Smart Female Lead is a popular tag in Chinese dramas, referring to female protagonists who are intelligent, witty, and capable of making their own decisions. These characters often challenge gender norms and societal expectations, making for compelling and empowering storylines.
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The Prisoner of Beauty
#1
Historical, Romance, Political
Song Zu Er, Liu Yuning, Xuan Lu
During a time of chaos, Wei Shao, having suffered the loss of his father and brothers, devotes himself to revitalizing his family and taking on its heavy responsibilities. As he leads his clan to avenge the humiliating massacre they once endured, he comes to realize that what the people truly need is not revenge and war, but peace. For the sake of the people's livelihood, he sends a...Love in Pavilion
#2
Historical, Romance, Fantasy
Liu Shishi, Zhang Yunlong
In ancient times, humans and demons coexisted. To resist the black fox’s attempts to corrupt hearts and to protect the safety of both races, the "Three Young Masters of Aolai" established boundaries between the inner and outer regions. They formed the Yi Qi Alliance, composed of prestigious families such as the Wangquan and Dongfang clans, and created the Inspection Division to oversee...Marry to the Enemy of My Enemy
#3
Romance, Suspense
Han Donglin, Tian Xuanning
Heiress Xia Nuan bravely risks everything to save her sister, who suffers from kidney disease, only to unknowingly fall into a carefully planned kidney exchange conspiracy orchestrated by her stepsister, Ji Yiran. On the operating table, Xia Nuan struggles between life and death, but at the last moment, she is dramatically saved by boxer Zhong Xinyang. However, this narrow escape is...Serendipity
#4
Historical, Romance, Suspense
Wang Ziqi, Lu Yuxiao, Wang Hongyi
Jian Ming Shu, the young lady of the Jiangning Jian family, who unexpectedly falls off a cliff and loses her memory, escaping a tragic massacre of her family. She is saved by her love interest, Lu Chang, and they travel together to the capital for the imperial exam. As the story progresses, Ming Shu, who has doubts about her own identity, enters the inner courtyard to investigate and...Spring Burning
#5
Romance, Drama
Luo Zheng, Chen Fangtong
Set in the 1980s, the story follows Lu Ran, a highly intelligent and tough-minded female university student, who is forcibly "married off" by her malicious uncle and aunt for a high bride price to a poor, ugly man with a daughter and a history of domestic violence. Refusing to let fate decide her life, Lu Ran decisively escapes from the arranged marriage. Unexpectedly, during her escape,...Les Belles
#6
Historical, Romance
Lin Yun, Alen Fang
Both prideful individuals gradually develop feelings for each other, but neither is willing to admit it first. At this time, the "refugee incident" erupts, intensifying the conflict between the noble families and commoners at the court. To promote equality between the two classes, Lu Yun risks his life to investigate the issue. During her efforts to help him, Luo Lingyu realizes that...Kill My Sins
#7
Historical, Suspense
Liu Shishi, Shawn Dou
The wandering physician Ye Ping'an arrives in the divine capital of Luoyang while investigating a mysterious old case. However, a series of bizarre and sinister medical visits earns her the reputation of a witch doctor. Clever and manipulative, she is shunned and feared by everyone. Meanwhile, Yuan Shaocheng, a deputy minister at the Dali Temple, is ostracized as a "dirty rat" due to...Everlasting Longing
#8
Historical, Romance, Drama
Angelababy, Song Weilong
Jun Qiluo and her brother Jun Feifan, both of whom have dual identities, are captured by Xuan Lie during their journey to the North. With different motives, the two head north together. Throughout the journey, they test and guard against each other, experiencing life-and-death situations, from their fateful encounter to heartbreaking separation. Their intense "battle of love" unfolds...Live or Love?
