8 Rising C-Drama Actresses To Watch Out. Here's List of Their Drama

 

Every now and then, we will see pretty faces making a big splash in the highly competitive Chinese entertainment. Most are products of China's top acting schools - Central Academy of Drama, Beijing Film Academy, and Shanghai Theater Academy. 

But in an already visually-stacked Chinese drama industry loaded with talents, artists need to play  a remarkable role with a good recall to leave a lasting impression on viewers and catch the attention of producers. 

Here are newbies whose stars are rising in the right direction after making a good impression on the roles they played in 2023.

Who among them will really make it big in the industry and become A-listers?

1. Liu Haocun 

• Birthdate: May 20, 1998
• Film debut: One Second (2020) - main role
• Series debut: Derailment (2023) - main role
• Weibo Followers: 3.0 million as of February 2024

Liu Haocun

She studied Dance at the Beijing Dance Academy. In 2016, she was scouted by Chinese legendary filmmaker, Zhang Yimou, who has an eye for talented individuals. Zhang Yimou also discovered Zhou Dongyu, NiNi, and Gong Li, China's award-winning actresses.   

Liu Haocun receives awards for her acting performances

Liu Haocun passed three rounds of auditions organized by Zhang Yimou to take the female lead role in the movie, One Second (2020). She then began rigorous acting training under Zhang Yimou. 

Her acting performance in her debut film, One Second, impressed critics in China. She went on to play more lead roles in popular movies such as The Little Red Flower in 2020 with C-Pop sensation, Jackson Yee, the blockbuster film Cliffwalkers directed by Zhang Yimou, and Only Fools Rush In with Liu Haoran.

Liu Haocun with Song Weilong in the movie, Just For Meeting You (2023)

Liu Haocun with Lin Yi in the drama, Derailment (2023)

According to reports, Zhang Yimou planned to cast her in his wuxia film, Shadow (2018), but due to the adjustment of the script, the role went to Guan Xiaotong. Shadow stars Deng Chao, Sun Li, Hu Jun, and Wu Lei.

Li Haocun made her drama (series) debut in 2023, Derailment (check our review here), with Lin Yi. 

Filmography:

Movies:

• One Second (2020) - main role
• The Little Red Flower (2020) - main role
• Cliffwalkers (2021) - main role
• Only Fools Rush In (2022) - main role with Liu Haoran
• Sniper (2022) - support role
• Ride On (2023) - main role
• Just For Meeting You (2023) - main role
• Remember Me (2023) - main role

Series:

• Derailment (2023) - main role with Lin Yi

Upcoming drama:

• Seven Heart Slips - main role with Song Weilong and Ao Ruipeng 

2. Xuo Ruohan 

• Birthdate: February 27, 1998
• Film debut: Vanguard (2020) - main role
• Series debut: Perfect and Casual (2020) - main role
• Weibo Followers: 2.1 million as of February 2024

Xuo Ruonan

She graduated from the Animation department of the Beijing Film Academy. According to her online profile, she was scouted by Hong Kong action superstar, Jackie Chan, in 2018. 

She made her acting debut in Jackie Chan's film, Vanguard, in 2020, which also starred Yang Yang. The same year she debuted on the small screen, Perfect and Casual. 

Xuo Ruohan 

Xuo Ruohan became known to overseas drama fans when she was cast in the modern romance drama, The Forbidden Flower, playing the main female lead role. She acted alongside Taiwanese actor, Jerry Yan.

She is under Hesong Entertainment, the same agency of Zhou Ye and Neo Hou.

Movies:

• Vanguard (2020) - main role
• Almost Love (2022) - main role
• If We Were Lucky (2023) - main role

Series:

• Perfect and Casual (2020) - main role
• Out With a Bang (2022) - main role
• Catch Up My Prince (2023) - main role
• The Forbidden Flower (2023) - main role
• The Hope (2023) - support role

3. He Landou

• Birthdate: October 16, 1999
• Film debut: Gone For Nothing (2016) - main role
• Series debut: Moonshine and Valentine (2018) - guest role
• Weibo Followers: 6.0 million as of February 2024

He Landou

He Landou is not new to C-Drama fans. She made her acting debut in 2016, but it's only lately that she made an impression. 

