Youku Drama ‘Difficult to coax’ Sweeps Nation, Igniting Consumption and Cultural Trends

The Youku drama “Difficult to Coax” has rapidly become a nationwide sensation, demonstrating a powerful “hot drama effect” that is significantly influencing social trends and consumer behavior across China. Released recently, the drama’s popularity has extended far beyond mere entertainment, making a notable impact on the food, finance, culture, and tourism sectors. the phrase it’s hard to coax your body has emerged as a widely recognized social catchphrase, while the sentiment I will love you violently until I die resonates deeply across various demographics, especially among younger audiences.

Sister Series and Radio Drama Experience a Surge in Popularity

The remarkable success of “Difficult to Coax” has significantly boosted the viewership of its sister series, “Can’t Secretly Hide,” on Youku’s streaming platform. Following the widespread broadcast and popularity of “Difficult to Coax,” views for “Can’t Secretly Hide” surged by an impressive 622%, propelling it to the top three of Youku’s coveted “N-Brush Index,” a metric indicating highly re-watched content.

Notably, “Can’t Secretly hide,” despite being completed for over 600 days, managed to outperform manny newly released dramas, securing a prominent spot in the top nine of the Yunhe Daily List, a testament to its enduring appeal. The popularity of “Difficult to Coax” has also extended to the original intellectual property (IP), with the radio drama adaptation of “Difficult to Coax” experiencing a staggering 400% increase in listens on Maoer FM, the exclusive broadcast platform for the audio drama.

Catchphrases and cultural impact

The drama’s memorable lines and evocative music have deeply resonated with young audiences, rapidly establishing themselves as an emerging cultural phenomenon across social media. Phrases such as I will love you violently until I die and I still like you for so many years have become ubiquitous on various social media platforms, adapted and applied to a wide range of everyday situations and contexts.

As one netizen, identified as jinke, humorously stated, Snail noodles, I still only like you for so many years. another, known as Chuke, exclaimed, I will love you violently until I die. This demonstrates how the drama’s core themes have permeated popular culture, with the saying everything can be applied, it is indeed difficult to coax your body becoming a common refrain in online conversations and daily interactions.

Driving Consumption and New Trends

“Difficult to coax” has effectively leveraged the “small” scale of film and television to stimulate a “big” new consumption scene across various sectors. Within just one week of its initial release, the drama’s soaring popularity led to a nearly 300% increase in Youku app downloads, indicating a meaningful surge in user engagement. Specific products prominently featured in the show have also experienced a notable surge in consumer demand.

Wen Yifan’s preferred strawberry cake, for example, quickly topped Meituan’s highly competitive food list, reflecting the direct influence of the drama on consumer preferences. Retailer Hema capitalized on this burgeoning trend by creating dedicated “difficult” themed product displays in 30 offline stores across major cities including Chongqing, Shanghai, and others. Sales of “Love You in the Breaking” zhuqingtuan increased by 30% month-on-month,while Red Heart Apple Juice saw a 19% month-on-month increase,further illustrating the drama’s impact on retail sales.

Tourism and location-Based Popularity

The widespread popularity of “Difficult to Coax” has also spurred a significant surge in tourism to the drama’s primary filming locations, attracting fans eager to experience the world depicted on screen.Netizens are actively visiting the “Overtime Bar” and the Sunac paradise Ferris Wheel, both prominently featured in the series as key locations.

Data indicates that tens of thousands of people have visited the “Overtime” museum in the two weeks following its operation, seeking to immerse themselves in the “coax honey” atmosphere popularized by the drama. The Chongqing Sunac Paradise Ferris Wheel has become a particularly popular “support” location, with check-ins increasing by 20% as fans flock to recreate scenes from the show and capture memorable moments.

Global Reach and International Acclaim

The romantic appeal of “Difficult to Coax” extends far beyond China’s borders, captivating audiences worldwide with its engaging storyline and relatable characters. The series has been together released on Netflix in over 190 countries and regions, marking a significant achievement for a Chinese drama on the global stage. During its broadcast, it reached the top six of Netflix’s global daily list, underscoring its widespread appeal and critical importance for Chinese dramas seeking international recognition.

Overseas viewers have expressed their appreciation for the series, with many noting that Watching and laughing makes people feel ups and downs, which is what makes Chinese dramas move.

Future Projects from Youku

Building on the resounding success of “Difficult to Coax,” Youku plans to release a series of highly anticipated youth-themed productions in the coming months. The upcoming “Youth-Blooded Fairy Tale,” starring Yu Shuxin and Lin Yi, is generating significant buzz among fans. Other high-quality content in the pipeline includes titles such as “Eating, Running and Love,” “Cherry Amber,” “Summer in You Name,” and “I Wait for You at the Peak,” promising a diverse range of engaging stories for viewers to enjoy.

Conclusion

The phenomenal success of “Difficult to Coax” underscores the power of engaging storytelling to influence cultural trends and consumer behavior on a massive scale. From driving app downloads and product sales to boosting tourism and captivating international audiences, the drama has left an undeniable mark on the entertainment landscape. As Youku prepares to launch new youth-themed projects, the impact of “Difficult to Coax” serves as a powerful testament to the potential of Chinese dramas to resonate with viewers worldwide and shape cultural conversations.