Top 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese Dramas

Top 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers ...
Top 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese Dramas

Here are the top 18 childhood friends to lovers Chinese dramas for anyone who likes youth-to-working life dramas about long-lost sweethearts.

Top 18 Childhood Sweethearts Chinese Dramas:

  1. My Fated Boy
  2. Go Ahead
  3. Lovely Us
  4. Love Is Sweet
  5. Skate Into Love
  6. Ever Night
  7. Nirvana In Fire
  8. Begin Again
  9. The Wolf
  10. Flourish In Time
  11. Meeting You
  12. Love In Between
  13. Unrequited Love
  14. Dr. Cutie
  15. Beautiful Time With You
  16. Pretty Li Hui Zhen
  17. River Flows To You
  18. As Long as You Love Me

18. As Long As You Love Me

18. As Long As You Love Me | Top 20 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese Dramas | kdramaplanet

This childhood friends to lovers Chinese drama focuses on friends who grew up together and have always loved each other. However, they get separated because of a bunch of misunderstandings. From this point, we come to an understanding that we deal with a star-crossed lovers type of drama.
The male lead is the successor of a large group, and the female lead is the host of a show. So, they both are doing quite well. Well, despite the fact that someone is plotting against them. It becomes the reason for their separation. The thing is that the father of the male lead suddenly dies. So, the guy has no choice but to become the head of his father’s company. Somehow, the mother of the female lead is suspected of this murder.

“As Long As You Love Me” is quite a complicated Chinese melodrama. If you like this type of story and have the patience to watch repetitive moments over and over again, then give it a try!

Do you find it interesting to watch series where the relationship of the main couple is constantly thwarted by outside forces and it seems like they are not destined to be together? Then don’t miss the list of the Top 7 Star-Crossed Lovers Chinese Dramas!

  • Episodes: 46
  • Duration: 45 min.
  • Genres & Tags: romance, business, melodrama, revenge, first love, star crossed lovers
  • Cast: Xiong Zi Qi, Lai Yu Meng

17. River Flows To You

As Long As You Love Me - Top 18 Childhood Sweethearts Cdramas
17. As Long As You Love Me | Top 20 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese Dramas | kdramaplanet

Here’s a C-drama about two childhood friends who have always been together. The male lead is super protective of the female lead, just like an older brother. Later, after their graduation from college, they finally get together. However, the leads end up breaking up because of their careers.
“River Flows To You” is a super touching, realistic, and humane C-drama. The length of the series is justified since it shows the transitions from college to adult life.

  • Episodes: 52
  • Duration: 45 min.
  • Genres & Tags: drama, romance, melodrama, youth, family, coming of age
  • Cast: Ma Tian Yu, Zheng Shuang

16. Pretty Li Hui Zhen

Pretty Li Hui Zhen - 18 Best Childhood Sweathearts Chinese Series
16. Pretty Li Hui Zhen | Top 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese Dramas | kdramaplanet

This story centers on a once beautiful girl and her childhood friend. The female lead looks much tired and not so gorgeous as she used to be in the past after declining the help from her family and making a living by herself. Her childhood male friend, on the contrary, used to be an ordinary guy but became an incredibly successful man. So, years later, when the girl crosses paths with him again, it is awkward for her to meet him. In an attempt to find a solution to her problem, she asks her pretty roommate to take her identity. She doesn’t know yet what problems she will have to face because of it in the future since her long-lost friend turns out to be her boss! At work, she has no choice but pretends to be someone else. Over time, without even knowing who she truly is, the male lead starts to fall in love with her. Will she be able to forgive her insecurities and tell him about her true identity?

This drama is a Chinese take on a Korean original series. It’s much slower and longer but it’s also a plus because it has enough time for character development. “Pretty Li Hui Zhen” is a light suspenseful drama about office work, friendship, and love (of course). However, be prepared to be deeply frustrated every time you think the male lead learns the truth but he doesn’t!

