2024 Chinese Short-Length Series Worth Watching (Part 1)

The answer is suggested by the above image. As one of the most populated countries in the world, China leads the way for global internet users with a number of more than 1 billion. Nearly 3 of 4 people in China use the internet, with the vast majority of internet users accessing the internet via mobile. Either during long commutes or rushed work breaks, between loads of school homework or mundane house chores, people who experience stress in real life may find a kind of quick emotional release in the exaggerated expressions of conflicts in drama stories, either gaining super powers in xianxia, successful revenge in the Republican era, or having great wealth in modern dramas.

According to the MDL tag definition, short-length series are "titles that have an average runtime of less than 20 minutes per episode." The lengths are divided into two categories: micro dramas that span between 1 to 2 minutes per episode, and mini dramas that span between 10 to 20 minutes per episode.

When I started learning Mandarin in the beginning of 2024, people told me that we can use Chinese short-length dramas to follow and understand the dialogue while still being able to enjoy the story. I wathed a lot of Chinese short-length series released this year. That's how I got into this type of format and now I'm kinda addicted to it!

You probably are wary when you look up their ratings on MDL, they are usually between 7 and 8, with the 8 ratings being rare. I assume the low ratings of short-length series are due to several factors:

• They are genuinely low-quality productions because of small budgets and short filming durations.
• Lack of, late, or machine-generated subbing. People tend to rate lower because of the subbing issues, even though they don't watch the dramas.
• They are compared to mainstream high-budgeted Chinese dramas with traffic actors and high-quality production value. Short-length series are like snacks and mainstream dramas are like main course meals. You don't compare a bag of chips to a plate of steak.

There are many short-length series whose plots or acting are quite decent to watch and enjoyable. However, to find one among 347+ short-length dramas released from January to June 2024 is a chore! I will share with you some of them, and why I think they're worth trying. All dramas are English subbed. I also put the genres, total duration, and endings (in spoiler tags - open at your own risk!), so you can choose which one fits your taste and schedule. Let's start!

Non-romance short-length series are rarely subbed because they are not as profitable and well-liked as romance dramas. Below are a few:

Yin-Yang Town Strange Talk Republican Era ◆ Thriller ◆ Horror ◆ Supernatural 24 eps x 10 min = 4 h

Cheng Nian Yi followed Li Si Ze to visit Li Si Ze's hometown Yin Yang Town. The two encountered ghosts and gods, and behind each bizarre incident were the complex and treacherous human hearts. When the truth was revealed layer by layer, they discovered that Yin Yang Town hid a greater secret. If you like dark mystery/detective with supernatural vibe drama this is a good pick. Because the setting is the Republican Era, it's normal that the sleuth protagonists have to defy the superstitions using logic. Ending: Happy. The main case is solved and the duo are ready for the next adventure.

The Strange Princess Palace Drama ◆ Comedy ◆ Fantasy 24 eps x 12 min = 4 h 48 min

The mountain bandit king Ma Da You kidnapped Princess Jiang Qian Er and was accidentally struck by lightning in the process. Miraculously, they swapped bodies and even shared each other's feelings, becoming intertwined in fate.   Although the romance genre is stated on the drama page, there is no romance between Ma Da You and Princess Jiang Qian Er. Da You has his love interest, a female mountain bandit, and Qian Er is to be married to General Lu Tian Xing and this couple loves each other. However, because they swapped bodies almost the entire drama, the relationship between the three becomes somewhat chaotic and hilarious with a hint of BL. Ending: They're back to their original bodies at the last minute. Somewhat open to Season 2.

We Shall Meet Again Mystery ◆ Drama 12 eps x 21 min = 4 h 12 min

Shi Yao's father marries Lu Miao's mother, but their children disapprove and want to break them apart. Shi Yao suspects that Lu Miao's mother married his father for money. Lu Miao hates the small town where they live and wants to take her mother away for a better life in the big city. Probably because the web novel source is a romance, the genre info is romance, but this drama adaptation is not romantic. It's more of a mystery of a chain of unfortunate events that happened in a beautiful coastal town. The native title 那个重逢的夜晚 which translates to That Night of Reunion, is probably a better title to represent the drama plot. Ending: Bittersweet. To explain more is a major spoiler.

