Savvy Sisters: Female Entrepreneurs in Ancient China

Director: Yang Yang

Screenwriter: Zhang Wei

Actors: Liu Yifei (Crystal), Chen Xiao, Liu Yan (Ada), Jelly Lin

Zhao Pan Er, is a smart and savvy teahouse owner in Qiantang, living alongside her two best friends Sun San Niang and Song Yin Zhang. When she finds out her fiancé left her for another woman of a high ranking officer after becoming an official in the Capital of Bian Jing, she refuses to give into her fate and decides to travel to the Capital in search for the truth. On her way there, she crosses paths with both of her best friends, whose lives she saves and they follow her onward. Gu Qian Fan, is a commander in an elite Capital squadron nicknamed "Living Devil". He is setup by the very people he swears allegiance to and must find out the truth behind a nefarious scheme involving the imperial court. When he first meets Zhao Pan Er, they don't see eye to eye, however this intelligent businesswoman has caught his attention and as they help each other, they get closer to their own goals. Once arriving in the Capital, Zhao Pan Er, her two friends, and Gu Qian Fan must weather many storms together and apart but will their strength, care for one another, and sheer perseverance by relying on their own ability to make a small teahouse they opened into the largest and most successful restaurant in Bian Jing? And will they each get the love and happy ending they all so desperately deserve?

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMX26aiIvX5rcYjAW7p_bguZDB-imN_4u&si=xWpLTjxrhuZcQFCG (ENG subs)

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Director: Chu Yui Bun

Screenwriter: He Fang, Luo Xuan

Actors: Hu Yitian, Zhang Jingyi, Caesar Wu, Lu Yuxiao

A devastating tragedy of asset forfeiture suddenly befalls the Hua family. The men are forced into exile, leaving behind the women and children in dire straits. Hua Zhi, the young lady of the family, no longer stays low-key and steps up. She braves hardship and leads the women of her household to manage to avoid starvation and danger. She transforms not only their lives but also the feared Commander of the Security Bureau, Gu Yan Xi, into her beloved "Mr. Yan". During these lively and heartwarming moments, Hua Zhi rises from a sheltered lady to the head of her family, leading her toward a brighter future.

https://t.kisskh.la/vSKJ (ENG subs)

Director: Yin Tao

Screenwriter: Rao Jun, Bai Jin Jin

Actors: Bai Jingting, Song Yi, Liu Xueyi, Zhang Haowei

Ratings: 8.5/10 from 4k + users (2024)

Liu Yu Ru is the only legitimate daughter of a former cloth merchant living a stoic life with her mother in a household where they're mistreated despite their status. Due to a misunderstanding, she is married off to Gu Jiu Si, the notorious son of Yangzhou's wealthiest family, infamous for his idle lifestyle and lazy ways. At first, Gu Jiu Si does not like Liu Yu Ru, believing her to be calculating and scheming. As she settles into her new life, she begins to learn business from her welcoming mother-in-law while growing closer to Gu Jiu Si. The storm clouds of war, however, are gathering on the horizon and the Commissioner of Yangzhou creates endless days of terror, forcing the Gu family into unimaginable circumstances. As the couple grows ever closer through their hardships, the benevolent pair becomes destined for greatness.

IQIYI (ENG subs)

https://t.kisskh.la/uGGw (ENG subs) 

Director: Yu Chung Chung

Screenwriter: Hu Rong, Jiang Ning

Actors: Luo Yunxi, Song Yi

The series tells the romantic love story of Jiang Xin Bai, a cold and aloof prince suffering from face blindness who is determined to eliminate the "Zornia grass" from the world, and Yan Nan Xing, a passionate female traveling doctor whose appearance changes often due to a curse during the full moon each month. Together, they journey through the martial world, experiencing a fated love. Through the process, these two strong yet lonely individuals, overcome numerous obstacles and jointly uphold justice. They show the true meaning of love—that while appearances are important, they cannot surpass the connection of hearts.

https://t.kisskh.la/z2dc (ENG subs)

https://t.kisskh.la/aqLF (ENG subs)

Director: Dai Jin Yuan 

Actors: Gao Qiuzi, Kepler 

Su Jin Xia, the daughter of the Great General, was appointed as the Empress consort of the sickly old Emperor. Unfortunately, on the wedding day, the old Emperor passed away. Upon hearing the news that she was to be buried together with the old Emperor, Su Jin Xia collapsed. Her body was then taken over by the soul of a fashion designer from modern times. This new Su Jin Xia was different from the original one. She was bold and cheerful. The new Emperor spared her from the sacrificial burial as long as she was willing to marry him. So she became the Empress consort of the new Emperor. Unaware of the Emperor's true love, Su Jin Xia eventually ran away from the palace. When this plump Empress consort learned that fat women were considered low in status and bullied outside, she decided to open a plus-size clothing store. Soon, the Emperor appeared to pursue his love.

https://t.kisskh.la/zmS9 (ENG subs)

MINI DRAMA

Director: Deng Ke 

Actors: Guo Qilin, Song Yi

A modern businessman travels back to ancient times; he lands in the body of a man about to be married as a matrilocal husband into a family of cloth merchants. He then begins incorporating modern methods and ideals to help his friends and battle corrupt local businesses. Ultimately he becomes involved in the affairs of the country.

https://t.kisskh.la/ELTR (ENG subs)

Director: Zhu Shao Jie 

Actors: Yuan Bingyan, Zheng Yecheng, Merxat, Zhang Yue

Liu Ling is a young member of the royal family who has been granted the auspicious title of Princess Chang Le by the Emperor – who has a soft spot for her (and thinks little of her father). She is aged 20, and until now she has lived a pampered and privileged life. She is capricious, impatient, and quite bratty. Even when people lavish gifts upon her, she treats them with disdain. She has a habit of rubbing people up the wrong way and acting impulsively – a fact that has seen her develop many enemies at court. Even the common folk have a habit of spreading malicious – and often totally unfounded – rumors about her. On her birthday, she decides – on a whim – to travel out of the palace to drink in a private room at an exclusive inn. She drinks herself into a stupor and is sleeping off the alcohol when Shen Yan, a young army commander and an ice-cold martial artist stumbles into her room after having been injured in a sword fight with a notorious bandit. The Princess falls for this wounded warrior and tries to win his heart – although he initially doesn’t seem very impressed with her advances. But, given time, could this unlikely duo strike up a friendship – or an even more unlikely romance?

