The BEST Chinese Dramas from 2015 -2020 - My 3 Gold Mine Dramas 

Like a Flowing River 1&2 are also close enough to 3 gd, but for some weird reason I didn't manage to stick through either of them, kind of dropped out close to the end, so I don't think it's fair for me to give them a solid 3 gd~

i totally get what you mean when you say that to you, your 3-gold mine drama's don't have as much as a rewatch value as lower rated drama's. it's the same for me. personally, the drama's that i have rated so highly truly fascinated me plot wise and kept me on my toes - i was not bored when watching them AT ALL. but the things that surprised you the first time you watched a drama is something you know is going to happen the second time through. the excitement isn't the same, the tension isn't the same - and you don't want to ruin the memory you have or the experience you had by rewatching it and not having the same reaction. it's better to leave the experience untouched. well, that's how it is for me at least.

Maybe u can do another video like this with category of personal re-watch value. That would be fun and you don't have to adhere with star rating because it's your personal heavily subjective taste. You can even say what aspect made it so re-watchable, be it cp, comedy or anything.

Nirvana in fire deserves an academy award. The intelligence of that drama is on another level.

Joy of life got my whole family waiting to watch together. Still waiting for the part 2. I hope they will have same casts

Nirvana in Fire is the greatest Cdrama masterpiece I ever watched and I can watch it over and over again even only for the beautiful sets (I really like Mei Changsu's house) like I rewatch The Untamed and Word of Honor for the romance, but I can watch NIF1 just for any reason... the best Cdrama for me so far.. really

For me rewatch value plays a big part. But some series are too painful or emotional to be rewatched so that even though they are excellent high quality dramas, they are emotionally too painful to watch again.

Yeah dramas like the Untamed have had as discussion that they have a lot of plot Holes, but you get so into the characters that it honestly Doesn't matter. I guess that entertainment and perfection don't always go hand in hand.

Guardian brought me to The Untamed which then brought me to Word of Honor which THEN brought me to Healer and Killer! These dramas are ALL so amazing!

Re: your point on rewatch value, I totally agree. Sometimes something is "perfect" and you want to keep it just as it is in your memory of that first viewing. If the plot is in any way a mystery or thriller, I also think rewatching isn't as fun because you know the intricate twists and turns of the plot. Have you ever heard the term "hangout movie" or "hangout show"? It means a movie/show that, while maybe not perfect, you can watch again and again because it feels like you get to "hangout" in that world or with those characters again. For me, that's what makes something have high rewatch value.

Joy of Life was such a pleasant surprise and has become one of my most favorite drama to date. It's actually crazy good, super well paced, top-tier acting and narrative. It's truly a masterpiece alongside Nirvana of Fire.

I'm a westerner. Being new to Chinese dramas, I greatly value your opinion. You were so right about Nirvana in Fire, 1 & 2. Thank you for helping me discover more about your culture.

The Rise of Phoenixes is one of my favorites. I’m watching it for the third time right now and focusing on the scenes with Chen Kun and Ni Ni individually, and Chen Kun and Ni Ni together. The quality of the script and acting is very good, and the production values are cinema quality. This one is a gem, not perfect, but it mostly avoids the tired tropes of costume dramas and has some characters and performances for the ages.

I really loved "Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace" (2018 drama) as well. That was one of the sad drama I watched, literally cried so many times. Loved hoe Ruyi's character was portrayed so so damn well by the FL

I keep seeing Nirvana in Fire being mentioned everywhere. Will add it to my list!

Oh yeah, Nirvana in Fire!!! still my fav C-drama!!!

The untamed is a masterpiece and my favorite Drama in the world ❤️ my words will not be enough to describe how much I love this drama.

If ya’ll haven’t seen Joy of Life, you’re missing out on one of the most finest well-written Chinese dramas to ever grace this earth just as AvenueX is saying. I still can’t get over how funny & witty the well-developed plot lines were. 😩 Hands down one of the best of the bests.

I can’t believe it is almost 6 years from nirvana in fire. Still the best

I watched "Nirvana In Fire" because you suggested it, and I must thank you it was one of the best things I ever watched and a drama that's close to heart.

