NEW IQIYI 2025/2026 CDRAMAS
- Caitlin Connolly
- Oct 8
- 17 min read
We are back this week with another round up of cdramas collected at another network conference - this time is IQIYI. Now IQIYI is my favorite cdrama network so, this list is ALWAYS longer for me because I am always interested in A BUNCH OF CDRAMAS from iQIYI. This year is now different. If you have not read my Youku Drama Post that I posted a couple of weeks ago, you can read it here. I also did a podcast episode just as I did with this blogpost. This is also the second year I am making these lists so, you can find last year's list on the blog as well. My Tencent list will probably be out in December. A little under 2 weeks ago, iQIYI held their investors conference where they released a bunch of posters and trailers for upcoming dramas. These were dramas that were never mentioned yet ORÂ provided new content to dramas that had already been announced. These are cdramas that we might see before the end of 2025 or cdramas that iQIYI plans to release in 2026 and beyond. iQIYI also talked about dramas that they plan to make in the future. Apparently, iQIYI talked about nearly 400 things from dramas to donghuas to variety shows etc. I am not going to talk about everything in this blogpost. I am just going to talk about the ones that caught my eye.
This list will span genres. The format will be I will list the dramas out, introduce them a bit with the title, cast and maybe a little synopsis. Then I will say why I am excited for it. There will be links to the MDL page so you can go and look over these dramas yourselves. I will either have the poster or the trailer in the blogpost for you to check out as well so, you know exactly what drama I am talking about. The dramas I mention are also in no particular order. Basically, just like I did for the Youku event.
LET'S LOOK AT SOME NEW IQIYI DRAMAS COMING OUT!!
Director: Guo Hu (A Dream within a Dream)
Screenwriter: Xiao Xiang Dong Er (Feud)
Leads:Â Ren Jia Lun (One and Only, The Demon Hunter's Romance), Rain Wang (Mysterious Lotus Casebook, The Ordinary Glory), Zhang Kai Ying (Back from the Brink, Melody of Golden Age), Huang Yi (The Legend of Shen Li, Love and Redemption), Ding Xiao Ying (The Embers, Amidst a Snowstorm of Love), Sun Ze Yuan (Melody of Golden Age, I am Nobody Season 2), Riley Wang (Back from the Brink, Love is Sweet)
Synopsis: In ancient times, the War Ghost tribe broke the contract spirit's control, causing divine punishment and losing their perfect power. In the age of Shenyin, Jin Lin, leader of the Jinwu tribe, falsely orders the destruction of the Zhan Gui tribe, leading to their near extinction. Ten thousand years later, Lu Qian Qiao is born, bringing hope to the Zhan Gui clan. Xin Mei, an unskilled disciple of the Tianyuan Sect, accidentally forms a spirit contract with Lu Qian Qiao, and together, they face six calamities.
My Thoughts: IQIYI released some new character posters and a new trailer for this cdrama. I, OF COURSE, am interested in this because of Ren Jia Len. He is one of my favorite Chinese actors. Ren Jia Lun always look great in historical costume, and this is no different. I only know the female lead from her support roles, but I liked her in those roles. I definitely have some of the dramas where she is the lead on my plan to watch list. I won't lie though; Ren Jia Lun is the reason why I am here. The new trailer that was released looks great as well. This is rumored to air in October but no confirmed premiere date.
Director: Chu Yui (Blossoms in Adversity)
Screenwriter: Qin Wen (The Rebel)
Leads:Â Wang Xing Yue (The Double), Xu Ruo Han (The Best Thing)
Synopsis: On the night of the mid-autumn festival, the fox general Yuwen Hong Ce was ambushed in the Sailun Valley, and his entire army was wiped out. He endured and hibernated, vowing to find out the truth about the corruption of military equipment. On the same night, Wen Ding Yi, the daughter of a high-ranking official, lost her family because her father was falsely accused of collaborating with the enemy. She changed her name to Mu Xiao Shu and disguised herself as a man to become the executioner's apprentice. Eight years later, on the execution ground, Xiao Shu herself almost died under the knife, but was fortunately saved by Hong Ce. Little did he know that he had saved the daughter of a guilty minister who had had an affair with Wu Di, and little did she know that the one she was staring at was the son of the royal family who had caused her entire family to be wiped out.
