2025’s Hottest Chinese Short Dramas

As short dramas continue to dominate streaming platforms, 2025 has delivered a stellar lineup of binge-worthy stories that blend innovative storytelling, cultural depth, and addictive plots. Below is a curated list of the year’s standout titles (in no particular order), perfect for international audiences seeking fresh entertainment.

From sweet revenge tales to family warmth, here are the standout mini-series of the year.

1. Inside and Outside Home (家里家外)

A Dialect-Driven Warmth Redefining Short Drama

Genre: Period Family Drama

Episodes: 79

Director: Yang Kenan

Cast: Wang Daotie, Sun Yiran

This Sichuan-dialect series, centered on a 1980s blended family in Sichuan-Chongqing, marries regional cultural richness with raw emotional depth. Wang Daotie and Sun Yiran shine as a "henpecked" engineer and a fiery stepmother, transforming mundane conflicts into a transcendent family saga. Immersive retro ambiance—brick-lined alleys, teahouse mahjong clatter—anchors the narrative, while witty battles against scheming neighbors and "Sichuan-flavored" romantic banter ("I’ve always loved your feistiness!") balance humor and heart. Surpassing 1 billion views in 72 hours, its success—fueled by a modest 3M yuan budget—proves dialect storytelling can transcend regional boundaries, sparking nationwide empathy through authentic, locally-rooted humanity.

2. Is She a Good Girl?(好一个乖乖女)

Beauty, Brains, and a Soulful Punch

Genre: Revenge Romance

Episodes: 88

Director: Zhai Shifan

Cast: Yu Yin, Ke Chun

Released during the 2025 Spring Festival, Is She a Good Girl?(好一个乖乖女) became a breakout hit with over 1 billion views in 72 hours, dominating trending charts. More than a viral success, it’s a smartly crafted story of female empowerment: Lu Mingyu (Yu Yin) isn’t saved—she seizes control, turning trauma into strength and forming a strategic alliance to escape her oppressive family. Her bold mantra, “Live gloriously—for me,” captures her defiance.

Powered by Hongguo’s IAA (In-App Advertising) model, which lets users watch ads to unlock episodes, the show tapped into lower-tier markets with a frictionless, reward-driven experience. With users averaging 1.38 daily viewing hours—outpacing platforms like iQIYI and Tencent Video—40% of the show's audience came from third-tier cities and below, a segment often missed by traditional pay models.

3. Trapped in a Deadly Love (咬清梨)

Genre: Dark Romance

Episodes: 85

Cast: Ma Qiuyuan, He Congrui

On April 28, 2025, amid fierce competition in China's booming short drama market, Trapped in a Deadly Love (咬清梨) emerged as a surprise sensation. The series exploded across social media, racking up billions of views and setting new records for comments and likes.

The story follows Shen Qingli, a woman who quietly carries an eight-year crush on Gu Heng. Though she never confesses, her feelings never fade. Just as she’s ready to move on, fate brings them back together. After a series of twists, Shen finally reveals her love — and discovers Gu has felt the same all along.

4. The Shark (老千)

Genre: Crime Thriller

Episodes: 75

Cast: Jiao Peikai, Liu Fanfei

High-Stakes Con Artist Thrills

The Shark (老千), a 2025 Chinese short drama, blew up with over 1 billion views, pushing the limits of male-driven stories. It’s a gritty take on the gambling world, with sharp twists and slick visuals.

The story follows Chu Liu, a man out to expose gambling scams after losing his father to it. He uses clever tricks to take down shady casinos.

Why it matters:

Breakout Stars: Bai Fangwen became a top online crush; Liu Fanfei gained 1.5M TikTok fans in a week.

Huge Buzz: TikTok challenges and fan videos went viral.

Still Trending: Months later, it pulls 20M views a day, thanks to a smart “free + ads” model.

5. He Insists (他偏要抢)

Genre: Romantic Drama

Episodes: 130

Cast: Zhang Jinyi, Du Yafei

A Masterpiece of Uncle Romance Fiction — Packed with Irresistibly Sweet Kissing Scenes!

He Insists (他偏要抢) spans 130 episodes, yet not a single moment feels dragged out. The pacing is spot-on, with both leads showcasing high IQs throughout and a sweetness level that’s off the charts.

