LayarHijau – Chinese social media platform RedNote (小红书/Xiaohongshu) has recently released its list of the 10 most popular Chinese dramas of 2025, based on overall buzz, discussion volume, and reach among users. Taking the number one position is the urban romance drama Love’s Ambition (许我耀眼), starring Zhao Lusi. The series excelled across the board, from public attention to viewing performance, earning its status as the most prominent drama of the year.
Following closely in second place is the large-scale historical drama Legend of Zang Hai (藏海传), led by Xiao Zhan. Meanwhile, third place goes to the romantic period drama The Prisoner of Beauty (折腰), starring Liu Yuning and Song Zuer. All three titles generated strong audience responses and became frequent topics of conversation on RedNote.
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Love’s Ambition aired during a highly scrutinized period in Zhao Lusi’s career, as she was involved in a contract dispute with her former agency, Galaxy Cool Entertainment. The situation significantly boosted public attention toward the drama. In the series, Zhao Lusi stars opposite William Chan as an elite couple who appear loving in public but are locked in constant conflict behind closed doors. The intense love-hate dynamic became one of the drama’s biggest draws.
The success of Love’s Ambition crowned it as Tencent’s strongest drama of the year and marked a turning point in Zhao Lusi’s career. She later signed with Whalefall Entertainment, a company under Alibaba Group. Around the same time, Zhao Lusi shut down her Weibo account, which had around 30 million followers, and shifted her focus to RedNote. This move proved effective, as she became the first celebrity on the platform to surpass 20 million followers, further amplifying Love’s Ambition among younger audiences.
In second place, Legend of Zang Hai stands out as a meticulously produced historical drama. Directed by Zheng Xiaolong, the renowned filmmaker behind Empresses in the Palace, the series tells the story of Zang Hai, portrayed by Xiao Zhan, who carefully plots his revenge after witnessing the destruction of his family due to political conspiracies. During its broadcast, the drama recorded massive traffic and strong commercial performance, reaffirming Xiao Zhan’s power as a leading male star.
Meanwhile, The Prisoner of Beauty in third place also attracted significant attention. In addition to Liu Yuning’s popularity, the drama marked Song Zuer’s comeback after her name was previously linked to a tax controversy. Centered on a political marriage that gradually turns into genuine love amid a chaotic era, the drama quickly won over audiences.
Fourth and fifth places are occupied by Flourished Peony (国色芳华), starring Yang Zi and Li Xian, and the modern romance The First Frost (难哄), led by Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan. Despite their different genres, both dramas stood out thanks to the strong chemistry between their lead actors. Rumors of off-screen romances further fueled viewer interest.
Ranks six through ten are filled by Moonlight Mystique (白月梵星), The Glory (雁回时), Feud (临江仙), A Dream Within A Dream (书卷一梦), and This Thriving Land (生万物). Overall, the list highlights the dominance of top-tier stars. Bai Lu and Liu Yuning each managed to place two dramas in the Top 10, underscoring both their popularity and their ability to carry successful projects.
Top 10 Most Popular Chinese Dramas on RedNote 2025:
- Love’s Ambition (许我耀眼)
- Legend of Zang Hai (藏海传)
- The Prisoner of Beauty (折腰)
- Flourished Peony (国色芳华)
- The First Frost (难哄)
- Moonlight Mystique (白月梵星)
- The Glory (雁回时)
- Feud (临江仙)
- A Dream Within A Dream (书卷一梦)
- This Thriving Land (生万物)
