Chinese TV series sets online viewership record abroad

BEIJING: Chinese TV series ‘Princess Agents’ has set a record for YouTube views - at over 230 million - making it the most-watched Chinese TV drama internationally, as overseas audiences have been showing a growing interest in the genre in recent years.

That’s not to mention a record 42 billion-plus clicks on Chinese streaming sites.

It’s being reported that around half the clicks abroad have come from the United States.

California has topped the list of states watching the series, having viewed 117 million minutes.

The series has also proven popular in non-English-speaking countries like Russia, Japan and Vietnam.

The show has scored 8.4 points out of 10 on IMDb.

The series, set in the Western Wei Dynasty (535-556), is adapted from a popular online novel.

The story of Princess Agents revolves around the chaotic times of the Northern Wei kingdom, when innocent citizens are often kidnapped and turned into slaves.

The Slave girl, Chu Qiao (Zanilia Zhao) is thrown into a forest along with other slaves and later, becomes the next hunting target for the rich lords. However, things took a different path when she is saved by the Prince of Northern Yan, Yan Xun (Shawn Dou) and afterwards, she is brought into a powerful family of Yuwen.

Much like The Game of Thrones, a bloody power sturuggle ensues,