Just hearing ‘The Long Night’ brings tears to my eyes...I may never recover from that drama. And ‘Guardian’....I just have to go fangirl over moments I’ve missed.

Yay for Joy of Life! That show is what really made me delve deep into Chinese television and I loved it (I even enjoyed the costumes anc styling lol). Will have to check the other 3 gold mine dramas in your list 😊

I started watching you since 2019, I accidentally stumbled upon your rant video about The Legend of White Snake (2019), and onwards, your reviews become my standard when watching c-dramas. I remember you still had about less than 10K subscribers when I subscribed. I'm glad to see your channel growing.

The Untamed is easily one of the greatest stories I've experienced in the history of television. I can't quite explain the perfection that is this drama, it was a perfect balance of emotions, story telling and casting perfection. It's a drama I've banked alongside dramas like Lord of the Rings as well as Game of Thrones and the untamed likely has an advantage due to the great love story. Nirvana in Fire certainly amazing too, amazing and probably the most intelligence and attention to detailed drama, and also reminded me of Game of thrones. I can think of so many amazing dramas too as you say that have remained special like Eternal love (TMOPB) etc, but there is something inexplainable about The Untamed that is truly a rare special experience.

Thank you for all your reviews and videos, much appreciated. I discovered Chinese dramas on Netflix during lockdown in 2020 and subsequently your channel. You assist many with limited time in narrowing the vast choices, and I believe a lot of people will agree with me. I totally agree with you regarding NIF 1&2. There are many ultra popular ones like The Untamed, Joy of Life etc but these 2 remain my absolute favourites of all times. Once again, thank you. Wishing you all the best, may you be healthy and happy always.

I consider Nirvana in Fire a 3 goldmine drama but I find it very rewatchable too! It is the ultimate exception! And I actually can rewatch The Bad Kids too haha.

Doing such an important (review) public service for us drama fans :) Edit: I think you are onto something there. Most of my favourite movies and TV shows I haven't ever rewatched in their entirety except for a few key scenes coz I (maybe) don't want to mess up the memory of that initial rush of positive emotions I felt watching it? Sometimes when u rewatch, u can nitpick and see things u didn't see before.

Love that you rate both iterations of NiF as being top tier. Even when the franchise makes missteps, the overall experience is still head and shoulders above the rest of the Chinese TV landscape. Also, I would include the first season of The Advisors Alliance in the three gold mine category.

I'd lie if I say I wasn't anxiously waiting for you to mention Guardian when referring to 2018 dramas. I'm never getting over Guardian 💖

I watched your last video about your favorite cdramas for this 2020 and I watched many of them because of you and I LOVED them all. You making this video is a HUGE blessing. Thank you AvenueX 🥺❤️ it’s happy drama watching with you!!

My most favorite CDrama until 2021 1. Nirvana in Fire 2. Joy of Life 3. The Untamed 4. Word of Honor 5. Ten Miles of Peach Blossom 6. Ashes of Love 7. Love and Redemption 8. Go Ahead 9. Hikaru no Go 10. Before We Get Married

The bad kids is so good. I'm sad coz that drama is underrated. The acting, the story, the direction everything was top notch. Would highly recommend if you like thriller/dark kind of dramas 🔥

I was waiting for you list! Thanks for explaining your process. I also picked Nirvana In Fire and Joy of Life. For me, I can only distance myself after asking “Yes, it’s brilliant, but would I watch it again?” That’s when I know how much I appreciate the production value. (Then I’ll go check online to see how the fans view it to expand my viewpoint.) Thanks again.

Nirvana in Fire is such an amazing drama, I watched it by myself at first and could not get over how wonderful the plot and characters are so I rewatched it again with my grandmother and then with my siblings. Its now my go-to comfort series.

Thank you so much for this list!! I'll try to watch NIF as everyone seems to be in love with it (must be good!) and a couple more of your 3 gold mine dramas 😁

Thanks, Avenue X! From your list, I have only watched JoL, TMOPB, The Untamed and WoH, and have yet to watch the rest of the dramas. I hope there will be more 3 goldmines dramas in the future!

