The Story of Ming Lan is one of the most famous and loved Chinese Dramas of all time. The story revolves around a noblewoman named Sheng Ming Lan, the sixth daughter of a Chinese Emperor.
Throughout her life, she has been mistreated by her stepmother and sisters. She is underestimated and looked down upon by everyone despite being very beautiful and intelligent.
However, she has a secret plan that she is working towards. She wants to avenge her mother’s death, and she must keep her patience and work quietly towards her true goal.
Drama Like The Story of Minglan
While working towards her plan, she meets Gu Ting Ye. He has a notorious reputation. But they fall in love and get married. Now, both of them are aiming for the same thing: avenging the death of Ming Lan’s mother.
This drama is praised for being centered around a strong female lead. Themes like family, betrayal, and love are explored. Moreover, it also received acclaim as a historical drama.
So, if you want to watch more dramas like these, then we have recommended 12 dramas just like Ming Lan.
1. Ashes of Love
Ashes of Love is a 2018 Chinese Drama based on the book Heavy Sweetness, Ash Like Frost by Dian Xian. It is a fantasy romance drama.
The story revolves around Jin Mi. She is a daughter of two deities: Flower and Water. Since she is the daughter of a deity, she has been guarded by her parents her whole life.
When her parents come to know that she will face difficulties in love, they make her swallow a pill that prevents her from feeling any emotions. Thinking that this will prevent their daughter from facing trials in love, they continue with their lives.
The daughter, unable to feel any emotions, lives her life accordingly. One day, after her father’s death, she mistakenly kills the wrong man she believes to be responsible for the death.
After she kills Xu Feng, she spits out the magic pill. However, Xu Feng comes back to life and challenges the Heavenly Emperor. Caught between these two powerful beings, it seems that Jin Mi is unable to escape her destiny after all.
- Director: Zhu Ruibin
- Screenwriter: Ma Jia, Xu Zishan, Liu Gelin, Chen Lusha, Zhang Yuan’ang
- Starring: Yang Zi, Deng Lun, Luo Yunxi, Wang Yifei
- Total number of episodes: 63
- Where to watch: Netflix, Viki
2. Go Ahead
Go Ahead is a romantic comedy Chinese drama. It was released in 2020. Even though it is not a historical drama, it revolves around the same tropes and themes.
The story revolves around three people: Li Jianjian, Ling Xiao, and He Ziqiu. All three of them are unrelated, but circumstances force them into a semblance of familial bond. Three of them come from dysfunctional families, and as they grow up, they start relying on each other like a family.
They share their troubles, happiness, and sorrows with each other. It shows their journey from childhood to high school till they become adults. They even fix their relationships with other people during this journey, especially their families.
As people grow apart from their families as they try to figure out their lives, they also grow apart from each other. But, like true families, they always come around for each other.
- Director: Ding Ziguang
- Screenwriter: Shui Qianmo, Wang Xiongcheng
- Starring: Tan Songyun, Song Weilong, Zhang Xincheng
- Total number of episodes: 46
- Where to watch: Viki
3. Marvelous Women
Marvelous Women is a 2021 historical Chinese drama centered around a strong female lead, just like The Story of Ming Lan.
It revolves around a few powerful families that rose during China’s growth as a major economic power. These powerful families controlled all of the profitable districts and businesses. One of them, the Ren family, is known for their weaving skills. They are the greatest weaving dynasty, and their skills are well-guarded.
Since it is a patriarchal society, the Ren dynasty is run by an incompetent ruler. He is soft and has no talent in the art of ruling. His wife, however, is a fierce woman and runs the dynasty behind the scenes.
However, things become complicated when the emperor’s previous love comes back into his life. Things get more tangled when the emperor’s current wife has to work along with his previous love to keep the family from falling out of respect. These women are out in very difficult positions, and it is a struggle between the head and the heart.
- Director: Guo Hao, Xiao Ming
- Screenwriter: N/A
- Starring: Jiang Qin Qin, Zhang Hui Wen, Xu Hai Qiao
- Total number of episodes: 35
- Where to watch: Viki
Also Read: 10 Asian Dramas Like Joy Of Life That You Should Watch
4. The Imperial Coroner
The Imperial Coroner is a 2021 historical medical drama based on a book by Qing Xian Ya Tou. The story revolves around Chu Chu, who is from a family of coroners.
Looking to make her own name in the field of coroners, she wants to go to the Imperial Palace as a coroner. But to do that, she has to travel to the Capital, prove her efficiency, and pass a test at the same time. She is ready to do all that and travels to the capital.