Romance is the top genre of drama to watch, thus they are produced more. Specifically for China, producing romance dramas is safer than non-romance ones, they tend to pass the NRTA censorship more easily. Because it's a popular genre, romance dramas are most likely subbed to generate more earnings from international audiences. Below is a long list of romance short-length series from xianxia to modern dramas.

Thousands of Years of Love Xianxia ◆ Romance ◆ Comedy 22 eps x 10 min = 3 h 40 min

Feng Ruo Yao, a phoenix and the ruler of the demon realm, falls in love at first sight with Immortal Lord Mo Chen Yuan and kidnaps him. Since Chen Yuan has been seriously injured by his half-brother, he allows himself to be captured by Ruo Yap to recuperate in the demon realm. The two seem to be enemies, but in fact, they like each other. So far, this drama gets the highest rating of the 2024 mini-dramas on MDL. The plot is typical xianxia, a forbidden love between two people from opposing realms and love tribulation. What's not typical is the intense chemistry full of real kisses (the mainstream drama's kisses usually are so-so). The production values are highly comparable to mainstream dramas. Ending: Happy ending and they have a daughter. Better ending than mainstream xianxia.

Life after Life Xianxia ◆ Romance ◆ Comedy 25 eps x 15 min = 6 h 15 min

Meng You is a spiritual officer in the heavenly realm Lingyuan whose job is to administer Soup of Forgetfulness to the dead. 20 years ago she sent off Li Bu Gui without getting him to drink the soup. Because of this, he retains the memory of his past life and is now a killer martial artist in the mortal world of Qingchuan and holds a grudge against Lingyuan. To make up for her mistake and save her master from punishment, she goes to Qingchuan to complete her task of making Li Bu Gui drink the soup.  As you read the synopsis, it's not the typical xianxia plot. The many attempts Meng You makes to make him drink the soup are an absolute riot. Ending: Open. They don't remember each other in the next life, but the matchmaker gods will match them again.

Secrets of the Shadow Sect Wuxia ◆ Romance 24 eps x 12 min = 4 h 48 min

Morally ambiguous, the Spiritual Heaven Sect is an influential sect that has remained in seclusion for years.  However, the Spiritual Heaven Sect has fallen into a vulnerable state. Ling Xuan’s father, the sect leader, coveted the Wanxin Technique that is owned by Ling Xuan's mother.  Forced to protect herself and devise a counterattack, Ling Xuan disguises herself as unreasonable and ruthless. At this very moment, Ying Shi is sent by Ling Xuan's father to approach her in search of the Wanxin Technique.   The plot is quite complicated with plot twists. I think it should be made longer as a mainstream drama to fill some plotholes. The production value is high despite the low-budget drama. Ending: Happy ending after some plot twists.

Hard to Find Wuxia ◆ Romance ◆ Fantasy 28 eps x 22 min = 10 h 6 min

Liang Chan is about to marry her fiancée when she is kidnapped by the mysterious  Linchuan young master He Lian Xi on the eve of her wedding. He Lian Xi is full of rage and forces Liang Chan to hand over Lian Lizhi, which could revive his clan. Liang Chan had no idea what He Lian Xi was talking about. However, when he brought her to the realm of spiritual consciousness of the sacred tree, the dusty past was gradually awakened. This drama almost doesn't fit to be a short-length series because of the total length, however, it's worth it! The plot is complicated and intriguing, the acting is top-notch, the cinematography can easily compete with high-budgeted drama, and overall with great production values. Ending: Beautifully tragic. This could be the reason the rating is not as high as it should be.

Palace Shadows: Between Two Princes Wuxia ◆ Romance ◆ Comedy 24 eps x 10 min = 4 h

The Prince of Yan Kingdom, Yu Fei Chen, marries the daughter of the general who controls the country... or so everyone thinks. The bride he gets is actually Yue Ji An, an assassin from a secret organization sent to claim his life. But the Prince is not all he appears to be either. He is an undercover agent who works to expose the criminals and punish the unrighteous.  The cat-and-mouse game between the prince and the assassin is hilarious since each holds a hidden identity while trying to uncover the other party's real identity! The leading actor did a good job portraying two different characters. The chemistry is good. Ending: Open ending to Season 2? Although they got married privately, Ji An gets cold feet becoming the queen, so she runs away.

