C-dramas like A River Runs Through It

Ranked by traits in common with A River Runs Through It. This ordering is the same for everyone; it does not read anything saved in your browser.

A Little Thing Called First Love
初恋那件小事
Completed2019· 36 episodes
Xia Miaomiao is an ordinary, shy student who develops a deep crush on the popular and talented senior Liang Younian. Determined to become worthy of him, she embarks on a journey of self-transformation, improving her appearance, grades, and confidence. As she navigates the ups and downs of school life, Miaomiao discovers her own potential while hoping to eventually win the heart of her first love.
Chai Wei · Edward Lai · Wang Runze
- Modern
- Comedy
- Drama
View on WeTV ↗
Official links: WeTVExplore drama →
Match 94/100A fit index from reviewed traits, not a quality score.
- Assessed as having a love triangle
- Reviewed as not centring a strong female lead
- Modern setting, matching your preference
Taste of Love
绝配酥心唐
Completed2023· 24 episodes
Former popular idol Tang Su falls from grace after a weight-gain scandal and a series of career-ending misunderstandings. She unexpectedly finds work as a private housekeeper for Huangfu Jue, an eccentric and overbearing CEO who suffers from face blindness. Ironically, the man she now serves is her most notorious online detractor, leading to a comedic and heartfelt journey of hidden identities and blossoming romance.
Chen Xin Hai · Deng Kai · Lin Junyi
- Modern
- Comedy
- Drama
View on iQIYI ↗
Official links: iQIYIExplore drama →
Match 94/100A fit index from reviewed traits, not a quality score.
- Assessed as having a love triangle
- Reviewed as not centring a strong female lead
- Modern setting, matching your preference
The Girl Who Sees Smells
你好，我的对面男友
Completed2023· 24 episodes
Lu Fenfen is a talented sommelier working as a supermarket wine promoter when she accidentally saves Xu Mingchen, the eccentric president of Anda Group. A chance kiss reveals that she is the unique antidote to his rare and mysterious illness. Consequently, the CEO employs various schemes to stay near her, transforming their initial friction into a romantic journey as they navigate status differences and career challenges together.
Jia Yi · Jin Zixuan
- Modern
- Comedy
- Drama
View on iQIYI ↗
Official links: iQIYIExplore drama →
Match 94/100A fit index from reviewed traits, not a quality score.
- Assessed as having a love triangle
- Reviewed as not centring a strong female lead
- Modern setting, matching your preference
I Won't Get Bullied by Girls
我才不会被女孩子欺负呢
Completed2018· 24 episodes
High school student Ye Lin is determined to stay strong and avoid being bullied by girls after a childhood of being picked on by his rival, Ren Xiaoqin. When she returns to his life and attempts to win his heart, Ye Lin must balance his cold attitude toward her with his goal of forming a lion dance club. Along with his eccentric classmates, he learns to navigate friendship and the complexities of growing up.
Cai Xukun · Jiang Yuwei · Lu Yang Yang
- Modern
- Comedy
- Drama
View on YOUKU ↗
Official links: Youku, YOUKUExplore drama →
Match 94/100A fit index from reviewed traits, not a quality score.
- Assessed as having a love triangle
- Reviewed as not centring a strong female lead
- Modern setting, matching your preference
Closer To You
我的刺猬女孩
Completed2020· 24 episodes
A surgeon named Wu Jing Hao gets a mysterious chance to travel back to his high school years. Determined to rewrite the past, he attempts to save his classmate Han Fei from a tragic accident that defined her youth. While she is initially defensive and prickly, Wu Jing Hao patiently tries to break through her shell to change their future and heal old wounds.
He Ze Yuan · Li Yi Nan · Wang Rui
- Modern
- Drama
- Mystery
View on YOUKU ↗
Official links: Youku, YOUKUExplore drama →
Match 92/100A fit index from reviewed traits, not a quality score.
- Assessed as having a love triangle
- Reviewed as not centring a strong female lead
- Modern setting, matching your preference
Wonderful Life
美好生活
Completed2018· 45 episodes
After a failed career and marriage in the United States, middle-aged Xu Tian returns to China but immediately collapses with a heart condition. Following an emergency heart transplant, he encounters Liang Xiao Hui, a woman struggling with her own grief. Their lives intertwine as they seek new beginnings, though the connection between Xu Tian's new heart and Xiao Hui's past complicates their burgeoning relationship.
Li Naiwen · Li Xiaoran · Song Dandan
- Modern
- Drama
- Romance
View on YOUKU ↗
Official links: Youku, YOUKUExplore drama →
Match 91/100A fit index from reviewed traits, not a quality score.
- Assessed as having a love triangle
- Reviewed as not centring a strong female lead
