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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Hilarious Family 2
#1
Historical, Romance, Comedy
Li Jiaqi, He Saifei, Ren Hao
The innkeeper Ai Sixi, a staunch celibacy advocate, finds herself targeted by the authorities as a "singlehood exemplar" due to an absurd lawsuit. To help her out of this predicament, Jing Kan, who owes Ai Sixi a debt of gratitude, is forced to marry her. What begins as a marriage of convenience, with both expecting to go their separate ways soon after, takes a dramatic turn when the...Echoes of The Self
#2
Historical, Romance
Chen Yao, Quan Yilun
Zhou Ruoxi, who, in pursuit of ambition, abandons her love for Prince Yan, Li Yan, and schemes her way into marrying the Crown Prince. Just as she is about to hold supreme power, Li Yan storms the palace under the banner of “cleansing the court and executing the treacherous empress,” capturing her in the imperial harem. Yet, this act is not vengeance but his desperate attempt at...Return of the Queen
#3
Urban, Romance, Suspense
Zhang Yishang, Wu Junting
Amidst a glamorous world of wealth and power, Ye Haimeng, the cherished heiress of a prominent family, falls into an abyss of hatred due to a doomed engagement. On one side, Lu Siyu—the younger brother of her enemy—is determined to pull his "sister-in-law" out of the darkness; on the other, Lu Sinan, the mastermind who pushed her into the ruin of her family, lurks in the shadows....Wild Ambition Bloom
#4
Historical, Business, Drama
Rayzha Alimjan, Tony Yang
In 1916, Chu Shaohua marries Chen Dashun, the eldest son of the Chen family pharmacy, to save her brother Chu Shaozhong. With her integrity and sharp business skills, she earns the trust of the Chen patriarch and becomes the pharmacy’s manager. After the sudden deaths of Chen Dashun and his father, Chen Ershun inherits the shop but squanders its wealth, leaving the business on the...Shadow Love
#5
Historical, Romance, War
Song Yi, Cheng Lei
General Li Shuang of Tai Jin is a valiant and battle-hardened warrior, ordered to uncover a hidden traitor within one month. One day, she rescues a gravely injured man who has lost all memory and brings him back to her camp. The man begs to stay by her side and follow her into battle. Li Shuang grants him the name Jin An, symbolizing everlasting peace for Tai Jin. Together, they expose...Legend of the Female General
#6
Historical, Romance, Wuxia
Zhou Ye, Cheng Lei
To preserve her family's noble title, He Yan, the eldest daughter of the He family, is forced to wear a mask and disguise herself as the family's legitimate heir, "He Ru Fei." In her youth, she meets the prodigious Xiao Jue at Xianchang Academy, but to escape her family's fate, she leaves the academy and heads to the battlefield. Years later, He Yan returns in glory, only to be betrayed...Coroner's Diary
#7
Historical, Suspense, Romance
Landy Li, Ao Ruipeng
Shen Yi, the Minister of Justice, is implicated in the Prince Jin case, leading to the tragic extermination of his entire family. His daughter, Shen Wan, assumes the identity of Qin Wan, the ninth daughter of the Qin family, and flees to Jingzhou. Once perceived as weak and easily bullied, Qin Wan undergoes a drastic transformation—she not only excels in healing but also masters forensic...The Princess's Gambit
#8
Historical, Romance
Liu Xueyi, Meng Ziyi
Shen Zaiye, the Left Chancellor of the Qi Kingdom, who meets Princess Jiang Taohua of the Northern Yuan Kingdom due to a conspiracy by his political enemies. Shen Zaiye is cunning and ruthless, while Jiang Taohua is clever and resourceful. In the turbulent political landscape between the two nations, they outsmart and manipulate each other. Forced to collaborate in the face of powerful...Reborn
#9
Youth, Romance, Suspense
Zhang Jingyi, Zhou Yiran
Transfer student Qiao Qingyu, who, with the help of rebellious school heartthrob Ming Sheng, gradually uncovers the truth behind her sister's "murder" by the entire village six years prior. As they navigate this journey, the two find mutual redemption and grow together. This narrative not only offers audiences a touching core of multifaceted emotional guardianship, but the young protagonists...The Fallen Lady Returns
#10
Historical, Romance
Teng Zewen, Zhan Yu
After suffering a brutal death at the hands of the Zhou family in her past life, Zhang Xiyin unexpectedly finds herself reborn! Determined to take revenge on her husband, Marquis Ding'an Zhou Yihong, and his second wife Li Yuewan, Zhang Xiyin proactively approaches and forms an alliance with Prince Ji, Duan Jianli, for mutual benefit. However, as their encounters unfold, what began...Be Passionately in Love
#11
Youth, Romance, School
Liu Haocun, Wang Anyu
The story begins in the rainy southern city of Qingyi. Xu Zhi, known as the "dark horse of Ruijun," meets Chen Luzhou, the "barely-passed top scorer." Due to a misunderstanding, the story between the tough girl "Zhi Zong" and the "Poet Chen" begins. During their playful and teasing interactions, the ambiguous atmosphere intensifies, leading to a "tug-of-war" of emotions. Unfortunately,...Youthful Glory
#12
Historical, Romance
Song Weilong, Bao Shang'en, Dai Luwa
In the eleventh year of the Chengkang reign, Jiang Xu, who has been guarding the border for eight years, returns to the Da Xian dynasty to investigate the embezzlement of military funds in the Dingbei Army. Unexpectedly, the case of embezzlement involves a vast conspiracy, and to uncover the real culprit and purge the court, Jiang Xu voluntarily marries Ming Tan, a noblewoman from another...The Prisoner of Beauty
#13
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
#14
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
#15
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
#16
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
#17
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
#18
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
#19
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
#20
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?
#21
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
#22
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
#23
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
#24
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
#25
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
#26
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
#27
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
#28
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
#29
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
#30
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
#31
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
#32
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
#33
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
#34
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
#35
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
#36
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
#37
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
#38
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
#39
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
#40
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
#41
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
#42
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
#43
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
#44
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
#45
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
#46
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
#47
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
#48
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
#49
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
#50
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....
