Top 8 Most Popular Chinese TV Shows

Happy Camp, also known as "The Joyful Gathering", is one of the most popular television shows in China, running for over 20 years and broadcast during prime time on Hunan TV. True to its name, this show, hosted by the charismatic and humorous MCs He Jiong and Xie Na, provides a fun and relaxing experience for viewers. It brings together film crews and celebrities for lively interactions, with the humorous banter and playful atmosphere providing endless laughter. After a busy workweek, viewers enjoy the perfect escape with this light-hearted entertainment.

The show won the prestigious Golden Eagle Award in 1998 and many other accolades. It was also the highest-rated variety show in China in 2009. In 2017, Happy Camp was recognized by Guinness World Records for its record-breaking viewership ratings.

Dad, Where Are We Going? is a Chinese adaptation of the popular MBC show from South Korea, first airing in 2013 on Hunan TV. The Chinese version quickly won the hearts of viewers with its endearing and playful children, who brought a delightful energy to the show. The fathers of these kids are all famous celebrities in China's entertainment industry. In the first season, we saw father-child pairs such as Lin Chi-ling with his son Kimi, Zhang Liang with his son Zhang Yihong, and Tian Liang with his daughter Tian Yutong.

The show became a massive success, with these celebrity kids transforming into overnight stars. The young cast received massive media attention, often referred to as the 'new stars' or 'prodigies of showbiz.' These children were soon sought after by advertising companies, TV shows, and movie sets, earning paychecks that even veteran actors could not match. Famous child stars like Grace, the daughter of Lin Chi-ling, and Nuo Yi became household names thanks to the show.

Extraordinary You is a Chinese television program that premiered in 2011 and has since captivated audiences both locally and internationally. In this show, female contestants introduce themselves and share their ideal partner with a group of male participants. The men then decide whether to choose the woman, and if both agree, they leave together as a couple. Some women join the show to express their feelings and attempt to persuade one of the men into dating them. With simple rules, vibrant dynamics, and heartfelt romantic moments, the show is filled with sweet confessions and surprising twists.

The success of Extraordinary You can largely be attributed to its lineup of charming male guests. These men come from diverse industries, with various talents, ages, and styles. Above all, they are not only good-looking but also highly skilled. Unlike distant idols, these men lead ordinary lives, making them even more relatable and appealing to fans.

Youth With You (Idol Producer) is a highly popular reality show produced by YIQYI. From an initial pool of 1908 trainees across 87 agencies, both local and international, 100 top contestants are selected to compete. After four months of intense training and filming, the show determines the 9 winners based on audience votes, who then debut as a new male idol group.

The second season of Youth With You featured Wang Yibo as the national producer, Lisa from BlackPink as the dance coach, Ella Chen as the music mentor, and JONY J as the rap coach. The season aims to launch a new female idol group, and the show is currently airing.

Chuang 2021 is a Chinese reality survival show based on the popular Korean program Produce 101, aired on Tencent Video. The show gathers trainees from various countries and entertainment companies, with the goal of forming an international boy band with 11 members, selected through global audience voting.

The 2021 season successfully formed a new group, INTO1, consisting of Liao Yu, Santa, Rikimaru, Mika, Nine, Lan Mo, Ba Yuan, Zhang Jia Yuan, Patrick, Zhou Ka Wu, and AK Liao Zhang. Additionally, the show featured a spin-off called “Who’s the Fool in Werewolf World,” a reality competition where trainees participate in themed games, transform into characters, and complete challenges to win. The program tests the contestants' intelligence, physical strength, and captivating charisma.

I Am A Singer is a reality competition show produced by Hunan TV. Unlike typical singing talent shows, this one features a battle among professional Billboard artists from China. It is a fierce competition between China’s top singers, alongside famous musicians from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea, attracting international attention beyond the Chinese-speaking world.

In each round, participants can either perform their own songs or cover a song from a competing artist. The audience has full control over the voting process. I Am A Singer is an entertaining show for those interested in Chinese pop music.

The Voice of China is a reality singing competition created by Zhejiang Television that has taken China by storm. The show features top Chinese singers, along with popular artists from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea, gaining attention not only in China but internationally.

The program boasts high production values, with a sophisticated lighting and sound system managed by the same team responsible for the Beijing Olympics' opening and closing ceremonies. The stage features cutting-edge audio technology to enhance the contestants' performances. Coaches on The Voice of China are not only beloved for their fame but also for their passion and dedication, which has helped many contestants rise from obscurity to achieve high rankings in the competition.

Keep Running is a popular Chinese reality variety show based on the hit Korean program, Running Man. The show, which airs on Zhejiang Television every Friday during prime time, has now completed 9 seasons.

The fixed cast features Chinese celebrities such as Li Chen, Angelababy, Zheng Kai, Sa Di, Thai Tu Kun, Huang Huxi, and Song Yuqi. Each episode includes guest appearances from other entertainment stars, bringing humor and charm to the show. Despite its international origins, Keep Running has become a fan favorite for its wit and the endearing personalities of its guests. Notably, Season 4 featured the stunningly charming and handsome Song Joong-ki, whose smile captured the hearts of fans worldwide.