Midas Touched
A list of my all time favorite dramas.
10 = A+
9.5 = A
9 = A-
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1. Xing Han Can Lan
Chinese Drama - 2022, 27 episodes
A sweeping period romance that's hilarious and tragic by turns.
Watching this drama felt like falling into a Chinese Jane Austen adaptation and I loved every, slow burn minute of it. It's all about the yearning and the angst before the happily ever after. My cup of tea, exactly!
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2. Lost You Forever
Chinese Drama - 2023, 39 episodes
A lush and immersive atypical fairytale about loss, love, and longing.
It has everything I look for in a story: deeply flawed characters, complex relationship dynamics, and angst so prevalent in the narrative that it should have its own cast credit.
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3. Love and Redemption
Chinese Drama - 2020, 59 episodes
My favorite Xianxia EVER.
It's wacky-cracky fun, has one hell of a main OTP, and isn't boggled down by any unnecessary sub-plots.
A true gem in a heap of lackluster xianxias.
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4. Hei Yue Guang Wen Na BE Ju Ben
Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes
A dark, operatic fantasy romance with a true enemies-to-lovers dynamic between the OTP—it's catered explicitly to my niches! No drama has done what this one has, and I think the IP author, the director, and screenwriter for making this feat possible because it will be living rent free in my head for a very long time. I also applaud Bai Lu & Luo Yunxi (my beloveds) for acting their hearts out and giving us a performance of a lifetime. They will forever be iconic.
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5. Yu Feng Xing
Chinese Drama - 2024, 39 episodes
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6. Arthdal Kronieken Deel 1: De Kinderen van de Profetie
Korean Drama - 2019, 6 episodes
This brought out so many emotions in me.
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7. Dress Sleeved Red
Korean Drama - 2021, 17 episodes
This one hurt meeeee. I felt as if a dagger was being plunged into my heart over and over again. But it hurt so good. I'm all for a well-executed angstfest, and that's exactly what this drama gave me.
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8. Queen for Seven Days
Korean Drama - 2017, 20 episodes
I was emotionally and mentally exhausted by the end of this drama, but I love tragedies when done right, and QFSD delivered in that aspect by tenfold.
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9. Go Ahead
Chinese Drama - 2020, 46 episodes
A found-family/slice-of-life melo that broke my heart into a million pieces and put it back together again within 40 episodes. This is an absolute must watch!
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10. Kobold
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
I have rewatched this drama four times. I will probably watch it a 5th time in the near future. An absolute classic.
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11. Cang Lan Jue
Chinese Drama - 2022, 36 episodes
It's like the writer took a peeksy in my trashfire brain, plucked my niche narrative tropes from it, and combined them all in one drama, for my personal viewing experience.
I've never felt more exposed or seen in my entire life. -
12. Hidden Love
Chinese Drama - 2023, 25 episodes
This drama is like a drug. I don't know what they put in it, but whatever it is, is addicting as fuck.
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13. The Crowned Clown
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
The slow, rhythmic drumming at the end of each episode though. I could go on a 5k run and the adrenaline produced would still be less than the amount I got when the ending soundtrack rolled out.
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14. Love Like the Galaxy: Part 2
Chinese Drama - 2022, 29 episodes
Chinese Jane Austen Adaptation: Take 2!
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15. Battle of Changsha
Chinese Drama - 2014, 32 episodes
An absolutely devastating watch but it's beautifully told, has well-written characters, and a main couple you will root for with all your heart.
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16. Monarch Industry
Chinese Drama - 2021, 68 episodes
A visually stunning palace drama that entails political intrigue, nuanced characters, and a delicious romance between adults.
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17. MARS
Taiwanese Drama - 2004, 13 episodes
They just don't make dramas like this anymore.
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18. Arthdal Kronieken deel 3: De Prelude Naar Alle Legendes
Korean Drama - 2019, 6 episodes
Welp. We're getting a s2, but at what cost?
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19. Just Between Lovers
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
A full-fledged hurt/comfort drama that's slow like molasses but all the more delicious for it.
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20. Arthdal Kronieken Deel 2: De lucht draait binnenstebuiten, stijgend land
Korean Drama - 2019, 6 episodes
Phenomenal. I want to inject it into my veins.
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21. Vincenzo
Korean Drama - 2021, 20 episodes
Vincenzo Cassano, Italy's Corn Salad will forever live rent free in my head.
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22. Live Up to Your Name
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
A kooky delight with lots of heart.
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23. The K2
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
A modern day Snow White retelling with action scenes, political intrigue, and side of romance.
Ji Chang Wook was really in his element here.
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24. Ik ben geen robot
Korean Drama - 2017, 32 episodes
Gives me the warm fuzzies when I think about it.
