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My Period C-Drama Rec List (Little-to-No Romance edition)
Note: This list consists mainly of Wuxia, Xianxia, Xuanhuan, and Historical dramas.
As someone who's always been drawn to queer elements and loves watching people in gorgeous, flowing robes and hair with their martial arts yet also have zero interest in traditional m/f romance stories, it's always been such a huge struggle to find other dramas that truly resonate with me ever since I fell in love with my first one.
The recommendations I find on Reddit have been helpful, but I wanted to make my own rec list that's more reflective of my own tastes, especially since I prefer costume/period dramas to modern ones.
My personal criteria for this list includes:
Character driven stories
Interesting plot (usually secondary but still important)
Depth to the characters and their relationships
Intriguing character dynamics
Solid and natural portrayal of the characters (good acting)
Usually has a trio dynamic (bc I'm a throuple/poly enjoyer heh)
...and I'll be highlighting each of the strong points of the show that made me enjoy them in particular. But generally speaking, they usually have all of the points above.
P.S. All the dramas below have been fully watched till the end, but I'll be adding a section for those I still need to finish and ones I'm looking forward to watching in the future.
And so in no particular order—here we go!
- Nirvana in Fire (2015)
When you look up dramas that has little to no romance with high production value and a gripping story of scheming from the shadows so good from start to finish, with characters that you can't help but fall in love with and root for: this is one of the dramas I would recommend in a heartbeat.
Aside from being one of the very first C-Dramas I fell in love with, Nirvana in Fire delivered in not only the acting but the relationships between the characters. It's been too long for me to remember every detail, but I remember falling in love with the MLs dynamic (they are so so gay. I can cut the sexual tension with a knife omg) and just how well-paced the story and narrative itself is. The sheer satisfaction of watching every action the ML has carefully prepared accumulating towards the finale is something I still remember to this day.
I don't usually enjoy court or politic-focused dramas because many feel just a tad too superficial or they fall into certain tropes that I find boring, but NiF's was crafted in such a way that I was heavily invested in the push and pull between the different factions.
Definitely not a light watch, it's dark and realistic and very grounded, and it tugs on your heart heavily...so bring some tissues if you do, because years later I still wholly recommend it to anyone wanting a solid drama with no romance.
- Whispers of Fate (2024)
This drama initially caught my attention due to its stunning visuals and some funny clips I saw on youtube, and the moment I found out it was a Xuanhuan drama (I love xuanhuan with all my heart...) I immediately watched the first ep to get a feel for it.
I was blown away by not only the gorgeous costumes and the music, but also the depth to the characters and their relationship to one another. And more importantly, I immediately captivated by the complex, messy relationship the ML has with the main antagonist (who I absolutely loved btw) and how carefully it was handled throughout the series, and we find out that their past shed even more intricate (I would say queer af) relationships that made me even more invested in the main character's journey. I loved that each of the main and side characters got a moment to really shine, and the ML's important role in their lives are also reflected in his interactions with them.
This is one of those stories that has a very solid understanding of its themes and concepts and delivered it to a tee, and while many weren't a fan of the execution and ending, (I myself have my share of criticism for certain choices they made) I find myself loving how fitting it was to the overarching Buddhist themes of forgiveness and letting go.
It's a story that stayed with me long after it was done, and while it wasn't perfect by any means, I think that by itself already means they managed to do exactly what they set out to do.
- Mysterious Lotus Casebook (2023)
If you're looking for a story about the ML having health issues and hiding his identity, solving cases with the help of old and new companions he found along the way...then this drama is for you.
It has such a nuanced trio dynamic that's cemented itself in my heart forever...the relationship between each are so interesting by themselves, and when you have them together it creates such a delicious tug-of-war, give and take that's incredibly fun to watch (also...age gap yaoi slash old man yaoi polycule...you love to see it). The sheer devotion the two MLs have for the main character was such a joy to watch, I legit couldn't get enough of them. They are so, so gay bro.
The episodic cases being solved were also a lot of fun to watch, and I remember being so invested in each one, especially seeing the shenanigans the trio would get up to.
Another part I feel like many don't mention is how they handled the minor romance subplot. As someone who's extremely indifferent with most romance stories, the way they handled it is honestly one of my favorites to date, and I adore the relationship the FL and ML had by the end.
