Best tv shows like Startling by Each Step
Last updated March 2024
Looking for tv shows similar to Startling by Each Step? Impart your expertise to navigate others toward tv series and films you've already seen that may also captivate them. Help increase the assembly of people bringing up videos amongst one another. We welcome your contribution!
Plot Summary:
Scarlet Heart, also known as Bubu Jingxin, is a Chinese television series based on the novel of the same Chinese title by Tong Hua. Filming for the series started on 6 December 2010 in Shanghai and ended on 22 March 2011. It first aired in China on the Hunan Broadcasting System on 10 September 2011. A sequel, Bubu Jingqing, officially began filming in Tianjin, China, on March 2013.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 592
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: China
Duration: 46 min
Plot tags: exciting, sentimental, sincere, feel good, captivating, melancholic, costume drama, historical drama
Best tv shows and movies like Startling by Each Step (2011):
Similar in 80%
Wind Blows in Chang Lin (Nirvana in Fire II) (2017)
Plot Summary:
40 years have passed after the events of the Nirvana in Fire. Xiao Ting Sheng (father of two young sons, Ping Zhang and Ping Jing) is the Prince of Chang Lin and general of the Great Liang dynasty's army. However, the officials in the imperial palace are corrupt and hate the power of the Chang Lin Army. Also there are powerful enemies from a neighboring kingdom who have old grudges to settle.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 236
Genere: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: political, costume drama
Similar in 79%
Good Bye My Princess (2019)
Plot Summary:
A love story revolves around the 9th Princess of Western Liang as she journeys to the Central Plains to fulfill a marriage alliance with the Crown Prince. Having received overwhelming love and admiration as the 9th Princess, Xiao Feng is forced to leave the life that she has known in order to become the Crown Princess. Her husband, the black-bellied Crown Prince, holds the highest position second only to one, the Emperor. However, the Eastern Palace is the most dangerous place to be. For political reasons, the Prince has no choice but to marry the Princess from a foreign land. He has his own favored concubine while she has her own life. Two parallel lines begin to intersect in a place fraught with danger and deadly power play and buried somewhere deep inside are memories that have yet to resurface.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 276
Genere: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, captivating, stylized, colorful, tear jerker, tearjerker, colourful
Similar in 89%
Palace (2011)
Plot Summary:
Palace, also known as Gong, Gong Suo Xin Yu, and Palace: The Locked Heart Jade, is a Chinese television series produced by Yu Zheng. The series was directed by Lee Wai-chu and starred cast members from mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The series was first broadcast on Hunan TV in China in 2011. It is later followed by Palace 2.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 127
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: costume drama
Similar in 85%
The Virtuous Queen of Han (2014)
Plot Summary:
As a lowly servant's daughter, Wei Zifu does not have many means, yet she is undeniably beautiful and virtuous. When she is later recruited to entertain Princess Pingyang, she immediately captivates the attention of the court, including Emperor Wu Liu Che. Zifu's life soon changes in an unexpected way when she becomes Liu Che's beloved empress, but can Zifu's innocence and purity survive in a high society filled with disingenuous courtiers and intentions?.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 29
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: costume drama
Similar in 87%
The Imperial Doctress (2016)
Plot Summary:
Growing up in a family of physicians, Tan Yun Xian was adored by her grandparents for her intellect, curiosity and medical acumen. Despite the many barriers for female physicians in ancient China, Yun Xian nevertheless proved herself to be a skilled family and female doctor — and ultimately the most famous female doctor of the Ming Dynasty.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 167
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: costume drama, medical drama
Similar in 82%
Go Princess Go (2015)
Plot Summary:
Zhang Peng is a playboy who hits his head as he falls into a pool when he's trying to run away from an ex-girlfriend. He wakes up to find that he's traveled a thousand years into the past but that's not even the biggest problem, he woke up as the crown princess, Zhang Peng Peng, of the dynasty. Hilarity ensues as Peng weighs between trying to get back to his time and leveraging his new female identity to seduce all the concubines and women he can. Did I forget to mention the hot crown prince and his equally handsome brother the 9th prince, who eventually fall in love with her.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 145
Genere: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance
Country: China
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: light, feel good, humorous, sweet, captivating, visually appealing, slapstick comedy, parody, costume drama
Similar in 76%
General and I (2017)
Plot Summary:
Brilliant strategist Bai Ping Ting and prince-general Chu Bei Jie of rival kingdoms find themselves torn between loyalty to the country and their passionate love for each other.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 334
Genere: Drama, History, Romance, War
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: sentimental, romantic, uplifting, touching, sweet, costume drama, soap opera
