Most Popular Chinese Dramas of the Summer Holiday Season: 'Morning Snow Chronicle' Tops with 1.73 Billion Views

'朝雪录' (Morning Snow Chronicle), starring Li Landi and Ao Ruipeng, is the dark horse of this summer holiday season. The tight and exciting plot about solving mysterious cases, along with the well-matched romance between the leads, breaks with the traditional strong-male weak-female dynamic found in most historical idol dramas. Unlike many costumed romance dramas where the leads are obsessed with love, both Li Landi and Ao Ruipeng's characters have their own strengths, and their relationship develops naturally. In addition, the exquisite styling and beautiful makeup create picture-perfect scenes. Li Landi's look is especially considered her best in recent years. As a result, the drama skyrocketed in popularity the moment it aired, surpassing 1.735 billion views and winning the '2025 Most Popular Chinese Drama of the Summer Holiday Season' champion title.

The second spot goes to '临江仙' (Immortal at the Riverside), the costume tragic romance starring Bai Lu and Zeng Shunxi, achieving an impressive 1.564 billion views. Produced by Bai Lu’s manager Yu Zheng, who also wrote the script, he had already prophesied during business promotions that the show would be a guaranteed hit. The plot focuses on the bittersweet relationship between the immortal couple—Bai Lu and Zeng Shunxi—who go through three marriages and three divorces. In just the first three episodes, the show features highly engaging scenes such as kisses, weddings, and the wedding chamber in rapid succession. Moreover, every time Bai Lu’s character faces a crisis, Zeng Shunxi's character appears to save her, attracting a large audience.

Yang Yang’s performance in '凡人修仙传' (A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality) is considered a breakthrough—transitioning from a poor youth to a cultivation powerhouse. Not only are his martial arts sequences impressive, but the early episodes are full of youthful energy. Fans of the original novel have praised how closely he fits the image and temperament of the male lead, Han Li. The show continues to garner acclaim across the internet, surpassing 1.387 billion views and still climbing fast, taking third in the '2025 Most Popular Chinese Drama of the Summer Holiday Season' ranking.

In fourth place is the costume female-led drama '锦绣芳华' (Splendid Bloom), starring Yang Zi and Li Xian. As a sequel to '国色芳华' (National Beauty), it has already reached 1.305 billion views. Whether in costume and set design or in acting, both leads are at the top of their game. Fifth place goes to the fantasy adventure '七根心简' (Seven Parallel Hearts), starring Song Weilong, Liu Haocun, and Ao Ruipeng, which passed 1.073 billion views. With its adventure special effects and suspenseful plot, the show leaves audiences wanting more, naturally achieving great results.

News source: Up Media Entertainment