Chinese actor Jin Ze has died at the age of 33. The young star, known for projects like Hello, Joann, Forget You, Remember Love, Legally Romance, Fake Princess , and Give You My Heart , passed away on June 4 at his home in Hangzhou, his management company said.
Shengshi Guangnian Culture Co., Ltd., issued an official statement on Saturday confirming the news, even though it did not provide any cause of death. Jin Ze’s last social media post was in early May, when he said he had wrapped filming on one of his projects. Few would have thought it was one of his last public messages to his fans. His demise has left the Chinese entertainment industry and his followers shocked and mourning.
Agency confirms death
His agency said in the statement, “We announce with profound sorrow that our contracted actor Jin Ze (Zhang Jiawei) passed away at his home in Hangzhou on June 4, 2026.” It also asked the public and media to respect the privacy of his loved ones during this difficult time and not to circulate unverified information.
News of Jin Ze’s death spread on Chinese social media, quickly becoming a trending topic. Fans, co-stars and industry associates have posted messages of grief and remembrance since his passing, reflecting on his professional accomplishments and his reputation as a warm and kind-hearted person.
Jin Ze’s life and work
Jin Ze was born in January 1993 in Weihai, Shandong Province, as Zhang Jiawei. He began his career in the fashion industry. He graduated from Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology and began his career as a model before turning to acting.
He has made the transition from modeling to entertainment successfully, carving out a niche in the highly competitive world of Chinese television. He steadily built up his portfolio year on year and won plaudits for his acting in both conventional television dramas and the fast-emerging short-drama format.
Jin Ze’s rise to stardom
Jin Ze rose to greater public attention after appearing on the music variety program I Can See Your Voice in 2016. This exposure helped him to reach the audience and paved his way for acting potentials.
Recently, however, he became a particular favourite among viewers of China’s burgeoning micro-drama and short-form content market, where his performances enabled him to connect with a new generation of audiences.
Incomplete and upcoming titles
Jin Ze was actively involved in the industry and had several projects going on when he died. Among his upcoming works is Waiting for the Flowers to Bloom, Waiting for Your Return, which had already generated a lot of buzz among viewers and is said to have racked up more than a million reservations on a major short-drama platform before its release.
Jin Ze’s career was tragically cut short, but he left a body of work that resonated with audiences across television, streaming platforms and short form dramas. Tributes continue to come in with many remembering him not only as a talented performer, but as a young star whose journey was cut short too soon.