#9
Fantasy, Romance
Zhang Yao, Hanna Lu
The real-life competitors Fang Li and An Hang, who, after an accident, find themselves trapped in a virtual world and become a married couple. However, their system tasks are in direct opposition, and they must defeat each other to return to reality. As a result, the two engage in intense competition, becoming the "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" of the system. In the process of loving and fighting,...Under the Moonlight
#10
Historical, Suspense, Romance
Hu Bingqing, Zhai Zilu
Luo Shu, whose fate has been full of hardships and who, despite being mired in adversity, bravely seeks to save herself, encounters Qi Menglin, a spirited young man who is determined to explore the world. Together, they stand side by side, facing the storms and solving cases. Many of the cases they investigate involve women, and whenever they encounter a pitiful woman in the case, they...Flourished Peony
#11
Historical, Romance, Drama
Yang Zi, Li Xian
After the merchant's daughter He Weifang meets Jiang Changyang, the prominent figure in Chang'an, the two form a partnership as a craftsman and an investor. Leveraging He Weifang's exceptional skills in cultivating rare peonies and her outstanding business acumen, she leads a group of women with tumultuous destinies to collectively run a flower shop. Through numerous trials and tribulations,...Blossom
#12
Historical, Romance
Meng Ziyi, Li Yunrui
Dou Zhao, who lost her mother at a young age, becomes disillusioned with love and familial affection due to the hardships and upheavals in her life. Facing challenges such as scheming stepmothers and safeguarding her family’s assets, she retreats to a remote estate, dedicating herself to learning and self-reliance. On a stormy night, she encounters Song Mo, disguised as a merchant...The Story of Pearl Girl
#13
Historical, Romance, Business
Zhao Lusi, Liu Yuning, Daddi Tang
In Hepu, a pearl-harvesting slave named Duanwu escapes from the human-devouring pearl field during the Dragon Boat Festival, overcoming countless obstacles. She crosses paths with a Western merchant, Yan Zijin, and the gentle scholar, Zhang Jinran. Joining Yan’s caravan, she pushes forward, reaching closer to the dazzling world of gemstones. However, on the journey through the northwest,...Kill Me Love Me
#14
Historical, Romance
Liu Xueyi, Wu Jinyan
Prince Murong Jinghe of the Dayan Empire led the Wei Bei army to reclaim the lost territory of Qingzhou. After their victorious entry into the city, a sudden fire erupted. Rumors spread that Murong Jinghe, harboring resentment against the Qingzhou people for betraying Dayan, ordered the city to be burned, turning him from a just general into a feared butcher. A Qingzhou girl, Mei Lin,...The Rise of Ning
#15
Historical, Romance, Drama
Zhang Wanyi, Ren Min
Luo Yining, a daughter of the Luo family who grew up in a separate mansion, was never bound by strict rules and customs. She couldn't bear to see the bullying faced by "Third Brother" Luo Shenyuan and extended her help multiple times. Gradually, she discovered that Luo Shenyuan, despite appearing down and out, was actually talented in both literature and martial arts. Having suffered...Love in the Desert
#16
Historical, Romance
Hani Kyzy, Alen Fang
Huang Beishuang, the most beautiful woman of the desert and the princess of a fallen tribe, unexpectedly becomes the envoy for the arranged marriage of the Enaci tribe, heading to Yunpei City. Along the way, she crosses paths with Huo Qingyun, the lord of Beijing, and is reluctantly drawn into the power struggle to unify the desert. Meanwhile, the desert bandit Ruo Wen, after mistakenly...Fateful Love
#17
Historical, Romance, Fantasy
Zhang Han, Zhu Xudan
Han Ziqing, a concubine daughter of a prime minister, accidentally encounters Jun Beiyue, the god of war of Tianming. She is forced to get involved in the strife between powerful countries and foreign clans. In order to unravel the mystery, Han Ziqing and Jun Beiyue fight together with various powerful forces on the Longyuan Continent. After going through a lot of difficult tests,...Are You the One
#18
Historical, Romance, Drama
Zhang Wanyi, Wang Churan
The clever and decisive Liu Miantang, as the first lord of Yangshan, led the people of Yangshan to punish the wicked, promote goodness, and uphold justice. However, he suffered serious injuries under the attack of various evil forces and was rescued by Cui Xingzhou, the Prince of Huaiyang. When Liu Miantang woke up, she had no memory of Yangshan, mistaking Cui Xingzhou for her husband...The Princess Royal
#19
Historical, Fantasy, Romance
Zhao Jinmai, Zhang Linghe
