Love Between Lines (January 9, 2026 Dragon TV, iQIYI)
Adapted from a novel of the same name by Zule (祖乐), it follows Xiao Zhiyu (played by Chen Xingxu) and Hu Xiu (played by Lu Yuxiao), two people brought together by a Republican-era–themed murder mystery game, a script world filled with falling snow and spies in the shadows. An unexpected reunion in the real world reveals the mystery of each other’s identities. The two fall for each other as the illusion of the script overlaps with real life. It is directed by Cattree, known for his signature aesthetic. Other cast include Dai Xu, Kido Ma Sichao, Li Tingting and Ren Youlun.
The City Maker (January 10, 2026 CCTV-8, Tencent)
Adapted from a literary work by Zhu Xiaojun 朱晓军, the rural drama set in the early 1980s follows Li Qiuping (Zhao Liying) and Zheng Decheng (Huang Xiaoming), two officials distinguished by both their abilities and strong personalities who upheld the belief that “a city is built by the people for the people.” They found a path to reform, leading tens of thousands of farmers to build a modern city on coastal mudflats from scratch. Other cast include Zhu Yuanyuan, Chen Haoming, Qin Junjie, Geng Le and Yu Ailei.
Loving Strangers (January 10, 2026 Youku)
A healing story about two people who meet at their lowest. Zhou Yu’an (Zhang Zifeng) grew up poor and is still paying off her father’s debts. Jiang Jiaqi (Mark Chao) is trapped in a failing home life and blocked at every turn at work. A brutal office power game throws these two strangers into the same storm, finding comfort where they least expect it.
The Imperial Coroner S2 (January 15, 2026 Tencent)
This sequel follows the married life of the cool and composed Prince An, Xiao Jinyu (Wang Ziqi), and the imperial forensic examiner Chu Chu (Su Xiaotong). With careers, relationships, and ambitions all taken to the next level, they join forces with the young talents of the Three Judicial Offices to uncover the truth behind mysterious cases and work together to safeguard peace in the Tang Dynasty.
My Page in the 90s (January 22, 2026 Tencent)
When a 2025 love advice streamer (Wang Yuwen) gets pulled into a classic 1999 romance novel, she faces off against a cunning CEO (Chen Xingxu) with tricks of his own. To return to reality, Lin Huan’er tries every tactic to win over the cold-hearted Hai Haiming only to find herself falling for him.
My Dearest Stranger (January 23, 2026 Youku)
Seven years ago, career woman Yu Xiao fulfilled her dream of marrying Zhu He, the man she had long admired in secret—unaware that behind this seemingly perfect marriage lay a carefully constructed cage. When doubt begins to take root, Yu Xiao is forced to reexamine the person she knows best—the one beside her pillow. As they dance between lies and truth, a quiet battle unfolds, one about trust, courage, and self-salvation. It stars Wang Luodan, Yuan Hong and Bosco Wong.
Sword into Plowshares (January 23, 2026 CCTV-1, iQIYI, Mango TV, Tencent)
After the death of the Wuyue king in 941 CE, the kingdom fell into crisis under a youthful ruler. Prince Qian Hongchu traveled north to the Jin capital, only to witness political collapse and foreign domination, where he formed lasting bonds with Guo Rong and Zhao Kuangyin. Deeply changed by the chaos of the north, Qian Hongchu returned to Wuyue and emerged as a decisive leader, stabilizing the state amid turmoil. Years later, Zhao Kuangyin founded the Song dynasty and moved to unify China. It stars Bai Yu, Zhou Yutong, Zhu Yawen and Yu Haoming.
The Inner Eye (January 25, 2026 Hunan TV, Mango TV)
The “always-winning” lawyer Tang Yingying and her direct superior Kang Jun face off in a series of cases. Through their clashes, they grapple with the tension between personal relationships and the rule of law, ultimately achieving profound growth. It stars Xin Zhilei and Lin Yushen.
The Guilty (January 28, 2026 iQIYI)
A man hides his crimes to protect his first love, while a broken detective hunts redemption. A single deadly mistake, an explosion that kills thirteen, binds two seemingly unrelated cases. Over ten years, the truth resurfaces, revealing a shocking secret that changes everything. It stars Wang Zhen’er, Wei Daxun and Sun Qian.
The Glamorous Night (January 28, 2026 Jiangsu TV and Tencent)
During a lavish feast at GST Winery, buried tensions erupt, shattering the illusion of peace. Seven intertwined figures are forced into a ruthless survival game where every choice matters. As reality closes in, their stories expose human complexity in a world ruled by fear and uncertainty. The cast is led by Jiang Shuying and Tong Dawei.
Born to be Alive (January 30, 2026 CCTV-8, iQIYI)
Set in 1996 Qinghai, the story follows policewoman Bai Ju and deputy head Duojie as they fight poaching and illegal mining to protect the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Spanning nearly thirty years, it traces the disbanding and revival of a mountain patrol and a later search for Duojie’s disappearance. It stars Yang Zi, Hu Ge, Li Guangjie and Zhang Zhehua.
No Pain No Gain (January 31, 2026 Tencent)
When Pei Qian (Peng Yuchang) is suddenly fired, a mysterious tycoon invites him to start a company that must aim for losses. He assembles a quirky team, spoils them with perks, and invests in bizarre projects, yet everything unexpectedly turns a profit. Beloved by his employees and hailed as a business genius, Pei Qian leads the company to become a top conglomerate.
