LayarHijau – Weibo, China’s leading social media platform, has recently unveiled its 2025 Most Influential Chinese Drama Rankings. The results highlight the strong dominance of costume dramas and transmigration-themed series in generating the highest volume of discussion on the platform.
The revenge-themed costume drama The Legend of Zanghai (藏海傳), starring Xiao Zhan and Zhang Jingyi, secured first place with an influence index of 97.71. Its success was driven by a gripping ancient power-intrigue storyline and the explosive virality of related discussion topics.
Even before its premiere, The Legend of Zanghai had already drawn massive attention, widely touted as a career-defining work for Xiao Zhan and a carefully crafted project by legendary director Zheng Xiaolong, known for The Empresses in the Palace. Following its release, the drama continued to fuel intense online buzz, appearing on Weibo’s trending topics list almost daily.
Fierce Competition in the Top Three
Second place was claimed by the costume drama Flourished Peony (國色芳華) (influence index 96.02), starring Yang Zi and Li Xian. The series was praised for its stunning recreation of Tang Dynasty aesthetics—from makeup and costumes to sets and furnishings—as well as its portrayal of the female lead He Weifang’s journey of transformation and personal growth.
Meanwhile, third place went to the transmigration drama The Journey of Legend (赴山海), starring Cheng Yi and Gulnazar, with an influence index of 95.93. The drama generated explosive discussion even before airing, and despite receiving mixed reviews after its release, it remained a major hit within the transmigration genre.
Transmigration Dramas Dominate Fourth and Fifth Places
Both fourth and fifth places were occupied by transmigration dramas, underscoring the genre’s strong popularity. A Dream Within A Dream (書卷一夢), starring Liu Yuning and Li Yitong, ranked fourth with an influence index of 95.18.
The drama’s success was largely attributed to its fresh narrative and strong sense of character self-awareness. After Li Yitong’s character transmigrates into a novel, she struggles to escape her tragic fate and attempts to return to the modern world, only to eventually fall in love with the novel’s male lead portrayed by Liu Yuning. The awakening of the character’s self-awareness was widely regarded as inspiring.
Closely following in fifth place was Guardians of the Dafeng (大奉打更人), starring Dylan Wang and Tian Xiwei, with an influence index of 95.17. The drama made the list thanks to two key factors: its innovative blend of investigative themes with spiritual cultivation (xianxia), and its high volume of online discussion. In the series, Dylan Wang portrays a modern-day criminal detective who transmigrates into a low-ranking civil servant in ancient times.
Top Picks from Sixth to Tenth Place
Sixth place was taken by the romance drama Love’s Ambition (許我耀眼), starring Zhao Lusi and William Chan, with an influence index of 95.16. The series stood out for its impressive per-episode viewership and its impact as a fashion trendsetter online.
Seventh place went to the costume drama The Prisoner of Beauty (折腰), starring Liu Yuning and Song Zuer, with an influence index of 94.96, driven by explosive discussion volume and high production quality.
Eighth place was secured by the revenge costume drama The Vendetta of An (長安二十四計), starring Cheng Yi and Xu Lu, with an influence index of 94.74. The drama was noted for its wide reach and reputation as a masterpiece within the revenge genre.
Ninth place was claimed by the period drama This Thriving Land (生萬物), starring Yang Mi and Ou Hao, with an influence index of 94.54, recognized as a benchmark for period-drama aesthetics and its deeply rooted rural narrative.
Rounding out the top ten was the prosecutorial investigation drama The Name of Justice (以法之名), starring Zhang Yi, Li Guangjie, and Jiang Xin, with an influence index of 94.46. The series was praised for its in-depth depiction of social realities and its ability to spark reflection on important societal issues.