  • Episodes: 46
  • Duration: 45 min.
  • Genres & Tags: romance, comedy, office romance, hidden relationship, hidden identity, love square
  • Cast: Dilraba Dilmurat, Peter Sheng, Li Xi Rui, Vin Zhang

15. Beautiful Time With You

Beautiful Time with You - 18 Best Childhood Friends to Lovers Youth Chinese Dramas
15. Beautiful Time with You | Top 20 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese Dramas | kdramaplanet

This childhood friends to lovers story revolves around two school seatmates. The female lead thinks she is extremely lucky to sit next to an incredible genius, but things don’t go the way she wants to. The girl keeps encountering difficulties yet she stays calm. The same cannot be said for the male lead – he finds every problem quite challenging. So, they both become quite close as they try to achieve their dreams. The female lead tries to make the male lead enjoy the moment, while he inspires her to go forward.
You will like “Beautiful Time With You” if you like the type of plot where a girl falls in love with her classmate. It’s another light and cute Chinese drama on the list!

  • Episodes: 32
  • Duration: 45 min.
  • Genres & Tags: youth, romance, school, love triangle, smart male lead, first love, love hate relationship
  • Cast: Rain Lu, Kele Sun

14. Dr. Cutie

Dr. Cutie - Top 18 Long-Lost Sweethearts Cdramas
14. Dr. Cutie | Top 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese Dramas | kdramaplanet

The C-drama revolves around the daughter of the palace doctor who grows up alongside the son of one of the king’s officials (female and male lead). One day, her father is framed for murder, which results in the order to execute the whole family. With the help of her father’s “good friend” who betrayed him, the whole family is executed. However, the female lead survives (obviously). Throughout the years, she studies hard to become a palace doctor. Only then, she would be able to investigate the schemes behind the betrayal of her family.

Finally, she enters the manor of her childhood friend as the doctor of his fiance. Hiding her true identity, she can witness a bunch of conspiracies and planned murders before her very eyes.

This is one of the few historical rom-coms that will make you laugh! “Dr. Cutie” is everyone’s favorite revenge planning while falling in love kind of series. Yet, it somehow manages not to be cliché. It is very similar to other popular Chinese dramas like “Love in Moonlight” and “Ashes of Love” but is less serious. So, if you like those C-dramas and are craving something lighthearted, start watching it!

Do you like this drama? Then check out the list of Top 9 Medical Chinese Dramas!

  • Episodes: 28
  • Duration: 45 min.
  • Genres & Tags: romance, historical, fantasy, wuxia, cross-dressing, love hate relationship, revenge, love triangle, strong male lead
  • Cast: Sun Qian, Huang Jun Jie, Zha Jie

13. Unrequited Love

Unrequited Love - 18 Best Long Lost Friends to Lovers Chinese Series
13. Unrequited Love | Top 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese Dramas | kdramaplanet

This childhood sweethearts Chinese drama is about two inseparable playmates who grew up together and even studied in the same school. However, they became quite distant in high school. Yet, the female lead secretly wanted to be close to her long-lost friend.
Later, it happens so that they enroll in the same university! The girl longs for her childhood playmate every time she sees him, but still can’t get any closer – the connection between them seems to be completely lost.

She has almost accepted the fact that her feelings will be unrequited forever when fate suddenly throws them together. Yet, things easily get complicated when others intervene. Will their newfound feelings be ruined by the series of misunderstandings or do they have a chance to grow into something more?

If you are tired of cliché Chinese dramas featuring dependent girls who go after men in a foolish way or guys who find them annoying, it’s time for you to watch “Unrequited Love”. Here, the female lead is quite composed, while the male respects her and has many things in common. The series is lighthearted and innocent but not annoying in any way!

  • Episodes: 38
  • Duration: 45 min.
  • Genres & Tags: romance, school, youth, life, first love, unrequited love, high school to working love
  • Cast: Hu Yi Tian, Hu Bing Qing, Zhang Yi Jie, Mikan Ryu

12. Love In Between

Love In Between - The List of 18 Childhood Sweethearts Chinese Dramas
12. Love In Between | Top 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese Dramas | kdramaplanet

This story follows a genius doctor who hides his noble origin and travels the earth saving the poor. Also, he is looking for the missing precious treasure that belongs to the Imperial Court. On his mission, he meets his long-lost love – a disguised bandit with a mysterious background. When her identity is revealed, she becomes a target of constant attacks. The doctor always saves her even if it brings him countless problems.

