This Fantasy Show With 8.4 on IMDb Is the Biggest Chinese Drama of 2026 You Shouldn't Miss
This is a story about two people from completely different backgrounds who learn to live together and gradually fall in love.
Asian pop culture fans have almost unanimously chosen this year's top drama – Pursuit of Jade is a historical melodrama that has set impressive viewing records.
If you're unfamiliar with Asian dramas but realize it's time to change that, this new series could be your gateway into the genre.
What Is 'Pursuit of Jade' About?
Changyu Fan is a simple girl who becomes the new head of the family after a bandit attack kills her parents. She raises her younger sister and runs her father's butcher shop by herself.
One day, after making a delivery, she stumbles upon a stranger buried in the snow. Risking her reputation, Changyu Fan brings the wounded man inside to warm up and secretly nurses him back to health.
Zheng Xie is a mysterious man from the imperial court who is clearly on the run from the authorities. According to local law, a family without a male heir can lose all its property at any time. The arrival of the man comes at just the right time: grateful for her rescue, Zheng Xie agrees to a sham marriage.
'Pursuit of Jade' Evolves From a Village Melodrama Into a War Epic
The complex relationship between the main characters remains the emotional core of the story, but the creators continually add layers to the romance.
One episode, Pursuit of Jade is a historical drama depicting the harsh conditions of life in medieval China, including attacks by mountain bandits and outrageous local laws.
The next episode transforms the drama into a detective story about the intrigues behind the scenes of the imperial court – a series of coincidences through which important people discreetly eliminate their competitors.
The most unexpected transformation is into a war epic. At one point, the brave main character goes to war, and the series briefly resembles Mulan.
'Pursuit of Jade' Is Such a Visual Feast That You Won't Be Able to Watch Any Other Series
From the very first frame, Pursuit of Jade amazes with its deliberate aestheticization of the visuals – the precise use of light and shadow, rich color grading, and a composition reminiscent of a painting.
The result is stunning, especially compared to the constant criticism of Western movies and series, which often appear dull and flat due to poor lighting and color grading.
Pursuit of Jade will charm you with its endearing characters, complex plot with elements of romance and detective fiction, and most importantly, its stunning visuals.
Where to Watch 'Pursuit of Jade'?
Pursuit of Jade is available to stream on Netflix.
