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E-mail China Daily, June 16, 2024
Amid the wave of Chinese TV dramas going abroad, a string of smash hits at home has also gained popularity overseas, exemplified by The Minning Town. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Ian Stevenson, a 62-year-old native of Gisborne in northern New Zealand, has been an avid follower of Chinese dramas, or C-dramas, for five years. Currently managing his accounting firm in Tauranga, Stevenson says that his preferred series is Princess Agents, a saga depicting the legendary journey of a slave who rises to become a female general amid the chaos during the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420-581).
He says that the allure of this costume drama, which stars Zhao Liying and Lin Gengxin, lies in its meticulously woven blend of martial arts combat, poignant plot twists and captivating historical narratives set against an ancient, mystical backdrop.
"My favorite genre is dramas set in ancient China with historical backgrounds and vivid depictions of conflicts," he explains further.
Misha Lee, a 65-year-old South Korean chef who immigrated to New Zealand almost 27 years ago, is also a seasoned fan of Chinese dramas.
Recalling her habit of closely following new Chinese dramas for over 30 years, Lee lists some of her favorite series, which have also been phenomenal hits in China.
These titles include the 2017 series Eternal Love, which tells of a romance between a fox family's princess and a crowned prince from the Heavenly Palace; the 2019 costume drama Joy of Life, centered around a young man with a mysterious origin; and the 2022 ancient China-set Love like the Galaxy, depicting the love story of a young general and the estranged daughter of a high-ranking official.
As an increasing number of domestic television programs journey overseas, a burgeoning wave of Chinese dramas has unfurled.
Statistics from the National Radio and Television Administration, the country's top sector regulator, show that TV dramas are the most imported category, accounting for 80 percent of all Chinese visual and audio content distributed overseas in 2023, reaching a global audience in more than 200 countries and regions.
"China has risen as a significant provider and producer in the global television drama market," says Zhu Xinmei, director of the International Communication Research Institute of the Development Research Center at the National Radio and Television Administration.
In recent years, a new trend has surfaced. Certain meticulously crafted dramas designed to highlight China's accomplishments or commemorate specific historical moments have garnered popularity in foreign markets, despite the conventional challenge of such genres in making an impact overseas.
As one of the most prominent examples, Minning Town, a 23-episode TV series depicting the efforts of locals in Xihaigu, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, to overcome poverty, has garnered attention through streaming on YouTube and broadcasts in over 50 countries and regions across Asia, Europe, Oceania and Africa. The series has been translated into multiple languages, including English, Russian, Indonesian and Arabic.
Zhu says that the series has gained popularity in African and Middle Eastern countries where audiences have shown a keen interest in China's advanced agricultural technologies and effective methods for combating poverty.
Other influential TV series overseas in this category include With You, an anthology series showcasing various individuals' battles against the COVID-19 pandemic, and Faith Makes Great, a collection of 40 stories chronicling the 100-year history of the Communist Party of China.
Additionally, some popular dramas highlighting China's decades-long friendship with foreign countries have also captivated audiences on both sides.
For instance, Welcome to Milele Village, inspired by the real-life stories of more than 30 Chinese medical teams dispatched to African countries, has garnered over 2 million views overseas.
The drama received an award highlighting the friendship between China and Tanzania from Samia Suluhu Hassan, the president of Tanzania, in late August last year.
"These excellent TV dramas embody distinctive Chinese values, showcase the striving spirit of the Chinese people, offer a fresh array of options for international audiences, and open new doors for Chinese dramas to reach global viewers," says Zhu.
However, costume dramas, as one of the earliest genres to attract overseas audiences, such as the 1986 TV series Journey to the West, continue to be the most popular type of Chinese television drama in the international market.
A report from the giant streamer Youku reveals that Chinese costume dramas have been translated into a total of 16 foreign languages, including English, Spanish and Arabic, and distributed on multiple Youku overseas platforms, reaching over 200 countries and regions from April 2022 to July 2023.
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