LayarHijau – On March 15, 2026, the hit historical drama Pursuit of Jade (逐玉) suddenly announced a major change to its release schedule. The update immediately stirred up the online drama community in China, pushing several related topics to the top of trending charts across social media.
Hashtags such as #逐玉开始单更了# (Pursuit of Jade switches to one episode per day), #逐玉会员双更变单更# (VIP double updates become single updates), and #剧迷集体陷入追更焦虑# (fans collectively fall into “update anxiety”) quickly climbed the trending lists. Within a short time, the topics racked up hundreds of millions of views and sparked widespread discussion among viewers.
Next articles
According to the announcement, starting March 15, the update schedule for VIP subscribers officially changed from two episodes per day to just one episode per day. Meanwhile, the release schedule for non-VIP viewers remains unchanged. The sudden adjustment immediately struck a nerve with fans who had grown used to watching two new episodes daily.
For international viewers, however, the change had actually been hinted at earlier. The global streaming platform WeTV had already published the revised release schedule on March 14, including the shift from two daily episodes to a single episode. Still, the announcement did not attract the same level of attention overseas, and only a portion of international viewers appeared to notice it before the news exploded across Chinese social media the following day.
Since its premiere, Pursuit of Jade has quickly emerged as one of the standout costume dramas of 2026. The series has drawn praise for its story about two equally strong protagonists rising against adversity, the consistently solid performances from its cast, and a cinematic production style that elevates the viewing experience.
Its popularity is also reflected in platform data. On Tencent Video, the drama’s popularity index has surpassed 25,000, while on iQIYI it has crossed the 10,000 mark. According to Yunhe data, the show’s effective episode streaming market share has reached 41.1 percent, making it one of the strongest-performing dramas currently airing.
Previously, platforms had offered VIP members a special perk: two new episodes every day. This format allowed viewers to move through the story quickly and created a daily viewing habit for many fans. As a result, when the schedule abruptly switched to a single daily episode, many viewers found it difficult to adjust.
Part of the intense reaction stems from the drama’s strong storytelling appeal. Pursuit of Jade is directed by Zeng Qingjie and stars Zhang Linghe alongside Tian Xiwei. The series is adapted from the novel by Tuanzi Laixi titled Hou Fu Ren Yu Sha Zhu Dao (侯夫人与杀猪刀).
Unlike many traditional historical romance dramas that rely on the familiar “sweet, naive heroine and domineering hero” trope, this series builds a relationship between two equally formidable characters who grow and support each other. Spanning 40 episodes, the narrative blends everyday warmth with political intrigue and intense drama, maintaining a steady pace without unnecessary filler.
In the drama, Tian Xiwei plays Fan Changyu, the daughter of a butcher with a bold personality and unbreakable determination. Her character undergoes a striking transformation—from a grassroots girl wielding a butcher’s knife to a warrior capable of donning armor and entering the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Zhang Linghe portrays Xie Zheng, a nobleman hiding his identity after his entire family is wiped out. To embody the role, Zhang reportedly lost around 7.5 kilograms to create the image of a fragile yet resilient aristocrat carrying the weight of revenge and hidden strength.
The drama also features several memorable scenes that fans frequently discuss, including a chance meeting during a snowy night, a tense moment hiding in a pigsty, and a romantic scene involving candied dried tangerine peel that has become one of the show’s signature moments. The production also integrates elements of traditional culture such as Qin opera and shadow puppetry, adding both visual depth and cultural texture to the story.
Soon after the schedule change was announced, fans flooded the official comment sections with reactions. Many viewers expressed disappointment, saying the change felt like their daily dose of entertainment had suddenly been cut in half.
Some comments read, “The story just started getting really exciting, and now it’s down to one episode a day. It feels like the wait will last forever,” while others joked, “Two episodes were already not enough—how are we supposed to survive on just one?”
At the same time, some viewers tried to look at the situation from a more positive perspective. They suggested that slowing the release pace might help preserve the quality of the upcoming episodes.
Many fans noted that the series is known for its meticulous visuals, with scenes often described as “wallpaper-worthy.” Because of this, a slower release schedule could give the production team more time to maintain consistency in the story and overall quality.
Interestingly, despite the widespread “update anxiety,” fan engagement online has only grown stronger. Viewers have begun sharing detailed story analyses, screenshots of iconic scenes, and theories about character arcs and political plotlines within the drama.
Some fans have even compiled detailed timelines of character development and hidden narrative clues that may pay off in future episodes. These discussions have further fueled the drama’s popularity and kept the conversation around the show alive.
Ultimately, the wave of “update anxiety” triggered by the schedule change is widely seen as proof of the drama’s immense popularity. The emotional reactions from viewers highlight just how invested they are in the story and its characters.
Behind the controversy, many observers believe the discussion reflects a broader appreciation for high-quality costume dramas. With its unconventional character dynamics, compelling plot, and meticulous production design, Pursuit of Jade has clearly captured the audience’s attention.
For now, fans can only wait patiently for each new episode while continuing to analyze and discuss the story. For some viewers, the slower pace might even offer a chance to revisit favorite scenes and discover details they may have missed the first time around.