My Thoughts: IQIYI released a new poster and new trailer for this cdrama. I got to say this drama really wasn't on my radar until the trailer. The trailer makes it look like there is a good balance of comedy and serious moments. Wang Xing Yue being the male definitely is a plus. I know of the female lead, but I have never watched her in a drama before. I LOVE seeing Chang Long in the cast. I think he a great comedy actor and I always like when he is in a support role. Also, Chu Yui being the director has also piqued my interest because I have a lot of the cdramas he has directed like Blossoms in Adversity.
Director: Zeng Qing Jie (Provoke, Butterflied Lover)
Screenwriter: Zou Yue (The Rise of Phoenixes)
Leads:Â Zhang Ling He (Story of Kunning Palace), Tian Xi Wei (Guardians of the Dafeng)
Synopsis: It follows Fan Chang Yu, a butcher’s daughter, and Xie Zheng, a fallen noble seeking revenge. Their fake marriage turns into true love, but war tears them apart. Determined, Fan Chang Yu wields her butcher’s knife on the battlefield, searching for justice and her husband. Meanwhile, Xie Zheng reclaims his title, fighting to protect his country and love. Reunited in battle, they stand together, defying fate and uncovering the truth.
My Thoughts: iQIYI released a new poster for this drama which showed all of the cast. Zeng Qing Jie being the director piqued my interest because I have loved a lot of the short cdramas he has directed. Teh screenwriter also caught my eye because the screenwriter wrote the Rise of Phoenixes and Love like the Galaxy, both fantastic cdramas. The two leads are also a draw for me because I like both of them. I am really curious to see Tian Xi Wei in this role.
Director: Yi Jun (Bloody Romance)
Screenwriter: Fei Wo Shi Cun (Because of Love)
Leads:Â Zhang Ling He (Story of Kunning Palace), Wang Chu Ran (Are You the One), Fu Xing Bo (Joy of Life Season 2), Xu Zhen Xuan (Time Raiders), He Qiu (Serendipity), Wang Zi Su (Dear Mr Hermitage)
Synopsis: In Shanghai during the Republic of China, Murong Qing Yi, the youngest son of a warlord, was abused by his adoptive father because he was taken away by mistake. When he escaped as a teenager, he was saved by Ren Su Su, but his family suffered a catastrophe. After years of reunion, the two secretly fell in love, but Ren Su Su resolutely faked her death and fled to save others, leaving Murong Qing Yi to sink into the pain of losing love. Three years later, Ren Su Su returned and became Murong Qing Yi's prospective sister-in-law. Now, one is full of resentment at being betrayed, and the other hides unspeakable pain, with love and hate intertwined between temptation and pulling. When misunderstandings are gradually resolved and deep affection is rekindled, a national disaster comes. Murong Qing Yi and Ren Su Su are determined to fight against powerful enemies. Where will their fate lead them?
My Thoughts: iQIYI released some new character posters for this cdrama. I mean who am I kidding, I am here for all of the pretty in this drama. To have Zhang Ling He and Wang Chu Ran as leads, that is a gorgeous couple. Also, I don't think these two have done a republican era cdrama before. I love republican era costumes and both of them look amazing in the costume. I also love Xue Zhen Xuan so, to see him in the cast is a plus for me. The synopsis seems like it will be a lot of angst. The screenwriter definitely knows how to write good angst into the story - that is confirmed by other dramas the screenwriter has written.