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25. Strong Woman Do Bong Soon
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
I asolutely adore this drama. It's wacky and has one of the best OTP.
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26. When We Were Young
Chinese Drama - 2018, 24 episodes
I really love the character dynamics and realistic portrayal of adolescence here. It may or may not make you cry, so watch with a box of tissues!
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27. Pinocchio
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
I honestly don't remember much about this drama. I just recall being glued to my screen and marathoning it in two days. So it must be good, it's all just a blur now, 5 years later.
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28. W
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
Another drama I don't remember that much about. I just recall it being one hell of a ride.
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29. Fight For My Way
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
A simplistic story with loveable characters and one sugary sweet otp.
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30. A Love So Beautiful
Chinese Drama - 2017, 23 episodes
A sweet, heartwarming story about first love. Also, my very first C-drama. It holds a special place in my heart.
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31. You Are My City and Fortress
Chinese Drama - 2021, 40 episodes
Fucking adorable. My serotonin came from this for a couple of months there.
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32. The Evil Face
Chinese Drama - 2022, 18 episodes
The best mini-drama I've ever seen. Also, the horniest. It gave allll the middle fingers to censorship and I love it to pieces for it. -
33. It's Okay to Not Be Okay
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
From the acting to the storytelling, this drama will go down in my books as one of the most well-executed dramas on the market. The only aspect I didn't like about the drama was the mommy-is-alive arc...kind of unnecessary???
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34. Cut to Heart
Korean Drama - 2021, 20 episodes
Contrary to popular opinion, I found this drama to be wonderful and thought the cast change was for the better.
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35. The Demon Judge
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
I just found it entertaining as hell and that violin bgm did things to me.
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36. Falling for Innocence
Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes
The main lead is your typical rich dick but he undergoes some serious character development. He has one of the best redemption arcs I've seen executed on-screen. It makes the story altogether more meaningful and sweet.
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37. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
Angst. Oh, the angst. It hurt so good. Another drama I would like to inject into my veins.
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38. A Korean Odyssey
Korean Drama - 2017, 20 episodes
Here Seung Gi is decked out in vibrantly colored fur coats, is in an enemies-to-lovers dynamic, and rocks a "come to heel" bracelet.
Much yes.
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39. Het verhaal van Nokdu
Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes
The only fusion sageuk that understood the assignment.
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40. Arsenal Military Academy
Chinese Drama - 2019, 48 episodes
My first Bai Lu and Xu Kai drama. They will forever be iconic to me.
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41. Coffee Prince
Korean Drama - 2007, 17 episodes
The best classic. All the older K-dramas can go home. This one wins.
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42. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
The way "Do you like Messi?" caused a cultural earthquake.
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43. Hit the Top
Korean Drama - 2017, 32 episodes
A young 90's idol is transported to present day South Korea where he unknowingly becomes friends with his son and catches feelings for said son's crush. It's totally wack, but I loved every minute of it.
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44. Black
Korean Drama - 2017, 18 episodes
Go Ara sees dead people and actually has chemistry with one of her co-stars for once. Really, her acting isn't half bad here and the story is riveting enough that it doesn't matter either way.
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45. Doctors
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
The only doctors I want in my life.
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46. School 2017
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
It's just pure entertainment and the otp has intense chemistry for being high schoolers in a youth drama. Nothing crackles and sizzles quite like adolescent hormones.
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47. My Mister
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
A very character driven story with phenomenal acting all around.
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48. Hotel King
Korean Drama - 2014, 32 episodes
The only makjang that ever delivered.
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49. Miss Hammurabi
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
Another drama Go Ara isn't half bad in. Again, I think it has more to do with the story rather than her ability to act. But nonetheless, I enjoyed this one and liked the dynamic between the leads.
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50. Reply 1997
Korean Drama - 2012, 16 episodes
This series just sparks joy.
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51. Hana Nochi Hare: HanaDan Next Season
Japanese Drama - 2018, 11 episodes
Boys Over Flowers remakes and spinoffs are my drug of choice.
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52. Mr. Sunshine
Korean Drama - 2018, 24 episodes
The most well made historical to date.
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53. Eulachacha Waikiki
Korean Drama - 2018, 20 episodes
The funniest, kookiest drama there is.
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54. Behind Your Smile
Taiwanese Drama - 2016, 19 episodes
A story about revenge, love, and forgiveness. I ate this drama up by the spoonful.
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55. The Perfect Match
Taiwanese Drama - 2017, 22 episodes
In this drama you will find older man/younger woman, rival to lovers, and passionate kisses. It's wonderfully quirky and entertaining to boot.
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56. Put Your Head on My Shoulder
Chinese Drama - 2019, 24 episodes
Cute. Exceptionally cute.
