If you’re a fan of historical battles, epic stories, and beautiful fight sequences, then you’re in for a treat because I created the list of the top 10 most anticipated Chinese wuxia dramas airing in 2024, starting the countdown at Top 10 Best Chinese Drama.
Top 1 Chinese Wuxia Drama: The Legend of Shen Li
Adapted from the novel of the same name by Julu Fang, The Legend of Shen Li is a 2024 Chinese fantasy romance drama. The story follows Shenlei, who rises to power and earns the title of General Bong through her battlefield prowess. Forced into a political marriage, she refuses and fights for her freedom, sustaining injuries that cause her to return to her original form as a phoenix. Falling into the human world, she is picked up by a merchant and sold as a plucked chicken to Shang Xi, a ruthless warrior who ended the God and Demon Wars millennia ago. Unable to ignore the caged demon chicken, Shang Xi becomes intertwined with Shenlei’s fate. The question now is: what lies ahead for the demon and the warrior who rescues her?
Top 2 Chinese Wuxia Dramas: In Blossom
This Wuxia drama has everything from betrayal and rebirth to secret identities and slow-burn romance. Blossom revolves around Pan, a charming and popular guy who marries Yang Kaiwei, the town outcast, only for her to be murdered on their wedding day, casting suspicion on him. However, Yang Kaiwei returns from the dead as Shang Guan Xi, seeking revenge. As they delve into solving crimes together, their partnership rekindles their love as they uncover the truth behind her mysterious death. Directed by Ajong Ching, this 2024 Chinese drama explores love and justice in a sinful city.
Top 3 Chinese Wuxia Dramas: A Thousand Years of Love
A Thousand Years of Love, a Shanxia mini-drama, surprised me with its quality, not to mention the seemingly endless killing scenes. The drama follows Fang Ruo Yao, ruler of the demon realm, who instantly falls in love with Immortal Lord Moen Yuan and brings him to marry her in the demon realm. Mo Chenyuan, hiding injuries from his half-brother, accepts Fang Ruo Yao’s plan to heal in the demon realm. Despite initially appearing as enemies, their love grows as they face challenges together. Eventually, they bridge the gap between the immortal and demon realms to be together.
Top 4 Chinese Wuxia Dramas: The Immortal Ascension
Immortal Ascension, the latest addition to the growing list of xianxia dramas, has unveiled its cast, and it consists of over 60 names. This makes sense for a story that serves as the live-action adaptation of the popular novel “A Record of Immortal’s Journey to Immortality.” The Immortal Ascension follows Han Le, a village boy who unexpectedly becomes an unofficial disciple of a minor sect in Jiangxia. With his average abilities, Han Le must navigate the dangerous world of cultivation while avoiding enemies. Despite the odds, he battles demons and celestial beings, striving to achieve immortality on his own terms.
Top 5 Chinese Wuxia Dramas: Judge Dee’s Mystery Season Two
The second season of the drama has left not just me anxiously waiting for its arrival but all the fans of the first season. Adapted from novels by Dutch author Robert Van Gulik, Judge Dee Mystery is a Chinese period mystery drama series. The story follows Dee, a brilliant investigator, as he unravels complex cases during the Tang Dynasty. After being reassigned to a remote town due to political changes under Wan’s rule, the ambitious Dee discovers hidden secrets as he delves deeper into his investigations. His journey takes him across the nation, solving numerous mysterious cases. Eventually, he returns to Changan and teams up with his father to confront a crisis endangering peace and order.
Top 6 Chinese Wuxia Dramas: Growing Pains of Swordsmen
If you watched and liked the 2023 Chinese drama “Be With You,” you will definitely enjoy this show too. Growing Pains of Swordsmen follows four unique individuals: Gu Dalu, Wangong, Lin Taing, and Yoni, as they come together at Gu Shanang by coincidence. As newcomers to the martial arts world, they experience a series of amusing and heartfelt events shaping their journey into becoming young heroes of martial arts. This series is a perfect blend of comedy and martial arts, exploring important themes like family identity and the pursuit of happiness.
