Dramas watched in 2025
So I'm new here (to being an asian drama girlie, not to tumblr; I have been here for a very, very long time). I dabbled previously, but this year is the first year I dove properly (and I am never looking back). Ahem.
In no particular order, all of the dramas I have watched this year and brief newbie thoughts.
I will preface this with the fact that I am incredibly easy to please. Ha.
The White Olive Tree — I will never be the same again. Devastating, beautiful. Before I watched any of it, I didn't think I would end up rewatching it. I thought it would be a watch once and then put away because I was aware that it was painful. Nope. The acting is so brilliant that it's been in my rewatch rotation since the moment I finished it.
When Destiny Brings the Demon — This is the first cdrama I watched. Ever. I saw some shorts from it on youtube and now all I have watched for the last six months ish has been asian dramas. So thank you, WDBTD. Liao Tingyan is my hero. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Fangs of Fortune — ouch, my heart. I will never get over it. Visually stunning. Zhao Yuanzhou is one of the most compelling characters in any media. The dynamic between the group as a whole is wonderful (Ying Lei might be my favourite, if I had to choose). I loved it, tbqh. Brilliant OST too.
Blossom — Everything I wanted from a second-life style drama. More stunning cinematography. Dou Zhao and Song Mo make me smile. We love a happily married couple.
Fated Hearts — This show. THIS SHOW. Zero hinges present. It has the best enemies to lovers dynamic. Feng Suige and Fu Yixiao, perfection.
Legend of the Female General — More women with whips, honestly. Ahem. This had one of my favourite confession scenes. The moon motif throughout was wonderful. I really enjoyed Xiao Jue as a character.
Love in the Clouds — Twenty-Seven and Buxiu are a favourite side-character pair. I could watch a whole show about them. LitC doesn't take itself too seriously and I appreciate that. Did I find Ming Yi's inability to tell Ji Bozai the truth really frustrating? Yes. Did it dampen my enjoyment of the show as a whole? No. I had a good time.
Coroner's Diary — Honestly, this show is everything I want in a cdrama. I loved it.
Shadow Love — Li Shuang is not a convincing general in the slightest. There, I said it. However, I did very much enjoy watching Jin'an doting on her like the puppy he is. All of the Shadow Puppet scenes were excellent. Another drama that doesn't take itself too seriously.
Moonlit Reunion — Another super pretty show. I love, love, loved the Demon Market, especially, but the whole thing was a visual treat. Also, Mei Zhuyu losing all of his hinges during the separation was a particular highlight.
Dark Night and Dawn — I cannot lie to you, folks. I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did. I came for CZY, I stayed for CZY and literally everything else. Solid drama.
I Am Nobody — This was fun. I didn't really know what to expect going in, but I had a great time. Feng Baobao. Need I say more?
I Am Nobody 2 — Quite different from series 1, but still enjoyable. I wished there was more Wang Ye, and the cast change for Zhuge Qing made me sad (he just didn't feel like the same character). HOWEVER, the gift that was Wang Zhenqiu made up for it somewhat, and Chen Duo was precious.
Bon Appetit, Your Majesty — Love me a food show. Did not expect it to get quite as dark as it did, especially after cackling my way through a lot of the earlier episodes.
My Demon — My Demon has my favourite representation of God in any piece of media I've consumed thus far. Loved her. I didn't expect it to be as funny as was, while also giving us heart-wrenching moments.
Lighter & Princess — Nothing about this drama is healthy, but I enjoy it nonetheless. It is a crime that they cut the proposal scene and thus robbed us of the pay-off for Zhu Yun's sticky noted promise in the actual show. (Watch the deleted scenes, I beg.)
Hidden Love — Cute. So sweet it could give you cavities. The actress they picked to play 14-year-old Sang Zhi was too young though. That was nowhere near a convincing 14-year-old.
When I Fly Towards You — Also cute. Another cavity-giver. Su Zaizai's sobbing was not convincing at all though and it kind of ruined the moment. iykyk. Otherwise, cute and lovely.
Falling into Your Smile — Did I expect to enjoy a show about esports as much as I did? No. It was fun. I will, however, never stop being annoyed that Lu Sicheng didn't actually apologise to Tong Yao for ignoring her when she needed him (and when they had previously had a conversation in which she says that she had been worried he would do exactly that, just like Jian Yang). It is not good boyfriend behaviour.
Mr. Bad — This is a silly show. Completely unserious. It was great.
The Best Thing — Cute. There's something very healing about this show.
Only For Love — ngl, I could have done without most of the side characters/plots. It had its moments.
As Beautiful As You — See above. It was okay.
Speed and Love — Look. We all know why we were watching Speed and Love. It was fun. I enjoyed it. The chemistry was insane.
Detective Chinatown — Wild. I had a great time. All of the characters were great, and I love a good detective moment. The sprinkling of the paranormal was really fun (seeing dead people, talking to cats, all the good stuff). I also really appreciated the voice over on the opening song in the last three episodes when the cast switched. Excellent choice by the writers tbh.
Our Secret — So cute. It's a lovely little show.
Be Passionately in Love — Another lovely little show. Loved the emotional ML and emotionally suppressed FL dynamic, and how ML ultimately helps her overcome that. Pure serotonin. Very cute.
Gemini (mini) — Unhinged murder couple who were once not-siblings? It's a wild ride.
A Familiar Stranger (mini) — Some of the music in this was too loud. But it was cute. I enjoy that, because it's a mini, there's a whole court intrigue plot that is mentioned but never really focussed on.
Butterflied Lover (mini) — It's so pretty. I choose to believe the last episode is a fun extra. If it's not a fun extra then it ends sadly and I do not want that for Tang Qianyue and Ling Changfeng. I only wish there was more butterfly-vampire activity.
Twin Fates (mini) — Who doesn't love a you-get-hurt-I-get-hurt so now you have to help me clear my family' name/get revenge kinda deal? It's a mini, so it's a bit nuts and therefore, a great time was had by all.
And the dramas I am currently watching:
The Untamed (slow buddy watch)
Blood River
Shine On Me
