Even 'Chasing Jade' and 'Midnight Return' Lost! Tian Xiwēi's Top 10 Highest-Rated Chinese Dramas Crowned by This One: Surpassing 'New Life Begins' with 8.2 Points, It's a Shame If You Haven't Watched

The campus C-drama 'My Brilliant Friend,' starring Tian Xiwēi and Hu Yitian, has sparked discussions since its premiere. Tian plays Lin Zhixia, a genius girl who struggles with social interactions, prompting audiences to revisit her past acclaimed works. From her breakout role in 'So Cute Us' and her popular representative work 'New Life Begins' to her challenging portrayal of a policewoman in 'Low IQ Crime,' Tian Xiwēi has continuously experimented with various genres including campus, historical, urban, and suspense dramas. This article compiles all her released dramas and ranks them from lowest to highest based on publicly available ratings as of August 3, 2026. For works with identical scores, the number of raters is used as a tiebreaker, resulting in the selection of Tian Xiwēi's Top 10 highest-rated Chinese dramas. See if the champion aligns with your personal favorite.

Tian Xiwēi's Highest-Rated Douban C-Drama No. 10: Lin'an in 'The Watcher Season 1' | Douban Rating: 5.6 points

'The Watcher' blends elements of time travel, detective work, comedy, and fantasy. Wang Hedi plays Xu Qi'an, a modern man who time-travels into the story, while Tian Xiwēi portrays Lin'an, the second princess of the Dafeng Kingdom. Lin'an appears delicate and innocent but gradually sheds her spoiled royal demeanor after meeting Xu Qi'an, becoming one of the drama's prominent romantic figures.

The overall reception of the series is controversial. Some viewers criticize the comedic performances as overly exaggerated, and feel that the detective plots and main storyline are diluted by subplots. However, Lin'an is one of the few characters who gained a loyal fanbase. Netizens described her as someone who 'cries and causes trouble but is so sweet you can't get angry,' praising Tian Xiwēi's appearance as perfectly matching the princess role.

Tian Xiwēi's Highest-Rated Douban C-Drama No. 10: Lin'an in 'The Watcher Season 1' | Douban Rating: 5.6 points (Image: Sourced from Weibo)

Tian Xiwēi's Highest-Rated Douban C-Drama No. 9: Li Tian in 'My Neighbor Is Growing Up' | Douban Rating: 6.2 points

'My Neighbor Is Growing Up' is an urban romance centered on childhood sweethearts with an age-gap relationship, depicting Lin Yang's reunion with Lu Zheng'an, who is seven years younger, and their rekindled feelings. Tian Xiwēi plays Li Tian, Lin Yang's new assistant and also Lu Zheng'an's admirer. Li Tian is beautiful, willful, bold in love, and creates numerous conflicts between the main couple.

Li Tian is not a likable supporting character. Despite knowing Lu Zheng'an has feelings for someone else, she acts impulsively out of jealousy, making viewers both love and hate her. One netizen commented, 'Li Tian is adorable when silent, but infuriating when she stirs up trouble.' Tian Xiwēi's youthful charm stood out, giving this otherwise 'obstacle' character a memorable presence.

Tian Xiwēi's Highest-Rated Douban C-Drama No. 8: Wu Zhen in 'Midnight Return' | Douban Rating: 6.3 points

'Midnight Return' is a fantasy drama combining historical romance, supernatural anthology elements, and a human-versus-monster conflict. Tian Xiwēi plays Wu Zhen, who by day is a county princess of Chang'an and by night transforms into 'Lord Cat,' the leader of a monster market. She falls in love with Mei Zhuyu, a demon hunter played by Xu Kai, without knowing each other's true identities, forming a dangerous romance between opposing sides.

Audiences praised the drama for its appealing characters, costumes, and supernatural atmosphere, noting that the anthology stories and main plotline about identity were naturally connected. Wu Zhen possesses both the brilliance and boldness of a princess and the laziness and danger of a cat demon. Tian Xiwēi's scene mimicking a cat stretching was described by netizens as 'sexy but not vulgar.'

Tian Xiwēi's Highest-Rated Douban C-Drama No. 8: Wu Zhen in 'Midnight Return' | Douban Rating: 6.3 points (Image: Sourced from Weibo)

Tian Xiwēi's Highest-Rated Douban C-Drama No. 7: He Zhinan in 'Half-Baked Men and Women' | Douban Rating: 6.3 points

'Half-Baked Men and Women' explores the complex relationships among urban dwellers navigating love, money, and social class. Tian Xiwēi plays He Zhinan, who appears innocent and fragile but secretly hopes to change her life through love. She can't let go of her stable boyfriend Gao Peng, yet is drawn to Qu Yipeng, who better matches her ideal, causing her to vacillate between two relationships.

He Zhinan is selfish, vain, and easily consumed by emotions, with her flaws laid bare, sparking intense controversy. Some netizens called it the 'most morally outrageous urban drama' they'd seen that year, while others said 'none of the characters are good people.' While He Zhinan angers viewers, she also reveals human traits like greed, weakness, and self-deception.

Tian Xiwēi's Highest-Rated Douban C-Drama No. 6: You Qian in 'Zhang Weiguo's Summer' | Douban Rating: 6.4 points

'Zhang Weiguo's Summer,' led by Huang Lei and Liu Yijun, focuses on the life struggles of middle-aged people balancing family, work, and social face. Tian Xiwēi plays You Qian, a low-profile actress. Though her screen time is limited, her character provides a generational and lifestyle contrast to the middle-aged leads.