It's one of those dramas that made me feel at peace and content yet so melancholic when it ended, and I still hold it dear to my heart. Definitely a must watch if only just for the characters' dynamics with each other.
- Fangs of Fortune (2024)
This drama is a bisexual's wet dream packaged as a fantasy drama. Wait um- I should probably start with saying how much I adore the main cast of characters and their strong found family dynamic, because my god they had me in such a chokehold so fast. Each of the characters are so rich and interesting, and the antagonists are just as nuanced and you get to see how exactly they became the way the were.
I especially loved the fantasy/xuanhuan elements incorporated into the characters and story since it's based on "The Classic Of Mountains and Seas" which is a collection of old stories of myths, and how the world was shaped and divided around the yao and humanity.
My favorite part is probably the development of the MLs throughout the series. If you're looking for something heavy that explores themes of self-discovery, acceptance, love, loss, suicidal ideation and grief, of fate and its inescapability: then this series is for you. This series also has a side romance subplot, but like- it's giving throuple slash polycule vibes for both the gays and sapphics, so I honestly didn't mind lol. Everyone gets loved equally<3
I have my gripes with the execution of the story and the writing/development of the FL (tho I still love her sm), but putting that aside, this drama was such a genuine treat to watch, my heart breaking throughout the series included. Although it didn't exactly change my life...maybe it would yours :D
- Zhan Zhao Adventures (2026)
This drama is truly OT3 heaven bruh. The relationship between the main trio is THE most intentional, balanced and well-written throuple dynamic that's baked into the actual writing of the story I‘ve ever seen in recent years. Each of them gets their own focus to their 1:1 relationship which deepens their bond as a trio. You can clearly see the deep love and devotion they have for each other…the fact that there‘s no romance storyline just highlights how special and queer their relationship is at its core. I want to especially mention how well-written the FL is in this drama, how I fell in love with her and her growth as we progress through the series.
The side characters are also very lovable and gets their own moments to shine, and the main antagonists are also either very good at being terrifyingly human in their evil deeds or really compelling to watch as they go through their own struggles. Each major plotline gets resolved and executed well, connecting everything from start to finish with no glaring plot holes staring at your face and distracting you.
Characters aside, this drama fully embodies the message and themes it was based on, how justice is something that has to be fought for in a world where corruption runs wild and free, where the government doesn't stand for its people it serves but rather the higher ups who benefit from their egocentric greed and cruelty. This drama makes us question how justice should look like with the contrasting views of our two MLs, their understanding neither right nor wrong. It's an eerily realistic depiction of how the world looks like underneath its polished sheen, and we get to see this idealized picture of the jianghu be dismantled brick by brick as they uncover more and more hidden secrets that has been holding this broken society at its roots. Not to mention the drama also touching upon misogynistic beliefs and the struggles women especially face in a world where men made the important decisions for them.
This is genuinely such an amazing, lovingly crafted Wuxia drama. The amazingly choreographed fights that glued my eyes to the screen that were absolutely breathtaking to watch are just a cherry on top of a great story. They knew exactly what they wanted to portray—the deep bond between the trio, the struggles of the common folks against these people in power who play with their lives so flippantly, the moral dilemma of what justice truly means for both the dead and the living when all seems hopeless...and they absolutely nailed it. The ending was a bit weak and rushed, but I still can't recommend this drama enough.
- Heroes (2022)
I think this is one of the dramas that I never would have expected to have absolutely gut me to the core when I finished it omfg. Story starts with a friendship trio which immediately caught my attention (as always), but we slowly gets introduced to more characters whose fate would forever be intertwined with each other.
It's a coming-of-age story centering around not just 3, not 4, but 5 main characters and we see how the struggles of the politics and the jianghu slowly changed them as people when their own ambitions clash with what the world requires of them. This is a story of people faced with the ugliness of reality and how each of them responds to it, and I was super invested in their character development and just how different each of them are to one another.
