Chinese romantic comedy Dating Hunter has become the first Chinese series to be optioned for the US market, following a deal between international distributor Keshet International and the drama’s producer Croton Media.

The agreement is also the first scripted format deal for Croton, one of China’s biggest drama producers, as well as Dating Hunter’s first overseas foray.

The series, which tells the story of an ex-adman running a dating agency, generated publicity at home for its quotable home truths, which enjoyed a second life on social media.

Croton, part of the Huace studio group, also agreed to develop two scripted properties from Keshet, Traffic Light and Loaded, for the Chinese market.

The studio runs TV drama slots for five provincial satellite channels: Shanghai TV, Heilongjiang TV, Guangdong TV, Xiamen TV, Qinghai TV and Bingtuan TV.