Liu Lingzi (劉令姿)

Liu Lingzi first captured public attention as the "regret of the heart" of Youth With You Season 2, where her elegant cold beauty, flawless physique, and powerful stage presence won her a legion of devoted fans despite narrowly missing debut. Yet what truly sets her apart is her rare ability to embody classical Chinese beauty — often compared to a "painting of a lady from a Song dynasty scroll" — a quality that has made her a rising star in costume dramas. Breakthrough Role Her breakthrough came in 2022 with the hit historical romantic comedy New Life Begins, in which she portrayed Yuan Ying, the ambitious and self-disciplined eldest daughter of the King of Jinchuan. Originally written as a minor supporting character scheduled to appear in just three episodes, Liu's magnetic performance won over audiences and led the director to expand her role considerably. Her entrance scene, a flowing water-sleeve dance performed in a single unbroken take, remains one of the series' most unforgettable moments. Public Perception Within the Chinese entertainment industry, Liu Lingzi is widely regarded as one of the most successful transitions from idol trainee to serious actress. Trained at the prestigious Central Academy of Drama in musical theater, she has consistently broken the stereotype that "idols can't act." While her acting abilities continue to mature, audiences and critics alike praise her subtle, restrained emotional delivery and the remarkable precision her dance background brings to historical dramas. At just 28 years old, having steadily built a portfolio of well-received costume dramas such as The Heirs, A Lonely Hero's Journey and The Blossoming Love, she remains a young talent with significant untapped potential — widely seen as an actress poised for her big breakthrough.