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Director: Zhao Qi Chen 

Actors: Bai Jingting, Tian Xiwei, Liu Guanlin, Chen Xiaoyun, Edward Zhang

Because of a marriage selection, girls from all over the world gather in Xin Chuan. Yin Zheng, one of the six young masters of Xin Chuan, who keeps a low profile, and Li Wei, who just wants to work hard and not get selected, live comfortably in this hometown. They unexpectedly form a relationship, and, together, start a new life where they encounter numerous situations and complement each other in overcoming them. As Yin Zheng sets up a government office and goes to court, the two gradually develop similar tastes as their hearts become in sync. They share three meals and four seasons together, and grow up with other brothers and sisters with different personalities and fates, living a warm, daily life as a Xin Chuan family together.

IQIYI (ENG subs)

https://t.kisskh.la/Yu3G (ENG subs)

Director: Ding Hei

Screenwriter: Su Xiao Yuan

Actors: Betty Sun, Chen Xiao, Peter Ho, Myolie Wu, Yu Haoming, Ren Zhong

Zhou Ying is sold to the powerful Shen family by her foster father, yet successfully escapes by sneaking into merchant Wu Ping’s palanquin. The Wu family agreed to take her in after witnessing her remarkable business acumen. Shen Xingyi, the pampered young master of the Shen family will end up falling in love with Zhou Ying.

https://t.kisskh.la/2bHg (ENG subs)

Director: Guo Hao, Wang Xiao Ming 

Actors: Jiang Qinqin, Zhang Huiwen, Yang Rong, Mao Zijun, Xu Haiqiao, Li Yinan

As China becomes a major commercial economy, the silk, embroidering, and weaving trade is booming – and a few influential families have risen to the top. The industry’s powerhouse is the Gusu District in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. And arguably the greatest weaving dynasty of them all is the Ren family, which carefully guards the secrets of its weaving prowess. Chinese traditional culture dictates that males are the dominant force in society. As such, the head of the family is nominally Ren Xue Tang, a gentle-hearted soul with a love for poetry and philosophy – and no head for business. His wife of some 10 years Shen Cui Xi is the polar opposite. Fiery, opinionated, and fiercely competitive, she keeps the family business firmly on track, with her peerless embroidery skills. But when he tries to close the net on a ring of smugglers, Ren Xue Tang gets into trouble and encounters Zeng Bao Qin, formerly the love of his life. Following the accident, Zeng Bao Qin finds herself in the Ren family home and face to face with Shen Cui Xi, her bitterest love rival. But hard times are ahead for the family as enemies circle, and it seems that only a partnership between these two women will help them avoid a painful fall from grace. Can they put their rivalry aside to cooperate – or will jealousy and love stand in their way?

https://t.kisskh.la/gCuu (ENG subs)

Ji Man is a young woman from Haifang. She is cheerful and has a keen head for business. She is traveling to Beijing to pursue her dreams when she is involved in a sudden accident. When she wakes up, she realizes that she has lost her memory. And, for some reason, she is now living in the palace of a powerful dynasty. Worse, she discovers that everyone in this palace seems to think she is someone else – a woman with a reputation for treachery, scheming, and evil! Further, she comes to understand that she is supposedly set to marry Ning Yu Xuan, the cold-blooded, aloof, and impetuous master of the dynasty. Ji Man resolves to leave and still feels a strong desire to launch her own business. But regaining her “freedom” won’t be easy. Could her unique charms melt Ning Yu Xuan’s icy heart? And what will happen when everyone learns the secret of her true identity?

https://t.kisskh.la/MQTH (ENG subs)

Director: Wen De Guang

Screenwriter: Cheng Ting Yu

Actors: Wallace Chung, Tan Songyun

Set during the Ming Dynasty, the story revolves around the romance between General Xu Ling Yi and the concubine's daughter Shi Yi Niang, that starts from an arranged marriage. Despite being born with a low status, Shi Yi Niang is extremely assertive and believes that a woman's vision should not be limited to the household. She hopes to rely on her embroidery skills as a ticket to freedom. However, the once esteemed Luo family is in a state of decline. Hoping to save the clan through a marriage alliance, Shi Yi Niang is selected to become the wife of Yongping Duke and great General Xu Ling Yi. Things were not easy for her due to the Xu family's biases towards her. Nonetheless, she manages to win over their trust through her optimism and sincerity. Xu Ling Yi also becomes attracted to her various beautiful qualities such that husband and wife manage to find love after marriage. Through Xu Ling Yi's support, Shi Yi Niang opens Xian Ling Pavillion to have her own embroidery workshop. Meanwhile, Xu Ling Yi experiences many setbacks as he tries to protect his homeland and improve the livelihood of the people by supporting the lifting of a maritime ban. As they face a crisis that could spell the end for the Xu family, Xu Ling Yi and Shi Yi Niang continue to support each other through thick and thin.

https://t.kisskh.la/VpMb (ENG subs)