Princess Li Rong of the Da Xia Dynasty and the current Grand Chancellor Pei Wenxuan journey back to their youthful years in their dreams. They transform from enemies to close confidants, and from confidants to lovers. Trusting and supporting each other, they finally mend their broken relationship, embarking on their ventures together, uncovering the truth together, and ultimately discovering...Beauty Strategy
#20
Romance, Historical
Guan Chang, Zhang Jingyun
The Xuan Kun Continent is ruled by five clans. Six years ago, during the great war among the five clans, the human army achieved a decisive victory over the other four clans, establishing human supremacy. During the war, Princess Shuoye of the Spirit clan narrowly escaped and disappeared. Six years later, Princess Shuoye, under the alias Lingzhi, infiltrates the human royal palace to...The Double
#21
Historical, Romance, Drama
Wu Jinyan, Wang Xingyue, Chen Xinhai
Xue Li, the daughter of a well-off and content county magistrate, loses everything after a major upheaval. Saved by her benefactor, Jiang Ruoyu, the daughter of the Minister of Rites, she returns to the capital city in Jiang Ruoyu's identity. With the help of people like Xiao Heng, the Duke of Suguo, she overcomes numerous challenges, continually fights against injustice, and ultimately...My Wife's Double Life
#22
Historical, Romance, Comedy
Daddi Tang, Sabrina Zhuang
The mysterious thief "Liu Ye Thief", whose name is Liu Rong, was saved by Duke Su 13 years ago during a flood in the south. To repay him for saving her life, Liu Rong marries Xu Muchen as Su Jinzhen, the daughter of Duke Su. Both husband and wife have no feelings for this marriage. On the surface, Liu Rong is the gentle and caring Mrs. Xu, but in secret, she is the "Liu Ye Thief". Under...Young Babylon
#23
Youth, Romance, Friendship
Yang Caiyu, Neo Hou
In the early 1990s, in the small coastal town of Fucheng in southeastern China, a group of young people chasing their youth on the train of the times, they were passionate and reckless, growing wildly with abandon. They underwent a transformation, seeking the extraordinary in the ordinary, amidst the pursuit of the stars and the sea. In the most vibrant and radiant era of youth, they...Lady Revenger Returns From the Fire
#24
Historical, Romance
Xu Lu, Miles Wei
The gentle and serene Miss Luo Ailian of the Luo family, due to an unexpected disaster, lost everything overnight. After enduring numerous hardships, Luo Ailian, who had experienced a near-death experience, underwent a phoenix-like transformation, becoming Shen Danqing, a lady of both literary and martial prowess in the escort agency. From then on, she was reborn from the ashes, embarking...Blossoms in Adversity
#25
Romance, Historical
Hu Yitian, Zhang Jingyi
Qinggui Hua Mansion suddenly faces confiscation and exile, leaving only women and children desperate and destitute. Miss Huazhi, no longer pretending to be foolish and naive, leads the women, navigating through adversity with determination and wit. Along the way, she turns the Qixiu Defterdar Gu Yanxi into the charming and beloved "Mr. Yan." Amidst the chaos and warmth, Huazhi evolves...Guess Who I Am
#26
Suspense, Thriller, Romance
Zhang Yuxi, Wang Ziqi
According to legend, there is a person wandering in Jianghu who makes wealthy scumbags tremble at the mention of her name. Her name is Song Yao, and she specializes in punishing scumbags and has never failed. All of this is due to her fantastic ability - to attract the rich. Any wealthy person with a net worth of over 100 million yuan who meets her gaze will be unable to resist falling...In Blossom
#27
Historical, Romance, Suspense
Ju Jingyi, Liu Xueyi
In the city of He Yang, where sin reigns, Pan Yue, admired by many women for his charm, marries the universally despised Yang Caiwei. On their wedding day, Yang Caiwei is murdered, and the prime suspect is Pan Yue. However, Yang Caiwei miraculously returns from the dead, assuming the fierce persona of "evil woman" Shangguan Zhi, determined to expose Pan Yue's true nature. As they bravely...Yongan Dream
#28
Historical, Romance, Fantasy
Ouyang Nana, Xu Zhengxi, Sun Jian
In the capital city of Yong An, the collapse of the West City Canal leads to the sudden downfall of Shangshu Shen Wenqi, the official in charge of the project, who finds himself imprisoned overnight. With the nest overturned, the two daughters of the Shen family, Shen Mei and Shen Zhen, also fall into dire straits. Particularly, the younger daughter, Shen Zhen, who has been sheltered...Sword and Fairy
#29
Historical, Romance, Fantasy
Xu Kai, Esther Yu, Fu Xinbo