- Modern setting, matching your preference
Since I Met U
遇见你之后
Completed2022· 16 episodes
Cheng Mu is a reserved dessert shop manager whose life changes when he crosses paths with Jiang Sihan, a bubbly food vlogger. Linked by a young boy named Rui Rui, the two begin an unexpected cohabitation arrangement as a temporary family. As their romance blossoms, they navigate personal insecurities and professional challenges, finding emotional healing in each other's company while pursuing their shared love for sweets.
Chang Bin · Jacky Zhou · Jin Zixuan
- Modern
- Comedy
- Romance
View on iQIYI ↗
Official links: iQIYIExplore drama →
Match 91/100A fit index from reviewed traits, not a quality score.
- Assessed as having a love triangle
- Reviewed as not centring a strong female lead
- Modern setting, matching your preference
Turn on the Right Way of Life
打开生活的正确方式
Completed2023· 40 episodes
Bian Liang is a forty-something sales executive whose stable life suddenly unravels due to career bottlenecks and domestic friction. When a former flame reappears and his teenage son rebels, he is forced to confront his failures and re-evaluate his path. The drama explores the complexities of mid-life transitions as he seeks a meaningful way to balance professional ambition and family harmony.
Huang Bo · Mei Ting · Tian Yu
- Modern
- Comedy
- Drama
View on YOUKU ↗
Official links: Youku, YOUKUExplore drama →
Match 87/100A fit index from reviewed traits, not a quality score.
- Assessed as having a love triangle
- Reviewed as not centring a strong female lead
- Modern setting, matching your preference
The Science of Falling in Love
理科生坠入情网
Completed2023· 24 episodes
Su Chengcheng, a biomedical engineering student, confesses her love to the brilliant but socially awkward Xiao Yuhe. To scientifically validate her feelings, the two researchers conduct elaborate experiments in their university lab, leading to a humorous exploration of attraction, brain waves, and the unpredictable nature of human emotion.
Chen Haolan · Liu Yichang · Wu Fei
- Modern
- Comedy
- Drama
View on iQIYI ↗
Official links: iQIYIExplore drama →
Match 87/100A fit index from reviewed traits, not a quality score.
- Reviewed as not centring a strong female lead
- Modern setting, matching your preference
- Comedy, matching your preference
Let's Meet Now
见面吧就现在
Completed2022· 20 episodes
Ji Qiu, a young variety show director, crosses paths with Zhou Ziqian, a competitive shooter who has just returned to China. Though they were childhood friends, Ji Qiu doesn't recognize him at first, leading to a series of playful misunderstandings. As they begin working together on a new television project, their bond deepens, eventually evolving from a bickering friendship into a sweet and sincere romance.
He Yu · Jiang Zhi Nan · Lu Yang Yang
- Modern
- Comedy
- Drama
View on iQIYI ↗
Official links: iQIYIExplore drama →
Match 86/100A fit index from reviewed traits, not a quality score.
- Assessed as having a love triangle
- Modern setting, matching your preference
- Comedy, matching your preference
My True Friend
我的真朋友
Completed2019· 48 episodes
Cheng Zhenzhen is a dedicated rookie real estate agent who is paired with Shao Pengcheng, the rebellious son of the company’s chairman working under a secret identity. As they navigate the competitive housing market, they assist diverse clients with their personal struggles, gaining insights into the meaning of home and family. Through their shared challenges, they develop a profound bond and discover their true calling.
Angelababy · Deng Lun · Xu Di
- Modern
- Comedy
- Drama
View on WeTV ↗
Official links: WeTVExplore drama →
Match 86/100A fit index from reviewed traits, not a quality score.
- Assessed as having a love triangle
- Modern setting, matching your preference
- Comedy, matching your preference
Dating in the Kitchen
我，喜欢你
Completed2020· 24 episodes
Gu Shengnan is a talented but underestimated chef at a luxury hotel whose career is jeopardized by a corporate acquisition. She encounters Lu Jin, a fastidious and cold-hearted CEO who is won over by her exceptional culinary skills. Despite their significant age difference and initial personality clashes, the two develop an unlikely romance through their shared obsession with gourmet cuisine and professional challenges.
Lin Yushen · Zhao Lusi
- Modern
- Comedy
- Drama
View on WeTV ↗
Official links: WeTVExplore drama →
Match 84/100A fit index from reviewed traits, not a quality score.
- Assessed as having a love triangle
- Modern setting, matching your preference
- Comedy, matching your preference

Matches are computed from reviewed structured traits — setting, genres, tropes and editorial dimensions. No ratings, view counts or popularity signals are used.