Director: Yang Lei (Three-Body)
Screenwriter: UNKNOWN
Leads:Â Li Xian (Flourished Peony), Li Yi Tong (A Dream Within a Dream), Wu Gang (Joy of Life), Liu Guan Lin (The Legend of Shen Li), Guo Jing Lin (The Lost 11th Floor),
Synopsis: The young wealthy man from the Jiangzhe region, Shang Guan Cheng Ming, lost his mother when he was young, and his father, always busy with business, neglected his education. He grew up spending his time listening to music in opera theaters, where he met Jiang Fei Yan, a new actress in the theater troupe. Over time, he fell in love with Jiang Fei Yan, and the two decided to get married. During the wedding banquet, a blind man who introduces himself as a fortune teller named Du shows up uninvited. He claims to be Jiang Fei Yan's benefactor and warns Shang Guan to stay away from her, or else a family tragedy will occur. A few days later, Shang Guan receives the news that his father has died at home, his siblings have mysteriously disappeared, and his stepmother has fallen into a coma. Desperate, he helps Du rebuild a temple in exchange for information about his missing siblings. Du then tells him that their bodies are by the river. Shang Guan goes to search for them and nearly dies trying to recover the bodies, but is saved by an elderly man named Jin Bu Huan. Jin Bu Huan reveals that the tragedy of Shang Guan's family was a plot orchestrated by his wife, Jiang Fei Yan, and a group called the "Jiang Xiang Sect." This organization uses astrology and scams to deceive and harm people. Consumed by revenge, Shang Guan becomes Jin Bu Huan's disciple and begins to investigate those responsible for the massacre of his family and expose the "Jiang Xiang Sect."
My Thoughts: iQIYI released a new poster for this cdrama. This cdrama sounds right up my alley and I AM SO EXCITED! I LOVE LI XIAN! I have seen MANY of his dramas. This sounds like such an interesting story. The cast is great as well. It also looks like it is republican era set which I know I have aid multiple times that I love the costumes of that era. I love a good revenge drama, and this looks like a unique one where it is the male lead wanting revenge on his wife/fiancée. This sort of giving me vibes of Tientsin Mystic which also starred Li Xian who I loved in that role.
Director: UNKNOWN
Screenwriter: UNKNOWN
Leads:Â Ao Rui Peng (Coroner's Diary), Dai Lu Wa (Moonlight Mystique)
Synopsis: The Chen family, a famous family of martial arts in Dafeng State, was framed and exterminated. More than ten years later, its only surviving descendant Chen Yi was wronged again and became a wanted murderer. In order to find out the truth, Chen Yi, with the help of his good friend Ye Bo, avoided heavy pursuit and came to the first crime scene in Fengze City, a border town. Through a series of investigations, Chen Yi discovered that all this was closely related to a mysterious local organization "Baekje Society". The organization was secretly colluding with Xiling State to provide a lot of assistance for Xiling State's invasion of Dafeng State. At the same time, Chen Yi also discovered that the organization was the real murderer behind the frame-up of the Chen family, because the Chen family's martial arts had made great contributions to guarding the border. After learning the truth, Chen Yi and his partners worked tirelessly to finally eradicate the internal threat of the Baekje Society, and rebuilt the border defense system that had been abandoned for many years, helping the border soldiers to repel the invading army of the Xiling Kingdom, and the grievances of the Chen family were redressed. After his success, Chen Yi declined all rewards from the Dafeng Kingdom and the Xiling Kingdom and left quietly.
My Thoughts: iQIYI released a new poster for this drama and character posters for this drama. This conference was the first time I was hearing about it. Ao Rui peng is on my radar due to Coroner's Diary. I do like some of the support cast as well. The setup of this sounds like something that I would like. We have someone framed for murder. He escapes and brings together a group of friends to investigate the case and get revenge at the same time. As I have always said, I love a good historical investigation cdrama so, I am adding this one to the list.
