Zhao Jinmai (; 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.*
Early life 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: Beginning 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: Breakthrough 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: Rising popularity 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. She also starred in romantic series Shine on Me. It exceeded 1B views on Tencent Video, and achieved 30,000 popularity index.
Filmography Films Year English title Role Notes/Ref.2014Balala the Fairies: The Magic TrialLing Meiqi (Maggie) 2015Balala the Fairies: Princess Camellia2018Go Brother!Miao Miaomiao2019The Wandering EarthHan DuoduoA SedanLi LiFilmed in 20152022One Week FriendsLin XiangzhiOde to the SpringXiao Mai2027The Wandering Earth 3 - Phase 1Han Duoduo2028The Wandering Earth 3 - Phase 2Han DuoduoAgain and AgainMeng XinyueDamai Pictures (filmed in 2026)The Beginning: The Undeliverable CourierLi Shiqing (cameo)Filmed in 2026
Television / web series Year English title Role Notes/Ref.2012Cannot No MotherXiang Di2013When the Heart Meets the BenevolenceXiao Sanya2015Balala the Fairies: The Riddle of the NotesLing Meiqi (Maggie)2016A Love for SeparationJin Qinqin2017My! Physical Education TeacherMaryLove is the Source of JoyZhang Tong2019Growing PainLin MiaomiaoA Little Thing Called First LoveXia Miaomiao2020RebornChen RuiWith YouRong Yi2021The Blessed GirlHuotu LinglongBrilliant GirlsWen Xiaoyang2022ResetLi ShiqingGrowing PainSeason 2Lin Miaomiao2023Stand by MeLuo Qiqi2024Amidst a Snowstorm of LoveYin GuoThe Princess RoyalLi Rong2025Drifting AwayZhen ZhenOur GenerationLin QileShine on MeNie Xiguang2026IrreplaceableXu ChiA Journey to GlowChu Tingyu
Variety shows Year English title Role Notes/Ref.2019Four TryCast member2022Divas Hit the RoadSeason 4
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Results Ref.2018Guangzhou College Student Film Festival — Students' Choice AwardFavorite Supporting ActressGo Brother!20194th Best NewcomerGrowing Pain; A Little Thing Called First Love China TV Drama AwardsNew Generation of Youth PerformerGrowing Pain1st AwardsNew Performer of the YearThe Wandering Earth20207th The Actors of China AwardsBest Actress (Green Group)20213rd Asian Contents AwardsBest Newcomer ActressThe Blessed Girl202235th Huading AwardsBest Actress in Chinese Modern DramasReset20231st "New Horns" Drama Director's NightBreakthrough Actress of the YearResetBaidu Boiling Point Metaverse NightBoiling Point Breakthrough Actress 2024Television Series of China Quality CeremonyFemale Drama Star with Full Media Attention of the YearAmidst a Snowstorm of Love2025IQIYI Scream Night AwardsAudience's Favourite ActressDrifting Away
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