If you want to watch a drama with a good storyline and great wuxia, you might want to dive into “Love In Between”. Ir’s packed with nerve-racking and intense scenes! What’s more, the whole series is centered on the theme of ideology. That’s one of the reasons why it always manages to bring viewers to tears.

Chinese Series Similar to “Love In Between”: 7 Best Chinese Dramas with Badass Female Leads

  • Episodes: 43
  • Duration: 45 min.
  • Genres & Tags: romance, mystery, historical, wuxia, hidden identity, badass female lead, revenge
  • Cast: Gala Zhang, Zhang Ya Qin, Zhou Ting Wei, Deng Yu Li, Sean Zheng, Shi Yun Peng

11. The Best of You In My Mind

The Best of You In My Mind - Best 18 Long Lost Friends to Lovers Cdramas - kdramaplanet
11. The Best of You In My Mind | Top 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese Dramas | kdramaplanet

Here’s a modern-day college drama about childhood friends who happen to study in the same university. The male lead has been in love with the female lead since their school years but has never dared to confess to her. One day, close friends become even closer when the female lead gets drunk and all suppressed emotions reveal.
If you are looking for a heartwarming, realistic, and relatable series about the journey of youth, think about picking up “The Best of You In My Mind”. You will probably like the refreshing character of the male lead. Instead of a typical cold “alpha” guy we are introduced to a highly insecure man. The series does a great job of showing his fears and mental struggles. So, it’s a lighthearted and fluffy romance on one side and a great slice-of-life show on the other. If you like dramas that touch on realistic mental and non-mental difficulties and struggles on the way to achieving dreams, it’s another reason to watch it!

  • Episodes: 24
  • Duration: 45 min.
  • Genres & Tags: romance, comedy, life, youth, sports, slow burn romance, college life, first love, secret crush, multiple couples
  • Cast: Gala Zhang, Ireine Song, Lesilie Ma, Guo Xin Yu

10. Meeting You

Meeting You - The List of 18 Long Lost Friends to Lovers Asian Dramas
10. Meeting You | Top 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese Dramas | kdramaplanet

This friends-to-lovers Asian drama follows the story of two high school friends who truly value and support each other. The male lead is smart but suffers from social anxiety. He finds it too intimidating to connect with other people and often gets overwhelmed by the noisy world. The female lead, on the other hand, is incredibly extroverted and is the center of attention everywhere she goes. You would never think they could become friends, let alone a couple. However, fate brings them together and they become the best of friends. Moreover, over the years, their friendship slowly evolves into love.

If you love extroverted girl/shy boy kind of stories, you will enjoy watching “Meeting You”. Also, it’s a great show for everyone who is in the mood for some fluffy sweet school series.

  • Episodes: 28
  • Duration: 35 min.
  • Genres & Tags: romance, comedy, school, youth, life, high school to colege, genius male lead, shy male lead
  • Cast: Guo Jun Chen, Wan Peng

9. Flourish In Time

Meeting You - The List of 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers Asian Dramas
9. Meeting You | Top 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese Dramas | kdramaplanet

This childhood friends to lovers Chinese series is about youth. So, “Flourish In Time” will be a great choice for those who are craving a light and refreshing high school life drama. It’s similar to other C-dramas like “Go Ahead”, With You”, “When We Were Young” and is a must-watch for its fans!

The story focuses on childhood friends who became like brother and sister to each other. He has always been helping her with her studies, while she didn’t allow others to bully him for his physical disability. Over time, the girl realizes that she has developed much deeper feelings for him than simply friendship.

  • Episodes: 24
  • Duration: 45 min.
  • Genres & Tags: school, youth, disability, fake sibling, slice of life, smart male lead
  • Cast: Ancy Deng, Zhang Ling He

8. The Wolf

The Wolf - Best 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese Dramas - kdramaplanet
8. The Wolf | Top 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese Dramas | kdramaplanet

The story tells us how a young boy raised by wolves is mistaken for the killer of the Emperor’s brother. He almost falls off a cliff after being hunted down but is later saved by the emperor himself. Amazed by the strength of this wild boy, he adopts him and makes him a Prince.
The romantic part of the story is that back in his childhood, the boy falls in love with the daughter of the city’s lord. Many years later, he crosses his path with her again. Unfortunately, the girl’s family is massacred. Because of all this, the Prince can’t tell her about his identity. Moreover, his sweetheart meets another guy who develops feelings for her as well. The war is about to begin. Whose side will the lady choose?

