iQIYI International’s global viewership increased 130% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, the streaming platform said in a report, crediting a dual-engine strategy that combines premium Chinese dramas with fast-paced microdramas.

All 10 titles on iQIYI International’s top Chinese drama list for the period were produced in-house and span historical epics, contemporary romances and coming-of-age stories. “Pursuit of Jade” ranked first in all content categories on the platform and has topped Google search volume among Chinese historical dramas worldwide since 2025, a position the company attributed to the show’s female growth narrative and Eastern aesthetic. Two other dramas from iQIYI International’s annual 2025 top 10, “Fated Hearts” and “Speed ​​and Love,” along with “The Best Thing,” reappeared on the H1 2026 list.

Microdramas increasingly serve as an entry point for international viewers to discover Chinese content, with high emotional intensity and fast pacing suited to mobile viewing habits, according to iQIYI. “Midnight Temptation” was ranked the best microdrama globally, built around themes of personal growth and a woman’s drive for equality. Stories focused on class change, female empowerment, and contemporary romance made up the rest of the top 10 microdramas list.

Localization has underpinned growth, with subtitles now available in 13 languages ​​along with dubbing and a fan engagement effort the company calls the “iQIYI Starship Project,” which sends actors from hit titles to markets like Thailand and Malaysia for live events. Thai dubbing helped place seven Chinese dramas in Thailand’s local top 10 in this period.

Regional preferences varied across markets, according to the report. Southeast Asian audiences showed strong demand for premium Chinese dramas and localized content, while in Japan and South Korea, microdramas now account for half of the top ten trending titles. Expanded Spanish and Portuguese dubbing expanded the platform’s reach in Latin America, and Middle Eastern audiences continued to favor realism and premium military-themed 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 developing its slate of Asian dramas, animation, films and variety programming for global audiences.