The first episode of 'Diary' debuted with an average rating of 6.62%—an undeniably strong start.
In recent years, the TV industry has been shrinking, especially with the rise of streaming platforms. Last year, in particular, the impact was significant—dramas across all six major TV networks experienced varying degrees of ratings decline.
So, for 'Diary' to pull in a 6.62% rating on premiere was a huge relief for the team over at Xingtong TV.
Yindou Net rated the show 9.0, and online feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
"This is great! It's finally starting to feel like the romance dramas from the old days."
"Isn't it a bit too tragic, though? The female lead suffered so much in the first episode... and people still want to watch episode two?"
"Compared to Mr. Jing Yu's shows, this feels pretty mid. I mean, heartbreak, betrayal, a suicide attempt—sure, that's dramatic, but it's not like I felt personally affected. It's just someone else's story. But take Mr. Jing Yu's work—like how Tomoya Okazaki lost his wife and daughter—I literally felt my heart break. I thought I was the one going through it."
"Mr. Jing Yu spends dozens of episodes making you fall in love with the heroine. You start seeing Nagisa Furukawa as your own wife. Naturally, you see Ushio Okazaki as your own daughter. That kind of emotional investment doesn't happen with 'Diary'. Sure, the plot is more creative than the typical love drama, but in terms of character depth? It doesn't even come close. Still, there's only one show from Jing Yu this season—might as well check out some others in the meantime."
"Honestly, I think this one could be a hit. I love Jing Yu's shows too, but only his romance stuff. He's investing big in a show without any romance this time? Feels risky."
"Risky? Don't tell me you think Jing Yu can only write romance. What about 'Hikaru no Go'? No romance at all, and it was brilliant. Don't underestimate him. Sure, I've cursed him out plenty online as 'Old Thief Jing Yu,' but when it comes to screenwriting, I've never seen anyone in Great Zhou who can top him. Maybe in the past someone could've rivaled him in either quality or quantity, but now? No one even comes close. Sure, a few veteran writers have seniority, but that's all they've got on him."
With the broadcast of 'Diary', the spring drama season had officially begun.
The next night—Saturday, 8 PM
Huanshi TV aired 'Rise of the Great Zhou'.
Historical dramas have always had a built-in audience in the Great Zhou, especially when they covered founding events in national history.
The premiere achieved a 6.92% rating. With a budget of 170 million, no one could criticize its production values. This kind of investment was top-tier even for the Big Three networks.
However, once the episode ended, the audience couldn't help but compare it to another title:
'Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal'
After all, Jing Yu's adapted version of 'Kenshin' was also set during the founding of the Great Zhou. In fact, the protagonist of 'Rise of Great Zhou' was loosely based on the same figure who, in 'Kenshin', had recruited the titular swordsman into the organization.
"Honestly, Kenshin was just better."
"You can't compare the two! Kenshin was a movie—the visuals were always going to be better."
"It's not just the visuals, though. The story pacing is way slower in 'Rise of the Great Zhou'. And the fight scenes? Not even in the same league. In Kenshin, Jing Yu's action scenes were one-take masterpieces—smooth and fluid. In this show? My eyes hurt. That male lead thinks he's being cool, but even with post-editing help, he can't lift a sword convincingly."
"It's a drama, what do you expect? Don't compare other actors to Jing Yu—that guy's a freak of nature. Honestly, I bet even that viral Qigong Master would get wrecked in a real fight with Jing Yu."
"I graduated from a martial arts academy, so let me say this: Jing Yu's actual ability is way beyond what you see on screen. In Kenshin, some of the choreographed sequences aren't flashy, but his solo shots—his sword draw, his wrist control—are on a level only insiders understand. Try copying those moves yourself. Seriously, go watch the scene at minute 39—he holds the sword up for 40 seconds, and I swear the tip doesn't even tremble."
"Facts."
Despite 'Rise of the Great Zhou' pulling in slightly higher ratings than 'Diary', the reviews weren't nearly as favorable. By the next day, even mainstream media in Great Zhou was reporting on the show's shortcomings.
But after all, this was just the first week of the spring season. Everyone was still playing it safe.
Sunday
The real showdown was about to begin.
At 7 PM, every major drama fan group in Great Zhou was buzzing.
"It's spring again—and we're finally seeing Jing Yu back in the ratings war!"
"But do we have to watch it on TV? Aren't there exclusive features only available on the three major streaming sites?"
"Yeah, but Yunteng TV airs it five minutes earlier! And come on—watching on your phone can't beat a TV screen."
"I'm buying it on the platform either way. But if it's airing on TV, might as well give it a ratings boost too."
"True. Honestly, I kind of prefer watching Jing Yu's shows on streaming. They're so rewatchable—I always go back for a second or third viewing. But still, now that this one's in the ratings battle, I'd hate to see it get crushed by those other mediocre shows."
"Why hate it? I'm not even into 'Fate/Zero' yet."
"You will be. I'm already getting the sense this'll be another 'Clannad'-level series. Just imagine looking back and realizing your favorite drama got stomped in the early ratings by some trash. That'd suck."
"I'm watching it on TV first. If it hooks me, I'll buy it on streaming. If not, I save money. Win-win."
"You're a genius, lol."
As fans chatted away, the clock struck 8 PM.
Yunteng TV paused. The ad cut out.
And up on the screen appeared three bold characters:
Fate/Zero
The opening theme of 'Fate Zero' began to play.