There, she meets an amateur detective who is also a prince. Xiao Jin Yu and Chu Chu then strike a deal; they will help each other do what they want to do. Chu Chu is smart and can assist Xiao Jin Yu in solving his cases. As Chu Chu solves the cases with the prince, she will also get acknowledgment from society, and her name will reach high places.
As they start solving cases, several new pieces of information come to the surface, which changes the course of the drama, as we hope for a romantic relationship between the two at the same time.
- Director: Lou Jian
- Screenwriter: Qing Xian Ya Tou, Qian Xiao Bau
- Starring: Su Xiao Tong, Wang Zi Qi, Zhao Yao Ke
- Total number of episodes: 36
- Where to watch: Viki
5. Empresses in the Palace
Empresses in the Palace, or the Legend of Zhen Huan, is a historical Chinese drama that aired in 2011. It is adapted from the novel of the same name. It revolves around the Yongzheng emperor and his Imperial Harem.
After a long struggle, the new emperor Yongzheng ascends the throne. His mother, the Imperial Dowager, has called upon women to be a part of the Imperial Harem. Zhen Huan initially did not want to be a part of the selection. She gets chosen anyway, primarily due to her resemblance to the emperor’s past love.
She doesn’t plan on falling in love with the emperor, but it happens gradually. Due to her love, she suffers through various trials. She survives various murder attempts and nefarious plots being hatched to destroy her.
She finally solidifies her place as one of the most influential and powerful women in the Imperial Harem. Even after the emperor’s death, she still remains in a position of power as the Empress Dowager. She continues to advise the emperors and selects women for the Imperial Harem.
- Director: Zheng Xiaolong
- Screenwriter: Liu Lianzi, Wang Xiaoping
- Starring: Sun Li, Ada Choi, Chen Jianbin, Jiang Xin
- Total number of episodes: 76
- Where to watch: Netflix
6. The Sword and the Brocade
The Sword and the Brocade is a 2021 Chinese drama. It was adapted from the novel The Concubine Born Daughter’s Strategies by Zhi Zhi.
It is a love story between a noble General and a daughter of a concubine, set during the Ming Dynasty. The story revolves around Shi Yi Niang, the daughter of a concubine who is set to marry General Xu Ling Yi, who is also a Duke.
Different from the rest of the women, she wants to do more than just household work. She is also a talented embroiderer and wants to grow her skills.
As their marriage is arranged, they both fall in love with each other. Though the General’s family is difficult to come around, they soon support the marriage. Even after marriage, they face several challenges, but their love perseveres through thick and thin.
- Director: Wen De Guang
- Screenwriter: Cheng Ting Yu
- Starring: Wallace Chung, Tan Song Yun, He Hong Shan, Tang Xiao Tian
- Total number of episodes: 45
- Where to watch: Viki
Also Read: 12 Best Chinese Dramas Like Ashes of Love That You Should Watch
7. Nothing Gold Can Stay
Nothing Gold Can Stay is a 2017 Chinese drama. This story is based on a real-life person called An Wu, who was a widow.
The story revolves around Zhou Ying. She is sold by her father into an influential family. Her master, however, is very childish. Zhou Ying wants to escape her master and does that by escaping to Wu Pin’s home.
But her actual master and Wu Pin were involved in a business deal that went horribly wrong. This caused a lot of setbacks, and Wu Pin was put in a coma by Zhou Ying’s master. However, Zhou Ying’s presence puts Wu Pin out of the coma. They soon get married.
However, Wu Pin is soon poisoned to death. The freshly widowed Zhou Ying now wants to get to the truth of her husband’s death. At the same time, she also has to take care of the family. She becomes the sole caregiver of the family and starts her business from scratch to support everyone.
- Director: Ding Hei
- Screenwriter: Su Xiaoyuan
- Starring: Sun Li, Chen Xiao, Peter Ho, Ren Zhong
- Total number of episodes: 74
8. Story of Yanxi Palace
Story of Yanxi Palace is a 2018 Chinese historical drama. It is set in 18th Century Beijing. The story revolves around Wei Ying Luo. She is an embroider, but she has a different motive throughout the series. Her main goal is to enter the Forbidden City.
She wants to investigate the perpetrators behind her sister’s murder and rape. She has a culprit singled out: the Imperial Guard: Fuca Fuheng. She plans to get closer to the guard’s sister in order to have access to him.
She successfully carries out the first half of her plan: get into the Forbidden City and get closer to Fuca Fuheng. She does this by being a maid to the Guard’s sister. But she soon realizes that she is wrong. Fuca Fuheng’s sister takes a liking to her and teaches her to read. Fuca Fuheng falls in love with her, too.
