Upcoming Dramas Starring Pursuit of Jade Cast, Which One Most Hyped?

Post Pursuit of Jade Drama Line-Up: Cast Return with Historical, Romance and Republican Era Hits. (Credits: Weibo)

The final episode of Pursuit of Jade (逐玉) may have closed one of the year’s most talked-about wuxia runs, but its leading cast are already moving at pace, lining up a new wave of projects that signal both ambition and market confidence. 

Zhang Linghe, Tian Xiwei, Kong Xueer (Snow Kong) and Deng Kai are stepping straight back into production, each taking on roles that shift tone, genre and image in ways that suggest a calculated next phase rather than a routine follow-up.

For Zhang Linghe, the pivot is immediate and deliberate. His upcoming Overdo (這一秒過火) places him in a Republican-era Shanghai setting, a first for the actor, where he plays a military heir navigating identity and trauma. 

More: Zhang Linghe New Dramas 2026

Weibo

Early on-set images have already triggered debate among viewers, with some questioning whether his polished styling risks appearing overly refined for the role, while others argue it sharpens his screen presence. 

His second project, The Road to Glory (歸鸞), leans back into historical drama but with a notable twist. 

Positioned as a gender-reversed power narrative, the story charts a rise from obscurity to political dominance, with Zhang Linghe paired opposite Lin Yun in what is already being framed as a high-intensity pairing driven by strategic romance.

Tian Xiwei, meanwhile, is splitting her slate between modern and period storytelling. 

In Genius Girlfriend (天才女友), she returns to contemporary romance alongside Hu Yitian, playing a socially withdrawn prodigy navigating first love within a competitive academic setting. 

More: Tian Xiwei New Dramas 2026.

The tone contrasts sharply with Where the Mask Ends (嫁金釵), where she takes on dual identities in a layered revenge narrative. 

Weibo

Early promotional material has drawn attention to her chemistry with Yan An, with online discussion quickly turning towards the potential of the pairing to become one of the season’s most talked-about dynamics.

For Kong Xueer (Snow Kong), the shift is less about genre and more about positioning. In Burning Frost (燃霜為晝), she steps firmly into a leading role, portraying a mafia heiress in a Republican-era revenge plot that foregrounds both glamour and control. 

The visual styling alone has already sparked discussion, with audiences noting how naturally she fits the aesthetic. Her role in The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of a Military Lineage (將門獨后), however, may prove more divisive. 

As Shen Yue, a character driven by unreciprocated emotion and shifting loyalties, Snow Kong moves into antagonist territory, adding range to her portfolio.

That same project anchors Deng Kai’s current trajectory. His portrayal of a calculating crown prince introduces a morally complex counterpart to Snow Kong’s character, with their relationship defined by strategic alignment rather than sentiment. 

The pairing, already familiar to audiences, has reignited interest among fans who have labelled their dynamic as a “pure conflict couple” worth watching. 

Beyond this, Deng Kai is also appearing in Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio (聊齋), taking on a role rooted in supernatural folklore, as well as making a cameo in The Golden Branch (金枝), a project linked to the creative team behind Pursuit of Jade.

Fan response has been swift and notably split. Supporters of Zhang Linghe have praised his willingness to experiment with era-specific roles, though scepticism around styling choices continues to circulate. Tian Xiwei’s dual projects have drawn positive attention for range, with many pointing to her ability to shift between light romance and layered historical storytelling. 

For Snow Kong and Deng Kai, the conversation has centred less on individual performances and more on their reunion, with expectations high that their second collaboration could surpass the impact of their first.

What is clear is that the post–Pursuit of Jade slate is not playing safe. Each actor is navigating a careful balance between familiarity and reinvention, a move that reflects both audience demand and the competitive pace of the current Chinese drama market..

The real question now is not whether these projects will land, but which one will define the next phase for this cast. Will it be Zhang Linghe’s genre shift, Tian Xiwei’s dual-role gamble, or the renewed pairing of Snow Kong and Deng Kai that captures the strongest response? Audiences are already choosing sides—so which title is sitting at the top of your watchlist, and which pairing are you backing to lead the next breakout moment?