iQIYI's 'Born with Luck' Hits 10,000 Popularity Index, Boosts Absurdist Crime Genre

Event summary

  • iQIYI's crime drama 'Born with Luck' surpassed 10,000 on its content popularity index since its May 4 premiere.
  • The series achieved a Weibo rating of 9.2 out of 10 as of May 15, 2026.
  • Promotional tie-ins with iQIYI's hit variety show 'Super Sketch Show' amplified audience engagement.
  • The drama ranked No. 1 on related drama charts on Douyin and Kuaishou, and topped major third-party charts.
  • This is the fourth collaboration between iQIYI and author Zijin CHEN.

The big picture

iQIYI's success with 'Born with Luck' underscores its strategic focus on premium suspense storytelling and genre innovation. The strong performance across multiple platforms highlights the growing market appetite for absurdist crime content, positioning iQIYI as a key player in shaping future trends in Chinese digital entertainment. The collaboration with acclaimed author Zijin CHEN and the integration of comedic elements from 'Super Sketch Show' further demonstrate iQIYI's ability to blend genres and amplify audience engagement.

What we're watching

Genre Innovation
How iQIYI will sustain momentum in the absurdist crime genre following the success of 'Born with Luck'.
Cross-Promotion
Whether the integration of comedic elements from 'Super Sketch Show' will continue to drive engagement for future projects.
Market Appetite
The pace at which demand for absurdist crime storytelling grows across major platforms in China.