If you are an avid Chinese drama addict, you might already know that the Chinese entertainment industry never gets tired of making series with a fake relationship or contract marriage plotline. That indeed makes sense considering how much people consider this genre of C-dramas as their guilty pleasure! While we hardly encounter such a situation in our daily lives, it’s different for the fictional world. The main characters tend to sign a contract with each other to be in a relationship of name-only during exclusive situations of parental pressure, saving their face, or fighting for the inheritance. However, the undeniable chemistry that we get to witness during their cohabitation period never fails to give us butterflies in our stomachs!
The cohabiting hi-jinks, accidental skin ships, and the inevitable falling in love might be old-fashioned, but who cares about that as long as it still works! Here are our top six best Chinese dramas with some of the most interesting contract marriage relationships! So let’s get started!
6. Once We Get Married (2021)
Director: Li Yao Bo Starring: Wang Yu Wen, Wang Zi Qi, Ian Yi, Mo Zi Xin, Zhong Li Li, Yang Yue, Li Jun Chen Total Number of Episodes: 24 Where to Watch: We TV, MGTV
Another web novel adaptation, ‘Once We Get Married,’ might not be the best contact marriage C-drama to watch because of the same cliché romance and comic stuff. However, the chemistry between the leads as well as the sweet moments between them saves the show by a big margin! While Gu Xi Xi, a fashion shopper, runs a new online store with her best friend, she dreams of establishing her own brand one day. She gets an order to purchase Alex’s couture wedding dress from her client, for which she decides to attend a private reception hosted by the designer himself.
Once We Get Married
She comes across Yin Si Chen, the young, handsome, and narcissistic president of a shopping mall at the party, and an unexpected incident bounds them to pretend to be a couple in front of Alex. However, one thing leads to another, and the two end up in a cooperative contract marriage. Despite not being able to endure each others’ guts, Xi Xi and Si Chen end up falling for each other harder than they had imagined!
5. Well Intended Love 2 (2019)
Director: Qiang Wu Screenwriter: He Dun, Yang Huai Starring: Xu Kai Cheng, Simona Wang, Ian Yi, Huang Qian Shuo, Liu Jia Xi, He Qian Ying Total Number of Episodes: 16 Where to Watch: YouTube, Viki, We TV, Netflix
The second season of the C-drama, ‘Well Intended Love’, has been based in an alternate universe following the stories of the same characters from season one, without having any connection with the original story. The story revolves around a C-list actress, Xia Lin, who works hard to fulfill her dream of becoming a famous film star one day. She accidentally runs into one of the most-known businessmen of the country, Lin Yi Zhou, at a networking event, and circumstances force people to believe that the two of them have something going on with each other.
Well Intended Love 2
To fix her reputation and calm down the public, Lin Yi Zhou offers Xia Lin to pretend to be engaged to him over a relationship contract. However, Lin Yi Zhou might not just want to ‘save’ Xia Lin from public opinion. Over time, their affections for each other become transparent. The main couple has a lot of skinship, so if you are a fan of such dramas, you might end up enjoying it a lot!
4. Begin Again (2020)
Director: Xu Chi Starring: Zhou Yu Tong, Gong Jun, Garvey Jin, Wu Man Si, Li Si Qi, Liu Wei Long Total Number of Episodes: 35 Where to Watch: YouTube
C-drama makers should learn how to make a typical contract marriage relationship story fun and exciting with this 2020 series, ‘Begin Again’. Instead of a domineering male lead who is rich, arrogant, and ambitious heir to a big company and a warm-hearted female lead, ‘Begin Again’ has had the roles swapped! While Lu Fangning is a beautiful and talented general manager of a large corporation, she has only one thing on her bucket list pending— getting married and being a mother.
Begin Again
However, she has no real feelings associated with establishing a family of her own other than making her an experienced businesswoman. That’s when she stumbles upon a kind-hearted surgeon, Ling Rui, who unintentionally wins her over with his angel-like personality! She goes to extreme lengths in order to convince him to marry her over an agreement to part away after getting her a child. However, Ling Rui ends up being the only person who makes Fangning’s monotonous life colorful and full of love.
3. I Hear You (2019)
Starring: Riley Wang, Zhao Lu Si, Yuan Hao, Gratitude Dai, Zhang Jiong Min, Mandy Qu Total Number of Episodes: 24 Where to Watch: Netflix
‘I Hear You’ has a love story that might check a lot of cliche boxes, but unlike its peers, it ends up shining on its own with a grounded, relatable and sensible storyline. It follows a girl named Bei Er Duo, an aspiring voice actress who wants to give a kick to her career by studying overseas. However, the constant pressure from her family to marry while she is young bounds her to join a couple of reality television program that pairs her up with Ye Shu Wei, a top violin maker. He comes from an artistic background with a mysterious and low-key personality.
I Hear You
A real ace when it comes to composing and the violin industry, Shu Wei joins the show in order to keep his promise made to his nephew while also looking for the contestant who had provided his audition question with a right answer. This pair of fake couple are made to live together by the team but a wonderful romance blooms between them, taking their pretentious relationship to a new level!
