 |
| Chen Jingke’s 2026 Drama Line-Up Looks Massive as Actor Expands His Range Across Romance, Youth, and Crime Series (Photo: Weibo) |
Chen Jingke is heading into 2026 with serious momentum, and honestly, the Chinese entertainment scene is watching closely. Born on 11 March 1997, the actor has quietly built a reputation for being both charismatic and adaptable, effortlessly jumping between genres like action, historical, youth drama, and modern romance. Now, with five new dramas either in production or preparing for release, Chen Jingke looks set to push his acting range even further while showing a more mature and layered side of his craft.
The Shenzhen-born actor, who is currently signed under Black Gold Entertainment, has had quite the unique journey into showbiz. His love for fantasy stories started early, even imagining himself as a hero during primary school. At just 18 years old, he travelled to Hollywood in 2015 for a three-year intensive training programme covering performance, martial arts, combat fighting, kendo, and physical conditioning.
He officially stepped into the entertainment world in 2018 through his documentary project Eight Fadao before making his acting debut as the male lead in The Legend of Jing Yan in 2020. Fast forward to 2025, Chen Jing Ke kept fans well-fed with four dramas including Watch Your Back, Summit of Our Youth, The Long Way Back, and Persona, all receiving positive reception and solid ratings.
All Chinese Dramas Starring Chen Jingke Releasing in 2026
That success has only amplified anticipation for his 2026 projects, which are shaping up to be among the most talked-about Chinese dramas this year.
Road to Success (灿如繁星)
 |
| iQIYI |
Road to Success is already generating serious buzz as one of the most anticipated Chinese dramas of 2026. The 30-episode iQIYI original psychological youth sports drama pairs Chen Jingke with Esther Yu Shuxin, alongside Lu Zhanxiang, Yang Xinghui, and Dong Liwuyou. Directed by Gia Lee, the drama is currently targeting a release window between Q2 and Q3 of 2026.
The story centres around Ph.D. student Lin Wan Xing, who returns to her hometown and unexpectedly takes on the role of sports equipment custodian at Hongjing No. 8 High School. Her life takes a turn when she meets Wang Fa, a former British football club coach who becomes her mysterious tenant.
As Lin is assigned the nearly impossible mission of reviving the school’s disbanded football team, the drama blends personal growth with competitive sports storytelling. After an early crushing defeat, Wang Fa steps in as coach, leading the struggling team towards redemption. As both leads confront past emotional scars and personal setbacks, they must also balance academic pressures and their shared dream of reaching the finals.
Viewers can expect Road to Success to deliver strong emotional arcs, youth motivation themes, and sports-driven intensity. Fans are already praising the casting chemistry between Chen Jingke and Esther Yu, with many saying this drama could highlight Chen’s softer yet determined character portrayal.
The series is adapted from the popular web novel Xia Lu by Chang Er, which has already built a loyal reader base excited to see the story translated onto screen.
Touch (遇人不熟)
 |
| iQIYI |
Touch is scheduled to arrive earlier in 2026, with its release reportedly planned between February and March. The 24-episode iQIYI original drama is directed by Randy Che and stars Chen Jingke alongside Elvira Cai Wenjing, Guan Yue, Jiang Zhengyu, Xu Shengjin, and Zheng Xuhang.
The drama explores a complicated emotional journey between director Sang Ru and Zhou Ting Zhao when an unexpected event brings Sang Ru back to her university years.
The narrative shifts between past and present timelines, allowing the characters to reflect on personal regrets, unfinished relationships, and emotional growth. As their connection deepens, the drama focuses on themes of self-discovery and learning to confront life’s challenges rather than running from them.
Many netizens believe Touch could showcase Chen Jingke’s emotional depth, especially as the story relies heavily on character introspection and relationship dynamics. Fans of the original novel Shu Ren Zuo An, also known as Ban Shu by Zai Yan Wai, are particularly curious to see how the adaptation balances romance with psychological storytelling.
Early online discussions suggest viewers are expecting a mature and heartfelt romance that leans more on emotional realism than dramatic exaggeration.
