Zhao Liying

Zhao Liying
赵丽颖
Zhao in July 2020
Born (1987-10-16) October 16, 1987 (age 36)
Langfang, Hebei, China
Other namesZanilia Zhao
Alma materLangfang School of Electronic Information Engineering
OccupationActress
Years active2006–present
AgentHesong Media
Spouse
(m. 2018; div. 2021)
Children1
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese趙麗穎
Simplified Chinese赵丽颖

Zhao Liying (Chinese: 赵丽颖, born October 16, 1987), also known as Zanilia Zhao, is a Chinese actress and singer. She is best known for her roles in television series Legend of Lu Zhen (2013), Boss & Me (2014), The Journey of Flower (2015), The Mystic Nine (2016), Noble Aspirations (2016), Princess Agents (2017), The Story of Minglan (2018), and Legend of Fei (2020).

Early life

Zhao was born on October 16, 1987, in Langfang, Hebei. She graduated from Langfang School of Electronic Information Engineering, a secondary professional training school. She has said of this period:

I was born in a village, but it was the experience of rural life that strengthened my strong will and gave me a firm and tenacious personality. It is these experiences that have made me who I am today. So I think it is his strong heart, the persistent pursuit of dreams, the perseverance and steadfastness of the profession which you are engaged in, as well as the calmness and stability when facing vanity that makes a hero.

Career

2006–2012: Beginnings

In 2006, Zhao Liying participated in the Yahoo Search Star Game and became the final winner. She subsequently signed with Huayi Brothers. In 2007, Zhao made her acting debut in the family drama Golden Marriage directed by Zheng Xiaolong.

In 2009, Zhao took on her first historical drama role in The Firmament of The Pleiades. The series was broadcast on Japanese channel NHK and earned critical acclaim. Zhao received the Most Popular Actress award at the Chinese Creative Short Video Awards.

In 2010, she first started to gain recognition from mainland audiences after appearing in The Dream of Red Mansions (2010), based on the novel of the same name by Cao Xueqin. In 2011, Zhao's popularity rose following her role as Princess Qing'er in New My Fair Princess.

2013–2015: Rising popularity and Breakthrough

In 2013, Zhao starred in historical drama Legend of Lu Zhen, playing an ordinary girl who worked her way up to become the first female prime minister. The drama was a hit domestically, and also overseas in South Korea and Japan, leading to increased recognition for Zhao in the region. Zhao won several newcomer and popularity awards at local award ceremonies. The same year, Zhao starred in historical romance film Palace: Lock Sinensis, the fourth and final installment of the Gong series by Yu Zheng. Contrary to her usual sweet and nice image, Zhao plays a scheming and evil princess in the film.

In 2014, Zhao starred in the romantic comedy drama Boss & Me, based on Gu Man's popular novel Shan Shan Comes to Eat. The series topped ratings in its timeslot in China, and also earned high popularity overseas. Zhao further solidified her popularity with several high rated dramas in 2014, including The Legend of Chasing Fish and Wife's Secret. Zhao's soaring popularity thanks to her various successful acting projects led to her being crowned the "Golden Eagle Goddess" at the 10th China Golden Eagle TV Art Festival, where she performed as the opening act to the ceremony.

In 2015, Zhao starred in xianxia romance drama The Journey of Flower. The drama was a huge success in China, achieving a peak rating of 3.89 and also became the first Chinese drama to surpass 20 billion online views. The success of the drama brought Zhao's career to greater heights. Zhao won numerous accolades for her role in The Journey of Flower, including the Best Actress at the 28th China TV Golden Eagle Award. Zhao was also nominated for the Magnolia Award for Best Actress in a Television Series. The same year, she starred in modern workplace drama Best Get Going, and wuxia drama Legend of Zu Mountain.

2016–present: Mainstream recognition

In 2016, Zhao starred in action adventure drama The Mystic Nine, playing a sassy and haughty heiress. The series was a commercial success, accumulating over 10 billion views in total. Zhao won the Best Actress award at the 3rd Hengdian Film and TV Festival of China for her role. She was then cast as the female lead, Bi Yao, in Noble Aspirations, based on the popular novel Zhu Xian written by Xiao Ding. The drama has over 23 billion views online, the highest record held by a Chinese drama at that time. The same year, Zhao starred in her first war drama, Rookie Agent Rouge. VLinkage reported that as of December 2016, Zhao's combined dramas' views have reached over 110 billion views, which is the currently the most for a Chinese actor.