2. Unforgettable Love (2021)
Director: Li Yu Lei Starring: Hu Yi Xuan, Miles Wei, Lennon Sun, Jerry Yu, Wu Cheng Xu, Sheng Hui Zi Total Number of Episodes: 24 Where to Stream: YouTube
An adorable web novel converted into a series, ‘Unforgettable Love’ follows a contract marriage relationship sweetened with the presence of a young character. Xiao Bao is the six-year-old genius child of He Qiao Yan, the president of a renowned company, who has been suffering from PTSD after losing his mother in an accident years ago. Although He Qiao Yan cherishes and looks after him, he has been struggling to make him communicate with strangers. However, when Xiao Bao comes across a meticulous and warm child psychologist named Yi Yue, he gets very comfortable around her, and finally, after years, he is able to communicate with someone with words.
Unforgettable Love
When Qiao Yan discovers the sudden improvement in his son, he decides to pursue Qin Yi Yue to take care of him. However, things go out of hand when the little kid asks his dad to marry Yi Yue, resulting in them signing a contractual agreement! The slow-burn romance, along with the chemistry of the three of them, makes the show a worth-watching one.
1. Perfect and Casual (2020)
Director: Li Shuang Starring: Miles Wei, Xu Ruo Han, Marguax, Zhao Luo Ran, Sheng Gang Shuai, Dai Yun Fan Total Number of Episodes: 24 Where to Stream: YouTube, We TV
One of the best contract marriage Chinese dramas, ‘Perfect and Casual’ has a sweet and cozy romance perfect for a light watch. It revolves around a cheerful and sweet university girl named Yun Shu who has been longing for a house of her own. She finals the deal of buying an apartment with a brochure on the day of her graduation presentation. Unfortunately, the handsome, cold, and icy professor, Zhang Si Nian, doesn’t let her give her presentation when she arrives there a few minutes later, resulting in her failing the year.
Perfect and Casual
As ill-luck would have it, Yun Shu comes to know that the brochure which had sold the apartment to her was actually a fraud and the house belongs to no other than her university lecturer Zhang Si Nian! One event leads to another, and they decide to enter a contract marriage relationship for one year. Despite being polar apart from each other, Mr. Perfect and Miss Casual end up falling for real in this fake relationship. The story is well-executed, and the mesmerizing performance of Xu Ruo Han, who has played the character of Yun Shu, has helped the show reach new heights!
Most K-drama addicts fall for the handsome-looking male leads of our favorite Korean dramas, especially if they play the character of a powerful and rich CEO, sporting dark-colored branded suits, or a flirty and spoilt university student who changes after falling in love with the female lead. However, there’s something about the neat and fierce military look of the male leads that make us admire them so much. Doing action-packed scenes in their attention-grabbing military uniforms, fighting with the terrorists or corrupt officers with guns and grenades, army men appeal to us in a whole different way! Although there is only a handful of military K-dramas produced by South Korea, they are worth our time.
Here are our top six picks on the best military K-dramas that showcase the brutal and gruesome side of wars and reveal the struggles involved in keeping the common men safe and sound.
6. The King2Heart (2012)
Director: Jeong Dae Yun, Lee Jae Gyoo Screenwriter: Hong Jin Ah Cast: Lee Seung Gi, Ha Ji Won, Jo Jung Suk, Yoon Je Moon, Lee Yoon Ji, Choi Kwon Total Number of Episodes: 20 Where to Watch: Netflix, Viki
King2Heart is one of the most touching military K-dramas you can ever watch that’s theme ranges from political action-thriller to a star-crossed romance between two polar apart individuals and an intense revenge thriller. It follows the story of Kim Hang Ah, an exceptional female instructor under North Korea’s exclusive special forces unit, who is unbeatable when it comes to training tactics, stamina, and strength. However, with no dating experience, her pure heart wants to fall in love and marry the man of her dreams.
The King2Heart
On the other hand, Lee Jae Ha is the crowned prince of South Korea who looks perfect on the outside with his royal and handsome image. However, in reality, he is a spoilt and materialistic person who is blunt about his own feelings. Amidst the negotiations to end the rivalry between the two countries, the royal family ends up arranging the betrothal of Jae Ha and Kim Hang Ah. However, the differences between the two of them make it hard for them to accept each other.
5. Search (2020)
Screenwriter: Goo Mo, Go Myung Joo Director: Im Dae Woong Cast: Jang Dong Yoon, Krystal Jung, Yoon Park, Lee Hyun Wook, Moon Jung Hee, Choi Yoon Je Total Number of Episodes: 10 Where to Watch: Viki
A military thriller K-drama, ‘Search’ has been set in the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea, revolving around a specialized search party formed for the discovery of the truth behind unsolved murder and strange disappearance cases. The group enlists a conscript sergeant Yong Dong Jin and his keen-nosed sniffer dogs along with the promising soldier Son Ye Rim who has been trained in the U.S.
Search
However, when the search for the cause begins, they realize that whatever they are looking for might not be a human. The mystery, suspense, and thrilling parts of the drama flavored with a little romance are what makes it an interesting watch.
