Best tv shows like Awakening of Insects
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Set during the Japanese occupation of Shanghai in 1941, the drama follows Chen Shan who was forced to be a Japanese spy to save his younger sister who was held in captive; and his journey to become a patriotic fighter.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 15
Genere: Drama, History, Mystery, Romance, Thriller, War
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, suspense, disturbing
Best tv shows and movies like Awakening of Insects (2019):
Similar in 85%
Inspiring Generation (2014)
Plot Summary:
Based in the 1930's of Shanghai, China, this drama is a story about love, friendship, patriotism and desire. Shin Jung Tae (Kim Hyun Joong) is an outrageous and clumsy man, but has an unconditional love for his country and family. He was known as the best fighter in the alleys of Shanghai.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 252
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: psychological, tense, captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 85%
Autumn Cicada (2020)
Plot Summary:
The story of the show sets in the war period of modern China and mainly focuses on a spy of CPC called Ye Chong who was using the spy code Cicada of Autumn.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 26
Genere: Drama, History, Mystery, Thriller, War
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 82%
Vikings: Athelstan's Journal (2015)
Plot Summary:
Viking culture is seen from a first-hand experience through Athelstan's perspective. Athelstan reflects his inner thoughts on the ways of the Northmen including all their customs, values, and morals. Watch the young priest struggle with an emotional and psychological turmoil as he balances his faith in both God and Odin, revels in bloodshed then is haunted by memories of combat, and then recognizes the personalities of his barbarian family and understands that they, though pagan, are human beings.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Drama, History, War
Country: Canada
Duration: 4 min
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 79%
Cross the Yalu River (2020)
Plot Summary:
TV mini-series telling the PRC's official narrative of its involvement in the Korean War (1950-1953). It's one of several films produced in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) (founded in July 1921).
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 25
Genere: Drama
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: tense, captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 80%
Mao Zedong 1949 (2019)
Plot Summary:
The film is set in 1949, as the members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China prepare to establish a new Chinese state, the People's Republic of China.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 506
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Thriller, War
Country: China
Duration: 140 min
Plot tags: captivating, political, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 90%
Once Upon a Time in Qingdao (2014)
Plot Summary:
The series follows the lives of three brothers as they struggle through the turbulent political period before the war. They become part of the first-generation immigrant entrepreneurial path in Qingdao. The story began in 1904 when the Jinan Railway opened and ends with the outbreak of war in 1937.
IMDB Rating: 5.0
IMDB Votes: 8
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 88%
Designation Forever (2011)
Plot Summary:
Li Chishui is a Militia Captain. In an unexpected delaying action, he goes to the front line and becomes the captain of the battalion in his county. In order to be a good captain, Li Chishui tries everything from enhancing trainings to recruiting new members. Thanks to his efforts, his battalion gradually develops. When Japanese army sweeps the Northern China area, Li Chishui's battalion is assigned to delay an elite troop of over 30,000 Japanese soldiers at all costs so that the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army will have time to transfer. Before he accepts this essential task, Li Chishui makes a request: he wants an official designation for his battalion. After making this request, Li Chishui leads his battalion to the front, devoting their lives to this task. The battalion sticks to the battlefield for several days until they all have nothing to fight with and die in the battle. One month later, the CPC cadre who assigns this task to Li Chishui's battalion returns to this battlefield. Facing the tombs of all the soldiers, he fulfills his promise to Li Chishui and grants Li Chishui's battalion a designation. He says, "They defend the dignity of The Eighth Route Army with their lives. Today, I award them this designation which will last forever! For China, we will fight any enemy until we drain every drop of our blood.".
