Zhao Jinmai
Chinese actress (born 2002)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Zhao Jinmai (Chinese: 赵今麦; born 29 September 2002) is a Chinese actress.[1] She is known for her role in the films Balala the Fairies franchise, and The Wandering Earth;[2] in the series Growing Pain, A Little Thing Called First Love, Reset, The Princess Royal, Amidst a Snowstorm of Love, Drifting Away and Shine on Me.[3][4] In 2019, Forbes China listed Zhao under "30 Under 30 Asia" category, for her professional contributions.[5][6]
Zhao Jinmai | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 赵今麦 | |||||||
Zhao Jinmai in 2026 | |||||||
| Born | 29 September 2002 | ||||||
| Other name | Angel Zhao | ||||||
| Alma mater | Central Academy of Drama | ||||||
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2010–present | ||||||
| Notable work | Film: The Wandering Earth TV series: Reset The Princess Royal Drifting Away Shine On Me | ||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 赵今麦 | ||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 趙今麥 | ||||||
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Early life
Zhao was born in Shenyang, Liaoning, China on 29 September 2002.[7] Her father is a chemistry faculty head.[8] She attended high school in Shenyang, maintaining strong grades while working as a child actress.[9] In 2020, she was admitted to the Central Academy of Drama, from which she graduated in 2024.[10][11]
Career
2010–2018: Early roles as a child actress
In 2010, Zhao started her acting career as a child actress. She appeared in several television series and films, including the fantasy children's film Balala the Fairies.[12] In 2016, she appeared in the urban family drama A Love for Separation, which gained popularity and increased her recognition.[13] In 2017, she starred in the modern drama My! Physical Education Teacher;[14] and in 2018, in the comedy film Go Brother! adapted from Chinese manhua Please Take My Brother Away!.[15]
2019–2021: Rising popularity and transition to lead roles
In 2019, Zhao starred as "Han Duoduo", the lead female role in the sci-fi film The Wandering Earth, adapted from Liu Cixin's novel, one of China's highest-grossing films that brought her wider recognition.[16] She further gained recognition in the family drama Growing Pain.[17] She as lead starred in the romance drama A Little Thing Called First Love.[18]
2022–present: Breakthrough and rising popularity
In 2022, Zhao starred as "Li Shiqing" in Reset, a time loop series.[19] It exceeded 1.8B views,[20] and achieved 30,000 popularity index on Tencent Video.[21] This made her one the most recognizable actress in China. In 2024, her historical series The Princess Royal and the sports romantic drama Amidst a Snowstorm of Love were commercially successful.[22][23] In 2025, her crime suspense drama Drifting Away was critically acclaimed, and exceeded 10,000 popularity index on iQIYI.[24][25] She also starred in romantic series Shine on Me.[26] It exceeded 1B views on Tencent Video,[27] and achieved 30,000 popularity index. [28][29]
Filmography
Films
| Year | English title | Role | Notes/Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Balala the Fairies: The Magic Trial | Ling Meiqi (Maggie) | [30] |
| 2015 | Balala the Fairies: Princess Camellia | [31] | |
| 2018 | Go Brother! | Miao Miaomiao | [32] |
| 2019 | The Wandering Earth | Han Duoduo | [33] |
| A Sedan | Li Li | Filmed in 2015 | |
| 2022 | One Week Friends | Lin Xiangzhi | [34] |
| Ode to the Spring | Xiao Mai | [35] |
Television / web series
| Year | English title | Role | Notes/Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Cannot No Mother | Xiang Di | |
| 2013 | When the Heart Meets the Benevolence | Xiao Sanya | |
| 2015 | Balala the Fairies: The Riddle of the Notes | Ling Meiqi (Maggie) | [36] |
| 2016 | A Love for Separation | Jin Qinqin | [37] |
| 2017 | My! Physical Education Teacher | Mary | [38] |
| Love is the Source of Joy | Zhang Tong | ||
| 2019 | Growing Pain | Lin Miaomiao | [39] |
| A Little Thing Called First Love | Xia Miaomiao | [40] | |
| 2020 | Reborn | Chen Rui | [41] |
| With You | Rong Yi | [42] | |
| 2021 | The Blessed Girl | Huotu Linglong | [43] |
| Brilliant Girls | Wen Xiaoyang | [44] | |
| 2022 | Reset | Li Shiqing | [45] |
| Growing Pain Season 2 | Lin Miaomiao | [46] | |
| 2023 | Stand by Me | Luo Qiqi | [47] |
| 2024 | Amidst a Snowstorm of Love | Yin Guo | [48] |
| The Princess Royal | Li Rong | [49] | |
| 2025 | Drifting Away | Zhen Zhen | [50] |
| Our Generation | Lin Qile | [51] | |
| Shine on Me | Nie Xiguang | [52] | |
| TBA | Irreplaceable | Xu Chi | [53] |
Variety shows
| Year | English title | Role | Notes/Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Four Try | Cast member | [54] |
| 2022 | Divas Hit the Road Season 4 |
[55] |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Results | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Guangzhou College Student Film Festival — Students' Choice Award | Favorite Supporting Actress | Go Brother! | Nominated | [56] |
| 2019 | 4th Golden Blossom Internet Film and Television Awards | Best Newcomer | Growing Pain; A Little Thing Called First Love | Nominated | [57] |
| China TV Drama Awards | New Generation of Youth Performer | Growing Pain | Won | [58] | |
| 1st China Film Critics Association Awards | New Performer of the Year | The Wandering Earth | Nominated | [59] | |
| 2020 | 7th The Actors of China Awards | Best Actress (Green Group) | N/a | Nominated | [60] |
| 2021 | 3rd Asian Contents Awards | Best Newcomer Actress | The Blessed Girl | Nominated | [61] |
| 2022 | 35th Huading Awards | Best Actress in Chinese Modern Dramas | Reset | Nominated | [62] |
| 2023 | 1st "New Horns" Drama Director's Night | Breakthrough Actress of the Year | Reset | Won | [63] |
| Baidu Boiling Point Metaverse Night | Boiling Point Breakthrough Actress | N/a | Won | [64] | |
| 2024 | Television Series of China Quality Ceremony | Female Drama Star with Full Media Attention of the Year | Amidst a Snowstorm of Love | Won | [65] |
| 2025 | IQIYI Scream Night Awards | Audience's Favourite Actress | Drifting Away | Won | [66] |