With the continuous emergence of streaming platforms like Netflix, Tencent Video, and Prime Video, global audiences are consuming more TV content than ever before due to the ease of access to thousands of web series at hand.
And as viewers crave more up-and-coming series—even ‘beyond-borders’ TV series just a subtitle away. However, with global exposure comes heavy competitiveness. So, Chinese dramas adapted from novels have become pivotal in remaining active on the international screen—offering fresh new stories that rival even the most popular Korean dramas.
The trend of using Chinese web novel adaptations has proven to be a smart move for producers and their investors. These stories already come with established fan bases and deep world-building, and when combined with strong performances and improved VFX budgets, many adaptations have become commercial successes globally.
Of course, not every series lives up to its source novel material, which is exactly why this article highlights some of the best web novel to drama adaptations worth your time.
5) Once Upon a Time in Lingjian Mountain
Once Upon a Time in Lingjian Mountain takes a unique approach to slapstick comedy against the backdrop of an orthodox xianxia world.
Armed with modern knowledge and sharp yet witty humour, our protagonist Wang Lu (Xu Kai) with his always lazy, drunk and perpetually in debt master Wang Wu (Sandrine Pinna), strive towards immortality though their oddly absurd interactions and situations always bring endless annoyance to Wang Lu.
Much to his surprise, this helps him stay on his toes with his master.
What makes this series stand out is how intelligently it parodies the typical troped cultivation dramas—while still showing genuine character growth and expanding world-building that manages to charm with its creative humour that does not bore you and when necessary it does have that tension to always reel you in.
- Adapted From: Chinese popular novel ‘Spirit Blade Mountain (从前有座灵剑山)’ by His Majesty the King
- Also Adapted As: Animated series (donghua) “Reikenzan: Hoshikuzu-tachi no Utage” by Studio DEEN
- Genre: Xianxia, Comedy, Fantasy
- Season: 1
- Main Cast: Xu Kai, Sandrine Pinna
- Where to Watch: iQIYI, Viki
4) The King’s Avatar
In The King’s Avatar, we get to see Ye Xiu (Yang Yang), secretly the legendary top player Ye Qiu from the online multiplayer game Glory. With his unmatched RPM and natural gaming instincts, he still faces an abrupt expulsion from his pro team.
This was quite a blow to his self-esteem and his trust. With nothing to lose he starts anew with friends from the internet café where he works after leaving his old team, determined to reclaim his place at the top, alongside Chen Guo (Jiang Shu Ying), his passionate supporter and boss of the internet cafe.
Though the story revolves around victories in this online game Glory and how Ye Xiu and his teammates win with his support and guidance; it also tells the MC’s renewed purpose, his lasting love for gaming, and the small connections that make it all worth it even if he has to start from scratch.
Sounds cheesy? Well, the best things usually are!
- Adapted From: The web novel “The King’s Avatar” by Hu Die Lan (also sometimes written as Butterfly Blue)
- Also Adapted As: A donghua (Chinese animated series) “Quan Zhi Gao Shou” (2017-) and a manhua (comic) series.
- Genre: Esports, Youth, Action, Adventure, Gaming drama
- Season: 1
- Main Cast: Yang Yang, Jiang Shu Ying
- Where to Watch: Netflix, Viki
3) My Amazing Boyfriend
This adapted Chinese drama, based on a famous web novel of the same name ‘My Amazing Boyfriend’, follows Tian Jingzhi (Janice Wu) — a cheerful and bubbly rookie actress who accidentally awakens Xue Lingqiao (Kim Tae-hwan), a cold yet mysterious superhuman who has been asleep for hundreds of years.
With nowhere to go, he follows her to learn about this new era, which is vastly different from the one he once knew. What begins as reluctant cohabitation soon blossoms into an unusual romance filled with humor and supernatural twists.
Interestingly, the first season cast a Korean actor/model as the male lead, aiming for better international reach.
