The Vendetta of An has had a phenomenal run
Since its premiere on December 12th, 2025, the Chinese historical drama The Vendetta of An (长安二十四计) starring Cheng Yi, Liu Yi Jun and several other marvelous main leads, has achieved remarkable success.
According to data from Chinese data analysis platform Maoyan Professional Edition, as of February 25th 2026, the drama’s total cumulative effective online play count across all platforms has surpassed 1.2 billion views (1.204 billion to be exact), with an average of approximately 30.68 million effective views per episode.
And some episodes, of course, earning far far more.
I will also point out, before we get into why this all matters, while the Chinese drama is streaming internationally on Netflix and on YOUKU, those 1.2 billion views do not include those from international viewers, which could add one hundred million more.
RELATED: The Vendetta of An had already grabbed 9,500 on YOUKU on just its 3rd day of release
This achievement is so big, it has secured The Vendetta of An‘s position as the top-rated completed drama of 2026 on the Maoyan annual chart so far.
What makes 1.2 billion views significant?
Of course, I don’t need to point out that 1.2 billion views in China alone for a C-drama that has only been out for three months is something most shows will never accomplish.
But there are also other reasons why those views are really quite significant as well.
1. They Represents 1.2 Billion “Effective Views,” Not Raw Clicks
The 1.2 billion figure refers to certified effective views, which is an industry metric designed to filter out non-standard or automated playback behavior, such as repeated clicks or bot traffic.
This makes it a more accurate reflection of genuine audience engagement with The Vendetta of An compared to raw click counts.
In an era where vanity metrics often inflate performance claims then, effective views provide a much clearer picture of a drama’s real popularity and, damn, I would say this one’s is one of the most loved.
2. That Huge Number of Views Were Achieved Without Existing Intellectual Property
Perhaps most notably, The Vendetta of An is an original screenplay, ie: it is not an adaptation of a popular novel or webtoon.
In an entertainment industry dominated by “big IP stars”, this drama proved that original content that is written well and performed beautifully can compete, and win, without relying on an already built-in fan base to do it.
3. Domestic vs. International: A Distinction Worth Understanding
It is also important to note that the 1.2 billion effective views figure primarily reflects domestic platform performance on Chinese services like YOUKU and Migu Video.
International streaming data, including the tens of millions of views the drama earned on Netflix, where the drama has been made available across 190+ countries and territories, and the tens of millions more on YOUKU international are generally not included in this specific metric.
Something that is annoying to international viewers like me, as when will Chinese production companies and streaming services value the attention of non-Chinese viewers as well?
However, the drama’s international impact is still undeniable.
After all, after launching on Netflix, The Vendetta of An quickly entered the top 10 TV program rankings in multiple regions, including in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Hong Kong.
Netflix even added commercial advertisements for the drama. A rare move that underscores its cross-border appeal.
This dual success with both domestic and international audiences the does a great job demonstrating the growing global appetite for well-crafted Chinese content, doesn’t it?
In other words, I will guarantee you can take those 1.2 billion views from China and easily add another 100 million or more from international audiences as well.
Why does The Vendetta of An‘s 1.2 billion views matter?
A Wake-Up Call for the Chinese Drama Industry
In an environment where many producers rely on “tried-and-tested” IP adaptations and safe formulas, The Vendetta of An offers a powerful counter-narrative.
The drama attracted over 50 brand partners in China, secured 226 total advertisements, and generated official merchandise sales exceeding 74.52 million yuan (approximately $10.3 million USD).
Even after the show concluded, brands continued to add commercials in a rare post-broadcast phenomenon that speaks to the drama’s sustained commercial value.
Considering many Chinese dramas still struggle to make major money for their production companies, The Vendetta of An stands out as exactly how to do it.
For Audiences: Validation of Discernment
Perhaps most importantly, the drama’s success validates what audiences have been saying all along: quality content matters.
Especially in an era of algorithm-driven recommendations and short-form distractions, The Vendetta of An proves viewers are willing to engage deeply with complex narratives that respect their intelligence, and featuring actors who give phenomenal performances.
The drama’s emphasis on pure strategic maneuvering, with no romantic subplot to dilute the tension, has also been cited as a key factor in its appeal, particularly among male viewers who represented over 45% of the Chinese audience.
The Takeaway
All of this is why the 1.2 billion effective views for The Vendetta of An (with views still rising, I might add) are more than just an impressive statistic.
They represent a cultural moment for the Chinese drama industry, and the lesson then is clear: when you invest in strong writing, exceptional performances, and genuine production values, audiences will respond positively
Keep putting out the same idol dramas that are poorly-written by committee and feature lead actors who, sometimes shouldn’t be anywhere near a camera, though, and the attention from audiences will be less than stellar.
Those 1.2 billion views for The Vendetta of An, plus the hundred million more from international viewers and counting, don’t lie, now do they?
The Vendetta of An stars Cheng Yi, Liu Yi Jun, Wang Jin Song, Zhou Qi, Tong Meng Shi, and Xu Lu, with a supporting cast that includes Ye Zu Xin, Zhang Han Yu, Ni Da Hong, Cheng Tai Shen, Wang Zu Yi and Han Tong Sheng.
Guest stars Yu Kang (who gives a stupendous performance as The Undertaker in Episode 4), Wang Hao Ge, Xu Yong Ge, Jiang Chao, Sebrina Chen, Chen Shu Jun, Liu Xiao Hai,Liu Xiao Hai, Huang Jue, Bian Cheng and Yin Zhu Sheng add many levels of superbness to the cast.
About the Author
