Asian dramas like
The Duo

A tale of a demon prince who loses his royal position and is appointed as a constable. Teaming up with his lover, companion, and ally, he fights against evil to uphold justice. During a turbulent era ruled by an ailing and feeble King, his sons scheme to seize the throne. The 7th Prince Xun Yan stays away from palace intrigues. Speculations circulate that he is the offspring of a demon and despite his exceptional talents, he faces rejection due to his heritage and lives recklessly. When Xun Yan accidentally harms the Crown Prince while saving the 9th Princess, the King removes his title and assigns him as a constable in Jinyuan County. In a brothel, a man dies mysteriously in Ru Yue's chambers. Xun Yan utilizes his extraordinary powers to uncover the true culprit. Forming new friendships, he embarks on a journey of solving crimes, all while a palace conspiracy unfolds.

The plot centers on three adolescent boys who were raised in the vicinity of Kamakuragashi near Edo Castle, along with a girl who is admired by all three boys. As they navigate through life, their friendship, romantic relationships, and challenges help them transition into adulthood, all while being supported by their kind and nurturing neighbors.

The main character of the play is Lu Tao, a young man who is trying to discover his true identity while juggling life, love, and work in the 1980s. With two fathers, he is faced with two different life paths. He also has two romantic partners, leading to two distinct forms of passion. While he cherishes one particular ideal, the reality he creates is quite different. Through it all, he maintains an unwavering determination to keep fighting for what he wants.

In this captivating action thriller, the famous martial arts expert Wong Fei Hung becomes the target of a scheme orchestrated by the cruel drug trafficker ying. Accusing Wong of drug dealing, ying tries to divert attention from his own illegal activities. To rescue their respected master and defend the reputation of the "Po Chi Lam" Clinic, Wong's five students must unite and take down Ying and his gang of criminals.

After returning to Shanghai from overseas, Lu Yun Fei starts his new career in the advertising industry. He is puzzled about why his ex-girlfriend, Su Fei, ended their relationship and has been unsuccessful in reaching out to her despite numerous attempts. Su Fei's old phone number becomes inactive and is now being used by Mu Bei Bei. Bei Bei is moved by the heartfelt messages she receives and connects with the sender, known as 'Edge of the Iceberg', on a mobile virtual community. They quickly develop a strong friendship. Meanwhile, Yun Fei and his team travel to Yunnan for a cellphone commercial shoot and coincidentally choose Bei Bei as their model. When Bei Bei wins a writing contest inspired by her interactions with 'Iceberg Edge', she decides to pursue her dreams in Shanghai. Upon arriving in Shanghai, Bei Bei crosses paths with Yun Fei, leading to misunderstandings that strain their relationship even more. Throughout their journey, Bei Bei receives assistance from Lin Li Zhong multiple times. Over time, Bei Bei and Yun Fei start to develop mutual admiration and respect, while Li Zhong finds himself falling for Bei Bei. Despite Yun Fei's growing feelings for Bei Bei, he keeps them hidden. It is only later on that they both realize they are actually best friends on the same mobile virtual community. Eventually, Bei Bei and Yun Fei go their separate ways. While in Beijing, Bei Bei discovers that Yun Fei has been searching for her through the mobile network. With the help of online friends, Yun Fei finally locates Bei Bei. She agrees to give him another chance under the condition that he sends out a chain SMS, which must reach her within a week.

Shui Bing Xin, the Minister of War's skilled and lovely daughter, is engaged to her foster sibling Hou Xiao. Yet, the return of her childhood sweetheart Tie Zhong Yu could disrupt their plans.

In Allure Snow, the exquisite Suzhou-style embroidery intertwines the fates of a group of young individuals - the spirited and compassionate only daughter of the Jiang household, the rural boy who unknowingly belongs to the rival Heng family but always supports her, his half-brother who is the legitimate heir and her promised partner, and his admirer who secretly adores her and serves her loyally. (Dramaddicts)

Following the passing of her mother, Feng Er's father remarries and sends her to Ling Shan for education, leading to her separation from childhood friend Chang Geng. Upon her return home, Feng Er is shocked to find the house abandoned. After rescuing a group of girls during a conflict, she embarks on a journey to find her father and Chang Geng, accompanied by the girls. Along the way, they encounter Jing Rong, who develops romantic feelings for Feng Er.

