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| Ao Ruipeng Gears Up for a Busy 2026 With Four Highly Anticipated Dramas (Photo: Weibo/Sina) |
Ao Ruipeng is heading into 2026 with serious momentum. After a solid 2025 that proved his growing pull with both audiences and platforms, the Chongqing-born actor is lining up four very different dramas that quietly signal a shift into more mature, layered roles. Romance, historical mystery, fantasy wuxia, and a high-profile sequel are all on the table, making 2026 feel less like a routine year and more like a career checkpoint for him.
Born on 6 October 1995 and a graduate of Chengdu Vocational College of Art, Ao Ruipeng entered the industry in January 2019 through the blind date variety show Dream Space. Fast forward to now, and his resume has expanded well beyond first impressions.
In 2025 alone, he appeared in Moonlight Mystique, The Seven Relics of Ill Omen, Coroner's Diary, and Love Never Fails. All 4 delivered respectable ratings and steady online discussion, giving fans plenty of confidence heading into his next batch of projects.
Ao Ruipeng’s New Chinese Dramas to Watch in 2026
Ao Ruipeng’s 2026 Drama Line-Up Looks Stacked as the Actor Levels Up Across Genres.
My Queen, My Rules (不二之臣)
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| iQIYI |
Set to air as an iQIYI original series in mid-2026, My Queen, My Rules leans fully into modern romance but with a sharper, more strategic edge. The 30-episode drama is directed by Randy Che and stars Ao Ruipeng alongside Shen Yujie, Wang Duo, Sui Junbo, and Rachel Wang.
Ao Ruipeng takes on the role of Cen Sen, a cold and authoritative CEO whose life becomes entangled with Ji Ming Shu, an equally proud and strong-willed young woman.
What starts as suspicion and calculation slowly evolves into something deeper, with an arranged marriage acting as the catalyst rather than the conclusion.
The story focuses on how the two leads challenge fate, protect each other, and grow through emotional and moral tests.
Adapted from the web novel Your Most Faithful Companion by Bu Zhi Shi Ke Cai, this project is already being labelled by netizens as one of the most anticipated romance dramas of 2026, especially for viewers curious to see Ao Ruipeng in a more grounded, modern role.
Now or Never (一点浩然气)
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Now or Never shifts gears completely, placing Ao Ruipeng in a darker historical mystery with heavy martial arts elements. This 40-episode iQIYI original pairs him with Dai Luwa and Zhou Qi, and is currently scheduled for a 2026 release date yet to be confirmed.
Ao Ruipeng plays Chen Yi, the sole survivor of the Chen family, a once-respected martial arts clan in Dafeng State that was framed and wiped out.
The drama follows Chen Yi’s journey from being wronged again as a wanted criminal to uncovering a much larger conspiracy tied to the Baekje Society and foreign invasion forces.
As investigations deepen, the narrative expands into themes of loyalty, justice, and responsibility to the nation. Fans are especially interested in this project because it allows Ao Ruipeng to balance emotional restraint with physical intensity, a combination many felt he handled well in his earlier action-heavy works.
Pull Strings (师兄太稳健)
.webp "Ao Ruipeng New Modern and Historical Dramas Releasing in 2026") |
| Youku |
Pull Strings brings Ao Ruipeng into the wuxia fantasy space with a calmer, more strategic protagonist. Produced as a Youku original series and directed by Sam Ho, this 30-episode drama is expected to arrive between Q3 and Q4 of 2026. The cast includes Sun Zhenni, Ao Ziyi, Ai Mi, and Jenny Zeng Keni.
Ao Ruipeng plays Li Chang Shou, a minor cultivator reborn into ancient times before a major divine war.
Unlike typical hot-blooded heroes, Li Chang Shou’s goal is simple: survive quietly and live long. He avoids unnecessary conflict, plans obsessively, and keeps his true abilities hidden.
Yet whenever he does act, the consequences are anything but small. Adapted from the novel My Senior Brother Is Too Steady by Yan Gui Zheng Zhuan, the drama is already sparking interest for its anti-flashy lead and its mix of humour, strategy, and sudden high-stakes moments.
The Blood of Youth Season 2 (少年歌行之南明离火)
Closing out the line-up is one of the most talked-about sequels in recent wuxia memory. The Blood of Youth Season 2 is directed by Yin Tao and produced as a Youku original series, with 40 episodes planned.
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| Youku |
Ao Ruipeng reunites with Li Hongyi, Lin Boyang, Liu Xueyi, Flora Dai Yanni, and Li Xinze in a story that blends comedy, martial arts, and political tension.
This season centres on the power struggle surrounding the Southern Imperial authority, as familiar characters are pulled back into chaos by the movement of divine weapons across the land.
The narrative promises bigger stakes, broader world-building, and more emotional weight than the first season. Early chatter suggests that Ao Ruipeng’s role will be more impactful this time, making this sequel a key test of his long-term appeal within ensemble casts.
Across Chinese social media, reactions to Ao Ruipeng’s 2026 slate have been varied but mostly upbeat. Romance fans are circling My Queen, My Rules, while wuxia lovers are split between the philosophical calm of Pull Strings and the large-scale spectacle of The Blood of Youth Season 2.
Meanwhile, viewers who prefer darker storytelling are keeping a close eye on Now or Never for its mystery-driven plot and moral complexity. What stands out most is how different each role feels, suggesting a deliberate attempt to avoid typecasting.
More updates still pending and schedules always subject to change, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for Ao Ruipeng.
Which drama are you personally waiting for, and do you think romance or wuxia suits him better at this stage of his career?