In 2025, several high-profile Chinese dramas premiered with high expectations, but many failed to deliver. Audiences criticized the technical errors, weak scripts and poor production quality. While minor flaws are forgivable, the lack of diligence and responsiveness from the production teams left viewers deeply disappointed. Here are the top five Chinese dramas that failed to meet expectations this year.
1. “The Journey of the Legend” – Costume errors and continuity errors
The Journey of Legend, starring Cheng Yi, was marketed as a thrilling fantasy adventure set in breathtaking landscapes. But when it aired, viewers were distracted by glaring errors instead of the story. In one episode, Cheng Yi’s character appears in a period setting but wears modern flip-flops that create total immersion. In another scene, writing is visible on the camera marked with a neon highlighter. Additionally, the protagonist’s appearance, including painted nails and frequent pink costumes, drew criticism for undermining the tone of the show.
Even though the manufacturers quickly corrected these errors, the damage was done. Audiences accused the production of negligence, highlighting a general lack of polish. Fans also reacted negatively to Cheng Yi’s response, which appeared to deflect rather than apologize, further fueling the negative reaction.
2. “Shadow Love” – A warrior without presence
Shadow Love was billed as a story about a female balancing general duty and personal life. The premise had potential, but the execution disappointed many. Lead actress Song Yi’s gentle features and gentle presence did not convey the strength expected of an experienced commander in battle. The action sequences also fell flat: battle rides felt like fashionable strolls, close combat moves felt weak, and horseback scenes lacked conviction. Moments meant to be intense turned out to be staged and unconvincing, leaving viewers struggling to connect with the intended emotional stakes.
3. “The White Olive Tree” – The slow pace overshadows the drama of the disposal of the bombs
Adapted from a novel about bomb disposal experts and war correspondents, The White Olive Tree promised tension and excitement. The cast included strong performers such as Chen Zhe‑yuan and Liang Jie, and their off-screen relationship added excitement. However, the pace was painfully slow. The episodes stretched out the thin content with extended scenes, prolonged glances between characters, and unnecessary dreamy moments. Even a high-stakes mine encounter was overshadowed by romantic glances instead of urgent tension. Cheap costumes and props, along with poor visual effects, further weakened the drama’s impact.
4. “Love and Crown” – Tragedy without emotional depth
Love and Crown aimed for palace drama tragedy, but failed to fully engage viewers emotionally. The pace flowed through scenes of love, betrayal and pain without giving the audience time to feel involved. The female lead spent much of her screen time crying, which quickly became boring rather than heartwarming. Deviations from the source material also drew criticism from fans of the book. Lead actors Ren Jialun and Peng Xiaoran were seen as repeating familiar depictions from previous works, helping to create a sense of déjà vu and diminishing the drama’s originality.
5. “Ski into Love” – Awkward love story and weak characterization
Ski into Love entered 2025 with great anticipation thanks to a young cast and large fan base. But once it aired, many viewers were disappointed. The intelligent female protagonist of the original source has been transformed into a passive character with no initiative. Esther Yu’s performance was described as one-note, with affected speech patterns and exaggerated facial expressions that some found off-putting. The supporting roles were underdeveloped and seemed only there to serve the main couple. The script forced interactions that were overly sweet and devoid of logic, making the emotional beats seem contrived rather than sincere.
Sources: VTV
