K-drama Death’s Game gets a Chinese film remake; Zhao Jin Mai, Fan Cheng Cheng to lead cast: Everything we know so far

THe come to 2023 s Korean fantasise thriller demise’s biz, which originally captivated global audiences with powerhouse performances by Seo In Guk and Park So Dam, is getting a high-profile Chinese movie adaptation. While the original Korean story unfolded as a 12-episode television series, this new version is taking a major cinematic leap as a full-length feature film. Reimagined under the working title Deadly Loop, though fans have pointed out that production listings also refer to it as One More Time, the upcoming movie promises to bring a fresh perspective and a brand-new cast to the high-stakes survival story. Currently moving through the early stages of production, the film is aiming for a major theatrical release across mainland China in 2028.Fan Cheng Cheng and Zhao Jin Mai lead the castThe upcoming film is set to star Fan Cheng Cheng as the main protagonist, Zhang Wei, alongside Zhao Jin Mai as the female lead as the mysterious grim reaper. This marks the very first time the two popular Chinese actors will share the screen. Adding to the excitement, industry rumors suggest that superstar Jackson Yee might make a special cameo appearance, though his team has yet to officially confirm the role.Cameras officially began rolling for the project in April 2026 across real locations in Guangdong, China. Leaked videos show the actors have been shooting important sequences. Even an official Weibo account has been opened for the film. The official announcement of the movie will happen on June 4 along with a poster. However, the adaptation hasn't managed to escape behind-the-scenes drama. The production triggered immediate social media friction among fans when early promotional materials positioned Fan Cheng Cheng’s name ahead of Zhao Jin Mai’s. This specific billing order quickly ignited fierce debates across online forums.Helmed by director Zhang Yi Nan, the project is quietly moving forward behind closed doors. Pre-production and set building reportedly kicked off in early April 2026, though the crew has kept all specific details under tight wraps. What is Death's Game aboutThe movie is actually adapting the webtoon. The South Korean series originally brought to life the webtoon by Lee Won Sik and Ggulchan. That narrative followed Choi Yi Jae (Seo In Guk), a man completely broken by joblessness, financial ruin, and a painful breakup. After choosing to end his own life, he is met with a supernatural reckoning from Death herself (Park So Dam), who sentences him to cycle through twelve distinct lifetimes, experiencing a brutal death in each body.The upcoming Chinese remake centers on Zhang Wei, a young man trapped in the same terrifying supernatural loop across twelve different existences. As he struggles through these repeated lives, he begins to truly understand the worth of living, eventually channeling his hard-earned wisdom into a desperate fight to protect his family and the people he loves.To meet local broadcast guidelines and storytelling norms, the adaptation is swapping out real-world geography. Instead of taking place in a specific country, the high-stakes narrative will unfold across a fictional nation in the Pacific Islands. The show brought together an incredible lineup of talent, placing Seo In Guk and Park So Dam alongside a massive array of popular stars, including Lee Do Hyun, Lee Jae Wook, Go Yoon Jung, Choi Siwon, and Oh Jung Se. The series was split into two parts. The first four episodes dropped on December 15, 2023, followed by the final four episodes on January 5, 2024.