Netflix recently unveiled its upcoming Chinese-language series as a major part of its 2025 slate. We’ve looked into the five series of offer that span genres from thriller to romance, comedy to crime. If you’re looking to sink yourself into engaging narratives or are in the need to binge over the weekend, read on!
I Am Married…But! (童话故事下集)
The first series on our list is a hot topic throughout Chinese social media. Famous actress Alice Ko (renowned for her phenomenal series Someday or One Day) portrays a comedic and unconventional marriage story, reflecting the complexities of contemporary relationships.
Yi-Ling has lived with her mother-in-law for three years and never managed to move out because her husband is a classic mama’s boy. However, whenever she’s about to make a decision on divorcing, she discovers an endearing side of him, leaving her stuck in the dilemma of “wanting to leave but unable to.” Things take an unexpected turn when she meets her soulmate on a dating app and develops a strong attraction to another young pharmacist.
Perfect Match (五福临门)
The ongoing period-romantic drama series Perfect Match stars rising young actors from China, including Lu Yuxiao and Wang Xingyue, who have been praised for their natural and captivating performances.
Set during the reign of Emperor Renzong of the Northern Song Dynasty, the historical drama follows a mother who moves to the capital and tries to arrange successful marriages for her five daughters. However, her daughters use their intelligence and wit to ultimately find their own ideal partners.
Even though the following three series have not yet been released, they have already generated excitement among TV drama enthusiasts due to their star-studded casts.
Forget You Not (忘了我记得)
This is renowned singer-songwriter and actress Rene Liu’s first foray into directing a TV series, and as a debut, we’re very impressed. Liu’s initial transition to directing films, gaining recognition for works such as Us and Them, has made audiences even more eager for Forget You Not. Featuring Hsieh Ying-xuan, the Best Actress winner at the 55th Golden Horse Awards, this series is highly anticipated.
Unfortunately, there’s no released trailer yet, but what we do know of the story is that it follows Cheng Le-le, a married woman and aspiring stand-up comedian who juggles her mundane convenience store job with dreams of a brighter future. As she navigates the chaos of divorce, career ambitions, and caring for her aging father, Le-le’s heartfelt journey unfolds, blending humor and pathos to explore life’s fleeting moments and the enduring bonds of family. With Hsieh Ying-xuan leading the cast and a special appearance by Wallace Huo, this Taiwanese gem promises a poignant, relatable tale of resilience and self-discovery.
The Resurrection (回魂计)
This crime thriller boasts an award-winning cast, including internationally acclaimed actresses Shu Qi and Lee Sinje in the lead roles, with special guest star Alyssa Chia, a two-time Golden Horse Award-winning actress.
The Resurrection is a gripping supernatural thriller and revenge story that follows two mothers who embarks on a relentless quest for justice after their daughter falls victim to a scam. In their quest for revenge, the two mothers resurrect the dead ringleader of a heinous phishing scam, which leads us, the viewer, down a dark journey that blends eerie suspense with emotional depth, delivering a pulse-pounding journey through grief, redemption, and the occult.
Had I Never Seen the Sun (如果我不曾见过太阳)
The final drama on our list is a deep, dark thriller with emotional bursts of romance that will have you as glued to your seat as likewise bangers like You. The upcoming series comes from the same production team behind Someday or One Day, which has been credited as “smartly written, deftly executed, and wonderfully acted.” This serves as a pretty good indicator for what we can expect from Had I Never Seen the Sun.
Another no-trailer here, but what we know is that the show features popular young actors Tseng Jing-hua and Moon Lee, with the story following notorious serial killer Lee Ren-yao, who receives an interview from a documentary crew, which triggers a series of mysterious events all linked to a buried past. We’re assuming some highly addicting moments of unveiled truths, twists, and turns here!
With a whole slew of exciting Chinese-language series premiering throughout the year, TV drama lovers are sure to find themselves fixated on screens. How these series will be received globally remains something to look forward to.
Banner image via Netflix.