Fortune Writer Palace drama ◆ Romance ◆ Fantasy 24 eps x 15 min = 6 h

Su Yun Qi, the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister, accidentally discovers that she is the supporting female villain in the novel, and her tragic ending is recorded in the "Book of Fate" and cannot be changed. Su Yun Qi is unwilling to accept her fate. She wants to use the "Book of Fate" to change her destiny and rewrite her life.  Two strong points of this drama are: First, the unique plot with its plot twists at the end of almost every episode! Second, is the acting of the leading actress portraying Su Yun Qi, who is a gray character. At some point, watchers may get confused with the moral story of Fortune Writer. The drama derives from the classic Chinese philosophy taught by Zhuangzi, the great Daoist thinker who fell asleep one day and dreamed he was a butterfly. You can look up online what it is about.  Ending: Happy. All is well.

You Are My Whole World Palace drama ◆ Romance ◆ Comedy 28 eps x 13 min = 6 h 4 min

Lin A Cha, a little palace maid from Xuanwu City, loves food and is quirky. When she went out of the palace to look for ingredients, she picked up the young master He Lian Yu who was ambushed and was in a coma. A Cha and He Lian Yu, who have different social statuses, are entangled because of food. In a series of ridiculous events, the two develop a sweet love and pursue their dreams and goals.  This is a cute, light-hearted palace romcom, full of yummy food. In fact, the native title is 你是我的人间至味 which translates to You Are My Best Taste In The World! Beware, don't watch with an empty stomach, because there are plenty of cooking scenes and mouthwatering food presentations! Ending: Happy ending. The main couple gets married.

The Love Duel Palace drama ◆ Romance ◆ Comedy ◆ Fantasy 23 eps x 10 min = 3 h 50 min

The proud businesswoman has to play a humble maid, while the gentle CEO has to pretend he is a cruel prince. She sharpens her dagger every night, trying crazily to kill him; He teases her every day, trying desperately to win her heart. In this amusing and romantic love duel, let's see who can gain ground and complete the mission first. During the duel, they begin to realize that they're caught in a conspiracy.  You're probably confused with the synopsis. Without spoiling the plot, Shen Juan and Chen Shen are transferred into an ancient parallel world. This is a light-hearted palace romcom, a chaotic and hilarious parody with a lot of romantic tropes. Ending: Happy. They return to the modern world with their memories intact and become lovers.

The Ghost Town Republican Era ◆ Mystery ◆ Thriller ◆ Romance 23 eps x 15 min = 5 h 45 min

While searching for her missing sister Shisan, Chu Qi inadvertently is involved in a bizarre murder case. The police officer in charge of the case, Wu Xu, suspected Chu Qi. He chased her to the mysterious and strange Fengming Village, while Chu Qi disguised herself and pretended to be Wu Xu. Later, Chu Qi, Wu Xu, and Chu Qi's friend Gu Yusheng, witnessed one shocking case after another and discovered the dark secret hidden behind Fengming Village.  In my opinion, the romance is not necessary because this is a mysterious plot-driven drama and the story is quite intriguing. Ending: Happy ending for the main couple.

Flower in the Mirror Republican Era ◆ Romance ◆ Action 27 eps x 10 min = 4 h 30 min

Ma Qing Qing went to the city to find the truth about her parents. When she was bullied at work, she was saved by the popular actress Du Ruo Lan. The actress is arranged to marry Shang Guan Mu Yun but she doesn't love him. Qing Qing then worked as a stunt double for Ruo Lan. In a filming incident, Qing Qing fell off the cliff and her face was badly injured. When she wakes up, she doesn't remember anything, and now she has Du Ruo Lan's face! In my opinion, because this drama dropped all episodes in one day and was subbed very late, thus suffered a bad rating.  As you see the drama poster is half of the whole photo in which the actress's face is hidden. This is not a love triangle, and it has a major plot twist towards the end. Ending: Happy ending for the main couple.

