyline set against the romantic backdrop of winter, I Don’t Want to Be Friends with You quickly captured the hearts of viewers, earning its place as one of the must-watch school life dramas of the first half of 2020.

Adapted from the novel "The Third Princess in the Rumor", The Story of Yanxi Palace revolves around the life of the anonymous screenwriter Chen Xiao Tian (played by Zhao Lusi) and the crown prince Han Xue (played by Ding Yuxi). The plot follows the female screenwriter who is mysteriously transported into her own story, becoming the character Chen Tian Tian, a malicious, cunning, and unlikable side character who is killed by the male lead in Chapter 3. Defying fate, Chen Tian Tian strives to change the plot and transforms herself from the villain into the heroine.

The Story of Yanxi Palace captivated viewers with its humorous, entertaining content, resonating well with a younger audience. Within just two days of airing, the show garnered 190 million views and a rating of 0.93%, ranking as the top web drama. The film’s Douban score stands at 7.7/10, earning widespread praise from viewers.

Autumn Frost, starring Ren Jialun, has been warmly received by audiences. The series is set in 1941, during the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong. Diep Xung (played by Ren Jialun), a Chinese man born and raised in Japan, works for the Japanese military in China. With his handsome looks and exceptional acting skills, Ren Jialun brings to life a smart and resourceful Diep Xung. On the surface, Diep Xung is a cold-blooded Japanese officer known as "The Devil Killer". However, in reality, he is a Chinese spy operating under the alias Autumn Frost—being hunted by the Japanese in Hong Kong.

With a fast-paced plot and dramatic twists, Autumn Frost has kept audiences on the edge of their seats. Upon its release, the series quickly climbed to the third position in Weibo's trending keywords on May 5. Keywords related to the drama, such as "Autumn Frost" and "Ren Jialun in military uniform", also ranked in Weibo's top 20 searches.

Adapted from the popular Japanese TV series "Your Home is My Business", An Jia made a strong impression on viewers with the stellar performance of the "rating queen" Sun Li, alongside veteran actors such as La Zhen, Sun Jia Yu, and Wang Zi Jian. The series revolves around the competitive world of real estate, property development, and business success. The story begins with Fang Zi Chen (played by Sun Li) who is assigned as the manager at the Tsing Yi branch of the real estate company. What seemed like a typical scenario of new employee struggles soon turns around when the ambitious newcomer, Phung (played by Sun Li), forces even the senior staff to respect her through her boldness and strength.

Alongside Fang Zi Chen is Xu Wen Xiong (played by La Zhen), an eccentric and emotionally-driven male lead. Premiering on February 21, amid the uncertainty and fear surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, An Jia achieved impressive results. The first episode garnered ratings of 1.856% (Beijing TV) and 1.999% (Eastern TV), with subsequent episodes consistently surpassing 2% in viewership.

From the very first broadcast, Next Stop, Happiness quickly captured the audience's attention, thanks to the charming Tóng Wēi Lóng and the sweet sibling-like romance between Hā Pún Tīng (played by Tóng Tián) and Yuán Tóng (played by Tóng Wēi Lóng).

Premiering on January 26 on Hunan TV, Next Stop, Happiness topped the evening drama ratings on CCTV, reaching a solid 1.47%, and earned an 8.1/10 rating on Douban. This remarkable performance made it the highest-rated drama of the first half of 2020, both on streaming platforms and TV broadcasts.

The success of The Imperial Concubine's Decree has brought the lead actors Ren Jialun and Tan Songyun into the spotlight. The story follows the brilliant female detective, Yuan Jin Xia (played by Tan Songyun), who is witty, loves food and money, but is honest and upright. She is paired with the cold and sharp Cẩm Y Guard, Lu Di (played by Ren Jialun), who is principled and just. Initially, the two start off as adversaries, but over time, they come to understand each other, solving mysterious cases and facing life-or-death situations together, eventually falling in love.

Although the special effects in The Imperial Concubine's Decree may be somewhat underwhelming, with some scenes feeling unnecessarily drawn out, the show still thrives due to its few shortcomings compared to its strengths. Besides the gripping cases and mysteries, one of the key factors that drew viewers in was the excellent chemistry between Ren Jialun and Tan Songyun. Even without many intimate scenes, the depth of their connection is conveyed through their eyes, leaving audiences completely immersed in their story.

Love in a Fallen City is highly addictive and proved its popularity when it premiered. The drama tells the story of two childhood friends, Le Ngữ Băng (played by Trương Tân Thành) and Đường Tuyết (played by Ngô Thiến). Due to various reasons, they go from being close friends to enemies, only to later develop romantic feelings for each other, creating a series of funny and heartwarming situations.

Sweet and full of energy, Love in a Fallen City successfully captures the vibrant and passionate atmosphere of youth; a time filled not only with love and friendship but also with dreams to be chased. The excellent chemistry between Trương Tân Thành and Ngô Thiến is one of the main reasons why this drama has become so beloved.

The Hidden Secret is adapted from the novel "The Troubled Child" by author Zi Jin Chen. With a gripping and intense storyline, combined with solid performances from the cast, including both adult actors and young talents, the show earned an impressive 8.9 rating on Douban right from its debut. The film’s theme became the subject of continuous and passionate discussions.

The plot of The Hidden Secret follows teacher Zhang Dong Sheng (played by Qin Hao), who appears gentle but harbors dark secrets. He has committed a heinous crime, unaware that three children have witnessed everything. Instead of reporting him to the authorities, the children blackmail Zhang Dong Sheng, dragging them into the chaotic and murky world of adults, leading to new tragedies. The film’s dramatic twists leave viewers stunned while also touching on thought-provoking issues.