1. Context for a Breakout Year in Chinese Television—2022’s Cultural Moment
The year 2022 marked a remarkable surge in the influence and reach of Chinese television series, as streaming platforms, production quality, and audience appetite surged in tandem, delivering shows that balanced rich storytelling, emotional resonance, and visual artistry, all while navigating a shifting entertainment landscape shaped by a growing global fanbase and evolving domestic expectations. These series captured not only high viewership and critical praise but also inspired widespread online conversation and cultural reflection, symbolizing a moment when Chinese dramas redefined popular narrative scope.
2. A Lifelong Journey — Deep Historical Reflection Through Generational Drama
Enduring Social Portrait in Epic Scope
A Lifelong Journey (人世间) stands as a sweeping generational saga that tracks the vicissitudes of an ordinary family across half a century marked by seismic societal transformations—from the Cultural Revolution through the one-child policy to economic reforms—offering viewers an immersive and emotionally layered journey into China’s recent history. It earned sweeping acclaim, topping iQIYI’s rank of most-popular dramas and winning multiple Magnolia Awards, including Best TV Series, while its leads received recognition for Best Actor and Supporting Actor.
What makes this series exceptional is its ability to reflect broader social changes through meticulously drawn personal stories, capturing how historical forces shape individual identity, familial bonds, and collective memory, all within a richly textured, visually grounded narrative.
3. Love Between Fairy and Devil — A Fantasy Romance That Captivated Hearts
Mythical Romance with Electrifying Chemistry
Love Between Fairy and Devil (苍兰诀) wound its way into the top tier of 2022’s most binge-watched dramas, blending fantasy, romance, and intricate world-building with an addictive slow-burn attraction between its immortal protagonists. With Yu Shuxin and Dylan Wang leading the cast, the drama became one of iQIYI’s top performers, drawing fans both domestically and internationally . Douban also ranked it highly, indicating its resonance with dedicated C-drama viewers.
Its success stemmed from its seamless fusion of spectacle and emotion: an other-worldly plot that felt grounded in its characters’ longing, conflicts, and fated connection, all set amidst sumptuous production design that brought its mythical universe to vivid life.
4. Reset — A Time-Loop Thriller That Stirred Social Reflection
Temporal Tension Meets Social Commentary
Reset, a gripping suspense thriller built on a time-loop narrative, not only became one of Weibo’s most-searched shows in 2022 but also maintained a top ranking for popularity and viewership through its realistic plot turns and thought-provoking themes surrounding cyberbullying and social accountability (Wikipedia). Its ability to entwine a speculative scenario with everyday relevance sparked widespread discussion—not merely about its plot mechanics, but about how the characters face unfolding dilemmas that mirror real life.
The series showcased how smart storytelling and deliberate pacing can elevate genre entertainment into something that lingers in viewers’ minds long after the screen goes dark.
5. A Dream of Splendor — Visual Elegance Meets Empowered Heroine
Period Drama Reinvented Through Resilience and Style
Set during the Song dynasty, A Dream of Splendor (梦华录) signaled a shift in historical romance storytelling, with Liu Yifei returning to television in a role that fused quiet strength, intelligence, and emotional nuance. As a resourceful teahouse owner navigating court intrigue and class prejudice, her portrayal of Zhao Pan’er anchored the drama’s tone with wit and resilience, earning praise from international reviewers and domestic audiences alike. The meticulous costume design also catalyzed the fashion trend known as “new Chinese chic”, influencing real-world aesthetics across social platforms due to its fusion of historical authenticity and modern sensibility (Vogue Business).
Its layered narrative, refined visuals, and strong female lead combined to refresh the genre, turning each episode into a compelling balance of romance, strategy, and cultural elegance.
6. Who Rules the World — Wuxia Romance That Crossed Borders
Genre Fusion with International Appeal
Who Rules the World (且试天下) carved its place as one of 2022’s hottest wuxia romances, featuring dynamic leads Yang Yang and Zhao Lusi in a tale set amid martial intrigue, identity concealment, and strategic alliances, laced with sharp romance. The series’ rapid ascent to over one billion views on Tencent Video within just eleven days highlighted its domestic pull, and its presence in Netflix’s global rankings—including entering the Top 10 in multiple countries—underscored its cross-border resonance.
It exemplified how a well-crafted story blending swordplay, political drama, and heartfelt connection can transcend language and cultural boundaries to become an international sensation.