There are some prominent romance subplots but it's never truly the focus, and I actually enjoyed how they did it which was a pleasant surprise. The relationships of each of the characters had me in such a chokehold to this day (especially of the first two MLs), and I can't help but appreciate how everyone is just a little bit in love with one another lmao they legit feel like one big polycule, it's insane. The relationships are so messy yet so human and that really made me fall in love with them.
This is tragic story where you'll get your heart shredded to pieces by the end. I wholly recommend it if you're ready to feel a gaping whole in your chest when it's done :)
(‼️There is one non-con non-explicit scene of one of the main characters in case it might be triggering to some of you.)
- Strange Tales of Jiang Cheng (2024)
This is probably the most underrated one in this list because barely anyone talks about it...it might be because it's not really a costume drama and lacks substantial queer subtext, but I found myself incredibly endeared by the relationship the main trio have.
There's no romance subplot whatsoever which was such a breath of fresh air—the relationship between them is genuinely so precious. It did come at the detriment of the FL not getting as much screentime as the two MLs, and I admit that it felt like they held back on the intimacy to avoid queer subtext, but for what it's worth, this is the perfect watch for those of you who just wants an epic friendship trio adventure :D
The story itself was really fun and engaging despite its flaws, and we slowly uncover more of the truths with the cunning smarts of the ML, the brawns of the SML and the specialized skills of the FL. I wish we could've seen more of them and their backstories (especially the SML). It's definitely one of the dramas that's stronger on the plot rather than the characters, but considering this is on the shorter side of dramas, I'm just happy it exists. Still waiting for a second season to this day...manifest with me please :"D I miss them...
- The Blood of Youth (2022)
I actually watched TBoY right when it was airing and I remembered waiting impatiently for new episodes each week...if you're looking for a fun, light-hearted story with a ragtag group of friends and rich world-building courtesy of Zhao Munan's universe, I genuinely can't recommend this drama enough.
The dynamic between the casts felt so refreshing to watch, they really do feel like your everyday close friend group...and the romance is minimal enough you can choose to look away if you want to (I personally didn't find it annoying at all tho, they were cute haha). There are several queer pairings sprinkled throughout the story as well if you squint, so you're free to take your pick!
The story itself isn't the most complicated thing ever but it's still really fun to watch the group progress and uncover more of the underlying plot, and I ended up loving many of the side characters because they play a huge role in the story as well.
All around a classic, well-rounded wuxia story set between the jianghu and the court, with political drama sprinkled throughout the series as the group of friends find their footing in the world under the shadows of their predecessors. If that's what you're looking for, then this drama might be for you!
- Blood River (2025)
Set as a prequel to The Blood of Youth, also based on the novel by Zhao Munan, this one immediately caught my attention due to the sheer depth of the devotion between the two MLs (they're very codependent and gay af) and how the FL made herself home between them. You don't need to watch the other dramas though, so don't worry.
The story itself centers around the main character struggling to find his place in the world he was brought up as (an assassin), and his journey to find a way so that he would not have to compromise on his own morals while still supporting the dreams of his best friend. On this journey his fate would be intertwined with the FL who belongs to a different world, and the three of them would go on an adventure to go against the world who scorns on them.
The romance subplot is a lot more pronounced than in TBoY, but I honestly adore the ML and FL's relationship regardless of its romantic undertone or not, and the way they handled the progression of their feelings is also really sweet. The friendship between the second ML and FL is also so much fun to watch, I absolutely adore the small domestic moments between the three of them sm...you can easily tell both the second ML and FL's deep affection for the ML, and just how much both of them matter to him as well over the course of the story—it's giving major throuple vibes that's really clear to see ;D
I have mixed feelings with how the final arc was handled, but overall, it was still a really solid drama with plenty of emotional weight for you to really care for these characters and their struggles trying to come out of the shadows they grew up in, to gain the respect of others in the jianghu. The side characters are also a big highlight (as is with many in this universe), and I honestly would recommend it if you're looking for cool, fantastical wuxia fights and an emotional story that'll keep you hooked.
- Ancient Detective (2020)
I honestly didn't expect much from this one, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the story and case solving that builds up over the course of the series. I was naturally drawn towards the main trio leads (which is probably a staple at this point lol can you tell): The ML reminds me a little of Mei Changsu from NiF and even Li Lianhua from MLC with his poor health prompting the other two main characters (FL and SML) to protect him while he solves cases because they are so devoted to him...yeah. It's clearly a formula that works if you can do it well, and thankfully this series manages to do just that.