The Soulmate Republican Era ◆ Romance ◆ Mystery 24 eps x 10 min = 4 h

Nan Yu, the top player in a matchmaking mobile game, woke up in the Republic of China as a forensic doctor. The mission of the mysterious game is for Nan Yu to solve a murder case so she can return to her original world. Moreover, she must also compete with Gao Han, the top player in a detective game, and only one of them can return. Eventually, they worked together to solve the case. However, the case proves more complex than anticipated, with societal intricacies mirroring Al's world. This is another drama that suffers from a low rating because the sub came out late. The couple is a visual feast, they are so gorgeous in Republican Era costumes. The murder cases are quite intriguing with many red herrings. Ending: Happy, both remain in the game world and open a detective agency.

Bell Ringing Romance ◆ Fantasy ◆ Drama 12 eps x 23 min = 4 h 36 min

A fantasy love story between a hundred-year-old lonely knight Chi Ye and a cunning fox girl Shen Qi on the paradise-like Silver Bell Island. When Shen Qi's silver bell rang for Chi Ye again, the gears of love began to turn, and together they experienced the fireworks of the world on a small island isolated from the world. Looking back at the memories of a hundred years ago, the two of them guard the tragic past. What choice will they make a hundred years from now?  A modern fantasy drama from China, it's too good to be true. However, this drama's plot is interesting and the filming location is like a paradise full of flowers and friendly warm-hearted islanders. Ending: Bittersweet. The couple spent their last days together before death.

Love in the Tea Garden Romance ◆ Comedy ◆ Business 24 eps x 15 min = 6 h

Ye Xi Yan, the daughter of the Ye Group, was almost murdered in a car accident while on a trip to the countryside. She was rescued by Lu Ming Yu, the owner of the tea plantation in Guyan Village. To avoid danger, Ye Xi Yan pretended to have amnesia but was mistaken for the farm girl Xiu Fen. She also unintentionally became engaged to Lu Ming Yu. A sweet and happy cohabitation life began. However, the appearance of Xi Yan's fiancee Cui Zi Hao, the son of Cui Group, broke the tranquility of their cohabitation... The romance is sweet with a lot of real kisses. But the most outstanding in this drama are the breathtaking filming locations: Yunhe Terraces, Guyan Painting Village, Jiulong National Wetland Park, Changting Beach, and Damu Mountain Tea Plantation Park. Ending: Happy ending. All is well.

A Lucid Dream Romance ◆ Comedy 18 eps x 11 min = 3 h 18 min

Zhang Yi Meng, who lives in the present day, is convinced that she is a princess who has traveled from the ancient state of Xi and tries by all means to return to the past. An unexpected faint brings her back to the ancient state, where everything feels familiar yet strange.  However, this is actually a treatment process planned for her by her father and her psychiatrist Song Jing Cheng!  What is fiction and what is reality?  The native title 不知剧情也无妨, which translates to It Doesn't Matter if You Don't Know the Plot, is the best approach to watching Lucid Dream, better not to be spoiled by what really happened and you will enjoy this drama! Ending: Happy ending. All is well.

Playing House Romance ◆ Comedy ◆ Business ◆ Fantasy 24 eps x 10 min = 4 h

At the same time, online editor He Lu Yan and hotel entrepreneur Qi Lin are transported into a novel written by He Lu Yan. One became an undercover guest room manager and the other became the hotel president. After experiencing battles of wits and betrayal, they walked hand in hand and finally ended up together. A fantasy love story that goes both ways in real life. A light-hearted comedy with the hotel industry as the story setting. I like the hotel management cases they have to take care of. Ending: Happy. They meet again in real life and a final plot twist.

Drunk to Love You Romance ◆ Business 24 eps x 13 min = 5 h 12 min

Liu Ya Li claimed that she never got drunk, even after a thousand drinks. However, on the night she met Jiang Liu for the first time, she found a real opponent in the game of chess, who made her drunk on the spot.  When she woke up with a hangover, Liu Ya Li vowed to find the mysterious man. But she discovered that he is actually the new boss she never met before! There seems to be more than meets the eye behind his ability to hold the liquor... The plot is simple and typical, they only added the wine/liquor business as the background setting. But it was dramatically shot with artistic cinematography. The director knew how to shoot kissing and bed scenes and made them look natural. Ending: Happy ending. They reunited.