You Qian's role is more of a cameo, and audience discussions mostly center on her character function and limited appearances. Some netizens believe the discomfort caused by the character 'is due to the character design,' while others expressed in bullet comments that they hoped Tian Xiwēi would play the daughter of the main character, indicating that her youthful aura was more accepted than the original romantic subplot.

Tian Xiwēi's Highest-Rated Douban C-Drama No. 6: You Qian in 'Zhang Weiguo's Summer' | Douban Rating: 6.4 points (Image: Sourced from Weibo)

Tian Xiwēi's Highest-Rated Douban C-Drama No. 5: Fan Changyu in 'Chasing Jade' | Douban Rating: 6.4 points

'Chasing Jade,' adapted from the novel of the same name, features Tian Xiwēi as Fan Changyu, daughter of a butcher. After her parents' death, she takes over the family's livelihood, marries the fallen marquis Xie Zheng, and later evolves from a commoner to a battlefield commander, becoming a capable female general. The character combines multiple traits: super strength, business acumen, family support, and combat.

Audience reactions to 'Chasing Jade' are highly polarized. Fans praise Tian Xiwēi for portraying a 'strong girl who is both cute and powerful,' and find her on-screen chemistry with Zhang Linghe visually pleasing. Critics argue the plot, sets, and filters lack the gritty feel of a chaotic era, bluntly stating 'the only thing worth watching is the cast's faces,' making the leads' visuals the most consistent highlight.

Tian Xiwēi's Highest-Rated Douban C-Drama No. 5: Fan Changyu in 'Chasing Jade' | Douban Rating: 6.4 points (Image: Sourced from Weibo)

Tian Xiwēi's Highest-Rated Douban C-Drama No. 4: Lian Man'er in 'Till the Fields Be Tilled' | Douban Rating: 6.6 points

'Till the Fields Be Tilled' combines game mechanics, time travel, and ancient rural life. Tian Xiwēi plays Lian Man'er, a modern girl who accidentally enters a game world. She must earn enough money within a time limit, teaming up with Shen Nuo, played by Zeng Shunxi, to deal with troublesome relatives, grow crops, run businesses, and gradually uncover Shen Nuo's identity.

After its premiere, netizens praised the 'game + farming' setup as innovative, especially enjoying scenes where Lian Man'er fakes illness to escape marriage and outsmarts her relatives. Viewers found Tian Xiwēi's performance lively and spirited. Both she and Zeng Shunxi have large eyes, leading audiences to jokingly call them 'two big-eyed ghosts,' and their playful, adversarial chemistry boosted the drama's popularity.

Tian Xiwēi's Highest-Rated Douban C-Drama No. 3: Li Wei in 'New Life Begins' | Douban Rating: 7.2 points

'New Life Begins' is a historical ensemble light comedy set against a system of inter-tribal marriages among the Nine Provinces. Tian Xiwēi plays Li Wei from Jichuan. Originally hoping to fail the selection and return home, she accidentally marries Yin Zheng, the sixth young master of Xinchuan, played by Bai Jingting. Their relationship evolves from cautious testing to a partnership, and Li Wei grows from a food-loving, risk-averse girl into a capable lady managing a household and business.

Li Wei's kind, optimistic, and food-loving personality allowed Tian Xiwēi's 'sweet girl' traits to break through to a wider audience. Netizens said, 'Li Wei is so sweet—I'll never resist a sweet girl again,' and praised the chemistry between Yin Zheng and Li Wei as 'perfectly matched.' Their natural, relaxed interactions were a key reason for the drama's rising popularity.

Tian Xiwēi's Highest-Rated Douban C-Drama No. 3: Li Wei in 'New Life Begins' | Douban Rating: 7.2 points (Image: Sourced from Weibo)

Tian Xiwēi's Highest-Rated Douban C-Drama No. 2: Huang Chengzi in 'So Cute Us' | Douban Rating: 8.1 points

'So Cute Us' is set in the late 1990s in the Shude faculty residential compound in Beijing, depicting the coming-of-age story of five childhood friends from high school to adulthood. Tian Xiwēi plays Huang Chengzi, who is cheerful, straightforward, and a bit clumsy. She gradually realizes her hidden feelings for Tan Song, played by Li Mingde, evolving from a bickering neighbor to a romantic partner.

Huang Chengzi is considered by many viewers as Tian Xiwēi's most representative role. Netizens called her the 'cutest heroine of 2020,' describing her as carefree, sincere, and spirited, showing undeniable dependence on Tan Song. Unlike typical idol drama heroines who force humor, she resembles a real, lively girl many had in school.

Tian Xiwēi's Highest-Rated Douban C-Drama No. 1: Li Qian in 'Low IQ Crime' | Douban Rating: 8.2 points

'Low IQ Crime,' adapted from Zijin Chen's novel of the same name, is a suspense comedy wrapped in black humor, depicting a series of absurd criminal cases. Tian Xiwēi plays Li Qian, a rookie policewoman, alongside actors Wang Xiao and Wang Chuanjun. She sheds her glamorous historical costumes and sweet-girl image, portraying the character's youthfulness, passion, and resilience through police uniforms, minimal makeup, and sharp movements.

Tian Xiwēi's transformation sparked mixed reactions. Supporters believe she finally broke free from her past performance style. One viewer said, 'When playing a tough policewoman, not a trace of the sweet girl remains.' Li Qian is like a taut string among the absurd characters, her serious crime-solving demeanor contrasting with the chaos around her, making this policewoman role one of the most distinctive attempts in her acting career.

Tian Xiwēi's Highest-Rated Douban C-Drama No. 1: Li Qian in 'Low IQ Crime' | Douban Rating: 8.2 points (Image: Sourced from Weibo)