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| Hardly a Surprise... iQIYI Reveals Its Most-Watched Chinese Dramas of 2026, with Pursuit of Jade Taking the Crown. (iQIYI) |
Pursuit of Jade (逐玉) has officially emerged as the biggest Chinese drama on iQIYI during the first half of 2026, leading the platform's newly released global rankings and proving that historical romance is still very much ruling viewers' watchlists. The streaming giant revealed that every title in its worldwide Top 10 came from its own productions, underlining just how dominant its original dramas have become across international markets.
The platform also shared an eye-catching milestone. According to iQIYI International, overseas viewership jumped by an impressive 130 per cent compared with the same period last year.
That growth has been driven by a combination of lavish long-form dramas and increasingly popular short-form series, a formula that appears to be paying off in almost every major market. Safe to say, viewers clearly have no shortage of late-night binge sessions.
Sitting comfortably at number one is Pursuit of Jade, starring Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei. The historical romance not only topped the drama rankings but also became the highest-performing title across every content category on iQIYI International.
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The series has continued to attract worldwide attention since its launch, with its blend of emotional storytelling, elegant cinematography and memorable character development helping it stand out in an increasingly crowded market.
Adapted from the popular novel, Pursuit of Jade follows the story of butcher's daughter Fan Changyu, played by Tian Xiwei, and the fallen nobleman Xie Zheng, portrayed by Zhang Linghe.
Their relationship begins as a marriage of convenience but gradually develops into genuine love while political conflict and war threaten to tear them apart. As their personal journey unfolds, both characters are forced to grow stronger while fighting for their country and each other.
Much of the drama's success has also been credited to its convincing chemistry between its two leads. Before the series premiered, online chatter questioned whether Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei could deliver as an on-screen couple, particularly following rumours that their respective management teams were less than friendly behind the scenes.
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| Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei Dominate iQIYI 2026 Drama Rankings with Pursuit of Jade |
Once the episodes began airing, however, those concerns disappeared almost overnight. Instead, audiences found themselves talking about their natural chemistry rather than any off-screen speculation.
One scene in particular quickly became one of the drama's biggest talking points. The famous "fake wedding night" sequence had viewers glued to their screens as the couple tried to convince suspicious relatives that their marriage was genuine.
Rather than relying on obvious romantic moments, the director used restrained performances, clever camera work and lingering tension, leaving audiences joking that imagination did far more work than any dramatic love confession ever could. Sometimes saying less really does leave fans screaming more.
Praise has also poured in for Tian Xiwei, who steps away from the sweet and cheerful roles that helped build her popularity. As Fan Changyu, she delivers a far more resilient and determined heroine, earning compliments for portraying both emotional vulnerability and remarkable inner strength.
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Many viewers have highlighted her expressive performances, particularly the way she conveys emotion through subtle facial expressions rather than lengthy dialogue.
Meanwhile, Zhang Linghe has arguably delivered one of his most praised performances to date. His portrayal of the proud aristocrat forced into hardship presents a more understated version of the typical historical hero, allowing his acting to carry scenes instead of relying purely on elaborate costumes or royal settings.
Fans have even joked that he has finally met the director who understands exactly how to frame him on screen, with nearly every episode producing another wave of admiring comments across social media.
Beyond Pursuit of Jade, iQIYI's global Top 10 reflects the platform's growing catalogue of successful originals. How Dare You!?, Love Between Lines, Fate Chooses You, Fated Hearts, The Best Thing, The Unclouded Soul, The Epoch of Miyu, Speed and Love, and The Heir all secured places on the list.
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| Pursuit of Jade Leads iQIYI's Top 10 Chinese Dramas as Global Viewership Soars |
Several of these titles had already appeared in iQIYI's year-end rankings for 2025, showing they continue to attract viewers long after their original release.
The company also highlighted the rapid rise of short-form dramas. According to iQIYI, compact episodes packed with emotional twists have become an easy entry point for international audiences discovering Chinese entertainment.
The most successful example was Midnight Temptation, which became the platform's biggest short-form drama worldwide by focusing on themes including ambition, self-discovery and modern relationships.
Localization continues to play an increasingly important role in iQIYI's international expansion. The platform now provides subtitles in 13 languages alongside dubbed versions for selected regions.
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Initiatives such as the iQIYI Starship Project, which sends stars from popular dramas to overseas fan events in countries including Thailand and Malaysia, have also helped strengthen connections with audiences beyond mainland China.
Regional viewing habits continue to differ significantly. Viewers across Southeast Asia remain loyal to premium Chinese dramas and local-language versions, while Japan and South Korea have shown particularly strong enthusiasm for short-form productions.
Meanwhile, expanded Spanish and Portuguese dubbing has helped the platform gain momentum across Latin America, while audiences in the Middle East continue to favour grounded dramas and military-themed stories.
For CCTV and satellite TV rankings, see the First Half 2026 CCTV C-Drama Rankings.
Supporters of Pursuit of Jade celebrated its number one finish, arguing that the series earned its place through strong performances, polished production values and compelling storytelling rather than hype alone. Others admitted they expected different titles such as Love Between Lines or The Best Thing to finish higher, proving that choosing the "best" drama is almost as impossible as convincing drama fans not to argue online.
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There has also been plenty of praise for Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei, with many viewers saying their partnership became one of the standout screen pairings of 2026. Fans noted that the pair's off-screen promotional appearances only strengthened their popularity, with their relaxed interactions making audiences even more invested in the fictional romance.