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 19
Genere: War
Country: China
Duration: 47 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 84%
Valley of Tears (2020)
Plot Summary:
On October 6th 1973, the Middle East was shaken by the biggest war it had ever seen. A war that should have been the last one, and that forever changed the region.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama, War
Country: Israel
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 88%
The Wind Blows From Longxi (2022)
Plot Summary:
The year is 228 of the Common Era, and China is divided into Three Kingdoms, which find themselves at odds with each other. A seemingly decisive battle has just taken place, with the Shu army clashing with the Wei. But military leaders in the state of Shu believe that the battle’s result was swayed by a campaign of misinformation – with faulty information leading to a critical misjudgment. They believe that this was all masterminded by Chen Gong (Chen Kun), a powerful spy believed to be located somewhere in Wei lands. “The Wind Blows from Longxi” is a 2022 Chinese drama series that was directed by Lu Yang.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 100
Genere: Drama, History, Mystery
Country: China
Duration: 46 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 84%
Kangxi Dynasty (2001)
Plot Summary:
Kangxi Dynasty is a 2001 Chinese television series based on the novel Kangxi Da Di by Eryue He. The series is a prequel to the 1997 television series Yongzheng Dynasty, and was followed by Qianlong Dynasty in 2002.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 284
Genere: Drama, History
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: captivating, suspense, disturbing, costume drama
Similar in 90%
Judge of Song Dynasty (2005)
Plot Summary:
Stories of a judge who lives in the Song Dynasty of China and familiar with forensic pathology.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 62
Genere: Drama, History, Mystery
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 84%
Honour of the Gods (2001)
Plot Summary:
Nar Jar was a 'Fire Master' in his previous life, but was killed by Lee Ching. After reincarnation, he ironically becomes Ching's third son. But he is very much affected by his old memories and cannot forgive his father. Ching also keeps his distance from him because of his exotic nature and eventually sends him away with excuses. Luckily, he is saved by some kind people and becomes a General when he is still a teenager. Meanwhile, the Shang Dynasty emperor Zhou abandons his empire for his mistress Tangie and puts the empire in jeopardy. With help from his friends and family, Nar Jar fights against Zhou's army, but the cunning Tangie plays a trick on Nar Jar that forces him to face his father in combat. Between father and son, who will win this great battle?.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 136
Genere: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, History, Romance
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 80%
The Legend of Zu (2015)
Plot Summary:
He was the chosen one. Lu Pao is a dangerous swordsman who is out to get his hands on the powerful Red Ghost Stone. The Sushan School, China’s most famous and influential martial arts school, is the guardian of the stone and protector of the world. The school’s headmaster puts the precious Red Ghost Stone into the body of the talented young swordsman Ding Yin in order to keep it from falling into Lu Pao’s hands. Ding Yin enters the Sushan School to train to become the best swordsman in the world and vows to keep the world safe from the evil doings of Lu Pao. But then Ding Yin meets Lu Pao’s daughter, Yu Wu Xing, who looks just like his dead wife. When Ding Yin falls in love with Wu Xing, will he be able to carry out his mission?.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 55
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: tense, captivating, suspense, disturbing, xianxia
Similar in 90%
My Beautiful Bride (2015)
Plot Summary:
This drama is about a husband, Kim Do Hyung who desperately searches for his wife, Yoon Joo Young who suddenly disappears. Meanwhile, Cha Yoon Mi is the detective on the case who helps him along the way.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 101
Genere: Drama, Mystery, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: tense, captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 87%
The Glorious Era (2019)
Plot Summary:
Set in the period before and after the founding of PRC, it is a story that follows the first generation of People's Public Security. CCP undercover agent, Zheng Chao Yang, engages in a battle of wits and will against KMT operatives. Before the battle of Liaoshen, Communist operative CCP undercover agent, Zheng Chao Yang (Zhang Yi), infiltrates and lurks in the Peiping police station. Zheng Chao Yang's identity is discovered by a traitor, forcing him to evacuate the police station immediately. In his escape, he is able to take with him a secret list of KMT spies that can deal a detrimental blow to the KMT. After the liberation of Peiping, Zheng Chao Yang returns to the city. However, waiting for him is a new battlefield. The KMT has dispatched a team of elite spies operating under the codename "Tao Yuan". Tao Yuan is led by the elite spy codenamed "Phoenix" and who is actually Chao Yang's older brother, Zheng Chao Shan (Huang Zhizhong), who is a famous doctor.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 9
Genere: Drama
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 88%
The Orphan of Zhao (2013)
Plot Summary:
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IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 15
Genere: Drama, History
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: tense, captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 76%
Princess Agents (2017)
Plot Summary:
During the Warring Period, the Western Wei enslaved large numbers of civilians. The slave girl, Chu Qiao, is thrown into a forest along with other slaves and becomes the next hunting target for the rich lords. She is saved by the Prince of Northern Wei, Yan Xun. Afterwards, she is brought into a powerful family of Yuwen and witnesses their bloody power struggle. Seeing this, she swears to take her younger sister and flee from the situation. However, she catches the attention of Yuwen Yue, and undergoes strict training while building a sense of companionship with Yan Xun. Unfortunately, Western Wei goes into battle and Yan Xun’s family is slaughtered. After that incident, Yan Xun grows ambitious and cruel to avenge for the things and the people he lost. He doubts Chu Qiao and takes advantages of her loyalty and love many times, disregarding their relationship as well as the sacrifices he will have to make for power. Disappointed with the man she once loved, Chu Qiao eventually breaks off her relationship with Yan Xun and chooses to fight with Yuwen Yue, destroying Yan Xun’s plans of vengeance. She eventually convinces Yuwen to free the country from slavery, becoming a successful military strategist/female general in the people’s hearts.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance, War
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: disturbing, suspense, captivating, suspenseful
Similar in 88%
New World (2020)
Plot Summary:
Set in the city of Beiping during the 22 days before the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 is a story about the drastic changes in the lives of three brothers Jin Hai, Tie Lin, and Xu Tian as well as a romance between Xu Tian and Tian Dan. In investigating the murder that claimed the life of his fiancee, policeman Xu Tian starts on a trail that will eventually lead to his involvement in the liberation of Beiping. Jin Hai, Tie Lin, and Xu Tian are three friends who are as close as brothers. In the face of historic changes and conflicting beliefs, they make choices that take them on diverging paths. Xu Tian and communist member Tian Dan meet during their lowest moments and find a common goal that brings them together.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 45
Genere: Drama
Country: China
Duration: 40 min
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 80%
The Disguiser (2015)
Plot Summary:
Set in the Japanese occupation era, the rich yet naive young master Ming Tai is trained to become an agent, and is later sent to become an underground spy for the Communists. Together with his brother and double agent Ming Lou, they try and bring down Wang Wei's Kuomintang Secret Service Headquarters.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 448
Genere: Action, Drama, History, Thriller
Country: China
Duration: 40 min
Plot tags: exciting, captivating, psychological, tense, suspense
Similar in 88%
Sparrow (2016)
Plot Summary:
This drama is set during the revolutionary time in Shanghai, based on a novel of the same name of Hai Fei. During the republican revolution, Chen Shen is a secret agent under Special Operations Executive Director Bi Zhongliang, among the agents called “sparrow” (similar to the program “zero” in Japan).
