Sabrina Zhuang (庄达菲)

Sabrina Zhuang or Zhuang Dafei is a Chinese actress and singer born on February 28, 2001 in Shenyang City, Liaoning Province. She made her acting debut in the 2012 short film, Old Man's Wish. Her main acting works include Miss Puff, Mountains and Ocean, Closer to You, I Don't Want To Be Friends With You, Love Script, Rock It, Mom, and You Are Desire.

Zhuang Dafei has carved out a unique space in Chinese entertainment as a young actress who refuses to be defined by her privileged background. Nicknamed the “Princess of the Beijing Circle” for her elite upbringing — attending Peking University Elementary School and Tsinghua University International High School, and studying abroad from fifth grade — she has spent years quietly dismantling that label through sheer hard work. What makes her fascinating is the tension between her “resource-rich” reputation and her genuine desire to be seen as a serious actress. From her early days as part of the “Sanlitun Trio” alongside Li Gengxi and Xiang Hanzhi to her breakout comedic turn in Johnny Keep Walking!, she has proven that while connections may open doors, it’s her natural screen presence and growing versatility that keep audiences watching.

Breakthrough Role

Zhuang Dafei’s journey began early — she first appeared on screen at age eleven in the short film The Elder’s Wish (2012), and released her self-written, self-composed single The Promise of Migratory Birds at just fifteen. But her true breakthrough came in 2020 with the youth drama My Hedgehog Girl, where she played Han Fei, a prickly, guarded teenager slowly learning to open her heart. The role earned her widespread praise for its emotional authenticity. She followed this with the time-travel comedy Don’t Want to Be Friends with You (2020), which developed a cult following, and the rock-mother-daughter dramedy Rock It, Mom (2022) opposite Yao Chen, where she held her own in scenes with the veteran actress. Her biggest commercial success came with the 2023 hit comedy Johnny Keep Walking!, where she held her own alongside Da Peng and Bai Ke, earning her the “Best Newcomer” award at the 31st College Student Film Festival and the “Weibo Annual New Force Actor” honor in 2024.

Public Perception

Zhuang Dafei occupies a complicated space in the public eye. On one hand, her “Sanlitun Trio” label and visible family connections have led some to dismiss her as a “resource darling” who got ahead through privilege rather than talent. On the other hand, she has steadily won over skeptics by letting her work speak for itself. Her unpretentious, down-to-earth persona — she’s frequently spotted shopping or dining out makeup-free and is known for warmly greeting fans — has earned her genuine goodwill. Industry observers note that while her acting has room to grow, her trajectory shows a performer who learns from each role rather than resting on her advantages. At just 25, with a growing filmography that now includes the highly anticipated Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Great Hero (as Huang Rong) and the sequel to Johnny Keep Walking!, Zhuang Dafei stands at a fascinating crossroads: still fighting to prove she’s more than her label, yet already having come further than many who started with far less.