Song Joong-Ki News: 'Descendants of the Sun' Going Strong in China, Intially Song Was Not Part of Drama Casting Plan
According to CRIENGLISH TV drama series starring Song Joong-Ki 'Descendants of the Sun' has increased the number of paying viewers in China.
The drama is showing on China's online video platform iQiyi, and audiences are now paying for VIP packages to get priority viewing of the latest episodes. iQiyi estimates that at least 3 million new VIP users have signed up for package. Annual membership is 30 US dollars.
The drama has scored 1.2 billion views since it was released on February 24th.
China has very strict policy on broadcasting foreign TV dramas, but eased them for Descendants of the Sun, whose production was reportedly partly funded by Chinese investors.
Lately, Song Joong-Ki has taken over no.1 place for popularity in China among Hallyul star from Lee Min-ho.
The drama is a huge hit and starring Song Joong-ki was in a way lucky since Captain Yoo Si Jin did not exist in an early screenplay for the drama, and actor Song Joong Ki was not the candidate for the role intially accoridng to StraitsTimes.
The show has been distributed to 27 countries including the UK and translated into 32 different languages, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency.