Yue Jinzhao, a young man from a small town, and his sister, Yue Qi, have been wandering in the Jinghu for many years. By chance, they meet the young master of the Luo family, Luo Zhaoyin, and learn that Yue Qi's mother, Chu Yu, is the head of the dreaded Kunpeng Valley. The people have been suffering for years because of the "magic medicine - Qi Yuan Zhu" spread in the Kunpeng Valley,...Different Princess
#30
Historical, Romance, Fantasy
Ireine Song, Ding Zeren
The drama tells the story of the female writer Hua Qingge entering her own novel world, transforming into the cannon fodder supporting female character. She initially thought that with the script in hand, she could turn the tide, but things went awry. She ended up in a love-hate relationship with the antagonist Ji Chu, and in fulfilling her mission as the protagonist's "mother", she...Our Interpreter
#31
Urban, Romance, Drama
Victoria Song, Chen Xingxu
Lin Xi, a "magical girl" in the translation industry, reunites with her ex-boyfriend Xiao Yicheng. Eight years ago, in order to fulfill her mother's unfulfilled career dream, Lin Xi broke up with Xiao Yicheng and became a professional interpreter for the United Nations. Eight years later, Lin Xi is now the youngest chief interpretation expert and the "Queen of Performance" at Huasheng,...The Last Immortal
#32
Historical, Romance, Fantasy
Zhao Lusi, Wang Anyu
Gu Jin is the son of a god. His divine power is sealed. Feng Ying is a new phoenix emperor. They meet by accident, embarking on a journey to find Feng Ying's immortal spirit. Since then, under the accompaniment of A Yin, Hong Yi, and Yan Shuang, they collect Feng Yin's immortal spirit along the way. Through many difficulties, defeating the villain Qinglin and his subordinates, they...A Journey to Love
#33
Historical, Action, Wuxia
Liu Shishi, Liu Yuning
the former left envoy of Zhuyi Guard of An Kingdom, , Ren Ruyi, became a member of the Emperor's welcoming team of Wu Kingdom due to a fortuitous opportunity. Together with the Wu Kingdom Liudao Hall Master Ning Yuanzhou, Princess Yang Ying, the intelligent youth Yuan Lu, and the imperial guard Qian Zhao, they experienced life and death, growing together.Story of Kunning Palace
#34
Historical, Romance, Fantasy
Bai Lu, Zhang Linghe
Jiang Xuening once struggled hard to become a queen, only to be driven to suicide in a palace mutiny. Now, Jiang Xuening's dream is to get away from power and take charge of her own life. But by chance she enters the palace as a companion, becoming a student of the imperial teacher Xie Wei, and meets Xue Shu, the niece of Empress Dowager Xue, who enters the palace at the same time....Wonderland of Love
#35
Historical, Romance, Drama
Xu Kai, Jing Tian
When the dynasty is in turmoil and imperial power is at risk, Li Yi, the grandson of the emperor, is forced to take on the important task of quelling the rebellion. He and Cui Lin, the only daughter of a general are each leading an army in the dispute. They fight against each other among various forces and fall in love during several encounters, staging a romantic love story.Weaving a Tale of Love Season 2
#36
Historical, Romance, Drama
Gulnazar, Timmy Xu
After their marriage, Kudi Liuli and Pei Xingjian lived happy life. When the first princess repeatedly gave trouble to them, Liuli was able to deal with the situation tactfully and successfully. Later, when Pei Xingjian was deported, Liuli accompanied her husband to the western state and met the local prince, Qu Chongyu. He is suspicious of Pei Xingjian and gives them trouble. However,...Only For Love
#37
Urban, Romance, Comedy
Bai Lu, Dylan Wang
A love story between a bossy CEO, Shi Yan, and a "foolish" female protagonist, Zheng Shuyi. They embark on a love journey due to a misunderstanding. Career-driven financial journalist Zheng Shuyi, who was determined to secure the front page, made great efforts to obtain an exclusive interview with Mingyu Yunchuang CEO Shi Yan. They left a deep impression on each other. Zheng Shuyi wrote...Love is Panacea
#38
Urban, Romance, Medical
Luo Yunxi, Zhang Ruonan
Su Wei'an, a medical student carrying a rare gene for Huntington's disease, meets Gu Yunzheng, a Chinese neurosurgeon working in Africa. They go from disliking each other to overcoming obstacles and becoming close partners in their lives and research careers. With the encouragement and support of Gu Yunzheng, Su Wei'an takes courage and faces up to the limited time she has to live....Blooming Days
#39
Historical, Romance, Drama
Peter Ho, He Hongshan
In the city of Qu Liang within the fief of Lord An, a remarkable young woman named Luo Qinglian becomes embroiled in the succession struggle among the sons of Lord An due to her striking resemblance to the late Rani. She becomes a concubine to the third son, He Lianxin. At first, Qinglian's only desire is to escape this situation, but as time goes on and she experiences ups and downs...Scent of Time
