The recent drama 'Lan Hương Như Cố,' featuring Đàm Tùng Vận and Lưu Học Nghĩa, has captured the audience's attention with its impressive ratings, even though it airs after the prime time slot on CCTV-8. The show has seen a notable increase in viewership, with ratings climbing from 1.0409% to 1.2287% within the first three days of airing.

Despite not being scheduled in the coveted 7:30 PM time slot, the series has become a hot topic among Chinese viewers. Online, the show's popularity is also on the rise, surpassing 28,500 points on Tencent Video within the same timeframe. Other media metrics, such as Datawin and Vlinkage, have also reported growing interest in the show and its cast.

This surge in ratings has led to comparisons with 'Gia Nghiệp,' a series starring Dương Tử that aired approximately four months earlier. Both dramas center around female protagonists and explore themes of family, identity, and personal transformation, but they approach these themes differently.

'Gia Nghiệp' follows the story of Lý Trinh, the daughter of a family that produces ink in Huy Châu. After facing a crisis, she uses her skills to revive the family business, highlighting the art of ink-making and intangible cultural heritage. This series benefited from a prime time broadcast and exclusive streaming on iQIYI, achieving an average rating of around 1.15%.

Both Đàm Tùng Vận and Dương Tử, born in 1990, are part of the 90s generation of actresses known for their impactful roles in Chinese television. Dương Tử has gained fame for her performances in 'Ashes of Love,' 'The Long Ballad,' and 'The Flower of Evil,' while Đàm Tùng Vận is recognized for her roles in 'The King's Affection,' 'Family on the Go,' and 'The Story of Minglan.'

However, it is still too early to determine which actress can better carry a show based solely on ratings. 'Gia Nghiệp' has completed its run, while 'Lan Hương Như Cố' is just beginning. The two series also differ in their airing times and platforms, and the ratings measurement systems used (CVB and Kuyun) are not directly comparable.

What remains intriguing is that 'Lan Hương Như Cố' is demonstrating a positive rating trend despite not having the most favorable airing conditions.