#idk suggest 2023 dramas for meee

[tytangfei]

Jina’s dramas awards 2022

It’s here! I had less time this year to devote to dramas because of a variety of reasons, but I still want to share the love. (Check out my favs from 2020 and from 2021.)

As usual, these are mostly Chinese dramas and they’re typically historical or period costume or VR-historical dramas but I do have a category for modern dramas specifically. Also, this is based on dramas that I finished. So, if I started but didn’t get through it yet, it won’t show up on this list.

A new addition this year: best short drama! With cdrama entertainment really putting more money and time into making their mini dramas, I think they deserve their own category.

best overall drama:

love between fairy and devil: no surprises here. it’s a devil x fairy drama aka brooding man x bright girl dynamic and it’s so so good. it really took all of us by a storm and we enjoyed it so much. the cgi is pretty good, the soundtrack is fantastic, and just everything hits my fangirl’s heart so well.

most delightful/fun drama:

night of love with you (modern short drama): i was seeking more short dramas to watch and am so glad i came across this. it’s funny, it’s well paced for a short drama, the couple’s chemistry is amazing, and their visuals look great too. also, the tinge of tragedy? love it. obsessed. 

most impactful drama:

rainless love in a godless land (Taiwanese modern drama, technically aired in 2021 but finished in 2022 so it counts!!): i love this kind of modern fantasy stories and i especially loved that this drama incorporated indigenous beliefs and myths and had all these larger questions. i probably watched this all in like three days (the eps were so long!) and was captivated. 

most unexpected drama (aka the dark horse):

sassy beauty: i don’t think i had any specific expectations for this drama, I was just looking for VR-historical drama and came across this. It also happened to have Yan Zidong as the ML, who I adore, so I gave it a chance and I’m so glad I did! Especially letting myself get past the first 4 episodes because the female lead’s growth was so so gooood. and again, the tragedy of it all?? yeah yeah, it’s everything.

drama with the best soundtrack:

love between fairy and devil: do I need to say more? it’s got all the bangers.

best costume/design/set drama:

love in flames of war (republican era): disregarding the story/plot, i really liked how this drama looked. maybe they looked a little too pristine for a republican era? but the male lead’s a warlord and rich and stuff so i didn’t question it too much.

best short drama:

a familiar stranger: cdrama ent is finally putting money and time into short series! this year we really saw an improvement in this genre and several other dramas did really well, but this drama had my heart because of ryan cheng. he’s my boy. but really, this drama had solid acting, story, with strong cinematography and soundtrack. just chef’s kiss.

favorite modern drama:

be my princess: granted, I didn’t watch many this year, but this is the only one I finished and actually spent VIP money to watch the last few episodes. I really adored this drama and the questions it asked and I was pleasantly surprised by this couple pairing. 

favorite drama from any year not aired in 2022:

dreaming back to the qing dynasty (2019): I haven’t watched a drama based in qing dynasty (with some time-traveling) in years! I fell in love with so many of the princes but especially wang anyu as 13th prince. it’s the first drama i’ve seen of him and i’ll be keeping an eye out for his future historical/period dramas!

drama with a soft spot in my heart:

lost track of time: i’m obsessed with this drama greatly thanks to jing chao but yeah also obsessed with irony and revenge and the fight against fate and doomed endings. yeah, this drama had me buying VIP. the production and cinematography was just okay but the acting? the tragedy of it all? i’m kissing jing chao.

favorite scene from a drama:

a familiar stranger: this is a random category just so that I can say I absolutely love the fireflies scene. it’s so so good, so soft, so tender. he saved her and then she saved him in the most beautiful way.

That’s all for me! Did we share any favs? Are you obsessed with bits of tragedy too or are you normal lol. Which drama would you in what category? Feel free to let me know. :)