Top 10 Chinese Actresses to Watch in 2023

EnStar is a valuable resource in the entertainment industry, providing insights into an artist’s commercial value score based on factors such as popularity, attention, prediction, and marketing power. We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 Chinese actresses according to its data. Here’s who to watch in 2023:

10. Qin Lan

Qin Lan is a Chinese actress, model, and singer. She gained fame after playing the role of Chen Zhihua in “My Fair Princess III,” a classic romance drama adapted from a novel by Taiwanese writer Qiong Yao.

In 2018, she played Empress Fuca in the Qing Dynasty drama “Story of Yanxi Palace,” which made her popular with audiences. In 2020, she starred in “We Are All Alone” as Mo Xiangwan, a decisive and domineering talent agent. Qin Lan has endorsed various brands, including ECCO, Guerlain, and De Beers Forevermark.

Relevant reading: A Hit Chinese TV Show Ignites Heritage Luxury

9. Zhang Jingyi

Zhang Jingyi is a 23-year-old Chinese model and actress. After graduating from the Beijing Film Academy in 2017, she signed a contract with Dongshen Future, a film and television company co-founded by Chinese celebrities Chen Kun and Zhou Xun. She made her debut in the comedy TV series “The Sky of the Wind Dog,” in which she played an adolescent middle school student. In 2023, she won the “Annual Potential Actress” award at Weibo Night, and starred in the spy film “Hidden Blade” and the comedy film “Godspeed.” 

8. Guan Xiaotong

Guan Xiaotong, born in Beijing, rose to fame as a child star. In 2016, she gained widespread attention for her leading role in the urban romance drama “Love O2O” and won the Best Supporting Actress award at the 23rd Shanghai Television Festival. She is known as the “nation’s daughter” in China and is regarded as one of the country’s most bankable young actresses from the post-90s generation (also called “Four Dan Actresses”), along with Zheng Shuang, Zhou Dongyu, and Yang Zi.

In 2020, she ranked 71st on the “2020 Forbes China Celebrity List,” and she now endorses brands including Chloé Perfume, Make Up For Ever, and Clarins.

Relevant reading: Chloé Perfume Appoints Guan Xiaotong As First Chinese Ambassador

7. Yang Mi

Yang Mi made her acting debut at the age of four in the historical television drama “Tang Ming Huang.” As a former child star, she has an extensive background in the industry. In 2011, she gained widespread popularity for her leading role in the hit historical romance drama “Palace: The Lock Heart Jade,” which sparked a trend of TV shows about time travel. Her lead roles for television have spanned genres from Chinese fantasy (or Xianxia) to modern office drama, including the shows “Swords of Legends” (2014), “The Interpreter” (2016), and “Eternal Love of Dream” (2020).

In 2022, Yang Mi became the spokesperson for Pepsi and Vichy in China.

Relevant reading: Cai Xukun and Yang Mi Remain the Top Celebrities in China in April

6. Dilraba Dilmurat

Dilraba Dilmurat, of Uyghur descent, is a talented Chinese actress who graduated from the Shanghai Theater Academy. Her acting career began in 2013 with the lead role in the TV series “Anarhan,” which was nominated for Outstanding TV Series at the 30th Flying Apsaras Awards. She gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of a sassy pop star in the drama series “Diamond Lover” and won the Audience’s Favorite Newcomer award at the 7th China TV Drama Awards.

In January 2023, Dilraba was appointed as Dior’s newest brand ambassador and joined other renowned women in starring in the Dior Lady 95.22 campaign.

Relevant reading: Why Chinese Shoppers Aren’t Loyal

5. Zhao Liying

Zhao Liying was born in a small village and did not attend a professional art school. However, her passion for acting led her into the industry through the Yahoo Search Star Game in 2006. In 2013, she achieved a breakthrough with the TV series “Legend of Lu Zhen,” which was a hit not only domestically but also in South Korea and Japan, increasing her recognition throughout the region. That year, Zhao was honored as Favorite Newcomer at the China TV Drama Awards and Most Popular TV Actress at the LeTV Awards.

Her popularity continued to rise with roles in several highly-watched historical action dramas, such as “Princess Agents”(2017), where she played a slave who rose to become a powerful female general. In 2023, Zhao Liying was appointed as the first Chinese brand ambassador for the UK fashion brand Self-Portrait.

Relevant reading: Dior Adds An Oriental Aesthetic To Their Chinese New Year 2021 Collection

4. Esther Yu

Esther Yu made her acting debut in the 2016 TV drama “Border Town Prodigal.” She grew up in Shanghai and graduated from LASALLE College of Arts in Singapore with a degree in Fashion Media and Industries. She ranked second in the variety program “Youth With You 2” and debuted as a member of the Chinese girl group THE9. She was nominated for The Golden Eagle Award and was listed in the 2020 Forbes China 30 Under 30 list. In the summer of 2022, Esther Yu starred in the fantasy drama “Love Between Fairy and Devil,” which was a huge success.

In 2023, she was announced as the hair technology ambassador for Dyson.

Relevant reading: Why Brands Can’t Miss Out On China’s Latest TV Hit

3. Rosy Zhao

Rosy Zhao’s acting career started in 2017 with her debut in the romance drama “Untouchable Lovers.” She continued to make waves in the industry and in 2021, she starred in the historical drama “The Long Ballad” alongside Dilraba Dilmurat. The following year, she impressed audiences with her performances in the hit dramas “Who Rules The World” and “Love Like the Galaxy.” Her acting skills have garnered praise and admiration from fans worldwide, and in 2022, she was promoted to brand spokesperson for Bulgari after being their brand ambassador.

Relevant reading: Max Mara’s Business Strategy Delves Into China’s Youth

2. Bai Lu

Bai Lu landed her first leading role in the historical comedy television series “King Is Not Easy.” In January 2019, Bai Lu starred in the fantasy drama “The Legends” alongside Xu Kai, playing the role of the terrifying female demon Lu Zhaoyao, which earned her critical acclaim and record-breaking viewership. In 2021, she won the “Most Popular Actress” award at the iQiyi Q Awards for her role as Shi Yi in the drama “One and Only.” She was also nominated for Best Actress for her role in the same drama at the 34th Huading Awards that year.

Recently, she starred in the fantasy drama “Till the End of the Moon” where she played three different characters. In January 2022, Bai Lu became the spokesperson for MK China’s jewelry and watches line.

Relevant reading: What’s Next for Luxury in a Locked Down China?

1.Yang Zi

Yang Zi is regarded as one of the “Four Dan Actresses of the Post-90s Generation” alongside Zheng Shuang, Zhou Dongyu, and Guan Xiaotong. She rose to fame at the age of 13 for her role in the popular sitcom “Home With Kids.” After attending the Beijing Film Academy, she resumed her professional acting career and went on to star in the fantasy romance drama “Ashes of Love” (2018) and the romantic comedy “Go Go Squid!” (2019), which broke television ratings records and has been streamed more than 9.6 billion times.

In 2022, she starred in the television dramas “The Oath of Love” and “Immortal Samsara,” and was named the “Most Popular Celebrity” at the 2022 Weibo Night Awards. In 2023, Yang Zi was announced as the brand spokesperson for Japanese sun care brand Anessa.

Relevant reading: Will Actress Yang Zi’s Onscreen Popularity Translate to Commercial Success?

 

Sources: EnStar, Wikipedia, Baidu, Fandom, Rakuten Viki and MyDreamList

 

Continue to read “Top 10 Chinese Actors to Watch in 2023” here