4. D.P. (2021)
Director: Han Jun Hee Screenwriter: Han Jun Hee, Kim Bo Tong Cast: Jung Hae In, Kim Sung Kyun, Koo Kyo Hwan, Son Seok Koo, Hong Kyung, Jo Hyun Chul Total Number of Episodes: 6 Where to Watch: Netflix
‘D.P.’ is one of the main reasons why the Korean entertainment industry should never stop making military K-dramas! It’s indeed a masterpiece wrapped up within just six episodes! It is a series adaptation of the webtoon, ‘D.P Dog Day’ by Kim Bo Tong, that centers on a private soldier named Jun Ho, a confused man currently enlisted for his mandatory military service of the country. However, when he is unexpectedly appointed as one of the members of the team of military defectors arresting, his life gets a purpose.
D.P.
He has to capture deserters and is asked to get a hold of more serious cases like finding the reason behind the sudden disappearance of some soldiers without notice. The show tackles a number of important and heavy issues like bullying, suicide, domestic violence, and poverty that might bring out a frenzy of emotions in you. Season two of this drama has already received the green signal, so what are you waiting for!
3. Mr. Sunshine (2018)
Director: Lee Eung Bok Screenwriter: Kim Eun Sook Cast: Kim Tae Ri, Lee Byung Hun, Kim Min Jung, Byun Yo Han, Yoo Yeon Seok, Kim Gab Soo Total Number of Episodes: 24 Where to Stream: Netflix
A historical military drama, ‘Mr. Sunshine’ follows the story of a South Korean young boy named Eugene Choi, who flees to the U.S. after ditching his life as a member of the slaves’ family during the 1871 U.S. expedition. He comes back years later as a marine officer right when the country goes through a historical turning point. Unexpectedly, he ends up falling in love with a maiden named Go Ae-shin, who is the granddaughter of an aristocrat, the one who belongs to the righteous army.
Mr. Sunshine
However, Ae-shin’s marriage is already fixed by her family to a nobleman Kim Hui-seong. With the class difference prevalent between Eugene and Ae-shin, as well as her childhood betrothal, what could have been a very beautiful relationship turns into a complex love scenario. Meanwhile, Eugene discovers the schemes of the Japanese forces plotted to colonize Korea. Not only does ‘Mr. Sunshine’ has a talented and stunning actor lineup but also an engaging plotline, mesmerizing cinematography, multi-dimensional characters as well as comedy.
2. Crash Landing on You (2019)
Director: Lee Jeong Hyo Screenwriter: Park Ji Eun Cast: Hyun Bin, Lee Shin Young, Son Ye Jin, Seo Ji Hye, Kim Jung Hyun, Yang Kyung Won Where to Stream: Netflix Total Number of Episodes: 16
Featuring one of the most popular on-screen couples as main leads turned into a real thing, ‘Crash Landing on You’ is a rollercoaster ride that stretches from one end of South Korea to the other end of North Korea! It revolves around a successful and ambitious woman named Yoon Seri, who is not only a self-made businesswoman of a popular fashion brand but also the heiress of a large corporation. However, a paragliding accident leads her to an unexpected situation— falling straight from the sky into the premises of North Korea.
Crash Landing on You
Luckily, she comes across the North Korean military officer, Ri Jung Hyuk, who ends up giving her security during her time in North Korea. Moreover, he and his team of junior officers join the mission to help her go back to her home country in one piece. However, ending up in North Korea is not something that can be taken care of lightly, especially when a corrupt police officer has been tailing Ri Jung Hyuk! The series is getting an American remake, so it would be exciting to see how they pull off the concept of North Korean and South Korean rivalry!
1. Descendants of the Sun (2016)
Screenwriter: Kim Eun Sook, Kim Won Seok Director: Lee Eung Bok, Baek Sang Hoon Cast: Song Hye Kyo, Song Joong Ki, Jin Goo, Seo Jung Yeon, Lee Seung Jun, Kim Ji Won Total Number of Episodes: 16 Where to Stream: Viki, Netflix, We TV
You might already have seen it coming, didn’t you? If you are an avid K-drama fan, there is very little chance for you not to have watched the legendary ‘Descendants of the Sun’. Even if you aren’t a fan of military K-dramas, DOTS will be an amazing watch for you, considering it involves the theme of healthy romance, comedy, a strong bond of friendship, and action combined in one. The story revolves around a surgeon named Kang Mo Yeon, in her mid-thirties, who is both hard-working and talented but hasn’t been able to receive the recognition she deserves because of the hospital’s favoritism to an unskilled surgeon. She spends most of her time in the hospital and has no time to date.
Descendants of the Sun
However, her life takes a different turn when she comes across the charming special forces officer and the leader of the Alpha Team, Captain Yi Shi Jin. Despite his playful personality, he has a great sense of responsibility for his country and teammates, which makes him gain admiration from his superiors. The romance between the leads develops pretty slowly. However, the journey to it is indeed inspiring and powerful. That’s the beauty of DOTS— one of the best military K-dramas you can watch out there!
