When you start an episode of a Netflix show, it begins with the iconic TUDUM sound effect and a Netflix logo animation. When I start an episode of a C-drama, I’m greeted with a deep red background and an immortal woman dressed in ancient Chinese clothing surrounded by clouds. As she appears in gold on screen, I hear a sound like a single drop of water. Seeing that intro for a Chinese drama is like a signal to my brain to relax and enjoy the show. 

I first started watching C-dramas in 2016, when I came across my mom watching “The Princess Weiyoung,” which had just begun airing on the Dramafever streaming platform. We started watching it together, and from there, I was pulled into a world of palace intrigue, fierce martial arts and wholesome romance. 

C-dramas are more than just casual TV shows. For me, they became a connection to my culture. As human beings, we yearn for connection — to cultures, to other people, to ideas and to anything, really. C-dramas provided more than just entertainment. They taught me language and traditions and helped shape my understanding of the world. I would not have been able to understand anything going on in CHIN 2211: Heritage Chinese I if I had not grown up watching C-dramas. 

As I sit and think about the impact that C-dramas have had on me, there’s so much to unpack that it almost feels impossible to begin. I wish more people knew how great C-dramas can be, which is why I’m here to convince you to watch one. But instead of waxing poetic about my personal connection to them, I think the best way to convince a stranger is to start with the dramas themselves. 

The best part about C-dramas is their character-driven storylines and the actors who bring them to life. Historical, xianxia (high fantasy, magic-heavy) and wuxia (low fantasy with a focus on martial arts) dramas showcase these elements especially well. The drama I mentioned earlier, “The Princess Weiyoung,” starring Tiffany Tang and Luo Jin, was my first historical C-drama and the catalyst of my lifelong love of the genre. starring Tiffany Tang and Luo Jin, was my first historical C-drama and the catalyst of my lifelong love of the genre. 

After watching many dramas in this category, one can notice and appreciate the cultural elements and traditions that curate the viewer’s experience. For example, a common element is the traditional Chinese dances, especially the water sleeve dance. The dance itself is captivating, especially paired with the elegant shapes formed from sleeve movements. During my time at Vanderbilt, I’ve been to two Lunar New Year Festivals hosted by the Vanderbilt Asian American Student Association. Out of all the acts, I enjoyed the Chinese water sleeves dance performance the most because it reminded me of the dance scenes in historical C-dramas. 

In “The Princess Weiyoung,” there is a dance scene that features most of the main cast members, and it’s one of the scenes that I find most memorable because of the tension, music and dance. But although this drama features high stakes and visual elements, it is the small, intimate moments that pull the audience in and make a story set in a different time feel relevant. One example is the drama’s portrayal of the simple desire to go through life and grow old with the one you love. Tiffany Tang and Luo Jin conveyed this longing beautifully, and by the end of the drama, their characters’ love for each other felt completely tangible. “The Princess Weiyoung” is just one of the many amazing C-dramas that you can and should watch. I highly recommend it for first-time C-drama viewers. 

I relive that experience of watching a C-drama for the first time every time I start a new one. Throughout my time at Vanderbilt, connecting to my culture through C-dramas has been a way for me to deal with homesickness as an out-of-state student. Having these points of connection to something meaningful that reminds me of home helps me weather through bouts of homesickness, academic stress and the realities of the world. My desire to find such connections has encouraged me to branch out and interact with the Asian community on campus and in Nashville, Tennessee. This has led me to new experiences like LNYF, and without them, my time at Vanderbilt would be very different. 

There is one final reason C-dramas deserve a chance to shine in the global spotlight. In a world dominated by Western influence on media and entertainment, C-dramas and K-dramas challenge this homogeneity. C-dramas are just catching up to the level of impact K-dramas are having on the international market, with the gap largely due to the Chinese government’s policing of C-dramas via regulatory and censorship practices. However, with many Chinese streaming platforms releasing C-dramas for free on YouTube and Netflix partnerships, these amazing productions have a chance to broaden their audiences while diversifying the market. What better time to start binge-watching one than right now? 

I’ve gained a great deal from C-dramas beyond entertainment. When I watch a C-drama, I feel greater pride in my roots and a greater appreciation for my culture and heritage language. But more than anything, I feel compelled to share these dramas with others and show them how special they are. I truly believe C-dramas are for everyone, so you should watch one, too.