The protagonist, Su Jiu'er, is the spirited daughter of a general who crosses paths with the 9th prince while fleeing from her malicious stepmother. Their love blossoms instantly, leading the prince to defy his prearranged marriage in order to be with Jiu'er. This decision only serves to enrage her stepmother and a rival, Su Yue, who was originally intended to marry the prince. Meanwhile, the empress adds pressure to their situation with each passing moment. With an imperial decree, a substitute marriage, and a stroke of good luck, will the couple be able to find their happily ever after? (Chinesedrama.Info)

Established by Qin Zhao Yu and Shen Wan Qing, Shen Xi was married off to the "cruel" Prince Zhen Nan. During her journey, she was attacked but saved by the prince, Chen Yi Zhi. They make an agreement that Chen Yi Zhi will instruct Shen Xi on survival skills and then send her back to Qin after a year, so she can start seeking vengeance. (Youku)

During the early to mid-1900s, Yim Ga Po was a small village in China governed by the Yim clan, led by Yim Man Hei. The Sung clan resided in the village as well, though they were considered lazy and unproductive by the Yim clan. Despite this, the Yim clan was obligated to maintain peace with the Sung clan due to assistance provided by the Sung family in previous generations. The story also highlights the challenging lives of women in Yim Ga Po, a village known for its purity. Women were expected to uphold their purity and cleanliness before and after marriage, as any misstep could result in them being punished by fire.

During his childhood, Miu Tin crossed paths with a bride named Koo Sun Yuet on her wedding day, leaving a lasting impression on him. Two decades later, they unexpectedly meet again. Tin works as a cultivator of Chinese herbs, while Yuet is the spouse of Ho Sai Cheung, the head of a wholesale medicine company. Yuet eventually uncovers Cheung's passionate relationship with his maid Tin Oi Tai, leading to the revelation of a secret love nest in Fushan. To preserve the family's reputation, Yuet keeps quiet until Cheung's passing. When Tai becomes pregnant and Yuet assumes Cheung is the father, she welcomes Tai into her home and cares for her like a younger sibling. The only individual aware of the truth is Tin's close companion, Cheng Kiu.

Follow-up to Familiar Wife.

The drama narrates the tale of Jin Chan Gege, daughter of the hero appointed by Emperor Taizong Huang Tai Ji of the Qing Dynasty. Growing up, she excelled in archery, horseback riding, and combat, possessing a spirited and generous demeanor. As Jin Chan matured over a decade, she found herself entangled in the palace's violent power struggles. With her cleverness, she aided Emperor ShunZhi in overcoming his adversaries. Despite Dorgon and the Empress Dowager seeing Jin Chan Gege as a nuisance, they were compelled to marry her off due to her late father's status. Subsequently, Shun Zhi and Jin Chan Gege encountered numerous perils and embarked on a series of remarkable adventures.

In a comical tale, a spirited young girl named He Tianxin disguises herself as a boy. Tianxin crosses paths with Emperor Zhu Li and Zhang Zhesan, forming a friendship with both. Over time, both the Emperor and Zhesan develop feelings for Tianxin, resulting in a humorous yet complicated love triangle.

Hong Ling is a pure and inexperienced mermaid who is unaware of anything beyond the sea in which she lives. After unintentionally angering the Sea King, she is banished to the world of humans. It is there that she encounters a young human man with whom she will develop romantic feelings. At first, Hong Ling may see her situation as a mere prank, but she will soon realize that the repercussions of her actions are far greater than she ever anticipated.

