The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: Douban's Verdict on C-Drama Releases 2023

So what are the C-drama releases in 2023 that successfully captured the interest of drama viewers from mainland China? Which one excelled and which one sucked? 

We pulled data from Douban's database to come up with this list. 

Zhang Yi and Zhang Songwen in The Knockout 

But first, here's what Douban is all about:

Douban is sometimes referred to as the online home of China’s "literati" (meaning well-educated people who are interested in literature). A report from Amazon's Alexa shows that most Douban users are college-educated with a large proportion browsing the site while at work. 

It has tightened its registration process after being fined by The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) in December 2021 due to the malicious behavior of some users purposely inflating the rating of the drama of their favorites even if the drama sucks. 

As a result of the government's intervention, Douban cleaned 10,707,256 abnormal ratings and removed 199,667 illegal accounts. Since then  Douban tightened its verification process to prevent "click armies" (people who are paid or encouraged to give high ratings to a drama of a particular star) from infiltrating the site.

Cheng Yi in Mysterious Lotus Casebook 

All users who want to register in Douban will now be required to provide phone numbers issued in mainland China, and if they want to create groups in the platform, they need to submit an official identity document. 

Additionally, the platform's rating system has continuously been updated to tackle behaviors that impact fairness in the rating of movies and TV shows.

Thus, Douban now become the most reliable and influential drama-rating and media review platform in China. Journalists, networks, producers, and strategists are now partly relying on Douban to get the pulse of Chinese citizens on many issues including their critics/reviews of films and TV/web series.

Cheng Yi in Mysterious Lotus Casebook 

So if you want to find out what Chinese people think about a book, a movie, or a series, or want to find out their views on politics and social issues, Douban is a great platform to start. 

They use Douban to share their views and ideas on topics they’re interested in. Thus, become the preferred online social network for scholars, academics, and writers in China. Most of the users are degree holders who live in major cities in China and lead a middle-class lifestyle. 

According to South China Post, Douban has long been a lively online community for young and educated Chinese users engaged in literary and film discussions.

The Long Season, this year's highest-rated Chinese series in Douban 

And this year, once again, Chinese "literati" came to Douban to give their verdict on Chinese drama releases in 2023, which one excelled and which one sucked. 

Getting a high rating of 8.0 is such a difficult fate to achieve in Douban because most of its users are highly critical on the quality of the content, the impact of the drama on their culture, and the overall performances of the cast. 

Yang Zi 

So how did the Chinese citizens give verdicts to the 2023 Chinese TV/Web series? Here's the ranking based on the data we sorted out from Douban. 

Take note, we only pick dramas rated by more than 50,000 users to come up with a credible list. In case of a similar rating, the drama rated by the most number of users will be on the list ahead.

Excellent: 9.0+

1. The Long Season - rating: 9.4 rated by 840,005 users. Starring Fan Wei, Qin Hao, and Chen Minghao. Genre: Crime/Thriller/Family. Episode: 12. Where to watch: Tencent. 

The Long Season 

This is the highest-rated Chinese drama in Douban this year. People from mainland China are impressed with its unique storytelling, beautiful screenplay, and outstanding performances from the main cast. 

Very High: 8.0+

1. Three Body - rating: 8.7 rated by 412,317 users. Starring Edward Zhang, Yu Hewei, and Chen Jin. Genre: Science-Fiction. Episode: 30. Where to watch: Tencent

2. Meet Yourself - rating: 8.7 rated by 296,442 users.  Starring Liu Yifei and Li Xian (Hu Bingqing in a support role and Joseph Zeng in a cameo role). Genre: Modern Romance/Rural Life. Episode: 40. Where to watch: China Huace Youtube, Mango TV, and Viki.

3. An Ancient Love Song - rating: 8.6 rated by 144,449 users. Starring Zhang Yaqin and Guo Jian Nan. Genre: Costume/Historical/Time Travel. Episode: 14. Where to watch: Mango TV, Bilibili, and Youtube. Read our review

4. The Knockout - rating: 8.5 rated by 865,557 users. Starring Zhang Yi, Zhang Songwen, Zhang Zhijian, Wu Gang, and Li Yitong. Genre: Crime/Suspense. Episode: 39. Where to watch: iQIYI.

5. Mysterious Lotus Casebook - rating: 8.3 rated by 463,220 users. Starring Cheng Yi, Joseph Zeng, and Xiao Shunyao. Genre: Costume/Detective/Martial Arts. Episode: 40. Where to watch: iQIYI. Read our comprehensive review

6. Nothing But You - rating: 8.2 rated by 141,472 users. Starring Wu Lei and Zhou Yutong. Genre: Modern Romance. Episode: 38. Where to watch: Tencent/WeTV.

