Editor's notes: China has one of the biggest booming drama industries in the world. Dozens of new dramas are released every month, drawing in millions of viewers. In recent years, Chinese dramas have garnered more exposure and popularity globally. Many original series have been distributed overseas, bought and streamed on international video platforms like Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Rakuten Viki (the world's leading platform for Asian entertainment and culture) and MyDramaList (database and social community for Asian Dramas and Movies). 

From high-quality historical costume series to romantic love comedies, C-dramas have taken Asia and even the world by storm. China.org.cn has rounded up 5 of the most acclaimed C-dramas in 2019 (in no particular order) that have also proved to be smash hits internationally.

# The Longest Day in Chang'an (长安十二时辰)

Genres: Historical, Suspense

First aired: Jun 27, 2019 - Aug 12, 2019

Original Network: Youku

Available on: Amazon Prime, YouTube, Viki

Once it was aired on the Chinese online video platform Youku on June 27, 2019, the Longest Day in Chang'an, a high-quality detective thriller web series, became an audience favourite. Soon after in July 2019, it was not only released in other Asian countries, such as Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam, but also landed in North America as "paid content" on video streaming websites such as Viki, Amazon Prime and YouTube. This is the first time a Chinese drama series entered the monthly payment category in an American video streaming site.

Set in Chang'an, China's ancient imperial capital and the world's most magnificent metropolis during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), the 48-episode series revolves around how detective-turned-prisoner Zhang Xiaojing (played by Lei Jiayin) and head of Chang'an's anti-terror department Li Bi (played by Jackson Yee), teamed up to stop a terrorist attack by a mysterious army in the capital on the eve of the Lantern Festival. The events in the drama series take place within a span of 24 hours.

Western viewers who have seen it are also hooked by its intense plot, awesome cinematography, as well as its exquisite and beautiful traditional costumes, makeup, and architecture that vividly and accurately portray life during the prosperous Tang dynasty. 89% of viewers on Amazon Prime gave it 4.8 out of 5 stars. A reviewer commented on IMDb, saying that it can be "considered the Chinese version of GOT", and praised the "the epic background stories, excellent acting, directing, elaborate scenes, and wonderful sound track".

# The Untamed (陈情令)

Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Historical, Mystery, Martial Arts

First aired: Jun 27, 2019 - Aug 14, 2019

Original network: Tencent Video

Available on: Netflix, Viki, MyDramaList

The summer hit costume drama "The Untamed" first aired in China on the streaming platform Tencent Video on June 27, 2019. As of the end of 2019, the series, adapted from the fantasy web novel Mo Dao Zu Shi (魔道祖师), earned 7 billion views on Tencent and an 8.3/10 on the Chinese media review site Douban and also had the highest number of reviews on the platform.

The drama, starring Sean Xiao and Wang Yibo, tells the story of two soulmates facing treacherous schemes in a magical world of inter-clan rivalry. They then uncover a dark mystery linked to a tragic event in the past, according to its synopsis on Netflix. 

The spellbinding and well-connected storyline, exquisite costumes, its display of Chinese music instruments as well as traditional etiquette and virtues made it a hit not only in China but also overseas.

The series was translated into 11 different languages and broadcast via platforms such as Netflix, Viki, and MyDramaList in North and South America, Europe, Australia, the Philippines and other places. It was also released on South Korea's Channel Asia UHD in October 2019 and is scheduled to air on Japan's Asia Dramatic TV channel this year.

This drama currently has a score of 9.8 on Viki and 9.4 on MyDramaList, which makes it the highest scoring Chinese drama on these platforms. It took the No.36 spot on Tumblr's 2019 Top Live-Action TV dramas, becoming the first Chinese drama to enter the chart. A fan-meeting was even organized in Bangkok, Thailand, in September 2019, which attracted 9,000 avid fans.

# The Story of Ming Lan (知否知否应是绿肥红瘦)

Genres: Historical, Comedy, Romance, Life, Family, Political

First aired: Dec 25, 2018 - Feb 13, 2019

Original Network: Hunan Satellite Television 

Available on: YouTube, Viki 

"The Story of Ming Lan" is a hit drama that stole the hearts of both Chinese and overseas audiences. This 73-episode series, now available on Viki and YouTube for global viewers, premiered in China in December 2018 on Hunan Satellite Television and completed most of its run in 2019. It was also translated and broadcast in Japan in October 2019. 

This slow-paced drama, as its title indicates, chronicles the life of Ming Lan (played by Zhao Li Ying), the 6th child of a concubine in the Sheng household during the Northern Song Dynasty period (960 - 1127 CE). It shows her growing-up years, from her childhood all the way into adulthood. Because of her mother's lowly position in the household, Ming Lan struggles to deal with her indifferent father as well as her stepmother and sisters who often bully her. She eventually rises to prominence as an influential figure in the Sheng family. 

With a beautiful soundtrack and cinematography, the series provides an insight into the everyday life of a family in the Chinese Northern Song Dynasty. It accurately exposes the domestic politics in a large and privileged household as well as the political machinations and schemes that take place in the imperial court. The drama also delves into the topics of family dynamics, gender roles, social norms, and marriage.

The Story of Ming Lan received a favorable rating of 8.9/10 on MyDramaList, 9.5/10 on Viki and 8.2/10 on IMDb. A reviewer on MyDramaList said the series is "a rich tapestry of Song dynasty life", adding that "each character and plot line, even the minor ones, have been written with so much raw detail that you feel every undercurrent of emotion simmering within." 

# Go Go Squid (亲爱的，热爱的)

Genres: Romance, Friendship, Business, Comedy, School

First aired: Jul 9, 2019 - Jul 31, 2019

Original Network: Dragon TV, Zhejiang Satellite TV, iQiyi, Tencent Video

Available: Viki

The romantic comedy "Go Go Squid" was a smash hit in the summer of 2019. It generated huge online buzz since it was streamed and received high rating scores of 8.7/10 on MyDramaList and 9.6/10 on Viki. C-drama fans globally continue to rave about the amazing chemistry between its two main characters.

According to its synopsis on IMDb, the series is a sweet love story between a straight-A girl student with high IQ and a professional e-sports gamer as well as an inspirational story about an e-sports hero who comes back to pursue dreams and friendship.

A reviewer on MyDramaList said the drama beautifully portrayed an "adorable couple" with "wonderful chemistry" and was the "best contemporary romance of the summer of 2019".

# All Is Well (都挺好)

Genres: Life, Drama, Family

First aired: Mar 1, 2019 - Mar 25, 2019

Original Network: Jiangsu Satellite TV, Zhejiang Satellite TV

Available: YouTube, FallDrama

With its brilliant acting, true-to-life characters and well-paced plot, the drama "All Is Well" has been a hit with viewers. The drama revolves around the Su family and the relationship and dynamics among the parents and their three children. After the death of the matriarch, the weak and selfish father begins to meddle in his children's lives and makes the most unreasonable requests to them. Who should look after their elderly father and how does the youngest daughter who was not recognized by her parents since her childhood get along with the rest of the family? Many viewers have praised this series for revealing family problems in real life, such as traditional Chinese families' preference for boys over girls, the boomerang generation who live off their parents in their adulthood, and inter-generational conflicts related to caring for the elderly.

The series is now available on YouTube and FallDrama with English subtitles for foreign audiences, and its reviews have been positive. The lead actress, Yao Chen, received the Best Actress Award at the Asia Content Awards in the Busan International Film Festival. The British publication, the Economist also reported on the popularity of the drama and the stir it caused in an article "A hit TV series in China skewers cranky old parents", saying that viewers are transfixed by its rare portrayal of middle-class life, warts and all.

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