Gao Ziqi (高梓淇)

Gao Ziqi is the epitome of a late bloomer in China's entertainment industry—a former athlete turned Shanghai Theatre Academy graduate whose boyish charm and unwavering persistence have quietly won him both a leading man status in light-hearted rom-coms and a reputation for portraying tragic, resilient warriors. However, what truly distinguishes him is his ability to translate genuine, off-screen emotional depth into on-screen authenticity, earning him the rare public image of a "reliable" actor who grounds star quality in everyday vulnerability and personal responsibility. Breakthrough Role Gao's major breakthrough arrived in 2011 with the hit period remake New My Fair Princess (《新还珠格格》), a role that unexpectedly brought him into the spotlight. Cast as Xiao Jian, the wandering martial artist with a flute and a broken heart, Gao faced fierce early skepticism from viewers still fond of the original. Yet his performance—alternating between a wanderer's heroic swagger, a brother's fierce protectiveness, and a lover's tender devotion—soon won audiences over completely. Even legendary romance novelist Chiung Yao, the series' creator, praised him openly, noting how Gao had infused Xiao Jian's complex inner world with both raw emotion and a seamlessly authentic physicality. The screenwriter even added more scenes for the couple, and it was his take on Xiao Jian that landed him the recognition as Chiung Yao's favorite "Chiang Nan Lang" (琼男郎) among the new cast. In the years that followed, Gao proved his versatility across an impressive range of genres—romantic comedy My Family's Happiness (《我家有喜》)[12†L4-L5], the classic period drama The New Moment in Peking (《新京华烟云》)[12†L5], and the much-loved historical epic Young Marshal (《大宋少年志》), consistently cementing his status as a reliable character actor. Public Perception Gao Ziqi is widely regarded as a dedicated professional known for his grounded, low-key presence and commitment to his craft. In 2025, he participated in the acting competition show The Actors 3 (《演员请就位3》), where his portrayal of a middle-aged employee on the brink of losing his job earned critical praise. His nuanced performance, marked by authentic body language and subtle emotional expressions, resonated deeply with audiences and drew favorable remarks from the judges. Off-screen, Gao has also been open about his life as a divorced father who remains actively involved in parenting. After his marriage to South Korean actress Chae Rim ended in 2020, he continued to fulfill his responsibilities as a father. His candid reflections on co-parenting have been met with public sympathy, reinforcing his image as a responsible and down-to-earth individual. Overall, Gao maintains a strong standing as a respected actor in the Chinese entertainment industry, with his professionalism and mature, grounded persona earning him broad-based support from audiences.