The little love triangle/throuple situation at the start and middle especially made me laugh so hard because the FL and SML kept acting like he's their precious wife, which is why it was a bit of shame that it started pivoting away from it by the end, and I do feel that their dynamic isn't as fleshed out as I'd have liked...but I digress.
Still a really fun watch I would recommend if you just need something engaging and relatively light, the main mystery plotline legit got me hooked till the end and it was so so worth it omg.
If you know Sherlock Holmes, the fictional character Judge Dee is the Chinese equivalent of it that's actually based on historical record, and that's basically the entire premise of the series.
I haven't gotten around to finishing the third season, but I loved the first two seasons so much. The court politics intertwined with dysfunctional family dynamics, the mysteries as they solve each cases, heartwarming cases and heartbreaking ones that really touched my heart...and most importantly: My found family!!! The dynamic between the main cast is honestly so, so dear to me :") Each of them have a distinct relationship which really strengthens the group as a whole.
The romance is definitely there but it's never the main focus, rather something that quietly uplifts the story and adds flavor to the cast dynamic and I appreciate that so much. There are strong male-female friendship dynamics that I especially adore, and the female characters all have their moments to shine alongside the main MLs.
Honestly such a comfort watch, and I really enjoyed how they made us empathize and care for the side characters that only appear for specific cases. The plot itself isn't dragging at all and I was engaged from start to finish, and the way the ML would reveal the truth of the case at the very end feels rewarding in a way, how he would reveal the truth of the case once all the clues have been collected.
Now that the main list is out of the way, here are a list of other dramas I'd like to mention.
Some dramas I'm still watching/dropped:
Tang Dynasty Occult Mysteries (2026): This one was actually quite fun, like many other Tang Dynasty-based dramas, focuses a lot on the investigation and solving cases. There's some subtle romance hints in the background but it's never really the focus (so far). Not that invested in the characters but I might finish when I feel like it.
Treasure at Dawn (2025): I reached around episode 11 before dropping it unfortunately...the trio is cute but the characters and their chemistry was just a bit lacking in my eyes. Still a really fun and light-hearted series you guys might enjoy.
Psych-Hunter (2020): I dropped this drama bc the romance just...killed whatever interest I had in the homoerotic tension the two MLs had lol. But it also has a main trio if you're interested in checking it out too.
Eternal Brotherhood (2024): I think I only reached the second episode? I honestly don't remember why I stopped but I think I just wanted to watch something different back then haha. War stories are always a bit on the heavier side but I'm open to continuing this one day.
Mysterious and Absurd Cases of the Tang Dynasty (2026): I honestly might give this one another go because I barely got through the first ep a while back...but it's also another investigation-type drama (just like most Tang Dynasty dramas lolol), so we'll see haha.
The Vendetta of An (2025): I forgot to add this but I've already started watching this but took a break a while back because I didn't feel like watching something too heavy...now that so many are recommending it it's being raised on my watch list again hahha
Other dramas I'm interested in watching:
Shadow Punisher: Fang Yilun and Luo Yunxi back together again after WoF??? Sign me tf up omg. Plus another main trio!! How could I ever say no to that...
Cases between Us: interesting premise and I can smell the gays from miles away
Archives: The Nanyang Mysteries: A few of my friends here have recommended this so it's definitely high on my priority list; i love my toxic, codependent yaoi...
Handsome Siblings: The premise sounds so fun and I can never say no to sibling-centric stories
The Silent Criminal: gay people and investigation? sign me upppp. Also it looks really fun and it's a mini-drama too which is nice
Under the Microscope: another investigation-type drama with no romance...heck yeah
Unveil: Jadewind: Although it has a main couple, I heard the romance is secondary which immediately made me more interested in watching it, especially since it's a investigation-type of drama and I love those
Tientsin Mystic: I saw some gifs and immediately got intrigued...epic bromance mystery solving lets go???
