Wallace Huo and Zhao Liying's 'Huā Qiān Gǔ' Ranks 10th! Top 10 Forbidden Love Couples in Chinese Dramas, No.1 Couple Sends Shivers with Just a Glance

In recent years, Chinese dramas have seen a surge in 'forbidden romance' themes, from master-disciple love, pseudo-siblings, and cousins, to uncle-niece, human-monster divides— the more impossible the relationship, the more audiences are captivated by the suppressed, restrained emotions. This article compiles the top 10 most forbidden-feeling couples in Chinese dramas, based on high-frequency mentions from Weibo, Douban, and drama forums. This ranking is not an official platform poll; positions are determined by character roles, emotional barriers, online discussion热度, and on-screen chemistry.

Top 10 Forbidden Drama Couples: Wallace Huo & Zhao Liying in 'Huā Qiān Gǔ'

In 'Huā Qiān Gǔ', Wallace Huo plays Bai Zihua, the revered immortal of Changliu Sect, while Zhao Liying portrays Hua Qian Gu, his disciple. Bai Zihua must protect the mortal world and uphold sect rules, yet Hua Qian Gu falls in love with her master through daily companionship. Their love is suppressed by master-disciple ethics and immortal sect regulations. Though Bai Zihua is clearly moved, he hides his feelings through punishment, distance, and silence— gradually pushing Hua Qian Gu toward despair and eventual dark transformation.

Netizens hail this pair as 'the most authoritative master-disciple romance in Chinese entertainment, no exceptions.' Wallace Huo is praised for his layered portrayal of Bai Zihua’s restraint and inner struggle, while Zhao Liying convincingly depicts Hua Qian Gu’s evolution from dependence and admiration to complete heartbreak. Fans describe their love as 'subtle, restrained, and repressed,' with emotions conveyed through unspoken lines and the physical distance they maintain.

Top 9: Xiao Zhan & Ren Min in 'Jade Bone: Faraway'

In 'Jade Bone: Faraway', Xiao Zhan plays Shi Ying, the Grand Priest of Jiuyi Mountain, while Ren Min plays Zhu Yan, the princess of the Chi Clan. They first meet as children, forming a bond. Zhu Yan later becomes Shi Ying’s disciple, and as they train in magic and protect Xiang Sang, feelings grow. However, their master-disciple status, Shi Ying’s national responsibilities, and a prophecy that Zhu Yan may become his 'fated calamity' create a dangerous sense of inaccessibility.

Reactions to this couple are polarized. Supporters praise the destined progression from misunderstanding to mutual protection, calling 'Ying-Yan' the most addictive pairing. Critics argue there's 'no real forbidden chemistry,' and their relationship feels more like siblings. Due to the stark divide in opinions, despite strong setup, their on-screen tension ranks ninth.

Top 8: Ren Jialun & Bai Lu in 'Zhou Sheng Ru Gu'

In 'Zhou Sheng Ru Gu', Ren Jialun plays Zhou Shengchen, the meritorious Prince of Nan Chen, while Bai Lu plays Cui Shiyi, daughter of the noble Cui family. Cui Shiyi is betrothed to the crown prince from childhood and later becomes Zhou Shengchen’s disciple. Zhou Shengchen has vowed never to marry or have children. Though both know their feelings, they are bound by master-disciple status, royal engagement, and national duty— never confessing their love, even as Zhou Shengchen is betrayed and Cui Shiyi jumps to her death in loyalty.

Fans describe this as a 'mutually hidden, intensely ambiguous forbidden love,' where emotions remain strictly within the bounds of propriety. Zhou Shengchen repeatedly reaches out, then pulls back; Cui Shiyi can only express longing through glances and waiting. Many viewers believe that precisely because there is almost no direct confession, every glance between them feels more painful.

Top 7: Zhang Wanyi & Yang Zi in 'Longing Everlasting'

In 'Longing Everlasting', Yang Zi plays Xiao Yao, the lost princess of Haoling, while Zhang Wanyi plays her cousin, Qing Xuan. They relied on each other as children and reunite to face political struggles. Qing Xuan protects Xiao Yao as an elder brother, yet harbors a possessiveness that exceeds familial love— forced to watch her love other men, burying his feelings beneath power, duty, and obsession.

Fans say Zhang Wanyi 'perfectly captures Qing Xuan’s bone-kin obsession with a touch of madness.' His gaze at Xiao Yao is both brotherly and that of a lover unable to confess. Others argue Qing Xuan has always loved only Xiao Yao, but his feelings are layered beneath familial duty and imperial ambition— only fully revealed after her loss.

