Loving Strangers
2026 Chinese TV series or program
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Loving Strangers (Chinese: 秋雪漫过的冬天; Qiūxuě mànguò de dōngtiān) is a 2026 Chinese slice of life television series starring Zhang Zifeng and Mark Chao.[1] It is an official remake of the 2018 South Korean television series My Mister.[2] The series premiered exclusively on Youku on January 10, 2026, and is scheduled to run for 30 episodes.[3]
- Wo De Da Shu
- My Mister (Chinese Remake)
- Winter After Autumn Snow
- Slice of life
- Melodrama
- Psychological
by Park Hae-young
| Loving Strangers | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Also known as |
|
| 秋雪漫过的冬天 | |
| Genre |
|
| Based on | My Mister by Park Hae-young |
| Directed by | Van Han |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | China |
| Original language | Mandarin |
| No. of episodes | 30 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Dunqi |
| Producer | Xiao Bing |
| Production location | China |
| Running time | 45 minutes |
| Production companies |
|
| Original release | |
| Network | Youku |
| Release | 10 January 2026 – present |
Synopsis
The series follows the intersection of two lives burdened by social and personal hardships in a modern Chinese metropolis. Zhou Yu'an (Zhang Zifeng) is a 20-year-old part-time worker living in extreme poverty while caring for her deaf and disabled grandmother. She is cold, cynical, and burdened by the heavy debts left behind by her deceased parents.
She encounters Jiang Jiaqi (Mark Chao), a stoic and kind-hearted structural engineer in his 40s who, despite his stable career, is suffering from the weight of family expectations, office politics, and a failing marriage. After being tasked by a corporate rival to find a weakness in Jiaqi's character, Yu'an begins to spy on him, only to find herself deeply moved by his quiet integrity. As they share their struggles, they form a profound, non-romantic bond that helps them both heal from their psychological scars.
Cast
Main
- Zhang Zifeng as Zhou Yu'an
- Based on the character Lee Ji-an. A resilient but emotionally distant young woman.
- Mark Chao as Jiang Jiaqi
- Based on the character Park Dong-hoon. A weary but principled middle-aged man.
Supporting
- Zhang Chao as Gu Chen
Production
Development
In early 2023, Youku announced that it had acquired the remake rights for the critically acclaimed South Korean drama My Mister. The production was handled by Linmon Media, known for their "realistic" urban dramas. The script was adapted to reflect the specific socioeconomic pressures of the "996" work culture in China and the unique challenges faced by the working class in urban hubs.[citation needed]
Casting
The casting of Zhang Zifeng was announced in mid-2024. Zhang, known for her "cinematic" acting style and ability to play complex, brooding characters, was considered the top choice by fans of the original work to play the lead role. Mark Chao's casting was confirmed shortly after, marking his return to the "healing drama" genre. Critics noted that the 15-year age gap between the leads mirrored the original series' dynamic.[citation needed]
Filming
Principal photography began in September 2024. The production chose to film in the industrial and coastal districts of Chongqing to replicate the melancholic, gritty, yet atmospheric visual tone of the original series.[citation needed]