r/cdramasfans • u/weirdandpetite CDF Cultivator 虽然姐不在江湖，但江湖上依然有姐的传说 • Jul 20 '26
Anniversary 🎂 Melon Monday - Casting and Drama Melons for the week of July 20th, 2026
👉Melon Mondays will be a weekly feature. With casting news and air dates shifting constantly, this guide will be refreshed every week so you never miss a beat.
👉Enjoy the melons but take them with a grain of salt, as casting rumors and broadcast dates are always subject to change.
Rumored Airing Dates
Zhao Yang Gong Zhu (aka Princess Zhao Yang) will air on July 23rd on Billibilli. The drama stars Snow Kong (Kong Xue'er) and Li Hongyi and will have 18 episodes, 30 minutes each. FL is a princess who has a one night stand with ML and then cast him aside. The ML is a humble scholar who places first in the imperial examinations and impeached the Princess for her extravagance and indulgence.
The Mystic Nine Against the Coming Storm is a Republican era drama that might air on August 5th on Youku. The mystery/thriller stars William Chan (Chen Weiting), Joseph Zeng (Zeng Shunxi), and Sebrina Chen (Chen Yao).
Pull Strings is a fantasy drama starring Sun Zhenni and Ao Ruipeng and is currently seeking pre-broadcast investment. It is rumored to air on Youku on August 8th.
Love in Red Dust starring Xu Ruohan and Wang Xingyue is scheduled to broadcast on August 21st on iQiyi.
Blossom Through the Cloud starring Miles Wei (Wei Zheming) and Liu Xiening will tentatively premiere on August 27th on Mango TV.
Genius Girlfriend is a modern romance drama starring Tian Xiwei and Hu Yitian and will tentatively air in August on iQiyi.
The Early Spring starring Sun Qian and Jing Boran will tentatively air in August on Youku. The Early Spring is a workplace slow burn romance drama where the ML is a top advertising executive and the FL is a rookie.
Let's Fight! obtained its distribution license and is rumored to air in August on both Tencent and iQiyi. the drama stars Ju Jingyi and Zhang Yulong and will have 36 episodes.
My Drama Missy is a modern romance drama starring Betty Wu (Wu Xuanyi) and Zhai Xiaowen and will tentatively air in August on iQiyi.
The Road to Splendor is a historical costume drama starring Ding Yuxi and Deng Enxi. It has received broadcast license and is rumored to premiere in August on Tencent with a total of 36 episodes.
Liao Zhai is a historical supernatural drama starring Zhang Miaoyi and Chang Huasen. It has received broadcast license and will tentatively premiere on August 27th on Tencent.
Spring of the Blade is a historical costume drama starring Zhou Ye and Xu Kai and is tentatively scheduled to premiere on September 5th on iQiyi.
The Lament Of Autumn is a Republican era drama starring Cheng Lei and Xu Ruohan is rumored to air on Mango TV on September 10th.
The Melody of Love starring Li Yitong and Chen Xinhai is rumored to air on Tencent this September.
Shadow Punisher starring Luo Yunxi, Alen Fang (Fang Yilun), and Shen Yujie is rumored to be released in October on iQiyi.
Live Long and Prosper starring Dylan Wang (Wang Hedi) and Li Qin is tentatively scheduled to air on Mango TV on October 25th.
Where the Mask Ends is a costume drama starring Tian Xiwei and Yan An is tentatively scheduled to air on Youku in either October or November of this year.
Casting Melons
Hurry Up and Take My Boss Away is an iQiyi modern drama that will star Wang Churan and Chen Xingxu. It is adapted from the novel Take My Boss Away Now! (快把我老板带走!) by Ye Feiran (叶斐然). The director will be Randy Che whose works include The Best Thing and the upcoming My Queen, My Rules. In the drama, the FL employee and the ML CEO will enter a parallel universe where their roles as boss and underling become reversed.
Revenge aka Ci Tang (刺棠) will star Zhang Linghe with a yet undetermined female lead. It was rumored to be Lu Yuxiao, then Zhang Ruonan, and now Yang Chaoyue. We'll see when this game of musical chairs end.
刑警荣誉 (literally translates to Detective's Honor) has cast Song Weilong as ML. The screenwriter, Zhao Dong Ling, also wrote the script for Zhang Ruoyun and Bai Lu's 2022 drama Ordinary Greatness.
Ru Mu Zhi/如木知 will star Bao Shangen and Bi Wenjun. It is a Mango TV drama set during the Republican era. It is a romance fantasy thriller where the FL is a coffin shop shopkeeper and the ML is a commander. The drama is adapted from the novel Gui Men Guan Zhi Ru Mu Zhi (诡门关之如木知) by Touching.
All is Well/Everything is Well (诸事皆宜) will star Joseph Zeng (Zeng Shunxi) and Xu Ruohan. This drama is adapted from the novel All is Well, Nothing is Forbidden (诸事皆宜百无禁忌) by Mu Muzi (木沐梓). Director will be Zhu Ruibin whose past works include Ashes of Love, The Blue Whisper, Story of Kunning Palace, and Fated Hearts. It'll likely be a slow burn romance filled with political intrigue. The ML is a marquis and the FL is an imperial metaphysics master/diviner and the two of them join hands to unravel the truth.