Top 7 Chinese Wuxia Dramas: Legend of Heroes
The Legends of Heroes is another Chinese drama that doesn’t focus much on romance and instead caters to what we wuxia lovers want to see: fantasy battles. The story follows the Mongol Army led by Genghis Khan as they march westward to conquer the Jin Dynasty and later plan to move south to defeat the Song Dynasty. Skilled martial artists from different schools in the Central Plains participate in intense battles, but heroes like Gu Jing epitomize chivalry, rallying martial arts practitioners to defend Shangyang for the country and its people.
Top 8 Chinese Wuxia Dramas: Fox Spirit Matchmaker
I’m excited for this drama for two reasons: one, I love seeing Luii, and two, I love seeing Jang Yunlong. I’m especially curious about their chemistry since these two have never acted together before. In a world torn by human-demon conflict, Dong Fang Hu and Wang Tran Hongya, leaders of the Dongfang and Wang Tran families, unite to bring peace and restore the unity alliance. Their paths converge at the Bamboo Pavilion by the Haai River on the seventh day of the 7eventh month, where their destinies intertwine forever. Together, they make a heartfelt promise and share a timeless story that echoes through generations. Even without the leads, the stunning visuals alone are a reason to watch this drama.
Top 9 Chinese Wuxia Dramas: Burning Flame
Names, I couldn’t contain my excitement when they announced this drama. The CGI and fight sequences from the trailer look amazing already. Adapted from the Manawuang G, Burning Flames follows the journey of Wu Gang, a human prince turned slave after his country and family were destroyed. With unwavering determination, he faces numerous challenges on his quest for revenge and freedom. The best aspect of this drama is that romance takes a back seat with a focus mainly on epic historical battles.
Top 10 Chinese Wuxia Dramas: Divine Healer
I really wish this drama was longer than just 10 minutes for each episode, especially considering the wild scenes like the male lead drinking the female lead’s bath water. The Divine Healer centers around Shaolan, an herb elf in Herb Village, who saves Auu, a medical officer capable of leaving the village’s boundaries. However, Auu is hiding a secret; he is also the commander of the Shangqing Bureau tasked with capturing herb elves like Shaolan. Despite their different roles, they form a special bond leading to a series of events that reveal their intertwined destinies.
| Drama list | Director | Lead Actor, Lead Actress | Genre | Overview |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Legend of Shen Li | Li Wei | Xu Kai, Liu Yifei | Fantasy Romance | Adapted from a novel. Powerful phoenix warrior, political intrigue, blossoming warrior-celestial romance. |
| In Blossom | Ajong Ching | Wallace Huo, Zhao Liying | Wuxia | Betrayal, rebirth, slow-burn romance. Charming man’s wife returns seeking revenge, solving crimes together. |
| A Thousand Years of Love | Unknown | Zhu Yilong, Sun Yi | Wuxia, Shanxia | Forbidden romance – demon ruler and immortal lord. Initial clash, love story unfolds amidst fantastical elements. |
| The Immortal Ascension | Chen Jialin | TBA (Large Cast) | Wuxia, Xianxia | Live-action adaptation of popular novel. Village boy cultivates immortality, facing challenges and battles. |
| Judge Dee’s Mystery S2 | Same as Season One | Ethan Juan (Returning Cast Expected) | Period Mystery | Brilliant investigator Judge Dee tackles complex cases during the Tang Dynasty (Season Two). |
| Growing Pains of Swordsmen | Yu Zheng | TBA | Wuxia, Comedy | Coming-of-age story. Four unique individuals train to become martial arts heroes. Humor blends with action. |
| Legend of Heroes | Han Yang | TBA | Wuxia | Skilled martial artists defend their country from invaders. Epic battles and displays of heroism. |
| Fox Spirit Matchmaker | Yang Xiaodong | Jang Yunlong, Liu Yuxin | Wuxia, Fantasy | Leaders from warring families find destiny intertwined. Efforts to bring peace involve fantastical elements and potential romance. |
| Burning Flame | Huang Junwen | Xiao Zhan | Wuxia | Prince turned slave seeks revenge for destroyed kingdom. Epic historical battles over romance. |
| Divine Healer | Xu Kaicheng | Xu Kai, Ariel Lin | Wuxia, Fantasy | Short episodes (10 minutes). Herb elf and medical officer with a hidden identity form a unique bond, leading to unexpected developments. |
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