Top 5 romantic C-dramas set in the esports world: From Falling Into Your Smile to Love O2O and more

Plot: Tong Yao joins team ZGDX and soon finds herself falling for its leader, Lu Sicheng (aka Chessman), a cold, calculated captain and national heartthrob, who, as it turns out, is just as smitten. The chemistry hits right, the competition keeps things intense, and the show balances the thrill with a solid dose of humor. You can catch the series on Netflix.

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You Are My Glory

Want a romance overdose? Yang Yang and Dilraba Dilmurat will make sure you get one. Known as one of the most romantic C-dramas out there, this show also checks the Esports box and is perfect for the hopelessly hooked. With the popular mobile game Honor of Kings in the spotlight, the story follows actress Qiao Jingjing, who unexpectedly crosses paths with her former high school classmate Yu Tu, and the chemistry hits instantly. Released in 2021, the series is based on the webtoon of the same name by Gu Man.

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Plot: The story begins with Jingjing crushing hard on Yu Tu back in school, only to get rejected. They part ways and chase their career dreams. Jingjing becomes a top star who is also known for her gaming skills but soon lands in hot water when critics question her skills. Yu Tu, meanwhile, follows his passion for space and becomes an aerospace engineer. To prove herself, Jingjing accepts a major gaming challenge, and it’s while playing that destiny brings her close to her old flame again. Still carrying a torch for him, she convinces him to meet and help train her for an upcoming gaming tournament.

Love O2O 

If Love O2O isn’t the first title that comes to mind, are you even watching Chinese Esports dramas right?  The C-drama singlehandedly boosted Yang Yang’s global fan following, and Netflix is still cashing in on it. If you’re new to the genre, we highly recommend starting with this iconic hit. Based on the novel of the same name by Gu Man, the show also stars Zheng Shuang in the lead role. Though it was officially banned in 2021 after the female lead got caught up in controversy, its popularity has continued to soar on global OTT platforms like Netflix.

Plot: The story follows Bei Weiwei, a campus bell and computer science student with dreams of becoming an online game developer. Her gaming character, Luwei Weiwei, in the role-playing world of A Chinese Ghost Story, gets dumped by her in-game husband, Zhenshui Wuxiang. She then gets approached by the reigning king of the game, Yixiao Naihe. What she doesn’t know is that this powerful player is actually her college senior. Sparks fly when they finally meet in real life, and love soon follows.

Go Go Squid

One of the biggest hits of 2019, Go Go Squid, starring Yang Zi and Li Xian, is adapted from Mo Bao Fei Bao’s novel Honey Stewed Squid. The series became so popular that it even led to the release of the spin-off drama Go Go Squid 2: DT. Appledog’s Time. Directed by Yu Zhong Zhong, the Chinese Esports romantic comedy follows the life of a computer science major who is also a popular online singer and a professional Esports gamer.

Plot: Tong Nian crosses paths with Han Shangyan, a former legend in the CTF cybersecurity Esports scene who has since retired and is now super focused on training a team of teenage gamers.  One day, he stops by a cafe run by Nian’s cousin—where Nian also works—and from the moment she sees him, she falls for him. What follows is a series of coincidental meetings and misunderstandings between the two that gradually brings them closer. As Han Shangyan begins to open up to her, the two move forward together in pursuit of their goals. Along the way, they inspire others to chase their dreams, too. 

Gank Your Heart

Wang Yibo and Wang Zixuan’s drama Gank Your Heart is an adaptation of the novel Dian Jing Lian Ren by Nanye Lin’er. Gank Your Heart might not have been a mega-hit series—possibly due to the lack of global OTT exposure—but it was praised for its realistic portrayal of the gaming world and its lighthearted romance. The drama follows a misunderstood gaming genius with a tarnished reputation, yet a huge fan base, especially among girls, and a live streamer who dreams of becoming an Esports commentator. The show gained a cult following, and critics praised the natural performances and believable chemistry between the lead stars.

Plot: Ji Xiangkong is determined to conquer the world of Esports. When Qiu Ying meets him during a professional tournament, she hopes that associating with him will boost her popularity. Little did she know about his misunderstood reputation in the industry, which ends up backfiring on her. But destiny has other plans, opening new doors as she begins to find her true calling. The official synopsis reads, “Their meeting was a recipe for disaster, but their romance is sweet. This is a love story between an e-sports gamer and a tsundere live streamer.”

Out With A Bang

Much like other Esports romance dramas, the 2022 C-drama Out With A Bang also follows a similar path. The success of this drama is mostly limited to domestic audiences, but those who wish to stream it can do so on iQIYI. The show stars Ruohan Xu, Zhang Jiong Min, and Fushen Hao in key roles and is directed by Liu Da Nian. If you love the enemies-to-lovers trope with a mix of fierce competition and romance, this is a perfect visual treat.

Plot: The story revolves around Xiao Yichuan, a professional Esports player on the verge of retirement who wants one last shot at the top. After skipping treatment for his injuries to compete, he returns home and meets Xiong Qiuqiu, a girl recruiting players for her Esports team. Xiao Yichuan seizes the opportunity and joins the team, which also includes players like Hong Yang and Chu Tian. Together, they face challenges from rivals while also dealing with their clashing personalities, ultimately aiming to reach the world stage.