#iQIYI #Mysterious Lotus #Chinese Drama

iQIYI Concludes Successful Tour of 'Mysterious Lotus Casebook'

On January 12, 2025, iQIYI, China's prominent online entertainment platform, wrapped up the multi-city tour of its stage adaptation, "Mysterious Lotus Casebook," with an engaging final performance in Beijing. This tour marks a significant milestone in iQIYI's ongoing strategy to diversely develop and monetize intellectual property (IP), demonstrating the company's effectiveness in transforming popular content into various engaging formats that attract broad audiences.

From Screen to Stage: A Journey of a Hit Series

The stage version originates from one of iQIYI's major hits of 2023—a captivating martial arts mystery series that quickly gained traction among viewers. The series distinguished itself with its rapid pacing and the depth of its characters, moving past a content popularity index of 10,000 on iQIYI's platform and securing a prestigious nomination at the 29th Shanghai TV Festival's Magnolia Awards.

Adapting this beloved series to the stage, the production stays true to its roots while delivering a fresh theatrical experience. It narrates the story of a once-celebrated swordsman, whose tranquil existence is shattered by a determined youth and an old rival, compelling him to return to the martial arts arena to solve a series of intricate mysteries. Enhanced by innovative stage design, the production artfully merges traditional Chinese aesthetics with modern elements, thus breathing life into the series’ most iconic scenes, enlivened by cultural motifs that resonate with audience members.

A Tour That Resonated

The stage adaptation sparked substantial excitement on social media, particularly on Weibo, China's major social media platform, where it generated trending searches and enthusiastic reviews from thousands of theatre-goers during its tour across multiple cities, including Hangzhou, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Beijing. Thanks to the overwhelming reception, iQIYI has ambitious plans to extend the production's tour to even more cities in 2025. This successful endeavor further cements iQIYI's reputation in the field of stage adaptations, following the earlier triumph of "The Bad Kids," another project birthed from a successful series.

Commercial Success and IP Value

The triumph of "Mysterious Lotus Casebook" extends well beyond its theatrical presence. The IP has proven its remarkable commercial potential, generating sales of RMB80 million (approximately US$11 million) from a diverse range of merchandise. The product line includes over 1,300 items, featuring collectible cards, badges, model toys, and themed accessories based on the series.

Additionally, the IP has expanded into the tourism sphere through partnerships that recreate iconic scenes, offering immersive experiences for visitors at destinations such as Suyun Thirteen Gardens in Jiangsu Province and Hengdian World Studios in Zhejiang Province.

Xiaohui Wang, iQIYI's Chief Content Officer, emphasized the importance of their strategy, noting, "In recent years, iQIYI has consistently strengthened its premium content offerings by delivering hit dramas and animations, whilst expanding these entertainment IPs across our increasingly mature ecosystem. Through various offline experiences and consumer touchpoints, we aim to maximize the long-term value of our IPs and deepen audience engagement."

To further capitalize on its IP assets, iQIYI is preparing for an exciting 2025 by launching new original IP while continuing to expand established ones like "Mysterious Lotus Casebook" and "Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty." Throughout the year, the company plans to celebrate key milestones with innovative IP-based merchandise launches and co-branded projects that cater to evolving consumer preferences.

In conclusion, the successful multi-city tour of