Chinese dramas, or C-dramas, have exploded onto the scene, pulling viewers in with swoony romances, jaw-dropping fantasy worlds, and slice-of-life tales that feel like a warm hug.

If you’re just dipping your toes in, these beginner-friendly picks on iQiyi, WeTV, Youku, Mango TV and Netflix are the perfect starting line — packed with magnetic chemistry, straightforward storytelling, and that addictive pull that turns casual viewers into superfans.

Romance picks

Hidden Love on Netflix and Youku tugs at the heartstrings with Sang Zhi’s childhood crush on her brother’s brooding best friend, Duan Jiaxu. The story evolves into a tender adult romance that’s all butterflies and zero regrets — light, emotional and impossible to stop watching.

Put Your Head on My Shoulder streams on iQIYI and Youku, where college students stumble into a fake relationship that slowly blooms into something real amid fluffy rom-com chaos. It eases viewers into C-drama sweetness like a first crush.

Falling Into Your Smile lands on Netflix with e-sports queen Tong Yao joining an all-boys gaming team and igniting sparks along the way. Fun, fierce and fresh, it’s perfect for anyone craving modern vibes with a side of empowerment.

Fantasy adventures

Love Between Fairy and Devil captivates on iQiyi and Netflix as plucky fairy Xiao Lanhua accidentally revives a demon god, sparking an enemies-to-lovers whirlwind filled with magic and steamy tension. The visuals are spellbinding, making fantasy feel both accessible and swoon-worthy.

Till the End of the Moon unfolds on Youku and Netflix in an epic clash of immortals, where a goddess and a demon lord become entangled in romance amid breathtaking battles. Its gripping storyline is strong enough to hook newcomers despite its longer runtime.

Modern dramas

Go Ahead warms hearts on iQIYI and WeTV, tracing the lives of three non-blood-related siblings as they navigate family bonds, awkward crushes and personal growth. It’s relatable, tear-jerking comfort food without over-the-top melodrama.

Arsenal Military Academy on iQIYI throws a fierce young woman into boot camp disguised as a man, uncovering romance and secrets in a pulse-pounding mix of action and intrigue — an exciting action-romance entry point for beginners.

Intense Love buzzes on Mango TV as a celebrity actress and a genius doctor collide in a fast-paced medical rom-com packed with flirty banter and laughs. Its short episodes make it an easy, breezy delight for first-time viewers.

Historical gems

The Princess Weiyoung reigns on Netflix, following an amnesiac princess who schemes her way through palace betrayals in pursuit of revenge. With forbidden love, political intrigue, and constant twists, it delivers historical escapism at its most addictive.