Chinese Television Dramas Win Audiences Around the World

Dragon Media News Desk

Vietnamese marketing analyst Pham Thi Thuy Linh continued listening to the soundtrack of the Chinese series The Early Spring after finishing the show. Although she could not understand every lyric, she said some scenes resonated with experiences from her own life.

Chinese dramas about urban life, workplace challenges, love and the search for belonging are attracting viewers beyond China. According to Xinhua, The Early Spring rose to second place on Netflix’s weekly global chart for non-English-language series. Irreplaceable, which had not yet become a major hit in China, drew two million views in its first week and entered the top 10 in 24 countries and regions.

The historical drama Pursuit of Jade has also gained international attention. Xinhua reported that it has ranked among the most searched Chinese costume dramas worldwide since 2025 and has received more than 10 million views.

Viewers are drawn to more than the stories and characters. Tanzanian university student Zena Saidi said she enjoys the visual production, originality and tightly woven plots of Chinese dramas. She said the intelligence of the lead character in The Tale of Rose and her experience of love made her feel deeply connected to the story. Female characters and their personal journeys are also attracting audiences abroad.

Interest often continues after the final episode. Viewers look up soundtracks and filming locations, then share their favourite scenes online. An Indian media report highlighted locations in Beijing and Harbin featured in The Early Spring, inspiring some viewers to consider visiting them. A Tanzanian media editor said Chinese films, television dramas, animation and games have helped people in the country learn about and appreciate Chinese culture.

Digital platforms have helped Chinese dramas reach overseas audiences. Tencent launched its WeTV service in Thailand in 2019, while iQIYI began its international service that year. The company says artificial intelligence handles more than 90 percent of its translation and dubbing work, with people conducting the final review. Subtitles in more than 10 languages can be prepared within one to two days, according to the company.

Series such as The Early Spring and Pursuit of Jade have also appeared on Netflix. Industry figures say that sustaining international popularity will require high-quality storytelling, strong production capacity and a better understanding of viewers’ interests around the world.