Top 6: Wang Hedi & Chen Yuqi in 'Floating Journey'

In 'Floating Journey', Wang Hedi plays Xiao Duo, the powerful head of the Zhaoding Office, while Chen Yuqi plays Bu Yinlou, a concubine destined to die with the late emperor. Xiao Duo is a fake eunuch seeking revenge, and Bu Yinlou is under imperial control. Their love defies imperial authority, palace rules, and social hierarchy. They can only hide their feelings in teasing and jokes— any closeness risks death.

Fans describe their romance as 'intensely tense and highly addictive,' a dangerous, mutual redemption as they evolve from not understanding love to defying fate for each other. Some viewers criticize the actors for 'failing to convey certain ambiguities,' arguing that the script’s setup is stronger than the actual chemistry, placing them mid-rank.

Top 5: Song Weilong & Tan Songyun in 'Go Ahead'

In 'Go Ahead', Tan Songyun plays Li Jianjian, and Song Weilong plays Ling Xiao. Though not blood-related, they grew up together as siblings in the same household, both scarred by their biological families. When Ling Xiao confesses his love as an adult, their solid family bond instantly shifts to romance. Li Jianjian must reevaluate whether her dependence on her 'brother' is familial or romantic.

This relationship sparks strong debate due to its resemblance to real siblings. Some viewers find it sweet that non-blood-related childhood friends become lovers; others say 'even if not real siblings, it still feels uncomfortable.' The more difficult it is for audiences to accept, the more this couple hits the most sensitive nerve of forbidden romance.

Top 4: Ren Jialun & Song Zuer in 'Wu You Du'

In 'Wu You Du', Ren Jialun plays Jiu Xuanye, a demon hunter, and Song Zuer plays Duan Banxia, who has yin-yang eyes and can see demons. Jiu Xuanye appears to hunt demons for the people but is secretly tied to the Xuan Bao demon clan. Duan Banxia gained her demon-sight from childhood trauma. They support each other through supernatural cases, but are driven apart by human-demon identities, past karma, and Jiu Xuanye’s fate.

Many viewers initially thought the pair 'lacked chemistry' from trailers, but changed their minds after watching, saying 'they’re actually perfectly matched.' Ren Jialun’s calm restraint contrasts with Song Zuer’s liveliness. Their journey from mutual suspicion to willing sacrifice sparked strong emotional reactions, with the finale provoking outrage over 'the writer having no heart.'

Top 3: Cheng Yi & Li Yitong in 'Heavenly Sword Heart'

In 'Heavenly Sword Heart', Cheng Yi plays Wangquan Fugui, a weaponized human warrior from the Wangquan family, and Li Yitong plays Qingtong, a spider demon sent to spy. Fugui was raised to kill demons, but Qingtong shows him the outside world and awakens his suppressed humanity. A demon-slayer loving a demon makes them both traitors in human and demon eyes.

Fans call their love 'two bitter souls warming each other.' Fugui’s love isn’t expressed openly but through actions— laying down his sword, holding Qingtong as arrows pierce him. Viewers exclaim, 'Fugui and Qingtong’s romance is unbearably sweet— so addictive!' That a cold warrior defies his entire family for one little spider is the most impactful moment of human-monster forbidden love.

Top 2: Zhang Wanyi & Ren Min in 'Brocade Peace'

In 'Brocade Peace', Zhang Wanyi plays Luo Shenyan, the neglected third son of the Luo family, and Ren Min plays Luo Yining, the returned legitimate daughter. They initially call each other siblings, supporting each other through household conflicts and revenge. Shenyan long suppresses his feelings for Yining, until a truth about their origins allows them to transcend sibling status. The earlier 'unacknowledged, unapproachable' relationship becomes the drama’s biggest highlight.

Supporters call it 'the god of pseudo-sibling romance,' praising the actors’ performances. Zhang Wanyi’s restrained, protective portrayal gives his 'brotherly' gaze a clear possessiveness. Others feel the chemistry is fine, but 'the pseudo-sibling angle lacks flavor,' showing high interest in the setup, but varying perceptions of forbidden tension.

Top 1: Ding Yuxi & Song Qian in 'The Bond of Mountains and Rivers'

In 'The Bond of Mountains and Rivers', Song Qian plays Chu Yu, a general’s daughter, and Ding Yuxi plays Wei Yun, the youngest son of the Wei family. Chu Yu stays in the Wei household as the widow of Wei Yun’s deceased elder brother to investigate her father’s death, making her nominally his sister-in-law. From mutual suspicion, they work together on cases, their feelings crossing the uncle-niece boundary— yet must consider family reputation, etiquette, and the shadow of the dead brother.

What makes this couple most praised is that even a normal eye contact feels like they’re committing a sin. Every glance carries oppressive guilt and forbidden desire, making audiences’ hearts race. This, truly, is the peak of forbidden romance.