"The Purple Hairpin Legend" is set during the Tang dynasty, a period known for its flourishing Chinese art, fashion, music, dance, and innovative creations. The brave Nalan Dong, referred to as the "Yellow-Clothed One," falls for the enchanting dancer Huo Xiao Yu. Despite his feelings, Dong sacrifices his love for Xiao Yu due to his loyalty to his best friend, Li Yi, who also harbors deep affection for her. This story is inspired by the Ming dynasty opera "The Legend of Purple Hairpin."

Set in the Early Republic period, this drama follows the tale of Gu Zhi Xia, the missing daughter of a military governor. Originally known as Ling Xue, she lost her memories while trying to find her father. Renamed Zhi Xia without her memories, her sworn sister Cui Cui took on the identity of Ling Xue. The story delves into the intricate and emotional love triangle involving Zhi Xia and the two men vying for her affection. Will she choose Xiang Tian, a rugged bandit with whom she developed a deep connection through life-threatening situations, or Chi Rui, the heir of the Chi family who instantly fell for her? Join Zhi Xia on her journey filled with joy, sorrow, and above all, love. (CdramaDevotee)

The story revolves around three separate households in Beijing as they experience China's transition from a feudal society to a democracy. The themes of familial bonds, love, and patriotism are interconnected as individuals, both men and women, evolve in their relationships for the sake of love or friendship.

The continuation of the story involves the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess, the Prime Minister's son, and his martial arts sister, creating a unique love square. Su Yu and Ye Qing Ge are separated by force but manage to reunite through a staged death. Xie Qing Yun decides to step back from the love triangle, leading him to meet He Lian, the martial sister. However, their troubles escalate when the Empress Dowager of Beichu exposes Su Yu's true identity, putting Ye Qing Ge in danger as the King considers eliminating the imposter Crown Prince.

Five individuals with diverse backgrounds come together to participate in an online game known as "Insane Killer" in the pursuit of a 10 million yuan prize. Yet, should they be unsuccessful in completing the game, they face the grim fate of being permanently stuck within the virtual world.

A tale of rivalry and romance unfolds between Jianwen Emperor Zhu Yun Wen and his uncle Zhu Di as they compete for power and the affections of the same woman. Despite his impressive abilities and bravery, Zhu Di was never able to become crown prince due to the rules of succession. When the crown prince unexpectedly dies, Zhu Yun Wen is named emperor by Zhu Yuan Zhang, creating a barrier for Zhu Di. Both men become enamored with Xu Miao Yun, setting the stage for her tragic dilemma of being torn between two rulers.

Goo Hae Ra, an aspiring artist, is on a quest for fame. She hopes to share her late father's music but encounters several challenges along the way. Hae Ra then teams up with twin brothers as they pursue their dreams of stardom on the musical contest "Superstar K2."

A shoe manufacturer in Taiwan will be caught in a dramatic feud within the industry due to the affection of Mu Dan, a young woman who sells vegetables at the local market. The company's master shoemaker, Huang Zheng Yi, has two apprentices - his son Huang Rong Can and an adopted son Liu Mu Cheng, whom he treats equally. However, when both brothers fall in love with Mu Dan, their relationship shatters and has long-lasting effects on the industry. The show originally aired with 80 episodes, each lasting 60 minutes. It was later rebroadcast with 40 episodes, each lasting 90 minutes.

Due to her inability to conceive, Da Ma has always been neglected by her spouse, Rong Yao Hua. Upon discovering his passionate affair with Yan Hong, a courtesan, she takes matters into her own hands by projecting her desires onto Xiu He, a humble farmer's daughter who reminds Da Ma of her own youth. Da Ma arranges for Xiu He to become a concubine in the Rong family, hoping she will bear a child for them. However, Yao Hua's cousin Yao Hui ends up marrying Xiu He instead and falls in love with her.