7. Thirteen Years of Dust - rating: 8.1 rated by 122,424 users. Starring Chen Jiabin, Chen Xiao, Shui Ni, and Liu Mintao. Genre: Crime/Suspense. Episode: 24. Where to watch: iQIYI.

8. Fake It Till You Make It - rating: 8.1 rated by 79,225 users. Starring Cai Wenjing and Han Dongjun. Genre: Modern Romance. Episode: 14. Where to watch: Mango TV

9. The Legend of Magpie Sword - rating: 8.1 rated by more than 61,712 users. Starring Zhao Ben Shan, Song Xiao Bao. Genre: Costume/Comedy/Martial Arts. Episode: 40. Where to watch: Tencent/WeTV

Good/Average: 7.0+

1. Ray of Light - rating: 8.0 rated by 80,507 users. Starring Guo Jingfei, Ren Min, and Roy Wang. Genre: Youth/Campus/Slice of Life. Episode: 30. Where to watch: Youku.

2. When I Fly Towards You - 7.9 rated by 99,123 users. Starring Zhou Yiran and Zhang Miaoyi. Genre: Youth romance. Episode: 24. Where to watch: Youku, Viki, Netflix.

3. Fearless Blood - rating: 7.9 rated by 59,920 users. Starring Dong Zijian, Zhang Yi, and Tong Liya. Genre: Crime/Suspense. Episode: 18 Where to watch: Tencent

4. Young Blood season 2 - rating: 7.9 rated by 54,059 users. Starring Zhang Xincheng, Zhou Yutong, Wang Yuoshou, Su Xiaotong, and Zheng Wei. Genre: Costume/Wuxia. Episode: 27. Where to watch: Mango TV

5. Under the Microscope - rating: 7.8 rated by 126,538 users. Starring Zhang Ruoyun, Wang Yang, and Qi Wei. Genre: Costume/Historical. Episode: 14 Where to Watch: iQIYI.

6. Lost You Forever - rating: 7.7 rated by 351,506 users. Starring Yang Zi, Zhang Wanyi, Deng Wei, and Tan Jianci. Genre: Costume/Fantasy. Episode: 39 Where to watch: Tencent

7. Falling Before Fireworks - rating: 7.6 rated by 51,775 users. Starring Lu Yangyang and Chen Xinhai. Genre: Modern romance/Office drama. Episode: 23. Where to watch: iQIYI.

8. Why Try To Change Me Now - rating: 7.6 rated by 63,462 users. starring Dong Zijian and Qiu Tian. Genre: Crime/Suspense. Episode: 6 Where to watch: iQIYI.

9. When Dreams Begin - rating: 7.5 rated by 295,887 users. Starring Xiao Zhan and Li Qin. Genre: Romance/Period drama. Episode: 38. Where to watch: Tencent

10. Imperfect Victim - rating: 7.5 rated by 69,885 users. Starring Zhou Xun, Liu Yijun, and Lin Yun. Genre: Crime/Suspense. Episode: 29. Where to watch: iQIYI.

11. The Ingenious One - rating: 7.3 rated by 106,885 users. Starring Chen Xiao and Mao Xiaotong. Genre: Costume/Investigative. Episode: 36 Where to watch: iQIYI.

12. The Starry Love - rating: 7.2 rated by 115,365 users. Starring: Chen Xingxu, Li Landi, Chen Muchi, and He Xuanlin. Genre: Costume/Fantasy. Episode: 40. Where to watch: Youku

13. Back From The Brink - rating: 7.2 rated by 91,742 users. Starring: Neo Hou and Zhou Ye. Genre: Costume/Fantasy. Episode: 40. Where to watch: Youku

Moderately Good: 6.0+

1. Hidden Love - rating: 6.7 rated by 168,187 users. Starring Zhao Lusi and Chen Zheyuan. Genre: Youth Romance. Episode: 24. Where to watch: Youku.

3. Prosecution Elite - rating: 6.6 rated by 75,999 users. Starring Dilraba Dilmurat and Tong Da Wei. Genre: Legal. Episode: 40 Where to watch: Tencent

4. Destined - rating: 6.5 rated by 147,669 users. Starring Bai Jingting and Song Yi. Genre: Costume/Historical. Episode: 40. Where to watch: iQIYI

Poor (5.9 - 5.0)

1. Beauty of Resilience - rating: 5.0 rated by 56,155 users. Starring Ju Jingyi and Guo Junchen. Genre: Costume/Fantasy. Episode: 36. Where to watch: iQIYI.

