Beautiful Heroes---Wuxia/Xianxia/Xuanhuan
NOTE/POTENTIAL SPOILER: I only watch happy ending dramas at the moment. I am marking those that have sad/bittersweet endings as a warning to myself. Beware of the potential spoiler.
This is the genre(s) of drama I am most reluctant to start, and I have no idea why. I reached out to the c-drama community for some "must watch" recommendations and here is the result.
Wuxia--martial art/mortal heroes; Xianxia--god/goddess/immortal heroes; Xuanhuan--fantasy
For additional info and recs in the genre:
Wuxia: https://mydramalist.com/article/introduction-to-wuxia-dramas
Xianxia: https://mydramalist.com/article/cookie-done-devitto-done-introduction-to-xianxia-dramas
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![A Girl Like Me]()
1. A Girl Like Me
Chinese Drama - 2021, 40 episodes
Wuxia
This drama is a really fun blend of comedy/romance/action/political intrigue that doesn't take itself too seriously. It wasn't overly complicated and there were no parts that I found boring or tedious enough to fast-forward through. I loved our FLs costumes. She looked gorgeous in every scene. Not to mention that she's the kind of sassy that I want in a FL. And our ML was just so, so pretty. He really pulls off the period dress. I could have just stared at him for 40 episodes and that would have been totally fine. I don't necessarily think this is a top-tier drama per se but I had a lot of fun watching it so that's really all that matters to me. My biggest gripe is that they even tried to give the "bad guys" okay endings that they definitely didn't deserve.
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![Under the Power]()
2. Under the Power
Chinese Drama - 2019, 55 episodes
Wuxia
I really want to love this, but I've been stuck at episode 37 for a little bit and really reluctant to continue. I had to start skipping quite a bit just to make it this far. Too many characters and/or actors are annoying me I think. These have been my comments so far while watching it:
- I swear, why did they make the SML such a man-child? When he was introduced I was hopeful but they completely turned his character around in a hurry. Painful to watch.
- Yang Yue deserves so much better. Shangguan is kind of a bitch. Her being adamantly in love with Xie just proves how lacking she is. But now even Yang Yue is getting on my nerves. He needs to learn how to take no as an answer.
- I don't love the FL. I don't hate her, either, she just comes off as really immature so I'm having a hard time buying into the romance with our stoic and reserved ML. Maybe he needs that immaturity? I don't know. Young and cutesy acting characters bug me in general.
I'm going to try to push through to the end...I may just need to utilize the fast-forward option even more at this point. I'm beginning to think these epic dramas may not be for me. Possibly the reason I've stayed away from them up until this point. I know myself too well.
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![Eternal Love]()
3. Eternal Love
Chinese Drama - 2017, 58 episodes
Xianxia
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![Love and Redemption]()
4. Love and Redemption
Chinese Drama - 2020, 59 episodes
Xianxia
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![The Legend of Gu and Jue]()
5. The Legend of Gu and Jue
Chinese Drama - 2021, 49 episodes
Xianxia
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![Lost Love in Times]()
6. Lost Love in Times
Chinese Drama - 2017, 56 episodes
Xianxia? Xuanhuan?
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![The Untamed]()
7. The Untamed
Chinese Drama - 2019, 50 episodes
Xianxia
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![Ever Night]()
8. Ever Night
Chinese Drama - 2018, 60 episodes
Xianxia
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![Love and Destiny]()
9. Love and Destiny
Chinese Drama - 2019, 60 episodes
Xianxia
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![The Legends]()
10. The Legends
Chinese Drama - 2019, 56 episodes
Xianxia
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![Legend of Fu Yao]()
11. Legend of Fu Yao
Chinese Drama - 2018, 66 episodes
Xianxia
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![Ashes of Love]()
12. Ashes of Love
Chinese Drama - 2018, 63 episodes
Xianxia
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![Eternal Love of Dream]()
13. Eternal Love of Dream
Chinese Drama - 2020, 56 episodes
Xianxia
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![Legend of Fei]()
14. Legend of Fei
Chinese Drama - 2020, 51 episodes
Wuxia
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![Ancient Detective]()
15. Ancient Detective
Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
Wuxia
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![Nirvana in Fire]()
16. Nirvana in Fire
Chinese Drama - 2015, 54 episodes
Wuxia---bittersweet ending.
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![The Flame's Daughter]()
17. The Flame's Daughter
Chinese Drama - 2018, 52 episodes
Wuxia
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![Word of Honor]()
18. Word of Honor
Chinese Drama - 2021, 36 episodes
Wuxia
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![Princess Agents]()
19. Princess Agents
Chinese Drama - 2017, 67 episodes
Wuxia
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![Love A Lifetime]()
20. Love A Lifetime
Chinese Drama - 2020, 45 episodes
Wuxia
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![The Moon Bright For You]()
21. The Moon Bright For You
Chinese Drama - 2020, 36 episodes
Wuxia
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![Novoland: Pearl Eclipse]()
22. Novoland: Pearl Eclipse
Chinese Drama - 2021, 48 episodes
Xuanhuan---a lot of heartbreak and sad moments
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![Qing Qing Wo Xin]()
23. Qing Qing Wo Xin
Chinese Drama - 2021, 24 episodes
Xuanhuan--still airing. Not a rec but one that looks like it might fit my mental checklist criteria.
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![Sound of the Desert]()
24. Sound of the Desert
Chinese Drama - 2014, 35 episodes
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![Hei Yue Guang Wen Na BE Ju Ben]()
25. Hei Yue Guang Wen Na BE Ju Ben
Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes
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![Dance of the Sky]()
26. Dance of the Sky
Chinese Drama - 2020, 28 episodes
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![Sword Snow Stride]()
27. Sword Snow Stride
Chinese Drama - 2021, 38 episodes
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![Yu Zhao Ling]()
28. Yu Zhao Ling
Chinese Drama - 2021, 32 episodes
