LayarHijau— The costume drama Pursuit of Jade (逐玉) has officially cemented its dominance as one of the biggest Chinese hits of 2026, reaching an impressive 3.3 billion views. Starring Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei, the series has not only dominated the domestic market but also continues to hold the No. 2 spot on Netflix Taiwan’s rankings long after its finale.
Blending historical romance with political intrigue, Pursuit of Jade follows Tian Xiwei’s character as she struggles to protect her family’s legacy. Meanwhile, Zhang Linghe plays a nobleman who hides his true identity. The show’s success highlights how strong visuals combined with a compelling narrative can capture audiences on a global scale.
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At the recent iQIYI World Conference, key factors behind the drama’s massive success were revealed. iQIYI’s Chief Content Officer shared that the biggest driver of Pursuit of Jade’s performance was its extraordinary episode 3 retention rate, which reached 95%.
This figure is especially crucial given China’s streaming model, where the first three episodes are typically released for free, while episode four onward requires a VIP subscription. “The appeal of the first three episodes has a direct impact on subscription conversion,” iQIYI explained, emphasizing that nearly all viewers were willing to pay to continue watching the unfolding romance between the two leads.
Fans and netizens have pointed to several reasons why those early episodes are so hard to drop. Zhang Linghe immediately stands out with several memorable early moments, including a battlefield injury scene and a healing sequence that reveals a more vulnerable yet captivating side of his character.
On the storytelling side, tension is carefully built through Tian Xiwei’s struggle to protect her family assets from her uncle’s interference. At the same time, Zhang Linghe’s character takes a risky decision to disguise himself and agree to become part of the family arrangement. One particularly talked-about moment is when Tian Xiwei measures wedding attire for Zhang Linghe, subtly planting the seeds of romance amid the underlying tension.
Another standout element of Pursuit of Jade is director Zeng Qingjie’s meticulous visual storytelling. The city of Linan is portrayed in a grounded, lived-in way, from warm neighborly interactions and children playing in the streets to the everyday rhythm of local life.
The cinematography, especially in the snow scenes, has also been widely praised for its elegant use of light and shadow, creating a mood that feels both intimate and grand against the cold backdrop. The production quality, often compared to feature films, is one of the key reasons viewers feel their time—and subscription—is well worth it.
However, the biggest turning point comes at the end of episode three, which plays a crucial role in driving VIP conversions. In this scene, Zhang Linghe’s character hides inside a pig pen to avoid identity checks by government officials. Once the danger passes, Tian Xiwei arrives to rescue him, lifting the straw covering his body.
The moment Zhang Linghe, dressed in clean white robes, looks up at Tian Xiwei under the sunlight creates a powerful sense of fate. The perfectly timed background music deepens the emotional impact, prompting viewers to comment, “Honestly, it’s Zhang Linghe who kept me watching! This scene is classic and beautiful.”
The success of Pursuit of Jade is also reflected in its record-breaking industry performance throughout 2026. It became the first series of the year to average 75 million views per episode across platforms.
Simultaneously released on iQIYI and Tencent, the drama achieved popularity indexes of 10,501 and 31,248 respectively, setting a new benchmark for dual-platform releases. With a 55.1% market share according to Yunhe data, Pursuit of Jade now ranks second in Chinese drama history, only behind The Knockout.
Even after its run ended, the drama’s popularity has remained steady, still averaging over 20 million daily views.
