If you are particularly invested in Chinese Bromances, which are obviously a rustic method of portraying same sex relationships under the guise of brotherhood or blossom friendships, then today’s listing will help you satiate your cravings. 2023/2024 had some big releases springing surprise on audiences who weren’t expecting such seasoned (unhindered) romances. We have plucked some of the best bromances to stage an entrance on the international platform (despite the dreaded Chinese censorship).

Mysterious Lotus Casebook

One of the earliest releases last year, which actually stormed the castle and let loose a bevy of bromances, “Mysterious Lotus Casebook” was indeed my favorite. Starring Cheng Yi, Joseph Zeng, Xiao Shun Yao in the lead roles, the drama showcased a close budding love triangle (of sorts, because obviously it is bromance, it has to be obscured). Cheng Yi’s character Li Lian Hua was the epicenter of this love triangle with Di Feisheng (Xiao Shun Yao) and Fan Duobing (Joseph Zeng) vying for his affections. Joseph Zeng already made his name in Chinese fandom, acting in the Lost Tomb adaptation “Ultimate Note”. Bromance comes easily to him and as such, Duobing’s funky relationship with Lian Hua was a joy to watch. In contrast, Feisheng and Lian Hua had a more mature, somber relationship.

Tiger & Crane

Following into the footsteps of “Mysterious Lotus Casebook”, “Tiger & Crane” had a strong scripted bromance between Jiang Long and Zhang Ling He who portrayed the characters, Hu Zi (Tiger) and Qi Xiao Xuan [Qian/Yan]. If you are still awaiting Zhang Ling He’s BL adaptation “Eternal Faith” (which might never see the daylight), then you should definitely stick to watching this one instead. Hu Zi is the son of the dreaded Tiger Demon; while Xiao Xuan suffers from the Twin Primordial Spirit Curse; by definition, they should be enemies and yet Qian could never bring himself to hurt Hu Zi. Jiang Long and Zhang Ling He had a phenomenal chemistry; which has bankrolled Jiang Long’s currently on-air bromance “Link Click”.

White Cat Legend

One of the most anticipated releases in 2024, I was awestruck by the natural chemistry between main leads, Ding Yu Xi (Li Bing) and Chen Zhi (Zhou Qi). We can call this a love triangle if we add Wei Zhe Ming (Qiu Qin Zhi) to the mix. While Li Bing & Chen Shi have a sweet, endearing relationship, Li Bing and Qiu Qin Zhi, they have a long-standing history which stretches from childhood friendship to becoming adversaries in adulthood. Ding Yu Xi has an undeniable chemistry with both Zhou Qi & Wei Zhe Ming, but my personal favorite were Li Bing and Chen Shi. Being hurt by his father’s sudden death, Li Bing had given up on trusting anyone and yet Chen Shi managed to draw him out of his shell.

Live Surgery Room

This was a surprise entrant on the bromance block; I didn’t hear much about this show until my friends on X started talking about it feverishly. The low key promotions for this show can be attributed to the strong favored bromance between Zheng Ren (Vin Zhang) and Su Yun (Dai Xu). An antisocial character, Zheng Ren doesn’t like to associate himself with anyone; his sole purpose in life is to better his intervention skills. Imagine his shock, when the lazy yet genius doctor Su Yun crash lands into his spectrum, turning his life upside down. He has no idea of how to handle the wayward doctor who sticks to him like a koala bear. However, in due course of time, they grow closer and become each other’s strongest supporters.

The Spirealm

One of the biggest hits in 2024, IQIYI dropped all 78 episodes of this adaptation on 2nd February, 2024. Citing censorship, the episodes were then removed from the platform, but netizens had already downloaded all episodes which began circulating illegally on various streaming platforms. The show catapulted the lead actors into stardom, especially Huang Jun Jie who isn’t new to the bromance scene (having acted in Reunion: The Sound of the Providence Season 1 & 2). As such, the 78 episodes were revamped into 38 episodes package deal which was simultaneously released on Viu & Viki. Adapted from the web novel “Kaleidoscope of Death” (死亡万花筒) by Xi Zi Xu (西子绪), the show stars Huang Jun Jie as Ling Jiu Shi, who finds himself inexplicably thrust inside a mind-bending virtual reality game and meets Ruan Lan Zhu (Xia Zhi Guang) who inevitably becomes his confidant and protector. The show’s popularity can be solely attributed to the natural chemistry between the lead actors.

Running like a Shooting Star

Another surprise bromance that was dropped right off the bat, with IQIYI releasing all episodes on the same day, without much fanfare. The show stars Gan Wang Xing as Qi Tian, a sprinting prodigy with “golden ankles”, gave up sprinting for various reasons but returned to the track after entering Xinghe University under the guidance of his senior, Xue Yi Ran (Jin Xiao). Yi Ran has his own set of problems which he masks well while training Qi Tian and turning him into a world-class athlete. Both actors have a favorable chemistry, so give it a watch!

Insect Detective 2

Frankly, I haven’t watched Season One and it supposedly stars main lead Gala Zhang (Tan Jin Tian) in a bromance with Ma Ke (Wen Bai). Season Two pairs Gala Zhang with Chai Vorarit (Bie Thassapak Hsu) instead, since this is an inter-country bromance. The show focuses on the unhindered chemistry between Vorarit, the Police Sheriff in Thailand Police Department and Jin Tian, our exchange student who follows his lover, Jin Ling (Jin Ling). It is obviously a joke, because Jin Tian spends far too much time with Vorarit than his girlfriend. I really loved the pairing and even Jin Ling is convinced that Vorarit has a special liking for Jin Tian.

We will be listing more bromances as more gems make it to international preview!