Welcome to iQIYI’s bi-weekly news round-up! Here you’ll find the latest news and stories from the company, from entertainment, tech to business and from local to regional. If you are interested in learning more about iQIYI, please do not hesitate to reach out to press@qiyi.com .
(Jan.1 2024-Jan.19 2024)
BUSINESS
iQIYI Unveils the 'Action Master ' Season, Showcasing a First Lineup of Films under the Season
On Jan. 18, iQIYI officially launched its ‘Action Master’ Season, featuring a lineup of four action films: Blocking the Horse, Eye for an Eye 2, Hunt the Wicked, and The Wild Blade of Strangers. This diverse selection covers a diverse mix of martial arts, modern thrillers, and crime dramas.
Blocking the Horse is set to exclusively premiere on Jan. 25 on iQIYI Cloud Cinema, making it the first film to kick off the season. Eye for an Eye 2 is the sequel crafted by the original team behind the highly acclaimed first instalment, which gained significant praise for its incredible fight choreography and achieved remarkable success on iQIYI Cloud Cinema in 2022. Hunt the Wicked, an action crime film directed by Sui Qiang HUO, the filmmaker behind the recent box office hits Blind War and The Comeback, promises to deliver an adrenaline-pumping showdown between good and evil. The Wild Blade of Strangers vividly portrays the story of a reclusive charcoal seller who emerges as a saviour for oppressed civilians, embodying the spirit of a noble warrior.
As an important category for iQIYI Cloud Cinema, action films have consistently delivered impressive performances online in recent years. Films such as Blind War, Eye for an Eye, Fight against Evil 2, and The Comeback have received significant acclaims and achieved commercial success. Notably, The Comeback grossed over 47 million RMB (approximately 6.6 million USD), while Fight Against Evil 2 approached 36 million RMB (approximately 5 million USD), securing their positions as the top two highest-grossing online films in 2023.
CONTENT
iQIYI Unveils Like a Flowing River 3, Capturing Ordinary Lives in Times of Extraordinary Change in China
On Jan. 8, the highly anticipated drama Like a Flowing River 3, co-presented by iQIYI, China Central Television, and Daylight Entertainment, premiered on iQIYI. This launch builds on the remarkable success and high ratings of the first two seasons, continuing the narrative that has captivated a widespread audience.
The series follows the transformative journeys of four distinct characters in China during the 1990s, a period marked by sweeping changes and burgeoning opportunities. Amidst significant societal shifts and economic reforms, the drama offers a glimpse into China’s era of rapid development, vividly illustrating how the opportunities of the time reshape each character’s career, family, and friendships. It also highlights their compelling stories of struggle, resilience, and personal growth.
The latest release further showcases iQIYI’s commitment to spotlighting the stories of ordinary people and socially impactful themes from different eras, featuring engaging storylines and relatable characters that deeply resonate with its diverse audience.
Princess Doremi 3 of iQIYI Wins Best 3D Animated Programme at the 28th Asian Television Awards
On Jan. 12, the iQIYI Original anime series Princess Doremi 3 won the Best 3D Animated Programme award at the 28th Asian Television Awards. The Awards, with over two decades of history, have grown into one of the most influential awards recognizing excellence in programming and production in the Asian television industry.
The award-winning Princess Doremi 3 builds upon the popularity of the previous two seasons. It tells the story of Amelie, a princess from Music Wonderland, who, along with six other princesses of different personalities, passionately sings with magical musical power. The series showcases a dazzling starry stage and explores diverse educational topics, conveying the values of friendship, inclusivity, and growth. It also emphasizes social and emotional themes suitable for children at various stages of development.
Princess Doremi has achieved significant success on iQIYI’s children’s channel, securing top positions on multiple charts. Its popularity has transcended the screen, leading to licensing agreements for toys, stationery, and even offline stage plays. This wide-ranging appeal serves as a testament to the series’ immense popularity and widespread acclaim.
The Mutations of iQIYI Premieres, Blending Period Drama with Eastern Fantasy for a Thrilling Adventure
On Dec. 30, 2023, iQIYI-presented period drama series The Mutations made its exclusive debut on the platform, infusing the traditional genre with a strong blend of fantasy and suspense. This series adds a unique twist to iQIYI’s period drama content offerings, expanding the genre’s boundaries and attracting a diverse viewership.
Set in an ancient time amidst the outbreak of a mysterious epidemic, the drama follows Sijing CHU, a secret service agent, who undertakes a risky journey to solve a life-threatening mystery on an isolated island. The series masterfully combines elements of fantasy with ancient Chinese mythology, and its high production quality vividly brings mythological creatures such as Xuanming to life. Along with other gothic elements, it creates a haunting and mysterious atmosphere, offering a thrilling viewing experience for audiences seeking unique storytelling and striking visual effects.
Suspense Drama The Lonely Warrior Sets New Records, Raising the Bar for iQIYI ‘Light On Theater’
On Jan. 4, iQIYI released the series finale of its highly anticipated original drama, The Lonely Warrior. This drama, released under iQIYI’s suspense-themed ‘Light On Theater,’ has garnered an impressive content popularity index of over 9,800, setting a new record for dramas released within the collection.
This latest successful release under the ‘Light On Theater’ exemplifies iQIYI’s effective studio-based production model, offering meticulously curated and compelling themed content across diverse audience segments. The content from this series has established a track record of receiving worldwide acclaim and setting new benchmarks for the global distribution of Chinese dramas. An exceptional lineup of five additional dramas is set to be released within the ‘Light On Theater’ this year, including Interlaced Scenes, Breaking the Shadows, Tell No One, The Limbo, and Lost in the Shadows.
