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| Liu Shishi Returns in Crime Thriller 'Dream' with Hu Xianxu. (Credits: Tencent Video) |
The upcoming Chinese drama Dream (醉梦) is quickly shaping up as one of the most talked-about series heading into 2026. The thriller mystery production has secured its distribution licence and is confirmed to premiere on Tencent Video and WeTV, although the exact date remains under wraps. With a tightly written 16-episode format, a star-driven cast and a darker investigative storyline, the drama is already drawing strong attention across Chinese drama circles.
The series stars Liu Shishi as investigative journalist Shen Yue Shui, alongside Hu Xianxu as Gao Xue Lin and veteran actor Li Nai Wen as Zhao Hai Peng. The project is directed by Yang Yang and written by Jia Dongyan. Production ran for roughly three months from January to March 2025, signalling a carefully planned shoot aimed at delivering a concise mystery thriller rather than a long-running drama.
At the heart of Dream (醉梦) lies a long-buried case tied to the once-famous Songjiang Brewery. Years earlier, reporter Shen Yue Shui documented the daily life of workers at the ageing factory with her camera. What seemed like an ordinary record of industrial life gradually turned into a puzzle surrounding the mysterious death of a woman named Liu Xue Mei.
The brewery had once been the pride of the city. Over time, decline set in, and the abandoned site became the backdrop for a chain of unsettling incidents. Behind the scenes lies a network of ambition, greed and manipulation where individuals are treated like pawns in a much larger scheme.
As the years pass, a shadow connected to the past begins to move again. A figure who has waited quietly for years appears determined to settle old scores. The anger and despair left unresolved slowly transform into a sequence of killings that cast a dark cloud over Songjiang.
When Shen Yue Shui returns to the abandoned brewery, she begins piecing together fragments of truth hidden beneath layers of silence.
The deeper she investigates, the clearer it becomes that the tragedies surrounding the brewery were never accidents. Each discovery reveals another thread connecting betrayal, ambition and fate.
Liu Shishi’s Return Draws Attention
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| Tencent Video |
For many viewers, Dream (醉梦) is notable for marking a major screen return for Liu Shishi, one of China’s most recognisable actresses. Her casting as a determined journalist investigating a complex case has already sparked discussion among drama fans.
Meanwhile, Hu Xianxu brings a younger energy to the project, pairing with Liu Shishi in what many viewers believe could become one of the more intriguing partnerships in recent thriller dramas. Li Nai Wen adds further weight to the cast with his reputation for layered character performances.
The drama also features Li Qin, whose character Liu Xue Mei becomes the centre of the mystery that drives the story forward.
Tencent Video has confirmed that Dream (醉梦) is scheduled to premiere in 2026, though the platform has not announced a specific release date yet. Industry observers currently expect the drama to arrive sometime in Q2 2026, making it one of the platform’s potential headline thrillers for the year.
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| Tencent Video |
The series will run for 16 episodes, suggesting a tightly paced narrative focused on investigation and psychological tension rather than extended storytelling.
International viewers will be able to watch Dream (醉梦) through WeTV, the global streaming platform operated by Tencent.
Here is how international fans can follow the drama:
First, download the WeTV app on mobile devices or open the WeTV website through a browser.
Next, search for the title Dream (醉梦) once the series officially appears in the platform’s catalogue.
After release, episodes will be available with English subtitles, typically shortly after the Chinese broadcast. Subtitles on WeTV are usually provided for global audiences in multiple languages depending on region.
Some episodes may be available for free viewers, while early access or faster updates may require a WeTV VIP membership depending on the release strategy.
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| Tencent Video |
Unlike romance-heavy C-dramas, Dream (醉梦) leans strongly into crime investigation, psychological mystery and layered storytelling.
The story promises:
A tightly structured 16-episode mystery arc
A central investigation around a decades-old case
Multiple timelines connecting past and present events
Complex characters whose motives gradually unfold
The abandoned brewery setting also gives the series a visually atmospheric backdrop, with the location becoming almost a character of its own as secrets from the past resurface.
Even before its release date has been confirmed, online discussion around Dream (醉梦) has been steadily building.
Many viewers are particularly excited about Liu Shishi’s comeback in a darker investigative role, something fans say could showcase a different side of her acting range.
Others are curious about the pairing of Liu Shishi and Hu Xianxu, noting the generational contrast between the two actors. Some netizens believe this dynamic could add fresh tension to the story.
At the same time, some drama watchers are cautiously optimistic. Thriller dramas often rely heavily on writing and pacing, so audiences are waiting to see whether the 16-episode format will deliver a tightly woven mystery.
Still, the general tone across fan forums is anticipation. With its established cast, darker narrative and shorter episode count, Dream (醉梦) is already being labelled by many viewers as a drama worth keeping on the 2026 watchlist.
As the official premiere date approaches, more trailers, posters and behind-the-scenes clips are expected to surface. What do you think about the storyline of Dream (醉梦) and the casting of Liu Shishi and Hu Xianxu?