iQIYI is a major Chinese streaming platform — think of it as one of China’s counterparts to Netflix. It was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Beijing. The service is owned by Baidu.
While originally focused on the Chinese market, iQIYI has grown globally through its “iQIYI International” arm. The international platform has a user interface in multiple languages (English, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Spanish, etc.) and is available in many regions.
What Does “Drama, Anime, Show” Mean on iQIYI?
The phrase “Drama, Anime, Show” essentially describes the core type of content that this version of the app emphasizes:
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Drama – Asian dramas like Chinese dramas (C-dramas), Korean dramas (K-dramas), Thai dramas, and more.
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Anime – Animated content, often Japanese-style anime or similar animated series.
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Show – Variety shows, reality shows, talk shows, or non-fiction entertainment.
So, the app is tailored specifically to deliver a broad mix of Asian entertainment, not just movies. According to iQIYI International, they host over 1,700 drama series, a wide variety of shows, anime titles, and more than 2,000 films. (iQIYI)
Why Is iQIYI Popular?
1. Rich and Diverse Content Library
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iQIYI produces many original dramas and also licenses a huge variety of content. (iQIYI Inc.)
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They distribute thousands of episodes across different genres (suspense, romance, historical, modern, variety, etc.). (iQIYI)
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Because of this wide catalog, it appeals to many kinds of viewers — from drama lovers to anime fans to variety-show watchers.
2. Technology-Driven Platform
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iQIYI uses big data, AI, and other advanced tech to improve its content and user experience. (iQIYI Inc.)
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Their tech helps in content recommendation, streaming optimization, and even content production.
3. Monetization Model
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Their revenue comes from a mix: subscriptions (VIP), ads, content distribution, and more. (The Motley Fool)
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This diversified model means they can offer both free, ad-supported content and premium, ad-free content.
4. International Reach
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iQIYI International operates from Beijing and Singapore, with offices also in North America, Malaysia, and Thailand. (iQIYI)
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The platform has expanded globally, and they’ve released 3,000+ overseas episodes of original series to international markets. (iQIYI)
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Their subscription plans for VIPs include perks: skip ads, watch in higher resolution (1080p, 4K), early access to episodes. (iQIYI)
5. Massive User Base
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According to its filings, iQIYI has over 100 million paid subscribers in some reports. (Wikipedia)
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It’s one of the most-used streaming platforms in China, with billions of viewing hours each month. (Wikipedia)
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It’s also financially strong, producing and distributing original content at scale. (iQIYI Inc.)
Challenges & Criticisms
While iQIYI is very powerful, it doesn’t come without criticisms. Here are some commonly noted challenges:
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Subtitle Quality: Some international users complain about poor subtitles. For example, on Reddit, people mention grammatical errors in translated text. (Reddit)
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Device App Limitations: Certain episodes or express versions might only be available on the mobile app, and not on TV apps. >
“they also prohibit you to cast it to the big screen … the express episodes only available on mobile.” (Reddit)
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Autoplay Frustrations: Some users are annoyed by the autoplay feature, where a new episode starts before they finish reading the synopsis. (Reddit)
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Financial Risks: As with many streaming platforms, there's risk around investments. iQIYI has issued convertible bonds to raise capital. (Reuters)
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Geo‑Regulatory Tensions: Because it's a Chinese platform, there are geopolitical concerns in some regions. (Reddit)
Recent Developments & Growth
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According to China Daily, iQIYI’s membership revenue recently grew, driven by content investment and optimized subscription plans. (China Daily)
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Their micro‑drama library is expanding dramatically, now admitting more than 15,000 short drama titles. (China Daily)
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On the content side, they continue to push original series to global audiences. (iQIYI)
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On the financial side, iQIYI is actively raising funds (e.g., through bonds) to support its business. (Reuters)
Popular Shows on iQIYI
Here are a few notable shows and dramas that reflect iQIYI’s content diversity:
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Unchained Love (浮图缘): A historical / romantic series produced by iQIYI. (Wikipedia)
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Kidnapping Game (十日游戏): Suspense-thriller series; based on a detective novel. (Wikipedia)
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Mobius (2025): A sci-fi thriller about time loops / detective work, released on iQIYI (and Netflix). (Wikipedia)
Pros & Cons — At a Glance
Pros:
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Huge variety: drama, anime, variety shows.
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Original content: iQIYI’s own productions.
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Flexible model: free + VIP subscription.
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Technologically advanced: AI, data-driven.
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Global reach: available in many regions, multilingual subtitles.
Cons:
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Sometimes bad subtitles (according to some users).
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Device restrictions: not all content available on all platforms.
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Autoplay annoyances.
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Financial risk for the company.
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Regulatory / geopolitical risk for non-China markets.
Why Should Viewers Try It?
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If you love Asian dramas: iQIYI is a gold mine for C‑dramas, K‑dramas, historical sagas, romantic stories, and more.
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If you want anime: They have a solid anime offering, making it a good pick for animated series lovers.
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If you enjoy variety shows: From reality TV to talk shows, iQIYI’s “Show” section is quite rich.
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If you don’t mind paying for quality: The VIP membership gives a smoother, ad-free experience, higher video quality, and early episodes.
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If you like discovering original content: Many of iQIYI’s own dramas are not available elsewhere, offering fresh and unique stories.
Conclusion
iQIYI’s "Drama, Anime, Show" app is more than just a streaming platform — it’s a cultural hub for Asian entertainment. With its expansive content library, tech-driven approach, and global reach, it has become a major player in the OTT (over‑the‑top) world. But like any service, it has its trade-offs: subtitle issues, device limitations, and financial risks.
For viewers who are passionate about Asian dramas or anime, iQIYI offers tremendous value. For casual viewers, the free (ad-supported) tier might be enough. But if you want the best experience, going VIP makes a big difference.