Similar in 90%
Royal Nirvana (2019)
Plot Summary:
A story that follows a crown prince who faces enemies from all sides and falls in love with a maidservant who wants to kill him. He is a son simply yearning for his father's love but is feared and suppressed due to his position. Despite the conflicts, the Crown Prince is a man willing to sacrifice his life and reputation for his country. Xiao Ding Quan is appointed as the Crown Prince during the fourth year of the King's rule. He solidifies his control in the military through the support of the famous general Gu Si Lin, his uncle from his mother's side. In the political arena, he receives the guidance and advice of the righteous Lu Shi Yu who holds a high position in court.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 138
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: exciting, tense, sentimental, disturbing
Similar in 86%
Shine or Go Crazy (2015)
Plot Summary:
Wang So is the Prince of Goryeo who has a cursed fate. He had to get married with the Last Princess of Balhae, Shin Yool. She was born with the fate of becoming the light for another country. But because of this fate, she has to face death. Through their marriage life, Wang So and Shin Yool begin to grow closer and love each other.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 264
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: captivating, disturbing
Similar in 75%
Legend of Dragon Pearl (2017)
Plot Summary:
The story of the ill-fated romance between Zhu Yi Huan, the last princess of the Ming Dynasty and Kangxi, the young emperor of the Qing Dynasty.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 51
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: China
Duration: 35 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, disturbing, historical drama
Similar in 80%
Legend of Miyue (2015)
Plot Summary:
The story of Mi Yue (Queen Dowager Xuan), the first stateswoman in the history of China. Mi Yue was a young princess who lived in the Kingdom of Chu during the Warring States period. She was sent to Qin as a concubine and part of her sister Mi Shu's dowry, separating her from first love Huang Xie. King Ying Si passes away while his sons are still battling for the throne, and ultimately, Ying Dang comes out as the successor. Mi Yue is banished to Yan with her son Ying Ji. However, Ying Dang suddenly dies, leaving Qin in a state of chaos. Mi Yue enlists the help of the "barbarian" Yiqu army, successfully returning to Qin, suppressing political revolts and instates her son Ying Ji on the throne. Mi Yue goes on to become the first Empress Dowager (Empress Mother) in China’s history.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 399
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: psychological, suspense, sincere, suspenseful, disturbing
Similar in 81%
Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace (2018)
Plot Summary:
The road to becoming an empress is paved with treachery. Ruyi is a consort who quickly learns to navigate the treacherous politics of the the royal court and move up the ranks. After becoming Empress, Ruyi still must survive the many conspiracies against her. Her relationship with Emperor Qianlong becomes eroded even when Ruyi is able to overcome the challenges. Can Ruyi maintain her role as Empress under such difficult circumstances?.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 930
Genere: Drama, History
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: tense, factual, touching, captivating, costume drama
Similar in 89%
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 86%
The King in Love (2017)
Plot Summary:
Set during the Goryeo dynasty, Won, crown prince, has a sweet appearance hiding a lust for conquest. He is best friends with Rin, an elegant man of royal descent and Won's bodyguard. When beautiful San, the sole daughter of the wealthiest man in the nation, enters the lives of the two young men, the three at first become friends but a tragic romance ensues afterwards. Based on the novel of the same name by Kim Yi-Ryung.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 369
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 35 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, romantic, touching, captivating, disturbing, historical drama
Similar in 87%
Investiture of the Gods (2019)
Plot Summary:
This movie can make you drop all what you have to do a whole day to watch it.... It is intriguing and fantastics.... Every episode leaves you wanting more... Watch it and prove me wrong.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 55
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: exciting, captivating, stylized, colorful, xianxia, colourful
Similar in 77%
The Eternal Love (2017)
Plot Summary:
Mo Lian Cheng is the 8th prince of Dongyue who is forced to marry Qu Tan Er who was already in love with Mo Yi Huai (Mo Lian Cheng's elder brother). Qu Tan Er tries to commit suicide one day because she doesn't want to marry Mo Lian Cheng but doesn't succeed. One day, she woke up and another person entered her body, two people in one body but each person has a different personality and actions. Every time one of them tells a lie, they would switch bodies. Although their outer appearance is the same, their souls aren't. Mo Lian Cheng is suspicious at why Qu Tan Er is sometimes so different but soon he falls in love with Xiao Tan, who is not lady like. Xiao Tan who is from the modern world tries all methods so she can go back but so far nothing helps. Can Xiao Tan ever go back to the modern world?.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 450
Genere: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, captivating, semi serious, costume drama, xianxia
Similar in 84%
Joy of Life (2019)