Director: UNKNOWN
Screenwriter: UNKNOWN
Leads:Â UNKNOWN
Synopsis: Shen Qing Wu was originally an ordinary woman. She entered the military camp by chance. After training, she grew into a heroine general. Not only did she make friends with life and death partners, but she also received guidance and support from her predecessors. She was determined to protect the peace of her country as her mission. During her military service, she reunited with Zhang Xing Jian, whom she had known in the past. Zhang Xing Jian was a civil servant of the dynasty. He entered the game and fought against the treacherous. He was determined to clean up the court, suppress prices, promote agriculture and water conservancy, run schools and academies, and support and promote people with lofty ideals from poor backgrounds. Zhang Xing Jian and Shen Qing Wu had different desires and belonged to different camps, but they eventually came together because of their common ideals. They worked together to quell rebellions, save the weak, suppress mountain bandits, fight treacherous ministers, and repel enemy troops. They broke the monopoly of aristocratic families not to marry ordinary people, stabilized the country, and spent the rest of their lives together.
My Thoughts: iQIYI announced this drama at the conference with a concept poster. Due to the poster, it looks like it will be a female general and a scholar/palace official teaming up in this one. We don't know any cast or crew with this one. We just know the synopsis. I am curious if it will really be the official/scholar and general pairing. It could be an interesting pairing where the female lead has more of the physical scenes where the male lead is more of the brains of the relationship. I think this is an interesting setup which is why I put it on this list. We will see what it becomes eventually.
Director: UNKNOWN
Screenwriter: UNKNOWN
Leads:Â UNKNOWN
Synopsis: Although Ren Yao Qi broke away from the fetters of her family in her previous lifetime, as she erroneously believed in her blood-relatives’ speech and views about sacrificing everything for the family’s interest, it ultimately led to her Elder Sister self-immolating in the army camp, her Mother passing away early with tears in her eyes and her Father dying with his blood splattered under the sword… When she was reborn to her younger times, she swore that she would chop away all the sharp claws which intended to control her own life. Her father’s concubine who has some sinister motives, the cruel and unscrupulous elders, the aggressive foreign enemies and the surreptitious behaviors of harming people from the secret corners in the court… She will expose their painted skins of disguise one by one and strive for a life of happiness and peace for herself and those she loves.
My Thoughts: iQIYI announced this drama by releasing the first concept poster for this drama at the conference. There is not much known about this drama yet except for the synopsis. It sounds like a rebirth story which IMMEDIATELY makes me interested. I REALLY need to watch more rebirth cdramas. We love rebirth stories especially if they deal with revenge which this one sounds like it will.
Director: Liu Jiang (Warm and Sweet)
Screenwriter: Gu Xiao Bai (Day and Night)
Leads:Â Ren Jia Lun (The Demon Hunter's Romance), Lan Ying Ying (This Thriving Land), Li Chun (Joy of Life Season 2), Tan Kai (Shadow Love)
Synopsis: He Ruo Xian, Feng Bai Chuan, and the Shen brothers navigate wartime struggles in finance, espionage, and material transport in Macau during World War II. Though untouched by Japanese occupation, Macau becomes a crucial battleground where they courageously fight for the nation.
My Thoughts: iQIYI released a new trailer for this drama at the conference. I said this with Fate Chooses You. I, OF COURSE, am interested in this because of Ren Jia Len. He is one of my favorite Chinese actors. I am excited to see him in another historical drama set in this time period of 1940s because he looks great in costumes from this era. This gives Autumn Cicada vibes which is another 1940s era cdrama that Ren Jia Lun was in. This looks like an intense drama and given the time period I don't see how it will be a happy ending which is Ren Jia Lun's reputation. I think this will definitely release by the end of the year.
Director: UNKNOWN
Screenwriter: UNKNOWN
Leads:Â Zheng Ye Cheng (Kill My Sins), Yang Chao Yue (Love You Seven Times)
Synopsis: Love-hate entanglements occur between Xuan Yi, princess of the Zhu Yin clan, and Fu Cang, an immortal lord of the Hua Xu tribe.
My Thoughts: iQIYI announced the existence of this drama at the conference with a concept poster. I LOVE Zheng Ye Cheng in historical dramas because he looks amazing doing fight scenes. This seems to be a Xianxia drama which is always a plus for me. There is not much known about this drama. I don't even know if it has started shooting. I am not even sure if the leads are 100% confirmed either.
