As the year progresses, Chinese television dramas continue to captivate audiences with their diverse genres and compelling storylines. While the first half of 2024 saw a surge in popular series, the second half has also delivered impressive performances. Here, we highlight the top 10 mainland Chinese dramas that achieved great ratings in the latter part of the year.
Surprising Successes and Fan Favorites
Despite a challenging market where many high-profile costume dramas underperformed, several shows stood out and won the hearts of viewers. Splendid Peace, initially considered a dark horse, surpassed expectations by garnering higher ratings than other major dramas like Spring Flowers and Seven Nights of Snow. Similarly, You Are More Beautiful than Starlight became a hit, thanks to its charismatic leads and engaging plot.
Diverse Genres Drive High Viewership
The success of these dramas can be attributed to their variety, appealing to different tastes. From suspense thrillers like Snow Maze to romantic comedies such as The Years of Life, each show offers something unique. For instance, Prosecutor of the Nine Parts blends crime drama with light comedy, making it both thrilling and entertaining.
Highlights of the Top 10
- Splendid Peace
Splendid Peace stands out with its intense storyline and strong character development, attracting an average of 17.76 million viewers per episode. - Young White Horse Drunk in the Spring Breeze
This martial arts drama, though not as popular as its predecessor Young Song Xing, maintains a steady viewership with its engaging special effects. - Snow Maze
Produced by renowned director Zhang Yimou, Snow Maze combines suspense and action, averaging 27.24 million views per episode. - The Years of Life
A dual-life romantic comedy that captures audiences with its sweet and funny narrative, averaging 27.44 million views per episode. - Dislocation
This suspense drama delves deep into human nature, earning a respectable Douban score of 7.1 and an average of 28 million views per episode. - You Are More Beautiful than the Starlight
Featuring popular actress Tan Songyun, this series topped ratings with over 31.16 million views per episode despite some criticism for its clichéd plot. - Prosecutor of the Nine Parts
A crime drama with a touch of comedy, Prosecutor of the Nine Parts captivated audiences with its intriguing cases and strong performances, averaging 36.6 million views per episode. - Once Upon a Time in Bianshui
This adventure-packed drama offers tight storytelling and unexpected twists, earning an impressive 37.39 million views per episode. - Mortal Song
An urban drama that resonates with many for its realistic portrayal of marital struggles, Mortal Song garnered 37.61 million views per episode. - Tang Dynasty Strange Stories: Journey to the West
The second season of this detective drama maintained its high standards with refined special effects and a gripping plot, averaging 47.92 million views per episode.
Looking Ahead
These top-rated dramas showcase the evolving landscape of Chinese television, where quality storytelling and diverse genres can overcome market challenges. As audiences continue to seek engaging and relatable content, the future looks promising for mainland Chinese dramas.