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 55
Genere: Drama, Romance, War
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: sentimental, captivating, factual
Similar in 80%
The Message (2009)
Plot Summary:
1942, Nanjing (Nanking). Following a series of assassination attempts on officials of the Japanese-controlled puppet government, the Japanese spy chief gathers a group of suspects in a mansion house for questioning. A tense game of "cat and mouse" ensues as the Chinese code-breaker attempts to send out a crucial message while protecting his/her own identity.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller, War
Country: China
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: suspense, captivating, realistic, tense, psychological, controversial, serious, suspenseful, stylized
Similar in 78%
Richard Sorge. Master Spy (2019)
Plot Summary:
A film about the life and work of the Soviet intelligence officer Richard Sorge in Japan on the eve of and during the Second World War in Japan. Working as a correspondent for an influential German newspaper in Tokyo, he had access to the most valuable information in German diplomatic circles. His brilliant ability to communicate with people made it possible to obtain secret military information.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 73
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Mystery, War
Country: Russia, Ukraine, China
Duration:
Plot tags: captivating, exciting, realistic, factual, suspense, atmospheric
Similar in 82%
Alyosha (2020)
Plot Summary:
Summer 1944. The Second World War rages. On one side, elite German soldiers serving in the most dangerous and cruel army the world has ever seen. On the other, Russian partisans-fatigued, wounded and hungry, they have almost forgotten the warmth of home. But they do remember one thing: their country is behind them, and they cannot give up. The story is about machine gunner Yefrem Zhavoronok and Alyosha, a young boy. Alyosha is only sixteen, and Yefrem knows that he must look after him like his own. In war, everyone's children, mothers, wives and brothers are your family.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 19
Genere: Drama, War
Country: Russia
Duration:
Plot tags: tense, captivating, suspense
Similar in 81%
A Touch of Green (2015)
Plot Summary:
The drama tells the story of air force pilots and their families from 1945 to 1971. As the husbands embarked on patriotic missions to fight against the enemies, their families must content with horror of wars, mass emigration to distant land, and death of love ones. Their shared experience brought the military families together to support one another.
IMDB Rating: 8.4
IMDB Votes: 428
Genere: Drama, War
Country: Taiwan
Duration:
Plot tags: captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 86%
Resistance (2014)
Plot Summary:
Paris. 1940. Lili is 17 years old. In occupied France, she encounters war before love, and joins the Resistance. Through the interconnecting destinies of its teenage heroes, Resistance tells the story of young people going to any lengths to defend their country.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 455
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: France
Duration: 52 min
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 87%
Legend of the Patriots (2010)
Plot Summary:
Legend of the Patriots is a remake of the 1975 South Korean drama Comrades. Its production was spawned to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War. The story centers around the lives of eleven Korean soldiers fighting in the Korean War. Director Kim Sang-hwi remarked that the series is not about the ideologies of South and North Korea, but rather focuses on the struggles of ordinary people who lived through the war.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 58
Genere: History, War
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: tense, captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 79%
Feng Shui (2018)
Plot Summary:
Park Jae-sang was a royal geomancer, who helps people designate propitious site for houses, store and even graves under the belief that a grave in a good site will bring future fortune for descendants. But he loses his family because he exposed a conspiracy about crown Prince's grave site. Park Jae-sang plans to make a revenge of his family and learns that there is a much bigger conspiracy about propitious grave site; the place that would make grave owner's son the King of Joseon.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 358
Genere: Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration: 133 min
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 90%
The Imperial Age (2022)
Plot Summary:
The epic saga of Zhu Di's life, conquests, and, the rebellion to usurp the throne of the Ming Empire from his imperial nephew.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 33
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: political, captivating, disturbing, suspense
Similar in 79%
Vilangu (2022)
Plot Summary:
Paridhi, a cop undergoing a stressful personal situation, must solve a mysterious murder case that has put the police department on its toes.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: India
Duration: 40 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, suspense, suspenseful, disturbing
Similar in 77%
Medical Examiner Dr. Qin (2016)
Plot Summary:
Medical examiner Qin Ming, together with his assistant and a police detective, solves crimes with his expertise.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 170
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: China
Duration: 33 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, suspense, disturbing, dorama