The start of 2026 is set to be a feast for drama enthusiasts as two highly anticipated series land on CCTV’s prime time slots almost at the same time. Zhao Liying and Huang Xiaoming’s "City Builder" will air on CCTV 8, while Yang Zi and Hu Ge’s "Life Tree" will debut on CCTV 1—both scheduled for mid-January. Netizens have already labeled this clash a "double drama kings showdown" due to the star power and production quality involved. Behind these two dramas lie top-tier teams that promise excellence. "Life Tree" comes from the renowned Zheng Wu Yang Guang studio, directed by Li Xue (known for "Nirvana in Fire"), and its trailer quickly hit 5 million views, breaking a CCTV record. "City Builder" boasts director Sun Hao (of "Joy of Life" fame) and a screenwriter from "The River Flows Eastward", ensuring an authentic era portrayal plus grand city construction scenes with massive crowds. Another highlight is the face-off between 85-generation actress Zhao Liying and 90-generation star Yang Zi—both have proven their acting skills through past works and are far from being mere eye candy.
Let’s look at Zhao Liying first. Her collaboration with Huo Jianhua in "Journey of Flower" became a xianxia classic, with heart-wrenching crying scenes and stellar acting earning it phenomenal ratings. "The Story of Ming Lan"—hailed as the best domestic house-fight drama—saw her bring the smart Sheng Minglan to life so vividly that it’s still rewatched today. In "Wind Blows Pinellia", she played a tough female entrepreneur so convincingly that she won the Flying Goddess Award. From an overlooked supporting actress to a household name, Zhao Liying has expanded her range and gained wide recognition. Now Yang Zi: her works are equally impressive. In "Lost You Forever", she seamlessly switched between Wen Xiaoliu and Xiao Yao, delivering emotional crying scenes that resonated deeply, leading to high viewership. "Ode to Joy"’s naive Qiu Yingying earned her a Bai Yu Lan Supporting Actress nomination. "Ashes of Love"’s three-life tragic love story had her crying scenes so impactful that it amassed over 18 billion views. Starting as a child star, Yang Zi grew into a leading actress handling sweet romances, xianxia, and modern dramas—with growing skills and awards. It’s hard to pick a winner between Zhao Liying and Yang Zi, as both have unique strengths.
Online sources suggest both dramas have strong award potential. Zhao Liying’s "City Builder" could help her achieve a "mainstream award grand slam", while Yang Zi’s "Life Tree" might mark her first Bai Yu Lan win. Netizens are buzzing: when two powerhouses clash, who will take home the honors? Which drama are you more excited about—Zhao Liying’s "City Builder", Yang Zi’s "Life Tree", or both? Share your thoughts in the comments!
