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| Song Weilong x Bai Lu New Drama 2026? Da Zui Kai Xuan Set in China’s 1980s Reform Era. (Photo: Weibo/Tencent Video) |
Song Weilong and Bai Lu are reportedly teaming up for a brand-new Chinese period business drama titled Da Zui Kai Xuan (Unofficial English title: Triumphant Return), set against the backdrop of China’s economic reform era in the 1980s. The project is already sparking buzz across drama circles, even before official confirmation.
According to early industry chatter, Da Zui Kai Xuan (大醉凯旋) is planned as a 38-episode series, jointly produced by Xi Xi Ying Ye and Tencent Video, with a strong production team attached. The drama will centre on industry, ambition and the rapid transformation of China’s brewing sector during one of the country’s most pivotal decades.
The project is said to be led by producer Yang Xiaopei, known for delivering commercially successful and visually polished dramas such as Shine On Me, Si Jin, and The Last Immortal. With her track record in both period and character-driven storytelling, expectations are already climbing.
The script is reportedly penned by Sun Qijun, best recognised for the critically praised Remembrance of Things Past. Meanwhile, newer circulating materials mention screenwriter Nan Xi, though final credits have yet to be officially confirmed — something fans are already debating online.
With Tencent attached as the broadcasting platform, industry insiders believe this could be positioned as a major prestige drama focusing on reform-era entrepreneurship and female leadership.
What Is Da Zui Kai Xuan About?
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| Tencent Video |
Set in the 1980s, Yang Kai Xuan returns to the city with her family after years in the countryside. She begins working at Yong Wang Beer Factory, an industrial workplace largely dominated by male employees and demanding high technical expertise.
Starting from the very bottom as a boiler worker, she gradually proves her intelligence, technical instinct and resilience. Step by step, she rises through the ranks and ultimately becomes the factory’s first female director.
Her innovation in brewing technology allows Yong Wang to successfully break into the northern market. But success doesn’t come quietly. Rival local companies grow uneasy, leading to workplace politics that eventually force her to step away.
Rather than giving up, Yang Kai Xuan relocates to Shenzhen — the symbolic heart of China’s reform and opening-up era — where she rebuilds from scratch. Through persistence and sharp business acumen, she reclaims the northern market and establishes a beer empire spanning both northern and southern China.
The drama will reportedly highlight:
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Female leadership in a male-dominated industry
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China’s 1980s industrial transformation
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Business rivalry and technological innovation
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The emotional cost of ambition
If confirmed, this would mark another ambitious transformation for Bai Lu, who has steadily expanded her portfolio with complex, resilient female leads.
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While she has yet to publicly confirm her involvement, a previous interview quote from her about choosing strong roles is now resurfacing among fans. She once said:
“I’m always drawn to characters who have their own fight in life. Women who build something from nothing are incredibly powerful.”
In another past media conversation, she also mentioned:
“I want to play someone who grows with the times, not just emotionally but professionally.”
Fans are already connecting these words to Yang Kai Xuan’s storyline, calling it “the perfect fit” for her evolving career image.
As for Song Weilong, details about his potential character remain unclear. Speculation suggests he may portray a key business rival, strategic partner, or emotional anchor within the industrial narrative.
Given his recent shift towards more mature, layered characters, many viewers believe a reform-era business drama could further solidify his transition from idol status to serious actor.
Some fans are thrilled at the possibility of a Song Weilong x Bai Lu pairing, calling it “fresh” and “unexpected but promising”. Others are cautiously optimistic, questioning whether a beer industry storyline can deliver compelling drama tension.
A few netizens expressed concern about the script credit confusion between Sun Qijun and Nan Xi, hoping the production team will clarify soon.
Meanwhile, business-era drama lovers are excited about a story set during China’s 1980s reform boom, noting that:
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“Reform-era dramas are trending again.”
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“Female CEO origin stories are always satisfying.”
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“The 80s industrial backdrop could be visually rich.”
Of course, there are also viewers who want more romance elements, while others prefer it to stay focused on pure business strategy and industry growth.
Will Da Zui Kai Xuan Be the Next Big Reform-Era Hit?
Period business dramas can be risky — they require strong writing, detailed production design and convincing performances. However, with Yang Xiaopei’s production experience and a potentially strong cast, Da Zui Kai Xuan could carve out a unique space in the 2026 drama landscape.
For now, everything remains in the rumour stage. No official cast announcement has been released, and filming timelines have yet to be confirmed.
Would you watch Da Zui Kai Xuan if Song Weilong and Bai Lu are confirmed? Do you prefer them in romance-heavy dramas, or are you ready for a full-on business power story?