Dahlia Will Bloom All the Time (紫色大丽花)
 |
| Youku |
Dahlia Will Bloom All the Time offers a slightly different tone compared to Chen Jingke’s other 2026 projects. This 10-episode Youku romance drama pairs him with Alyssia Chia Chingwen, alongside Zhao Zhiwei and Victor Liu Jiayi. While the official release date remains unconfirmed, the drama is expected to premiere sometime in 2026.
The series tells the story of Xin Li Hua, a wealthy and elegant middle-aged woman trapped in a fragile marriage and complicated family dynamics. Her life becomes entangled with Qiu Yue, a younger man carrying secrets from his past.
As they navigate emotional struggles, trust issues, and personal transformation, the story focuses on redemption and emotional healing through unexpected connections.
Netizens have been particularly intrigued by the age-gap dynamic and more mature relationship theme. Many fans have commented that this role could allow Chen Jingke to display emotional restraint and nuanced acting rather than relying on traditional youthful romance tropes.
Some viewers are also curious about his on-screen pairing with Alyssia Chia, noting that the cross-generation chemistry could become one of the drama’s biggest highlights if executed well.
On My Way (致我那菜市场的白月光)
 |
| MGTV |
On My Way, a Mango TV original series directed by Xue Ling, brings Chen Jingke into an inspirational growth drama starring Zhang Jingyi, Song Yang, Zhang Xilin, Charlene Chen Xiaoping, and Guo Chen. The series is set to broadcast in 2026 and is adapted from the web novel Zhi Wo Na Cai Shi Chang De Bai Yue Guang by Pu Yu Yu Yue Liang.
The story follows vocational-school student Ren Dong Xue, whose life changes dramatically after meeting her long-time crush Cheng Xia at a local marketplace.
Determined to chase her ambitions and rewrite her future, Ren follows Cheng Xia south to pursue work opportunities, complete self-study exams, and gradually climb the construction industry ladder. Her journey eventually leads her to become President Ren, reversing her life circumstances entirely.
What makes this drama stand out is its focus on personal ambition and long-term character growth. As Ren Dong Xue evolves, the relationship dynamic between her and Cheng Xia shifts, showing how emotional support can work both ways.
Fans are particularly excited to see Chen Jingke in a character connected to long-term life transformation, with many predicting the drama could resonate strongly with young viewers navigating career and personal development struggles.
A Hero (孤鹰)
A Hero presents a darker and more intense storyline, marking Chen Jingke’s venture into crime and undercover investigation storytelling. The 28-episode Youku original series is directed by Pan An Zi and stars Tan Zhuo, Xia Yu, Zu Feng, with Chen Jingke appearing in a supporting role.
The drama follows rookie police officer Qin Chuan, who joins a special task force and is sent on a dangerous undercover mission into the Golden Triangle. As he infiltrates a cartel to gather intelligence and prevent the establishment of a major illegal operation, the drama promises high-stakes tension, complex moral dilemmas, and action-driven storytelling.
Although Chen Jingke takes on a supporting role, many viewers believe the series could still be significant for his career development. Fans online have expressed curiosity about how he handles a more grounded, realistic crime narrative compared to his romance-heavy projects.
Some netizens have also pointed out that working alongside veteran actors like Tan Zhuo and Xia Yu could further sharpen his acting experience and industry credibility.
Across online forums and fan communities, reactions to Chen Jingke’s 2026 drama slate have been overwhelmingly positive but varied. Some fans are most excited about Road to Success due to its inspirational sports storyline and popular novel adaptation. Others are placing their hopes on Touch for its emotional romance and timeline storytelling.
Meanwhile, Dahlia Will Bloom All the Time is drawing attention from viewers interested in mature romance themes, while On My Way appeals to audiences who enjoy career-growth narratives.
A Hero, on the other hand, is attracting crime drama fans who are curious to see Chen expand into grittier roles. There are also discussions suggesting that taking on multiple genres in one year could strengthen his versatility and long-term staying power in the industry.
With five dramas spanning youth sports, psychological romance, inspirational growth, mature emotional storytelling, and crime investigation, Chen Jingke’s 2026 schedule is shaping up to be one of his most diverse years yet. If the projects deliver as expected, this could mark a turning point that solidifies his position as one of China’s rising actors to watch closely.
So, which Chen Jingke drama are you personally most excited to watch in 2026? Do you prefer his emotional romance roles, inspirational youth characters, or intense crime storytelling?