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57. Angel's Last Mission: Love
Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes
I live for star-crossed lovers and the way the trope is portrayed here is simply poetic. Also, the soundtrack is gorgeous and on par with the iconic Goblin ost.
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58. Ancient Detective
Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
Lord of The Rings if it was Wuxia.
Objectively speaking, it shouldn't be as good as it is, it being a low-budget production and all. Yet it's one of the best fantasy dramas to come out of 2020. The characters are all pretty clever and likeable, the overall plot cohesive, and the cinematography has a certain flare even some big-budget dramas can't achieve.
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59. My Youth
Chinese Drama - 2019, 24 episodes
What stands out to me about this drama is the way the otp's relationship is presented to the audience. The ml is portrayed as the sml in the beginning but as the story progresses, you realize he's the one that will win the fl's heart in the end. Witnessing them become endgame made the me that's been burned one too many times by sls feel as happy and content as the cat that ate the canary.
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60. Buitengewoon Jij
Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes
Rowoon as a manhwa character feels so right.
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61. Skate Into Love
Chinese Drama - 2020, 40 episodes
Enemies-to-lovers on ice. Disney could never.
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62. Tientsin Mystic
Chinese Drama - 2017, 24 episodes
A whimsical adventure/thriller that draws strongly from Chinese folklore during the Republican Era. It gives off Pirate of the Caribbean vibes and leans heavily on the Power of Friendship, theme wise.
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63. The Little Nyonya
Chinese Drama - 2020, 45 episodes
This is a generational story about two women (a mother and daughter) as they live their lives respectively and experience all the sorrow and joy that it has to offer. It absolutely annihilated my heart.
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64. Watashitachi wa Douka Shiteiru
Japanese Drama - 2020, 8 episodes
My love for this J-drama knows no bounds. It's exactly what I want from a shoujo live adaptation.
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65. Love is Sweet
Chinese Drama - 2020, 36 episodes
Bai Lu and Luo Yunxi making on-screen chemistry history in an office romance. Who knew I needed this in my life?
#MyActingQueen&King4Life
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66. Come and Hug Me
Korean Drama - 2018, 32 episodes
I rewatched this drama and would now bump down my rating to a 9/10. I enjoyed it my second go around and loved the melo aspect of it but I saw some negative traits that I didn't upon my first viewing. Mainly, the pacing. I felt it was too drawn out by the end.
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67. The Rise of Phoenixes
Chinese Drama - 2018, 70 episodes
In this drama you will find smart female leads, morally ambiguous men with luscious locks, and political intrigue/palace warfare that requires adult-level-comprehension.
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68. Royal Nirvana
Chinese Drama - 2019, 60 episodes
An unrepentant tragedy that will make its viewers cry tears of blood.
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69. Half of Us
Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes
I always thought Wuxia dramas weren't for me, but then I realized they would be if they were always about hot young gothic men who are secluded away on a mountain and frequently get honey-trapped by cold-blooded assassin women because their murder agency is running a dating service under the pretense of world domination.
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70. Monster
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
"Your life from now on is completely fucked."
SIR, my loins.
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71. The Day of Becoming You
Chinese Drama - 2021, 26 episodes
When you switch bodies with your frenemy and start to like it...?
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72. Frightening Cohabitation
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
Ridiculously funny and witty.
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73. You Are My Glory
Chinese Drama - 2021, 32 episodes
Two of the prettiest people in C-ent paired up in a mature, saccharine romance drama. What's not to love?
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74. Secrets in the Lattice
Chinese Drama - 2021, 24 episodes
Fucking adorable!
The adolescent pining went hard in this one.
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75. Secrets of Three Kingdoms
Chinese Drama - 2018, 54 episodes
A dialogue-heavy historical with a great cast of characters. Bonus points for the sizzling romance between the main pairing! I enjoyed this one a lot.
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76. My Liberation Notes
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
A character-driven story with lots of heart, relatability, and humor. But between me and you, I was only here for Mr. Gu and his worshipping.
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77. Rainless In A Godless Land
Taiwanese Drama - 2021, 13 episodes
Reminiscent of Goblin but stands apart with its aboriginal folklore and riveting storyline.
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78. The Lighter and the Princess' Gown
Chinese Drama - 2022, 36 episodes
As edgy and toxic as censorship will let a urban romance get.
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79. Lovers
Korean Drama - 2023, 10 episodes
Bumped down my rating to a 9.0/10
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80. Royal Nirvana Special
Chinese Drama - 2020, 12 episodes
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81. Ning An Ru Meng
Chinese Drama - 2023, 38 episodes
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82. Di Jia Qian Jin
Chinese Drama - 2024, 40 episodes
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83. Lost You Forever Season 2
Chinese Drama - 2024, 23 episodes
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84. The Story of Mystics
Chinese Drama - 2024, 34 episodes