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.
Localization has underpinned the growth, with subtitles now available in 13 languages alongside dubbing and a fan engagement effort the company calls the “iQIYI Starship Project,” which sends actors from hit titles out to markets including Thailand and Malaysia for live events. Thai-language dubbing helped push seven Chinese dramas into Thailand’s local top 10 this period.
Regional preferences varied across markets, per the report. Southeast Asian audiences showed strong demand for premium Chinese dramas and localized content, while in Japan and South Korea, microdramas now make up half of the ten top-trending titles. Expanded Spanish- and Portuguese-language dubbing widened the platform’s reach in Latin America, and Middle East audiences continued to favor realism and military-themed premium dramas.
iQIYI International launched its Global Trending Content initiative in January to track viewership patterns across its international footprint. The company said it remains focused on building out its slate of Asian dramas, animation, films and variety programming for global audiences.