Sword Snow Stride: The premise honestly looks really interesting, but it's kinda low on my list atm
Luoyang: Another investigating thriller/mystery drama with a really promising premise + main trio...I hope it's good
The Immortal Ascension: I know some of you have watched it...how is it? I'm curious but it's a bit low on my list atm lolol
White Cat Legend: It sounds like something right up my alley...thank you guys for the recs!
Joy of Life: I actually did watch like a couple of clips but not properly, definitely planning on checking it out one day; I've heard many good things about it.
And that's all! Feel free to let me know if there are other dramas I should add to my watch-list and if you can convince me ;D I'm notorious for dropping dramas as soon as I don't vibe with it, but I'm more than happy to check them out when I have time (especially if they happen to have some of the things I love...).
Note: If you're wondering why I didn't include certain popular titles: I've actively decided against including censored adaptations of explicitly queer romance such as "Word of Honor", "A League of Noblemen", "Winter Begonia", "Guardian", and "The Untamed" here, as they were never intended to be a "bromance" or only subtextually queer in the first place. It wouldn't feel right to include them here, but I felt I should mention them anyway if you're interested.
This isn’t a revelation or anything, but I think some people watch dramas just for the “shuang” factor and anything that makes them slightly uncomfortable or needs time to marinate and reveal itself is deemed bad. So the complaint I see most often about Zhan Zhao Adventures is that Zhan Zhao always insists on capturing villains alive instead of just offing them on the spot, even when it means they have a chance of escaping and causing more deaths, like with the case of Hua Chong.
(Actually I saw a post of someone complaining the fight scenes are bad because Zhan Zhao kept hitting people with the blunt end of his swords instead of killing them...and I'm like, are we watching the same scenes? That fight scene in the rain of Zhan Zhao taking out 30+ guys using the blunt end of his sword and not even killing them is one of the best fight sequences I've ever seen.)
Anyway, back to the lack of killing of villains who obviously deserve it. I get the frustration, but if you use that reason to dismiss the drama as bad, then you’re also dismissing the actually important central thesis of the drama. Which is, due process and procedural justice are important and worth fighting for.
(I get that it's a "boring" principle but it's actually pretty damn important especially in real life.)
The drama actually spends a lot of time deconstructing this, and making its point on this over and over again. If Zhan Zhao kills the Yicheng magistrate or Jin Zhenping, sure, they’re dead and as the audience we’re satisfied, but the effect is they’ll just be turned into martyrs. A good official or a good healer being randomly killed by a high ranking imperial guard for unknown reasons. At best, Zhan Zhao would be accused of using the emperor's imperial decree to kill for his own gains, at worst, the emperor's integrity is questioned.
And even if no one questions the deaths, killing these guys doesn't actually solve any problem. Killing Hua Chong really only satisfies Bai Yutang’s rage in the moment, but other than that, what good did it do? No one knows who he was, what crimes he had committed, what hurt he had caused and what his death was supposed to atone for. As much as I love that Ding Yuehua got to kill Jing Yiming, his death like that could have also jeopardised the case. Other than satisfaction for the drama’s audience and the person doing the killing, no one else in universe actually gets any satisfaction in killing these villains in this way.
In this case, without Hua Chong and Jing Yiming, they still had the magistrate and Fan Yulian as witnesses in the sex trafficking case, but if they hadn’t taken all that time to gather all the evidence and extra witnesses, and just focused on killing the bad guys to satisfy the audience instead, they wouldn’t have been able to achieve any actual justice for the victims. The trafficked girls would have died in vain, or still be trapped. The sex trafficking ring might not be totally dismantled and could be taken over by someone else, harming even more people. More pointedly, without putting Jin Zhenping on trial, Jin Xuewen will always be falsely accused, and the rotten facade of the whole Jin family still remains and who knows what harm that entire family will continue to do to protect their reputation?
Yes, as a government official, Zhan Zhao can’t kill, but the conflict in the drama has always been about much more than the constraints he has to operate under. Even when he’s clashing with Bai Yutang about ways to get justice, the drama never actually strays from the argument that procedural justice is still what they need to be fighting for. The reveal about Zhan Zhao’s past as Yaksha shows quite painfully how it can get twisted not just by bad faith actors like Zhou Jiliang but also by the people who benefit from vigilante justice. The people of Wanshan practically worship Hu Xiaochen, but the moment it looks like he was killed by Yaksha, they immediately turn on him and there’s no doubt in their minds that he must be evil. In this case, it’s true, but what if it hadn’t been? Zhou Jiliang was totally intending to kill Ming Zhu’er’s parents after all. Without procedural justice, there's the danger of condemning innocent people based on hearsay and prejudice, and even in the cases where you condemn people who have actually done evils, just killing them doesn’t actually bring closure to the victims in any way.
