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| ‘Pursuit of Jade’ Effect? Tian Xiwei’s Massive Victory at Asia Contents Awards Stuns Fans. (Credits: Weibo) |
Tian Xiwei and Song Weilong have emerged as the biggest names in the popularity race at the 2026 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards, with both stars comfortably topping the global online vote and leaving rivals trailing far behind. For many fans, the result was hardly surprising. For everyone else, the numbers were a reminder that Chinese drama stars are no longer just dominating domestic platforms — they are increasingly commanding attention across Asia.
The actress category turned into a runaway victory for Tian Xiwei, who secured around 7.06 million votes to win the Most Popular Actress title. Meanwhile, Song Weilong proved equally unstoppable on the men's side, collecting approximately 7.82 million votes.
The gap between Song and the second-placed actor was so large that some netizens jokingly described the competition as less of a race and more of a scenic walk to the finish line.
For Tian Xiwei, the award marks another milestone in what has become a remarkable transformation story. Only a few years ago, she was widely associated with cheerful and youthful characters, earning the affectionate label of a "sweetheart actress".
Today, however, the conversation around her career looks very different. Her performances in dramas such as New Life Begins, Guardians of the Dafeng, and particularly Pursuit of Jade have helped reshape public perception, turning her into one of the most commercially valuable and critically discussed actresses of her generation.
Much of the spotlight has naturally fallen on Pursuit of Jade, the historical drama that many industry observers believe pushed Tian's popularity to another level. Her portrayal of Fan Changyu, a butcher's daughter who rises through hardship to become a respected female general, resonated strongly with audiences.
Viewers praised the emotional depth of the character and Tian Xiwei's commitment to bringing that journey to life. Reports surrounding the production highlighted her extensive physical preparation, including strength training and demanding action scenes, helping silence long-standing assumptions that she could only excel in lighter romantic roles.
The success has translated into more than fan support. Tian also earned a prestigious Best Actress nomination at this year's Asia Contents Awards, making her one of the most closely watched Chinese actresses at the event.
Industry insiders have noted that her nomination represents a significant breakthrough, reflecting how her influence is now extending beyond the domestic market and into the wider Asian entertainment landscape.
Her growing reputation has also been backed by impressive drama performance metrics. Tian remains the only leading actress to headline three separate dramas that crossed major popularity milestones on one of China's biggest streaming platforms.
Combined with strong international performance for Pursuit of Jade, her projects have increasingly become seen as reliable audience draws both at home and abroad.
The commercial sector has noticed as well. Brands have lined up to work with the actress as her profile continues to rise. Marketing analysts often point to Tian Xiwei as an example of an entertainer whose popularity is supported by successful projects rather than short-lived trends.
In a highly competitive industry, that distinction matters. Advertisers tend to appreciate stability almost as much as fan enthusiasm.
While Tian captured attention among actresses, Song Weilong delivered an equally powerful statement. The actor's overwhelming vote total confirmed his enduring popularity among viewers.
His nomination for Best Actor for Shine on Me has further strengthened expectations that he could become one of the standout figures of this year's awards season.
Online reactions have been lively and varied. Supporters celebrated the results as proof that both stars earned their victories through years of consistent work and successful projects.
Many praised Tian Xiwei's evolution from romantic comedy favourite to a performer capable of carrying large-scale productions. Others pointed out that Song Weilong's numbers demonstrated the strength of his loyal fanbase.
Naturally, a few sceptics questioned whether popularity awards always reflect acting ability, but even many critics acknowledged that the scale of support behind both winners was difficult to ignore.
Some netizens also found humour in the voting figures themselves. Comments comparing fan voting campaigns to military operations quickly spread across social media, with users joking that fandoms appeared capable of organising nationwide projects faster than some companies organise meetings.
Hyperbole aside, the results once again demonstrated the remarkable mobilisation power of modern entertainment fandoms. Adding further significance to the story, this marks the second consecutive year that Chinese actors have claimed the top popularity honours at the Asia Contents Awards.
It reflects the continued global reach of Chinese dramas and the growing international visibility of performers who have built strong audiences through streaming platforms.
The story is not over yet. Both Tian Xiwei and Song Weilong remain in contention for major acting awards, where they will face tough competition from some of Asia's most established stars, including Hyun Bin, Kim Seon-ho, Shin Hye-sun, and Kim Yoo-jung.
Whether they add another trophy to their collection remains to be seen, but one thing is already clear: 2026 has become another defining year for both careers.
Do you think Tian Xiwei deserved the Most Popular Actress title, and could she go one step further by winning Best Actress as well? The debate among drama fans is only just getting started.