From humble beginnings to record-breaking viewership, the rise of Chinese actress Zhao Liying
In short: Born in Langfang, Zhao Liying rose from a secondary professional school graduate to one of China's most influential performers. Her career, marked by massive streaming records and critical acclaim, reflects the shifting landscape of Chinese television, where she has consistently topped ratings and redefined the reach of domestic historical dramas.
Zhao Liying, born in 1987, began her ascent in 2006 after winning the Yahoo Search Star Game. Her early career included roles in family dramas like Golden Marriage, but her breakthrough came with the 2013 historical drama Legend of Lu Zhen. This role, portraying a woman rising to become a prime minister, established her as a domestic and international star, paving the way for a series of high-profile projects.
Her career is defined by extraordinary digital engagement. By 2016, VLinkage reported that her dramas had accumulated over 110 billion views, a record for a Chinese actor at the time. Projects such as The Journey of Flower and Noble Aspirations set new benchmarks for online viewership, with the latter reaching over 23 billion views. These figures underscore her massive influence on the Chinese media landscape, where she has been recognized as a top-tier talent through awards like the Flying Apsaras and Golden Eagle.
Beyond her acting, Zhao has navigated a public life that includes high-profile brand ambassadorships for companies like Dior and corporate roles, such as vice president of Yi Xia Technology. Her personal life, including her marriage to actor Feng Shaofeng and subsequent divorce, has been documented on platforms like Sina Weibo. Despite these shifts, she remains a central figure in the industry, continuing to earn accolades for recent performances in projects like Wild Bloom and the 2024 film Article 20.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Zhao Liying
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