The main media held the 2026 New Year event launch, "Joy, Wellbeing and Good Luck in the Year of the Horse," on the 17th, and simultaneously released the Year of the Horse New Year theme song "New Year Must Be Good." The atmosphere at the venue was light and lively, with the highlight undoubtedly being Xie Chengwei’s remarkably lifelike “horse neigh.” He revealed that the “horse neigh” in the song was not added as a post-production sound effect but produced by himself. Encouraged by the artists onsite, he demonstrated it live, and its authenticity left the whole audience in awe. He joked, “In my 20 years in this industry, this is the thing I’m happiest to have accomplished!”
Secret Skill Learned from His Father
Xie Chengwei later shared that this “secret skill” was actually handed down from his father, with the key being to make the sound by inhaling. He said he started practicing after graduating from high school, and over the years has mastered the technique; he never thought it would actually come in handy one day. He laughed and said, “I want to carry it forward and pass on what my dad taught me, to bring honor to my family!”
"New Year Must Be Good" is jointly created by music producer Chen Yanhui and lyricist Rui Ye, and performed by twelve New Year ambassadors Ye Jianfeng, Wang Jingyi, Chen Jia Rong, Chen Liting, Chen Huitian, Xie Chengwei, Xiao Yu, Zheng Ruiyao, Ke Qing, Luo Chenyu, Xiao Xinyun, and Cai Jingxuan. In addition, two champion families from Season 6 of “Good Voice Family” were invited to join, adding warmth to the project.
At the launch, the Year of the Horse mascot “Little Max” was officially unveiled. 8tv program director Huang Yuli said that “Little Max” symbolizes vitality and a spirit of forging ahead, and embodies four New Year blessings: joy, happiness, peace, and health. The "New Year Must Be Good" MV gathered nearly 30 hosts, news anchors, and radio DJs from the main media for the shoot, and specially invited two fine horses to join in on camera. Mascots from previous zodiac years, from 2015’s “Powerful Goat” to “Waseh,” all gathered together to take a family portrait with the new member Little Max, creating a lively and festive scene uniting over 12 years of zodiac mascots.
Ye Jianfeng and Chen Jiarong Team Up Again for MV
Seasoned news anchors Ye Jianfeng and Chen Jiarong, who transform into singing and dancing performers each year, once again teamed up to shoot the MV. Ye Jianfeng claimed his dance moves had a “K-pop feel,” but was immediately shot down by Chen Jiarong, who joked that the two of them are the “Hundred Flowers Duo.” Chen Jiarong laughed at himself, saying their combined age is over 100, “We’re both presbyopic,” but they still managed to complete the dance and keep up with the rhythm. “We can still dance and stay on beat—for me, that's a huge encouragement and affirmation.”
On TV, “Fun Chinese New Year” will visit 16 Chinese communities across the country this year to extend early New Year greetings. “The Flourishing Dragon & Horse New Year Gala” will host over 30 celebrity guests and head to Xitian Temple in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan for recording, presenting a series of exciting performances. Other special programs for New Year include "Nestum Tasty! Chinese New Year Special," "Setting Sail New Year Special," "Wishing You Good Luck 2026," and "Bingwu Fire Horse New Year · New Year Plan."
In addition, the New Year drama “Superstar Reality Show 3” starring Chen Ziying and Guo Xiaodong will continue the zany daily lives of superstar and quirky family members. The Chinese radio station Eight FM is also launching a comedy short “My Home Appliance Tried to Kill Me,” co-created and performed by all the station’s DJs. A variety of New Year programs will take turns accompanying viewers to livelyly welcome the Year of the Horse.