'Mo Li' and 'White Day Lantern' Lose! The #1 Chinese Drama of 2026 So Far Is 'This' — Model-Level Looks, Impossible to Stop Watching

The Chinese drama market in the first half of 2026 has been buzzing with excitement, as a wide range of genres—from historical political intrigue and fantasy romance to mystery investigations and urban love stories—have successively sparked viewing frenzies. These dramas not only achieved impressive viewership ratings but also ignited heated discussions across social media platforms. Numerous new series have broken out of their niche thanks to compelling plots and high-profile casts, keeping viewers hooked from the first episode. Adaptations of popular novels, in particular, built strong anticipation among original fans before launch and received widespread acclaim afterward, quickly becoming this year’s breakout hits.

Net Temperature DailyView used its public opinion analysis tool, KEYPO Big Data Key Engine, to identify the ten most beloved phenomenon-level Chinese dramas based on online buzz. The list features multiple record-breaking titles, including the critically acclaimed and highly discussed 'Zhu Yu,' the surprise hit 'Cheng He Ti Tong' that dominated the start of the year, and other popular new releases like 'Yu Lin Ling' and 'Jia Ou Tian Cheng' that made strong entries. Which masterpiece managed to rise above the rest and claim the top spot in buzz volume? And which dramas are worth diving into? The latest must-watch list is revealed now.

Top 10 Most Talked-About Chinese Dramas of H1 2026

No.10 'Ya Xi' (Image: Sourced from Weibo) Online Buzz Volume: 10,182 mentions

'Ya Xi,' adapted from the novel of the same name, blends urban romance with suspense and adventure. Headlined by Chen Xingxu and Lu Yuxiao, the story follows Hu Xiu, who is jilted by her fiancé and then enters an immersive script-killing game. There, she develops feelings for Qin Xiaoyi, a cold and mysterious warlord NPC, only to discover his real identity is the talented architect Xiao Zhiyu (played by Chen Xingxu). As the boundaries between game and reality blur, the two embark on a healing love story.

While 'Ya Xi' didn’t trigger a full-scale phenomenon like 'Nan Hong' or 'Ju Ji Hu Die,' it still earned strong praise from drama fans for its fresh plot that breaks traditional tropes and the outstanding performances of its lead actors. Many viewers hailed it as a 'hidden gem with high ratings.' Notably, Chen Xingxu’s portrayal of Xiao Zhiyu, praised for both looks and acting, topped Weibo’s character popularity chart after the finale. Meanwhile, Dai Xu, who played the antagonist, also won massive fan support with his standout performance, earning the title of 'phenomenal second male lead' and becoming another highlight of the series. 'Ya Xi' delivered strong results in both critical reception and character buzz.

No.9 'Jia Ou Tian Cheng' (Image: Sourced from Weibo) Online Buzz Volume: 11,650 mentions

Starring Ren Jialun and Wang Herun, 'Jia Ou Tian Cheng' is adapted from the novel of the same name by Shisilang. The drama combines xianxia (immortal heroes), mystery, and a bittersweet romance. It tells the story of Xiu Mei (Wang Herun), a cultivation girl cursed with a 'husband-killing' fate, and Lu Qianqiao (Ren Jialun), the young master of the War Demon Clan, who enter a contractual relationship. Initially using each other, they gradually build trust through life-and-death trials and ultimately fall into a fated love that transcends destiny.

Initially overlooked due to a surprise drop release and limited promotional resources, 'Jia Ou Tian Cheng' gradually attracted a large audience as the plot unfolded. Its unconventional storyline, fast-paced narrative, and on-screen chemistry between the leads sparked intense discussions on social media. The drama not only outperformed strong contemporaries like 'Love Has No Myth' in popularity but also achieved a critical comeback in a fiercely competitive mid-year lineup. Even after its finale, it remained high on major popularity charts, demonstrating strong long-tail effects.

No.8 'Yu Lin Ling' (Image: Provided by Disney+) Online Buzz Volume: 11,918 mentions

Adapted from the classic 'The Seven Heroes and Five Gallants,' 'Yu Lin Ling' marks the first collaboration between Yang Yang and Zhang Ruonan in a grand historical martial arts drama. The story follows Zhan Zhao, who is hunted by evil forces while escorting a secret letter that could shift court power. Along the way, he meets Huo Linglong, the runaway heiress of Linglong Manor, and Bai Yutang, a vigilante who fights evil with violence. The trio embarks on a thrilling battle between good and evil, uncovering the conspiracy of the King of Xiangyang.

Unlike typical romance-focused historical dramas, 'Yu Lin Ling' blends investigation, martial arts, and political intrigue. Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang’s excellent chemistry during their truth-seeking missions became a major highlight, with fans affectionately dubbing them the 'Cat and Mouse Couple.' Their dynamic interactions were one of the show’s biggest draws.