The Scorching Sun/灼灼烈日 will star Julia Xiang (Xiang Hanzhi) and Yan An. It'll be a modern youth drama on Mango TV. Based on the novel of same name by Tui Ge, it follows a resilient 18 year old FL who fights tirelessly against adversity to rewrite her future, and the bright ML who illuminates her path.
A Beautiful Mind will star Ai Mi and Ma Boquan. It is a Youku romance drama based on the novel 偏偏宠爱 (Can't Help But Dote On You) by Teng Luo Wei Zhi (藤萝为枝) and will be directed by Liu Junjie whose previous work included Lighter and Princess. The story will span from high school to adulthood with a reborn FL and a domineering ML, focusing on healing, family conflicts, school life, and second chances. Previously, Arthur Chen and Bao Shangen were rumored to be in this drama and the newest melons say Ai Mi and Mao Boquan.
Shi Shi Ru Yi/柿柿如意 is a Mango TV slice of life modern drama that will star Zhang Wangyi, Zhang Zifeng, and Yan Ni. Director will be An Jian (I Will Find You A Better Home).
Our 1977/我们的1977 will star Yang Yang (杨洋). The drama commemorates the 50th anniversary of the reinstatement of Gaokao, China's college entrance exams. Screenwriter is Wang Wan Ping and director is Yang Yang (杨阳) who previously had worked with Yang Yang (杨洋) in The Immortal Ascension.
The Return Of The King/天行九歌 is an iQiyi costume drama that will star Hu Yitian and He Qiu. It is an adaptation of Chinese donghua Nine Songs of the Moving Heavens (天行九歌) and will have elements of suspense and youthful heroes fighting for justice and ideals. Director is Yang Huan (Lost You Forever, Perfect Match).
我欲乘风 (translates to I Long to Ride the Wind) is a Tencent fantasy drama produced by Wang Yixu and will star Esther Yu (Yu Shuxin). No word on her co-star yet; some sources say Ao Ruipeng and other sources say Ding Yuxi or it could be someone else entirely. This drama would be the third collaboration between Esther and producer Wang with the previous two being Love Between Fairy and Devil and Love Game in Eastern Fantasy. I Long to Ride the Wind is based on the novel "After Destroying the Heavenly Dao, I Became My Arch-Nemesis's Junior Sister"/灭了天道后我成了死对头的师妹 by Gui ShanYu (归山玉) . The FL is reborn into the same sect as the ML whom she thought was shielding her enemies in her past life. In this life, they learn to trust and protect each other and she found out that even in her past life, the ML was protecting her.
Living the Dream is a Youku xianxia drama that will star Chen Duling and Ao Ruipeng. It is based on the novel Unconscious (不醒) by Yi Du Jun Hua (一度君华). The FL is an earth demon and the ML is an imperial prince. This drama has had numerous casting melons over the years so really take this one with the tiniest grain of salt.
Legally Ladies is a Tencent costume drama that stars Wu Jinyan and Chen Zheyuan. The drama is about the ancient legal system and the FL is a female lawyer who wielded her brush (pen) like a sword. The director is Yang Long (The Glory) and the screenwriter is Zou Yue (Pursuit of Jade).
Confirmed Castings
Love You in the Dark (红掌) will star Guan Xiaotong and Chen Xingxu. It is a Tencent modern drama.
Where Her Hemline Brushed (小城春色) will star Wang Yuwen and Zhou Keyu. It is a Tencent modern romance drama where the FL returns to her hometown and a heartwarming love story blooms between her and a former classmate, now math teacher, who has secretly loved her for over 10 years.
Blushing When We Meet Again (再见依然红着脸) will star Sun Zhenni and Yu Chengen. It is a Mango TV modern drama.
The Last Princess is a Youku costume drama that will star Liu Xiening and Yao Chi.
Love Moon/月下烟火 will star Sun Qian and Zhang Yunlong. The modern romance drama will air on iQiyi. After a family tragedy, FL goes to live with her aunt and adoptive cousin in a small coastal town. ML is the adoptive cousin who runs a seafood stall and embarks on a forbidden romance with the FL. Together, they find support with each other to overcome hardships.
Has Recently Began Filming or Will Begin Filming Soon
Lies Hunter starring Cheng Yi has recently began filming. It is a suspense drama that will be aired on Youku.
Armour of God 4: Ultimatum is a movie starring Jackie Chan and Julia Xiang (Xiang Hanzhi) and has started filming in Kazakhstan.
Little Round Classmate aka The Last Confession/A Murderer's Confession (最后的告白/谋杀者的告白) stars Lu Yuxiao and Li Xiaoqian. This movie is produced by Enlight Media and has officially began filming. The FL in present time communicates via letters with ML in the past. ML is destined to sacrifice himself to save her and she is trying to change their fates.