Plot Summary:
Zhang Qing, a present-day college student in culture and history major wants to study in professor Ye's postgraduate class, so he decides to write a historical fiction to elaborate his perspective of analyzing ancient literature history with modern concept. In the fiction, Zhang himself acts as a young man Fan Xian with mysterious life who lives in a remote seaside town of Kingdom Qing in his childhood, under the help of a mysterious mentor and a blindfolded watchman. Fan goes to the capital when he grows up, where he experiences plenty of ordeal and temper. Fan persists in adhering the rule of justice and goodness and lives his own glorious life.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: exciting, costume drama, captivating
Similar in 85%
Legend of Yun Xi (2018)
Plot Summary:
Han Yun Xi is the daughter of an imperial physician who lost her mother when young, but maintains a cheerful and optimistic disposition. Yun Xi is naturally talented in medical science and proficient in traditional medicine, but suffers from the jealousy and avoidance of others. By a stroke of fate, she marries the Duke of Qin, Long Fei Ye, and becomes embroiled in the changing politics of the imperial court. Yun Xirelies on her high-level medical skills, wisdom, far-sighted brain, and compassionate heart to expel the poisons of a great official, get rid of secret agents for the Duke of Qin, eliminate the plague for the common citizens, and cure the crown prince’s strange illness.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 262
Genere: Fantasy, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: costume drama, sentimental, semi serious, visually appealing
Similar in 79%
Oh! My Emperor (2018)
Plot Summary:
Luo Fei Fei, a girl from the 21st century, was transported to a mysterious world of the past -Huang Dao Guo. In the nation of Huang Dao, its leadership is rotated among the 12 constellation owners every thousand years. There, Fei Fei meets the current emperor of the nation, Bei Tang Yi, who is also the owner of the Capricorn constellation.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 594
Genere: Drama, Fantasy
Country: China
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sincere, captivating, disturbing, costume drama
Similar in 85%
Empresses In The Palace (2011)
Plot Summary:
The Legend of Zhen Huan, also known as Hou Gong Zhen Huan Zhuan, is a Chinese television series based on the Internet novel of the same name. It first aired in China on 17 November 2011. It was announced in 2013 that the drama will be exported to the U.S and re-edit into six TV movies and broadcast on mainstream TV channels in the U.S.
IMDB Rating: 8.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: historical drama, costume drama, tense, captivating, dorama
Similar in 81%
Sound of the Desert (2014)
Plot Summary:
Sound of the Desert traces the fate of Xin Yue, a young orphan who was adopted by the nomadic Xiongnu tribe. When political turmoil forces Xin Yue to flee, she finds herself in the company of two very different, but alluring men: Mo Xun, a kind soul, and Wei Wu Ji, a cold general. As Xin Yue travels throughout a vast desert of possibilities, she must ask herself who she loves most in this delicate dance of love.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 163
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: atmospheric, captivating, psychological, emotional, soap opera, costume drama
Similar in 80%
The Glory of Tang Dynasty (2017)
Plot Summary:
It is a adapted from a novel by Cang Min Shui 沧溟水 that tells the life of a woman, intelligent and kind, who becomes a concubine of the inner court while her love for the people enables her to do great things for the country. It's standard palace politics that we've all heard before but also the kind of story that can be so addictively good.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 105
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: captivating, suspense, disturbing, soap opera, costume drama, period drama
Similar in 77%
Story of Yanxi Palace (2018)
Plot Summary:
The smart and witty Wei Yingluo enters the palace as a seamstress to find the truth behind her older sister’s death. Believing the imperial guard Fucha Fuheng to be her sister's killer, Yingluo purposely attracts the attention of his sister the Empress Fucha, and is successfully transferred to Changchun Palace as a maid. Over time, she learns that the Fucha siblings are honest and kind-hearted people, and also develops romantic affections for Fuheng.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: suspenseful, scenic, stylized, costume drama, multicultural, factual
Similar in 80%
Fighter of the Destiny (2017)
Plot Summary:
Chun Chang Sheng was abandoned in a flowing river and plucked up by a Taoist monk. He’s actually the fourth Prince of the Chen’s Royal bloodline. He’s plagued with an incurable illness, fated not to live past the age of 20. To find a cure, he leaves his temple, armed with a promise of marriage scroll, to become a student at a famous academy. He meets Xu You Rong and they slowly fall in love after hopping through the trials and tribulations of his journey.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 186
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: xianxia, exciting, tense, captivating, disturbing, anime, tear jerker, costume drama, historical drama, period drama
Similar in 89%
The Empress Ki (2013)
Plot Summary:
The story of the woman that would become Empress Ki, and her struggles as she worked her way through war, political conspiracies, and the imperial palace to become Empress of China. This Korean Drama re-imagines the historical figure as a fierce, independent woman who goes to extreme lengths to protect those she loves.