Totally agree with your review of Nirvana Fires 1 and 2. Both were such well written and totally re-watch on an annual basis if not more. The 2nd one I don't dare to re-watch as frequent, but I do. I just fear of the amount of emotional drain and sadness from the story. However, I am really surprised the Story of Ming Lang didn't make the 3 gold mines on your chart.

Thanks so much for posting this video! I have always wondered what your 3 gold mine dramas were from previous years!

I'm so happy to see The Long Night on your list because that one is SO good. It's not even a type of drama I like to watch (I did it because Bai Yu is there) but is so well written and the edition and actors are so GOOD! I even re-watched it because I kept thinking about it. Thank you for this list --Now I know better what I can check out next.

The only drama I completed in the last 3 years -- The Untamed.

Even before watching this video and just read the title only, i know Nirvana in Fire is one of them. My top three : Nirvana in fire, Nirvana in fire 2, and Joy of Life. I still rewatch those 3 dramas from time to time.

There are many dramas I enjoy (TMOPB, WoH, etc) but these dramas are the ones I keep rewatching: NiF1, NiF2, Love and Destiny, Story of Minglan, and JoL. I totally agree with your points about NiF2! Would love to see a video of dramas you rewatch the most!

I was happily surprised by the content of this video. It's like a mini-modern historical review of Cdramas :) AvenueX you're precious!

Nirvana in Fire was the bomb!! I haven't seen Nirvana in Fire 2, but after your video, I think Imma see it, thank you

I really like nirvana in fire series and still rewatching. I watching this series because of your review. 👍👍

For some reason, Winter Begonia always has a place in my heart, I watch a lot of C-dramas, yet I feel like none of them have what I’ve been craving for since I last watch Winter Begonia, I like their cinematography, their representation of Early 20th century China, I love their acting and I love how they combine those things into a single series.

Finally!! I've been waiting for this episode for a long time!!

Nirvana in Fire is one of the series that stick in my mind and I agree with you about the rewatch value of 3GM series. For me, I think I don't rewatch is because I am frightened that it will allow me to pick out all the faults I missed in the initial 'rush' of watching. I don't want to discover that the series I love had feet of clay after all.

Totally agree about Someday or One Day. Started of a bit slow but really started to build up and kept me on the edge of my seat with its plot twists and complex story. Ended up absolutely shattering my heart and I still get this melancholic feeling whenever I think about that drama.

I have been waiting for this video!!! Woop Woop!

I love your content, you are so eloquent! I have a mid-level understanding of Korean culture/history/language, because I've been a Kdrama fan since 2012. On the other hand, I just started watching Chinese dramas (on and off) around 3 years ago and they are so beautiful, but I'm so lost a lot of the time because I know nothing about Chinese culture/history. You're videos give me some insight on that, so thank you for the content you upload! I'm looking forward to your future videos!

I would add Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace as a 3 goldmine drama. It's so close to being perfect and has so few flaws (no drama is 100% perfect). It left a lasting impression (and emotional scar) on me. It's hands down one of the best dramas I've ever watched. Hard to rewatch because it's so heartbreaking, but it's so well done on every level. Another drama that's criminally underrated is My Girlfriend's Boyfriend from 2017 (I guess it flew under the radar being BL before Guardian and Untamed). It's so close to perfection and the rewatch value is really high. It's not an epic romance, but good comedy I think is even harder to do well than the high budget dramas. If you take it for what it is (comedy with a BL tinge, but more interested in exploring the concept of love in an atypical context), it's just so good in terms of writing, cinematography (unique visual style despite being low-budget), acting, and storyline. The Day of Becoming You - if the ending holds up (have yet to watch the last 2 episodes), it will be a 3 goldmine drama. So far it's practically flawless for a rom-com, and that's extremely rare for a this type of genre.

I still love Nirvana in Fire until today!

I think my “holy grail” dramas like NiF (or for me cross fire too) are just such an emotional watching experience that I can’t re-watch them as often as some other dramas. Because I am the type to always get so emotionally invested in truly good stories!

