![\"empresschina2\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writtenchinese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/empresschina2-e1454139264645.jpg?resize=465%2C599&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nIt will only take [est_time] to read this post!<\/p>\n
Having personally always shied away from Chinese TV shows because I thought they all followed the same predictable patterns, I recently realized how wrong I was to assume this.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s clear from some contemporary TV shows in China that the format is often based on successful shows from the West, especially reality talent shows like The Voice (The Voice of China) and rom-coms such as Friends (iPartment). Many of my Chinese colleagues and friends have admitted their love and devotion to popular Western TV shows such as Gossip Girl, The Vampire Diaries, The Big Bang Theory and more surprisingly, The Walking Dead. Since the first three can definitely be compared with many new, popular TV shows in China, this in turn must suggest that Westerners enjoy those shows might in turn enjoy their Chinese counterparts?! During my research of this post, I found plenty of blogs written by Westerners confessing their love for Asian TV shows. Granted many of these are fan-girls in love with romantic lead characters, but nonetheless they\u2019re into Chinese TV shows and I\u2019m certainly curious to know why!<\/p>\n
Like music or books, I feel it\u2019s important to enjoy what you\u2019re experiencing in order to learn from it. Below are 10 Chinese TV shows to whet your appetite and start enjoying and using TV to develop your Mandarin listening skills!<\/p>\n
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QQ: https:\/\/v.qq.com\/x\/cover\/1d6ys4i413ds5sv\/l0015nasqxb.html<\/a><\/p>\n Said to be one of the most expensive TV shows ever made in China, The Empress of China has caused controversy and interest within the last few months, not just because of that cleavage thing. The TV drama covers the life of China\u2019s only female ruler, Wu ZeTian, a (sometimes) ruthless and (frequently) driven woman who eventually rose to power. Where Empress Wu is often viewed negatively, \u6b66\u5a9a\u5a18\u4f20\u5947 attempts to celebrate her amazing journey. This is a beautiful historical drama with an intriguing story. An obvious choice to improve your Chinese.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Youku: http:\/\/v.youku.com\/v_show\/id_XMzAyNDYzNjUy.html <\/a><\/p>\n Scarlet Heart is based on a novel by \u6850\u534e<\/a> Tong Hua and has a little something for everyone, including time travel, romance and historical drama. The story tells of a young woman in the 21st century who has a near death experience transporting her back to the Qing Dynasty where she takes on the body of the daughter of a Manchu general. Although this season had a good reception and following, it\u2019s sequel \u6b65\u6b65\u60ca\u60c5 did not. Interestingly enough, because of it\u2019s fantasy nature, the version screened in mainland China had 100 minutes removed throughout the show.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Season 4 YouTube: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=goQzSuBwBa4<\/a> (Eng subtitles) My Chinese colleague compared this show with US sitcom, Friends. Complete with canned laughter; it\u2019s cheesy, predictable, and not unlike its Western counterpart, surprisingly lovable. Now onto it\u2019s 4th Season, \u7231\u60c5\u516c\u5bd3 shows the lives of 7 20 somethings as they struggle with their daily lives. It also has similar conventions to that of a modern BBC sitcom like \u2018Not Going Out\u2019 or \u2018Miranda\u2019 due to exaggerated plot lines and its sketch show feel.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Youku: http:\/\/www.youku.com\/show_page\/id_zad0e27b6531511e38b3f.html <\/a><\/p>\n Following the trend of period dramas, The Lady and the Liar is set in 1930’s Shanghai. The story follows a young girl who loses her memory and has her identity stolen by another woman. It\u2019s unrealistic and dramatic with a whole wad of cheesiness in there for good measure, but even the Western reviews are positive. (The fan-girl in me really wants to get into this!)<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Hunan TV: https:\/\/www.mgtv.com\/h\/104622.html?fpa=se&lastp=so_result<\/a><\/p>\n Many of you probably know about China\u2019s love of KTV and entertainment shows and \u2018I am a Singer\u2019 is the newest of these shows to hit Chinese TV, but with a twist. Shows like this aren’t for everybody, but it\u2019ll definitely test your Chinese listening skills with a dose of music included. You can check out our Written Chinese Music Vault<\/a> to find music to learn Chinese with.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Youku: https:\/\/so.youku.com\/search_video\/q_%E6%9C%80%E5%BC%BA%E5%A4%A7%E8%84%91?searchfrom=1<\/a><\/p>\n The Brain is a reality game show where ordinary people compete to become named a \u2018super brain\u2019. With more complex language, this is probably for the more advanced Chinese learner, but this is also a pleasant change from the historical drama already plentiful on Chinese TV, not to mention a bit more challenging.