“The Wolf” is a Chinese wuxia drama with some politics and the theme of wolves (as the title says). It’s a truly impressive series and will mesmerize you from the very first second even if you are not into dark stories about the war.

  • Episodes: 49
  • Duration: 45 min.
  • Genres & Tags: romance, historical, wuxia, love triangle, love hate relationship, unrequited love
  • Cast: Darren Wang, Li Qin, Xiao Zhan, Xin Zhi Lei, Guo Shu Yao

7. Nirvana In Fire

Nirvana In Fire - Top 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese TV Series
7. Nirvana In Fire | Top 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese Dramas | kdramaplanet

Set in sixth-century China, the C-drama revolves around an Emperor who unjustly executes his brother-in-law, his whole family, as well as his enormous army, and the Crown Prince. Similar to some of the dramas mentioned here, there’s someone who survives and wants to take revenge. The son of the massacred Emperor’s brother-in-law is the male lead and is the one who manages to stay alive. Because of his medical treatment, he completely changes his appearance. Consequently, he is horribly weakened, partially disabled, and unable to fight. Later, he changes his name and leads a pugilist group. Also, he works on his revenge plan and tries to secretly assist the unflavored son of the Emperor.
“Nirvana In Fire” is another great option for those who love intense action and the theme of revenge. It has many things in common with “Game of Thrones”, the hugely popular American TV series.

  • Episodes: 54
  • Duration: 45 min.
  • Genres & Tags: drama, historical, political, wuxia, tragic, power struggle, smart male lead, hidden identity, revenge, bromance
  • Cast: Hu Ge, Liu Tao, Wang Kai, Chen Long, Victor Huang

6. Ever Night

Ever Night - Top 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese TV Shows
6. Ever Night | Top 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese Dramas | kdramaplanet

Here’s a perfect childhood friends to lovers Chinese drama for those who enjoy watching fight choreography and love action in general. “Ever Night” will satisfy anyone who craves adventures.
The story follows a young boy who managed to escape death. His whole family was massacred without any reason and he escaped to the wilds thanks to his fighting skills and cleverness. As if there are not enough challenges for him, fate gives him a girl who is destined to bring chaos. He finds her among a pile of corpses and has been inseparable from her since then. Will he be able to protect her and avenge the death of his relatives at the same time?

  • Episodes: 60 (season 1), 43 (season 2)
  • Duration: 45 min.
  • Genres & Tags: romance, historical, wuxia, fantasy, power struggle, badass female lead
  • Cast: Chen Fei Yu, Ireine Song, Adam Cheng, Crystal Yuan, Meng Zi Yi, Sun Zu Jun

5. Skate Into Love

Skate Into Love - Top 18 Long Lost Friends to Lovers Asian Dramas
5. Skate Into Love | Top 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese Dramas | kdramaplanet

This friends to lovers Chinese TV series is also about sports! This is a love story between a speed skater and an ice hockey player. They’ve known each other from school and get together at university again. Back in school, a speed skater (the female lead) bullied her friend who played hockey (the male lead). However, many years later, a shy boy turned into the best player in the school, while the girl who used to bully him, has stopped working on her dreams. The boy wants to get revenge and makes her his assistant. But as they get to know each other more, he realizes that it was her who inspired him not to give up. So, he wants to encourage her to revive her training.

If you need an uplifting drama about competition, disapproval of relatives, and love issues, make sure you check out “Skate Into Love”. It will inspire you not to give up on your dreams and help you feel grateful for what you already can do.