Director: Bai Shan (Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty)
Screenwriter: Wei Feng Hua (Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty)
Leads:Â Yang Xu Wen (Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty), Yang Zhi Gang (Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty), Gao Si Wen (Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty), Chen Chuang (Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty Season 2), Sun Xue Ning (Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty)
Synopsis: During the transition between the summer and autumn seasons of the second year of the Xiantian era, although the Emperor had ascended the throne, the power of the Grand Princess had grown even stronger, and the situation in Chang'an remained uncertain. Lu Ling Feng and Su Wu Ming were ordered to return to Chang'an with the detective team members composed of Pei Xi Jun, Master Fei, Ying Tao, and Xue Huan under the pretext of escorting the golden peaches offered by the Kingdom of Kang. In the prosperous Chang'an, Lu Ling Feng was reinstated as the Vice Minister to the Imperial Court of Justice, while Su Wu Ming opened a Su Shan Delicacy Shop to make a living. Lu Ling Feng hired him as his "secret investigator" to delve into various cases in the neighborhoods of Chang'an, allowing them to interact with a broader range of common people and their livelihoods and to avoid the power struggle between the Emperor and the Grand Princess.
My Thoughts: iQIYI released a new trailer for the new season at the conference. I started Season 1 of this drama, but I currently have it on hold. I loved what I watched before putting it on hold. I am just excited for another season. The chemistry between the 2 main leads is SO GOOD! It is also a historical investigation cdrama which always a good thing for me. I wonder if this will air by the end of the year, I think the rumor is that it will premiere in October or November of 2025.
Director: Edward Guo (Fangs of Fortune)
Screenwriter: Ge Rui (Candle in the Tomb: The Wrath of Time)
Leads:Â UNKNOWN
Synopsis: It tells the story of a ghost doctor named Tao Yao, who can only cure humans and monsters. He travels with Master Liu, the young monk Mo Ya, and Mo Ya's follower, the fox Gun Gun, through the dangerous and nostalgic human world, treating many with difficult and complex diseases from the monsters around them, and solving problems for humans
My Thoughts: iQIYI announced the existence of this drama at the conference with a concept poster. I AM A SUCKER FOR HISTORICAL/XIANXIA DOCTOR DRAMAS! I love the synopsis of this drama. A group of people wandering historical/Xianxia setting cdramaland treating diseases and investigating weird cases with monsters and humans. I am REALLY curious who will be in the cast. The director is quite famous to make gorgeous looking dramas.
Director: UNKNOWN
Screenwriter: UNKNOWN
Leads:Â Ren Jia Lun (A Demon Hunter's Romance), Qin Jun Jie (Side Story of Fox Volant)
Synopsis: UNKNOWN
My Thoughts: iQIYI announced the existence of this drama with a concept poster. According to the synopsis of the book this is based off of, this is a cop/mystery cdrama. I, OF COURSE, am interested in this because of Ren Jia Len. He is one of my favorite Chinese actors. He has done cop dramas before so, I am excited to see him do another one. This explains the buzzcut haircut he has been rocking lately. This also supposedly stars Qin Jun Jie who is another actor I love a lot. I PRAY THAT THIS IS A BROMANCE COP DRAMA!
Director: Ju Xing Mao (The Journey Across the Night)
Screenwriter: UNKNOWN
Leads:Â Liu Zhi Yang (Ferryman Series), Yu Yi (Ferryman Series), Xiao Yin (Ferryman Series)
Synopsis: At Mirage City's 444 Convenience Store, Xia Dong Qing and Ya join forces with a cryptic Night Watcher to maintain the balance between realms—until a crimson moon exposes a hidden conspiracy. Though peace returns, new anomalies stir in the shadows.