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n IQIYI: http:\/\/www.iqiyi.com\/a_19rrhc0alp.html?vfm=2008_aldbd <\/a><\/p>\n Hurry Up, Brother, as it is known in China, is based on the Korean variety show, Running Man and has been extremely successful since it\u2019s premiere at the beginning of this year. With seven hosts competing against guests to complete missions and win the race. It\u2019s a novelty show full of cheese, but amusing nonetheless. If you enjoy reality shows like The Voice of China, this is definitely a show to try your listening skills out on.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n IQIYI: http:\/\/www.iqiyi.com\/a_19rrhc3wk1.html <\/a><\/p>\n My Sunshine is a new romantic drama based on two lovers who through a series of misunderstandings lose each other, and after reconnecting 7 years later rediscover their love for each other. Although aimed towards a younger audience, this has a huge fan base based on the \u2018classic\u2019 book of the same name. The show is not \u2018made for the brain<\/a>\u2019 but for the heart.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Sohu: http:\/\/tv.sohu.com\/s2014\/jxyhlmx\/<\/a><\/p>\n Cruel Romance is just as its title describes, a romantic story full of characters attempting to keep 2 lovers apart. Based on a novel, The Fate of Jinxiu (are you seeing a theme here?!), the story follows a young country girl who gets involved with the wrong crowd and is unable to escape to be with the man she loves.Although this follows the conventions of many other Chinese romance dramas, Cruel Romance has a wide fan base both in China and in the West.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n QQ: http:\/\/v.qq.com\/p\/tv\/zt\/xsdxl\/index.html <\/a><\/p>\n The Condor Heroes is a typical romance-martial arts period drama based on a series of novels. \u795e\u96d5\u4fa0\u4fa3, like many similar dramas has a large following apparently due to it\u2019s faithfulness to the original text (and nothing to do with attractive cast members). There are plenty of episodes practice your listening skills with, but if you just want to experience a Chinese drama, there are subtitled episodes in English too.<\/p>\n If you have any other TV shows that you would like to share with us please leave them in the comments section below!<\/p>\n You may you also enjoy our articles about Chinese Reality TV<\/a> and Chinese Game Shows<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n![\"scarletheart\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writtenchinese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/scarletheart-e1454139299715.jpg?resize=598%2C304&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n2. \u6b65\u6b65\u60ca\u5fc3<\/a> (b\u00f9 b\u00f9 j\u012bng x\u012bn) Scarlet Heart<\/h2>\n
![\"ipartment\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writtenchinese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/ipartment-e1454139564304.jpg?resize=249%2C201&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n3. \u7231\u60c5\u516c\u5bd3<\/a> (\u00e0i q\u00edng g\u014dng y\u00f9) iPartment<\/h2>\n
IQIYI: http:\/\/www.iqiyi.com\/v_19rrgzy5ls.html?src=soku<\/a><\/p>\n![\"ladyandliar\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writtenchinese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/ladyandliar-e1454139583114.jpg?resize=589%2C329&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n4. \u5343\u91d1\u5973\u8d3c<\/a> (qi\u0101n j\u012bn n\u01da z\u00e9i) The Lady and the Liar<\/h2>\n
![\"iamasinger2\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writtenchinese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/iamasinger2-e1454139603284.jpg?resize=549%2C575&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n5. \u6211\u662f\u6b4c\u624b<\/a> (w\u01d2 sh\u00ec g\u0113 sh\u01d2u) I am a Singer<\/h2>\n
![\"thebrain\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writtenchinese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/thebrain-e1454139631894.jpg?resize=498%2C331&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n6. \u6700\u5f3a\u5927\u8111<\/a> (zu\u00ec qi\u00e1ng d\u00e0 n\u01ceo) The Brain<\/h2>\n
![\"hurryupbrother\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writtenchinese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/hurryupbrother-e1454139654185.jpg?resize=598%2C374&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n7. \u5954\u8dd1\u5427\u5144\u5f1f<\/a> (b\u0113n p\u01ceo ba xi\u014dng d\u00ec) Hurry Up, Brother<\/h2>\n
![\"mysunshine\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writtenchinese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/mysunshine-e1454139672677.jpg?resize=499%2C349&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n8. \u4f55\u4ee5\u7b19\u7bab\u9ed8<\/a> (h\u00e9 y\u01d0 sh\u0113ng xi\u0101o m\u00f2) Silent Separation (My Sunshine)<\/h2>\n
![\"cruelromance\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writtenchinese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/cruelromance-e1454139705180.jpg?resize=498%2C332&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n9. \u9526\u7ee3\u7f18\u534e\u4e3d\u5192\u9669 <\/a>(j\u01d0n xi\u00f9 yu\u00e1n hu\u00e1 l\u00ec m\u00e0o xi\u01cen) Cruel Romance<\/h2>\n
![\"condorheroes2014\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writtenchinese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/condorheroes2014-e1454139727392.jpg?resize=498%2C300&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n10. \u795e\u96d5\u4fa0\u4fa3<\/a> (sh\u00e9n di\u0101o xi\u00e1 l\u01da) The Condor Heroes<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writtenchinese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/MANDARIN-HQ-VIDEO-COURSE-BLOG-CTA.png?resize=780%2C300\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"