However, due to scheduling conflicts and the Chinese ban on Korean actors working in China, both the male and female leads were unfortunately recast in the second season with Mike Angelo as Xue Lingqiao and Esther Yu as Tian Jing Zhi — a change that stirred mixed reactions among fans.
Despite the shift, Season 1 leaned toward romantic comedy with a cool and distant male lead, while Season 2 embraced lighter humor and showcased better on-screen chemistry, giving this Chinese novel adaptation the best of both worlds.
- Adapted From: The online novel 我的奇妙男友 by Shui Qianmo.
- Also Adapted As: The second season titled My Amazing Boyfriend 2: Unforgettable Impression (我的奇妙男友2 之恋恋不忘) with different lead cast.
- Genre: Romantic Comedy, Fantasy, Supernatural
- Season: 2
- Main Cast: Janice Wu, Esther Yu, Kim Tae‑hwan, Mike Angelo
- Where to Watch: Tencent Video, Viki
2) Battle Through the Heavens
Another brilliant creation by Tian Can Tu Dou, this story has come a long way—from being a hit novel to an impressive donghua, and now to a live-action drama.
It follows Xiao Yan (Leo Wu), once a talented martial artist, whose world falls apart after losing his powers and his mother, who was killed by the mysterious Soul Hall. Her death becomes the driving force to strive forward in his cultivation and find the buried truth.
Everything starts changing for Xiao Yan when he accidentally summons Yao Lao (Baron Chen), his master, from his mother’s ring. Ironically, that same ring was the reason his powers disappeared in the first place. With Yao Lao’s guidance, Xiao Yan’s quest for justice became easier to climb.
The first drama adaptation delves into Xiao Yan’s darker, emotional journey, while the second shifts to a faster, lighter tone filled with friendship, youthful energy, and humor that balances its intense battles.
Even with a few cast changes and the shift in vibe, the show still shines — the CGI is surprisingly good, and the martial arts scenes are dynamic and exciting to watch. It’s one of those adaptations that prove how Chinese dramas based on web novels can still bloom among many other failed adaptations.
- Adapted From: Battle Through the Heavens (斗破苍穹) — a Chinese web novel by Tian Can Tu Dou (Heavenly Silkworm Potato)
- Also Adapted As: The story has several animated donghua series, side stories, and movies based on the same universe.
- Genre: Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Martial Arts, Romance
- Season: 4 (as of 2023–2024; Season 1 premiered in 2018, followed by “Fights Break Sphere: Season 2–4”)
- Main Cast: Leo Wu (Wu Lei) as Xiao Yan, Baron Chen as Yao Lao, Lin Yun as Xiao Xun’er, Li Qin as Xiao Yixian, Xin Zhilei as Queen Medusa
- Where to Watch: Available on Tencent Video (WeTV) and the official Tencent Video YouTube channel
1) Joy Of Life
This drama series, Joy of Life is adapted from a very popular and well-received Chinese web novel that masterfully mixes ancient history with modern wit and in this story, we see Fan Xian (Zhang Ruo Yun), a young man from the modern world who mysteriously awakens in an ancient empire filled with bloodshed.
Armed with modern knowledge and sharp intellect, he uncovers the secrets behind his mother’s mysterious death while serving in this unfamiliar world filled with political power struggles and court conspiracies — each driven by selfish agendas.
As the illegitimate son of the Minister of Finance, Fan Xian must constantly outmaneuver those who wish to control and use him to fulfill their own ulterior motives. The drama stays captivating due to its mix of political intrigue, modern humor, and emotional depth.
The stellar cast also brilliantly brings each character to life, making Joy of Life a smart and thrilling drama adaptation of a novel that balances suspense with a clever execution of its story.
- Adapted From: Joy of Life (庆余年) by Mao Ni
- Also Adapted As: Several side stories and the Joy of Life Season 2 (live-action continuation)
- Genre: Historical, Fantasy, Political, Comedy, Drama
- Season: 2
- Main Cast: Zhang Ruoyun, Li Qin, Chen Daoming, Wu Gang, Li Xiaoran, Guo Qilin
- Where to Watch: Tencent Video, WeTV, and Viki