There are two conversations that basically sums up the central debate of this drama.
And the answer to that is that the magistrate is actually wrong, because not seeking public justice is always going to be worse.
Yang Yang as Zhan Zhao, Zhang Ruonan as Huo Linglong and Alen Fang as Bai Yutang in ZHAN ZHAO ADVENTURES (2026)
I still have the two of you. That's enough for me. It feels like I've won.
You are lucky you met the two of us. With us by your side, you won't have to suffer anymore.
I don't want to be a burden. Burden? Strange word between the three of you.
Of course we are going together.
What I love is how equal their relationship is. Bai Yutang is 26 and has been wandering the jianghu since he was 11. Zhan Zhao is somewhere around 29 to early thirties, and is generally acclaimed as one of the best martial artists. Huo Linglong is around 18 or 19, and a complete newbie to the jianghu, yet the two of them, who are famous and respected, experienced old hands, don't treat her like she is a child who needs their guidance. The first thing Bai Yutang says when he meet her is that he thinks she can beat an older, more experienced warrior. Zhan Zhao is protective, yes, but that's his character more than a reflection of how he thinks of her. He respects her choices from the first time he met her and eventually trusts her with his deepest secret.
Each of them at various times has needed the rescue or support of the others, and they just care so much for each other. I find it so interesting, because both xiao-Tang and Prince Hui have taken immense risks for Linglong and have rescued her in times of need, yet it's constant that her worry and devotion and care are centered on Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang.
The gifs above are perfect and show that equality in their relationship - it's not the two experienced jianghu xia and their new sidekick, but three people who trust and depend on each other.
(There is so much about this whole bit that is so amazing: the jump from the horse, the planting of the blunt sheath into the wall, the fact that though he was on a wire for safety but Yang Yang was clearly pulling himself up and basically his core strength is insane but we already know that, the pay off of the sheath still being there for him to hold on to...basically I'm obsessed with this.)
I couldn't stop thinking about how Bai Yutang and Linglong basically flanking Zhan Zhao the entire Wanshan County arc (esp whenever they went into the city)... 😭🫶💖
ngl lie kinda feel bad for people who won't try zhan zhao adventures because there is no romance? i keep seeing people complaining about this on twitter, saying that they are not interested if zhao and linglong won't end up together or that they are watching but are about to drop it if there is no happy ending for them
i mean, not to be a bitch, which i am, but that's so boring? zza is delivering masterclass chemistry between all four leads and you can pick and choose what you are gonna ship. yeah, zhao and linglong are more than hinted to be "the" couple but it's really anyones game. and also even without the romance the main trio friendship is so good, it's in the front and center of everything.
but yeah it's core this is basically a buddy cop series, with zhan zhao as heroic policeman, bai yutang as his sarcastic partner who has his own set of values, linglong as a rookie cop with unspoiled view of the world and yuehua as a femme fatal with heart of gold
it's an old concept but it works, in the middle of it is just one question: is killing the answer for injustice? and everyone can answer this for themselves but partially why i love episode 13 is that when bai yutang goes on and on about eye for an eye and becoming vigilanties, zhan zhao spirals and linglong comes in, and she balances that narrative showing zhao that they help people, that what they change is enough.
like, i'd say give this show a go? watch couple of episodes? i don't think it's gonna be everyone's cup of tea and that's fine, totally understandable but if the reason is: there is no romance - i think you might change your mind.
I was excited when this show was announced because who grew up with Judge Bao doesn't know Zhan Zhao. So far I am only up to episode 6. The no romance, friendship and investigation plus wuxia is really right down my alley.
Indeed. I didn't know that but a mutual told me it's a great show so I watched it. I'm only up to Season 2 episode 1. Will catch up when I have the time.
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