Story of Yanxi Palace (Photo/China.com.cn)

The Chinese costume drama, Story of Yanxi Palace, the most Googled show on earth in 2018, has enjoyed widespread popularity in Vietnam, Thailand and other countries in Southeast Asia, becoming the epitome of the popularity of Chinese TV programs in the region.

“Like in China, only two episodes will be streamed here every day. I always sit in front of my computer and can’t wait to watch the new ones,” said a Vietnamese online video editor who loves Chinese costume drama.

Chinese TV shows are also popular in the Philippines. The debut of the inspiring Chinese drama Feather Flies To The Sky was a hit on People’s Television 4 (PTV4), the public broadcasting network in the Philippines, with an average audience rating of 15 percent in the first three months. It was the first Chinese drama to be translated and dubbed into Filipino and then aired in the country.

Apart from geographical proximity and cultural affinity, the root causes of the popularity of Chinese TV series and films in Southeast Asia are China’s rapid economic growth and enhanced soft cultural power.

TV dramas are a window into Chinese society, by which the audience can catch a glimpse of social changes in the country.

TV series that focus on modern Chinese life such as We Love You, Mr. Jin and May-December Love 2 are also famous in Vietnam, said Pho Thi Mai, a Vietnamese sinologist.

“Each TV drama reflects the background of a specific era in China, and the leaps in living standards, from having access to basic material needs to moderate prosperity, and then to a better life,” she added.

These TV dramas are also a window into Chinese culture. Many of the values highlighted in Chinese TV series resonate among audiences in Southeast Asia, so that they can appreciate Chinese stories and gain an accurate and comprehensive understanding of China, said Chua Soo Pong, a Singaporean performing artist.