It’s pretty much a fact that if a heroine outsmarted a scheming court or cleverly led an army, and you’ve ever thought about giving a high-five to your screen, then you’re not alone. Chinese dramas (C-dramas) have been the source of the most fearless, smartest, and generally the most inspiring characters of women for the TV—women that can fight in the field, trick the political enemies, or just one simple way, be better than the rest by far. It doesn’t matter if your face is covered with scenes of sword fights, palace intrigue, or contemporary power struggles; these dramas prove that women are the ones who can take over. Here are our ten empowering C-dramas with strong female leads that will probably make you cheer, cry, and even come up with plans to seize power yourself.
10. The Double (2024)
Revenge has never tasted so sweet. Once a favorite daughter of a magistrate, Xue Fang Fei is double-crossed and discarded, abandoned to die. Saved by Jiang Li and rechristened, she returns to the capital with one goal: to destroy the corrupting elite that destroyed her family. Witnessing her transformation from prey to predator is an act of resilience.
9. Flight To You (2022)
Shattering a glass ceiling? Cheng Xiao has no problem with that. She’s a novice pilot who gets challenged, pushed back against, and straight-up sexism-but won’t be grounded. Her determination and talent show her to be more than capable of flying high above expectations, literally and otherwise.
8. Nothing But Thirty (2020)
Three women, three lives, no interest in living by anyone else’s rules. Gu Jia has business and family commitments, Wang Man Ni pursues career achievement, and Zhong Xiao Qin remakes herself after an aborted marriage. The three of them deal with love, deception, and the need to “have it all,” but on their terms.
7. The Long Ballad (2021)
Li Chang Ge’s world is destroyed when her family is slaughtered in a coup. Incognito as a man, she commands troops into battle and gains recognition for her military cunning—even when her secret is discovered. She’s living proof that brains and courage can rewrite fate.
6. Legend of Zhuohua (2023)
Born an illegitimate child, Mu Zhuo Hua will not be bound by a predetermined marriage. She flees, becomes one of the land’s few female officials, and allies with General Liu Yan to create a more just society. Her intelligence and determination to see things through make her an unstoppable force.
5. Who Rules the World (2022)
Bai Feng Xi is a warrior, a strategist, a poet, and a princess—all-around quadruple threat. As a companion to Hei Feng Xi, she must deal with political upheaval and struggles for power while concealing her real identity. She’s as lethal with words as she is with a blade.
4. Eternal Love (2017)
Across three lifetimes, Bai Qian fights gods, demons, and her heartache. Even with her memory taken from her and thrust into the mortal world, she remains tough and unbroken. Her tale is an epic romance mixed with unbreakable strength.
3. The Rise of Phoenixes
Following her fall from grace, Feng Zhi Wei assumes a disguise as a man to pursue studies at the Qingming Academy. She becomes the Emperor’s most trusted counselor, navigating palace intrigue and a bittersweet affair with Prince Ning Yi. Her ability to adapt is her superpower.
2. Lady Tan’s Circle of Women
Inspired by the life of Tan Yunxian, a 15th-century female physician, this series is a celebration of women’s power. Defying rigid Ming dynasty traditions, Lady Tan creates a circle of women who heal, comfort, and empower one another—a testament that sisterhood is eternal.
1. The Untamed
Sure, Wei Wu Xian leads the story, but the women here are unforgettable. Jiang Yan Li’s quiet strength and Wen Qing’s fierce loyalty anchor the narrative. They fight, heal, and sacrifice in ways that prove heroism isn’t always loud—it’s often steadfast, compassionate, and behind the scenes.
Whether you need ancient intrigue or contemporary drive, these C-dramas give you women who claim their power, battle for what they believe in, and motivate you to conquer the world—one twisty turn at a time.