  • Episodes: 40
  • Duration: 45 min.
  • Genres & Tags: comedy, romance, youth, sports, love-hate relationship, sassy female lead, love triangle, college life, unrequited love, strong female lead
  • Cast: Zhang Xin Cheng, Janice Wu, Zhou Zhan, Vincent Wei, Chu Yue

4. Love Is Sweet

Love Is Sweet - Top 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers Asian Dramas
4. Love Is Sweet | Top 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese Dramas | kdramaplanet

The series follows the story of a girl who has an unusual allergy to tears and has a double degree in psychology and economics. Quite unusual as for the female lead, isn’t it? One day, her father suddenly dies, leaving a dying wish that she would work in an investment company. She decides to fulfill the wish of her father. In a company, she meets her childhood friend. However, the environment of her new workplace is highly competitive, so her childhood playmate turns out to be rather a rival than a protector. Will she be able to become successful in her career and love?

“Love Is Sweet” is a bit cliché, but it manages to make you fall in love even with its most predictable moments! Here, you won’t see any super hateful characters, drastic misunderstandings, or too much angst. So, it’s a perfect Asian drama for those of you who don’t enjoy those things.

  • Episodes: 36
  • Duration: 45 min.
  • Genres & Tags: romance, comedy, business, male chases female first, office romance, first love, workplace, multiple couples
  • Cast: Luo Yun Xi, Bai Lu, Gao Han Yu, Xiao Yan, Rilley Wang

3. Lovely Us

Lovely Us - Best 18 Childhood Sweethearts Cdramas
3. Lovely Us | Top 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese Dramas | kdramaplanet

Here’s a coming-of-age C-drama about a group of five teenagers who grew up together. They are best friends and even have their clique name.

If you like teenage dramas and want to see puppy love, school adventures, and other youth-related themes, this is a drama for you. “Lovely Us” shows us lovely family, neighbors, and romantic relations. However, romance is not the main theme here.

C-Dramas Similar to “Lovely Us”: Top 19 Man Chases Woman First C-Dramas

  • Episodes: 16
  • Duration: 44 min.
  • Genres & Tags: romance, school, youth, first love, slice of life, slow burn romance, male chases female first, coming of age
  • Cast: Marcus Li, Tian Xi Wei, Li Ming Yuan, Li Ying Ying, You Hao Ran

2. Go Ahead

Go Ahead - Top 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese Dramas
2. Go Ahead | Top 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese Dramas | kdramaplanet

This childhood friends Chinese drama centers on three childhood friends who become like a family to each other. They have one thing in common – they all come from dysfunctional families. Since they can’t find love in their homes, they find it in each other. After they graduate from high school, they go separate ways but reunite again nine years later. Despite the years that flew by, their childhood traumas from complicated family past don’t allow them to live their lives to the fullest.
Watch “Go Ahead” if you are ready to cry over moving dialogues, touching actions, and relationships. However, it is also really enjoyable and will make you laugh. It tells about what it means to be a family (even not related by blood) and what it takes to have a truly good one. If you are looking for an inspiring, very realistic, and relatable story, this is the perfect one! You will identify yourself with at least one of the characters for sure!

  • Episodes: 46
  • Duration: 45 min.
  • Genres & Tags: comedy, romance, melodrama, family, slice of life, depression, mental illness
  • Cast: Tan Song Yun, Song Wei Long, Zhang Xin Cheng

1. My Fated Boy

My Fated Boy - Top 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese Dramas - kdramaplanet
1. My Fated Boy | Top 18 Childhood Friends to Lovers Chinese Dramas | kdramaplanet

This childhood friends to lovers Chinese drama is about a woman in her thirties and a 24 years-old man. So, their relationship is special not only because they have known each other since childhood but also because of their age gap. The male lead here knows what he wants from the very beginning, while the female lead sees him only as a little brother. However, he is determined to convince her that his feelings towards her are sincere and shows up after a long-term separation with a clear purpose.

If you need a light drama with no super evil characters, misunderstandings, long-lasting love triangles, or breakups, you’ve found the right one! “My Fated Boy” portrays a truly good relationship.

Similar Chinese Series to “My Fated Boy”: Top 10 Older Woman Younger Man Chinese Dramas

  • Episodes: 29
  • Duration: 40 min.
  • Genres & Tags: romance, comedy, life, age gap, older woman younger man, cohabitation, male chases female first, strong female lead
  • Cast: Li Xi Rui, He Yu

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