Chinese dramas have always had their own charm and many of their themes or topics are historical stories. One of them is Chinese dramas set in the Republican era.
This Republic of China era refers to the period of Chinese history between 1912 to 1949 when the country was ruled by the Republic of China.
Chinese drama for this period, the storyline is quite interesting and gives the impression of struggle because it shows the political and social changes that occurred in that era.
At present, the Chinese entertainment industry has presented many Republic settings whose storylines are very interesting to follow. Here is a list of the top 10 Chinese dramas about the revolutionary republic era that you must watch!
Best Chinese Republican Era Dramas List
1. Thin Ice
Thin Ice is a Chinese period drama set in 1943 in Shanghai. It tells the story of Chen Qian, a military agent who is ordered to kill Japanese people but falls into the trap of Yujiro Ida, the head of the Japanese plum agency.
He then accidentally finds out about the Japanese conspiracy. In order to stop the invaders’ evil plans, Chen Qian begins to receive special training, posing as a Japanese envoy to visit Agent Mei again.
Chen Qian, who entered deep into the enemy’s camp, walked step by step in the dark, and with the help of Chun Yang’s agent, he repeatedly avoided danger.
When several people started to be sacrificed, Chen Qian was extremely shocked and gradually strengthened his belief. After that, he cooperated with an underground organization and succeeded in quelling the conspiracy of the Japanese aggressors.
This tv show stars Peng Guan Ying and Chen Yu Qi. You can watch it on MangoTV. This new Chinese republican-era drama was released in 2023 with 40 episodes.
2. Winter Begonia
This Chinese Business drama is set in the 1930s and follows the story of Shang Xi Rui, a male Peking opera performer who depends on his extraordinary talent to gain fame in Beiping.
He was actually an outsider who faced opposition from the locals but did not budge or give up on fulfilling his dream of promoting Peking opera.
As he pours himself into mastering the arts, wealthy businessman Cheng Feng Tai becomes completely enamored after watching the show for the first time. He later became acquainted with Shang Xi Rui and became a staunch supporter.
Through Cheng Feng Tai’s help, Shang Xi Rui builds Shui Yun Lou and trains a new troupe of art lovers. When the Japanese army invaded Beiping in 1937 and patriotic men and women took up arms to fight, Shang Xi Rui and Cheng Feng Tai were moved to make sacrifices for their country.
This is one of the best republican era Chinese dramas that you can watch on Viki. It was released in 2020 with 49 episodes.
3. See You Again
It tells the story of a Republican-era movie star who meets a budding screenwriter from the 21st century. Two people from different worlds cross the boundaries of time and space to start a romantic story of living together.
During the 1930s, Xiang Qin Yu, a famous actor finds himself time-traveled to the modern era after filming on a set.
He’s a modern era, movie star who is arrogant on the outside but gentle on the inside. He happens to meet Jin A Yin, an unknown screenwriter who is simple and smart.
As they fall in love, Xiang Qin Yu also investigates a shooting incident and the truth behind his fateful time travel.
The series was released in 2022 and has 30 episodes. You can watch this Chinese romantic drama on iQiyi.
See Also: See You Again Chinese Drama Review and Ending Explained
4. Arsenal Military Academy
It tells the story of Chinese military forces who find themselves locked in a protracted bloody conflict as they fight back against the Imperial Japanese army.
The government then conscripted young men to defend the country’s beleaguered northeast but a woman named Xie Xiang also wanted to get in on the action.
He decides to cut his hair short and assume his brother’s identity in an attempt to join the Chinese army.
Xie Xiang quickly proves himself more than capable in the army and soon earns a place at an elite military academy in Shanghai.
At the academy, she befriends a number of young male recruits, including quarrelsome rich kid Gu Yan Zheng and the gentle and introverted Shen Jun San.
But their friendship becomes more complicated when Gu Yan Zheng and Shen Jun San start to develop feelings for Xie Xiang.
This tv show stars Bai Lu, Xu Kai, Toby Lee, and Wu Jia Yi. It was released in 2019 with 48 episodes. You can watch one of the best Chinese republican era dramas on Viki.
5. Legacy
Set in the late 1920s, this Chinese period drama follows the three daughters of department store giant Shanghai Xinghua as they face each other to determine the true heir who will ensure the family’s continued prosperity.
Legacy was released in 2022 with 45 episodes. This tv show stars Qin Lan, Wu Jin Yan, Zhang Nan, Nie Yuan, Han Geng, and Zheng Kai.