2. Till The End of the Moon - rating: 5.6 rated by 354,889 users. Starring Bai Lu and Luo Yunxi. Genre: Costume/Fantasy. Episode: 40 Where to watch: Youku.

3. Who is He? - rating: 5.8 rated by 136,164 users. Starring: Zhang Yi, Chen Yustrontium, and Ding Yongdai. Genre: Crime/Suspense. Episode: 24. Where to watch: Youku

4. Legend of Anle - rating: 5.8 rated by 102,194 users. Starring Dilraba Dilmurat and Gong Jun. Genre: Costume/Historical/Revenge. Episode: 39 Where to watch: Youku. Read our review.

Very Poor: (4.9-3.0)

1. Fireworks of My Heart - rating: 3.2 rated by 416,724 users. Starring Yang Yang and Wang Churan. Genre: Modern Romance. Episode: 40 Where to watch: Mango TV and iQIYI.

2. Houlang - rating: 4.0 rated by 92,204. Starring Zhao Lusi, Wu Gang, and Luo Yizhou. Genre: Youth romance/Medical. Episode: 40 Where to watch: Youku

The following dramas don't have available rating yet in Douban:

• The Longest Promise
• Twilight
• The Princess and The Werewolf 

Read Related topic: 20 Highest-rated Chinese drama in 2023

Meet Yourself poster

Highest-rated C-Drama:

1. The Long Season (Crime/Suspense) - rating: 9.4
2. Three Body (Science-Fiction) - rating: 8.7
3. Meet Yourself (Modern Romance) - rating: 8.7
4. An Ancient Love Song (Costume/Mystery) - rating: 8.6
5. The Knockout (Crime/Suspense) - rating: 8.5
6. Mysterious Lotus Casebook (Costume/Investigative) - rating: 8.3
7. Nothing But You (Modern Romance) - rating: 8.2
8. Thirteen Years of Dust (Crime/Suspense) - rating: 8.1
9. Fake It Till You Make It (Modern Romance) - rating: 8.1
10. Legend of Magpie Sword (Costume/Historical comedy) - rating: 8.1

Highest-rated Costume Drama:

1. An Ancient Love Song - rating: 8.6
2. Mysterious Lotus Casebook - rating: 8.3
3. Legend of Magpie Sword - rating: 8.1
4. Young Blood season 2 - rating: 7.9
5. Under The Microscope - rating: 7.8
6. Lost You Forever - rating: 7.7

Highest-rated Modern Romance Drama:

1. Meet Yourself - rating: 8.7
2. Nothing But You - rating: 8.2
3. Fake It Till You Make It - rating: 8.1
4. Ray of Light - rating: 8.0
5. When I Fly Towards You - rating: 7.9
6. Falling Before Fireworks - 7.6

Rank Through Popularity (based on the # of reviewers):

1. The Knockout - rated by 860,000+ users, rating: 8.5 
2. The Long Season - rated by 840,000+ users, rating: 9.4 
3. Mysterious Lotus Casebook -  rated by 460,000+ users, rating: 8.3
4. Fireworks of My Heart - rated by 416,000+, rating: 3.2 
5. Three Body -  rated by 412,000+ users, rating: 8.7
6. Till The End of the Moon - rated by 354,000+ users, rating: 5.6 
7. Lost You Forever - rating: rated by 350,000+ users, rating: 7.7

Most Popular Costume Drama (based on the # of reviewers):

1. Mysterious Lotus Casebook - rated by 460,000+ users, rating: 8.3
2. Till The End of the Moon - rated by 354,000+ users, rating: 5.6 
3. Lost You Forever - rating: rated by 350,000+ users, rating: 7.7
4. Destined - rated by 147,669 users, rating: 6.5
5. An Ancient Love Song - rated by 136,965 users, rating: 8.6 
6. Under the Microscope - rated by 125,251 users, rating: 7.8

Most Popular Romance Drama (based on the # of reviewers):

1. Fireworks of My Heart - rated by 416,000+, rating: 3.2 
2. Meet Yourself - rating:  rated by 290,000+ users, rating: 8.7
3. Where Dreams Begin - rated by 290,+ users, rating: 7.5
4. Nothing But You - rated by 140,141 users, rating: 8.2