In 2017, Zhao starred in the Han Han-directed film, Duckweed, alongside Deng Chao and Eddie Peng. The sleeper hit was a commercial and critical success. She won her first film award, the Favorite Actress at the Beijing College Student Film Festival. She then starred in the revolutionary drama film Eternal Wave along with Aaron Kwok, about Communist Party (CPC) undercover agents operating against the Japanese in 1930s Shanghai. Zhao returned to the small screen with historical action drama Princess Agents, playing a slave girl who rises up to become a powerful female general. Princess Agents was a commercial success both domestically and internationally, and held the record as the most watched Chinese television series at that time. The same year, Forbes China named Zhao in their 30 Under 30 Asia list which comprises 30 influential people under 30 years old who have made substantial effect in their fields.

In 2018, Zhao starred in the fantasy adventure film The Monkey King 3, playing the role of the Women Country's Ruler. Zhao then starred in the historical drama The Story of Minglan produced by Daylight Entertainment. The drama received critical acclaim and topped television ratings with over 2% in its final episodes. Zhao was nominated at the Magnolia Award for Best Actress in a Television Series for the second time.

In 2019, it was announced that Zhao would star as the female lead in the wuxia drama Legend of Fei, based on the novel You Fei by Priest.

Other activities

In 2016, Zhao was named the tourism ambassador of Hebei. The same year, Zhao became the Vice President of Yi Xia Technology.

Zhao unveiled her wax figure at Madame Tussauds Beijing in May 2017. The same year, Zhao was chosen as a brand ambassador for Dior in China.

In March 2019, Zhao announced her partnership with Hesong Media.

Personal life

On October 16, 2018, Zhao announced her marriage to actor Feng Shaofeng on Sina Weibo. On March 8, 2019, Zhao gave birth to a boy.

On April 23, 2021, Feng and Zhao announced their divorce on Sina Weibo, ending their two-year marriage. They share custody of their son.

Filmography

Film

Year English title Chinese title Role Ref.
2007 The Gold Convoyers 5: Peony Pavillion 镖行天下之牡丹阁 Xiao Hong
2008 Ten Warriors in Mashi Mountain 马石山十勇士 Ying Zi
Love Killed Nine River Hall 爱杀九河堂 You Lan
2013 Palace: Lock Sinensis 宫锁沉香 Liu Li
2015 Crazy New Year’s Eve 一路惊喜 Li Nana
2016 Royal Treasure 极限挑战之皇家宝藏 Princess Baihua
The Rise of a Tomboy 女汉子完美恋人 He Siuwu
Days of Our Own 我们的十年 Zhang Jingyi
2017 Duckweed 乘风破浪 Niu Aihua / Zhang Suzhen
Eternal Wave 密战 He Lanfang
2018 The Monkey King 3 西遊記之女兒國 Ruler of Women's Country
2021 Raya and the Last Dragon 寻龙使者:拉雅 Raya (Mandarin Chinese dub)

