Xu Ruohan (徐若晗)

Xu Ruohan has carved a distinctive niche in China’s entertainment industry as a "quiet, deep-current" actor among the post-95s generation. Rather than chasing blockbuster hits in the crowded historical fantasy genre, she has deliberately focused on modern and youth-oriented dramas, where her authentic, layered portrayals of complex young women have set her apart. Her acting is characterized by a natural, unpolished "stoic sweetness" — a rare blend of quiet resilience and genuine emotional depth that resonates with audiences seeking realism over empty spectacle. This strategy of building a career on performance quality and character-specific roles has earned her critical praise and a loyal following, solidifying her status as a rising star to watch. Breakthrough Role Xu first gained widespread attention in 2023 with the youth drama Summer Flowers (Xia Hua). She plays He Ran, a terminally ill teenage girl with a sharp, mischievous personality who falls in love with a talented yet troubled gardener. Xu’s performance captured a poignant balance: the sweetness and tenacity of a young woman clinging to life, never allowing the illness to define her. Her ability to project both naivety and depth made He Ran a hauntingly memorable character. This role demonstrated her capacity to carry a story with emotional nuance, bringing her to the forefront of a new generation of actors adept at portraying resilient, relatable heroines. Public Perception Industry observers consider Xu Ruohan a "sleepy genius of the modern romance genre," an actress whose talent often surpasses her screen recognition. She has won multiple awards, including Weibo's New Rising Artist, the iQIYI Scream Night's Most Potential Actor, and the Tencent Video Starlight Award for Most Promising TV Drama Actor. However, her public perception is mixed: some praise her natural, understated emotional delivery, particularly in comparison to her scene-stealing performance on the variety show Infinite and Beyond 2. Others argue that her stage presence can feel insufficient for grander roles, an issue that surfaced in her portrayal of an empress on the same program. Overall, Xu is seen as a promising performer with a clear vision for her career — one that prioritizes artistic growth and avoids the typical pitfalls of overnight fame.