The Story of Pearl Girl, the latest Chinese drama starring Zhao Lusi and Liu Yuning, has come to the end of its run in China. Despite the high-level investment and the popularity of the main actors, the reception in China was lukewarm, with the series failing to compete with other dramas like Romance in the Alley and Love Game in Eastern Fantasy.
Low Viewership in China
According to Yunhe data, The Story of Pearl Girl reached first place in viewership only once during its run, on November 6th. The series’ market share did not reach 20%, and many viewers criticized the plot and the lack of chemistry between the protagonists, who had shown great rapport in The Long Ballad.
International Success and Spreading Chinese Culture
Despite the lukewarm reception in China, The Story of Pearl Girl found success in the international market. Zhao Lusi’s global popularity propelled the series to the top of the list of most watched dramas on Netflix. The series was exported to more than 190 countries, winning fans around the world and bringing traditional Chinese culture to new audiences.
The Story of Pearl Girl tells the story of Duan Wu, a young woman who dives for pearls in the Tang Dynasty. To escape this difficult life, she joins the entourage of the merchant Yan Zijing on a journey to Northwest China. Along the way, Duan Wu unravels secrets about her life and becomes involved in Yan Zijing’s quest for revenge. Amidst twists and challenges, she changes her name to Su Mu Zhe and travels to Yangzhou in search of the truth, fighting against hatred and finding allies in Zhang Jinran and Yan Zijing himself.