IMDB Rating: 8.4
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: suspenseful, romantic, harsh, multicultural, semi serious, captivating, epic, sageuk, political, costume drama
Similar in 80%
Eternal Love (2017)
Plot Summary:
Three hundred years ago, Bai Qian stood on the Zhu Xian Terrace, turned around and jumped off without regret. Ye Hua stood by the bronze mirror to witness with his own eyes her death. Three hundred years later, in the East Sea Dragon Palace, the two meet unexpectedly. Another lifetime another world, after suffering betrayal Bai Qian no longer feels anything, yet she can't seem to comprehend Ye Hua's actions. Three lives three worlds, her and him, are they fated to love again?.
IMDB Rating: 8.4
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: disturbing, romantic, touching, semi serious, dorama, romantic drama, xianxia, exciting
Similar in 88%
Faith (2012)
Plot Summary:
Faith is a 2012 South Korean fusion fantasy-historical-medical television series broadcast by SBS from August 13 to October 30, 2012 on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 for 24 episodes. It is about a modern-day plastic surgeon who gets kidnapped and travels back in time to the Goryeo period, 700 years in the past. There, she meets and falls in love with a warrior who is the leader of the royal guard.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: captivating, suspenseful, romantic, semi serious, dorama, anime, medical drama, period drama
Similar in 86%
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)
Plot Summary:
Scarlet Heart: Ryeo is the remake of Chinese drama Bu Bu Jing Xin that stars IU as a woman who gets time-warped back to the Goryeo dynasty, and becomes involved with a very large family of princes, some of whom are vying for the throne, or her affections, or both.
IMDB Rating: 8.6
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: touching, captivating, romantic, dorama, sageuk, sweet, harsh, gothic, sad, suspenseful
Similar in 88%
Chinese Paladin 3 (2009)
Plot Summary:
Chinese Paladin 3 is a Chinese television series adapted from the video game of the same title, and, because of an added time travel concept allowing the main protagonist from Chinese Paladin to appear in the setting decades before the events of the first, serves as an interquel to both. It was first released on television stations in mainland China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore in 2009. Chinese Paladin 2 was not filmed because the producers felt that the third game had a much stronger story than the second.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 281
Genere: Action, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: exciting, tense, captivating, costume drama, xianxia
Similar in 88%
Eternal Love of Dream (2020)
Plot Summary:
Having been saved by Emperor Dong Hua from a vicious monster attack, Princess of Qingqiu, Bai Fengjiu becomes immensely indebted to him. To repay him, Fengjiu follows Donghua around on his adventures to eliminate evil but unwittingly realizes that her feelings of gratitude towards him has turned to romantic. However, after a hundred thousand years of fighting evil, Donghua has long forgotten the meaning of “love". To protect Fengjiu, Dong Hua sends her to the human world but accidentally causes the death of Fengjiu’s friend. Fengjiu enters the dream of Ah Lan Ruo to search for the fruit that will be able to resurrect her friend. However, Fengjiu ends up getting trapped in the dream. Dong Hua comes to rescue, and realizes he has fallen in love with Fengjiu….
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: sentimental, uplifting, touching, romantic, captivating, disturbing, xianxia