Lu Yue Er, a charming 17-year-old urbanite, is known for her diligent, brave, and compassionate nature. She also possesses an upbeat, reliable, and laid-back demeanor. Despite facing adversity, Yue Er stands firm in her values and displays resilience akin to 'wild grass'. Hua Yi Nan, the dashing 20-year-old ruler of Huajian, is adored by the public but harbors a mysterious side. Residing on a picturesque island with flourishing cuisine and culture, Yue Er, a humble noodle shop owner, has endured mistreatment from her stepmother since childhood. Nevertheless, she remains positive, optimistic, and kind-hearted towards others. Driven by family obligations and Hua Yi Nan's affection, Yue Er finds herself in a perplexing situation and eventually marries the island's owner. Unbeknownst to her, Hua Yi Nan's pursuit was driven by a familial decree mandating his marriage to Yue Er for inheritance purposes. Despite feeling deceived, Yue Er chooses to trust Hua Yi Nan and embarks on a new chapter with him. Through the support of allies, Hua Yi Nan eventually realizes that his true love is Lu Yue Er.

Yoon Mi trembles uncontrollably as her husband reveals his affair with a young actress from the stage. The affair has lasted for six months, during which he claims to have faced challenges, leading him to seek a divorce. Yoon Mi, a successful doctor, has always been the envy of her high school friend Jung Hee, who is dissatisfied with her role as a housewife. This story explores the complexities of marriage, family, and female friendship, as both women navigate divorce and strive to overcome their despair, prompting a reflection on the true essence of married life.

The narrative follows the lives of Liu Su Zhen, Wang Guo Sheng, and Zhou Hong Wei, who were classmates during their middle school years in the early 1980s. Wang Guo Sheng and Zhou Hong Wei share a close friendship, but they both develop feelings for Liu Su Zhen. The plot unfolds with a sequence of events that occur after Liu Su Zhen unintentionally marries Wang Guo Sheng.

Following their initial meeting, university student You Jia Qi and Meng He Ping began a romantic relationship. However, He Ping's mother strongly disapproved of their connection. Jia Qi decided to end things with He Ping, causing him to leave the country in anger. Meanwhile, Jia Qi's wealthy friend Ruan Zheng Dong was hospitalized after an accident. During a visit to Zheng Dong, Jia Qi unexpectedly crossed paths with He Ping once again. It was revealed that He Ping and Zheng Dong had been childhood friends. In order to cope with the emotional turmoil brought on by He Ping's return, Jia Qi started a relationship with Zheng Dong. Unfortunately, Zheng Dong's hospitalization due to stomach pains uncovered that he was in the final stage of gastric cancer. Knowing his time was limited, Zheng Dong chose to step aside and allow Jia Qi and He Ping to be together before quietly departing. Determined to find Zheng Dong, Jia Qi expressed her love for him upon reuniting. With little time left, Zheng Dong entrusted Jia Qi with the task of retrieving a valuable possession of his.

When marriages are arranged within the upper class, it often results in people getting hurt. Zhao An Hua finds himself in a situation where he is compelled to marry a daughter from the Xue family due to Madam Xue's ambitions for power and riches. As a result, An Hua's former lover is heartbroken and seeks vengeance by marrying the infamous gangster, Fu Zhen Jia. Will love be able to triumph over the pain and envy brought on by these strategic unions?

Yan Man, a young orphan living on the streets, infiltrates the prestigious Dai family mansion in Shanghai by pretending to be a servant. Her true motive is to seek out the individual responsible for her younger brother's tragic demise. Captivating the hearts of the two heirs of the Dai family, Yan Man becomes the center of their rivalry. As she delves deeper into the mystery surrounding her brother's death, she realizes that her own life is at risk. To safeguard her, the younger heir Dai Jun Tao orchestrates a sham marriage with Yan Man. However, due to her independent nature and humble background, she struggles to adapt to life in the Dai household.

In the novel "The Ninth Widow," we follow the life of Wang Pu-tao, a woman from a remote village in Central China. Wang tragically loses her family in a flood when she is just a child, and is later sold into servitude before being widowed at the young age of 14. Despite her hardships, Wang harbors a fugitive man (her father-in-law) in her cellar for three decades, providing him with care and protection during times of political turmoil, famine, and other disasters.

