Past and present appeal in House of Cards

Even its US producers are probably surprised that the TV series House of Cards has been such a hit with Chinese Internet users. For months, it has secured prominent ratings on various websites in China.

Why are Chinese viewers so addicted to the show? Even the majority of viewers' need for subtitles, which may be more troubling than enjoyable, has not dampened enthusiasm for the program.

However, if we cast aside the cultural and political prejudices that keep us from seeing the simple truth, the phenomenon is easily explained. To Chinese viewers, House of Cards is like a "royal court" series set in a contemporary, foreign context. This different setting makes the familiar unfamiliar, and curiosity about the unfamiliar is a universal trait; we are easily attracted by things we haven't seen or heard before.