6. City of Streamer
It is set on the Shanghai Coast in the early 20th century, where warlords have begun to seize power, heroes have emerged, and a revolutionary movement has begun to rise.
Leveraging their wealth, the influential Rong family often abused their power to commit various heinous crimes for their business.
On the other hand, to uphold justice, Feng Shi Zhen decided to take the path of revenge. He managed to sneak into the Rong family and became the teacher of the young master Rong Jia Shang.
However, in the midst of testing and exploiting each other, Feng Shi Zhen slowly finds herself falling for the enemy’s son.
When the truth about the injustice that occurred twenty years ago begins to be revealed, the two lovers who were originally in two different camps work together to overcome many obstacles.
This is one of the Chinese dramas of the republican era with the female lead being older than the male. The series is releasing in 2022 with 40 episodes and is available on Viki.
See Also: City of Streamer Review and Ending Explained
7. Fall in Love
Fall in Love is set in 1926 and follows the story of Mu Wan Qing, a woman who brings her mother’s ashes back to China for burial.
She was then, pretending to surrender to her father, wanting to find out the real motive why her parents separated, and her brother died.
Meanwhile, a coup d’état occurs among the Shanghai army, and the once-oppressed Tan Xuan Lin rises to become the new commander of the army. Yet, despite his newfound authority, he still finds himself walking on thin ice.
Xu Guang Yao, the son of Commander Yue Cheng, was a man whom many people respected and admired. However, he did not like power struggles in politics.
A chance encounter allows Mu Wan Qing, Tan Xuan Lin, and Xu Guang Yao to meet and befriend each other. In order to secure her footing within the Mu family, Mu Wan Qing deliberately approached Xu Guang Yao for his support.
Meanwhile, Tan Xuan Lin works with Mu Wan Qing to investigate an old case related to the Mu family. The three of them went through life-and-death struggles together and finally realized the importance of protecting the country in this cumulative time.
It was released in 2021 with 36 episodes. You can watch this Chinese drama about revolution on Viki.
8. Love in Flames of War
It tells the story of hot-tempered teenager Xiao Bei Chen quickly becomes an adult in uncertain times. He routinely bullies Lin Hang Jin, the girl whose family provides protection.
He faced her bullying with such toughness and determination that his admiration for her grew. As their romance blooms, Xiao Bei Chen learns that his future will involve several years of Military College.
Before leaving, he gets a promise from his family, allowing him to marry Hang Jing after graduation.
Five years later, he arrived home and found his lover almost with Mu Zi Zheng. With sheer determination, she plots to win back Lin Hang Jing’s heart. But in 1937, the Second Sino-Japanese War broke out, thwarting his romantic plans.
Now all three must choose a side, knowing that their decision in the future could affect not only them but the goals of thousands of others.
Love in Flames of War is released in 2022 and is one of the best Chinese republican era dramas. It has 43 episodes and is available on Viki.
See Also: Love In Flames Of War Review
9. Thousand Years for You
This C-drama tells the story of Lu Yan, a man who forces himself to sleep for three thousand years to awaken the mysterious “Fair Lady”.
One day, Yu Deng Deng, head of Qingquan Village, woke him up accidentally. When Lu Yan woke up, he found her quite attractive and tried to force Yu Deng Deng to marry her. Lu Yan didn’t even know who he really was and didn’t know he was in a different era than before.
This Chinese period drama was released in 2022 with 36 episodes and is available on iQiyi.
10. The Last Princess
This Chinese drama is set in the early years of the Republic of China and the story follows a fallen noblewoman who dreams of becoming a doctor and the son of a large family who becomes a soldier.
In early 20th century China, people’s livelihoods declined. Jin Yu Rong is an aspiring doctor who hopes to help as many people as possible with her own two hands.
She then meets Zhao Zheng Nan who, like her, cares about the common good. The two went from acquaintances to lovers. Zhao Zheng Nan became a soldier with progressive thinking but amidst the rush of time, they were forced to part ways.
Just when Yu Rong fell into the abyss of her life, she found direction in the revolution. Inspired by Yu Rong, Zhao Zheng Nan joins the fight against the Japanese occupation to jointly embrace the new China.
This is one of the best Pre-Modern Republican era Chinese dramas that you can watch right now. It was released in 2023 with 35 episodes and is available on Youku.
See Also: The Last Princess Chinese Drama Review
That was the list of the best Chinese dramas set in the Republican era that you can watch now. The period of the republic era always has its own charm to watch. Thanks for reading this article, have a nice day!
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