Zhao Jinmai

Zhao Jinmai (Chinese: 赵今麦; born 29 September 2002) is a Chinese actress. She is known for her role in the films Balala the Fairies franchise, and The Wandering Earth; 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. In 2019, Forbes China listed Zhao under "30 Under 30 Asia" category, for her professional contributions.

Source: Wikipedia

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Zhao Jinmai

Early life

Zhao Jinmai

Zhao was born in Shenyang, Liaoning, China on 29 September 2002. Her father is a chemistry faculty head. She attended high school in Shenyang, maintaining strong grades while working as a child actress. In 2020, she was admitted to the Central Academy of Drama, from which she graduated in 2024.

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. In 2016, she appeared in the urban family drama A Love for Separation, which gained popularity and increased her recognition. In 2017, she starred in the modern drama My! Physical Education Teacher; and in 2018, in the comedy film Go Brother! adapted from Chinese manhua Please Take My Brother Away!.

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. She further gained recognition in the family drama Growing Pain. She as lead starred in the romance drama A Little Thing Called First Love.

2022–present: Breakthrough and top actress of her generation

In 2022, Zhao starred as "Li Shiqing" in Reset, a time loop series. It exceeded 1.8B views, and achieved 30,000 popularity index on Tencent Video. 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. In 2025, her crime suspense drama Drifting Away was critically acclaimed, and exceeded 10,000 popularity index on iQIYI.

Filmography

Films

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>English title</th><th>Role</th><th>Notes/Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2014</td><td>Balala the Fairies: The Magic Trial</td><td>Ling Meiqi (Maggie)</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2015</td><td>Balala the Fairies: Princess Camellia</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2018</td><td>Go Brother!</td><td>Miao Miaomiao</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2019</td><td>The Wandering Earth</td><td>Han Duoduo</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>A Sedan</td><td>Li Li</td><td>Filmed in 2015</td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>One Week Friends</td><td>Lin Xiangzhi</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ode to the Spring</td><td>Xiao Mai</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Television / web series

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>English title</th><th>Role</th><th>Notes/Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2012</td><td>Cannot No Mother</td><td>Xiang Di</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2013</td><td>When the Heart Meets the Benevolence</td><td>Xiao Sanya</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2015</td><td>Balala the Fairies: The Riddle of the Notes</td><td>Ling Meiqi (Maggie)</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2016</td><td>A Love for Separation</td><td>Jin Qinqin</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2017</td><td>My! Physical Education Teacher</td><td>Mary</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Love is the Source of Joy</td><td>Zhang Tong</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2019</td><td>Growing Pain</td><td>Lin Miaomiao</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>A Little Thing Called First Love</td><td>Xia Miaomiao</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2020</td><td>Reborn</td><td>Chen Rui</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>With You</td><td>Rong Yi</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td>The Blessed Girl</td><td>Huotu Linglong</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Brilliant Girls</td><td>Wen Xiaoyang</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>Reset</td><td>Li Shiqing</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Growing Pain Season 2</td><td>Lin Miaomiao</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>Stand by Me</td><td>Luo Qiqi</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>Amidst a Snowstorm of Love</td><td>Yin Guo</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>The Princess Royal</td><td>Li Rong</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>Drifting Away</td><td>Zhen Zhen</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Our Generation</td><td>Lin Qile</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Shine on Me</td><td>Nie Xiguang</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>TBA</td><td>Irreplaceable</td><td>Xu Chi</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Variety shows

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>English title</th><th>Role</th><th>Notes/Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2019</td><td>Four Try</td><td>Cast member</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>Divas Hit the Road Season 4</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Awards and nominations

Zhao Jinmai

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Award</th><th>Category</th><th>Nominated work</th><th>Results</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2018</td><td>Guangzhou College Student Film Festival — Students' Choice Award</td><td>Favorite Supporting Actress</td><td>Go Brother!</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2019</td><td>4th Golden Blossom Internet Film and Television Awards</td><td>Best Newcomer</td><td>Growing Pain; A Little Thing Called First Love</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>China TV Drama Awards</td><td>New Generation of Youth Performer</td><td>Growing Pain</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1st China Film Critics Association Awards</td><td>New Performer of the Year</td><td>The Wandering Earth</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2020</td><td>7th The Actors of China Awards</td><td>Best Actress (Green Group)</td><td>—N/a</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td>3rd Asian Contents Awards</td><td>Best Newcomer Actress</td><td>The Blessed Girl</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>35th Huading Awards</td><td>Best Actress in Chinese Modern Dramas</td><td>Reset</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>1st "New Horns" Drama Director's Night</td><td>Breakthrough Actress of the Year</td><td>Reset</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Baidu Boiling Point Metaverse Night</td><td>Boiling Point Breakthrough Actress</td><td>—N/a</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>Television Series of China Quality Ceremony</td><td>Female Drama Star with Full Media Attention of the Year</td><td>Amidst a Snowstorm of Love</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>IQIYI Scream Night Awards</td><td>Audience's Favourite Actress</td><td>Drifting Away</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>