SOUND OF THE DESERT - this is one old chinese drama, 2014, that I love by Hu Ge as well. After all these years I still remember it. It left such an impression on me. Edit: Snow Sword Stride (2021) is about to be a classic cdrama also but needed a second season just like Joy of Life. Hopefully the production company of both dramas will give proper endings to these 2 dramas.

For me Winter Begonia became one my favorite shows of any country joining the likes of Deadwood and The Mandalorian.

This comes at the perfect time! I just finished watching (and rewatching) WoH and all gazillion hours of your livestream on B站. 😅 Am at a lost now

Dramas I will consider rewatching are NIF, Untamed and Joy of life. The long night is super good but I won’t rewatch as it’s way too emotionally intense!

When you mentioned the year 2018 at 6:08 I smiled. That most peculiar drama that lead you to another world is still one of my favorites. Thank you for this video, AvenueX. I learned a lot and enjoyed it very much :)

NIF is my go-to drama whenever I'm bored and have nothing interesting to watch. I've watched it like a few dozen times.

I have definitely re-watched Nirvana in fire series the most so much that my mum now actually recognizes the drama at one glance every time I 'm re-watching it!

I was waiting for this 😃

I find that both Nirvana in Fire dramas have high rewatch value for me. I watch both of them about once a year. They are so rewarding to watch. Loved Joy of Life because it was so well paced and captivating.

Nirvana in fire is the one that make me enter and roam around in Chinese drama land. And it becomes my 'standard' when watching another drama. Unfortunately it's looks like the standard is too high and that make me hard to enjoy another drama. 😂 Instead of 'this drama is good', the feeling that i always get is 'this is not as good as nirvana in fire' or 'this is so stupid so far from nirvana in fire'. So even though I'm interested in the synopsis of a drama and the review is good, i always get sceptical to watch it, coz i don't know if this is really good or just another stupid story. So i find your channel very helpful to me so that i can start watching good drama with confidence. 😁 And i really thankful to you 😊😊

I’ve been rewatching Nirvana in fire II for so many times that I could literally recall all the lines.

AvenueX you're my guiding star! I was confused when I started watching Cdramas in 2018. I wait for your reviews which are informational and entertaining. I already watched some of those dramas you mentioned. I will try to watch the Taiwan dramas? Maybe a new world will be opened for me :)

Thank you! I always come to you for dependable drama recommendations.

As a history buff, I value good prooduction quality and good acting to make us experience the past. As there never seems to be a historically accurate plot in Chinese dramas anyway, I go for the visual and emotional impact the dramas create. My top 3 of 2015 - 2020 are: 1. NIF, 2. The Rise of Phoenixes, and 3. The Longest Day in Chang'an.

The video I have been waiting for!

I agree with Nirvana in Fire, The Untamed and The Joy of Life. Love the plots and how their stories were developed. Majority of the characters were well played by the actors especially Hu Ge, Xiao Zhan, Zhang Ruoyun's characters respectively.

I am really glad you made this video as I always wondered, "what kind of drama would earn AvenueX's 3 Gold" since there were no more than 2 were granted..... so now I can get the gist of it. Love Nirvana in fire (both 1 and 2), glad they got 3 gold!

Hahaha, before this video, I had a secret trick to finding the dramas you liked: 😂 1. Scroll through your RU-vid channel 2. Look at the thumbnails 3. If the thumbnail was of you smiling, it meant you probably liked the drama

Thanks to your review, I got to know Nirvana in Fire, and it became one of my favorites as well. From there I also watch Nirvana in Fire II, which at first I thought was too slow, but then wham... I couldn't stop watching, finished it and then went back to watch Nirvana in Fire original, and had a much better appreciation for the plot, the script, and the acting.

Nirvana in fire 1 and 2 both two of my very top dramas. The first season is what started my love affair with Chinese costume dramas and as for second season, for me its strength lied in getting the audience so invested in the characters like it had me sobbing big time

I was waiting for this video! Thank you for this!

