Because of the ban on Korean Hallyus caused by the THAAD missile deployment by Seoul, the most popular dramas in China are all locally produced now. In contrast, in 2016, it was “Descendants of the Sun” which was the most popular drama in China last year.
Fantasy Martial Arts Series
In a list of top 10 most popular TV dramas, topping the roster prepared by What’s on Weibo? is “Eternal Love.” A fantasy martial arts series, the 58-episode drama is also known as “Three Lives Three Worlds” and “Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms.”
Both Weibo and Baidu list “Eternal Love” as the most popular drama in China and as one of the most anticipated dramas of 2017. On its pilot episode aired on Jan. 30, the drama got more than 29 million comments on Sina Weibo.
The drama stars Yang Mi and Mark Chao as the High Goddess and Crown Prince, respectively. “Eternal Love” would show that love transcends worlds and lifetimes as the fantasy drama features gods and demons, reincarnations and love affairs that do not end. Broadcast daily by Dongfang and Zhejiang TV and streamed by Youku, Tencent, iQiyi, LeTV, Sohu and PPTV, the drama’s popularity is attributed to its airing of the pilot episode in the middle of the Spring Festival.
Adapted into Film
According to 4Udrama, during the initial part of the drama, the characters of Dilraba Dilmurat and Zhe Yan assumed the lead role. “Eternal Love” would be adapted into a film for showing in summer 2017 with a different cast. The movie version would be tentatively titled “Once Upon a Time.”
The other top dramas listed are “Rush to the Dead Summer,” “Love, Just Come,” “Fighter of the Destiny,” “Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace,” “Double Happiness,” “City Still Believe in Love,” “The Glory of Tang Dynasty,” “Ode to Joy 2” and “The Starry Night, The Starry Sea.”