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| Office Comedy 'No Pain No Gain' Breaks Out with Record-Breaking Momentum (Photo: Tencent Video) |
Chinese drama No Pain No Gain (年少有为) is quietly turning into one of Tencent Video’s biggest early-2026 surprises. Since its premiere on 31 January 2026, the office comedy has shown an unusually sharp and steady rise in popularity, quickly earning the title of the fastest-growing new drama on the platform this year. Instead of relying on loud hype or formula-driven romance, the series hooks viewers with a workplace story that feels refreshingly close to real life.
From its very first days on air, No Pain No Gain has delivered consistent growth rather than a one-day spike. Starting at just over 22,000 in popularity on its debut day, the drama climbed day after day, crossing the 25,000 mark by 4 February 2026.
That pace is faster than most dramas released in the same period, and it signals strong word-of-mouth rather than short-term curiosity.
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| Tencent Video/Weibo |
While it has not yet reached Tencent’s top-tier “hit drama” benchmark, its trajectory is widely seen as healthy and sustainable.
The drama’s momentum is not limited to Tencent Video alone. Across broader industry rankings, No Pain No Gain has climbed to the top of Maoyan’s overall popularity chart, beating several titles airing at the same time.
Within Tencent’s own ecosystem, it dominates multiple categories, including office comedies, urban dramas, and shows most watched by male audiences. This clear positioning has helped the drama stand out in a crowded early-year release window.
Early doubts about its opening numbers faded quickly.
On day one, its popularity peak looked average to some viewers, but the following days flipped that narrative entirely.
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| Tencent Video |
Viewer data shows a strong concentration of male audiences, making up roughly two-thirds of total viewers, with the 31–40 age group forming the largest segment.
Guangdong has emerged as the region with the highest interest, suggesting the show resonates strongly with urban working professionals.
In terms of raw viewing data, No Pain No Gain holds a market share of around 5.5 percent, with main episodes exceeding nine million views.
In a competitive start to 2026, that places the drama in a stable and promising position. It may not be the loudest show on the platform, but it is clearly one of the most steadily consumed.
Online discussion has also played a key role in its rise. The drama’s Weibo index passed 80 million in early February, sparking celebratory posts from its official account and active fan engagement.
Ratings vary by platform, which has fuelled debate rather than controversy.
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General audiences offer mixed but curious reactions, while male-dominated platforms have given the show extremely high scores, reinforcing its image as a niche hit that knows exactly who it is talking to.
What truly sets No Pain No Gain apart is its story. The drama pokes fun at excessive workplace pressure through absurd yet relatable comedy, building a fictional company that openly rejects overtime culture and pointless competition.
For many viewers, this setting feels like a kind of emotional escape, a workplace fantasy that says what people wish they could say out loud.
The humour is grounded in daily office experiences rather than exaggerated gags, which makes the jokes land harder.
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| Sina |
Peng Yuchang’s performance as Pei Qian has also become a major talking point.
His portrayal of an ordinary man whose life takes unexpected turns feels natural and oddly comforting. Viewers describe the character as believable rather than heroic, and that relatability has become a key driver behind the drama’s positive reputation.
Looking ahead, No Pain No Gain is expected to continue growing as more viewers discover it through recommendations rather than promotions.
If it maintains this pace, it could become one of 2026’s most talked-about office comedies, especially among working adults who are tired of glossy but hollow workplace stories. Have you started watching it yet, or are you still on the fence?