A tale of renewal and transformation chronicles the journey of a humble family. Following a 14-year stint in prison, Jian Leng embarks on a quest to reconstruct his life and unexpectedly finds solace in a woman who runs an art gallery, carrying emotional scars from her past marriage. Leng Jian's wife was tragically assaulted 14 years earlier, leading him to retaliate against the perpetrator, leaving the man paralyzed for life. As a consequence, Leng Jian receives an 18-year prison sentence for his actions. Upon his early release after serving 14 years, Leng Jian is disheartened to find that neither his estranged younger sister Leng Shan nor his son Leng Tianyou, whom he has never met, are there to greet him. Leng Shan's close friend Yuan Shan is the proprietor of an art gallery and is in a respectful yet passionless marriage with her wealthy husband Cai Yonghao. Their relationship deteriorates due to the interference of a third party. In aiding Yuan Shan in finding love once more, Leng Jian discovers himself developing feelings for her, and the two wounded souls embark on a journey of healing through each other's companionship.

During the turbulent years of the mid-1930s in China, a group of young girls showed bravery as they pursued their dreams and love. Among them were Yao Xiaodie, Hong Lianxi, Jin Lulu, and Lan Fengping. These girls participated in a singing contest at Shanghai Lihua Palace in hopes of changing their fates. Through the intense competition, they formed strong bonds and faced challenges together. Despite facing obstacles, they eventually became contracted singers at the palace. However, they soon realized that life at Lihua Palace was not as straightforward as they had hoped, with conspiracies, traps, and unexpected romances unfolding. Yao Xiaodie and Shen Jiahao developed a close friendship which later blossomed into love. Lianxi received her first kiss from Yitian during a dangerous encounter with Japanese soldiers. Fengping found solace in her relationship with Donald. Meanwhile, Jin Lulu's lost love, Lu Dasheng, returned to her side. As Shanghai faced turmoil and eventually liberation, the Lihua Palace reopened its doors, welcoming back old acquaintances. The biggest surprise came when Yao Xiaodie resumed singing and Jiahao reappeared in her life.

At birth, three sisters are separated and raised by different families, leading them to develop distinct personalities and skills. Lai Ji Di is carefree and open, Yun Yian is polite, knowledgeable in medicine, and Chu Yua excels in combat despite her cold exterior. Lai Ji Di becomes the bodyguard of Cheng San Liu, a studious young man unaware of his father's identity until he turns 20. Raised by his mother, San Liu's life takes a drastic turn when he learns the truth about his father's identity.

The play narrates the tale of the youthful protagonist Xu Zai Hao's resurgence from his family's devastating destiny.

The plot revolves around a young woman named Mo Zhen who is taken advantage of by her former partner due to her compassionate nature. She ends up shouldering the responsibilities of his family and bailing out his business.

The play follows the story of Tang Doudou, a young woman determined to remain unmarried until she finds a suitable partner who truly understands and loves her. When the Tang family faces difficulties due to a mistake with the officials, the Zhuang family steps in to offer their assistance. Madame Zhuang proposes that Doudou marry her eldest son, a handsome, principled, and cultured man - but on the day of the wedding, he inexplicably regresses to the mental capacity of an eight-year-old. Despite her initial anger and confusion, Doudou is compelled to return to Madame Zhuang when faced with financial difficulties. As she uncovers unsettling truths about her husband's condition, Doudou realizes there is more to the situation than meets the eye, even as her mother-in-law remains mysteriously unconcerned.

This story follows three close friends on a quest to locate a tree that produces bread, which they believe belongs to them. The concept of 'bread' in this context could represent material wealth, vanity, or even be symbolic. These three friends first met at the age of 13 while playing volleyball, and their bond grew as they navigated the challenges and joys of growing up together. Throughout their journey, they experienced the complexities of first love, emotional highs and lows, and the challenges of loving and being loved. Each friend shared their unique perspectives on relationships, with discussions ranging from the allure of bad boys to the importance of finding a partner who brings happiness. Ultimately, the story delves into the age-old dilemma faced by women - choosing between material comfort ('bread') and emotional fulfillment through love.