The beginning of November saw the launch of two highly anticipated Chinese costume dramas, starring beloved actresses Esther Yu and Zhao Lusi. Esther Yu leads Love Game in Eastern Fantasy on Tencent, while Zhao Lusi stars in The Story of Pearl Girl on Youku. Both shows have quickly gained attention and are now in a friendly competition on social media platforms, with fans passionately supporting their favorite actress.
Record-Breaking Views Highlight Intense Competition
On Tencent, Love Game in Eastern Fantasy featuring Esther Yu and Ding Yuxi achieved an impressive index score of 27,000 shortly after its premiere. Meanwhile, on Youku, Zhao Lusi and Liu Yuning’s The Story of Pearl Girl scored 10,000, quickly becoming one of Youku’s top dramas this year. Both shows have surpassed 50 million views on Yunhe, with Love Game in Eastern Fantasy reaching this milestone first, followed closely by The Story of Pearl Girl.
Strong Performances and Female-Centric Stories Drive Success
According to Yunhe data, Love Game in Eastern Fantasy, directed by Zhao Yilong and starring Esther Yu, amassed 17.09 million views on its first day, capturing an 8% market share and ranking fourth among currently airing dramas. In comparison, The Story of Pearl Girl featuring Zhao Lusi and Liu Yuning garnered 15.38 million views and a 7.2% market share, placing sixth. Both dramas focus on female leads, showcasing the talents of Esther Yu and Zhao Lusi in leading their respective stories.
While both are costume dramas, they offer different genres and storytelling styles, giving viewers a choice based on their preferences. As the competition continues, audiences are eagerly deciding which drama stands out as superior.
Which drama will capture your heart?
