LayarHijau— As the first quarter of 2026 concludes, the Chinese drama market landscape shows a striking shift in power dynamics according to the latest data from Kuyun Digital Entertainment. The historical epic Pursuit of Jade, starring Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei, has officially claimed the top spot with a massive lead over its competitors. Centered on a gripping narrative of power struggles and romance, the series has captivated audiences since its premiere, establishing itself as a dominant force in the industry with high-budget production values.
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The success of Pursuit of Jade is evident in its average viewership of 67.45 million per episode, a figure described as a “landslide victory” in the quarterly report. Following in second place is the period drama Love Story in the 1970s, starring Chen Feiyu and Sun Qian, which garnered 44.78 million views, while Wonderful Times secured the third position with 42.16 million. The dominance of these three titles highlights an evolving viewer preference for diverse storytelling that balances nostalgic elements with modern narrative techniques.
A significant point of discussion in the industry is the absence of top-tier actresses like Zhao Liying and Yang Zi from the top three spots. Despite their long-standing reputation as rating queens, their works failed to penetrate the leading tier in Q1 2026, signaling intensified competition from younger actors and fresh scripts. This phenomenon suggests that “star power alone is no longer enough to guarantee the top position on popularity charts without the support of strong narrative momentum” that resonates with current audience trends.
The report also revealed that realistic and period dramas account for approximately 70 percent of the Top 20 list. Titles such as The Dream Maker with 39.27 million views, Born to Be Alive with 38.99 million, and Swords into Plowshares with 35.53 million, prove that themes involving real-life struggles and historical transitions have a stable audience base. Furthermore, My Destiny and Live Up to Your Youth showed solid performance, particularly on mainstream platforms targeting a broader demographic.
Meanwhile, other historical and wuxia genres faced stiff competition in the middle rankings. While Pursuit of Jade leads at the top, other titles like Unveil: Jadewind, How Dare You!?, and Glory settled in the middle tier with competitive viewership figures. Market analysis indicates that “only S-tier productions with top-tier casts can break through the popularity barrier in the historical costume genre today,” as the competition in the mid-tier remains fierce with high standards of visual storytelling.
Rounding out the market’s diversity are the crime and mystery genres, which provided a necessary supplement to the quarter’s offerings. The anticipated sequel The Punishment 2 secured a middle-rank position with 30.92 million views, bolstered by the existing influence of the franchise. Other titles including The Devil Between Us, Love Between Lines, and Vanished Name also made the cut, satisfying the demand of genre-specific fans. The Top 20 list concludes with Shine on Me, The Glamorous Night, Light of Dawn, and No Pain No Gain, all maintaining stable viewership figures.