My Thoughts: iQIYI released a new trailer for this cdrama at the conference. I know I have watched the first season of this cdrama but there are at least 2 other seasons of the cdrama plus a spinoff. I remember enjoying Season 1 A LOT but it has been a while. THIS TRAILER LOOKS GREAT! It is definitely a genre of cdrama I would DEFINITELY love to watch. It is the story of a man who can see ghosts and his job is to ferry ghosts to the afterlife. They also brought back a lot of the original cast for the 10th anniversary. I probably should rewatch Season 1 and the other seasons.
Director: Mao De Shu (When I Fly Towards You)
Screenwriter: UNKNOWN
Leads:Â Chen Xing Xu (The Starry Love), Lu Yu Xiao (Blossoms in Adversity)
Synopsis: Xiao Zhi Yu and Hu Xiu first met during a murder mystery game. Set in Republic of China-themed scenarios, they assume fake identities and act out fictional plots, yet both grow curious about each other’s real-life personas. Then, in real life, Xiao Zhi Yu and Hu Xiu also meet as if destined by fate. From there, the story unfolds in dual narratives—one following the fictional plot of the murder mystery game, the other depicting their real-life encounters. Amidst the interplay of illusion and reality, the pair soon come to understand their true feelings. Now will they find their way to each other, and end up happily ever after?
My Thoughts: iQIYI released a new poster and trailer for this drama at the conference. I think this cdrama has an interesting setup for a story. We get 2 time periods in 1 drama. OF COURSE, the leads look great in the republican era. I also like the republican era storyline is a murder mystery game. So, we might get some crime storyline in this drama along with romance and a modern era storyline. I also like a bunch of the actors/actresses in the support cast. I just think this story sounds so unique. ALSO, THE TRAILER IS BEAUTIFUL!
Director: UNKNOWN
Screenwriter: UNKNOWN
Leads:Â Song Yi (Shadow Love), Leon Leong (Another Me), Jin Shi Jia (Under the Skin), Lin Yong Jian (The Long Way Back), Zhou Fang (The Storm of Roses)
Synopsis: UNKNOWN
My Thoughts: IQIYI announced the existence of this drama with a concept poster at the conference. This is actually going to be a remake of the jdrama Unnatural which is a crime/forensics jdrama that is fantastic. I am interested in this drama for 2 reasons. One is that it is a crime drama plus a forensics crime drama. The 2nd reason is the cast. It has Leon Leong, Song Yi, Jin Shi Jia to name of few of the cast members in it. I am excited to see these 3 in a drama together.
Director: Pan An Zi (Under the Microscope), Dai Mo (Detective Chinatown)
Screenwriter: Liu Ci Xin (Three Body)
Leads:Â Tong Yao (The Rebel), Wang An Yu (The Last Immortal)
Synopsis: When Chen’s parents are incinerated before his eyes by a blast of ball lightning, he devotes his life to cracking the secret of mysterious natural phenomena. His search takes him to stormy mountaintops, an experimental military weapons lab, and an old Soviet science station. The more he learns, the more he comes to realize that ball lightning is just the tip of an entirely new frontier in particle physics. Although Chen’s quest provides a purpose for his lonely life, his reasons for chasing his elusive quarry come into conflict with soldiers and scientists who have motives of their own: a beautiful army major with an obsession with dangerous weaponry, and a physicist who has no place for ethical considerations in his single-minded pursuit of knowledge.
My Thoughts: iQIYI released a new poster for this cdrama at the conference. This looks like a BIG BUDGET cdrama. The directors and screenwriter caught my eye because they have all worked on some fantastic cdramas. I am always curious about sci-fi genre cdramas. I have been waiting for this drama ever since it was announced (I feel like it was finished being made years ago) so, hopefully we see it soon.
THAT IS THE LIST OF THE IQIYI DRAMAS THAT I CAUGHT MY EYE DURING THEIR INVESTOR EVENT A WEEK OR SO AGO!
What newly announced IQIYI dramas are you interested in?
Anything I mention you did not know about?
Do you want more of these lists whenever once of the major Cdrama networks do an event like this?
Are you a cdrama watcher or want to become one?
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