Omg thank you for this ive been checking each one of your video to search all gold mine and it took hours hahshshsh

Good morning to you..it is cooler this morning. I watched NIF when I began watching C.dramas. I can’t say it is the top of my favourites. My 3 gold mine will be given to The Longest Day in Chang’a, love the music, the production, the costumes and everything. Watched it 3 times and every time I learned and discovered more about the storylines of the drama.

Thank you for your 2015 to 2020 reviews Mi Lady X. I am rewatching Nirvana in Fire, Of course the Untamed and Guardian. Thank you for reminding me of “The bad Kids” and a few more in 2020. Live Long and happy watching!!!!

I haven't watched the first NIF but NIF2 is by far my favourite Chinese Drama. I'm so pleased you gave it 3 gold mines 😊

Because of your list I watched NIF1 and NIF2, and I don’t regret anything. Thank you for the list! ❤

I love you and your commentary ❤️

My longtime favourite and a Masterpiece "Nirvana In Fire 1" is the best overall from strong solid storyline, brilliant scripts, awesome creative Directors, beautiful BGM and lastly great castings of actors. The one phenomenal drama along these years.. ❤️👏👍

Thank you for sharing this! I'm definitely going to give some of them a go!

My top 3 Gold Mines in my opinion would be: 1. Nirvana In Fire 2. Joy of Life 3. Sword Snow Stride I love the fast-pace, the world building, constant scheming and intelligent script writing. It keeps me engaged and on my toes, waiting for the grand reveal of secrets at the end. Used to love romance-like TMOPB but dramas with so much hateful characters and constant bullying, just bores me now, i’d have to watch while fast forwarding. Would love to have more recommendations on intelligent-plots dramas!

Thanks for this video! 😊 currently looking for dramas to watch since I had to stop The Rebel (VIP only now).

Thank you for making playlists based on gold mines

I’m new to the Chinese drama world, started to watch in 2020. You are spot on with the choices you selected.

This was the video I was waiting for.

The first Chinese drama I've watched was Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms in 2018 then the Princess Agent. Thank you for recommending the Nirvana in Fire series. I will watch them next.

Like always, your reviews are excellent 👌 thanks

Here is my 2 cent: sometimes we don’t rewatch really great produced dramas simply because they are pretty intense and could put us through too much of an emotional drive. It might be too exhausting, so probably 1 drive is enough lol. Also great drama doesnt mean it’s relatable so it might not add any more value in our life. Hence, no need to rewatch.

I got the new drama list now....and gonna jump right through.

A friend recommended NiF to me. It was the first C-drama which I rewatched coz it was super intriguing and a great plot. Its on my 10/10 list.

i relate to what you mean abt the rewatch value of certain dramas. i don’t usually come back to shows but if i do, i think my reasons for doing so really depend. there are some dramas that i would rate lower but still like revisiting parts of bc they have a comfortable + familiar quality that can be nice. and then there are ones like someday or one day where rewatching is enjoyable bc i pick up on little things i didn’t notice the first time around XD

Thanks for this video I don't have so much time to watch all the dramas they are so many and now I know what I should definitely make time to watch

just thinking about SOOD, images of Li Zi Wei flash through my mind and makes me tear up. I actually didn't love the drama when I finished, I initially felt it was overhyped. But after some time, it still lingers with me and gives me a sense of melancholic nostalgia. Also Last Dance by Wu Bai is my most streamed song of 2021 SUCH A CLASSIC

This is the episode I've been waiting for 😁

I totally agree - the best dramas like Some Day or One Day take you through such an emotional journey that once is enough to have it linger in your memory. Maybe one doesn't want to mar that initial intense experience?

Wow..most of dramas you mentioned are the ones I haven't watched yet (w/ the exception of The Untamed)...Gotta start watching them now ...Thanks for making this video...

I have been watching this and taking notes, imagine... You look beautiful with that hairdo and ornaments 😊 Seems like there is a new series idea for your videos now: "3 Gold Mine Dramas of the past year"; to be released each January 👍 Nirvana in Fire is still sitting on my scheduled dramas list. Thanks so much, I know what to watch next 😂 And in the meantime... everyday in lovely way my Hànyǔ is getting better and better Happy Drama Watching 💕