She caught our attention last year for playing the dual role of Princess Yang Ying and the crossdresser Lord Li in the drama, A Journey To Love.

He Landou

Movies:

• Gone For Nothing (2016) - main role
• The Mystic Nine Side Story (2016) - main role
• Dragon Hunter (2017)  - main role
• Young Tang Bohu (2018)  - main role
• Return of Wukong (2018)  - main role
• Perspective Eyes (2018)  - main role
• Monkey King Reincarnation (2018) - main role
• Buried City (2019) - main role
• My Best Summer (2019) - main role
• The Love of Immortal (2020) - main role
• Great God Monkey 3 (2020) - main role
• Demon Subduing Division 3 (2021) - main role
• My Blue Summer (2022) - main role
• Serendipity Love (2022) - main role
• Behind The Blue Eyes (2023) - main role

Series:

• Youth (2018) - main role
• Buried City to Shut All Lights (2018) - main role
• With You (2020) - main role
• Star-Crossed Lovers (2022) - main role
• Springs of Life (2022) - main role
• My Dearest (2022) - main role
• Tiger and Crane (2023) - main role
• A Journey to Love (2023) - support role

4. Zhang Miaoyi

• Birthdate: September 13, 1998
• Film debut: Not Yet
• Series debut: Crossroad Bistro (2021) - support role
• Weibo Followers: 1.8 million as of February 2024

Zhang Miaoyi

Zhang Miaoyi is one of the young C-Drama actresses who made a good impression in 2023. She graduated from the Central Academy of Drama and debuted in acting in 2021. 

Zhang Miaoyi

She rose to popularity in 2023 for playing the role of Su Zai Zai in the youth romance drama, When I Fly Towards You, followed by Exclusive Fairytale with K-pop/C-pop idol, Jun of the boy band Seventeen.

Series:

• Crossroad Bistro (2021) - support role
• Out of the Dream (2021) - support role
• Marvelous Women (2021) - support role
• Please Don't Spoil Me Seasons 1 to 5 (2022-2023) - main role
• When I Fly Towards You (2023) - main role
• Exclusive Fairytale (2023) - main role
• Back To Seventeen (2023) - main role
• Sweet Trap (2024) - main role

Upcoming drama:

• The Substitute Princess's Love - main role
• Guardians of the Dafeng - support role
• Legend of the Female General - support role
• Fangs of Fortune - support role

5. Lu Yuxiao 

• Birthdate: September 27, 1999
• Film debut: Not Yet
• Series debut: No Boundary (2021) - support role
• Weibo Followers: 4.0 million as of February 2024

Lu Yuxiao 

Lu Yuxiao is one of the many C-drama newcomers who made an impression in 2023 with her main role in To Ship Someone, and support role in My Journey To You. 

Lu Yuxiao 

She came to C-netizens' attention when it was noticed she had more screening time than the female lead, Esther You, in My Journey To You. Lu Yuxiao just debuted in acting in 2021 and she has yet to appear in movies.

Series:

• No Boundary (2021) - support role
• See You Tomorrow (2022) - main role
• My Deepest Dream (2022) - support role
• Time and Him Are Just Right (2023) - main role
• To Ship Someone (2023) - main role
• The Longest Promise (2023) - support role
• Love You Seven Times (2023) - support role
• My Journey To You (2023) - support role
• Parallel World (2023) - support role
• Battle Through The Heaven (2023) - support role

Upcoming drama:

• The Story of Huazhi - support role
• Perfect Match - main role

6. Bao Shang En

• Birthdate: May 23, 2002
• Film debut: Who's The Suspect (2023) 
• Series debut: Love Behind the Melody (2022)
• Weibo Followers: 1.5 million as of February 2024

Bao Shang En

Also known as Bao Lu Jia, Shang En debuted in acting in 2021. So far, only a few things we know about her. She is reportedly studying at the Communication University of Zhejiang.

Bao Shang En as Huang Rong in The Legend of Heroes

She is set to give life to the iconic wuxia character, Huang Rong, in the upcoming The Legend of Heroes, the newest spin-off of The Legend of the Condor Heroes.

