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| Meng Ziyi’s Most Anticipated Chinese Dramas Airing in 2026 (Photo: Weibo/MengZiyi Studio) |
Zoey Meng (Meng Ziyi) is genuinely entering her peak era. As 2025 winds down, the actress — born 5 December 1995 and a Beijing Film Academy alum — is lining up one of the busiest and most varied release schedules in C-drama land. From palace politics to modern romance and even full fantasy, she’s taking on nine new roles that show a noticeably more mature, grounded side of her acting.
Signed under Yuekai Entertainment and having debuted back in 2016 through Chinese Hero Zhao Zi Long, Meng Ziyi has steadily climbed the industry ladder. But 2026 might just be her defining year.
Meng Ziyi’s New Chinese Dramas Releasing in 2026
Below is the full breakdown of her confirmed and rumoured projects, complete with what to expect and estimated release windows.
1. Blossoms of Power (百花杀)
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Genre: Historical romance / palace intrigue
Co-stars: He Yu
Platform: Tencent Video / WeTV
Estimated Release: Late 2025 or Early 2026
What to expect:
A survival-driven palace drama with a darker emotional tone. Meng Ziyi plays Gu Qing Zhi, the sole survivor of a violent tragedy who reinvents herself as Shen Xi He, a sharp and calculating noblewoman determined to reclaim control over her life. Expect strategic alliances, intense chemistry with the Crown Prince, and plenty of plotting behind silk curtains.
This is easily one of her strongest “power heroine” roles to date.
2. San Xian Mi Hui (三线谜回)
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Genre: Mystery / adventure
Co-stars: Wang Hongyi
Platform: Tencent Video / WeTV
Estimated Release: Mid 2026
What to expect:
A treasure-hunting mystery set along the Yangtze, Yellow River, and Lancang-Mekong regions. Meng Ziyi plays the youngest “water spirit” of a family known for helping people retrieve lost items — but this time, she uncovers the secrets that bind three families together.
Expect a mix of folklore atmosphere, family secrets, and light-adventure pacing.
3. Tigers Sniff the Rose (尚公主)
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Genre: Historical romance
Co-star: TBA male lead (Yan Shang character)
Platform: Tencent Video
Episode Count: 40
Estimated Release: 2026
What to expect:
An adaptation of Shang Gong Zhu, this drama offers a sweeping romance set in the misty mountains of Lingnan. Meng Ziyi plays Princess Danyang, whose journey home leads to a fated meeting with the scholar Yan Shang.
Expect:
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a soft yet epic romance
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political rise of a scholar-turned-official
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partnership dynamics where the couple fights side-by-side
Perfect for fans of slow-burn love mixed with nation-building stakes.
4. The Great Pei (了不起的裴千户)
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Genre: Historical investigation / action
Co-stars: Gao Hanyu
Platform: Youku
Estimated Release: Late 2026
What to expect:
A lighter, case-solving dynamic focusing on two young Qian Hu Troops members with clashing personalities. Meng Ziyi’s character brings sharp instincts and emotional range, while her co-star delivers the cool counterbalance.
Expect a fun, compact 24-episode crime-solving rhythm with martial arts elements.
5. Beautiful Lantern Festival (上元锦绣)
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Genre: Historical romance
Co-stars: Ge Qiugu
Platform: TBA (likely Youku or iQIYI)
Estimated Release: Rumoured Late 2026
What to expect:
A long-completed project filmed in 2022 that’s reportedly being revived for release. Details are scarce, but the cast list is stacked, hinting at a visual-heavy festival romance with rich production styling.
Expect something soft, festive, and very costume-visual driven — if it finally airs.
6. Kiss In The Wind (等风热吻你)
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Genre: Urban romance / second chance
Co-stars: Deng Wei
Platform: Tencent Video
Estimated Release: Early–Mid 2026
What to expect:
Adapted from Jiji’s Cat’s popular novel, this one is all emotions. Meng Ziyi plays superstar Fu Xueli who reunites with her ex, now a quiet, restrained forensic doctor. Their past relationship was fiery; their reunion is messy, magnetic, and impossible to avoid.
Expect a modern love story filled with tension, growth, and emotional cleanup — very on-trend for 2026 urban dramas.
7. General’s Only Empress (将门独后)
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Co-stars: Dylan Wang Hedi
Platform: Tencent Video
Estimated Start of Filming: Jan 2026
Estimated Release: Late 2026–Early 2027
What to expect:
Easily the most talked-about project. Based on the celebrated novel The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage, Meng Ziyi plays Shen Miao — a woman who is reborn at 14 after her tragic future life collapses.
Expect:
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heavy political scheming
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strong character growth
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a powerful, strategic heroine
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emotionally charged partnership with the male lead
This might become her next signature role.
8. Secret World (秘密世界)
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Co-stars: Ao Ruipeng
Platform: iQIYI (rumoured)
Estimated Release: 2026
What to expect:
A meta-fantasy where Meng Ziyi plays actress Mu Jiaren, who discovers her life may be part of a novel. When the Grim Reaper-like Lin Feng comes to take her life, she negotiates for one last month — which becomes a journey of self-reflection, family warmth, and unexpected affection.
Expect a healing, dreamy romance with philosophical notes.
9. Have It All
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Genre: Costume romance / mystery / identity twist
Co-stars: Dong Sicheng
Platform: MGTV
Estimated Release: 2026
What to expect:
Directed by Li Muge (Goodbye, My Princess), this drama mixes mistaken identities, palace conspiracies, and long-lost love. Meng Ziyi plays a young woman who discovers she is actually the missing princess Xiao Qi Tang, and must reclaim her identity while navigating old and new love.
Expect rich visuals, strong emotional arcs, and a large focus on political intrigue.
So, Which One Should You Be Most Excited About?
If you're into epic palace scheming, General’s Only Empress is easily the standout.
For deep romance, Kiss In The Wind is the hot pick.
If you like fantasy with emotion, Secret World will probably hit the spot.
More Meng Ziyi dramas may still be announced or reshuffled — this list will evolve as schedules adjust.