Seven years after starring together in the hit drama series The Story of Minglan, Chinese actors Zhao Liying and Wang Yinjun reunited at the opening ceremony of the 39th Golden Rooster Film Awards in Xiamen, where a warm embrace between the former co-stars drew widespread attention.
- Zhao Liying and Wang Yinjun crossed paths at the opening ceremony of the 39th Golden Rooster Film Awards in Xiamen on November 8, 2026, marking a public reunion seven years after their 2018 television series.
- Alongside her acting career milestones, Zhao Liying took on a major role as the chief judge for the 8th Golden Rooster Film Project Investment and Development Conference.
At the Xiamen event, Zhao Liying actively approached Wang Yinjun to offer a close embrace, Báo Lao Động reported. The two actors sat side by side, engaging in animated conversation reminiscent of long-separated relatives.
During backstage interviews, Wang Yinjun affectionately called Zhao Liying “Liu Mimi,” a nod to her character Sheng Minglan from the 2018 drama. The actor noted that the moment she walked toward him felt as though they had stepped back into the production’s original setting.
Best Actress and Best Actor meet at the peak! Zhao Liying and Wang Renjun hug at the Golden Rooster Awards. Wang Renjun, "Second Brother", says he’s thrilled to see "Sixth Sister" Zhao Liying. Netizens: Back to The Story of Minglan! The Sheng family kids never disappoint!… pic.twitter.com/ZUPzquGvYX
In The Story of Minglan, Wang Yinjun portrayed Sheng Changbai, the protective older brother to Zhao Liying’s protagonist. Their on-screen sibling dynamic gained praise for depicting a close, unpretentious family bond.
Their real-world connection has persisted beyond the set. In 2024, when Zhao Liying won the Feitian Award for Best Actress for her role in The Wind Blows West, Wang Yinjun posted a congratulatory message using her character nickname.
In October 2026, when Wang Yinjun won the Feitian Award for Best Actor for War of Faith, Zhao Liying left a congratulatory message addressing him as “Er Gege.” Báo Lao Động noted that these brief messages reflect years of continued professional rapport.
| Actor | Recent Award / Project | Award-Winning Work |
|---|---|---|
| Zhao Liying | Feitian Award (Best Actress, 2024) | The Wind Blows West |
| Wang Yinjun | Feitian Award (Best Actor, 2026) | War of Faith |
Beyond their recent reunion, the event marked a professional shift for Zhao Liying within the film industry. Organizers invited the actress to serve as the chief judge for the 8th Golden Rooster Film Project Investment and Development Conference, working alongside figures such as director Huang Jianxin and actress Yuan Ni to evaluate and support emerging film projects, Báo Lao Động reported.
Wang Yinjun’s recent Best Actor win at the 2026 Feitian Awards has similarly brought renewed attention to his career in dramatic cinema. Báo Lao Động stated that his latest accolade has drawn fresh public discussion back to his foundational work in The Story of Minglan.
According to Yunhe Data figures cited by Báo Lao Động, The Story of Minglan achieved 98.42 million views in April 2026, ranking second among legacy title charts, while related topics on Douyin surpassed 28 billion views.
Also appearing together at the opening ceremony of the 39th Golden Rooster Film Awards alongside Zhao Liying was actor Huang Xiaoming, as Báo Lao Động reported.