Bao Shang En

Bao Shang En

With her pretty cute face, she looked like the young version of Chen Duling! And indeed, in the upcoming Legend of Heroes, they will play mother and daughter haha! 

Bao Shang En

Movies:

• Who's The Suspect (2023) - support role
• Reversed Destiny (upcoming) - main role

Series:

• Love Behind The Melody (2022) - main role
• Be Yourself (2022) - main role
• My Deepest Dream (2022) - support role
• Wonderful Hand (2023) - support role
• Fake It Till You Make It (2023) - support role

Upcoming drama:

• The Legend of Heroes - main role
• Hero Legends - support role
• Water Dragon's Ballad - main role

7. Wang Yiting 

• Birthdate: April 9, 2001
• Film debut: President (2019) - guest role
• Series debut: Legend of Yunxi (2018) - support role
• Weibo Followers: 4.3 million as of February 2024

Wang Yiting

Wang Yiting

This pretty Shanghainese girl was one of the many new faces in C-drama that caught our attention in 2023 with her impressive performance and stunning beauty in Legend of Anle.

Wang Yiting

She is studying dance at the Shanghai Theater Academy and debuted in acting in 2018, in the costume drama, Legend of Yunxi.

Wang Yiting

Movie:

• President (2019) - guest role

Series:

• Legend of Yunxi (2018) - support role
• The Great Ruler (2020) - support role 
• Legend of Two Sisters in the Chaos (2020) - support role 
• The Blooms at Ruyi Pavilion (2020) - support role 
• Rebirth For You (2021) - support role 
• A Portrait of Jianghu (2023) - main role
• Legend of Anle (2023) - support role
• Love is Panacea (2023) - support role

Upcoming drama:

• Everlasting Longing (costume) - support role
• Offering Fish (costume) - support role
• Seven Heart Slips (fantasy/sci-fi) - support role

8. Ai Mi

• Birthdate: July 13, 2008
• Film debut: Ulterior Motive (2015)
• Series debut: People's Prosecutor (2016)
• Weibo Followers: 2.0 million as of February 2024

Ai Mi

Ai Mi

Her real name is Xu Chenchen. She was born in Beijing, China, and debuted in acting when she was just six years old, playing the role of Ling Yun in the movie, Ulterior Motive (2015). 

She made her drama debut in 2016, in People's Prosecutor. She also appeared in Joseph Zeng's wuxia drama, Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Saber in 2019.

Ai Mi

Ai Mi

Ai Mi went on to play more roles in the movies as a child actress for several years until she caught the attention of drama fans in 2021 when she played the role of a young soldier in the Chinese blockbuster war film, Battle of Lake Changjin, which is the highest-grossing film in Asia of all time.  

Ai Mi

Ai Mi easily caught the attention of viewers due to her pretty visuals. Charming and cute face, calm demeanor, and strong appeal. 

In 2023, she starred in Destined and Scent of Time where her pretty face stood above the rest. 

Ai Mi

Movies (all in the support role):

• Kung Fu Noodle (2017)
• Guilt by Design (2019)
• Snake 2 (2019)
• Liberation (2019)
• Double World (2020)
• The Yin Yang Master 1 and 2 (2021)
• The Battle of Lake Changjin (2021)
• The Youth Years (2022)
• Beating Heart (2022) 

Series (all in the support role):

• People Prosecutor (2016)
• Rakshasa Street (2017)
• Bloom Lily (2018)
• Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Saber (2019)
• Let Me Understand Your Language (2019)
• Serenade of Peaceful Joy (2020)
• The Twin Flower Legend (2020)
• Maiden Holmes (2020)
• Minning Town (2021)
• Miss Crow with Mr. Lizard (2021)
• No Boundary (2021)
• Novoland: Pearl Eclipse (2021)
• Who Rules The World (2022)
• The Blood of Youth (2022)
• Destined (2023)
• My Journey To You (2023)
• Scent of Time (2023)

Upcoming Drama:

• The Double (costume) - support role
• Teresa Teng (modern) - support role
• The Rise of Ning (costume - support role
• Fangs of Fortune (costume) - support role
• Love of the Divine Tree (costume) - support role