The male lead, the heroine’s younger uncle, has secretly loved her for years. At last, his dream comes true. Meanwhile, the heroine is on a mission to reclaim her rightful inheritance while seeking revenge. This drama is packed with passionate kiss scenes — every time the leads meet, sparks fly and lips lock, making viewers blush and hearts race. The heroine stuns in every qipao she wears, highlighting her figure flawlessly. Du Yafei’s kiss scenes are especially atmospheric and seductive, adding to the sizzling chemistry between the leads.

6. Reborn: Phoenix Rising (本宫驾到)

Genre: Historical Revenge

Episodes: 82

Director: Wang Yixia

Cast: Han Yutong, Zuo Ming

A Rebirth Palace Revenge Drama That’s Impossible to Pause

Breaking away from the clichés of typical “green tea scheming” palace dramas, The Empress Arrives introduces a gripping twist: a heroine reborn with the haunting memories of her past life.

Once a powerless maid, Shen Mingxia suffered under the cruelty of Concubine Zhao and met a tragic end at the hands of Noble Consort Luo. But fate gives her a second chance. Reborn on the eve of entering the palace in place of her noble-born sister, she is determined to take control of her destiny.

With over 100 million views on Bilibili and a barrage of interactive bullet comments, it’s a binge-worthy hit that has viewers staying up all night.

7. Love in Jiangnan (江南时节)

Genre: Romance

Episodes: 75

Cast: Lin Zixuan, Wu Tianhao

Love in Jiangnan(江南时节) is a fresh, emotionally rich drama that goes beyond the usual romance tropes. It follows Jiangnan, a confident 29-year-old lawyer, and Shijie, a sharp, rebellious 19-year-old from a wealthy family. Their first meeting—marked by her bold line, “Come with me, little brother”—immediately draws you in.

This isn't just a sweet love story. The show explores real struggles: family pressure, emotional conflict, and personal growth. Jiangnan’s calm strength and Shijie’s emotional honesty create a balanced, respectful relationship.

With beautiful, cinematic visuals and a mature take on love, Jiangnan Season is a standout short drama about connection, growth, and relationship equality.

8. The Hidden Heiress (穿书之炮灰变身天道亲闺女)​​

​Genre: Fantasy Comedy

​Episodes: N/A

​Cast: Han Zhongyu, Yuan Zhiying

A laugh-out-loud fantasy where a baby (Xiao Wanwan) transmigrates into a novel as a cannon-fodder character. Using her "inner voice" to manipulate the plot, she helps her master and brothers rewrite destiny. Its slapstick humor and meta-narrative earned ​1 billion views in two weeks​.

​9. A Stormy Marriage (夫妻的春节)​​

​Genre: Family Comedy

Episodes: 16

​Director: Ma Yingshou

Cast: Ni Hongjie, Zhang Chenghe

This Lunar New Year hit tackles marital disillusionment with wit. A neglected wife (Lu Yao) rebels against her stifling marriage during a chaotic family reunion, blending slapstick and poignant social commentary. It topped Douyin’s charts with ​400 million views​.

​10. City of Desire (情陷港城)​​

​Genre: Period Melodrama

​Episodes: 100

​Cast: Yu Yin, Wang Haozhen

This drama leans into a “sweet romance meets emotional healing” storyline, following Xu Shiyang, a woman weighed down by family struggles and her brother’s gambling debts. She sees an exclusive interview with a wealthy CEO as her way out.

Zhou Yanjing, the male lead, fits the classic “love-struck CEO” mold—think chasing cars in the rain and proposing under fake snow by Victoria Harbour. While romantic, the show drew criticism for its shallow business subplot and over-the-top kidnapping scenes.

What truly sets the show apart is its authentic Hong Kong backdrop—from skyline views and local food stalls to Cantonese dialogue and cultural details. It even touches on Hong Kong’s history and social shifts, adding unexpected depth to the romance.

MiniShort is your go-to platform for addictive short dramas—packed with rich content and diverse themes!

From romance and suspense to comedy, there’s always something exciting to watch.

Visit MiniShort now and kick off your next short drama binge!