On the night of December 9, the highly anticipated drama Silent Tides officially premiered in CCTV-1’s prime-time slot and on iQIYI instantly triggering a ratings explosion across China.
From 20:06 to 21:00, Episode 1 recorded a 2.2551% viewership rating and a 10.7579% market share, soaring straight to No.1 nationwide for the day.
But the real shocker? Within just 10 minutes, the rating surpassed 2%, breaking CCTV-1’s late-2025 premiere record. This is solid proof of Ren Jialun’s tremendous ratings power, especially in serious, patriotic, and historically inspired works.
A Rare Look at the Financial War of 1941–1945 Macau
Silent Tides explores the shadowy financial battlefield of Macau during 1941–1945 when the region became Asia’s only free port amid World War II. Rather than focusing on gunfire and battlefields, the drama follows a covert economic war, where bank collapses, currency manipulation, and trade blockades became strategic weapons.
The story centers on He Xian (played by Ren Jialun), based on the real-life Chairman of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Macau. Once a stable bank employee, he is abruptly fired as war breaks out. Despite losing everything, He Xian chooses patriotism over survival, working alongside allies to dismantle four major economic offensives launched by Imperial Japan.
The drama unfolds as a gripping tale of loyalty, strategy, sacrifice, and business acumen in a time of national crisis.
Massive Production: 23 Full-Scale Sets, 880 Costumes, 22,000 Props
The production team spared no expense in recreating the war-torn yet resilient world of 1940s Macau:
- 23 major locations rebuilt at 1:1 scale, including ports, hospitals, and heritage hotels
- 880 era-accurate costumes
- 22,000 props to bring the wartime atmosphere to life
The result? A drama that looks and feels unmistakably cinematic.
Top 1 on iQIYI in 20 Minutes Despite Viewer Complaints About Locked Episodes
On iQIYI, the hype was just as intense. Within 20 minutes, the drama shot to Top 1 on the platform.
However, some viewers expressed frustration because non-VIP accounts were locked out of episodes until 22:00. Even so, the drama’s momentum remained unstoppable.
At its peak, Episode 1 reached a 2.3551% real-time rating, making it CCTV-1’s highest-rated premiere in the second half of 2025.
Netizens Are Losing Their Minds: “Give This Drama Every Award!”
Here’s how Chinese viewers are reacting online:
- Congratulations to Ren Jialun the first traffic actor to headline a CCTV-1 prime-time drama! I’m not even a fan, just impressed.
- He looks so handsome in this styling, I can’t breathe.
- This must have a sad ending. Ren Jialun always picks SE dramas!
- He’s the ultimate ‘national husband’ of Chinese dramas no kiss scenes, just almost-kisses every time.
- The budget is huge, the production is tight. Ratings will definitely go even higher.
With a record-breaking premiere, stunning production quality, and Ren Jialun’s commanding performance, Silent Tides is already the hottest drama of the season.
Sources: CCTV ratings data,iQIYI
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