C-Dramas Based on Zhu Yi’s Novels have won over audiences with their sweet fiction, well-developed relationships, and richly detailed characters. Her novels are constructed around well-developed, green flag characters who raise the bar for romance. With their respect, patience, or sheer devotion, Zhu Yi’s male and female protagonists make us swoon for all the right reasons. She has perfected the art of writing love stories that are not only about romance but also about self-improvement, emotional healing, and the quest for self-discovery.
Therefore, if you’re in the mood for a drama that will hook you in with its characters, here are four must-watch C-Dramas adapted from Zhu Yi’s Novels that offer well-developed relationships and engaging storylines, here are four must-watch dramas that bring her work to life perfectly.
C-Dramas Based on Zhu Yi’s Novels
The First Frost (2025)
You have one love that you never actually got over? The one who slipped away from you but left an indelible mark that you still find yourself thinking of. That is The First Frost in a nutshell. Wen Yi Fan (Zhang Ruonan), a journalist, runs into her high school buddy and first love, Sang Yan (Bai Jingting), at Overtime pub. She acts like she doesn’t remember him, and he does the same—but we all know that’s all a fabrication they’re losing. Destiny then makes them accidental housemates, and they get a second chance at love.
But here’s what makes this drama stand out—it’s not all about romantic angst and longing glances. It’s about more profound themes like childhood abandonment, workplace abuse, and toxic parenting. Wen Yi Fan, shy and introverted, is compelled to overcome her fears and be willing to love again, while Sang Yan, also relaxed-looking, also has his own demons. The chemistry between the leads? Chef’s kiss. This one’s for you if you’re a slow-burn fan who craves realism and a knockout to the feels.
Hidden Love (2023)
Oh, the classic I had a crush on my brother’s best friend and now we’re in love cliche—but let’s do it justice. Hidden Love is the story of Sang Zhi (Zhao Lusi), who has secretly pined for Duan Jiaxu (Chen Zhe Yuan) for years. He’s older, refined, and completely oblivious to her crush—until one day, he isn’t.
This drama transports you back to that dizziness, heart-racing phase of young love. The furtive looks, the little courtesies of love, how a text message or a shared umbrella can make your heart race—everything is present. And the icing on the cake? No gratuitous angst. The narrative unfolds so naturally, showing how a childhood crush slowly evolves into an adult, beautiful relationship. Light, sweet, and comforting, this is the kind of drama that makes you want to fall in love again.
When I Fly Towards You (2023)
If I had to put When I Fly Towards You into three words: soft, wholesome, and heartwarming. This is your go-to feel-good, coming-of-age romance drama. Su Zai Zai (Zhang Miao Yi) is a bubbly and lively high school student who falls for introverted, shy Zhang Lu Rang (Zhou Yi Ran). In other school dramas, misunderstandings lead to unnecessary heartbreak, but not in this one because it has wholesome relationships.
The highlight of When I Fly Towards You is the amount of trust these people have with one another. No abrupt breakups for no reason, just for the sake of drama. No, we witness two individuals grow up with one another, stand with each other, and battle the hardships of life together. The misunderstandings that do occur? They’re understandable and get cleared up to the audience’s satisfaction. If you’re in need of something soothing and heartwarming, you can get immersed in the warmth of this drama.
The Best of You in My Mind (2020)
Not every love story is romance—some are about growing up with someone, riding through the ups and downs together, and knowing no matter what, you’ve got each other’s backs. The Best of You in My Mind is one of those. It is a tale of the lives of childhood friends Lin Xi Chi (Ireine Song) and Xu Fang (Gala Zhang) and how they ride through life, love, and everything in between.
This show gives us all—the light banter of childhood friends, the slow realization of feelings, the heartache of adulthood, and the unadulterated joy of watching them finally get together. And it’s not solely about their love story—there’s family drama, professional setbacks, and character growth. The archery competition sub-plot? Genius. The emotional scenes? Get out tissues.
This is the type of drama that makes you remember to love the people who have been there for all of life’s highs and lows. And come on, childhood friends to lovers done well is always a winner.
So, which of these C-Dramas Adapted from Zhu Yi’s Novels are you going to watch next? Or did you watch any of these? Which one do you like the most? Let me know all this in the comments!
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