iQIYI International’s global viewership rose 130% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, the streaming platform said in a report, crediting a dual-engine strategy that pairs premium Chinese dramas with fast-paced microdramas.
All 10 titles on iQIYI International’s top Chinese drama chart for the period were produced in-house, spanning historical epics, contemporary romance and coming-of-age stories. “Pursuit of Jade” ranked first across every content category on the platform and has topped Google search volume among Chinese historical dramas worldwide since 2025, a standing the company attributed to the show’s female-growth narrative and eastern aesthetic. Two other dramas from iQIYI International’s 2025 annual top 10 – “Fated Hearts” and “Speed and Love” – along with “The Best Thing,” reappeared on the H1 2026 chart.
Microdramas are increasingly serving as an entry point for international viewers discovering Chinese content, with high emotional intensity and rapid pacing suited to mobile-first viewing habits, per iQIYI. “Midnight Temptation” ranked as the top microdrama globally, built around themes of personal growth and a woman’s push for equal standing. Storylines centered on class reversal, female empowerment and contemporary romance made up the rest of the top 10 microdrama chart.