She then realizes that it was not these people who murdered her sister but someone else. Now, she has to figure out the true criminal while protecting Fuca Fuheng’s sister from conspiracies at the same time.
- Director: Hui Kai Dong, Wen De Guang, Guo Hao
- Screenwriter: Zhou Mo
- Starring: Wu Jin Yan, Nie Yuan, Xu Kai, Qin Lan
- Total number of episodes: 70
- Where to watch: Viki
9. Weaving a Tale of Love
Weaving a Tale of Love is a 2021 historical Chinese drama with a strong female lead.
The story revolves around Liu Liu. The series is set during the reign of Emperor Tai Zong.
Liu’s mother, a cloth maker in the district of Zhenguan, is framed and jailed for a crime she did not commit. An only mother with a daughter, she sends her daughter to an old friend in the Imperial Palace, knowing she will be safe with her friend.
As Liu Liu grows up in the palace without her mother, she becomes a medical professional. Her skills are recognized by the people, and she has been put in charge of epidemic prevention duty. However, she is constantly ensnared and trapped by people who do not want her to succeed.
During one incident, she meets Pei Xing Jian. He helps Liu Liu escape danger. Both of them start looking into the truth of Liu Liu’s mother’s imprisonment and start to fall in love.
- Director: Chan Ka Lam, He Zhen Hua, Wang Zhu Ming, Ho Chun Wah
- Screenwriter: Mei Ying Ju
- Starring: Gulnezer Bextiyar, Timmy Xu, Zhao Shun Ran, Kora Shi
- Total number of episodes: 40
- Where to watch: Viki
Also Read: 15 Drama Like Go Ahead
10. The Oath of Love
The Oath of Love is a romance medical drama aired in 2022. It is not a historical drama but has similar themes to The Story of Minglan.
The story revolves around Lin Zhi Xiao. She is a very talented cellist who will graduate soon. She works very hard and wants to make her career out of playing the cello, which is something she loves a lot.
However, her life plans come to a halt when her father gets diagnosed with cancer. She now has to put a stop to her dreams and take care of her father, who is undergoing treatment.
There, she meets Gu Wei, a doctor. Gu Wei has a very antisocial personality. He is cold towards others and not friendly. As Zhi Xiao starts spending more time in the hospital, both of them start to get closer.
Their opposite personalities are a change of perspective for them. Zhi Xiao teaches him to let loose sometimes and enjoy life. Gu Wei teaches her to figure out what she wants from her life.
- Director: Lu Ying
- Screenwriter: Bo Lin Shi Jiang
- Starring: Yang Zi, Xiao Zhan
- Total number of episodes: 30
- Where to watch: Viki
11. The Story of Xing Fu
The Story of Xing Fu is a 2022 Chinese drama. It is centered around Xing Fu and her life in a village that does not accept her.
With a name that literally translates to “happiness,” Xing Fu’s life has been quite difficult. There was a lot of sorrow for someone who is named “happiness.” Her problems during her marriage are glaring.
During what is supposed to be the happiest time of her life, she faces judgment from her sister. The entire village is against her, and she is basically driven out of the village.
However, she perseveres. Forced to make a life in the city, she braves through those hardships as well. After living for some time in the city, she returns to the village. She wants to use her knowledge to make the village a better place. But things never go as planned, especially in her life.
- Director: Zheng Xiao Long, Liu Xue Song
- Screenwriter: Zhao Dong Ling
- Starring: Zhao Yi Ling, Liu Wei, Tang Zeng
- Total number of episodes: 40
- Where to watch: Viki
12. General and I
General and I is a critically acclaimed Chinese historical drama. It aired in 2017 and is adapted from “A Lonesome Fragrance Waiting To Be Appreciated” by Feng Nong.
The story is set against the backdrop of warring nations: Jin, Qin, Yan, and Liang. Among them, Jin and Yan get into a terrible war, which forces He Xia and his strategist, Bai Pingting, to escape from the city of Yan. Both of them are seeking revenge for their kingdom’s ruin.
However, Bai Pingting crosses paths with ruthless General Chu Beijie. Chu Beijie immediately recognizes Pingting as his first childhood love. But things are difficult for them as they are from warring kingdoms, each in a position of power and serving their country.
- Director: Ju Jueliang
- Screenwriter: Zhang Yongchen
- Starring: Wallace Chung, Angelababy, Sun Yizhou
- Total number of episodes: 62
- Where to watch: Viki
Also Read: 12 Dramas Like Ancient Love Poetry To Watch in 2023