Commercially, 'Yu Lin Ling' achieved remarkable success, surpassing 460 million online views and driving significant advertising and copyright revenue. However, the heavy reduction of romantic subplots and the lead actress’s weak fight scenes drew criticism from some viewers, resulting in polarized reviews. Comments included: 'Zhang Ruonan’s fight scenes are truly lacking, but her visuals are flawless,' 'A high-quality drama—Yang Yang excels in both acting and action—and the Cat-Mouse duo is amazing,' and 'Just watching the trio of Zhan, Bai, and Huo is worth it.'

No.7 'Yu Ming Cha Gu' (Image: Sourced from Weibo) Online Buzz Volume: 13,435 mentions

The historical drama 'Yu Ming Cha Gu,' produced by the team behind 'Story of Yanxi Palace,' is an original romance combining mystery, manor intrigue, and business warfare. Starring 'period drama heartthrob' Hou Minghao and popular actress Gulnazar, the story follows Lu Jianglai (Hou Minghao), a top scholar investigating a mass murder case, who infiltrates a major tea-trading town. After being ambushed and nearly killed, he is saved by Rong Shanbao (Gulnazar), daughter of the tea magnate Rong family. While maintaining a master-servant facade, they gradually develop feelings and engage in a mutually empowering romance.

Notably, Hou Minghao’s character appears calm and reserved but is actually highly intelligent, calmly strategizing through crises. This underdog-to-victor arc earned him the nickname 'male version of Wei Yingluo' among fans, drawing many viewers in.

With 4 million pre-orders before launch, 'Yu Ming Cha Gu' saw its popularity soar after release, surpassing 4 billion cumulative views and securing 17 daily ratings crowns on satellite TV. Thanks to its fresh premise and tightly paced storytelling, it became one of the most talked-about historical dramas of H1 2026.

No.6 'Jiao Yang Si Wo' (Image: Sourced from Weibo) Online Buzz Volume: 13,492 mentions

Adapted from the popular novel by author Gu Man, 'Jiao Yang Si Wo' stars Song Weilong and Zhao Jinmai. The story centers on Nie Xiguang (Zhao Jinmai), a rookie office worker hiding her wealthy heiress identity, who meets Lin Yushen (Song Weilong), a top executive who switched careers after an accident. From initial misunderstandings to emotional healing, they eventually fall into a mutual, deeply romantic relationship.

The biggest highlight is the faithful casting to the original characters. Song Weilong’s striking looks and nuanced performance perfectly captured Lin Yushen’s cold exterior and warm, devoted heart, earning praise from fans as 'the character who stepped out of the novel.' Zhao Jinmai vividly portrayed the heroine’s lively, optimistic, and love-driven personality. Their high character compatibility and electric on-screen chemistry led viewers to exclaim 'their couple energy is off the charts.'

'Jiao Yang Si Wo' dominated both critical and viewership charts, amassing over 710 million total online views and earning a stellar 7.4 rating on Douban—outperforming other 2026 hits like 'Nan Hong' and 'Xu Wo Yao Yan.' It was crowned the highest-rated modern idol drama of the year, proving its undeniable popularity.

No.5 'Yue Lin Qi Ji' (Image: Sourced from IMDb official site) Online Buzz Volume: 14,283 mentions

Starring Ju Jingyi, Zeng Shunxi, and Chen Duling, 'Yue Lin Qi Ji' is adapted from the classic 'Liaozhai Zhiyi' tale 'The Painted Skin,' while incorporating mythological elements from 'Classic of Mountains and Seas,' 'Huainanzi,' and 'Journey to the West' to create a vast fantasy world spanning humans, demons, and gods. The story follows Lu Wuyi (Ju Jingyi), a nine-tailed fox from the mysterious organization 'Wu Xiang Yue,' and Wu Wangyan (Chen Duling), as they infiltrate the Luo'an Wei household to capture Xiao Wei, a demon fox fleeing with dragon god powers. They meet Wu Shiguang (Zeng Shunxi), a demon hunter driven by vengeance, and the priest Ji Ling (Tian Jiarui). From mutual distrust, the four unite to fight Jiu Ying, the king of all demons, and face life-or-death choices to save humanity.

Through rich mythological imagery and fantastical settings, 'Yue Lin Qi Ji' successfully attracted a large audience. Its popularity surged within three days of launch, exceeding 200 million views in five days. However, as the plot progressed, its complexity, excessive episode cuts, and uneven character screen time led to polarized reviews. It ultimately received a 5.3 rating on Douban. Despite mixed critical reception, its high buzz and viewership kept it among the top contenders.