All of Her Romance ◆ Business ◆ Drama 26 eps x 10 min = 4 h 20 min

Five years ago, Yan Zhen purposely married Chu Ze Jia to gain access to the Anshi group, only for her husband to die in an accident a year later. Since then, she has become the decisive and domineering general manager of the Anshi group.  When she is ready to finally declare her husband dead, 'he' suddenly returns. But is 'he' her husband or his twin, Chu Ze An? As the two try to uncover the others' secrets, they find themselves becoming more and more entangled in their love-hate relationship. The drama is quite suspenseful. I loved watching Yan Zhen and the male protagonists test each other out and push each other to the extreme.  Ending: Open. He visited the first place they met. He turned around and smiled at a woman behind him.

Undercover Affair Romance ◆ Action ◆ Thriller 24 eps x 10 min = 4 h

At a bar, Sen, an undercover police officer who infiltrates the Kuntai gangster group, meets Ling Yi, a hostess, and their paths intertwine. Despite having closed himself off emotionally, Sen finds himself genuinely drawn to this kind-hearted girl. Amidst perilous situations, Sen and Ling Yi's bond grows as they find solace in each other. They both promise to start afresh together once everything is over.   Meanwhile, a conspiracy against Sen and Ling Yi quietly brews in the shadows...  The plot is refreshing because China rarely makes mafia/gang-themed dramas, it looks more like a Hong Kong drama than a Chinese one. Ending: Happy ending. They reunited.

Your Trap Romance ◆ Business ◆ Drama 24 eps x 10 min = 4 h

Han Qing is an agent whose job is to collect evidence on cheating husbands enough for the wives to demand divorce and money. For a client, she infiltrated Huajing Group and became the personal assistant of its president, Feng Si Qian.  Inadvertently, Han Qing was forced to get involved in an elaborate conspiracy. To find the truth, Han Qing and Feng Si Qian went through suspicion and temptation and then helped each other to finally find the essence of marriage and true love. The couple's chemistry is off-the-chart with several sensual scenes full of kisses. But the conspiracy plot is so-so. I fast-forwarded the business part because it's boring. Ending: Happy. The couple reunited.

A micro drama, although also Chinese and short, is like a different animal. In China, micro dramas are streamed on Douyin, Bilibili, Kuaishou, and QQ. They are vertically filmed, making them easily consumable on mobile devices, and they're aimed towards the Chinese market. A micro drama starts with several free episodes and each episode ends with a cliffhanger. Once watchers get hooked, they would shell out 1 or 2 yuan per episode and the total episode numbers vary between 20 - 100. The short ones are usually brand promotions. Micro dramas are so addictive that Chinese netizens willingly save money to buy the episodes instead of spending money shopping. International audiences can watch the condensed versions on YouTube with horrible AI sub and atrocious sound. Still addictive though, because they're only about 2 - 3 hours total per drama, it's easy to click one after another to watch as recommended by the YouTube algorithm.

Why are micro dramas addictive although they're super low-budget with cheap production value? Besides the short length, the plots, although recycled, present very intriguing tropes that keep viewers glued to their screens, especially content that highlights negative aspects of family life: love affairs, family disputes, and tensions between the rich and poor. Watching a Chinese micro drama is like watching the miniature version of classic Thai lakorn, lol! These types of plots could be released in prior years because they were not required to undergo Chinese censorship. However, between 2022 and 2023 NRTA took down thousands of micro dramas deemed vulgar and/or violent. Starting 1 June 2024, the Chinese government requires all micro dramas to have a license before they can be distributed online.

Below are some micro dramas that were recommended to me and I watched them for the sake of making this article. I don't watch as many micro dramas as mini dramas so that I couldn't make comparisons from one to another because there are thousands of them!

Hi Mom 82 eps x 2 min = 2 h 44 min	Secret Love 81 eps x 2 min = 2 h 42 min	Go Where You Are 74 eps x 2 min = 2 h 28 min
The most popular with the most downloads during the Chinese Lunar New Year because of the heart-warming family theme.	My favorite micro drama, cute and funny. The Female Lead is very pretty with good acting skills, especially as a child.	A mature relationship between two gorgeous people with some sensual scenes. The Female Lead's costumes are to die for.

That's all, everyone! See you next year with Part 2.

Thank you for reading and happy watching!