#40
Historical, Romance, Drama
Zhou Ye, Wang Xingyue
The daughter of the supervisor of the Fragrance Medicine Clan, Hua Qian, once committed a mistake due to her infatuation with Zhong Yelan, who did not love her, ultimately leading to the destruction of her family. When destiny takes a turn, Hua Qian wakes up to find herself back on the night of her grand wedding with Zhong Yelan. After experiencing life and death, Hua Qian has a profound...Mr. & Mrs. Chen
#41
Suspense, Romance, Crime
Guan Xiaotong, Elvis Han
In 1940 Shanghai, Chen Jiaping, an underground member of the Chinese Communist Party codenamed "Mei Hua Si", is on a mission when he runs into his former fiancée Zuo Shuangtao at a critical moment when he is almost exposed. At this time, Zuo Shuangtao is already a spy of the Kuomintang military system and is looking for a way out of her predicament after a failed assassination mission....Miss Mystery
#42
Romance, Drama
Chen Shujun, Yang Yeming
Xue Tong, a wealthy heiress, witnessed her entire family tragically wiped out in her childhood. Eighteen years later, she assumed the identity of "Lin Bao'er" and returned to her hometown. After careful planning, she vowed to eliminate each person responsible for her family's murder!The Shiny Group
#43
Historical, Romance, Comedy
Wang Yijin, Qian Zhe, Nine
It tells the story of teenage musicians' experiences and growth.Faithful
#44
Historical, Suspense, Thriller
Janice Wu, Li Jiahang, Qiao Zhenyu
The girl Lin Rulan, ignoring the opposition of her close friend Meng Wan, staked her own reputation and accused the owner of the Embroidery Pavilion, Wu Lian. However, her attempts to report to various authorities were in vain, and she found herself isolated and without support. In the end, she took her own life to prove her innocence. Meng Wan, after seven years of hardship, gathered...Parallel World
#45
Adventure, Suspense, Romance
Ni Ni, Bai Yu
"The desert rose", Ye Liuxi, and the brave desert guide, Chang Dong, join forces and travel deep into the desert to unravel the mystery of their origins and uncover the truth about their past. The desert is full of crises and an invisible hand seems to be pulling them into the weathered Yu Men. As they navigate with many forces, they deduce the truth from the mystery and learn about...My Journey To You
#46
Historical, Romance, Wuxia
Esther Yu, Zhang Linghe, Cheng Lei
The grand selection ceremony for an heir of the Gong Family is about to begin. Yun Weishan, a skilled assassin without a blade, takes this opportunity to infiltrate the Gong Family and gather intelligence. Unexpectedly, the head of the Gong Family and the original heir, Gong Huanyu, are suddenly assassinated. The once-rejected Fourth Young Master, Gong Ziyu, overnight becomes the new...My Everlasting Bride
#47
Romance, Drama
Ke Ying, Cavan Wen
Miss Shen Qingxia, the young lady of the Shen family, was suddenly murdered the day before her marriage alliance with the warlord Nie family. Filled with shame and anger, she passed away. Shen family's maidservant, Xiaodie, in order to avenge this injustice, disguises herself as a wealthy young lady and marries Nie Zhen, the young marshal of the Nie family. This is the story of her...The Nest
#48
Suspense, Thriller, Crime
Han Dong, Song Yi
In January 1933, the Japanese army captured Shanhaiguan and occupied Chengde in March, the anti-Japanese situation in North China was precarious. In Shanghai, the multinational forces are clashing and the dark current is surging. Gu Pan, an agent of Qing Shan Military Academy, works with Tian Qiaojie and Tan Zhongwen to complete the mission of her mentor Pu Cong, and is secretly arranged...The Legend of Zhuohua
#49
Historical, Romance, Drama
Jing Tian, Feng Shaofeng
The female official, Mu Zhuohua, resists the traditional marriage system and is determined to pursue her career. Liu Yan, the god of war, is suffering from failure and bears the feud of his country. They are redeemed by each other, and fall in love with each other. They work together to guard the country.Fake It Till You Make It
#50
Urban, Romance, Drama
Cai Wenjing, Elvis Han
Junior lawyer Tang Ying works at the Shanghai Hongquan Law Firm, where she unexpectedly meets her business partner, Xu Ziqian. Although they secretly develop feelings for each other, they never muster the courage to confront their true emotions. Xu Ziqian, faced with the pursuit of wealthy tycoon Ma Qiyuan towards Tang Ying, finally comes to realize that he has already fallen for her....
