iQIYI's 'Pursuit of Jade' Tops Global Charts, Boosting International Expansion

Event summary

  • iQIYI's 'Pursuit of Jade' surpassed 10,000 on iQIYI's popularity index within six days of its March 6, 2026 premiere.
  • The series ranked No. 1 on iQIYI International's 'TOP 10 Chinese Language Dramas Weekly Chart' in its debut week.
  • The drama topped Google Trends in 15 markets, including the U.S., Thailand, and South Korea, and secured the highest opening score (9.1) on MyDramaList for a Chinese drama in two years.
  • The series drove renewed interest in lead actors' previous work, with Linghe ZHANG's 'The Best Thing' dominating iQIYI International's All-Time and 2025 Annual Charts.

The big picture

iQIYI's success with 'Pursuit of Jade' underscores the growing demand for high-quality Chinese historical dramas among global audiences. The series' strong performance across multiple platforms highlights the strategic importance of localized content in driving international expansion. As streaming platforms compete for global market share, iQIYI's ability to produce and distribute culturally resonant content will be a key differentiator.

What we're watching

Content Strategy
Whether iQIYI can sustain this momentum with future premium content tailored for global audiences.
Actor Synergy
How the renewed interest in lead actors' previous work will impact iQIYI's long-term content strategy.
Market Penetration
The pace at which iQIYI can expand its subscriber base in key international markets.