China's biggest online video platform, iQiyi International, has been launched in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
The platform offers around 3000 Pan-Asian originals and licensed drama series, films and other shows from China, Korea, and other Asian countries with English and Arabic subtitles. Headquartered in Singapore, iQiyi began in 2010 in China and currently entertains more than 100 million paid subscribers and 500 million active users worldwide.
With Korean dramas been hailed for their content worldwide, iQiyi has announced the production of its first Korean original series, "My Roommate is a Gumiho," based on the webtoon Living Together to be aired from May. Popular shows on the platform include The Story of Yanxi Palace, Backstreet Rookie, My Unicorn Girl, Make My Heart Smile, Poisoned Love, Love is Sweet, and a third season of the special talent show Youth with You.
Airing since February, Youth with You 3 features 119 young men aspiring to make a debut in the music industry, out of which 9 participants will make it to the finale. The popularity of this season of the show was boosted when leading K-Pop group Blackpink member Lisa was once again hosted as the dance mentor.
Membership subscriptions start from AED 17.99 UAE dirhams ($4.90), SAR 17.99 ($4.80) and 64.99 Egyptian pounds ($4.14) with a one-month free trial.