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| Zhao Lusi Rumoured to Lead Yan San He as Casting Buzz Resurfaces in 2026. (Image via: Sohu) |
Zhao Lusi is once again at the centre of casting discussions as rumours grow that she may headline the upcoming costume mystery drama Yan San He (晏三合 / The Banquet of the Three Kingdoms), following her team’s earlier denial of other drama projects. With no new series confirmed after the success of Love’s Ambition, all eyes are now on what could mark her long-awaited return to filming.
After Love’s Ambition wrapped, Zhao Lusi’s next step became a hot topic across entertainment circles. She was previously linked to Bai Yaopu, reportedly under director Guo Jingming, and the costume drama Gong Yu (Inverted Fate).
However, on January 24, 2026, her team officially clarified that she was not involved in Bai Yaopu, calling the rumours inaccurate. As for Gong Yu, the project has remained silent, with no confirmation from either side.
Attention then shifted back to Yan San He, a project that has quietly carried buzz for months. The drama was originally rumoured to reunite Liu Yifei and Chen Xiao, a pairing that previously impressed viewers with strong on-screen chemistry.
Despite early excitement, that casting line-up was never confirmed, and the project remained in development limbo.
On January 2, 2026, the narrative changed.
Multiple entertainment accounts began reporting that Zhao Lusi was being seriously considered for the female lead, while Liu Yuning was said to have locked in the second male lead role.
If true, this would be their third collaboration, something fans quickly picked up on.
From February 25 through February 27, the same casting combination resurfaced repeatedly, with reports staying consistent and only the male lead role left undecided.
Behind the scenes, Yan San He is said to be directed by Sun Hao, known for delivering strong storytelling in Joy of Life (庆余年). The script is adapted from the novel Xie Jia De Duan Ming Gui Chang Ming Bai Sui Le by Yi Ran, adding further weight to claims that the project has solid narrative foundations.
Zhao Lusi’s cautious approach to new scripts is widely understood following her experience with Almost Lover (恋人), where she starred alongside Peng Guanying.
The drama faced heavy production turbulence, including frequent script changes and rumours that director Deng Ke stepped away midway.
The situation reportedly disrupted filming plans, and later reports suggested the drama might only air in a shortened format. Since then, Zhao Lusi has openly stressed that script stability and quality are now non-negotiable for her.
She previously shared that while she wants to return to acting, rushing into unstable projects could damage her long-term passion for the craft.
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| Yan San He Becomes Early 2026’s Most Talked-About Drama as Zhao Lusi Name Circulates. (Weibo) |
This mindset has led many industry watchers to believe that if Zhao Lusi truly accepts Yan San He, the script is likely in a relatively complete and dependable state.
Interestingly, Liu Yifei was also rumoured to have reviewed the project at an earlier stage. Given her reputation for only committing to fully polished scripts, reports claim she stepped back due to unresolved casting decisions.
This detail has only intensified discussion about how close Yan San He really is to entering production.
Story-wise, Yan San He follows a mysterious young woman gifted with the ability to interact with the spirit world.
As she helps unsettled souls resolve lingering regrets, fragments of her own forgotten past slowly surface, pulling her into a much larger conspiracy tied to hidden family secrets.
The blend of mystery, emotional depth, and fantasy elements has made the drama particularly appealing to fans of layered storytelling.
Fan and netizen reactions have been sharply divided. Some are excited at the possibility of Zhao Lusi returning with a darker, more complex role, praising her growth and emotional range.
Others remain cautious, pointing out that until the male lead is confirmed and production officially announced, everything remains speculation.
Meanwhile, supporters of her pairing with Liu Yuning are already revisiting clips from their previous collaborations, while neutral viewers are simply hoping for a smooth, drama-free production this time.
As of now, neither the production team nor Zhao Lusi’s management has issued an official confirmation. Still, the consistency of rumours from early January through late February has made Yan San He one of the most talked-about unannounced projects of early 2026.
Do you think Yan San He will finally be Zhao Lusi’s comeback drama, or is this another casting rumour waiting to cool down? Would you be excited to see her team up with Liu Yuning again, or are you holding out for a different pairing?