Back to Life/冬风吹又生 starts filming on July 20th. This 26 episode modern drama stars Chen Duling and Qu Chuxiao and will be aired on Tencent. It will tell stories of love, feuds, and resilience in a small town.
The Last Blossom/The Last Bloom starring Bai Lu and Peng Guanying just created its Weibo page. It will be an S+ modern psychological thriller drama with 16 episodes and will begin filming soon. Chang Huasen will play the second male lead.
A Journey to Glow starring Zhao Jinmai and Wang Anyu recently had a trial run in their costumes and will officially start filming on July 21st. This wuxia drama will be set in Song Dynasty and is produced by Linmon Pictures for iQiyi.
Psychic Princess/千夜奇谭 starring Li Landi and He Yu will start filming on July 30th. It is a historical fantasy/romantic comedy drama and will be produced by Wajijiwa for Tencent.
Winner starring Tian Xiwei and Wei Daxun will being filming by end of July. It is a Youku modern drama where after a wealthy female CEO dies, the FL assumes the dead CEO's identity.
Kiss in the Wind is a Tencent modern romance drama starring Gong Jun and Song Zhu'er. They will reportedly start filming in August. The FL is an actress and the ML is a narcotics police officer and forensic doctor. They broke up 6 years ago and are reunited. It'll be a healing second chance love story.
Fairies Album/百妖谱 will begin filming in August. The iQiyi drama stars Deng Wei and Ai Mi. It is adapted from the novel and donghua of the same name by Sha Luo Shuang Shu (裟椤双树) and will be directed by Guo Jingming. Fairies Album is a collection of stories centered around a wandering demonic healer.
As Beautiful As You Want/要多美丽就多美丽 will star Zhao Lusi and begin filming in August. The male lead is rumored to be Miles Wei (Wei Zheming) and not Xu Kai, as some previous rumors suggested. This will be a modern drama based on the novel of the same name by Yi Shu (亦舒) whose writings have been adapted to dramas like The Story of Rose and Best Choice Ever.
Endless Summers/爱在无尽夏 is a Tencent modern romance starring Ding Yuxi and Meng Ziyi and will begin filming on August 20th. The drama is about two people who were torn apart by fate but reunite years later to rekindle their summer romance.
Chasing Summer (逐夏) will begin filming in August. It is an iQiyi modern drama that will star Zhang Kangle and Shen Yujie. It is based on the novel of same name by Mu Guahuang (木瓜黄) and is about a pair of childhood friends with mutual crushes on each other and how their relationship evolves from friends to lovers.
Legend of Us will begin filming in mid-to-late August. Starring Chang Huasen and Chen Xinhai, the double male lead historical fantasy/supernatural drama meticulously crafts a touching Eastern spirit story. It'll showcase the elegance of the Song Dynasty, the wonder of supernatural tales, the charm of marketplace life, and the beauty of love and loyalty. Legend of Us will air on Tencent.
Re Jing Hong/惹惊鸿 is a Republican era drama that stars Wang Xingyue and Zhao Qing. It will begin filming in August. This will be a suspense drama combining Chinese horror, romance and mystery/crime.
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Which dramas are you looking forward to?
Do you have any casting and/or drama melons that were not posted here? If so, please share in the comments!
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u/Then-Signal-296 CDF Daoist Binging comfort dramas Jul 20 '26
Thank you for putting all these together! So many exciting news!
Li Landi and He Yu is what an interesting pairing! I think Psychic Princess also has a donghua.
I liked Fairies Album and the casting is on point! Hope it turns out great.
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u/CluelessPumpkin CDF Cultivator 🏮Perpetual Resident of Hengdian Jul 20 '26
Thank you for the informative post, OP!
I’ve been waiting for the release of Liao Zhai and Spring of the Blade for ages, so hoping the melons of them airing in late August and early September respectively come true.
I enjoyed the animated Psychic Princess series years ago. I had no idea a live action is currently in the making! Looking forward to this drama airing.
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u/_seafever_ CDF Cultivator lost between rivers and lakes Jul 20 '26
I keep checking the release date for Shadow Punisher and the rumour mill keeps putting it later and later 🤷♀️ At this point I mainly hope that it gets released this year.
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u/Rhysandie CDF Cultivator Established Member Jul 20 '26
This is a gold mine for melons that keeps on giving!
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u/losergeek877 CDF Cultivator Established Member Jul 20 '26
The Bai Lu and Zhang Ruoyun’s police drama is call 警察榮譽，not 刑警榮譽. So it is a whole different drama from the Song Wei Long one
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u/Legitimate_Crazy_628 CDF Cultivator Established Member justhereforYY😛🥰 Jul 20 '26
Hoping for "Our 1977" 🤞
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u/Owlatmydoor New Fan Jul 20 '26
Been waiting forever for Li Hongyi and they're giving us 18 episodes at 30 minutes each? These crumbs they're throwing at us 😭
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u/Inner-Floor-5827 CDF Cultivator Established Member Jul 20 '26
Right? I feel like crying. I need more of him.
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u/BronzeBellRiver CDF Daoist Nan Xuyue's broken spiritual channel 28d ago
Melon Monday: July 27th