Zhang Ling He and Tian Xi Wei’s Historic Success With Pursuit Of Jade
The highly anticipated Chinese historical drama Pursuit of Jade made its grand debut on March 6, simultaneously premiering on Tencent Video (WeTV internationally) and iQIYI. Within hours of release, the series ignited unprecedented buzz across the internet, smashing platform records and cementing its place as one of the most talked-about dramas of 2026.
A Story of Destiny and Hidden Motives
At the heart of Pursuit of Jade lies the compelling tale of Fan Chang Yu, portrayed by Tian Xi Wei, and Xie Zheng, played by Zhang Ling He. Chang Yu, the daughter of a butcher, is left orphaned and determined to take charge of her household. Xie Zheng, once a nobleman, conceals his identity while seeking vengeance for a blood feud that has haunted him for seventeen years.
Their fateful meeting on a snowy day sets the stage for a marriage of convenience. Initially, both characters enter the union with ulterior motives—Chang Yu seeking stability and Zheng pursuing revenge. Yet, as they navigate their alliance, genuine emotions begin to surface, transforming their calculated partnership into a heartfelt romance.
Tencent Video’s Record-Breaking Numbers
The drama’s performance on Tencent Video was nothing short of extraordinary. Just 15 minutes after its premiere, the popularity score surged past 23,000, making it the fastest drama of 2026 to surpass the 10,000 mark. Within the first hour, the score skyrocketed past 20,000, eventually peaking at 26,519. By March 7, the index had climbed further to 28,000, setting new benchmarks for the platform.
Audience engagement was equally impressive. In only six hours, Pursuit of Jade garnered 218,000 ratings, the highest first-day rating count for any Tencent drama in the past two years. Remarkably, 92% of these reviews were five-star ratings, underscoring the overwhelmingly positive reception.
iQIYI’s Historic Milestone
While Tencent dominated in sheer numbers, iQIYI also achieved groundbreaking success. Despite a modest start with a heat index of 3,773, the drama’s popularity steadily climbed, reaching a peak of 7,901. This achievement marked the highest first-day heat index for any drama premiering at 6 p.m. on the platform.
The Cloud Theater Booking event further amplified the buzz, attracting 472,000 participants and ranking second in iQIYI’s history for overall participation. The event generated an estimated value of 3.3 million yuan, highlighting the drama’s commercial impact alongside its cultural resonance.
Characters Driving the Craze
The magnetic performances of Zhang Ling He and Tian Xi Wei have played a pivotal role in the drama’s success. Zhang’s portrayal of Xie Zheng achieved over 100 million in pre-broadcast popularity on Tencent and became the first character to surpass 100 million on iQIYI upon the premiere announcement. Tian Xi Wei’s Fan Chang Yu also reached the milestone of 100 million in character popularity across both platforms on the first day, making her the only female character to achieve this feat.
Global Reach and Future Prospects
Beyond China, Pursuit of Jade is rapidly gaining traction on Netflix in regions such as Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Its international appeal underscores the growing global appetite for Chinese historical dramas that combine intricate storytelling with lavish production values.
Industry watchers are now focused on whether the drama can sustain its momentum. With predictions that first-week viewership could surpass 40 million, the challenge lies in maintaining narrative tension and avoiding the common pitfall of “high start, low finish.”
With record-breaking numbers on Tencent Video and iQIYI, stellar performances from its leads, and growing international popularity, Pursuit of Jade has firmly established itself as a cultural phenomenon. Its unique blend of romance, revenge, and destiny has captivated audiences, setting new standards for historical C-dramas. As the story unfolds, viewers worldwide will be watching closely to see if Pursuit of Jade continues to reign as the defining drama of 2026.
Read: The Road to Glory: Zhang Linghe’s Next Epic Romance Takes Flight in 2026
