iQIYI Targets Short-Form Dominance with Undercurrent Theater Launch

Since its August 4 debut, the crime thriller has outperformed industry benchmarks, capturing a 60.9% daily market share according to Enlightent. The series generated over RMB 5 million in revenue-sharing earnings within five days, with internal projections pointing toward a total exceeding RMB 10 million by its ninth day. This performance validates the platform’s decision to apply its premium content model to shorter, high-intensity storytelling.

Set in a northeastern Chinese city during the late 1990s, the narrative centers on a community officer and a criminal investigator revisiting an eight-year-old family tragedy. The show’s reception has been bolstered by rapid-fire pacing and a distinct aesthetic, sparking a wave of viral social media clips. Building on this momentum, iQIYI is preparing to expand the Undercurrent Theater pipeline with titles like The VI Group of Fatal Case and The Murder Truth, aiming to solidify its status as the primary destination for high-end suspense content in the Chinese market.