LayarHijau– iQIYI International has unveiled its list of the 10 most-watched Chinese dramas worldwide for the first half of 2026, with every title on the chart produced in-house, highlighting the streaming platform’s growing influence in the global market.
According to iQIYI, global viewership on its international platform surged 130% year over year during the first six months of 2026. The company attributed the growth to its dual-content strategy, combining premium Chinese dramas with short-form dramas that continue to gain traction among international audiences.
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Leading the rankings is the historical drama Pursuit of Jade (逐玉), which also topped every content category on iQIYI International. Starring Tian Xiwei and Zhang Linghe, the series has remained the world’s most-searched Chinese historical drama on Google since 2025.
iQIYI credited the drama’s success to its compelling female-growth storyline and its distinctive Eastern-inspired visual style, both of which have resonated strongly with viewers around the world.
Several fan favorites from iQIYI International’s 2025 year-end Top 10 also returned to the rankings in the first half of 2026, including Fated Hearts, Speed and Love, and The Best Thing.
Beyond full-length dramas, short-form dramas have also become a major growth driver for the platform. iQIYI said the bite-sized format has become an entry point for many overseas viewers discovering Chinese content, thanks to its fast-paced storytelling, emotionally charged narratives, and mobile-friendly viewing experience.
Midnight Temptation ranked as the platform’s most popular short-form drama worldwide. Centered on personal growth and a woman’s fight for equal standing, the series reflects themes that dominate the genre, including class mobility, female empowerment, and modern romance.
Localization has also played a key role in iQIYI International’s expansion. The platform now offers subtitles in 13 languages and dubbed versions for select markets. It has also launched the iQIYI Starship Project, which sends stars from hit dramas to overseas markets, including Thailand and Malaysia, for fan events.
The strategy has paid off in Thailand, where Thai-language dubbing helped seven Chinese dramas break into the country’s local Top 10 rankings during the first half of 2026.
Viewer preferences varied across regions. Southeast Asian audiences continued to favor premium Chinese dramas and localized content, while short-form dramas accounted for half of the top 10 trending titles in Japan and South Korea.
Meanwhile, expanded Spanish- and Portuguese-language dubbing broadened iQIYI’s reach across Latin America, while audiences in the Middle East continued to show a preference for realistic and military-themed premium dramas.
In January 2026, iQIYI International also introduced its Global Trending Content initiative to monitor viewing trends across its overseas markets. The company said it will continue expanding its lineup of Asian dramas, animation, films, and variety shows for global audiences.
Top 10 Chinese Dramas on iQIYI International in the First Half of 2026
- Pursuit of Jade (逐玉)
- How Dare You? (成何体统)
- Love Between Lines (书卷一梦)
- Fate Chooses You (佳偶天成)
- Fated Hearts (一笑随歌)
- The Best Thing (爱你)
- The Unclouded Soul (临江仙)
- The Epoch of Miyu (慕胥辞)
- Speed and Love (双轨)
- The Heir (家业)
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