Television series

Year English title Chinese title Role Notes Ref.
2006 Century Endless Love 世纪不了情 Lin Shanshan
2007 King of Nanyue Kingdom 南越王 Empress
Golden Marriage 金婚 Tong Duoduo
2008 Spring Goes, Spring Comes 春去春又回 Ren Jie'er
2009 Love Tribulations 锁清秋 Wen Yan
The Firmament of The Pleiades 苍穹之昴 Ling'er
A Husband and Wife 夫妻一场 Yingzi
2010 Qiao Luo Gang 锣鼓巷 Li Qiuping (young)
The Girl in Blue 佳期如梦 An An
The Dream of Red Mansions 新红楼梦 Xing Xiuyan
The Amateur Imperial Bodyguard 大内低手 Chen Xin'er
2011 Goddess of Mercy 新玉观音 A Jing
New My Fair Princess 新还珠格格 Princess Qing'er
Xia Yan's Autumn 夏妍的秋天 Tang Xiaoran
2012 Best Quality Men and Women 极品男女日记 Chu Yang
Palace II 宫锁珠帘 Tunggiya Baihe Cameo
Cuo Dian Yuan Yang 错点鸳鸯 Su Huan'er / Yang Yiliu
2013 Legend of Lu Zhen 陆贞传奇 Lu Zhen
The Legend of Chasing Fish 追鱼传奇 Hong Ling
Ex 我的极品是前任 Liu Li Cameo
2014 Wife's Secret 妻子的秘密 Jiang Baihe
Boss & Me 杉杉来了 Xue Shanshan
The Romance of the Condor Heroes 神雕侠侣 Mu Nianci Cameo
2015 The Journey of Flower 花千骨 Hua Qiangu
Best Get Going 加油吧实习生 Song Nuan
Love Yunge from the Desert 大汉情缘之云中歌 Bai He Cameo
2016 The Mystic Nine 老九门 Yin Xinyue
Noble Aspirations 青云志 Bi Yao
Rookie Agent Rouge 胭脂 Lan Yanzhi
2017 Princess Agents 特工皇妃楚乔传 Chu Qiao
2018 Our Glamorous Time 你和我的倾城时光 Lin Qian
The Story of Minglan 知否?知否?应是绿肥红瘦 Sheng Minglan
2020 Legend of Fei 有翡 Zhou Fei
2022 The Story of Xing Fu 幸福到万家 Xing Fu
2022 Wild Bloom 风吹半夏 Xu Banxia

Web series

Year English title Chinese title Role Notes Ref.
2015 Legend of Zu Mountain 蜀山战纪之剑侠传奇 Yu Wuxin
The Journey of Flower 花千骨2015 Hua Qiangu Cameo
2016 Lucky Tianbao 吉祥天宝 Yang Ruonan
Happy Mitan 欢喜密探 Bao Bei'er Cameo
Noble Aspirations 2 青云志2 Bi Yao
2021 Who Is The Murderer 谁是凶手 Shen Yu

Short film

Year English title Chinese title Role Ref.
2006 Gui Zu Pian 跪族篇 Noblewoman from Zhou clan of Runan
2017 Who Loves You The Most 谁最爱你
Love of Jasmine 茉莉之恋 Female lead
Wang You Jiu Guan: Xiang Si Men 忘忧酒馆-相思门
Wang You Jiu Guan: Wang You Zhen 忘忧酒馆-忘忧镇 Mysterious Woman
2018 The Real Illusion 幻狸录
Goodbye 再见 Xiao Han
Bobo Snap
Wang You Jiu Guan III 忘忧酒馆3 Du Guxue
2022 Hello, Hello 你好,你好 Lin Yin

Television shows

Year English title Chinese title Role Ref.
2015 Up Idol 偶像来了 Cast member
2017 72 Floors of Mystery 七十二层奇楼
2020 Chinese Restaurant 4 中餐厅4

Music video appearances

Year English title Chinese title Artist Ref.
2016 To Love You 終生角色 Kenny Kwan
2017 Miss You 想你 Kris Wu
2021 You Deserve Better 你值得更好的 Jason Zhang

Discography

Singles

Year English title Chinese title Album Notes Ref.
2013 "Mood" 心情 Legend of Lu Zhen OST with Chen Xiao
2015 "Not to Mention" 不可说 The Journey of Flower OST with Wallace Huo
"You're an Idol" 你是偶像 Up Idol theme song with various artists
"Ten Years" 十年 Days of Our Own OST Rendition of Eason Chan's song
"Destruction in Chaos" 乱世俱灭 Legend of Zu Mountain OST with Andy Hui
"I Have Never Existed" 我从来不存在 with Yilia Yu
2016 "Yearning" 心念 Rookie Agent Rouge OST
2017 "Gaze" Princess Agents OST with Zhang Bichen
"Miss You" 想你 Non-album single with Kris Wu
2018 "Don't You Know" 知否知否 The Story of Minglan OST with Feng Shaofeng

