Recently, Tencent Video’s drama “The Story of Roses” has taken South Korea by storm, sparking a viewing frenzy across popular video platforms. At the same time, Youku’s historical series “Mo Yu Yun Jian” has soared to the top of viewing rankings in both Thailand and South Korea. Internationally, the term “cdrama” (short for Chinese drama) has exploded on social media, accumulating millions of posts and transforming “C-Drama” into a trending phrase.
Hashtags play a crucial role in content management and algorithm recommendations on social media, effectively reflecting user preferences. In recent years, tags like “cdrama” and “donghua” (Chinese animation) have gained significant traction on platforms such as TikTok and YouTube. Under these tags, millions of short videos have accumulated billions of views and likes, establishing web series, animation, and online literature as vibrant aspects of China’s digital cultural identity and promoting “C-Culture” worldwide.
Currently, popular Chinese dramas like “Qing Yu Nian” (Season 2), “The Story of Roses,” “Mo Yu Yun Jian,” and “With the Phoenix” have each garnered over one hundred million, and in some instances, one billion views across various social platforms. Many of these dramas boast ratings above 8 on international review sites, indicating their favorable reception. In terms of activity levels, “cdrama” ranks second on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, just behind “kdrama” (Korean drama), while significantly outpacing “jdrama” (Japanese drama) and “thaidrama” (Thai drama).
The rising popularity of Chinese dramas abroad has directly fueled the buzz around “cdrama.” Furthermore, Chinese web literature and animations, celebrated for their imaginative storytelling and nuanced emotional depth, dominate categories like “webnovel” and “webtoon,” leading to the rise of trending terms such as “donghua,” “manhua,” “xianxia,” and “wuxia.”
An analysis of these popular terms reveals a unique approach that China has taken in accessing international markets. Often referred to as China’s fifth great invention, online literature is captivating audiences worldwide. Adaptations into animation and web dramas maintain a distinctly Chinese essence. Early trending terms like “wuxia” and “xianxia” are often tied to China’s ancient folklore and martial arts narratives, interweaving elements of Daoist culture with rich fantasy themes of love, loyalty, and friendship. The visual aesthetics of these animations showcase stunning Chinese landscapes, traditional ink wash techniques, and culturally significant attire.
Despite the dense concentration of “Chinese cultural content” potentially posing comprehension challenges, dedicated international fans are undeterred. They actively engage with their favorite works through animation clips and discussions about themes and backgrounds. For example, the recent release of the Chinese 3D animation “God Slayer: The Ordinary Realm” swiftly generated numerous TikTok videos, amassing nearly 100,000 likes just two days post-launch. The comments section buzzed with discussions in languages like English, Thai, Indonesian, and Russian, as users debated the translation of the animation’s title. This dynamic social platform plays a vital role in bridging cultural divides.
In successfully entering foreign markets, collaboration proves more effective than isolation. Chinese digital cultural enterprises like Tencent are leading the way with their “Web Literature + Animation + Series” model, consistently producing new content from a single successful category. This strategy aids in establishing a robust brand presence and recognition in unfamiliar markets. As international fans become accustomed to encountering the same intellectual property across formats—novel, animation, and series—they increasingly seek out additional Chinese cultural works. Phrases such as, “I really hope this novel I love gets adapted into a drama,” and “Where can I find the novel for this C-Drama?” are becoming more prevalent in online conversations.
Whether it’s “cdrama” or “donghua,” this cultural exchange is generating increased interest among young audiences in Chinese culture and society. The vibrant ancient clothing styles depicted in web dramas have made “hanfu” a popular term on social media platforms outside of China. Additionally, the rise of Chinese campus dramas is captivating international audiences, showcasing the unique appeal of “Chinese school uniforms,” typically consisting of loose t-shirts and athletic wear. The synergy between web dramas, literature, and animation is illuminating “C-Culture” on a global scale.