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| Pursuit of Jade and Zhang Linghe Score Major International Award Nominations as Overseas Popularity Refuses to Slow Down. (Tencent Video) |
Three months after its finale sparked heated debate at home, Chinese drama Pursuit of Jade is proving that success stories do not always follow a straight line. The hit costume romance has secured a major international nomination for Best Drama, while leading man Zhang Linghe has landed a Best Actor nomination at the upcoming 2026 Seoul International Drama Awards, underlining the drama's remarkable staying power beyond mainland China.
When Pursuit of Jade premiered in March 2026, it looked destined to become one of the year's defining television events. Audiences praised its lavish production values, cinematic visuals, emotional storytelling and, perhaps most importantly, the widely discussed chemistry between Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei.
Social media was flooded with clips, fan edits and endless discussions about the pair's performances, helping the drama build momentum both domestically and internationally.
Yet the drama's journey was far from smooth. As its popularity surged, so did scrutiny. Discussions surrounding the portrayal of military figures in historical dramas intensified, and Pursuit of Jade found itself caught in the middle of a broader cultural debate.
Critics questioned aspects of the show's presentation, while some commentators argued that Zhang Linghe's polished appearance did not fit their expectations of a battle-hardened general. In a twist that only modern entertainment discourse could produce, one of the year's biggest stars found himself criticised for looking too handsome while playing a handsome television character.
At the same time, many viewers felt the drama's final episodes failed to match the emotional highs of its opening chapters. While ratings remained respectable, the finale generated less excitement than many expected from a series that had dominated conversations for weeks.
For a moment, it seemed as though Pursuit of Jade might be remembered as a drama that started stronger than it finished. Time, however, appears to have rewritten that narrative.
International audiences have continued embracing the series long after its domestic broadcast ended. Streaming figures, fan engagement and overseas discussions have remained unusually strong, with Pursuit of Jade maintaining visibility in multiple markets across Asia and beyond.
Meanwhile, Zhang Linghe's popularity has only grown. Appearances at public events continue to attract enthusiastic crowds, reinforcing his status as one of the most talked-about young actors in Chinese entertainment.
The latest recognition comes from two notable international platforms. Zhang Linghe has been nominated for Best Actor at the 21st Seoul International Drama Awards, where he joins a competitive field that includes fellow Chinese star Yang Yang.
The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Seoul on 8 October, with fans already speculating about which stars may attend in person. Meanwhile, Pursuit of Jade itself has earned a Best Drama nomination at the sixth annual Ammonite Awards, part of the New Era International Film Festival held across Hong Kong and Macau.
The nomination further highlights how strongly the series continues to resonate with audiences outside mainland China, even months after its conclusion. One of the more interesting aspects of the awards conversation involves the drama's leading actress Tian Xiwei.
While she did not receive a Seoul International Drama Awards nomination this time, she was previously recognised at the Asian Contents Awards for her performance in Pursuit of Jade.
Ironically, during that awards cycle, some fans felt disappointed that Zhang Linghe had been overlooked. Now the situation has flipped, giving supporters of the drama yet another topic to debate endlessly online, which, to be fair, is practically a fan tradition at this point.
The Seoul awards also feature significant competition from other major Asian productions. Actress Zhao Lusi earned a Best Actress nomination for Love's Ambition, one of the most commercially successful Chinese dramas of recent years.
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She will compete against a strong international field that includes acclaimed Taiwanese actress Ko Chia-yen. With both Love's Ambition and Pursuit of Jade representing two of the biggest Chinese television successes of the past two years, industry observers will be watching closely to see whether either production can convert popularity into trophies.
Fan reactions to the latest nominations have been predictably lively. Supporters of Zhang Linghe have celebrated the recognition as proof that international audiences appreciate his performance regardless of previous controversies.
Others have argued that the actor's global popularity has now reached a level where domestic criticism matters far less than it once did. Some netizens joked that while critics spent months debating whether he looked convincing enough as a general, overseas viewers simply watched the drama and enjoyed it. A surprisingly radical approach, apparently.
Not everyone agrees, of course. Some viewers still maintain that the series stumbled during its final stretch and believe the nominations reflect the strength of its early episodes rather than the complete package.
Others argue that the international response demonstrates how audience tastes can differ dramatically across regions. What may become a contentious topic in one market can evolve into a major success story somewhere else.
For Pursuit of Jade, the bigger picture is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. The drama may have faced criticism during its run, but international awards bodies, overseas audiences and growing fan communities continue to keep it firmly in the spotlight.
Whether it ultimately wins these awards remains to be seen, but the nominations alone suggest that reports of the drama's decline may have been greatly exaggerated.
The real question now is whether Zhang Linghe and Pursuit of Jade can transform international popularity into major award victories later this year. Do you think the drama deserves its growing global recognition, or were the critics right about its flaws? And can Zhang Linghe take home Best Actor in Seoul?