Awards and nominations

Major awards
Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2013 5th China TV Drama Awards Best New Actress Legend of Lu Zhen Won
2014 10th China Golden Eagle TV Art Festival Golden Eagle Goddess Won
13th Huading Awards Best New Actress Legend of Lu Zhen Nominated
2015 6th Macau International Television Festival Best Actress The Journey of Flower Won
2016 19th Huading Awards Best Actress (Contemporary Drama) Best Get Going Nominated
Best Actress (Historical Drama) The Journey of Flower Nominated
22nd Shanghai Television Festival Best Actress Nominated
28th China TV Golden Eagle Award Best Actress Won
11th China Golden Eagle TV Art Festival Most Popular Actress Nominated
3rd Asia Rainbow TV Awards Best Actress (Historical Drama) Nominated
3rd Hengdian Film and TV Festival of China Best Actress The Mystic Nine Won
2017 22nd Huading Awards Best Actress Nominated
24th Beijing College Student Film Festival Favorite Actress Duckweed Won
8th Macau International Television Festival Best Actress Princess Agents Nominated
2018 9th China Film Director's Guild Awards Best Actress Duckweed Nominated
2019 25th Shanghai Television Festival Best Actress The Story of Minglan Nominated
26th Huading Awards Best Actress (Historical drama) Nominated
Golden Bud - The Fourth Network Film And Television Festival Best Actress Nominated
2020 30th China TV Golden Eagle Award Best Actress Nominated
Audience's Choice for Actress Won
2022 35th Huading Awards Best Actress (Contemporary) The Story of Xingfu Won
2023 28th Shanghai Television Festival Best Actress Wild Bloom Nominated
Others
2006 Search Star Game Won
2009 Chinese Creative Short Video Awards Most Popular Actress Won
2013 Youku Young Choice Awards Most Popular Actress (Mainland China) Legend of Lu Zhen Won
4th LeTV Film & TV Awards Most Popular Actress (TV) Won
2014 3rd iQiyi All-Star Carnival Most Popular Actress Boss & Me Won
6th China TV Drama Awards Most Popular Actress (Mainland China) Won
2015 Weibo Awards Ceremony Weibo Goddess Won
4th iQiyi All-Star Carnival Most Popular Actress Won
Powerstar Award Ceremony Most Popular Actress Won
2nd The Actors of China Award Ceremony Best Actress (Emerald) The Journey of Flower Nominated
7th China TV Drama Awards Special Contribution Award Won
Actress with the Most Ratings Appeal Won
2016 Weibo Awards Ceremony Most Popular Actress Won
Weibo Queen Won
Tencent Star App Most Popular Actress Won
Chengdu Economic Daily Readers' Reputation Ranking Television Actress of the Year Won
Chinese Campus Art Glory Festival Most Popular Actress Won
5th iQiyi All-Star Carnival Artist of the Year The Mystic Nine Won
Baidu Moments Press Conference Most Commercially Valuable Female Artist Won
10th Tencent Video Star Awards Most Popular TV Actress Noble Aspirations Won
2017 2nd China Quality Television Drama Ceremony Most Talented Actress Rookie Agent Rouge Won
2nd Weibo Movie Awards Ceremony Most Anticipated Film Pairing The Monkey King 3 Won
6th iQiyi All-Star Carnival Goddess Award Won
11th Tencent Video Star Awards Television Actress of the Year Princess Agents Won
24th Cosmo Beauty Ceremony Beautiful Idol of the Year Won
2018 7th iQiyi All-Star Carnival Goddess Award Won
2019 6th The Actors of China Award Ceremony Best Actress (Emerald Category) The Story of Minglan Nominated
Tencent Video All Star Awards Most Commercially Valuable Artist Won
VIP Star Won
2020 Weibo Awards Ceremony Influential Actor of the Year Won
China Literature Awards Ceremony Actress of the Year Won
2021 Douyin Star Night Star Goddess Won
Most Popular Actor Won
2023 Harper's Bazaar Annual ICONS Party Actor of the Year Won

Forbes China Celebrity 100

Year Rank Ref.
2014 80th
2015 43rd
2017 4th
2019 15th
2020 7th
2021 7th

This page was last updated at 2024-02-20 11:02 UTC. Update now. View original page.

All our content comes from Wikipedia and under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.


Top

If mathematical, chemical, physical and other formulas are not displayed correctly on this page, please useFirefox or Safari