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| Zhao Jinmai Prepares for a Massive 2026 With New Dramas on the Way (Photo: Zhao Jinmai Studio/Weibo) |
Zhao Jinmai is properly entering her glow-up era. The young actress, born on 29 September 2002, is now one of the busiest and brightest names in China’s drama scene — and 2026 is shaping up to be her most ambitious year yet. Known for switching effortlessly between historical epics, action pieces, modern romance and even sci-fi, she’s levelling up again with four new dramas either in production or gearing up for release.
As 2025 winds down, the excitement is already building. With her growing maturity as an actress, Zhao Jinmai’s upcoming roles show a deeper, more versatile side to her craft — the kind that keeps audiences hooked and producers fighting to cast her.
Before diving into the lineup, a quick nod to her journey: Zhao Jinmai made her acting debut at age ten in Cannot No Mother (2012), followed by her film debut a year later in Balala the Fairies: The Movie. In 2020, she scored an impressive 524 in the National Higher Education Entrance Examination and ranked first in the Central Academy of Drama, where she officially graduated in 2024. In short — this girl’s career has been building for years, and 2026 looks like her breakout year in full force.
Big Zhao Jinmai Dramas Confirmed for 2026
Below is the confirmed list of Zhao Jinmai’s upcoming dramas set for 2026 — and what viewers can expect from each one.
1. Chinese Paladin Season 5 Prequel (仙剑五前传)
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40 episodes · Romance · Wuxia Fantasy · iQIYI Original · Q3 2026
Starring: Zhao Jinmai, Zhang Haowei, Xing Fei
Wuxia fans, sharpen your swords — the beloved Chinese Paladin universe is expanding again. This prequel takes viewers back to the turbulent Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms era, following the intertwined fate of three very different youths: Wen Xuan, Jin Yu and Xie Cang Hai. What starts as a journey to a martial arts competition spirals into a full adventure of loyalty, betrayal and tough choices.
Zhao Jinmai stars as Xia, a key figure whose connections to the central characters slowly unfold as the story digs deeper into personal sacrifice and moral duty. Expect emotional tension, sweeping fantasy landscapes and classic Paladin nostalgia.
In true prequel fashion, friendships will be tested, secrets uncovered and not everyone gets a safe ending. With major confrontations against the villain Gu Mu and a bittersweet final arc involving Wen Xuan and Jin Yu, prepare yourself for a drama that blends wuxia action with heartfelt storytelling.
2. Irreplaceable (无可替代)
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24 episodes · Modern Workplace Romance · Youku Original · 2026 Release
Starring: Zhao Jinmai, Wei Daxun
Fresh off filming, Irreplaceable is shaping up to be Zhao Jinmai’s most emotionally charged modern drama to date. Playing Xu Chi, a young consultant determined to build a strong, independent life, Zhao takes on a character driven by ambition, resilience and quiet strength.
The drama pairs her with Wei Daxun’s Ye Xinzhi, a sharp and calculating partner at a major firm who’s carrying his own share of past grievances. What begins as a strict professional arrangement slowly shifts into a partnership filled with tension, growth and complicated feelings.
Expect a mix of career highs, personal dilemmas and a slow-burn romance that relies more on trust and emotional development than flashy drama. Fans of workplace storytelling with depth and grit will enjoy this one.
3. Growing Pain Season 3 (少年派第三季)
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Youth · Family · Mango TV · Late 2026
Starring: Guo Junchen, Zhao Jinmai, Zhang Jiayi
Lin Miao Miao is back — older, wiser and ready to take on adulthood in the bustling city of Shenzhen. This new season of the hit youth series follows the group as they leave the comfort of their hometown and step into the real world, full of opportunities but also pressure.
Zhao Jinmai reprises her beloved role, this time exploring themes of independence, first major heartbreak, early career struggles and the challenge of staying true to oneself in a fast-paced city. Her chemistry with the returning cast remains one of the franchise’s strongest points.
Fans can expect a more mature tone compared to the earlier seasons, but with the same warmth and relatability that made the series a favourite.
4. Shine On Me (骄阳似我)
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36 episodes · Modern Romance · Tencent Video · Rumoured Dec 2025 – Q1 2026
Starring: Zhao Jinmai, Song Weilong
Arguably the most anticipated title in Zhao Jinmai’s upcoming slate, Shine On Me has been buzzing since filming began. Playing the lively and optimistic Nie Xiguang, Zhao Jinmai delivers a fresh, heartfelt take on a young woman trying to find her place after stepping into adulthood.
Caught between an old campus crush and a new, surprisingly gentle love interest — Lin Yusen, a former surgeon turned solar energy entrepreneur — Nie Xiguang’s journey is all about healing, self-worth and discovering love that genuinely supports your growth.
If the release date drops anytime soon, expect fandom corners to explode. If not, Q1 2026 is the safest bet.
So, Which Zhao Jinmai Drama Should You Watch Out for Most?
Honestly, all four deliver something completely different — wuxia adventure, workplace tension, youth realism and modern romance.
But if we’re talking hype? Shine On Me and Chinese Paladin 5 Prequel are definitely leading the conversation right now.
More titles may still join the list — 2026 is looking wide open for Zhao Jinmai’s busiest career year yet.
What to Expect From Each Drama
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Chinese Paladin 5 Prequel — sweeping wuxia worldbuilding, emotional character arcs and a bittersweet adventure.
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Irreplaceable — strong character growth, slow-burn workplace romance and a grounded modern setting.
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Growing Pain S3 — relatable young-adult struggles, friendships under pressure and warm family storytelling.
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Shine On Me — soft modern romance, personal healing themes and a popular lead pairing.