Zhao Qing (赵晴)

Zhao Qing’s rise is a classic case of a carefully orchestrated “traffic” push. Starting as a Hanfu (traditional Chinese clothing) influencer on Douyin under the handle “Quanmai Xiao Hetao” (Whole Wheat Little Walnut), she transitioned to acting in 2021 and quickly caught the eye of powerhouse producer Yu Zheng, signing with his company Huanyu Entertainment. Dubbed the “Most Beautiful White Moonlight” and jokingly referred to as “Yu Zheng‘s new daughter”, she has been the recipient of a massive promotional push, landing roles in hit series like Story of Kunning Palace (为有暗香来) and The Double (墨雨云间), before being handed the leading role in the big-budget drama Jin Wu Bu Jin (金吾不禁). Love her or hate her, Zhao Qing’s omnipresence across streaming platforms has made her one of the most talked-about young actresses of her generation.

Breakthrough Role Zhao’s official entry into the industry came in 2021 with the lead role in the ancient costume romance A Letter to the Moon (一纸寄风月). However, her real breakthrough came in 2023 when she landed the role of Mu Yao in the hit drama Story of Kunning Palace (为有暗香来). While the role brought her wider recognition, it also sparked intense public debate. Many viewers criticized her appearance and acting skills, prompting Yu Zheng to publicly defend her, stating she was “already working very hard to lose weight”. She bounced back in 2024 with well-received supporting roles: the quirky doctor Situ Jiuyue in The Double (墨雨云间) and the lead in the historical mystery Tan Qing An (探晴安). Her performance as Mo Caihuan in the 2025 xianxia drama The Legend of Mortal Cultivation (凡人修仙传) earned her the “Breakthrough Young Actor” award and cemented her status as a rising star.

Public Perception Zhao Qing currently occupies a unique and contradictory space in the entertainment industry. She is simultaneously one of the most heavily promoted and most heavily criticized actresses of her generation. On one hand, with the full backing of Yu Zheng, a rapidly growing resume, and a spot on the prestigious 2024 “Xingchen Dahai” young actors list, her career trajectory seems unstoppable. On the other hand, she faces persistent skepticism. Critics argue she “lacks a true breakthrough role” and that her acting skills and personal identity haven’t fully stabilized. The intense promotional push has led to accusations of being “overly forced,” with some fans of other artists complaining that her supporting roles have overshadowed main leads. Compounding this is her well-documented struggle with her appearance for roles, with Yu Zheng revealing she once slimmed down to just 92 pounds. This has created a paradoxical image: a young actress seen as both highly ambitious and vulnerable, heavily backed yet still fighting for genuine public acceptance.